Episode 64
A place where 100 members of the attack team, including Taehyun and Kwon Kanghyuk, disappeared.
The only people left were Ko Tae-wook, Ji Jin-hee, and a few association officials.
"You left."
Go Tae-wook said while looking at the warp gate that had stopped operating.
"It's the Minotaros Labyrinth… "For some reason, I have a feeling that we will be attacked this time."
It was a place that had not been conquered for 30 years.
Even though two S-rank players from their country participated, if other players from overseas heard about it, they might laugh at it.
Nevertheless, Go Tae-wook nodded with a faint smile.
"If the association president's intuition says so. "There is a high chance of being targeted this time."
"haha. "You think too highly of me."
"Any player in New Korea will do that."
Go Tae-wook answered as if it were obvious.
Of course, I think guild leader Kwon Kang-hyuk might be an exception.
"You can stop flying. Even if that were the case, it would be nothing compared to the history that young people will create in the future."
Ji Jin-hee's eyes looked somewhat regretful as she said that.
"Contrary to what you said, the president of the association also wanted to participate."
It was Go Tae-wook who had the best measurement skills in the association.
Even though he was in his mid-60s, he, who was assisting next to him, knew better than anyone else that the magical power felt by Ji Jin-hee, the president of the association, was still unusual.
Although the body was already worn out.
The skills that made him the strongest player in New Korea were not rusty.
Ji Jin-hee trains in her spare time, even refusing to meet with the president.
A man who deserves the name player more than anyone else.
That's why I didn't bother to fake my boiling blood.
"If only I were a little younger these days... "I think so."
"It's because of Taehyun, right?"
"I can't say no. "Taehyun has special powers that other players don't have."
"It's a special power… "He is definitely a great guy for his age."
I remembered the first time I met Taehyun at Konkuk High School.
A smile appeared on Go Tae-wook's lips.
Who would have known that the non-awakened person at that time would become a player that New Korea is paying attention to?
"Still, I feel reassured because you are here. The future of the new Korea will not be so dark."
"That's too much praise. More than that… What do you plan to do about Japan?"
"You mean the saint's invitation?"
Ko Tae-wook nodded in response to Ji Jin-hee's question.
"Honestly, I thought you would tell me before we went to the labyrinth."
"Isn't their intention obvious? I don't want to interfere with Taehyun's work with useless political games. Above all, if we conquer the Minotaros Labyrinth, our cards will be even more powerful."
In other words, Go Tae-wook was told to take care of it until Tae-hyeon came back.
"All right. "I will take care of that matter."
"Please. "Have you really made up your mind about that?"
"… … ."
Go Tae-wook's expression hardened for a moment.
Nevertheless, Ji Jin-hee did not stop talking.
"The information I'm hearing is unusual. "Not only China and Japan, which openly showed their ambitions, but also the United States, which claimed to be an ally."
Ji Jin-hee's gaze, which had been pointing towards the warp gate all along, turned towards Go Tae-wook.
"Deputy Director Go. "New Korea needs a thirteenth S-rank player."
"Even if I undergo enhancement surgery, there is no guarantee that it will be successful."
Go Tae-wook said calmly.
"no. I'm sure you will succeed. Didn't I say I trust my intuition? "I'm sure."
Ko Tae-wook let out a small breath at Ji Jin-hee's confident words.
It's already been a year since these words were exchanged.
Skill strengthening treatment.
Overcoming the odds that only a small number of people will succeed.
Ji Jin-hee is telling Go Tae-wook to become an S-rank player.
Although Go Tae-wook declined for various reasons.
It was true that it was no longer as difficult to refuse as before.
This is because the ambitions of the great powers are in full swing and player power has become more important than ever.
Ji Jin-hee is pushing Go Tae-wook as her successor.
Be it in order not to be pushed out at the negotiation table with the great powers or for the future of the new Korea.
Ji Jin-hee wanted to turn Go Tae-wook into an S-rank player.
Ko Tae-wook was also not unaware of that thought.
"If that's what the president of the association really means… "I accept it."
Ji Jin-hee is no longer pushed out, and Go Tae-wook bends his opinion.
"Thank you. "Thank you very much."
Ji Jin-hee held Go Tae-wook's hand with both hands.
I am confident that my intuition will be correct once again.
* * *
Labyrinth Minotaros.
"The entrance is bigger than I thought."
Taehyun did not hide his first impression.
"Haha. "Are you sure?"
"I just said it has a big entrance. But too much leisure is definitely toxic."
Remains in plain sight.
Kwon Kang-hyuk, who sensed a bone in the words, laughed heartily and then shook himself.
I remembered that I let my guard down the other day and ended up kneeling before Taehyun.
"hey… "When you go back, stick with me again."
"I will think about it if I can conquer the labyrinth safely."
Taehyun twirled Aslan around and laughed.
"This guy… ."
Kwon Kang-hyuk was about to get excited by a simple provocation.
"Guild leader. "We have all the formations in place."
The adjutant who was ready to enter the labyrinth approached and reported.
One hundred people were divided into ten parties.
Twenty porters and ten guides.
There were twenty healers and twenty magic awakeners each.
And there are 30 melee awakened people, including Taehyun.
It was a composition suitable for a large-scale attack party.
"good. From now on, we enter the labyrinth Minotaros. I'll leave behind those who fall behind, so stay alert and follow me! Do you understand, children!!"
"yes!!!"
Kwon Kang-hyuk entered the labyrinth with his guild members in high spirits.
'I have to pay for the item.'
The first labyrinth strategy I participated in after returning.
Taehyun took the first step.
* * *
The first battle occurred as soon as we entered the labyrinth.
About twenty B-class monsters, Minotaurs, appeared.
In an instant, the scattered party members took up their positions in battle formation.
Tankers blocked the Minotaur, who was carrying a weapon called Battle X.
Behind him, magic skills were unleashed.
Fire. Water. Wind. Brain (雷). To (土).
The place where elemental magic was swept away was followed by melee-type awakeners.
'I'd like to help a little too.'
Taehyun activated a skill to pay for the meal.
Tiring.
[Use the skill Lord's Heart (B). We identify 99 subjects. Strength increases by 1. Stamina increases by 1. Speed increases by 1. Magic power increases by 1.]
Although the effect was not large as there were 99 subjects.
'Because the atmosphere is important.'
just as expected.
As Taehyun expected, party members with various buffs began to push the Minotaur with overwhelming firepower.
"Hoo? "Did you even have this kind of skill?"
Kwon Kang-hyuk was watching from afar from behind.
He checked the status window and approached Taehyun.
He became curious when Taehyun, who was in close combat with him, even used a buff skill.
"As many people as there are people. "The effect is less effective than I thought."
"her. The more you know about him, the more fascinating he is. You're really in our guild... ."
"I refuse."
"Tsk."
Ignoring Kwon Kang-hyuk who had lost his appetite again, Tae-hyun's eyes turned to the battlefield.
Two minutes were enough for twenty Minotaurs to die.
It was over in an instant without the need for Kwon Kang-hyuk and Tae-hyeon, who could be said to be the party's best forces, to step forward.
"You're strong."
"Because we only selected the elite. This is basic. When I was… ."
Kwon Kang-hyuk began to give advice, showing off the aspects of an Abyss veteran.
Those words flowed out of one ear.
Taehyun took another look at the people who made up the attack team.
Those in charge of combat are at least B-grade to A-grade awakened people.
'I'll get to the middle without any problems.'
With their firepower that has received various buffs, even A-rank monsters will be no match for them.
As long as two or more S-class monsters did not appear, there seemed to be no need for Taehyun and Kwon Kanghyuk to step forward.
No, I was just about to think that with this number, I might be able to catch even an S-class monster.
"We have 10 minutes of maintenance time now!! "Now it's time to warm up, so relax, kids!"
Kwon Kang-hyuk, who confirmed that Tae-hyeon was not listening to him, grumbled and shouted.
"yes!!"
Looking at the guild members, Onsaemi shouted in unison in loyalty.
'This looks fine on the outside.'
Taehyun, who knew what was going to happen in the future, could only click his tongue.
* * *
'Shadow', the deputy guild leader of a malicious guild.
He received a report from his subordinate in a dark room.
"This is a report. The head of the Vietnam Players Association gave in. With this, Vietnam can be overthrown at any time."
"It took longer than I thought."
The subordinate quickly lowered his head in response to the shadow's reprimand.
"sorry. Surveillance on demons has become more severe recently... ."
"is it. Since the results were given anyway, I won't pursue it any further. "Anything else?"
"The movements of Night Walker and the New Korea Association are unusual. There is a possibility that they may have noticed our plan... ."
"Yoo Ah-young. "It must have been the work of that fox-like guy."
The shadow was thinking of Yoo Ah-young's face and frowning.
In addition to his personal power, his ability to handle information is also excellent.
She was truly a woman worthy of being called a hero.
Rather, because of that.
She was also a difficult person for the demons who opposed her.
"Shall we handle it?"
The subordinate who was examining the shadow's expression asked softly.
"Leave it alone. If we do this now, the damage here will be significant. "There is no need to escalate the incident while the guild leader is not there."
"But if we continue to let information leak like this… ."
Despite his subordinate's worries, Shadow remained relaxed.
"It is also important to let the enemy take his time. "Because we are also getting information."
Human beings are not perfect and always show cracks.
That idea was correct, and the black hand of the malicious guild has now reached far-off countries.
But above all.
"The enemy within is the most fearsome. What about the other four major guilds?"
'Players' Association' in the shadow's question. 'Night Walker'. 'Magicians'. Additional reports on 'Alchemist' followed.
And then it was Onsaemiro's turn.
"This is Kwon Kang-hyuk with Kim Tae-hyun."
Kim Tae-hyun already has experience in conquering double dungeons with Yoo Ah-young.
It is unknown whether he intended it or not, but he is secretly causing damage to the malicious guild.
That much was clear.
When looking back on Kim Tae-hyun's actions so far.
If left alone, there was a high possibility that the infamous labyrinth would be conquered.
"But it's still difficult to conquer that place."
"Do not worry. There are only five S-class people who have infiltrated. Even if the strategy is completed, Kwon Kang-hyuk and Kim Tae-hyun. "Neither of them will have intact limbs."
"okay. "I'm looking forward to it."
Five S-rank mines and two S-rank players.
Let's think about what will happen in the labyrinth.
A sinister smile appeared on the shadow's face.