Deep Labyrinth (3)
The man wasn't alone.
After being turned down by Yun-seok, he'd apparently recruited other comrades, and now he had four in total. A man and woman presumed to be a mage or priest, an elf male with a bow, and a beastkin woman with twin daggers at her waist. Every one of them was from a rare class that would struggle to survive in the duels.
First things first, let's deal with this.
Yun-seok thrust his sword into the skeleton warrior that had faithfully played the role of practice dummy.
Whoosh!
The man's jaw dropped in disbelief at the swing that seemed slower than a civilian gripping a sword for the first time.
"What kind of level is that…?"
His tone implied that the very existence of such a challenger on their floor was utterly offensive…
Crack!
The moment Yun-seok's blade pierced the skeleton warrior's neck, the man's face twisted grotesquely.
It was shocking enough that such sluggish swing carried the power to shatter bone, but what was truly incomprehensible was something else.
"…Huh? What the hell? Why'd it take that hit?"
It looked as if the skeleton warrior had willingly offered its neck, begging to be killed. But that made no sense either. These were monsters created to kill challengers—why would they sacrifice themselves?
In the end, the man came to a conclusion.
"Lucky bastard."
Monsters had intelligence too. With a new group showing up, it must've gotten hasty, its focus scattered, and failed to dodge. If there'd been a Murim native versed in swordsmanship among them, they might've reached a different verdict…
Unfortunately, there wasn't a single swordsman, and they were all from Sehelanbard to boot.
"I figured he had some skill since he turned us down so cockily before, but what kind of loser is this guy?"
Meanwhile, Yun-seok overheard the man's mutterings and grasped his psychology. He'd been offended by the rejection earlier, but now that he realized it was just some nobody, his ego was inflating.
But Yun-seok wasn't the only one irked by the man's attitude—the elf archer frowned.
"Hey, don't you think you're being too harsh to a stranger?"
"Even so, with that level of skill, he couldn't touch us anyway."
The elf archer sighed at the man's retort.
"No, that's not what I mean… Sigh, whatever. You're not gonna listen. Let's just keep going."
He hadn't said it outright, but the other comrades' gazes toward the man were filled with displeasure too.
Did he sense it himself? The man clamped his mouth shut and nodded.
Just as they moved to pass Yun-seok and head down the fork…
"Where do you think you're going?"
Yun-seok's single remark halted their steps.
The man whirled around, opening his mouth to retort—
But the elf archer restrained him and stepped forward.
"Do you have business with us?"
Yun-seok stared at him wordlessly. After calling him a retard and such behind his back, now they ask what his business is when he stops them. Was he really that oblivious?
No. The way he rubbed his forehead with a sigh said otherwise.
"Sigh! If it's because one of our group was rude, let me apologize on their behalf. Let's call it even here."
A half-hearted apology dripping with reluctance. Yun-seok had no intention of accepting it, and the target was wrong from the start.
"Why are you apologizing instead of the one who did it?"
The elf was at a loss for words, not because he had nothing to say, but because the situation baffled him. They had four people; the other side had one. Yet here he was, pressing the issue?
Technically, he had the justification, but acting like that in the Tower of Heaven bordered on suicide.
No way a challenger he'd met here doesn't know that. What's his deal? That confident in his skills?
The elf archer narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Yun-seok. But he sensed nothing special.
That very ordinariness only heightened the unease.
Better make him apologize and move on, just to be safe.
It was instinct. But it was already too late to heed it.
"Me? Apologize? Hilarious. What if I don't wanna?"
The man, who'd been gauging his comrades' reactions and staying quiet, finally snapped.
Not just that—he menacingly drew the axe from his back.
"Why're you clamming up? What'll you do if I say no?"
The atmosphere turned hostile in an instant.
"Hey, we're the ones in the wrong here, aren't we? Wouldn't it be best to just apologize and move on…?"
"Apologize? What the hell did I do wrong?"
The elf tried to mediate belatedly, but the man ignored him completely. He finally admitted the situation had spiraled beyond his control.
"Fine. Do whatever. But I'm staying out of it."
"Hah, who asked for your help? You guys stay back too. This is a one-on-one duel."
One-on-one duel.
Yun-seok sneered beneath his mask. Did he even realize who he was saying that to?
"Hey, mask. Apologize now, and I'll let you go. Your call?"
Instead, they were demanding an apology. Simple reason: He thought Yun-seok was weaker.
In lieu of a reply, Yun-seok raised his sword and pointed it at him.
You have encountered evil.
As he drew the Judgment Sword, a mark appeared above the man's head. That erased Yun-seok's last lingering doubt.
The rest of the group backed off, uninterested in getting involved, and the man smirked, muttering.
"Must be crazy to have balls like—"
He probably never realized those would be his final words.
Slash.
The man's body split vertically.
No one there witnessed Yun-seok's swing. There was just a flash of red light, and by the time they blinked, he was dead.
"…"
The onlookers instinctively drew their weapons.
But Yun-seok showed no reaction. He merely gazed at the corpse with indifferent eyes.
Predation's cooldown had reset, but this small fry wasn't worth using it on.
Thus, Yun-seok couldn't comprehend it. Why were there so many people strutting around like they owned the place with such pathetic power?
Because no one steps in unless it's their problem.
Yun-seok turned his gaze to those who'd drawn weapons. Red light gleamed on the mage's staff—they were ready for battle.
It was almost comical. They'd stood by while the man caused a scene, but now that it threatened them, they reacted.
"We're not with that guy."
Did they want to avoid a fight they were sure to lose? The elf archer drew a firm line.
It wasn't incomprehensible. But one question lingered.
If they were truly convinced they bore no fault, why draw weapons the instant he died?
"Do you really think you did nothing wrong?"
Yun-seok peered into their eyes as he asked. Faint crimson light flickered in his pupils from the Executioner's Eye effect.
But none lied.
"Yes. If we'd known he was like that, we wouldn't have partied with him. And I tried to stop him."
The elf archer, mage, priest, beastkin—all claimed only the man was at fault; they were innocent.
"I see."
Yun-seok smiled bitterly beneath his mask. He couldn't blame them…
Maybe that's exactly why someone like him had emerged—because everyone thought that way.
* * *
"Go."
They bolted back the way they'd come without a backward glance, probably to fill the vacancy at the start point.
"…"
Yun-seok eyed the lone corpse. Like with Shin Sang-hyun before, a glow enveloped the body, dissolving it into particles that vanished.
This time, it included his gear along with the flesh.
About a minute later, no trace remained.
This isn't why I came here…
Yun-seok sighed. He didn't regret killing the man.
It just soured his mood, imagining such incidents unfolding everywhere even now.
Whatever. Back to business.
He soon approached where he'd felled the monster earlier and crouched. A fingernail-sized orb lay there.
This must be the essence.
Yun-seok pocketed it in his bag. In the Exploration Trial, the more essences collected, the greater the end rewards.
Hence, some challengers hunted others for theirs.
In the end, without power, you're just prey.
Perhaps that was why Yun-seok obsessed over strength, risking his life to climb the tower.
A world ruled by the law of the jungle. He never wanted to return to being the weak one.
And if possible, he wanted to fix that world.
Training later. Time to push hard.
He'd spent 500 LP to enter the Exploration Trial. Even without the desired item, 15 fulfilling days would yield solid gains.
Tat-tat-tat!
Yun-seok dashed through the labyrinth without hesitation. At forks, he followed his instincts.
First goal: Slay as many monsters as allowed while mapping the entire area.
"Huh?"
"Something just zipped by…"
"A rare monster?"
Unless near the start point, the Deep Labyrinth was vast enough to rarely encounter challengers. Yet Yun-seok crossed paths with groups once or twice hourly.
While they advanced methodically, slaying monsters en route, Yun-seok carved through everything in sight, tearing up the maze. It was inevitable.
Wonder if I can cover it all in 15 days?
After half a day sprinting one way, the end still eluded him.
Fighting monsters was no issue, regardless of numbers…
But maybe he couldn't fully explore within the deadline.
At least challengers are thinning out now.
The farther out, the fewer challengers. Naturally—monsters grew stronger and more numerous.
Most sought the easy path in any trial, and Exploration's condition was mere 15-day survival.
Hunt safely near start points or safe zones, and you're golden.
After missions and now exploration, he truly grasped the Duel Trial's brutality.
Unlike here, where alliances formed, duels ended only when one survived and one died.
Pre-10th floor, coins offered respawns—but not anymore.
Vmmm!
After one fight, Yun-seok used Blood Demon Qi to sweep scattered essences into his bag.
Then he ran onward.
How much time passed?
Tat.
Yun-seok abruptly halted after a long sprint.
Finally hit a dead end.
Half a day in one direction. He'd reached the outer wall.
Is this the secret spot Eshton mentioned?
A vast cavern like the start point. At its end loomed a massive stone door.
Golden edges gleamed; bizarre hieroglyphs densely engraved the surface, exuding an eerie aura.
Looks similar on the outside.
Still, better safe. Who knew how many such doors lurked inside?
Yun-seok approached. And knew it wasn't what Eshton described.
You have discovered the Tomb of the Ancients.
Prove your qualifications.
No key required, as Eshton had said.
Prove my qualifications?
Yun-seok drew his sword. The only test that came to mind.
But then—
A face-like shape protruded smoothly from above the stone door and spoke.
"Challenger, the tomb guardian Arepton asks thee."
The unidentified entity calling itself Arepton continued in a deep, resonant voice.
"Answer: What walks on four legs in the morning, two at noon, and three in the evening?"
"…?"
…For real?