NPLLD 21

Chapter : 21

Wasp Extermination (3)

THUD!

Winglash, which had protected the queen from the rain of steel arrows, crashed straight down to the ground.

Inside the hive were countless unhatched eggs, and only a single queen was left to protect them.

The Queen Wasp—Queencepter—immediately activated a skill that hardened her entire body the moment Winglash fell.

When will the next arrow be ready?

Seoyul immediately checked the cooldown time for the next shot.

[Steel Hail cooldown: 5 minutes]

The time was fairly long, but Seoyul did not panic. He steadied his breathing and mind using the Clear Mirror Heart technique and began considering his next move.

Because she was in a spawning state, Queencepter’s movement range was limited. However, it was uncertain whether Steel Hail could penetrate that hardened armor.

Of course, unless Queencepter broke through the labyrinth, she would eventually wander endlessly or starve to death.

But that was not the outcome Seoyul wanted.

If I just keep stalling, her armor reinforcement skill will make me exceed the quest time limit. I’ll just end up farming experience and eating penalties.

Unexpectedly, what would ultimately hinder Seoyul was a psychological battle with the queen wasp.

Endure? Or retreat?

Seoyul decided to play his final card.

“I’ll use every remaining piece I have.”

[Red Goblin units: 24]
[Ghoul units: 22]

These were labyrinth monsters that could no longer respawn due to the death of the tutorial boss “trash mobs.”

If they were completely wiped out, the Sphere would be released, so Seoyul had deliberately left only two behind and sent the rest into Queencepter’s room.

“Kieeeek!”

The Red Goblins, having found the hive, charged at Queencepter in a frenzy, and the Ghouls followed in desperation.

A Red Goblin thrust its dagger precisely toward the queen’s egg sac in her abdomen.

Bwoong!

Sensing something off about the mass of monsters rushing from all directions, Queencepter unleashed a windblade similar to Winglash, tearing apart the Red Goblins and Ghouls as a last desperate struggle…

Bwoooong!

In the end, she abandoned the hive and began rampaging through the labyrinth.

“Good!”

At that instant, Seoyul kicked off the ground and began sprinting through the labyrinth.

The map had vanished, making it impossible to pinpoint her exact location—but it didn’t matter.

Because this was the stage where Seoyul would truly show his full capabilities.

[Synesthesia activated.]

Normally, Silent Wave would be used for tracking, but Seoyul deliberately avoided it because Queencepter was extremely sensitive.

Instead, he tracked her delicately and silently.

Even without Silent Wave, finding her was not difficult.

Queencepter had a very bad habit.

A pale pink scent—pheromones—was being released intensely as she broke through the labyrinth at extreme speed.

[Cross Block activated.]
[Cross Block activated.]

Seoyul repeatedly shifted the labyrinth walls, forcing Queencepter to change direction again and again, cutting her speed.

Even so, Queencepter remained fast.

Before long, Seoyul was running parallel to her, separated only by a single wall.

Tap. Tap.

Each step felt like a stone dropped into a still lake, sending ripples through silence.

They stood on the edge of death.

Both hunter and hunted shared the same thought at that moment.

Queencepter flapped her wings desperately to escape Seoyul, while Seoyul calmly lowered his spear tip to the rough ground.

Kiiiiii! Kaang!

As the spear scraped the ground and gained speed, friction heated the blade.

A red glow began rising from the spear tip, burning hot like flames.

Crimson Lotus (紅蓮)

A martial technique used by Weapon Master Kang Taesan to temporarily enhance weapons. It reduces durability but guarantees explosive destructive power for a moment.

Originally intended for a surprise attack using Spin Block—

But Queencepter, sensing the overwhelming energy of Crimson Lotus, instinctively distanced herself from the walls.

A gamble of all or nothing.

[Blast Block activated.]

BOOM!

Instead of Spin Block, Seoyul detonated the adjacent wall block completely, sending massive explosions and debris toward Queencepter.

Bwoooaaang!

The wind pressure created by Queencepter’s panicked wingbeat brushed past Seoyul’s cheek.

Seoyul gritted his teeth and accelerated further.

Now the spear, glowing vividly red in the darkness of the labyrinth, screamed as it cut through the air.

Finally, the blazing spear pierced straight into the queen wasp’s breastplate.

Bwooooaang!

As the heated blade burned into her body, Queencepter flapped her wings violently and screamed in agony.

Seoyul drove the heated spear deeper and refused to let go until the very end.

Queencepter gradually lost strength and collapsed to the ground.

With the red heat flickering from the spear, Seoyul stood in the cold labyrinth, breathing out his victory.

[Congratulations. You have exterminated Queencepter.]
[Level Up.]
[Level Up.]
[Extermination quest completed.]
[Quest rewards have been placed in your inventory.]

The system window felt like it was declaring his victory.

Clang!

But Seoyul discarded the spear before celebrating.

Unable to endure the burning pain, he bit down on his glove and forcefully pulled it off.

Ssssst!

The skin on his palm was torn in multiple places from gripping the spear too tightly, and it was also severely burned.

He wanted to scream in pain, but instead took out a bottle of water from his inventory and poured it over his hand.

The cold water temporarily eased the burning sensation.

Silence filled the surroundings.

Seoyul looked once at the fallen Queencepter…

Then—

“Ha.”

He burst into laughter without realizing it.

This was something he could never have dreamed of in the past.

He had always prided himself on saving many people, but when facing strong monsters, there had always been times he had to leave people behind.

But today, Seoyul was certain.

He no longer had to run away.

He could face it head-on—and win.

“Hahahahahahahaha!”

Overcome with joy, Seoyul threw his head back and laughed loudly.

Status Window

After exterminating the wasp, Seoyul immediately checked his condition and rewards.

• Name: Seoyul
• Level: 40
• Class: Labyrinth Architect
• Fame: 100
• Money: 112 Gold
• Ongoing Quests: 0
• Stats: [Strength 59] [Physical Defense 60] [Agility 75] [Stamina 190] [Mana 130]
• Remaining Stat Points: 0
• Skills: Labyrinth King, Sphere, Synesthesia, Sixth Sense, Silent Wave, Dragon King Spear Arts, Clear Mirror Mind

First reward: 100 gold had been added.

After accounting for raid gear costs and dungeon expenses, there would barely be anything left.

“This is the real reward now.”

Seoyul first took out a dagger from his inventory and examined it.

The blade was smooth, glossy, and slightly curved for easy stabbing.

Poison Needle (Dagger)

• Rank: Rare
• Attack Power: 120–150
• Durability: 80/95
• Requirement: Level 25+

[Unique Effect]

• Contains poison used by wasp monsters. Causes anaphylactic shock upon piercing.
• 95% chance for 2-star or lower monsters
• 30% chance for 3-star and above

[Option]

• Attack Speed +12%

“This will come in handy.”

Seoyul smirked and equipped the poison dagger around his thigh.

His main weapon was still the spear, but in close combat or when he lost his spear, having a backup weapon was necessary.

Still, if asked whether he was satisfied, he would have shaken his head.

Because the reward did not feel as good as when he defeated the Steel Blood Orc boss, Karzak.

Cursed Dagger

• Rank: Unique
• Attack Power: 0
• Durability: 67/67
• Requirement: Killing the previous owner of the Cursed Dagger

[Unique Effect]
A ritual dagger passed down among orc warriors.
If used to stab the heart of an ally or the user themselves, the user enters a strengthened state for 5 minutes, doubling attack power at the cost of half HP.
Warning: prolonged use may erase personality.

[Option] None

Still, Seoyul did not get discouraged.

Because there was one more reward.

Queencepter’s Royal Jelly

• Rank: Rare
• Attack Power: 0
• Durability: One-time use
• Requirement: Slayer of Queencepter

[Unique Effect]
Royal jelly prepared by Queencepter for the next queen.
Consumption drastically increases mana sensitivity but may have side effects.

[Option] None

This is good.

In this era, hunters typically advanced into warrior, mage, or healer classes—unless they were special cases like Seoyul.

But mages were extremely rare.

The number of awakeners with high mana sensitivity capable of feeling and accumulating mana before learning magic was statistically very low.

But the side effects are worrying.

Unfortunately, the system did not reveal any details about them.

“…What a gamble.”

He hesitated, but not for long.

What I need to build a labyrinth from now on isn’t gold—it’s mana.

The benefit outweighed the risk.

Seoyul immediately swallowed the royal jelly.

The moment the sweet honey slid down his throat—

FWOOSH!

A burning heat exploded from his core, spreading rapidly through his body.

What the hell?!

Startled, Seoyul closed his eyes and immediately began reciting the Clear Mirror Mind technique.

Sweetness really was a trap.

He stabilized the chaotic energy trying to spread uncontrollably and forced it under control.

From that moment on, he entered a long period of internal cultivation.

Pure energy, untainted by artificial processes.

He drew it into his dantian, circulated it through his meridians, and refined it again.

The energy flowed from his spine, filling every acupoint, cycling endlessly with each breath.

His blood vessels pulsed like a dragon filled with fire, his body growing hotter and hotter.

The pain was beyond description.

But Seoyul endured it, biting down hard to keep from losing control.

Impurities and toxins seeped out through his pores, and a faint sweet aura rose from his body.

Gradually, the pain faded, and he slowly opened his eyes.

[Congratulations. You have transformed into a special constitution: “Manhondo Peach Blossom Body.”]

My body feels incredibly light.

Dark impurities had pooled on the ground.

His hands and face were now smooth and pale.

A faint sweet fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose.

My senses… eyesight, smell, touch—they’re all better.

Previously, overuse of Synesthesia had slightly weakened his vision.

But now it had not only recovered—it had surpassed its original state.

Even in darkness, he could see clearly. He could detect subtle sounds and energy changes without activating any skill.

Most importantly, his long-desired mana sensitivity had significantly increased.

Mana flowed naturally into his body like breathing, restoring stamina and seeping into his dantian.

[Mana: 520]

His mana had increased dramatically from 130.

Seoyul smiled, lips curling upward—

Then a thought crossed his mind.

Wait… what’s the side effect?