Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 43 (Part 1): Believer (3)

Lying on my bed back at the lodging, I let my thoughts wander.

What’s going to happen in [Plaza]?

The situational labyrinth is tomorrow, and Kim Doo-gyeom is probably already scheming to tilt things in his favor.

*If it’s like what I saw before my regression—*

No. I stopped myself.

Too much had already changed. The most dangerous element in executing a plan wasn’t a new threat—it was the variables that emerged from familiarity. It’s easier to wipe my mind clean and start from scratch.

In that regard, the difficulty of [Plaza] had likely skyrocketed. Every labyrinth I’d encountered so far had been like that.

It was safe to assume a situation beyond Kim Doo-gyeom’s—and my own—comprehension would unfold. So rather than waste time strategizing with that bastard, it’d be better to stay in the shadows and adjust to whatever the other seven do.

*Knock knock—*

“?”

A visitor.

I got up and opened the door. Kate stood there, flawless even this late at night.

“…Can I help you?”

“I came to talk. May I come in?”

I’m not used to playing host.

I stepped aside. She took off her shoes and sat at the table.

*Should I offer coffee?*

As I hesitated, Kate spoke.

“Do you find Kim Doo-gyeom… unsettling?”

An odd question. I sat across from her, tearing open a bag of chips—the green ones, because I was Team Green.

“Well…”

I dumped the chips onto the table.

“I don’t trust Kim Doo-gyeom.”

“Neither do I. I can’t fully rely on him either.”

Kate picked up a chip.

“He manipulated Lee Jun-ho into choosing his preferred option. A minor thing, but genuinely kind people don’t act like that. Those who flaunt kindness as their strength are rarely kind.”

Kate was sharp. But this wasn’t her true intent. She was here to mediate—pretending to agree while coaxing cooperation. A negotiator.

“What’s your point?” I asked.

Kate answered with another question.

“Why do you dislike Kim Doo-gyeom so much?”

A reason to dislike him? There isn’t one.

Not like he’s been tormenting others or crushing the weak all his life.

“Hmm. Does there need to be a reason for one person to dislike another?”

Well, if I had to pick one—

“Maybe because it’s fun?”

A crease formed between Kate’s brows.

“What a petty thrill.”

*Thrill? What’s ‘thrill’? Is it similar to ecstasy?*

I responded casually.

“Could be.”

Kate grabbed a handful of chips.

“That wasn’t much of an answer.”

She stood. My response must’ve disappointed her.

Kate hated waste—if persuasion was futile, she wouldn’t waste time.

“Ask Kim Doo-gyeom the same thing,” I added as she left.

“What he thinks of someone who dislikes him for no reason.”

“……”

Kate left without another word.

* * *

Gangwon-do, the live concert hall for「Labyrinth Exploration NaN」

Ishia arrived. The line was enormous—4,000 live audience members.

“Hoo…”

Truth be told, Ishia had agonized over this. She’d managed to snag a ticket, but Seol Ha-woon, who’d somehow become her top pick, was currently… well, not doing great.

MyWordIsAbsolute. MyWordIsAbsolute.

Her neurosis had gotten so bad she’d barely touched the internet for three days.

“Here’s your wristband for entry. You’re free to move around. Take your tablet too. Bathroom breaks are allowed, but it might take a while.”

“Thanks.”

She took the tablet and fastened the wristband.

Today, Ishia would see Seol Ha-woon in person. To figure out why she’d fixated on him—to either sever her attachment or reignite it.

She entered the stage area.

The space in front of the main stage was divided into eight sections, each with a monitor.

Ishia stood at the edge of the front row, scrolling through forums on her smartphone.

– “Anyone going to Labyrinth Exploration as audience today?”
– “Did anyone score tickets??”
– “On my way to see Kang Hyun in person…!”

Soon, the lights dimmed. Grandiose music swelled from backstage.

*Beep—*

Her smartphone shut off. The spoiler-prevention mana wavelength they’d warned about in advance.

Then, Yoo Ji-in appeared.

──”Labyrinth Exploration: NOW and NEVER. Welcome, live audience!”

Dressed like an idol, she strode under dazzling lights. ‘She’s pretty’, Ishia admitted, though there are quite a few industry rumors that her personality wasn’t great.

──”Hello! I’m Yoo Ji-in, representing the Nation’s Scouts.”

“Are you ready to meet your explorers?”

Yoo Ji-in hyped up the crowd with various remarks. The audience’s response was electric.

──”Your role is simple: Watch and evaluate the explorers. You all have your tablets, right?”

Ishia held hers up. Yoo Ji-in explained the process.

──”Once the labyrinth conquest begins, major events will broadcast on the main screen. The eight sub-monitors will show individual POVs (Point Of View). Switch between them and rate performances.”

“Feel free to move to the section of the explorer you’re rooting for.”

Ishia nodded. So that’s why free movement was allowed.

──”Note: The situational labyrinth is fictional. All labyrinth dwellers are mana constructs—don’t get too immersed. Blood, gore, and graphic scenes will be filtered, so don’t worry.”

A rapid-fire disclaimer, like reciting insurance terms.

──”Now…”

Yoo Ji-in smiled meaningfully. Ishia’s heart raced.

──”Let me introduce… the 96 explorers.”

The stage floor parted.

*Whirrr—*

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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