Chapter 8: Labyrinth Libarintos (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 8: Labyrinth Libarintos (2)
Jinhyuk peeked at Park Ha-na's status window using the 'Eye of Truth'.
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Name: Park Ha-na
Gender: Female
Age: 22
Level: 1
Strength: 4, Agility: 5, Stamina: 5, Mana: 10
Available Stat Points: 0
Coins: 100
Class: None
Unique Ability: Communion
Skills: Lv1 'Fast Walk', Lv1 'Faint Healing'
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Communion.
It allowed the user to naturally become close to someone they had just met, and even erase any sense of wariness or incompatibility.
For Jinhyuk, who needed to lower his targets' guard to copy their abilities, this was more necessary than anything else.
Besides,
'It will also be a huge help in taming [that guy] later.'
At first, he had planned to just bring her along to clear traps in the labyrinth.
But he had changed his mind.
'I can't let this one slip away.'
He had to get his hands on it.
Jinhyuk checked Park Ha-na's copy conditions.
[Copy Condition: Accompany Park Ha-na for at least 240 hours. However, at the exact moment the 240 hours elapse, there must be no other individuals present besides you and Park Ha-na.]
240 hours.
In other words, they had to be together for ten days to satisfy the copy condition.
'So the other five aren't needed...'
It didn't explicitly say he had to kill them.
'It's not like I'm some bloodthirsty murderer.'
As long as they didn't cross the line, he could just use them as needed and then go their separate ways.
But.
If they did cross the line.
That would be a completely different story.
'Because I, too, have resolved to survive in this world.'
After carefully reading the conditions once more, Jinhyuk spoke.
"So, why did you approach me instead of heading to the hunting grounds?"
"Before I answer that, may I ask you one thing first?"
"Go ahead."
"The place you're about to enter right now... it's a labyrinth, right?"
"That's correct."
"I knew it..."
Park Ha-na bit her lip, as if her prediction had been spot on.
Then, she got straight to the point.
"We want to go with you."
"With me...?"
"Yes. Wouldn't it be better to go together as a group rather than alone? They say the more you share the risk, the better."
Although she smiled sweetly, he saw her hand drifting toward her side.
She called it a suggestion, but her hand was already reaching for a concealed weapon at her waist.
'That looks like the giant squash bee stinger from the museum's insect exhibition room.'
The others flinched slightly, their hands also creeping toward their weapons.
How amusing.
So, in other words...
'They're planning to pull something inside the labyrinth, and against me of all people?'
Jinhyuk lightly gestured toward the entrance of the labyrinth with his palm.
"Do as you please."
You want to enter the labyrinth?
Go right ahead.
However, while entering might be up to you, leaving certainly won't be.
* * *
[You have entered the Labyrinth 'Libarintos'.]
[Number of challengers: 7]
As they stepped into the labyrinth, the damp, sticky air clung to his skin.
This smell.
This sensation.
Only now did it truly sink in.
The fact that he had entered the Tower.
Jinhyuk quickly scanned the labyrinth walls.
Bright lights illuminated the dark interior.
They came from hundreds of 'Luminous Moths'.
They were widely known to serve as light sources in underground dungeons or labyrinths, but...
This place was an exception.
Jinhyuk moved his five fingers at regular intervals.
Slowly curling them... then quickly spreading them out again.
As if mimicking the fluttering of wings.
Once.
Twice.
And... thrice.
Then,
With a soft flutter,
A single moth landed on Jinhyuk's hand.
Its glowing dust quickly dyed his hand in a bright light.
'Yeah, good to see you too.'
A faint smile played on Jinhyuk's lips.
It was then.
"Come to think of it, we haven't even introduced ourselves yet."
Park Ha-na struck up a conversation from beside him.
Jinhyuk carefully placed the moth back on the wall before replying.
"Ah. Things were quite hectic, after all."
Since they had to get everyone inside before the labyrinth entrance closed completely, there had been no time to exchange pleasantries.
But now that they were inside, they had some breathing room.
"I'm Park Ha-na. I'm 22, and I've been up to the 2nd floor of the Tower of Trials before," Park Ha-na introduced herself.
At that, the others chimed in as if they had been waiting for their turn.
"I'm Jang Cheol-sik. I played around a bit on the 1st floor of the Tower of Trials before quitting."
"I'm Lee Hye-min. I've only made it to the 1st floor as well."
"Jang Mi-na. Up to the 3rd floor of the Tower..."
"Call me Cheon Min-guk. I've never even touched this Tower of Trials thing."
"I'm Do Gwang-woo. This is my first time too."
They were all eagerly shouting out their names, but...
To Jinhyuk's ears, it sounded a bit different.
"I'm Extra 1, destined to die to a trap!"
"I'm going to be used as bait when things get dangerous while running away!"
"Haha! I'll stand guard diligently every night and serve up delicious meals!"
Something like that.
Since they would inevitably stab him in the back at the last moment to avoid sharing the rewards, there was no need to memorize each of their names.
The corner of Jinhyuk's mouth twitched slightly.
'A raid party where everyone is trying to kill each other...'
It seemed he wouldn't have time to be bored.
"I'm Kang Jinhyuk."
"So it's Jinhyuk... I see. By the way, Jinhyuk, have you been to this labyrinth before?"
Now that they had exchanged names, Park Ha-na clung to him even more closely.
[Park Ha-na activates her unique ability 'Communion'.]
Instantly, a ticklish energy washed over his body, making him feel relaxed and drowsy.
His mind grew peaceful.
'So this is how it works.'
If he hadn't known about her ability, he would have felt a sudden sense of intimacy toward her.
Thinking they had great chemistry, or that she was someone trustworthy.
Just like the common saying, "having a good first impression."
"I was lucky enough to discover this labyrinth in the past."
"Wow. You're much more amazing than I thought! It's an honor to go with you."
Park Ha-na's eyes sparkled slightly.
So she was trying to lower his guard by flattering him.
He didn't know who she thought she was playing with such shallow tricks.
Letting out a chuckle, Jinhyuk deliberately played along with a boastful tone.
"Of course. There's probably no one who knows this labyrinth better than I do."
"Ah... I see."
"No, seriously. Even the world's most famous players wouldn't be able to hold a candle to me. The line of people begging me for strategy tips would wrap around a school yard twelve times. Haha."
"..."
Park Ha-na looked utterly dumbfounded.
Bluffing was one thing, but this was ridiculous.
At this rate, there was no point in flattering him.
"Th-then, could you tell us what kind of monsters are in this labyrinth and what their characteristics are? You can do that, right?"
"That's easy enough."
Let's see.
What was in here again?
"First of all, this labyrinth changes its layout at regular intervals."
"Huh? What do you mean by that?"
"It's called 'Labyrinth Modification'. Ah, looks like it's just about time."
Jinhyuk stopped dead in his tracks.
At that exact moment.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
The entire labyrinth began to vibrate violently.
Dust accumulated on the ceiling showered down, and cracks split across the floor and walls.
"Aaaah!"
"Wh-what is this?!"
"Kyaaaah!"
Screams erupted from all directions.
It was only natural, as the ground surged upward or collapsed downward, and massive boulders shifted forward, backward, left, and right.
"D-dodge! Don't stick together, spread out!"
"Damn it! If you get crushed, you're dead!"
"It's coming! Right! Look to your right!"
Thud!
Crash!
The rapidly moving boulders formed fast and complex patterns, much like a game of Tetris.
Boom!
Everyone threw themselves out of the way frantically to avoid being crushed by the rocks.
Their knees were scraped and bleeding, but they didn't even have the luxury to worry about such minor injuries.
Rumble, rumble...
The vibrations finally stopped a few minutes later.
The path had completely changed from before.
If there was any silver lining, it was that the group hadn't been separated.
"Huff... huff..."
Their chests heaved.
"To think a labyrinth like this is on the 1st floor..."
"This makes no sense. Weren't all the places on the 1st floor, except for the ruins, supposed to be mediocre?"
While everyone else was panting heavily, their faces pale with fright, Jinhyuk casually brushed the dust off his clothes.
"Hasn't everyone experienced a shifting labyrinth at least once?"
"Wh-who on earth has experienced something like that?!" Park Ha-na shrieked, her face white as a sheet.
"If you say so," Jinhyuk shrugged.
He then called over the Luminous Moths once more and began gathering their dust.
Humming a tune was a bonus.
Seeing his carefree attitude, Park Ha-na felt curses rising to the back of her throat.
But she barely managed to hold them back.
There was a more important matter at hand right now.
"We need to get out of here right now. Hye-min, can you find the exit?"
"Well... when the labyrinth shifted just now, my ability was canceled."
Lee Hye-min shook her head with a gloomy expression.
Her unique ability was 'Compass'.
It was an ability that displayed the safest route in dungeons or labyrinths.
The only reason Park Ha-na had confidently entered this unfamiliar place was because she trusted this ability.
But.
Now, that ability was useless.
Because the labyrinth had newly shifted.
And it would continue to shift in the future.
"Th-then, does that mean we can't find the exit?"
"We're... trapped in here?"
* * *
'So that's why they were so confident entering the labyrinth.'
To think they relied on a mere navigation ability.
Eavesdropping on their conversation, Jinhyuk swallowed his laughter.
Spoken like true newbies. They treated a labyrinth like a trip to the local grocery store.
'Setting those fools aside, it's about time for that guy to show up...'
Jinhyuk glanced at the moth dust on his hand.
When body odor and the dust mixed, a special substance was secreted.
One with a very distinct scent.
Right on cue.
Thump. Thump.
A faint sound echoed from far away.
The others were too busy raising their voices to notice.
But Jinhyuk felt it clearly.
Something roaming this labyrinth was approaching.
* * *
"A shifting labyrinth?! Why on earth didn't you tell us something so important beforehand?!"
Park Ha-na raised her voice.
Keep it down. My ears hurt.
And besides.
"Did I ask you to follow me?"
"...What?"
"Didn't you guys say you wanted to come along? It's not like I dragged you here by force."
You guys said you wanted to come.
And now you're raising your voice at me?
"Th-that might be true, but..."
Park Ha-na stammered.
She wanted to argue back, but she couldn't think of anything to say.
"Is that your excuse, you bastard?! I'm already pissed off being trapped in a place like this, and if you flap your mouth one more time, I'll fucking kill you!"
Cheon Min-guk, who was standing nearby, roared.
Hmm. I need Park Ha-na, so I'll let her slide.
But you? Not so much.
Jinhyuk scratched his head and stepped in front of Cheon Min-guk.
"You're free to squeal like a pig all you want, but you'd better lower your voice."
"What?"
"Ah! I guess you couldn't understand human language. Oink, oink oink. Oiiiink! Oink-oink-oink. Did you get that? I was trying to tell you to shut up."
"Y-you motherfucker!"
His face turning beet red, Cheon Min-guk swung his fist.
The attack flew straight toward Jinhyuk's chin.
Swoosh.
Jinhyuk lightly tilted his head to dodge it.
At the same time, he tripped him, throwing off his center of gravity.
"Huh? ...Whoa!"
Flailing his arms, Cheon Min-guk fell flat on his face.
Crack!
Jinhyuk stomped on Cheon Min-guk's wrist.
As he applied his weight, a sickening sound of bones snapping echoed through the air.
"Aaaaargh!"
"Shh! Keep it down. Haven't you heard the saying, 'Don't scream inside a labyrinth'?"
"Ugh... you crazy bastard. If you wanted me to be quiet, why did you break my wrist?!"
"Even after I told you, you still haven't learned your lesson."
"What?"
"That mouth of yours. It's too foul."
Jinhyuk's expression turned ice-cold.
From top.
To bottom.
Thud!
His foot slammed into Cheon Min-guk's face.
Since he had put his full weight into it, the impact was beyond imagination.
"Squeeeal!"
His front teeth shattered completely, and a fountain of blood sprayed out.
"Aren't you taking this too far? Just because he swung his fist once..."
"Y-yeah. How can a person..."
"Be so cruel?"
Park Ha-na and the others seemed quite shocked.
Of course, it was ridiculous.
Taking it too far to crush someone who tried to attack him?
It wasn't like this was some shonen manga where he should say, "Come back when you're stronger."
Why show mercy to an enemy who had already bared their fangs?
'I'm not that much of a righteous person.'
Besides, this wasn't some ethics class to debate humanity.
"Don't worry. I won't kill him."
In fact, there was no need to.
Because...
Glance.
Jinhyuk peered into the darkness shrouding the corridor.
'It's time for that guy to show up, drawn by this commotion and the smell of blood.'
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Footsteps began to echo.
Unlike before, they were loud and clear enough for everyone to hear.