< Chapter 152: Winding Ordeal (1) >
Inside a plane heading to Japan.
I was lost in thought with a serious expression on my face.
‘I finally understand now.’
Nodding his head, he chewed over Hermit’s words that Master was an alias, a fake identity of Unknown.
‘If Unknown and Master are the same person, then it makes sense that The One Guild was annihilated at the Dragon’s Lair.’
You can’t be sleeping even being a single number(top ranker) when The One’s strongest superhuman, and Guild leader, is ambushing you from behind.
They must have been caught completely off guard.
‘There’s nothing scarier than an enemy from within.’
Now that I know that the real Master is Unknown, all the mysteries that puzzled me so far are being unraveled.
‘The reason Unknown had very rare appearances in the original was because he was active as the Master.’
In the original work, Unknown barely engaged in any activities until just before the national war terrorism. Even calling Maestro the boss wouldn’t be an exaggeration given how quiet he was.
‘Using the fake identity, Master, he melted into the world, acquiring critical information inaccessible to a villain.’
Over a span of 20 years, he did this.
‘And now he probably decided that there’s no need to act as the Master anymore.’
So, he killed him. Along with the symbol called Master, he erased the guild following him, ‘The One’, altogether.
‘A terrifying guy.’
I get chills thinking about Unknown’s meticulousness.
The fact that he acted as the top superhuman, ‘Master,’ for 20 years. That he eradicated the guild he fostered over 20 years without hesitation. Unconsciously, goosebumps rose on my skin seeing him utilizing even the social unrest caused by the demise of the best superhuman and the best guild.
‘The problem is the reason Unknown involved me in the Dragon’s Lair raid.’
In fact, I did find it strange. No matter how counteractive my traits are to the Dragon’s Lair, I am just a cadet in the end.
Was it determined that someone like me should participate in such a critical dungeon raid? And that too without even taking a day?
It doesn’t make sense logically.
‘Could it be that they realized that I’m the mastermind behind the Vagabond incident?’
If that’s the case, it makes sense.
To make me participate in the Dragon’s Lair raid and try to kill me along with The One Guild.
‘No. There is no way that my information could have reached Unknown.’
If my information had spread within the true savior, Hermit would have noticed it. No matter how I think about it, there isn’t enough evidence to consider me as the mastermind…
‘No. Physical evidence is not what’s important.’
Even though there may be no evidence, there are plenty of suspicious circumstances.
‘There’s me at the intersection of Yu Hwa, Jia, and additionally, Maiden who has recently been connected with those two.’
Considering my rapid rise recently, it’s not strange to have doubts.
‘There might be an intention to nip it in the bud in advance.’
Maybe it’s killing two birds with one stone. To eliminate a suspicious person and to nip the potential future threat in the bud.
‘Whatever the case, it’s clear that I have become Unknown’s target.’
I chewed my nails anxiously.
What should I do?
Should I change my statement to not participating in the Dragon’s Lair raid as it is?
‘I haven’t signed the contract yet. If I renegotiate to only provide information and then back out…’
No, it isn’t.
No matter what, the fact that I have caught Unknown’s eye doesn’t change.
‘Sooner or later, it is clear that Unknown will take action to target me.’
Before the grand task of national war terrorism, they would want to eliminate as many variables as possible.
Moreover, if I don’t participate in the Dragon’s Lair raid, ‘The One’ Guild will ultimately be annihilated.
‘I can’t let that happen.’
I can’t just frivolously lose the top superhumans like The One. They need to survive and work harder for the world.
‘Also for my own survival.’
I continuously racked my brain while biting my lips. Recalling the information given at present and the goal I need to achieve, I worked out a method.
‘…In the end, I have no choice but to participate in the Dragon’s Lair raid.’
There is no other way. The joker card that can change this situation is none other than myself.
‘And…’
A crisis is also called an opportunity. Now is exactly that time.
‘This situation is also a golden opportunity for me.’
A golden opportunity to deal with Unknown, who will step ‘alone’ into the interior of the Dragon’s Lair Master.
‘In the interior of the Dragon’s Lair, there is no possibility for other executives to support.’
The isolated dungeon chosen by Unknown for a perfect crime isolates Unknown himself.
Moreover, if the situation is well-created, other people from ‘The One’ Guild, excluding Unknown, can be captured as allies.
‘If I just catch the timing when Unknown shows his fangs…’
Of course, it won’t be easy.
Unknown’s strength is beyond imagination. The reputation of being the strongest in part 1 is not for nothing.
Even with the help of three single digits(top rankers), the chances of victory aren’t high.
‘To compensate for that disadvantage, I have no choice but to become stronger.’
Before the Dragon’s Lair raid, I must gather as many relics as possible, acquire traits, and obtain power enough to confront S-rank superhumans without the use of ancient relics.
‘I need to collect at least 10 ancient relics for combat use.’
This is the minimum condition for victory.
‘…To do that, I first need to safely clear the Winding Ordeal.’
Depending on the attacker, the special dungeon that changes its appearance, ‘Winding Ordeal.’
I must acquire the hidden piece from here.
* * *
At the end of a short flight, I arrived at a Japanese airport. I moved through the bustling crowd towards the gate indicated on my invitation.
“It seems to be the right place.”
As I walked out of the gate, a luxurious limousine was parked there. In front of it were four individuals, two men, and two women, all dressed in equally luxurious suits.
They bowed to me all at once. It was a very polite greeting.
“Are you from the ‘Oni Guild’?”
“Yes. I am Shigeo Nakamura, assigned to guide Mr. Kang Seo-yul. I look forward to working with you.”
“Ah, yes. I am Kang Seo-yul.”
The Oni Guild, which holds the ownership rights to the Winding Ordeal, is one of the gigantic guilds that can be counted on one hand in Japan.
“Could you please show me the invitation first?”
“Here it is.”
I handed over the invitation I had kept with me. Nakamura took out a peculiar-looking device and scanned various parts of the invitation that seemed to have barcode-like elements, and then soon gave a slight smile.
“Thank you for verifying.”
I wasn’t sure how he verified it with that, but it seemed that the verification was over anyway.
“Then, this way. I will take you to your accommodation.”
A woman who was standing behind Nakamura opened the door to the limousine.
“I will take care of your luggage.”
At the same moment, another woman loaded my luggage into the trunk. Her movements were extremely fast and precise. She seemed very experienced in this kind of service.
This is a bit awkward receiving such a VIP treatment. Anyway, it’s nice to be treated well.
As I boarded the limousine, the driver finished boarding as well. Nakamura took the passenger seat.
And the woman who opened the door a little while ago sat next to me.
“Then, let’s get going.”
“Yes.”
With a comfort that did not feel like I was in a car, I traveled on the roads of Japan. The scenery, quite different from the Japan of the original world, was quite fascinating.
“Is this your first time in Japan?”
“Yes.”
Unlike the Japan of the original world, it feels a bit rougher. Perhaps it’s because this nation regards beastmen as their ancestors.
“Well, before the entrance at 4 o’clock tomorrow, you might want to do some light sightseeing.”
“…Even if I want to, my face has become quite well-known recently. It’s a bit awkward to walk around outside.”
There were quite a lot of people recognizing me at the airport earlier. I was surprised that I could understand Japanese as well as I understand my native language, just like English.
“Ah, you are a superstar, aren’t you?”
“Superstar is a bit…”
“Then I’ll refer to you as a celebrity.”
Anyway, both Nakamura sitting in front and this woman are very proficient in Korean.
“So you mean to say you don’t plan to go out and walk around?”
“Yes. most likely not.”
Right now, my head is quite cluttered, I feel like I will stay holed up in the hotel, immersed in my thoughts. I also need to reorganize things about the Winding Ordeal.
“…Is that so?”
At that moment, the woman suddenly leaned in even closer to me.
“How about having a drink with me then?”
“…Excuse me?”
A glint flowed from the woman’s eyes.
It was a gaze akin to a carnivorous animal in front of its prey.
“Do you know? There’s a very alluring scent coming from you, Seo-yul.”
She’s getting closer and closer to me.
“It’s fragrant, yet intense. A man’s scent. It’s the first time I’ve felt this from a foreigner.”
As mentioned, Japan has Beastmen as its ancestors. Therefore, they inherited some of the characteristics of Beastmen.
Among these traits are exceptional physical abilities and keen senses.
“A scent so captivating… it makes me want to devour you on the spot.”
Due to their keen senses, Japanese people are known to have a sensitive sense of smell.
Right now, my body odor has been transformed into an ideal fragrance due to “charm”.
That is why this woman is having such a reaction.
It might also be a response to the “Beastmen blood” flowing in my body.
“What do you think? How about spending tonight with me…”
“Um, I’m not really attracted.”
I conveyed my intention to refuse politely.
Honestly, perhaps because I have been seeing the top beauties of the universe all this time, I don’t feel anything from average temptations. I don’t have the leisure for that either.
“Instead, could you please explain the ‘Winding Ordeal’ to me?”
What’s important right now is the ‘Winding Ordeal’. What business do I have with temptations?
“….”
The woman looked at me with an extremely dismayed expression.
* * *
The next morning.
Under Nakamura’s guidance, I headed towards the entrance of the ‘Winding Ordeal’, the heart of the guild’s facilities.
I wonder if it should be referred to as the main source of income for the Oni Guild.
The security was tremendous.
Even Hermit would not be able to breach this, right?
…Or could he?
“Welcome.”
As we walked for a while towards the core, a woman dressed in Japan’s traditional shaman attire greeted me.
“There will be a simple verification process.”
Following the woman’s words, I underwent various verification processes, including handing over the invitation.
Approximately 3 minutes passed, and all verifications were completed.
“The verification is complete. Now, we will proceed with a basic explanation of the Winding Ordeal.”
Once the shaman’s brief explanation is over, I will be able to enter the dungeon immediately.
Phew. I’m nervous.
“The Winding Ordeal is an infinitely regenerating type of dungeon, a special dungeon that changes its form according to the examiner.”
I know that.
That’s why I’m nervous.
Due to its peculiarity of changing its appearance depending on the person entering, knowledge of the original work is almost meaningless.
“It is also called ‘The Gate of Trials’, and statistically, the clear rate is 0.63%.”
0.63%.
It’s an insane passing rate.
“The strategy period is exactly two weeks. If more time passes, the dungeon will disappear, and the examiner will be forced out, so please be cautious.”
Given the difficulty level of the dungeon plus the time limit, it’s impossible for the passing rate to be higher.
“Upon clearing, a very special reward is reserved exclusively for the examiners.”
The Winding Ordeal became famous for a reason: a magnificent reward proportional to the extreme difficulty of the dungeon.
It was very natural for superhumans to be obsessed with it.
‘… First of all, I must clear it by any means to acquire the hidden piece.’
I am preoccupied with worry.
Of course, I can overcome it as long as I use the ancient relics, but I couldn’t help feeling anxious.
“All explanations are finished. Now we will open the entrance to the Winding Ordeal.”
As the shaman stepped back a few steps, the entire building began to creak.
Then, like in a mechanical fortress, it bent here and there and moved.
Ka-a-ang!
A small cave entrance revealed itself from within.
I was wondering where the entrance to the dungeon was, but it was hiding like this. It truly looks like a lot of attention was paid to security.
“You just have to walk straight into the cave. I wish you good luck.”
With those words, the shaman completely stepped away from the place.
“Phew.”
I took a light deep breath and stepped towards the entrance.
The sound of my footsteps echoed throughout the cave.
After walking for about 2-3 minutes, at some point, this cave will change its appearance.
That is when the strategy begins.
I proceeded with a moderate level of tension.
I held the object in my hand, being cautious of my surroundings.
About 5 minutes might have passed, perhaps.
Right when it felt like a lot of time had passed for the Winding Ordeal to start changing its form…
“…?”
I realized something was going wrong.
Why isn’t it changing?
Do I need to walk a bit further?
But even after 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes passed, there were no signs of the Winding Ordeal changing its appearance.
“…Surely not.”
Like not being able to enter the gate, was there some special rule for the dungeon as well?
“Can’t enter the dungeon as well…?”
Or endlessly wandering around the entrance without being able to enter the dungeon.
Could it be something like that?
If not, there is no way to explain this situation.
“…This is really absurd.”
If that’s the case, it becomes troublesome in many ways. The strategy I had set up was based on the assumption that I had acquired the ‘Hidden Piece’ of the ‘Winding Ordeal’.
Without securing the ‘core’ of this dungeon, the ‘Hidden Piece’, it would be meaningless.
Despite walking for about 10 more minutes, there was no sign of the dungeon changing its appearance.
“…Wow. This is driving me crazy.”
Right when I was frustrated, scratching my head.
“…Huh?”
I saw a bright light at the end of the cave passage.
A very bright light.
It was a brightness as if even the sun was rising.
“Why is there such a light in the passage…?”
…Wait a minute.
Light?
“No way!”
I quickly ran to the end of the passage. The moment I confirmed the source of that light, I was unwittingly taken aback.
“…Seriously?”
The Hidden Piece I was looking for,
The core of the Winding Ordeal was emitting a magnificent light.
< Chapter 152: Winding Ordeal (1) > End
