Chapter 8
As Jinhyuk peered through the ‘Eyes of Truth’, he caught a glimpse of Park Hana’s status window.
Name: Park Hana
Gender: Female
Age: 22
Level: 1
Strength 4, Agility 5, Stamina 5, Magic Power 10
Stat Points Available: 0
Coins: 100
Job: None
Unique Ability: Empathy
Skills: Lv1 ‘Quick Step’, Lv1 ‘Mild Healing’
Empathy.
The ability to naturally become close with someone, even upon a first meeting, and to erase any sense of discord.
For Jinhyuk, who needed to lower guards and copy abilities, this was more necessary than anything else.
Furthermore,
‘It will be greatly helpful in taming [that guy] later on.’
Initially, he had thought of using her to navigate through the traps in the labyrinth.
But now, his mind had changed.
‘This is something I cannot miss.’
He must acquire it at all costs.
Jinhyuk checked Park Hana’s conditions for copying.
[Copying Condition: Spend a minimum of 240 hours with Park Hana. Note, at the time 240 hours are reached, no other individuals should be present besides Park Hana and yourself.]
240 hours.
In other words, he must be with her for ten days to meet the copying condition.
‘The other five are unnecessary then…’
It doesn’t mean they must be killed.
‘I’m not some bloodthirsty murderer.’
If lines aren’t crossed, it’s fine to just use them and then go our separate ways.
However,
If lines are crossed,
That’s a completely different story.
‘After all, I too have resolved to survive in this world.’
Having read the conditions again carefully, Jinhyuk spoke up.
“So, why did you approach me instead of going to the hunting grounds?”
“Before I answer that question, may I ask you one thing?”
“Go ahead.”
“You’re entering the labyrinth, right?”
“That’s right.”
“I thought so…”
Park Hana bit her lip as if her guess was right on the mark.
Then, she got to the point.
“We’d like to join you.”
“Together… you mean?”
“Yes. Wouldn’t it be better to go together rather than alone? They say it’s good to share the burden of danger.”
She smiled sweetly, though her hand drifted towards her side.
It sounded like a request, but her hand was on the weapon at her hip.
‘That’s… a stinger from a pumpkin bee in the museum’s insect exhibit.’
The others twitched and their hands reached for their weapons.
Interesting.
So,
‘They plan to scheme against me in the labyrinth?’
Jinhyuk casually extended his palm towards the entrance of the labyrinth.
“Do as you please.”
You want to enter the labyrinth?
By all means, go ahead.
Just know that entering is voluntary, but leaving might not be.
[You have entered the ‘Labyrinth of Labyrinths’.] [Number of challengers: 7.]
Upon entering the labyrinth, the damp, sticky air clung to the skin.
This smell.
This sensation.
It was now truly hitting him.
The fact that he had entered the tower.
Jinhyuk quickly examined the walls of the labyrinth.
Bright lights illuminating the dark interior.
It was due to hundreds of ‘glow moths’.
Commonly known in underground dungeons or labyrinths as a source of light…
But here, it was different.
Jinhyuk moved his five fingers at regular intervals.
Slowly closing them… then quickly opening.
As if imitating the flapping of wings.
Once.
Twice.
And then… thrice.
Then, gently.
A moth landed on Jinhyuk’s hand.
His hand quickly became covered in bright light due to the powder.
‘Yes, I’m also glad to see you.’
Jinhyuk’s lips curved into a gentle smile.
That’s when,
“We haven’t even introduced ourselves properly.”
Park Hana spoke up from beside him.
After carefully placing the moth back on the wall, Jinhyuk responded.
“Ah, things have been hectic.”
They had to enter before the labyrinth’s entrance completely closed, so there was no time for greetings.
But now, having entered, they had some breathing room.
“My name is Park Hana. I’m 22 and have reached the second floor of the Tower of Trials before.”
Park Hana introduced herself.
Then, the others also chimed in as if they had been waiting.
“My name is Jang Cheol-sik. I quit after barely reaching the first floor of the Tower of Trials.”
“I’m Lee Hyemin. I only made it to the first floor as well.”
“Jang Mina. I made it to the third floor of the tower…”
“Call me Cheon Minguk. Never tried that Tower of Trials or whatever.”
“I’m Do Gwangwoo. This is my first time as well.”
Everyone eagerly shared their names, but to Jinhyuk, it sounded slightly different.
“I’m Extra #1, destined to die in a trap!”
“Me, I’ll be the bait when things get dicey since I tried to run!”
“Ha-ha, I’ll be diligently standing watch at night and serving delicious meals!”
That’s what it sounded like to him.
After all, when it comes down to the final moment, and they don’t want to share the rewards, why bother remembering names?
The corner of Jinhyuk’s mouth twisted ever so slightly.
‘A raid party where everyone’s plotting to kill each other…’
This was shaping up to be anything but dull.
“My name’s Kang Jinhyuk.”
“Jinhyuk… So, have you been to this labyrinth before?”
After exchanging names, Park Hana clung even closer, pressing for answers.
[Park Hana has activated her unique ability ‘Empathy’.]
Suddenly, a tickling sensation made his entire body feel comfortably numb.
It was soothing.
‘So, this is how it works.’
If he hadn’t known about the ability, he might have felt a sense of kinship towards her.
As if they had good compatibility or could trust each other.
Kind of like having a ‘good first impression’.
“I was lucky to have discovered this labyrinth before.”
“Wow, you’re even more amazing than I thought. I’m honored to be with you.”
Park Hana’s eyes twinkled slyly.
She was clearly trying to butter him up to let his guard down.
Wondering who she thought she was fooling with such superficial tactics, Jinhyuk couldn’t help but smirk and tease her a bit.
“You know, I doubt there’s anyone who knows this labyrinth better than I do.”
“Ah… Is that so.”
“No, seriously. I bet even the world’s top players can’t hold a candle to me. People would line up in rows just to hear one tip from me about conquering this place. Ha-ha.”
“……”
Park Hana was taken aback, as if she couldn’t believe his audacity.
There’s a limit to boasting, after all.
This made it seem like her compliments were pointless.
“Well, then, can you tell us about the types of monsters here and their characteristics? You can do that, right?”
“That’s easy.”
Let’s see, what could be here?
“First off, the positions in this labyrinth change at set intervals.”
“Excuse me? What do you mean?”
“It’s called ‘labyrinth transformation’. Oh, look, it’s about time for it to happen.”
Jinhyuk firmly planted his feet on the ground.
Right at that moment.
The entire labyrinth began to shake violently.
Dust fell from the ceiling, and cracks appeared on the floors and walls.
“Ah!”
“What’s happening?”
“Screams erupted from everywhere.
The ground rose and fell, and massive boulders moved in every direction.
“Get out of the way! Spread out, don’t cluster!”
“Damn, if we get crushed, it’s instant death!”
“Look out! To the right! Watch the right!”
The moving rocks created patterns as complex and fast as a game of Tetris.
Everyone frantically dodged to avoid being crushed by the boulders.
Their knees were scraped, bleeding, but they had no time to care about such minor wounds.
The shaking stopped after a few minutes.
The path had completely changed.
Fortunately, the group hadn’t been scattered.
“Panting, they caught their breath.
“In the first floor of a labyrinth like this…”
“It’s unbelievable. Weren’t things supposed to be pretty straightforward except for the ruins on the first floor?”
While everyone was panting and their faces pale, Jinhyuk leisurely dusted himself off.
“Haven’t you all experienced a labyrinth where the terrain changes at least once?”
“Who experiences something like that!”
Park Hana screamed, her face pale as a ghost.
“Well, never mind then.”
Jinhyuk shrugged his shoulders and began to gather more of the glow moth’s dust, humming a little tune.
Seeing him so carefree, Park Hana felt curses rising to her throat but managed to hold them back.
There was something more important at hand.
“We need to get out of here now. Hyemin, can you find the exit?”
“That’s… When the labyrinth changed, my ability was deactivated.”
Lee Hyemin shook her head with a gloomy expression.
Her unique ability, ‘Compass,’ showed the safest routes in dungeons and labyrinths.
Park Hana had entered this unfamiliar place so confidently because she relied on this ability.
But now,
That ability was rendered useless.
The labyrinth had changed anew.
And it would continue to change.
“So, we can’t find the exit?”
“Are we… trapped in here?”
‘Just as they confidently entered the labyrinth, relying on a mere navigation ability…’
Jinhyuk stifled a laugh, listening in on their conversation. To think they were so naive, treating the labyrinth as if it was a simple trip to the local supermarket.
‘Fools might be one thing, but it’s about time for the real challenge to appear…’
Jinhyuk glanced at the moth powder on his hand.
When body odor and the powder mix, they secrete a special substance with a unique scent.
Just then,
The faint sound began to resonate from afar.
While everyone else was too busy raising their voices to notice, Jinhyuk clearly sensed it.
Something that roamed this labyrinth was drawing near.
“Why didn’t you tell us the labyrinth changes beforehand?”
Park Hana raised her voice.
Keep it down, will you? You’re giving me a headache.
And,
“Did I ask you to follow?”
“…What?”
“Didn’t you insist on coming? It’s not like I dragged you here.”
You wanted to come, and now you’re making a fuss?
“That’s true, but…”
Park Hana stumbled over her words, unable to think of a comeback.
“Are you seriously saying that? As if it’s not bad enough we’re trapped here, if you mouth off one more time, I’ll kill you!”
Cheon Minguk, standing nearby, shouted.
Hmm, Park Hana might be necessary, but you?
Jinhyuk scratched his head as he stepped in front of Cheon Minguk.
“You’re free to squeal like a pig, but it might be wise to keep your voice down.”
“What?”
“Oh! Maybe you didn’t understand me because I was speaking human. Oink oink, oink oink oink. Grunt! Grunt grunt oink oink. Got it? It’s roughly meant to tell you to keep it quiet.”
“You, you son of a—!”
Cheon Minguk swung his fist, aiming for Jinhyuk’s jaw.
With a slight tilt of his head, Jinhyuk dodged the blow and simultaneously tripped Cheon Minguk, throwing off his balance.
“What? …Ah?”
Floundering, Cheon Minguk fell forward.
Crunch!
Jinhyuk stepped on Cheon Minguk’s wrist, and with added pressure, a chilling sound of bones misaligning echoed.
“Aaaargh!”
“Shh! Quiet down. Didn’t you know ‘not to make noise in the labyrinth’?”
“Ugh… You madman. Why break my wrist if you’re telling me to be quiet?”
“Seems you still haven’t caught on.”
“What?”
“That mouth of yours. It’s too harsh.”
Jinhyuk’s expression chilled.
From above,
To below.
Smash!
His leg crashed into Cheon Minguk’s face with full force.
The impact was beyond imagination.
“Blargh!”
Teeth shattered, sending a fountain of blood into the air.
“Isn’t that a bit much? Just for swinging a punch?”
“That’s… How can someone be so cruel…”
“The nerve…”
Park Hana and the others seemed genuinely shocked.
Of course, it was laughable.
To demolish someone who tried to attack him was too much?
As if he’s supposed to say, ‘Come back stronger next time’.
Why spare an enemy who’s shown their fangs?
‘I’m not that noble.’
Besides, this wasn’t the time for a lesson in ethics.
“Don’t worry. I won’t kill you.”
Not that there was a need to.
Because,
Jinhyuk glanced towards the darkness swallowing the corridor.
‘With all this commotion and the smell of blood, it’s his turn to make an entrance.’
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Footsteps started to echo.
This time, loud enough for everyone to hear.