《Restart of The Weakest Healer Becoming The World's Strongest Druid》


 Preliminary of The Weakest Healer

    What just happened? Where am I?


    The last thing I remembered was that I had to go with the other higher-ranked Slayers who insisted that all of us from the party go on a raid in an unmeasured labyrinth without informing the Slayers Alliance firsthand. The next thing I knew was that we were all attacked and cornered by scary-looking figures coming out from huge paintings; each of them resembling some sort of theme or historical setup. These paintings almost covered the unmeasured labyrinth''s walls.


    All of this happened just because one of us ran towards a huge box to open it, falsely believing there were loads of mana crystals in such a box. When that Slayer managed to open it, the entrance door suddenly disappeared. Then, an arrow went through that Slayer''s head. It was happening all so fast that neither of us within the party was able to figure out who was constantly shooting arrows at us until one of us noticed it was coming out of the paintings literally.


    The rest was history as many of us started to panic with a mental breakdown when a few of the figures literally came out of their paintings. That is until there was a huge slab of stone that fell down in front of us. It was a scribbled picture that was obviously showing an ancient ritual sacrifice. If only such engraved drawing was never shown in front of us, I myself would never be pointed out by Mrs Park that I should be sacrificed since I am the weakest Slayer of the group. Even though I am an important type of Slayer that is a healer, a healer is useless if they''re F-rank, the lowest measurement of a Slayer''s magical power. I happened to be that unfortunate F-rank.


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    ¡°Kang Joo-yeon! Do you wish to continue this trial?¡±


    An old man''s voice has somewhat snapped me out of my traumatic flashback of that unknown labyrinth. It is Old Man Amergin who holds his long brown staff in his right hand, staring at me with an unamusing look as I hang upside down in front of this tall cliff right now; a random tree''s vines have my right leg caught in it. Now every traumatic moment that''s been clouding my feeble mind is starting to clear up once I get a grasp of the situation I''m in now. I''ve to clear this trial by getting that mistletoe just a few meters beneath me.


    ¡°And to think Elysian would choose to reside in a healer like you,¡± says Old Man Amergin who still looks unimpressed which lets me know that he still looks down on me. ¡°Worst off, you''re the¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey, Old Man! I know I''m the weakest healer you''ve ever met,¡± I shout with all my breath. ¡°But I can assure you that I''m almost there! So keep your word when I pass this trial formed by a rude geezer like you!¡±


    I notice I''m glaring at a powerful man standing on top of that edge of the cliff, but for the first time ever, I''m done feeling afraid. I''m done being the weakest F-rank healer. Thus begins my first step in becoming a druid. What¡¯s more, I wanna become stronger after my ¡°restart¡± from that fateful day.

 Level 1 - F-Rank Slayers Dont Have Privilege At All

    ¡°Good morning, everyone,¡± a young-looking reporter says his greetings while sitting down for a news segment called ¡°Seoul Today¡±. ¡°Today''s interview, we''ve got very special guests. Please introduce yourselves.¡±


    I and anyone who stops walking to watch this segment on the digital billboard hanging way above us see the reporter¡¯s left hand gesturing towards the appearance of a slim, pretty, tall woman in her early-30s spotting long black hair and green eyes; sitting next to her is the appearance of a brawny, tall man in his late 20s wearing a bright green dress and a dark blue suit respectively.


    ¡°Hello, everyone. I''m Seo Jae-in,¡± the woman greets while she gives a gentle handwave to the screen.


    ¡°And I''m Na Hyun-shik,¡± the man greets with the same handwave too.


    ¡°For those of you, especially those who are teenagers now, who have yet to know,¡± the reporter explains to his audience watching the screen. ¡°These two are part of the hundred S-rank Slayers that exist in this world. This fact means humans like them who randomly receive magical powers of this rank are able to close the Labyrinth within several minutes. In fact, the whole world was distraught when these portals to another dimension suddenly showed up twelve years ago. Would you like to let the viewers know about your experience during that time, Slayer Seo?¡±


    ¡°Well, Reporter Kim,¡± Seo Jae-in replies as she crosses her slender long legs with a confident look on her face. ¡°It was frightening seeing magical stuff that only exists in fantasy stories or rumored folklores coming to life literally. Nevertheless, we humans must adapt to such sudden events even if they''re from unknown worlds. I guess my teenage self back then was a bit scared when the Labyrinths appeared in our lives, but after receiving my magical powers at that time, I learned to willingly embrace my fate in being a hero to my world, whatmore to mankind.¡±


    ¡°Slayer Seo, it seems to be that you''ve an American citizenship due to the fact that you were born there. What brings you to South Korea at this moment?¡±


    ¡°All I can say is that I have a precious family to spend time with here.¡±


    ¡°Rumor has it that we''ve yet to see what your family looks like¡­¡±


    ¡°Reporter Kim, my job involves lots of dangerous jealousy and rivalry that may lead to harming my family. That''s why I keep my private life as secretly as possible. Otherwise, I would''ve used my magic skills to blow anyone who harms us from the face of the earth.¡±


    ¡°Ah~ Ha¡­Ha¡­You''ve got a point, Slayer Seo. Being a Slayer is actually a lucrative job to be having in this day and age. I can understand the need to protect your loved ones; even from non-Slayers who will exploit you all. Well then, that''s a wrap for this news segment. Any advice you would like to give to any new Slayers, Slayer Seo?¡±


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    ¡°Yes, new Slayers, huh? Hmm~ All I can say is a Slayer''s power is the best privilege that won''t let you feel fear when you have to use it to save your loved ones from Beasts living within the Labyrinths. I hope this advice will give you such courage to defeat them.¡±


    ¡°And that ends our segment with these two charismatic Slayers,¡± the reporter says as he manages to regain his composure after that indirect threat from Slayer Seo. ¡°Tune in next week for another special guest who happens to have the nickname¡­¡±


    I don''t pay attention to the last words of that reporter as my mind is still filled with what that woman has said on screen.


    ¡°Best privilege, huh¡­¡±, I mutter as I still look at the digital billboard whereas others walk away once the news segment has ended. ¡°I wonder if she''ll say the same words after meeting a Slayer like me.¡±


    ¡°Joo-yeon! There you are! What a coincidence meeting you in the middle of this sidewalk!¡±, a young man''s cheery voice is heard behind me. I turn around to see Park Jung-han, who is in an all-gray tracksuit, waving at me. He happens to be my long-time same-aged acquaintance ever since I started working as a Slayer once I got my powers about two years ago. Every time I see him having a heavily-built body, I feel a bit intimidated though that''s due to our height difference being forty centimeters apart; then again, I''m way shorter than Ga-young, my uncle''s teenage daughter, who just grew to be 160cm tall this year. Speaking about that, her rouge one-piece dress I''m wearing now feels a bit too big and long on me. If only I was at least ten centimeters taller, I would feel much more comfortable, but I just have to endure it for now.


    ¡°Jung-han, I wasn''t expecting you to join in this raid,¡± I reply as cheerfully as I can. The last thing I want to do today is not to make him worried about my insecurities. Jung-han really protected me a lot during the many previous raids we were in. ¡°How''s your shield? The last time I remembered it almost got cracked when you fought off those ogres.¡±


    ¡°Well I happen to get a new one,¡± he replies with enthusiasm which leads him pointing his right thumb towards the item on his huge back. ¡°Ta-da! Do I look more heroic with this adamantite shield? I''m glad it was selling at the Slayer Alliance¡¯s auction last week.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­,¡± I pause my words as I look at him from head to toe. He kind of reminds me of a huge-sized teddy bear, in regards to his optimistic mood he''s showing me right now, I saw once in a random window-shop last Christmas. ¡°No matter what material your shield is made of, you''re one of the best C-rank tankers I''m glad to have ever met.¡±


    ¡°You know normally women would compliment a brawny man like me with just one word. But! Since you say I''m the best tanker you''re glad to have met, I¡¯ll take it as a ¡®yes¡¯.¡±


    Somehow his face suddenly turns a bit red. I wonder if he''s not feeling well today. Some Slayers can still catch the flu or so I''ve heard that only happens to those who are lower than C-rank.


    ¡°Jung-han, try not to push yourself for today''s raid,¡± I advise him despite knowing him well on how stubborn he is. ¡°You''re looking red right now. So you do have a fever, huh?¡±


    ¡°Wha--what!? No, no!¡± Jung-han replies hastily with both of his huge hands waving a ¡°huge NO sign¡± to my face. ¡°Anyway, we should get moving. Our raid is supposed to start in a few minutes. You do know the way to this Labyrinth''s gate, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Jung-han. I won''t get lost easily in this city, you know,¡± I reply nonchalantly. ¡°Let''s go, Mr Teddy.¡±


    ¡°What? I''m not a bear, Joo-yeon!¡±


    I giggle at Jung-han''s blushing response to my spontaneous nickname for him. As we walk towards our destination, I can''t help but wonder whether or not it''s worth it for me to continue being a Slayer. After all, I''m an F-rank and that rank is incompatible with a healer class which I was infused with my Slayer''s powers.

 Level 2 - The Healer Who Cant Heal Anyone

    As expected, the Labyrinth Jung-han and I are going in is right next to Dongdaemun. These past few weeks the portals have been opening right next to any of the eight fortress gates in Seoul. Well it''s not uncommon for the portals to appear in similar areas or buildings, but somehow I''ve got an uneasy feeling about this kind of pattern.


    ¡°Joo-yeon, are you hungry?¡± Jung-han asks politely. He rummages to his huge backpack he left at this fortress gate. ¡°I still got a few bulgogi wraps I made this morning.¡±


    ¡°It''s okay, Jung-han,¡± I refuse politely. ¡°I ate breakfast before I left my house.¡±


    Does this mean he deliberately comes looking for me even though I''m able to walk here by myself? He could''ve just waited like everyone else here. Well at least Slayer Jang isn''t here yet. Otherwise, I would''ve to accept a pay cut from him if he got here before me.


    ¡°This sucks! I sometimes wish I could raise my rank to S-rank,¡± a young woman, who sounds around my age, exclaims despairingly though I see her enjoying her hamburger in contrast with her proclaimed words. ¡°Then, I would be able to fangirl¡­no! At least stand right next to the famous female mage, Seo Jae-in! I love how she took down a Cerberus with those elegant moves! I love how she looks fashionable while raiding those high-ranked Labyrinths!¡±


    ¡°Are reporters even allowed in those places?¡± a slightly older woman, who is nonchalantly doing a manicure, asks a rhetorical question. ¡°I get that any S-rank Slayer has to build a good image for themselves. They''re automatically celebrities once they get measured by the Alliance''s mana orb, but to make the Nons (non-Slayers) go into the Labyrinths, that makes a literal ragged safety net look more safe to get on.¡±


    ¡°Hey!,¡± a young man starts speaking with so much enthusiasm in his mid-pitch voice. ¡°Speaking of Seo Jae-in, do you think she''s dating Chun Sun-woo, the strongest knight Slayer of this country? I''ve seen some photos online of them being so close to each other while they were talking out their strategic plans a week ago. You think they''ll become a famous couple real soon, huh?¡±


    ¡°Oh~ that would be the greatest scandal to ever happen!¡± the younger woman replies with a squeal in her voice. ¡°Chun Sun-woo. Ha~~~ I wish I could be his girlfriend someday. I often wonder if God is giving me an impossible task to be with him. I''m a D-rank archer and he''s a S-rank knight. Ha~~~ if he wasn¡¯t chosen as a Slayer and just became a Kpop star with that face of his, that would''ve been easier for me to woo him.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, right!¡±, the same young man sarcastically replies. ¡°As if he''ll date older women like you. Of course Seo Jae-in is exceptional since she''s very beautiful even when she''s offscreen. You being several years older than him¡­now that''s not gonna be easy¡­¡±


    ¡°What did you say, punk!?¡± the D-rank archer demands. She lunges at the young man, giving him unwanted torture in the form of tickling him probably to death since age is a sensitive issue for women generally. The older woman, who just finished her manicure, joins in the tickle torture hearing him use the words ¡°you¡± and ¡°years older¡± despite this is directed towards the archer girl.


    I can''t believe these three Slayers are having a childish fight over S-rank Slayers who will never or, as anticipated, no need to know the existence of lower-ranked ones such as them three. I could''ve joined in this conversation, but somehow my reserved personality, probably due to the effect of receiving an F-rank powers, has led me to be uninterested in that higher-ranked mage or Chun...whoever he is. It''s not that I hate higher-ranked Slayers. It''s just that I maintain a feeling of indifference as there''s no point in hating others who have better skills than you. I know well enough that I would never be able to stand next to them on equal ground. And the archer is right as she has indirectly reminded me that a Slayer can''t raise their rank no matter how much one does in practicing their power or skills.


    ¡°I can''t believe those three are shamelessly talking about that jerk,¡± Jung-han says with a disapproving tone from his mouth filled with bulgogi wrap bites. ¡°I wish they knew how he was hurling insults at you on that day.¡±


    ¡°I don''t think he was insulting¡­was he?,¡± I hesitantly say to Jung-han. ¡°He was being considerate if I''m not mistaken¡­¡±


    ¡°So you did hear those words that day!¡± Jung-han exclaims with a ¡°I knew it!¡± expression. ¡°Joo-yeon, sometimes you don''t have to agree with what others say about you, even if they''re high-ranked Slayers.¡±


    As Jung-han rambles on by saying dissing words on Chun Sun-woo, my memory of that S-rank Slayer begins to clear up within my mind. It really happened a week ago when Jung-han and I were part of a randomised raid team who managed to close the Labyrinth just on time. That was the day Jung-han''s old shield, which was entirely made of oak wood, was beginning to crack itself. That must be when that photo, as mentioned by the young male Slayer earlier on, was taken once we came out of the Labyrinth''s gate.


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    I also remembered having bruises on my arms and legs due to my falling down a staircase in that Labyrinth as I tried to run away as fast as I could from one of the ogres. It''s odd how the Beasts I''ve encountered so far always come running towards me when they could''ve gone for a higher-ranked healer. It''s common sense that the higher a Slayer''s rank is, the more magic power will lead any Beasts to feel sensitive towards it. Then again, fear can lure Beasts that easily. Most of those raids resulted in me crying out for help like a stereotyped damsel in distress. Jung-han was always saving me, especially whenever I felt death nearly took my soul out from my body.


    Once everything was over back then, as soon as we walked out of the portal, I excused myself to a public bathroom nearby. As usual, I didn''t have enough magical power to heal my bruises. As for healing potions, they were too expensive to buy from the Alliance''s auction. Even a small bottle costs around the same price as one of Ga-young''s perfumes. Sure second-hand shops selling such potions exist, but there was always the risk of imitations and unknown ingredients, which could be health hazardous, being mixed in.


    At that time, I decided to endure until I got home to put relieving patches onto my bruises. As I went back to meet up with Jung-han, I heard another man''s voice talking to him. I hid behind the street corner, eavesdropping the conversation.


    ¡°That girl had a lot of bruises. What were you thinking bringing her inside that Labyrinth? She''ll be tying all of you down if she keeps going to these raids."


    ¡°Look, Slayer Chun. It''s best to mind your own business. I''m aware you''ve got lots of fangirls and there''s no way of knowing what they''ll do to Joo-yeon. You talk as if she''ll be a burden for everyone on the team.¡±


    ¡°Because she is.¡±


    I flinched listening to Chun''s brutal honesty.


    ¡°What!? How dare you talk like that just because you saw her minor injuries¡­¡±


    ¡°And who told you those bruises were minor injuries, Slayer Park? That healer herself?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­I did offer her one of my healing potions I''ve carried with me before she said¡­¡±


    ¡°Tell your healer friend that she should retire if she can''t handle the humiliation of having to take such potions from a non-healer Slayer.¡±


    ¡°Look who''s talking! I''ve seen you S-rank Slayers carry healing potions in your pockets all the time! How''s that different from me carrying it and giving it to those who need it?!¡±


    ¡°Because healers are supposed to do their job of healing anyone, including themselves. If a healer is unable to do that at all, what''s the point of them continuing to be a Slayer anyway?¡±


    ¡°I don''t want to say this, but Slayer Chun¡­Joo-yeon is F-rank.¡±


    ¡°Even so, she should know her limits. Do know that many who are F-rank decided to do service work mainly assisting a raid team''s preparations.¡±


    ¡°You should leave, Slayer Chun. I can see your team is signaling you that it''s time to head back to the Alliance''s headquarters.¡±


    Then I took a peek from afar to watch Chun, whose back is facing at my sight, walking away from Jung-han. I swore I could see Jung-han looking so upset that he turned to face Chun, almost shouting these words at him.


    ¡°You don''t know what it''s like to be weak, do you, Slayer Chun?¡±


    Chun stopped walking, listening to the rest of Jung-han''s words filled with feelings of disappointment in his voice.


    ¡°Our powers are stuck with a rank given by whoever is giving to us from above the clouds. You S-rank people will never feel weakness at all. Because just a slap from your hand is able to kill a F-rank Beast that easily. I often wish the powers we received are of equal footing. The word ¡°weaker¡± would never even be uttered at all. Then Joo-yeon wouldn''t have to feel the ranking discrimination every single time she went on a raid.¡±


    I almost had tears flowing from my eyes while listening to Jung-han''s wish of every Slayer''s powers being equal. He really is kind like a teddy bear.


    ¡°I acknowledge you have these kinds of ideals, Slayer Park. But do you really think if that were to happen, would that be the same for every single Beast we will encounter in the Labyrinths? Do you think it will make sense for a Cerberus to have the same power as a kobold?¡±


    ¡°That¡­that''s not the same¡­¡±


    ¡°If we were to have equal powers, then whoever gave them should let us get stronger if we were to put in so much practice in developing them. But that never happened, didn''t it? It''s also a fact it never will. So my last advice for you, as a higher-ranked Slayer, is that your overprotectiveness won''t help her figure out what she really needs to do. It''s best if she gives up going on raids. Permanently."


    Back to current reality, as much as I hate to admit it, Chun''s advice rings true. Jung-han is always protecting me. I¡¯m aware that''ll hinder a raid team''s plans to survive inside the Labyrinth even if the majority of the members have the same rank as Jung-han. I''ve decided that after this raid, I''ll let Jung-han know my decision to stop being a Slayer and that I''ll go back to doing part-time jobs like any ordinary person would do.


    ¡°Hey, y''all!,¡± the voice of a middle-aged man is heard behind me. I know whose voice is that. As I turn around to face him, it''s the man I always feel dreaded to meet with. ¡°What the heck are you all lazing around for? I''m correct when you all have proven that I don''t have any expectations from anyone who doesn''t have outstanding skills. Then again, not capable of using basic skills is worse than having no skills at all.¡±


    It''s Slayer Jang whose slightly rugged beard made him look as if he''s the one lazing around. It kind of frustrates me a little that he''s a C-rank like Jung-han. It''s a good thing he''s not as tall as Jung-han; otherwise, I would fear for Jung-han''s safety if a Slayer like him beat him to a pulp, not that Jung-han is a weakling to begin with.


    ¡°Healer Kang!¡± Jang calls out to me. If someone refers to you with your class title instead of the title that indicates a specific group of people, it indirectly means you''re unable to slay Beasts or that you''re incapable of having a special set of skills which every Slayer has even if it''s just one skill. My case applies to both statements, and the main reason why I''ll never be referred to as Slayer Kang at all.

 Level 3 - I Really Am Useless

    ¡°You''re a healer and yet you''re unable to get yourself at least one healing potion!?,¡± Jang, the man who spouts out his pent-up frustrations towards me. Probably he wasn''t able to jump on a higher-ranking raid team''s bandwagon which made him feeling this way today. After all, out of the twelve members here, only him and Jung-han are C-rank. Four are D-rank & five are E-rank. As usual, I''m the only F-rank member in this team.


    ¡°I know ¡®good luck charms¡¯ don''t have to do anything more than what''s required of them, but how humiliating for a healer like you to be incapable of anything useful!¡±


    ¡°That''s enough, Captain Jang!¡± Jung-han interferes with defensive words for my sake. ¡°Joo-yeon is doing the best she can! She just¡­has financial¡­I mean, she did save up¡­¡±


    ¡°Park Jung-han. I don''t care about her paying up a huge debt caused by an irresponsible relative. All I care is that if she ties us down too much midway into the Labyrinth, I demand she goes back alone! Good luck charm, my foot! Healer Kang! You better just stay still while we fight off the weaker Beasts.¡±


    All I can do is nod as a sign of agreement with his plan for me. I know the reason why he reluctantly accepts me as a raid member is for his publicity stunt. I can see some reporters from my left, taking pictures of mainly Jang posing as if he''s giving a motivational speech to us when in fact, he didn''t say anything important at all. He''s just posing for the cameras and for the sake of a selfish goal he''s planning to achieve.


    ¡°What''s with the unnecessary foul words, Slayer Jang?¡± a woman asks whose voice hints her being around in her early-40s. And this woman happens to be another Slayer that I''m comfortable being familiar with besides Jung-han. Believe me when I say she could''ve been a well-known actress if she were the same age as Seo Jae-in now. I say she could''ve been her rival in the ¡°good looks¡± department.


    ¡°Well you''re late, Slayer Han. I don''t remember arriving to a raid later than the main leader being a common courtesy.¡±


    ¡°Just so you know that I was at the Alliance purchasing necessary supplies for this raid. I know your fighter subclass is a monk, Jang, but I do advise you don''t go barehanded for this raid even if the Alliance measured it as an E-rank last night.¡±


    I glance at Ms Han¡¯s waist where her brown pouch is obviously filled with several potions, seeing how I can see their outlines on her pouch¡¯s material from afar.


    ¡°Slayer Han, anyone who is of the fighter class aren''t required to carry so much baggage. I don''t want any hindrance to the amount of time we need to close this Labyrinth if such baggage slows down movements from this party. Besides, we''ve got enough healers already. I''m just glad two of them are a D-rank and an E-rank. As for the most unreliable one¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡± Jung-han exclaims. He¡¯s about to say another word when I immediately grab his bulky left arm. When he sees my face, I shake my head, indirectly saying he shouldn''t make Jang any more upset than he is right now.


    ¡°We better go, Slayer Jang,¡± Slayer Han replies with a stern voice. ¡°I''m sure standing around here any longer will be bad for your public image, am I right?¡±


    It''s odd how Jang complies to Slayer Han¡¯s command-like words when she''s actually the vice leader of this raid team. Probably it''s because he''s intimidated by her charismatic aura despite her being one lower rank than he is. Without any further delay, all twelve of us are making sure their weapons related to their class status are placed well wherever on their body.


    As I watch the archer Slayer putting her modern crossbow on her right arm and Jung-han putting on his armor parts on his arms and legs, I too make sure my sling bag has my only weapon for self-defense: a life-draining dagger. As the name implies, it will suck out any life force from any Beast that gets stabbed by it. Though this dagger, which is made of regular wood handle and the blade being forged with obsidian, I was able to purchase with a month''s salary. As usual, it''s an F-grade quality since obsidian gets difficult to be durable against higher-ranking Beasts, but it''s better to have this kind of dagger than nothing and since I''m unable to afford healing potions for now.


    Once our preparation in wearing required gears and necessary weapons, we proceed to step in. Once inside, its visual is of the usual look of walking on pathways of a tunnel-like eerie-looking cave. Jang orders one of the members to apply his Fire Magic as an old-fashioned torch. A young man, who is the same one gossiping about Chun¡¯s dating rumors, does what he''s told.


    Said man must be a mage subclass and possibly his subgroup is an elementalist. This reminds me of that famous Slayer Seo being of the same subclass and that her subgroup is a sorceress. Come to think of it, I remember when I first started working as a Slayer, I learned there are three base classes to be bestowed upon: fighter, rogue, and healer. The first two classes will always have a subclass. Jung-han is part of the first one; his tanker status is one of the subclass types to exist. As for the healer class, there''s no subclass to begin with. Nobody knows the reason why it''s that way except I speculate that healers are unable to have versatile abilities like what fighters and rogues have. I guess that explains why the mage subclass under the fighter class have their own subgroup due to every type is capable to have versatile skills and spells.


    Back to my mind at the current dim-lighted pathway, we see a slightly brighter light at the end of the tunnel we''re in. When we''ve reached that spot, we notice that we''ve arrived in an arena room possibly. Nearly half of the walls around this room seem to be carved out in rune-like letters except they don''t make up any proper sentence. Each word is drawn randomly, with the space between each word varying, all over the room¡¯s walls. Then, as we comment and look at these words filled with curiosity and wonder, every single letter begins to glow with a bright orange color.


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    ¡°Why are they glowing all of a sudden?¡± one of our party members asks, looking a bit scared while we keep staring at the glowing letters. Then, we hear high-pitched snarls around us. Each of us try looking where those nasty sounds are coming from. Then, one of us, another young woman who I think her surname is Ban, shouts ¡°Those holes on the wall! Look out!¡±. As predicted, a hoard of kobolds, whose faces have the hybrid characteristics of a dog (their eyes and snouts) and a lizard (their ears and horns), jump out of those holes, lunging at us from above with sharp daggers in their hands.


    Jung-han responds with his quick reflexes of taking the shield off his back immediately. He manages to slam several of the kobolds to his right side. Some of them have been spilled with blackish-red blood when his shield cracks their skulls in an instant. Elsewhere, I see Jang being able to use his martial arts skills to break either their heads or necks. He may be the most insolent man I''ve ever met, but I''ve to acknowledge that his skills as a C-rank monk prove he''s useful for any raid team organised by the Slayers Alliance. Then, the archer, elementalist, and transmuter, who''s the older woman with the manicure, are able to fend off whichever kobolds are charging at them. More of the kobolds¡¯ blood is spilled as they get killed by the offensive abilities from these three Slayers. As for the rest of the members, the thief and the healers, they''re able to create strong defensive barriers against the kobolds constantly slashing their daggers at them.


    Even though I should feel used to seeing the chaos of bones breaking, blood spilling, and weapons clashing in a Labyrinth, I can''t help, but feel a bit nauseous, what more with the feeling of fear almost devouring my soul while I''m witnessing such scenes. Of course my class is a non-combat type, but those two healers have better protection skills than I have. Speaking about it, I notice one kobold ambush me from behind. Luckily I''m able to slash its left wrist with my life-draining dagger just in time. I try to go on the offensive because it seems that the slash isn''t deep enough seeing it never drops its dagger from that hand. Unfortunately, it manages to avoid the next slashes I make on it. Then, I feel a slash on my left shoulder. It''s another kobold roaming about freely.


    ¡°Joo-yeon!¡± Jung-han calls out my name in a panicked voice. He''s still caught up in fighting off three kobolds. His expression looks more worried as I lose my balance due to my right foot getting caught in Ga-young¡¯s dress¡¯s hemline. I yelp, falling down on the arena floor. As I try to get up, I look up at a kobold hovering above me, grabbing its dagger with both hands to aim at my head. I¡¯m sure I''ve a terrified look on my face right now. I hate myself that I can''t move my legs despite my falling down isn''t as bad as the time I fell down that staircase. I''m about to feel death once more when suddenly, Ms Han saves me by piercing her rapier into the kobold¡¯s chest. Once pierced, her weapon slashes across its chest, semi-mutilating its top body that spills a huge pool of its blood. Despite the relieved feeling of surviving from a Beast¡¯s attack, I once again feel very afraid. My whole body trembling once again like the stereotyped damsel in distress; yet I''m able to listen to Ms Han telling me to stay still behind her, as part of reassuring me to not be afraid at this moment, until the slaying is officially over. Witnessing all of the chaos being handled by capable Slayers, I start to feel hopeless as these words echo in my mind right now:


    I really am useless¡­


    Alas, this team has managed to kill all the kobolds in a sort of gladiator kind of environment seeing this room is actually an arena upon closer inspection. Each of us, mainly the combat types, takes a space to sit down for a decent rest. The two healers perform their basic skills, that is using healing magic, on those who got a bit of bruises and slashes they''ve received from the kobolds. Many of them are discussing the kobolds¡¯ feral behaviors.


    ¡°Kobolds are distant relatives to goblins, right? Even if they are, they usually don''t attack Slayers as aggressively as goblins do. After all, aren''t they supposed to be household creatures where they only care about cleaning up their residence?¡±


    ¡°Do know that hunger can make someone or something go insane. I think that explains why they attack us. We''re their source of food.¡±


    ¡°But shouldn''t there be other weaker Beasts for them to prey upon? Then again, what do kobolds eat exactly?¡±


    ¡°They''re omnivores in the most literal sense. I''ve heard one eating so much adamantite ores that it died from indigestion since metals are difficult to digest when the Beast isn''t a natural metal-eater like the Bulgasari.¡±


    ¡°Man! The Bulgasari, huh? I don''t ever wanna encounter it in my lifetime. I''ve heard it''s the strongest D-rank Beast, making itself a Labyrinth¡¯s final Beast, that the Alliance will send a higher-ranking Slayer if any D-rank Slayer is unable to take it down. Till now, not even ten D-rank Slayers are enough to slay a Bulgasari.¡±


    ¡°Speaking about that, what kind of Beast is it for this Labyrinth? We''ve killed these lower-ranking Beasts already.¡±


    An air of silence fills the room. Despite this party having taken out every mana stone from the kobolds¡¯ bodies, it seems to be that alone isn''t enough to reach today''s raid''s loot collection quota. Anyway, we have to find the final Beast of this Labyrinth in order to close the gate completely. I think we''ve only got several hours to do so.


    ¡°Joo-yeon,¡± Jung-han, calling my name in a concerned voice, approaches in front of me. Now that I think about it, I''ve been too focused on listening to the other Slayers¡¯ conversation about the kobolds and that metal-eating Beast along with seeing the healers being able to do their jobs efficiently. ¡°Your left arm¡­does it hurt?¡±


    I look at my slashed left arm as it still bleeds over the sleeve of Ga-young''s dress. I bet she''s not gonna be pleased that I wore this to the Labyrinth, but I was insisted by Uncle Seung-min, her father, to wear it even though I told him I''ve got my own clothes to wear for today''s raid. He told me this morning that she rarely wears this dress, claiming it''s part of Ga-young''s shopaholic habit. I could''ve worn one of my regular hoodies and jeans, but Uncle Seung-min strictly told me that he''s gonna buy new sets of clothes for me after getting his paycheck later this month. I admit currently my own clothes are almost in a tattered state due to the fact I wore them during my Labyrinth raids.


    ¡°I''m fine, Jung-han,¡± I whisper calmly while I take out a huge handkerchief from one of the dress¡¯ pockets to tie around my wound.


    ¡°That doesn''t look fine to me. How about you take my healing¡­¡±


    ¡°You need it for later, Jung-han. We''ve yet to find the strongest Beast here. I''m sure you need it more than me.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Besides, Jang is glaring at us. I don''t want you being on his bad side. You deserve more future raids to participate seeing how you¡¯re currently the strongest C-rank tanker in this country. So don''t worry about a F-rank like me, Jung-han.¡±


    I try my best to make a pleasant smile in front of Jung-han, and somehow I feel a melancholic aura surrounding the both of us.


    ¡°But¡­it''ll be nothing to me¡­if you''re not by my side, Joo-yeon¡­¡±


    I make a confused look on those words he¡¯s saying to me. I can see the image of ¡°a teddy bear making a sad look¡± in him. Before I can ask a question on what he meant by that, one of the Slayers calls out, notifying the whole team.


    ¡°Hey! I think I found the Labyrinth boss¡¯ hideout!¡±

 Level 4 - The Cinniç…¤int Tomb

    The rest of us have gotten up from our resting spots to see what the male Slayer, being of the thief subclass, is pointing at. It''s a spiral staircase going downwards at one of this arena room¡¯s corner walls. We glance at each other with confused looks until the archer Slayer breaks the hesitant silence.


    ¡°Is it unusual for a stronger Beast to be hiding this deep? I mean normally, it should appear in front of us straightaway after all the lower-ranked Beasts are slayed. Then again, we should be glad it didn''t because we were quite exhausted from the kobolds attacking back there. Still, it''s odd for another room to be located way underground.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm~ well it''s not uncommon for Labyrinths to go through an evolving stage,¡± Ms Han explains with her speculation on the reason it''s being located beneath us. Once, it was only one Beast to defeat to close the gate. Eventually a few groups of lower-ranked Beasts were spawned as if their duty was to be an army of bodyguards for their leader. As expected, the higher the rank of a Labyrinth, the more groups of lower-ranked Beasts exist. I speculate this kind of phenomenon pattern exists to be sort of like an ecosystem, with a heavy emphasis on the food chain, like how our world is. Till today, the pattern still exists in a cohesive, at least predictable, manner except for the Labyrinth we''re in now. Come to think of it, there should''ve been another group of Beasts as like what Ms Han said way earlier on, this Labyrinth was officially measured as E-rank by the Alliance. There''s no way this sort of room setup is considered a Labyrinth''s regular evolution.


    ¡°Then all the more reason we''re going down there, Slayer Han,¡± Jang replies with an arrogant demand. More like an order that I don''t want to comply with. Jung-han and I look at each other, and by the way he shakes his head at my sight, is a signal of his agreement with me that whatever is down there, it''s a bad omen which I too felt.


    ¡°Hold up, Slayer Jang. It''s best if we inform the Alliance¡­¡±


    ¡°About your bad feeling that''s only based on mere speculation? Look, Han. I don''t want you to let the Alliance send another raid team with higher ranks. You''re ruining the motivation of this raid wanting to go back home with a decent loot. The younger ones here don''t want to go empty-handed, am I right, you all?¡±


    While I¡¯ve always known that other higher-ranked Slayers, who are around or close to my age, rarely have the intuition to know that there''s an uneasy feeling surrounding them, I''m a bit shocked that they rather listen, which is indicated by head nods and indirect words of agreement, to Jang whose words reflect his greed and recklessness than Ms Han whose words reflect her emphasis on everyone''s safety. The next thing I see is the majority of our raid team raises up their hand as their answer to Jang''s question on who''s going down with him. Only me, Jung-han, and Ms Han never raise our hand.


    ¡°You''ve got a death wish, old man? If that''s the case, count me out. I''m going back home.¡±


    That voice belongs to Slayer Ban, who has a medium brown bob cut and grayish-brown eyes and a beauty mark under her right eye, and she too ain''t impressed with Jang''s unreasonable command. Looking at her appearance properly, she''s just a few inches taller than me; her clothes exuding the tomboy look.


    ¡°Fine, you brat,¡± Jang replies with a fierce look. ¡°You''ve the choice to leave and go back on the way out¡­on one condition. You forfeit your share from the kobolds'' mana stones.¡±


    ¡°What?! That''s not fair! Without my skill to detect where those kobolds were coming from, you all would''ve gotten serious injuries!¡±


    ¡°Hmph! As if a tiny girl like you played a major role earlier on! I''ve heard inquisitors have the weakest combat skills and why am I not surprised? You practically stand there doing nothing.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡­Stop with the accusations of me being incompetent! I did put up my defensive barrier like the thief and healer guys over there. Or am I correct that you¡¯re a misogynist and a literal fat pig?¡±


    ¡°How dare you make such slurs at me! Guess what? It was too invisible for me to see you performing such a skill. The others too can''t see your skill at all, right?¡±


    The younger Slayers stay silent as a sign that Jang is right in making his petty views on Slayer Ban. It''s likely that they don''t wanna experience rankism like me and since it''s rumored that Jang has successfully sucked up to powerful supporters who agreed to scratch his back after he scratches theirs. Jung-han seems to be the only younger member to protest for the inquisitor girl¡¯s unfair treatment. Ms Han keeps a disappointing look as she sighs at her partner''s impudency. As much as I wanna protest and announce that I''ll join Slayer Ban on going back home empty-handed, I need to keep my share of the loot for my uncle''s sake since the debt left by his late ex-wife has not yet been cleared up. It''s also the reason why I can''t buy healing potions from any shops with a permit license signed by the Alliance.


    ¡°Fine! You win, you deaf pig! But don''t regret that I didn''t warn you that you''re making a stupid mistake going down there!¡±


    And so, Slayer Ban has left the arena room with a frustrated look, throwing her mana stone hard at the thief man that he fell off backwards. After I can no longer see the sight of the tomboy-looking Slayer, Jang demands anyone who''s following him don''t make petty complaints or whisper unnecessary stuff about his judgment. Thus, we start walking down the mysterious staircase leading to the strongest Beast''s so-called hideout.


    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++


    ¡°Are we there yet?¡±


    ¡°I should''ve eaten another hamburger.¡±


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°How many more steps do we have to take? It feels like we''ve been going in circles!¡±


    ¡°It feels like an hour has passed already and yet¡­¡±


    ¡°You kids! Didn''t I tell you to not complain earlier on!?¡±


    As the younger Slayers keep on complaining to Jang about the staircase being a long pathway, I look around to see how dark the staircase would''ve been. I''m glad the elementalist had an affinity for fire to begin with since E-rank Slayers being of that subclass have only one affinity and that him having the compatibility with fire should be enough for everyone''s safety in a Labyrinth like this.


    ¡°Psst~ Slayer Kang,¡± Ms Han, who''s walking in front of me, calls me when I notice she''s handing one of her potions, which is in red color and that means it''s a healing one, behind her back. ¡°You should have this. That bandage may not last long in covering your wound.¡±


    ¡°Ms Han, I can''t¡­¡± I hesitantly answer back.


    ¡°I insist, Slayer Kang. Besides, I''ve got enough healing potions in my pouch.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­if you insist¡­¡±


    So I take the healing potion and put it in my nylon sling bag which my life-draining dagger is still safely kept.


    ¡°Whatever the reason you decide to stay, I hope you still prioritize your safety, Slayer Kang. I hope all of us can go back home safely.¡±


    I nod and smile as an agreement to her promising hope and sincereness about other people. Even though we know each other from the few raids we join coincidentally, I feel like Ms Han is like a mother figure to me. It''s a fact that if my mom were still here today, she would''ve been around her age right now.


    I wonder if my mom would still be here if¡­


    ¡°Joo-yeon, I''ve been thinking¡­¡±


    Jung-han''s sudden words of those have pulled my mind back to reality. My eyes are on him looking like a hesitant teddy bear though I sometimes wonder if a crew cut like Jung-han''s would look cute on an actual teddy bear.


    ¡°About what, Jung-han?¡± I ask in an optimistic voice to improve the mood we''re in.


    ¡°After this raid is over, I hope you can take another job that doesn''t involve slaying Beasts at all. Maybe as a secretary to a guildmaster¡­you know¡­¡±


    This sentence from him is an obvious indication that he''s seriously thinking about Chun''s words on that day; that I, who is possibly the world''s weakest healer, should stop participating in any Labyrinth¡¯s raid when it''s a fact the only thing I''ve healed so far was a bruised knee of Gi-young, who''s my other cousin & Ga-young''s younger brother, during my awakening as a Slayer two years ago.


    ¡°That''s what I''ve been planning to do, Jung-han. I believe I''m not cut out for raids anymore.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­but, but! That doesn''t mean we can''t see each other since I''m willing to visit whichever guild you''re planning to work at, Joo-yeon! In fact, I¡¯ll still be by your side¡­uhm¡­what I meant is¡­¡±


    Jung-han starts to look flustered; what''s more is that he''s blushing more than what he did this morning. I can''t help but wonder if he''s really lying about having no fever at all.


    ¡°Thank you, Jung-han. For taking care of me during our raids together. You''re a good man after all, and whoever has you as their boyfriend is one lucky person.¡±


    ¡°Do you mean that, Joo-yeon?¡±


    ¡°Well you''re the best boyfriend material anyone can ask for. I mean you''ll be with them until the end, right?¡±


    ¡°Then, Joo-yeon¡­if you don''t mind, would you¡­I mean can I be¡­¡±


    Before Jung-han can finish his sentence and I still have a look of confusion once he starts to stutter cutely, Jang has called out to everyone that we''ve arrived at the hideout¡¯s entrance door. Jung-han looks a bit upset at him interrupting the conversation he''s having with me. As the thief Slayer is taking out his picklocks, Mrs Park, who seems to look slightly older than Ms Han and that her subclass is an illusionist, accidentally pushes the entrance door. It seems that this door was never locked to begin with. Once it''s opened, we walk in to find the hideout, which has the same rune letters that coincidentally become our main light source on its ceiling, being another spacious circled room. It''s even more spacious than the arena one we were at hours ago.


    I see the walls are almost covered with wooden-framed paintings which almost stand from the ceiling to the floor; there are thirty of them with each of the paintings seemingly having a nature theme, or probably some historical setting; one of them has a temple-like building standing on a hill surrounded by a stormy sea. It''s odd how there''s not a single figure painted into these works of art. The height of this room is estimated to be around fifty meters tall. Beneath our feet is a painted floor in the color of an ocean; as for the ceiling, it''s painted in a purplish-black that I''ve notice the rune letters have a thick silver outline in each of them. Around the middle area of this room, we see pillars forming two circles, which have one surrounding the other.


    As the rest of us chatter about the paintings and the architectural structure being made with so much beauty and elaboration, the thief Slayer spots a huge box, which looks like a treasure chest, in the middle of the room as he calls out to us that the box should be filling the loot¡¯s quota of the day.


    ¡°I''m gonna pick its lock right now!,¡± he exclaims with excitement, running towards the box but not forgetting to put up the same defensive barrier, which he used earlier on, around his body. The younger raid members and (unsurprisingly) Jang shout words of celebration though I keep quiet because there''s one thing that we almost forgot about¡­


    ¡°But where''s the final Beast?¡± I mutter insecurely. Jung-han too looks anxious as he keeps looking around the room. Then, Ms Han suddenly tells everyone that there''s some instructions written in one of the paintings. She claims it''s written in the Irish language.


    ¡°You know how to read, Slayer Han?¡±


    ¡°Well, I did my college studies in Ireland for around ten years. It''s safe to say that I can read basic sentences at least. Let''s see what''s written here¡­¡±


    These are the words the instructions as read by Ms Han:


    ¡°Three Rules to leave the Cinni¨²int Tomb¡±


    1. You must not feel your fear.


    2. But if you have to feel your fear, use your fear wisely.


    3. But if you can''t use your fear wisely, you must turn your fear into a weapon.


    Those who can''t obey these rules¡­will¡­be killed.¡±


    The sound of an opened lock is heard across the room. It''s the thief Slayer who manages to open the huge box. All of us turn our heads towards him, watching from afar as he celebrates this achievement of his. I see him opening the box which has his face of joy turn immediately into a confused one.


    ¡°Hey, y''all. This box is empty! It only has some huge rune letter carved at the bottom¡­¡±


    Before he can finish his sentence, all of us are hit by a swift, violent wind that makes our eyes almost blinded. One of us manages to witness the wind ¡°eating up¡± the entrance door. As it dissipates, all of us see an empty spot on the wall. That spot shows us that the entrance door has disappeared completely like an eraser who has done its job.


    As some of the younger Slayers start to panic, demanding Jang to tell them where the entrance door is, we hear something hard is pierced behind us. We turn around once more to see the thief Slayer¡¯s forehead is shot by a slightly huge arrow. The next thing we witness is the huge box behind him growing bigger and opening its mouth showing its humongous teeth. The huge box has become a mimic. It then proceeds to chomp the thief Slayer''s head. The headless body plops to its side, spilling a huge pool of blood.

 Level 5 - To Be Afraid of a Living Room

    As some of us look terrified staring at the thief Slayer''s headless body and the pool of his blood, I too begin to feel fear that''s way more intense than what I felt when I got nearly killed by the canine-reptile hybrid creature earlier on. I notice Jung-han looks so scared that his right hand is trembling. Blood-curdling screams from the younger Slayers are heard all over the place; their voices sound panicking because who wouldn''t panic after seeing your raiding teammate¡¯s head get shot and eaten so quickly?


    ¡°What the heck is happening?!¡±


    ¡°How can a mimic suddenly grow that big?!¡±


    ¡°In fact, that mimic should''ve been eaten by the kobolds¡­why on scorching earth would it be in the final Beast''s lair!?¡±


    Mimics are supposed to be weaker than slimes, not to mention they''re not supposed to grow bigger than a human. And yet, a thief Slayer has been eaten by such a weak Beast in front of our eyes. Then, we see the mimic is somewhat melting as if itself is actually a slime all this time. The next moment has left a shocking experience for us. The mimic¡¯s entire body of brown and yellow color literally dissolves into the painted ocean-colored floor. Then, the headless thief Slayer''s body sinks into the very same floor until it''s no longer seen within our sight.


    I speculate that mimic is not actually a Beast, but rather it¡¯s possibly a by-product of the actual Beast¡¯s magic spells. Said spell might involve a water-based type of power which sets off my sense of perception being at its highest point of cautiousness. I cast my eyes around us that has led me to see many glowing spots suddenly appearing on the paintings. I know that from this moment on is the beginning of our nightmarish fight for survival.


    ¡°Everyone, get down! Right now!!¡±


    Just then, many arrows, with each of them burning a dark purple color, are fired from inside of the paintings. I grab Jung-han''s left arm immediately. Despite him being twice as heavy as me, I manage to have him quickly fall on the ground beside me. The rest of the raid team manage to take cover on time; our bodies lie still on the cold ground while lots of the burning arrows shoot across each other. Many of them land on the pillars, burning big holes on them. Once the flying arrows are no longer being shot at us, we slowly get up with a terrified look on some of our faces. I too have my body still trembling as I can still feel the lurking danger in the atmosphere of this uncanny room we''re still trapped in. Then, I notice my hand is actually shaking because I''m holding Jung-han''s trembling right hand. He too is feeling fear right now despite him being the biggest guy of this raid team. Once again, the younger ones cry out words of agonized confusion.


    ¡°Are we gonna get shot again!?¡±


    ¡°What kind of Beast shoots that many arrows!?¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t an E-rank Labyrinth at all!!¡±


    That last sentence has made me realize that these kinds of hidden traps are obviously not an E-rank measurement. I don''t want to admit it, but this is a cruel reality we''ve to face off. I start a conversation with Ms Han who is the only adult Slayer who has yet to lose her cool, unlike Jang who''s frozen in a cold sweat way behind me. I''ve to relay at least one important info to her about my observation, even if it''s just a speculation, on what this room actually is.


    ¡°Ms Han, I''m glad you''re okay.¡±


    ¡°You too, Slayer Kang. In fact, we wouldn''t have dodge those arrows if it weren''t for you being able to notice them coming out of the paintings.¡±


    ¡°Do you think a Beast is capable of this, Ms Han? Because I feel these traps are set up by someone who''s¡­ not human.¡±


    ¡°Well a humanoid Beast can be capable of having such tremendous magical powers, but to shoot burning weapons out from paintings¡­I don''t know if the final Beast is supposed to be this dangerous.¡±


    ¡°The room we''re in right now isn''t an E-rank Labyrinth. This is a S-rank Labyrinth¡­unfortunately.¡±


    ¡°If that''s the case, then we''re in trouble, Slayer Kang. Jang and Jung-han are C-rank Slayers, but I don''t think they''re able to attack or defend against an unseen Beast¡­or something that''s neither a human nor a beast.¡±


    ¡°Ms Han, do you remember the three rules you''ve translated earlier on? What was the first one?¡±


    ¡°The first one says ¡®You must not feel your fear¡¯. Are you implying that all of us have to obey the rules to get out of this Labyrinth?¡±


    ¡°Yes, because it''s the only way to survive in this Labyrinth.¡±


    And so Ms Han, who indirectly takes over Jang''s leader position, relays the Labyrinth¡¯s first rule to the rest of the raid members. It''s a good thing everyone else believes what Ms Han has said about it except the majority of them still look fearful. I''ve to think of how to calm them down because I see the rune letters at the ceiling flickering as if a blackout is about to happen. For the first time in my life, I''ve become assertive in order to survive and that I''ll be able to go back home where uncle Seung-min, Ga-young and Gi-young are waiting for me.


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°Everyone, we''ve to do something to calm our fears. We must remove that feeling from our mind right now; otherwise, the next attack is gonna kill us.¡±


    ¡°Are you insane, Healer Kang!?¡± Jang argues with so much anxiety heard in his voice. ¡°Why aren''t we planning to fight back¡­¡±


    ¡°Slayer Kang knows more about the danger we''re in now, Jang,¡± Ms Han answers in a stern voice. ¡°Mind you that she wants you to lessen your fear as much as possible. This is the time to survive. Nobody will die if all of us just listen to Slayer Kang¡¯s instructions. Just this once I ask all of you to trust her.¡±


    The crowd goes silent which is then followed by each of the younger Slayers agreeing that listening to me is the better choice to survive. Then, I ask Ms Han if she knows a prayer for anyone. I just remember she once told me, during a previous raid together, she became a believer during her studies in Ireland. Then, some of the younger Slayers fuss over the calming method I suggest.


    ¡°Excuse me, but we''re not believers.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve neutral feelings when it comes to a belief.¡±


    ¡°What''s the point of a prayer if we don''t¡­¡±


    ¡°Then do you have other suggestions on how to calm your fears?¡± Ms Han answers a rhetorical question to the archer, elementalist, and transmuter who look as reluctant as Jang is. Regardless, everyone decides to agree with reciting Ms Han¡¯s prayer. Each of us clasp our hands together with closed eyes as we listen to her say this prayer out loud.


    ¡°To the Almighty King, blessed are Your creations roaming on earth and in heaven. Forgive our negligence that made us take things for granted. Show us Your grace and mercy upon us that we may leave this wretched place alive.¡±


    I too am not a believer like how uncle Seung-min is, but somehow this prayer, which we''re reciting thrice, has lessened my fears a bit. After we''ve finished reciting the prayer, all of us open our eyes to see nothing is flickering or glowing in this room; not to mention, a sort of miracle has happened. The entrance door has appeared again where it''s supposed to be; the same blank space on the wall. Almost everyone, mainly from the other two healers, shout words of joy, whatmore the look of fear has disappeared from their faces though Jung-han still looks confused on whether the nightmare is finally over.


    ¡°The entrance door¡­has finally appeared!¡±


    ¡°We''re saved! Right, Slayer Jang?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­yeah. I guess it''s because of Slayer Han¡¯s prayer.¡±


    ¡°Then we''ve got no time to waste! I''m opening the door now!¡±


    As the archer Slayer runs towards the door, I begin to notice the elementalist Slayer is staring at the paintings. Then, those next words of his, along with an action he''s about to take, becomes an obvious trigger for the next death.


    ¡°Wait, you all! Let me burn these paintings as a precaution. Who knows what kind of attacks will come out from them?¡±


    I''m unable to stop him by quickly warning him there''s no need to do so. Before I can finish my sentence, he has used his pyrokinesis skill on all, except the one with the written rules, paintings. As all of us stand there staring at the paintings being burned, a shrill scream is suddenly heard across the room. We¡¯ve to cover our ears whilst closing our eyes as the dreadful sound is able to make our ears bleed. I manage to take a peek at the elementalist still standing in front of us; his hands covering his ears. The next horrible moment I witness is the painted blue floor has changed into a crimson color. I can see the spot where the elementalist is standing, turning into a jelly-like form which has led him to literally fall inside the floor.


    The shrill scream comes to a stop. As the rest of the Slayers open their eyes, one of them points out the elementalist''s silhouette underneath the glowing crimson floor. As the floor glows brighter, we can hear his agonizing screams beneath our feet. It''s as if he''s experiencing being burned to death which unfortunately is happening right in front of our eyes. Through his silhouette, his body is covered in glowing red veins. The next thing we witness is his whole body ballooning until he explodes with a loud bang just like a bursted huge balloon. The sound of trickled blood is heard right after such imagery is shown to us. Once we don''t see the dead elementalist''s torn silhouette anymore, the painted floor changes back to its original color of an ocean. The younger Slayers cry out their screams once more as seeing the sight of their former comrade''s torn silhouette is the worst thing to be embedded in one''s memory.


    One of the healers notify the rest of us that the entrance door is gone once again. I can see why this has happened; it''s due to the fact someone still has the feeling of fear within them. And that someone is already dead by being killed inside the very floor we''re standing right now. There''s a difference between caution and fear. Unfortunately, the late elementalist was applying fearfulness, not cautiousness from his weak-willed mind. I''ve come to the conclusion that wherever we see something painted, that something comes to life literally. That means the paintings are considered living creatures once we come to notice they didn''t get burnt to ashes. The late elementalist''s fire powers didn''t leave a single one having burnt marks. It''s as if they never get burnt in the first place. Several of the Slayers begin to panic once more, questioning whether this room has a mind of its own.


    ¡°Because it''s a Beast,¡± I say aloud with my voice echoing the feeling of dread in this cursed room.


    ¡°What did you say, Healer Kang?¡±


    ¡°There''s no way an inanimate object can be labeled as a Beast!¡±


    ¡°But we''ve all seen those paintings and that painted floor¡­they move on their own like any Beast would do to their prey!¡±


    ¡°Don''t you think there should be a hidden evil mage being able to manipulate objects at its own will?!¡±


    ¡°If that''s the case, then are you saying the final Beast is¡­¡±


    I stare at them with my amber eyes. My body is still trembling from the sight of the killing method on the late elementalist. And yet, I try not to lose my composure in telling them another cruel fact about this Labyrinth''s mysterious room.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I reply to them while clenching the edge of Ga-young''s dress with my right hand. ¡°The room we''re in right now is the final Beast. The strongest Beast we''re supposed to slay for today¡¯s raid is this room¡­no. We''re trapped in a tomb right now.¡±

 Level 6 - "Use Your Fear Wisely"

    ¡°What do you mean this room is a tomb!?¡±


    ¡°Slayer Han did read the word¡­¡®tomb¡¯ and¡­what was the Irish word again?...¡±


    ¡°Does it matter!? I''m freaking out more about the room being the final Beast itself! Like how can an inanimate object be a living thing such as a Beast!? It doesn''t make any sense!!!¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s got to be a mastermind, possibly a mage, hidden somewhere in this tomb!!¡±


    ¡°Even if that''s the case, how on scorching earth are we supposed to locate a very powerful mage who¡¯s obviously a higher rank than us!?¡±


    Everyone is losing their minds except Ms Han who seems to be thinking deeply on what else to speculate about this cursed-like room. As for myself, my left hand keeps on shaking despite my determination to get out of this wretched place alive. I glance at Jung-han once more to see him sweating at least a bucket of cold sweat. I guess even the strongest tanker can feel traumatized especially when the enemy is an inanimate object like this room. I wonder if that''ll be the case for Chun, but then again, I doubt he''ll be scared that easily if he accidentally gets put in this room to begin with. S-rank Slayers don''t have any reason to be fearful against Beasts of the same rank as them.


    Anyhow, it¡¯s gonna be a psychological warfare on us from now on. The second rule is about to be imposed on us. While everyone exchanges words that represent their panicked state, a loud static is heard above us. All of us look up at the purple-painted ceiling. The runes change their silver color into a crimson color almost like what we had seen the blue-painted floor turning into such color as part of this living room/tomb¡¯s killing method. Then, I start to realize that this is the next killing method. My eyes notice any of the other Slayers¡¯ equipment that''s made of metal suddenly starts to wiggle.


    ¡°Everyone, remove any metal items from your body now! Hurry!!¡± I shout out loud in a hurry as I can see the painted ceiling is emitting lightning-like patterns above us. Thus, everyone proceeds to remove any metal parts clinging on them. The archer girl unbuckles her crossbow weapon; Ms Han unsheathes her rapier, even if it''s her necessary item for her swashbuckler subclass, tossing it from herself as far as possible. I notice Jung-han is unable to take off his full armor properly. In fact, his trembling fingers make it harder for him to unbuckle the armor parts. I swiftly have myself do the unbuckling for him as fast as I can be.


    It''s a good thing that I''ve learned to unbuckle this armor of his a few times before in some of our previous raids. Each part of his armor clunks to the ground after I''ve managed to unbuckle one by one. I''ve made it just in time for whichever metal items have begun to hover for a while; then they zap past us towards the magnetic ceiling where many black lightning-like waves appear when the metal items are stuck onto it.


    ¡°Help! Someone! My bag¡¯s strap¡­is stuck!¡±


    ¡°So does mine!! Why now of all times!?¡±


    All of us turn our heads to see the healers having trouble unbuckling their metal belts that have their ¡°healer¡¯s toolkit¡± in leather sling bags. I tell them to just take out whatever huge metal items out of their bags, but they don''t pay attention to my words. They''re too focused in their fearful minds that we see one moment they''re hovering above the painted stone-made floor we''re standing on. The next moment we see their bodies fly towards the ceiling in a flash. The lightning grows bigger once the healers¡¯ bodies get stuck onto the magnetic painted ceiling. The rest of us can only look in horror at the sight of the healers having their limbs get contorted. Their piercing screams almost have our ears, at least in my case, bleed out. The final moment of their physical appearance has every single part of their bodies get torn apart like fragile dolls. Their screaming stops; their blood spilling onto the floor in front of the current surviving members. The magnetism has come to a stop once the rune letters change back to its original color and the lightning-like waves have faded.


    Back to my point of view, my vision becomes a bit blurry seeing another pool of blood. My hearing becomes deafened though I know the other Slayers are almost descending into madness after so much massacring is happening within this wretched room. I can feel my heartbeat about to stop, panting heavily as my fearfulness resonates stronger within me. I nearly faint due to so much emotional turbulence I''m experiencing right now, but I manage to stay awake as I hear the room''s rocky walls suddenly start to rumble. The other Slayers look startled when the sudden rumbling is happening under their feet at this moment. It''s as if a huge earthquake is about to happen. Unfortunately, there''s no place for us to take cover. Then, the archer Slayer cries out words resounding hopelessness, pointing her finger towards the paintings.


    ¡°Hey! What are those things!?¡±


    ¡°Are those figures¡­faceless!?¡±


    We all turn to see huge humanoid figures stepping out from some of the paintings. Their faces lack any facial features. These corporeal things have a mist-like appearance. They''re not ghosts, but they almost look like one with feet to walk with. In fact, aren''t they specters? Whatever they are, once all of them are outside of their paintings, they begin to trudge towards us even though their materialized state isn''t like they''re made out of a ton of rocks.


    ¡°Hey! What''s the second rule, Slayer Han!?¡±


    Normally, people should be rejoicing to see their most disliked person being a pathetic scaredy cat, but for the messed-up scenario we''re in now, I can''t even feel that way, let alone that I''ve to still maintain my consciousness in believing that following the rules of this room will let us live.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°But if you have to feel your fear, use your fear wisely,¡± I reply as I remember each rule as clear as day despite my mind almost getting clouded just moments ago.


    ¡°Use your fear wisely¡­does that apply with what the magnetic ceiling did earlier, Slayer Kang?¡±


    ¡°Ms Han, these faceless figures won''t kill us that fast. I mean, look. They''re walking as slow as snails. We should calm down and analyze the second rule¡­¡±


    Suddenly, a huge slab of stone crashes in front of us. We''ve no clue if it dropped down from the once-magnetic ceiling or from one of the paintings again. Alas, we can''t afford to care about such detail like that because everyone here is focusing on the engraved drawing on the slab itself. I''m not sure what the others'' reactions are like, but I can feel that they''re having the same expression as mine as the drawing depicts an ancient ritual sacrifice.


    ¡°This drawing looks familiar¡­it''s¡­¡±


    ¡°What is it, Slayer Han!? Does that mean we''ve to perform a sacrifice just like that?¡±


    ¡°Are those humans being stuffed in a huge doll?...burning¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mrs Park. They¡¯re put in a wicker man. It''s an ancient Celtic ritual.¡±


    ¡°That many¡­but surely it just needs one person to be sacrificed, right?!¡±


    ¡°Jang, don''t jump to conclusions. We don''t know if this stone tablet is a demand sent by this room¡¯s consciousness.¡±


    ¡°The fact that it came out of one of the paintings should be a sign of demanding something from us! If a human sacrifice is needed, let''s choose the person who brought bad luck to this team.¡±


    Everyone else is shocked at what Jang is saying right now. Him believing that a person carrying bad luck needs to be sacrificed is the most ridiculous reason to be choosing one. While I can''t prove that he''s actually referring to me, I know in my heart that he¡¯s persuading the others to choose me based on my rank. It all comes down to ranking for Jang that I can feel the rage slowly burning within me. I know I should expect unfairness even in this worst case scenario we''re in, but never have I ever felt more upset listening to these awful words from the worst person I''ve ever met.


    ¡°Slayer Jang is right! Healer Kang is the weakest out of all of us so it makes sense she should¡­¡±


    And that''s Mrs Park speaking out with her glasses almost falling off from her face. To think a timid-looking middle-aged woman like her is the first person to agree with Jang¡­


    Why am I not surprised?... After all, she''s the second-weakest. Still¡­I can''t believe she¡­


    ¡°Mrs Park! How can you say that to Joo-yeon!? She''s the only one who knows how to understand the meaning of the rules!¡±


    ¡°This isn''t time for being emotional, Park Jung-han. You really want to defend this weakling for the rest of your life? Whatmore, you''re the strongest tanker for that rank of yours in the whole of Korea. It¡¯ll be in vain if all of us die in this wretched Labyrinth!¡±


    ¡°Listen to your hypocrisy, Jang! Do you wanna die that badly?¡±


    ¡°Slayer Han, I''m in charge of making the decision¡­¡±


    ¡°You abandoned your responsibilities as the leader of this raid team the moment we got trapped in this tomb. And now when it comes to the person who did something right for us, you shamelessly decide to make this immoral decision? Whoever you''re running errands for, Jang, that boss of yours is as disgraceful as you are.¡±


    Once again I¡¯m thankful enough, even though I still feel unwelcome fear in my heart now, that Ms Han has always been on my side despite her being a strong D-rank Slayer in her own right. As I ponder about the times I had private conversations with her during some of the previous raids we were in, a rumbling sound is heard once more; this time, we can feel the tremor beneath all of our feet. The next thing we know is that a huge cage, made out of earth and rocks, is formed over us. To think we''re trapped for the second time in such a place like this¡­


    ¡°Hey! What do you think you''re doing?!¡±


    We all turn to look at who the archer girl is shouting at. It''s the transmuter woman who is seen running towards the entrance door which somehow has appeared again the moment the cage was formed over the rest of us here. As she stops right by the door, she turn around to look at us with the look of denial, indirectly telling us that what she''s doing now is the right thing to do.


    ¡°Don''t blame me for this, y¡¯all! Blame on that old man¡¯s greed and the rest of you being doormats for him!¡±


    ¡°How¡­how dare you betray us?! Wait¡­ it can''t be¡­this cage looks like¡­¡±


    A wicker man. While it''s legless, we can see two arms sticking out from the top. As for the head we aren''t able to see from inside, but I''m sure from the transmuter woman¡¯s point of view, it''s definitely constructed by her Conversion Skill. I try my best to stay calm even though the archer girl¡¯s cuss words to the betrayer in front of us is making the atmosphere feel heavier for me to breathe.


    ¡°I¡¯m not doing anything wrong! Like what Slayer Han said, obeying the rules is the only way to get out alive. I''m making sure of that! I''m not gonna die here that easily just for strangers I''ve just met!!¡±


    ¡°You¡­You don''t feel any guilt, do you!!?¡±


    ¡°Guess what!? I didn''t even wanna be a Slayer in the first place. I wanted to do modeling! Heck! I''m getting out of this wretched place to do so! You all can just go slay the Beasts all by yourselves!! I don''t even want to be strong, you know that?!¡±


    Just as the transmuter woman finishes her ranting, we witness her getting her legs trapped by something or more like she¡¯s getting grabbed by someone''s transparent hands. She struggles to break free from those hands. Then, I almost forgot about the faceless specters (since that''s what they look like to me). I begin to notice that there isn''t a single one heading towards this group anymore. Instead, I see them gathering around the transmuter even inside the floor that brutally killed the elementalist moments ago.


    We can only watch as the transmuter woman cuss at the specters until we see four of them, with their silhouettes drifting literally inside the wall, by the entrance door. A horrible death has occurred once all four of them push the door as if they''re able to have physical contact with it. I can imagine a terrified look on her face as she can''t even run away from something big and heavy coming towards her, not even a moment to make her final scream.


    Splat!


    The entrance door has plummeted onto her. Once more another member¡¯s pool of blood oozes from all sides of the door. As soon as she died, her transmutation magic lost its powers and the earth-made wicker man cage we were once inside had crumbled down. Most of us just realize that she might have disobeyed the second rule.


    ¡°...she didn''t want to be strong,¡± I muttered unconsciously. The other Slayers look at me with confused looks. The archer girl asks me if that second rule is still being applied in the scenario we''re in right now. Before I can answer ¡°I''m not sure¡± to her, somebody must have stepped on to a moving brick based on the sound I¡¯ve just heard. I turn around to see a frightened Jung-han accidentally step on a ¡°trigger button¡± among the floor¡¯s rocky surface. The next moment has the whole room turning upside down with all six of us falling from the floor to the ceiling.

 Level 7 - The Will to Live

    Never in my life have I experienced falling from the floor to the ceiling literally because this can only happen in a furniture retail company¡¯s sponsored trucks where a prototype room is maneuvered with high-tech gear spinning many 180¡ã turns. That kind of gimmick is a nightmare for the remaining survivors of this raid team. Each of us express their groan or grumble once we get tumbled on the ceiling. I writhe in agony as my left arm¡¯s wound has been reopened with my handmade bandage torn off during our unexpected falling down.


    Then, another earthquake happens; this time, it''s shaking this tomb more violently that every single painting is about to fall off from the walls. But what''s shocking to us is that instead of crashing on the ceiling¡¯s hard surface, the paintings begin to melt as if they were ice cream to begin with. Their melted states absorb into the ceiling we''ve just got back on our feet on it. It''s still unbelievable that this tomb still has lots of mana energy to execute this many anthropomorphic-related abilities.


    ¡°Darn it! How much mana energy does this creepy room have to change its interior constantly?!¡±, the archer questions despairingly. Jang goes silent despite his shameless bragging of the decision making earlier on. Mrs Park picks back up her glasses with her trembling hand. Ms Han seems to stay calm as usual. As for Jung-han, he still looks afraid. I''m relieved that he''s not hurt from the fall we just got through despite losing his armor set way earlier on.


    Regardless, the danger is not over yet as the melted paintings have completely disappeared into the ceiling. Then, we witness the wall literally flipping to turn its other side, revealing a painted cyan color. It appears that there are some bold lines looking almost invisible on this side of the wall. I try to focus on what those lines are until we hear the rumbling once more. It''s another strong earthquake and the sound is coming right beneath the pillars, where the mimic once stood waiting there right in the middle. Because of this earthquake, they start to lose their standing. One by one, they topple around us. That¡¯s when all of us have to start running away as fast as we can from being crushed by the toppling pillars. I hear the words from the archer girl, desperately crying out words of determination of not wanting to die too soon.


    ¡°I¡¯m not gonna die in a place like this!! I want to go on the blind date my parents set me up for this weekend! Heck! I saw their photo of a man who is as good-looking as Chun Sun-woo! There''s no way I''m gonna lose my life like this!¡±


    Somehow I''m able to watch her running while I too am running to stay alive. It''s almost a miracle that I''m able to run in Ga-young''s long dress right now, and it''s probably why I''m able to watch others even though I''m still putting my focus on where I''m running at while I barely manage to avoid the oncoming pillars. Then, I happen to notice something moving within the cyan-painted wall. I can''t help, but remember the bold lines right after the wall flipped to its other side. While I''m not that near running alongside the wall, I can clearly see the bold lines are made up as drawings on the wall. In my eyes, these drawings look like another group of humanoid figures, but they''re not specters. Coincidentally, almost all of them are drawn with soldier-themed outfits akin to a medieval era¡¯s clothes.


    The drawings¡­and some are carrying¡­scabbards¡­It can''t be¡­


    ¡°You there! Don''t run near the wall!¡±


    Despite myself shouting these words to her, it''s too late for her to avoid a drawing of a soldier, which is slightly taller than her, suddenly unsheathes its sword and stabs the right side of her stomach at a precise moment; its materialized hand is literally out of the wall. The archer girl coughs out so much blood from receiving the shock of her deep wound as the soldier viciously pulls out its sword from her body. I''m certain the rest of the surviving members, including the cowardly rankist Jang, are seeing the gruesome stabbing.


    As we watch the archer''s hand pressing against her big wound while stumbling and coughing more blood from her mouth, we see another soldier drawing on the wall walking alongside her. Its hands are carrying a gigantic war hammer over its right shoulder. It stops and turns swiftly to its left so that it meets the archer face-to-face. The final gruesome scene involves the soldier swinging the war hammer over her; once again, the war hammer literally comes out of the wall. The sound of broken bones and blood splashes echoes through the room. The sight of her whole body disfigured until we are unable to recognise the young Slayer who dreamt to have her own love life. Nobody let out a scream this time for we know there''s no point screaming at the top of your lungs when everyone here has their life constantly placed against their own will at death¡¯s door.


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    Without realizing that all of the pillars have just finished collapsing around us, an arrow almost shoots me as it just passes through my face. I turn my head to see where it came from. Unsurprisingly, it''s literally coming from within the wall. Five soldier drawings are aiming their bows and arrows at the final five members of this raid team: me, Jung-han, Jang, Ms Han, and Mrs Park. It''s d¨¦j¨¤ vu since we barely survived from a rain of burning arrows moments ago. A few of the arrows graze me, leaving more open wounds on my arms and legs. Then, I hear someone trip over. It''s Jung-han who barely manages to avoid the many arrows aimed at him. As he¡¯s still able to get back on his feet, I spot one of the soldier drawings getting a clear shot on him. I''m too far away from him. I can''t run that fast towards him¡­


    ¡°JUNG-HAN, RUN!!!¡±


    I¡¯m too late¡­


    I can barely notice someone just ran past my left side. It''s Ms Han whose subclass is a swashbuckler and who has the capability to run at full speed. She manages to get Jung-han to duck on time, but shockingly, the arrow that was meant for him, has shot Ms Han''s face or to be precise, her left eye is badly wounded by it. The sight of such a scene has left me feeling horrified. It''s more horrifying that she didn''t let out a scream of agony when it happened. Both of them fall down on the hard ground. Coincidentally, I see the soldier drawings disappear from the wall as if they weren''t there at all. Nevertheless, I start running towards Ms Han and Jung-han with all my might, gritting my teeth despite my open wounds almost taking a toll on my ability to endure the pain.


    ¡°Ms Han! Hang on!! How¡­how¡­wait! The healing potion!¡±


    As I slump my body right next to her, I take out the healing potion she gave to me from earlier on from my sling bag which I unhook from my arm. As I use it on her, it seems to not be working as it should. I don''t even know if a deep wound like this is able to be healed with just one bottle. Thus, I take out another healing potion from her pouch until Ms Han places her left hand to stop me from applying the potion on her wounded eye. She groans as she pulls the arrow from her eye, drops of blood coming out of her wound.


    ¡°Slayer Kang, I''m fine. Just¡­ouch¡­need a torn cloth to wrap my eye¡­¡±


    ¡°Ms Han¡­I''m¡­sorry¡­I should''ve run away on time¡­hic¡­¡±


    ¡°Jung-han, it''s not your fault. I will never let anyone feel guilty of being saved on time. Promise me you won''t cry right now.¡±


    ¡°Hic¡­okay, Ms Han. I''ll stop.¡±


    I too almost have myself nearly crying like what Jung-han did, but I manage to hold my tears back for the sake of Ms Han¡¯s indirect request for the rest of us to still stay calm and think about what to do from now on. Once Ms Han sits up and bandages her wounded left eye with Jung-han''s torn cloth from his shirt sleeve, we suddenly hear the sound of a clanging gong emitting an unpleasant vibe in this room¡¯s atmosphere. We then see something bright glowing beneath us. It''s the rune letters which I almost forgot that the ceiling we''re standing on has yet to change its appearance or have another feature set up inside itself. As usual, the collapsed pillars sink into the ceiling-turned-floor area; the rune letters disappear in the form of swirl patterns as if we''re seeing a baker mixing the ingredients of a type of confectionery. Then, the bright light stops glowing and out comes many hand-sized stones from the area we''re at.


    ¡°What are these? Is this¡­another trap, Ms Han?¡±


    ¡°Mrs Park, calm down. Let''s not give into the temptation of touching one. In fact, Slayer Kang, do you think¡­ it''s about the final rule?¡±


    ¡°¡®But if you can''t use your fear wisely, you must turn your fear into a weapon.¡¯...it¡¯s possible, Ms Han¡­that we¡¯re given the final test to get out of here alive.¡±


    I don''t know if all inquisitors have the ability to know the future, but Slayer Ban was right. Almost everyone here regrets going into this unknown area of this Labyrinth that turns out to be the most difficult place to survive from within. And yet, my mind is filled with determination to come back home. I don''t care if I lose an arm or a foot. I don''t care if I¡¯m forced to see another pool of blood once more. All I care about is having the will to live and that will of mine is giving me enough strength, regardless if there''s a divine being urging me that doing something is proof that it''s not over yet, to help me and the rest of the surviving members to pass this test once and for all.

 Level 8 - "Youve Found a Getaway Stone"

    ¡°What do we do now, Slayer Kang?¡± Ms Han asks me, her demeanor being as calm as ever. Around several minutes have passed, and nobody has yet to touch a hand-sized stone. That is until black liquified figures suddenly show up from the overturned ceiling itself. Unsurprisingly, they''re faceless and are unable to stand properly as their materialized bodies wobble side to side. Then, they slowly move forward towards us probably at the speed of a sloth.


    ¡°Hey, Healer Kang! What do we do next!?¡± Jang asks shamelessly after all his incompetence is exposed to us during our surviving efforts happening in this room.


    ¡°Be quiet, Jang!¡± Ms Han replies back fiercely which sounds like a refute to whatever he did in this Labyrinth. ¡°We need Slayer Kang to focus. Otherwise, this cursed room will have those blob things end our lives if you shout once more.¡±


    I give a light nod to Ms Han as an indirect agreement on her being assertive in showing Jang that he''s no longer the boss of us. Anyhow, I''m really trying to figure out what these blob-like figures are gonna do. Whether or not they''ve the capabilities to attack us, all I know is that they give me an uneasy feeling that I¡¯m barely able to breathe in this room. Then, they stop moving at all for a while. Each of us looks at each other, wondering what''s happening. Without a warning, we see them turning into bowling ball-sized shapes, emitting so much kinetic energy that their vibrations make us lose our footing. Then, they form some sort of elastic collision as all of them start to bounce violently throughout the whole room.


    I''m sure that either Mrs Park or Jang want to scream cuss words, but with this speed of these anthropomorphic things moving so quickly to aim at us, not a single word is uttered from their mouths. Once again, we''ve to run again while avoiding getting pierced by such velocity like this. Amongst the chaotic dodgeball-like killing method, Ms Han, Jung-han and I are considered lucky to not get stabbed too early by the fast-moving balls because I get a feeling we''re losing our stamina right now.


    It''s bad luck that we''re forced to participate in this room¡¯s dodgeball and pinball game at the same time. I almost lose my footing at some point as I give my all in avoiding the balls¡¯ offensive attacks. Amongst the chaotic scenario, I happen to see Mrs Park trip herself. As she tries to get up, something catches her left leg from the ground itself. It''s the same kind of specter that pushed the entrance door, which has disappeared once more by the time I wonder if it was still there right above us. I don''t want to lose another minute standing there like the helpless healer I am; which is why I run with all my might towards Mrs Park without thinking about myself getting pierced by the fast-moving attacks. But I fall down again with my foot getting caught in Ga-young''s dress hemline that leads me to decide to cut off a huge part of the dress for my legs to run more freely. I guess I''ll be scolded by Ga-young for ruining her one-of-a-kind dress if I ever come back home alive.


    Despite my name being shouted thrice by Jung-han and Ms Han yelling at me not to run ahead recklessly, miraculously I barely manage to avoid the balls¡¯ attack moves though I receive many minor cuts on my shoulders and legs, not to mention my left side of my forehead gets a slightly deep cut from one of its attacks. Eventually, I try to haul Mrs Park away from the specter¡¯s transparent hand, but to no avail, it¡¯s never letting her go. Alas, I quickly take out my life-draining dagger from my sling bag. Even if the specter''s materialized form isn''t a physical body, this dagger of mine should be able to drain a bit of life force or at least give a painful cut even if the target itself is a higher-ranking Beast. And luckily, the specter lets out a yowl as I manage to slash its hand at the right angle. It lets go of Mrs Park, having itself disappear back into the grounded area. Coincidentally at the same time, the blob-like balls disappear too inside the ground all of us are standing on. Once they''re out of my sight, I slip the dagger back in my sling bag.


    Mrs Park and I stare at each other, wondering if we should exchange words with each other. I only know Mrs Park in terms of being acquainted in a few of the Labyrinth raids I participated in. That includes the latest one in which Jung-han and I survived from the ogres and their boss who was (as usual) a chieftain. Before either of us can say anything, a sudden gust of wind blows so hard that we¡¯ve to close our eyes for a few seconds. As soon as the wind dissipates, I open my eyes to see nine faceless specters. Actually I don''t know if they''re specters because I don''t remember hearing specters being black-colored smoky-shaped bodies. In fact, they might be the same creatures doing the ¡°pinball-style attack¡± on us. It makes me wonder if this new Beast species is capable of having evolving bodies because right now, they''ve a ghostly tail which is confusing since specters are said to be related to ghosts, but they''re never seen as legless. Even if these Beasts in front of us are just a projection of the ¡°living room¡± itself, these shadowy imitations still have the same strength as this S-rank ¡°living room¡±.


    Looking closely at them, they are the tallest creepy beings to appear within this room so far; each of their height is probably way bigger and taller than Jung-han. All of their eyes eerily light up with a bright orange color that I almost feel the shivers down my spine as I think about my eyes having almost the same color as theirs. I shake off the unwanted feeling once I gain my focused determination once more, and that we''re still doing this final trial.


    ¡°Everyone! I know their glares at us are making you feel afraid, but I ask every one of you to stay calm. Don''t run or scream no matter what.¡±


    ¡°What!? Healer Kang, those creatures in front of us are towering over us and you''re telling us to do nothing!?¡±


    ¡°Jang, you better not disobey her.¡±


    ¡°Not you too, Slayer Han! How can it be okay that we don''t move at all?¡±


    ¡°In case you haven''t noticed, those ghostly figures have been staring at us for a few minutes already. For now, we just have to wait while we watch their behavior.¡±


    Jang finally complies reluctantly to me and Ms Han¡¯s warnings about those new creatures hovering still in front of us. It takes another whole minute for us humans and the Beasts to not be moving at all; the debris from the toppled pillars, the hand-sized stones surrounding us remaining survivors, and the smell of blood and the sight of bones sticking out from the late archer Slayer¡¯s body nearly overtake my senses. I don''t know what else can get worse than the wretched room¡¯s gruesome events I''ve witnessed so far.


    Just when I¡¯m thinking about the worst-case scenario to be made from this fateful incident, I hear somebody kick over one of the stones. The sound emitted from such accidental action echoes throughout the room¡¯s temporary silence. I turn my head to the right to see Mrs Park looking more terrified than ever, and that''s when I realize it''s her whose foot accidentally kicked a nearby stone. It didn''t occur to me a moment ago that I needed to remind the rest of us to watch their step and avoid touching the stones as much as possible. Without further ado, the black figures attack us once again in the form of their liquified-shapeshifting bodies.


    It''s total chaos especially when our physical and mental exhaustion are taking away our chances to run faster and avoid harder. Just then, I stop running once I see Jung-han stops running all of a sudden. It seems to me that he''s about to give a powered-up punch, which has his right fist and arm glowing with his mana aura, to one of the dangerous figures. I begin to feel uneasy that I shout my words to Jung-han at the top of my lungs.


    ¡°Jung-han! What are you doing!? Run¡­¡±


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    ¡°I''m a tanker! I can''t afford to get scared right now! That''s why my mana energy¡­I''ve gotta at least injure one of them! Take this, you demon!!¡±


    Now that I think about it, it makes me wonder why Jung-han often participates in raids that are of lower ranks, especially the E and the D ones. I''ve never even heard of other same-rank Slayers as Jung-han talk about him at all and it''s possible that because I''ve met up with him in many of the previous raids I took part in, he never participated in C-rank raids. But for now, my mind is focused back to reality as I witness Jung-han giving a heavy punch, which is heard with a whoosh of air, to one of the shadowy Beasts the rest of us are running away from. Alas, as much as I want Jung-han''s powered-up punch to partially destroy one of the Beasts¡¯ legs, it easily regenerates its leg after that hit.


    Given the huge difference between its mana power and Jung-han¡¯s, this is unsurprising which makes me more worried about him when the Beast¡¯s liquified body wraps around Jung-han''s right arm. Then it permeates his arm, creating many spikes that have Jung-han screaming in pain. While I can''t see my face from my point of view, I just know that I''m making the most panicked look I ever have once I see gushes of blood spout out of Jung-han''s arm. The major injury has led him using his left hand to grab his right arm to cover some of the open wounds his arm got inflicted with. Seeing what has happened in front of me, it''s pathetic of me to be the one catching my breath instead of Jung-han. And yet I can''t help but pant heavily as I experience a mental breakdown where my vision gets blurry and my hearing receives the muffled voice of Ms Han who is by his side right now. While all of this frantic scenario is going on, a sudden low-tone voice begins to speak right next to me, whispering these unsettling words into my ear.


    ¡°It seems you''re never gonna save anyone, Kang Joo-yeon. It''s a shame that you¡¯re incapable of healing the injury your friend has right now.¡±


    ¡°No¡­that''s¡­not true¡­I can¡­¡±


    ¡°Do you remember the time your uncle had a similar injury when you just became a Slayer? What did you do when that happened?¡±


    Then, I start to remember that mentioned moment vividly. Uncle Seung-min was injured in a vehicle accident. He was doing part-time job deliveries some days before I was discovered to have a Slayer''s powers. Uncle Seung-min was coming back to the delivery company¡¯s franchise when a random driver, who was later proven to be driving under the influence in broad daylight, injured him with his truck. I happened to come out of my third Labyrinth raid near the crossroad. I saw my uncle lying unconscious with a huge cut on the left side of his forehead. I trembled at the sight of a huge amount of blood oozing from the back of his head. It was that moment when I faced the harsh truth that my magical power is useless during an emergency like that, especially when it involves a family member of mine. I also remembered Ga-young was yelling at me back at the hospital where Uncle Seung-min was sent to. She yelled at my inability to heal her father¡¯s head injury despite the stroke of luck that an A-rank healer happened to be walking nearby. That was the beginning of the doubts and hesitance I''ve for myself. The following days had me listening to many high-ranking Slayers, including the healer ones, gossip about my incompetence in being a certified Slayer. I even heard several of them snickered during these gossips.


    ¡°That Kang Joo-yeon¡­I heard she can''t heal anyone at all, not even herself.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a surprise that a healer with the lowest rank has very weak healing magic.¡±


    ¡°But I don''t see other Slayers, who have the same rank as hers, as being that weak.¡±


    ¡°I think as long as they''re not of the healer class, it makes sense for them to have capable magic and skills. Kang Joo-yeon is one unlucky woman to have that kind of class with the lowest rank.¡±


    ¡°Odd how many of the raid leaders let her participate with them. I guess being a ¡°lucky charm¡± is a good enough reason to have your job as a Slayer. That''s her only usefulness, right? How pathetic~~ Hahaha~¡±


    As I stare at those gossipy Slayers lingering in my past memories, the same low-tone voice creeps up to whisper in my ears. As much as I want to ¡°wake up¡±, the voice is somewhat persuading me to do something unthinkable.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it tiring to be useless, Joo-yeon? Many of those faux comrades see you as heavy baggage. Even those famous S-rank Slayers wish you retire soon. There''s only one way you can be useful for once in your lifetime. Turn yourself into a weapon for us. I assure you that the unwanted feelings you''ve had all this time will disappear soon.¡±


    ¡°... Kang¡­Slayer Kang¡­Slayer Kang!!¡±


    Ms Han''s loud voice woke me up from my hypnotized mind by that unknown man¡¯s voice. As much as I want to know who he is, right now I placed my focus on Ms Han and Jung-han, whose arm is healed possibly due to the remaining healing potions Ms Han had in her pouch as I can see the potions¡¯ empty bottles laying next to him. I feel relieved that Jung-han isn''t bleeding anymore, but for now, we still have to be mindful in avoiding the next attacks from those shadowy Beasts. Just when I think about it, another one of them creeps up behind the three of us and is about to strike either of us. All of us three duck immediately; each of us fall and roll to the ground that gives us aches in some parts of our body.


    Out of nowhere, I hear a sound that sounds like a pop-up ad. I look to my right to see Jung-han¡¯s right foot unintentionally placed on top of one of the stones that ascended earlier from the ground we''re on. And above his foot is the appearance of a notification screen. It''s hard to believe something modern from this era is appearing in an ancient place like this.


    ¡°Is¡­is that a¡­¡±


    ¡°A notification that humans receive through a phone or a computer? Yes, it is, Slayer Park.¡±


    ¡°You can see it, Ms Han?¡±


    ¡°You too, Slayer Kang? That means this¡­these stones are meant to be properly touched by us. Also the words on this screen¡­¡±


    Before Ms Han tries to finish reading the sentence, two Beasts ambush the three of us once more. Jung-han manages to get up quickly to avoid its tail¡¯s attack on him, and that attack smashes the stone that had the notification. Thus, the notification disappears once the stone is completely destroyed into bits of pieces. The rest of the Beasts also try to attack us by smashing their tails. I unconsciously stop counting how many stones are being broken to smithereens by that attack of theirs. For a moment, I¡¯ve to get separated from Jung-han and Ms Han. Then, I happen to trip myself that my right hand lands on one of the stones that are still intact. The same notification has appeared. This is what it says.


    [You''ve found a Getaway Stone. Countdown for implementation of this item¡¯s usage: 60, 59, 58, 57,...]


    ¡°A Getaway Stone¡­! Listen, everyone! We''re able to get out of this Labyrinth!¡±


    ¡°Is that true?! Is it because that notification wrote it''s an escape route for us, Slayer Kang,?


    ¡°Yes, Ms Han! Each of us has to find and retrieve one of these stones before it gets smashed up! Hurry before the Beasts either destroy them or get you first!¡±


    The next thing is that I should''ve known to be wary of the man who treats me as if I''m not human like himself. Jang suddenly appears to my right, pushing me roughly to my left. This selfish act has made the wound on my left arm open itself bigger that a few drops of my blood drip on the ground as a result. I didn''t have enough time to grab my own stone properly. Now it''s in that backstabber¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Jang! What are you doing!? That''s Slayer Kang¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up, bitch! I''m not dying in this wretched place with the likes of you!!¡±


    ¡°You miserable pig!! There are more Getaway Stones¡­¡±


    ¡°And risk myself getting pierced by these frightful creatures?! I''m not gonna make the same mistake like that useless tanker over there!¡±


    Once he finishes saying his last words to Ms Han, Jang turns around to look at me; his eyes look weary but at the same time, they look manic to me. He also gives out a deranged laugh while saying these words that sound obviously egocentric.


    ¡°Be glad, Healer Kang. That you''re making yourself be useful for once! In fact, survival of the strongest is an absolute rule in this world! Farewell, you weaklings!!¡±


    As the stone¡¯s countdown strikes ¡®0¡¯, the notification disappears and out comes a flashing bright blue light surrounding Jang. The next moment he disappears in front of us once the light too disappears. I can only look at the ground with a shocked look and clenched fists. And then, tears, which are formed from my feelings of patheticness, drop from my eyes that were holding back since the day my mom saved me from the sudden appearance of a Labyrinth.

 Level 9 - No Regrets

    ¡°That ungrateful bastard! Just wait till I meet him again! Slayer Kang, are you al¡­Your arm¡­¡±


    As much as I appreciate Ms Han getting angry for my sake, now it''s not the time for me to dwell on the betrayal I''ve experienced. I quickly wipe away my unnecessary tears. Then, I clench my left arm, thinking it''ll stop the bleeding as much as possible.


    ¡°I''m¡­fine, Ms Han. There''s not enough time. We''ve got to quickly find the other Getaway Stones.¡±


    I immediately get up with my arm still dripping my blood down to my fingers. I see the ghostly Beasts are busy smashing the remaining stones. It feels like they''re smashing one stone per second that we need to hurry to find the actual ones. Despite the wall¡¯s cyan color being our illuminated light source, we¡¯re unable to tell which are the actual Getaway Stones as we don''t know exactly what sort of marking that indicates the real ones. Suddenly, there are several stones glowing the same bright blue light that surrounded the traitorous old man earlier on. This can''t be a coincidence that the room¡¯s mastermind, plausibly the unknown man who hypnotized me earlier on, has decided to let the rest of the Getaway Stones to suddenly glow right at this moment of predicament. Needless to say, thanks to the magic stones¡¯ radiance state, I''m able to tell them apart from the normal ones.


    ¡°Ms Han, the glowing ones are the Getaway Stones. Each of us must get them without these Beasts noticing us touching one.¡±


    ¡°Got it, Slayer Kang. Do be careful. I used up all of the healing potions from my pouch on Jung-han''s injury just now. I''m sorry that I couldn''t bring more for a worst-case scenario like this.¡±


    ¡°Ms Han, it''s time to focus on what we can do in the present. Lingering on past mistakes won''t help us get back home alive.¡±


    ¡°You''re right, Slayer Kang. Let''s focus now. I''ve to get another for Jung-han.¡±


    Speaking about Jung-han, I see him having his eyes closed; his body flinches after each sound of the Beasts smashing each stone in front of us. He''s too traumatized to move after the injury he was inflicted with even if he''s the most physically strong Slayer among us right now.


    ¡°You go to your left. I go to my right. I see the glowing stones are a bit near to the Beasts¡¯ tails but you should¡¯ve enough time to dodge and run away from them. Are you ready, Ms Han?¡±


    ¡°Then what about you, Slayer Kang? I mean your speed¡­¡±


    ¡°Well according to the people working at the Alliance, I can run a bit faster than an average human. Don''t worry about my safety, Ms Han.¡±


    ¡°Then I trust you, Slayer Kang. I shall focus on getting the stone for myself and Jung-han.¡±


    Despite the heavy atmosphere and another worst case scenario we''re in, it feels like I''m challenging Ms Han in a track and field competition. And yet, I feel a bit relaxed probably because her words have encouraged me to believe in myself that I won''t stumble which will lead me to my untimely death. Thus, Ms Han and I say our countdown of ¡°3, 2, 1¡±; then, our feet take off the ground as we shout the word ¡°Run!¡±. Both of us run towards our targeted item.


    As expected, Ms Han is running faster than me. Regardless, I manage to grab one glowing stone in my left hand. Ms Han has successfully got one and she dash across to look for another glowing stone. As expected, the Getaway Stones start their one minute countdown once we touch them in our hands. That''s when the shadowy Beasts stop their duty of smashing the stones as they''ve turned their focus on Ms Han and I holding the Getaway Stones. I don''t know if I''ve got an instinct of my own, but I do know that these Beasts are gonna attack us right at this moment.


    ¡°Ms Han, the Beasts are eyeing us. Dodge their attacks until the countdown on our stones is up!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve yet to get Jung-han''s one, but I hear you, Slayer Kang! Be careful!¡±


    Once again the dodging game has begun for me and Ms Han. I¡¯ve surprised myself that I''m able to have leftover stamina after all the running away I did previously with other enemies in this room. Just when I think I''m able to go back home safely as my stone¡¯s countdown says ¡°35¡±, I''ve got knocked over by one of the Beasts¡¯ tails. Judging by the impact it had on my stomach, their bodies are capable of switching from a liquified to a solidified form and vice versa. It''s probably why they''re able to smash the stones so easily and smoothly.


    I cough up a huge amount of blood once my back hits one of the fallen pillars around the middle of this room. What a fool I am that I didn''t focus again on holding my own Getaway Stones properly though it''s possible that the injury of my left arm has made me unable to close my left hand properly. Because of the unfortunate timing of this injury, I¡¯ve dropped my item meant for escape. My vision is becoming blurry, but I''m still conscious enough to be aware of what''s happening now.


    I hear Jung-han and Ms Han shouting my name from afar. They probably have a panicked look on their face after they see me get pummeled by one of the Beasts. Because of her eyes on me for one second, another shadowy Beast lurks quietly behind Ms Han. It was about to hit her with its huge right arm when Jung-han intervenes as he manages to grab her on time. Both of them duck, avoiding its swinging arm. I hear the sound of Ms Han¡¯s Getaway Stone being dropped to the ground, pattering itself away from her position.


    Unsurprisingly, one of the Beasts has smashed her Getaway Stone; its glowing form vanishes from my sight. I turn my bruised head to look around this room until I spot someone else is picking up my Getaway Stone. It''s Mrs Park who looks startled once our eyes meet each other. She''s just a few meters away from where I¡¯m at, and yet she''s not moving at all. Come to think of it, I never saw her physical appearance until now. That means she must have used her Camouflage Skill while these shadowy Beasts were smashing the stones. In front of me, Mrs Park doesn''t even look like she''s trying to figure out a way to get close to me. I know I shouldn''t jump to conclusions, but my worst fear is happening and that''s¡­


    ¡°Mrs Park, give that back to Slayer Kang! It belongs to her! Why aren''t you¡­¡±


    ¡°I know! I know that I''m a coward, Slayer Han! But¡­but¡­I¡­I want to survive! I want to get back home to my family! My son is too young to lose a mother! I don''t like Captain Jang, but he''s right for once! Survival of the strongest is the only truth in a place like this!¡±


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    As the countdown reaches ¡°0¡± on the stone¡¯s notification screen, the same bright blue light surrounds Mrs Park¡¯s body. Somehow I can see my look of despair and shock in her glasses reflecting back at me. A second later, the light flashes my eyes which almost went blind that I forced myself to cover them with my injured left arm. As usual, Mrs Park disappears from my sight. Jung-han and Ms Han look shocked too because Mrs Park is a quiet, if not a timid-looking older woman as opposed to Jang¡¯s nasty personality and ugly appearance.


    ¡°I can''t believe Mrs Park¡­betrayed...¡±


    ¡°Ms Han, I¡­don''t see anymore glowing stones.¡±


    I don''t wanna believe what I''ve just witnessed, but it''s an upsetting fact that Mrs Park has escaped alone after taking away my Getaway Stone. I clench my right hand and my teeth as I feel unpleasant feelings welling up inside me now. Suddenly, I hear the sound of something melting and dripping. It''s resonating through this room¡¯s atmosphere. Then, I see the painted walls¡¯ cyan color melt away downwards and into the ground. The next moment the painted wall changes into a dark mixed color of gold and fire lighting up as bright as the sun. As for the melted cyan paint, it turns into a very dark red color and it streams towards the spot the three of us are standing on. Right in the middle of the room, the paint forms a black circle with a wicker man (in the form of a stick figure) symbol inside of it.


    ¡°Ms Han, what¡­symbol¡­does that mean¡­¡±


    ¡°A human sacrifice? Yes, Jung-han. This might be the actual demand on what this room wants with us.¡±


    I don''t understand. This demand doesn''t align with the final rule unless¡­


    I want to say something important, but I don''t want to give another despairing info to them both. It feels like all hope is lost when Jung-han''s foot kicks something that has the sound of a small stone. The stone glows a golden light unlike the previous ones taken by Jang and Mrs Park. If it''s glowing, then that means it''s the last Getaway Stone. As anticipated, Mrs Park quickly pick it up and once she touches it, a notification screen pops up saying:


    [You''ve found a Pairing Getaway Stone. The requirement to activate this item is achieved. Countdown for the item¡¯s usage: 90, 89, 88,...]


    ¡°Jung-han, hold this stone and take Slayer Kang with you.¡±


    ¡°Ms Han, what are you¡­¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, this is the last stone to escape from this Labyrinth. We can''t risk finding another one because the Beasts in front of us are coming towards us.¡±


    Ms Han is right. I just noticed the shadowy Beasts are slowly hovering towards the three of us. Their glowing orange eyes still give me the shivers. But even so, I don''t like the feeling of having to abandon Ms Han alone in this Labyrinth.


    ¡°Ms Han¡­Keugh! You saved¡­me! Hngh! You saved Jung-han! How can we leave you¡­like it''s nothing¡­¡±


    Unnecessary tears flow from my eyes again. This time, it''s the feeling of uselessness that made me unable to suppress my tears. I get up slowly; my right hand gripping my left arm firmly. I nearly stumble, but Jung-han catches me by my right side from falling down.


    ¡°Slayer Kang, you''re the actual leader of this raid. I admit you''re physically the weakest of this team, but your will to live¡­that''s something I don''t have. That''s why I don''t mind dying for the both of you. Jung-han, please take care of her.¡±


    [30, 29, 28, 27,...]


    ¡°Ms Han¡­if that''s your last wish, then¡­I shall grant it. Joo-yeon, grab on to me.¡±


    Ms Han may look brave with that clothed bandage over her missing left eye, but I can see her trembling hands. Even if she''s a single 40-year-old woman who doesn''t have an immediate family, she doesn''t deserve to die in this scary tomb. Just when I''m about to say another word, I hear someone coughing along with the sound of dripping blood. I turn to my right to see Jung-han coughing blood all of a sudden. He has to let go of me to cover his bloody mouth with his left hand. Ms Han and I, still being able to stand properly, are shocked to see him like this. At the same time, in Jung-han¡¯s right hand, the notifications screen has the countdown being paused at ¡°15¡± along with these words:


    [This item has been temporarily deactivated. You need to meet the requirement to reactivate this item.]


    ¡°Jung-han, what happened!? How did you¡­¡±


    ¡°When was he poisoned, Ms Han?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­could it be his injury¡­he may be physically healed with all of my potions but to detoxify¡­that shadow¡¯s body must have a delayed toxicity skill.¡±


    I may not be a proper healer, but I do know what Ms Han is implying. That the Alliance¡¯s healing potion supplies, either made by an alchemist Slayer or healing ingredients found in certain Labyrinths, are incapable of removing poison from a Slayer''s body.


    "Could it be... the requirement to activate this stone is that at least one of us must be unharmed... With Jung-han poisoned, it has deactivated."


    And Ms Han guesses right. Jung-han coughs out more blood which exceeded the amount of blood I''ve coughed up early on. The stone he''s holding on to is still on pause mode. It''s also obvious I can''t activate it because I may have some broken bones in my body right now. That means only Ms Han, despite losing an eye, can activate that special stone.


    As the shadowy Beasts approach us closer, I ponder on what''s the best decision to choose right now. In fact, would I be able to face my uncle if I get out of here with Ms Han, who''s the only one with a non-severe injury?


    No. I''m not like Jang. Uncle Seung-min didn''t raise me to become cruel to others. Also Mom..


    If she were still here¡­That''s why I¡­


    Without feeling hesitant for once in my life, I, bearing the pain of my broken bones, quickly grab Ms Han''s left hand, pulling her towards Jung-han''s right side. I forcefully placed her hand on the Getaway Stone his right hand is still clutching on. With that action, the notification screen appears saying:


    [Resuming activation of this item. Countdown for the item''s usage: 15, 14, 13,...]


    ¡°Slayer Kang! What are you¡­¡±


    Before Ms Han can finish her sentence, one of the shadowy Beasts lunges between us; the distance between us gets further. I barely manage to avoid its attack. More blood is dripping from my left arm¡¯s opened wound, which almost covers my right hand on it.


    ¡°Joo-yeon¡­ugh...I don''t want¡­¡±


    ¡°Jung-han, don''t worry. I can keep my promise to treat you to coffee later.¡±


    ¡°Joo-yeon¡­you''re lying¡­I''m not letting¡­¡±


    Another shadowy Beast nearly slashes Jung-han with its ghostly arm. Ms Han grabs a slightly huge stone next to the fallen pillars. She throws at the Beasts'' face to interfere with its attack on Jung-han though it just went through it as its body isn''t in a semi-solid state. I speculate these Beasts are attacking whoever is exuding a more emotional feeling. That doesn''t matter to me because I can see that Ms Han has Jung-han clinging on to her while the stone¡¯s countdown is ongoing at¡­


    [10]


    [9]


    [8]


    ¡°I¡¯m sure there''ll be a S-rank healer waiting for you up there, Ms Han. And if you meet my uncle, tell him I don''t regret my choice to do this.¡±


    [3]


    [2]


    ¡°Slayer Kang!¡±


    ¡°Joo-yeon! No!¡±


    [1]


    And so, Ms Han and Jung-han have disappeared into the bright golden light enveloping their bodies. As soon as they''re gone from my sight, all I can hear is the sound of Beasts who start to rumble under their breath. I still feel afraid, but I take a slow deep breath with my eyes closed for a short moment. Then, I open my eyes and turn around to face the nine dreadful Beasts all alone in this tomb. Taking out my life-draining dagger from my sling bag, which I toss aside to ease my ability to dodge and run from these creatures, I give them the most glaring bravado face I put on as a sign of me defying the ¡°weakest healer¡± title placed upon me.

 Level 10 - "Youve Been Selected for The Restart Program"

    ¡°Joo-yeon, you can still enroll in a nursing academy.¡±


    ¡°Why are you telling me this, uncle?¡±


    I looked at Uncle Seung-min, who has slightly wavy brown hair and ash gray eyes, with a confused look. I was helping him out to wash the dishes after all of us had our dinner. I tend to do these tasks so that Ga-young could focus on her studies for her final senior year. Gi-young was still an eight-year-old kid; thus, it''s natural he went to bed early.


    ¡°I saw the college catalog you kept in your school bag.¡±


    ¡°Uncle, that was¡­¡±


    ¡°I know getting into college is expensive, but if you¡¯re giving up for my sake,...¡±


    ¡°Even if that no-good woman didn''t exist at all, I would still decide not to apply for college. Anyway, Ga-young and Gi-young are your kids, uncle. I want what''s best for you three. I''m sure they want to pursue something they want in college.¡±


    ¡°Joo-yeon, you are precious to me. To your cousins. Your mom included. That''s why¡­ I¡¯m hoping you can be honest with me. I''m worried that I can¡¯t do anything for you.¡±


    For a moment, I stopped my gloved hands at a white plate I was wiping. I could feel his feelings of uneasiness about my future. However, I want to lessen the financial burden he has to resolve as soon as possible. I turned to face my uncle, who looked a bit sad, with the earnest smile I could ever make for him. His face looked astonished seeing my smile. I was determined to reassure him not to feel any guilt for me.


    ¡°You did something for me, uncle. And that''s raising me to be determined in making my own choices. That¡¯s why I can be brave in making a choice without any regrets.¡±


    Ha¡­.Ha¡­.Ha¡­.


    To think I''m able to experience a flashback of a happy memory with Uncle Seung-min, which happened right after I graduated high school, is all I could think of right now. There''s one thing the mastermind of this wretched room doesn''t know about me and that is¡­


    ¡°I ain''t gonna die that easily, you bastards!!¡±


    And so, my persistence in dodging and running away from these nine shadowy Beasts is a sign of my determination to not give into despair that easily. The room gives off the most intimidating aura I can feel due to its painted wall''s latest color change to a dark red. I don''t know how long I''ve been running around in circles or whether any S-rank Slayer is able to find this hidden Labyrinth I''m stuck inside of. All I can estimate is that almost a day has passed by here. I bet back outside the Labyrinth¡¯s gate it would''ve been at least a few hours have passed by. Anyhow, I''m running out of breath though I manage to dodge another sudden attack from the shadowy Beast.


    ¡°Oh ho¡­I appreciate you lot giving me your attention unlike those Slayers of a higher rank I''ve met so far.¡±


    It seems to me that my talking to these Beasts, who don''t speak at all, is the only way to keep my mind from slipping into insanity. I make a mock out of them as I tell them how they''re not giving their all in killing a weak Slayer like me.


    ¡°Are you really S-rank Beasts!? Chun Sun-woo would be so disappointed battling monsters like yourselves!!¡±


    Man~ why on earth would I think about that guy? Probably because he''s the only S-rank Slayer who''s closer to my age.


    Speaking about my age, I just remember the night before, Uncle Seung-min was hiding a coupon for a chimaek meal which is my most favorite thing to eat. He must''ve been planning to use it for my birthday today. But now, I feel so tired; so nauseous; so much pain in my bleeding arm and bruised head. My mouth has blood stains. Ga-young''s dress is completely different as the sleeves have been torn off during my time of running from these orange-eyed Beasts.


    I want to go home¡­I must!


    Slash!


    I scream at the top of my lungs as one of the Beasts'' tails makes a huge cut on my back. The slashing has cut my light brown long hair around shoulder-length. I stumble, panting heavily more than ever. I drop my life-draining dagger to cover my mouth coughing another mouthful of blood; the blade has slid far away to a cornered fallen pillar. This time, the monster¡¯s poisoning ability becomes an immediate effect for my body. I can feel so much discomfort from my burning eyes. Then, I get tackled down by one of their smoky-shaped arms, coincidentally I fall down backwards right on top of the wicker man symbol. I can feel the blood oozing out of my slashed back. My arms and legs are pulled forcefully to an X-shape by four of the shadowy Beasts; each one seizing each arm and leg of mine. In a flash, one wrist of mine gets pierced by the fifth shadow¡¯s tail. My piercing scream is heard throughout the room. Each of the next three shadows pierces my other wrist and my ankles. I can hear my blood oozing out of my newly-made wounds.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    My side eyes spot some of my blood touching the symbol¡¯s lines beneath me. The lines begin to glow brightly in the color of a reddish-orange akin to a fire¡¯s color. Eventually, I begin to lose my sanity as I keep on letting out my piercing screams whilst feeling every second of agonizing pain in my wrists and ankles. My vision gets more hazy as I''m seeing flashbacks of those who have stirred unwanted feelings I''ve been bottling up until now.


    I hate this. Hate¡­hate¡­hate¡­ HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE!!!!!!!! Your son is too young to lose a mother!? You''re justifying yourself with pathetic excuses!! I''ve got a family to go back home to!!! You''re no different than Jang, you hypocrite!! I should give up¡­You don''t know what it feels like to be weak, Chun Sun-woo!!! You''re just lucky to be born strong from the start!!! I wish I can be strong like you all! I¡­hic¡­don''t want¡­to feel¡­like this¡­anymore¡­


    ¡°Yes, Kang Joo-yeon.¡±


    Whose voice¡­


    I vaguely recognise the echoing voice I''m hearing now belongs to the same unknown man. Come to think of it, his voice range sounds slightly lower than Jung-han''s voice. Probably has a similar voice tone to Chun.


    ¡°Give into your despair more and you''ll have your wish come true with our Guideline''s Tr¨²pa Program.¡±


    My wish¡­The Program¡­is this what I really¡­want¡­ right now?


    I can see the final shadowy Beast hovering near the top of this tomb. It seems to be igniting a purple-colored magical aura. It forms a huge ball of blackish-purple light above me. I feel it''s gonna shoot this magic bullet straight into my soul. For one last time, I inwardly say these final words in my mind.


    I don''t care if you''re just an observer and probably the one Ms Han believes without needing to see you¡­if you really exist, then please give me a chance! Have mercy on this weak being here! I want to survive! I want¡­to live!!


    Just then, I hear a static sound. At that moment, a vermillion-colored light disperses across this tomb. It burns so bright that the shadows, including the one who was about to blast his ball of light towards me, have to let go of my arms and legs and remove their tails from my pierced wounds. They cover their eyes as if the vermillion light is an exorcism¡¯s device. Oddly enough, the light isn''t blinding me at all so I''m able to get a good look at where it''s coming from. I scan across the ground I''m pinned on and there, I find it emitting from my low-grade dagger.


    ¡°Why you, Elysian! Don''t think you can change our plans by putting yo¡­revi¡­dru¡­pow¡­¡±


    The static interference at the end of his sentence makes me unable to find out what he''s up to. Before I can think anymore, I hear more static sounds surrounding this tomb. I manage to see blank paintings suddenly appearing, materializing themselves in a digitalised appearance. In the middle of these paintings, I see a portal in every one of them. Out of nowhere, a familiar-looking screen appears right above me. Even though I¡¯m about to lose consciousness, I''m able to identify and read the words clearly.


    [¡°Thy struggles to gain strength;


    Yet thy who won''t deny thy weakness;


    Thy chose to pray for a chance to live again.¡±]


    Then, gallons of water come out of the portals, violently washing away the shadowy Beasts that were lingering around me. The monsters seemingly get dissolved into the torrent of water. Once they seem to be gone from my sight, I realize the water is submerging the whole tomb. I hold my breath, but to no avail, I can only do that for a very short moment. And then, I can feel that I''m drowning inside this watered tomb. Just when I think I''m about to die, the same screen appears once more in my sight.


    [The requirements for the Hidden Task: Regaining the Will to Live by Faith has been completed. You''ve been selected for ¡°The Restart Program¡±.]


    Program¡­ that man was talking about it¡­


    [You''re qualified to own the ¡°backup soul¡± named Elysian - The Archdruid of Versatility.]


    Elysian¡­who''s that? Druid¡­


    [You''ve ten seconds to choose ¡°Accept¡±. If not, your soul will not experience a ¡°restart¡± after the countdown.]


    [10]


    [9]


    [8]


    Restart? Does that mean keeping me alive¡­


    [5]


    [4]


    If that''s what it means, then¡­I''ve got a choice.


    [3]


    [2]


    With my mind inwardly saying ¡°Accept¡±¡¯, the button, which has that word on the screen, has been pressed right before the countdown reaches ¡®0¡¯.


    [1]


    [Welcome, Kang Joo-yeon.]


    [You''ve agreed to become a participant of The Restart Program.]


    [Your Healer class has been designated with the Druid subclass.]


    [May this revisioned Guideline give you the strength you need.]


    Before I can process these messages coming from this game system-like thing, I finally lose my consciousness that I close my eyes as if I need a peaceful sleep right now.

 Level 11 - The Guideline

    ¡°Look. I''m holding back my anger for Joo-yeon¡¯s sake so please leave us alone.¡±


    ¡°But Mr Kang, we need your niece''s eyewitness account¡­¡±, a low-voiced man speaks calmly to my uncle.


    ¡°And you think it''s appropriate to ask her after such a traumatic event she has been through?!¡±, my uncle replies with his voice tone obviously indicating he''s upset with the men he''s talking to.


    My consciousness starts to regain as I slowly blink my eyes. I can see a familiar ceiling that reminds me of a hospital¡¯s one. The conversation I''m hearing now is a bit muffled, but somehow I''m able to recognise one of the voices. Uncle Seung-min sounds upset at someone or at least two men. A few seconds later, I''m able to listen to their conversation a bit clearer.


    ¡°Please calm down, Mr Kang. Inappropriate as it is, we believe that this unforeseen case might be related to the nine S-rank Slayers who''ve been missing three months ago.¡±


    ¡°Even if Joo-yeon has important info to tell you, I''m not pleased with how you do your questioning. Also you two showed up here without notifying me. Isn''t it the Alliance¡¯s fault of measuring the wrong rank of a Labyrinth?¡±


    ¡°Mr Kang,¡± the other man, with a voice that sounds boyish to me, speaks with a determined tone. ¡°We acknowledge our mistake of not checking properly, but we¡¯re trying our best to figure out what exactly is going on with this case.¡±


    Alas, I have to interrupt the heated conversation since I don''t think I¡¯m able to handle another stressful scenario.


    ¡°Uncle Seung-min¡­¡±


    They all turn their heads to look at me. As I sit upright, I notice, besides the fact I''m wearing a hospital gown, there are no wounds in my wrists. I look a bit shocked. Uncle Seung-min asks me if anything is the matter. I shake my head, telling him it''s nothing despite my inner thought wondering what happened to those wounds I''ve got. I then start to notice the two men, who are standing behind my uncle, are dressed in black-and-white suits. One of them, with a perm hairstyle and sharp facial features that are aesthetically attractive, looks like a bodyguard seeing how muscular he looks. He probably is more muscular than Jung-han, and yet he has the same height as him. He then steps forward, starting a conversation with me along with his (probably) assistant who has the average looks of a friendly Korean boyish-looking man.


    ¡°Slayer Kang Joo-yeon, my name is Shin Chang-wook, the guildmaster of Moohan Guild.¡±


    ¡°And I''m Hong Ki-joon, the supervisor for the Moohan Guild¡¯s raids. We''re here to ask you¡­¡±


    ¡°Look, you two. Regardless of your intentions, I dislike how you''re interrogating Joo-yeon.¡±


    ¡°Mr Kang, this isn''t an interrogation.¡±


    ¡°Then, tell me, Mr Hong. Why is your S-rank Slayer boss here? I''m not oblivious, you know. I''ve read all the information about some of your abilities, Mr Shin Chang-wook.¡±


    ¡°Mr Kang! That''s quite disrespectful¡­¡±


    ¡°Ki-joon, it''s fine. Mr Kang has the right to be upset at us.¡±


    I know why Uncle Seung-min is behaving coldly to these two high-ranked Slayers. I''ve heard the Moohan Guild has only members who are from B-rank to S-rank. Unlike the general public who always admire S-rank Slayers, Uncle Seung-min is aware of the rankism I''ve been receiving for the past two years. Even though I''ve yet to encounter a S-rank one badmouthing me, I won''t be surprised if many of the S-rank Slayers are rankists whether or not they publicly show their disgusted look at me like what Jang did. It''s a good thing that before the atmosphere gets heavier, my uncle¡¯s phone makes a message¡¯s notification sound. He takes out to see the message. After reading it, he looks more displeased. I ask him what it''s about.


    ¡°Oh. I''m asked to take over someone else''s shift at the gym.¡±


    ¡°You''ll get extra pay for that, right?¡±


    ¡°Well yes, but Joo-yeon, I can''t leave you here with these men asking you questions right after you woke up.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine, uncle. In fact, I wanna ask Slayer Shin about something. Don''t worry about me. I know what I''m doing, uncle.¡±


    ¡°Well if you say so¡­but you still can tell the staff here to have these men leave immediately, okay?¡±


    I give Uncle Seung-min a calm nod. With that answer, he leaves my patient room, assuring me that he''ll visit me again once he finishes the new shift he got from the manager of a gym where he currently works part-time.


    ¡°You''ve got a protective uncle, Slayer Kang. He gave me the look as if I was going to hurt you.¡±


    ¡°Well I apologize for the cold shoulder you got from him, Slayer Shin. It''s because of my rank that he''s cautious towards higher-ranking Slayers.¡±


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°I understand his concern. Regardless, I still intend to ask you about what happened to you for the past three days, Slayer Kang. That''s why I came here to see you today.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by that? The past three days¡­¡±


    ¡°You went missing during that duration. My guild was informed by the survivors named Han Bok-shil and Park Jung-han about you being the last one to remain behind in the Painting Labyrinth, in which they described anything that was painted or is a painting attacked your raid team.¡±


    ¡°Ms Han & Jung-han¡­Painting¡­¡±


    I experience many quick flashbacks related to the Painting Labyrinth which I¡¯ll refer to that wretched room with this name Slayer Shin has told me henceforth. It''s an unpleasant thing to remember, seeing how I''m making a clenched fist now. I try to maintain a calm appearance in front of Slayer Shin and his assistant, whom both of them eventually sit down on a sofa in front of me. Probably because I don''t want to look like a distressed damsel at this moment.


    ¡°What happened to Ms Han & Jung-han?¡± I ask him promptly. ¡°What is this about me being missing for three days?¡±


    ¡°Slayer Han Bok-shil may have to retire seeing how her left eye was too late to get regenerated by the time she met our S-rank healers waiting at the gate. Slayer Park Jung-han is in the intensive care unit at another hospital. He''ll be discharged tomorrow since one of our healers was able to detoxify him with a high-grade healing spell. As for his mental health, unfortunately there''s not much we could help seeing how he appears to be having PTSD from his experience at the Painting Labyrinth. As for yourself being missing for three days, the gate of the Labyrinth raid you were in somehow exploded in a bright orange light by the time one of my guild¡¯s raid teams were about to go in to rescue you. Everyone involved thought you died inside that Labyrinth. That''s until a passerby found you floating in the Han River this morning.¡±


    ¡°Me¡­at Han River¡­how did I get there?¡±


    ¡°That''s why we¡¯re here to find out. Do you remember anything from that Labyrinth, Slayer Kang?¡±


    ¡°The last thing I remembered was¡­¡±


    I still have a shocked look on my face as I find myself unable to believe that I just magically reappeared in the most famous river of this country. My memories of the Painting Labyrinth feel all jumbled up with random images of it in my mind. To no avail, I can''t remember my final moments in that scary room. So I look in Slayer Shin¡¯s brown eyes as I tell him what I know so far.


    ¡°...being trapped inside. That''s all I remember. But I do know that the Painting Labyrinth we were in¡­it''s as if there was a hidden mastermind constantly changing the interior design of that room. That''s all I can speculate.¡±


    ¡°I see. Thank you for telling us this much info.¡±


    He looks like he''s satisfied with my vague answer to his question that he gets up from the sofa, walking towards the entrance door of my patient room. His assistant follows him with the same gestures.


    ¡°I guess we should take our leave now. I wish you a safe recovery, Slayer Kang Joo-yeon.¡±


    I furrow my eyebrows, thinking if I should ask him another important question. Before they can step out of the door, I call out to Slayer Shin who turns around to look at me as I ask this question.


    ¡°Slayer Shin, how is your eyesight today?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Why are you asking that to Slayer Shin?¡± Slayer Hong asks as he also turns around to look at me.


    ¡°Well¡­I just¡­remembered seeing the ¡°yellow dust¡± these past few weeks. Just wanna remind Slayer Shin to take care of his eyes. That''s all. Hehe¡­¡±


    I hope they believe what I''ve just said to them. Otherwise, this will get too complicated if they don''t. I can''t believe I just made an awkward laugh.


    ¡°My eyes are fine, Slayer Kang. I hope yours are too.¡±


    With that answer, both of them walk out, shutting the door behind them. I overhear Slayer Hong¡¯s muffled voice calling me an oddball for asking a random question. Once I no longer hear their footsteps, I plop back down on the hospital bed. There''s a good reason why I ask that embarrassing question to Slayer Shin. And that''s¡­


    ¡°So not even a S-rank Slayer can see this pop-up window in front of me, huh?¡± I mutter to myself while I stare at the familiar-looking window hovering above my eyes right now. Either my brain is about to experience another mental breakdown or a petty high-ranking Slayer put a Curse Skill on me. Regardless, the latter possibility sounds ridiculous since F-rank Slayers, despite having 100 million people as of today, aren''t exactly a threat to national security. As for the former one, I can still think about how much it costs for me to stay at this hospital so brain damage is ruled out. I can''t believe I''m about to say this, but¡­


    ¡°I''m the only one who can see this thing in front of me.¡±


    Suddenly, I hear a static sound that indicates a digitalised message materializing as a slideshow. I see the presented words that feel familiar to me.


    [Welcome, Kang Joo-yeon.]


    [You''re officially selected for The Restart Program.]


    [Please wait while this revision of The Guideline registers your overall profile to be verified.]


    Guideline¡­Restart Program¡­could it be¡­


    Now, some of the memories from the Painting Labyrinth have come back in a clear picture in my mind. It turns out this thing, which is actually a video game user interface or ¡°level system¡± for a simpler term, was implemented within my soul or something. Speaking about souls, the next message is mentioning something related to it.


    [Verification of Kang Joo-yeon''s overall profile has been completed.]


    [Connecting to the revisioned Guideline''s permission to check up on the ¡°backup soul¡± that''s vital for Kang Joo-yeon¡¯s physiological needs.]


    This is getting complicated. What is a ¡°backup soul¡±? The way it talks about it sounds like I''m a computer who needs to replace my CPU or restart the operating system which luckily has its data backup stored in a USB or something. Either way I''m trying to make sense of what''s happening in front of my eyes since I was found alive this morning. The next message has popped up with the usual ¡®ding¡¯ sound. As I read it, I see a familiar name written on the screen.


    [The ¡°backup soul¡± named Elysian - The Archdruid is temporarily deactivated.]


    [Please wait for further instructions from one of the judges to analyze this system error.]


    ¡°What does that even mean?¡±


    I sigh heavily because I''m getting more confused about the meaning of that last message. I wonder who is the admin of this Guideline thing or more importantly, who¡¯s Elysian? I don''t have European bloodline flowing within me. I can''t help but wonder if that person is the one who gave me the choice to stay alive and survive from the Painting Labyrinth. I don''t know much about druids or receiving messages from an unknown side, but one thing''s for sure. I''ve been chosen to become stronger.

 Level 12 - Amergin the Judge

    So how is THE Guideline gonna help me become stronger?


    It''s already night time. Several hours have passed since the Guideline told me to wait for further instructions while claiming it''s trying to fix a system error regarding my ¡°backup soul¡±. Back in my hospital bed, I''m eating the delivered chimaek that was supposed to be eaten on my 22nd birthday three days ago.


    I hope Uncle Seung-min used that coupon I saw back then, and not half of his current part-time wages. As for the drink, it''s not exactly beer; it''s shandy which I can say it''s my favorite type to drink whether in private or public. I wonder if I should describe my dinner as chishan (chicken + shandy) the next time my drink is still shandy. It''s a good thing Uncle Seung-min bought a two-person meal though I still feel like I could eat more given that I was missing for three whole days.


    Anyhow, I still think about the Painting Labyrinth vanishing without a trace seeing there''s no mention of it on the online forums and news. Then again, this one obviously spells ¡°national security is at stake¡± since this is the only Labyrinth that has no living Beast being the boss. As I slowly remember, though it''s just bits and pieces of memories, about what happened in there, the Labyrinth itself (the wretched room) is seemingly controlled by a mastermind who might have been the same unknown man whispering to me back in there.


    Even if I were to tell this info to Slayer Shin or whoever is stationed at the Alliance, they might suspect me of being involved in the mastermind¡¯s plot regardless if I''m actually kept in the dark as much as they are. I think it''s best to stay quiet for now; otherwise¡­my family¡­


    As I finish my dinner already, I decide to go for a brief walk and possibly be at the rooftop to breath in some fresh air. I find it hard to believe that I''m able to walk now given the last time I remember of my body¡¯s condition was a huge slash on my back and pierced wounds at my ankles and wrists. It''s as if a SS-rank healer, whom I remember is an Irishwoman and currently known as ¡°The Slayer of The First Rank'''' in terms of having the strongest defensive magic, came to my rescue without me knowing about her. I believe if she and the other two SS-rank Slayers were at that Labyrinth, they would''ve been able to defeat the mastermind already. The world, including myself, would be grateful and feel relieved if that were to happen. It just needs to reappear someday though deep down, I''m wishing it never comes back at all.


    A few nurses insist on coming with me, knowing I''m a survivor of one of the most dangerous Labyrinths. I refuse their accompanying me politely, reassuring them that I''m mentally fine. Finally, I¡¯m at the rooftop. I sit down on the first bench that catches my sight. While I look up at the night sky that has a waning crescent moon, I hear someone sniffling to my right side. I turn to see who it is.


    It''s a long blond-haired woman, who''s dressed in office clothes, sitting at another bench. She looks around the same age as I am. Her height is probably the same as Slayer Ban. I can''t help, but feel like I should do something for her. So I get up walking towards her; then, I stop to stand in front of her, asking my slightly hesitant words carefully.


    ¡°Are¡­you okay? Miss¡­uhm¡­¡±


    ¡°Hngh! Oh¡­¡± the young woman replies once she notices my presence, lifting her head up to see me face-to-face. Her jade-colored earrings look like the clip-on type in my sight. Her dark brown teary eyes stare at me for a few moments. Then, she wipes the tears off her eyes.


    ¡°I''m sorry. (sniff) Was I disturbing you? If I am, I shall leave.¡±


    ¡°Oh! No, no! Not at all! I''m wondering why you''re crying all alone here.¡±


    I unconsciously wave my hands at her probably to catch her attention fully before she misunderstands any further.


    ¡°Oh? That¡­well¡­¡±


    ¡°It''s okay if you don''t want to tell me the reason. In fact, I can leave if you want¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh! You can stay¡­uhm¡­your name?¡±


    ¡°Call me Joo-yeon. And you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Sun-hee. So Joo-yeon¡­may I know¡­why are you here?¡±


    I sit down beside her in order for our conversation between us not to have so many awkward pauses.


    ¡°I''m recovering from my injuries, I think. I''m not sure what happened to me, but all I know is that I''ve to stay here for about a month or so.¡±


    ¡°Were you involved in an accident, Joo-yeon?¡±


    ¡°Something like that. It''s common for a weak Slayer like me to experience accidents.¡±


    ¡°Eh!? You''re a Slayer like my older brother?!¡±


    ¡°Oh~ Your brother is a Slayer too?¡±


    ¡°Yes. In fact, he''s currently the strongest S-rank knight in this country.¡±


    Wow~ a S-rank and a knight subclass, huh?"


    Hmm~ that''s odd. Where did I hear this description before?


    ¡°You see¡­I disappear without telling him where I''ll be at. I even left my phone on purpose at my workplace. I guess you can say I want to make him¡­to change his mind.¡±


    ¡°Wh¡­why do you have to do this? That is¡­¡±


    ¡°Selfish, right? I thought that by doing so, he''ll think about moving on¡­¡±


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°By moving on¡­did somebody close to him¡­you know¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Is it his friend¡­¡±


    ¡°It was his girlfriend. They were planning to live together in the apartment he''s living in right now. After her disappearance, my brother was determined to find her or something that might find her in every high-ranking Labyrinth he encounters. It''s been three years and I''m worried that I''ll never be able to help him be in the present. But I guess it''s kind of stupid of me to purposely make this tantrum-like action after all this time, right? Haha¡­ I just don''t want¡­to lose him all of a sudden¡­¡±


    Lose him suddenly... Is it related to the missing case Slayer Shin mentioned this afternoon?


    As she unconsciously goes back to sobbing, I can understand what she''s implying even if she doesn''t tell me in full detail. Even though we just met, it feels like I can trust her, not to mention I want to cheer her up right now. And so I get up promptly, saying these words with a confident tone in my voice and my hands on my hips as if I''m a girlboss.


    ¡°Even if I don''t know exactly what happened to him, he''s really selfish to not think about those who are still here, especially you! If I ever meet your brother, I''m gonna give him a scolding for your sake!¡±


    ¡°Are you the same rank as he is, Joo-yeon?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­..no. I''m the lowest-ranking Slayer. But! I''ll surely be able to give him a punch someday! You''ll see.¡±


    Sun-hee chuckles while hearing that last sentence from me. I hope she doesn¡¯t believe what I''ve just said. I just want to make her feel better even after hearing something absurd like these lying words I confidently say out loud now.


    ¡°Thanks, Joo-yeon. I feel much better now. I''ll be looking forward to that day.¡±


    Should I be more specific¡­that I''m of the healer class? Nah~ I don''t think I can handle another embarrassing feeling now. I''ll save that if I ever meet her again next time.


    Sun-hee then gets up, slapping both sides of her cheeks as her wake-up call to facing this issue she has with her brother. She turns to face me; a wide smile spreads over her face.


    ¡°Then, I shall go back home and clearly tell my brother about my feelings about his aimless searching,¡± she says while briefly bowing to me as a sign of thanks. ¡°Probably I was wishy-washy that I ended up holding back what I wanted to say to him after that day back then.¡±


    ¡°I hope he''s able to understand your worries for him. Now go and tell him off, little sis!¡± I exclaim while I make a clenched right hand as a cheering sign for Sun-hee.


    We then wave our hands, exchanging our words of goodbye to each other. Once she closes the door, I sit down on the bench, sighing a breath of relief. I probably am having thoughts about my retirement from raiding Labyrinths seeing how I can still help other people with words of encouragement, even if some of those words are exaggerated lies. I wonder who her brother is actually seeing how every S-rank Slayer should''ve made at least one public appearance. Her beautiful facial features remind me of someone I barely know.


    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


    ¡°That felt good. Now''s the time for my sleep.¡±


    As I walk along a hallway, I think about my assigned doctor¡¯s words as he performed a health checkup of me earlier in the afternoon.


    ¡°Even though your physical body doesn''t seem to retain any signs of internal wounds, I recommend you stay at our hospital for at least four weeks.¡±


    ¡°Is it necessary to be that long? I think one week would be enough for my full recovery.¡±


    ¡°Ms Kang Joo-yeon, I''m aware that Slayers, even if they''re of the lowest rank, are more durable than Nons (regular humans). But once I''ve heard the reason why you''re sent here by Slayer Shin, I''m concerned, whatmore puzzled, about how your body is in a fine condition. Too fine, I say.¡±


    ¡°I''m sorry, doctor, but I have no clue on what happened to me back then. I wish I could tell you how I came back with my body being unharmed.¡±


    ¡°It''s okay, Ms Kang. I''m just concerned about your mental health that I feel it''s a necessity for me to observe you longer. It''s for a precaution just in case there''s a possibility of a late side effect that could negatively impact your brain activities. I hope you can comply with this request of mine for the sake of your mental wellness, Ms Kang Joo-yeon.¡±


    I¡¯m just glad that this time my hospital fees are being covered by the Alliance since that''s their way of making up for their mistake. Otherwise, I''ve to worry about Uncle Seung-min exhausting himself with more unnecessary shifts. After my four-week stay, I plan to send in my r¨¦sum¨¦ to any well-known guilds I could do administrative work at. Hopefully I''ll get accepted even if the job they''ll offer is that of a cleaner. For my family''s sake, I mustn''t care about my pride anymore.


    Just as I turn to a nurse¡¯s working station¡¯s left corner, I overhear a grumpy old man¡¯s voice. I hide myself at said corner like the time I did during Jung-han and Chun¡¯s conversation. It''s Jang who still is the same old rude bastard as he¡¯s threatening three nurses to tell him where I''m at.


    ¡°Where is she!?¡±


    ¡°Sir, I suggest you leave¡­¡±


    ¡°How dare you treat a high-ranking Slayer like me as if I''m a sore eye!!¡±


    ¡°Mr Jang, you''re disturbing the other patients. Right now it''s supposed to be their bedtime¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up, bitch! Tell me where that useless healer is!! She''s not supposed to be here!!¡±


    Huh? What does he mean by that?...


    ¡°What''s going on here?¡±


    I turn to see my assigned doctor who purposely readjust his glasses as a sign of disgust on Jang''s unreasonable behavior.


    ¡°You! Are you the doctor in charge of Kang Joo-yeon?!¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am. May I know the reason you''re making a ruckus in a private area?¡±


    ¡°I demand to know where that woman is!¡±


    ¡°May I ask what''s your relationship with her? Judging by your erratic behavior, it seems you''re the abuser that I suggest you leave this hospital at once.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡­do you know who I am?! And who my sponsors are?!¡±


    ¡°No, I don''t know. But I do know that if you don''t leave this place in five seconds, I shall call security to drag your wrinkly ass out of this building. 5. 4. 3.¡±


    ¡°Alright, alright! I''ll leave, but the next time I come back here, you better not be in my way!¡±


    And with that final word said by the old bastard, he leaves with his feet almost stomping like a child with a tantrum problem. I manage to avoid being seen by him as he turn and walk to the opposite corner in front of me. Then, my assigned doctor tell the nurses to not be afraid in putting Jang on the list of visitors banned from entering this hospital. It feels as if that doctor is the owner of this hospital given the way I see him behaving like a competent and confident leader. As soon as they leave my patient room¡¯s entrance door, I hurriedly walk towards my room. I would love to thank that doctor for standing up to Jang even if I wasn''t visible to him at that time; however, it''s been a long day and I really need a good night¡¯s sleep.


    As I open the door, I put my foot inside the doorway and over the threshold when I suddenly feel some sort of kinetic energy flowing through my body. Then, as once I blink my eyes, I find myself in another place which looks like an isolated forest. It looks like I''ve been teleported out of nowhere. I don''t even know if this is the late side effect mentioned by that doctor of mine. For now, I can''t tell what time it is here as the sky above me looks grayish. Not too bright, but not too dark.


    ¡°So you''re the one Elysian chose for her Guideline, huh?¡±


    I quickly turn around to see an elderly man who looks like the typical wizard I see in those fantasy-themed TV shows during my childhood years. I ask him who on earth he is; my voice tone indicates as a demand even though I can feel the same tremble in my hands like what Ms Han did at the Painting Labyrinth.


    ¡°My name is Amergin. I''m here as your judge.¡±

 Level 13 - The Trial of The Weakest Healer

    ¡°Hold up¡­you''re a judge? In fact¡­did you bring me here?¡±


    To think I''m asking this question to a very old-looking wizard in a calm manner has me believing that I''m having a mental breakdown right now. Then again, I''ve to pretend I''m calm as a light breeze since I''ve learnt my lesson of knowing that fear attracts the worst enemy. If Tolkien were alive today, he would''ve been happy to take my place because I don''t feel any hospitality coming from this hatless wizard. It''s worse when he''s frowning at me with that white bushy beard of his.


    ¡°I can feel your mana output is as weak as a snail. In fact, I shouldn''t use snails as a comparison to your weak mana, Kang Joo-yeon.¡±


    I take my words back for I clearly see this grumpy old man doesn''t look scary like the kobolds or the ogres I''ve to run away from. Knowing that he''s not someone to be afraid of, I begin to put on my bravado without the need to pretend to do so.


    ¡°Hey, old man. First, you whisk me off without my consent. Second, what gives you the right to judge me? Speaking about judging, why are you claiming to be ¡°my judge¡±?¡±


    ¡°Ha~~ and I thought you''re able to understand what The Guideline has told you so far. Then again, bards, clerics and druids don''t exist in your world.¡±


    ¡°Wait, wait, wait! You''re bombarding me with too much information I barely know about.¡±


    I wave my hands at his face even though he''s only standing several steps away from me. He gives me another disappointing look from his bluish-green eyes. He has yet to smile, but that''s not what I intend to do. I¡¯m still clueless on what has happened to me that I boldly try to make him indirectly talk about what he knows so far. A stupid plan or not, I''m not gonna stay quiet until I''ve got at least a decent answer from him.


    ¡°Enough beating around the bush, gramps. Who are you exactly? I''m guessing you''re the oldest Slayer I''ve ever met so far.¡±


    ¡°Slayer, huh? So magic users are called ¡°Slayers¡± in your world. I wonder if Shavon is figuring everything out right now.¡±


    ¡°Shavon who?¡±


    ¡°Well if you don''t wanna meet an early death, I recommend you give up, Kang Joo-yeon.¡±


    ¡°Yo, gramps! You''re Chun Sun-woo¡¯s manager, aren''t you? Because you telling me to give up has made me remember him saying the exact same thing to me.¡±


    Actually, I don''t know if Chun needs to have a manager since Slayers aren''t exactly Kpop or Kdrama stars. Then again, a handsome man like Chun would need a manager along with several stylists to do the hair, makeup and whatever S-rank Slayers need to look cool in the public eye.


    ¡°I take it that''s the name of your lover.¡±


    ¡°No, gramps. He''s not my lover. We never met personally. Also, I''m not his type. Also, he''s been taken recently.¡±


    ¡°To think a timid-looking woman like you is this talkative¡­ALSO, my name is Amergin. Not ¡®gramps¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Mr Amergin. Can you tell me exactly what''s going on? Something about an early death¡­¡±


    ¡°Then, Kang Joo-yeon, do you wish to give up activating Elysian''s Guideline?¡±


    So that''s what he meant? Now I''m starting to remember the pop-up messages I''ve read way earlier on. Is this old man implying that the Guideline is a special skill I''m able to use? If that''s the case, then¡­


    ¡°No. I refuse to give up, Mr Amergin.¡±


    ¡°Then, I shall take that answer as a ¡®yes¡¯. Now, let''s begin your participation in this trial I''ve set up for you.¡±


    ¡°Huh? What trial?¡±


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Before I can ask another question, I''m unable to notice I''ve been teleported on top of a hill. Just like what he did back at my patient room, it all happens in a blink of an eye literally. This Teleportation Skill he performs easily on me is indirectly telling me that his magical powers are that of a S-rank Slayer. Speaking about him, I look around frantically as he seems to vanish out of thin air. Mind you that I''m still wearing a hospital gown and have yet to get proper shuteye. And now, I''m forced to participate in a trial that I''ve no idea exists for me.


    ¡°We shall begin the trial, Kang Joo-yeon. Are there any questions you would like to ask?¡±


    I can hear his voice echoing throughout the atmosphere. It reminds me of the time I was in the Painting Labyrinth. I start to wonder if he''s related to the unknown man that I ask a question related to him.


    ¡°When I accepted this Guideline thing, were you there in that Labyrinth?¡±


    ¡°Nope. I''ve been staying in this dimension for almost a millennia. If you think I''m lying, I let you know that I made a truce that I mustn''t leave this dimension. I''ll literally turn into dust if I do so.¡±


    ¡°If you say so, gram¡­I mean, Amergin.¡±


    ¡°I believe you''re gonna regret making this decision, Kang Joo-yeon.¡±


    ¡°Can we get started already? I also believe that if I pass this test, the backup, or whatever is needed, will be activated for the Guideline residing within me, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯ll only happen once you succeed in this trial.¡±


    ¡°And if I fail?¡±


    ¡°Then, the Guideline will be removed from you along with your memories from the time you were in that Labyrinth. That kind of result doesn''t sound bad for a weak being like you, right?¡±


    ¡°Shut up and tell me what I need to do, Mr Amergin.¡±


    ¡°You just have to get me a mistletoe hanging at the edge of the cliff you''re standing on.¡±


    ¡°Without any equipment?...¡±


    ¡°Always be prepared to tackle unforeseen scenarios, Kang Joo-yeon. Wasn''t that Labyrinth being the case for you?¡±


    ¡°That is¡­¡±


    ¡°I''ll give you exactly one minute to reconsider your decision.¡±


    It''s true that I want to forget what happened to me in that Labyrinth, not to mention I still feel sick whenever I remember Jang or Mrs Park betraying me¡­I mean, betraying Ms Han and Jung-han at the last minute. Also, this Guideline feels like unknown territory to me. Not because it may easily bring unwanted attention from the government or the Alliance or both, but because I don''t know what''s gonna happen while I ¡°level up¡± with this level system-like power.


    Maybe it''s for the best that I change my mind. But is¡­is that okay¡­am I okay with myself staying weak¡­for the rest of my life? Should I be satisfied¡­with staying the way I am? Won''t I be a constant burden to them?... To Uncle Seung-min¡­To Jung-han and Ms Han¡­Kang Joo-yeon, is this¡­what you want?


    ¡°Kang Joo-yeon, for the last time¡­have you changed your mind?¡± Amergin asks with his voice still sounding so monotonous. It''s as if he¡¯s feeling pity for me. That kind of feeling from others is the last thing I want to receive.


    ¡°No, Amergin. I won''t change my decision.¡±


    ¡°Well then¡­may you not regret dying in this place, Kang Joo-yeon.¡±


    I don''t know if a judge is supposed to say that sentence instead of ¡°May you be shown with mercy (or something like that)¡±, but this ancient wizard is cold-hearted towards me. Just when I want to make a comeback at that sentence, I hear a loud bang in the sky that suddenly has dark gray clouds looming over me. A thunderstorm is about to take place. Never in my life have I had to get a mistletoe in the middle of a thunderstorm. It makes me think for a moment that this trial isn''t meant to succeed at all. Regardless, I''m determined to pass this test as I immediately tread carefully on this cliff.


    Just when I think I''m able to make it to the cliff¡¯s edge, a lightning strike nearly hits my right side. Then, two strikes on my left. All of a sudden many lightning strikes are constantly flashing in front of me as if I''m in a nightclub where the disco equipment is working well. Too well, I say, and my body flinches when one of them has made me lose my footing. I fall down to my left; the cliff¡¯s rocky ground has my left elbow and forearm get abrasions. I immediately feel the pain caused by my scraped skin. It feels awful that I begin to grunt and moan; but now that I think about it, this pain I have now is nothing compared to the pierced wounds I received in the Painting Labyrinth.


    I quickly get up while I grit my teeth. I start running without thinking about the next lightning strike hitting me. The first meter has me avoiding them with so much luck. The next meter has me feeling a gale which is followed by heavy raindrops. I try not to close my eyes despite the rainfall getting heavier and the wind getting much stronger. Then, a lightning strike hit me. My body is painfully surged with so much electric energy that I scream out loud for almost several seconds. I''m about to faint, but miraculously I grab my knees, lifting them one by one as I trudge onward. At that moment, Amergin¡¯s voice is heard again throughout the atmosphere once that lightning bolt fades away from my body.


    ¡°Kang Joo-yeon, you may not survive the next lightning strike. It''s best that you¡­¡±


    ¡°Give up?! No way am I gonna do that!¡±


    ¡°This is suicide, Kang Joo-yeon. You should know that by now.¡±


    I still trudge with my hands still grabbing my knees as a way to keep me from fainting. These words of mine are being said with the loudest voice I''ve ever made in my life.


    ¡°Just a few more steps, old man! You''ve no idea what I''ve seen in that wretched room! It felt so dangerous, but we couldn''t escape at all!! All because that room is too high-ranked for us!! If you were there, you would''ve been able to find and defeat the mastermind! That''s why¡­that''s why¡­I must have the Guideline! I refuse to stay weak and die without using a skill of mine!!¡±


    I almost start to cry that I quickly wipe off any tears from my eyes even though it could be raindrops landing on them. With a slow deep breath, I sprint towards the cliff¡¯s edge with all my might. One moment makes me feel like I''ve got the same speed as Ms Han; the next moment has me stay vigilant as I avoid the next several lightning strikes nearly hitting me as quickly as I can. Alas, I reach the edge of the cliff as I manage to stop my run on time. I look down to see the mistletoe hanging a few meters from where I''m standing.


    As the thunder makes another booming sound in the sky, I have to climb down quickly but in a careful manner since I don''t have a rope with me. I''m not worried about falling down to death since I can remember the time when I was a part-time bouldering instructor. Despite that job involved teaching newbies to climb without ropes, it was only permissible for a few meters. Nevertheless, that experience of mine is enough to help me to calm down now as I slowly make my way to descend towards the mistletoe. The sound of thunder and lightning keeps happening around me. I flinch whenever a louder one is heard above me, but I try my very best to maintain my focus in placing my foot on the uneven stones stocking out of the cliff. Suddenly, I lose my footing when there happens to be a huge gap between such stones. I can feel that I''m making a shocking face at the moment as I fall backwards. My hearing gets muffled temporarily while my vision is almost blurred by the heavy rainfall still falling on my face.


    In the end¡­I''m gonna die this way, huh? What would you do, Elysian?

 Level 14 - A Resilient Snail

    Just when I think I''m falling to my death, something grabs my right foot. I seem to have fallen through a random tree that happens to be growing on one of the cliff''s sections below. I happen to be lucky to have fallen in its direction; it also has vines that get tangled in my right leg. As the heavy rainfall continues to drip on my body, face, and hospital gown being upside down, I see the old wizard suddenly appearing right above me as he stands at the cliff¡¯s edge. He literally looks down at me while he says these discouraging words to me.


    ¡°You think being brave will let you win in defeating an enemy, but there''s one unchangeable fact you should know, Kang Joo-yeon. That is¡­ the strong always succeed. Bravery doesn''t always work when that strength of yours isn''t enough to take down a kobold. Of course you''re assigned with the healer class, but have you ever made a defensive barrier with your own mana like the other healers? If not, then I don''t see anything good for you to keep going inside the Labyrinths. I ask you once again, Kang Joo-yeon. Do you wish to continue this trial?¡±


    As much as I wanna make a comeback at him, I stay silent which leads him to say more of his discouraging words.


    ¡°And to think a weak healer like you has been chosen to have Elysian''s soul reside within you¡­¡±


    Without a second to lose, I finally say my comebacks to him.


    ¡°Can I ask you a question, Judge Amergin?¡±


    ¡°What is it, na?ve child?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll still keep your word if I manage to get the mistletoe and give it to you, right?¡±


    ¡°I don''t know why you''re¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey, Old Man! It''s either a ¡®yes¡¯ or a ¡®no¡¯!¡±


    ¡°I never break a promise, Kang Joo-yeon.¡±


    ¡°Good! Because I''m almost there!¡±


    I close my eyes to take a very deep breath. Then, I open my eyes, gathering enough determination for my mind to focus on the vines that saved me at the right moment. I bend down, or more like upwards, grabbing them. I carefully balance myself by having my left hand grab a nearby branch, leading me to sitting on it whilst I try to untangle my leg from the vines. I can still see which of the vines I need to descend despite the heavy rain and wind that''s making it difficult for me to maintain my focus.


    ¡°Kang Joo-yeon, don''t tell me you''re¡­¡±


    ¡°It would be good if you don''t say another word, Amergin.¡±


    Once I''ve done untangling and sorting out whichever vines I need as my only hiking equipment. My teeth are having a workout gnawing the necessary vines. I wish I''ve a pair of surgical scissors accidentally slipped into my gown¡¯s pocket though I doubt it would''ve cut the vines that easily. Alas, I''ve cut the most important vine which falls down in the right direction towards the mistletoe¡¯s resting spot. I then proceed to climb down carefully on that vine. It''s a good thing the vine is slightly thicker than the rest of the lot as it endures my body weight despite myself having a petite and scrawny body.


    Though the rainstorm keeps blurring my vision, I''m able to see whatever is in front of me. Some moments later, I can see that the mistletoe is within my arm¡¯s reach. The wind is as strong as ever as it''s making the vine I''m holding onto get unstably swayed sideways. Nevertheless, I''ve managed to put my foot onto the small rock where the mistletoe is located. I quickly grab and pluck the mistletoe from the almost narrow spot with my right hand; my left hand grabbing the vine firmly. I start to climb back up as fast as I can but still with a bit of cautiousness since I mustn''t drop this mistletoe. One slipup and I''ll be falling down to the ground below, turning into a crushed watermelon.


    As I make my way to ascend back to the cliff''s edge, a strong gust of wind is making the vine swaying sideways once again. This time, its swaying is worse as it''s swinging me in an erratic manner. I never think that I''ll encounter another worst-case scenario in such a short time, but my body has been slammed against the escarpment a few times already. I can feel agonizing aches and bruises since I barely got any muscles on my body. Just when I lament the lack of workouts in my lifestyle, the stormy wind has blown its full force upon my body, sending the vine forcefully swinging in the direction of a circle for a whole minute.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    As if bad timing isn''t enough, my right ankle gets twisted when I instinctively use it as a brake pedal for my body against the escarpment. I''m determined to not let either of my arms get broken which may lead me to forcefully let go of the mistletoe. I''ve succeeded on said goal, but right now, my right ankle hurts so bad that I let out grunts and moans for several moments. As the crashes of thunder continue to surround and somehow overwhelm almost all of my senses, I quickly proceed to continue climbing up the vine, gritting my teeth to endure the pains caused by my twisted ankle.


    Another howling gale forces the vine, which I''m still holding on, to swing wildly. While it''s giving me headaches, I''m still able to hold the mistletoe until my right arm gets crushed on part of the escarpment. I can''t help, but let out a loud-pitched scream. It¡¯s bad luck enough to get two serious injuries ever since the ones I''ve got from the Painting Labyrinth. I grit my teeth once more; my breathing becomes heavier as I start to pant a lot to endure another agonizing pain. It seems that only the whole left side of my body is able to move as it does all the heaving the weight of my body upwards. Miraculously, because of my fatal injury on my right arm, my whole hand becomes so numb that I''m still able to clutch the mistletoe.


    ¡°Kang Joo-yeon, for the last time¡­. At this rate, you''re gonna be plunged to your death.¡±


    ¡°To think you''re worried about a weakling like me, gramps!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m warning you. You can''t endure the pain from your injuries any longer.¡±


    The way he speaks his last sentence with a concerned tone in his voice has made me believe the one fact I never thought of believing from the start. I close my eyes to take a very deep breath. Then, feeling determined one more time, I force my right arm to lift up the mistletoe and have my teeth shred the right sleeve of my hospital gown. I guess I shouldn''t feel surprised that I''m capable of shredding a cloth with my teeth that easily. After all, I, a Slayer of two years with barely enough mana flowing within my body, am still stronger than a Non.


    It''s a good thing the wind isn''t blowing strong anymore now as I make my right thumb hold on the end of the cloth. And which again I force my right arm to move closer to my mouth where I''m still biting the cloth¡¯s other end. My mouth carefully manages to wrap around the mistletoe three times. Just when the wind starts to blow stronger and the lightning strikes back around me, I grit my teeth as I endure the pain of moving my right arm one last time. My right hand grasps the wrapped mistletoe; then simulating how a baseball is thrown, my whole right side moves swinging in a full circle for around ten times. At the tenth swing, I throw the wrapped mistletoe with all my arm¡¯s strength. I can see it''s flying upwards with whatever mana energy I put around it, but I somehow pray that it lands right at the edge of the cliff where Old Man Amergin is still standing.


    Finally, it has landed right next to his wooden staff. Just then, one of the lightning strikes coincidentally manages to snap the vine I''m holding on to. I''m sure I''ve made a shocked look to the old judge above me when I actually start to fall down to my death. I¡¯ve no choice, but to look upwards regardless of my vision going back and forth between blurry and clear. And yet, I suddenly don''t feel any pain from my broken arm and twisted ankle. Instead, it''s the same melancholic feeling I experienced when I made my decision in helping Ms Han and Jung-han escape from the Painting Labyrinth.


    I guess you could say I''ve no regrets falling to death since I¡¯ve managed to pass the trial already. Old Man Amergin never explicitly says I must physically be up there with the mistletoe. Alas, I slowly close my eyes with my subconscious believing I''m having another peaceful sleep. The raindrops still keep falling down on my face. Suddenly, I don''t feel any raindrops because I can''t even hear its pitter-patter sounds; even the lightning has stopped making crackling sounds in the cold air. The only thing I can hear is a singing choir or more like, a young man singing a heavenly-tuned solo. I¡¯ve to open my eyes as I no longer feel my body is falling downwards.


    If Uncle Seung-min were to see a sort of heavenly light shining in the clouds above me, then his faith as a believer would be worthwhile for him. Anyway, I see someone has grabbed my whole body, somewhat carrying me in a bridal style. When the dark clouds dissipate and let the sunlight in, I see a young man with long silvery hair and his eyes being heterochromia; his left being dark blue; his right being bright green. I don''t know how I can recognise him that quickly, but this is Old Man Amergin staring at me with those aesthetically attractive eyes and his face not having a beard at all.


    ¡°Darn it¡­I''ll still call you ¡°gramps¡±. Were you¡­putting on an¡­illusion¡­the whole time?¡±


    ¡°You suicidal brat¡­I didn''t say you have to kill yourself¡­¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­your rule didn''t say¡­I''ve to be¡­physically present¡­with that¡­ingredient¡­¡±


    It feels odd that I''m relaxed at how I''m talking at a slow pace, though that''s expected after my whole body has experienced so much physical injuries. I consciously smirk at Old Man Amergin while I¡¯m having this conversation with him.


    ¡°So¡­Judge Amergin¡­did I pass¡­or fail¡­since you¡­just saved me¡­from falling down¡­¡±


    ¡°Can you be quiet now, Kang Joo-yeon? I¡¯m bringing you to a safe ground now.¡±


    And so he does that. He sort of flies up to the top of the cliff to have my injured self laid there carefully. Then, he proceeds to use his healing magic on me; its glowing light looks like the color of a shamrock. I feel at ease as my injured body slowly heals for another recovery.


    ¡°You should''ve had this look¡­from the start, gramps. Then again,... it''s pointless if¡­you did that for me¡­¡±


    ¡°You''re still talkative even after you nearly killed yourself. Then again, your teeth have proven the fact that you''re a resilient snail.¡±


    ¡°Hey¡­are you really¡­not related to Chun? You could be¡­his hyung (older brother)¡­who dares to¡­ diss me¡­calling me¡­a snail.¡±


    ¡°It''ll be good if you stop talking, Kang Joo-yeon. I need to concentrate, okay? I can see why Ellie chose you. You''re prepared to accept the consequences of your decision. Just like her¡­¡±


    ¡°What do¡­you¡­¡±


    It''s futile as I really can''t stay awake much longer. I''ve many questions to ask that he must answer at least one, but to no avail, I''m unable to do that since all my energy has been drained completely. It''s as if his healing magic is making me feel sleepy. I''m about to shut my eyes for good when this old man looks at me with a sort of melancholic look in his heterochromic eyes. I wonder if Chun can look like this if Seo Jae-in got injured badly.


    ¡°But still, Kang Joo-yeon¡­I hope you don¡¯t change too much. Otherwise¡­you''ll lose yourself if you desperately rely on the Guideline.¡±


    ¡°Gramps¡­you worried¡­too much¡­I remember my past so that¡­I can handle whatever¡­is happening in the present. I don''t want to see the future, okay?¡±


    ¡°Is that a personal request?¡±


    ¡°Hmmm¡­well¡­I just wanna know the past¡­not the future¡­which I''m able to change¡­with to¡­day¡­¡±


    And then, I slowly close my eyes though I can remember hearing this last sentence from him.


    ¡°I trust you to not let yourself be ruled by the Guideline. You must rule over it, Kang Joo-yeon.¡±

 Level 15 - Daily Task Requirement

    Once again, I''m in a familiar situation where I''m looking up at a ceiling that doesn''t belong to my house, but a hospital one. I groan as I get out of my hospital bed, unconsciously stretching my arms upwards; my hospital gown looks clean and neat as if I never got dirty and tore one of its sleeves. I never imagine I can still feel this tired after a wake-up though that''s because of that sudden trial I had to participate in. I guess it wasn''t a dream after all as I''m seeing the Guideline showing up right in front of my eyes right now. Its notifications make the usual ¡®ding¡¯ sound after each sentence it shows to me.


    [Welcome, Kang Joo-yeon.]


    [The revisioned Guideline has been officially reactivated.]


    [With the required assistance from Amergin the Judge in fixing the error that has occured, the ¡°backup soul¡± Elysian is ready to help you obtain your physiological needs through your given tasks.]


    [Please wait for your given tasks that''s currently being processed and sorted according to the revisioned Guideline¡¯s regulations.]


    I wonder why the word ¡®revisioned¡¯ keeps on being mentioned to me. I''m not sure if I can trust the old man. Then again, if he was an enemy, he wouldn''t have saved me, right? Also, his eyes¡­


    ¡°I wonder why he was alone in that place,¡± I mumble to myself as I solemnly think about his beautiful eyes indirectly telling me that he misses (probably late) Elysian. Before I can think about his relationship with her any further, someone knocks on the door of this patient room.


    ¡°Ms Kang Joo-yeon, may I come in?¡± a female voice, who could be one of my assigned nurses, asks me.


    ¡°Yes, you may,¡± I reply with a bit of a high-pitched voice that indicates my nervousness even though I should know nobody else can see the Guideline that''s still visible to my eyes.


    As expected, it''s the same young nurse who was berated by Jang last night. She pushes a three-tier trolley where each slot has a food tray. She places one of them as mine on my bedside table, letting me know this is my first breakfast at this hospital since I woke up. I thank her hospitality regardless of the fact she''s doing part of her duty as a nurse. She then proceeds to leave immediately. I assume she has to send the other food trays to another patient room that''s quite far from where I''m at.


    Speaking about breakfast, I do hope Uncle Seung-min was eating well since the past several days I''m not at home cooking for the whole family. Sure Uncle Seung-min is able to cook, but I''m a bit worried for the next whole month that he''ll get tired easily, knowing he''s working part-time at the gym and probably another one without my knowledge. I sometimes wish Ga-young learned how to cook, but as feminine and pretty as she is, she somewhat has a ¡°taste bud defect¡± that one time she made the whole samgyetang dish as salty as the sea. It was wasted when we had to bury it in the backyard.


    Alas, Uncle Seung-min decided not to force his own daughter to learn something she''s not really good at. Also, it''s because Ga-young is more interested in becoming a fashion designer seeing how she has actual talent for it. I guess this is even seeing I''m constantly (and indirectly) told that I suck at drawing stuff, particularly a person''s face. It''s probably for the best that all the cooking is done by Uncle Seung-min. The ingredients aren¡¯t getting cheaper so we''ve to make sure nothing goes wasted. I can only pray that he¡¯s got enough strength to take care of his health and that Ga-young and Gi-young are on their best behaviors.


    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


    ¡°Ms Kang, you do know I''m a doctor¡­not a moneylender,¡± Doctor Han says while he makes a perplexed look on his face. It must be his rectangular glasses emphasizing the ¡°How did this happen?¡± kind of look at me.


    As embarrassing as it is, I can''t help, but feel the need to stuff myself with a few more trays of food. It isn''t even lunchtime yet, but the cafeteria at the hospital''s ground floor is crowded with patients and visitors along with some of them being the hospital¡¯s employees. It''s odd how two pieces of french toast, a huge piece of roast chicken, a few rolls of kimbap and a bowl of seaweed soup weren''t able to make me feel full. It comes across my mind that it must''ve been last night''s incident that has led me to desperately ask Doctor Han to pay for the food served at the cafeteria for me.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Doctor¡­but I never bring my wallet to the labyrinth raids I went to, especially when many times I''ve to abandon my jackets to the Beasts grabbing them.¡±


    ¡°And yet you brought your smartphone on that day¡­¡±


    ¡°I needed to send a ¡°I''ll be fine.¡± message to my uncle before I left it at the Alliance''s concierge area.¡±


    Thankfully, I did before I met Jung-han at that street though I can''t imagine how much my uncle panicked the day I went missing. It was also no point to bring your modern-day belongings inside a Labyrinth which will make you lose them too easily.


    ¡°That''s understandable, but today you should''ve called your uncle¡­¡±


    ¡°I don''t wanna give him any more stress about my stay here. I would appreciate it if you keep these additional expenses from him, Doctor. I¡¯ll pay you back someday.¡±


    ¡°I''m not gonna be a cruel debt collector so rest assured, Ms Kang. I know you''ll do so soon. I''m just glad you still have an appetite after experiencing that event. Actually, it''s hard to believe a woman like you can eat this much.¡±


    I too find it hard to believe that I''m eating so much before lunchtime officially started, but I guess it''s okay to treat myself once in a while. I''m more glad they serve shandy canned drinks here because I really need a refreshing drink after surviving another ordeal the old man has forced upon me. Speaking about him, I realize that because of his healing magic, my teeth don''t feel sore right now. I remember almost breaking some parts of them while I had to gnaw some of the vines.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Man¡­do I have to say thanks when I meet him again?¡±


    ¡°What did you say?¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­it''s nothing, Doctor. I was thinking about an old man whom I must meet again.¡±


    ¡°I didn''t know your grandpa is still alive today, Ms Kang.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­he''s not exactly my grandpa, but he''s really, really old, I tell you.¡±


    Doctor Han gives me a confused look. I can assume he''s surprised to hear a youngster having a great-grandparent when the term ¡°ancestor¡± is a more appropriate label to refer Old Man Amergin.


    ¡°So it''s really happening, huh?¡±, one of the people at the cafeteria says aloud. ¡°It¡¯s about time the Slayers Alliance should give their permission in producing those robots with the mana of an S-rank.¡±


    I turn around to see what that person is looking at. On the TV screen, it shows some special news segment about some famous politician shaking hands with a scientist seeing how he''s dressed in a lab coat and behind them says ¡°Maorga Inc.¡±. The two men smile at each other while many cameras take a photo of their handshake to each other. A female newscaster reports about the scene shown to the channel¡¯s viewers.


    ¡°With Candidate Noh Tae-hwan¡¯s signed agreement to be the main sponsor, Professor Kim Gun-jae of Maorga Incorporated promises the public that the day of having many S-rank Slayers will come true. Despite the leaders from the Slayers Alliance having yet to allow the implementation of their mana being put into the durable robots Professor Kim has made, the public majority agrees that there''s nothing unethical with AI having a Slayer''s powers¡­¡±


    ¡°Will those robots of his be able to withstand such strong magical power being put inside of them?¡±


    ¡°I don''t believe many civilians like us will agree to this life-changing decision.¡±


    ¡°Haven''t you heard about the nine S-rank Slayers that went missing a few months ago? It''s a matter of time before our country loses more of them.¡±


    ¡°But I don''t know if trusting robots handling with that much power is a safe idea.¡±


    ¡°The Labyrinths are getting more unpredictable, you know. I''ve seen a shocking rumor on the forums I went to recently. A very recent Labyrinth was supposed to be an E-rank, but it turned out to be a S-rank. Half of our country''s S-rank Slayers were in Busan and the others were busy clearing the same-ranked Labyrinths near Seoul. If only the Alliance let lower-ranking raid teams have at least one of Professor Kim¡¯s AI having the power of an S-rank¡­¡±


    As much as their reason for supporting AI replicating a high-ranking Slayer''s powers is plausible, I''ve to agree with the vocal minority that this idea is not only unethical, but it''s also dangerous. It also leads me to a possible worst-case scenario where a higher-ranked humanoid Beast is able to take full control on these robots that the only way to defeat them is to request the world''s only three SS-rank Slayers to work together. It''s unknown if that scientist who''s playing God has successfully made his robots sustain the power of an S-rank.


    ¡°Those men never give up in pursuing a dangerous idea, huh?¡±


    This is unusual for Doctor Han to disagree on something because I often thought people around his age would give in to such idea if it involves humanity¡¯s safety amongst the spawning Labyrinths.


    ¡°I hope it doesn''t come true,¡± I reply to his level-headed words. ¡°I don''t think I can handle another powerful Beast with a strong control ability.¡±


    A quick flashback of the Painting Labyrinth¡¯s massacre on the raid team I was in has made me show my disgusted look to Doctor Han. I must''ve frightened him with it that I''ve to quickly say these words.


    ¡°I''ll be heading back to my room. Thanks for paying for the food, Doctor.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­sure. It would be for the best if one of your family members brought your wallet soon. I''m a doctor for other patients, you know, especially around this hour for the next month.¡±


    I give Doctor Han an agreement nod. Before I take another step, he alerts me to take my last canned shandy drink being held in his hand. As soon as I touch the canned drink, some sort of memory suddenly shows up in my mind. Coincidentally at the same time, my fingers touch his own ones. In the memory I''m seeing, he¡¯s on a phone call in his office.


    ¡°In fact, Slayer Shin heard her heart beating at a normal pace. That means Kang Joo-yeon is telling the truth, Slayer Yoo.¡±


    Is that his memory? Am I looking into the past?


    As stunned as I am, I try my best to keep a straight face in front of Doctor Han. I calmly take my canned drink from him before I say my ¡°See you around, Doctor.¡± sentence. Then, once I turn my back towards him to walk away from the cafeteria, I let out a sigh of relief that my doctor doesn''t suspect anything suspicious about me; especially when I somewhat have the ability to read someone''s memory.


    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


    ¡°To think the old man is giving me this kind of skill¡­,¡± I mumble to myself in my patient room. Lunchtime is over already and I can hear the footsteps of the hospital¡¯s employees pacing two and frow outside my room¡¯s door. I really should stop talking unconsciously to myself because if someone with bad intentions finds out about this Guideline I''ve got, all eyes will be on me if I ever get exposed by that someone. Anyway, I''m figuring out what other skills the old man has given me besides this one


    [The skill ¡®Memory Reading¡¯ has successfully been implemented in this revisioned Guideline by Amergin the Judge.]


    [You obtained the title ¡°Memory Reader¡± due to your success in its usage of reading someone''s memory.]


    Reading memories, huh? Is this because of what I said to him? He should know I was talking gibberish¡­or do I really want to know someone''s past that badly?


    It gets me wondering why I want to experience such a thing. I did remember yesterday that I was searching up whatever article is related to druids. One of them is that druids can foretell the future. Hence, it''s odd why I don''t have that kind of skill, and whether it''s a good idea for a druid like me to see only memories. What''s more is that I can do this without anyone knowing about it. But, I''ve to be careful of accidentally making physical contact with a Slayer, especially a high-ranked one like Slayer Shin whom I just learned has super hearing ability.


    How did Uncle Seung-min know his ability? I doubt this is public info and since superhearing isn''t a physical display to see with your eyes.


    ¡°Ha~ whatever. It''s difficult to figure out everything I want to know today. I need a very long nap as a proper rest. My brain shall work fully afterwards.¡±


    Just when I sit down on my bed, another notification from the Guideline alerts me. This time, it''s about something else and I can''t believe this kind of task is coming from the old man himself.


    [You have 1 unread message from Amergin the Judge.]


    ¡°Confirm to read the message.¡±


    [Message opened.]


    [Daily Task Required for Participant Kang Joo-yeon''s Physical Strength]


    [Kicks - (0/100)]


    [Punches - (0/100)]


    [Pull-ups - (0/100)]


    [The participant will receive a necessary penalty if the given task fails to be completed by midnight.]


    This old man has got to be insane. I don''t recall having to participate in a boxing competition. I''m not even a man, and if I were, I would be willing to try out at least one physical activity. Plus, I''m designated with the healer class so I don''t understand why I have to complete this kind of task.


    ¡°The old man should give me a task that will reward a healing-related skill,¡± I mumble, or more precisely grumble, to myself just for this occasion. ¡°Why the physical strengthening that¡¯s obviously meant for Chun, Jung-han, and Slayer Shin? I''ve had enough of thinking for one day. If you can hear me, gramps¡­I feel more exhausted after meeting you. Don''t you dare wake me up for the next ten hours, okay?¡±


    And so, I plop myself down on the bed, pulling the blanket over me. That should be the last time I remember having a proper rest except I was na?ve believing the old man would just leave me alone for at least one whole day.

 Level 16 - The Sanction Zone

    ¡°That darn old man!!!¡±


    Just when I think I have enough nightmares coming true, here I am being teleported against my free will to this unknown place where the desert is blue and the reddish sky is experiencing a sunset that has the sun¡¯s color being bright purple. This unfortunate event is happening just because I ignored my first given task provided by the Guideline.


    Two hours ago, at exactly midnight, I woke up from a peaceful slumber. I felt the need to go to a nearby bathroom to freshen up. I got out of bed to proceed to walk there and the next thing I knew was the sight of blue-colored sand appearing below my feet. I took a full look around me, and realized I''m in another dimension because there''s no such thing as a purple sun back in my world.


    Before I could finish my sentence of dissing Old Man Amergin for whisking me away without my consent, I saw a huge shadow looming over me. I turned around to see a giant black scorpion, clicking its pincers as if it''s wanting to catch me as their food source. This creature¡¯s height is probably three times greater than the walls of Gyeongbokgung. Suddenly, the Guideline¡¯s notification showed up in my eyes saying¡­


    [For your inability in completing the daily task, you''ve been sent to the Sanction Zone as a necessary penalty.]


    [If you want to participate again in ¡®The Restart Program¡¯, please survive in the Sanction Zone until the time limit is up.]


    [Time Limit: 3 hours]


    [The countdown to the time limit begins now.]


    [2 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds]


    And two hours later, here I am running away with all my might from the giant black scorpions. The reason why I refer to the creatures with a plural form is that after thirty minutes, another one pops up from beneath the blue sand. So now I''ve got four huge predators chasing after me. It''s bad enough that I''m sweating buckets under the purple sun. My hospital gown is getting wet because of it.


    ¡°I don''t remember scorpions living in Ireland!!¡±


    I know Old Man Amergin isn''t in this place, but the thought of him is starting to get on my nerves; more like he''s deliberately making himself my enemy. I don''t understand what on scorching earth he''s thinking of making this survival scenario as my punishment for not doing those hardcore workouts meant for men like him. Now, I''ve to keep on running for another hour. And sure enough another nasty scorpion surfaces from the sand thirty minutes later.


    I thought that old man needs me alive! Just because I refused to do the workout, that doesn''t mean he should implement this punishment for me! Also, why choose scorpions?!


    ¡°At least let me know what rank they are, you cold-blooded old man!!¡±


    Another bad timing has occured to me though that''s probably due to my carelessness in closing my eyes while I cuss the old man. As a result, I trip myself; the sand almost blinding my eyes and giving my taste bud too much saltiness. I cough several times because the sand overwhelms my sense of taste. Then, I realize that I should¡¯ve got up, enduring such awful taste because the familiar looming shadow is showing up behind me once more. I turn around to see all five scorpions staring at me. Their pincers are clicking louder than ever. Them making hissing sounds isn''t even helping me to calm my nerves.


    Just when I''m thinking that this is another absurd trial given by the old man and that I''m facing my death once more, I suddenly have been teleported back to my hospital room, seeing the time limit notification saying ¡°0¡±. I let out a sigh of relief because I did see the scorpion group''s leader, who is the biggest of them all and who showed up last, about to strike me with its huge tail. Luckily, I¡¯ve landed on my bed; otherwise, Old Man Amergin owes me another batch of hospital bills for a broken back despite him not being the usual regular person carrying regular currency.


    As I catch my breath with heavy panting on the bed, I hear the Guideline''s notification and I nearly beg that darn old man not to give me another trial right now. My eyes are a bit blurry to see the notification, but I try my very best to make them stay wide open. I manage to read the messages it''s showing to me before I pass out into a deep sleep due to the exhaustion I''ve in my body now.


    [Welcome back, Kang Joo-yeon.]


    [You''ve successfully become The Restart Program¡¯s Participant again by surviving the Sanction Zone.]


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    [Please wait for your extra reward that will arrive within the next 12 hours.]


    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


    ¡°So this is the reason you called me to bring your tracksuit here?¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­thanks for bringing this from my room. Sorry to make you come all the way here during your summer break.¡±


    I never expected myself to call Ga-young to bring my black-and-white tracksuit, along with my own wallet in case of additional food expenses, that was bought during my school days. It should still fit my body since I¡¯m still the same height and size as back then. It''s already awkward enough that we barely talk to each other about anything except household duties. I bet, while she was on the way to my room, most of the hospital employees are grateful this awkward meet-up happened because her slim body, long brown ponytail and hazel eyes with naturally long eyelashes still amazes me. I sometimes doubt myself being related to her seeing how I''ve an okay-looking physical appearance. As I grab the bag holding my tracksuit and wallet, Ga-young suddenly starts a heavy conversation with me.


    ¡°How are you acting as if nothing bad has happened¡­?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Once Dad found out you went missing the next day, he went to the Alliance''s headquarters here, demanding some of the strongest Slayers to find you immediately. It''s bad enough that he stayed at the front entrance for the next two days after his request was ignored.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡­Your dad didn''t tell me he did that...¡±


    ¡°He doesn''t want you to feel guilty about his temporary fatigue. It would be great for all of us if you stop slaying monsters or whatever you''re doing at those dungeons.¡±


    ¡°Uhm¡­Ga-young. You forgot that I''m a healer¡­so technically¡­I can''t slay any Beast¡­¡±


    ¡°Who cares what you are¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh! But I''m retiring from being in a raid team. I''m gonna apply for work at a guild probably as an assistant or so¡­actually you''re mad that I ruined your special dress, righ¡­¡±


    ¡°THAT''S NOT WHAT I MEANT!!¡±


    This is the first time she yelled her loudest to me. It¡¯s a relief we''re not in a public area of this hospital, but I can''t deny some people here would''ve heard her angry yelling. Sure she did the same when I was unable to heal Uncle Seung-min, but this time it feels different. I can''t figure out the reason why she has shouted like this and when I¡¯m trying to think, she makes a heavy sigh and says these unusual words to me.


    ¡°Never mind. You''ll never understand. Just don''t do anything stupid that''ll make dad pay attention to you. See you then.¡±


    And with her cold-looking back turning suddenly to my sight, I feel a sudden chill that she''s disappointed in me. Once she walks away out of my sight, I begin to feel more confused about what she has said to me. I admit I''m still na?ve, but I''m not oblivious to the fact that she hates me for doing a dangerous job; or is it because of something else that I don''t know? But definitely I think¡­


    ¡°She really is mad about her ruined dress, huh?¡±


    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


    I wish the reward from my Sanction Zone would be another rouge dress for Ga-young.


    As I''m doing the daily task that should''ve been a workout for Slayers who are of the fighter or rogue class, my mind is filled with the thought of Uncle Seung-min going so far to starve himself all because I temporarily disappeared without a trace. I should''ve asked Ga-young what he was up to nowadays, but by the looks of the heavy atmosphere between us earlier on, it''s best I ask myself the next time I meet Uncle Seung-min. It''s a good thing we were able to send Gi-young to his elementary school¡¯s summer camp. He doesn''t need to know about my near-death incident and that Ga-young looks more upset than ever.


    I just hope the household atmosphere will be easy to breathe for Gi-young once he comes back next month. He may be twelve years old, but he somehow is able to read the room and knows some of my secrets I kept from Uncle Seung-min like the day I got a huge bruise on my stomach because a Wolpertinger gave me a hard kick when I accidentally stepped into its territory. I didn''t expect that rabbit-hybrid creature to be that strong though that should''ve been expected for me having not that much mana output for my body¡¯s durability. Speaking of durability, I''ve just finished my first day of the daily task.


    [Daily Task for Participant Kang Joo-yeon''s Physical Strength]


    [Kicks - (100/100)]


    [Punches - (100/100)]


    [Pull-ups - (100/100)]


    ¡°And I did all of this in two hours¡­even if I were a man to begin with, I''m really as slow as a snail,¡± I say my complaints out loud after I drink a full water bottle. ¡°If I ever meet him again, I shall cuss him for this unnecessary task!¡±


    ¡°Mommy, that lady is talking to herself.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t look, sweetie. That''s not normal, okay?¡±


    I''ve forgotten that I''m still in a public area and that the hospital¡¯s playground is where I''ve to do the intense workouts, especially for the pull-ups where I¡¯ve to use the monkey bars. And when they say this workout style is very difficult for women, they''re right because I thought my arms were gonna break from pulling myself upwards despite having a scrawny body. At this morning hour, a lot of children, whether or not they''re the patients, are playing here. I seem to be drawing a bit of attention as I''m the only person in my 20s in this area doing the workouts.


    I don''t know which scenario is more embarrassing. Me doing the workout at an area that''s catered to children or the fact I seem to wet the blankets on my bed with my enormous amount of sweat I got from the Sanction Zone. I think it''s the latter as I really want to keep the Guideline¡¯s existence a secret for as long as it is. The blue sand was visible on the blankets that I had to quickly open the window to shake off the evidence. As I''m trying to cool down my reddish cheeks, the Guideline''s notification appears in my sight and sound saying¡­


    [Your rewards for completing the daily task has been processed.]


    [Would you like to receive it?]


    And so, my mind does the thinking of inwardly typing [Confirm]. The following sentence has made me feel astonished that I''m getting these important ingredients. I wonder if the druid subclass is under the healer class because this skill can only be available for the alchemist subclass.


    [You''ve received ingredients to make a low-grade Healing Potion.]


    [1. Mistletoe]


    [2. Windblume]


    [3. Thyme]


    [You may proceed to create the low-grade Healing Potion.]


    Okay. Now this is a skill related to healing abilities. I only thought alchemist Slayers are the only ones capable of mixing stuff with their chemistry-making skills. So far, healers in this world are the only ones who can cast healing magic. For making a healing potion, they don''t have this magical attribute within them. Is this what I get for accepting the Guideline? I should''ve immediately asked the old man how much he knows about its origins.


    ¡°I''m getting more curious than ever about this power I got.¡±

 Level 17 - An Invitation to a Spontaneous Labyrinth

    I almost forgot that my reward from surviving in that isolated blue desert will be sent to me according to its promise of arriving twelve hours later. Probably because I felt relaxed while having a cooling shower and a heavy two-people lunch after a difficult workout. Once again, I''m being reminded that the Guideline is a ¡°level system¡±. In fact, I wonder if I should''ve played those RPG stuff half of my classmates used to be interested in. I remember my teenage self wasn''t able to do such leisure activities since I was occupied in getting income from my part-time jobs. Then again, I wasn''t that enthusiastic in playing online games, especially the ¡®VR ¡°whatever letters that come next¡± thing.


    At least I know some basic elements regarding RPGs thanks to Gi-young watching those anime adaptations of those fantasy stories where the ¡°level system¡± just pops up in front of a medieval-looking character like it''s a natural thing to appear in that kind of era. Occasionally, he asked me to watch with him so that he can praise his favorite characters in front of me. It was quite difficult to suspend my disbelief that an electronic-looking window is considered ¡°natural magic¡± in that fantasy world. It was more ridiculous when I watched some of them becoming a special magic for those who got transported from a modern-day world.


    Regardless of my teenage self being unimpressed with these stories having an obvious wish fulfillment concept, I think for once my endurance in watching them has finally come to use now. Believe it or not, the Guideline is making those magic-themed stories come true seeing how it''s still appearing in my eyes. Now, it''s notifying me that I''ve got an unread message. My mind inwardly types [Select to Read] and then, out pops a message regarding my profile or, more like ¡°Status Window¡±, being officially confirmed.


    [Official Profile of The Restart Program''s Participant]


    [Name: Kang Joo-yeon]


    [Level: 1]


    [Title: Memory Reader]


    [Class: Healer]


    [Subclass: Druid]


    [HP: 120]


    [MP: 20]


    It really depicts those video game interfaces I''ve seen in those anime adaptations. And there''s this most important info that makes up the majority of how a ¡°level system¡± displays its characteristics.


    [Stats of Kang Joo-yeon]


    [Agility: 1]


    [Vitality: 1]


    [Endurance: 1]


    [Strength: 1]


    [Luck: 1]


    [Available points from completing the daily task: 10]


    Points from the daily task? I think I remember the protagonists in those video game worlds putting those points into their stats. Even if that''s the way the old man can implement such power input within my body, there''s no need for a Sanction Zone. Can''t he just let me do the workout at my own pace? I wish he wasn''t strict with it being a daily task requirement.


    ¡°Ha¡­well, there''s no point in complaining about something that I can''t control. So how should I distribute my points?¡±


    I better think carefully despite this kind of decision may seem menial to others. And so, I look up at the forums on my smartphone, particularly on a site where RPG stuff is constantly talked about. I can see that most of them are avid gamers, including players who are beginners in starting one of those specific video games. Their comments really showed their enthusiasm in this pastime of theirs.


    Hey, guys! What''s the best way to level up my character¡¯s wizard class?


    Is there a way to reduce the cooldown of my warrior¡¯s special skill?


    How about teaming up three characters who are the healer class with the other two being of the fighter class?


    And under that comment talking about healers, I make a comment, with a pseudonym and an email account that I use for bargaining or selling stuff I don''t need in recent years, asking an indirect question about the Guideline''s power residing within me.


    Does anybody know which stat should be maximized for the druid class?


    Druid? What is that?


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Doesn''t that only appear in Western RPGs?


    Well I don''t think there''s a druid class existing in any of the games made in South Korea. So yeah like ¡®The Welder Souls¡¯ where that specific class exists.


    Again, I ask a more specific question about the leveling up of a druid.


    There''s ¡®Agility¡¯, ¡®Vitality¡¯, ¡®Endurance¡¯, ¡®Strength¡¯, and ¡®Luck¡¯ for this druid character I''m playing. So which one of them is the most important to put my points at?


    It should be ¡®Luck¡¯, right?


    Bad idea. Putting many points in that kind of stat is very risky. Do you really think those admins would always apply a Deus Ex Machina for healers with a high luck stat? That would be too predictably boring. Put all the points in ¡®Vitality¡¯. A healer must have maximum health at all times. Otherwise, how is a druid gonna heal if their health reaches zero?


    I say ¡®Agility¡¯ should be emphasized more because I think healers need to dodge any offensive attacks that''s meant to kill them.


    But surely, ¡®Endurance¡¯ is quite important seeing how healers must not get exhausted too easily while running away from the enemy.


    Guys! You forgot that ¡°survival of the fittest'''' quote is often right in the games we play. Hence, ''Strength¡¯ must be the most important thing even for a healer.


    Don''t think so. I never see a healer needed to fight back in the RPGs I''ve played so far.


    Don''t they have a mace as their weapon choice? Then again, healers don''t have combat skills at all.


    Are we still talking about RPGs or what''s happening in real life?


    I think my second question has led the entire chat group talking about Slayers and the subclasses they''re classified in. Of course the healer class not having any subclass in this world still remains true except the fact I''ve got an existing subclass because of the Guideline within me.


    Actually, believe it or not, I think there''s the law of nature that healers aren''t supposed to kill anyone, especially humans. I''ve read the news that a B-rank accidentally stabbed one of her raid members when a Beast was gonna kill her. Straightaway, she went into an epileptic shock or something like that.


    Did she die later on?


    No, she didn''t because her teammate survived from that stab wound.


    What!? Is that true?


    So that means¡­if that teammate died from the stab, she would''ve died too!?


    I guess you can say that healer Slayers shouldn''t kill anyone if they want to live a long life.


    Where did you get this info? I don''t remember seeing it on the news.


    I happened to be amongst the bystander crowd outside a Labyrinth¡¯s gate. I witnessed that shocking reveal. I''m sure they kept this fact a secret because they wanted to protect the healers¡¯ rights and safety.


    So Slayers who are of the healer class can''t even do self-defense against a Non too?


    Yeah, so I guess whoever is of the healer class better not run into a group of bloodthirsty murderers. Plus, healers barely got any offensive skills at all though being an inquisitor is worse since their mana output on such skills seem to be weak as opposed to being used in defensive ones.


    Guys, why are we suddenly talking about Slayers in an RPG forum?


    Because their powers are almost similar to the video games we''re playing now.


    Surprise me if some of those subclasses¡¯ powers are original themselves that our video games don''t even have their details.


    Guys, is it okay to talk about what the Slayers Alliance is hiding from the public view? Don''t they have a good reason they''re doing so?


    I''m sure none of us are psychopathic stalkers who want to hunt healers. After all, don''t we have the right to know everything that''s happening in the new world we''re living in now?


    As they prattle on about how they envy anyone who ¡°gets chosen¡± as a Slayer, I log out seeing how my innocent question has already made the whole forum turn into a gossip which I''m not fond of wanting to know unconfirmed info. At least I''ve learned that I too should be careful not to encounter bad-tempered high-ranked Slayers. Also, the users¡¯ comments on each of my stats make sense. That''s why I¡¯ve decided to put the majority of my points into¡­


    ¡°So ¡®Endurance¡¯ it is.¡±


    [Stats of Kang Joo-yeon]


    [Agility: 2]


    [Vitality: 2]


    [Endurance: 7]


    [Strength: 2]


    [Luck: 2]


    [Available points from completing the daily task: 0]


    I wonder how long I need to do this daily task every single day. Anyway, at least I know I¡¯m not physically strong like Jung-han. I''m definitely not agile like Ms Han. Luck is Ban¡¯s specialty though that''s due to her intuition being heightened because of her subclass. And for ¡®Vitality¡¯, it''s possible that Chun possessed such an attribute that can resist any damaging attacks inflicted on him.


    Besides, I know that my body is able to keep on running away from any enemies who want to eat me. That should include the Sanction Zone incident where I was able to endure the fatigue in that scorching desert for three hours. I''m taking the safe path to put the majority of the daily task¡¯s accumulated points into an attribute that my body is most familiar with. Then, I hear the familiar ¡®ding¡¯ sound of the Guideline¡¯s notification message. As expected, it''s the extra reward from completing a task in the Sanction Zone.


    [You have obtained the {Lightning Control} skill as your extra reward.]


    [Please confirm your extra reward.]


    Lightning? Is it because I got struck by it during that trial? I guess that should mean I''m lightning-proof¡­right?


    ¡°Regardless I can''t be choosy about the skills the Guideline or gramps is giving me. Might as well have something for me to use as self-defense at least. [Confirm.].¡±


    [The skill {Lightning Control} has been implemented within Kang Joo-yeon''s ¡°backup soul¡±.]


    Right after I¡¯ve confirmed my very first skill, another of the Guideline''s notifications shows up. I must have been astonished while reading the next message because I never knew that the Guideline can control something powerful like this; or more accurately, it can ¡°process and sort out¡± supernatural places like the Labyrinths for example. Specifically, it''s doing that just for me.


    [You have been invited to the first Spontaneous Labyrinth where a particular item will be rewarded after the Labyrinth is cleared by you.]


    [The event will take place after the countdown is over.]


    [Please decide whether to ¡®Accept¡¯ or ¡®Decline¡¯ the invitation before the start of the event.]


    [If you do not reply within the time limit, the revisioned Guideline will automatically accept your reply as ¡®Decline¡¯.]


    [Please take note that the invitation is extended to the Restart Program''s Participant only.]


    [Countdown for Kang Joo-yeon''s Invitation to the Spontaneous Labyrinth: 3 days 12 hours]


    This is the first time I''ve heard a Labyrinth being a different kind. The word ¡®spontaneous¡¯ next to it is implying that it''s not the usual Labyrinths I went to. The usual ones have a time limit to be cleared within three days. Otherwise, the Beasts will come out of the Labyrinth''s gate. We call it an Upsurge when that worst-case scenario happens. This Spontaneous Labyrinth seems to be passing over the time limit despite its own naming.


    The feeling of hesitation creeps within me and yet, I feel that if I don''t accept this mysterious invitation, I might miss out on getting an important item that would help me become strong. Thankfully, the time limit for making my decision should be enough for me to think about it. It also gets me deciding if I should ask a calm and capable Slayer to come with me into this special-like Labyrinth.


    However, the Guideline is indirectly telling me that I''m going on this Labyrinth raid alone. It''s a solo raid and the thought of it worries me because I still remember that I''m a healer without any combat skills. That lightning power I''ve just received may backfire or worse, will stop working in this next task of mine. Also, the Guideline still needs to be kept a secret for me and my own family¡¯s safety. There''s only one way I need to calm myself down.


    ¡°I''ve to start making those healing potions. As many as I can make¡­¡±

 Level 18 - Not Gonna Regret

    [The low-grade Healing Potion has been completely crafted.]


    [You have used up the ingredients to make the low-grade Healing Potion.]


    [Please restock them by completing the ongoing daily task.]


    ¡°I know, Mr Guideline, but don''t you think 100HP is too little for a low-grade potion?¡± I mumble to myself in my hospital room after I''ve just completed making my fourth low-grade Healing Potion. ¡°Then again, I''m an F-rank Slayer so it makes sense that I''ve a very low HP of 120.¡±


    It''s the fourth day of doing my daily task given by the Guideline. And today is the day I must reply whether I should accept or decline the invitation to another unknown Labyrinth. As usual, I put the majority of the acquired points into ¡®Endurance¡¯.


    [Stats of Kang Joo-yeon]


    [Agility: 5]


    [Vitality: 5]


    [Endurance: 27]


    [Strength: 5]


    [Luck: 5]


    [Available points from completing the daily task: 0]


    I''m aware that having a well-balanced stat is recommended to be put into practice, but I¡¯m not changing my mind. In fact, I won''t regret putting many of the points in the attribute my body is compatible with. I feel envious of Ms Han, despite having an ordinary subclass, is able to run so fast for her rank. Many Slayers, including myself, even acknowledged her as the fastest D-rank Slayer. I can only dream about getting the chance to run the same speed as her.


    After having a shower at this hospital, I put on a new pair of clothes, which I bought yesterday from one of the nurses who ordered online and found out later on they''re too small to fit her. Luckily, the clothes, which consisted of pink-colored plaid boxer shorts and a black long-sleeved shirt, fit my petite body. It was coincidental that I had just enough cash in my wallet to make the payment to her.


    I was gonna go into the Spontaneous Labyrinth wearing my tracksuit, but seeing how I need it for my daily task, it''s best if I wear a new set of clothes. I feel a bit embarrassed wearing shorts, but I couldn''t ask if she bought long pants. That might sound rude as it indirectly questions her choice in clothes. Besides, I might run faster in them than my usual jeans. After I dress myself up with the new clothes, the Guideline''s notification appears in my sight. Unsurprisingly, it''s a reminder message to me.


    [The deadline of ¡°Kang Joo-yeon''s Invitation to the Spontaneous Labyrinth¡± is 10 minutes.]


    [Please decide your reply before the deadline.]


    At this moment, I''m reconsidering my decision to go inside this unknown Labyrinth. After all, I never get any hints on what kind of Beasts I''ll encounter there. The quick flashbacks of the Painting Labyrinth start to send chills down my spine. I flinch when I remember what the unknown man sounds like. He sounded like he was having fun with us, especially me. It doesn''t help that his voice has a similar tonal range as Chun, whom I heard at least one sentence in one of those guerilla interviews some unethical reporters do without letting the S-rank Slayers they''re on live broadcast.


    Surprise me if the unknown man turns out to be Chun¡¯s long-lost evil twin though I''ve no clue on what he looks like. Anyhow, I think I won''t be missing anything important if I miss out going into the Spontaneous Labyrinth. In fact, I want to play it safe regarding the Guideline.


    Just when I''m about to inwardly say [Decline], my phone suddenly rings. I answer the call and it turns out to be Gi-young whose voice range almost reminds me of Slayer Hong. At least I must remember that Gi-young is experiencing puberty now.


    ¡°Hello? Are you there, Joo-yeon noona (term endearment for a younger male calling an older female)?¡±


    ¡°I''m here, Gi-young. I thought you''re using this phone call to your dad or Ga-young.¡±


    Apparently, the students at Gi-young¡¯s school are allowed to make one phone call every week from their summer camp¡¯s location. It''s already been a month since he went there. I''m a bit surprised that he¡¯s using this week''s phone call for me.


    ¡°Well, Joo-yeon noona, if you don''t mind¡­I hope you can talk with my classmates¡­¡±


    ¡°Hello, Ms Kang Joo-yeon! This is Gi-young''s homeroom teacher! We''re hoping you can answer some of my students¡¯ questions about yourself being a Slayer.¡±


    I widen my eyes with feelings of astonishment for I never expect Nons to be keen in knowing about low-ranking Slayers, especially those who are the same rank as me.


    ¡°Hello¡­ there,¡± I reply with a bit of hesitation in my greeting though I try to have my voice regain a normal pace in having the conversation with Gi-young''s teacher. She sounds as enthusiastic as Gi-young''s classmates greet me joyfully in the background of this phone call. ¡°Is this part of Gi-young''s classwork at the summer camp? What kind of topic did you give him?¡±


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    ¡°Oh! That¡¯s right! I ask my students which dream they remember seeing as a good sign. Unexpectedly, Gi-young dreamt about you, Ms Kang Joo-yeon.¡±


    ¡°Uhm¡­I''m sorry, but I don''t understand what you''re saying, Teacher.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right, right! Gi-young shall explain more to you along with the rest of us. Well, I never knew that I would have a conversation with a Slayer until now.¡±


    ¡°Teacher, do you know my rank?¡±


    ¡°Hmm? I don''t know, but who cares about that? Besides, Gi-young told us you''ve been a great support in the raid teams you were in for the past two years.¡±


    ¡°Hey, hey, Big Sis! Is it true you healed Gi-young''s knee injury with your own magic?¡±


    ¡°Hold on, Min! I want my question to be answered now! Joo-yeon unnie (term endearment for a younger female calling an older female), Gi-young told me you''re way prettier than his rude older sister.¡±


    ¡°Of course she is! Her voice even sounds pretty here!¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­Gi-young, that''s not nice of you to talk behind your (actual) older sister''s back.¡±


    ¡°But it''s the truth, Noona.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, what''s this dream you have of me?¡±


    ¡°Noona, you have to believe that you''ll be stronger someday. The dream I had of you was you were holding a long sword while standing on top of a high-looking rock in front of those gates from the Labyrinths. You were looking like Joan of Arc in there!¡±


    As absurd as it sounds, it feels like that kind of scene Gi-young had in his dream may come true since I''ve got this Guideline implemented inside my body that''s gonna help me ¡°level up¡±. I think I''m making a smile now once I listen to Gi-young telling off, in a cheeky manner, his classmates not to bombard me with so many questions about my magic powers of a Slayer.


    It''s been a long time since I made a genuine smile. It''s probably because I¡¯m experiencing a comfortable and wholesome conversation with other people. I''m getting asked all sorts of questions, especially about healing magic that only healer Slayers can have.


    I often experience rankism from most of the Slayers I met that I won''t be surprised the Nons will treat me the same. I guess young children are the exception and that Gi-young¡¯s teacher possibly grew up in an unprejudiced environment.


    ¡°Teacher Lee!¡±


    A young man¡¯s voice is heard in the background of this phone call. I notice the sound of a strong breeze is also heard.


    ¡°It''s time for your students to get on the bus.¡±


    ¡°Alright. We''ll be there,¡± Gi-young''s teacher, Ms Lee, replies with a loud voice before switching to her voice¡¯s normal tone to talk to me. ¡°Sorry, Ms Joo-yeon. We''ve to go to a strawberry farm as part of the students¡¯ homework. Thank you for answering this phone call. We hope to hear from you soon.¡±


    The phone call ends with Gi-young and his classmates saying goodbye to me with their cheerful voices. As my right hand still clings on to my smartphone, I ponder about my decision to not go into the Spontaneous Labyrinth. Once again, the Guideline''s reminder about it appears in my sight.


    [The deadline of ¡°Kang Joo-yeon''s Invitation to the Spontaneous Labyrinth¡± is 5 minutes.]


    [Please decide your reply before the deadline.]


    Gi-young and those kids believe a Slayer becoming stronger is possible. It''s been twelve years and there''s no such case of a Slayer being able to increase their mana naturally. Despite that I''m replying with this word.


    ¡°I don''t want to run away anymore.¡±


    [Accept]


    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


    ¡°I''m really not gonna regret this, am I?¡±


    I realize that mumbling or talking to myself seems to be my coping mechanism in maintaining calmness within myself. Just like inside the Painting Labyrinth, I feel a similar anxiety and dread in venturing into the unknown.


    ¡°Actually, how do I get to the Spontaneous Labyrinth? That old man shouldn''t leave me not knowing anything¡­¡±


    As I think about whether or not I''m well-prepared, I hear a notification from the Guideline. It''s about the Spontaneous Labyrinth with another one following up about an available weapon that I''m allowed to bring inside there.


    What¡­weapon?


    [The Spontaneous Labyrinth will appear in 3 minutes.]


    [The revisioned Guideline has detected a weapon in the participant¡¯s possession.]


    [Please state the name of the weapon to clarify the revisioned Guideline''s detection.]


    In my possession? I don''t remember any¡­wait¡­could it be¡­


    I remember the flashback of my participation in one of the earlier raids. I barely survived from being attacked by harpies. Their claws left so many scratch marks on my arms and back. My shirt also experienced being torn with those claw marks. I thought I was gonna die from being impaled by those sharp body parts. It was a miracle a D-rank elementalist has an affinity for fire. If he didn''t have it, I would''ve been clawed to death.


    ¡°It''s a good thing I left my jacket outside the Labyrinth¡¯s gate.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you don''t need to see a high-ranked healer to treat your wounds, Joo-yeon?¡±


    I turn my head to look at a worrying Jung-han who again protected me for a while from some of the harpies¡¯ attacks. It was hard for me to believe this teddy bear-like Slayer is the strongest C-rank tanker.


    ¡°I''m fine, Jung-han. They''re not deep wounds¡­ouch!¡±


    ¡°I knew it! You really are reckless, Joo-yeon. I wish you would stop being¡­Ha¡­¡±


    ¡°I understand your feeling of upsetness, Jung-han. But you know about the financial situation my uncle got duped into and that''s when I decided to be the other breadwinner.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but that''s not why I''m upset¡­¡±


    I stared at Jung-han who was frowning more than usual. I dislike seeing other people than my family to be looking like this because of my avoidable injuries. Thus, I put on a bravado attitude as if I''m literally the life of the party (raid team).


    ¡°Then, I shall receive a penalty from you.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Hmm~ in other words, I will treat you to an expensive coffee if I¡¯m able to save someone from the raid team.¡±


    ¡°That doesn''t make any sense.¡±


    ¡°It''ll make sense once I prove I''m not weak anymore in your sight, Jung-han.¡±


    ¡°You''re smiling while saying that¡­It''s kind of embarrassing me.¡±


    ¡°Oh ho~ so I managed to make the strongest C-rank tanker feel fuzzy inside, huh? Are you saying I look cool saying these cheesy lines to you?¡±


    ¡°Joo-yeon! Stop¡­¡±


    I laughed like what a cheeky teenage girl does after teasing her friends with her sneaky words. I couldn''t care less about the other raid members looking at me like I''ve gone mad.


    ¡°If that''s the case, I can''t stop your own free will on doing this, Joo-yeon. Instead, promise me you''ll carry this when I''m not by your side or when you really think you need it.¡±


    I saw Jung-han getting something from his left side. He pulls up an iron shield which looks like a Viking shield given the similar pattern it has on its cover.


    ¡°Is that your shield?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and it''s yours now.¡±


    ¡°But why?...¡±


    ¡°You need at least a protective weapon to help you if you have to go through a Labyrinth alone. That is if that were to happen and I got a feeling you will do that someday. Promise me you''ll stay safe, Joo-yeon.¡±


    And this sort of heartwarming flashback ends when I inwardly say [Iron Shield]. Then, the Guideline''s notification makes another appearance.


    [You have confirmed a battle item called ¡®Iron Shield¡¯ that is part of your storage.]


    Storage? Like the inventory those RPGs have?


    [You are about to be transported to the Spontaneous Labyrinth in¡­]


    [5]


    [4]


    [3]


    It''s really happening, right, Old Man Amergin?


    [2]


    I hope I''m not gonna regret this!


    [1]


    As expected, I''m being whisked away inside the Spontaneous Labyrinth once a bright yellow light engulfs me. I can imagine anyone coming into my hospital room right now. Hopefully they will not panic seeing my phone and wallet on my empty bed whilst I''ll be gone missing for at least a few hours.

 Level 19 - My First Kill

    ¡°I can''t believe this place is THE Spontaneous Labyrinth¡­¡±


    Right after I''ve landed on solid ground, the glowing light disappears, revealing a theme park in my sight. The fact a banked turn of a rollercoaster is meters above me proves itself being a theme park. I can also see familiar-looking places along with the big machines of public entertainment. The glass-made rooftop is showing the bright crescent moon that somewhat serves as my additional light source. The interior of this Labyrinth is glowing an aquamarine color, presenting itself with an otherworldly atmosphere in my eyes.


    Is this Notte World? The very famous theme park that was a popular topic during my high school days?


    While I''m looking round this alternate dimension of Notte World, I hear and see the Guideline''s notification showing up with messages that explain the purpose of my invitation to this famous place in Seoul. My inner thoughts are filled with anxiety and doubt in between the Guideline¡¯s notifications popping up.


    [Welcome to your solo raid in the first Spontaneous Labyrinth, Kang Joo-yeon.]


    The first? You mean there are more Spontaneous Labyrinths? What''s actually going on, Old Man Amergin?


    [You''re given the Special Mission - Clear the Spontaneous Labyrinth Alone.]


    This is a joke, right? Alone¡­? But I''m only a healer¡­


    [The E-Rank of the Spontaneous Labyrinth - Notte World has a time limit of 3 hours to be officially cleared by the Restart Program''s Participant.]


    I''m glad it''s an E-rank, but 3 hours¡­ I think I need to¡­


    [From here on, the participant cannot leave the Labyrinth until the final Beast has been slayed.]


    Final Beast? I need to know what rank it is¡­


    [If you have a Getaway Stone, you may proceed to use it to leave the Spontaneous Labyrinth.]


    That stone¡­so this Guideline is the same one mentioned by that unknown man!


    ¡°Old Man Amergin, if you can hear me¡­¡±


    [Another option to withdraw from the Special Mission is to request Amergin the Judge to teleport the participant back to safety during mid-raiding.]


    [Please note that the particular item after slaying the final Beast is a rare item that''s not found in the participant¡¯s homeworld¡¯s Labyrinths.]


    Wait¡­this is another reason why it''s called ¡®Spontaneous¡¯??


    [The revisioned Guideline wishes Kang Joo-yeon to finish this Special Mission with success.]


    [Time limit: 2 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds]


    I ponder again whether or not I really should go ahead doing a solo raid in a Labyrinth that''s somewhat not connected to my world. However, it''s saying that I can get a rare item that cannot be found in any of the usual Labyrinths my world has. I still remember the phone call I had with Gi-young earlier on. He sounded proud when his classmates and homeroom teacher sounded excited having the phone conversation with me. This makes me determined to not disappoint them if I¡¯m still the same weak Slayer having the lowest rank.


    And so, I depart from my standing spot. I keep on walking in this otherworldly version of this famous theme park. The lampposts keep on flickering along with the sound of some spooky wind echoing occasionally in this empty theme park. I still keep on walking like this for fifteen minutes, passing by closed restaurants. And yet, I¡¯ve not seen any Beasts in sight. I don''t wanna run out of time if I''m unable to encounter the final Beast before the deadline.


    Just when I think I''m not lucky to find one, I hear a familiar growl that sounds disturbing to me. I turn around to see a kobold showing up behind me at this walkway. Its drool is about to make a huge pool beneath his feet. My body trembles at the sight of its glowing golden eyes, looking at me being its only food source. I thought I was prepared to encounter risky scenarios since I recently regained my determination to become strong, but I was wrong. I never try to align my mental health with my physical one properly. The flashback of the previous kobolds attacking me has come back to break me down.


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    As expected, the hungry kobold comes running at me. Before it can slash me with its claws, I suddenly remember Jung-han''s gift for me. Him giving away his iron shield to me led him to get an oak shield against the ogres back then. Anyway, I quickly inwardly say [Iron Shield] and it appears in my hands in the most sci-fi way. Similarly to those portals in the Painting Labyrinth, it materializes itself digitally with the sound of electricity overlapping the kobold¡¯s growls at me. The Guideline''s notification pops up in my sight, nearly distracting me as I try to get into a proper defensive position.


    [Weapon Item ¡°Iron Shield¡± has been summoned.]


    [Grade: D]


    [Attack Power: 20]


    If I''m still alive after this dangerous mission is over, I want to meet Jung-han again soon, properly thanking him for all the times he''s helped and saved me. With a determined look on my face, I calmly face the frenzied kobold despite still feeling the fear resonating within my body. Finally, when it lunges to pounce on me, I, with my eyes shut, firmly hold the iron shield, covering my head. Never will I hold an important item half-heartedly like what I did at the Painting Labyrinth. But I think the reason why I''m able to hold properly is that my strength power is increased with the given points from the Guideline.


    I brace for impact from the kobold''s offensive moves on me. It slashes my shield, making a loud clang sound that almost deafens my ears. I feel the strong air current from the clash of its canine-like claws and my shield that eventually slices a nearby lamppost on my right. The kobold falls down with a loud thud backwards. Its whimpering indicates that the initial blow it made on my shield has literally backfired to itself.


    I quickly open my eyes to see it''s having a hard time to get itself back up due to the hard impact from my shield. I don''t know why I''m hesitating to move my shield to bash the kobold''s head, but I''m thinking of the worst cases of serious consequences if I were to kill this kobold now.


    Is it alone? How do I know no other Beasts are watching me right now? Also, what if a hoard of kobolds are just waiting behind the restaurants and will ambush me once I kill their probably weakest member?


    Despite these questioning thoughts in my head, the Guideline''s notification is acting as a reminder for me in the midst of my constant thinking to make decisions.


    [Time limit until the Spontaneous Labyrinth expires: 2 hours 30 minutes 59 seconds]


    And then, the kobold is able to get back on its feet just when I think about hiding myself since the Guideline never explicitly says I need to kill every single Beast in this Labyrinth. Also, there are several cases where killing the final Beast is enough for the Labyrinth to close itself. It''s just that Slayers want to collect many mana stones as sellable valuables from the lower-ranked Beasts.


    Be that as it may, a Slayer is needed to be capable of killing every low-ranking Beast even if it''s in an E-rank Labyrinth. For my case and the circumstance I''m in right now, I''m unable to do what the Slayers normally do. This is the first time I acknowledge that as the weakest healer of this world, I must use underhanded tactics.


    The kobold is attacking me with continuous clawing towards my shield. I''m about to lose my grip on my shield as its attacks get more intense after each slash. With all my might and strength, I swiftly dodge its last clawing attack. The kobold is taken by surprise by my sudden quick reflexes that I use this chance to slam its head for the last time. It falls down backwards again. Its face looks so disoriented that I waste no time in putting my right foot down on its neck, blocking its airway.


    Without further ado, I bash the kobold''s head as many times as I can with the iron shield in my hands. Each heavy blow, along with each loud grunt I make, makes its blackish-red blood ooze out from its cracked head. I stop at the tenth time because there is no reaction from the kobold. I lift up my bloodstained shield to see the kobold''s face unrecognizable; its tongue sticking out; its eyeballs flatten out like tofu; its snout consists of mangled flesh.


    My left hand has half-dropped the shield. I pant heavily at the grisly sight I make of the dead kobold''s face. My heart beats unevenly fast. I trip and fall down with my butt on the ground. I''m about to faint as my vision is becoming blurry now. But alas, I regain my memory of the reason why I''m here in the first place. I give myself a hard slap on my right cheek, indirectly reminding myself that this is how the world of Slayers works. It''s either you kill the monster or the monster kills you.


    I must ignore the uncomfortable feeling of directly killing a Beast. But, I must also remember it''s not something to be proud of though I''m not killing Beasts for trophy hunting. Anyway, the dead kobold is officially my first kill. It''ll be a very rare case for a healer-type Slayer being able to kill a Beast with a weapon that needs to receive a strong mana output from the Slayer. That is if anyone else finds out about my secret of having the Guideline.


    Whilst I try to regain my composure and determination once more, I''m taken aback once I realize I was able to dodge a kobold''s attack just now. I''m also surprised that I can lift this iron shield even with both of my hands; not to mention, it feels lighter than the time Jung-han gave it to me. A moment later, the Guideline¡¯s notification makes its appearance in my sight.


    [You have slayed an E-Rank Beast - Kobold.]


    [You''ve earned 638 XP from slaying it.]


    [Your overall profile has been updated due to your level being renewed.]


    I didn''t know I could earn this much experience points from killing one kobold. It really feels like I''m playing an RPG right now. So my profile¡­


    [Name: Kang Joo-yeon]


    [Level: 2]


    [Title: Memory Reader]


    [Class: Healer]


    [Subclass: Druid]


    [HP: 235]


    [MP: 25]


    My HP and MP has increased its maximum amount. I''m a Level 2 now. So if I go to each new level, everything will increase, huh?


    Then, I look at the Guideline¡¯s other pop-up window that shows my current overall stats.


    [Stats of Kang Joo-yeon]


    [Agility: 8]


    [Vitality: 8]


    [Endurance: 30]


    [Strength: 8]


    [Luck: 8]


    The Guideline has added three points into each of my stats after I reached a new level. I guess I can''t choose where to put the points into the stats I want. It seems it''ll be automatically distributed like this from a Special Mission unlike the daily task. So this is the proof that the Guideline is making me physically stronger.


    While I don''t expect to be at the same physical strength as a male Slayer like Jung-han or Slayer Shin, this is at least an improvement for a weak Slayer like me, particularly with the assigned class I''m stuck with for life. I notice I''m smiling as if I did something great for once in my life. I acknowledge that uncomfortable feeling of killing something still lingers within my mind, but the positive feeling is overshadowing my negative thoughts. I don''t know if it''s gonna be my coping mechanism from now on, but I think it''ll come in handy because right now¡­


    ¡°I can see there are more of you, huh?¡±


    A hoard of kobolds, no more than five, creep up behind a few meters away from me. They''re probably angry that I''ve bashed their kin to death. With a very deep breath I make, I get up from my sitting spot. Once again, I hold the iron shield with both of my hands with a look of unwavering determination on my face. All five kobolds charge to lunge at me. Surprisingly, I''m not scared of them seeing how I keep remembering the Painting Labyrinth being the only scary Beast I''ve met so far.

 Level 20 - Explosion Potion

    [You have slayed an E-rank Beast - Kobold.]


    [You have slayed an E-rank Beast - Kobold.]


    [You have slayed an E-rank Beast - Kobold.]


    [You have slayed an E-rank Beast - Kobold.]


    [You have slayed an E-rank Beast - Kobold.]


    [You have earned 4688XP from slaying five Kobolds.]


    [Your overall profile has been updated due to your level being renewed.]


    [Name: Kang Joo-yeon]


    [Level: 4]


    [Title: Memory Reader]


    [Class: Healer]


    [Subclass: Druid]


    [HP: 420]


    [MP: 38]


    [Stats of Kang Joo-yeon]


    [Agility: 14]


    [Vitality: 14]


    [Endurance: 36]


    [Strength: 14]


    [Luck: 14]


    I try to catch as many breaths as I can despite myself being tempted to throw up due to the stench of oozing blood from the kobolds¡¯ contorted bodies. I''m trying my very best to calm down and endure the unpleasant smell from my killing of these lower-ranked Beasts. Some of them managed to leave a few claw marks on my shirt¡¯s sleeves. My shorts are about to turn a dark red because of their splattered bloodstains, not to mention, my iron shield is getting cruddier.


    I never knew my evasive skills could be improved with the daily task assigned by the old man. While I was facing the five canine-reptilian hybrids, I was able to dodge most of their attacks on me. Probably because it felt like I''m in a boxing match with them. I guess the shadowboxing I had to do for the past few days was worth it. Once I get up from my sitting spot, I hear the Guideline''s notification. I look more surprised while I read its messages to me; what''s more the dead kobolds'' bodies suddenly disappear in an electrifying light.


    [You have earned the ingredients to make a low-grade Explosion Potion due to your continuous leveling up within the first Spontaneous Labyrinth.]


    Who would want to have a potion that''ll explode? It sounds so dangerous to have¡­


    [You are able to make three units of the low-grade Explosion Potion with all the acquired ingredients you''ve received.]


    [1. Mistletoe]


    [2. Windblume]


    [3. Kobold''s Scales]


    [4. Kobold''s Blood]


    [5. Rosemary]


    I wonder why it''s mentioning the specific number for this Explosion Potion to me. I speculate the Windblume ingredient is from another dimension like where the old man is at. I never knew these specific body parts of a kobold are flammable. I guess there''s nothing wrong for me to make them right now.


    As I inwardly type [Proceed to Craft All of Them], the Guideline obeys my command with its next notifications.


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    [Crafting of three low-grade Explosion Potions¡¯ duration: 18 minutes]


    Just when the Guideline''s notification disappears from my sight, I hear a familiar bird-like cry. In fact, I''m hearing several Beasts making such intimidating sounds. My body remembers to run as fast as I can away from where I stand because these are another group of Beasts that I was wounded in the previous raid where Jung-han gave me this iron shield. They''re harpies.


    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


    [Time limit: 1 hour 59 seconds]


    I have to hide from the harpies finding and killing me at first sight. I should''ve gone into the 3D cinema, but halfway, I saw one of the harpies¡¯ silhouettes nearby so I took the nearest entertainment machine which is this carousel. It''s a good thing the Guideline lets me keep my bloodstained iron shield back into the storage it set up for me; otherwise, it''s difficult to hide quickly while holding such a heavy item.


    I think for once I''m glad to have a petite body. The painted wooden horse next to me shields me from their eyesight akin to an eagle. I inwardly ask about how much time left before the completion of my Explosion Potions. The Guideline responds with this notification to me.


    [Crafting of three low-grade Explosion Potions¡¯ duration: 6 minutes]


    That means as long as I stay here for the next six minutes, I''ll use one Explosion Potion to kill at least a few harpies. That way¡­


    Out of the blue, loud carnival-esque music starts to play that makes the carousel I''m on start to move itself. The wooden horses move up and down to the beat of the music. I try to stay calm as I still crouch down, deciding not to stand up since I''ll get spotted easily. Unfortunately, that''s a bad decision I''ve made because the carousel¡¯s lights have turned on moments later. As expected, I can see the harpies have spotted me. My eyes met their scary black-golden eyes. It doesn''t help that it''s a group of five flying above me.


    Then, once the music stops playing, two of them dive towards me. I skip backwards to dodge their sharp beaks and claws. Another two suddenly appear on my right side that I nearly avoid getting clawed or slapped by their huge wings as I duck-roll to my left. The last one makes a hypersonic scream from at least several meters away from where I''m at. I''ve to cover my ears from being bleed by its awful sound. It lasts at least several seconds before one of the others kicks me in the stomach.


    I kind of fly backwards like I did at the Painting Labyrinth; my back hits against the nearest metal pole that''s connecting the carousel from top to bottom. The pole has been bent at a near 90 degree angle. Fortunately, I''m not coughing blood as my body has somewhat become durable thanks to the accumulated points being given by the Guideline for this Special Mission. If it didn''t, I would''ve gotten broken bones by now though I get a feeling I''ll have one if I get slammed by one of the harpies once more. Plus, the Guideline notifies me that my HP is at 280. I can''t believe one flying kick on me cost me a third of my HP.


    I must think fast on how to defend myself since I don''t think I''ve got enough mana output to form a very strong defensive barrier for myself. Just when I start to make a choice in subduing my flying enemies, two swoop in to claw me once more. I roll over quickly to my right, avoiding their probably strongest slashes so far. The metal pole¡¯s other end has been smoothly cut by those slashes. It drops and rolls towards where I¡¯m at. As much as I''m not given any assurance that I could instantly kill them, I decide to do a reckless act.


    I quickly grab the fallen metal pole, which I''m glad it''s as thick as the baton used during my highschool¡¯s relay races, and swing towards one of the harpies that want to bite my neck. I¡¯ve surprised myself seeing the metal pole I''m using has injured it. I can hear broken bones coming from its flying body. It falls down, clutching its ribs with both of its wings. Luckily, the metal pole has the same length as a golf club so that it can reach that vulnerable body part.


    ¡°So who wants to go second?¡± I ask them with a smug look despite them not being able to speak a human language. But their response to me is an obvious sign of them being enraged with my self-defense technique. All I''m doing is channeling my mana output like what every Slayer has been doing for any original weapon they own. Like how Ms Han did with her rapier; Jung-han with any shield he owns, or Chun did with his claymore.


    Conventional weapons were out of the question since there were many news reports that those weapons self-destruct without warning during the earlier years of fighting the Beasts living inside the Labyrinths. Some scientists try to implement the magic powers of a Slayer inside the conventional weapons, but alas, they too died in sudden incidents that have the weapons self-destruct when they did the experiments. The last one had half of Seoul city caught in the fire literally that it took three whole days to put it out. Immediately, the government proceeded to ban and refrain from using the army and their conventional weapons. I guess, like what was said in the forums, this is the second law of nature¡­well more like the supernatural that lets Slayers become the new national security from then on.


    It might be a miracle that I can channel enough mana output on a stick that''s not a proper weapon. Then again, that doesn''t mean I''m special though I''m an exception because of the Guideline residing within me. Only a Slayer of the fighter or rogue class can channel mana on a non-weapon object. Just that it''s hard to control your attacks that will injure people nearby and destroy public property. Healers can only channel their mana output either to make a defensive barrier or as expected, heal injured Nons and Slayers. That can be considered the third law of nature of a healer Slayer using their magical powers.


    ¡°Regardless¡­it''s a good thing that I can use a blunt weapon to injure all of you.¡±


    And so, four of them let out a sort of battle cry before flying towards me. The injured one seems to endure the pain as it immediately flies towards me. Somehow my running got faster than usual though my speed is still low in comparison with Ms Han¡¯s running ability. I hop over the carousel''s gated fence, and run straight towards a kid''s indoor playground.


    Inside the area, there are plastic-made statues according to certain children''s storybooks like ¡®Alice in Wonderland¡¯. I hide by the side of the titular character, but it only lasts a few seconds as one harpy flies around, spotting me easily again. It dives down with both of its feet of claws aiming at me. I duck to my right avoiding them; its scraping leaves almost a huge dent on the Alice statue. I swing my metal pole many times, but I can''t make a lucky hit like I did with the injured one. Unlike my endurance in fighting the kobolds earlier on, I feel like in a minute or so, I''m about to lose my consciousness. I hear the Guideline''s notification. I read to see that I''m in luck on time.


    [The three low-grade Explosion Potions have been crafted completely.]


    [Please state how many you want to summon for usage.]


    As much as I want to use all of them now, I might need the other two to kill the final Beast. That''s why..


    [One]


    As usual, an engulfing light of electricity appears around my left hand. The explosion potion, in the form of a covered conical flask containing an orange liquid, has materialized itself digitally.


    [Weapon Item ¡°Low-grade Explosion Potion¡± has been summoned.]


    [Grade: E]


    [Attack Power: 35]


    I start to think carefully while I''m swinging my blunt weapon and keeping my distance from the harpies. It''s still difficult to stay alert that I don''t trip over the other plastic statues. It''s getting harder to fight back in an enclosed area like this indoor playground.


    Will it be enough to kill at least a few of them for now? Harpies are upper E-rank Beasts that are faster and stronger than kobolds. If I''m gonna stay alive, I need all of them to stay together till the end. One of them would have tried to attack me with their hypersonic scream, but I''m speculating that if they try to do that in an enclosed space here, their hearing will be deafen with so much pain. If that''s the case, it''ll make them feel disoriented, risking their vulnerable body exposed to my metal pole. But I''m running out of breath and getting slower the longer I keep running away now. That''s why¡­


    I stop and turn around to face three harpies lunging themselves towards me. I¡¯m able to hurl the metal pole almost like a boomerang towards them three. The other two fall down backwards when the three collide with their backs against them. Without wasting any second, I throw my low-grade Explosion Potion towards them. I quickly duck and take cover at a nearby huge table that has a cave between its legs. While inside, I quickly summon my iron shield on time for the sound of explosion leads to setting off a fairly huge shockwave.

 Level 21 - Talos the Bronze Titan

    I should''ve known I''d lost consciousness for about half an hour. It''s a good thing I was able to drink one low-grade Healing Potion just a few seconds before the impact of the explosion that knocked me to temporary sleep. My HP bar is currently at 100. My body did receive a higher physical damage by the shockwave even though the painful feeling isn''t as bad as a harpy¡¯s kick to my stomach. The black smoke is still surrounding me. Even after wiping my face with my sleeve, I think the soot from the explosion will still be visible on some parts of my face. But how I look isn''t important right now.


    Suddenly, I hear a crack in my shield. I put it down to see how badly damaged it is. Luckily, it''s just a medium-sized crack though I must be careful in using it against the final Beast. I somewhat digitally put the shield back into my storage. Once the black smoke has finally dispersed completely, I see almost the entire inner playground has been covered with charcoal-like patterns of blast waves caused by my Explosion Potion.


    While looking around to see how much damage that kind of potion has done, I see five burned bodies which I instinctively know they all belong to the harpies that attacked me. Bones that resemble wings of a bird are the proof of identifying their charred appearances. It''s an odd feeling that I''m staring at the lifeless burnt corpses in a calm manner.


    I get that it''s a must for Slayers to kill the Beasts, but it''s very odd for me to see this kind of scene with a calm mind right now. I start to wonder if I''m about to feel indifferent. And if I do, it''s uncomfortable because I¡¯ve been a non-combat Slayer this whole time. I might start to think that I''m emotionally changing into someone else.


    I¡¯m about to immerse myself into deep thoughts about whether or not this is natural for Slayers to change their feelings into impassiveness. But as usual, I''m interrupted when the harpies¡¯ five charred bodies disappear digitally into thin air; obviously they''re put into the Guideline¡¯s storage. A second later, the notification makes the usual ¡®ding¡¯ sound that has me paying attention to its messages about my profile update.


    [You have slayed five Harpies, which are E-rank Beasts, at the same time.]


    [You have earned 12420XP due to using the low-grade Explosion Potion on them.]


    [Your overall profile has been updated due to your level being renewed.]


    [Name: Kang Joo-yeon]


    [Level: 7]


    [Title: Memory Reader; Tenacious Slayer]


    [Class: Healer]


    [Subclass: Druid]


    [HP: 740]


    [MP: 60]


    Oh no¡­I forgot my HP will become full again after renewing my level. Then again, I would''ve hit a ¡®0¡¯ in my HP if I didn''t have any additional HP input. Anyway, I better choose carefully on when to consume my three healing potions.


    [You have achieved a new title in your profile.]


    [The skill {Lightning Control} has been officially activated due to the participant being able to get a second title on the same day.]


    So it was dormant in the first place, huh? I wonder why¡­never mind. I''ll test out this lightning magic I''ve got right now.


    As I inwardly say [Activate {Lightning Control} Skill], a surge of lightning sparks around me. The next thing I realize is the lightning magic is hurting me like what I''ve experienced during my trial from Old Man Amergin. The feeling of unbearable pain makes me grit my teeth for the next several seconds. One of my eyes is able to see my HP bar going down a lot. I''ve to scream [Deactivate] to stop the dangerous skill from somewhat killing me. Once the lightning magic is ¡°turned off¡± within my body, I see my HP bar being at 620. Then, I read the pop-up messages of the Guideline regarding the ¡®Lightning Control¡¯ skill.


    [Warning: Your current rank is making you be invulnerable while using the {Lightning Control} skill.]


    What the¡­


    [It''s possible that the continuous usage of this skill will result in lowering your HP at a fast rate.]


    That''s unfair!


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    [Please defeat the Final Beast to go to the next rank that''ll let you use this skill without lowering your HP.]


    ¡°Hey, old man! I don''t remember using a magic skill endangers the user¡¯s life!¡±


    And here I am thinking I''m immune to the lightning seeing how I survived being struck by it once at that trial. The saying of ¡°third time¡¯s the charm¡± isn''t gonna be true for me since I really need my HP to be as high as possible. Thus, I drink one low-grade Healing Potion that has the bar saying 720.


    ¡°Great¡­now I only have two left¡­¡±


    I must be making a shocked look as I notice my MP is at 50, and that there''s the word which the letters are almost too small to read. It says ¡°Cooldown for each MP: 10 mins¡± above the bar. I guess it makes sense because the skill I use requires my mana output, but five minutes is too long to refill one mana power. As if I can''t get any more surprises from the Guideline, its reminder appears in this notification.


    [Time limit: 25 minutes 59 seconds]


    Just when I¡¯m about to suspect that Old Man Amergin is the one writing these notifications all this time, I hear a rumbling. Actually, I hear consecutive rumblings as the ground I''m standing on begins to shake violently. After I endure in keeping my balance for several seconds, the ground stops shaking. Then, I hear a loud roar coming nearby. This is gonna sound crazy, but¡­


    That roar sounds robotic!


    Without thinking in finding out the exact location of this monster, I quickly run towards the entrance door, exiting the indoor playground just in time as something huge squashes the whole place in a split second. It''s miraculous how my instinct to get out of there has saved me. Another cloud of black smoke has me choking for more breaths.


    Alas, I see two glowing golden eyes looking at me. The eyes slowly move upwards amidst the smoked surroundings. Some moments later, I don''t know if it''s because of the half-moonlight appearing now or the walls of this theme park glowing brighter than ever, but I can only care about the colossal monster right in front of me. Its full appearance is finally revealed when the smoke has again dispersed completely.


    ¡°Hey, hey¡­you can''t be serious, gramps¡­¡±


    It''s an unbelievable sight to be seeing a bronze robot standing at around thirty meters tall. This robot could stomp all of the giant black scorpions at the Sanction Zone. Then, I see something above its head. Words are shown in the same digital notification like what the Guideline has. Come to think of it, I just remembered they were also shown above the heads of the kobolds and harpie briefly before I slayed them. Now, this notification has additional info about this Beast. In fact, it''s the FINAL Beast.


    [Talos the Bronze Titan - D-rank]


    [You have a 40% chance of slaying the Final Beast of this Spontaneous Labyrinth.]


    [Please remember to use the mentioned options if you want to withdraw from the Special Mission.]


    A little too late to give me a heads-up because I see the giant robot is about to swoop its left arm towards me. With the notifications close and out of my sight on time, I somehow am able to jump backwards at an appropriate distance. Its left hand slams the spot where I was standing a moment ago. The hand leaves a huge imprint on the ground as if the ground itself is made of dough; long cracks form around it.


    I waste no time to not stare at the damage it has left behind. I turn around and run as fast as I can. I''m lucky, besides making sure I ate a full course meal an hour before I left the hospital, that I''ve chosen to put the majority of the points into the ¡®Endurance¡¯ stat; otherwise, I would''ve feel exhausted by now after fighting two groups of Beasts which I had to run away from before.


    I''ve got no idea on where to hide because a few seconds later, the robot is right behind my back. Each of its hands trying to grab me. Its legs stomps on any lamp posts it encounters along the walkway area I''m at. In front of my line of sight are rows of benches and an outdoor stage. It''s the Golden Stage, the theme park¡¯s other main attraction. Once I reach the stage, I quickly hide behind the closed curtains.


    I know I can''t hide in here for long, but I need to check what I can use from the Guideline¡¯s storage. Sure I''ve got my Explosion Potions, but that monster¡¯s body is entirely made of metal, quite durable against explosives unlike Beasts with non-metal bodies.


    I inwardly say [Open Storage] to see if I''ve any other weapons other than Jung-han''s iron shield, but to no avail, there''s nothing except the body parts of the harpies and leftover ones from the kobolds. But then, I stare at the claws and talons of both species of Beasts along with the word [Stockpile] that''s written in a sort of tabbed page placed at the screen¡¯s above area. There are other written tabs next to the [Stockpile], but I''ve got no time to find out because the robot''s hand just smashed a huge area of the stage.


    I''m standing several meters away from the impact, but I''m not taking any chances to take my own sweet time in searching every content of the Guideline. My eyes scan the digital page, and finally, something particular catches my attention. It seems to be that I own a druid oak. Actually, I see like a few dozen of them being stored in this kind of special storage. I wonder if the reason the Guideline never mentions that I''ve so many druid oaks is because they''re not ingredients for potions. If not, the old man must''ve slipped these materials in the Guideline without informing me about their existence. As I think about the reason he didn''t let me know about the other content pages, the roof above me has been blown off; or more like, the bronze robot rips it off like it''s made of paper.


    Without a second to lose, I run away as quickly as I can be from the stage. Ten minutes later, I find myself standing in front of the theme park''s huge rocking boat ride. Hearing another robotic roar has got me hiding inside the boat. I¡¯ve to lie down flat on the floor boards so that I don''t get seen by the robot that easily. I waste no time in getting to craft some weapons. Well, I can only think of doing enough damage to the robot if I keep hitting a part of its body at the same spot, preferably the head if I''m able to.


    It''s obvious that I can''t make swords because A) I don''t have skilled swordsmanship like Ms Han, B) I wanna save the druid oaks, since swords require a long handle, as many as I can for a more compatible material, and C) it takes one whole minute to make each throwing dagger. Thus, I inwardly decide to [Proceed to Craft] these items into throwing knives.


    [1. Harpy¡¯s Talons - 12 Parts]


    [2. Kobold''s Claws - 12 Parts]


    [3. Druid Oaks - 12 Short Pieces]


    [Crafting of twelve E-grade Throwing Knives duration: 12 minutes]


    I have to be quiet and stay still for the next twelve minutes. I could attack it with my lightning magic, but I''m still at my F-rank status. I don''t know what level I should be to become an E-rank. Wait¡­that robot is D-rank according to its title written above its head. Also should I really go for a 40% chance in taking it down for good? What if I¡¯m unable to because I''m a F-rank¡­


    Anxiety and doubt starts to overwhelm my mind even though I keep reminding myself to stay calm. As for the chance of defeating this final Beast written in that notification, I subconsciously agree that if it said I''ve got a 60% chance to win, I wouldn''t feel this much panic now. As my mind starts to get more confused and reconsider in choosing an option of leaving this Spontaneous Labyrinth, the boat ride starts to move.


    It initially moves slowly, but the sound of creaking mechanical parts has let me know that it''s not a man-made technical malfunction like that carousel''s sudden music playing. The boat ride eventually gets swung faster. My hands have to grab hold of the seats¡¯ safety bar. Alas, I can hear and see the whole boat ride get easily detached from the bolts holding it to a main metal pole. This swinging motion I''m experiencing now is definitely not because of the pole. The giant robot has found me. Its head appears right above me. The golden eyes stare at me, and I stare back at its face with the feeling of fear resonating within me.

 Level 22 - How Pathetic

    ¡°It¡¯s not me! I''m telling the truth!¡±


    ¡°You really are shameless, Kang Joo-yeon!¡±


    I''m having a flashback of my teenage self getting accused of stealing a classmate''s limited edition makeup set. She also accused me that I did it out of insecurity for having the same pretty face as hers, which is odd considering I''ve an average-looking face. The others were whispering to each other, not saying anything to her. Instead of calling for a teacher nearby, they keep on staring at us. I could have sworn several of them were laughing at me getting insulted by her.


    She was one of those usual rich kids who look down on people who don''t align with her beliefs and standards. It was obvious that she was raised with a rotten outlook that if somebody refuses to hang out with her and her minions, it''s a sign of insult to her. And I happened to be that somebody who had good reasons not to be involved with her.


    I politely, though I remembered I sound a bit stoic back then, declined her invitation to go shopping with her a few weeks ago. Besides being busy with my part-time jobs after school and that I constantly avoided unnecessary spending on very expensive things, there was a public warning that the area she was heading to has a high-ranked Labyrinth nearby. It was best that the Nons do not go there.


    The next day I heard from the other classmates that after stubbornly ignoring the warning, she got herself half-frozen by a Glacial Dragon, which is an A-rank Beast, at one of the shopping malls. It was a stroke of luck that an A-rank elementalist was able to save her on time, keeping her warm with her fire magic. It took at least two other A-rank Slayers to kill the icy Beast. I guess one huge dragon was too much for one A-rank Slayer to kill it alone.


    Despite having been involved in a near-death experience, it seemed that she never learned to change at all. She got more annoyed and unreasonable to others after surviving from that Beast. It was more ridiculous that most of her petty acts were directed towards me even though I never stared or talked to her in the first place. It was worse when she never thought about the possibility of her makeup set being misplaced somewhere else by her or a jealous minion of hers.


    ¡°I''m giving you one last chance to admit your theft, Kang Joo-yeon. Heck! You¡¯re a kleptomaniac given that you''re an orphan!¡±


    What kind of nonsense is that?


    ¡°Have you ever thought of looking for it somewhere else? It could be still there¡­¡±


    ¡°So I was right about you, bitch! Your boring attitude is another reason why your family is pathetically poor.¡±


    ¡°What¡­did you¡­¡±


    ¡°You and your uncle attract so much bad luck that your mother got killed. You know what? I bet your mother did something awful. That should be the reason why she got herself killed, right?¡±


    It was the first time I felt anger boiling in my heart for she insulted my mom whose body was never found because of a Labyrinth that suddenly disappears after ¡°consuming¡± anyone who was very near to it.


    ¡°Hey. You don''t know anything about my mom.¡±


    ¡°Well I do know that she got the most bad luck out of you lot! No wonder she had you out of wedlock! How pathetic!¡±


    ¡°Stop talking¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh! And your uncle¡­unbelievable! He may be good-looking, but he''s a manwhore. I''ve heard he never got expelled from school because he seduced every single teacher there. And that''s how he got your cousin at a very young age, right?¡±


    At that moment, I didn''t know I had so much strength residing within me because when I started punching her face, I remembered hearing the other classmates gasping in shock. Later that evening, Uncle Seung-min, who just finished his part-time job shift, came to my school and apologized to the selfish girl and her parents even though she was in the wrong.


    I was forced to wait outside of the staffroom even though I told him he didn''t need to do this. I was prepared to drop out of school even after I had to make reluctant apologies to her. But I''ll never forget the upsetting look on his face that I wasn''t able to say anything more to ease his worries. The next thing I knew was the constant apologies he made to that bully¡¯s snobbish parents.


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    That evening, Uncle Seung-min drove me all the way home. There was only silence in the rented van. It wasn''t until we finally reached in front of our house that he finally broke the silent atmosphere.


    ¡°Joo-yeon, did you punch her because she hurled insults?¡±


    ¡°Uncle, I¡­never mind. It''s best if you don''t know.¡±


    ¡°Along the way to the staffroom, I overheard from your other classmates that she said horrible things about our family, especially your mom and I.¡±


    ¡°That''s¡­well¡­I''m sorry for not tolerating¡­¡±


    A sudden hug from him caught me by surprise. I can feel his embrace is tighter than the times he held me as a young kid. I held back my tears even though I was a teenage girl who had the right to do so. I was scared to feel any more pain if I were to cry in front of Uncle Seung-min. I kept quiet as I listened to the rest of his words.


    ¡°No. It''s not okay to tolerate a selfish person¡¯s insults towards anyone, especially those who never harmed anybody. But, Joo-yeon, I hope that you too won''t tolerate any insults hurled at you. I don''t like to see my loved ones get disrespected just because they¡¯re living an upright life. That''s why, Joo-yeon, you''re not a burden. Someday you''ll prove that brat is wrong about you. About us. Though¡­¡±


    Uncle Seung-min let me go from his embrace. My moist eyes saw a genuine smile formed on his face. His eyes closed while saying these somewhat encouraging words to me.


    ¡°... I don''t mind you staying the way you are. You''re strong because of your kind heart. And that''s enough to help all of us move forward, Joo-yeon.¡±


    You''re wrong, uncle. That''s not enough for us to move forward. Especially me¡­


    Back to the present, I manage to summon Jung-han''s iron shield on time before the bronze robot attempts to squash me with its left hand. I struggle to hold tight to the shield, but something is burning my hands and slowly making me drench in uncomfortable sweat. In fact, I feel a high amount of heat coming from the shield I''m still holding on to. It''s odd how the robot isn''t continuously bashing it.


    The shield is getting heated up at a fast rate. The crack that was formed earlier on begins to grow bigger until it snaps the shield exactly into a half. The top half falls down beside my left side. Then, it proceeds to slide down until it collides with the boat¡¯s wooden side which leads to it falling down to the ground below. I start to remember that the boat is still being lifted hundred meters above the ground.


    It''s all because of the robot''s right hand still grabbing the tip which was the main spot for the pendulum motion to work on the boat becoming an entertaining ride. Unfortunately, I''m not experiencing any entertainment right now. I quickly put away the half-shield I still got into the Guideline''s storage right after moving it to repel the robot¡¯s left hand.


    I get up immediately to run forward, and somehow I manage to balance myself on the boat¡¯s safety bars. The robot¡¯s steamy left hand smashes a row of seats behind me, and where I was lying down just now. Before it can destroy another row of seats which I''m standing on right now, I receive a notification from the Guideline saying¡­


    [The revisioned Guideline has noticed the participant is in need of weapons for an emergency.]


    [Three E-grade Throwing Knives have been crafted completely.]


    [Would you like to use all of them now?]


    Isn''t that obvious!?


    [Yes]


    Once the three throwing knives appear digitally in my left hand, I proceed to perform a continuous throw with my right one towards one of its glowing golden eyes. Probably the best way is to temporarily blind the robot so that I can run away and hide. That''ll give me time to think about how to defeat it. Or so I thought because the third throwing knife seems to make it more aggressive as it roars its loudest robotic voice.


    Its unpleasant roar has me cover my ears for the second time of the day that I forget to get off the boat. Nevertheless, I''m not gonna risk myself getting any injuries that''ll lessen my HP bar, especially if I were to fall down to the ground and get stomped to death immediately by the robot. I brace for impact when the robot swings the whole boat ride in one full circle before tossing far away from where it''s standing. I hold tightly onto its mast, placed right in the middle of the structure, which luckily I''m standing next to.


    I hear the devastating sound of crushed wood and several metal parts of the boat landing on an icy place, which I can conclude the only attraction that has an ice theme is the ice rink. I can feel more new bruises and cuts, which I should be glad they''re not deep wounds, and my shirt¡¯s sleeves are torn until they''re almost sleeveless. I also feel fresh blood flowing down the side of my head.


    While I groan due to another set of painful sensations, I can see the debris surrounding me. As if that''s not the worst sight for me to see, my semi-length hair is stuck beneath one of the ruined seats of the boat. I hear the incoming footsteps of the bronze robot. Each step sounds like an earthquake. It''s surprising how this Spontaneous Labyrinth has yet to collapse from the shockwave of the robot¡¯s titanic footsteps. Without wasting any moment, I try to get up with all my might, but my stuck hair is unable to slip out that easily.


    I¡¯m about to start panicking when I see the robot¡¯s body just several meters from the ice rink along with the fact my HP bar is at 420. My breathing becomes faster whilst I try to find something to help me get my stuck hair out of this debris it''s at. Just when I think I''m gonna get squashed by a giant foot, another notification from the Guideline has given me an idea. It''s the same message, but that''s telling me that I''ve got at least fifteen minutes to kill this robotic creature.


    [Three E-grade Throwing Knives have been crafted completely.]


    ¡°Yes, I need only one! Hurry!


    And so, one throwing knife appears in my right hand. Immediately, I use it to cut my stuck hair. It takes exactly a minute to finally have myself get freed from the spot that''s about to be crushed by the robot''s right foot. And sure enough, right when my light brown hair has successfully been cut up, I quickly roll over my whole body all the way to my right side.The debris spot has been completely smashed to smithereens with the ruined metal and wood becoming smaller to the size of pebbles.


    As I immediately get up, with the throwing knife still in my right hand, and run away from the damaged boat scene, I begin to consider calling out the old man¡¯s name as a sign of withdrawing from this solo raid. I''m sure that I''m making the right decision because I''m weaker than that strong robot over there. After all, I''m starting to feel worn out. The fatigue from today''s raid is starting to make me feel the effects of constantly moving and thinking nonstop. After all, I don''t think I can defeat that kind of monster.


    How pathetic that you want to stay weak, Kang Joo-yeon.

 Level 23 - The Unkillable Healer

    ¡°How long are you gonna be like this, Kang Joo-yeon?¡±


    It''s scary how my mind has created another version of me in my head. I even wonder if this is the side effect of surviving from the Painting Labyrinth. And if that''s the case, I hope it is rather than that voice being my true self. As much as I wanna make a comeback at this cold persona of mine, I can''t help, but to listen to the words she''s saying to me.


    ¡°Did you forget how pathetically weak you are in that Painting Labyrinth? No, even before you become a Slayer, you''ve given up to change yourself. Now you''ve the chance of getting stronger, you hesitate so much that right now you''re gonna get killed by that bronze robot.¡±


    I hear something is getting hurled towards my path. I jump sideways to avoid getting hit directly by it. Once that something lands in front of me (which also crushes the icy ground to make a huge hole in the rink), I clearly see it as one of the leftover debris from the ruined boat ride. The robot¡¯s attack on me is repeated for the next several minutes as I frantically keep up my running away from it. It''s worse that I¡¯ve to keep on listening to my evil subconscious mind talking to me whilst I¡¯m running for my life.


    ¡°How much longer are you gonna tolerate the insults hurled at you? When you never asked to become a Slayer¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up. You don''t know¡­¡±


    ¡°...what it feels like being looked down upon by higher-ranked Slayers who made no effort in any physical training or using their wits? What about that traitorous old weasel Jang? Your earlier raids had him be the leader who made those insults and unfair decisions for you. I bet that cowardly Mrs Park isn''t any different. So do the S-rank Slayers you''ve met so far.¡±


    More memories of my unfair treatment by Jang are vivid in my mind remembering his self-serving attitude towards Slayers who are lower ranked than he is. But since I happen to be the only lowest-ranked healer in the history of Slayers, the rest of the team raids either join in Jang''s mockery of me or turn a blind eye and become so-called innocent bystanders.


    Meanwhile, amidst thinking about the difficulties I''ve endured for two years, another thrown debris has managed to make me lose my balance and fall down flat forward. My dropped throwing knife has fallen down into one of the holes in the rink. My knees are scraped badly because of my sudden slip. And yet, I continue to let my mind listen to my other version whose voice changes to sound like the unknown man from the Painting Labyrinth for the next words being said to me.


    ¡°So, Weakest Healer~ are you gonna let yourself die here or give into your hatred which can give you so much power? The Guideline can work really well with this emotion being amplified. All you have to do is give in, Kang Joo-yeon.¡±


    Give in, huh? That wouldn''t be so bad. After all, I need more speed to slay that robot¡­


    Just when I am about to give permission for my other version to possibly possess my body, I hear Old Man Amergin talking to me, or at least, I start to recite his wise words of advice within my mind now.


    ¡°Don''t let the Guideline rule over you, Kang Joo-yeon. Rule over it.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­how¡­Old Man Amergin¡­¡±


    The Guideline''s notification¡¯s ¡®ding¡¯ sound has somewhat helped me to get up quickly, enduring whatever wounds I''ve got from the robot¡¯s throwing attacks. As soon as I run several steps forwards, it''s thrown debris lands at where I fell down. Amidst my continuous running away, I read the notifications, and to my surprise, it seems that I''m given an opportunity to change the odds against me.


    [You have secretly achieved the record of ¡°Staying Alive from the Final Beast for 6 minutes¡±.]


    [You have earned the right to distribute 20 available points given by the revisioned Guideline.]


    [Stats of Kang Joo-yeon]


    [Agility: 14]


    [Vitality: 14]


    [Endurance: 36]


    [Strength: 14]


    [Luck: 14]


    [Available points from achieving a record: 20]


    Is this your doing, old man? Or you who keep on taunting my mind whenever I''m at my breaking point? Whoever it is, I''ll still use this power, but do know¡­


    ¡°I''m not gonna die that easily, you bastards!!¡±


    And with literal swift thinking, an Explosion Potion appears in my right hand which I immediately toss as hard as I can, aiming at the face of the giant robot. Sure enough it explodes once the glass container crashes against its metallic left cheek. I''m aware that a low-grade weaponised item may not make a critical hit, but I''m doing this to make it get so distracted with the explosive light from the potion. I run quite fast as I go back to the ruined boat ride. Once I arrive, I quickly hide between any remaining large debris. I internally ask the Guideline how much time I''ve left to clear this Labyrinth.


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    [Time limit: 9 minutes 59 seconds]


    Even though I was running like a mad woman, I got a good glimpse at the robot¡¯s feet. Its left ankle has a very crusty layer that it forms like a mound. Judging by its attacks on me way earlier on, it was using its right foot when it wanted to stomp me twice or so, including the scene where he ruined the whole indoor playground. Also, when it was throwing the boat¡¯s debris, I looked behind to see it using its right foot as its anchor whenever it let go of the debris.


    With this info I''ve gathered so far, I could only speculate one thing, and that is the robot is constantly avoiding putting immense pressure on its left foot. And that wound-like crater on its left ankle is the reason why it''s avoiding using its left foot from doing any movement that requires heavy pressure on the foot. And another of the Guideline¡¯s notifications has just appeared announcing its presence with a ¡®ding¡¯ sound.


    [Six E-grade Throwing Knives have been crafted completely.]


    I wanna become strong so that I don''t have to feel lonely, scared & useless anymore. No. I don''t want to feel like there''s nothing I can do to help my loved ones. That''s why this system in front of my eyes is my only chance to get strong for good. Even if it was originally created for an unpleasant purpose, I''m gonna use it to its full potential! I have to!


    I summon the two last remaining Healing Potions and drink them that have my HP bar raise up at 620. After putting the empty containers aside quietly, I close my eyes and take a very deep breath. I don''t know if it''s my accidental pixie haircut or the complete removal of my torn sleeves, but I feel very light. To be more accurate, I feel more relaxed though I still can feel my heart beating very fast which is expected given that this will be my one-off attack on the robot. Alas, I divide and put my acquired points into three stats that may be crucial in determining my survival.


    [Stats of Kang Joo-yeon]


    [Agility: 20]


    [Vitality: 14]


    [Endurance: 36]


    [Strength: 20]


    [Luck: 22]


    [Available points from achieving a record: 0]


    My ¡®status window¡¯ looks really unbalanced, but I get a feeling a high ¡®Agility¡¯ and ¡®Strength¡¯ stat will be vital in my knife attacks on the robot. As for my ¡®Luck¡¯ stat being the second-highest of them all, may it help my wish to survive come true. I feel like a soldier as I fully prepare myself with the remaining eight throwing knives. For now, I plan to use each one in each hand.


    Once again, I close my eyes and take another deep breath. With a reformed determination burning within me, I run out of the debris and into the open air where the robot has noticed my reappearance beneath its feet. As expected, it tries to catch me using its hands with its usual heating trait which I can feel some steam coming from, when it could¡¯ve used its left foot to kill me.


    Now I can understand how it took out the main bolt holding the boat ride. Regardless, I feel like its hand is going in slow motion so much that I''m able to constantly avoid its heating hand while I keep on running in circles around its left ankle. While doing so, I make consecutive stabs on its crusty wound.


    Each knife in my hands eventually breaks at around one whole minute of its usage. I guess a merged weapon made up of claws of two Beast species isn''t that durable against bronze armor even if ¡®the wound¡¯ doesn''t have the same durability as the armor. Even so, I keep on giving blows with my next three sets of knives, summoning after the last set breaks into pieces. Finally, I''m down to my last knife and unsurprisingly, the Guideline''s notification acts as a last warning.


    [Time limit: 4 minutes 59 seconds]


    It''s now or never!


    I summon my half-shield from the Guideline''s storage, illuminating a blue light of electricity around me. I proceed to clang the shield against its left ankle a few times whilst I¡¯m still able to avoid its heating grasp of me. Then, the robot makes another loud robotic roar, and sure enough I feel the air around me is getting hotter as if I''m in a volcanic hot spring.


    ¡°So you''re not holding back, huh?! Guess I won''t hold back after all!!¡±


    My body instinctively has my hands gripping the half-shield tighter than ever, and my feet running even faster than I almost feel like I''m at Ms Han¡¯s speed. Probably the reason why I''m able to push myself to the limit right now is because I put the acquired points into the stats which are appropriate to be emphasized in this scenario I''m currently in. Then, just when I see a crack start to form on the robot''s crusty wound, its right hand is about to swing at me so I shifted my half-shield as close as it can to my chest. I get knocked out of the spot. I inwardly recall my shield to be put back into the Guideline''s storage before I find myself tumbling backwards several meters from my enemy.


    Now, that takes a toll on my bruises and cuts along with me feeling new cuts on my face. I grit my teeth, ignoring my HP bar currently being at ¡®486¡¯. I dash towards the robot while it prepares itself in a defensive stance. There are currently many holes in the rink due to its throwing the debris at me previously. That''s why it has to stand where it''s at; otherwise, it''ll sink itself if it were to run towards me. I managed to close the distance between us when I''ve exactly three minutes to slay this robotic Beast. With my last summoned Explosion Potion, I immediately throw when I''m near the robot''s left ankle again.


    My current agility has helped me get away from the explosion¡¯s shockwave which I still can''t believe it''s a low-grade item when it can blow up a whole bungalow. However, it''s too soon to celebrate when I clearly see the wound has yet to be cracked open. Surprisingly, I did expect it to still be durable against that explosion. The robot suddenly decided to charge towards me regardless of each footing ruining the ice that each of its feet is sinking whilst running ahead. It¡¯s very determined to kill me that it disregards its own safety. I guess I''m lucky to have this robot not being an intelligent enemy.


    [Time limit: 1 minute 59 seconds]


    Old Man Amergin isn''t gonna like what I''m about to do now. But if I''m meant to die today¡­


    ¡°Then, so be it!!!¡±


    I jump upwards with all my might that leads me to landing on the robot¡¯s left arm. Its heating right hand is about to grab me, but I run forward with all my might that I successfully slip out of harm''s way. It''s no joke that I feel my sneakers are gonna melt due to the robot¡¯s whole body acting as a boiling kettle. My vision becomes blurry due to the steam the robot''s emitting from its body. My skin all over my body might be peeling off right now. Nevertheless, I keep on running while taking each deep breath.


    [Time limit: 59 seconds]


    As soon as I reach right behind its neck, I quickly get into a fetal pose; my hands grab each other¡¯s wrist tightly around the neck. And what I¡¯m about to do may surely have Old Man Amergin whisk me away to his dimension without my consent. I kind of smirk as I think about his worried look while calling me a suicidal maniac. And I admit I am because if I don''t behave that way, I won''t become strong at all. Alas, I proceed to do my suicidal attack without any hesitation.


    [Activate {Lightning Control} Skill]


    A powerful surge of yellow lightning strikes on the huge robot along with myself who still has her teeth being clenched while holding her hands tightly on her wrists. I can feel immense pain coming from my lightning magic. As the Guideline is still showing the countdown to me, it''s also showing my HP bar declining rapidly, probably 9HP per second while my MP bar declined 1MP per five seconds. I admit seeing the bars make me feel anxious, but immediately, I shake off the feeling of fear dwelling from it as I continue to focus on attacking my prey with this self-destructive magic.


    The whole ice rink is also affected by my Lightning Control skill as every solid ice emits loud crackling sounds that play in harmony with the sound from the ongoing lightning attack. As for the ruined boat ride, I can hear metal and wood being cracked thoroughly by my skill. The smell of them burning into the atmosphere gives me a bit of reassurance that I''m really giving it my all in this probably final attack from me.


    I can see the melted icy water surrounding the robot turning into a reddish-brown color which no doubt it''s coming from its ankle wound that has cracked open at last. This moment that feels like an eternity for me finally comes to an end when the countdown stops at nine seconds. I get a good look at my HP bar saying ¡®36¡¯ and my MP bar at ¡®2¡¯ before the huge body of Talos the Bronze Titan falls down sideways, and immediately, myself who can finally let go of its neck. My body sinks into the freezing water. As I sink further, I see the notifications before I lose my consciousness.


    [You have completed the Special Mission - Spontaneous Labyrinth Alone.]


    [You have gained 61984 XP for clearing The E-Rank of the Spontaneous Labyrinth - Notte World.]


    [The Restart Program¡¯s Participant - Kang Joo-yeon is officially an E-rank.]


    [Your overall profile has been updated due to your level being renewed.]


    [Name: Kang Joo-yeon]


    [Level: 12]


    [Title: Memory Reader; Tenacious Slayer; The Unkillable Healer]

 Bonus Level I

    ¡°What¡¯s taking so long?¡±


    ¡°This is why we must support the decision of Maorga Inc. to implement an S-rank mana into the AIs.¡±


    ¡°Otherwise, how can we wait for a stronger team whenever an Upsurge happens?¡±


    ¡°I agree. What''s the point of having ten Slayers here? And they say this team would be enough to take one cyclops down. They dare to lie¡­¡±


    ¡°Everyone, for your own safety, please leave this area!¡±


    ¡°Officer, I live here!¡±


    ¡°And my house is right behind that monster! Why should we¡­¡±


    ¡°Look out!¡±


    A huge debris, which was part of the main road, is thrown by the cyclops as it uses the rock as an attack move against a hastily-made team of ten Slayers. The civilians, who are obviously Nons, are standing behind a police-style barricade until they''ve to duck themselves right when the debris hurls at them. It flies over their heads, immediately landing and crushing on one of the police cars parked at the Upsurge Zone.


    It''s almost 6.30 a.m., and the cyclops is still rampant in the suburban street for the last thirty minutes. Several rows of houses have been destroyed by the cyclops. It''s only a matter of time before the strongest E-rank Beast will cause human casualties if it walks out of this area and into a nearby town.


    Despite the policeman''s warning for them to leave immediately, many of the Nons stubbornly stay at the scene. It''s not even helping that half of them are nosy teenagers recording the battle scene on their smartphones. It''s unfortunate that five F-rank Slayers of the fighter class and three E-rank Slayers of the healer class are still not enough to take down a cyclops. Another member, who''s obviously the leader judging by the way she talks with all of the team¡¯s members, is an E-rank sorceress. It''s another fact that she''s the oldest member of the team; looking around the same age as Ms Han Bok-shil who is of the adventurer subclass.


    ¡°All of you, get a hold of yourselves! Archer guy! Who says you can stop shooting!?¡±


    ¡°But, ma¡¯am¡­the cyclops has put a strong defensive barrier around itself¡­¡±


    ¡°And that''s why we must keep attacking! Don''t worry about your mana getting depleted too fast! The healers here will restore it back!¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey, y¡¯all! Those two Slayers look familiar!!¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re the most famous B-rank Slayers!!¡±


    One of the team members is right in identifying Hong Ki-joon of the tanker subclass and his childhood friend, Lee Hong-ran of the mage subclass; her subgroup being of an illusionist. In their appropriate battle outfits, they finally make their way across the barricade to which one of the policemen moves one part of it for their sudden entrance. With her reddish-brown eyes seen widening through her large round glasses, the illusionist is glad that she and Hong Ki-joon have arrived just in time to give assistance to the team.


    It''s been a while since she encountered an Upsurge. She actually planned to take a one-year break from participating in the raids, especially since the missing nine S-rank Slayers are yet to be found. It''s not a very high rank, but a B-rank Slayer is capable of artificially making a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.


    Of course that¡¯s only possible if you are of the elementalist subgroup. But unlike Mrs Park Sang-mi who can only camouflage herself from anyone¡¯s sight, Lee Hong-ran can put on the illusion of a stronger being. That''s what she''s about to do with the cyclops so that she can help the team catch it off guard, creating a good opening for the team¡¯s offensive skills. Her red-and-black cloak enables her to activate a defensive barrier, since casting illusions take out the most of her mana output, that''s been implemented in the outfit.


    However, as she''s almost halfway in reciting her incantation, she suddenly gets pushed off by one of the healers who almost looks similar to Hong Ki-joon¡¯s physical appearance. Her glasses nearly drop from her face when she falls down to her right side. The B-rank tanker looks shocked at seeing his childhood friend getting treated like that out of nowhere.


    ¡°Hey! What do you think you''re doing!?¡±


    ¡°Stay out of this, you leech! We don''t need your help, you know! Just because you''re more powerful than us, that doesn''t mean you can take away our living expenses!¡±


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°What¡­How can you say that in this situation we¡¯re in right now!?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not wrong, am I?! The fact you two are still lapdogs to those self-serving S-rank leaders. I hope Professor Kim takes away your bosses¡¯ powers for fairness sake!¡±


    ¡°How dare you! You don''t know anything¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey, you two!,¡± the E-rank sorceress scolds them right after she casts a binding spell that has metal chains formed to hold the cyclops¡¯ feet to the ground. ¡°Now it''s not the time for arguments! The cyclops is gonna overpower us!¡±


    Indeed, the lower-ranked Slayers are being outmatched by the one-eyed beast as it gives an earthquake-like stomp that has almost everyone in the area falling backwards. The sorceress¡¯ binding spell gets broken from its powerful stomp. It looks like the civilians are starting to feel the actual danger they''re in. However, that¡¯s not enough to scare the foolish teenagers who keep on disobeying the policeman''s orders to stop their video recordings.


    Hong Ki-joon takes a deep breath, calming down his justified anger. He loudly tells the rest of the team that he''ll distract the cyclops with his Provoking Skill for at least five seconds. His leadership skills are visibly displayed given that he''s actually chosen as the co-leader of Moohan Guild instead of Chun Sun-woo who obviously can channel more mana output than Hong Ki-joon. Even after witnessing how the F-ranks of the fighter class are unable to injure the cyclops, the same healer stops Hong Ki-joon who gets too distracted by him that the B-rank can''t activate a tanker¡¯s skill properly.


    ¡°Get lost! We don''t need your help! We''ve got a high-ranked tanker who isn''t as greedy as you lot! Hey, C-rank! Distract the beast!¡±


    Despite telling the truth about high-ranked Slayers taking livelihoods from doing low-ranked raids that''s meant for low-ranked Slayers, the E-rank healer sounds disrespectful to the C-rank tanker whose face is covered with a medieval-like helmet. At first, it looks like the tanker is staring into blank space as if he''s losing hope in defeating this cyclops.


    ¡°Hey, C-rank! Don''t just stand there!¡±


    ¡°Oh!...Sorry¡­¡±


    The C-rank tanker, with his body position and his iron shield adjusted in a defensive stance, activates his own Provoking Skill. The cyclops pays its full attention to him. This act manages to have the team¡¯s other Slayers get enough time to compose themselves and get their mana replenishment from the three healers. What they don''t know is that the C-rank tanker was discharged from a hospital a few days ago. Not to mention, he¡¯s one of the surviving members of the Painting Labyrinth¡¯s ruthless massacre.


    A few seconds staring at the cyclops, which proceeds to keep on punching his shield, has the C-rank tanker suddenly remember his memories of that scary Labyrinth. He¡¯s experiencing PTSD now that his Provoking Skill has been manually deactivated. His skill¡¯s aura vanishes which is noticeable to the other Slayers who are just starting to get into proper positions for their offensive skills respectively. Hong Ki-joon and Lee Hong-ran, who got herself standing up already, notice the tanker, despite wearing a covered helmet, is emotionally troubled. The tanker¡¯s trembling body being an obvious sign of a Slayer experiencing PTSD.


    ¡°Please let us help! That tanker isn''t in his best condition.¡±


    ¡°You really like to find excuses, B-rank leech!¡±


    ¡°Look here! Slayer Hong and I are here to help! We''re not even gonna take away anyone''s income from this raid!¡±


    ¡°I don''t trust you high-ranked Slayers who keep on looking down on us!¡±


    Teamwork is out of the question as both the B-rank and other lower-ranked Slayers keep on exchanging harsh words to each other. Only the E-rank sorceress is able to be level-headed, and lead a few Slayers to keep on attacking the cyclops. Before she can say anything to resolve the heated argument, she hears a little girl crying out to her mother. And the mother is herself. She quickly turns around to see her very young daughter running towards her with teary eyes. It''s not surprising to see a small kid able to get through the physical barricade, seeing how she can crawl through the space between.


    ¡°Mama! Don''t leave me!!¡±


    ¡°Sweetie, get back!¡±


    The cyclops stomps one more time. The ground shakes more violently than the earlier one. Bigger and wider cracks form on the roads. The little girl trips over one of the bulging cracks which lead to her falling down, scraping both her knees badly and her face winces from the overwhelming pain she''s feeling now. The cyclops proceed to prowl towards the little girl, ignoring the adult Slayers who lose their balance again from its stomping.


    While Hong Ki-joon quickly helps the little girl to get up and hold on to him, the E-rank sorceress uses a spell that shoots out a flame ball onto the cyclops'' left ear. It doesn''t leave a burnt mark for the beast still activates its defensive barrier around itself.


    It looks pissed off seeing how it proceeds to quickly swat the sorceress with its left arm. She gets injured badly with her whole body slamming to the ground. She coughs a large amount of blood while trying to get up with all her might.


    Hong Ki-joon wants to go and save her, but he can''t let go of the little girl, knowing the cyclops will grab her if left alone. He turns to see Lee Hong-ran who has a panicked look, not knowing how to save the sorceress on time.


    Darn it! By the time I finish my incantation, it''ll kill her with its foot! I should''ve gotten one of the Bottled Beasts when Slayer Seo was here yesterday! Now¡­I can''t do any¡­


    Her hearing is muffled, not hearing what Hong Ki-joon is saying to her though she can hear the little girl wailing ¡®Mama¡¯ as the cyclops is about to crush the sorceress with its foot. Suddenly, and miraculously, something crashes into the cyclops'' only eye. The beast yowls as its eye bleeds an excessive amount of brownish-gray liquid. The sorceress notices that there''s no aura of its defensive barrier. She commands any Slayer to use every offensive skill they''ve got on the disoriented cyclops.


    They proceed to continuously and simultaneously attack with their respective weapons. Their mana output altogether may not be the same amount as the two B-rank Slayers, but it''s enough to finally kill the cyclops after several seconds. The beast¡¯s bloodied body falls down forward. Everyone in the area starts cheering over the raid team¡¯s victory in killing the strongest E-rank Beast with success. Everyone except Lee Hong-ran who looks baffled by the sudden deactivation of the cyclops¡¯ defensive barrier.


    While hugging each other, the little girl and the sorceress receive healing magic from all three healers. As the crowd expresses gladness that the Upsurge is finally over, Lee Hong-ran looks around to see what finally injured the cyclops. Then, she sees a half-broken shield, which eventually splits itself into two quarters. She speculates it''s thrown by another tanker-type Slayer who happens to be at the standing crowd. But then, she can sense what kind of aura the shield is emitting for she possesses the copying skill an illusionist of her rank has and implements into images of her illusions.


    Finally, she knows what kind of Slayer who''s able to throw that shield accurately. It''s not a tanker who did it. The remnants of the shield¡¯s mana output belong to a Slayer of the healer class. Now that doesn''t make any sense since it''s an unchangeable law that healers can''t channel their mana output onto any weaponised object; shields included. She turns to the crowd still standing behind the barricade, looking for whoever looks disinterested in the current scene she''s in.


    ¡°Did anyone see a healer-type Slayer among you?¡±


    The front row of people, which has some teenagers amongst them, shake their heads or shrug their shoulders. Nobody knows what Lee Hong-ran is asking about. Alas, she stares into blank space, feeling speechless for the first time. She wonders doubtfully if from now on, healers are able to channel their mana output on any other besides a defensive barrier of their own.


    Meanwhile, the C-rank tanker also notices what the B-rank illusionist has seen. The two-quartered broken shield looks familiar to him. Upon a closer look, he sees the initial ¡°PJH¡± on one of the quarters¡¯ sides. He lets out a surprising gasp. He immediately takes off his helmet, revealing himself as Park Jung-han, who''s currently the strongest C-rank tanker. Then, he catches a glimpse of a young woman dressed in a black sleeveless shirt and pink shorts. The color of her pixie hairstyle is light brown, and when she vanishes around a nearby building¡¯s corner, Park Jung-han utters a name which belongs to someone whom he has unrequited love with, and that someone being the one he abandoned at the Painting Labyrinth.


    ¡°Joo-yeon¡­¡±

 Level 24 - Trç…¤pa Program

    I actually didn''t want to get involved because I had to get to my transportation spot before its time limit of ten minutes; not to mention I felt my body has finally given in to the fatigue despite my leveling up already renewed my HP bar. Right after my completion of clearing the Spontaneous Labyrinth, I seemed to have been unconscious right next to the ice rink for at least fifteen minutes. It was a good thing I woke up on time as I heard two men''s footsteps while they talked to each other.


    The Guideline''s notification popped up in my sight with new messages, but I had to quickly (and quietly) leave the theme park. I''m surprised to see everything, which was ruined during my fights against the Beasts, was put back in place and in one piece, including the boat ride which I could see from afar that it was never destroyed to begin with.


    The two men, whom I secretly passed by, were likely security guards who were about to start their morning shifts at the theme park soon. I guess I felt relieved to know that whatever has been destroyed in the Spontaneous Labyrinth will not affect the real place where it''s designated as its battleground. After I made sure I got out of the theme park¡¯s area, I read the messages that got me feeling surprised once again.


    [Name: Kang Joo-yeon]


    [Level: 12]


    [Title: Memory Reader; Tenacious Slayer; The Unkillable Healer]


    [Class: Healer]


    [Subclass: Druid]


    [HP: 1195]


    [MP: 94]


    It was an awkward feeling to see my newest title being that named by a teenage kid with ¡°middle-school syndrome¡±, but the next message had my embarrassment be replaced with feelings of awe that lead to impassioned thoughts within myself.


    [You are able to use (Healing Skill - Phase 1).]


    [Please continue to level up for this skill to get to the next phase.]


    Does this mean my healing magic has improved? Come to think of it, I''m not bleeding at the moment. My bruises and cuts have been healed already. They¡¯re not life-threatening, but definitely not a minor one like the time I healed Gi-young''s knee.


    ¡°So I can heal myself already?...¡± I mumbled my astonishment that I can finally use my basic skill properly which I was unable to do so for the past two years. ¡°But that doesn''t mean I can heal life-threatening ones¡­¡±


    As I pondered about what else has been improved by the Guideline residing within me, another notification appeared to notify of my time limit regarding my teleportation spot.


    [Please follow the line only you can see to reach the telephone booth that will teleport you back to the hospital.]


    [You have 10 minutes to reach your designated destination.]


    And so, I obediently followed the line until I saw the telephone booth right near the corner of a building. It felt like I was gonna film an episode of a very famous British sci-fi series. Just a few meters away from the booth, I happened to see the crowded area where many of the Nons there were witnessing an Upsurge being subjugated by a mismatched team of Slayers.


    Long story short, I helped them because I didn''t want the child to see her mother die in the most violent way. That would be worse than the time I saw my mom get swallowed up by the very first Labyrinth¡¯s gate. It was a relief that I could still endure my fatigue, probably due to my luck stat being high enough that enabled my half-shield to break through the cyclops'' defensive barrier. I didn''t mind if I had to be weaponless for the time being until I got a notification once I arrived back at the hospital.


    [You have earned 12 remnants of Talos the Bronze Titan.]


    [Only 3 remnants are needed to craft one bladed weapon.]


    [You have the choice in choosing what type of blade you want to craft with them.]


    [Please note that the duration to craft your weapon depends on the blade¡¯s length and size.]


    [May you choose your blade wisely.]


    After some days I needed to think thoroughly along with the online research on all kinds of blades, I finally settled for a rondel blade because 1) I''m not flexible like Chun Sun-woo who''s able to swing a huge sword like the claymore with one hand (even though he''s the typical lean muscular guy unlike Jung-han''s bulky build); 2) I¡¯m gonna rely on speed from now on, but the blade mustn''t be too short; finally, 3) I think I''m able to take down my target at a close-ranged distance. And so, I inwardly say [Rondel Dagger] to which the Guideline replied¡­


    [The revisioned Guideline accepts to craft {Talos¡¯ Heating Rondel} for Participant Kang Joo-yeon.]


    [Blade length = 25cm]


    [Grip length = 10cm]


    [Time for completion: 2 weeks]


    [Would you like to confirm this blade choice?]


    This type of dagger may be suitable for me if a Beast were to attack me at a very close range. I just need to work out to get more points and implement them into my ¡®Agility¡¯ stat. Being geared with a dagger made me feel like my subclass would become an assassin instead of a druid. Being one of the stronger types of the rogue class, assassins have the strongest offensive abilities in that kind of class. However, that means they¡¯ve the weakest defensive abilities since they can¡¯t channel their mana output to make a defensive barrier around them. I guess that''s why inquisitors are often paired with assassins that leads many people wondering which of these Slayer types would win in a mock combat. Anyhow, I replied without the need to think twice.


    [Yes]


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


    I wish I wasn''t talking to a teenage boy who accidentally bumped into me the next morning after my solo raid. Because there was a sudden notification from the Guideline saying¡­


    [Daily Task for Participant Kang Joo-yeon''s Physical Strength]


    [Kicks - (0/100)]


    [Punches - (0/100)]


    [Pull-ups - (0/100)]


    [(Insert new strength exercise)]


    [The participant will receive a necessary penalty if the given task fails to be completed by midnight.]


    ¡°I''m sorry, miss! I was testing how fast I could run a 10km route.¡±


    ¡°Running¡­10km?! Did you lose a bet to be doing this punishment?¡±


    ¡°No, I didn''t. I''m preparing for my first marathon next week. Oh! Speaking about it, I had to continue testing. I''m sorry I bumped into you, miss!¡±


    As we waved each other a goodbye gesture, I paid attention back to the Guideline¡¯s digitized window; my face making a complete baffled look while reading the fourth row of my daily task requirement.


    [Daily Task for Participant Kang Joo-yeon''s Physical Strength]


    [Kicks - (0/100)]


    [Punches - (0/100)]


    [Pull-ups - (0/100)]


    [Running - (0/10km)]


    ¡°The next time I see you, I''m gonna punch your face, you cold-blooded wizard!¡±, I grumbled before proceeding to complete my ¡°renewed daily task¡±.


    And now three weeks later, heartless Amergin''s ¡°tampering¡± has made me spend more on new sets of clothes, especially sportswear, for these past three weeks with my doctor''s permission to go out of the hospital to do so. Whilst I was shopping for my last set of clothes a few days ago, I coincidentally met Mrs Park and his little son at the checkout counter. As expected, she looked shocked upon seeing me though I can understand that my light brown hair isn''t spotting a long straight hairstyle anymore. I assumed she was there to buy a new set of clothes probably for her son. Nobody said anything until her son asked her if I''m her friend. Those innocent words of his caused me to smile fakely while I said these words with ease.


    ¡°In fact, your mom gave me the most surprising gift, kid. Ain''t that right, Park Sang-mi?¡±


    Surprisingly, I never regret saying those cold words to her back then in front of her son. After my purchase was done at the counter, I left the shop with my memory of her frozen, guilt-ridden face. I was able to hear her son asking why she was looking that way to me before the shop¡¯s sliding door closed behind me. No apology can atone for the sin of her cowardice that led to abandoning not just myself, but Jung-han and Ms Han too. She actually abandoned THREE people on that day.


    Regardless, I''m not gonna think about people like her anymore. I think it''s a good thing that I''ve been implemented with the Guideline that keeps me in check to not go into an ¡°emotionally volatile¡± mode. Another reward for my first solo raid on the Spontaneous Labyrinth is that I''ve got an upgrade on my healing potion. Or more accurately, a higher grade one. This time, it actually tells me how many I can make if I were to use up all its ingredients.


    [You''ve received ingredients to make a middle-grade Healing Potion.]


    [1. Mistletoe]


    [2. Windblume]


    [3. Lilac]


    [4. Aloe Vera]


    [The current amount of these ingredients are enough to craft for 6 bottles.]


    Is this additional info revealed because I''m now officially an E-rank? I wonder how much more information I''ll learn about anything related to the Guideline¡­starting with Old Man Amergin. I guess I''ve got another reason to grow stronger. The more specific messages I get, the better I can figure out why that wretched Labyrinth exists in the first place.


    I proceed agreeing to the craftsmanship of all of its six bottles alongside another six bottles of low-grade Explosion Potions, which will use up all the kobolds¡¯ blood and scales for good. I think the next time I see a hoard of kobolds, I''ll hunt them to make more Explosion Potions but then again, I shouldn¡¯t be going into any Labyrinths from now on.


    I''m still a very low-ranked Slayer on the Alliance¡¯s record, and for that reason, they won''t let me go inside a Labyrinth all by myself. Going in a group will risk me exposing my ¡°leveling up¡± powers that''ll lead me to be mistaken as a Hidden Ranker, who are a special kind of rogue Slayers that hide their actual mana output on purpose. I''ve heard Hidden Rankers must be executed even though there are currently more humane plans to disarm this kind of rogue Slayers.


    It¡¯s frightening to know that they''re able to freely control their mana output, tricking and giving false data on the first-made mana orb so many times. As a result, this act led to so much deception and worst, a massacre towards Nons and Slayers alike preferably done inside a Labyrinth. Now, the latest mana orb, along with special mana crystals given with the orb''s energy and placed in a walkie-talkie kind of box, is able to detect a Hidden Ranker within a minute. Hidden Rankers are getting more common to be found given the Alliance has caught and killed twenty for the past twelve years.


    ¡°It would be easier and safer if that old man told me everything he knows about this system thing I''ve got inside of me,¡± I grumble to myself while I''m almost done with my pull-ups at the hospital¡¯s playground.


    [Daily Task for Participant Kang Joo-yeon''s Physical Strength]


    [Kicks - (100/100)]


    [Punches - (100/100)]


    [Pull-ups - (100/100)]


    [Running - (10/10km)]


    I don''t know if I''m imagining things, but somehow I''m being stared at so much today. I wonder if I¡¯m exposing my belly too much in my black-and-purple sportswear now. Instead of young children, whom I often get attention from being the only adult woman using the playground, it''s mostly young men staring at me; some with their mouths wide open.


    I know their stares aren''t that of the ¡°sexual harassment¡± type, but I feel awkward being looked at as if I''ve Gayoung¡¯s beautiful looks to which I don''t. After I drink half a water bottle, I immediately leave the playground and head to my hospital room for a wardrobe change from my sweaty sportswear. I also remember today is the day I''m officially discharged from this hospital.


    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


    A male nurse calls my name, knocking on my hospital room¡¯s door before opening it. I¡¯ve managed to wear my long skirt on time. Only my upper body is a bit exposed with my black bra. Sure enough, I¡¯ve made the young man feel uncomfortable seeing how he¡¯s blushing redder than Jung-han¡¯s flushed face from the fevers I''ve seen of him. I quickly grab one of my T-shirts, which are lying across my hospital bed, randomly. I put on a dark green shirt, covering my upper body¡¯s improperness.


    These three weeks also got me noticing more young men are working in a nurse¡¯s uniform. While it''s a good thing debunking and defying society''s gender-defined jobs, I overheard that these male graduates took the nursing job because of a hot-looking female patient. It may sound trivial, but so far, I''ve met the majority of them being competent as nurses. I can tell these young men really want the nursing job as their profession.


    Besides, I didn''t see a female patient who is pretty like Slayer Seo Jae-in during my stay here. I thank the male nurse for his hard work and passing the message from my doctor. As I''m about to leave the room, he stops me with him suddenly calling out my name loudly; both of his hands holding and stretching out his smartphone to me.


    ¡°Ms Kang Joo-yeon! Uhm¡­¡±


    ¡°Woah~ yes, what is it?¡±


    ¡°C¡­can¡­can I have your phone number?¡±


    ¡°Phone number? Mine?¡±


    ¡°Yes! I¡­I wanna¡­maybe¡­¡±


    If I''m not mistaken, this man was talking to Doctor Han yesterday. Maybe he wants my contact info to inform me in case my health results seem off to the doctor.


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    As I reach out my right hand to take his phone and input my phone number, a familiar voice creeps up behind the male nurse. The voice speaks out a threatening tone in his words.


    ¡°Young man~ what are you doing to my niece?¡±


    It''s Uncle Seung-min who has come to pick me up and send me straight home before heading back to his part-time job as he''s dressed in a deliveryman¡¯s uniform. I can see his closed eyes looking somewhat antagonistic even though he''s smiling at the male nurse whose face I can see turned pale after seeing my uncle like that.


    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


    ¡°Is it because I sent you to an all-girls school?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, Uncle?¡±


    ¡°You see¡­there are men who like to take advantage of women. Men have an insatiable appetite.¡±


    ¡°But, uncle, he didn''t look hungry to me.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s one of the nurses working under Doctor Han. Isn''t that the reason why he needs my phone number? So that he can tell me if anything abnormal shows up regarding my health results?¡±


    ¡°Joo-yeon, you¡­Ha¡­Promise me you won''t give away your contact info like that again. Anyway, Doctor Han has gotten your contact info, right?¡±


    I nod while looking confused about what Uncle Seung-min is implying about men like that shy nurse. I kind of feel bad to see the young man rush out of my room, making a sudden excuse to me before his immediate leaving. I really gotta work on my social cues, especially with men my age though Jung-han is the exception of not feeling uncomfortable with me.


    Anyhow, my uncle tells me to wait at the hospital counter as he''s been told to go meet with my doctor now. He follows the nurse showing him the way to Doctor Han¡¯s office, and disappears from my sight as they turn right to a corner. I look around in this bustling hospital; my pink backpack feels light on my back despite the many newly bought clothes packed in it.


    For a moment, I look at the hospital¡¯s clock showing that it''s almost noon. Then, someone with a huge build bumps into me. My eyes automatically close when that happens. I almost lost my balance, which is a surprise to me because I''m scrawny to begin with. I open my eyes to see a tall man in his early-40s spotting a black goatee and curly black hair. He might''ve towered over Jung-han if he were to meet him.


    Then, I make a shocked look not because of the way he glares at me, saying ¡°Hey! Watch where you''re going!¡±. But because there''s a familiar blue digital screen appearing in front of his face. It''s the Guideline though many words look like they''re redacted except these two words that caught my attention.


    [ - - - - Tr¨²pa Program - - - - ]

 Level 25 - Youre Hired

    ¡°You didn''t have to cook so early, Joo-yeon.¡±


    I look at Uncle Seung-min, dressed in his delivery uniform once more, with disapproving eyes. Him being unnecessarily concerned about my well-being is the last thing I want to see. Even after my discharge from the hospital, he still treats me as if I''m not fully recovered. Then again, knowing about me getting trapped inside the Painting Labyrinth must¡¯ve made him more anxious even if he''s keeping a straight face right now. We''re in the living room where I push the lunchbox forward up to his chest so that he grabs it unconsciously. And he does so.


    ¡°Uncle, you worked so hard for the past month that I''m surprised you''ve yet to faint. You wouldn''t look so thin if Ga-young had learned how to cook.¡±


    Still wearing a pink apron over my casual clothes, my eyes scan his slender-but-a-bit-muscular body from head to toe. It''s a good thing I went grocery shopping for a one-week food supply yesterday. I asked Uncle Seung-min to drop me off at a nearby mart before he headed off to deliver the parcels. I try to hide my worrisome look while I think about Gayoung telling me about what he did for me during my sudden disappearance inside that wretched Labyrinth.


    ¡°Now, now, Joo-yeon. Teaching Ga-young how to cook is like training a penguin to fly in the sky. Besides, for the past whole month, she suddenly decided to go and stay at her friend''s house. This whole time, I''ve been making meals for myself only.¡±


    ¡°But that doesn''t mean I won''t stop cooking lunchboxes for you, uncle. And I hope Ga-young won''t just lounge around there. Just because she''s your daughter, you shouldn''t spoil her and let her do whatever she wants besides pursuing a fashion designer career.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Joo-yeon. I''ll talk with her when I''m free this weekend. Also, thanks for the lunch. I''ll be heading off now.¡±


    However, he abruptly halfway opens the door. He then turns around to look at me with a curious look on his face. I must be making a confused look now because he gets closer to me; his eyes squint as he too scans me from head to toe.


    ¡°I don''t wanna sound rude, but Joo-yeon¡­was your height always like this?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, uncle?¡±, I ask with a more confused look on my face.


    ¡°I mean¡­you look like¡­ you''ve grown taller since the last time I saw you a month ago.¡±


    Taller? Me? No way¡­


    ¡°And your voice¡­it sounds deep¡­but no worries! You still sound feminine. And your arms got some muscles¡­¡±


    ¡°Uncle, you''re gonna be late for work.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Right! Remember not to push yourself, Joo-yeon. Just call me if you can''t make dinner tonight, okay?¡±


    ¡°Just go, uncle. I''m not that weak to do something simple. Drive safely, okay?¡±


    ¡°Alright. See you later.¡±


    ¡°See you later, uncle.¡±


    I smile and wave my goodbye gesture to him until he walks out and closes the door behind him. As soon as the family car¡¯s engine fades away, I walk myself to a nearby sofa and plop myself down on it. With a serious look, I open the Guideline and search for my ¡°Status Window¡±. And out it pops all the current info I have about myself now.


    [Name: Kang Joo-yeon]


    [Level: 17]


    [Title: Memory Reader; Tenacious Slayer; The Unkillable Healer]


    [Class: Healer]


    [Subclass: Druid]


    [HP: 1980]


    [MP: 160]


    It seems that after I become an E-rank, I gain XP from my daily task each day that lead me to be at level 17 now. Then, my stats¡­


    [Stats of Kang Joo-yeon]


    [Agility: 60]


    [Vitality: 60]


    [Endurance: 60]


    [Strength: 60]


    [Luck: 60]


    [Available points from completing the daily task: 22]


    Oddly enough, I''m unable to insert the last 22 points into any of my stats. Well, I''ve yet to finish completing my pull-ups and running 10km today. I better finish them before heading out to get a part-time job today. Hopefully¡­the sooner, the better.


    There''s a good reason why I''m feeling desperate now. Yesterday, while Uncle Seung-min stopped the delivery van to get a canned drink and some snacks at a convenience store, his smartphone rang in one of the vehicle¡¯s cup holders. I saw the caller¡¯s name that made the atmosphere around me very unpleasant; the name saying ¡°Kim Dae-chool¡±. Immediately, I answered my uncle¡¯s phone; the voice on the other side sounded nasty as expected of an influential man involved with the black market.


    ¡°Yo, Kang Seung-min. I just wanna make sure you''re not running away. Or that you''re telling the cops about me. Besides, you''re responsible for my dead cousin''s debt to me.¡±


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°Mr Kim Dae-chool, this is Kang Joo-yeon speaking.¡±


    The old me would''ve ignored and turned off this phone call, but now, I''ve come to realize that there are some people you''ve to confront. Even if the person is a dangerous gang leader¡­


    ¡°The niece? Why are you answering this phone call? Where''s your uncle?¡±


    ¡°I thought the next payment is due next month.¡±


    Since knowing about my uncle¡¯s financial debt after Gi-young was just born, I noticed and kept track of this scummy thug, who always brought his two huge-sized henchmen, making sudden visits to our home every six months. There was barely leftover income for Uncle Seung-min to pay for the household expenses. When I became a Slayer, going raids helped me earn twice more than the few part-time jobs a high school graduate like me was able to get.


    ¡°Oh, honey~ you do know my boys and I charge interests. It''s hard times for all of us, especially when my no-good cousin duped me into investing in her doomed-to-fail museum. I still couldn''t believe she would be the type to not have abortions back then.¡±


    ¡°Just cut to the chase, Kim Dae-chool. How much should I pay this week?¡±


    ¡°Actually, your uncle should pay in the next three days.¡±


    ¡°What? I kept count of your unwanted visits.¡±


    ¡°I didn''t know you care about me, Swee¡­¡±


    ¡°How much, Mr Kim Dae-chool? So that you won''t barge into my uncle¡¯s workplace like last time.¡±


    ¡°One million.¡±


    After hearing that shocking amount, I saw Uncle Seung-min was coming back to the van. I told that thug not to call my uncle from now on. As proof that I''m not deceiving him, I told him my phone number and that he can call me to meet him wherever he''s at. I hung up and deleted the call history on Uncle Seung-min''s phone right before he opened the door of the driver''s seat.


    Back in the present, I let out a heavy sigh as I thought about how unrealistic I was making that promise. And it''s not just this one million payment I''ve got to confront about. Yesterday at the hospital, I was stunned like a statue because of the huge man with the Guideline''s window screen. I remember him calling a ¡°Slayer Oh¡±, who was right behind him, to hurry up and leave the hospital before it got crowded.


    She was a green-haired woman in her mid-20s with a slim-but-fairly-fit-and-tall build. Both of them were dressed in their black-and-white suits. And the fact she was addressed as ¡°Slayer Oh¡± meant both of them were possibly completing an errand given from the Slayers Alliance. They were gone when Uncle Seung-min came back to the counter, asking me what''s the matter, for I looked like I''d seen a ghost. And that ghost is the fact of another Slayer having the Guideline.


    ¡°Could it be¡­ Ha¡­it''s no use thinking about what''s gonna happen soon,¡± I say with a slightly jaded tone. I stand up to take off my apron, plopping it on the sofa. ¡°I guess I''ll have to run to clear my mind for a while.¡± I proceed to get changed into a black-and-pink hoodie and mid-length denim shorts.


    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


    [Daily Task for Participant Kang Joo-yeon''s Physical Strength]


    [Kicks - (100/100)]


    [Punches - (100/100)]


    [Pull-ups - (100/100)]


    [Running - (10/10km)]


    [Stats of Kang Joo-yeon]


    [Agility: 60]


    [Vitality: 60]


    [Endurance: 60]


    [Strength: 60]


    [Luck: 60]


    [Available points from completing the daily task: 32]


    I have to think about which stat I need to put most of the points I''ve got soon.


    Nowadays, I complete my renewed daily task in one and a half hours. The beginning days had me complete two hours though running 10km at the hospital¡¯s playground got me so distracted with almost everyone watching me there. I''m glad I won''t experience any distractions as the park I''m at is exactly ten kilometers from our home. I''ve just used a tree¡¯s huge branch for my pull-ups. Then, I sit down at a nearby bench for a rest.


    I guess Old Man Amergin wanted me to perfect my running form. That could be a plausible reason why he made the Guideline accept it in this daily task. Which reminds me¡­my next stat¡­


    As I decide which stat I want my points to be applied to, I overhear two young men talking at another bench further in front of me. It''s ironic enough that they act and look like immature delinquents instead of civilized adult men.


    ¡°So this picture of Chun Sun-woo smoking is not photoshopped?¡±


    ¡°Nope. You can trust this gossip site for whatever the Alliance is hiding from the public eye. Especially S-rank Slayers who have that spoiled bastard looking like this right now. He only got good grades during his school days because he got S-rank Slayer¡¯s powers at the age of thirteen. Oh, right! I''ll write on this forum that he cheated his girlfriend because he couldn''t stand her clinginess.¡±


    ¡°Is that true?¡±


    ¡°I went to the same high school as him. Believe me when he only liked Lee Hye-jin because her aunt is the famous S-rank elementalist Slayer.¡±


    ¡°Lee Hye-jin? Isn''t that name¡­but what you are about to write is the truth, right?¡±


    ¡°Who cares about what''s true? Whatever is written here is the truth that''ll satisfy my payback at Chun Sun-woo for getting anything he wants by doing nothing. It pisses me off that a guy like him takes whatever I want in my life.¡±


    Alas, I can no longer tolerate them wanting to spread misinformation about a famous man whom they''re not close with. I too have never met Chun personally, and I''m sure he and I will never get along; but to be making rumors about him would make me no better than that petty man who''s about to post his made-up truth about Chun. I proceed to use my {Lightning Control} on his smartphone. Unsurprisingly, he yelps once he feels the lightning¡¯s heat sears his right hand and skin. His smartphone drops and seems to short-circuit because of my skill.


    ¡°Pal! What happened!?¡±


    ¡°How on scorching earth would I know?! Darn it! I''m heading to the public washroom! Ouch!¡±


    With my hoodie covering my face, I secretly proceed to follow him there. Once he has done cussing about this minor burn he felt and washed his hands, he''s about to leave the washroom when I immediately grab his left arm, slamming him against the wall. Him looking surprised at my sudden appearance feels oddly satisfying in my sight.


    ¡°Hey! What gives¡­you¡­you''re not a boy! To think girls dare to be perverts in this day and age!¡±


    ¡°Listen, petty bastard.¡±


    ¡°What did you just call¡­¡±


    ¡°The world doesn''t revolve around you. Instead of posting false info about someone who doesn''t even know your existence, how about you find something you want to improve that''ll help you become a decent human?¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­I see what it is. You''re Chun Sun-woo¡¯s fan, aren''t you?! To think his fanclub can be overzealous, I''m surprised the authorities have yet to label y¡¯all a cult!¡±


    ¡°I''ve got news for you. I won''t like Slayer Chun, and we''ll never get along if we ever meet each other.¡±


    ¡°Then why¡­¡±


    ¡°Because you give in to your inferiority that easily until you''ll pull anyone down with your ugly lies. I suggest you change yourself¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha! As if Chun Sun-woo is a nice guy! He''s only nice because he was lucky to be awakened as a S-rank! He could easily do all this dungeon crawling job because of that power! I say he never has to make difficult choices. He¡¯s only ethical because he''s a S-rank! I bet if he was an F-rank, he would choose not to go solo on a B-rank Upsurge he happened to come across! It''s a convenient choice for all high-ranked Slayers! We deserve to hate them for not needing to make a choice


    Before he can spout any of his twisted black-and-white belief, I twist his right hand that makes a few of his fingers crack loudly. He screams very loud that his delinquent buddy arrives at the washroom we''re at. He too looks confused and startled to see me injuring him. I give both of them a cold look. Then, I squat down so that I can say these words to this rumormonger who''s currently in a groveling-like fallen position.


    ¡°Ms Han Bok-shil was trapped in a S-rank Labyrinth. She''s only D-rank, and yet she chose to give a lower-ranked healer the only escape route from that dangerous place. And you insulting her like that is something I''ll never let you do.¡±


    ¡°Okay! Okay! I won''t post fake news about Slayers anymore! Just¡­Ow! My hand¡­¡±


    I could''ve let him endure the pain more as his deserved punishment, but I decided that this isn''t what my mom or uncle would want. Besides I wanna test out the {Healing Skill} on his injury. Within several seconds, his right hand had healed. It doesn''t have burnt red skin and twisted fingers anymore. I get up and leave the washroom, leaving the man staring into space with a traumatized look; his friend phoning an ambulance with a scared look.


    I wasted 30MP in putting that petty man in his place. But he''s right on one thing about Chun, and that is always making a convenient choice for himself. I guess that''s why he likes Slayer Seo who has the same rank of power as him. He''ll never romantically like someone who''s a Non or a lower-ranked Slayer.


    Anyway, I hope to meet Ms Han soon after I settle the current debt. Now, I''m heading to¡­


    ¡°He died last night?!¡±


    I stop my tracks and turn to see two people dressed like bodyguards. I listen to their conversation, hiding myself behind a big tree.


    ¡°Apparently, according to an admin assistant at the Alliance, he was killed by a hoard of kobolds inside an E-rank Labyrinth. Surprisingly, three E-rank Slayers survived, but it was thanks to the famous Slayer Kim, who''s the strongest D-rank tanker of today, was part of the raid last night.¡±


    ¡°Okay. But that means we don''t have a porter to get into the Labyrinth we''re heading inside soon. I mean, our boss is gonna be upset because today is the most profits we must get before the Alliance realizes¡­¡±


    I interrupt with an ¡°Excuse me!¡± before the average-looking man could finish his sentence. Him and the ponytailed woman beside him stare at me as if I''m a spy working for the Alliance. I put on my act as the innocent and na?ve woman whom my old self was like.


    ¡°If you don''t mind, can I request to take the porter job you guys need immediately?¡±


    They look at each other for a while, pondering about my real intentions. A minute later, they suddenly smile, and the ponytailed woman says to me¡­


    ¡°You''re hired!¡±

 Level 26 - Wisdom Stat

    ¡®Here¡¯s his battle outfit and all the equipment he had on him.¡±


    We''re at the Alliance¡¯s foyer where Slayers can collect a deceased teammate¡¯s belongings at the concierge area if said teammate didn''t have a family or anyone close to give to. These two people, whom I''ve just met at the park, proceed to sign some paperwork as proof of them receiving their teammate''s belongings. I look around nonchalantly the foyer with both my hands in my hoodie¡¯s pockets. Alas, they''re ready to leave this building.


    ¡°We¡¯re done, Ms Kang,¡± says the ponytailed woman who smiles at me while she relays more info about the raid I''m heading off to. ¡°As for the labyrinth we''re going to, it''s properly measured as a D-rank.¡±


    ¡°I wish our overseer from the Alliance wasn''t so strict in measuring every Labyrinth¡¯s mana output TWICE,¡± her brawny male partner complains on my left side while we walk towards the building''s sliding door entrance. ¡°Just because some Distorted Labyrinth only showed up once this year.¡±


    Distorted Labyrinths are a very rare phenomenon in which a Labyrinth¡¯s mana output drastically increases and that it always forms a restrictive barrier around its own gate. The last one happened around three years ago, but the good news is that a Distorted Labyrinth is easily detectable with the special crystals that''s magically connected to the Alliance''s mana orb. I always saw my raid leaders stretching out their box-contained special crystal near a Labyrinth''s gate as a mandatory precaution.


    I remembered traitorous Jang doing so to the Painting Labyrinth''s ¡°outer¡± gate. And yet, there was no sign of its mana output spiking up and down in the crystal¡¯s color appearance which is always the confirmed sign to call the Alliance to send at least one or two A-rank Slayers since these ¡°unnatural Labyrinths¡± are always a B-rank. However, I don''t believe the Painting Labyrinth is the distorted type unless its creator was able to conceal its mana output that becomes undetectable on the special crystals.


    ¡°Ah~~~ that police bastard is giving our truck a traffic ticket¡­¡±


    ¡°That would be a problem if we let him be.¡±


    I snap out of my deep thinking and see our main transport, which is parked outside the glass entrance door, has a young policeman standing next to it, jotting down its license plate number in his notepad.


    ¡°Can you wait for us here, Ms Kang? I promise you we won''t be long.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    As the ponytailed woman and the brawny man head towards their parked vehicle, I awkwardly stand in the middle of the foyer since all the seats nearby have been taken already. I continue to do so until I hear the running of heels and whoever is wearing them accidentally bumps into me. I fall down backwards; my face being covered by one of the many papers that have been strewn across the foyer.


    ¡°Oh no! I''m sorry! I¡¯m in a hurry that I didn''t see you, miss!¡±


    A familiar voice has me immediately take off the paper from my face. I see a familiar face with long blonde hair and dark brown eyes even though she''s wearing dangling diamond earrings now.


    ¡°Sun¡­hee?¡± I cautiously call out her name as if she''s a high-ranked Slayer when it''s her older brother being the actual one.


    ¡°How do you¡­,¡± Sun-hee pauses as she stares at me with her eyes scanning from my head to toe. ¡°Do I know you?,¡± she asks with a still confused look though it makes sense due to my changed physical appearance, especially my hairstyle.


    ¡°I know my hair has changed from the last time we met at that hospital.¡±


    ¡°Hospital?... No way! Is that you, Joo-yeon? You look better now. In fact, you look more charming!¡±


    ¡°I think you''re the charming one, Sun-hee.¡±


    ¡°You''re too modest, Joo-yeon. It''s good to see you though I would''ve preferred if we didn''t meet like this, and that I''m in a hurry to send these records to Slayer Lee.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­then, I better help you get the other papers that flew over there.¡±


    ¡°Thanks and I''m sorry once again, Joo-yeon.¡±


    ¡°No worries, Sun-hee.¡±


    I swiftly pick up every single paper I can find around me until one of them catches my eye. It''s a male Slayer''s profile record and below his profile photo is the description of his whereabouts until his disappearance this past spring. But it''s not his face that has me looking a bit horrified. It''s the weapon he''s holding in a group photo of his raid team - a war hammer.


    ¡°Ms Chun, there you are! I''m sorry I''m late!¡±


    A young woman''s voice has snapped me out of my frozen daze in that group photo. I look up to see a neck-length black-haired woman with blackish-brown eyes running and stopping right next to Sun-hee. She looks surprised with the huge amount of papers scattered across the foyer¡¯s spot we¡¯re squatting at.


    ¡°That Lee Hong-ran¡­she can''t treat you like this just because your brother¡­¡±


    ¡°It''s okay, Ye-rin. I''m sure she has a good reason for asking this many records. After all , it''s my job as an admin assistant here.¡±


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°But still¡­this is too much for you to handle all by yourself! Let me help, Ms Chun!¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Ye-rin. I appreciate it.¡±


    With the help of Sun-hee¡¯s junior, the three of us manage to gather into two stacks within a minute. We all breathe a sigh of relief. Then, Sun-hee and her junior, Ye-rin each take the stack of papers. Sun-hee turns to me while still exuding a friendly smile at me.


    ¡°I hope we''ll meet again, Joo-yeon. I want to get to know each other properly, and treat you to a nice meal.¡±


    ¡°I hope so too, Sun-hee.¡±


    ¡°Bye, Joo-yeon. Hope to see you soon.¡±


    As I wave my goodbyes to both of them holding the huge stack of papers in their hands, I hear my raid members coming back to get me. Shortly after, I notice that behind them is the same policeman coming through the sliding door entrance. He looks beaten up badly and his right arm is bleeding. His battered condition has made some people nearby tend to him, including a healer-type Slayer who proceeds to heal his wounded arm.


    As much as I''m shocked over seeing him like that, I keep a straight face, albeit my mouth is gaping a little, in the presence of my raid members. Something''s off as the policeman looked unharmed before they went to talk to him. And yet, I can''t back off because I really need the income of ten million from this temporary porter job by today. Alas, I get into the truck¡¯s left seat with the man driving me and the ponytailed woman to their assigned Labyrinth.


    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


    ¡°Everyone, this is Kang Joo-yeon. She''ll be taking over for a teammate who is unavailable at the moment.¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, I don''t wanna be rude, but it would''ve been better if you chose another D-rank Slayer.¡±


    ¡°Hey! Knock it off, will you? Don''t you feel pity for this girl here? I''m sure she needs the money like the rest of us here.¡±


    ¡°Oh! I forgot I''m saying it out loud! Sorry¡­¡±


    I¡¯m at the D-rank Labyrinth¡¯s gate with three other male Slayers, whom all of them are unsurprisingly D-rank and of the fighter class. Judging by their battle outfits, two of them are of the archer subclass. The third one is dressed in a brown cloak and a grimoire, which is often made by a Slayer of the alchemist subclass, whom can comprehend foreign languages written in some Labyrinths while mixing mana-fused ingredients randomly found in Labyrinths. Of course cardboards and papers from our world are included that let mana-controlled images and words be formed on them.


    ¡°Can we go in now?¡±, one of the Slayers asks while he fidgets his crossbow.


    ¡°Our boss hasn''t arrived yet,¡± the ponytailed woman explains with a smile on her face. ¡°Same goes for another Slayer.¡±


    ¡°I get that she has personal business to take care of, but you can''t be lenient to her, Noona,¡± her male partner replies with an upsetting tone. ¡°I wonder if that girl ever really feels bad about being late. I mean being awakened as an inquisitor is no big deal, you know.¡±


    Inquisitor? It can''t be¡­


    ¡°Hey, sir! I''m here already, okay?¡±


    Hearing another familiar voice has me turn around to see another familiar face today. It¡¯s Slayer Ban. She''s dressed almost similar to me; her outfit''s color consists of a pink-and-white striped jacket, gray shirt, black skirt and blue leggings. She looks fashionable with her tomboyish good looks, especially her right eye¡¯s beauty mark. I¡¯m certain if she ever meets Ga-young, both of them will get along.


    I don''t know if it''s me, but I feel more tension in meeting her again even though we barely interact with each other in some of the previous raids we were coincidentally chosen in. It''s possible that she chose to look down at me indirectly after having been mocked for her inquisitor status. As proof, she''s giving me a doubtful glare at me even though I never badmouth her and the subclass she''s been bestowed upon. Alas, I sigh heavily and decide to let bygones be bygones, but without the need to reconcile with her as I''ve got no reason to do so.


    ¡°Why are you here, Healer Kang?¡±


    Oh great¡­I just give short replies and be on my way.


    ¡°Just like you, Ban. For the money.¡±


    ¡°That''s not¡­Ha¡­I mean¡­you do realize the Labyrinth we''re about to enter is a¡­¡±


    ¡°D-rank. Yes, I know, so just worry about yourself instead of a porter who''s an F-rank.¡±


    ¡°Porter¡­? You? I can see you''re a bit more muscular than the last time I saw you but¡­¡±


    ¡°Hello, everyone! Sorry to keep you waiting!¡±


    All of us turn to see who''s talking. It turns out to be a man who looks around fifty-five years old with several grays in his black hair. I conclude that he''s the leader of this raid judging by the way he''s dressed in an all-gray luxurious suit and four more people following behind me. Those four people look like his henchmen though the other Slayers believe they''re his bodyguards.


    ¡°Welcome, Mr Seo Tae-ho,¡± the ponytailed woman bows down while she addresses the middle-aged man¡¯s name.


    ¡°So, this is all the recruits that applied for us, right?¡± Mr Seo asks with his hands on his hips; his smile exudes a charismatic aura.


    ¡°Yes, Mr Seo. Oh¡­Except this young lady over here,¡± the male partner takes over the explanation of my presence here. ¡°One of the applicants was unavailable at the last minute. Coincidentally, we met her at the park this morning.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Mr Seo replies while nodding his head. ¡°But don''t you think the bandwagon would be too heavy for her to pull¡­¡±


    ¡°I can assure you that I¡¯m capable of pulling a bandwagon, Mr Seo,¡± I reply confidently.


    Mr Seo laughs heartily at my instant reply that would''ve been seen as an offense when interrupting an elderly man¡¯s sentence.


    ¡°I like you, Ms¡­¡±


    ¡°Kang Joo-yeon, Mr Seo.¡±


    ¡°Then, Slayer Kang, let''s work well together! The rest of you too~ let''s clear this raid with success.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±


    As Mr Seo gives some more explanations to the rest of the Slayers, including Slayer Ban, I suddenly can hear someone''s voice in my head. Just when I think the voice belongs to the unknown man from the Painting Labyrinth, I''m taken aback that the voice sounds like Old Man Amergin before I resign myself to a nonchalant attitude.


    ¡°Kang Joo-yeon, don''t go inside that Labyrinth.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­Ha¡­I didn''t know you could use telepathy from such a distance. And may I know why?¡±


    ¡°You''re gonna regret going inside¡­¡±


    ¡°Listen, old man. If I don''t, then will you give me the money I need tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°That''s¡­¡±


    ¡°See? I''ve to finish this one-time job that gives me the ten million I must have to pay my uncle¡¯s debt. Even half of it would finally stop the loanshark bastard from seeing my family..¡±


    ¡°You don''t understand. That Labyrinth isn''t child''s play. Plus, you mustn''t rely on your luck forever.¡±


    Right then, I hear the Guideline¡¯s notification pop-up sound, showing up in front of my eyes. My eyes widen at its messages, but somehow a smirk forms on my face for I feel like making a comeback at the old man whose voice is still in my head.


    ¡°You''re in luck to find out you''re right.¡±


    ¡°Huh? What do you¡­¡±


    ¡°I''m not gonna use my luck today, old man.¡±


    [You have earned the ¡®Wisdom¡¯ stat.]


    [However, your current rank forbids you to have six stats in your profile.]


    [If you need the ¡®Wisdom¡¯ stat now, please transfer one of your current stats to someone as a temporary storage.]


    ¡°Kang Joo-yeon, I really don''t want you¡­ugh..¡±


    ¡°Hey¡­old man? Are you alright? Hello?¡±


    The ¡°telepathic phone call¡± has been abruptly hung up. I feel a bit worried hearing his grunt for it sounds like he''s feeling some painful wound.


    ¡°Is everyone ready?¡±


    My mind¡¯s attention is shifted to the voice of Mr Seo and the sound of his clapped hands. I can see his assistants are all geared up despite them being actually Nons for I don''t feel any mana output coming from their physiques. Regardless, every one of us here departs, walking through this D-rank Labyrinth¡¯s gate. And I decide which stat I wanna put away and which person I wanna use as my temporary storage.


    [Transfer ¡®Luck¡¯ stat to Slayer Ban Ha-na.]


    [...]


    [Your request to transfer is completed.]


    [...]


    [The renewed Guideline has implemented the ¡®Wisdom¡¯ stat into Participant Kang Joo-yeon.]


    [Stats of Kang Joo-yeon]


    [Agility: 60]


    [Vitality: 60]


    [Endurance: 60]


    [Strength: 60]


    [Wisdom: 0]


    [Available points from completing the daily task: 22]

 Level 27 - Sigbins and Sage

    Never in my life would I hear the continuous sounds of the clanging and clunking coming from pickaxes and shovels the Nons and Slayers are using in this Labyrinth¡¯s pathway. I too should help this raid team mine the aqua-colored mana crystals, but I''ve been told by Mr Seo to save my energy as much as I can. He insists that a porter¡¯s job mainly involves pulling the team''s bandwagon until his people and the ¡®freelance¡¯ Slayers have cleared this Labyrinth. That led me to just standing here with my arms crossed and my back leaning against the cavey walls.


    Oddly enough, I¡¯m starting to feel bored even though I should know that mining every single crystal in this Labyrinth will take at least two hours based on the number of the raid members here. One of them doesn''t look pleased with my current behavior¡¯s look which is followed by a few yawns I make in between the mining¡¯s duration. Either I¡¯m unable to hide my boredom look in a more discreet manner or that Slayer Ban, whom I just realized we''re almost the same height, has her senses heightened more due to her awakening as a rare subclass.


    ¡°Hey, Kang Joo-yeon. Just because you''re the only Slayer with the lowest rank, that doesn''t mean you should do nothing at all.¡±


    Her starting this sudden conversation with me exudes so much tension, especially when she holds up her pickaxe and rests it on her right shoulder. I guess even Slayers with a somewhat pointless subclass like hers will still treat me as a useless being. I let out a sigh while I ruffle my bob haircut, indicating my annoyance with her bossing me about when she¡¯s not exactly an assistant to Mr Seo.


    ¡°I don''t remember badmouthing you, Slayer Ban. Let me guess. Am I chosen to be your target in receiving your frustrations?¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°Your kind of coping mechanism doesn''t help you become strong. I suggest you learn to be competent and make up for what you lack in.¡±


    I can see this tomboyish woman clenching her pickaxe; her frown and furrowed eyebrows looking more intense after I say a fact or two about her powers as a Slayer.


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­strange, Kang Joo-yeon.¡±


    I raise my right eyebrow while she somewhat rambles about my attitude towards her.


    ¡°It''s as if you''re not the same person I last saw in the raid I managed to back away from.¡±


    Sounds like you''re bragging that you didn''t have to make a choice if you were¡­


    ¡°Hey, y¡¯all!¡±, the ponytailed woman calls out with a loud tone. ¡°Stop mining for a sec! I just smelled something!¡±


    With her leadership skills of telling her Non colleagues to get themselves ready for a battle, I can see why Mr Seo got a special permission to clear a Labyrinth; not to mention why I''ve to pull a bandwagon that not only has loaded pickaxes and gunny sacks, but also lots of robotic-like accessories and parts. The Non members proceed to put each of these equipment, whether in the form of bracelets, rings or parts of plate armor, is embedded with a champagne-colored gemstone. Then, the gemstones start to glow.


    I start to realize that they¡¯re actually made from a rare type of mana crystal. Within seconds, I can feel a sudden surge of mana output coming from the Nons¡¯ bodies. This can only mean one thing. They''re wearing battle equipment made by Maorga Inc.; the rare metal material made of orihalcum which can channel any amount of mana coming from their gemstones. It¡¯s basically a magical battery for any Non who can afford it since the purchase of this very special item, even if imbued with a D-rank power, cost half a million.


    I start to remember what Ms Han warned about someone who has yet to be caught red-handed by the Alliance, but for now, I¡¯m occupied with the current warning from the ponytailed woman. She''s right about smelling something, and it''s a nasty smell that makes most of the members here cover their noses or hold their breaths for some moments.


    ¡°Ugh! What''s this smell?!¡±


    ¡°It smells revolting!¡±


    ¡°I feel nauseous!¡±


    ¡°Everyone, don''t let your guard down!¡±


    I''m still taken aback with everyone, including the Slayer members, looking with all sorts of emotions on their faces. Some look scared. Others look cautious. As for Slayer Ban, she also looks determined to make it out alive with the pickaxe she''s still holding on to; even though inquisitors, even though they''re not of the healer class, are unable to channel mana output on to any weapon.


    ¡°Mr Seo, it''s best if you stay next to the bandwagon,¡± the ponytailed woman advises her boss as she gears up with the Maorga equipment in the form of a chained whip. She turns to look at me and says, ¡°You too, Ms Kang.¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    I somehow obey her instructions for me to just stay out of the upcoming battle even though I, or more precisely the Guideline, might be capable of fending off whatever creature is coming at us right now. Speaking of them, they''re already here judging by the sudden sound of loud growls and hisses.


    ¡°But where are they? I can hear them, but I can''t see them.¡±


    ¡°Maybe they''re still faraway, but to think they''re able to make loud noises from that distance¡­¡±


    Something''s not right. The creatures are actually here. There''s enough lighting because of the mana crystals being our light source so why¡­


    ¡°Ah!!! Something bit my arm!¡±


    I quickly turn to see one of the archer Slayers¡¯ arms is bleeding. I see the ponytailed woman calling him. She quickly tosses the Alliance¡¯s healing potion, which was in the bandwagon, to the man who¡¯s able to catch the bottle with his other arm. As he drinks it, some of Mr Seo¡¯s assistants declare they''re being clawed by something. I can see minor cuts slowly form on their bodies.


    ¡°We better slay these monsters quickly! Before we''re literally dead meat for them¡­¡±


    Each of the raid members keep turning around, searching for the hidden creatures, but nothing is appearing in their sight. Only the foul odor is the only sense everyone here is able to detect with their nose.


    ¡°Darn it!,¡± Slayer Ban cusses in this heavy atmosphere we''re all feeling now. ¡°It''s as if they''re invisible¡­¡±


    Invisible? Could it be¡­


    ¡°Hey! Does anyone have an ¡®Uncover Skill¡¯? If you have one, use it right now!¡±


    ¡°Ms Kang, what are you¡­¡±


    ¡°They''re literally hiding in plain sight, Mr Seo.¡±


    ¡°So they''re invisible?! No wonder¡­¡±


    ¡°Ouch! They''re slashing with their claws again!¡±


    ¡°They really are invisible!¡±


    Right on time, the Slayer, who¡¯s a wizard subgroup of the mage subclass, opens up his grimoire which glows a bright yellow light. He''s activating the ¡®Uncover Skill¡¯ his grimoire fortunately has.


    ¡°If that''s true, then I''ve got this! Everybody, close your eyes! This skill will blind you!¡±


    We quickly close our eyes as we''re told to. A few seconds later, I hear shattering-like sounds which indicate the hostile creatures are exposed now. We then open our eyes to see several hideous kangaroo-like creatures surrounding us. Their reddish eyes stare at us. It''s creepy enough that their heads are lowered in between their hind legs with reddish-brown fur; the position of their clawed paws facing the opposite direction.


    ¡°These are Sigbins!¡±


    ¡°Look out!¡±


    One of the Sigbins starts attacking a few of Mr Seo''s assistants with its constant running backwards along and its quill-like tail being used as a weaponized whip. The tail makes a huge blow on their armored chest, sending them flying backwards that makes a huge crater on the Labyrinth''s wall. At least I don''t hear broken bones and they''re not coughing blood. Their equipment must be really durable, though it''s mostly because of the embedded mana crystal, withstanding a Sigbin¡¯s attack.


    The rest of the members, who are still standing, including the archer Slayers attack the Sigbins with their weapons. Surprisingly, the Slayers are able to be coordinated with Mr Seo''s assistants¡¯ offensive moves. As for Slayer Ban, she swings her pickaxe at whichever Sigbins is attacking her. I¡¯m speculating the reason she''s not putting up her defensive barrier is because she wants to use it when this raid team meets up with the final Beast of this Labyrinth.


    I¡¯m still staying at my designated spot until I notice something is creeping up behind Slayer Ban. It''s another invisible Sigbin in which I can see its outlined silhouette. I instinctively pick up a random rock that''s next to my foot. Just when it opens its jaws right above her head, I throw the rock at its gaping mouth. The rock gains so much forceful momentum that it goes right through the monster¡¯s head. Some parts of its brain stick out once the rock comes out with that kind of velocity.


    Its carcass falls down backwards, giving Slayer Ban a shocked look on her face. I too am looking surprised though I keep it under my stoic look. I¡¯ve come to believe that it''s the ¡®wisdom stat¡¯, in which all of my 32 points have been applied there, the Guideline has given to me. Then, I begin to make a decision in collecting the carcasses of the Sigbins. Of course I need to do so without being seen by this raid team I''ve just joined in. And that gets me wondering if¡­


    If some Labyrinths are said to be evolving at an unpredictable stage, then it''ll be alright to do this even in plain sight.


    I proceed to use the {Lightning Skill} for ten seconds. I use my focus on hitting the remaining Sigbins only. The raid members, including Mr Seo, look flabbergasted to see their beastly enemies getting a literal shock of their lives. Soon after I¡¯ve deactivated my skill, the Sigbins have become slightly burnt carcasses. Each of them plop to the ground like a lifeless sandbag. Before anyone wonders what exactly has happened, I quickly inwardly say [Store all Sigbins] which the Guideline complies with my command. And so, my storage¡¯s blue light surrounds the whole team. It ¡®swallows¡¯ the carcasses into the ground before having its light disappear completely from anyone''s sight.


    ¡°What on earth was that?¡±


    ¡°Hey! That''s not fair! Those carcasses should have body parts that are worth selling at the Alliance¡¯s auction!¡±


    ¡°It can''t be helped that some Labyrinths are evolving at a fast pace. Just that we can''t predict its next behavior.¡±


    ¡°You mean, Mr Seo¡­this is a Labyrinth¡¯s doing? This case sounds familiar¡­¡±


    ¡°Anyway, the important matter is that we''re all safe for now, and that there are no casualties. I only expect to collect the mana crystals and this team to defeat the final Beast. That''s the requirement y¡¯all need to do, okay? Now, if anyone is suffering from bruises or cuts from the Sigbins, please take and consume the healing potions that''s in this bandwagon.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Mr Seo!¡±


    Each member takes a break from the non-stop fight they had against the Sigbins. Some drink their water bottles. Others readjust their equipment¡¯s position on their bodies. As everyone is busy getting themselves ready before heading into this Labyrinth any further, I begin to suspect that the Nons (Mr Seo and his assistants) know something about this Labyrinth more than the Slayers.


    The ponytailed woman told me earlier, before I arrived with her here, that the Slayers are online applicants for this raid team¡¯s job requirement. She told me the maximum to hire Slayers is five people while also telling me that I''m the lucky one to be getting this lucrative deal from her boss Mr Seo.


    Even before entering inside this Labyrinth, I was surprised there''s no healer Slayer amongst Mr Seo''s company. As much as healing potions bought at the Alliance are reassuring enough for the Slayer applicants, I was already suspecting that Mr Seo or any of his assistants is keeping some secrets from us Slayers.


    Also, there was another smell on the Sigbins¡¯ bodies while I was observing the team¡¯s fight against them. It was the smell of sage, which was absorbed with mana energy, on the Sigbins. It''s a good thing I swap my ¡®luck stat'' to ¡®wisdom stat¡¯ today, seeing how the Guideline¡¯s notification appears to me like this as if it''s explaining why the old man was in a hurry to warn me not to go inside here.


    [You have stored 26 bodies of Sigbins.]


    [...]


    [The revisioned Guideline via the Wisdom Stat has detected traces of ¡®mana-absorbed Sage¡¯.]


    [...]


    [Choose the following on what you want to do with its residue.]


    [(1) Remove]


    [(2) Replicate]


    [(3) Retrieve]

 Level 28 - No Harm in Being Cautious

    As we walk towards our destination, with the pathway being illuminated with blue mana crystals on the walls, in defeating the final Beast, I¡¯ve been spared from pulling the more loaded bandwagon. Of course I feel obligated to do so not because I feel physically tired, which I''ve yet to feel that way today, but because the two archer Slayers keep on insisting that I take a break from the heavy weightlifting.


    Regardless whether their help offer is due to their urge to present themselves as gentlemen or because they wanna look cool in front of the few women present here, I want to fully focus on reassessing my current profile in the Guideline. It''s hard to pay attention to it if I were to keep on pulling the bandwagon on my own; hence, that''s the reason why I accept their help though it''s another story if they were S-rank to begin with. As I check my overall profile, including the storage that has the Sigbins'' body parts, from the Guideline, a familiar voice interrupts my focus and I''ve to shut down the blue screen from my sight to focus talking with that person.


    ¡°Hey. Were you the one who threw that rock?¡±


    I give Slayer Ban a nonchalant look while pretending not to know what she''s actually asking about; my hands place inside the pockets of my hoodie again. She''s not even an S-rank, but her instinct to sense something abnormal really proves the strength of her subclass¡¯ powers. I almost mistaken her for having the same one as Slayer Shin who''s of the berserker subclass. Hopefully I''m able to keep my secret safe from the likes of her.


    ¡°You''re really talkative today, Slayer Ban.¡±


    ¡°And you seem to change more than I initially thought. It''s not just your physical appearance, but the way you notice that Sigbin¡­¡±


    ¡°I hope you''ve got a good reason to get your pay today. Otherwise, I don''t understand why you can''t apply to work at a Slayers¡¯ guild.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Good thing I''m able to distract her with this kind of remark¡­


    ¡°I could say the same to you, Kang Joo-yeon. How come an F-rank like you keeps coming back to join a raid team?¡±


    I stay silent when she makes that comeback at me. It''s at this moment that Mr Seo suddenly tells us to take a break for ten minutes before we venture deeper into the Labyrinth. Each of us takes a lunch box that''s been provided by Mr Seo who placed them inside the bandwagon. Once I finish eating my lunch, I''m tempted to grab the last lunch box, but it''s already been taken by one of Mr Seo''s assistants who looks around Ga-young¡¯s age.


    Ever since I''ve been assigned with my daily task of the Guideline, I always made sure I ate a two-person meal, which includes this morning before Uncle Seung-min left for work. It''s a bad habit that I mustn''t subconsciously become a glutton even though my eating consumption has a plausible reason for doing so.


    ¡°That''s an expensive grimoire you got there.¡±


    I look to see a few of Mr Seo''s assistants admiring and praising the teal-colored item the wizard Slayer has. Upon a closer look now, he seems to be around Uncle Seung-min¡¯s age and sort of reminds me of him seeing the wizard¡¯s body figure being the same as his. The wizard has spiky black hair and brown eyes. I can feel a friendly and humble demeanor coming from him unlike Old Man Amergin who still exudes the opposite vibe when he telepathically talked to me today.


    ¡°I¡¯m flattered that y¡¯all can tell its fine quality. This D-rank item is actually a hand-me-down from a fallen comrade of mine.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    ¡°Y¡¯all don''t need to feel sorry. It should be expected that raiding, even for a same rank, Labyrinths is a dangerous job. But, I plan to retire and start a restaurant business with my wife and teenage son after this raid is done.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, mister!¡±


    ¡°Good to know. Then, we better check and make sure our equipment from Maorga is still functioning well.¡±


    ¡°Oh, please! Go ahead.¡±


    As they move on to check their equipment, which were temporarily placed back in the bandwagon, the wizard Slayer somehow starts a conversation with me though I admit I was staring at his grimoire that has some beautiful markings on its cover.


    ¡°Do you like it, Slayer Kang?¡±


    ¡°Oh. It''s just that''s a beautifully-made grimoire you owned there.¡±


    ¡°I guess it''s beautiful that even my little girl wishes she ¡®gets chosen¡¯ as a Slayer and inherits this item from me.¡±


    ¡°Is she your youngest child?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°I hope she doesn''t get disappointed that only the mage subclass can use a grimoire.¡±


    ¡°Haha. I hope so too. But I''m more worried that she''ll be disappointed when she finds out a Slayer''s world isn''t what she expected it to be¡­¡±


    He stops his sentence midway, but I can tell what he means by that. I used to think like his young daughter that if I tolerate and work hard enough to earn a huge income from the raids, I''ll feel good about being chosen as a Slayer. That shattered my na?ve expectations when rankism, and sometimes classism, was and is still normalized amongst Slayers, and nobody of the lower ranks can question if this discrimination was necessary.


    As for the three leading figures with undisclosed identities at the Alliance, I speculate they can''t interfere since many of their sponsors, who mostly are chaebol people, always support the rankism being normalized. Even though I remember one of them, whose name is Yoo Hyo-kyung, coming from the same social class, she proclaimed in one of her interviews that she refused to receive assistance from her filthy rich family. I guess the rumor of her turning her family mansion into an ice castle shouldn''t be surprising if that were to be proven true.


    ¡°Alright, everyone! It''s time to move on!¡±This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    The young father and I look to see Mr Seo talking words of encouragement in an assertive-like voice while he claps his hands as an alert call to us Slayer-applicants. The young father also says encouraging words, but more directly to me.


    ¡°Let''s get ourselves home safely, Slayer Kang.¡±


    I nod in agreement at what he just said to me. As we get up from our resting spots, I notice something is shining from my right side afar. I squint my eyes to see an egg-shaped device that''s hiding between two rocks. I notice that the device is half-opened from the middle. There''s a shiny gem that''s a burnt sienna color inside of it, which makes me so curious that I subconsciously walk towards it.


    Someone suddenly grabs my left wrist. I turn my head around to see the ponytailed woman reminding me to not get separated from the team while smiling at me. Somehow that smile is making me feel uncomfortable that I can''t help, but reluctantly nod in agreement. She lets go of my wrist. Both of us proceed to walk to our intended destination whilst I look behind for a few moments to see the shiny device looking out of place in this D-rank Labyrinth.


    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


    [You have stored 20 Amethyst Mushrooms.]


    It¡¯s a stroke of luck that I''m able to collect and store this kind of mana-absorbed mushroom without anyone noticing the blue light swallowing them into the ground. I''m glad that, in comparison to all the Sigbins'' bodies being at one whole spot, each mushroom is separated along this pathway; most of their height is towered over by large rocks surrounding them. That''s the reason why everyone on this team keeps on walking even though one of them has noticed the mushrooms a bit earlier on.


    ¡°Man~ if only we had a sorceress Slayer here to collect these poisonous mushrooms¡­¡±


    [...]


    ¡°Now, now~ let''s not get discouraged. Our main mission is to collect as many mana crystals as we can get and put them into the bandwagon.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Mr Seo. But these Amethyst Mushrooms can be sold at a very high price¡­¡±


    [You have the required ingredients to make a low-grade Cleansing Potion.]


    [1. Windblume]


    [2. Sage - Replicated Form]


    [3. Amethyst Mushroom]


    [4. Mistletoe]


    ¡°It would''ve been good if your daughter joined this raid we''re in now,¡± one of Mr Seo¡¯s assistants says with his hands holding the back of his head.


    ¡°I didn''t know Mr Seo''s daughter is a Slayer,¡± one of the archer Slayers says with an astonished look on his face.


    I speculate that all Mr Seo¡¯s six assistants know about her as I listen to each of them take turns to talk about her current whereabouts and recent activity which Mr Seo politely gives ambiguous answers regarding such private information. Meanwhile, I''m busy focusing on my decision to craft this new kind of potion.


    [The current amount of these ingredients are enough to craft for 6 bottles.]


    [Crafting of 6 low-grade Cleansing Potions¡¯ duration: 30 minutes]


    [Would you like to proceed crafting them?]


    [Yes]


    The archer Slayers are being nosy in wanting to know about Mr Seo''s daughter. The young father and Slayer Ban just keep quiet, only listening to this so-called exciting conversation.


    ¡°Wait¡­are you implying she''s a sorceress? Since only that subgroup can store necessities in some space-like storage¡­¡±


    ¡°If Mr Seo isn''t denying it, it''s the truth.¡±


    ¡°If that''s true, how many can she carry this kind of dangerous ingredient?¡±


    ¡°You kids wanna know, huh? Let''s see¡­she''s an S-rank so at least five thousand?¡±


    As soon as I close my ¡®Window Status¡¯, I look at Mr Seo smiling as he somehow brags about his daughter, whom he has yet to say her name, being able to clear three S-rank Labyrinths on the same day. There''s something about him talking about his daughter that makes me think he might be related to what Ms Han was warning me during a past raid of ours.


    What''s more unsettling is that my {Memory Reader} was activated on its own when the ponytailed woman grabbed me earlier on. And what I saw in a memory she was thinking about involves a burning house and that I could feel her making a wicked smile while staring at it.


    ¡°Is that our destination?¡±


    ¡°It should be. It¡¯s shining violet over there.¡±


    ¡°That color¡­could it be those mana crystals¡­¡±


    As all of us pass through the entrance of this tunnel, we look in awe at the sight of the violet-colored scenery in this cave chamber we''re standing inside now. Upon a closer look, we see every violet crystal has a runic alphabet that''s shaped like the letter ¡®B¡¯.


    ¡°If I''m not mistaken, all of these are Bhrath Crystals.


    Indeed they are Bhrath Crystals, which are the special mana crystals the Alliance¡¯s detection tool and the current mana orb use to catch the Hidden Rankers and uncover any Distorted Labyrinth. Apparently, South Korea is the one of the few countries with the most findings, besides having the most S-rank Slayers, of this special item.


    Exporting such items to any countries who have active Slayers has helped generate the country''s economic growth at a fast rate. And the country continues to do so without any signs of slowing down its export of Bhrath Crystals.


    ¡°How much can we mine and put inside this bandwagon, Mr Seo?¡±, one of the archer Slayers asks as he and the other archer put down the handle of the bandwagon, letting the moving storage be at a stationary position.


    ¡°Oh~~,¡± Mr Seo replies with an astonished tone. I guess nobody else would be like me who still has a stoic face even though in my mind, this is impressive to look at the huge amount of Bhrath Crystals in a single chamber. Then, Mr Seo turns around to face us Slayers with a smile on his face.


    ¡°We shall mine as many as we can, young man. Do remember not to overload the bandwagon. Otherwise, we can''t leave without you pulling it back in one piece.¡±


    ¡°In that case, we archers will start mining first. I think you and your assistants deserve some rest!¡±


    ¡°Oh no~ no~ How can my team possibly let you mine all by yourselves?¡±


    My team? Why would he say that?...


    ¡°Mr Seo, did you forget that Slayers have way more endurance energy than Nons?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true. I suppose¡­if you insist then¡­ we''ll listen to your advice. After all, my team has yet to fully recover from that Sigbin fight.¡±


    ¡°Great! Alright! You three! We Slayers should be doing our duty to help generous civilians like Mr Seo and his team here!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, let''s mine immediately!¡±


    ¡°You guys can''t be serious¡­¡±


    ¡°Come on, Slayer Ban. It makes sense that we do most of the work for a ten million pay.¡±


    As Slayer Ban start to sort of quarrel with the archers that it''s ridiculous that five Slayers would mine a large amount of Bhrath Crystals, I begin to wonder why Mr Seo would pay each of the Slayers ten million, especially me for I was told with insistence to just focus being a porter. In fact, I''m quite famous for being the weakest healer in the history of Slayers. Before we went inside this Labyrinth, I confessed to Mr Seo that my healing magic is too weak for anyone who''ll get hurt with major injuries. The words he said to me surprised me greatly.


    ¡°Yes, I''m aware of that. One of my assistants told me about your sudden recruitment. Hearing your name quite surprised me a bit. But rest assured that I¡¯m not one to care about ranks among Slayers. In fact, I''m told that you''re a lucky charm in many of your previous raids.¡±


    ¡°Is that so? Then, I''m in your care, Mr Seo Tae-ho.¡±


    ¡°Hoho~ I feel convinced that we''ll make a lot of profits today, Ms Kang Joo-yeon. You can trust me and my team to have your backs.¡±


    Back to my current position of standing still inside this vast chamber cave, I¡¯ve managed to remember Ms Han¡¯s advice and an important conversation to me during my previous raids with her.


    ¡°I can''t believe this team still admires Slayer Seo as if she''s a savior to them¡­¡±


    ¡°Do you have something against Slayer Seo, Ms Han?¡±


    ¡°Not exactly, Slayer Kang. It''s just that¡­I heard a rumor that the reason why she''s protecting her private life so much¡­is because of her father.¡±


    ¡°What about her father, Ms Han?¡±


    ¡°I might be wrong, but there''s no harm in being cautious.¡±


    ¡°???¡±


    ¡°I heard through a close junior of mine that Slayer Seo¡¯s father is a corrupt businessman, making lucrative deals at the black market.¡±


    ¡°!!!¡±


    ¡°Also, he often recruits low-ranking Slayers to do raids with him and his assistants. It doesn''t make sense that Nons like him are allowed to lead a raid with Slayers being the applicants.¡±


    ¡°Why isn''t the Alliance doing anything, Ms Han?¡±


    ¡°Because the Alliance''s major sponsors have a close partnership with him. They care about profits more than a low-ranked Slayer¡¯s life. There''s nothing we can do, but hopefully my junior will figure out how to stop him soon. Otherwise¡­more innocent Slayers will die in his schemes.¡±


    Suddenly, a rumbling has pulled me away from my flashback of Ms Han. The ground is shaking with several Bhrath Crystals plummet from the ceiling and walls, surrounding us five Slayers. I can see frightened looks on the four of them. The continuous rumbling reminds me of that Painting Labyrinth creating an earthquake to kill me back then.


    ¡°Hey! Something''s coming out of the ground!¡±


    I turn to look at the spot one of the archer Slayers points towards it. With a huge burst of crystal, rock, and soil, each of us cover our eyes for protection against the debris raining down on us. Then, we open our eyes to see an enormous Beast appear in front of us. It looks obvious that it''s the one who made the rumblings and that huge hole behind itself. This creature has a rhino¡¯s face, an elephant¡¯s trunk, a tiger¡¯s stripes, a bull¡¯s tail, and a bear¡¯s paws. Its skin looks all metallic in a shiny silver color.


    This is... the Final Beast¡­The Bulgasari!

 Level 29 - Im a Slayer Just Like You

    The archer Slayers unconsciously drop their pickaxes after hearing and seeing the strongest D-rank Beast making its terrifying roars and its stomping on huge-sized stones that were near to its feet. Even a little kid can tell the Bulgasari is territorial to anyone disturbing its resting place, which unfortunately we''re inside already.


    ¡°Why¡­why is that thing¡­here!?¡±, one of them exclaims with a confused horrified look.


    ¡°Something¡¯s off¡±, the young father/wizard Slayer says with a cautious look on his face. ¡°The Bulgasari will never bury itself underground. It''s abnormal behavior¡­¡±


    ¡°It can be capable of adapting itself,¡± I say my speculation out loud in a firm voice. ¡°We shouldn''t be surprised it''s still an intelligent creature.¡±


    ¡°But still¡­it doesn¡¯t make sense!¡±, the other archer Slayer shouts too loud that the Bulgasari makes another territorial roar at us. ¡°Mr Seo, I hate to say this, but¡­¡±


    ¡°You Slayers will have to try killing it,¡± Mr Seo finishes the archer¡¯s unfinished sentence; his voice tone sounds ruthless while saying those words.


    ¡°Mr Seo,¡± the wizard Slayer says to him, looking distraught as he hears those words. ¡°What are you¡­and your men doing over there?¡±


    All of us Slayers turn to see Mr Seo and his six assistants standing close to each other. We see something is glowing in his right hand. I see it''s a burnt sienna-colored gem; the same color that the egg-shaped device had way back on this Labyrinth''s pathway. The glow shines brighter until it forms a flame-patterned aura surrounding Mr Seo and the six Nons.


    ¡°I wish you the best of luck, brave and mighty Slayers,¡± Mr Seo says with a pleasant look as if he''s doing us a favor. ¡°My men and I will never forget your sacrifice for us.¡±


    Before any of us Slayers can say anything, the burnt sienna-colored flame envelops Mr Seo and his henchmen, disappearing from our sight. All of us, except myself, can only make numbed stares. Only the sound of the agitated Bulgasari is heard across this chamber we''re stuck in. Coincidentally, it sounds more aggressive right after those traitors just left us. One of the archer Slayers starts another conversation with a trembling voice.


    ¡°I can''t believe¡­Mr Seo¡­betrayed¡­us¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey! Now''s not the time to think about that traitor! We''ve to hide now!¡±


    ¡°But where, Slayer Ban? My grimoire can make a strong defensive barrier¡­¡±


    ¡°No. It''s better if we can at least injure it, old man. I''ve only got a few arrows left so it''s a good thing we''ve got these pickaxes.¡±


    ¡°Wait. Don''t tell me you want to attack first¡­¡±


    The Bulgasari makes another terrifying roar at us. Its scary red eyes are glaring with monstrous rage. Suddenly, the other archer Slayer picks out one of his arrows, placing it on his crossbow. Thus, he shoots the arrow at its right cheek. All of us hear the piercing sound it makes when it lands there. However, the arrow gets sucked inside the Bulgasari¡¯s cheek, making its skin grow thicker by a meter. I don''t know if he''s a newly awakened Slayer, but it¡¯s common sense that you shouldn''t shoot something weak at an angry predator even if it''s not a Bulgasari. Slayer Ban is looking more upset than ever that she proceeds to scold him.


    ¡°You idiot! Why did you shoot?!¡±


    ¡°Sorry¡­I panicked¡­¡±


    The Bulgasari roars again. This time, it makes several stomps on the ground. All of us almost lose our balance during that rumbling duration. Then, it charges towards us, believing we''re making fun of it with the panicky archer¡¯s petty-like provocation. Said archer fires more of his last few arrows at the Bulgasari, making its metallic skin thicker than a tanker¡¯s most expensive-made shield.


    ¡°Idiot, stop shooting!¡±


    ¡°Right, Slayer Ban!¡±


    A second later, the other archer also starts to go into a fearful panic. I can see he¡¯s in an autopilot mode where he uses the pickaxe in his hands to attack the creature¡¯s back leg. It doesn''t help that his constant warcry isn¡¯t calming the frantic situation we''re in. Then, he continuously bashes the useless weapon against its tail. It''s as if he''s possessed by a Dybbuk that he¡¯s unable to think straight now.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    ¡°You there! Do you really want to get killed!?¡±


    This is the first time I''ve seen Slayer Ban shouting angry words with a panicked look. Then again, who wouldn''t scold two panicky young Slayers who keep on mindlessly attacking a metal-absorbing creature? Being gentle and meek isn''t gonna save everybody stuck in this Labyrinth.


    The two archers stop attacking not because they listen to her, but because the Bulgasari''s tail goes in one swoop in full circle. They get hit by it; their bodies slam into the wall of crystals before plopping hard onto the ground. I grab the left arm of the wizard standing next to me. Both of us duck just in time to avoid getting hit like those young men.


    ¡°That was close. Thanks, Slayer Kang.¡±


    ¡°Don''t thank me yet. That Beast is still alive.¡±


    ¡°Hey¡­where''s Slayer Ban? I don''t see her.¡±


    He''s right about Slayer Ban suddenly disappearing out of our sight. However, it turns out she''s grabbing on the creature''s tail for dear life. It was too late for her to duck on time and when the tail made contact with her chest, she had to quickly hold on to it. And she''s still holding on to it as the Bulgasari wags its tail in a raging manner. It¡¯s astonishing for me to see Slayer Ban being able to hang on for almost a minute since I don''t think any low-ranked Slayers, whatmore the men, are capable of doing the same thing as she is now.


    ¡°Slayer Ban! Are you okay!?¡±


    ¡°Does it look like I''m okay to you, old man?!¡±


    ¡°Then, it''s best you let go of that tail!¡±


    ¡°What the¡­ I thought the two of you were knocked out completely! Also¡­Wah!!! I''ll die if I let go, you fools!¡±


    And so, she keeps on holding on to that dangerous tail, but it''s a matter of time she''ll lose her grip very soon. Then, I see the wizard opens his grimoire, which he still carries in his left hand. Several pages flip out in a magical way as I can see a luminous teal blue aura enveloping him. I notice his brown eyes are staring intensely at Slayer Ban. I''ve heard what grimoires do, but I feel amazed seeing the wizard using one of the book¡¯s spells up-close.


    The moment Slayer Ban finally loses her grip from the angry Bulgasari, the grimoire¡¯s spell activates a visible huge bluish wave, which almost looks like a flying carpet to me. It sprints towards the falling Slayer Ban who looks like she''s gonna fall to her death. Miraculously, it manages to catch her on time. A moment later, I hear rocks crumbling loudly on my right. I turn to see a man-made staircase that''s enveloped in the same teal-colored aura of the grimoire''s spell. A second later, I see a defensive barrier surrounding the Bulgasari.


    ¡°Slayer Kang, you need to get Slayer Ban and the other two out of here. That spell from my grimoire acts like a GPS so just follow its colored aura that''ll get all of you back to safety.¡±


    My eyes widen in shock while listening to his sort of suicidal request. I try to keep a straight face while my voice sounds like I''m worried for a stranger like him.


    ¡°But¡­what about you?¡±


    ¡°Me, huh? That defensive barrier I just put up around this monster may last a minute or so.¡±


    ¡°Mister, that''s the strongest D-rank Beast. I know you''re the same rank as it is, but you can''t defeat it by yourself.¡±


    ¡°I know, Slayer Kang. Do believe me that I''m not doing it for self-satisfaction. I just don''t want to disappoint my daughter if she were to find out that I didn''t give an effort in saving you all.¡±


    So¡­his daughter is the reason¡­why he''s willing to save us¡­


    To think this family man, unlike Mrs Park, believes abandoning or betraying a teammate is not what his loved ones would want him to do, and yet I hesitate now because at the end of the day, he and the other Slayers are strangers to me. If I were to help them defeat this Bulgasari, that means my ¡°leveling up¡± powers will be known to them. It''ll be troubling if the Slayers Alliance finds out my hidden power from this team being incapable of lying to them.


    I can just oblige to this wizard¡¯s request. After all, it''s what he wants. But¡­is that what¡­ I really want to?


    The moment I hear the glass-shattering sound of the Bulgasari breaking the wizard¡¯s defensive barrier, my mind snaps out of my overthinking. I see the final Beast¡¯s golden eyes change into a dark red. It lets out a more ferocious roar, and both of its front legs stomp with all its might just like what that Talos robot did to me almost a month ago.


    Huge cracks form quickly, making part of the ground I''m standing on crush together to form unsightly patterns. A huge stalagmite takes its shape, spiking upwards suddenly between me and the wizard who falls down to his right side. He grunts painfully upon impact. His left hand loses grip on his grimoire. The magic book springs forward with a huge distance from his fallen spot.


    Currently without the luck stat, I''m a bit startled that I can balance myself well on this newly-formed uneven ground. Speaking about that stat, I look to see Slayer Ban slowly standing up from her temporary unconscious state caused by her landing on the wizard''s carpet-shaped spell. A moment later has her gaining a disoriented look on the current scene where the Bulgasari makes another territorial roar, which I almost thought was gonna make the mana crystals from the walls shoot at us like bullets.


    ¡°Hey!,¡± Slayer Ban calls out her warning words to the wizard. ¡°Get up quick! It''s running¡­¡±


    She¡¯s unable to finish her sentence the moment she stares in horror to see the Bulgasari standing in front of the wizard already. The young father is unable to react to immediately get up and run away or use a teleportation spell via contact with his grimoire. He can only paralyzed in fear and look onward to the sight of the metal-eating Beast lifting up its huge foot above his body.


    He closes his eyes as he accepts his death of being killed by the strongest D-rank Beast. Alas, he''s wrong in thinking he''ll die today because in a ¡°speed of light¡± moment, I kick the Bulgasari¡¯s left cheek with my right foot; my kick being abnormally strong in everyone''s sight here as it sends the chimeric creature flying before crashing into the chamber¡¯s wall. Many mana crystals drop and shatter upon its landing impact, echoing the sound of ceramics and glass throughout this Labyrinth.


    Now I did it. I guess it can''t be helped since someone here needs to immobilize that monster as quickly as possible. Besides¡­


    ¡°I don''t plan to be killed easily by you,¡± I mutter with a determined, and somewhat fearless, look at the Bulgasari who is done struggling getting its face, most likely due to its tusks, out of the wall. It''s looking more angry than ever. This time, it''s fully focusing on me, not caring about the voices of the archers and Slayer Ban run towards the wizard. They help him get back up and pick up his grimoire, giving it back to him. I listen to their comments with some of them being rhetoric questions. If it were an S-rank Slayer questioning my mana output in that kick of mine.


    ¡°Slayer Kang, how did you do that? Isn''t your power that of the healer class?¡±


    ¡°I don''t remember an F-rank Slayer of the fighter class being able to do a kick like that!¡±


    ¡°Are you really a healer, Ms Kang?¡±


    ¡°Hey, Kang Joo-yeon¡­what are you exactly?¡±


    Slayer Band''s cautious question about me has me let out a heavy sigh that indicates my reluctance in answering it. I turn around and say these vague truthful words to them before I proceed to fight the Bulgasari head-on.


    ¡°I¡¯m a Slayer just like you.¡±

 Level 30 - Solo Mission - Status: Failure

    [Weapon Item ¡°Talos¡¯ Thermal Rondel¡± has been summoned.]


    [Grade: D]


    [Attack Power: 38]


    [Effect ¡°Immolation¡±: The target will be scorched with an extreme amount of heat.]


    It''s a good thing one blade of Talos¡¯ Thermal Rondel is making deep cuts that I wonder for a while if it''s true that this item can''t be found and crafted from any Labyrinths in this world. But the more I slash the Bulgasari''s body, the more I realise that I''m gonna waste my energy at this rate.


    ¡°Hey, hey, hey. Slayer Ban, did you lie about her being the weakest healer?!¡±


    ¡°Yeah like¡­how on freezing icicles is she fighting like that?!¡±


    ¡°It''s as if she moves like that of the assassin subclass. Slayer Ban, who is she exactly?¡±


    ¡°Even if you ask me¡­I too am asking the same questions like you all.¡±


    I can hear their conversation about me from afar despite the constant clanging sounds coming from my self-heating rondel daggers; not to mention, the sound of sizzled flesh slowly gets louder along with the Bulgasari''s bellows and grunts at my constant slashing on its metallic skin. As I land on the ground, I analyse its whole appearance one more time.


    The steaming slashes I make on it are closing up again; the steam goes away after the wounds are closed. It''s as if this creature has its own kind of healing magic like the Alleviation Skill some higher-ranked healers have as its penultimate form. Anyway, besides the two archers asking unanswerable questions to Slayer Ban who''s looking more annoyed at their constant questioning, the wizard father just stares at me, looking more astonished after every single slash I make. Whilst avoiding the Bulgasari¡¯s uncoordinated offensive attacks on me, especially its whipping tail, I say these words aloud to them.


    ¡°It''s best if you all follow the visible route by that staircase and leave the chamber now.¡±


    ¡°What the heck you''re¡­¡±


    ¡°All of you are making me not fully focused here. Besides, we¡¯re strangers in the end.¡±


    ¡°Slayer Kang¡­¡±


    ¡°You all have a family to get back home to, right? Especially you, mister. It''ll be a hassle for me if your daughter blames me for your avoidable death.¡±


    It seems that I''ve managed to convince them to leave me behind, seeing how the archers talk about me giving a pragmatic request to them.


    ¡°Are you sure this is the same meek girl you described about this morning, Slayer Ban?¡±


    ¡°How cold-hearted¡­Wait. Isn''t she a¡­¡±


    Another swift attack from the Bulgasari''s tail nearly hits them; one of the archers falls down backwards with a frightened look on his face. Surely enough, he tells Slayer Ban and the rest of the other Slayers to get out of this chamber. I glance to see her and the wizard looking hesitant. Alas, all four of them run towards and up the existing staircase.


    At least those archers yield to my instructions. It''s good to know they''re planning to abandon me. Besides, the Guideline insists I complete this¡­


    [You are given the Solo Mission - Slay the D-rank Final Beast - the Bulgasari.]


    [You have a 50% chance of slaying the Final Beast of this D-rank Labyrinth.]


    [Important rule: You must complete this mission all by yourself.]


    [There''ll be a penalty if you disobey this important rule.]


    So this is why you made that warning to me, old man? Even so, I can''t become strong enough if I keep avoiding taking risks!


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    [The Moderator of the Guideline Kang Joo-yeon to finish this Solo Mission with success.]


    The Moderator? I didn''t know the old man had another title to his name.


    I land back on the ground for a pause after I realise it''s useless to keep on slashing this Beast¡¯s regenerative metallic body. The Bulgasari makes another roar, expressing its annoyance at my slashing attacks towards itself. I inwardly recall my weapon, putting it back into the Guideline¡¯s storage. At this moment, I can no longer see any of the Slayers lingering around inside this chamber.


    Well¡­It''s expected. It''s normal for humans to save themselves first. I must be the abnormal one because I''m about to do this!


    My ¡®Strength¡¯ stat is possibly the cause of my capability to jump very high which I wasn''t able to do when I was fighting the bronze robot. Normally, I would''ve used the Bulgasari''s tail as the only way to head to its shoulders, but now, I can jump instantly towards them from the Beast¡¯s right side. The moment I land on its shoulders, I activate my {Lightning Control} for at least thirty seconds.


    12MP per ten seconds seems to be my improved skill usage due to surpassing the minimum level of becoming an E-rank. But alas, the Bulgasari is durable against my lightning magic despite the common knowledge that metals are excellent conductors of electricity and heat.


    I speculate this creature¡¯s own mana is capable of channeling the electricity flow out of its body, sending it towards the rocky ground through its feet and tail. I witness many spots of electricity coming upwards from the ground due to the Bulgasari''s transferral skill. I stop using this skill as I don''t want my MP to drop way below 100 along with my cooldown of regaining back 1MP is eight minutes.


    That said¡­if the others were still standing in this chamber, they would''ve been paralysed by my lightning magic. Then, I would''ve to make more effort in protecting them while slaying this Beast.


    ¡°I don''t have the luxury to make an easy choice like what every S-rank Slayer does.¡±


    I know I shouldn''t be thinking about him now, but my memory of Chun telling Jung-han that I''m heavy baggage has me feeling bitter and cynical about him. My thought of him having the privilege of having S-rank powers has distracted me, seeing how I subconsciously paused midway in my current fight against the Bulgasari whose body seems to be glowing a golden color.


    Maybe I should''ve looked up online during my time at the hospital, but then again, there was no record of a Slayer of the elementalist subclass using lightning magic while battling a Bulgasari. Even though I''m considered a lightning-type magic user, I''m not risking myself in getting electrocuted by the Beast¡¯s replicated lightning it got from my {Lightning Control} skill. I dodge many of its lightning attacks coming out from its bull-like tail. It seems to be smirking at me while I run and duck from its offensive skill.


    Alas, the last lightning bolt strikes the ground on my left side, forcing my body to lunge sideways. I hit the stalagmite that was made by the Bulgasari''s earthquake-like technique. I feel enough pain that has me groaning and gripping my right shoulder. My body plops to the ground with the Bulgasari walking angrily towards me at a fast pace. I can see my HP bar went down to 1025. My vision becomes blurry whilst I helplessly stare at the Beast¡¯s oncoming approach towards me.


    My left hand can still move. I could use an Explosive Potion, but I don''t know how strong it needs to be capable of blasting a hole inside its metallic skin. I guess I can throw it in its face when it gets up close to me like what I did to Talos back then. Distract the monster again and hide¡­no¡­There''s nowhere to hide except that bandwagon which will get smashed easily by the Bulgasari''s tail. Anyway, I might be killed if such an explosion happens too close to me. I don''t want to admit it, but¡­you''re right, old man¡­I got ahead of myself¡­subconsciously depending on a ¡°do or die¡± kind of luck¡­


    As the rhino-faced Bulgasari arrives and looms above me, I let out a heavy sigh of disillusioned feeling welling up inside me. It lifts up its right front foot, ready to squash me like an insignificant pest that unknowingly invaded its territory. Oddly enough, I don''t feel desperate anymore even though I know that Uncle Seung-min will be heartbroken once more, and that Gi-young is coming back from his school trip tomorrow. As for Ga-young, I dream of being able to talk to her comfortably someday. A dreamy vision of the three of them appears in my mind. They appear to smile at me while they embrace each other side by side.


    Ah¡­I really want to go back home¡­


    ¡°Hey, ugly!¡±


    Unexpectedly, I see a few rocks thrown at the Bulgasari''s left eye that it turns to focus on the unknown thrower. Come to think of it, it sounds like Slayer Ban. It doesn''t make sense that I''m able to listen to that haughty-toned feminine voice right now. Sure enough I turn to see someone standing at the very top of the staircase. It really is the impudent young woman whose face still has me mistake her as a high schooler occasionally. I never imagined the day I would see the 20-year-old inquisitor continuously throwing lemon-sized rocks at a frightening-looking Beast.


    ¡°Leave her alone, you ugly Bulgasari!¡±


    ¡°Take this, you bully!¡±


    The two archers follow Slayer Ban¡¯s rock throwing strategy despite it''s clear as day that their rocks aren''t doing any critical hits towards its durable body. Then, I see the same familiar spell where visible blue-colored waves turn into huge chains. Each one binds down each of the Bulgasari''s feet to the ground. It''s the young father who shouts these words so loud that it¡¯s echoing throughout this chamber we''re all in.


    ¡°Slayer Kang, now''s your chance to slay it!¡±


    I waste no time thinking about how these Slayers are being foolish in coming back to rescue the person who firmly told them to abandon her with the metallic Beast. I get up immediately, ignoring the Guideline''s blue notification that seems to turn orange for a second. I never read what it says as my eyes are fully focused on the restrained Bulgasari. One chain, which was tying its back leg, breaks off with the same shattering sound the grimoire¡¯s previous spell has. I jump with all my might, landing on its trunk.


    The glowing red eyes still scare me and my whole body trembles for a few moments before I fully realise that the Painting Labyrinth is the only Beast that can make me feel fear whenever I think about it. I summon Talos¡¯ Thermal Rondel from the Guideline''s storage. I bet that whoever is watching me at the staircase has a shocked look as they witness blue-colored electricity illuminating around me. I''m aware that I can''t convince them that I''m an F-rank healer, but that''s my least concern for now.


    And so, my left hand thrusts my self-heating blade into the final Beast¡¯s left eye. It roars in so much agony that it breaks the next two chains that were holding its front legs. Immediately, the Bulgasari activates its replicated lightning magic that makes a defensive barrier, stopping Slayer Ban and the archers who have to drop their rocks. They cover their eyes as the lighting visuals are blinding them.


    I, on the other hand, am experiencing the pain from absorbing its own lightning. I''ve to let go and leave my blade inside its eye, hoping that it stays distracted by its own pain so that it won''t go destroying the staircase. I can see my HP going lower than ever that I''ve only got a few seconds to slay it. And then, an idea hit me though I suddenly remembered the conversation before entering the Painting Labyrinth; that metals are difficult to digest, which this creature has no problem in doing so.


    If you''re quite hard on the outside, you should be soft on the inside!


    I run up towards the end of its trunk though I''m making more effort to balance myself while it still moves in a frenzy manner. The final chain has been broken and before the Bulgasari can buck me off, two low-grade Explosion Potions; one in each of my hands. I toss them inside its mouth while it still roars in agony. The Bulgasari swallows them instinctively, and I think the look on its face shows that it made a mistake in doing so.


    A victorious smirk forms across my face, not to mention I take my time to gaze the frightened look on its face. I manage to get off its trunk on time, and do gymnastic-like moves as a faster method in running away. And then, the moment the metallic creature makes its final roar, its whole body explodes leaving huge holes in its stomach and throat that mercury-like blood oozes out of them. Unsurprisingly, the smell of mana-absorbed sage coming from its body still lingers in my nose.

 Level 31 - Speculations & Consequences

    Currently, the five of us are still walking to follow the grimoire''s GPS-like glowing aura that leads us to a tunnel with the space being almost cramped surrounding us. The reason why everyone has a worried look on their faces is because I told them, back at the chamber, about my speculations that Mr Seo has been inside this Labyrinth before.


    Before we left the chamber, I digitally put the whole bandwagon, which contained tens of thousands of mana crystals including several of them being Bhrath ones, into the Guideline''s storage. It wasn''t a surprise that all of Maorga Inc¡¯s battle equipment weren''t in there, for I remembered Mr Seo''s men were wearing them when they were about to teleport. Meanwhile, the surprising looks on my teammates¡¯ faces made it difficult for me to ignore their stares; especially when I had to pour one Cleansing Potion on my stained clothes and skin in front of them.


    Surprisingly, at one moment, my clothes got wet from the potion, but the next moment, my clothes became clean and dry from the creature¡¯s bloodstains and dirt from the ruined ground. I proceeded to take out my stained rondel dagger from its left eye, via digital transfer from the Guideline. I used another Cleansing Potion to clean it properly from the mercury-like bloodstains. I was telling everything I¡¯ve speculated to my teammates while I was cleaning myself and my weapon.


    There were two pieces of evidence I presented to them. The first was the same egg-shaped teleportation device holding the same-colored gemstone that was in Mr Seo''s hand. I was able to spot the device at the far corner of the chamber, hidden between two large rocks. The second was the mana-absorbed sage still found on the exploded body of the Bulgasari, which I purposely left back there as a shocking distraction for Mr Seo. I even told them I noticed this ingredient was on the Sigbins. His assistants and possibly another team made up of Maorga Inc¡¯s workers helped him to find out what kind of Beasts were living inside this Labyrinth.


    Sure enough several workers must''ve died when they were ambushed by the Sigbins and the Bulgasari, but somehow Mr Seo, a Non himself, managed to sprinkle the sage on the Beast''s bodies. Sage is a hallucinating agent. It shouldn''t be a surprise that it''s more potent when a high amount of mana has been permeated into the herb itself.


    It''s no wonder the Bulgasari somewhat recognised who sprayed the awful herb on it. I remembered it roared more when Mr Seo escaped through that teleportation method. And yet, it couldn''t help to regain its own freewill to do coordinated attacks on us even though it was able to swing its tail a full circle under the hallucinations.


    At first, the archers and Slayer Ban couldn''t believe what I told them. I wasn''t expecting anyone to believe me though internalised rankism shouldn''t be excusable. A minute later, the wizard-father used another one of his grimoire¡¯s spells. He told us that this one is able to ¡°scan some foreign residue¡± whether it''s on a human corpse or a beastly carcass. And with green-colored words formed on an empty page in his grimoire, his eyes widened. He faced the three young Slayers, telling them the same result. Mana-absorbed sage residue was found on the Bulgasari''s body.


    ¡°I still can¡¯t believe what you''ve said back there, Ms Kang. You''re implying that Mr Seo and his team went inside this Labyrinth for the first few days. Just because he wants to get his hands on our equipment. Especially the old man''s grimoire¡­¡±


    I calmly reply to his disbelief about Mr Seo doing all of this for their equipment and to sell at some black market or a profitable secondhand at the Alliance''s auction without suspicion.


    ¡°It¡¯s possible that he lied about finding out about this Labyrinth yesterday. This Labyrinth is possibly on its fifth day.¡±


    What do you think, old man?¡±


    ¡°To be honest, it''s odd how Mr Seo can still be one of the Alliance¡¯s sponsors till today. A corrupt deputy from the Alliance must¡¯ve been involved in covering up Mr Seo¡¯s raids having so-called accidental deaths.¡±


    ¡°But still, Mr Seo has to kill the Bulgasari in order to prevent an Upsurge. What kind of weapon would a Non like him have?¡±


    ¡°I don''t know, but I do know that making mana-absorbed sage requires a high-ranked Slayer to perform such a task. Come to think of it, he bragged about his daughter being an S-rank Slayer and¡­she''s a sorceress.¡±


    ¡°So his daughter is also in cahoots with him!? Talk about the whole family being evil¡­ Ms Healer, do you think we''ll be safe¡­if we keep quiet?¡±


    ¡°Hey, Kang Joo-yeon. Why didn''t you tell us these speculations of yours before we went further inside this Labyrinth?¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°Then, Ban Ha-na, would you believe an F-rank Slayer telling you all of this plausible info? Because by the look on your face now, you would''ve trusted a high-ranked Slayer rather than me.¡±


    ¡°That''s¡­¡±


    Slayer Ban, who''s walking next to the wizard-father, says a word no more. Her frown and furrowed brows look more visible than ever across her tomboyish face. But her untrustworthy look didn''t bother me. I''m more bothered if I should''ve tried destroying that egg-shaped teleportation device, but we didn''t have enough time and I had a hunch that Mr Seo and his men would teleport themselves back to the chamber at any minute. I''m certain that he''s having a shocked look now


    ¡°Actually, Slayer Kang¡­you''re not exactly an F-rank, are you? Speaking about it, thank you for saving my life back there.¡±


    I briefly glance at the wizard-father, who''s walking right behind me, gives me a relaxing smile like how my uncle did before he left for work this morning. It¡¯s gonna be night time soon so hopefully I can get back home without him finding out I nearly lost my life again today.


    ¡°I did it so that I won''t be blamed for your death, mister.¡±


    I must''ve sounded cold and harsh with that reply of mine even though I''ve got a good reason not to get attached with this newly formed team I''m in.


    ¡°Old man, don''t let your guard down¡±


    I overhear the two archers whispering their so-called warning to him.


    ¡°It¡¯s obvious that she''s a Hidden Ranker. Every single one of them being found out so far are psychopaths. Is that why she replied so¡­¡±


    Before I can expect more distrustful words coming from them, I see one of the archer''s stomachs get elbowed by the wizard-father. I''m a bit surprised, though I still manage to keep a stoic look, he looks upset despite the fact that I''m just a stranger to him.


    ¡°Without Slayer Kang being here, do you think all four of us would be alive right now?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, old man¡­I guess¡­¡±


    ¡°And that goes for you, Slayer Ban. I dislike how Slayers lack trust towards each other. If you still can''t trust her, then trust me instead. And I trust Slayer Kang isn''t a Hidden Ranker, okay?¡±


    I can feel a smile forming across my face. I try to hide that smile by not looking back at Slayer Ban and the others. Probably because I would feel more embarrassed if I were to show it to them right now.


    ¡°Alright, old man. I trust your judgement. We''ve got at least an hour to get out of this Labyrinth safely. Are you sure we''re the only ones who can see your grimoire''s spell? It looks too visible that I''m worried¡­¡±


    ¡°Don''t worry, Slayer Ban. A grimoire reveals the route only to those whom the owner allows to see it. Besides you four, nobody else will see this escape route visibly.¡±


    ¡°That''s good to hear, old man. I''ve only got a few arrows with me now.¡±


    ¡°It''s too bad one of Mr Seo''s men took all of my arrows from the bandwagon.¡±


    ¡°Speaking about them, those gemstones on their equipment¡­did Mr Seo''s daughter transfer mana onto them?¡±


    ¡°You mean the way they move like Slayers when they''re equipped with¡­wait. I think I saw that gemstone has a letter shaped like a ¡®G¡¯ up-close. That looked like the rumored mana crystal which can ¡°steal¡± a Slayer''s mana.¡±


    I stop my tracks to turn around, asking one of the archer Slayers this question with a serious tone. Everyone else also stops walking, hearing my sudden question to him.


    ¡°Is that possible?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Stealing a Slayer¡¯s mana¡­with that kind of mana crystal¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, it was a rumor from five years ago when Jo So-eun¡­¡±


    Before he can finish his sentence, I see his left hand, where his crossbow is placed on, gets slashed in a split second. A huge amount of blood drips on the floor. Before he can scream over his severed left arm, he gets beheaded from an axe¡¯s blade behind him. It''s the brawny partner of the ponytailed woman. The traitors have found us. With a shocked look on my face like Slayer Ban and the other two, I notice something flashing red on the back of Slayer Ban¡¯s jacket sleeve. It''s a tracker. I was too busy figuring out the reason for Mr Seo¡¯s indirect killing upon us low-ranked Slayers.


    ¡°Why you!!¡±


    The surviving archer uses his last three arrows and shoots simultaneously at the brawny man, only to have them being caught by a magnetic gauntlet worn by that male teenager. He''s snickering at us as the archer gets slayed by the ponytailed woman¡¯s katana.


    ¡°And now, there are three,¡± she comments with a wicked smile and her eyes glistening with a malice vibe.


    The blood oozing out from the archers¡¯ bodies has made me experience the many flashbacks of watching low-ranked Slayers getting massacred by the Painting Labyrinth. Slayer Ban snaps me out of it as she pulls me aside on time. An arrow nearly shot at my heart. I can see and hear Mr Seo telling his assistants to hurry up and quickly kill us. I proceed to activate my {Lightning Control} when all of a sudden, nothing is coming out of my hands. I get confused on why it''s not activating according to my will. And then, the Guideline''s notification shows up in a red-colored.


    [You have disobeyed the important rule of the Solo Mission - Slay the S-rank Final Beast - the Bulgasari.]


    [As a penalty, the Moderator has deactivated your MP usage for 24 hours.]


    [Kindly wait until the penalty is lifted after the downtime.]


    Penalty?! Why?! I killed the Bulgasari on my¡­


    And then, it hit me when I remembered my teammates helped me gain the upper hand back at the chamber. I realised that was why the Guideline''s notification turned orange after the rock throwing and the magical chain were targeted on the Bulgasari. That wasn''t a ¡°Solo Mission¡± anymore. So now, another arrow is aimed at me when a defensive barrier appears in front of me, stopping the arrow on time.


    It''s the wizard-father¡¯s doing. I turn to look at him out of breath while he''s performing that spell. That''s a sign of mana fatigue where a Slayer exhausts themselves while channeling their mana output too much. I''ve forgotten he was continuously channeling his mana output without taking enough breaks in between his applied spells from his grimoire. The next second, I see him getting his chest stabbed by the ponytailed woman''s katana. I''m unable to break out of my trauma on time to stop her.


    He coughs a huge amount of blood while the katana is thrusted deeper into his chest. My breathing feels heavier, and my vision gets more blurry the longer I stare at his lifeless body on the ground. As the woman takes the grimoire out of his left hand, Slayer Ban runs towards her, hitting her with a huge rock she could find. The grimoire drops from her clutches. Then, Slayer Ban turns to face and shouts these words at me.


    ¡°Kang Joo-yeon, wake up! You must carry him!¡±


    Her last sentence helps me to get a hold of myself and make a quick reflex when the woman gets back up again to slash Slayer Ban. I¡¯ve managed to give her a strong punch in the stomach, sending her flying backwards and crashing into her brawny partner who was about to help her in killing us three. I piggyback the wounded wizard-father and run fast next to Slayer Ban who holds his grimoire in her tightest grip ever. We¡¯re literally running for our lives straight ahead.

 Level 32 - Please Survive

    When we arrive at a fork in the Labyrinth, I tell Slayer Ban to throw her jacket, which the tracker is still stuck on, far into the left tunnel. Despite looking doubtful, she reluctantly obeys my instructions. Both of us run inside the right tunnel as far as we can go for several seconds. The moment I tell her that we''re far away enough from those bloodlusted Nons, I carefully place the injured wizard on his back.


    The stab wound in his chest is obviously a very deep cut. I shake off my worries whether or not my healing skill can currently stop the huge blood loss he''s having seeing his face has gotten paler. I raise my right hand over the wound only to remember that my current {Healing Skill} can only be activated with my MP usage with the Guideline''s notification appearing like this.


    [You are unable to use {Healing Skill} due to your MP usage currently being deactivated.]


    [Please wait for 24 hours for your MP usage to be reactivated by then.]


    Darn it! There''s a parent dying in front of me! Wait¡­my healing potions¡­I can still use¡­


    I must''ve made another shocked look as another notification pops up when I try to summon one bottle of it.


    [As part of the penalty, you are not allowed to use any healing-related items.]


    [Please also wait for the next 24 hours.]


    ¡°This isn''t funny, Amergin!!¡±


    I must''ve scared Slayer Ban with my sudden shouting. Either she''s afraid Mr Seo can find us with my voice having an emotionally vulnerable tone or that I''m acting out of character. Regardless, I could care less about what she''s thinking of me now. All I can now is figuring out how to save a father whose chest has yet to stop bleeding. I sound like I''m cussing when I hurriedly explain to her some sort of ¡®Plan B¡¯ while I take off my hoodie to tie it around the wizard''s body to prevent it from getting any colder.


    ¡°Darn it! I thought a penalty involves restricting one action, not two actions! Ban Ha-na, you run ahead of me and use your sensory perception to the max. I''ll follow you.¡±


    ¡°What¡­Carrying him in that state will lead us to get caught easily, Kang Joo-yeon! Anyway, you''re not an F-rank anymore so why can''t you heal¡­¡±


    ¡°Someone restricted my mana usage, okay?!¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Please, Ban Ha-na. Just this once¡­¡±


    ¡°Slayer¡­Kang¡­¡±


    ¡°Mister, don''t talk anymore. Your bleeding will get worse¡­¡±


    Then, he lifts up his bloody right hand to open his grimoire which is still being held in his left hand. The same spell¡¯s aura becomes visible, forming another line that obviously leads to the Labyrinth¡¯s gate. My eyes widen at the sight of him coughing out more blood from his bloodstained mouth. He interferes with my repeated warning to him as he says, with all his breath, these words that sound apprehensive to me.


    ¡°Follow that path and you two are able to reach this Labyrinth''s gate in no time.¡±


    ¡°Mister, this isn''t the time to show off your magic! If you keep on¡­doing this¡­¡±


    I grit my teeth so hard for I want to hold back my tears that start to well up in my eyes. Otherwise, I might lose my mind being pinned to the feeling of uselessness caused by my reckless decision back in that chamber. Then, somehow this kind of feeling is being substituted with numb confusion because the young father says his next words as though he feels content with what''s happening right now.


    ¡°Slayer Kang¡­believe it or not¡­I was a coward¡­that I wasn''t able to save anyone¡­ from the last raid I was in. I hated myself¡­that people said I survived because¡­I was magically the strongest of that team. I don''t want to be remembered¡­like that.¡±


    ¡°What are you¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why¡­if I died, it''s because¡­I wanted to help you two¡­survive with no regrets.¡±


    The next thing I know is the sound of my voice getting louder than usual with feelings of confusion and frustration heard in my conversation with him.


    ¡°Don''t you have a family to go back to, mister?! Don''t you want to live longer?! What about your daughter?! She''ll be devastated to know her father¡­ got killed¡­because of my mistake¡­¡±This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°Joo-yeon, we all make¡­mistakes. After all¡­we''re human. That''s why¡­I want to be remembered as¡­a Slayer who did the right thing...at his last breath."


    He then slowly takes my right hand; his left hand places his grimoire in it. I can feel something is lighting up my amber eyes, and the Guideline''s notification pops up with a message that makes me feel more devastated.


    [The Iubhaile Grimoire has been fully authorised to Participant Kang Joo-yeon.]


    And sure enough, the grimoire disappears into thin air, or more accurately, digitalised into the Guideline''s storage.


    ¡°Hey, Kang Joo-yeon! I can hear footsteps coming! Let''s go!¡±


    I¡¯ve yet to move from my kneeling spot. I hear muffled scoldings coming from Slayer Ban until the clearer words from the wizard''s bloodstained mouth has me pull myself together from my downward spiral full of guilty numbness.


    ¡°Slayer Kang, please¡­survive¡­That way¡­those monsters who are after you two¡­won''t have their evil deeds¡­go unpunished. That''s my¡­last wish.¡±


    ¡°Mister, you''re¡­a selfish man for saying that¡­¡±


    ¡°Hehe¡­indeed I am. But I do want¡­to live longer¡­I want to see my daughter¡­my family¡­opening a restaurant¡­Eugh¡­Indeed I''m a selfish man¡­leaving them alone¡­here¡­¡±


    And he says a word no more once the light in his eyes has faded away. Before I feel like letting a teardrop fall from one of my wet eyes, Slayer Ban grabs my right hand. She pulls me upwards. I zone out, running at the same pace as hers, and leaving behind his lifeless body wrapped in my hoodie. I stay silent as it becomes another coping mechanism for me in bearing witness to innocent people dying in my sight.


    As a matter of fact, Slayer Ban never says anything to me while we run towards our only exit. We just keep running, following the visible path left like a last good deed from the wizard himself. For the next five minutes or so, I instinctively slap my hand from her grip on it.I can feel the glare she''s giving me along with the ¡°What''s wrong with you?¡± tone, angrily asking why I stop running now. Her declaring statement that both of us are gonna be killed by a remorseless businessman makes me feel more upset than ever.


    Just then, we hear someone throwing something at us. Our eyes widen when we see a yellow-colored spherical flask being smashed between us. It''s the Alliance''s version of Explosion Potion. We are unable to run away as the explosion impact happens immediately after the item¡¯s glass breaks upon the floor we were standing at. My body slams against a nearby wall. My vision gets blurred along with the loud ringing in my ears. I can feel the right side of my head bleeding which nearly covers my right eye.


    I try my best to keep my eyes open, and that''s why I see Slayer Ban also suffers the same injuries like I have caused by the explosion impact. Even though she doesn''t look like she''s on death''s door, the left side of her cheek and hands have major bruises. Her face has a despairing look indirectly saying she doesn''t want to die today.


    ¡°Are they dead?¡±


    ¡°They better be. It''s a good thing the third teleportation device is placed here behind that large rock several meters from this Labyrinth''s gate.¡±


    ¡°Those devices must''ve cost a fortune, Mr Seo. I hope we can find your bandwagon soon.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I hope so. To think that the wizard''s grimoire alone was able to slay the Bulgasari with every spell it got¡­that book should at least cover half of today''s profits if we can''t find the mined crystals.¡±


    ¡°Actually, I''m surprised that inquisitor girl over there is an A-rank Slayer.¡±


    ¡°And yet, she''s no different from those simpleton low-ranked Slayers.¡±


    I hear them laughing wickedly when discussing the inquisitor subclass being useless and that the point of existence is questionable. Some of them complain in between their conversation of how their hard day''s work has come to waste.


    ¡°Everyone, search for the grimoire in that girl''s hoodie. She must''ve hid it there.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Mr Seo. Come to think of it, she looks fine despite having a terrible attitude. Boys, let''s savor the moment, huh?¡±


    Listening to that last sentence makes my blood boil higher than my own heartbeat. And that''s when I lose my sanity as I say this inwardly in my mind.


    This is unfair. Unfair¡­Unfair¡­UNFAIR¡­UNFAIR¡­UNFAIR¡­UNFAIR¡­UNFAIR! UNFAIR! UNFAIR! UNFAIR!!!


    ¡°That''s not true, my lovely bride.¡±


    That same voice¡­


    I don''t know how exactly he does it, but I feel time literally stops inside this Labyrinth. It''s more like he places some dimension space to make those sickening predators and that greedy businessman stop moving. Slayer Ban is still in the same helpless position as I am. The only difference is that I''m able to see what''s happening, seeing how I can still listen to him whose voice belongs to the same sadistic unknown man.


    ¡°Inside these Labyrinths, everything is fair. Of course I know you can''t do anything due to the penalty, but trust me that''s it''s for fairness sake. Oh, Kang Joo-yeon. You''re the only strong being I acknowledged unlike those pathetic waste over there who only knows how to take advantage of the weak. That''s why I''m gonna give you a chance to show that you''ll be my greatest masterpiece I''ve ever cultivated.¡±


    The notification pops up in my sight with the same ¡®Ding¡¯ sound. I can only stare despairingly at what it says that exudes malicious intentions towards my fragile soul.


    [The Moderator offers the Special Mission - Slay Your Enemies to Kang Joo-yeon.]


    [Once you accept this mission, the ¡®Berserk Mode¡¯ skill will temporarily increase all your stats by 25 for 5 minutes.]


    [Warning: Failure to complete this mission will result in the possession of Kang Joo-yeon¡¯s body as a long-term penalty.]


    So that''s your¡­motive¡­you freak¡­


    ¡°Hahahahaha! You''re more lovely when saying those spiteful words to me, my dear bride! But do know that this is all for your sake, Kang Joo-yeon. After all, this is exactly what you need right now, don''t you?¡±


    Then, the time freeze dimension has vanished as one of Mr Seo''s men is standing right in front of Slayer Ban¡¯s unconscious body. His right hand reaches out to touch her inappropriately until I grab and hurl a medium-sized rock, which is right next to my right hand, on that filthy hand. He helps in pain, clutching his bruised hand. I can see everyone''s faces looking shocked to see me slowly standing up.


    ¡°That healer¡­she hasn''t fainted yet?¡±


    ¡°But that explosion is a D-rank item so how is she¡­¡±


    I interrupt their upsetting comments about my durability. This is the first time I feel anger within me, and yet, I feel a sense of desperation wrapped in the cold air only I can feel while talking to them; my voice sounds colder than ever.


    ¡°How many times have you done this?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Ten? Twenty? Maybe a hundred. For the past several years, the Alliance''s three leaders can''t prove you''re doing sinful acts behind their backs. I guess they''re so lawful that they can''t execute you without any proof of your ruthless schemes.¡±


    ¡°You''re right, Weakest Healer! It''s a good thing those three Slayers are willing to turn a blind eye for the sake of funding future raids!¡±


    Alas, I give in to laughing maniacally like a madwoman who just lost something precious in front of these traitors. The few blood stains on my gray shirt and face must''ve made an impactful impression given their temporary scared looks on their faces. I stop laughing to give them a warning with foreboding words to them.


    ¡°If that''s the case, that''s your decision, huh?¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°Your decision to try killing me with no regrets.¡±


    Everyone stays silent to my last sentence of cold words that might have made one of their heartbeats stop for good. A bearded male assistant of Mr Seo snorts at me. His words are filled with disrespect to the many souls he has killed while working for Mr Seo.


    ¡°Yeah, we''ll have no regrets killing you. If you wanna blame someone, blame yourself for being weak, Ms Weakest Healer.¡±


    As he takes his aim at me with Maorga¡¯s mana-powered crossbow equipment, he shoots an arrow in a split second. The next moment must have been the most unbelievable thing Mr Seo and his men have witnessed in their lifetime. I grab the arrow in my left hand in that split second. The next moment has me slash the bearded man¡¯s body exactly in half with Talos¡¯ Rondel Dagger in my right hand. The smell of burnt skin and vaporised blood fill the tense atmosphere. I stare blankly at my enemies looking horrified to see me, a healer, being able to perform a merciless attack on a human being.


    [Number of Kang Joo-yeon''s enemies slayed: 1/7]

 Level 33 - The Healer Who Can Kill Anyone

    [HP: 977/2015]


    [MP: (Deactivated)]


    [Stats of Kang Joo-yeon]


    [Agility: 60 +15]


    [Vitality: 60 +15]


    [Endurance: 60 +15]


    [Strength: 60 +15]


    [Wisdom: 32 +15]


    [The ¡®Berserk Mode¡¯ skill is activated.]


    [Countdown until deactivation: 4mins 55sec]


    ¡°Im¡­impossible! How did she move like that?!¡±


    Ah. I killed someone. A human¡­


    ¡°F-rank Slayers are the lowest in the strength hierarchy! Unless she''s¡­¡±


    Even if that unknown man didn''t force me to, I would''ve chosen to kill them.


    ¡°A Hidden Ranker?! That explains a lot!¡±


    After all, why should I let them live? When they''re gonna do the same thing the next time after killing me here¡­ I''m outnumbered¡­


    ¡°Everyone, never mind about her fake rank! Isn''t she¡­supposed to be dead by now?¡±


    I can''t even subdue them.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Ah¡­ I hate myself for choosing this cowardly choice, but I¡¯m not an S-rank now.


    ¡°I thought a healer would die if they ever killed a fellow human.¡±


    That''s a fact that I¡¯ve to live with now.


    ¡°That''s the law of nature for Slayers!¡±


    That''s why if ¡°survival of the strongest¡± is the only law I''ve to obey in this world, then becoming stronger is the only choice I¡¯ve to make!


    ¡°Look! She''s still stan¡­¡±


    My body feels light yet my heart feels empty as I slash another of Mr Seo''s minions. His head drops like a bloody-stained rock from the edge of a rocky cliff. Many of the other traitors scream at the sight of his headless body falling down backwards. I still calmly and coldly focus on what''s happening behind the Guideline''s screen though I''m aware that it''s keeping scores.


    [Number of Kang Joo-yeon''s enemies slayed: 2/7]


    ¡°You bitch!¡±


    One man starts to run and about to swing his longsword towards me, and yet I manage to dodge his straightforward attack in another split second; my rondel burns and cleanly cuts the front side of his stomach which spills a huge part of his guts.


    [Number of Kang Joo-yeon''s enemies slayed: 3/7]


    My focus becomes more vivid because my mind doesn''t think of anything emotional besides the cold rage that''s getting colder once I face three familiar-looking faces now - the male teenager, the ponytailed woman, and her brawny partner. As expected, the teenage kid has an edgy bravado when he makes a meaningless warcry at me.


    But, his ¡°middle school syndrome¡± act has its purpose as he manages to use great control with his magnetic gauntlet in his right hand. It catches Talos'' Thermal Rondel that was once held in my right hand. His grin doesn''t last long as I see my dagger¡¯s handle burn right through his gauntlet, reaching to his skin. A notification pops up in front of his face which looks more confusingly horrified while he says these words aloud.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°What the heck? I''m¡­ an identified stealer? The Immolation effect will be effective¡­Arghhh!!!¡±


    The dagger¡¯s self-heating effect turned on automatically is what makes its handle unbearable to hold but anyone except me, the owner. The teenager screams in agony, dropping my weapon as he clutches his burnt hand. The orihalcum-made gauntlet becomes a badly-shaped plasticine. I proceed to dash towards him, bypassing the couple who try to kill me with their careless slashes. I quickly grab back my dagger from the ground and proceed to slash his legs.


    He lets out frightening screams once he realises he¡¯s legless that he¡¯ll never have a chance to run away from this place. For the first time in my life, I earnestly believe he deserves feeling the pain as payback for what he did to his younger brother. I saw his memories via the ''Memory Reader'' skill randomly activated the moment he held my hand when I nearly fell down while heading towards the doomed chamber; his memories when he wasn''t able to do well like his younger brother.


    It''s the usual so-called tragic backstory where the older sibling who feels inferior to the younger one achieving the best results that their parents unknowingly did favouritism for the latter. As a result, the older one didn''t feel any regrets after purposely pushing the younger one on a busy construction site. The younger one lost his mobility all down to the waist when many steel bars fell down from a badly-made rope. This teenage kid is the one with such backstory. He gave in to his beastly side, always smiling whenever he watched his younger brother struggling to move his wheelchair at home.


    ¡°Take this, you psycho!¡±


    The brawny henchman slams his huge axe, making a huge crack on the ground. The crack heads straight to my feet below, but he has made a useless attack as I managed to jump high enough and avoid the many stalagmites. I jump one more time, falling down towards him to slash his arm that''s holding his axe. The slashed arm still has his hand holding it. Huge amount of blood gushes out and some of it stains my shorts. He too screams in agony, and he too deserves feeling the pain because I also saw his memories when he gave me ingenuine consoling words during this trapful journey. He placed his hand on my shoulder, and my Memory Reader skill was randomly activated.


    He was a newlywed man, and yet he chose to commit adultery with the ponytailed woman, his current lover in this Labyrinth. His pregnant wife found out about it when she caught them on the day he thought she would stay at her family¡¯s hometown. She tried to call the police to report this disgusting act, but he killed her as he grabbed sharp scissors placed on a nearby table. He stabbed her neck so deep that she bled nonstop. She fell down sideways, desperately trying to catch her breath while pressing her bloody neck with her left hand. And that was when the image of the ponytailed woman standing in front of a burning house started to make sense to me. That both of them murdered a pregnant loyal woman with no regrets.


    ¡°You bitch!¡±


    The ponytailed woman makes many slashes at me, but I''m able to avoid them thanks to my ongoing activation of the ¡®Berserk Mode¡¯ skill. My dagger¡¯s Immolation effect slices her katana so smooth that the terrified look on her face indirectly says her blade is made out of paper instead of metal. I proceed to stab her neck, letting her remember to feel the pain from the burning effect for several moments that even her soul would still remember after her death.


    [Countdown until deactivation: 2mins 59sec]


    A second later sees me beheading her head before sprouting any more hypocrisy coming out of her mouth. I shut up her brawny partner too when I head over him another second, and behead him. Their bloody lifeless heads feel like they''re part of the decorations for a Shakespeare tragic play. Finally, I turn around to face the teenage kid; his body trembling more than ever, especially his eyes looking wider than ever.


    ¡°It can''t¡­be¡­She''s the healer¡­who can kill¡­anyone¡­Please¡­have mer¡­¡±


    I behead him without any hesitation existing in my numb heart. It''s almost unbelievable to think this unpleasant skill helped me kill six humans in under five minutes.


    [Number of Kang Joo-yeon''s enemies slayed: 6/7]


    [Countdown until deactivation: 1mins 59sec]


    ¡°You''re the only one left, Mr Seo Tae-ho,¡± I coldly say to him, who has a terrified face right now. My glare feels colder the longer I see him trying to stand properly with trembling legs.


    ¡°No¡­no way¡­All this time¡­you''re a Hidden Ranker?! If that''s true, I won''t let myself be killed by the likes of you, Kang Joo-yeon!¡±


    He takes out three blue glass bottles with a unique design looking medieval. He hurls them on the ground right in front of his feet. Reddish smoke comes out of the broken bottles. Then, I see solid lava-like bodies materialised into a well-known lower C-rank Beasts - Fire Golems. The three fiery golems let out an intimidating roar to me. Their roars shake the area where us three humans are staying alive at; the remaining large rocks almost crack apart.


    Like the Bulgasari except they''re not hallucinating at all, they charge at me with all their might. It''s unfortunate that these creatures couldn''t make themselves useful to that cruel businessman once I did the same fast movements and several immolated slashes at them. Their fiery bodies drop like used charcoal all around me. Mr Seo falls backwards. His shocked face is looking more obvious after falsely believing three Fire Golems were enough to slay me even though I''m unable to slay the Bulgasari all by myself.


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡­kill me, Kang Joo-yeon! I''ll grant you anything you want! Do you want more money given to you?...¡±


    ¡°How does it feel, Mr Seo?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Your victims genuinely begged you not to kill them. Telling you they''ve got a dream to fulfil or a loved one to get back to¡­¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Did you ever let them go to live their life of never taking advantage of others? I don''t believe you did, Mr Seo. After all, they''re just profits to you.¡±


    He suddenly takes a pebble nearby, throwing it towards my face. I block it with my left arm, and the next moment I see him, he''s holding a dagger that looks familiar. I''m aware of it being a life-draining dagger I used at the Painting Labyrinth for the first and last time. It doesn''t matter if the user is able to channel mana output for it to be useful. It''s already useful when you can stab someone and drain their life energy at a slow pace along with making bleeding wounds.


    That''s what he thinks when he assumes my heart has been stabbed by that dagger of his. His smile fades immediately after seeing I grab the blade on time; my blood drips downwards from my left hand which is still gripping it. I thrust my self-heating rondel into his chest. He lets out shocked gasps while his eyes turn redder than ever.


    I pull out my blade, coldly watching him clench his bleeding chest that emits white smoke. He grabs my left wrist, and once more, my Memory Reader skill gets activated on its own. This time, I''m seeing his memory of him calling his daughter who looks like a very young child in there. My eyes widen in slight shock that this man loves his daughter like any loving father would do.


    ¡°Please¡­don''t kill¡­my daughter¡­my little J..¡±


    He passes away as his lifeless body lets go of my arm, plopping downwards and his blood oozes out of him. The bottom of my right sneaker gets stained with his blood. I say nothing until the Guideline''s notification has appeared for the final time of today.


    [Number of Kang Joo-yeon''s enemies slayed: 7/7]


    [Countdown until deactivation: 36sec]


    [You have completed the Moderator''s Special Mission - Slay Your Enemies.]


    [You have earned the Reflection Skill as your reward for completing within the time limit.]


    [Please continue to level up and survive until the end of this program, Kang Joo-yeon.]


    The last sentence feels like sadistic advice, and I know who exactly it is despite not knowing his name at all. The feeling of weariness has come to cloud my mind and I let out a tired laughter. My mind still remembers what Mr Seo''s last words meant to me.


    ¡°Still a loving father till the end, huh, Seo Tae-ho?¡±


    With the Labyrinth starting to crumble down, indicating that it''s gonna close completely along with the entrance gate, I store back my bloodied weapon in the storage. Then, I piggyback Slayer Ban; the cold look still worn on my face and never looking back at the people I just killed in cold blood.

 Bonus Level II

    The Cinni¨²int Tomb is still around as long as the Moderator is alive, acting as the caretaker of this special room that''s still filled with despair and misery of eaten souls. For now, the painted walls are lighting the room in an overlapped black and green.


    It''s a rare occasion for the Moderator himself, in a dark evergreen hooded cloak, to be humming a victorious tune while taking sips in between from his glass cup filled with a black liquid that looks too thick to be considered as wine. He sits in a well-made chair that looks visibly intimidating if any human were to see it.


    ¡°What do you think you''re doing, Harmon?¡±


    Hearing the sudden telepathic call inside his greatest work of art, the Moderator stops humming the second he hears his given name uttered by one nosy employer (by name). The way he talks to the caller, who''s a man with a deep voice that sounds like an elegant breeze on the coldest day of winter, hints an air of casualness when it''s supposed to be utter respect to some higher being.


    ¡°How unusual for you to use your telepathy at such a distance. I thought I shifted this precious room far away from Seoul.¡±


    ¡°This mere distance is nothing to me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to believe a being like you has to disguise himself with a Korean-named alias¡­¡±


    ¡°Harmon, why isn''t Kang Joo-yeon dead yet?¡±


    ¡°Will there be a problem if she''s still alive?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve just found out that she has the Revisioned Guideline. I don''t like being left in the dark about this dangerous anomaly, Harmon.¡±


    ¡°Ah~ I forgot. You''re disguising yourself as an employee there. I assume you''ve seen her ¡®status window¡¯, right?¡±


    ¡°The least you could do is leave that playroom of yours and eliminate her¡­¡±


    ¡°She''s my chosen bride. My masterpiece won''t be completed if she gets killed too early. Ha~ You should''ve seen the look on her face today when she killed those weaklings.¡±


    ¡°You''ve got twisted tastes for a groom yourself, Harmon. I can''t believe my superiors let you handle the Guideline all by yourself.¡±


    ¡°Well, I''m the only one who can bypass the defense system made by those pathetic former friends of mine. Then again, it''s a hassle to do most times. That''s why my latest experiment will be finished soon. I''ve always wanted to send Amergin a payback gift for snatching away my assigned creatures, even when he''s inside his so-called safe dimension, many years ago.¡±


    A huge silhouette appears beneath where Harmon is sitting. The floor''s painting colour changes from a gray color to a bright blue where the shape of a sea monster is shown below him. Looking wingless with only two feet near to its neck, it appears to struggle from being confined beneath the floor with the sound of cracking bones and sizzling liquid heard across the ominous room. Finally, it lets out an agonising roar before its own silhouette disappears underneath the floor¡¯s color turning back to gray.


    ¡°I still can''t comprehend your enjoyment in making these tactless experiments,¡± the unknown telepathic caller says in a disgusted tone. ¡°Also, I saw that newest recruit who received our program six months ago. I can''t believe that woman has secretly been killing low-ranked Slayers three days in a row.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s just obeying the tasks I''ve given her from the Guideline. What''s the fuss?¡±


    ¡°The Alliance HQ here has wary eyes.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re stronger than any S-rank Slayer over there, right?¡±


    ¡°Look, Harmon. Killing many S-rank Slayers before Discernment Day isn''t part of the plan. Until then, we don''t want any of our plans to be disrupted by your obstinate decisions you made recently.¡±


    ¡°Hahahahahaha! You mean you don''t like your plan getting changed along the way!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°I don''t remember your comrades disagreeing with any decision I make.¡±


    Back at one of the floors at the Slayers Alliance, Harmon''s employer, dressed in an office worker¡¯s outfit, is annoyed by the way he talks to him. Holding a smartphone to his ear is the only way that nobody else, especially an S-rank Slayer, notices he''s using powerful telepathy from a continent¡¯s distance. With half of his face covered by the window blind¡¯s shadow due to the full moon tonight, he nearly bites his lip before speaking the next sentence to Harmon.


    ¡°I¡¯m warning you, Harmon. You better wise up or else¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh! There you are!¡±


    Harmon''s employer has his mouth wide open as part of him looking surprised to hear Ha Ye-rin finding him at this spot being often deserted. He manages to keep a calm look on his face as he starts a conversation with her, lifting his phone slightly away from his right ear.


    ¡°Ms Ha, I didn''t expect you to find me here.¡±


    ¡°Well, I do wish you would join us for dinner once in a while. It''s not like you''ve so many allergies, right?¡±


    ¡°Anyway, what do you need me for, Ms Ha?¡±


    ¡°Oh, right! Ms Chun needs your help in finding more past records about the Hidden Rankers that have existed so far before we call it a night."


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Or is that phone call important to you¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ms Ha. I''m nearly done with this phone call. I won''t be long.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Then, I''ll be waiting at the lift area.¡±


    Once Ye-rin walks away out of his sight, Harmon''s employer places his phone back to his ear even though nobody else is on this floor to spy on him.


    ¡°Harmon, you better not make any reckless plans, especially if you decide to feed that wretched room with more S-rank Slayers. The missing nine still have people talking about them. Also, stop giving unnecessary tasks to that newbie. My last warning to you - Don''t make decisions that''ll make you regret them.¡±


    Harmon''s employer¡¯s muscularly lean arm, which his suit¡¯s sleeve is folded down to his elbow, puts away his phone; an indication that he stops using his telepathy magic. Back in the tomb, Harmon lets out an exasperated sigh. His mood to drink a Shadow Golem¡¯s blood has been ruined after listening to the unbending words from this telepathic employer. He slowly pours his favorite drink to the ground with his bare feet touching the flooding liquid.


    "Look who''s talking,¡± he grumbles while the illuminated walls are making power blinks. ¡°As if you never make decisions without letting us know¡­ Oh well~ it''s good that my latest experiment is distracting me from that nihilistic old man¡¯s spiteful words. But I''ll obey at least one of his annoying requests. So what''s a necessary task, hmm?¡±


    After the last drop of black blood, Harmon gets up from his seat and starts to hum again while holding his empty cup. He¡¯s skipping like a cheerful little kid once he thinks back to Joo-yeon¡¯s mental breakdown and her executions on Mr Seo and his henchmen.


    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


    As if the hectic night isn''t over, a frightful scream is heard inside an E-rank Labyrinth. An E-rank Slayer''s scream is stopped when his neck is slashed with a stiletto. His bloody body plops in front of the last surviving Slayer, who''s also an E-rank wearing a white cloak. The survivor¡¯s face gets paler after scanning the killing scene around him. His six teammates have died from the slashes inflicted upon their bodies. Some of them are headless; some of them are legless. Even one of them has her whole tongue cut off by the hooded figure who''s walking towards the survivor.


    However, the dim lighting, which is quite common for a Labyrinth to have without any mana crystals on its walls, doesn''t conceal her identity from the survivor who can see her dark green eyes giving out a scary glare. He knows who she is exactly when he says his last words to her.


    ¡°You¡­You''ve been deceiving¡­the Alliance...¡±


    Before he can say her name, his neck gets stabbed by her stiletto. Her right hand never loses its grip while the survivor coughs out blood, staining his lower lip. Then, she smiles creepily at the sight of him struggling to breathe. She extracts her weapon from his pierced neck. He too is dead as his lifeless body plops on the ground. There''s so much blood coming out of the neck that it''s turning a huge part of the white cloak into literally blood red.


    Then, the Guideline''s notification pops up in front of her. Ever since she received the Tr¨²pa Program half a year ago, she¡¯s able to get stronger while doing her duties as a deputy for the Slayers Alliance. So far, nobody, not even an S-rank Slayer, has found out about her actual rank. As for the digitalised message sent by Harmon, whom she never knows his face or voice, she looks surprised for a moment before reverting back to a creepy smile. Her dark green eyes are glistening with an euphoric feeling, letting out arrogant chuckles; her voice sounds like a death knell even though nobody else is alive to hear it.


    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


    A full moon shines upon the lightless shanty building of Dae-chool Agency. Kim Dae-chool is looking terrified as he witnesses some of his men getting cracked bones and repeated healing from a tall hooded figure. He''s a redhead due to the fact the loan shark can see the end strands of his hair hanging out of his hood under the moonlight. As if seeing the threatening glare from Joo-yeon isn''t enough to make him experience a spooky night, Kim Dae-chool is seeing the worst night of his life tonight.


    He can''t even remember how many times this unknown assailant, who''s crouching down, has been healing and injuring his men. In fact, it doesn''t make sense how a Slayer of the healer class can do so without getting killed by his actions of hurting Nons. What''s more confusing is that this Slayer acts like he doesn''t care about the laws the Slayers Alliance have implemented worldwide. It''s as if he doesn''t even care what happens to him if a team of S-rank Slayers were being tasked to execute him.


    ¡°Hey! Who the heck are you?! Who are you working for?!¡±


    Kim Dae-chool¡¯s rude questioning has the hooded figure stop his torturing method upon one of his henchmen. Some of them still have visible bruises as though this assailant purposely avoided healing such areas during the torture duration. The redhead assailant gets up and walks slowly towards Kim Dae-chool who also has the same bruises that are mostly inflicted on his face. This assailant is a combat healer whose punches are probably as strong as the ones made by Slayer Shin Chang-wook.


    The redhead stops walking as he stands still in front of the pathetic-looking loan shark. The clouds pass by, letting another moonlight shine upon the hooded figure''s face for a visible look. Kim Dae-chool is daunted by the sight of the redhead¡¯s freckles and shamrock-colored eyes. The aesthetically attractive young man''s eyes stare at the loan shark as if green icicles were gonna form in front of him. The older man¡¯s body is trembling with enormous amounts of fear that he stutters his next questions to him.


    ¡°What¡­what do you want¡­from me?...¡±


    ¡°I want you to leave Kang Joo-yeon alone.¡±


    ¡°What does¡­she have to do¡­with you?¡±


    ¡°She''s the person I need to kill for my master''s sake.¡±


    ¡°What do you¡­¡±


    ¡°If you want to stay alive, leave this town and never come back at all, Kim Dae-chool. Unless you plan to protect her¡­¡±


    ¡°No, no!!! I''ll leave and won''t come back! I just got back my money from that brat so please¡­spare me! I¡¯ve got nothing to do with her!!¡±


    There''s a doubtful feeling in the redhead assailant¡¯s cold stare at Kim Dae-chool. Alas, he decides to give the benefit of the doubt seeing how pathetically weak-willed he is.


    ¡°I suggest all of you start packing your stuff tonight. You''re lucky that I wasn''t keen on destroying that large van parked in front of this ugly building of yours.¡±


    The redhead turns around, leaving Kim Dae-chool and his henchmen shaking with buckets of sweat and a fearful soul embedded in each of them. The ravaged state of their shady office has been caused by a big shockwave from the redhead¡¯s skean, and he only used one blade to turn the whole interior upside down.

 Level 34 - Something Did Happen to Me

    Everything is pitch-dark all around me. I just keep on running without knowing where I''m going, heavily panting. I can feel that I''m making a panicked look on my face. Maybe I deserve this sudden abandonment environment placed upon me because I can see my feet have stepped on to a huge pool of human blood. I stop in my tracks. My widened eyes scan slowly from my bloodied bare feet to the sight of a massacre in front of me.


    I see the lifeless bodies of Mr Seo and his henchmen, but their corpses aren''t the ones who made me feel immense guilt. It''s the bodies of the low-ranked Slayers who are murdered because of my stupid mistake. I hear a little girl weeping next to the wizard¡¯s corpse; the reason for her doing so is due to seeing his large wound on his chest. Then, the little girl stops weeping to turn her head around, facing my frightened self. My body trembles more when I see the wrathful look on her face.


    ¡°Why did you kill my dad?¡±


    She questions me over and over again that echoes across this dimension I''m helplessly trapped in. The final image changes the wizard¡¯s grieving daughter to another little girl who looks familiar to me. Then, I figure out once I can see this little girl has the same amber eyes and light brown hair like mine. That''s me, a 10-year-old, who also makes the same wrathful glare his daughter did a moment ago. The question mentioned by my childhood self pierces so much guilty conscience within my soul.


    ¡°Why did you kill Mom, Kang Joo-yeon?¡±


    Brief and quick flashbacks of my mom pushing me aside, letting her whole body get swallowed up by a Labyrinth¡¯s gate twelve years ago. She said something to me, but I''m unable to remember what her last words were to me. The next moment, I can feel myself making a bucket of sweat once I quickly open my eyes, staring at the beige-painted ceiling.


    I pant heavily until I manage to calm down after I look around to see that I''m in my own room. It turns out I was having a tragic-filled nightmare. I even start to believe that my existence in this world will cause more tragedies to innocent beings, especially my uncle and cousins.


    A nightmare? Then again¡­ I deserve it¡­ Five times already, huh?


    Flashbacks of my fateful encounter with Seo Tae-ho a week ago haunt my mind. I can feel my heart getting heavier when I still remember the wizard dying in front of me.


    Even if I was desperate for the money, maybe¡­no. I would''ve been arrested on the spot. The others would still follow Mr Seo¡­since they need the money as much as I did¡­Still¡­it doesn''t change the fact¡­


    ¡°That I''ve killed¡­ten people¡­Haha¡­I''m actually¡­¡±


    Suddenly, someone knocks on my door which startles me and I immediately sit up straight. I hear a young girl¡¯s voice that gives out the sound of an elegant bell despite the slightly impudent words coming out of her mouth. It''s Ga-young behind my locked bedroom door.


    ¡°Hey, wake up. Dad made breakfast for you. Hurry up if you don''t like a cold meal.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­I''ll be down soon, Ga-young.¡±


    I realised the latest nightmare has made me oversleep once I see the clock beside my bed showing a quarter past eight. But more importantly, I''m so glad that I always make sure I lock my bedroom door every night, and that it''s not Uncle Seung-min to wake me up. Because I''m currently not wearing anything on my body due to the heatwave getting more intense in late summer. I proceed to freshen myself up before putting on some clothes.


    Good thing I locked the door.


    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++


    I, dressed in an office worker''s skirt and suit, get up and wash my dishes after I finish eating the breakfast made by Uncle Seung-min. He may not look tired, but I feel bad that today he had to wake up very early and make breakfast for all of us. Gi-young just got back from his summer school trip, arriving back home a few days ago. Starting today, both of my cousins, dressed in their respective school uniforms, are going back to school.


    ¡°Ga-young, put down your smartphone. Finish your breakfast quickly so that I can drop the both of you to school before I head to work.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Dad. It''s just that one of my friends sent this sort of breaking news to me.¡±


    ¡°Noona, am I seeing the words ¡®Slayers Alliance¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Hey! No peeking! But yeah... Apparently, Maorga wants to file a lawsuit against the Slayers Alliance for letting one of their main investors be killed inside a Labyrinth.¡±


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    I flinch when I hear the word ¡®Maorga¡¯ that I temporarily stop washing my plate. I had a hunch that, based on how easy those henchmen wield that company¡¯s equipment and how that teleportation device is rarely found in the Slayers Market, Seo Tae-ho must have been a close accomplice to the founder of Maorga Inc, Kim Gwang-jae.


    I still remember that news segment where he posed his public image of being an upstanding citizen when I was still at the hospital. What surprises me is that filing a lawsuit publicly puts a high risk of exposure towards the unethical stuff he might be doing behind closed doors, particularly his investment is actually money laundering.


    Unless¡­that professor is taking advantage of Seo¡¯s death as an opportunity to make the Alliance look like the bad guys. The public will trust his company more than the Alliance¡¯s S-rank leaders. That means they''ve no choice, but to¡­


    ¡°Pass that bill, huh?¡±


    ¡°What did you say, Joo-yeon?¡±


    I make a startled look once I realise I''ve blurred out those words in front of my family. I can see Uncle Seung-min looking confused as he keeps staring at me, waiting for my reply which I did while trying my best to sound nonchalant. I continue to finish washing up while we talk.


    ¡°Oh! I just remembered¡­today I might be home late tonight, uncle.¡±


    ¡°I see. So that''s why you''re dressed like that¡­¡±


    ¡°Huh? Since when did you become a popular demand? Just don''t go for a job interview involving pyramid schemes. Dad had enough worries about you for the past whole month.¡±


    ¡°Ga-young, you... Ah¡­Never mind, but do know Joo-yeon is capable of figuring it out. If anything goes wrong, she''ll avoid getting involved. Okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ Dad. I''m done eating. Are we good to go? Gi-young?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Noona. I''m done too.¡±


    ¡°Joo-yeon, you''ve got the spare key for this house, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Uncle Seung-min. Don''t worry about me.¡±


    I immediately walked away after I washed the plate. I actually wanted to wear my sportswear, but I assume my uncle can become more perceptive that something''s going on in my life like what happened during my high school years. The Painting Labyrinth is no exception. Ironically, I''ve to act like everything is normal; that I''m seeking another job.


    Also, I wore the office outfit to hide my newest secret. The past whole week, I was illegally entering low-ranked Labyrinths, killing any Beast residing there except the final strongest one to which I always leave for the raid team wanting the most valuable loot. I did so to gather more ingredients to make more potions and if possible, I wanna get another weapon made from the Beasts¡¯ carcasses there.


    Anyway, it''s not actually a lie that I''m looking for a new job. But ever since I secretly sold those mana crystals worth fifty million at the Slayers Market online, it¡¯s not my priority to get a new job now. Nevertheless, it''ll be a good cover for keeping the Guideline a secret as long as I can. That is if I can get hired at a guild.


    ¡°I''ll be leaving first. Make sure to lock the door, uncle.¡±


    As I walk away from the dining kitchen and arrive at the hallway where the front door is at, I hear Uncle Seung-min suddenly calling out to me that starts a private conversation between us two. He seems to be holding something behind his back.


    ¡°Wait, Joo-yeon!¡±


    ¡°What is it, uncle?¡±


    ¡°Here. Wear this so that you don''t trip over when you walk around outside. Actually¡­ I wanted to give you this¡­as a proper birthday present.¡±


    He reveals the item he was holding. I see a well-made light pink-colored headband with rhinestones making flower patterns that look like an orchid from an angle; from another angle, they look like white violets. My eyes widen though I try my best to compose my wondrous stare at the pretty hair accessory. I guess the late summer is getting hotter to handle.


    I''m glad Ga-young was the one who woke me up today.


    ¡°But¡­you didn''t have to buy an expensive one. I''m not that fashionable like Ga-young¡­¡±


    ¡°Joo-yeon, any woman deserves to wear something pretty. Unless¡­this isn''t to your liking¡­¡±


    ¡°No, no! It''s pretty, uncle! It''s just¡­it looks expensive¡­Did you use most of your food expenses?¡±


    ¡°Oh? This? No, no. Joo-yeon, believe me that I''ve had enough money to nourish myself. Headbands aren''t that expensive. You were so busy recovering from that incident¡­I thought today¡­ was the right time for me to give it to you¡­¡±


    An awkward silence fills the air around us. Alas, I break it, giving a gentle smile at him.


    ¡°Thank you, uncle. I''ll make sure not to lose this beautiful birthday gift.¡±


    I gently put it on my head. It slides my slightly long fringe way to the back. I can feel my hair is lighter and I subconsciously smile longer. My uncle smiles at the sight of me appreciating his gift to me.


    ¡°Oh¡­ if you happen to be applying for a job at one of the Alliance¡¯s departments, can you tell¡­that tanker¡­¡±


    Hearing the word ¡®tanker¡¯ has Jung-han¡¯s teddy bear persona come immediately in my mind. I look confused as to how my uncle knows Jung-han unless he met him at the Alliance¡¯s HQ building.


    ¡°Are you talking about Jung-han? How do you know him, uncle?¡±


    ¡°So that''s his name¡­When I got the call from the Alliance that you died in the explosion, I hurried there and met two of your teammates delivering that dreadful news. The big guy, Jung-han, told me his avoidable injury led to abandoning you in that Labyrinth. I couldn''t help, but slap him across his face in front of the crowd there.¡±


    ¡°Uncle¡­¡±


    ¡°I''m sorry for keeping this secret from you, Joo-yeon. I thought this is the right moment that I should tell you about him. I''ve been told by Ms Han that it was you who made them hold that stone to get out of there. And that she was the only one who''s not badly injured¡­¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°I guess I would''ve panicked like Jung-han. Not thinking clearly to avoid any avoidable injuries¡­ When you meet him, could you tell him I''m sorry? That I should''ve been angry at the Alliance only¡­¡±


    ¡°Uncle, I understand. Don''t feel bad about it too much, okay? I''m sure Jung-han will say he deserved that slap from you. He''s too nice for his own good.¡±


    ¡°The way you talk about him¡­do you like him?¡±


    I must''ve looked startled hearing this sudden question from him. Uncle Seung-min, the only adult man from this household who warns me about getting close to a man my age, sounds like he accepts Jung-han as a trustworthy man.


    ¡°He''s my friend so yes, uncle. I like him for being the only higher-ranked Slayer who doesn''t care about my rank.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    Why does he sound a bit disappointed?


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, it''s good to know you''ve got people there whom you can really trust. After all, you deserve good people in your life, Joo-yeon.¡±


    Good people, huh?


    Hearing those specific words has my mind experiencing another set of brief flashbacks of my necessary killing to Seo Tae-ho and his henchmen.


    I''m not a good person but¡­


    I proceed to give a hug to Uncle Seung-min. I¡¯m aware that I''ve been physically stronger than him for the last two years, but just this once, I''m able to be as gentle as possible. After all, I really need this hug today to keep me from being immersed in the depression I''m feeling now.


    ¡­until the day you find out my real self, I want to keep your dream of me being a kind-hearted niece to you.


    ¡°Woah~ Joo-yeon. What¡¯s with the hug?¡±


    That''s why¡­I can''t give up finding out about what happened to me in that wretched Labyrinth.


    ¡°Joo-yeon?¡±


    I let go of Uncle Seung-min from my embrace. I then turn around to open the entrance door; I wear my black heels, never try to look back at him because doing so will make him find out the truth about myself.


    ¡°In case I come back late tonight, uncle¡­¡±


    ¡°You are?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­have dinner without me, okay? I''ll be off, uncle.¡±


    ¡°Oh. See you later, Joo-yeon.¡±


    I get a feeling that once I shut the entrance door, Uncle Seung-min has a confused look after watching my odd behaviour just now. In fact, I can picture the worried look on his face, speculating something has happened to me.


    ¡°Yes, something did happen to me..."