Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 46 (Part 2): Believer (6)

[ Success ]

Team 1 successfully cleared the plaza.

“Whoa… That was spectacular.”

The other teams watched the events unfold from their respective waiting rooms.

“But why was it *that* tough?”

Seo Ji-woo let out a hollow laugh. It was entertaining to watch. Almost excessively so.

Seol Ha-woon’s sudden trolling, Kate’s furious spear throw, Lee Jun-ho’s rampage, and the “right choice” made at the end of the chaos.

“It seems Seol Ha-woon noticed something suspicious amid the confusion,” Zhao Yun said.

Seo Ji-woo glanced at him.

“…But to wear the guise of a child. Truly, the labyrinth is vile. I’m worried for Seol Ha-woon, who shot the child.”

As he said, Seol Ha-woon shot a child. Of course, it was a monster in a child’s skin, but it was a decision that humans instinctively recoil from and society as a whole taboos.

“Mage Seol Ha-woon revised the plan in a split second and executed a brutal judgment coldly.”

Zhao Yun was surprisingly talkative. What was he, a commentator?

“But… will the next labyrinth be like this too? I’m concerned. What do you think, Seo Ji-woo?”

Suddenly, Zhao Yun turned the question to her.

“Well.”

Seo Ji-woo was worried too.

If a situation like that arose, how would she act?

Could she, like Seol Ha-woon, display the resolute, unshaken demeanor of a mage?

“I don’t know….”

Thinking of Seol Ha-woon, Seo Ji-woo clasped her hands behind her head.

Honestly, lately, when she thought of Seol Ha-woon, that interview video came to mind. The shy smile he gave when talking about her, the sense that he somehow had her in his heart…

“Ugh. I should warm up or something.”

Seo Ji-woo shook her head and stood up.

* * *

In the infirmary, I was diagnosed by a doctor and put in a cast.

“For now, it’s best not to move.”

The problem, as expected, was my left leg. It barely functions as is, and when it gets injured, it creaks like hell.

“I’ve administered painkillers, so it should feel better soon.”

“…Yes. Thank you.”

“Rest well.”

As soon as the doctor left, I lay on the bed. The dull pain, like being hammered, quickly subsided.

Painkillers work exceptionally well on me.

【Body That Responds Well to Medicine】

◆ Grade: Low

◆ Drug efficacy increases by 25%, but side effects are reduced by 5%.

Thanks to this trait, which is useful for its grade.

It was also why I’d bothered bringing coffee earlier. The beneficial effects of caffeine—neural stimulation, focus boost—were amplified, while the side effects stayed the same. No reason not to use it.

*Knock knock—*

A knock at the door.

The infirmary door opened, revealing an unexpected visitor.

“…….”

Kate looked at me silently. In her hand was a flower. A rose.

“Is your body okay?”

She thrust the rose forward, almost like playing rock-paper-scissors.

“What’s with the flower all of a sudden?”

“…Don’t you like flowers?”

What nonsense, I thought, but then I remembered Kate had been in my room.

With her unnecessarily sharp observation, she’d noticed the *Snowflower* pot and deduced that I liked flowers.

“Yeah. Thanks.”

“If you’d explained beforehand, I would’ve believed you.”

Kate continued in a low voice.

“In the fourth round, before killing the security team leader.”

“Well….”

Logically, she’s right. If I’d conveyed my suspicions convincingly enough, she would’ve listened.

But.

“I have a habit of always assuming the worst of the worst.”

Kate tilted her head.

“What kind of worst did you assume?”

I tapped my ear.

“The worst case where our radio was being intercepted.”

If I’d shared all the information in a situation where our radio was compromised, the final boss would’ve maintained a poker face even in that chaos. It’s cunning and intelligent enough to use a child’s appearance, after all.

Personally, I think the chance of interception was over 90%. Electronic devices using frequencies are the easiest communications to hijack.

“Interception….”

Kate’s eyes widened slightly. She nodded, muttering softly.

“You’re right. Radios are vulnerable. Top-rankers use *Telepathy* in labyrinths.”

[Telepathy] is an especially difficult spell among standard formulas, but artifacts can somewhat replicate it.

“Seol Ha-woon-ssi.”

Kate looked into my eyes.

“Are *you* okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“It wasn’t a child, but it looked like one.”

She seemed to be asking about the emotional toll of shooting a child.

It wasn’t my first time, but it must be unfamiliar to Kate.

“If it’s something that must be done, it must be done. I look not at the moment but at what comes after.”

If I don’t kill the target, I die. Or my comrades die. Or we lose the battle.

Once that logic was established, it didn’t matter if the target was a child, a dog, a cat, a cardinal, or a president. You just pulled the trigger.

“I might’ve misjudged you, Seol Ha-woon-ssi.”

Kate said, looking at me.

It felt like an apology of sorts, but it wasn’t necessary.

“Or maybe you didn’t.”

“…Rest well.”

She quietly stood and left the infirmary. I picked up the rose she left behind. It had a pleasant fragrance.

A sudden curiosity struck me.

Where did she get this flower?

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!

•