Chapter 184
Chapter 184
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 184
Chapter Title: The Great Labyrinth is Dangerous - 4
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Sung-ho exchanged awkward greetings with the people from the Korean Shelter.
Everyone was familiar, but one was meeting him for the first time.
Lee Sang-shin.
He bowed shyly to Sung-ho.
"I'm a telekinetic, just scraping by however I can."
"I've heard you're pretty strong."
"Compared to you, Sung-ho? Nah."
He was 30 years old, the same age as Sung-ho.
Even after some chit-chat, Sang-shin never mentioned being one of Sung-ho's viewers, which frustrated Mun So-yoon.
"Did you know? This guy was one of your viewers, Sung-ho."
"...My viewer? What's your ID?"
"Uh... You probably won't recognize it anyway."
"Let's hear it anyway."
Sung-ho showed interest, and Sang-shin's mouth opened.
"Gukbap Addict."
"Wait, really? Gukbap Addict? The one who converted everything's value into bowls of gukbap?"
Everyone burst into light laughter at Sung-ho's words.
In truth, Sang-shin had been nonstop talking about gukbap while traveling with the group.
Gukbap was Korea's greatest invention, crushing all other foods in cost-performance, he'd say.
After the apocalypse hit, he lamented day and night that he hadn't had a single bowl.
"That's me. With Poor Man and the barking dogs, we used to watch Kimbap Lover a lot—er, your stream."
"That Poor Man is Ji-man. I told you before, the guy animals love."
"Ah..."
Sang-shin realized belatedly at Hyung-jun's words.
Sung-ho asked him,
"By any chance, did you not see me before? When I first arrived at the Korean Shelter."
"N-No, I didn't."
It was a lie.
Sang-shin had definitely seen Sung-ho and even knew he was Kimbap Lover.
He'd just built up a wall preemptively, fearing Sung-ho wouldn't recognize him.
Life was good enough as it was.
Hyung-jun placed a hand on Sung-ho's shoulder.
"Anyway, Sung-ho. You doing well inside with everyone? Holding up okay?"
"Yeah, getting by just fine."
In truth, he was living more comfortably than he could have imagined.
No monsters, and it was paradise-worthy.
But with Ji-hye listening, he couldn't speak freely.
Meanwhile, the others, unfamiliar with Sung-ho's abilities, blinked in confusion.
What was "inside" supposed to mean?
Hyung-jun's face grew complicated.
Truth be told, he wanted in too.
But Ji-hye was uncomfortable around Sung-ho, so he couldn't even hint at it.
"Good to hear you're okay... Pass along our regards. So, you're all active down below now, right?"
"Hunting on the 3rd floor. Seok-hyun and Da-jeong are leading."
"The 3rd floor? While some of us are still wandering the 1st..."
"Whoa, already that far?"
Everyone seemed shocked.
Even the Chinese, who had seized key points, were still tussling without pushing through.
The Hannam-dong Clan had lost their guns and suffered total humiliation.
Sang-shin chuckled.
"Kimbap... uh, Sung-ho. You know the Great Labyrinth so well, this is basic for you."
"Have you cleared to the end...?"
"No, I haven't reached the deepest floor either."
The Great Labyrinth's difficulty spiked the deeper you went.
Struggles on the 1st floor were nothing.
Especially from the 5th floor, the jump was curse-worthy.
Sung-ho looked around at them.
"By the way... Sent from the Korean Shelter? You don't look very prepared."
His gaze fell on the glowstone Yoo Ji-hye held.
Jang Won-taek surely would've given them flashlights, so they must be short-staffed.
And these people came without asking—naive, really.
They just didn't know the environment...
"The president's place is in total chaos. No solid intel coming in, so they sent us."
"I see..."
Sung-ho fell silent.
Normally, Kim Hyun-woo would've stepped up.
He'd faithfully carried out Jang Won-taek's orders as his right-hand man.
But Sung-ho had killed him.
As the mood turned awkward, So-yoon spoke up.
"Uh, Sung-ho, wanna come with us? I know we're freeloading a bit."
Sung-ho snapped back and replied,
"Sorry, got business to handle... Take this first."
He pulled a plastic bag from his backpack and handed it to Hyung-jun.
Inside were black grapes.
"What's this?"
"Eat one, and you'll see decently in the dark. Gives a night vision buff."
"Whoa, for real...?"
"So cool."
"Try one each."
They ate, eyes widening.
The pitch-black view brightened up.
Not daylight clear, but enough to distinguish shapes.
"Ji-man grew these."
"Ji-man... He's really blooming under you."
"Yeah. Well, Hyung-nim, I'll head out first."
"Sure, take care."
Sung-ho bowed to Hyung-jun, then turned to Sang-shin.
"Sang-shin, let's catch up later."
"Pardon?"
What did "later" mean?
Sang-shin suddenly felt afraid of him.
Meanwhile, Mun Dae-ho and So-yoon marveled at the shadow grapes' effect.
"That guy's vibe's changed a lot. When we first met, he was ruthless and curt."
"Wasn't that 'cause you attacked him first? Who'd like that?"
"But I got hit, me."
"You struck first and still lost?"
As they bickered, Hyung-jun chimed in.
"Sung-ho's not a bad guy."
"Not saying he's bad, but the rumors..."
Dae-ho tried to gloss over, but Hyung-jun raised his voice.
"In the apocalypse, he had no choice sometimes. And he doesn't mistreat friends. Look at me—nothing special, yet he still treats me like hyung."
"True... Not that you're nothing, Hyung-jun."
Everyone nodded, but Sang-shin asked,
"Where's he headed, though?"
"Dunno... Hunting, probably."
"Heard it's noisy here 'cause of the Chinese. Maybe cleaning them up?"
"Hm..."
They exchanged glances.
If so, this was a prime chance for real intel.
Risky, but no risk, no gain.
Big rewards on the line this time...
Eyes met, but Hyung-jun opposed.
"Following Sung-ho blindly? We'd lose our shirts. Better stay put."
"Still..."
"If you insist, we'll go separate. Don't wanna get dragged into a fight and die."
Hyung-jun knew Sung-ho well—didn't want to tail and become a nuisance.
The others had no choice but to agree.
So-yoon pouted.
"Always wandering solo."
"He's confident, that's why."
"Killed an ogre—Chinese are no threat."
"Fair point."
Hyung-jun eyed the shadow grape bag.
Always receiving from Sung-ho, he felt pathetic today.
'Should've joined after all...'
But with his trait just body enhancement, big achievements were tough.
Being sturdy meant nothing before veterans.
One punch from Bunny Duo, and he'd be on death's door.
Inferiority complex, but a big issue for Hyung-jun.
That's why he'd courted Ji-hye as an excuse...
'Too late to turn back... I'm just ordinary.'
Ordinary folk have ordinary lives.
Better than begging Sung-ho against Ji-hye's wishes...
He steeled his resolve.
.
.
.
Navigating the Great Labyrinth is tough.
No real landmarks.
Various noises from everywhere mess with your senses.
But I have Heightened Senses.
Among the cacophony, Chinese voices pinpointed clearly.
Plus experience from endless wandering opens shortcuts.
Like now.
I spotted the Chinese occupying the water spring outpost.
Seven of them...
All ragged, huddled roasting a few rats.
Labyrinth rats, big as dogs.
"..."
Watching silently, a few started groping the two women.
"Hands off!"
"Touch us and see!"
"C'mon, let's have fun together..."
"Acting all high and mighty."
Even now, can't ditch lust.
Five men, yet not forcing it—praise-worthy?
Lots of flirting, but no useful info.
Grunts, probably.
No business with grunts, so I turned to leave when footsteps approached.
"Found it?"
"St... Still searching."
"Sigh... Why's that guy obsessed with useless Nightberries?"
"Gonna sell to the punks, I guess."
"Anyway, come back empty-handed, and heads roll. Hustle."
"Empty-handed? What do we get?"
"Hope those dogs eat 'em."
"Talking big trouble."
I tuned out the trash talk until key info hit.
New arrivals managed Nightberries.
Not top brass, mid-level.
I tailed them quietly.
Heightened focus caught their suspicion timing.
"Hear something just now?"
"Less talk, more check."
Classic lines.
By approach, I was in the dimension gate.
This repeated a few times until one pulled a gun, fed up.
"Come out! I know you're near!"
Tough guy.
But too loud?
Soon, cave squeaks and goblin horde appeared.
Smaller than usual goblins, but high-level: strong, agile.
No paralyze poison, but maze-grown toxic plants on spears—nasty.
Blurs vision bad.
They hurled spears; one man yelped and fell.
Fight started; I slipped away toward their destination.
"Nightberry smell..."
Game said sour scent—yep.
Heightened Senses: like piss, clinging to nose.
Smells bad, tastes good apparently—who knows.
Traced to outpost.
Filled with worn furnishings.
Full settlement.
Found Nightberry bags, dimension-gated them; urgent footsteps.
Not the goblin-fighters—others.
Hid; stern-faced man rushed in.
"Where's the Nightberries here?"
"D-Don't know."
"I said strengthen watch! Find them!"
"We'll search!"
Underlings left; stern man gnashed teeth, cursing someone.
"Damn Joo punk, sending useless trash like you..."
Joo for Joo Seung-soo?
Not close, from tone.
Man grumbled about Joo Seung-soo awhile.
Deep grudge?
Angry palm flickered flames.
Pyromancer...
Heard of, first sight.
Over Lv.15: long-range fire spray likely.
Rechecked goals.
Nightberries secured; next, kill brass.
Grunts scatter post-leadership fall.
First, snag his gun.
Checked gear, loaded slingshot pebble, fired.
"Rat?"
Weak hit, he turned unsuspectingly.
Pepper bomb flew, burst on nose bridge.
Tried waving; inhaled powder, eyes bulged.
"Grraaak!"
Too loud?
Panting echoed here.
Cave goblins emerged everywhere.
Keyheek!
Mid-range spear toss.
Normal he'd dodge; half-conscious, spears stuck thigh, side.
"Kkuhuk!"
Screamed, drew rifle.
As trigger pulled, my Emeras dagger thunked forearm.
"Guh!"
Done.
Goblin spears riddled chest.
Died without firing, head slumped trembling.
Eehee!
Goblins danced cheering.
Now.
Sprinted out, grabbed rifle, spun on goblins.
Kiit?
Tatata!
Holes in goblin heads.
Died clueless; I hid in gate again.
"Joo Seung-soo due soon..."
Speak of tiger; he was cautious.
Sudden outpost gunfire hail.
Someone suspicious shot.
Dead man's corpse jerked; dust rose from outpost.
Soon, a few checked body.
"De... Dead."
"That Kimbap Lover or whatever. Stay alert!"
Tense, they scanned.
Knew my ID—definite Joo Seung-soo.
Few猛dogs too.
Tempting beatdown, but save last pardon.
First, summon nearby monsters.
Pulled firecracker, lit.
Chinese love these...
Tossed out; Joo Seung-soo and crew paled.
"Bomb!"
< 대미궁은 위험해 - 4 > 끝