Solo Max-Level Newbie - Chapter 383: The Sun’s Spring (3)

23rd floor of the Tower of Trials.

This floor, under the Empire’s protection, is considered relatively peaceful, even within the vast 50 floors of the Tower.

This peace is due to the Empire’s knights who have cleared many dungeons and labyrinths.

However, there were still places even the Imperial knights could not touch, one of which was the *Valley of Eternity*, where the Sun’s Spring flowed.

A colossal expanse spanning about 300 kilometers.

With its seven lakes, this area was a vast ecosystem teeming with monsters.

‘This valley itself could be considered a labyrinth.’

Jinhyuk carefully surveyed his surroundings.

“Grrr…”

“Graa!”

He saw a pack of Black Boars, each boasting 3-meter-long tusks, moving together.

Extremely aggressive with a tendency to form groups, they were a challenging target to hunt.

“Are we just going to pass by them?” Chun Yoosung fiddled with the hilt of his sword.

This guy always seemed like he needed to cut down whatever he saw to feel satisfied.

How someone like him ended up being a doctor who saves lives… it was baffling.

“Why do I feel like you’re talking bad about me? Your eyes are suspicious,” Chun Yoosung said, narrowing his gaze.

“W-what are you talking about? I was just thinking how reassuring it is to have such a reliable companion for this raid,” Jinhyuk deflected, glancing away.

“Your eyes are twitching, tilting 10 degrees left. That’s the telltale sign when you’re lying. You did that 293 times during your broadcasts as Colonel Teemo.”

“Are you some kind of stalker? Why do you even know that?”

“You two are quite the pair. I doubt we’ll have a dull moment with you around,” Tawny Owl chuckled, clearly entertained by the exchange.

To Chun Yoosung, Jinhyuk had introduced Tawny Owl as an experienced veteran he knew from before. This was why Chun Yoosung had no objections to Tawny Owl’s presence.

More precisely, as long as it didn’t interfere with his own work, he didn’t care who was around.

‘What’s his real reason for being here?’

Jinhyuk kept a close watch on Tawny Owl’s movements while cautiously moving through the thickets.

Operators were beings who could accomplish feats beyond players’ imaginations.

In other words, they were entities occupying a position surpassing even the gods.

And yet, here was one of those entities, unable to resolve an issue alone.

‘I’ll have to subtly pry for information before we enter the labyrinth.’

For now, Jinhyuk focused on what he could do at the moment.

＊＊＊

After bypassing the Black Boar pack and evading various carnivorous plants and insects, they finally reached a massive gorge.

Roaring waterfalls masked any noise, giving them a moment’s reprieve.

“…So, there’s a hidden passage in this gorge that leads to the labyrinth?” Chun Yoosung asked.

“Yeah. I have a rough idea of its location. The key is the real issue…” Jinhyuk’s gaze shifted to the water.

Beneath the surface, plump crustaceans were bustling around.

Iron Shell Shrimps.

These were a specialty of the Tower, known for their exquisite taste and commonly found in the valley.

The ones on the 23rd floor were particularly large, and among the thousands here, one possessed the claw that served as a key to the labyrinth.

“It’s like searching for a needle in a haystack. This could take months,” Chun Yoosung frowned.

With so many of them, how could they pick out the right one?

He wasn’t wrong.

But there was no need to sift through them blindly.

“There’s a colorful fruit nearby. Look, see those growing along the rocks?” Jinhyuk pointed.

*Thousand Apples*.

A fruit with an incredibly tough shell.

“You’re suggesting we use that fruit as bait?”

“The Iron Shell Shrimps love it. But the shrimp that acts as the key won’t eat anything and can live forever without sustenance, so it won’t show interest in the fruit.”

The bait was used to filter out the uninterested shrimp.

“It won’t be easy, but it’s better than having no clues at all.”

“Exactly. Let’s gather about 30 of them; that should be enough.”

“Understood. I’ll get them now.”

Chun Yoosung moved without hesitation.

Once Chun Yoosung was gone, only Jinhyuk and Tawny Owl remained.

Jinhyuk began setting up traps made from branches while speaking nonchalantly.

“What do you need to confirm so badly? Has a new hidden piece been added to the labyrinth?”

“You’re being quite direct.”

“This might be my only chance to ask. And since I’m letting you join the raid, I think I’m entitled to know at least that much.”

“…It’s about checking a possibility.”

“A possibility?”

“Yes,” Tawny Owl replied heavily.

“A troublesome entity has emerged. One we can’t control. Three Operators have already lost their lives to it, and there might be more casualties to come.”

“…!?”

Jinhyuk never expected Tawny Owl, who always played the confident and mischievous type, to be so serious.

Seyoung Eonhwan had also warned about the changes coming to the Tower’s peak.

It was clear now—something grave was happening.

“The idea that Operators can die is surprising. I thought you could remove any variable with just a snap of your fingers.”

“It’s true that we’re in a transcendent position, but we can’t defy the system or causality. Even joining you here is pushing our limits.”

“Who is this entity that has you so rattled? Don’t tell me it’s stronger than Azathoth or Shub-Niggurath?”

No matter how powerful it was, it couldn’t possibly be stronger than those eldritch beings.

It couldn’t be… right?

“I can’t tell you that. Even if I did, it wouldn’t make any difference. We’re just here to see something. Your potential… and whether you can win against ‘that being.’ That’s why I came here.”

Tawny Owl fell silent after that, as if signaling that he’d said all he could.

Jinhyuk still had questions, but at least he’d gleaned some useful information.

‘This won’t be a typical raid.’

The chances were high that Tawny Owl and the other Operators had drastically increased the difficulty of this labyrinth.

They’d want to see how I handled new challenges, how I adapted and made decisions.

To do that, adjusting the difficulty was essential.

‘…This is going to be fun.’

Simply climbing to the top of the Tower again lacked motivation.

This wasn’t some cliché about the insurmountable wall between gaming and real-life achievements.

For seasoned veterans, new content was more stimulating than any material reward.

Especially if it meant surpassing the Operators who created this Tower…

There was no way he wouldn’t be excited.

Just then—

“I’ve got them all.”

Chun Yoosung returned, arms full of fruit. He had gathered more than thirty.

“Good. Let’s get started.”

Jinhyuk picked up a *Thousand Apple*, making a cross-shaped incision exactly 3.6 cm below the center, and submerged it in the water.

This was the quickest way to spread its juices.

Rumble.

The Iron Shell Shrimps, drawn by the scent, rushed into the traps.

“All we need to do is repeat this.”

“They’re more responsive than I expected. I thought getting the key to the labyrinth was tough, but maybe it was exaggerated.”

It wasn’t exaggerated.

The fruit worked, but the problem was…

The sweetness didn’t only attract the shrimp.

“Now it really begins.”

At that moment—

Thud!

The entire valley trembled.

Rumble-rumble-rumble!

The waters of the deep pools churned violently, and a colossal leg shot out.

A giant octopus, over ten meters long, emerged with a thrash.

Crack!

Its dark limbs obliterated the spot where the three had been standing in an instant.

“Damn it!”

Chun Yoosung drew his sword immediately.

Mysterious characters from Murim lore glowed softly along the blade.

That sword…?

So, he had acquired the *Ryuhwa*, a cursed blade, instead of carrying his usual Plum Blossom Sword.

[The Cursed Sword ‘Ryuhwa’ has awakened!]

It was the blade once wielded by the Assassin of Spirits.

Chun Yoosung had likely tamed it despite its overwhelming malevolent energy.

‘I was planning to use that as bait for him later, but he’s already mastered it perfectly, huh.’

It was almost absurd to see him wield one of the top five mystical weapons in Murim.

“I’ll handle the octopus! You keep setting the traps!”

“Don’t push yourself too hard. Its defense is insane.”

“Hah! You’re worried about me now?”

Chun Yoosung smirked confidently.

*Ryuhwa* had a special ability to ignore defenses and could worsen wounds over time.

Its drawbacks were well worth the formidable power it offered.

But—

Boom!

“Ugh?”

Chun Yoosung hesitated, sensing something was off as he tried to slash the tentacle.

“What is this…?”

“That’s why I said not to push it.”

Normally, *Ryuhwa* would’ve severed that thick limb in one strike.

Even without sword energy, the blade’s specs alone were near unbeatable.

‘They’ve really cranked up the difficulty.’

He hadn’t expected this raid to be easy… but this was shaping up to be unbelievably difficult.

＊＊＊

The place where two great powers overlapped.

The 44th floor, governed by the powerful upper echelon faction *Eden*.

This place, known as the Sanctuary, was avoided by most.

And now, stepping into its sacred grounds…

Was a clan with silver hair and crimson eyes.

“We’ve arrived, Lord.”

Bellus pointed to the entrance, marked by towering white walls.

“This place is unnecessarily grand. Why waste so much money on this?” Alice muttered, glancing around.

“It’s insane. Everyone’s lost their minds. What was I thinking siding with them and coming all the way here… and with just the three of us. Right into the heart of enemy territory… Ha…” Ophelia sighed in resignation.

“Can you just be quiet, Ophelia? What’s so scary about a bunch of winged idiots? They couldn’t even meet my eyes back in the day.”

“Sigh. That was when you were the head of House Ataraxia. Now, it’s genuinely dangerous…”

“Decassus Clan, always such cowards. And wasn’t it supposed to be six o’clock? Why’s this guy late for—”

Just then—

“My apologies for the delay, Lady Alice.”

A beautiful angel appeared before the walls, bearing majestic wings.

He had a gentle expression, long blond hair, and a smile that would lift anyone’s spirits.

“Where’s Gabriel? Why are… Oh. Angels all look the same. What was your name again?”

“It’s Hatoel. Gabriel is waiting inside.”

“Inside? Wasn’t the meeting supposed to be at the boundary?” Bellus protested immediately.

“Apologies, but things have become complicated. If you wish to see Gabriel, you’ll need to come inside.”

However—

“The rest of you must stay here. As I said, the situation inside has become complicated.”

Only Alice would be allowed to enter.

“This is absurd!”

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

Bellus and Ophelia shouted simultaneously.

Even if this was just a formal meeting, no shadow-aligned being should enter the sanctum of a holy power alone.

“…”

Alice’s face hardened.

“You need to decide now. What will you do?”