Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 101

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Labyrinth Exploration 101 Episode 101

 

DINOSAUR(2)

 

Lee Jong-soo, with a bandage wrapped around his head, stared blankly at the food tray set before him.

 

“….”

 

He couldn’t understand it. The neat meal including meat and even fried eggs, the comfortable environment, the rapidly recovering fatigue and stamina—all of it.

 

“You’re awake, hyung?”

 

He flinched and looked up. It was Im Hae-jun.

 

“Oh, yeah. Hey, Hae-jun.”

 

“How are you feeling?”

 

“I’m, I’m fine… But where, where is this place?”

 

“Where else? It’s Seol Ha-woon’s base.”

 

That meant the Eastern Region.

 

He understood even less now.

 

How could a base be this clean? He must have handled the eastern monsters all by himself, right?

 

“How did you end up like that, hyung?”

 

“I got… a bit lost.”

 

While evacuating to Kate’s base, they were attacked by monsters and the team naturally split up.

 

Actually, at first he had thought about sacrificing himself rather than running away.

 

Since this labyrinth seemed screwed anyway, maybe he could at least manage his image by pretending to be devoted.

 

But the moment he faced the monsters, his brain froze. He was simply terrified. It felt like if he died here, he would truly die.

 

So, after running and running, the place he arrived at was…

 

“One more person added.”

 

Just then, the owner of the base arrived.

 

“What are you doing? Hurry up and eat so we can get to work.”

 

Seol Ha-woon waved his walking stick at Lee Jong-soo.

 

* * *

 

Clang!

 

The crystal shattered. The loot was one orb and crystal fragments.

 

In the middle of the monsters’ corpses, Kang Hyeon’s group wiped away their flowing sweat.

 

[ Remaining Crystals: 30 ]

 

“There are still 30 left.”

 

Ryu Yeon-hwa let out a sigh. Kang Hyeon sat down on a nearby tree stump.

 

Party member Lee Sin-hye muttered worriedly.

 

“We’ll manage somehow… but will the bases be able to hold out?”

 

Kang Hyeon shrugged as if he didn’t know.

 

“But Hyeon-ah, what are these crystal fragments used for?”

 

Lee Sin-hye deliberately sat right next to Kang Hyeon.

 

“They’re Fragments of Desire. They’re loot. They’ll manifest as whatever you’re thinking of, Sin-hye. The more fragments you have, the greater the wish you can fulfill.”

 

It’s a similar mechanism to orbs, but orbs are limited to inside this labyrinth, while crystal fragments can probably only be used after going outside.

 

“Ah~ Wow, how do you know so much, Kang Hyeon?”

 

Lee Sin-hye’s casual exclamation of admiration.

 

Kang Hyeon turned to look at her. For quite a while without saying anything.

 

“…Huh?”

 

Eyes transparent and deep like glass marbles. Unlike usual, they were eerie.

 

Soon, a bright smile appeared on his lips.

 

“Orbs are used similarly, right? So I thought this might be similar too. When I checked the information with the telescope I got from the draw, it really was like that.”

 

“Ah~ Can I tell the other kids too?”

 

“Sure.”

 

Lee Sin-hye picked up her cell phone.

 

Kang Hyeon watched her with cold eyes as she sent a text to someone.

 

* * *

 

Swish!

 

The arrow pierced through the crystal. A magic arrow crafted directly by Seol Ha-woon. Its power had become much stronger than during the Cargo Labyrinth.

 

Im Hae-jun was impressed anew.

 

“That’s seriously amazing.”

 

“With this, the ‘swords behind our backs’ are taken care of.”

 

Im Hae-jun laughed at Kim Yong-tae’s words.

 

“That’s right.”

 

All the crystals behind the village had been cleaned up.

 

“The remaining crystals are…”

 

[ Remaining Crystals: 22 ]

 

“22… There are still many left.”

 

Still, seeing them decrease in real time meant everyone was working hard. The problem was that allied crystals were also decreasing.

 

“There are only four allied crystals left… Huh? One decreased? Jong-su hyung!”

 

“Huh?”

 

Lee Jong-soo turned around while munching on snacks. He, who had joined this time, was definitely helpful.

 

They said he was an elite warrior who had only walked the elite path, and he wasn’t an elite for nothing.

 

“Jong-su hyung, do you know where this is? The light went out.”

 

Im Hae-jun pointed at the map.

 

“Ah, here…”

 

Lee Jong-soo’s complexion darkened.

 

“That’s where Yoon Hwa-rim and Seo Ji-woo are.”

 

* * *

 

Rumble——

 

The castle wall was collapsing. The wall they had worked so hard to build was breaking apart.

 

It hurt his heart. It felt like his heart was being torn apart. All those memories… well, maybe that’s an exaggeration. But similarly precious memories flashed through his mind.

 

“Hwa-rim! We have to go now!”

 

Yoon Hwa-rim stared blankly at the endlessly surging monsters.

 

“Hey, Yoon Hwa-rim!”

 

“…Uh, huh?”

 

Seo Ji-woo grabbed and pulled her.

 

“I said we have to go! Hurry!”

 

The base had already collapsed. The castle wall was destroyed last evening, and soon the crystal would also be crushed by the monsters.

 

“What about these people?”

 

However, Yoon Hwa-rim was more worried about the ‘people’ than that.

 

Fourteen people. Civilians who trusted this shabby base, believed that I would protect them, and stayed here while generously offering their meager food supplies.

 

“It can’t be helped. After all….”

 

They’re Labyrinth People.

 

Even Seo Ji-woo couldn’t bring herself to say those words. The child, mother, father, grandfather, grandmother. The family members looked exactly the same as those in our world.

 

“Master Yoon.”

 

Just then, the mercenaries stepped forward. It was Brunson, the A-rank mercenary whom Yoon Hwa-rim had appointed as commander.

 

“We’ll handle this.”

 

“…What? Handle what?”

 

Yoon Hwa-rim looked at him with bewildered eyes.

 

“We’ll try to delay them as much as possible. Please move to another base with the civilians.”

 

“But….”

 

Words offering to sacrifice themselves. Tears welled up in Yoon Hwa-rim’s eyes. She looked at the many mercenaries lined up beside Brunson. They all seemed to share the same sentiment.

 

Brunson smiled.

 

“Don’t worry. We can just use our return devices.”

 

“Ah….”

 

Yoon Hwa-rim lowered her head. She trembled while clenching her fists.

 

In the end, it’s because of my lack of ability.

 

If I had been a slightly better mage, if I had worked a little harder, if I had slept a little less.

 

This wouldn’t have happened.

 

“Master Yoon. Please lift your head and protect the civilians.”

 

“…Mr. Brunson.”

 

Watching this scene, Seo Ji-woo scratched the back of her neck.

 

Yoon Hwa-rim was the type who believed in sharing even half a bean. Even when she occasionally showed greed, it was greed for everyone, not just herself.

 

It seems these mercenaries also viewed that side of her favorably.

 

“I won’t forget.”

 

Yoon Hwa-rim said in a suppressed voice.

 

The time they spent together was barely over a week, but in terms of intensity, it was more than three months. Hardship and suffering created such specialness. Those densely packed days flashed through Yoon Hwa-rim’s mind.

 

“Yes. Please go quickly. There’s no time left.”

 

“Right. Let’s go, to Kate.”

 

Seo Ji-woo also pulled Yoon Hwa-rim along. Yoon Hwa-rim shouted to the civilians.

 

“Everyone, follow me!”

 

While doing so, she threw her last remaining orb.

 

With it, she created a cart. The Cargo Dungeon cart that had become her trauma. Even the design was identical.

 

“Everyone. Get on!”

 

I won’t make the same mistakes as before.

 

“Oh, thank you, Royal Inspector….”

 

“Royal Inspector. You could just abandon us and go….”

 

“What nonsense! I’ll take you even if I die!”

 

Seo Ji-woo and fourteen civilians got on the cart.

 

“Stay strong! Never die! That’s my final order─!”

 

Yoon Hwa-rim shouted to the mercenaries. They made O-shapes with their fingers, indicating they understood.

 

“…Really. I’m never seeing those guys again.”

 

She gripped the steering wheel and gritted her teeth.

 

‘Those guys’ referred to the Offenders. The bastards who ran away faster than anyone when they saw signs of the base’s downfall.

 

“Especially Kim Dong-ha and those jerks. Go to hell.”

 

Strategically, it was the right choice though.

 

Seo Ji-woo gestured forward.

 

“Hwa-rim. Just focus on driving.”

 

“…Wait a moment.”

 

Yoon Hwa-rim turned back one last time. She burned into her retina the sight of the mercenaries blocking the monsters with all their remaining strength.

 

“Sniff. Sob.”

 

She wiped away tears and stepped on the accelerator.

 

* * *

 

…6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th. 11th.

 

Six waves had crashed in within three days. The intervals had shortened.

 

Though the number of enemy crystals had decreased quite a bit as well.

 

“One of the three. It’s been destroyed.”

 

Command Center, Village Hall. Im Hae-jun pointed at the map with a gloomy face.

 

“Since this updates slowly, it probably fell yesterday or the day before.”

 

It was Jo Woon’s base, which had held out until the very end.

 

“Hyung. Why don’t the other Offenders come looking for us? It would be easier if we worked together.”

 

Im Hae-jun muttered curiously. Lee Jong-soo’s body trembled with a start.

 

It wasn’t just a start. The entire table shook.

 

“…What?”

 

Im Hae-jun and I turned to look at Lee Jong-soo.

 

“….”

 

Lee Jong-soo silently swallowed his saliva. I glared at his eyes and asked.

 

“What did you do?”

 

“No. No. N…o. N….”

 

He slyly averted his gaze.

 

“Jong-su. You only get one chance.”

 

Lee Jong-soo looked at my eyes, then flinched and looked down, then glanced up again and flinched down.

 

“Ah, um… well… I….”

 

Lee Jong-soo’s confession of conscience followed. It was a confession that he had actually called the Offenders, that he had proposed gathering in the west, and such.

 

“…I’m sorry.”

 

“Wow. Hyung, that’s amazing. You said that without telling me?”

 

“No… well… what… um….”

 

“It’s fine.”

 

I ran my hand through my hair.

 

“Moving from the west was more rational from the start anyway. The bases were concentrated in the west, and there were more enemy crystals in the west.”

 

The fact that Kang Hyeon chose the west is proof. He’s more rational and logical than anyone.

 

“I was also too tired to reply sometimes.”

 

I looked at Lee Jong-soo.

 

“I mean it’s not your fault.”

 

Lee Jong-soo suddenly bit his own lips. It seemed like water droplets had formed in his eyes.

 

“I’ll kill you if you cry.”

 

It would be too disgusting if a guy as big as a house cried.

 

It’s already disgusting enough as it is.

 

“…I’m sorry.”

 

Beep beep beep- Beep beep beep-

 

Lee Jong-soo’s cell phone rang.

 

“Oh.”

 

Lee Jong-soo quickly hid it.

 

I frowned.

 

“What is it now?”

 

“Wow, this guy is hiding something else again.”

 

Im Hae-jun also narrowed his eyes.

 

“No. I’m not hiding it, this is….”

 

“What is it?”

 

“That… it’s a request for help.”

 

“A request for help?”

 

“Yes. Please don’t worry about it unnecessarily…”

 

“Give it here.”

 

“Ah, it’s fine. You should rest comfortably, hyung. Take care of your precious body. I’ll handle it myself-”

 

“I said give it here. Before I beat you up.”

 

Lee Jong-soo, who had suddenly become extremely polite, hesitantly held out his cell phone.

 

“Ah, well… you know how I split off from my team activities? That… Kim Dong-ha and those guys seem to be at Kate’s stronghold right now.”

 

[ Hey Jong-su, you’re alive, right? I see you’re online ]

 

[ Please reply. If you went east, how’s the situation? ]

 

[ If you’re okay, come help us here ]

 

[ This is Kate’s stronghold and we’re about to perish from lack of food ]

 

“They’ve been coming since yesterday.”

 

“Yes. I was worried about unnecessarily troubling you, hyung…”

 

“You should have told me sooner.”

 

“But there’s nothing we can really do to help them…”

 

“Jong-su.”

 

Thud. I put the cell phone down on the desk.

 

“This is a group project. Not a competition.”

 

Now there were exactly two strongholds left.

 

That meant cooperation was essential.

 

“…I’m sorry.”

 

“Does everything end with sorry? Does the labyrinth disappear if you’re sorry?”

 

“Well…”

 

“Just how many times are you going to say sorry? Don’t be sorry. There’s no need to be sorry.”

 

“Sor… Yes.”

 

“…Um, boss.”

 

Im Hae-jun suddenly interjected seriously.

 

“Honestly, I agree with Jong-su hyung’s opinion on this. We don’t have much food either. We’re probably sheltering the most civilians, honestly, right?”

 

The civilians had grown to about 400 people. Some came with food supplies and livestock, but the amount was woefully insufficient.

 

“By current standards, we can last ten days. But if Kate’s stronghold falls, we can’t clear the labyrinth within ten days. Look at the location.”

 

I pointed at the map.

 

There were eight monster crystals at the western extreme. Six at the eastern extreme.

 

From the beginning, there had been more crystals on the western side.

 

“Especially this last crystal is at a distance we can’t reach.”

 

We could finish the eastern side, but the western side was too far from our stronghold.

 

“Because of fatigue?”

 

“Right.”

 

Im Hae-jun nodded as if he understood.

 

The fact that fatigue only recovered at strongholds was important. If there was only one stronghold, fatigue would be completely depleted while walking there.

 

“Whether we like it or not, we have to keep the west alive. That’s why this is a team battle.”

 

I picked up the cell phone.

 

* * *

 

Crackle crackle. Tents lined up in front of the blazing campfire.

 

“Wow. We’re really lucky we got the tent.”

 

Seo Ji-woo touched the tent generator and smiled proudly.

 

Since this was currently housing about 200 people including offenders, it was top-grade among high-grade items.

 

I wonder if I can somehow take it home.

 

“…Ji-woo. The offenders say their food packages are almost gone too.”

 

Yoon Hwa-rim, Seo Ji-woo, and fourteen civilians had successfully evacuated.

 

The problem was the state of Kate’s stronghold. Everyone was starving from lack of food.

 

Beep-

 

“Oh. There’s a message on the cell phone.”

 

“Who?”

 

“Lee Jong-soo.”

 

“What?! Hey! Tell that bastard to fuck off! Son of a bitch!”

 

Yoon Hwa-rim tried to grab the cell phone with clawed hands. Seo Ji-woo spun away and checked the message.

 

[ This is the eastern stronghold. Please provide detailed information about the situation. ]

 

“…Eastern?”

 

Seo Ji-woo replied.

 

[ Lee Jong-soo, were you at the east? ]

 

A reply came immediately.

 

[ Are you Seo Ji-woo? ]

 

“What. I guess it’s not Lee Jong-soo?”

 

“Huh? Then who is it?”

 

[ Yeah, who are you ]

 

[ Seol Ha-woon ]

 

“Ji-woo. Who is it?”

 

Yoon Hwa-rim asked again. Seo Ji-woo blinked and answered.

 

“Seol Ha-woon.”

 

“Huh? Horse oppa?”

 

Then the offenders also showed interest.

 

There were quite a few named individuals. Kang Hyeon, Ryu Yeon-hwa, Lee Jun-ho, Lee Sin-hye, etc…

 

Unfortunately, Jo Woon couldn’t make it here. He had been eliminated while protecting the civilians at the stronghold until the very end.

 

Anyway, everyone had faces worn with fatigue.

 

[ I’ll send supplies. Hold on as long as you can. ]

 

“Huh? He says he’ll send supplies?”

 

This time the surrounding civilians also perked up their ears.

 

“Come on. Even if it’s Horse-jwa… their situation probably isn’t much different from ours right now, is it?”

 

“It’s probably better than here.”

 

“…True.”

 

This place was hell.

 

Groooooan…

 

The monsters’ gloomy roars echoed.

 

This stronghold was completely surrounded by monsters.

 

The only reason it hadn’t collapsed was entirely thanks to S-rank mercenary Ellis’s magic-like barrier magic.

 

“Those with fatigue over 50. Please come forward.”

 

Just then, Kate appeared. Even in this situation, she had prepared the best possible response plan.

 

The plan was to wait inside the barrier for the explorers’ stamina to recover somewhat naturally, then feed only the Special Operations Unit more food and medicine to restore their stamina before simultaneously striking the crystals.

 

If they could destroy just three crystals, they could secure food supplies with that and somehow get back on their feet.

 

“Hey Kate.”

 

Seo Ji-woo waved her hand as she approached. Kate’s eyebrows trembled faintly.

 

She hates informal speech.

 

Seo Ji-woo, of course, knows this too.

 

“Relief is coming. For now, let’s not waste our stamina and just wait.”

 

“Relief… relief, you say? Is that the word I know?”

 

“Yeah. Rescue, relief. That thing. S.O.S.”

 

To Kate’s disbelieving face, Seo Ji-woo held out her cell phone.

 

“One Eastern Stronghold is still alive. Seol Ha-woon, Jemallot is going to help us…”

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