---
"Resurrect at your current location? Y/N?"
I stared at the system prompt hovering in front of me, weighing my options.
My instincts were right—something bad did happen inside Fin's Labyrinth.
---
Flashback...
"Level Up..."
"Level Up..."
"Level Up..."
Before reaching the entrance of Fin's Labyrinth, I had to cross the Death Swamp.
Every mob I encountered along the way fell easily—my stats were more than enough to take them down.
After all, Forest of Jera, Grave of Jera, and Death Swamp were areas made for low-level players.
"Status."
John Leben [Lvl. 8]
HP: 270/270 (+70)
MP: 0
Class: [None]
Rank: [White]
Title: [None]
Skill: [None]
Str: 1 (+21)
Int: 1
Dex: 0 (+5)
Con: 14 (+7)
Wis: 0
Available Points: 0
Skill Points: 7
I invested all my stat points into Constitution to further increase my physical defense and HP regeneration.
Each level-up gave me an additional 50 HP.
In technical terms:
(Original HP = 100, +10 HP per Level, with +10 HP per 1 CON point and +10 HP per each CON dummy stat.)
When I finally reached the end of the swamp, I took a short rest and double-checked my equipment before continuing on.
"This should be the place."
I stood before a massive stone wall, searching for a square-shaped carving.
Based on the quest description from Alfiria Saga, the entrance to Fin's Labyrinth was hidden between the swamp's exit and the edge of the Withered Forest.
There were too many boulders scattered across the terrain, which made the search a pain.
If only the map system worked like in modern games—pinpointing objectives—it would've been easier.
But in this world, the system map only updated areas you had physically stepped on.
I pulled out the key from my bag and pressed it against the carved square.
Both the key and the stone glowed in unison.
Moments later, the ground trembled.
I stepped back and watched the boulder slide open like a hidden door, revealing a stairway that led deep underground.
Lighting Pebble in hand, I descended.
The steps were steep, long, and swallowed by darkness.
A loud rumble echoed behind me—the boulder had sealed itself again.
Eventually, the stairwell opened into a wide stone corridor.
The torches lining the walls suddenly ignited on their own, illuminating the path ahead.
I kept walking until I stood before an enormous metal door engraved with the figure of a knight.
I took out the key again, but there was no visible keyhole.
I held it near the door.
It floated from my hand, glowed, then vanished.
The door creaked and slowly opened.
What lay beyond was Fin's Labyrinth.
"You have entered Fin's Labyrinth."
"Fin's Labyrinth Map Unlocked."
"Map..." Tch. Of course. (Sigh)
As expected, the system map only showed the areas I had already explored.
The labyrinth had five separate entry points.
I knew where the boss chamber was located, but I still chose to clear every path—each dead end usually contained a treasure chest.
Truth be told, I was also stalling.
I had a bad feeling.
---
In total, I found 12 treasure chests—4 of which were Mimics.
From the loot, I got 5 Upgrade Gems (E) and 6 Silver.
I applied the gems to my sword:
Iron Sword (E) +1
ATK: 15 (+2)
PATK: 10 (+1)
Then used the rest,
Iron Sword (D) +5
ATK: 15 (+10)
PATK: 10 (+5)
Weapons and armor can be upgraded in stages:
(+1 to +4) = E Grade
(+5 to +9) = D Grade
(+10 to +14) = C Grade
(+15 to +19) = B Grade
(+20 to +24) = A Grade
(+25 to +29) = S Grade
+30 = SS Grade
The first 19 upgrades were guaranteed success.
After that, it depended on your LUCK stat.
"Map..." Alright.
All clear except the boss room.
97% of the labyrinth had been mapped.
I returned to the start and entered the final path—the one leading to the boss.
---
"Status"
John Leben [Lvl. 10]
HP: 330/330 (+70)
MP: 0
Class: [None]
Rank: [White]
Title: [None]
Skill: [None]
Str: 1 (+21)
Int: 1
Dex: 0 (+5)
Con: 18 (+7)
Wis: 0
Available Points: 0
Skill Points: 9
I was finally standing in front of the boss chamber.
Before entering, I maxed out my CON stats again.
Slowly, I pushed the doors open.
The air changed.
I could feel a sharp, oppressive Killing Intent.
The room was dim, but at the far end, I could make out a throne.
One by one, torches lit up, revealing the figure seated upon it—a knight wrapped in shadows.
"Marquis Fin the Dark Knight is watching you."
He didn't even stand—just watched me coldly.
I took cautious steps forward, gripping my sword tightly.
Crunch.
Something cracked beneath my feet. I glanced down—rusted equipment, shattered weapons, and bones.
Too many to count.
My throat tightened.
The Killing Intent surged.
Still seated, the boss's form flickered.
"Sht..."*
My eyes widened.
In an instant, the Dark Knight was behind me, blade raised high.
---
End Flashback...
I clenched my fists.
Everything happened too fast.
"Heh… One hit."
The boss used Mirage—a skill that normally only activates when his HP drops below 10%.
But clearly, this world had changed.
His status?
Marquis Fin the Dark Knight
Level: 20
HP: 100%
He'd grown stronger—probably from slaying all those adventurers.
In the original game, he was just Level 5.
Now, he was four times stronger… and had full control of his skills from the start.
Even if I knew all his attack patterns, fighting him head-on was suicide.
There was only one option left, even if I hated the idea.
"...Guess I have no choice."
"Resurrect at your current location? Y/N?"
"Yes."
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