Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 116

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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 116

 

In the house(3)

 

I looked around the apartment-like residential area. Perhaps because it had been poorly maintained for three years, it was filled with a desolate atmosphere like ruins.

 

“How many people were living here?”

 

─800 households. Including the crew, it would be roughly 3-4 thousand people.

 

800 households is actually the scale of a large apartment complex.

 

The Defense Labyrinth had 200 people.

 

“That’s a lot.”

 

─Our ship is Esmos. Its main purpose was civilian residence from the start.

 

In simple terms, it means it’s an apartment spaceship.

 

“Are there ships with other purposes too?”

 

─Many. In this Cosmos, ships with different purposes pair up and stay before moving on. Mining ships, battleships, civilian ships, and so on…

 

“If you were to roughly express the size, how big would it be?”

 

─If you combine all the ships in this Cosmos, it’s approximately 8.4372 square kilometers.

 

8.4㎢. Among the common expressions of “how much of Yeouido,” it’s exactly the area of one Yeouido. It means an entire island is floating through space.

 

This is going to be tough.

 

“It’s quiet. I thought there would be many zombies in a residential space.”

 

I’ve been walking carefully since earlier, but there’s actually no sign of zombies at all.

 

Julione (truck) followed me and said.

 

─No. It’s actually the opposite. Many zombies from the residential areas flocked to the center.

 

“They went looking for food.”

 

─I thought so too, but according to the server records, the zombies moved as if they were enchanted by something.

 

As if enchanted by something, toward the center.

 

It’s a clue.

 

“It seems related to the substance we need to recover.”

 

The progression and story development are quite game-like. If I were to categorize the genre of this Labyrinth, it would be something like SF survival horror set in space.

 

“Shh.”

 

I stopped abruptly. I just caught a faint sound near my ear.

 

I quietly took cover. The truck also hid behind an ornamental tree.

 

There was a zombie at what looked like an apartment entrance. Its entire body was swollen.

 

─Just pass by.

 

The truck whispered quietly.

 

“No.”

 

During my shut-in days, I was immersed in not only MoMo but almost every game.

 

Usually in this type of game, farming is important. You need to fill your inventory to make the later stages easier, and this apartment clearly looks like it has loot or rewards.

 

I drew my pistol. I charged it with magic power.

 

However, the bullet grouping shouldn’t be a ‘point.’ It should be a ‘surface.’

 

But since I can’t adjust the pistol itself, I place a barrier right in front of the muzzle. It’s a filter that adjusts the size and power of the Mana Bullet.

 

I aim below its knees and pull the trigger.

 

Shiiiiik—!

 

The Mana Bullet was launched like a crescent-shaped Sword Aura. The blue wave cleanly cut through both of the zombie’s legs.

 

Chajuk!

 

I fired a second bullet at the fallen creature’s head. This time, an explosive round.

 

Paaaak!

 

Brain matter and flesh splattered.

 

Even if it comes back to life like that, it won’t have eyes or ears, so I can easily avoid it.

 

─Was that pistol originally like that?

 

“I enhanced it a bit.”

 

I observed the zombie’s condition from a distance.

 

Julione diagnosed it first.

 

─It’s in a dormant state.

 

“…The one in the lobby was multiplying. Do zombies differ from each other?”

 

─Yes. Each zombie undergoes different mutations, so their traits and properties are somewhat different. But they all don’t die, that’s the same. It’ll stay in that state until it recovers energy.

 

“That’s fortunate. Let’s go in.”

 

I passed the zombie and went inside. Julione (truck) hesitated at the threshold.

 

“Follow me. It won’t take long.”

 

─…Tsk.

 

The truck seemed displeased but still rattled along behind me. Its small wheels carefully avoided the zombie’s flesh.

 

* * *

 

‘Likely’ objects emit unusual waves. Objects with high-density magic power accumulation, or those where the order of magic power has layered naturally, or items artificially enchanted by Mages usually do so.

 

I spread my senses wide with the Sequence’s radar to search for such things.

 

“…Found it.”

 

「Desktop」

 

I found a desktop. Equipment I would have passed by if I hadn’t farmed. I connected the desktop’s cable to my wrist.

 

「Starting download…」「Current location: Cosmos Ship D Sector – Civilian Ship Esmos」■ 817 households residing「Download successful: Special skill selection available.」「Lv.2 Duct Tape」「Lv.1 Repair」「Lv.1 Mini Map」

 

“…Huh?”

 

There’s no Hacking. It seems the skills obtainable from each desktop are random.

 

Since it’s disappointing, I might as well upgrade Duct Tape.

 

「Lv.2 Duct Tape」■ You can condense magic power and manifest it as sticky tape.■ Lv.2: You can use Duct Tape to bind objects together, repair, combine, merge, or connect them.

 

Rattle rattle rattle. The truck approached.

 

─Did you gather everything you need?

 

“Yes.”

 

I looked at the items laid out on the bed. First, I picked up the clothes.

 

“Turn around. I’m changing clothes.”

 

─…How fussy.

 

The truck turned around. I changed both my upper and lower garments completely.

 

They look like ordinary sportswear, but their performance is exceptional. Auto-stretch, cleanliness maintenance, even warmth and cold protection. Almost spacesuit-level specs.

 

Next, 4 〔Xenon Batteries〕.

 

“These batteries are…”

 

While pondering where to use them, I read the Duct Tape description again.

 

‘Lv.2 You can bind objects together, repair, combine, or merge them.’

 

“Hmm.”

 

I picked up the pistol. I attached one Xenon Battery to the barrel and wrapped it tightly with Duct Tape. In that state, I charged the pistol with magic power.

 

Whiiiiing—

 

“It seems much better.”

 

The battery’s power was added to the Magic Bullet magazine.

 

This Duct Tape, it seems like a much better skill than I thought. I want to turn this whole thing into a formula and take it with me.

 

…Take it with me?

 

Suddenly my mind flashed. A possibility came to mind.

 

With Sequence, it’s definitely possible.

 

I can definitely store this 「Duct Tape」 as my Mental Visualization, turning it into a formula in my head.

 

─Does tying things with tape really modify them?

 

Julione asked. Apparently, she didn’t know what this duct tape was. Even though it was a skill obtained thanks to her.

 

“Yes. You can think of it as my technique.”

 

─Be careful. Xenon batteries are extremely dangerous.

 

“It’s fine.”

 

I don’t need to worry about that.

 

【Adaptive Basic Pistol】■ Grade: Rare■ Overview: An ordinary space fiber pistol. It has no outstanding advantages, but also no disadvantages. It has excellent environmental adaptability and no durability limit.

 

This basic pistol has no durability.

 

In other words, it won’t break.

 

If it won’t break, infinite upgrades are possible.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

This is a candidate for my second treasured item. Sorry to AC-0308, but I’m much more familiar with this…

 

* * *

 

I passed through the Park on the Esmos Ship, looked around the Cafe, walked along the Walking Trail, and subdued one zombie.

 

〔Egomos Going to Cosmos〕

 

Leave the earth behind, toward heaven!

 

Move-in discount! An opportunity that won’t come twice!

 

“…Black comedy.”

 

I let out a hollow laugh at the billboard filling the ship’s walls.

 

─They did go to heaven.

 

“Nice sense of humor. Let’s keep going.”

 

I walked while eating an Energy Bar. Meanwhile, I steadily hacked vending machines. Julione (truck) also steadily delivered Food Supplies back to her main body.

 

“At this rate, you’ll collect about 3 years’ worth.”

 

─That would be perfect. To pilot a spaceship alone, I need to wake up from hibernation frequently.

 

I reached the last Gate of the Esmos Ship. A Passage that couldn’t quite close. Bones were stuck between the doors.

 

Everyone frantically tried to escape, causing overcrowding, and zombies crossed through the gap, causing a great disaster.

 

Something like that must have happened.

 

“From here on, it’s a different ship, right?”

 

─Right. Ship name Escort. It’s an Escort Ship.

 

“Let’s go in.”

 

I went inside. The atmosphere was definitely different from the residential area. It was grayer, colder, and the steel darkness filling the Passage was particularly ominous.

 

As I walked tensely.

 

Welcome! Our Escort Ship is responsible for security according to space law!

 

For insurance inquiries, call 19820-1092…

 

Some damn ugly Hologram appeared before my eyes. It was an advertisement with an excessively bright smile.

 

“…”

 

─Keeerk.

 

I desperately held back a scream, but the truck let out a strange cry.

 

“What are you doing? Don’t keep the Microphone on all the time. Isn’t there a push-to-talk feature?”

 

─…Sorry.

 

The truck sheepishly lowered its volume.

 

It was already too late.

 

Not because of Julione, but because of that Hologram sound, the zombie discovered us.

 

A guard zombie. It had a Shield fitted on one hand.

 

“It’s coming. Just in case, please watch the rear. How many Rail shots are possible?”

 

─One shot. It takes an hour to charge.

 

Whirring. The truck said while drawing up power.

 

“Yes. Then-”

 

Whiriririk──-!

 

Suddenly the zombie’s arm stretched like rubber. Knife-like claws stopped right next to my temple.

 

More precisely, time slowed down.

 

Sequence. An unconditional reflex that activates instinctively in life-or-death crises.

 

My world became dazed as if submerged in Water.

 

This zombie can stretch its body. It’s a variant clearly different from ordinary ones.

 

How to evade?

 

Barrier is still difficult. It’s a Formula that’s quite harder than it looks.

 

Manifestation would be possible, but the hardness would be low, so both the Barrier and my head would burst together.

 

The best method is to dodge.

 

I just need to duck my body. But with my athletic ability, I can’t duck.

 

Right now, the only thing I can move is Magic Power…

 

Wait.

 

If I can move Magic Power, couldn’t I control my body with that Magic Power?

 

Body movement ultimately depends on commands from the brain. That’s an electrical mechanism. It’s definitely within the range that Magic Power can imitate.

 

In other words, I just need to directly stimulate the central nervous system with my Magic Power!

 

Crackle—-

 

The sound of Electric Current sparking. I send Magic Power through the nervous system, sending a reflex signal to my body.

 

Duck your body.

 

Swoosh.

 

My upper and lower body smoothly tilted. The zombie’s arm slowly brushed past.

 

I gave the same command to my hands, raised the Pistol, and pulled the Trigger. Blue sparks flew.

 

Bang. The explosive bullet dug into the zombie’s forehead and exploded inside its skull.

 

Immediately after, time was restored.

 

“…Ugh.”

 

I discovered a new application of Sequence.

 

The problem is, the strain on muscles is quite severe. Just ducking my body downward, and my whole body aches.

 

“Julione. Do you have any Painkiller?”

 

─Hoot.

 

Julione laughed. As if she knew this would happen, she showed the truck’s rear. Medicine bottles and syringes were stuck with tape.

 

─Use Ecote. It’s a Painkiller and recovery medicine with no side effects.

 

“Yes. That’s good.”

 

I injected Ecote. The pain was immediately relieved.

 

It has great synergy with one of my Traits, 【Body That Responds Well to Medicine】.

 

─Well then, let’s go now.

 

Julione also seemed quite relaxed. Happy to be helpful, the truck wheels bounced cheerfully.

 

“But where are we going?”

 

─To the Server Room. Escort ships handle not only police escort duties but also security. In other words, the server is connected to other ships. If we restore it, we’ll be able to monitor quite a large portion of Cosmos.

 

“Yes. Let’s go.”

 

I walked.

 

Spark! Crackle!

 

But sparks keep flying from near the ceiling. It’s electric current flowing from torn wiring.

 

Spark!

 

“Ah, that stings.”

 

Just as a small spark lightly touched the back of my neck.

 

Whirr, thud. Whirr, thud.

 

Something appeared.

 

It was a robot.

 

“…What’s that robot supposed to be.”

 

─It’s a police robot. Nickname is Security. It’s a troublemaker.

 

It has a drum-like body with only arms and legs attached. It’s definitely less cute compared to Aro.

 

That robot approached.

 

〔 Life form confirmed. 〕

 

〔 Please provide identification. 〕

—————
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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