Standing at the Entrance of the Crimson Moon Labyrinth
The moonlight was unusually tinged with red that night. After crossing through the forest and climbing the hill, there it was.
"Crimson Moon Labyrinth..."
A soft gasp escaped Luke's lips. A massive stone structure stood imposingly atop the hill. Unlike typical labyrinths, this building pulsed with crimson light. Like a giant heart beating.
Luke raised his smartphone to illuminate what lay ahead. The screen captured his face with the labyrinth looming behind him.
"Hello, everyone. This is Hunter Luke. I'm currently standing in front of the recently discovered 'D-rank labyrinth, Crimson Moon Labyrinth.'"
Luke's voice trembled slightly. All around were restriction tape and warning signs.
[WARNING: D-Rank Labyrinth - Access restricted to certified C-rank and above hunters only] [Unauthorized entry subject to legal punishment and risk of death]
"As you can see... this is a place I, an E-rank hunter, shouldn't be entering."
He laughed briefly, but deep anxiety hid behind that laugh.
"But today is a special day. This will probably be the world's first broadcast of an E-rank hunter challenging a D-rank labyrinth."
Luke paused to catch his breath and gather his courage. The viewer count in the corner of his smartphone screen showed '0'. Still, no one was watching.
"Wow... this is scarier than I thought."
He spoke honestly. Under normal circumstances, he would never have come here. Even now, the urge to turn around and run was overwhelming. But he'd already made his decision. Would he spend his entire life cleaning sewers, or would he risk it all and try once?
"Alright, I'm going in now."
Luke crossed the restriction tape and headed toward the labyrinth entrance. Standing before the massive door, its overwhelming presence crushed down on him. A crimson moon pattern was carved into the door, pulsing with red light.
"This pattern... it looks like ancient magical script. It's hard to interpret precisely, but I can make out the words 'Trial of Blood.'"
Luke analyzed the pattern, recalling the magical linguistics he'd learned in school. When he was a prodigy mage, he'd easily deciphered ancient scripts like these.
"Let me share some information about this labyrinth. It was discovered just a week ago. Initially classified as E-rank, but after three C-rank hunters died during the first exploration, it was hastily upgraded to D-rank."
Luke explained, recalling information he'd read on the Hunter Association bulletin board. Cold sweat dampened his palms.
"Right now, S-rank Hunter Leon Akers is conducting an official exploration. His broadcast has over a million viewers. As for me... well, I currently have zero."
A bitter laugh escaped. He placed his hand on the massive door. Along with the cold touch of stone, a strange heat traveled up his palm.
The massive door opened with a heavy sound. Luke cautiously stepped one foot into the labyrinth. That's when it happened.
[Viewers: 1]
The number in the corner of his smartphone screen changed. Luke flinched in surprise.
"Wh... what? Someone just joined!"
His heart began racing at the sudden change. One person. Just a single viewer, but to him it felt like the entire world was watching.
"Hello! To the first person watching my broadcast! I'm Luke. Right now I'm an 'E-rank hunter' about to enter a 'D-rank labyrinth.' It's an insane challenge, but thank you for being here with me!"
Energy returned to Luke's voice. He was no longer alone. Someone was watching him.
"Alright, let's officially begin exploring this labyrinth!"
His steps became lighter. Just knowing someone was watching gave him courage. Luke passed through the labyrinth entrance with renewed confidence.
"Let me explain the structure of this place. Typical labyrinths have a linear structure that deepens from the entrance, but this one's a bit unique. There seems to be a large hall in the center, branching off in multiple directions."
Luke analyzed the labyrinth structure like an expert. Of course, he wasn't an expert, but knowing someone was watching made him more self-conscious.
"The entrance looks more ordinary than expected... but this red light is really unusual."
A faint crimson light pulsed from the walls. It looked as if something alive was inside the walls.
Once inside the labyrinth, the air suddenly changed. Luke instinctively tensed his body. The surrounding mana was distinctly different from an E-rank labyrinth. Deeper, more dangerous, more primal power swirled in the air.
"This... this is..."
Luke's voice trembled. He realized he'd entered real danger now. His throat went dry.
"Everyone, the mana I'm feeling right now is incomparably stronger than the E-rank labyrinths I usually deal with. The air itself feels... heavy and oppressive."
He slowly moved forward. Dim light illuminated the wide entrance hall. Weapon fragments were scattered across the floor, and dried bloodstains marked the walls.
"These seem to be... traces of hunters who came before."
Luke picked up a weapon fragment. Part of a high-grade magic sword. Equipment used by C-rank and above hunters.
"If hunters using equipment like this failed..."
His hands shook. He realized once again just how reckless his challenge was. But there was no turning back now.
"I'll need to be careful. I'll explore slowly and carefully."
Luke held up his smartphone and illuminated the labyrinth's walls and ceiling. The pulsing red light captured on camera was even more vivid. It felt like walking through the insides of a giant creature.
"What's unusual is that this red light pulses at regular intervals. Like a heartbeat..."
Luke touched the wall. It was warm. It felt less like stone and more like biological tissue.
"This isn't... a normal labyrinth. It feels like something alive."
Before he could finish, the entire labyrinth vibrated subtly. As if a giant creature was breathing.
He reached the first fork. From the wide hall, three passages stretched out. Different patterns were carved at the entrance of each passage.
"On the left is a sword... center is a shield... right looks like a scroll pattern."
Luke examined and explained each passage. He tried to show himself analyzing in real-time, but honestly, he was terrified.
"This... isn't a place for an E-rank hunter."
He muttered unconsciously. As soon as he spoke, he realized he was broadcasting and panicked.
"Ah, sorry. Honestly, I'm a bit scared. This level of mana concentration is difficult for an E-rank hunter like me to handle."
He took a deep breath. Then suddenly checked his smartphone screen.
[Viewers: 3]
"Oh?"
Luke's eyes widened. The viewer count had increased to 3. Still a small number, but it meant people were starting to show interest in his broadcast.
"Thank you! Three of you are watching. I'll do my best not to disappoint you!"
Courage suddenly surged in his heart. Growing viewership was proof that his challenge had meaning.
"People are starting to watch... then I should go deeper!"
Luke pondered briefly before choosing the center passage. The shield pattern seemed relatively safest.
"I'll try the center passage. The shield pattern probably represents defense or protection."
He slowly entered the passage. The red light grew stronger here, and the pulsing rhythm quickened. It felt as if the labyrinth was getting excited.
"Everyone, this red light doesn't seem to be just decoration. It's a type of mana... but different from what I've usually seen. More primal, more dangerous..."
Luke kept explaining as he moved forward. Providing information to viewers helped him forget his fear. As if he were actually a hunter skilled at this.
"This passage is getting narrower. And the temperature is rising. Strangely, I feel like my heartbeat is getting faster too."
Luke described his condition. Truthfully, his racing heart might simply be from fear, but the labyrinth's mana seemed to be affecting his body as well.
"I see a room ahead. Looks like the first room in the center passage."
Luke headed toward the large room at the end of the passage. The red light shone even more intensely there.
"Wait a moment..."
Suddenly Luke stopped. Listening carefully, he heard a faint sound. Something moving.
"Everyone, I hear sounds from up ahead."
His voice became a whisper. Something was in the room. Probably the labyrinth's first trial.
Luke slowly drew his sword. An old, worn blade, but right now it was his only support. In his other hand, he still held his smartphone.
"I think the real trial is about to begin."
Luke looked directly at the camera with a tense expression.
"Everyone... stay with me."
Taking a deep breath, Luke stepped into the room. At that moment, a large shadow moved inside, and two crimson eyes glared at him from the darkness.