SIDE STORY 14
Behind the five major trading companies of Mezpol stood their patron nations.
Including the Baltarion Empire, each of the continent's five great powers dispatched an army.
Their destination was the city of Mezpol.
And the justification for mobilizing troops?
To suppress the unrest that had occurred in Mezpol and restore things to their original state.
In a way, it was an excessive response.
Dispatching massive forces from empires and kingdoms across the Kalzenia Continent just to deal with disturbances caused by a dimensional traveler?
But there was a reason.
It was because of the Mezpol Labyrinth Peace Treaty signed by the five great powers.
Under the treaty, if one nation dispatched troops, the remaining four were required to do the same.
This was to prevent Mezpol from falling under the influence of a single country.
This time was no different.
Each nation matched its troop numbers and launched a simultaneous deployment.
They wouldn't enter Mezpol immediately.
This, too, was because of tangled interests.
First, they would gather at an assembly point, appoint a supreme commander, establish a clear chain of command, and only then advance on Mezpol.
A coalition force from five nations.
Because of that, none of the commanders felt even the slightest worry.
A dimensional traveler?
How could someone like that possibly stand against a coalition army?
Once faced with overwhelming numbers, he'd either flee in terror—or rush in like a reckless puppy and meet his end in another dimension.
However, Duke Monteo Aurelion of the Baltarion Empire felt uneasy.
Why was his mood so foul?
It was because of a dream he'd had while traveling to the assembly point in an ornate carriage, surrounded by the empire's massive army.
Because of the unease that crept out from a corner of his mind.
"Hoo… That was an ill omen of a dream."
Aurelion was a Grand Master.
By all accounts, the strongest individual on the continent.
Even the imperial emperor couldn't defy him.
Why?
Because Aurelion himself had placed the current emperor on the throne.
After the previous emperor's death,
amid the fierce struggle for succession, he eliminated the first prince and enthroned the third—creating the present Baltarion Empire.
The current emperor was a mere puppet.
The one holding real power was Duke Monteo Aurelion.
With such overwhelming military might, authority, and wealth, why was he anxious?
Because of memories from the past.
Just yesterday, Aurelion had another nightmare.
Long ago, when the Belmorin Trading Company was still called the Monteo Trading Company,
he personally oversaw its operations, aiming to dominate the Mezpol labyrinth industry.
As a result, he spent more time living in Mezpol than in the empire itself.
There, he encountered countless dimensional travelers—
ones who wielded swords, used magic, commanded spirits, or even strange weapons called firearms.
But they were all insignificant.
When trouble arose, he personally stepped in to subdue or expel them.
Some were even beheaded and their heads hung on Mezpol's gates.
Then, by chance, he encountered three dimensional travelers.
The moment he saw them, his entire body froze solid.
The three passed by him indifferently, as if he were nothing more than cattle or chickens—
but Aurelion felt as though his breath would stop.
The unfamiliar aura emanating from them.
The primal fear a prey feels when facing its natural predator.
An overwhelming difference in power so vast that he couldn't even meet their eyes.
Was it because he was alone and they were three?
Not at all.
Each one was like that.
Against any one of them, his head would be severed before he could even draw his sword.
Only later did he learn the truth.
They had cleared the labyrinth's 100th floor in a single day—and pushed on to the 120th.
After that, Duke Aurelion withdrew from the trading company and returned to the empire.
He entrusted its operation to his illegitimate son, Belmorin.
Because he feared encountering them again if he stayed in Mezpol.
And so time passed.
The memory of the three dimensional travelers gradually faded.
And yet, at this very moment—
on his way to suppress the Mezpol incident—
Why was that memory resurfacing in his dreams?
Could it be… that those three travelers had returned?
As he thought about it, the identity of the dimensional traveler accused of plunder and kidnapping also seemed suspicious.
"He plundered openly… and openly took the beastfolk away."
No matter how reckless, a traveler wouldn't normally do something so insane.
Did he not understand the consequences of his actions?
"Does he know nothing… or does he know exactly what he's doing?"
If it was the former, it was ignorance.
If the latter, it must be driven by greed for top-grade mana crystals.
"What if that man is connected to the three travelers I met in the past…?"
Aurelion shook his head.
An excessive conjecture.
Baseless worry.
This unease was probably just in his head.
It must be because he was heading to Mezpol again after so long, stirring old memories.
According to reports and testimonies from Mezpol, the individual involved was nothing like those three.
And besides, he wasn't alone this time.
He was leading a massive coalition force dispatched by five nations—
elite knight orders and magic battalions.
"…With this much power,"
"I could even slay a dragon."
Only then did Aurelion finally feel at ease.
On the grasslands outside Mezpol.
All 608 beastfolk were fully equipped with +10 gear.
Perhaps it was the synergy between racial traits and luck talismans.
The supposedly impossible +10 enhancement—said to fail even with 1,000 stones—had succeeded.
Enhancement stones consumed for equipment: 20,135.
Ralph had delivered 30,262, including extras.
That left 10,127 stones remaining.
With over ten thousand to spare, why not try using a few?
Just looking at them, it seemed like it'd be fun.
First, Juhyeok took one and applied it to the Judge's Hammer.
"…Hmm."
Nothing happened.
No light—didn't even disappear.
As expected, was it because it was a divine-grade item?
Then fine.
The rest of the gear—
"Accessories won't work."
So he tried a bracelet.
An energy shield item.
Swak! Swak! Swak!
+3 succeeded.
What about +4?
Snort!
Black light.
"Ah, come on."
Why fail the moment I apply it?
Still, one more try.
Swak!
Blue light—success.
Nice.
On to +5.
Apply the stone.
Tap!Snort!Tap!Snort!
"…Good grief."
Two consecutive failures.
Why?
I've got a pure soul too.
If there's someone who's lived more righteously than me, step forward.
At this point, I'm going to +5 no matter what.
Stopping now would be embarrassing.
Tap!
Swak!
A vivid blue-green light.
"Yes!!!"
I did it.
That's how it should be.
At least +5 should go through.
Then +6?
"…Let's do that next time."
Something tells me it won't work right now.
Greed is dangerous.
I should be satisfied with +5—its performance has doubled anyway.
What about everyone else?
The summoned ones, I mean.
"Anyone want to try using enhancement stones?"
"Me! I'll do it!"
Kosak was the first to raise his hand enthusiastically.
His eyes were already sparkling.
"How far?"
"Obviously +10."
"How many stones?"
"Just give me ten."
Would that even work?
"The founder of collective enhancement, the guide who led the beastfolk to +10, the enhancement genius—
that's me, Kosak!"
Oh!
Impressive confidence.
So he was given ten stones.
"Watch closely! I'll show you how enhancement is done."
+1.
Tap!Swak! Success.
+2.
Tap!Swak! Success.
"This is my class. +3 always goes through anyway—"
With a confident expression, he attempted +3.
Tap!S— snort!
"Huh?"
Black light.
"What?"
"F-failed?"
"At +3?"
"Didn't you say it almost always succeeds?"
"I knew it."
"I expected as much."
What?
"A defective item?"
But Ralph, who hadn't left yet, spoke up.
"They're not defective! I personally inspected every single one."
"Then why?"
"Very rarely—at an extremely low probability—+3 can fail."
"In what case?"
"Well… I'm not sure."
At that, the summoned ones nodded knowingly and began commenting.
"Because that guy's got a sinful soul."
"His insides are pitch black. Filth caked on thick."
"What kind of sins did he commit, to fail even a +3 everyone else gets?"
"Karmic nets miss nothing, no matter how small."
"Really makes you compare, doesn't it? Someone else got +10 in one go."
"Huh?"
"Confiscate the enhancement stones from that sinner Kosak at once. It's a waste."
Kosak was driven into a corner.
In a panic, he applied another stone.
Tap!Snort!
Another failure.
Tap!Snort!
Failure again.
A +3 enhancement that supposedly couldn't fail.
"These s-stones are d-defective!"
Kosak's face turned pale as the summoned ones pressed in, exploiting his weakness.
"Didn't you say they weren't defective?"
"They have to be defective. A-am I the only idiot here?"
"You figured it out. Yeah, you're an idiot. At least you know your place."
"Mad Demon-nim, you try it too."
"I won't. A warrior who relies on weapons—what kind of joke is that?"
"Please, just up to +3…"
"No."
Tsk, tsk.
So that's why he's been riding high lately.
Still, no one is doomed forever.
"I'll try."
Cheonma Wang Chunbok stepped forward, raising his hand.
"Oh! As expected of Chunbok! Are you helping me out? Please prove how vicious the Cheonma's soul truly is!"
Juhyeok asked Chunbok,
"How many should I give you?"
"Just five, please."
And so the enhancement began on Chunbok's unique weapon, the Great Luo Thunder Banner Saber.
+1 — Clack!Swak!
+2 — Clack!Swak!
"Please!!!"
+3 — Clack!Swak!
"…Huh?"
+4 — Clack!Swak!
+5 — Clack!Swak!
Five successes in a row.
"That settles it. Kosak, it's been proven—your soul is filthier than even the Cheonma's."
Another volunteer stepped forward.
"Commander, I'd like to upgrade my magic rifle as well."
It was Captain Bae.
"How many?"
"Please give me five as well."
"Alright."
Captain Bae's enhancement.
Clack! Clack! Clack! Clack! Clack!
Swak! Swak! Swak! Swak! Swak!
+5 success.
Kosak collapsed in despair, dropping to his knees, his face blank.
That's enough.
Enhancing the summoned stops here.
Captain Bae had just successfully enhanced a magic rifle.
Which meant—
"Dr. El."
"Yes?"
"How many mass-produced magic rifles do we have?"
"There are two or three already made."
"Give me one."
He took the rifle.
"Mr. Enix?"
"Y-yes, hwae?"
"Try putting this into your subspace."
Menogun Chairman Enix took the rifle and tried to store it.
Sss—thud!
It didn't go in.
It wasn't a labyrinth-attribute item.
Let's apply an enhancement stone.
They said the binding effect strengthens with enhancement.
Starting from +1.
Clack!Swak!
Tried storing it.
Sss—thud!
Still no.
+2 didn't work either.
What about +3?
Sshhk!
"Oh!"
"It goes in."
The beastfolk were a labyrinth race.
When an item was bound, the user's essence infused into it.
It seemed that at least +3 binding enhancement was required for an item to be recognized as having a labyrinth attribute.
"We'll need at least 600 magic rifles."
"At +3, failures are almost nonexistent, so 1,800 enhancement stones should suffice."
"They'll need to be newly manufactured to fit their physiques."
"Send me to the White Tower. With the integrated workshop facilities, three days will be enough."
Juhyeok was satisfied.
Beastfolk armed with +10 equipment—and soon, their own bound magic rifles.
"They won't be getting beaten up anywhere now."
The next morning.
On the grasslands, the beastfolk lined up in four columns.
With enhancements complete, more than 600 beastfolk marched proudly toward Mezpol, heads held high.
+10 golden safety helmets on their heads.
+10 golden pickaxes slung over their shoulders.
They looked even more formidable than before.
A terrifying presence.
Waddle, waddle.
Clack-clack-clack-clack.
"Hi!"
When Rajiks roared—
"Huk! Huk! Huk! Huk! Huk!"
The beastfolk echoed him.
As the formation approached the city gate, it opened automatically.
Citizens poured into the streets to watch.
Their reaction was completely different from before.
Clap clap clap clap clap!
Thunderous applause filled the city.
Colorful flower petals rained from the sky.
The citizens welcomed the beastfolk with one heart.
The Rabong Trading Company—Mezpol's labyrinth monopoly.
Thanks to Rabong, the economy had flourished, and citizens' lives had grown richer.
Public perception had changed.
Rabong was a trading company that prospered with Mezpol.
And thus, the beastfolk laborers enjoyed the city's full support.
Passing through the city, the formation arrived at their destination—the labyrinth entrance inside Mezpol Castle.
"Unit, halt!"
"Huk! Huk! Huk! Huk! Huk!"
The sudden arrival flustered the gate attendant.
"H-how can I help you?"
"Can't you tell? We're here to enter the labyrinth."
"…All of you?"
"Yes!"
A commemorative labyrinth raid for the +10 enhancements.
The teams had been organized in advance.
Each party consisted of two combat-type summoned and eight beastfolk laborers.
Seventy-five ten-person parties in total.
They would enter floors 100 to 125.
Three teams per floor, each testing equipment in different directions to avoid overlap.
"Review your training objectives and enter in order!"
Why send the beastfolk into the labyrinth?
To make them mercenaries or adventurers instead of laborers?
No.
They would remain laborers.
They simply needed the ability to protect themselves when danger struck.
Juhyeok also went to the 125th floor, together with the Mad Demon party and the Bardin party.
"We'll take the east."
"I shall go north."
"This old man will head south. Summoner, call if anything happens."
Would there even be a need?
Juhyeok's party had Baek Dana.
"Ms. Dana."
"Yes!"
"Make us a path."
"Kyaaa!"
"…."
What do you mean kyaa?
Has she been influenced by Mannyeon?
Tzzzzzzzzzz!
An ice road formed.
Eight beastfolk charged forward, rolling along it.
They were unstoppable.
When swamp ogres burst from the muck and attacked—
Thunk! Spin!Thunk! Spin!Thunk! Spin!
They rotated their bodies—
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
Crushing the ogres' heads with their +10 golden pickaxes.
The swamp ogres struck back, but the beastfolk weren't hurt at all.
The golden helmets' full-body defensive barriers held firm.
"This would chew up most adventurers or mercenaries."
However—
"This is about escaping danger, not combat. Remember that."
The beastfolk encountered small Apophis winged serpents.
They flinched, fear freezing them for a moment—
But they moved, dodging left and right.
Smack! Smack!
Occasional counterattacks.
Suddenly, a swarm of winged serpents flew toward Juhyeok's party.
"Air raid alert! Air raid alert! Run!!!"
It wasn't actually dangerous.
This was training.
During the escape, Juhyeok and Baek Dana barely intervened.
They would, of course, step in during a true life-or-death crisis.
Boom!Spin!Boom!Spin!Boom!Spin!
The beastfolk sprinted toward the teleport circle.
"Escape!"
Pop! Pop! Pop!
They fled the labyrinth.
After confirming the last laborers had escaped, Juhyeok and Baek Dana stepped onto the circle as well.
Escape successful.
"What about the other parties?"
Zap! Zap! Zap!
Teams were returning one after another, training complete.
"Captain Bae's squad has finished escape training."
"Kosak's party is back too."
"Lord! Bardin and the beastfolk are all safe—"
"Master, I'm back."
All accounted for.
Time to return to headquarters.
Just like when they entered Mezpol, the beastfolk formation exited the city amid thunderous cheers.
"Huk! Huk! Huk! Huk! Huk!"
Their roars once again echoed through Mezpol.
The labyrinth escape drill was a resounding success.
But it still wasn't enough.
They needed to train more.
Only then would Juhyeok feel at ease when the time came to leave.
This wasn't home.
The day of parting was drawing near.
Of course, he wouldn't leave forever.
He'd visit from time to time.
Low-orbit satellites would remain in place.
Giants and golems would stay behind.
AI Wiz would be instructed to keep watch over them.
Until then, he would spare no expense to help the beastfolk achieve independence.
And then—
Ding!
—Master. I have something to report.
It was Wiz.
"What is it?"
—The Five-Nation Allied Forces under reconnaissance have all arrived at their assembly point.
"Oh?"
Finally, they were all in one place.
"I've waited long enough."
Time for negotiations.
He'd considered causing total chaos—but that could wait until talks failed.
"Just the veterans should be enough."
Negotiations with the five great powers of the Kalzenia dimension.
The final puzzle piece for beastfolk independence.