Chapter 11

               

It’s been ten days since we entered the labyrinth.

Traps scattered everywhere.

A Minotaur that ceaselessly pursues us.

And on top of that, hunger and sleep deprivation.

Conditions so harsh that survival seems almost a mockery.

And proving that, our raid team of seven has now dwindled to three.

Jinhyuk, Park Hana, Jang Cheolsik.

Just the three of us.

“If things keep going like this, we’ll all end up dead.”

Jang Cheolsik muttered with a grave expression.

“Yeah. We’ll just be used by that demon of a creature and then discarded in the end.”

Park Hana nodded in agreement.

Whether we’re used as pawns to avoid traps.

Or as bait to distract the Minotaur.

It was one or the other.

Ee Hye-min and Jang Mi-na died in such ways.

Trying to kill Jinhyuk and failing. Ultimately, they were just exploited.

• Anonymous1: Why don’t you just give up and stay put? It’s pretty clear you don’t stand a chance.
• Anonymous6: From what I see, someone has reached the 10th floor already. Let’s not fool around.
• Anonymous3: Agreed. Two newbies are just snacks for the veteran.
• Anonymous4: Plus, their personality is like a ticking bomb. Keeps speaking formally even when they know they’re targeted. Creepy.
• Anonymous9: My seatmate, the killer, is so kind. Boo-hoo.

Park Hana’s chat window was bustling.

Though part of the Black Crow Guild, these were members who didn’t climb the Tower.

Essentially, a support group from outside the Tower.

“Did you find any information about that guy?”

• Anonymous5: All videos related to [The Tower of Ordeal] are locked. Can’t access anything.
• Anonymous3: Everything’s blocked. YouTube, personal blogs, even stuff saved on phones got hacked.
• Anonymous2: If only we knew what he looked like, maybe…
• Anonymous1: Right. But he wears that mask 24/7, so no luck there.
• Anonymous6: Literally like the Phantom of the Opera.
• Anonymous4: Out of curiosity, does he wear that even when taking a dump?
• Anonymous7: Checked broadcasting channels, nothing there.
• Anonymous3: Seems like he’s not interested in gathering subscribers. Definitely going solo.

A peculiarly ominous mask.

Until the first day we entered the labyrinth… He hadn’t worn the mask.

But that was only for a brief moment.

When Park Hana panicked and turned on her broadcast, Jinhyuk had already purchased a black mask from a coin exchange.

Since then, he completely hid his face.

• Anonymous3: Damn, should’ve gone all out back then. Suddenly feeling so jealous.
• Anonymous4: Knowing all the strategies and locations of sacred relics would’ve been sweet.
• Anonymous7: My brain’s frontal lobes would be buzzing with excitement.
• Anonymous1: But man, all the veterans are MIA now. Share some tips, help us out.
• Anonymous2: Would you, if you were them?
• Anonymous3: Lol. Honestly, I’d hog it all to myself.

‘So I hired these fools to support from outside the tower…’

Park Hana’s face twisted.

All they did was laugh and joke, failing to bring back any valuable information.

Naturally, she felt frustrated.

“Have you reported our situation to Big Bro?”

• Anonymous1: Woah, Hana’s being snippy.
• Anonymous5: Yeah, reported.
• Anonymous9: But it’s so deeply hidden, tough to find.
• Anonymous3: Impossible mission. Even in these times, it’s too much.
• Anonymous4: Even Bear Grylls would face a survival situation here.
• Anonymous2: King’s disease, but a U-turn for sure.
• Anonymous6: This labyrinth, with hardly any known info… Catching up to where you are would take at least three more weeks.

Three weeks…

After barely surviving ten days with just two people left.

To endure another three weeks?

‘Impossible.’

Park Hana’s eyes glinted with a murderous intent.

Even now, Jinhyuk was sleeping soundly.

A monster, impossible to kill no matter how hard she tried!

Right.

This wasn’t about murder; it was about attempted murder.

After all, there’s a law for that.

The punishment for attempted crimes is significantly lighter.

And yet, to try and kill us all just for that?

It’s too much.

Really too much.

‘Six lives aren’t naturally more precious than one, right?’

Even now, there are two of us.

So, he should die.

For the majority.

The minority.

“How should we do it, now? When he’s asleep seems like the opportunity.”

Jang Cheolsik picked up a rock from the ground.

Though crude, its lethality was proven since ancient times.

If it were to crush the skull during sleep, death was inevitable.

“No,” Park Hana shook her head.

“That guy, his reaction speed is utterly monstrous. Whether it’s a head-on confrontation or a sneak attack, there’s no chance of winning.”

There are always those who clumsily attempt assassination.

Not considering the strength of their target, they rush in with the mindset of just doing it.

Such emotional attempts usually end in dire outcomes.

“So, what do we do then? We can’t just sit around and wait to be picked off.”

“Who said anything about just waiting to be taken out?”

Park Hana’s voice was icy as she pulled out a sharp needle.

A transparent liquid glistened on its tip.

It was the poison from a giant pumpkin bee.

“That is…”

“No matter how monstrous, he has to eat, doesn’t he?”

The task of preparing meals was up to Park Hana and Jang Cheolsik.

Gathering moss and mushrooms inside the labyrinth.

And cooking them over fire to serve.

They had complete autonomy, without any interference.

“Let’s prepare it. His final feast!”

Park Hana imagined Jinhyuk writhing in agony as he chewed on the deadly neurotoxin.

Heh, heh.

She felt as if all her suffering washed away just thinking about it.

＊＊＊

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Something jabbed Jinhyuk’s shoulder.

“Hey… wake up.”

Park Hana’s voice followed immediately.

“…What is it?”

Jinhyuk cracked open an eye.

“Food’s ready. Come and eat.”

“Already time, huh? Ah, is it the moss and mushroom stir-fry again?”

“What else is there to eat here? Catch bats or moths if you want something different.”

Park Hana snapped back.

‘Quite prickly.’

Jinhyuk stretched and got up from his place.

He felt light.

A week of increasing his ‘gap’ stats by 21.

Through intense battles with powerful boss monsters, his combat senses were sharpened to the extreme.

Though his level was technically 1.

He was far from just that.

‘The strongest level 1.’

That’s why he was looking forward to it.

The day he would step out of this labyrinth!

Jinhyuk moved towards where Park Hana and Jang Cheolsik were.

The pungent smell assaulted his nostrils.

A horrifying concoction from just looking at it.

Moss and mushroom meals were indeed survival food.

‘Feels like I’m shooting a survival series.’

He had to abandon all sense of taste to gulp it down.

At least it was nutritionally balanced…

“That’s Park Hana. Could you pass me some water from behind?

“…Water, you say?”

“And Jang Cheolsik, could you scoop a bit more mushrooms and moss for me?”

“To eat more of this tasteless stuff? Enjoy.”

Light conversation flowed as they prepared to eat.

Jinhyuk grabbed chopsticks made from bat bones and a bowl.

The others also picked up their utensils.

All three simultaneously put the food into their mouths.

But then.

“Hehe.”

“Huh. You ate it.”

Both let out a sneer.

The air turned unusually cold.

The atmosphere, oppressively heavy.

This was…

“…You used poison.”

Jinhyuk slowly put down his utensils.

“Right. A deadly toxin that spreads through the bloodstream. Struggling is futile.”

• Anonymous1: Lol, gulped it down!
• Anonymous3: This is what they call a [Meal Thief].
• Anonymous7: Did it slide down your throat warmly?
• Anonymous2: Hey Yerim, show us what’s up. Is it Sakura or your limb?

The communal chat burst into life as if they had been waiting for this moment, all laughing and certain of Jinhyuk’s demise.

Of course, they would think so.

Antidotes for lethal toxins were prohibitively expensive.

With the coins he had, it was impossible.

So, it was a death sentence.

If the poison spread, the heart would stop.

If only.

“If I actually ingested the poison.”

Jang Cheolsik’s eyes widened at Jinhyuk’s words.

“Did you… know about the poison?”

“After all the attempts you’ve made, you think I’d just blindly accept food from you?”

Trusting anyone in such a precarious situation was out of the question.

Always ensuring to swap the poisoned dish was…

Always a priority.

Yet.

Despite that.

Park Hana remained unfazed, as if she had expected as much.

“Who said anything about the food being poisoned?”

She knew the opponent was quick-witted.

Thus, not the food, but the chopsticks were coated with poison.

No matter how seasoned, he wouldn’t escape this trap.

“Cough? Choke! Cough! Cough!”

Jinhyuk struggled with painful coughs as blood spurted from his mouth.

Veins bulged grotesquely, painting a gruesome scene.

But.

“Why, why isn’t it…?”

The person foaming at the mouth wasn’t Jinhyuk.

“Grr… gah! Cough! Cough!”

Jang Cheolsik writhed in agony, scratching his throat violently, a pitiful sight.

Of course, his suffering didn’t last long; the poison spread rapidly, halting his heart.

“How could… you have noticed this as well? Exactly, exactly how?”

“It was different than usual.”

Since entering the labyrinth, Park Hana had never initiated mealtime.

Instead, Jang Cheolsik or someone else always took up that role.

But today, she was the one who prepared the meal in advance?

It’s like suggesting a drive near the sea on the day your life insurance is about to mature. How is it any different?

“Just because of something that trivial…?”

“It’s the trivial things that matter.”

The reason I could reach the end of the Tower of Ordeal wasn’t just because…

I had superior reflexes?

Or extraordinary perseverance and tenacity?

Sure, those things played a part.

But they weren’t the most critical factor.

What made me a veteran… was my unique insight.

Collecting and analyzing even the most minor pieces of information to reach a conclusion.

That’s how I managed to climb a tower thought to be insurmountable.

• Anonymous1: Damn.
• Anonymous4: Are you saying he thought of all that? Is that even possible?
• Anonymous2: This viewer agrees. Using Park Hana’s perspective against her was brilliant.
• Anonymous5: I get the food, but swapping the chopsticks too? Utterly chilling.
• Anonymous7: We need Conan or Detective K here.
• Anonymous3: Don’t exaggerate. Honestly, anyone with basic schooling could’ve predicted this. Right?
• Anonymous2: Agreed. I saw it coming too.
• Anonymous6: 222222
• Anonymous8: 333333

“And you guys…”

Jinhyuk looked towards the members of the communal chat, chuckling away behind their screens.

Though he was merely staring at a point in thin air.

• Anonymous3: Lol, are we the targets now?
• Anonymous2: Scary how he looks at us, but what can he do?
• Anonymous6: Are we about to get called out for a real fight? That sharpness though!
• Anonymous8: How much do you bench, bro? I was the toughest in Dobong Elementary.
• Anonymous3: If you don’t want to face my ‘Nyaa Nyaa Punch’, you better watch your eyes.

“Still chatty, huh? Well, you’re behind screens, so why be afraid?”

Jinhyuk smirked lightly.

“But if there’s something other than nuts in your head, consider why I’ve tolerated your existence so far.”

Blocking the broadcast could have spared me the trouble of acting.

I wouldn’t have needed to wear a mask all day.

But enduring all these hassles had a reason.

To verify which side Park Hana was on.

And to catch the cheaters red-handed.

“You might not be aware since you’re outside, but live broadcasts are possible under one condition here.”

The Tower of Ordeal has its rules.

• Live broadcasts are only allowed when facing a boss monster to advance to the next floor.

And breaking that rule…

• If manipulation of views or other fraudulent activities are detected, appropriate actions will be taken.

Comes with its own set of punishments.

Needless to say, those punishments are far from gentle.

[Anonymous has been disabled.]

• ‘Crows Go Caw Caw’ has left the chat.
• From Madame to Stone: What? What’s happening?
• Jack Bauer: Why did they leave suddenly?
• ‘From Madame to Stone’ has left the chat.
• tyg123: Wait, just a minute.
• Joyen: Hold on!
• ‘Jack Bauer’ has left the chat.
• Note20: Damn. Someone just broke into our house.
• DaramiS2: What’s going on? What is this?

One by one, the members of the communal channel disappeared.

And shortly after…

[Current Viewers: 0]

“It can’t be.”

Left alone, Park Hana collapsed on the spot, overwhelmed by the turn of events.