The Ruined Laboratory
Instead of heading straight to the second floor, we decided to thoroughly clear the first floor before moving up. Speeding up the process was tempting, but after reading the ancient records that Shin Sang-yong provided, I changed my mind. If there was a chance to find a Qi Gong Master, it would be worth spending not just a few days, but even a few months.
Honestly, I was a bit skeptical. We had just found a Chimera Alchemist not long ago—could we really be that lucky again? Was I being too greedy, hoping for another secret, rare class to appear so easily?
Yet, despite my doubts, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of anticipation. I was on an upward trajectory, and life is often like that. In my first run, I had fallen to the lowest depths, even experiencing the very bottom of hell. But when you’re on the rise, you can soar to the highest peaks. That’s how it felt now. I didn’t know how long this streak would last, but I intended to make the most of it while it did.
Standing in the center of the hall, I activated my third eye again. It was proving to be incredibly useful.
“Leader, which direction should we head first?”
They wanted me to decide our path. I combined my senses with the third eye to scan the area. According to Shin Sang-yong, the hall was the central structure of the first floor. Excluding the corridor we entered from, there were three possible directions to explore.
Being a laboratory, there were countless obstacles, but only a few rooms or spaces worth entering. To the west, there were six rooms and a staircase; to the north, four rooms; and to the east, one room and another staircase. The staircases likely led to the second floor.
“Let’s start by heading this way.”
I turned towards the western corridor. It made sense to tackle the area with the most rooms first. If we were exhausted, we might have chosen the east, but we had rested and regained our strength.
Naturally, I took the lead. Typically, the caravan leader and a ranger would be at the front, but without a ranger, I was leading alone. I hoped our next recruit would be an archer. The lead position is crucial, as it prepares for ambushes and determines the caravan’s direction, which can make or break us. Normally, Shin Sang-yong or Jung Ha-yeon would lead, but we couldn’t put a mage at the front. Besides, my leadership had proven more effective than any ranger, so no one complained about me taking the lead.
Without hesitation, I walked down the corridor at a normal pace. The laboratory seemed complex at first glance, but once you knew which rooms to enter, it was quite straightforward. Apart from the one person we encountered earlier, there were no signs of life in the other corridors. This meant we only needed to be cautious of the rooms or spaces.
Of course, there was no guarantee that the second and third floors would be the same as the first.
Soon, we discovered the first space. It was the outermost room on the western corridor, according to my senses. The rooms we passed earlier resembled hospital wards, but this one felt entirely different.
The iron door was firmly shut, and the walls bore faint, dark red stains. Inside, there was a sense of something alive. What could it be? What had survived for so long? I stopped in front of the door and turned to my companions.
“Before we reached the center of the hall, you were all startled when creatures suddenly poured out after opening a door.”
I paused, looking at Yoo-jung, who had opened the door with a curious “Huh? What’s this?” She lowered her head, and I clicked my tongue inwardly before continuing.
“There aren’t as many presences in this room. But instead of retreating blindly like before, it might be better to fight at the door. The creature seems aware of our presence, so don’t let your guard down when we open the door.”
Tension was etched on everyone’s faces. After watching them prepare, I approached the door.
“I’ll open the door. Be ready for an attack as soon as it opens. Sol, cast a binding spell immediately, and the mages should use spells to restrict its movements. Hyun and Yoo-jung, advance a bit more in formation. And don’t neglect the flanks.”
There was no verbal response, just nods of agreement. I added one last comment.
“Whatever’s in there, fighting at the door gives us the advantage. So then…”
I reached for the iron door’s handle. Behind me, I heard Yoo-jung whisper, “I hope it’s an empty room,” and Ahn Hyun reply, “He said there’s something in there.” I ignored them. Gripping the handle, I exerted force. The door was heavy, but my strength was more than enough.
With a grating sound, the long-closed door creaked open, releasing a foul odor that washed over us. And then—
“Raaaargh!”
A massive fist lunged at me. But we were ready.
“Shackle!”
Sol’s spell shot past me in a flash of white light. I silently cheered for the perfect timing, but the scene that followed was anything but perfect.
“Ugh…!”
The arm hesitated briefly, then ignored Sol’s binding spell and swung at me again. It resisted a spell with a magic power of over 80? I was surprised, but I quickly raised my sword to block the attack.
“Su-hyun, watch out…!”
Thud! Crash. Boom.
“Ke-rek! Ke-lek! Ke-lek!”
Strong, aren’t you? I hadn’t used my full strength, but the creature’s attack forced me back half a step. However, I had a technique I had used against a boss monster before. A technique based on the principle of using four ounces to move a thousand pounds.
I combined the creature’s impact with my own strength and returned it to the creature. Its right hand exploded from the shock, and it was sent flying backward, screaming in pain.
”…A giant.”
“I’ve never seen a giant in person before.”
The creature clutching its hand was indeed a giant. Over five meters tall, it was an impressive sight, but it wasn’t a complete giant. Its body was adorned with various mechanical devices and artifacts. Or perhaps “implanted” would be more accurate.
I understood why Sol’s spell hadn’t worked. The blood of giants in the Hall Plane naturally possesses strong magic resistance. Normally, it would have reflected the spell, but the giant was visibly weakened, so it didn’t reach that point. The implants and artifacts might have extended its life, but over time, its giant traits had diminished.
“Grumble… Grumble… Huff, huff.”
“Stay focused, everyone. It’s a giant, but it’s weakened. However, its magic resistance is still intact, so mages and Sol, step back for now.”
“Even if direct help is difficult, indirect support is possible.”
“I won’t stop you. Yoo-jung, the Keeper. Ahn Hyun, Vivian, behind me.”
“Hyung, support?”
“Yes.”
Ahn Hyun dashed forward, understanding why I had called him instead of Yoo-jung. Vivian, an alchemist, also moved to my side, knowing her role. As my companions swiftly rearranged themselves, I turned my attention back to the giant, which was now rising with its remaining arm.
Our eyes met. This giant was likely another victim of the residents’ experiments. Its eyes burned with undeniable hostility. But that was all. I felt no guilt or remorse, as I wasn’t the one who had experimented on it.
Giants are inherently powerful. In my first run, the leader of the giants was almost considered a demigod. However, they are also straightforward and trustworthy, making them reliable allies. But I had no intention of making this giant an ally.
Behind me, I heard Vivian chanting a spell. The giant’s face twisted with rage.
With a whoosh, its remaining left arm swung at me. Its natural strength was nowhere near what I knew giants to possess. Still, the punch carried formidable power.
I leaned back slightly, letting the punch pass by. But it was too good an opportunity to waste. I adjusted my sword so the blade barely touched the giant’s fist. As soon as they made contact, I unleashed my magic. Let’s see how you like this.
The scene that unfolded was enough to elicit gasps from everyone. Back in my first run, I had developed a unique sword technique to compensate for my lack of strength and magic compared to the top users. This technique was rooted in the principles of Taiji, focusing on softness and fluidity rather than brute force and abruptness.
The giant’s hand merely touched the blade of my sword, yet as I moved, its arm was drawn along, unable to maintain its balance. It swayed left and right, much like a cat chasing a string. In that moment, the towering figure, over five meters tall, was reduced to a mere plaything. And Ahyeon wasn’t about to miss this opportunity.
“Haah!”
With a spirited shout, Ahyeon thrust her long spear forward. As the giant’s body wavered, she aimed for its torso, hoping to land a hit. But even a decaying giant retains some instincts; it wasn’t going down without a fight. Despite its unsteady stance, it managed to spot the spear’s trajectory and swung its free right arm to deflect it.
“Whoa…!”
The force of the impact caused Ahyeon to stagger backward. Though she had infused her attack with magic, the strike was too direct. Aiming for a blind spot might have been more effective.
Simultaneously, the giant made a desperate move, and I felt the magical connection between my sword and its hand snap. I raised an eyebrow, but I wasn’t disappointed; I had only intended to toy with it. Besides, our little game had bought Vivian enough time to cast her spell.
As if responding to my expectations, Vivian’s clear incantation echoed through the room.
“Come forth! Imprison! O binder of steel, ruler of the 49th legion!”
A familiar magic circle appeared, and a misty smoke began to fill the room. The magic circle glowed brightly, as if answering Vivian’s call. Sensing something amiss, the giant instinctively backed away from us.
While observing this, I heard Vivian’s calm voice from behind me.
“Suhyeon, this time I’ve summoned Imprison to support us. You and Hyun need to land the critical blows.”
“Planning to restrain it? The giant’s strength won’t make that easy.”
“Hmph. My beasts are enhanced chimera beasts. Just watch. I’ll show you whose power is greater.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Vivian and I exchanged words with ease. She even flashed a confident smile at my remark. Imprison. I was eager to see what abilities it would display this time. Watching Hyun grip her spear tightly, frustrated by her initial failure, I readied myself as well.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Royujin.
It’s already mid-February. Time really flies. I’ve been enjoying the works recommended by readers. As someone who loves reading novels, I’ve found many gems.
Today, I’d like to recommend a work. There are a few stories I check daily on Noblesse, and one of them is Northwood’s “Beautiful World.” Recently, Northwood started a new series.
The title is “I Am an Esper.” From the first chapter, I was so engrossed that I lost track of time. By the end, I was savoring each line. If you’re looking for a hidden gem among countless stories, I recommend Northwood’s “I Am an Esper.” :)
Also, today I received a flood of likes, recommendations, comments, and coupons. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the readers who support this humble work. Thank you. (__)
『 Reader Comments 』
lDl: Oh, nice to meet you. It’s your first time here, and you got first place. (Isn’t this what they call true royal luck? Haha.) Congratulations on being first. :)
AnnieJenny: Ah, thank you. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well. Wishing you a pleasant night, AnnieJenny.
Dangryong: Hehe, thank you. You’ll see the protagonist’s unstoppable journey continue.
RainBows: I’ve replied to your comment on episode 88. Please check it out, and if you’re still not satisfied, feel free to review previous chapters or message me for a response.
Ramude: Hehe, will they be able to save them? Look forward to the upcoming developments!
FallenPigeon: Haha, thank you. I’ve quit my job, so I have a lot of free time these days. If time permits, I’d love to continue writing more chapters. :)
DevilShrine: Ah, thank you. I noticed you’ve been commenting on my novel since the early days. Thank you for staying with me. I hope for your continued interest and support!
Kkoya: Haha, in some ways, Jeong Ha-yeon’s words are true. Suhyeon was quite brazen, and Jeong Ha-yeon is talented enough to be called a prodigy. But Suhyeon, having suffered so much in the first run, couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional.
Hwiul: Hmm, if that happens, the stats might be too high to control. Who knows what training might bring, though. Suhyeon hasn’t increased his stats yet because he’s still contemplating. Haha.
Madongpo: Yes, there will be some content that might be considered risqué. (I think there already has been with Won Hye-yeon, Lee Ji-young, Jeong Ji-yeon, etc.) The protagonist is too busy to engage in any romantic escapades right now. Our protagonist is definitely not impotent. Boohoo.
Your recommendations and comments are the driving force behind more chapters. (This is the truth.)
I always read all the comments repeatedly.
Please don’t feel too disappointed if you’re not mentioned in the reader comments.
If you have any pressing questions, feel free to message me, and I’ll respond!
With that, I’ll take my leave for today.
I hope you always read with a relaxed mind.
Recommendations, comments, critiques, and questions are always welcome.