Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 43 (Part 2): Believer (3)

Amid the hum of machinery and the show’s theme song, all 96 explorers emerged.

Each armed—some at their waists, others on their backs, some gripping weapons outright.

Ishia’s eyes locked onto one.

He stood out. Had to. The only one with long hair. The only one with a staff.

Like a wizard straight out of comics or movies, embodying the stereotype perfectly.

Ishia stared at Seol Ha-woon.

Suddenly, his head tilted slightly.

Their eyes met.

Her heart pounded.

…Was it just her imagination?

* * *

10 Minutes Before Opening.

Backstage, staff scrambled and shouted.

“Everyone, step onto the platforms!”

As the 96th rank, I was at the very end.

“We’re starting the opening soon!”

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

Yoo Ji-in’s voice echoed beyond the walls. The 95th rank beside me sweated bullets, tense as hell.

He’s gonna drip on me.

“Going up! Expressions, people, expressions! Show your most confident faces!”

*Whirr.* The ceiling opened.

The platform ascended. Slowly, steadily.

This was the moment—my first appearance not as a viewer, but as a participant.

*Wahhhh—*

Deafening cheers flooded my ears. Glow sticks waved like a sea in the distance, and blinding lights hit us.

It felt a bit awkward. I’m no idol, after all.

I kept a neutral expression and glanced at the audience. My eyes met with a girl wearing glasses.

──”From now on, your explorers will enter the labyrinth.”

Yoo Ji-in’s voice boomed.

──”First team.”

One by one, the lights went out. Everything plunged into darkness.

──”Warrior Lee Jun-ho.”

A spotlight snapped on, illuminating only Lee Jun-ho on the stage.

*Wahhhh!*

The cheers were deafening. Fitting for Rank 1.

──”Archer Kate.”

Kate waved, smiling at her fans.

──”Mage Kim Woo-hyun.”

Then Kim Doo-gyeom, Ryu Wei, Jung Min-ki, Lee Jong-su, and so on…

──”Mage Seol Ha-woon.”

My turn got a mixed reaction. Some cheers, sure, but laced with what felt like mockery.

*Clap clap clap.*

A faint clapping sound stood out.

It was her—the glasses girl I’d locked eyes with.

I smirked. Couldn’t help it.

──”Team 1, enter the labyrinth!”

Mana light engulfed us.

[ Objective: Resolve the situation ]

Team 1 entered the labyrinth.

* * *

First attempt.

Entering the situational labyrinth, Kim Doo-gyeom checked the floating timer.

[ 10 : 00 ]

Only 10 minutes. The plaza was already packed shoulder-to-shoulder.

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

Listening to the booming speech, Kim Doo-gyeom headed to his assigned zone. He was in charge of the northeast sector—perfect for making a splash.

─”Confirming positions.”

Kate’s voice crackled through his earpiece.

‘Her voice is gorgeous’, he mused. ‘Maybe if this goes well…’

─”Report any threats you spot. I know it’s individual scoring, but let’s try to wrap this up in one go if we can.”

“Of course.”

Kim Doo-gyeom scanned the area—

──”Everyone!”

“Ugh.”

‘So damn loud. Did that politician swallow a megaphone?’

Covering one ear, he surveyed the surroundings—

“Huh?”

Then, he pretended to spot something. Narrowed his eyes dramatically.

“Is that…?”

An abandoned building he’d scouted earlier.

“Gotta check it out!”

He dashed off, parting the crowd—making sure his running form looked cool—and reached it in seconds.

“…Bodyguards?”

Two stood at the entrance. Kim Doo-gyeom hid behind a tree, muttering for the audience’s sake.

“No. Not bodyguards.”

Not a solo act, mind you—situation explanation. For the audience watching him right now.

“Disguised as bodyguards…”

Their uniforms were slightly off, and more importantly, they weren’t communicating. Real bodyguards in a situation like this would be on comms, reporting constantly. You never know what might happen. At the very least, they’d touch their earpieces.

“Enemies.”

Nodding gravely, Kim Doo-gyeom gripped his scabbard.

Time for some comic-book flair.

He dropped to one knee, then charged in a way that screamed *cool*, drawing his sword in a flash—[Sword Draw].

“Hup!”

He took down both guards in an instant and raced up the stairs.

The rooftop of this building. A vantage point overlooking the entire square. In other words, the perfect spot to snipe the councilman…

“…….”

Kim Doo-gyeom froze.

*Whoooosh.* A breeze swept across the open sky, tousling his hair like it was dancing.

There, on the rooftop he’d worked so hard to reach, was a familiar face. One that, to Kim Doo-gyeom, was particularly disgusting.

“…You’re late?”

Seol Ha-woon.

Sipping a coffee cup, he flashed a smile.

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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