Normalizing the Labyrinth City in the Game

“Y-You son of a bitch-!”

Hassan’s face turned red as he pulled out his club.
Just as he was about to rush at Siwon.

“…Abdul?”

Abdul’s hand stopped his movement.

“Stop it, Hassan. I stepped wrong.”

“No, even so. That guy’s way of speaking….”

“It’s a wound that will heal with just a healing potion, Hassan. Don’t make a fuss.”

“….”

At Abdul’s words, Hassan’s reddened face returned to its brown color.

“Hey, Sion.”
It was Abdul who called Siwon.

“What.”

“Still, you’re not entirely blameless. If there was such a trap, shouldn’t you have given us a heads up?”

It’s a hard-to-refute argument.

Because entering the danger zone itself was intentional.

First, he had to act as an inexperienced but boastful guide to Abdul and Hassan.

The second reason was to get back at them for trying to make him a slave.

“…Even so, if you had followed this genius guide Sion well, you wouldn’t have been hurt.”

But he had no intention of acknowledging this.

Because right now, he was the genius guide Sion.

“You know too that there are more than just one or two traps on the 1st floor to mention each one, right?”

“Yes, that’s true, but…. Still, since I’m the one who got hurt, just give me one healing potion.”

“…What?”

“With that, we can somehow get past this incident.”

Siwon’s brow furrowed.

‘…?’

For a wound of that level, not even one whole healing potion, but half, no, a quarter would be enough to heal it completely.

Yet after stepping on a trap due to his own mistake, he’s asking for a whole bottle of healing potion.

It’s no different from secretly putting a hair in vegetable soup and then demanding ten bowls of meat soup for free because there was hair in the food.

That damned ri…
Ah, not this one.

“…Well, it’s not a difficult thing for the genius guide Sion.”

Nevertheless, Siwon accepted Abdul’s words.

To maintain his concept.

If he argued here or showed off his own healing skills, it was obvious that all the acting he had done so far would go to waste.

‘Damn, my healing potion that’s like my blood….’

He gripped the healing potion taken from his backpack so tightly that his hand trembled.

“…?”

Only when Abdul started to feel something was off did Siwon finally manage to throw the healing potion to Abdul.

“….”

‘That bastard doesn’t even say thank you.’

Siwon felt somehow angry as a precious healing potion disappeared due to Abdul’s clumsiness.

He could somewhat understand why that rich woman like Rabbit Condy had made such a fuss over one healing potion.

“Ugh….”

Abdul grasped the arrow stuck in his calf.

“Hassan. When I pull this out, immediately spray the healing potion.”

“…Will you be okay? Abdul.”

“Well, it’s not like I’ll die… Here I go.”

A moment later.

“Aaaaaargh! Fuck, it hurts so fucking much! Aaaaaargh! Mother! Fuck! Aaaaargh!”

“Ah, Abdul!”

Abdul’s strange screams that might make one laugh if heard filled the 1st floor.

‘…He’s making a fuss, that idiot.’

How could someone with such exaggerated reactions become an explorer.

Moreover, if he used a whole bottle of healing potion, it shouldn’t hurt that much.

‘More than that, if he screams so loudly like that….’

Probably 1st class killers or maggots would find this place like ghosts.

It seemed best to leave this place as quickly as possible.

“Hoo, haa, hoo….”

A moment later.

Looking at Abdul whose pain had subsided, Siwon immediately said.

“People might gather because of your screams. If the treatment is over, shouldn’t we depart quickly?”

“….”

Both Abdul and Hassan looked at Siwon with clear killing intent in their eyes.

“…What, did I say something wrong?”

At Siwon’s question, Abdul and Hassan finally relaxed their expressions and answered kindly.

“Your words are right. Let’s depart. I’m sorry for screaming.”

“I’m sorry for getting angry earlier. Let’s go.”

“….”

Siwon’s brow furrowed.

‘…These bastards, they’ve already made up their minds.’

“Alright. It’s right in front anyway.”

Whatever scheme these two had devised.
He had no intention of falling for it easily.

In front of the eastern warp gate.

Hassan, Siwon, and Abdul entrusted their bodies to the rippling red warp gate in order.

‘…Surely not, right?’

The past trauma of falling into the labyrinth’s darkness crept up, but.

“…Phew.”

Fortunately, the warp gate operated without any problems.

As Siwon emerged from the warp gate, the plaza of the 2nd floor of the labyrinth came into view.

‘This is probably… Section D?’

Originally, there were no names for the sections of the labyrinth.

But Siwon alone classified the dozens of sections of the 2nd floor, even attaching alphabets to them.

“Will you be alright? For the 2nd floor, finding the way won’t be easy. I heard that the structure changes every time you enter, so you can’t really tell where is where.”

Hassan asked Siwon in a worried tone.

‘The structure changing, it’s fixed though.’

What changes is just the position of the plaza where you warp to.

One random place among the 26 divided section plazas.

“…What do you take the genius guide Sion for. It’s no problem.”

“For a genius guide to not even give a heads up about such a trap….”
Abdul, unable to contain his bravado, momentarily jabbed at Siwon, but.

“…No, nevermind. I misspoke.”

At Siwon’s gaze, Abdul immediately retracted his words.

“I’ll go check around first.”

“You’re going to check around?”

“Yes. We don’t know what kind of monsters will appear where, you know. We need to check the path in advance.”

It was a blatant lie.

Siwon had long since memorized where and what kind of monsters appear on the 2nd floor of the labyrinth.

The claim of checking the path was obviously a lie too.

It was just to eavesdrop on Abdul and Hassan’s conversation.

“…Alright, go ahead.”

While looking at Siwon with somewhat suspicious eyes, Abdul and Hassan allowed Siwon to leave.

“….”

If the 1st floor of the Argantolla Labyrinth was a floor where movement was nearly impossible except on predetermined paths due to traps scattered everywhere,

The 2nd floor of the Argantolla Labyrinth is twisted in a maze-like form with paths about 3m wide everywhere except for the central plaza of each section.

This is so complex that you can lose your sense of direction just by moving a little forward, but.

‘This way should do it.’
This didn’t apply to Siwon, who had memorized all the structures.

Where Siwon headed was near the side of the Section D plaza.

“….”

If he pressed his ear well against this wall, he should be able to somehow eavesdrop on their conversation.

He held his breath and pressed his ear against the wall.

“That, fuck, that son of a bitch…!”

Abdul’s curse was heard.

The target was clearly himself.

“This won’t do, Hassan. Let’s just kill that bastard as soon as he comes back.”

“…Will that be okay?”

Meanwhile, Hassan’s answer was a bit unexpected, but.

“…What? Are you taking that bastard’s side now or what?”

“…No, that’s not it. I’m asking if that will be enough.”

Soon, Siwon realized that was also his misunderstanding.

“…?”

“We should inflict even greater pain. Let’s make him a slave as we originally planned, use him as much as we can, and then kill him.”

“…That’s what you meant. Good, Hassan.”
“I’ll distract his attention.”
“Then, while you’re distracting him, I’ll cast a spell on him. After that, we’ll drug him as usual and make him a slave….”

There was no need to listen further.

Abdul and Hassan.

If they try to make him a slave, they will pay a fitting price for it.

Siwon immediately went around and around the labyrinth, returning to the plaza where Abdul and Hassan were.

“What, you’re back already?”

“Did you actually check?”

Abdul and Hassan, who were just making plans about Siwon, asked nonchalantly.

“Of course. There’s nothing ahead. Let’s depart right away.”

“….”

Even at Siwon’s answer, Abdul and Hassan didn’t lower their guard.

They just stood still with furrowed brows.

“What are you doing? We should minimize time wasting. Shouldn’t we quickly go and complete the requests, then leave?”

“…Right, your words are correct.”

Abdul said this and immediately approached Siwon’s front.

“….”

But Hassan stood still in the back without moving.

“We should go quickly. Hassan, what are you doing?”

“No, what are you….”

“Siwon, can you go check something for a moment?”

A sudden request from Abdul.

“….”

‘Look at these bastards.’

What was it, this was their plan?

“Sure, whatever.”

Siwon approached Hassan, who was standing still.

“What are you doing? Standing still….”

The back was empty.

“Die, you son of a bitch!”

Abdul’s voice was heard from behind.

A lightning bolt filled with magical power surged towards Siwon.

“…?”

Originally, Siwon was going to dodge Abdul’s lightning and make it hit Hassan instead, but.

“What’s this?”

A purple energy burst out from the yoto hanging at Siwon’s waist, blocking Abdul’s magic.

-Mage?! Mage!

At the same time, an unknown woman’s voice was heard in Siwon’s ear.

-Kill him! The mage! Kill! Kill! Kill him! Kill!

Even the constant explosion sounds on the battlefield weren’t as unpleasant as this.

It wasn’t just the voice, but a feeling of his mind being consumed by the yoto’s emotions.

‘What is this, was this an anti-magic sword?’

A yoto known to have the vengeful spirit of a woman who was tortured and killed by a crazy mage.

Most of the descriptions related to this were just about the purple color, which is a characteristic of yotos, so he wasn’t sure, but.

“Y-You son of a bitch!”

The moment Siwon’s mind was sold to the yoto.
Hassan’s club aimed for Siwon’s head.

“Aargh!”

A moment’s scream.
The owner of the voice was not Siwon but Hassan.
Hassan ended up collapsing, even dropping the club in his hand.

This was also done by the purple sword energy emitted from the yoto.

-I said kill him, didn’t I? What are you doing? Can’t you hear me? Kill, I said kill! Right now! Right now, sprinkle that mage’s blood on my body!

“No, this crazy….”

Originally, he had planned to make Abdul and Hassan his slaves during this exploration, but.

Given the situation, he has no choice but to kill Abdul now.

If he keeps him alive, it seems like he’ll go crazy first.

“Hii, hiiiek?!”
Siwon approached Abdul.
“M-Monster…!”

Abdul immediately turned his back and ran away, but.

“Kheuk…!”

The yoto and Siwon didn’t allow it.

A large hole was pierced in Abdul’s left chest.

-Haaahn… Blood! Mage’s blood! That heart! Ah, so delicious!

The anti-magic sword’s lewd moan heard in his ear.
Siwon frowned.

“Ah, Abdul!”

In contrast, a cry full of despair was heard from behind.

“Thi, this…!”

A voice trembling with anger.

But Hassan can’t get up.

…No, it would be more accurate to say he doesn’t get up.

“Ha, Hassan….”

“Abdul!”

“Please, save me….”

“…Abdul!!!”

Words and emotions are always easy.

Actions are difficult.

“Has,san….”

In the end, Abdul uttered his last dying words with his heart pierced by the sword.

“….”

Although it’s something he’s done many times before.
Murder is not a very pleasant experience.

Whether the target is an enemy.
Or an explorer who tried to make him a slave and then kill him.

“Ah, Abdul… Uweeek….”

The sound of Hassan retching after witnessing all this was heard from behind.

Siwon’s toes turned towards Hassan.

“Uweek, ke, keuk….”

“Grip it.”

“…?”

As Hassan’s retching subsided a bit, Siwon immediately handed the fallen club to Hassan.

“You should take revenge. On me.”

“….”

Inwardly, Siwon hoped Hassan would grip the club.

“Pl-Please spare me… Sion-nim, please….”

But the expected answer was heard.
Hassan knelt down, rubbing his hands together and begging Siwon for his life.
Risking one’s life to avenge a dead comrade is a story from novels.

For most people, their own survival is more important than avenging someone who’s already dead.

The Siwon of his past life had seen numerous comrades desert.

Hassan was just an ordinary person no different from them.

“Stand up.”

“…Ye, yes?”

Even at Siwon’s order, Hassan was stunned.

Thwack!
Siwon’s iron boot struck Hassan’s abdomen.

“Keheuk! U, uwub….”
“Don’t vomit. If you do it one more time, I’ll kill you too.”
“….”
Hassan’s dry heaving immediately stopped.

“Stand straight, Hassan.”

Abdul had washed away his sins with death.
Now it was Hassan’s turn.

“If you tried to make me a slave, you should pay the price. Did you think I wouldn’t know?”
Hassan probably thought of using drugs to make Siwon a slave.
But Siwon didn’t need such tools.

Thwack!
“Aargh!”s have a very good drug called beating.
Why bother using such complicated things?

Anyone, if beaten a bit, will start to cower, and before they know it, they become a slave to violence.

“Th-That…! I was wrong. Please, please forgive me!”

Thwack!

“Aargh!”

This time, Siwon’s iron boot struck not the abdomen but the shin.

From now on, beatings were medicine for Hassan, who was to become a slave.
His mental state seemed to need quite a lot of medicine.

“Forgiveness? That’s not possible.”

“Wh-Why….”

“You ask why?”

Thwack!

“Aargh!”

“Well, this is the labyrinth, you know. I said you have to pay the price, didn’t I?”

Thwack!

“Hu, huuk….”

“So, stand straight, Hassan. You’ll break bones.”

First, let’s beat Hassan.
Until he voluntarily declares himself a slave.