Chapter 8

Chapter 7: The Labyrinth of Rivalintos (1)

Jinhyuk stood in front of the massive structure.

A marvel that defies conventional wisdom and laws.

The gateway to humanity's future.

The Tower of Trials.

This is the place where all the stories begin and end.

Although the gate to the interior has not yet been activated.

‘Quite a crowd has gathered.’

Around the tower, thousands of people had already gathered, creating a sea of humanity.

“We have to go to the first floor, ‘Goblin Cave.’ It’s the best place to set up and hunt.”

“I know. We need to level up as quickly as possible.”

“This time, let’s climb the tower to the very top.”

Whether they were part of a team or solo players,

everyone’s eyes were bloodshot with the desire to enter before others.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

His heart beat rapidly.

And at that moment.

[19:00]

[The ‘Tower of Trials’ is now open.]

The towers that appeared worldwide opened simultaneously.

“It’s open!”

“Hurry, hurry in!”

“Quickly!”

People who had been waiting rushed toward the gate entrance like a flood.

Jinhyuk also prepared to move.

And he walked into the pouring light.

＊＊＊

Whoosh!

Upon entering the tower, a completely different place from Seoul unfolded before him.

A vast plain and a blue sky.

And a green forest stretching to the horizon came into view.

This is the first floor of the Tower of Trials, the starting point for players from Korea.

“Wow!”

“Finally, we made it!”

“It’s exactly the same as the old one!”

People burst into cheers.

Their faces, a mix of excitement and curiosity, as they looked around...

What can I say?

They looked like newbies starting the game for the first time.

Of course, I can fully understand their feelings.

My heart was pounding just the same.

‘It’s a new experience, indeed.’

Jinhyuk ran his fingertips through the grass that grew to his waist.

The fragrant scent of the grass, the gentle touch of the wind, and the warmth of the sun.

It was a familiar yet nostalgic feeling.

But.

This is different from a game.

This is reality.

‘If you die... that’s the end.’

There’s no coming back to start over.

Jinhyuk looked up at the sky with a calm, steady gaze.

‘It’s about time they start showing up...’

At that moment.

Ding!

[Welcome to the Tower of Trials.]

A blue status window appeared before his eyes.

‘It’s starting.’

Jinhyuk waited for the next message.

[As a welcome gift for entering the tower, you have been granted 100 coins.]

[Coins are the currency used within the tower.]

[Players can record and upload their achievements as videos, earning 100 coins for every 10,000 views.]

[However, the commission is tiered based on the player’s rank.]

[Videos watched by non-residents of the tower are counted as one view only. Please choose carefully before watching.]

[Live broadcasts can only be activated when facing a boss monster to advance to the next floor.]

[If any manipulation of views or other fraudulent activities are detected, appropriate measures will be taken.]

Yes.

This is it.

The bridge connecting those who climb the tower and those who live outside.

Players will attract viewers with diverse and innovative videos.

Viewers will watch videos of players who have a higher chance of reaching the top of the tower, increasing their views.

This system is the most interesting aspect of the Tower of Trials.

‘The more famous a broadcaster becomes, the more coins they can monopolize.’

In the future, countless players will upload videos with various concepts to stand out.

However, Jinhyuk had no intention of uploading videos for now.

‘The information I know is far more valuable than coins.’

Even if I edit and upload only the information that has already been used up later, the reaction will be explosive.

There’s no need to worry about broadcasting just yet.

Similarly, I have no intention of using live broadcasts to be dragged around by viewers unless it’s a special case.

‘Shall I go now?’

Jinhyuk looked at one side of the forest.

The first thing to do is already decided.

A path different from others.

A slightly special path.

＊＊＊

The hunting grounds in the Tower of Trials are divided into three types: dungeons, labyrinths, and ruins.

Dungeons are small hunting grounds composed of boss monsters and mass-produced monsters.

They are the most straightforward and widespread, so most players frequent these areas.

On the other hand, labyrinths are vast and often take a long time to clear, not because of the strength of the monsters but due to the time required.

At the very least, it takes over a month.

Even labyrinths in the upper floors can take over six months to clear.

Finally, ruins vary in size but are notorious for their difficulty.

Dragons, giants, spirit trees, and other top-tier creatures often serve as bosses, and there are also intricate traps and barriers.

And.

Among the many choices, Jinhyuk chose the labyrinth ‘Rivalintos’ located at the center of the first floor.

[Name: Rivalintos

Type: Labyrinth

Difficulty: B

Description: A labyrinth designed by Daedalus in Crete. It is characterized by its extremely complex maze and various types of traps.]

Considering that a regular Goblin Dungeon is rated F, a B-rated labyrinth is hell itself.

A beginner entering the Tower of Trials and choosing a labyrinth?

It’s as good as suicide.

However, Jinhyuk had a reason for choosing this place.

Six years ago.

While clearing the early 30th floor, Jinhyuk realized something.

That it was impossible to go any higher.

From then on, he frantically searched for a solution.

He scoured the lower floors for hidden pieces, retraced his steps, and memorized every detail.

But it was all in vain.

It had to be.

The foundation was flawed from the start.

When he realized the problem, he panicked.

He had to delete the account he had nurtured with tears and start over, and he even considered quitting.

But by gritting his teeth and continuing, he eventually found an ancient book in a ruin on the 10th floor.

A book that detailed what needed to be done on the first floor to clear the tower.

- The method to clear the first floor ruin ‘Corridor of the Fallen’ is to be recognized by the ruin’s owner in the same state as when you first entered the tower.

In the same state as when you first entered.

In other words, you must reach the boss while still at level 1.

The labyrinth in front of Jinhyuk now is a training ground to make that possible... or something like that.

Hmm...

It’s a bit of a stretch to call it just training.

There’s no option to “go easy” on the monsters roaming inside the labyrinth.

‘Who would have thought I’d have to do this again.’

Jinhyuk looked at the labyrinth and bitterly smiled.

The memory of vowing never to return, even if it meant death, came flooding back.

Why, after serving in the military and thinking, “Well, it was worth a try,” did he wake up the next day feeling like a new recruit?

That’s exactly how he felt now.

Still.

‘At least I won’t be alone, so it won’t be boring.’

Jinhyuk’s gaze flicked to the back.

There were people who had been following him since he first entered the Tower of Trials.

They thought they were perfectly hiding behind trees, but it was amateurish.

Typical newbies.

‘They’re cute.’

He had a rough idea of what they were thinking.

‘But, I wonder if it will go as they hope.’

＊＊＊

A group of six men and women, who had been following Jinhyuk from a distance, clicked their tongues.

“I followed because I thought there was something, but it’s just a labyrinth?”

“Hmm. I didn’t know there was a labyrinth here.”

“Damn. That’s why I said we should just hunt goblins and level up!”

“Did I do it on purpose? I thought he might have come for a hidden piece or something.”

“Let’s stop arguing and go back. There might still be empty spots if we go now.”

Several voices exchanged opinions.

Most of them were about how it was a waste of time.

Then.

“Shh! Wait and see what he does.”

The woman at the front put her finger to her lips.

“Why?”

“Look. That guy is drawing something on the entrance of the labyrinth.”

Everyone’s gaze focused on one spot.

It’s true.

Unfamiliar characters glowed blue, and then...

Rumble!

The ground began to shake violently.

The labyrinth was opening.

“Crazy!”

“Is this for real?”

“He opened the labyrinth without a key?”

The pupils of those watching dilated rapidly.

To enter a labyrinth, you need a key or materials.

But he opened the entrance without any.

In a situation where common sense was completely shattered, everyone stood speechless with their mouths agape.

“...Let’s go. We need to get in before that guy disappears.”

The woman at the front broke the silence.

“What?”

“You want to go in? We don’t even know what kind it is or how big it is.”

“Park Hana. Are you in your right mind?”

“Think about it.”

Park Hana frowned in frustration.

“Don’t you know that the early stages are the most important in the Tower of Trials?”

“Yeah...”

“I know.”

The more extreme the difficulty, the more important the early stages of growth.

Especially for those who have played the Tower of Trials before.

Park Hana continued.

“He opened the labyrinth without a key. Do you think this opportunity will come again?”

Experience points, items, and more.

The possibilities were endless.

“Besides, if a level 1 player can enter, the difficulty can’t be that high.”

This is what she believed.

A player with no items entering a labyrinth alone?

It’s proof that the labyrinth’s difficulty isn’t high.

“After all, it’s a labyrinth on the first floor...”

“From the looks of it, you’re right.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The last remaining issue was one.

“But will that guy share the items he gets?”

The distribution of rewards from the labyrinth.

“Of course, he won’t.”

But it doesn’t matter.

They had no intention of sharing either.

“Let’s make him stay in the labyrinth forever.”

Park Hana pulled out a sharp needle from her pocket.

‘Giant Squash Bee Stinger’.

An item with a deadly poison that causes death within a minute if even 1mg is injected.

“That’s the thing you mentioned earlier...”

“Yeah. My brother got it from the National Central Museum yesterday.”

At Park Hana’s words, everyone swallowed hard.

“It was a bloodbath...”

“Amazing. He brought back an item from that hell?”

“My brother has been playing this game for a long time. He’s a veteran. Really.”

Park Hana’s older brother, Park Haejin, was a member of the ‘Black Raven’ guild when the Tower of Trials was played.

One of the well-known mid-tier guilds, its members have gathered and formed a faction on the first floor.

“You just follow me.”

Park Hana looked at Jinhyuk in front of the labyrinth with a sardonic smile.

To survive in this changed world, even murder had to be justified.

It’s a natural law.

The strong prey on the weak.

Park Hana had already made up her mind to follow this law.

＊＊＊

Rustle!

Six men and women emerged from the grass.

‘Finally showing up, huh.’

Their attempts to hide their presence were so amateurish that it made him yawn.

But it’s polite to pretend not to notice.

“Who are you?”

Jinhyuk put on a wary expression.

His facial muscles ached from the effort.

Ouch, my jaw.

“We’re not bad people!”

Park Hana, who was in front, quickly raised her hands.

She smiled faintly to show she had no intention of harming him.

“We... um. We came to this forest looking for a suitable hunting ground. We just happened to find you.”

What a load of nonsense.

At least put some effort into your lies.

And what’s with introducing yourself by saying you’re not bad people? Even the brainless villains from the 80s wouldn’t say something like that.

[Lv1 ‘Eye of Truth’ activated.]

[Park Hana’s words are ‘false’.]

Jinhyuk could already see the line between truth and lies.

But there’s only one reason he’s going along with this obvious act.

‘Park Hana...’

The corners of Jinhyuk’s mouth turned up.

‘This woman has a pretty interesting ability.’

An ability with enough value to be worth copying.