Episode 65
“We are now at the halfway point.”
The man walking next to Kwon Kang-hyuk said while checking the map.
As a grade A guide, his skill is ‘remembering steps’.
On the map created by Kwon Kang-hyuk’s closest associate and deputy guild leader, about half of the Minotaros labyrinth was brightly colored.
This was all along the path the raiding party had passed.
As the name Labyrinth suggests, it boasts an elaborate and complex roadmap.
Excellent guides were with us.
It was no surprise that I never took a wrong turn.
“okay. Fortunately, everything went smoothly up to this point.”
Kwon Kang-hyuk said as he looked around at the party members resting from the previous battle.
Over the past 30 years, the number of players who have died trying to enter the labyrinth Minotaros is over 30,000.
Maps created based on the memories of those who survived are of great help to successors.
However, this is where you can easily explore through that sacrifice.
The information provided by 30 years of experience has come to an end.
It also meant that Kwon Kang-hyuk’s party would have to begin their endless exploration from now on.
“Of course, that would have happened if I hadn’t gotten my hands on this.”
Kwon Kang-hyuk took out the monster’s horn from his chest.
“That’s it…”
“Yes. An S-class monster hunted during an expedition a year ago. “This is a trophy obtained from killing the ‘Tau King.’”
Tau King.
A high-level monster that Kwon Kang-hyuk accidentally encountered while exploring the depths.
This was a guy who wielded an absurdly large Battle Ax like a toy.
“After all, I’m meeting the guild leader. “The opponent was bad.”
“Well, it wasn’t easy for me either.”
Kwon Kang-hyuk is called the best tanker in New Korea with ‘Blessing of the Beast’.
The Tau King hunt began around him.
The fierce battle ended only with five casualties.
The information discovered through the Tau King’s corpse was more valuable than expected.
“Who would have thought that ignorant Tau King was from the labyrinth Minotaros?”
Access to the labyrinth is not restricted like a dungeon.
Not only monsters but also players can enter and exit the labyrinth at any time.
only.
This is assuming that you are confident that you will be able to overcome the attacks of numerous monsters within the labyrinth and not get lost.
In that respect, ‘Tau King’ was a monster with sufficient capabilities.
He has the strength of an S-class advanced player and is estimated to be at least a thousand years old.
just as expected.
The same magic wavelength as that of the Labyrinth Minotaros registered by the Association was measured from the Tau King’s corpse.
“Once you get out, it means you can go back.”
Kwasik.
Kwon Kang-hyuk stuck the Tau King’s horn into the labyrinth floor.
and.
Another subordinate who was waiting activated the prepared skill.
“Memory of the Earth.”
Cheeeeeeeek.
As if it had been scorched by fire.
Black footprints began to appear in the maze.
Huge footprints matching the Tau King’s stride.
It would continue to the end of this maze.
“Information entered into ‘Steps to Remember.’”
The subordinate nodded, looking at the map showing the new route.
“How long does it last?”
“If you have enough potions, it will take about twelve hours.”
“good. That’s enough. “We will continue our exploration from now on!!”
Guild members who were resting here and there woke up to Kwon Kang-hyuk’s shout filled with magical power.
“We will use this place as a forward base and station twenty soldiers there. “The rest will conquer the labyrinth with me!!”
“Oooooh!!”
“As expected, you are the guild leader!!”
“If we just target this area, are we going to have to go into salary negotiations again?!!”
Leaving behind the cries of guild members excited by hope.
“I don’t know what’s at the end of this labyrinth. “We will attack you within ten hours.”
Kwon Kang-hyuk took a confident step forward.
Among the noisy players, only Taehyun was there.
I looked at that sight sadly.
* * *
Afterwards, the exploration of the labyrinth went smoothly.
The dark part of the map discovered through the Tau King.
At the point where there was no need to worry about getting lost, conquering the labyrinth was only half a success.
The other half was slowly being filled by Onsaemiro’s guild members, led by Kwon Kang-hyeok, who were gaining momentum.
Phew. Phew. Phew.
While Kwon Kang-hyuk, who activated the skill, attracted attention.
Ten guild members killed the Royal Minotaur.
An S-class monster was hunted without causing a single casualty.
Guild members everywhere let out shouts of victory.
Kwon Kang-hyuk shouted once again.
“Let’s take a 20-minute break and then start again!!”
“yes!!”
Taehyun passed by the guild members who were drinking potions in place and approached Kwon Kanghyuk.
“I can’t believe we made it this far without a single casualty. “As expected, you are amazing.”
Kwon Kang-hyuk grinned at Tae-hyeon’s polite words as if it was no big deal.
“After all, notoriety tends to be inflated. “I guess you’re itching because you don’t have to pull out a knife?”
It was Kwon Kang-hyuk’s order to move Tae-hyeon to the rear, saying there was no point in going out in vain.
Thanks to this, Taehyun has been using only the ‘Lord’s Heart’ since entering the labyrinth.
Actually, I had nothing to regret, but Kwon Kang-hyuk thought differently.
“I’m not as good at combat as the guild leader.”
“her. “So you’re still applying buffs at the rear?”
Kwon Kang-hyuk spoke in an angry tone, but Tae-hyun didn’t care.
“I wish so. “I guess I’ll have to get a little nervous.”
“Tsk. Maybe it’s because I’m a beginner in the Abyss, but I’m worried. “Please stretch your shoulders a little more due to the strength you have.”
“I have enough pride. only.”
Taehyun paused for a moment and looked around at the guild members resting around him.
A colleague who shared life and death and ups and downs.
Blood brothers.
A talent from another country scouted at a high price.
All of those gathered under the guild called Onsaemiro are taking a break and smiling at the successful strategy.
To Taehyun, who vaguely knew what was going to happen, it all seemed like a pretense.
“There is a good reason why a bad name arises.”
“What does it mean?”
“well. “Wouldn’t the veteran guild leader know that better than me?”
“Bland guy.”
Taehyun returned to his original position, leaving Kwon Kanghyeon, who was snoring, behind.
And less than 10 minutes later, the labyrinth began to shake.
Druddudduddduk.
‘It’s a start.’
A hidden trap in the labyrinth that is not revealed to anyone at this time.
Structural changes in the labyrinth.
“What is this?!!”
“earthquake?!!”
“The temperature…”
Those who were taking a break were startled and quickly got up from their seats.
In a short period of time, the surrounding climate changed and the day became dark and bright repeatedly.
More than anything.
Ssssss.
Grass began to sprout from the ground and the terrain began to change.
“Everyone gather in one place!!”
“Don’t separate from the person next to you!!”
Those in charge of each party shouted, but not all of the eighty awakened people were cool-headed.
No, it would be more accurate to say that there is no way to stop the changes in the labyrinth through human power.
The attack force that had gathered together on the shaking ground began to split up one by one.
Taehyun also left himself to the labyrinth that changed at will.
‘Stone Skin’ was activated just in case.
Crumbling. Crrrrr.
With thunder crashing down.
In an instant, my vision darkened.
The screams of the father gradually quieted down.
After a while.
When my vision returned, I saw only four people, not dozens.
Everyone looks unable to hide their bewilderment at what has just happened.
Only Taehyun.
“I guess we’ll have to reorganize the party for this.”
I just looked at them and said something indifferent.
* * *
“I recommend Taehyun as the party leader.”
“So do i.”
“i look forward to.”
“….”
It was unanimous except for one person.
This is because the party leader is usually the strongest person in the group.
I received three positive recommendations.
As if there was nothing he could do, Taehyun opened the status window and reorganized the party.
The existing party had already become distant and disconnected.
“Everyone says that. “I will take over as party leader temporarily.”
Taehyun bowed his head to the four men and women who were with him.
“then. Please briefly introduce your name and skills. First, I…”
‘Stone Skin’, ‘Stealth’, ‘Paralysis’, ‘The Knight King’s Mettle’, ‘Chains of Binding’, and ‘Heart of the Monarch’.
A brief self-introduction followed, starting with Taehyun, who revealed that he possesses seven skills.
“This is Shin Jin-ho. He possesses the A-grade skill ‘Iron Wall Shield.’”
“It’s Miranda. I have the B-grade skills ‘Fire Wall’ and ‘Fire Rain’.”
“This is Choi Won-seok. “It is a guide class and has the B-grade skill ‘Traces of the Land.’”
“Park Seong-ho. He has the B-grade skill ‘Magic Bullet’.”
The introduction ended with the blunt man.
Compared to the others, his attitude was somewhat arrogant, but Taehyun didn’t mind.
The reason Taehyun doesn’t trust them is because the same goes for Taehyun.
‘One tank, two ranged dealers, and one guide. ‘There is no healer.’
Taehyun did not hide his regretful expression.
“Still, I’m glad I have a Wonseok oppa. “Otherwise, I would have really become a lost child.”
Miranda spoke in broken Korean.
He was a talent who came to Korea as an international student in the U.S. and was scouted by On Saemi-ro.
“Miranda. Thank you for your words, but… I can’t completely break through this labyrinth with the ‘trace of the land’ I have. Without the map the vice-guild leader has….”
“Damn it. If I had known it would be like this, I would have brought more people…”
“How did you expect it would end up like this? “How difficult it was to gather this many people…”
Negative comments came out here and there.
Taehyun, who roughly understood the situation, clapped his hands.
In an instant, attention was focused.
“Then it’s dangerous to stay still like this, so let’s get moving. Player Choi Won-seok. “Please guide me in a direction where I can meet other guild members as much as possible.”
“Oh, I understand. “I will try.”
Choi Won-seok nodded and took the lead, using his skills.
Taehyun and his group followed behind him.
“I hope all the other guild members are safe….”
“Miranda is kind. “Even in this situation, you take care of your colleagues first.”
“Ho Ho. Because we have been through many ups and downs together. Of course, this is my first time with a party member… Ah, player Taehyun Kim, I heard this is your first time exploring the Abyss?”
Miranda changed the topic to brighten the mood.
“That’s right.”
“Ho ho ho. Then we should act as seniors.”
“haha. Still, I will save your face, Mr. Party Leader.”
“i look forward to.”
Since I talked to Taehyun here and there, the atmosphere naturally became friendly.
It was a sight rarely seen in a labyrinth where countless people were dying.
Of course, there were also people who did not like this atmosphere.
“Everyone focus. “Unless you forget that this is a labyrinth.”
Park Seong-ho, in his mid-thirties, spoke in a blunt voice.
He didn’t like the way Taehyun, the stone that came in, was the party leader and the group was clinging to him.
‘joy. A growth-oriented awakener?’
He awakened his B-grade skills and passed numerous tests before signing a contract with a large guild called Onsaemiro.
To him, there is no way Taehyun, who was lucky enough to be blessed with golden spoon skills and is on a roll, will not catch his eye.
“Guild member Park Seong-ho is correct. Not being nervous in the Abyss means getting closer to death. “He said.”
“Hehe. “It’s cool. Even though you have that much power, you still have this kind of humility.”
Miranda’s laughter continued the friendly atmosphere.
Park Seong-ho also did not hide his attitude that he did not like it.
‘It’s humility…’
Taehyun clicked his tongue and took a step forward.
It didn’t take long for the atmosphere to change.
