The Returned Hunter Has Awakened to a Hidden Class - Chapter 11

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

11

Chapter 11

Minotaur’s Labyrinth (2) 

 Kim Jun carefully surveyed the surroundings of the maze while activating his detection skill.

 Blue mana waves rippled like tides throughout various parts of the labyrinth. He closed his eyes and focused on those waves.

 The strongest vibration was felt from the left passage. 

“That way.”

 Kim Jun walked along the left passage.

 The passage branched into several paths, but he chose the direction where the waves felt strongest without hesitation.

 After passing the tenth fork, he reached a dead end.

 There was a stone wall with fine cracks, different from the other walls.

 Through his「Detection」skill, he could see blue mana flowing out along those cracks like a heartbeat.

 Kim Jun’s finger brushed against the wall surface.

 Instantly, blue light spread from the stone wall, gradually expanding and thinning into thread-like strands.

 It soon floated in the air and wrapped around Kim Jun’s wrist.

“「Ariadne’s Thread」.”

—-

[Item Acquired] :「Ariadne’s Thread」

[Grade] : A

[Unique Skill] : Guides the wearer to the correct path.

—-

 An A-grade artifact. An item that shows the path to the desired destination.

 He had benefited greatly from this item before his regression. Not just in labyrinths, but on other floors as well. 

Swoosh-

 Soon the thread extending from his wrist began stretching endlessly. 

 As if mapping every corner and path of the maze. 

 And then it became taut. 

“Found it.”

 11th Floor. Minotaur’s Labyrinth. 

 An ecosystem unto itself.

 The outer areas were barren, but the closer to the center, the more abundant water and food became.

 Naturally, the strong ones occupied the good spots, while the weak were pushed to the outskirts.

 And what now blocked Kim Jun’s path were….

“Grrooooooo!”

 Eyes filled with rage and hunger. 

 Minotaur Clones pushed to the outskirts, starving for days.

 Their killing intent was fierce like hungry beasts descended from the mountains.

Slash-

[Minotaur Clone Defeated]

[150 EXP Gained!]

 Kim Jun killed countless Minotaurs as he moved forward. 

*

 The outer area of the labyrinth was barren enough to be called a desert. 

 The light beating down from the sky – whether it was the sun or not was unclear.

 It was probably light created within the Tower’s dimensional space, but its heat was as scorching as a real desert sun.

 Hot wind blew between the dry stone walls. Kim Jun’s armor heated up enough to touch his skin.

‘I need to go deeper inside.’

 Kim Jun followed Ariadne’s Thread deeper in.

 One hour, two hours.

 The surroundings gradually began to change. Moss grew on the dry walls, and the sound of water could be heard from somewhere. The air became humid too.

 And the size of the clones changed as well.

 Unlike the clones pushed to the outskirts, the ones here easily exceeded 2.5 meters.

 Their muscles were more solid, and their movements faster.

 But to Kim Jun, it made no difference.

Whoosh-

 Flames engulfed the clones. One, two, three.

 Kim Jun didn’t stop. Following the thread, continuing inward.

 Another hour passed.

 Now small ponds began to appear around him. Vine plants grew on the walls, with strange fruits hanging from them.

 The clones’ size exceeded 3 meters.

‘About halfway there now.’

 Kim Jun’s gaze lingered on the white objects near the pond. 

Clatter-

 They were bones. 

 Human skulls and ribs were scattered around the pond’s edge. 

 All of them old. Probably decades, maybe even centuries old. 

 The remains of those who had challenged the Tower countless times to climb it. 

Thud-

 Kim Jun briefly knelt and prayed. Though he didn’t believe in God, he hoped this wasn’t their final end. 

 Vowing that at least their descendants would be liberated. 

“…Rest in peace.”

*

 The deeper into the labyrinth he went, the stronger Ariadne’s Thread became. 

 The surrounding Minotaur Clones also changed dramatically. What started as creatures just over 2 meters grew larger as he went deeper, now approaching 4 meters. 

“Die!!”

 And they even spoke. 

 Kim Jun swung his greatsword while muttering.

“If you hadn’t met me, you might have become king.”

Thunk-

 The 10th Floor was fundamentally different from other floors.

 The boss here wasn’t a single creature, but an ecosystem where thousands of Minotaur Clones constantly devoured each other and evolved.

 Only the final victor among them earned the right to sit on the throne at the labyrinth’s center.

 The moment they ascended the throne, the「Crown of the Half-Human, Half-Beast」would be placed on their head, transforming them from a mere clone into a true Minotaur King.

 When the king died? A new king would immediately be born.

 On other floors, defeating the boss once was the end of it.

 This was why later challengers could clear them relatively easily.

 But the 10th Floor was an exception. Due to the eternally cycling succession system, a boss was always waiting.

 Kim Jun knew all of this. And this time, he intended to completely break that cycle.

 A labyrinth without a king would become an easy leveling ground for Hunters. 

*

 After passing through the final corridor, an overwhelming sight unfolded before Kim Jun’s eyes.

 A massive colosseum.

 Its structure was reminiscent of ancient Greek amphitheaters.

 Tiered spectator seats made of white marble spread in a circle up to the sky, and the sandy floor in the center was stained dark red with gladiators’ blood.

 But instead of spectators, the seats were filled with tens of thousands of skulls.

 A crowd of the dead gazing down at the arena like eternal observers.

 And at the center of the arena, on a stepped platform, sat a black basalt throne.

 The being sitting atop it.

“Kahahaha! New prey has arrived!”

 It was the Minotaur King.

 A massive frame exceeding 5 meters. A monster with a muscular human body and a giant bull’s head.

 His entire body was carved with scars from hundreds of battles, and each scar looked like a mark of victory.

 Above all, the Crown of the Half-Human, Half-Beast worn on his head was imposing.

 The crown made of bronze and gold had bull horn-shaped decorations extending left and right, and in the center, a red ruby glowed like blood.

“I have guarded this throne for 400 years. Thousands of sacrifices have become my sustenance.”

 The Minotaur King slowly raised his head.

“Sorry, but you’re going to become my experience points.”

“Kehehehe! I like that arrogance!”

 The Minotaur King rose from his throne.

Thud-!

 With each step he took, the entire arena trembled. The skulls in the spectator seats rattled and moved, making sounds as if they were cheering.

—-

[Boss Appearance]

– Minotaur King (Absolute Ruler of the Labyrinth)

– Level: 53

– Unique Skills: “King’s Authority”, “Berserk”

Difficulty: ★★★☆☆

—-

“New challenger! Dance your final dance on this glorious stage!”

 The Minotaur King raised both arms to the sky.

“King’s Authority!”

Rumble-

 Instantly, the arena floor began to vibrate. Something writhed beneath the sand,

Whoosh-! Whoosh-! Whoosh-!

 Giant hands began rising from various parts of the arena.

 The forms of Minotaurs breaking through the ground were revealed one by one.

 The Minotaurs who had died in this labyrinth until now.

 From 2-meter foot soldiers to elite troops exceeding 4 meters, hundreds of monsters were simultaneously resurrected.

“Whoever brings me that one’s head shall be granted eternal resurrection!”

“Groooooo!”

“Kill him! Tear him apart!”

 But to Kim Jun, hundreds of Minotaurs were merely moving experience points.

 The first “Slash” cut through the air.

Swoosh-

 The great sword wreathed in red flames drew a straight line across the necks of the Minotaurs in front.

 The second slash swept an even wider range.

Crackle-!

 A crescent-shaped flame exploded, cutting dozens of bodies in half.

 Kim Jun didn’t stop. The third and fourth slashes continued in succession.

 With one slash, dozens fell, and with one rotation, hundreds turned to ash and scattered.

 The screams of the Minotaurs filled the arena, but Kim Jun’s expression remained calm.

 But then it happened.

Rumble-

 A different vibration echoed from one side of the arena. It was the same resurrection vibration, but this time a much more powerful aura was felt.

 As Kim Jun looked in that direction, giant shadows began to reveal themselves one by one.

 Giant Minotaurs wearing the Crown of the Half-Human, Half-Beast. Monsters with frames exceeding 5 meters and bodies covered in scars.

 They were the Past Minotaur Kings.

“These are the 15 kings who sat in this position for 1,000 years. They’re all weaker than me, but still, a king is a king.”

 They surrounded Kim Jun in a circle.

 Giant war axes, double-edged spears, maces, curved swords… each held the unique weapons they had used in life.

 But Kim Jun’s expression remained relaxed.

 Rather, he even wore a smile as he looked directly at the Minotaur King sitting on the throne.

“I have an interesting question.”

“What is it?”

“Are you stronger than all the Minotaurs combined?”

 The Minotaur King’s eyes flashed.

“You state the obvious. I am the absolute ruler.”

“Then prove it.”

 Kim Jun provocatively said while slinging his great sword over his shoulder.

“The one watching this combat from the throne will no longer be you, but me.”

 Instantly, the arena was enveloped in silence.

 The Minotaur King’s face contorted. An insult he had never heard before.

“Insolent.”

 It was the moment his rage was about to explode.

Thump!

 Kim Jun’s heart began beating violently.

 No, more precisely, the Dragon’s heart implanted in his chest.

 Red mana spread throughout his body through Kim Jun’s blood vessels.

 And Kim Jun opened his mouth. Not in human language, but in the ancient language of the Dragon race.

『Answer my call.』

 The Dragon tongue covered the entire arena.

“Groooooooo!”

“Gr, grrrrrr!”

 Their bodies slowly began to turn around. Not toward Kim Jun, but toward the throne.

“What, what is this! Why can’t you kill that bastard right now?”

 The Minotaur King on the throne shouted in panic.

 But the Past Kings were moving according to Kim Jun’s command. Before the Dragon bloodline, they too were nothing more than a lower race.

 Moreover, the ordinary Minotaurs scattered throughout the arena were the same.

 They all turned their bodies toward the throne without exception.

“Graaaah!”

 The first Past King charged toward the current king with his war axe raised.

“Grrrrrr!”

 The second and third Past Kings followed.

“This, this cannot be!”

 The Minotaur King rose from his throne in panic.

“I’ll watch. Whether you’re truly the strongest.”

*

“Huff… huff…”

 The Minotaur King was breathing heavily.

 His entire body was covered in wounds. The result of being gang-beaten by the Past Kings and thousands of subordinates.

 The crown had already fallen to the floor and was cracked, and his once-proud muscles were torn and covered in blood.

“Excellent.”

 Kim Jun slowly approached while clapping.

Clap- Clap- Clap-

“I really didn’t expect you to kill all the bulls.”

“Grrrgh… for a mere human…”

 The Minotaur King tried to rise using his last remaining strength, but he had already reached his limit.

“I am…” 

“Just rest now.”

Thunk-

 The red greatsword slowly pierced through the Minotaur King’s heart.

“Kraaaaah…”

 The Minotaur King’s massive body collapsed forward.

—-

[Quest Complete: Minotaur Subjugation]

[Experience Gained: 10,000]

[First Clear Reward: ‘Minotaur’s Horn’ Acquired]

[「Key of Choice」 Acquired]

—-

 Kim Jun picked up the 「Crown of the Half-Human, Half-Beast」 that had fallen to the ground. Though cracked, he could still feel the magical power within it.

“This ends it all.”

Crash-!

—-

[Hidden Condition Achieved!]

[Fall of the Thousand-Year Minotaur Kingdom]

[Hidden Reward Acquired!]

.

.

.

[「Master of the Labyrinth」 Title Acquired]

[「Crown Fragment」x15 Acquired]

[Special Skill 「Authority of the Fallen Royal House」 Acquired]

[All Stats +10]

[Skill Points +20]

—-

 Kim Jun’s eyes flashed. 

‘Authority of the Fallen Royal House?’

—-

[Skill Information]

-「Authority of the Fallen Royal House」

– Grade: C

– Description: Though fallen, a royal house remains a royal house

– Initial favorability with all NPCs +30

– Increased chance of earning respect from high-ranking NPCs

– Special discount benefits when using shops

– Quest rewards increased by 10%

– Passive skill (always active)

—-

‘This… is more useful than I thought.’

 In the Tower where relationships with NPCs were crucial, this was quite a valuable skill.

 Especially as one climbed to higher floors, it became difficult to obtain information without the help of NPCs, and having this skill would make things much easier.

 Moreover, the crown fragments could be used as high-grade crafting materials, and 20 skill points was enough to significantly enhance his existing skills.

 Kim Jun muttered with satisfaction as he returned to Tebe.

“Return-Tebe.”

Whoooosh-!

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————