Moon's Labyrinths

Chapter 169

Chapter 169


Chapter 169



“I’m sorry for not being able to visit you at the hospital . ”


Grace sounded really apologetic .


“It’s fine . You had to guard the cave, for anything could happen . ”


The top Connectors of the UK were still on the moon . Grace was the highest-ranked Connector present in the country, so of course, she had to be on guard against the unknown .


This was also the reason the Ross siblings hadn"t visited Sungyoon at the hospital . As soon as the two had arrived in UK, the British government implored them to monitor the cave alongside Grace .


While they were conversing, Sungyoon could see several people around them . It seemed the British government had been desperate . They had brought in Connectors from other countries, who happened to be on Earth .


Since these Connectors were low in rank, they would be of no help against a monster like the Behemoth . Still, something was better than nothing . Moreover, these particular Connectors were capable of activating their Gems on Earth .


The other Connectors kept stealing glances at Sungyoon . Sungyoon was the hero who had solved this incident in a stylish manner . However, it seemed they had received instructions in advance not to bother him . So they didn’t approach Sungyoon .


“Is this the cave in question?”


Sungyoon observed the cave where the Behemoth had exited . It was much smaller compared to the labyrinths on the Moon .


However, a Behemoth had crawled out of it, so this single fact turned the cave dangerous .


“The magical energy isn’t that strong . ”


“That’s right . We did go in near the entrance, but the magical energy was too thin . It was a wonder that a Behemoth appeared in this place . ”


Tim gave an explanation as he stood next to Sungyoon .


“Let’s head in . ”


Sungyoon activated his Gems . Several days had pa.s.sed since his fight, so his Gems had recovered from their post-overclocked state . Their original colors had returned . Moreover, the hole in the side of his armor, which had formed in the fight against the Behemoth, was nowhere to be seen .


“I’ll go in first . ”


Tim pounded on his s.h.i.+eld as he stepped forward . The others followed him and entered the cave .


“As expected, it"s hard to see . ”


For Connectors, it was not light but magical energy that presented them with information . However, the magical energy here was too thin, so the information delivered was very limited . It was better than the time when they found the broken Golem and Mrs . Ross’ corpse . Still, the lack of information was frustrating .


“However, this time we have this . ”


Tim confidently said as he turned on the headlamp placed around his helmet . The dark cave brightened .


“Electronic equipment really does work here . ”


Sungyoon also turned on his headlamp . Although he had heard electronics worked in here, to see it with his own eyes was something else .


“It would be great if electronic equipment worked in the Moon’s labyrinths . ”


“Absolutely . ”


Sungyoon and Tim exchanged whispers as they pointed their headlamps in various directions .


They could see much better with the help of the headlamps . Due to the lights, shadows formed, and the party felt like they were going down a very dark road with a single flashlight in hand .



Emily was in the rear, and she took up the camcorder . Since electronics worked, they would be able to record footage . It would allow them to turn in a thorough report .


“I’m prepared to film now . ”


“Then let’s go . ”


The party moved deeper into the cave . They didn’t see anything suspicious, but they still treated this as if they were within a labyrinth on the Moon .


They became tense, but they had no reason to be tensed . Unlike the labyrinths, this place was just a large cave .


Moreover, the cave wasn’t too deep either . They could clear it in two days . They had been moving slowly because they were being cautious . If they threw all caution to the wind, they could clear the cave in a single day .


“There’s nothing here . ”


Tim became dejected when they arrived at the last dead end . Even if the Behemoth had been in a weakened state, this cave had spat out a monster of that caliber . So he had been tense, and he thought he would encounter something dangerous . But now, he felt stupid for being so nervous .


In terms of magical energy, the deepest part of the cave had a similar amount of magical energy compared to the entrance to the cave . The magical energy was thin at all locations .


“… Let’s head up for now . ”


Sungyoon turned around when he reached the dead end .


“Ah . This is such a drag . ”


Tim grumbled, but his voice was unexpectedly bright .


“Still, this means there will be no threat from this place, right?”


Tim didn’t want London to be attacked again . Despite his statement, the other three party members didn’t lighten up .


“I’m not so sure that is true . ”


Sungyoon sounded negative when he spoke .


“Why? There is nothing within this cave . ”


“You idiot . What do you mean there is nothing? The magical energy is present . ”


Emily was blunt as she shot back at Tim .


“What does that have to do with anything?”


Tim sounded aggrieved . However, Sungyoon was the one to answer this time around .


“It might have been better for us if we did find something . If an item had created the magical energy and summoned the Behemoth, we would have been able to solve everything by destroying it . We would have wrapped it up nicely . However, we found nothing within . It is as Emily said . There is only magical energy here, so then, where did the Behemoth come from?”


“Of course, it’s like the labyrinth where . . . ”


Tim finally realized the implication, so he shut his mouth .


“As you’ve realized right now, there is a high probability that the light, which spits out monsters, might have appeared in this cave . If we a.s.sume the cave behaves like the labyrinth, multiple monsters might continue to sp.a.w.n as long as the magical energy is present here . ”


“Also, we couldn’t find the source of magical energy, which means we have no way of getting rid of the magical energy . Basically, there is no clear solution anymore . ”


The additional explanations given by Emily and Grace helped Tim get a clear understanding of the current situation . His face turned serious .


“What should we do now?”


“There’s nothing we can do . When Connectors are on Earth, the nearest Connectors will have to rush toward the place where the monster appears . That is all we can do at this point . Let us hope the researchers will be able to find a solution . ”


Sungyoon could only give that answer to Emily’s worried question .


***


The party spent several days monitoring and roaming the cave . However, nothing happened .


There were times when researchers accompanied them . The magical energy was causing no harm to electronic equipment and small animals, after all . Several brave researchers decided to take on the risk, and they asked to accompany Sungyoon’s party .


Thankfully, they didn’t suffer from magic toxicity .


Still, there was a chance that the magical energy could turn poisonous to normal humans once again in the future, so the government stopped most normal humans from being near the cave .


In the end, Sungyoon’s party couldn"t stay near the cave indefinitely . Sungyoon and the Ross siblings booked a flight to Korea . The researchers would keep studying the cave even after that . However, Sungyoon’s party had one more thing to do before they could leave for their home .


“How does it feel?”


Jimin spoke . Sungyoon didn’t answer her . He just stared at the item in his hands .


It was the GBE medal, the greatest honor that could be awarded in the United Kingdom . He was a foreigner, but it didn’t diminish the fact that it was a great honor .


The whole world watched as the Queen gave him the medal and other rewards . Sungyoon brushed the medal as if he cherished it .


“I never knew Mr . Sungyoon was interested in being knighted . ”


She thought he would act disinterested like usual, but Sungyoon showed more interest than she had expected . And this had surprised Jimin .


However, Sungyoon was Sungyoon .


“s.h.i.+nhae really liked it . ”


It seemed he had already shown it to s.h.i.+nhae through video call . If s.h.i.+nhae liked it, it didn’t matter whether the item was worthless or priceless . The item would be worth more than any item in the world . Jimin reaffirmed this fact once again .


“Anyway, you are dressed differently today . ”


Sungyoon"s gaze left the medal, and he looked at Jimin .


In contrast to his clean suit, Jimin’s attire was very surprising .


Since London was a mess right now, it wasn’t as if she could acquire a fancy outfit . However, she was always dressed in a plain black suit that looked like something one wore to a funeral . But her current suit was a bit more stylish .


“Well, it"s an important day . ”


Jimin spoke a bit as if she was making an excuse . However, if one considered her usual personality, she would have worn her normal suit even if she was going to an important function . Sungyoon wondered what brought about this change .


“What do you think? Does it look good on me?”


“Yes . It looks good . ”


Jimin’s face turned a bit red as she smiled .


It happened at that moment . Someone knocked on the door, and they could hear a voice calling for both of them .


“Let’s go . ”


Jimin opened the door .


The guide, who had come to pick them up, led them down the corridor . They had been staying at Buckingham Palace at the insistence of Grace and the Queen .


They received great hospitality here, but it was time for them to leave soon . This was why the Queen had invited them once again to a dinner party .


“Ah, it"s you!”


As soon as they arrived in the dining room, they met someone unexpected .


“Sir Russell . ”


Charlie Russell approached Sungyoon in a familiar manner and with a big smile on his face .


“Wow . I knew you were someone amazing, but I never expected you to save London!”


He pounded Sungyoon’s shoulder .


“I am really thankful . The place where I live could have been completely destroyed, but you saved it . If you need anything in the future, just contact me . If it"s within my means, I will do my best to help you . ”


Charlie Russell was one of the strongest Connectors of this world . His backing was a tremendous boon . Some might consider Russell’s offer a bit excessive, but Sungyoon had done something that deserved it .


“Who is this lady?”


Russell’s gaze headed toward Jimin .


“It"s good to meet you, Sir Russell . My name is Hahn Jimin . I am the president of Jungb.u.m, the company Mr . Woo Sungyoon is contracted to . ”


“Ah! You are Hahn Jungb.u.m’s daughter . ”


“You knew my father?”


“Of course . We were Connectors of the same generation, and I myself considered him to be my rival . ”


“Thank you for speaking so highly of him . ”


She lowered her head .


“Well! Let’s go! I was invited to the dinner party because I know you! We cannot make the Queen wait . I’m not speaking as her va.s.sal . We shouldn’t make her wait as men . ”


Sir Russell started walking with his arm around Sungyoon’s shoulder . Sungyoon was almost being dragged forward, and Jimin followed them .


On the way, they met the Ross siblings . They were asked to stay in the palace too since they were party members of Grace . The group arrived at the dining room and found the Queen and Grace already waiting for them inside .


“Please enter . ”


The Queen laughed as she greeted the group . After a few words of greeting, everyone got in their seats . They started conversing as the food came out .


“Did you like your stay here?”


“Yes . Thank you very much for inviting us here . ”


Sungyoon spoke as the representative of his party .


“I’m glad to hear that . Normally, we would throw a banquet, and we would celebrate your accomplishment . However, the city isn"t in a good state right now . Please be understanding . ”


“Of course . ”


The people of England cheered for the birth of a new hero, yet it was also a time of sorrow and grieving . The capital city had taken a lot of damage, and a lot of people had died .


Even if Sungyoon was the hero who had saved London, they couldn’t throw a party . It would be in very poor taste, and it would be heavily criticized . Moreover, Sungyoon wasn’t interested in a party .


“I would like to thank you again . You saved England . You saved London . You saved my life . ”


The Queen had invited Sungyoon to investigate the cave, and she never expected him to achieve such greatness . Even if she thanked him several more times, it wouldn’t be enough .


“I am very thankful too . ”


After the Queen, Sir Russell gave his thanks too .


“How many Gems did you break? Just wait a little bit . I’ll be sure to compensate you for it . ”


Sungyoon’s ears perked up at those words . In truth, the spear was a backup, so it wasn’t much of a loss . However, the loss of his main s.h.i.+eld hurt him to the bone .


This was why he didn"t plan on rejecting any rewards .


“Thank you very much . ”


“Yes . I’ll send it as soon as possible . ”


It was a normal dinner party .


Some conversations happened, and some laughs sprinkled in . Sungyoon and his party spent their last evening in England in a quiet manner .


***


Puhng! Puh-puhng!


Sungyoon was now used to hearing the flashes going off .


Sungyoon, Jimin, and the Ross siblings furrowed their brows . The airport was full of reporters, and it almost gave them a headache .


However, the atmosphere here was clearly different from what they had experienced in London . The most obvious difference was the fact that most of the reporters here were black haired Asians . They outnumbered the foreign press .


After experiencing all kinds of hards.h.i.+ps in London, Sungyoon’s party had finally returned to Korea .


***


Sungyoon gave a short interview, but the reporters wanted to ask many more questions . His party almost had to run away from the reporters . They split up after they got away from the press, and headed to their respective houses .


Sungyoon walked toward his house with light steps . Thankfully, the reporters hadn’t found his house yet .


When he opened the door, two people greeted him .


One of them was Jiyoon, who had protected his most precious treasure while he had been in London . He felt grat.i.tude toward her . The other person was . . .


“It’s daaaaaaad!”


She ran toward him with her hands in the air . She was his treasure, and he would never trade her for anything or anyone in this world .