Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 61 (Part 2): Let You Down (9)

Kate returned to the base. Security was tight, everyone on edge, almost paranoid.

“Kate-ssi. What’d Seol Ha-woon say?”

Kim Doo-gyeom hurried over to ask. Kate answered briefly.

“…Let’s just focus on our tasks.”

“Ah, got it.”

Kate’s mind churned.

Seol Ha-woon knows Percival. Percival, her uncle, is a direct-line Hailford managing their labyrinths.

Ordinarily, a single family owning labyrinths is illegal.

But in regions where ‘nations’ don’t exist, it’s a different story.

In lawless deserts, seas, or ocean depths where state control doesn’t reach, laws don’t apply.

The Hailfords control quite a few labyrinths in such zones.

So, for him to have worked with Percival…

──*Boom!*

A deafening explosion echoed from somewhere. Kate flinched, turning toward it.

In the distance, blue gaslight-like flames flared. Seconds later, a gunpowder-laced wind swept in.

It was just the beginning.

*Boom─! Boom─! KABOOM─!*

Mines detonated in succession. Flashes lit up the night sky like stars. Mana-charged explosions roiled thickly.

“…Kate-ssi. This is…”

Kim Doo-gyeom blinked at the scene. Kate nodded quietly.

“Seol Ha-woon’s work, no doubt.”

*BOOOOM──!*

The scattered explosions, once mere points, began to connect into lines, then dominated entire areas. Like an orchestra’s grand finale, a destructive wail seized and shook the horizon.

───*!

Bursts surged from all directions, relentless shocks obliterating enemies approaching the base.

This was likely Seol Ha-woon’s mana painting the landscape.

Or perhaps, the vision within his heart.

Staring at the fiercely spreading blue lights, Kate murmured softly.

“Too long…”

*At the heart of the battlefield.*

She understood Seol Ha-woon’s words.

—

**30 Minutes Earlier**

‘Jayden’ prided himself as Sindra’s top sword. He was confident in his skill.

So, it irked him that Sindra had hired random mercenaries for this operation, but he’d make her see his worth.

“Let’s move.”

“Yessir.”

The subordinate in the driver’s seat hit the gas. *Vroom.* As the jeep tore along the rough terrain, Jayden toyed with his sword.

He was thrilled.

“Boss, you think we can trust those pretty-boy mercs? They look all flash, no substance.”

Dozens of jeeps scattered across the off-road, fanning out toward their target.

“They’re just extra hands. We could slaughter Sier without them. Scouts?”

“Already in place.”

The scouts had been sent ahead to prepare for traps, establishing a forward post without issue.

“Tch. Why pay money for something that would end so easily….”

Jayden grumbled, glancing at the rear camera. His brow furrowed.

“…What the heck. Where did those bastards go?”

“Huh?”

The subordinate checked the screen. Their jeep was gone. The one with the polished-looking mercenary.

The subordinate’s face twisted.

“Dammit! They took the advance payment and ran!”

“…Ha. What kind of clown show is this?”

Jayden let out a hollow laugh. Meanwhile, the jeep entered a mountain path.

*Clunk.*

The jeep powered up the rugged trail. A detour over the mountains.

“Should we report it?”

“Nah, let it go. No need to mess up the plan over some useless punks.”

*Clunk.*

The mountain range was steep, among the harshest terrains, but this jeep could roll off a cliff and keep going.

“Boss, how many you aiming to take down today?”

“How many? Dunno. Slice every neck I see. Gotta bag at least twenty heads to display.”

“Oooh~ Twenty~ That’s our boss!”

*Clunk.*

As the jeep crushed the dirt path, Jayden spoke.

“Twenty’s the *minimum*, you idiot. I’ve been waiting for today. Gotta impress the boss…”

──*BOOM!*

A brutal force erupted from the ground. A massive explosion slammed into the jeep.

Military jeeps could withstand some impact. Most occupants were cybernetically enhanced, their bodies immune to mere explosives.

But.

*CRRRUNCH──!*

This was a mana-infused explosion. Far beyond ordinary charges, its power crushed the jeep and its passengers whole.

*Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!*

Firecracker-like chain explosions followed. Traps sprang from between trees, under bridges, beneath rocks, and within gravel gaps. They covered wide areas, planted along nearly every route.

*BOOOOOM──!*

They detonated simultaneously, sweeping through the scattered jeeps. A wave of mana-fueled destruction engulfed them.

Countless vehicles flew into the air. Metal clashed with screeches like screams. Torn cybernetic bodies sprayed blood and oil as they rolled.

*Thud.*

Suddenly, Jayden’s sword sank into the ground. He hadn’t let go. His grip still clutched the blade.

At least, his ‘hand’ did.

─”…Checking for survivors. Report in.”

A blood-soaked voice crackled through the jeep’s radio.

Kang Hyun responded.

“Kang and Kim. We’re alive.”

“What—what the hell was that explosion?”

Kim Dong-ha still hadn’t grasped the situation.

“We’re moving forward.”

Kang Hyun rejoined the main route. The scenery was grim. Craters pocked the mountain, strewn with vehicle wreckage, flesh, blood, and cybernetic fragments.

*Rustle…*

Kang Hyun drove a bit before stopping.

“Hyun-ah, let’s keep going.”

Kim Dong-ha spoke. Kang Hyun glanced at him.

“The traps already triggered should be safe now, right?”

Kim Dong-ha’s logic wasn’t unreasonable. Most would probably think the same.

But.

“If you thought that, Dong-ha.”

“…Huh?”

“Then it’s probably wrong.”

If Kim Dong-ha could think it, so could the enemy. In an unfair game of rock-paper-scissors, when you’re cornered, you’re likely to move as the enemy predicts.

The best move is not to play.

In other words, wait.

The advance team caught in the explosions was only a third of their force. The rest would come as the main group. Let them go first.

Kang Hyun pulled the jeep to the side.

Soon, other jeeps arrived. As Kim Dong-ha predicted, they took the already-scorched paths…

──*BOOM!*

A second wave of explosions erupted.

─ “What the—argh!”

─ “What kind of bastard laid anti-tank mines?!”

─ “Son of a—mana shield’s down! Aaaagh!”

Curses flooded the radio, some begging Kang Hyun for help, but he remained calm.

He merely watched the jeeps explode, waiting for his turn.

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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