Genius Engineer in the Labyrinth - Chapter 401



Only Noblemtl

58th floor (1)

The discovery of the Twilight Path greatly shortened exploration time, but the Twilight Crystal Collector was a rare item, so not everyone benefited from it.

So there were still many expeditions that wandered the labyrinth alive, like Alan.

Alan can collect as many Twilight Crystals as he wants thanks to [Molecular Assembly], so this was a plan to calm his mind and save up and stock up on supplies by hunting monsters.

The 20-story primeval forest always maintained its greenness even after several years and seasons. Animals that could not be seen on the ground were also running around busily.

From a distance, it was a vibrant wild scene that was hard to believe was fake.

‘This must be the time zone that the labyrinth has taken over.’

According to the correlation between knowledge and destruction, what knowledge did the beasts seek that brought about destruction?

‘Are there ancient people and dragons hiding in the primeval forest?’

It was a difficult problem to solve right now. Even if his curiosity was piqued, the 58th floor was waiting for Allen.

After passing through the 20-story primeval forest, we reached the 30-story snowfield. It was the same as before. The snowstorm greeted us fiercely, and thick layers of snow greeted the explorers.

Cyborg beasts that were waiting for an opportunity in the snow would pop out when they got bored.

Alan’s observations cannot be blocked by eyes, and with the machine implanted in his body, he is at the mercy of hacking. So he quietly exposed his stomach and offered up the magic stone and soul stone.

“The day has come. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a serious Alan.”

“Are you saying that Brother Allen has been careless all this time? To disparage his efforts like that… I’m disappointed.”

“Here we go again. There must be a verse that says not to cause trouble to others with a cunning tongue. Are you ignoring your mother’s teachings?”

“No, if you bring that up···”

“You call the sacred teachings ‘that’? Even if you are a monk who has broken the precepts, your remarks are crossing the line.”

“···.”

“See? This is my true heart. I usually accept all your pranks.”

With Alan having done everything and nothing to do in the snowy field, Taylor and Shiva chatted away the cold and boredom. Zion played with the boy who coveted the dawn, and Nicola practiced handling the spine cane.

Since there were no stops due to monsters or rough terrain, the descending speed was almost the same as the twilight path.

Alan looked up at the massive mountain that took up the entire forty floors. The thick snowstorm made it look like a huge monster crouching there.

“Shall we take a rest after a long time? It would be nice if Professor Oros was here.”

The group reached the hot spring area and jumped down immediately. They opened the round metal door on the floor and went in, waiting for a moment. The airlock worked and all the water inside drained out.

The life vault was still intact. The hall was occupied by the Maze City University and a friendly expedition team, and inside, researchers were busy moving around.

Research was originally like this. It wasn’t something you could finish in a few months or years, but something you invested decades into, taking responsibility for hundreds of years into the future.

Alan grabbed a passing researcher.

“Oh, who was it? Oh! The graduate student that the professor often talked about?”

“That’s not it.”

“I thought so because you mentioned it so often. Are you looking for the professor? Unfortunately, the timing was off.”

It seemed like I went up through the twilight path. I couldn’t meet Professor Oros, but I did meet another person.

Alan met a young man with gray hair and eyes. Knowing his relationship with Zion, he could see a glimpse of Zion in his face.

Jake Marshall and his expedition team were staying here, returning from a long expedition.

Even though he reached depth 6, his depth was still vast. When Alan looked at the abyss, the abyss smiled back.

“You’re growing steadily. Do you remember what I said last time?”

“yes.”

Jake said that he would rather wait until Alan grew up and then challenge the labyrinth than trust another depth 7.

His lifespan would be over two hundred years, and his prime would last a very long time, so he could easily wait for several decades.

“I think I’ll get there in 10 years.”

Jake’s eyes moved. It was a small movement, but it was like the sun moving from east to west. The chairman smiled at Taylor.

‘Did you laugh?’

It was a small enough change that even Alan was mistaken. He had defeated the Purifier blocking his path and absorbed the knowledge, so it seemed obvious that he knew what kind of treatment Taylor had received.

Jake quickly shifted his gaze. His moving eyes were fixed on Zion’s waist.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen this sword.”

“I got it when the chairman was under me.”

The only person Zion spoke to was the chairman. He politely offered his name to him even though he didn’t say anything.

Jake also accepted it as if it were a given and examined the dawn. He held the milky white sword up to the magic light and flicked it lightly with his fingers.

“What an outstanding sword. How did you obtain it?”

Zion explained what happened on the 50th floor. He fought reptilian assassins at the top of the mountain, and the flash of light that Larissa summoned split into two.

But Alan hid some of the truths he had chosen.

Jake’s eyes widened as he heard Zion’s words. It was the first time Alan had seen something like that. Zion’s eyes also widened as if it was his first time.

“Well done.”

“thank you.”

Zion’s words were slightly cut off, as if he hadn’t expected the compliment. Jake reached out with a smiling face. He placed his palm on Zion’s forehead.

“I learned an interesting training method.”

“···.”

“I told you.”

Instead of the frozen Zion, Alan answered. Jake looked at Zion and said.

“I’m not blaming you. Whatever you acquire is your freedom. But that doesn’t mean you should neglect your roots.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Zion’s turn was over. Jake just passed Sheba and Nicola and looked at the little boy who was sticking close to Alan.

“You’ve grown so much.”

“Yes, just as you said, it is different from other people.”

“The more good energy a dragon absorbs, the faster it grows. It’s a truly unique creature. Where is our destination for this expedition? If you don’t like it, you can remain silent.”

“It’s the 58th floor.”

Asking about the destination is extremely rude. How could you possibly know everything about what you’re going to do in a labyrinth without witnesses?

But Alan was far from ordinary. And keeping it a secret wouldn’t change anything. If Jake wanted it, the life vault would become a grave as of today.

“It’s the 58th floor···.”

Jake’s eyes took in Alan as a whole, but Alan felt as if he was seeing the white cane he was holding, the keys.

“There was one ruin that was difficult to enter.”

“How is it now?”

“It’s in ruins. Whoever did it, they cleaned it out really well.”

“That’s too bad.”

“The labyrinth’s reaction may vary depending on the person.”

Jake laughed for the third time, his eyes sparkling like a child anticipating a Christmas present.

“It was nice meeting you. Keep up the good work.”

Jake left the life vault with his expedition team. All of the team members following him were 1st generation agents, and all of them were Depth 6 experts.

How could Soldos carelessly touch Maze City? Maze City was a magical realm that even the superpowers were keeping an eye on.

Taylor sighed deeply as he returned to his colleagues’ quarters.

“It’s still scary.”

“Usually, I just call you by your name.”

“I’m just saying this because there isn’t one. In the back alleys, even the emperor is cursed. But you know. I thought you’d say something when you saw the key, but it’s quiet. Didn’t you know?”

“I thought so. Their eyes locked for a moment.”

“That sneaky guy. He was talking about the 58th floor. Is it really true that there’s nothing there like he said?”

“I guess I’ll have to hope not.”

Alan quietly pulled the visible thread. The old ceiling brightened, then returned to normal when he let go.

“I hope that ability can solve it.”

Zion paced around the quarters like a wild chicken.

“This is the first time I’ve told the Chairman a secret. Ugh···.”

Kyuureuk?

When Zion covered his face with his palm and squatted down, the little boy who was seeing this for the first time was startled and looked around.

“Are you worried? You’re just as kind as your junior.”

Boom!

Of course, when Zion tried to pat his head, he ran away as usual.

“Bad kid. From now on, just keep asking for magic stones.”

“You’re not lying, are you worried about something so trivial?”

Nicola blurted out. She looked in the mirror and straightened her hair.

“You can hide things you don’t want to say.”

“How many times have you done that?”

“Is it just me? Everyone lies, and there are many who intentionally hide the truth. Isn’t that right?”

Alan nodded.

“Nicola is right. The Chairman is also a competitor. It seems like the Chairman wants to take me down, but I’m not sure.”

“Declaring war on Depth 7 without fear.”

“To fully acquire valuable knowledge, I must be the subject. It is difficult if I am an accessory to someone else.”

Alan recalled Chairman Jake’s words.

[To go down the labyrinth, you must become a monster. You must devour everyone without yielding to others and increase your size.]

He is the chairman who destroyed even the purifier with whom he had a long-term relationship in order to realize his own desires. The very prediction that he would easily share knowledge was arrogant.

Nicola took his face away from the mirror.

“Huh? Me?”

“This time, we shared the entire process of making the Titan.”

“Yes, yes. That’s what fair competition is. Don’t you think having a rival will fuel your desire to grow?”

Taylor, who had been lying down, suddenly sat up. He narrowed his eyes and glared at Nicola.

“Hey, can I say something harsh?”

“Sir, why are you doing this again?”

“I feel so angry when I hear such unconscionable remarks. Is this a friendly competition? A rivalry?”

The argument went on for a long time, contrary to expectations that Nicola would calm down soon. This was because he truly believed it.

Shiva whispered quietly.

“Brother Nicola, your conscience has perished. But you have a good heart.”

“that’s right.”

“Isn’t everything in this world up to your will? If I had given up because I was oppressed by Brother Allen, I would have been disappointed.”

Shiva was implanting a memory correction device to teach Nicola the scriptures if he gave in easily.

“You still haven’t memorized it?”

“Ahem. Cross-validation is needed···.”

“It’s not so difficult that it needs verification.”

“Would you like to fight me?”

The sutra content Q&A is that Shiva was defeated.

*

Upon reaching the 50th floor, the peace and leisure quickly disappeared. The surging abominations and rampant spirits created a heightened sense of tension.

As each battle took place, the bodies of the Titans piloted by Taylor and Shiva became as red as the ground. As they descended the floors, many monsters from Depth 6 appeared, but thanks to the Titans, they were able to deal with them.

“It would have been difficult without Alan.”

Taylor watched as the torn off glove healed in an instant. Even though it was damaged to the point of near-complete destruction, it somehow returned to its original form.

“Thanks to [molecular assembly]. It’s really the best.”

“I never thought praise would come from your mouth. If you had to choose between two special runes, which would you choose?”

“Of course [Molecular Assembly]. The repairs are done, and the 57th floor adaptation is done, so shall we go back down?”

Alan and his colleagues climbed the floors. The 58th floor was as dark as the other red grounds. Dark clouds filled the sky, completely controlling the appearance of sunlight.

“It looks like the top of a mountain. Is that right?”

“yes.”

“Now that I’ve set foot on high ground, I hope I can see something.”

As soon as Taylor finished speaking, the labyrinth granted his wish. The dark clouds fought each other and sent down blue lightning.

Krrrr!

Below the mountain was a plain. The light that escaped from the lightning quickly swept across it. The entire plain shook.

“Are they all hateful things?”

“That’s right.”

“It’s been a mess from the start.”

The light faded and darkness fell again. From below, screams from hell rose.