Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 106

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Labyrinth Exploration 101 Episode 106

 

DINOSAUR(7)

 

A village like ruins spreads across the screen. Half-destroyed buildings line up, and sparks crackle and jump from severed power lines in a desolate scene.

 

Through the middle of it, Seol Ha-woon and Seer walk side by side.

 

Seol Ha-woon gripping his walking stick. Seer maintaining an appropriate distance beside him.

 

In the hazy, shimmering fog, the two figures illuminated by the searchlight make quite a picture.

 

Completely different character types, yet equally flawless.

 

─Seer: Let’s go.

 

Seer got on the elevator first. Seol Ha-woon glanced at him briefly and nodded.

 

Simple conversation and actions are filled with tension. It’s as if they’re exchanging invisible swords with each other.

 

Clunk.

 

The two ride the elevator down together. Their conversation continues inside.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: I think you can tell me what this is about now.

 

─Seer: Yes. We’re conducting excavation.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: Excavation?

 

─Seer: It’s the act of creating rifts.

 

Rifts.

 

Goosebumps rose on Lee Si-ah’s back. A slight commotion stirred in the movie theater as well.

 

Seol Ha-woon looked at Seer and asked back.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: …Rifts, you mean?

 

─Seer: Labyrinths.

 

A labyrinth within a labyrinth.

 

Lee Si-ah rubbed the goosebumps on her arms.

 

─Seer: As Ha-woon knows, labyrinths are assets. This particular labyrinth has unprecedented value. If we monopolize and control it, it will generate hundreds of millions in profit….

 

Ding.

 

The elevator reached the underground.

 

─Seer: However, that information seems to have leaked somewhere. Probably my sister’s doing.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: A succession struggle?

 

─Seer: You’re quick to catch on.

 

The elevator doors opened. Seol Ha-woon put on a gas mask, and Seer walked casually.

 

─Seer: Follow me.

 

The two walk through the excavation site.

 

Seol Ha-woon doesn’t let his guard down for a moment. The camera frequently captures his eyes meticulously examining the interior of the excavation site, constantly taking in information.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: You’re planning to move the labyrinth.

 

The corner of Seer’s mouth twitched. As if something he didn’t want discovered had been found out.

 

─Seer: Yes. We plan to lift the ground containing the labyrinth and transport it to a suitable location. This kind of underground isn’t good for marketing.

 

Tap. Tap.

 

Seol Ha-woon walks with his walking stick, and Seer matches his pace.

 

The distance between them is precarious.

 

Though it’s an employer-employee relationship, there’s something clearly off, a strangely mutual suspicion. A hazy intersection of distrust.

 

That scene is suspense.

 

…No, Seol Ha-woon’s very existence is suspense.

 

Probably hundreds of people here think like I do. The person next to me who stopped slurping cola, and the person next to them gripping their popcorn container tightly.

 

Lee Si-ah stared at the massive IMAX screen without even blinking.

 

─Seer: Come in.

 

Finally, Seer opened the office door. Seol Ha-woon quickly scanned the interior before entering.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: …What the.

 

He hesitated. The tension that had reached its peak in the drama suddenly dissipated.

 

─Seer: These are the team members who will be working with you.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: …I thought I’d be alone.

 

─Seer: It would be too much for you. The other side has hired people too, so we need to form a team to respond.

 

The screen showed the team members.

 

Kate and Kim Du-gyeom sitting side by side on the sofa.

 

Kate stares at Seol Ha-woon as if incredulous, and Seol Ha-woon doesn’t avoid her gaze either.

 

─Kim Du-gyeom: Ha-woon!

 

Shit Du-gyeom, no, Kim Du-gyeom gets up first and extends his hand to him.

 

─Kim Du-gyeom: Good to see you~

 

─Seol Ha-woon: Not good to see you.

 

He passes by without even shaking Kim Du-gyeom’s hand. Complete dismissal.

 

The audience laughed heartily at the unexpected satisfaction.

 

─Seer: You know each other.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: No. He’s a stranger.

 

He completely ignored him right in front of Kim Du-gyeom. Kim Du-gyeom’s sullen expression appeared in the corner of the screen. The audience laughed even louder.

 

So this is why they didn’t edit it out. He’s practically a laughing stock being ridiculed.

 

Well, the production crew must have been pretty pissed at Kim Du-gyeom too.

 

─Kate: Is the team just these three people?

 

─Seer: Yes.

 

Seer placed the documents on the table.

 

─Seer: And this is the recently obtained profile of our opponents.

 

It seemed the other side had also hired specialists.

 

─Kim Du-gyeom: Let me take a look.

 

Kim Du-gyeom, who picked up the documents first, flinched and trembled. Kate’s expression, who received them next, also hardened stiffly.

 

And then…

 

The scene changed.

 

─Syndra: Listen carefully. I’ll only say this once.

 

Syndra, who hired Kang Hyeon. She was giving a briefing at the Operation Camp.

 

─Syndra: We’re going to strike this place. Those bastards are happily doing their excavation, and we’re going to take it away quite naturally…

 

Strike. Excavation. Takeover.

 

The keywords are suspicious.

 

Why is this scene right after Seol Ha-woon’s? It’s very suspicious cross-editing.

 

─Syndra: We’ll have the numerical advantage. We need to push them back before the Labyrinth gets excavated, but they’ve also hired special personnel.

 

‘They’ have also hired special personnel.

 

─Syndra: Can you handle it for sure?

 

A thought flashes through Lee Si-ah’s mind.

 

Syndra and Kang Hyeon.

 

Seer and Seol Ha-woon.

 

If the leak theory is true, could it be?!

 

─Kang Hyeon: I’ll do my best.

 

─Kim Dong-ha: …Hey. You’ll do your best? You’ll definitely succeed. Trust us.

 

─Syndra: Right. I’ll trust you. First, look. This is the profile of the special personnel they hired. First one.

 

The hologram showed Kim Du-gyeom.

 

“…!”

 

Lee Si-ah’s eyes widened greatly. The theater, which had been filled with gentle laughter just moments ago, was dyed in silence again. Everyone held their breath.

 

─Syndra: This bastard is a swordsman like you guys.

 

Regarding Kim Du-gyeom, Kang Hyeon showed no change in expression. Kim Dong-ha also nodded as if he was confident.

 

As expected, Kim Du-gyeom is dog food.

 

─Syndra: Next.

 

The second was Kate. Hailford’s genius and a mage candidate with Destroyer Aptitude.

 

Kim Dong-ha flinched and stepped back.

 

It would be burdensome for him too. Kate’s combat power, while not optimal for martial duels, was comparable to Lee Jun-ho’s.

 

─Syndra: This one seems to be bothering you.

 

─Kim Dong-ha: Ah~ well that’s…

 

Kim Dong-ha glanced at Kang Hyeon.

 

─Kang Hyeon: It’s fine.

 

Kang Hyeon was calm. Rather, with a face full of confidence, he said this.

 

─Kang Hyeon: I have the advantage in compatibility against this person.

 

Kyaaaak. A scream-like exclamation echoed from the front.

 

They seem to be Kang Hyeon fans, and they must be pleased. But please show some restraint.

 

Anyway, Kang Hyeon was overflowing with confidence.

 

However, it was quite unexpected for Lee Si-ah too. Kang Hyeon, who was perfect in appearance, skill, and personality, yet often showed foolish sides and was humble in everything.

 

Could it be that when it comes to combat, he has such pride that he has no confidence in losing?

 

─Syndra: Good. Then lastly. This is the most recently hired one.

 

The last hologram was a man holding a walking stick.

 

Seol Ha-woon.

 

─Syndra: From what I hear, he’s a mage.

 

─Kim Dong-ha: Pfft.

 

Kim Dong-ha scoffed. Lee Si-ah’s brow furrowed.

 

─Syndra: Why. Is there a problem?

 

─Kim Dong-ha: Eh~ what problem? Just trust us. 99.9% reliability!

 

Kim Dong-ha seemed to treat Seol Ha-woon like dog food, but Syndra’s eyes were actually focused elsewhere.

 

The question “Is there a problem?” wasn’t directed at Kim Dong-ha in the first place.

 

Soon the camera pointed to him.

 

Kang Hyeon.

 

─Kang Hyeon: ….

 

He who had shown no interest in Kim Du-gyeom and was overflowing with confidence about Kate, fell silent while looking at Seol Ha-woon in the hologram.

 

A reaction too different from before. As if facing a formidable enemy, his eyes staring at Seol Ha-woon were shown in close-up…

 

Back to Seol Ha-woon’s perspective.

 

─Kate: Is it this person?

 

Kate asked Seer. Seer nodded.

 

Kim Du-gyeom and Kate became quite serious.

 

Kate seemed to be devising countermeasures as she rested her chin in thought, while Kim Du-gyeom was completely intimidated, constantly running his hands through his hair.

 

Then, Seol Ha-woon picked up his profile.

 

What kind of reaction will he show? Lee Si-ah feels anticipation.

 

As a noir-like soundtrack flows…

 

─Seol Ha-woon: …Kang Hyeon.

 

The name of the one who will become his enemy. Muttering his name, Seol Ha-woon smiles brightly. There’s no fear, nor does he grit his teeth in frustration.

 

He simply shows a boyish smile.

 

Lee Si-ah swallowed. She rubbed the goosebumps that had risen on her forearms.

 

〔Tai-ryung〕

 

The screen switched to the Eastern Region, but she wasn’t interested. There were many entertaining parts. It was an action-comedy adventure different from the West.

 

But for me, Seol Ha-woon is more interesting.

 

〔RAINOS〕

 

Back to Rainos.

 

It briefly shows what other explorers including Ryu Yeon-hwa are doing, then Seol Ha-woon appears again.

 

At this point, he’s definitely the movie protagonist.

 

─Seer: They’ll probably attack within a short time. They’ll also want to finish this before the Labyrinth excavation is completed.

 

Seol Ha-woon was on the rooftop with the Seer.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: Is that all the information?

 

─Seer: Unfortunately, yes. Their numbers will be greater than ours, but it won’t be military-scale. If they move too conspicuously, external hyenas will try to bite at the company’s weaknesses. Family matters should end as family matters.

 

The Seer pointed to a corner of the rooftop.

 

─Seer: These are what you requested. Is it sufficient?

 

─Seol Ha-woon: Yes. Not bad.

 

Explosives and steel plates that looked menacing even at a glance were piled up.

 

Seol Ha-woon placed his hands on them. Blue magic power seeped in.

 

─Seer: Then. I’ll watch from a distance.

 

The Seer boarded a helicopter and left, while Seol Ha-woon sat in a chair.

 

─Kate: Is there anything we can help with?

 

Kate and Kim Du-gyeom had approached at some point. Seol Ha-woon looked ‘only’ at Kate and shook his head.

 

Kim Du-gyeom was treated like an invisible man.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: There isn’t. Kate, please think of ways to protect the ground. We have different roles.

 

Kate stares at Seol Ha-woon like that. But perhaps due to the precedent in the situation Labyrinth, she doesn’t try to control Seol Ha-woon either.

 

Rather, it was a nuance of leaving it to him.

 

─Kim Du-gyeom: How about I go do some reconnaissance?

 

Kim Du-gyeom, that meddlesome guy, butts in.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: You just shut up and stay still.

 

Laughter erupted in the theater again. Kim Du-gyeom pressed his lips tightly together, and Kate asked.

 

─Kate: What are you planning to do, Seol Ha-woon?

 

─Seol Ha-woon: I need to prepare. It’ll probably take a long time.

 

Seol Ha-woon smiles as he mentions preparation. As if thinking of someone, he seriously raises his head.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: Even if I make every possible preparation…

 

What thoughts are contained in his eyes as he looks up at the night sky?

 

─Seol Ha-woon: I’m doubtful whether I can win.

 

Probably, respect sent to Kang Hyeon.

 

He doesn’t break even when facing Kang Hyeon. Even when confronting an opponent he’d want to avoid a hundred times out of a hundred, he doesn’t back down. He doesn’t get scared. He absolutely never runs away.

 

He simply respects and never lets his guard down.

 

Such a solid person.

 

A wonderful Mage.

 

─Kate: I see. Ha-woon, you seem to already be on the battlefield.

 

Kate and Kim Du-gyeom left together. Left alone, Seol Ha-woon made several drones from steel plates.

 

His drones each carry an explosive and fly off somewhere…

 

〔DAY 5〕

 

The fifth day.

 

Lee Si-ah can’t tell how time flows in this theater. From time to time, it doesn’t even seem like a theater. The immersion seems to grab her brain and pull her in.

 

She suddenly thinks this.

 

This season is really a huge hit.

 

* * *

 

“…How about today?”

 

Inside a large van. PD Kim A-rang asked the four people in the back seat.

 

Kang Hyeon, Kate, Ryu Yeon-hwa, and me, a total of four people.

 

Today’s schedule is a stage greeting. The top 4 from the West and 4 from the East, totaling 8 people who received the best mentor evaluations in the World Labyrinth, are heading out.

 

Ryu Yeon-hwa must have done quite well too.

 

“It’s your first time, right? Meeting and talking with fans. Are you still tired from the Defense Labyrinth?”

 

“…I’m nervous.”

 

Kang Hyeon answered first. Kate nodded as if she felt the same way.

 

“What about you, Ha-woon?”

 

Kim A-rang looked at me with a bright smile.

 

“Just, well. It’s fascinating.”

 

To think the day would come when I’d do a stage greeting in my lifetime. Honestly, it’s absurd.

 

“The movie has about an hour left. Let’s go to the waiting room and wait.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Be careful. Once we enter the station, people will swarm us.”

 

Kim A-rang deliberately chose a route with heavy foot traffic. Naturally, for publicity. It would be great if photos were taken left and right and uploaded all over SNS.

 

Today’s stage greeting is only once, but people might think ‘what if they come again?’ and tickets would sell like hotcakes.

 

The more I look at it, this person has an exceptionally sharp mind for this kind of thing.

 

“Well then… get off.”

 

The door opened.

 

By the way, the window seat is mine. Whether it’s consideration or what, the kids yielded it to me.

 

I got off while holding my walking stick.

 

Thud.

 

I stood on the roadside.

 

I took exactly one step.

 

“…Huh?”

 

A person walking right in front looked at me.

 

Three people walking side by side somewhere. One of them seemed to spot me and their eyes widened, and the other two who were about to continue on their way turned toward me asking “What, why?” Their eyes widened just the same.

 

I gave an awkward smile.

 

“Huh, h-huh?”

 

“Huh? Huh! Eek!”

 

“Wow, w-wow. Wow!”

 

“Wow!”

 

Huh, eek, wow, whoa. They perfectly expressed their emotions with such words.

 

What should I say?

 

Yes, I’m Jemallot? I’m Seol Ha-woon?

 

Following behind, Ryu Yeon-hwa, Kang Hyeon, and Kate got off too.

 

“Waaaah!”

 

“Ahhh! Ahhhh! Wait, wooooah!”

 

The noise got louder. Attention from the surroundings focused instantly, and crowds swarmed in along with smartphone cameras.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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