When he heard its unpleasant cackling, Hyunwoo’s eyebrows twitched -

  Good . Very good .

  “Why are we going out of our way to use this method? We already have our original plan . ”
-

  It’s good to have many plans in reserve . If the backup plan is more effective than the original plan, there is no reason why we can’t switch them . The transport of the Behemoth was a success . I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that my plan is better than the original plan .

  “Is that how it is? I wouldn’t recommend you using that plan . ”


  When it heard Hyunwoo’s words, its four eyes narrowed ……

  What are you saying? Didn’t you say the attempt was successful?

  “Yes . It was a success . The transport to earth was a success . ”
……

  It seems there was some other problem

  Hyunwoo could imagine the repulsive face scrunch up within the hood, and the thought cheered him up . He spoke .

  “The Behemoth was successfully transported to Earth, but there was a fatal side effect . ”
-

  What kind of side effect?

  “It became incredibly weak . ”
……

  By how much?

  “The Behemoth had staggered on its feet after letting out one Breath . ”


  Hyunwoo heard a groan as a response to his words .

  It always showed arrogance as it looked down on humans . It even looked down on him . So when it groaned, Hyunwoo felt his mood significantly improve .

  “Since there was no magical energy in the surroundings, the Behemoth couldn’t use its true power . However, it had become too weak even if there was a lack of magical energy . The only conclusion I can come to is that there is a problem with the transportation process . Why don’t you just focus on executing the original plan?”


  He was giving advice in good faith, but it coldly turned him down -

  You don’t have to worry about that . In my plan, I have some room to work with . A variable of this magnitude won’t stop my plan from coming to fruition .

  “However, what if your carelessness brings harm to your master?”


  In a flash, a massive amount of killing intent shot out of its four eyes . However, Hyunwoo remained languid as he let the killing intent flow past him .

  “Hey, hey . Don’t get so excited . I’m saying this because I’m worried . I’ve no ulterior motive . Although I’m human, I’m on your side . He isn’t just your master . He is our master . Of course, I would be worried about our master, right?”


  Its killing intent lessened, but the unpleasant energy coming out of its body didn’t disappear -

  That’s none of your damn business .

  “Is that so? I’m fine with that . ”


  Hyunwoo didn’t push any further and backed off . This caused it to glare at Hyunwoo even more fiercely before turning its back on him -

  Do not forget this . Your power was given to you by us .

  After leaving behind those words, it disappeared into the darkness .

  Hyunwoo snorted .

  ‘It doesn’t matter if it’s Lee Dongin or this bastard . Why am I so unlucky? Why can’t I get a decent boss? Jeez . ’


  Lee Dongin was probably going nuts at the arrival of the Behemoth on Earth . He was probably looking for Hyunwoo . Hyunwoo just shook his head .

  Hyunwoo no longer wanted to stay in this dark and damp place . He turned around to exit this place . However, he suddenly felt the urge to look behind once again .

  ‘Our master…… . ’


  For a brief moment, Hyunwoo looked at the door that remained firmly closed . Then he resumed walking .

  ***

  Sungyoon and Grace were cautious as they hunted monsters within Sungyoon’s Personal Labyrinth . This went on for several days before the Ross siblings finally arrived on the Moon . When the much-anticipated news about the siblings’ arrival was delivered to Sungyoon and Grace, they immediately headed back to Armstrong .

  “It’s really good to see you, Mr . Sungyoon!”


  It seemed Tim had gone through some difficult times . He vigorously shook Sungyoon’s hand . Emily, who stood behind Tim, also looked very happy to see Sungyoon .

  “Did everything work out?”


  “It didn’t go well . ”


  Tim shook his head from side to side . At the very least, Tim and Emily wanted to match their rotation schedule with Sungyoon and Grace’s schedule . However, it had been impossible to arrange it that way .

  Sungyoon listened to the Ross siblings’ schedule .

  “Our schedule differs by a month . ”


  “We did our best to match our schedule to yours . ”


  Tim sounded as if he was making an excuse, but that wasn’t the case at all . Tim and Emily had fought tooth and nail in order to sync their schedules with Sungyoon and Grace .

  “Thankfully, the fact that we were partied with Mr . Sungyoon and Ms . Grace allowed us some leeway . ”


  If that had not been the case, the higher rank Connectors would have been given priority over the Ross siblings in the rotation schedule . Then, Tim and Emily would have been given a completely different schedule from Sungyoon .

  “I bet they were giving priority to parties with all Canadian members . It’s to be expected . ”


  “That’s right . ”


  When Sungyoon spoke in an understanding manner, Tim enthusiastically nodded .

  “It’s fine . The difference in our scehdules isn’t that big . I think it turned out pretty well all things considered . ”


  It wasn’t as if they could meet only once a year like the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl . A month’s difference could be overcome .

  Anyway, the mana stream within the Great Labyrinth was constant . There wasn’t a time period that was safer to enter, unlike the regular labyrinths .

  “So we’ll finally be entering the Great Labyrinth tomorrow . ”


  When Sungyoon spoke those words, the faces of Grace and the Ross siblings stiffened from nervousness . They would finally enter the infamous Great Labyrinth .

  The three of them had decided to raid the Great Labyrinth of their own volition, but it didn’t mean they weren’t nervous about it .

  Still, they couldn’t be fearful forever .

  “Let’s do it!”


  As if he wanted to break the chain of fear, Tim shouted out loud .

  “I can finally continue my mother’s legacy . ”


  “As a member of the British Royal family, there is no better way for me to serve the country than this . ”


  Emily and Grace vocalized why they wanted to go into the Great Labyrinth, and they let their fighting spirit take over .

  “We’ll head in tomorrow . ”


  The Ross siblings and Grace nodded at Sungyoon’s words, and the firm resolve on their faces was evident .

  ***

  On the next day, Sungyoon’s party re-checked everything one final time in front of the entrance to the Great Labyrinth .

  Each member needed three Jewel rank Gems in order to enter the Great Labyrinth . Aside from Sungyoon, the rest of the party had been short a Jewel rank Gem . However, the British government had given them each a Silver rank Gem as a reward for investigating the magical energy within the cave .

  Sungyoon and Grace had received more since they had saved London . Each of them received an additional Jewel rank Gem, and Sungyoon even received a high-rank Device .

  Sungyoon checked the Jewel rank Gems that he possessed .

  The Rainbow Gems was divided into seven ranks . As for the Jewel Gems, they were divided into eight ranks . Diamond was the highest rank, followed by Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, Jade, Platinum, Gold, and Silver .

  Sungyoon possessed a sixth Jewel rank Gem in the Platinum armor . Then he possessed two seventh Jewel rank Gems in the Gold shield and the Gold amplification Gem . Finally, he also possessed a fourth Jewel rank Gem in the Ruby evolution Gem .

  This evolution Gem had originally been a White evolution Gem that Sungyoon possessed . But the British Government had given him a one-time-use Gem that instantly upgraded a Gem to Ruby rank . And Sungyoon had immediately used it on the White evolution Gem .

  He had done this before, so he was familiar with the process . He didn’t hesitate as he further invested in upgrading the ‘evolution’ Gem . Then he equipped it on the Brooch type Device, which was given to him as a reward .

  The brooch had eight universal Ruby rank slots . In some ways, this brooch type Device was more precious than a low Jewel rank Gem .

  One could tell how grateful the British government was toward Sungyoon by the rewards he had received .

  Sungyoon slotted the Ruby evolution Gem, the Platinum full armor Gem, the Gold sword Gem, the Gold shield Gem, and the Gold amplification Gem . He also slotted in the Rainbow rank Gems . These included the Red rank halberd Gem, Orange rank cape Gem, and Orange rank sevenfold strength amplification Gem .

  ‘If I can evolve all eight Gems to Ruby rank, I’ll have a much easier time clearing the Great Labyrinth . ’


  In the past, he had focused on evolving his magic Gems first, but his party now had Grace . She was an accomplished magic specialist Connector . Sungyoon’s role in this party now was offense, so he decided to fully commit to evolving Gems for offense .

  Sungyoon looked at his party members . They had finished checking and activating their Gems .

  “Let’s head in . ”


  Sungyoon pointed at the entrance . All of them slowly walked toward the Great Labyrinth .

  Most Connectors avoided the Great Labyrinth like the plague, but the four of them steadfastly advanced toward their goal of raiding the Great Labyrinth and stepped inside together .

  ***

  The violent magical energy that was unique to the Mana Stream tickled their entire body . Was it the evil reputation of the Great Labyrinth causing the nervousness? Or was it the fact that they had finally achieved a dream that they had for a very long time? Sungyoon’s party was silent .

  Aside from Sungyoon, fear and anticipation were etched into all of their faces . Sungyoon had already entered the Great Labyrinth once before, so the other party members had heard his story . It had the effect of heightening their emotions .

  They could see a light in the distance . Soon, they arrived at the grassy plain, which was the 1st floor of the Great Labyrinth .

  “T . . . this is……!”


  “Wow!”


  “Oh my!”


  Tim, Emily, and Grace didn’t even try to hide their emotions . Even the most famous tourist destination on Earth couldn’t compare to the sight before them . The grassy plain was beautiful .

  ‘There is no way this looks like a place with an evil reputation . ’


  This was his second time here, yet Sungyoon was still almost mesmerized by the scene in front of him . However, he knew that a brutal blade was hidden within this peaceful atmosphere .

  Kahng! Kahng!

  Sungyoon clapped his hands twice . His gauntlets clashed against each other, so the sound of steel hitting steel rang out .

  “I understand being mesmerized by the sight, but please do not forget that we are within the Great Labyrinth . A small mistake will get us killed . ”


  Hearing Sungyoon’s words, the party quickly readjusted their mindset .

  Sungyoon was the first to step onto the grassland, but he didn’t move any further . He could feel a faint vibration through his feet . In his previous visit, he had such a hard time learning how to identify this vibration .

  “Everyone…… Our first guest is here . ”


  As soon as he finished saying his words…… .

  Pah-ah-ahk!

  Dirt sprayed into the air, and something shot out from below the ground . The monster was creepy and long, and its large mouth looked like a lamprey eel . It was the Brutal Worm .

  “Kyahh!”


  “Oo-ahht!”


  The female members let out a high pitch scream . While the prospect of danger didn’t faze them, they were more sensitive to things that had a gross outer appearance .

  This didn’t mean Tim was unaffected either . His face was scrunched up within his helm . And in contrast with them all, Sungyoon, who was used to it all, looked calm .

  “Let’s start . ”


  Sungyoon spoke as he raised his sword .

  ***

  Kwahng!

  A large pillar of fire rose into the air . The hot flames consumed the small patch of forest in its entirety . Black smoke covered the blue skies .

  Kyahhhhhhhhhhhhhhk!

  Amongst the green trees, camouflaged monsters had been waiting for their prey . And after the attack, several Moving Trees screamed as they ran out of their cover .

  Even though their entire body was on fire, these monsters charged through the grassy plains toward Sungyoon’s party .

  “You should act like trees . Just die after being set ablaze!”


  Tim swung his ax at a Moving Tree, and then, he bashed it with his shield . Sungyoon dodged the sharp branches as he swung his sword .

  Kah-doo-doo-doohk!

  The flame had burned away the monster’s outer bark, and its defense had gone down significantly . Despite this, Sungyoon was having a hard time cutting through the Moving Tree .

  Boom!

  He swung his shield to bash the monster . Then using the rebound of the shield, Sungyoon extracted his sword and stabbed once again .

  Ggoo-reek!

  The monster let out a bizarre scream before it fell .

  However, Sungyoon had only taken down one of them . Tim was attacking another Moving Tree, but he was more focused on his role of protecting Emily and Grace . So, most of the Moving Trees had to be killed by Sungyoon .

  “Hoo-ahhhhhhhht!”


  Sungyoon planted his sword in another Moving Tree, and at the same time, he summoned his mace . He swung it toward the hilt of his sword . He had used this method to defeat the Behemoth before .

  Ggyahhhhhhhhhhk!

  The sword went deep into a vital point, and the Moving Tree fell over . Sungyoon moved on to the next foe .

  After a short time, all the Moving Trees in the plain fell over like cold blocks of wood .