Teppern's Labyrinth (3)
Teppern's Labyrinth
📍 Arcana Continent's Top 10 Mysteries: Teppern.
📍 Unravel Teppern's Labyrinth.
📍 Reveal Teppern's true nature to the world.
Mysteries Revealed So Far: 0 / 10
─ Witness Teppern's Labyrinth. (Success)
─ Reach the Labyrinth Depths. (In Progress)
The updated objective was to reach the depths of the labyrinth. Well, it wasn't an unexpected goal. Once you'd entered the labyrinth, you had to reach its depths to unravel it anyway. It just felt like knocking out the quest while you were at it.
"……Is that a spirit?"
It was enough to startle anyone at first glance. Its appearance was just so aesthetic. The explorers stared at High El and the shadow spirit in a daze.
"My lord, shall we take it from here?"
The first to snap out of it was Fabian. That damn title.
Calling me "Sir Hoyeol" from the get-go. It wasn't rude, but it felt rude to me. Still, I could understand. The Explorers' League is affiliated with the Yusra Kingdom.
I wouldn't say it myself, but I did hold authority in the Yusra Kingdom. So it was only natural for league explorers under Yusra to show me respect.
Maybe that's why I responded magnanimously.
"I shall observe your exploits."
Fabian and the two men stepped forward. They gently extended their hands, examining the towering walls. Searching for traps, no doubt. Even I could tell that much—they had experience. I'd tasted traps myself, after all, by licking them.
Back in the Quirnburk Mechanical Tower rift.
Of course, the feel is completely different from back then.
The mechanical tower's traps were designed solely to hunt demons. Compared to those silver-crafted traps, the ones in Teppern's Labyrinth...
I haven't seen any yet, but they're probably far more vicious.
For starters, the warning message hadn't been ordinary.
[Foolish one who enters Teppern's Labyrinth.]
[No glory or riches exist here.]
[Leave this place at once.]
[If you do not wish to die.]
But tell someone something doesn't exist, and suddenly they think it does. Tell them not to do something, and they want to do it more. That message probably popped up for everyone who entered.
All the players who came in must be thinking the same thing, right?
That there had to be something in Teppern's Labyrinth. The message appearing right at the start suggested it wasn't your average loot. They were probably making a huge fuss from the entrance.
I thought the same at first.
If not for Grandfell's incorruptibly prideful, exhausting personality. And if I hadn't met the shadow spirit.
"Fabian, the traps are no joke."
"Not just mechanical devices. They're infused with mana."
"……Mana, but not ordinary mana. The magitools aren't reacting."
"As expected of a mystery."
"Tricky. Good thing we brought the league's treasures."
Fabian glanced back at me after spotting a trap. …Am I just supposed to stand here? Is that what he's hinting?
It stung a bit, but I didn't look away. I'd already declared it with a straight face, after all.
That I'd observe their exploits.
That's why I told them to come fully prepared. Me.
To adventure with me. To handle my bluff. It takes a lot of preparation. I even kindly wrote a letter and sent it.
Still, my conscience won't let me just freeload.
This exhausting personality that turns overestimations into reality...! Relying entirely on others is even less my style.
Full preparation. That meant I'd done my part too.
Good thing my stamina's superhuman level now.
In that sense, it was a blessing there were no labyrinth books in the Mage Tower. No room in my head for that knowledge anyway.
I recalled the best preparation I'd managed.
No knowledge of labyrinths or traps, but...
I'd gotten info on Teppern's Labyrinth. I looked at the shadow spirit.
"The reason I summoned you both is simple."
In the Mage Tower's chief office. Clink. I set down the teacups and spoke.
"To hear the opinions of two seniors on the shadow spirit."
The shadow spirit—known facts were scarce. No book revealed more than I already knew. No need to search online. Other players knew zilch about regular spirits, let alone shadows.
That's why I'd invited the two seniors: Matis and Payan Lot.
"An honor to be invited."
"Yes, an honor for me too... Um, could I wet my throat first?"
"Go ahead."
Payan immediately lifted his cup. Good medicine tastes bitter.
Most medicinal herbs don't taste great for humans. They're closer to medicine than tea plants anyway. I consume them steadily to patch my pathetic stats, but...
Monster-like senior mages don't need herbal tonics. So herbal tea wasn't guest-appropriate. That's why I'd prepared this.
"……Slurp. An oddly mysterious flavor? Not like black tea."
Connoisseurs know best? The glutton Payan nailed it right away. Yeah, mysteriously tasty.
It's premium green tea bags at 300 won a pop. Why premium bagged green tea, you ask? That'd require explaining dawn delivery discounts.
I ignored Payan's furrowed brow and got to the point.
"What do you think caused the shadow spirit to appear in Teppern?"
Gulp. Payan, mid-one-shot, lowered his voice hastily.
"As you know, the tricky conditions for shadow spirits aligned. On that, I have little to add..."
"I didn't summon you to reprimand, Payan Lot."
"……Pardon?"
I'd said it before—no one's fault. The shadow spirit's emergence was pure coincidence.
Matis nodded. "Senior Payan. Chief Lee Hoyeol asks why Teppern met those tricky conditions. That's the point."
Exactly. Matis, true to his black magic roots, read my blackened heart perfectly.
"Ah, that's what you meant..."
Payan chuckled awkwardly before continuing. "Uncontracted spirits tend to linger where they awaken. Shadow spirits are alien, but... their basic nature shouldn't differ. So I suspect the shadow spirit was born in Teppern."
"Matis, your thoughts?"
"Same as Senior Payan."
Black magic's founder unleashed his vast knowledge. "Like uncontracted spirits drawing mana from nature, shadow spirits must source suitable mana from their environment."
"Right. They're spirits, after all."
"Teppern must have been perfectly suited."
In simple terms: Teppern brimmed with suitable mana.
I swallowed a sigh at Matis's guess. ...No wonder it's a mystery quest.
Suitable mana stems from history and backstory.
There had to be some tale tied to Teppern.
Matis continued politely. "Conversing with the shadow spirit should reveal the mana source. Of course, whatever tale it holds won't trouble you much, my lord."
Matis overestimates me. But not entirely wrong. Black magic and suitable mana... Darkness sinks into deeper darkness.
He highly valued my suitable mana. Even Teppern wouldn't faze me, he figured.
In the end, talking to the shadow spirit is best.
The chat ended there. The two seniors rose. As Payan followed Matis out, he paused.
"……Chief Lee Hoyeol."
"?"
"Could I get one of those teas from earlier?"
Payan grinned shamelessly. "That mysterious taste—I want one more cup."
Gluttons find 300-won green tea delicious, huh. I'd love to hand over a few, but timing-wise...
"Regrettably, no."
Only one bag left. But this damn pride and decorum wouldn't let me say, "I need it for myself."
So I said firmly, "Excess caffeine disrupts sleep."
"……Pardon? Caffeine? What am I, some addict?"
Anyone overhearing would think I can't sleep from caffeine overload. Recalling it still makes my tongue cluck at the shamelessness. But that was part of my full preparation too.
I spoke in my usual tone. "I have questions about Teppern."
Teppern. At the name, the shadow spirit replied instantly.
"I awaited that question. Eternal darkness."
As Matis said. It had plenty to say.
I glanced at Fabian's group, focused on disarming traps. This info will help them too.
No secrets among shipmates. So I declared boldly,
"I wish to know Teppern's past, shadow spirit."
*
A message floated in view. A voice echoed through the labyrinth like an echo.
Players who came to their senses conversed.
"Everyone hear that?"
"Nothing here. Telling us to leave now..."
"Strong denial means strong affirmation! Good call entering!"
Large groups came as guilds or parties. Solos too. Guilds and parties were fine, but solos—mostly net tubers—fared worse.
"No, guys, I'm alone! How do I sprint full speed?! Traps could pop anywhere!"
"Should've grabbed a party..."
"Heard starting points differ in labyrinths. But surely not everyone solo? Others like me, right?"
Net tuber Park Hwigang explained to viewers. His explorer knowledge shone.
"One exit, multiple entrances! We're scattered. Yeah? Can't see Hoyeol? No! Depths converge everyone anyway."
Viewers were mostly right, but... Park Hwigang had resolved: effort this time.
Chance to reveal Hoyeol's feats to the world.
Keep my deeds hidden! Like that was his motto. Interviews, press conferences—Hoyeol never boasted.
Even clearing demon king castle rifts...
Not ordinary clears. He crushed three in 10 minutes.
So Park Hwigang thought earnestly, The world needs to know Hoyeol's efforts more.
Just do it. Park Hwigang chanted inwardly, took a deep breath, and shouted.
"Anyone wanna party with me?"
"……Huh? See, guys, not alone."
"Explorer class! Useful in labyrinths!"
"……Explorer? Whew, saved!!"
"Me too! Include me!"
Players gathered instantly. Varied bunch: net tubers like him, high-level solos, even rising stars.
Backgrounds irrelevant. One goal.
"Let's pool strength to depths!"
Of course, no ordinary labyrinth—this Top 10 Mystery. First steps tough.
Shouts echoed everywhere, including Park Hwigang's party.
"Wh-what? Cracks in labyrinth walls?"
"Hwigang! Collapsing?!"
"Wait, something inside walls?"
"Aaaah! Something moving inside!!"
Murmurs─ at Teppern's myriad starting points. But silence reigned only where Hoyeol and Fabian entered.
Who was Fabian? Arcana's top labyrinth expert, living legend of explorers.
"Phew... Trap disarmed."
Real combat after ages, but ingrained senses sharp. Thanks to full prep too. Without magitools, he'd have lost face before Sir Hoyeol.
Not ordinary labyrinth level.
Labyrinths hide loot, built with retrieval paths in mind. Safe shortcuts past traps. Patterns for easy disarming.
Common sense. But absent here. Like denying all access. Traps exquisitely beyond disarming.
...Maybe that voice was true.
No glory or riches. Leave now. If you value life...
Not just Fabian noticed.
"Aaron, your thoughts?"
"……Fabian, you feel something off too?"
"Of course. I sense dissonance."
Fabian puzzled. If not for storing riches, why build this labyrinth?
"A true mystery."
Defied common sense. But doubts cleared soon. The shadow spirit revealed.
"Teppern sought to protect. Everything."
Yes, Teppern's truth.
"……!!!"
Fabian, Aaron, Rombers's faces paled in shock. Unbelievable tale. Silence stemmed from that truth.
But naturally, Hoyeol's expression unchanged.
Hoyeol spoke. "I now know your pride, Teppern."
And dropped a bombshell.
"Fabian, from now, I charge straight through traps."
"……?"
"Act by your pride."
...Suddenly? Frontal assault? Pride?
Sweat beaded on Fabian's brow.
"My lord, what do you mean?"
What else? Simple summary.
Teppern sacrificed themselves for Arcana Continent.
Triggering this death-or-glory pride. No easy path, as expected.
But fortunate. Still had one unreturned magitool.
No time to dawdle. I equipped the magitool borrowed from the Mage Tower's Garnet Hall.
Flutter.