Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 60 (Part 2): Let You Down (8)

*Click.*

The hologram page flipped.

“Rumor has it he’s a sorcerer.”

“Pfft.”

Kim Dong-ha snorted reflexively, but Kang Hyun’s eyes suddenly turned cold.

“Ah~ I know this guy.”

Kim Dong-ha stepped forward, not hiding his confidence.

“The limping mage. Nothing to worry about. You can count on us.”

Sindra eyed Kang Hyun.

“And you?”

Kang Hyun said nothing, merely staring intently at Seol Ha-woon on the hologram.

Sindra’s brow furrowed.

“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

“Pfft~ Problem? Just trust us. 99.9% reliability!”

*Hahaha. Haha. Ha…* Kim Dong-ha’s laughter faded into the distance.

Kim Dong-ha might underestimate him, but Kang Hyun didn’t.

Quite the opposite.

Kang Hyun felt his odds of winning had dropped to half, or even lower.

Seol Ha-woon.

He was an unpredictable man. It wasn’t just his judgment shown in the escort labyrinth or the meticulousness and composure he displayed in the situational labyrinth.

His exterior was clearly structured with order and discipline. He cloaked himself in meticulous rationality.

But inside…

A chaos so profound it was meaningless to peer into, impossible to observe or grasp.

How would he move as an enemy?

How would he try to ‘kill’ us?

Kang Hyun looked at his fingertips. A faint tremor testified to the tension and excitement rising from his toes.

“Rest well tonight. We move at dawn.”

Sindra announced the dismissal.

Kang Hyun let out a quiet breath.

* * *

I returned to the surface. Sier’s forces were lined up across the area. Most were armed with firearms, but there were also a fair number of Warriors and samurai-like Martial Artists gripping katanas.

“They will likely attack soon. They’ll also want to finish this before the labyrinth mining is complete.”

Sier’s words left me quite dissatisfied.

“Is that all the information you have?”

“Unfortunately, yes. Their numbers may be greater than ours, but it won’t be an army. Moving loudly would attract external hyenas looking to exploit corporate weaknesses. Family matters should stay within the family.”

Sier pointed to the ground.

“Here are the items you requested.”

I had asked him to prepare supplies.

“Is this sufficient?”

“Yes. Not bad.”

Landmines, C4, dynamite, claymores, as well as cube-shaped and baseball-like bombs, several sheets of mana-forged steel plates, and a terminal for navigating the local terrain.

This was more than enough.

I placed my hand on the explosives, infusing them with the incantations of destruction and concealment. Rough but elegant spellwork etched itself onto their surfaces.

“Then, I’ll be watching from afar.”

Sier boarded a pre-prepared helicopter.

Businessmen are always like this, and they should be. If the money man dies, who’s going to pay?

*Whirrrr.* The helicopter lifted off smoothly.

I sat in a chair, examining the terminal’s map and marking specific points. These were the locations for setting up the explosives.

“Is there anything we can help with?”

Kate approached and asked.

“No. Kate, focus on how to defend the surface.”

It’s obvious, but if the surface is overtaken, everyone underground is done for. A single stream of toxic gas down the elevator shaft would end it.

“How about I go scout the area?”

This time, it was Kim Doo-gyeom’s suggestion. His intentions were obvious. He probably planned to slip out and pull some stunt while pretending otherwise.

“You just shut up and stay put.”

This guy needs to stay where I can see him.

“…….”

Kim Doo-gyeom pressed his lips shut.

Kate glanced at me.

“What are you planning to do, Ha-woon?”

“Prepare.”

“…Prepare?”

“Yes. It’ll probably take a while.”

The opponent is Kang Hyun.

Because he’s my enemy now, because I trust his skills, I won’t let my guard down.

“Even if I make every possible preparation.”

Some people shine alone in a crowd. A single exceptional individual can create countless variables on the battlefield.

That overwhelming difference, that radiant majesty, sometimes feels like an insurmountable wall.

“I’m not sure if I can win.”

Kang Hyun is that kind of person. An outlier far beyond the average. If he sets his mind to it, he might be able to cut through this entire place with his personal strength alone.

“I see.”

Kate added softly.

“It feels like you’re already on the battlefield, Ha-woon.”

She left after that, and I picked up one of the steel plates Sier had provided.

I infused mana into the cold metal.

*Crack. Crack.* The steel writhed from within, reshaping itself.

It was a spell for summoning a Familiar. Talented mages use this spell with ease, but I intended to create the Familiar most familiar to me.

A drone.

*Creak. Creak.*

Six drones were completed.

I infused mana into four of them, connecting them to my optic nerves, and…

“…It works.”

The drones’ perspectives were shared with me. It felt like my vision was split into four screens, giving me a headache, but it was bearable.

I attached explosives to the drones.

The best way to defend a stronghold is simple: block access entirely. Thus, the drones would set traps along the paths the enemy would take.

*Bzzz.*

Watching the drones fly through the sky under my control, a sudden thought struck me.

Kate’s voice lingered in my ears.

─’It feels like you’re already on the battlefield, Ha-woon.’

“Battlefield…”

I mulled over her words, lowering my gaze. The slanting moonlight cast a long shadow.

…Maybe it wasn’t *already.*

I might *still* be trapped on the battlefield.

Those days are now a distant past, but that past still shaped who I was now. The countless people who’ve brushed past my heart, and the one too precious to be buried in my mind, remain as vivid as last night.

“…….”

I gripped the dog tags at my chest.

The memories are vivid, but the traces are faint.

The only proof I was ever there is this pair of dog tags.

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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