"Ah, I see. It's not yet time for labyrinths to appear. No, in fact, if your planet is only level 3, you shouldn't even be conducting mercenary work like this. How did you end up in such a dangerous place…?"
"So, that means one day Earth will also see something called a labyrinth, huh? Go on, tell me what that is."
Yoon Seo and Kwon Jihan listened as they moved.
Dungeons come in two types: the ones that explode after a while and the ones that overflow.
But starting from level 8 to 10, a third type appears—this is the labyrinth type.
Unlike traditional dungeons, where clearing the boss monster means victory, the labyrinth requires solving every problem it presents. If it's not cleared in time, it doesn't just explode or overflow—it does both, and then spawns another labyrinth-type dungeon.
"That's insane. What kind of problems are we talking about?"
"They vary, from psychological and mental trials to complex mechanical traps."
"Mechanical traps… like the ones we saw in the temple, the final area of the Great Dungeon?"
"Similar, but more difficult."
"In that case,
The deer tilted its head.
"Isn't
"It has two abilities. Not only can it weaponize into a sword, but it can also uncover hidden secrets within the system."
"That's amazing. There are so many skills out there that I've never heard of."
Even alien species from planets with higher levels than Earth didn't know all the things that Yoon Seo and Kwon Jihan took for granted.
The universe is 13.9 billion years old, and with the scale of space-time stretching over 93 billion light-years and constantly expanding, the inhabitants of the universe couldn't help but always realize just how vast it truly is.
"You've got Gaia skills, watcher skills, and ego weapons, and yet you still want to open the box? Greedy, aren't you? So tell me, what exactly did you come all this way to this remote place for?"
"Elixir."
"Which kind of elixir? The resurrection one?"
"We already have all the others. Healing potions for external wounds, internal injuries, and diseases—we have them in abundance. What we need now is something that can neutralize abnormal statuses."
"Ah, an elixir that removes all abnormal conditions. Yes, I'm certain there's one inside."
Kwon Jihan grinned in satisfaction, having expected it but feeling even better with the confirmation.
"Are there ego weapons as well?"
However, when Yoon Seo asked this, Kwon Jihan's expression immediately stiffened.
"An ego weapon, huh? There are rumors, but I can't be sure."
"If I wished for an ego weapon while opening the box and there wasn't one inside, what would appear instead?"
"The second item you wished for will appear."
"That's a pretty considerate system, not letting the key go to waste."
"Considerate? Not at all."
Kwon Jihan growled in response.
"Let me make this clear, Hyung. Riceball's friend is a problem for later."
Peep…?
Upon hearing its name, Riceball puffed up its tail feathers, but soon they drooped again. Having consumed the distorted existence, Riceball had turned into a plump, blue, spherical creature, rolling around contentedly on Kwon Jihan's palm.
"I know. I also agree with getting the elixir that nullifies abnormal statuses."
"You agree, so why even ask?"
"Just in case, you know."
"Why 'just in case'? Stop with the 'just in case'! Every time you do that, it feels like my heart's going to drop. I'm terrified you'll snatch the key from me and open the box yourself at the last second."
Kwon Jihan spoke in a tone that sounded like a child pleading with an adult. The turtle cleared its throat and offered some advice.
"If your lover wants to open the box, you could let them. A boyfriend who tries to monopolize everything isn't charming."
"If you don't know our situation, just keep your mouth shut."
"…."
The turtle sulked a bit and fell silent.
Yoon Seo lightly massaged Kwon Jihan's arm a couple of times, as if to calm him down. Kwon Jihan grumbled about how Yoon Seo always used physical affection to smooth things over.
Grrrr-!
Just then, distorted beings appeared, interrupting their conversation.
The group quickly dispatched the distorted creatures and resumed their discussion while moving.
"What kind of questions come up regarding psychological?"
"I've heard there are problems that make you agonize over ethical contradictions. Sometimes they pose riddles, like the Sphinx."
Yoon Seo wondered, 'How do aliens even know about the Sphinx?' But the thought quickly faded.
Legends about transcendent beings testing primitive ones with riddles likely exist everywhere.
The deer had probably mentioned a legendary figure it knew, and the translator interpreted it as 'Sphinx.'
"A riddle sounds simpler than an ethical problem."
"Can you see the answers to riddles with
"I wouldn't know, I've never experienced it."
Kwon Jihan, deep in thought, teased Yoon Seo.
"Hyung, try giving me a riddle right now. Let's see if the skill works."
"I don't know any riddles."
"Just give me a nonsense question. Like, what happens when an almond (아몬드) dies? It becomes a diamond (다이아몬드; sounds like die + almond), stuff like that."
"..."
"Are you really going to look at your boyfriend with such disdain? Isn't that a bit too much?"
The truth is, Yoon Seo knew a few nonsense riddles.
Back in the Great Dungeon, when there was nothing to laugh about, the old Revengers would wring out nonsense riddles just to make each other smile. He remembered them too vividly, so it felt like it would take a long time before those jokes were funny again.
Anyway, Yoon Seo agreed with Kwon Jihan that a riddle would be better than an ethical dilemma/problem as they walked. But then Kwon Jihan suddenly stopped.
"…Hyung."
"Kwon Jihan?"
Noticing Kwon Jihan's stiff expression, Yoon Seo looked up at him worriedly.
Kwon Jihan suddenly pulled Yoon Seo into a tight hug.
There was a faint 'Wam-myam!' sound from Myam, clearly startled, and the aliens around them dropped their jaws in shock.
The God of Love had been waiting for this moment.
The God of Life clicked their tongue and turned away.
The God of Death asked, "Aren't you two ever tired of this?"
Peeeeep!
Riceball jumped up and squeezed between Kwon Jihan and Yoon Seo. Yoon Seo gently held Riceball in his hand to prevent it from being squashed and placed his other hand on Jihan's shoulder, gently pushing to create a bit of space. That's when he noticed Jihan's stricken expression.
"What's wrong, all of a sudden? I told you, I'm not going for an Ego Weapon. I know the elixir comes first."
"No, it's not that… I just realized I might've said something wrong."
"What mistake?"
"I don't know. But thinking about it, I was careless. Saying, 'when an almond dies'… I shouldn't joke about death, right?"
His expression was so serious, and his tone so earnest, that Yoon Seo burst out laughing.
"It's fine. You've got to joke about things like this to keep going."
Yoon Seo gently patted Kwon Jihan's broad, sturdy shoulder.
No matter how hard he tried not to show it, Kwon Jihan was always so attuned to Yoon Seo's emotions, noticing any changes before Yoon Seo did.
Yoon Seo realized he couldn't afford to fall into depression, if only for Kwon Jihan's sake.
Instead of Jihan comforting Yoon Seo, it ended up being Yoon Seo who reassured Jihan as they resumed their journey.
"How long have you two been lovers?"
Yoon Seo and Kwon Jihan exchanged glances. Kwon Jihan answered.
"It's been a little over three years, right?"
"I don't think it's been three years yet."
"Really? It hasn't been that long?"
The turtle's eyes narrowed as Myam confidently spoke up.
"Based on Earth time, it's been exactly 2 years and 209 days, myam."
"Ah, you're still in the honeymoon phase. Have you gotten married?"
Kwon Jihan rubbed his chin.
"Well, we filed the marriage papers. When was it? August 2nd? Or was it the 3rd?"
"How can you forget your anniversary?"
"We submitted it after being rejected twice, did it in a rush, and then immediately went into the dungeon. Do you remember the date, hyung?"
Yoon Seo tilted his head. Things were hectic at the time, and he couldn't quite recall the exact date.
Myam answered for him.
"You filed the marriage papers on August 3rd, myam. And in your 'LoveForest' magazine interview, you said you'd hold a quiet wedding with friends after the world stabilized, myam."
"You seem to know more about this than us."
"I'm a fan of AiAi (II), myam. On Earth, they call you two the AiAi (II) Couple, myam. You should go by that too, myam."
"II Couple, huh? It does sound cute. How many children are you planning to have?"
Yoon Seo was momentarily taken aback, but Kwon Jihan answered quickly.
"We're not planning on adopting any kids. It'll just be the three of us, living happily with Riceball."
"And no plans to have children of your own?"
This time, Kwon Jihan also looked taken aback.
"We're both men, you know."
"Ah, so science hasn't advanced that far yet."
The turtle chuckled softly.
"Newly integrated planetary species are always so endearing."
"Even as strong as you are, you're still newbies."
The patronizing gazes made Kwon Jihan's face twist in mild annoyance.
"Enough about us. Why don't you tell us about yourselves? How did you end up as corrupted ones?"
"A lot has happened."
"Then tell us about all those events."
The turtle in the bartender's arms gazed into the distance with a wistful look, as if recalling countless stories from the past.