Chapter 82: Chapter 82

Translated by: ShawnSUh

Edited by: SootyOwl

“We can’t entrust the fate of our country to people who don’t treasure lives. Therefore, we respectfully decline your support.”

“Ha!” Jonathan let out as if he couldn’t believe what he had just heard. “You just don’t get it, do you? Our report clearly shows that you don’t have enough resources, hunters in particular, to survive the crisis at hand. Where is this confidence coming from? And if you fail? What if the monster attacks start spreading to the surrounding countries? What will you do then?”

“As the representative of this country and the body of hunters within it, I’m willing to take all responsibility…”

“You represent a tiny, powerless country in Asia! Do you really think that those words will carry any weight coming from a girl?”

“In that case, this is not something you should be arguing with me, the Great Lord, is it? You work for a master yourself. Know your place and return to your homeland. You have no right to discuss foreign affairs,” Ji Yoo said. Provoked by her response, Jonathan started to walk toward Ji Yoo with hostility, as if he was going to attack her at any given minute. Then, just as the Institute soldiers were about to respond to the threat, Ji Yoo raised her hand unhurriedly and kept them from moving.

“I don’t know what kind of plan you have in mind, but you’ll bow to us sooner or later,” Jonathan said. Although Ji Yoo was so frustrated that she had provoked the commander beyond the point of necessity, the die had already been cast. Ignoring him, Ji Yoo ordered the soldiers to stay away from the labyrinth. At that, Jonathan sneered and said, “Congratulations. You just shot yourself in the foot,” and turned around without hesitation, followed by the rest of the support team. Looking at the American support team pulling back, the Institute soldiers turned toward their Great Lord, confused. Although the higher-ranking officers knew full well that Ji Yoo wasn’t the type to let her pride get in the way of making important decisions, they, too, couldn’t help but feel caught off guard by Ji Yoo’s bold behavior. Considering that the relationship between Korea and the US was at stake, Ji Yoo’s behavior came as a surprise to both officers and soldiers alike.

“I don’t see any monsters around. Aren’t they still pouring out of the dungeon gates?” Ji Yoo asked while watching the American support team driving off.

“We’ve learned that the dungeon gate ceases activity for two hours in five-hour increments,” the Director of Investigations said, looking at his wristwatch and adding, “Assuming that the pattern remains consistent, we should be expecting the next wave of monsters in about half an hour.”

Looking around, Ji Yoo counted the number of Institute soldiers on standby near the labyrinth. Should the monsters start pouring out of the dungeon gate again, they would surely be outnumbered. On top of that, the soldiers were growing increasingly weary over time. The best scenario was to hope that Min Sung would arrive before the next wave of monsters hit.

‘Did I make the right choice?’ Ji Yoo asked herself. Although Min Sung was the primary reason for Ji Yoo to have sent the American hunters back, she couldn’t be certain that her decision to trust the champion was a good one.

‘What if things get even worse?’ Ji Yoo thought. Sighing deeply, she looked toward the Director of Investigations and said, “Bring all remaining forces to the labyrinth. Don’t let the monsters get away. Not one.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the director replied. After saluting the Great Lord, he carried out the order without delay. Meanwhile, Ji Yoo looked up at the enormous dungeon gate apprehensively.

—

Although there were still some monsters left within the city, it was nothing the Institute couldn’t handle in their current state. Upon descending the mountain, a car with its driver smoking while leaning against the hood came into the champion’s view. It was Ho Sung. Seeing Min Sung, he put the cigarette out in a hurry and bowed to the champion.

“Allow me, sir,” Ho Sung said, opening the door for Min Sung, who stared intently at the driver. Not only was his face covered in bruises and his lips still bloody, but the rest of his body seemed to be in far worse shape.

“You wanna go to the labyrinth or the hospital?” Min Sung asked, looking intently at Ho Sung with emotionless eyes.

“The labyrinth, sir.”

“You fall behind, I’m not coming back for you.”

“I wasn’t expecting you to,” Ho Sung said, smiling subtly. With that, Min Sung got in the backseat, and Ho Sung drove off.

—

Min Sung and Ho Sung sat in silence in the car ride to the labyrinth. The sound of the wind rushing past the car filled the air. Min Sung was staring out the window, but soon, Ho Sung broke the silence.

“Sir?”

“What?”

“I think you were right. I’m not leader material and I was foolish to have dragged my clansmen into this mess.”

“…”

“I’ve been learning a lot from you. I appreciate you, and you’re an inspiration to me.”

“You’re talkative today.”

“Haha! Well, I just wanted to let you know how much I’m learning from you,” Ho Sung said. Smiling bitterly, he kept on, “When I see you, I realize just how pathetic my life has been. I’m not necessarily saying that my life turned around after meeting someone as powerful as you. It’s just…” Ho Sung paused briefly. Tilting his head, he added, “… I’m realizing that facing my problems head-on is the proper way to live. Say, if I was as powerful as you, do you think I would be able to live as freely as you do?”

Shaking his head, Ho Sung kept on, “Nah… I doubt it. You know what? Until I know I’m strong enough and have what it takes to be a leader, I won’t try to do anything on my own. I’ll live and die by your orders. Oh, you just watch. I’m gonna grow and I’ll make you proud…”

At that moment, Min Sung let out a long sigh, pulled Bowl out of his pocket and tossed it at Ho Sung. Catching on to its master’s order by instinct, the doll bit into Ho Sung’s thigh.

“Aaaaaaaagh!”

Having carried out the champion’s order, the doll crawled back into Min Sung’s pocket. After which, Min Sung closed his eyes and enjoyed the silence. Meanwhile, Ho Sung, rubbing his thigh, which was throbbing, bit down on his lower lip and mouthed the words: ‘Son of a bitch…’

—

When the champion arrived at the labyrinth, Ji Yoo went over and greeted him.

“Glad to see you, Mr. Kang. I heard that you’ve cleared out most of the monsters spread across the city,” she said, genuinely impressed by the champion’s ability to carry out the seemingly impossible task in such a short time. Unable to tackle the matter herself, she had resorted to asking for outside help.

Although one might argue that Min Sung’s recklessness had been the cause of the tension between Korea and the US, there was no doubt that Min Sung was an essential figure to Korea’s national safety. His powers were unfathomable and more than enough to reduce a world-class hunter like Callis to a bedridden patient at a hospital. Being aware of that, Ji Yoo had been able to trust his words and send the American support team back home. Although it was bound to complicate things in terms of foreign affairs, it was a small price to pay to protect Korea’s autonomy. Whether it had been a gamble to trust the champion or not, Ji Yoo believed that the champion’s existence had to be recognized and respected. Besides, he was capable of solving a problem that would have otherwise forced Korea to rely on the help of another country.

“The monsters should start pouring out again in five minutes. When that happens, I need you to keep them at bay as you clear the labyrinth…”

Then, Min Sung stared at the dungeon gate with a furrowed brow and said, “What’s the point of the Institute if you’re gonna have me do all the work? There is such a thing as a degree of incompetence. Shouldn’t you have a sense of responsibility at the very least?” the champion asked. At the champion’s poignant remark, Ji Yoo felt a sense of shame wash over her. In a sense, she was doing exactly what the champion described: shifting her responsibilities as the Great Lord. Smiling bitterly, Ji Yoo looked at the champion and said, “Thank you for your help.”

“I just wanna live in a decent world and eat in peace,” Min Sung said, walking toward the labyrinth. Ho Sung, still limping from his injuries, followed him. Staring at them from a distance, she sensed that something big was about to happen, something big enough to change the course of history.

Demons and the Tower of Demons were just the tip of the iceberg. Something much greater was at hand. However, with the champion on her side, Ji Yoo felt confident that they could fight off the evil that threatened humanity. Calling for the Director of Investigations, Ji Yoo said, “There should be less monsters coming out of the dungeon gate once he enters the labyrinth. Stay on guard. Don’t let a single monster slip away.”

“Ma’am!”

As the director turned around to carry out his orders, Ji Yoo pulled her rapier out of her inventory. There was one minute left until monsters would start pouring out of the dungeon gate.

After the champion and Ho Sung entered the labyrinth, Ji Yoo’s eyes burst into blue flames, much like the flames surging from her rapier. Soon, just as expected, a wave of monsters started to pour out of the dungeon gate. At which point, Ji Yoo’s rapier flew toward the monsters, leaving trails of light in the air.

—

With a loud thump, came darkness, followed by a set of flame-like lines of text.

[Welcome to the Labyrinth.]

[You may not exit the labyrinth until you clear the dungeon.]

[Labyrinth Difficulty: Torment]

[You’re about to enter the highest difficulty dungeon.]

[Limit reached.]

[Higher difficulties will yield better rewards.]

[Tread lightly, and the best of luck to you, champion]

Before even reaching the waiting room, Ho Sung felt his body getting soaked with cold sweat.

‘… Torment?’ Ho Sung thought, wiping the sweat off of his face and swallowing nervously. Torment labyrinths were unheard of.

‘Maybe it’s a new type?’ he thought, his heart racing. Soon, beams of light broke the darkness, revealing the waiting room.

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