Jin-hyuk decided to take a peek at Park Hana's status window.
Name: Park HanaAge: 22Level: 1Strength: 4 Agility: 5 Stamina: 5 Magic: 10Stat Points: 0Coins: 100Occupation: None
Unique Ability: CommunionSkills: Lv1 Fast Step, Lv1 Weak Healing
Communion.
An ability that made strangers feel familiar—as if they had known her for years.It erased suspicion and softened defenses.
A perfect skill for slipping into people's hearts.
And a perfect skill for Jin-hyuk, who needed to break people's guards to copy their abilities.
Furthermore—
'It'll be essential later… for taming that guy.'
Originally, he planned to use this group to clear traps inside the labyrinth.But now he had changed his mind.
'This skill cannot be missed.'
He had to obtain it.
He checked the conditions.
[Copy Condition: Stay with Park Hana for at least 240 hours. After 240 hours, no one else may be present except you and Park Hana.]
240 hours.
Ten days.
'I don't need the other five…'
And he didn't have to kill them, either.
'I'm not a bloodthirsty killer.'
As long as they didn't cross the line, he could use them moderately and let them leave.
But if they crossed it…
That was a different matter.
'I'm planning to survive in this world too.'
After reviewing the copy condition thoroughly, Jin-hyuk asked,
"So why did you come to me instead of going to the hunting grounds?"
"Before I answer… can I ask you something first?"
"Go ahead."
"The place you're entering is a labyrinth, right?"
"Yes."
"As I thought…"
Park Hana bit her lip, then spoke.
"We want to join."
"…Join?"
"Yes. Wouldn't it be better to go together as a group instead of alone? You know—sharing the risk."
She smiled brightly.
Her hand, however, subtly brushed against the poisoned needle at her waist.
'The bumblebee stinger from the museum's insect room.'
Everyone behind her flinched.
Amateurs.
So…
'She plans to use that on me inside?'
Jin-hyuk pointed toward the entrance.
"Do whatever you feel comfortable with."
If they wanted to enter—fine.
Once they went inside, they wouldn't be able to leave anyway.
[You have entered the labyrinth 'Labarintos.'][Number of challengers: 7]
Moist, sticky air clung to their skin.
The smell.The humidity.The stillness.
This was unmistakably the Tower.
Jin-hyuk glanced at the walls.They glowed faintly.
Hundreds of Luminous Moths were embedded inside the stone, illuminating the interior.
Normally, they provided light in underground dungeons.
But here—
Jin-hyuk raised his hand and moved his fingers rhythmically.
Fold.
Open.
Fold.
Open.
As if mimicking the fluttering of wings.
Once.Twice.Thrice.
A moth flew down and landed gently on his palm.
Bright dust coated his hand, lighting it up.
'Right. Nice to meet you.'
A gentle smile appeared on his lips.
"Ah, I didn't get your full name."
Park Hana approached him.Jin-hyuk placed the moth back on the wall.
"Ah. I must have forgotten."
They had entered too abruptly to exchange greetings.
Now that the labyrinth was sealed behind them, they finally had time to talk.
"I'm Park Hana, 22. I've climbed up to the 2nd floor before."
Then the others introduced themselves:
"I'm Hang Cheol-sik. Only reached the 1st floor back then."
"Lee Haemin. Same as him."
"Jang Mina. I reached the 3rd floor."
"I'm Cheon Min-guk. Never played the game."
"Do Kwang-woo. First time here too."
Their words reached his ears, but Jin-hyuk heard entirely different things:
"Extra to die to traps!""Backup emergency bait!""Haha! Someone to cook and clean every night!"
Like that.
Names didn't matter.They would all try to stab him in the back eventually.
He smiled faintly.
A raid party full of traitors? Interesting.
"Kang Jin-hyuk."
"Mr. Jin-hyuk, I see… have you been inside this labyrinth before?"
Park Hana stuck close to him.
[Park Hana has activated her unique ability 'Communion.']
Warm, ticklish energy washed over his mind.
His guard loosened.His shoulders relaxed.
'So that's how it works.'
If he didn't already know the ability's effect, he might have mistaken her for someone trustworthy.
"Fortunately, I knew about this labyrinth beforehand."
"Wow. More amazing than I thought. It's an honor to be with you."
Her eyes were soft, coaxing—trying to break down his defenses.
For anyone else, it might work.
Jin-hyuk shook his head.
"I know it well. Better than anyone."
"Ah… I see."
"No, really. Even a player who memorized the entire layout falls short compared to me. There are twelve loops around the center. As long as you listen to me once in a while, you'll be fine."
"…"
Park Hana looked stunned.
A blunt, confident answer.
Not a single one of her flattering attempts worked.
"Well then… could you tell us what monsters appear here? Their characteristics?"
"That's not too difficult."
He crossed his arms.
"First of all, the labyrinth changes its interior at regular intervals."
"Huh? What does that mean?"
"This place is also called the 'Labyrinth of Change.' Ah—here it comes."
Jin-hyuk stopped walking.
Kukuku!
The entire labyrinth shook violently.
Dust rained from the ceiling.The floor cracked.The walls shifted.
"Ahhh!"
"What's happening?!"
"S-shit!"
Stones rumbled.Passages shifted.The entire environment rearranged itself like a massive Tetris puzzle.
Bang!Bang!
They scrambled to avoid being crushed.Knees scraped.Blood dripped.
Then—
Kukukuk…
The shaking stopped.
The entire structure had rearranged itself.
At least the group hadn't been split up.
"Haa… haa…"
"Ugh… this is just the first floor's labyrinth?"
"That's insane… aren't ruins supposed to be the only dangerous ones?"
While everyone panicked, Jin-hyuk calmly dusted himself off.
"Have any of you ever experienced a labyrinth that changes terrain before?"
"W-who would willingly go through that?!"
Park Hana snapped with a pale face.
"Well, fine."
Jin-hyuk shrugged.
He called another Luminous Moth and collected its dust.
Hummm—
Its wings buzzed quietly.
Park Hana clenched her teeth at his carefree attitude.
Still, she pushed it down.
"We need to get out. Haemin—can you find an exit?"
"That… my ability got canceled when the labyrinth changed."
Lee Haemin looked miserable.
Her unique ability Compass—meant to show the safest exit route—had become completely useless.
Because the labyrinth had reconfigured itself.
"So… you can't find any exit?"
"Are we… trapped here?"
'I wondered why she walked in so confidently.'
A navigation skill, huh?
Jin-hyuk almost laughed.
Newbies really thought labyrinths were convenience stores.
'Even so… the time has come.'
He glanced at the glowing dust on his hand.
When body heat mixed with the dust, it released a special scent.
Perfect.
Thud. Thud.
A faint sound.
Too faint for the others, who were still panicking.
But Jin-hyuk definitely heard it.
Something was approaching.
"The labyrinth changes? Why didn't you tell us something that important!?"
Park Hana screamed.
His ears stung.
Jin-hyuk stared blankly.
"Did I ask you to follow me?"
"…what?"
"You're the ones who insisted on coming. I never forced you."
They said it themselves.
"T-that is true…"
Park Hana faltered.
She wanted to argue, but she had nothing to say.
"This bastard is talking big now! I feel like a beggar trapped in here! If you mess around one more time, I'll kill you!"
Cheon Min-guk roared.
Ah.
This one was disposable.
Jin-hyuk scratched his head, walked right up to Min-guk, and said:
"You can squeal like a pig if you want, but keep your voice down."
"What?"
"Ah, don't understand human language? Then—oink, oink, oink. Oink! Oink oink! Get it now? I said be quiet."
"Y-you… bastard!"
Cheon Min-guk threw a punch.
Puck!
Jin-hyuk tilted his head, avoiding the fist effortlessly.He tapped Min-guk's foot, breaking his balance.
"Uh—?!"
The man stumbled forward.
Crack!
Jin-hyuk stomped down on his fist.
A chilling crunch echoed.
"ARGHH!"
"Shhh. Quiet. Haven't you heard the saying? 'Never shout in a labyrinth.'"
"Ughh… you bastard! Why would you break my wrist while telling me to be quiet!?"
"Because you didn't listen when I asked nicely."
"What—?"
"You seem to have trouble keeping your mouth shut."
Jin-hyuk's expression turned ice-cold.
Then—
Puak!
His foot smashed Min-guk's face.
Blood splattered.Front teeth shattered.
"Isn't that too much? It was just one punch!"
"R-right! Who would react that harshly—"
"Cruel, is it?"
Park Hana and the others trembled.
As if they'd just realized—Jin-hyuk wasn't someone they could control.
He wasn't a hero.He wasn't righteous.
He didn't care.
'Morality? In here?'
That was laughable.
"Don't worry. I won't kill you."
There was no need to.
Jin-hyuk looked toward the dark passage.
'After hearing the noise… and smelling blood… it's finally coming.'
Thud. Thud.
The footsteps were loud now.
Loud enough for everyone to hear.