Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 54 (Part 1): Let You Down (2)

I arrived at the orphanage. Compared to real-world facilities, the conditions were poor, but through the half-broken windowpanes, the children’s laughter rang clear.

*Knock, knock.*

I knocked. The door opened promptly.

“Who… is it?”

A tired middle-aged man wearing glasses stepped out. I held up the wanted poster. His eyes widened.

“…Ah. A Runner, are you?”

“Yes.”

“Come in.”

I stepped inside. From a corner of the orphanage’s hallway, children came scampering out with a *pitter-patter*. Their curious gazes fixed on me, brimming with interest.

These kids are all labyrinth dwellers, too. They just don’t know they’re labyrinth dwellers.

Yet somehow, they felt familiar. Maybe because, in a way, I was also raised in an orphanage.

“Have a seat.”

The director led me to a small office. He brewed black tea and offered it to me first.

His right hand was a metallic prosthetic. Scars peeked out from beneath his clothes, hinting at his past.

“It’s black tea. Try it.”

I drank willingly.

I have a habit of not consuming drinks from strangers, but this man didn’t register as a threat on my radar.

“…Hm?”

I was slightly surprised. The taste was one thing, but a single sip seemed to calm my entire nervous system.

【Garden Black Tea】

■ Grade: Rare

■ Overview: Black tea brewed from leaves grown in a fine garden. Soothes the mind, alleviates physical and nervous fatigue, and reduces inflammation.

“The tea’s good.”

Not an empty compliment. For mere black tea to carry a Rare label was impressive.

“Did you grow it yourself?”

“Yes. I have a garden back in my hometown.”

The director smiled with pride.

“…Hm.”

I set the teacup down.

“Let’s get to business, then.”

Once upon a time, my codename was Hound.

A Hound’s purpose is tracking and elimination. Finding people is my specialty.

“Yes. That day…”

The director’s expression darkened. His voice, tinged with sorrow, continued.

“It was evening, the sun hadn’t even fully set…”

A child playing alone in the orphanage’s playground was killed by a sudden assailant.

“The killer was likely after the child’s pendant. It was too valuable for a kid to carry around. I should’ve kept it safe.”

Hearing the scream, the middle-aged man rushed out and fired a self-defense gun, but it was too late.

“The bullet grazed the bastard’s shoulder, I think, since there was some blood…”

“Where’s the playground?”

“I’ll show you.”

I followed the director to the playground. A sandbox with a carefully handmade swing, parallel bars, and slide caught my eye first.

Fortunately, the killer’s bloodstains remained along his escape route.

“Is there… anything you can do?”

“I’ll need a glass vial, please.”

“Ah. Yes.”

The director quickly fetched one. I drew my military dagger. I cut out the bloodstained asphalt, placed it in the vial, and infused it with mana and water, heating it. The asphalt melted into a liquid under the mana’s influence.

I cast a spell within it. Blood affinity, [Memory of Blood].

One of the unorthodox spells I picked up from the library. It reacts if the blood’s owner is nearby.

“This should be enough. I’ll be back soon.”

“Yes. Please… stay safe.”

The director seemed worried about me. I left the playground without a word.

As I walked, shaking the vial, *tadadadat*.

Tiny footsteps echoed from the alley ahead. Three small figures appeared, blocking my path.

“Hey!”

Their clothes were tattered, but their cheeks were plump—two boys and a girl, quite adorable.

“…You’re here to avenge Laun, right?!”

The bold-looking girl asked, her eyes brimming with tears. I looked down at the children quietly.

“We… we’ve got something saved up! If you avenge him, we’ll give it to you!”

They pooled their hands together, offering a few grimy coins in their tiny palms.

I stared at them for a moment, then shook my head.

“It’s not vengeance. It’s a job.”

I brushed past the children. No need to engage further.

There’s a separate first rule for this kind of open-world scenario.

It’s not about avoiding death.

‘Never get attached.’

These are labyrinth dwellers. Labyrinth dwellers unaware of their own nature. Limited existences that vanish the moment the labyrinth is cleared.

I’ve seen too many people lose themselves by forgetting this first rule.

They’re *too* human, and that’s why they turn human hearts into labyrinths…

“Stay strong! You can do it!”

“Stay strong~!”

I let the children’s cheers slip through one ear, but I couldn’t help the faint smile tugging at my lips.

* * *

“Cough.”

The moment I stepped onto the street, I coughed.

The air was thick, laced with smog-like exhaust. The atmosphere was dreadful. The ground radiated an eerie heat, and people who could draw blades or guns at any moment passed by.

My body’s durability is already low.

But the vibe wasn’t unfamiliar. It reminded me of Mercenary Street or an underground city.

I walked, leaning on my cane.

“…Hm.”

Many people around wore masks or respirators.

I should get one, too. At this rate, I’ll catch lung disease.

I entered a nearby equipment shop.

“Welcome.”

A bald shopkeeper sized me up. The shelves held a few items, but most were subpar.

“A respirator. A proper one.”

I ordered directly.

“…Not satisfied with what’s on display?”

The shopkeeper pulled a respirator from under the counter.

“This one’s top-grade, just three bills.”

I examined the respirator. It was just as shoddy. I sighed.

“The seams are a mess…”

I stopped myself from snapping.

Labyrinth NPCs are labyrinth dwellers, but they act exactly like humans. Since they don’t realize they’re labyrinth dwellers, they’re practically human.

So, acting tough with them isn’t efficient. Acting knowledgeable or refined works best.

A trick I learned on Mercenary Street.

“Sloppy work. This won’t even filter airborne particles.”

The shopkeeper smirked and waved a hand.

“Nah, that’s just how it’s made.”

“No catalyst to purify contaminants, and the internal circulation structure’s faulty. Hazardous particles will slip through without hitting the filter…”

I pointed out every flaw in the respirator. The shopkeeper’s face soured.

*Thud.*

I tossed the respirator onto the counter.

“I don’t repeat myself.”

“…Hold on a sec.”

The shopkeeper went to the back.

“Here. Got it.”

Finally, he brought out something decent.

【High-Grade Mana-Processed Air Purification Mask】

■ Grade: Common

■ Overview: A mask made from futuristic materials. A catalyst woven into the fabric purifies the air.

“Three bills.”

“Make it two.”

I handed over two bills. The shopkeeper didn’t argue.

2,000 NaN dollars is plenty steep already.

…Should’ve haggled more.

I infused mana into the mask. The circuits activated, triggering the Mana Coefficient.

【Highest-Grade Mana-Processed Air Purification Respirator】

■ Grade: Rare

■ Overview: A sturdy respirator made from futuristic materials. Purifies air cleanly and filters external mana with an embedded catalyst.

■ Mana Coefficient: Contains mana circuits. Receives enhancements based on the user’s mana level.

Solid. The Mana Coefficient enhances certain items based on my magical aptitude.

“…Confirmed.”

* * *

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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