Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 63 (Part 2): Let You Down (11)

[Sindra: Glad you’re alive. Where are you?]

Meanwhile, Kang Hyun received a message at a restaurant on the city outskirts. He tapped the device to send a reply.

[I’m at a restaurant. The name is ‘Lacotas.’]

[Sindra: Got it. I’ll send people soon.]

“Here it is~”

Just then, a taco-like dish was served. Kang Hyun grabbed it and stuffed it into his mouth. The mission failure stung, but his mind was filled with reflection.

Seol Ha-woon.

Should he have cut him down back then? Could he have withstood the sorcerer’s life-risking spell?

Or, if he had ignored Seol Ha-woon and focused on the main force?

Even then, he would have lost.

Seol Ha-woon’s sorcery was specialized for multi-combatant battles. Winning while leaving him alive was impossible.

Seol Ha-woon had fought with victory already in his grasp.

The best move to turn the tide would have been to cut him down and withstand his spell.

But Kang Hyun lacked the physical ability to endure Seol Ha-woon’s self-destructive attack.

In the end, his skills fell short.

*Snap!*

Someone snapped their fingers. Kang Hyun turned toward the sound. A man in a black robe sat at a table, calling a waiter to order food.

*Jingle.*

The bell on the restaurant door rang as it opened. Armed people walked in. Kang Hyun recognized their faces.

“Ah. There you are.”

A bald man with a tattoo near his eye sat next to him.

“Where’s your friend?”

“Captured, it seems.”

Kim Dong-ha had been taken by them. Since it was Kate and Kim Doo-gyeom, he probably wouldn’t be treated too harshly.

“This got complicated. That bastard Sier hired a tricky mage. Didn’t you say you killed him?”

“….”

He hadn’t killed him, but Kang Hyun didn’t bother correcting him.

“Come with us. It’s dangerous here. Sier’s search team is after you.”

Kang Hyun nodded and stood. He followed them out the back door, where two vehicles were waiting.

“Get in.”

Kang Hyun climbed into the passenger seat.

“Put on your seatbelt.”

The bald man kindly reached over to fasten it for him. Kang Hyun gave him an odd look.

“You’re awfully nice.”

“Always have been.”

The man smirked and hit the accelerator. *Vroom.* As the car moved forward, Kang Hyun asked,

“Is there another mission?”

One more time.

Just one more clash, and he felt he could crush him this time.

“Well… who knows?”

Who knows.

A single phrase, devoid of emotion.

Kang Hyun’s instincts kicked in.

He glanced at the rearview mirror without a word.

Three men in the backseat. Another vehicle tailing closely behind.

Noticing Kang Hyun’s expression, the bald man chuckled.

“Sharp, aren’t you?”

“….”

Kang Hyun’s hand moved to his waist. *Click.* At that moment, the sound of a bullet being chambered echoed behind him. A gun barrel was pressed against his temple.

The bald man’s forehead creased with a smirk.

“Don’t bother. Our world has technology, you know. Ever heard of mana-suppressing nanofibers?”

Kang Hyun looked at the seatbelt restraining him.

As the man said, his mana wasn’t moving within his body. The seatbelt was holding it in place.

“Don’t worry. We won’t hurt you. Well, if a limb gets cut off, you get forcibly sent back or something, right? Just stay still before things get worse.”

Someone had already spilled about the system. Probably Kim Dong-ha.

The bald man twisted his lips.

“So, just sit tight—”

*BOOM!*

An explosion erupted from the undercarriage of the vehicle. The windows shattered. The bald man, gripping the steering wheel, was flung forward, his body scraping against the asphalt. The men in the backseat lurched forward, crashing into the car’s frame.

*Thud! Crash!*

The jeep bounced like a spring, rolling across the ground. With each tumble, the men’s bodies were battered.

*Boom! Kaboom!*

Amid the chaos, Kang Hyun was relatively safe—thanks to the seatbelt.

“…Ugh.”

Inside the overturned car, Kang Hyun grimaced in pain. It felt like his ribs were broken.

“Damn it… what kind of bastard…”

One of the men, still alive, cursed as he tried to get up.

*Whoosh.*

A vibration cut through the air.

A mana bullet from the rear window pierced his forehead. His body went limp, collapsing like seaweed.

*Tap, tap.*

The sound of a cane striking the ground echoed.

Kang Hyun looked into the rearview mirror. The hem of a black robe fluttered. The figure he’d seen from behind in the restaurant was limping toward him.

*Tap, tap.*

The figure stopped in front of the car. Through the shattered windshield, he looked at Kang Hyun, hanging upside down in the seatbelt, and grinned.

“You okay?”

*Flick.* The man tossed back the hood of his robe. Seol Ha-woon spoke nonchalantly.

“The seatbelt saved you.”

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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