Moon's Labyrinths

Chapter 253

Chapter 253

“I believe that the ambushers are using this method to get around . I wonder if the monsters that appear on Earth use a similar method . However, you’re right to think about that, Mayor . If we learn how to use it, it will deal a big blow to Armstrong’s very existence . ”

The faces of everyone except the Mayor hardened . A faint smile appeared on the Mayor’s lips .

“As expected, you thought that far . The existence of portals is very dangerous, especially so for Armstrong city . ”

“If portals can connect Earth to the Moon, Armstrong city won’t be needed . ”

In that case, Sungyoon could always live in the same house as Shinhae . Why would he take up the option to live in Armstrong city?

‘I sometimes want to show space to Shinhae . I guess I would keep a vacation home up here . ’

“Excuse me... . ”

Emily, who had been silently listening to the conversation, hesitantly put her hand up in the air .

“Still, it can’t be all bad . This discovery doesn’t change the fact that Armstrong is the closest city to the labyrinths . It’ll be cheaper to develop and repair the city, and I’m sure that a lot of money can be made from tourism . ”

She had a point .

The Mayor had already thought through that scenario, and he remained silent . The one to reply was Sungyoon .

“However, the methods of harvesting money from Connectors would go away . Moreover, the Connectors are desperate to get their hands on moonstones only because the price to live on Armstrong is so high . The portals mean that the carrot used to control Connectors goes away, and it would weaken the hold on Connectors as a whole . ”

In terms of purchasing power, Connectors possessed incredible wealth and fighting power . Armstrong city kept this group in check by using the harsh environment of the Moon .

Emily belatedly realized that this situation was much more complex, so she shut her mouth .

A shallow smile appeared on the Mayor’s lips .

“You’re correct . That’s why I would like to ask you all a favor . ”

“You want us to hide the existence of the portal?”

“That’s correct . ”

“What are you talking about?”

Before Sungyoon could answer, Grace spoke up . Her voice was sharp, and she was glaring at the Mayor .

“This will make the lives of Connectors easier, yet you want to keep it in the bottle? You’re doing so Armstrong city gets to keep its power?”

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“We do not plan on blocking it forever . ”

The Mayor lowered his tone of voice and spoke gently . He didn’t buy Grace’s ire .

“It’s true that if this information can be used properly, it would be beneficial to Armstrong city . It’s always the case when a new technology is developed . We don’t plan on burying the existence of the portal . However, revealing it might cause mass confusion in Armstrong city, and you know it too . We would like some time so that we can minimize this confusion . ”

Grace’s eyes softened, and the Mayor continued to speak .

“This confusion isn’t a good thing . Only the four of you have gone through a portal, and right now, Mr . Sungyoon can’t open the portal on demand . Even if he could get a perfect handle on using the Gem, we don’t know whether the portal will allow mass use or not . For now, only Mr . Sungyoon is capable of using the portal, and if that remains to be true, it will be a privilege that only he has .

“At the end of the day, I just want to reduce the confusion . If you can’t accept this explanation, I’m willing to release this information when Mr . Sungyoon is fully capable of opening the portal . When he gets full control of the Gem, I’m willing to revisit this topic once again with you . ”

Sungyoon crossed his arms as he thought about it . If he were being honest, he didn’t care about what happened to others . His family was Shinhae and Jimin, and then there were his comrades and friends . If no harm came to them, he was willing to be flexible in this matter .

Moreover, the Mayor’s explanation made sense . He wanted to punt the problem down the road because it might cause harm to the bystanders .

“I want to ask what is your plan on dealing with the ambushers . ”

In some ways, that was the most important issue for Sungyoon .

“As you probably know, I stole this Gem from them . I believe this is how they suddenly appear and disappear within the labyrinths . Are you sure we don’t have to notify others about this?”

“We decided it’ll be fine if we don’t . ”

The Mayor had already thought this through, and he immediately answered .

“Even now, everyone already knows that the ambushers use a special transportation method . Many Connectors are guessing that this method is a teleportation ability . ”

Sungyoon’s party had come to the same guess before their discovery .

“It wouldn’t matter much to the Connectors even if we give them this information about the ambushers because we don’t have a way to deal with it . That’s why I believe there is more harm than good when it comes to notifying the public . Of course, we’ll send out the news that Mr . Sungyoon’s party was ambushed in the Great Labyrinth, and this will make the other Connectors raise their guards . ”

Whether it was the right or wrong answer didn’t matter . The Mayor’s reasoning made sense .

“What do you think?”

“I’m fine with it . ”

Sungyoon spoke first .

“I’m fine with it too . ”

“Same . ”

The Ross siblings agreed with Sungyoon . Everyone looked toward Grace . In such a situation, most would feel the peer pressure to agree with the group, yet Grace boldly looked at the Mayor .

“Is that a promise?”

“If you aren’t satisfied with a verbal agreement, I can write up a contract for you . ”

Hearing the Mayor calmly speak, Grace finally nodded .

“Alright . ”

Sungyoon and the Ross siblings raided the Great Labyrinth for personal reasons . Unlike them, Grace did it for her duty to her country, and on top of that, she had a strong sense of justice . Sungyoon knew this was why Grace was pushing back so hard on the Mayor .

Her agreement brought the discussion to a close . Everyone in the room relaxed a little bit, but one person in the room still had business with Sungyoon .

“Excuse me, Mr . Sungyoon . ”

The Director spoke .

“Do you plan on raiding the Great Labyrinth once again?”

“If I have it my way, I would like to . ”

Sungyoon vaguely answered .

“Are you worried about the ambushers?”

“Of course . I can’t help it . We’ve already come across them three times . The first two encounters might not have anything to do with us, but they were definitely aiming for us on our third encounter . ”

“I’m guessing that item is the reason?”

The Director looked at the Gold Gem on the desk .

“I believe so . The probability is high . ”

“If so, why don’t you take a little break from raiding the Great Labyrinth?”

These words put Sungyoon at a loss .

“I have thought about doing that, but I’m restricted by the number of days I can enter the labyrinth . ”

Sungyoon’s party had been lucky with their escape . Their opponents weren’t monsters that waited within their territory to mindlessly attack Connectors . Their opponents were humans, who were moving with a clear goal in mind . If the ambushers were targeting the party, it would be dangerous to continue their labyrinth runs .

“That is why I’m bringing this up . Why don’t you flip his schedule?”

The Director was speaking to Sungyoon, but he was also speaking it for the Mayor’s ears . The Director then turned his gaze toward the Mayor .

“Please continue . ”

The Mayor requested the Director .

“We flip the time when Mr . Sungyoon has to defend Armstrong and when he raids the labyrinth . If Mr . Sungyoon is defending Armstrong, the ambushers won’t dare to attack him as he won’t be the only one defending the city . Moreover, he can get used to the portal Gem in this period . ”

“You want to buy some time . ”

“I believe that’s the best option right now . ”

The Mayor thought for a brief moment .

“You have a point . He has a good reason to do so, and it isn’t a big deal to arrange it . I’m sure some Connectors would want to switch roles if we look for them . ”

The Mayor turned his head toward Sungyoon .

“The most important thing is what you want, Mr . Sungyoon . Personally, I think it’s a good suggestion . ”

Sungyoon looked at his comrades, and it seemed they were in favor of the suggestion . It was to be expected . The ambush had disturbed their state of mind .

‘I’m just buying time . Still . . . ’

This suggestion would be better than entering the Great Labyrinth without making any preparation . Moreover, by buying time, Sungyoon could solve something else .

“Does anyone object?”

All his party members shook their heads .

“Since everyone agrees, we’ll gladly accept your kindness, Mayor . ”

“Then it’s decided . For the rest of your stay here, please cooperate in defending Armstrong . ”

The meeting came to an end .

***

Although Sungyoon’s party had decided to postpone entering the labyrinth, their worries were unfounded . The ambushers weren’t in a good state right now .

“How many days has it been?”

“Five . ”

Tiotudo and Plu-El ate a late lunch .

“What about Aruwen?”

“He’s still the same . ”

Tiotudo chewed on some unknown meat .

“He’s still in his room . ”

“It seems he was very shocked by what had happened . ”

“The portal function of the Royal Gem was the first ability his family had lost . It had stopped working as soon as we left our homeland . And now, someone he considers ’base’ awakened the Royal Gem . Moreover, the very first ability he used was the portal function . ”

Normally, Plu-El and Tiotudo hated elitism, but they sympathized with Aruwen in this instance .

“The base of his beliefs were shaken . It can’t be helped . ”

Of course, Plu-El also thought that Aruwen had brought this on himself .

“Still, we can’t think of it as other people’s business . ”

“You’re right . I never expected that man to activate the portal function . ”

Plu-El raised her wrist to look at the Gems embedded in her bracelet-type Device . Tiotudo’s and her gaze fell at one particular Gem . It was a silver Gem, but one could sometimes see glimpses of a blue color mixed in with the silver .

“The Royal Gem is higher in rank than your Shaman Gem . Once it starts awakening in earnest, it’ll be very dangerous . ”