Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 107

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

Labyrinth Exploration 101 Episode 107

 

DINOSAUR(8)

 

Dawn before sunrise had even broken. Kang Hyeon, who woke up first, washed his face cleanly and got into the jeep.

 

—Kim Dong-ha: Oh~ You can drive too?

 

Kim Dong-ha grinned as he got into the passenger seat.

 

—Kang Hyeon: ….

 

But Kang Hyeon remained silent. Gripping the steering wheel, he calmly composed himself. His expression was coldly frozen. He was still both expecting and being wary of Seol Ha-woon.

 

——Depart on your respective routes.

 

The deployment signal was given.

 

Kang Hyeon stepped on the accelerator.

 

—Kim Dong-ha: It’ll take about 3 hours. Hyeon, can I rest a bit? I didn’t sleep well yesterday…

 

Kim Dong-ha seemed ready to rest comfortably, but Kang Hyeon was different. After driving up the mountain road for a while, he suddenly jerked the steering wheel.

 

—Kim Dong-ha: What, what? Why aren’t you following them?

 

Kim Dong-ha looked outside in bewilderment. The other jeeps had already gone far away.

 

—Kim Dong-ha: Hyeon. What are you doing?

 

—Kang Hyeon: If we follow them, we’ll die.

 

—Kim Dong-ha: Huh? What are you talking about? Hey, at this rate we won’t clear the Quest. Hurr-.

 

—Kang Hyeon: Trust me. If you don’t want to die.

 

A quite forceful attitude. At the warning of danger, Kim Dong-ha also closed his mouth.

 

Perhaps because of Kang Hyeon’s rough side being revealed for the first time, faint screaming sounds could be heard from ahead.

 

─Kang Hyeon: ….

 

Kang Hyeon waited quietly. Without saying a word, as if gauging someone invisible.

 

The reason he was stopping like this now was probably…

 

Scene transition.

 

On Stone Mountain overlooking the wide excavation site, Seol Ha-woon was drinking black tea. In this labyrinth, he particularly enjoyed black tea.

 

—Kate: You seem to like black tea.

 

Kate approached him, and Seol Ha-woon gladly poured her a cup.

 

There was always a subtle tension between the two. A battle of wills to seize control from each other.

 

—Kate: Seol Ha-woon.

 

When Kate called his name while sipping her black tea, Seol Ha-woon turned around.

 

—Kate: You’re always positioned far from the center of the battlefield.

 

Perhaps she was dissatisfied with Seol Ha-woon not sharing his strategies.

 

Kate was a perfect person in every way, but she did have controlling tendencies.

 

—Seol Ha-woon: I’ve been at the center of battlefields for too long. It’s about time I retired.

 

Even Kate was pushed back in front of Seol Ha-woon. She couldn’t seize control.

 

It was probably due to the difference in experience and maturity. Kate was seven years younger than Seol Ha-woon.

 

—Kate: I heard enemy reconnaissance units have arrived nearby.

 

—Seol Ha-woon: I know.

 

Seol Ha-woon didn’t give an inch. His attitude was that no matter what she said, he already knew everything and it didn’t matter.

 

—Kate: …I’ll look forward to it.

 

—Seol Ha-woon: Please do.

 

Laughter erupted in the theater.

 

He casually deflected Kate’s sarcasm. Really, truly, he wouldn’t give in even by a finger’s width.

 

—Kate: …Good grief.

 

Kate grumbled as she went down Stone Mountain. Perhaps only Seol Ha-woon could bring out this side of Kate.

 

He was a chemistry bomb that brought out people’s true nature no matter who he was paired with.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: ….

 

Seol Ha-woon gazed at the distant sky. Like a stone sinking into a lake, his face settled calmly.

 

Lee Si-ah, no, everyone in this theater had just seen a similar expression.

 

Kang Hyeon.

 

Seol Ha-woon and he were somewhat alike…

 

Vrooooom——!

 

Sudden engine noise.

 

The Syndra Army’s jeeps rushed up the mountain road. The masked assailants seemed to enjoy the upcoming battle as they burst into maniacal laughter.

 

—Kahahaha!

 

—Let’s go kill them~!

 

Their lines were too much like third-rate villains. Usually guys like that died before even joining the battlefield.

 

Just as I was thinking that.

 

——Bang!

 

A pure white flash spreads across the screen. A blue explosion suddenly erupts, swallowing the mountain road. The vehicle body is engulfed in fierce flames. Metal warps as fragments scatter in all directions.

 

It was only the beginning.

 

Bang—! Bang—!

 

Chain explosions strike every path the jeeps advance on. A tremendous blast wave rushes in like a tsunami.

 

Bang—! Bang—! Kwaaaaang——!

 

The sound assaults the ears.

 

The force that shakes the movie theater continues for nearly dozens of seconds.

 

Bang—! Bang—! Kwaddddddddeuk———!

 

Countless jeeps are half-destroyed, roll over, shatter, and tear apart. Human screams are sporadically cut short. Or they die instantly without even letting out death cries.

 

Again, the perspective changed.

 

Seol Ha-woon fills the screen.

 

It’s a full-shot single camera that even celebrities would find burdensome, but his skin looks incredibly good.

 

Kwaaaaang——!

 

The camera angle gradually pulls away from the full shot.

 

Seol Ha-woon faces the destruction he caused from the peak of Stone Mountain.

 

His eyes hold an inexplicable mix of solitude and emptiness. His pupils gazing into the distance are blue.

 

He is remotely operating such destructive explosive magic formulas.

 

Whoooosh….

 

Wind mixed with the scent of gunpowder rushes in, shaking his clothes and hair.

 

However, there’s no sign of joy on his face.

 

Perhaps he thinks that at least Kang Hyeon won’t fall for his schemes.

 

——…I’ll assess the survivors. Radio in.

 

Inside Kang Hyeon’s jeep.

 

—Kang Hyeon: This is Kang and Kim. We survived. We’ll advance.

 

Kang Hyeon belatedly advances along the mountain road.

 

The mountain, which was originally treacherous, has transformed into something far more horrific due to the simultaneous explosions.

 

Vroooom….

 

Kang Hyeon advances to a certain point and stops. It was a route scorched by explosions.

 

—Kim Dong-ha: Hyeon-ah. Let’s just keep going straight. The places where bombs already exploded should be safe, right?

 

At Kim Dong-ha’s suggestion, Kang Hyeon looked at him.

 

—Kang Hyeon: So that’s what you think, Dong-ha.

 

—Kim Dong-ha: …Huh?

 

—Kang Hyeon: Then it probably isn’t.

 

Kang Hyeon simply waits there. Quietly, as if thinking of another method.

 

Before long, other jeeps arrive.

 

The rear guard.

 

They choose the path where explosions already occurred, just as Kim Dong-ha thought….

 

———Bang!

 

When the rear guard had sufficiently entered, a second explosion occurred. An even fiercer blast wave incinerated them completely.

 

It’s the meticulous calculation of the designer.

 

Only after watching all his allies get blown away does Kang Hyeon move his jeep.

 

—Kang Hyeon: I’ll depart.

 

He suddenly closes his eyes and drives. Has he found a way to break through the traps?

 

—Kang Hyeon: Rear units, please follow my vehicle.

 

Kang Hyeon seems to have read the ‘scent’ and ‘traces’ of magic power from the recent explosion.

 

Now traps won’t work on him.

 

…Again, Seol Ha-woon.

 

Breathless scene transitions continue.

 

The two men gradually draw closer to each other.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: Target acquired. Ground team, please initiate the first strike.

 

Seol Ha-woon, who requested the first strike from the main unit, looks down at the forces that managed to break through his traps and arrive.

 

Syndra’s military, including Kang Hyeon, advances swiftly.

 

Snap.

 

He snapped his fingers. The camera showed the sky.

 

A drone that had been circling in a fixed orbit suddenly plummets toward the ground at ultra-high speed.

 

Whiiiiiine—— Bang!

 

Kwaaaaang——!

 

Air strike. Not CG or special effects, but bombardment caused by Seol Ha-woon’s magic power burns the earth.

 

Kwaaaaang—!

 

The attack team’s formation is shattered in an instant, and taking advantage of the chaos, Kate’s spear throws and gunfire pour down.

 

Then, Seol Ha-woon looks somewhere. A point on the ground quite far from Stone Mountain.

 

The sniper rifle’s scope zooms in on that location.

 

It’s Kang Hyeon.

 

Kang Hyeon and Seol Ha-woon are looking at each other.

 

The distance is too far, but ironically, not far at all.

 

Both of them probably know.

 

This gap is, to you and to me, just a distance that seems within reach if we stretch out our hands…

 

Kang Hyeon leaped. It was close to Flight. A movement that defied gravity.

 

Seol Ha-woon’s response was simple.

 

He pulled the trigger.

 

───-!

 

A divine form gliding from the ground, and a bullet descending from Stone Mountain. The two trajectories flew toward each other, and in that breathtaking moment when they crossed with a dazzling flash…

 

Kang Hyeon reached Seol Ha-woon first.

 

However.

 

─Kang Hyeon: ….

 

He stopped right in front of Seol Ha-woon. He barely gripped his sword. He didn’t strike.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: You managed to stop well.

 

Praise sent to Kang Hyeon who had pierced through everything to reach him, yet still didn’t swing his sword.

 

Seol Ha-woon, who had always been cold, coughed up blood and smiled. It was a somewhat fatal smile.

 

The entire movie theater was extremely immersed.

 

Even the Kang Hyeon fans in the front seats were quiet as mice, which was proof of that.

 

—Kang Hyeon: You’ve connected a Formula.

 

The camera angle that had close-upped the two people slowly pulled away. The entire Stone Mountain was shown in a long shot.

 

A massive Formula. As Seol Ha-woon’s blood touched it, it gradually glowed blue.

 

—Seol Ha-woon: That’s right. The power with a Mage’s life as the price is quite great. It’s already too late. It ended when you chose me.

 

Kang Hyeon said nothing.

 

The battle on the other side of Stone Mountain was already turning into their defeat.

 

—Kang Hyeon: ….

 

Kang Hyeon, as if having made a decision, sheathed his sword and turned around. Seol Ha-woon sat down and watched his retreating figure.

 

Then, when he was no longer visible.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: Sigh.

 

He let out a deep sigh and suddenly acted strangely.

 

Slash!

 

He took out his military dagger and cut his own arm.

 

After spilling a handful of blood on the ground, he soon walked in the direction Kang Hyeon had left.

 

Huh? Why? Why on earth?

 

While everyone in the theater was confused, the battle ended and Kate and Kim Du-gyeom returned.

 

—Kim Du-gyeom: Mr. Seol Ha-woon? Where are you~?

 

Kim Du-gyeom acting with such an innocent tone was funny. Among them, he was the only one doing actual acting.

 

—Kim Du-gyeom: Huh?!

 

Kim Du-gyeom discovered the pool of blood that Seol Ha-woon had just created.

 

—Kim Du-gyeom: Kate!

 

Kate came running. After checking the amount of blood loss, she muttered bitterly.

 

—Kate: Yes. It seems he was Forced Return.

 

Afterwards, Kate and Kim Du-gyeom returned.

 

They took the helicopter sent by Seer and flew to [Estin Corporation].

 

─Seer: You’ve arrived…?

 

Seer, facing them, tilted his head. His eyes were looking for one more person, Seol Ha-woon.

 

—Kate: It’s just the two of us.

 

—Seer: …There must have been unavoidable personnel loss. My condolences. You both worked hard.

 

A voice that somehow seemed relieved that ‘he’ had disappeared.

 

A chilling sound followed.

 

—Seer: Before that, would you like a drink?

 

—Kate: I’m fine.

 

Seer poured whiskey into a glass. Ice cubes were shown in close-up. On their surface, Seer’s expression, cold enough to feel the chill, was reflected.

 

—Seer: The excavation of the Labyrinth will be completed soon. Aren’t you curious about what lies beyond it?

 

—Kate: Congratulations.

 

Clap clap. Kim Du-gyeom applauded, and Seer took a sip of whiskey.

 

—Seer: However, before I send you away. There’s one thing I’m curious about.

 

Honestly, as Lee Si-ah, this situation wasn’t even curious. Her mind was still only on Seol Ha-woon. Why did he pretend to be dead?

 

Forget about Seer and everything else, just show me Seol Ha-woon.

 

—Seer: Where did you all come from?

 

“…?”

 

Thud. The meaningful words that Seer uttered.

 

The entire theater froze for a moment.

 

—Kim Du-gyeom: …Huh? Where from?

 

What the hell is that Kim Du-gyeom bastard. Is he a stupid idiot.

 

—Seer: I’m asking about your origins.

 

—Kim Du-gyeom: Ah~ We… came from somewhere far away.

 

—Seer: Beyond the Outer Sea, you mean?

 

—Kim Du-gyeom: The Outer Sea… you say?

 

Seer’s sharp eyes alternately look at the foolish Kim Du-gyeom and Kate, who remains silent as if she’s caught onto something.

 

—Seer: I follow all the political situations of this continent. It’s been a habit since I was young… since I was young. Now that I think about it, even those memories are suspicious.

 

A bitter murmur about his own memories being suspicious.

 

—Seer: But recently, strange things have been happening. Not just in Rainos, but in other cities too, people with unfamiliar names I’ve never seen before have been appearing like mushrooms after rain.

 

Clink, clink.

 

Ice cubes collide inside the glass cup.

 

—Seer: At first, I thought it was just coincidence… but for a moment, just a brief moment, I thought deeply about it. Like a small dream before falling asleep.

 

Suddenly, Seer looks beyond the glass window. He takes in his world with his eyes.

 

—Seer: When I pondered it… it was a familiar development. So familiar that it felt unsettling.

 

Lee Si-ah swallowed. She was starting to understand. The puzzle was assembling in her mind.

 

The reason Seol Ha-woon pretended to be dead.

 

The reason why suffocating tension had been circling between Seol Ha-woon and Seer all this time.

 

—Seer: So I voiced the hypothesis that lingered in my mind, one I absolutely didn’t want to acknowledge.

 

Darkness settles on Seer’s complexion. Lee Si-ah’s heart trembles.

 

The eyes, noses, and mouths of hundreds of Dragon Fang Clan members turn toward Seer, a mere NPC.

 

—Seer: I agonized over it hundreds of times. Actually, it wasn’t agonizing—it was an effort to deny it.

 

Suddenly, the camera faces him directly.

 

—Seer: However, in the end, there was only one hypothesis that could be called the correct answer. The solution that remained after eliminating all impossibilities.

 

Now it seems like Seer is looking at us beyond the theater.

 

—Seer: You are… people from a higher dimension…

 

Words that seem to be conveyed to us who are in this theater right now.

 

—Seer: I ask you.

 

Seer’s hidden side that only Seol Ha-woon had anticipated.

 

—Seer: Am I a Labyrinth Person?

 

It was a shocking ending.

 

Seol Ha-woon didn’t trust Seer until the very end, and Seer succeeded in deceiving everyone except him.

 

This… is really a movie.

 

“…Ah.”

 

Lee Si-ah’s throat was blocked. It felt like her heartbeat had suddenly stopped.

 

Episode 9 had already ended, but the theater was still quiet. Many people just sat there.

 

As the credits rolled, Lee Si-ah picked up her smartphone.

 

The community she frequently visited had exploded. SNS was also full of nothing but Mitamnan talk. The trends were dominated by Seer, Seol Ha-woon, and Kang Hyeon.

 

Just then.

 

Suddenly, the movie theater door opened.

 

Waaaaaaah!

 

Commotion and cheers rushed in first, followed by security guards who entered to clear the way.

 

What’s happening?

 

While Lee Si-ah was tilting her head in confusion, a man entered first.

 

Lee Si-ah recognized that face. Her eyes widened greatly.

 

“Good evening.”

 

It was Yoon Sa-hyuk, the original planner and main PD of Labyrinth Exploration NaN.

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