Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 42 (Part 1): Believer (2)

[T/N: This chapter contains strong language.]

The meeting lulled into a temporary silence. No one spoke.

Kate, who had stepped away, was brewing tea, while Lee Jun-ho and Kim Woo-hyun stared blankly into space—likely communicating through the NaN system, since private messaging was allowed.

Bet they’re talking sh*t about me.

I got up and headed to the restroom.

“Uh… Ha-woon-ssi.”

Not long after, Kim Doo-gyeom followed me in. I knew this would happen.

I washed my hands while eyeing him.

“If I’ve done something wrong…”

Here we go again. The pity act, the nice guy routine. So nauseating I could vomit yesterday’s kimchi fried rice.

“I’ll do my best to cooperate…”

I flicked water off my hands and stared him down.

“Hey.”

“…Yeees?”

I have a principle.

You don’t treat subhuman trash like a person.

“You fu*king piece of sh*t.”

I led with the insult.

“……”

Kim Doo-gyeom’s face stiffened.

“Who the hell do you think you are, talking to me?”

This was a test—a probe for his threshold. How much poking would it take for him to react? How hard did I have to hammer at him before that disgusting mask cracked and his true colors bled through?

“I won’t say it twice. Hand over the Scout role, or I’ll hunt you down and beat the crap out of you the second the labyrinth starts.”

“…What about the broadcast?”

“You think I give a sh*t? Did you miss Episode 2, you dumb fu*k? Huh? Piece of sh*t.”

The corner of Kim Doo-gyeom’s mouth twitched.

Not fear. Not hesitation. No, he was feeling the exact same thing I was.

If I had to sum it up in one word: F*cking pissed.

“You’ve got a foul mouth for 96th place. ‘Beat me up’? Do you even have the skills for that?”

A crack in his mask. Flakes of pretense crumbled—visible only to me.

I grinned.

“Yeah. You can look forward to it.”

“……”

Kim Doo-gyeom looked up at me. I looked down at him. A brief staring contest, then he exhaled sharply.

“Fine. Take the Scout role. Won’t change anything. Oh, and you do know anyone below 50th gets eliminated at the mid-vote, right?”

“Fu*k off.”

I flipped him off, my middle finger brushing the tip of his nose. He seethed, breath hot, but turned away without another word.

I smirked.

“…This’ll be fun.”

And no cameras in the restroom.

A sociopath with a clear goal is different. They’re something else.

***

“…Hyung. What are you gonna do?”

The meeting room after Seol Ha-woon and Kim Doo-gyeom left. Kim Woo-hyun spoke to Lee Jun-ho.

“About what?”

“We have to stop him, right? Even if it takes a duel or somthing. If Ha-woon becomes the Scout…”

Kim Woo-hyun was timid. That’s why Ha-woon’s military-style bluntness scared him. He was terrified before even experiencing it.

“I couldn’t clear the last survival labyrinth… I *have* to clear this one, hyung…”

“Relax. Don’t worry about the labyrinth. You’ve got me and Kate. Two S-tiers could clear it even if 96th here just loafs around.”

Despite his words, Lee Jun-ho didn’t doubt Ha-woon’s ability. He just hated being swayed by him.

“…Really?”

“Yeah. So focus on your own screentime.”

“Okay…”

Kim Woo-hyun still looked uneasy.

“…Hyung. What if we just strike first?! You don’t have to step in. I’ll handle it.”

“Stop. You can’t take him.”

“Why not? He’s 96th. I know plenty of attack spells!”

96th. Frankly, Lee Jun-ho found the ranking absurd.

“He’s stronger. Way stronger than 96th.”

Seol Ha-woon had endured the fires of war. Survived the battlefield where Seo Ji-hyuk died.

While Lee Jun-ho flaunted his title as the academy’s top explorer, Ha-woon had been killing people in real combat. The stench of blood clinging to him was too thick.

“…Got it.”

Kim Woo-hyun pouted.

“Good. Go meditate or something.”

Lee Jun-ho sighed and drew the longsword at his waist—a habit when stressed.

The blade reflected the room’s light, its blue gleam seeping into his pupils.

The sword is beautiful.

The act of cutting—beautiful. Uncomplicated. Pure. The art of dismantling an object’s structure.

A clean slice blooms like a flower bud. Elegance birthing aesthetics. Perhaps the purest form of beauty.

He ran a finger along the blade.

“Hyung. You’re bleeding.”

“……”

A bead of blood welled on his fingertip. Lee Jun-ho tensed. No matter how he played it off, Ha-woon was stressing him out.

He didn’t understand Ha-woon. His motives, his logic. What happened between him and Seo Ji-hyuk.

Conversely, Ha-woon seemed to know him too well. His gaze pierced too deep, making it hard to meet his eyes for long.

A man who reveals nothing yet sees through others. This trolling had to have a purpose…

Just then, Kim Doo-gyeom returned. Ha-woon stood behind him.

“I, uh, talked with Ha-woon-ssi.”

Kim Doo-gyeom’s complexion was slightly pale. His expression alone hinted at how the conversation went.

“I think it’s best if Ha-woon-ssi becomes the Scout. For the team’s success…”

[Alright~! Let’s begin the Scout selection vote!]

Yoo Ji-in, on the monitor, cut in with a bright smile.

Out of nowhere, she demanded a vote.

[Each team, write down your preferred Scout and submit it!]

Ha-woon’s face hardened. Kate nodded, satisfied.

“Guess we’re voting now. No choice.”

Dangun

I'm currently Translating the following novels: "Labyrinth Exploration 101" & "The Monarch Who Levels Up by Devouring " If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

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