Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 66 (Part 2): Runaway (3)

Before long, we arrived near the research facility.

Well, ‘near’ is relative—it’s still pretty far. Even my eyes could barely make it out.

“We’re here,” I said.

Kang Hyun craned his neck, squinting.

“You won’t see it. It’s quite a ways off.”

“Then how do we approach? Stealth?”

“…Stealth’s not an option.”

He glanced at my leg.

“You did fine against goblins.”

“Because they were goblins.”

“I’ll leave it to you, hyung.”

I thought for a moment, but there was no need to overthink.

We had a car. A sturdy car with [Mana Coefficient] activated. The more mana I poured in, the tougher and faster it became. I could turn this SUV into a tank.

The plan was simple.

“We go in.”

“…Just go in?”

“Yeah.”

*Shhhrr.* I deployed a barrier to cushion internal impacts. Crystal-like shards floated up, forming a thin film around the front seats.

Next, I infused mana into the entire vehicle. Auxiliary battery. Even the mana from the bracelet Seo Ji-woo gifted me went into reinforcing the SUV.

*Crackle!*

A blue aura sparked around the car’s frame. The front bumper, in particular, took on the shape of a battering ram.

I slammed the accelerator.

*SHWEEEEEEEE—!*

A monstrous roar. Heavy steel tore through the air. The wind pressure surged, scraping the road. The speedometer glitched, unable to display the hundreds of kilometers per hour.

The scenery beyond the windshield blurred into a mosaic, and the crushing weight of gravity was overwhelming.

At some point, enemies noticed us. Gunfire and lasers rained down. The mana-enhanced chassis didn’t even scratch.

No, most didn’t even hit.

My destination was the research facility’s wall.

In an instant, the wall loomed blindingly close.

*CRAAAAASH!*

The car smashed through the building, piercing the titanium framework in a single point. The engine died, but thankfully, the internal impact was bearable.

“…You okay?”

I asked Kang Hyun.

“Yeah. Nice barrier.”

He grinned, a smile out of place for the situation.

“Let’s get out.”

I stepped out of the car.

*Clunk, clunk.*

“Hyung, want me to carry you?”

“You think I didn’t plan for this?”

There’s a trump card item to use for times like this. Bought through internet shopping I happened to see at a pub, its name is 【Pony Projector】!

*Wreeeeng—*

A beam projected into the air. A mana-infused hologram took the shape of a beast… and it landed on the ground.

“…….”

I stared at it silently. Kang Hyun, stifling a laugh, said, “Cute, hyung. What’s its name?”

“It’s… not a dachshund?”

Even for a pony, it was tiny. Short legs, dainty and delicate, like something out of a toy shop.

*Hee-hee-hee!*

It tried to neigh like a horse, but it was nothing like the ad.

The ad showed a tall, sleek creature.

“…Let’s go.”

Scammed by false advertising, but no time to dwell. I climbed onto the pony. Barely 140 cm tall, it carried me as I shouted, “Yah!”

*Hee-hee-hee!* The pony snorted and galloped. At least it was fast.

*Clip-clop, clip-clop.*

I rode the pony, Kang Hyun running beside me. Enemies appeared at every corner, but before I could act, Kang Hyun cut them down. His strikes showed no mercy.

I prepared sticky bombs as we descended the stairs, ready to blast open a sealed space.

“…Huh?”

But the door was open. As if there was no reason to lock it.

“It’s open?” Kang Hyun said.

“Let’s go in.”

We entered, staying on guard.

*Heh-heh-heng.*

The pony suddenly whinnied.

“What? What’s wrong?”

*Prffft.*

It shook its body, as if burdened.

Guess its duration’s up. Barely 15 minutes.

I switched to my cane, and the pony vanished back into the projector.

“…….”

I silently surveyed the interior. A vast space lined with dozens of capsules. Each was connected to tubes, which stretched toward a mana rift—the labyrinth.

I looked inside a capsule. Explorers lay within, unconscious.

“Hah.”

A hollow laugh escaped me.

“They said it’d take three more days.”

Tricked.

Did they crack my name card sequence, or did they deliberately spread false info to prepare for contingencies?

— “You’ve arrived.”

A voice echoed. One wall lit up brightly.

Sier appeared on the screen.

— “As you can see, you’re already too late.”

Sier, sitting in a chair somewhere, spoke.

— “No need to worry. They’re all experiencing the happiness they desire. A paradise, for them.”

*Flash!* A strange light pulsed from the labyrinth’s rift.

I understood his intent.

— “This Unconscious Labyrinth projects happiness. It lets them experience their desired joy endlessly. If I could, I’d join them.”

He planned to destroy the labyrinth. If it shattered while their consciousnesses were linked, their fragmented minds would be nearly impossible to recover.

They’d fall into a coma.

— “I suggest a negotiation.”

The Unconscious Labyrinth cannot be overcome by humans alone. I know this from experience.

Humans can’t conquer their own subconscious. It’s the most dangerous labyrinth, so explorers typically rely on tools to enter.

“And if we refuse?”

— “You’re not the ones I’d negotiate with. I’ll deal with those who sent you.”

I looked at the rift, then at the capsules tethered to it.

“Ha-woon hyung. What do we do?”

“…There are two ways to enter an Unconscious Labyrinth.”

Like them, send only your consciousness—or go in physically.

The latter is legally banned. It’s far too dangerous. A lost consciousness can be recalled, but a lost body is gone forever.

“I’ll go in and wake them. You guard this place.”

Fortunately, I know how to stay myself. Not just because of my Mental Strength stat of [9].

I placed my fingers on the back of my head, breathing quietly as I visualized an ‘implant.’

I’m still new to this, so complex mechanisms are beyond me. Right now, I don’t need complexity.

Simple.

An electrode.

When I enter the labyrinth, the implant will send steady electric shocks between my spine and brain, keeping my consciousness awake.

— “Impossible. Humans are designed to be incapable of overcoming their subconscious.”

Sier interrupted. Beneath his dry, cold tone, a hint of desperation flickered.

“…First.”

I let out a faint sigh, looking at him.

“I don’t entirely lack sympathy for you.”

His expression didn’t change.

“I’d probably do the same in your place.”

A rational attempt to resist the world’s destruction. He dared to negotiate with the powers beyond.

But they won’t comply.

I know them too well.

“There’s a famous saying from my world.”

If the broadcast station deems it ‘uncontrollable’ and hands it to the Magic Association or government, there’ll be no happy ending.

“I’ve heard it a million times myself.”

They might condemn this entire world to a punishment where even ‘peaceful death’ is impossible. They could turn it into a toy for some perverse, sadistic desires.

Far too cruel.

That’s why.

“We don’t negotiate with terrorists.”

This is my problem to solve.

I plunged my body into the Unconscious Labyrinth.

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!

•