Chapter 58

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Translator: 8uhl

Chapter: 58

Chapter Title: Seoul Station Labyrinth

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The tricky part about labyrinth gates wasn't just that entry became impossible the moment the quest appeared. No, the real killers were the countless traps scattered throughout.

It's like the Minotaur's labyrinth from Greek myth. Inside, there are traps made with magic and unknown technologies that even modern science can't comprehend, lurking everywhere.

That's why, when regular hunters tried to clear a labyrinth gate, they lost their lives to these traps more often than to monsters.

Monsters, you can handle somehow. But traps? Impossible to deal with. No experience with them.

For that reason, countless hunters avoided labyrinth gates.

No matter how experienced a hunter was, the unknown magic and traps were designed to catch them off guard.

And right now.

Shh!

Kang Hyuk, who had just entered the gate, was facing one such trap.

Shh-shh-shh-shh!

A space shrouded in darkness, where shapes were indistinguishable.

Every time he took a step, eerie noises accompanied something flying toward him.

Proof that a trap had triggered.

Ting-ting-ting!

But Kang Hyuk didn't pay it much mind.

He had already finished all his preparations against these traps.

Yggdrasil's Cloak. A mythical item that defends against all physical and magical attacks.

As if to prove its power wasn't exaggeration, the widely unfurled Yggdrasil's Cloak shielded Kang Hyuk from the arrows pouring in from all directions.

His lips curled into a smile at that, but then a different noise reached his ears.

Kwachak!

The floor collapsed beneath him simultaneously.

From within, massive flames that devoured the darkness erupted upward.

Roooar!

But even this time, the fluttering Yggdrasil's Cloak prevented the flames from singeing even a single thread of his clothes.

Woooong-!

A Magic Shield had activated at some point.

The shield didn't just suppress the flames—it extinguished them completely.

At that sight, the smile on Kang Hyuk's lips deepened.

I didn't get this cloak for this, but it's providing perfect support anyway.

He had taken the cloak from storage to prepare for dangers greater than the labyrinth.

But it was such a great item that, even now, it served as reliable firepower.

Now, all that's left is the labyrinth's guardian and monsters... From what I know, the monsters in Seoul Station's labyrinth are salamanders.

A D-rank otherworldly lizard known for its violent temper and fire breath.

Which means it's no real threat to me.

With the numerous items equipping his body and the soul stone from the Warlord gripped in his hand, his power was nearing that of an A-rank hunter.

In that sense, the otherworldly lizard was just a fire-breathing reptile.

The only mildly concerning thing is the guardian, the Minotaur... It's C-rank, around Warlord level. Not a monster I can't handle with my current strength.

That's why Kang Hyuk's lips curled up.

Considering every situation, all the dangers the labyrinth boasted had been neutralized from the moment he entered.

In other words, it's all in the palm of my hand.

But what he wanted wasn't just a simple clear.

The countless citizens trapped here. Saving their lives.

With that thought, his eyes flashed.

A power awakened simultaneously.

Several scents hit him at once.

Among them, he pinpointed the smell of people gathered nearby and crouched down.

Compared to clearing the labyrinth, the safety of the citizens trapped here comes first. I can't save everyone, but I need to rescue as many as possible while clearing it.

With that thought, the ground compressed beneath him.

His body shot forward like a spring, moving faster than the wind toward the scene.

Kwa-kwa-kwang!

Numerous traps blocked his path, but Yggdrasil's Cloak prevented them from halting his advance.

After sprinting frantically for about ten minutes like that.

"...Kya啊啊啊啊악!"

A shrill scream pierced his ears.

Kang Hyuk narrowed his eyes and accelerated, barely managing to grab the head of a salamander about to devour a high school girl.

Kkieh?

The salamander tilted its head at the touch.

Kkieh-ek?

It struggled to escape the grip clutching its head.

But—

Thwack!

The moment Kang Hyuk's fist clenched, its resistance was forcibly ended, and something green burst out.

The eyes of the fallen high school ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠girl widened at the sight.

"Wh-who?"

"Hunter from the Association."

With a curt reply, Kang Hyuk helped the girl to her feet and raised his head.

The moment he tried to check the citizens' conditions.

Hm?

He spotted something unexpected and muttered in surprise.

A doppelganger? Why the hell is one of those here?

Less a living creature and more a magical construct, it was cunning and insidious.

The thing was hiding among the citizens, cleverly disguised.

It mimics specific objects or creatures to infiltrate groups, sow discord, and wipe them out.

Because of that, there had been cases where two B-rank hunters and 400 others sent to subjugate a C-rank otherworld were completely annihilated by a single doppelganger.

So that's why the future Seoul Station labyrinth had so many casualties... A dangerous bastard like that was here.

With that thought, Kang Hyuk hardened his expression.

Then I need to rescue them even faster. With that thing around, the citizens are more likely to fracture from it than the labyrinth or monsters.

He advanced without hesitation.

"Wh-what? Who are you? A hunter here to save us...?"

In the meantime, the doppelganger cried ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠out in a human voice.

"I said tell us who you are!"

Kang Hyuk narrowed his eyes at the repulsive sight.

And without hesitation, he thrust out his fist.

The moment—

"Huh?"

Blood sprayed out, and the surrounding darkness receded.

Messages appeared before his eyes simultaneously, and the people regained their lost vision, letting out gasps of awe.

"Wh-what is it?"

"Is it over?"

"Are we saved?"

Amid their cries, the high school girl in Kang Hyuk's arms—Han Hee-jin—wiped something off her cheek.

Blood?

Scarlet blood.

Her mouth fell open, but the blood droplets between her fingerprints suddenly turned silver and vanished.

A sight incomprehensible by normal logic drew a small gasp from her.

And the moment she naturally looked up.

"Huh?"

She blinked at the face of the man holding her.

This face... looks familiar...

Then, her eyes caught a small badge peeking from between his crisp suit jacket.

The unique emblem worn only by Association hunters made Han Hee-jin pause, her mouth agape.

She looked up again to confirm the man's face and gasped in shock.

"Giant... Kang Hyuk?"

The hero who had rocked the world was right before her eyes.

Just as Han Hee-jin recognized Kang Hyuk, the receding darkness allowed the surrounding people to notice him too.

No, they had no choice but to notice.

"Uh... that guy?"

"Isn't that him?"

"Th-that... Kang Hyuk?"

"Th-that... S-rank talent guy is here?"

"...Mom! I've seen that guy on TV a lot!"

TV, NutTube, the internet.

Wherever you looked, he was the most talked-about and famous man in Korea right now. Impossible not to know.

Because of that, the 400 citizens in the plaza erupted in cheers.

"If—if Giant Kang Hyuk is here!!"

"Doesn't that mean we can survive?"

"Yeah, we can survive!! An S-rank talent holder is here!"

The labyrinthization wasn't over yet, but the man before them was enough to instill hope.

Han Hee-jin was no different.

"Wow..."

For a year, she'd cut off the internet and her phone for college entrance exams.

Even so, she'd heard Kang Hyuk's astonishing feats so often her ears blistered.

A guy like this... is here!

She forgot the current situation for a moment, sneaking peeks at the legendary hero.

...In times like this, my fame spreading far and wide is definitely helpful.

The people cheering and gazing at him.

Kang Hyuk looked back at them and made a cool-headed judgment.

Truth be told, when a space like this forms and traps civilians, the scariest thing isn't monsters or traps—it's panic disorder.

Unprecedented unknown events and situations.

They draw out the maximum fear humans can feel.

Especially when that fear ties directly to their lives, ordinary people could lose their minds.

In that sense, this cheering was very good.

No matter what I say, I can't save people lost to panic. But in this state... at least they won't go mad with fear.

So, Kang Hyuk decided to make good use of the cheers and immediately spoke up.

"Everyone, could you listen to me for a moment?"

At his words, the cheers and applause stopped as all eyes focused on him.

"Seoul Station as a whole has been overtaken by a gate—a labyrinthized one."

One man raised a question at the explanation.

"L-labyrinthization? Does that mean we're all trapped here?"

"Yes. Labyrinthization isn't a normal gate. It's a mutation where a certain area gets sealed in a massive barrier, and the terrain changes. In other words, you all and I have been thrown into a giant maze full of monsters."

Everyone paled at his answer.

"M-monsters?"

"Trapped?"

"Then... what happens to us?"

Catching their panic, Kang Hyuk continued immediately.

"But there's no need to worry."

"...?"

"No matter what happens, I'll protect you all."

A confident declaration.

Some raised their eyebrows at it, then bit their lips anxiously.

Even with S-rank talent...

Can he save all of us?

I heard he's only C-rank now... Isn't that dangerous?

Rumors about Kang Hyuk were rampant.

Some thought they were exaggerated.

In that sense, even with S-rank talent, it was hard to take his words at face value.

Then Kang Hyuk spoke.

"This isn't just to reassure you. This labyrinth gate is D-rank. Compared to my current power, it's not that dangerous."

He activated the bracelet's effect from Bureau Chief Lee Hyun-wook.

The citizens' gazes gathered on him instantly.

The hesitation from moments ago had mostly vanished.

But this alone isn't enough.

Thanks to the leadership effect, they wouldn't reject his words, but in a trap-filled labyrinth, he needed stronger trust.

With that thought, Kang Hyuk bowed without hesitation.

"...!"

The citizens' eyes widened at the unexpected sight.

"So please cooperate. To conquer the labyrinth, we must go deeper. But I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠can't leave you behind."

Then, to their shock, he continued.

"You might think it's ridiculous, but... please enter the labyrinth with me. I guarantee your safety. Trust me and come inside."

It was incomprehensible.

The man in charge bowing and pleading like that.

We're the ones begging to be saved...

Don't abandon us, and he's the one asking?

Why is he pleading?

Of course, entering the labyrinth willingly made no sense.

But if the on-site lead hunter said it, who would refuse?

Yet Kang Hyuk was pleading instead of pulling rank.

That's why they ultimately accepted.

...He's really asking for our permission.

Respecting us...

And so.

Clap-clap...

Moved, Han Hee-jin started clapping.

Her applause woke a few others.

Clap-clap-clap...

They joined in.

The applause spread ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠contagiously, but for a different reason than fear.

"Of course!"

"We'll trust and follow you, so don't bow!"

"I saw on NutTube some dog-like guys run off to save their own skins! Please don't do that!"

Kang Hyuk smiled at them.

Sincerity doesn't always work, but it does in the most crucial moments.

He nodded at the citizens looking at him with eyes full of trust, then turned.

"Then let's move."

The 400 rescued citizens followed, swallowing hard.

"I'll handle all the traps and monsters ahead. Your job is just to follow me without falling behind."

Darkness fell again simultaneously.

But the citizens didn't tremble like before.

Roooar!

An S-rank talent fist blazing with fire.

It lit the path ahead.

As the 400 citizens moved into the labyrinth staring only at one man's back.

Han Hee-jin muttered with her mouth agape.

"What... is that?"

She could feel it simultaneously.

Bam!

A narrow world of desks and school.

That world.

Kwa-kwa-kwa-bam!

Shattered completely by the scene before her eyes.

"Hoo!"

Kang Na-eun let out a heavy sigh as she slung the bow— a gift from Team Leader Kang—onto her back.

"I-is it over?"

"Did we survive?"

The rescued citizens pressed her immediately.

Swallowing her irritation, Kang Na-eun muttered.

For some reason, these people are scarier than the labyrinth monsters.

An hour since entering the labyrinth per Team Leader Kang's orders.

In that time, Kang Na-eun had swiftly rescued people trapped in one block of the labyrinth, secured a safe zone, and hidden there.

As Team Leader said, moving cautiously considering it's a labyrinth let me avoid traps, but...

She faced an unexpected problem.

"Say something!"

"Aren't we all gonna die like this?"

A few among the rescued hostages.

They started causing a ruckus, screaming for guarantees of their lives.

Kang Na-eun could only click her tongue.

...I get how they feel, but please stay quiet! Stirring up noise like this makes everyone else more anxious!

Anxiety and fear are contagious.

Especially when tied to death—impossible to contain the spread.

In that sense, such petty shouts and chaos were enough to unsettle people trapped in a sealed space.

"Mom—!"

"Waaah..."

"Shut that kid up!"

"What if monsters come swarming?!"

Thus, Kang Na-eun's nerves were more on the 900 citizens behind than the labyrinth monsters that could strike anytime.

And this worry soon became reality.

"Kang Na-eun, how about threatening to isolate anyone who yells?"

"Haa... Their noise is driving us crazy. We barely have enough time staying quiet, and they're blabbing like that."

"They're not even fighting the monsters themselves—why are they like this?"

Players coincidentally at Seoul Station, now trapped.

Extreme remarks spilled from those who should be protecting her and the civilians.

Kang Na-eun furrowed her brow.

This is bad...

When unity was needed most, division was an ill omen.

She had to rally them somehow, but it wasn't easy.

"Shut up over there!"

"Wh-what? Shut up?"

"Being noisy brings monsters! So close your mouths!"

"You, you!! How old are you? Do you know how old I am..."

Different affiliations, statuses—all varied.

Uniting them was practically impossible.

Last resort is crushing them with force... But.

Even she didn't feel good about it.

Naturally, a certain man's back came to mind.

In a situation like this... what would Team Leader Kang do?

As she thought of that back and tried to calm things.

The mana communicator in her ear.

The voice of the man she'd just been thinking of came through.

"Team Leader Kang!"

[Yes, Team Leader Kang here. Since comms work, you must be nearby.]

At his usual calm voice, Kang Na-eun sighed in relief.

She quickly reported the situation.

"I've secured 900 citizens. Including 10 hunters caught in the labyrinthization."

[Good sign. More hunters mean more people we can protect. I'll join you there. Stay put.]

She smiled at his reply.

Then let out a relieved sigh.

Now we're good! With Team Leader Kang here... we can resolve this!

As she thought that and refocused ahead, forgetting her anxiety for a moment.

"Huh?"

A hunter beside her pointed.

"I sense a presence!"

At his words, the noisy citizens fell silent, and the 10 hunters plus Kang Na-eun raised their weapons.

One hunter cautiously asked.

"...Should we strike first?"

Kang Na-eun narrowed her eyes.

"..."

Even with her One Strike Must Kill talent eyes, discerning whatever lurked in the darkness wasn't easy.

She had no choice but to hesitate.

Team Leader said he's coming... What if that's him?

After a moment's deliberation, Kang Na-eun lowered her hand.

"Let's wait a bit more. We just got comms—he should be joining us soon."

The hunters beside her widened their eyes.

"...Team Leader? You mean that Team Leader Kang, Kang Hyuk?"

"Whoa! The rumored S-rank talent is here!"

Kang Na-eun nodded at their reaction.

"Yes. So let's proceed carefully. We can't attack Team Leader Kang."

In the meantime, the darkness rippled.

And it approached steadily.

Kang Na-eun spoke up as representative.

"Who's there?"

Something in the darkness barked back.

Woof!

Everyone present blinked at the reply.

Kang Na-eun tilted her head.

"...Dog bark?"