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

The situation had shifted again. Originally, Scouts were decided internally within teams.

Was this Yoo Ji-in’s call, or the production team’s judgment that this would be more entertaining?

After a brief vote, Kim Doo-gyeom was elected Scout. He pretended to gauge my reaction while the other six sighed in relief.

I stayed silent.

I wouldn’t trust his intel anyway. My promise still stood.

I’ll sabotage, with everything I’ve got.

Who?

Kim Doo-gyeom.

[All 12 teams have finalized their Scouts!]
[Scouts cannot bring any electronic or mana-powered devices!]

Scouts had to rely solely on their natural abilities. The labyrinths they entered were in a pre-activated state, prohibiting artificial aids.

They’d grope through the twisted world, gathering fragments of information.

[Let’s announce the Scouts!]

Yoo Ji-in’s voice rang through the monitor. I glanced at Kim Doo-gyeom. He wore a near-tearful expression.

Of course. The cameras are rolling.

[Plaza Scout: Kim Doo-gyeom. Luxury Hotel Scout: Kang Hyun. Casino Scout: Lim Hae-jun…]

—

[ 05 : 00 ]

A timer appeared before his eyes.

“Tch…”

Kim Doo-gyeom exhaled sharply upon entering the labyrinth. Before even scouting the plaza, he gnashed his teeth.

“That fu*king bastard.”

He ripped off the suffocating mask of pretense.

“Should’ve just killed him. That goddamn crippled piece of—”

He couldn’t contain his rage. If they’d met outside, that crippled bastard’s skull would’ve been smashed in already. Maybe he should do it now—bash his face in and play dumb.

“Fu*ker. Sh*tstain. Bastard.”

*Thud. Thud. Thud.* He stomped the ground, venting, before finally surveying his surroundings.

──”Waaaah!!”
──”Councilman!! Please look over here!!”

A sea of people. Literally.

“The hell? why are there so many people?”

A politician stood on a central platform, flanked by his wife and daughter. Bodyguards swarmed around them.

The objective was obvious: VIP protection.

──”Everyone! Remember what I promised at ■■■? That I’d protect your ■■■?”

The crowd roared in response to the politician’s booming voice.

“Shut the fu*k up.”

Kim Doo-gyeom plugged his ears. Grimacing, he wove through the crowd, plotting his moment to shine.

There were a few oddballs in the mix. Their mana wavelengths differed from normal humans, and some carried concealed weapons.

The goal seemed clear: prevent the politician’s assassination.

His eyes darted around. Then—

A concrete building peeked from the distance. Far from the plaza, but he sprinted toward it.

“…!”

He ducked behind a tree. Armed figures lurked near the abandoned structure.

‘This is it.’

‘Something’s here.’

‘Which means—it’s mine.’

[ 2 : 00 ]

Only two minutes left. Even a pro Scout couldn’t gather much in five. A half-assed performance would suffice.

Kim Doo-gyeom jogged in place, panting, pretending to have scouted thoroughly while memorizing the building’s layout.

‘Gotta sprint straight here as soon as we start.’

***

“…There was a politician giving a speech in the plaza. Our goal’s probably protecting him.”

Back in the meeting room, Kim Doo-gyeom reported his findings.

“Also, there were people with weird mana wavelengths mixed in the crowd. You’ll know them when you see them. Most wore hats or hoods…”

He vaguely described their appearances, feigning diligence.

“I’ll sketch the plaza for you.”

He pulled out paper and pen, drawing from memory.

Kim Woo-hyun gasped.

“Doo-gyeom-hyung, you’re good at drawing.”

“Just a hobby…”

He smiled sheepishly, mapping the plaza’s layout.

“There was a guy who looked like the head bodyguard next to the speaker. His wife and daughter were seated behind him… Huge space.”

He detailed everything—the plaza’s structure, key figures, spatial arrangement.

No lies. It’d be on the broadcast, after all.

Kate nodded approvingly.

“We should divide sectors.”

“Ah, Kate-ssi.”

Kim Woo-hyun pointed.

“But that guy… doesn’t seem willing to cooperate.”

Seol Ha-woon. True to his word, he lounged in a rocking chair, sipping tea.

Kate shook her head.

“Ignore him.”

“Ignoring’s fine, but if he sabotages us—”

“For VIP protection, four in the plaza, three patrolling.”

Kate split the plaza like a pizza with her pen.

“I’ll take this sector.”

Lee Jun-ho claimed the top-right—close to the abandoned building Kim Doo-gyeom had scouted.

“There, uh, were suspicious people here…”

Kim Doo-gyeom quickly pointed to the opposite side—bottom-left.

“Really? Then I’ll go there.”

Lee Jun-ho, ever the battle junkie, took the bait. As an S-tier, he’d volunteer for tougher spots.

“I’ll… handle this side.”

Kim Doo-gyeom smoothly took the top-right sector Lee Jun-ho had initially picked.

Kate asked, “Any vantage points for sniping?”

“Uh… Well… I didn’t check that far. I was focused on memorizing the plaza itself. Sorry.”

A natural lie.

‘Like hell I’d tell you. I’m taking that screentime for myself.’

“It’s fine. This is plenty.”

“Glad to hear it…”

The team discussed assignments and strategies. Kim Doo-gyeom’s gaze flicked elsewhere.

Seol Ha-woon, sipping coffee.

‘I’d slice him up right now if I could.’ But he had to endure.

Just picture the character for ‘patience’ (忍) three times in my head. That loser would drop below 50th anyway. He’d be gone soon.’

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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