◈ Episode 128. The Labyrinth of Teffern (1)

Marcelo stood in the center of the Crystal Hall.

The gazes of countless mages upon him.

It wasn’t his first time in this position.

He wondered why.

‘It’s a strange feeling.’

Many things have changed since he fell into the world of adventurers.

But perhaps the biggest change of all is Ho-Yeol.

Marcelo recalled their first meeting.

-“I suspect that there is a gap in your research. What do you think, Chief Mage Marcelo?”

Pish-

Even thinking about it now, a small chuckle escapes me.

What a shocking first appearance.

I hadn’t realized that I would be serving alongside him.

But.

‘I couldn’t have done it without you.’

He had no regrets about leading him to the top.

If it weren’t for Ho-Yeol.

To recognize the deception of Karimzeva and the other Demon Worshippers.

Nor would he have been able to correct the original sin of the Tower.

Even if it hadn’t been for all that.

‘I know that you have shared my burdens.’

Pre-validation, regular conferences, and better relations among the seniors.

In a lot of ways, it’s given me one less thing to worry about.

It’s been a long time since I’ve given myself a break.

Why, wasn’t it said that character comes from relaxation?

You’re more poisonous than before.

You seem to have lost the fire in your eyes.

The rumors about you are proof of that.

‘I don’t know what your lordship would think.’

Not so long ago.

Marcelo could not fathom Ho-Yeol’s thoughts.

How could he.

Could he be a survivor of Akshan and still stand up for the Magic Tower?

How could he so generously embrace the Goddess Church, the enemy of the Holy War?

It didn’t make sense, even when I put myself in his position.

‘But it doesn’t matter.’

However, the questioning did not lead to concern.

Marcelo had witnessed.

He had seen Ho-Yeol mourning the death of Senios.

-“Senios the Elder Mage…….”

I can’t believe you reached Senios before I did.

It was an act that put to rest any unnecessary questions.

So there was no need for Marcelo to worry.

‘I am at ease.’

That he could rebuild the tower. And that he would succeed in his research.

But if there was one thing, one regret, it was that…….

‘It’s a shame that I’ll never see you again.’

But Marcelo knew.

He knew he didn’t have much time left.

So he said.

‘Opening the way for the Lord to advance.’

Not much time.

He had to do his part.

Marcelo, the weight of the chief is yours to bear.

Marcelo remembered Ho-Yeol’s words.

-“I think it’s against pride to hide.”

Yes, as you say.

Not to repeat the mistake.

Soon, Marcelo spoke.

“Karimzeva, the High Sinner of the Magic Tower, and the three Elder Mages. We will begin the roundtable with the story of their disposition, but before we do, we will observe a moment of silence for the Elder Mage, Senios.”

.

.

.

Bellier Yusia, Senior Mage of Healing.

She recognized the hush that hovered over the tower.

“……Finally, I know.”

At the round table, all the facts were revealed.

Bellier had known all along.

Just thinking about it again.

She could feel the aftermath of the shock all over again.

“Everyone.”

She couldn’t imagine the shock the adept and apprentice mages must have felt.

But Bellier knew. Mages of the Tower, all of them, were not regular mages.

Apprentice mages.

They were looked down upon, even inside the tower.

Their abilities had been honed before they entered the tower.

You can tell by the countless testimonials.

The pride of the Magic family, the reincarnation of an archmage, a gem of pure talent…….

What about the adept mages?

They’re right up there with the best mages on the continent of Arcana.

Depending on their specialty, they are capable of destroying or rebuilding an entire city.

‘If I do say so myself…….’

It would be fair to categorize a senior mage as more superhuman than human.

Bellier realized that herself.

The magic of the seniors, including herself, was beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

That was what they were.

Those with great potential.

Or those striving to blossom that potential.

Or those whose potential had already blossomed.

“It may be confusing right now, but…….”

Apprentice, Adept, Senior.

They’ve been through it all.

She could understand their feelings.

That they would eventually feel the same way.

Yes, a demon who deceived the Magic Tower.

And that she couldn’t bear to see them destroy the continent of Arcana.

At this moment, the feeling of dread hovering over the Magic Tower would be just that.

Therefore, one could not help but be concerned.

The power of the Magic Tower gathered.

With such great power comes great responsibility.

If you think about the times when such power was used incorrectly…….

Bellier frowned, horrified at the thought.

But she wasn’t too worried right now.

‘Marcelo, and Chief Lee Ho-yeol.’

There were currently two co-chiefs at Magic Tower.

Zalgun-

Bellier bit his lip.

“For now…….”

Bellier knew.

Marcelo’s time was running out.

That he had to find someone to take his place.

And that he had made him chief.

‘……You don’t have to tell me that much.’

Marcelo, we’ve known you for years.

Marcelo of all people chose Ho-yeol.

I didn’t know at first, but now I don’t question it.

It’s the power that Chief Lee has shown, and it hurts to talk about it.

And finally.

“Even the inside is different from the outside.”

A stiff head that had never bowed before.

A head that had never been bowed.

Chief Lee mourning Senios alone.

Bellier couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

“Chief Marcelo. Indeed, you have good taste.”

And rightly so.

It was probably the best judgment Marcelo could have made.

But not for Bellier.

“I, too, am only making the best judgment I can …….”

Bellier stopped laughing.

He picked up a quill.

Square.

He scribbled carefully.

One thing was good, though.

“Well, Klee, that’s one less thing to worry about.”

Klee, the Adept Mage, advises me as I hold the quill.

-“The purpose above all else! It seemed like your purpose was important!”

The application form.

Bellier was writing down the purpose of exiting the tower when a voice spoke up.

“Chief Lee Ho-yeol. I don’t know how you feel about this. There is no purpose more important to me than this.”

──────

Chief Mage, Marcelo Simuard.

The Curse of the Terminal Illness, passed down through the Simuard family.

A study on its interpretation.

──────

*

Damn, I’m losing steam.

It was actually me at the roundtable.

All I did was sit still in the Crystal Hall.

…… I mean, it’s traumatizing.

I can’t believe I’m being talked about so openly!

Who would have guessed?

One might ask.

In the community, on TV, and even in the chat room with my family.

Is it the infinite darkness, they’re talking about something.

Why are you so strict?

‘There’s a difference between that and this.’

If I had to make an analogy…….

It’s as if my private life has been sprinkled into my workplace, where I used to separate my work from my personal life.

And that personal life has a horrible black history…… that I don’t even want to think about!

However, unlike my painful feelings, I didn’t show it.

Whisk, whisk, whisk.

I stirred the teaspoon and chattered to myself.

“It doesn’t matter what others think.”

As if that wasn’t enough, I added.

“The only thing that matters is the pride in your heart.”

……You have no shame whatsoever.

I admire who I used to be.

I really do.

But thanks to this man’s composure.

It’s how I’m able to be so fully alive today.

Look at me now, as if nothing had happened.

Am I not shamelessly holding a book?

“Reading is food for the mind.”

Spouting your usual bullshit.

Yes, I’m deeply embarrassed…….

This isn’t the first time I’ve done this.

I’m sure I’ll do it again.

‘……The infinite darkness. Let’s try to get used to it.’

Yeah, it’s too much to complain about.

I’m too busy thinking about what’s in front of me right now.

I tilted my teacup and turned my attention to the quest.

[10 Wonders Quest: The Labyrinth of Teffern].

Tetfern, the 10th Wonder of the Arcana Continent.

Discover the Labyrinth of Teffern.

Reveal the true nature of Teffern to the world.

Wonders uncovered so far : 0 / 10

─Witness the Labyrinth of Teffern. (Ongoing)

You must have been lost in the past.

You might have wondered if I should just sit back and sip my tea until the [Labyrinth of Tefern] Rift pops up in the regular updates. But I’ve had experience.

The [Demon Castle] Rift.

Experience in predicting those regular updates.

That gave me some confidence.

‘Regular updates are not random.’

There’s a regularity to it.

In the language of Grandfell.

“There’s a procedure for everything.”

Yes, there is a procedure for regular updates.

Perhaps among the events taking place on the continent of Arcana.

Wouldn’t you say that the biggest events are more likely to come up in a regular update?

Like the [Demon Castle] Rift did.

So I could guess.

“The Labyrinth. I can’t wait to face it.”

[The Labyrinth of Teffern].

It could come up in this week’s regular update at the earliest.

There’s plenty to speculate about.

Demon King Absalom.

Demonic activity on the continent of Arcana has been temporarily quelled thanks to him, so it’s unlikely that anything major will happen.

‘Thorough preparation is essential.’

[Teffern Fence].

There, I checked my immediate power.

Level 450, I was able to survive even when surrounded by Teffern scarecrows.

A class with a screw loose.

For a Demon Hunter, I’m pretty strong, I realize.

‘Well, the stat virtue is probably more than half.’

The class quests and the elixirs.

I wonder if I’m not as efficient as I used to be………. Stay on topic, Ho Yeol, my class will always be the Demon Hunter.

“There are pros and cons to everything.”

Let’s not even talk about it.

In the end, spitting in my face.

It was my story.

Of course, it wasn’t wrong.

‘Demon hunter.’

I’ve always been on topic.

You’ve been digging a hole, a well, for a long time.

[The Teffern Labyrinth].

Like I said, the chances of [Natural Enemy] being triggered are slim, so I had to be prepared, not just talk about it.

In that regard, there is one item that makes me feel more confident just by looking at it.

[Vampire Count’s Orb]

[Rank: Unique]

[Limit: Lv.400]

[Effect: When attacking, has a high chance to deal additional damage].

[Description: This orb is filled with the blood of a vampire, and whenever it comes into contact with magic, it bursts forth, dealing damage to the target].

Loot from Ascura.

A whopping 400 levels.

I remember freaking out when I saw the level limit.

I thought, “I wonder if I’ll ever live to use this.”…….

The day finally came.

‘The extra damage isn’t much.’

But it’s all in how you use it.

If the effect is applied with a high probability per attack.

It’s as simple as increasing the number of attacks.

“Even a small amount of damage is different when it stacks up.

Such a [skill] may not be common, though.

I have magic.

In short, I have the ability to manipulate items to increase their performance several times over. In fact, at the core of my heart, I’m a demonic looter. It would be nice to be able to use epic-grade demonic items as well. …….

[Baton of the Evil One].

[Map of Oblivion drawn in blood]

[Eyes Blazing with Malice]

‘I suppose it can’t be helped, since there are no demons.’

‘Still, I’m glad I’m not alone.’

I had the Explorers’ Federation to fall back on.

It’s reassuring to know that no one else is an expert in the [Labyrinth].

With that said, I gripped my quill.

“Opportunities do not come easily.”

I said.

I said shamelessly as I flicked the quill.

“You, too, must be thoroughly prepared to seize the opportunity.”

*

Fabian Delon, President of the Explorers’ Federation.

“Oh!”

The letter was back again.

Was it because he had made his purpose clear, or because he hadn’t been greedy? The letter bore a favorable signature, offering to accompany you to the Teffern Labyrinth.

So far, so good…….

Fabian muttered to himself as he read the back.

“……Thorough preparation?”

Not just preparation, but thorough preparation.

What the hell is he talking about?

Suddenly, a look of panic crossed Fabian’s face.

“!”

Perception, the first quality required to be an Explorer.

Fabian knew what it meant.

His eyes narrowed.

He tried to put himself in the other man’s position.

“I am the infinite darkness…….”

I am an adventurer of great accomplishment…….

What does it mean to be thoroughly prepared for someone of his caliber?

Fabian nodded decisively.

“Since you’ve come to this point, it’s not a problem.”

He had no choice but to take out the Federation’s treasures.

Countless magical items are stored at the Federation headquarters.

Showing them off in front of Ho Yeol, the chief mage of the Magic Tower?

It would be like wrinkling up a chrysalis.

The magic items of the Explorers’ League were special.

‘Because they have extraordinary effects when it comes to exploration.’

As precious as their abilities.

They were treasured and passed down from generation to generation. Nevertheless, Fabian was determined.

The message from Ho-Yeol was disturbing.

──────

You, too, must prepare thoroughly to seize the opportunity.

──────

Fabian opened his mouth cautiously.

“It’s not a favor, it’s a consideration.”

He’d given me a chance, and now he wanted me to repay him.

I could feel the tension in the air.

Fabian shrugged.

“I don’t want to let him down, so I’ll have to be in top condition.”

And then, one last thing: a PS note.

──────

P.S. Time is like afternoon tea.

──────

……What?

Is this a riddle?

Fabian squinted, trying to fathom the meaning.

“……Are you referring to the value of time?”

It seemed to mean that.

Fabian was skeptical.

He didn’t mean to emphasize the importance of time.

It meant that there wasn’t much time left.

“When do you think the Teffern Labyrinth will appear……?”

I questioned, but Fabian shook his head.

Questions were not part of his thorough preparation.

Soon, Fabian began searching through the Federation’s treasures.

And then he was stunned.

“……Did you even know this treasure existed?”

Oh, no, of course not.

The existence of the treasure was top-secret information known only to the head of the Explorers’ Federation and a handful of the Federation’s top brass, and even they wouldn’t have known about it.

But Fabian’s thoughts were short-lived.

Thursday.

Kingdom of Yusra.

The Golden Crown Tavern.

Moving pictures adorned the walls.

Regular updates on the TV.

“Federation President Fabian. The Teffern Labyrinth Rift has opened up!”

“?!”

Ho Yeol emphasized the importance of time.

The Teffern Labyrinth Rift had opened up just a few days later.

Could it be that he had anticipated all these developments?

“How?”

Was it because it was infinitely deep?

Truly, the limits of its capabilities were unimaginable.

A cold sweat broke out on Fabian’s forehead once more.

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