Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 45 (Part 2): Believer (5)

I watched from the rooftop. My physical state was poor—especially my left leg. I’d misstepped when dodging the spear earlier.

“Tsk….”

“Misstep” was an understatement. It barely moved. It’d probably be like this for days.

Anyway.

Only one question mattered here:

‘The car left, yet the situation didn’t conclude.’

The third attempt—the most normal one—we should’ve succeeded. It matched the events before my regression.

But we failed, and my reasoning naturally followed from that point.

There’s another threat.

Not in the plaza, but among the entourage accompanying the target.

If the limousine’s departure still led to failure, the problem had to be inside the limo—no matter how implausible.

In the fourth attempt, I assumed it was the head of security. Wrong. Now only two options remained, but Kate interfered before I could test them.

Not that I blame her.

My credibility had hit rock bottom by the fourth loop.

In fact, this might’ve been for the best.

“…You’re doing well.”

I smiled, watching Jun-ho through my scope.

He was in a frenzy. Grinding down not just hostile dwellers but *everyone* in range.

“Keep going.”

I’d partly orchestrated this. Lee Jun-ho had a contrarian streak—tell him to calm down, and he’d rage harder.

“Go all the way.”

I provided covering grenades to let him rampage unimpeded. Explosions and slaughter drowned the square.

Endless chaos.

But within this, the truth would surface.

Someone hiding in this hellscape, revealing their true colors amid uncontrollable carnage.

I scanned the area.

The plaza was irreparably ruined—a mangled landscape where friend and foe blurred. Suddenly, I spotted it.

“…….”

I gritted my teeth. A headache spiked.

There it is.

Someone grinning gleefully in this apocalyptic chaos—no, relishing it, unable to hide her joy.

I’d found the final threat.

I shouldered the AEM94 sniper rifle and aimed through the scope. The crosshair locked onto a figure.

Small.

Maybe six years old.

A daughter holding her father’s hand, trying to leave the plaza.

I aimed between her brows.

*Click.*

I pulled the trigger.

──*Bang.*

The mana bullet struck her tiny skull. I watched the scene.

The most rational choice, based on the most inhuman logic.

Once the choice is made, I have to face it. I can’t shy away from the consequences of my actions. I can’t run. I can only hope my decision was right and keep my eyes on what lies ahead…

“Stop!”

Someone shouted behind me. Kim Doo-gyeom. Late as ever, he glared like a righteous hero, gripping his sword.

“Seol Ha-woon-ssi. If you don’t stop, I’ll use force.”

“Already fired.”

I barely moved my lips.

*You fu*king moron.*

* * *

──*Bang.*

“!”

Ishia’s breath froze. The stage fell silent. Some screamed briefly. Many covered their eyes.

Though the plaza was already a Jun-ho-induced nightmare, the main monitor showed something far worse:

Seol Ha-woon had killed the target’s daughter.

A small girl—no older than elementary school age—between the eyes.

Why on earth?

─”■■-ah!”

The politician shrieked, clutching his child.

─”■■-ah! ■■-ah! No!”

Ishia’s breath trembled at the tear-choked wails. Some viewers turned away.

─”Councilman! We must leave!”

The head of security dragged the politician away.

─”Let go! ■■-i, ■■-i is—!”

The politician thrashed, saliva and blood streaming from his eyes, nose, and mouth, but the head of security forced him into the limousine.

“Ah….”

It was too horrific. Even if the labyrinth itself was billed as a ‘real dungeon conquest’…

“Shouldn’t that guy be arrested?!”
“No wonder his leg’s fu*ked up….”

As angry murmurs crescendoed—

──*Krrrk—*

The headless girl’s body twitched.

*Crunch. Crunch.*

Sharp spines seemed to writhe and gather beneath her neck bone, and then—

*Kwaaaaah!*

Her tiny body ruptured. Spines erupted, weaving into a grotesque form.

“…Huh?”
“What—what is that?”
“Why’s it…?”

Ishia, a self-proclaimed labyrinth expert, recognized this phenomenon.

She screamed without thinking:

“Boss Battle!”

In other words—once again, Seol Ha-woon had been right.

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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