An organization formed by the heads of each country’s Association, established to resolve disputes or issues between nations peacefully.
There were no regular meetings.
They only gathered when there was a matter of great importance to discuss.
Lee Changgeon surveyed the atmosphere as he looked at the faces of the various Association Heads projected on the giant screen.
‘It’s quiet.’
It was as if someone had told everyone to keep their mouths shut.
Even the Italy Association Head, who always lightened the mood with small talk about recent events, was silent today.
And so, the meeting time arrived.
“Since everyone has gathered, I’ll begin the meeting. Today’s agenda concerns the emerging criminal organization known as ‘Messiah’.”
The screen changed, and information about Messiah appeared.
“These people began their activities in Northern Europe a month ago, making their presence known by killing the boss of Dark City.”
In the attached photo was a man lying cold and dead. His bare torso was marked with a cross and some writing.
[Messiah will save the world.]
Next, another photo was shown.
“This is the boss of Guns and Shot, discovered a week ago.”
Upon seeing that, someone spoke up.
“Weren’t they just people who deserved to die anyway? Shouldn’t we be grateful, really?”
“Take a look at this.”
Yet another photo showed a face everyone recognized.
One of the Twelve Constellations.
Italy’s S-rank Hunter, Antonio.
His corpse was marked with a cross and the word “Messiah”.
“They’re not just targeting criminal organizations.”
“…Antonio is dead?”
“Good heavens.”
“Oh my god.”
“No way. Do you know what kind of people the Twelve Constellations are?”
The World’s Top Five seemed to have already known, accepting the information calmly.
“As you all know, only an S-rank Hunter can kill another S-rank Hunter. That means the leader of Messiah is very likely an S-rank Hunter as well.”
“…A criminal organization with an S-rank Hunter. What do you intend to do?”
“For now, I believe gathering information is the priority. Please collect as much data as you can in your respective countries, and pay even closer attention to the safety of your S-rank Hunters.”
Then, someone offered a suggestion.
“How about asking the Twelve Constellations to go after Messiah instead?”
“They’re busy. With the upcoming Labyrinth Raid, Red Dungeons, and even S-rank Dungeons… do you know how great the losses would be if they went chasing after Messiah?”
A conflict between the countries with Twelve Constellations and those without.
“So you’re just planning to watch and do nothing?”
“Who said we’d just watch? We’ll move when the location of this Messiah is revealed.”
“But only S-rank Hunters can deal with them. Who else is supposed to hunt Messiah? Of course the Twelve Constellations have to go.”
“S-rank Hunters aren’t only the Twelve Constellations. Why do you keep dragging them into this?”
“They’ve already taken down one of the Twelve Constellations. Who’s to say they won’t go after another?”
As the atmosphere began to heat up, the moderator intervened.
“We simply know too little about Messiah to take action. For now, I believe gathering information should be our focus.”
“I agree.”
“That’s right.”
“…Hoo. I’ll have our people investigate.”
As the meeting seemed to be winding down, Lee Changgeon, who had been quietly observing the situation, opened his mouth.
“Then why is there no mention of the protest letter we sent to China or the ongoing situation with the Purification Sect?”
“Wasn’t today’s agenda solely about Messiah? Didn’t we agree not to discuss topics outside the agenda during meetings?”
At the Chinese Association Head’s words, Lee Changgeon clicked his tongue.
“I believe the rampage of the Purification Sect is enough to be considered a cause for dispute. Do you see it differently?”
“Rampage? Wasn’t the Purification Sect supposed to be the Gatekeeper of the Labyrinth?”
Though he called them thugs in private, now he referred to them as Gatekeeper. The reason was obvious.
He was trying to emphasize the identity of the Purification Sect.
‘…What a slippery snake.’
Ten years ago, after Korea’s S-rank Hunters died, five of the Labyrinth’s core Floors were left vacant.
Countries rushed to claim those positions.
While everyone was focused on the vacant Floors, criminal organizations began attacking the Labyrinth.
They occupied the lower Floors one by one.
There was even a time when they blocked Hunters from around the world, preventing anyone from descending further into the Labyrinth.
That was when the Purification Sect was born.
The mission of the Purification Sect was to block criminals trying to sneak into the Labyrinth. At first, each country dispatched members to run the organization.
But as time passed.
As the Labyrinth Raid stabilized, the number of newly awakened Hunters dropped dramatically.
Rather than dispatching people to the Purification Sect,
It became more profitable to send those people into the Labyrinth to grow, so naturally, the Chinese—having the largest population—came to dominate the Purification Sect.
‘It started to go downhill from then.’
Because they were stuck on the 11th Floor for life and couldn’t descend, the Purification Sect started receiving subsidies from various countries.
They didn’t want to descend further into the Labyrinth.
They just wanted to make easy money.
After spending a long time in the Purification Sect, the organization started to rot.
As their lives became comfortable, they got bored.
Boredom turned into a desire for entertainment.
So, they began acting like thugs, targeting weaker nations that wouldn’t dare speak up.
The World Hunter Association was aware of this.
But since the Purification Sect wasn’t going all out, things were usually swept under the rug.
“Wasn’t it the Purification Sect’s mission to protect the Hunters of the World Hunter Association from criminal organizations? Instead of protecting them, you’re saying it’s okay for them to control the Hunters?”
The British Hunter Association Head let out a snicker.
“Korea really has changed since getting that Hidden Piece Achievement and the Red Dungeon. Even trying to break the rules set by the Association.”
“There are so many issues the World Hunter Association needs to deal with. Should we really be held up by something so minor?”
Even the France Association Head joined in.
There wasn’t a single person here willing to side with Korea. Instead, everyone was on guard against them. You could feel it.
Like hyenas eyeing their prey.
They all wanted Korea’s Red Dungeon.
‘Just like ten years ago.’
The moment Korea, once the strongest, fell,
They pounced and took everything.
Whenever Korea tried to climb back up,
These same people tripped them up with regulations and interference.
‘Honestly, I can’t stand it.’
He felt frustrated and irritated.
He wanted to crash through, but
That wouldn’t help Korea at all.
Suppressing his boiling anger, Lee Changgeon let out a long sigh and spoke again.
“Please also consider the issue regarding the Purification Sect.”
“Yes, understood.”
With the moderator’s words, the meeting came to an end.
As everyone prepared to leave the meeting,
A message appeared before the Association Heads who were once Hunters.
[A Korean Hunter is challenging the Master of the Labyrinth 11th Floor.]
Seeing the message, the Chinese Association Head laughed loudly.
“Hahahahaha! Trying to get revenge, are you?”
“What, are you afraid you’ll lose?”
“Go ahead and try. If Korea wins, I’ll say nothing more about this issue. But…”
The Chinese Association Head’s eyes gleamed.
“If you lose, you’ll have to take responsibility for it.”
At the Hunter Academy, there was a class about the history of Hunters.
That’s where they taught about the Stair War.
- When the Master of a Floor is challenged, they can set one restriction on the challenger.
The first reason the Stair War gradually disappeared.
Unfairness to the challenger.
[The Master of the 11th Floor is choosing a restriction.]
[No Hunter other than the challenger may assist in the Stair War.]
As the message vanished, the scenery of the Labyrinth 11th Floor came into view.
The forest I saw when I first came here.
I was standing alone in the clearing, and the Master of the Labyrinth was nowhere to be seen.
[The battle format is a defensive war.]
[The challenger must find the entrance to the 12th Floor, which the Master of the Labyrinth is defending, and occupy the entrance within the time limit.]
[Time limit: 2 hours.]
The Labyrinth changes a bit every time you challenge it.
The entrance might be where I found it last time, or it might not.
I put on my goblin mask.
“Haste.”
I lightened my body and dashed forward.
Riding the wind, I glided through the forest in search of the Labyrinth’s entrance.
‘Lucky me.’
The target was at the same spot I found when I cleared the 11th Floor before. A small tower shaped like a pillar. Around it were thousands of people.
Purification Sect members in blue martial robes.
Standing at the very front was a large man—Chunghwa Moon Leader Lee Gak. He was so well known that a simple search would bring him up.
“You’re the one who was looking for me so eagerly?”
“Are you the guy who killed our members?”
“Saying I killed them sounds a bit harsh, don’t you think?”
After all, killing other Hunters in the Labyrinth doesn’t mean they’re actually dead. You just get penalized and can’t enter the Labyrinth for a few days.
Real death only happens much lower down.
Unless you get killed by a monster on the 11th Floor, you’re not likely to die.
“And besides, you guys started this whole mess. Don’t play the victim now.”
“What made you tear up the challenge notice?”
“Isn’t it faster to see things for yourself?”
“This guy’s a complete lunatic. Didn’t they teach you about challenge notices at the Academy?”
“They did.”
The second reason the Stair War gradually disappeared.
- If you lose in the Stair War, you lose all your abilities.
- That’s why, ten years ago, so many Hunters lost their powers in the Stair War.
Especially
In lower Labyrinths, where there aren’t many Dungeons, it’s just not worth doing Stair Wars.
You have more to lose than to gain.
That’s why Chunghwa Moon Leader Lee Gak, who held the 11th Floor, had remained Master for so long.
Well.
It’s not easy to win against such overwhelming odds, either.
“Are you nervous? Afraid you’ll lose?”
“Kuhahahaha. Did you awaken an S-rank skill or something?”
“Something like that.”
“Then we really can’t let you go. Our members are fired up after what you did, so be careful.”
Why are they so eager to kill me?
Could it be that he’s an Apostle, or a candidate for Apostle?
To check, I used Golden Dragon’s Eye.
[Chunghwa Moon Leader Lee Gak (B)]
- Master of the Labyrinth 11th Floor, and Leader of the Purification Sect. Lee Gak.
- Currently enjoying himself.
- Overall stats: B
Potential: B
- Items: Yulcheon Sword (B), Advanced Leather Armor Set (A), Set of Artifacts of Strength (A).
- Skills: Yulcheon Sword Technique (B), Yulcheon Mind Method (B), Yulcheon Step Method (B), Keen Vision (B), Floor Master (S)
I clicked my tongue as I read his stats.
‘What a monster.’
This is the last reason the Stair War faded away.
Because the Master of the Labyrinth can still descend, it’s possible for them to keep raising their specs.
After so much time,
Most Masters of the Labyrinth are at the level of a B-rank Hunter, and with the Labyrinth’s buff, they’re almost as strong as A-rank.
A new Hunter, fresh out of awakening, could never hope to win.
“Should I come to you, or will you come to me?”
“Kuhahahaha. Crazy bastard. Guys, mess with him a bit and bring him in.”
At Lee Gak’s command, thousands surged forward.
An overwhelming force, just by sheer numbers.
There are very few who could face all that alone. Even if they’re low-ranked Hunters, with that many, anyone’s stamina and mana would get worn down.
“Guardian, summon.”
Shuaaaaaak!
Goblins and Orcs, Ropenheim and Fryra, and even Park Chanseong.
Guardians lined up on either side of me.
I gave them precise orders.
“Orcs and Goblins. Fryra, Park Chanseong. Clear out everyone charging at us and make a path.”
There would be no mercy for those who came at me to kill.
[Time to show my skills. Let’s demonstrate the power of Poison Art. Keke.]
[Uwoooooooo!]
[I won’t let you off easy!]
“Yes.”
The Guardians charged at the enemies.
When the Goblin spread his hands, a poisonous mist spread out, poisoning them.
The Orc’s axe mowed them down.
Fryra’s elemental bullets exploded, sweeping the front lines.
Park Chanseong finished off the ones that slipped through.
“Should I hold back, or may I join in?”
“Elder, could you take care of that big guy up front?”
I was curious just how far an SS-rank Guardian could go without mana.
“You’re interested in my abilities, are you?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
I walked with Ropenheim along the path the Guardians had made.
Lee Gak drew his sword and launched himself forward. Ropenheim stepped up and confronted him.
He parried the incoming sword like water flowing, then struck Lee Gak’s stomach with a light punch.
Boom!
With the sound of air bursting, Lee Gak’s leather armor exploded.
“Keuhk!”
Lee Gak’s eyes and mouth opened wide as he vomited blood.
“How was that?”
“More than satisfying.”
Even without mana, handling a Hunter nearly at A-rank with ease.
‘Seriously broken.’
Admiring Ropenheim’s power, I approached Lee Gak. I pressed my foot down on his head, grinding it hard.
“Did the Chinese Association Head put you up to this?”
“…Kkuh…keuhk.”
“I know a few curse spells, you know? If you don’t answer, I’ll show you real hell.”
“…Y-yes…he did…The Association Head ordered it…”
“Good.”
Crunch!
I finished Lee Gak and reached the entrance of the Labyrinth.
[You have occupied the entrance.]
[You have won the Stair War.]
[All spoils carried by those who lost in the battle have been acquired.]
[The Floor Master has changed.]
[Hunters with Korean nationality receive a special buff on the Labyrinth 11th Floor.]
[You have obtained ownership of the Labyrinth 11th Floor Dungeon.]
The messages didn’t stop there.
[Labyrinth 11th Floor has been bound to the Rift.]
[From now on, you may enter the Labyrinth 11th Floor via the Rift.]
What’s this?
Does this mean I can descend into the Labyrinth without going through the Association?
‘Let’s check it out.’
After finishing the Stair War and returning to reality, I moved to the Dragon Lair.
Entering the Labyrinth 11th Floor via the Rift, I proceeded to the path leading down to the 12th Floor.
[You have entered the Labyrinth of Bahart.]
A new landscape appeared, and a Trial was triggered.
[Trial of the 12th Floor]
- Defeat the boss monster guarding the path to the 13th Floor.
- Time limit: 5 hours.
“With this……”
Now I can go wild without worrying about being caught.
“That’s the goblin mask! Stop him!”
The Hunters in blue martial robes saw me and charged quickly.
Looks like they haven’t heard the news yet.
“Orc, summon.”
The Purification Sect was holding the 13th Floor too, right?
Shall I rush all the way down?