Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 108

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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 108

 

BIRDS OF A FEATHER(1)

 

“Hello.”

 

His hair is tousled but not messy, rather neat and clean. His large horn-rimmed glasses give him an intellectual air.

 

PD Yoon Sa-hyuk, who has good styling and often appears in fashion magazines.

 

He’s also the punching bag that the Maze Exploration fandom curses whenever something happens.

 

Looking at him now, Lee Si-ah’s whole body tingles. Her heart feels like it’s about to explode.

 

It’s not because of Yoon Sa-hyuk.

 

“First, thank you for coming even though you could watch this at home. Did everyone enjoy the viewing?”

 

Everyone let out cheers. They were close to screams. Everyone had been struck by the Cutting Magic Attack.

 

“First… there are more people besides me.”

 

The front seats are almost at fainting level. The front row seats that are the best spots, at least during stage greetings. I’m suddenly envious.

 

“Please refrain from asking questions that would be spoilers for episode 10. Now, everyone come in.”

 

Familiar silhouettes walked in. There were eight people in total.

 

From the East: Lee Jun-ho, Seo Ji-woo, Yoon Hwa-rim, Jo Woon.

 

From the West: Kang Hyeon, Kate, Ryu Yeon-hwa, and… Seol Ha-woon.

 

They stood side by side.

 

Amid the tremendous welcome that filled the theater, Lee Si-ah first felt a visual shock. There wasn’t a single weak link among them.

 

Especially Seol Ha-woon – she had felt it during filming too, but he looked much, much better in person.

 

He seems to have gotten even more handsome.

 

“No one wants to hear me talk anyway.”

 

Yoon Sa-hyuk handed the microphone to Lee Jun-ho.

 

“Hello, I’m Lee Jun-ho.”

 

Aaaahhhhh────!

 

It was a scream that sounded like someone was dying.

 

“First… thank you for coming all the way to the movie theater. But I actually don’t know the content of episode 9. So I just quickly checked the internet before coming here?”

 

A helpless smile appeared on Lee Jun-ho’s lips.

 

“It seems like we’re not the main characters. We did work pretty hard though. *Sigh*~”

 

Everyone smiled at his cheeky sighing and laughing.

 

Next, Seo Ji-woo received the microphone.

 

“But everyone. Wasn’t the East interesting too? Was the West really that entertaining?”

 

Yesss~

 

That was their answer.

 

Seo Ji-woo opened her mouth wide with a shocked expression.

 

“You’re all really too much. Please write some posts saying the East was interesting too. There’s nothing but talk about the West…”

 

Seo Ji-woo stuck her head out and looked somewhere.

 

“What did you guys do over there?”

 

It was toward Seol Ha-woon. Kim A-rang next to Seol Ha-woon handed him the microphone.

 

Seol Ha-woon said.

 

“Go home and watch the live broadcast.”

 

His voice. Lee Si-ah almost fainted at that voice.

 

It’s one of the trinity that Seol Ha-woon’s fandom analyzed as forming Seol Ha-woon’s unique atmosphere.

 

Long hair and tall height, walking stick, voice.

 

While his appearance is a given default, his distinctive low voice is far superior to even Kang Jun-ho’s.

 

“Tch… Well~ Thank you for coming. Everyone, please continue to enjoy Mitamnan──!”

 

Seo Ji-woo raised her fist and shouted. She was always full of fighting spirit as usual.

 

Next was Yoon Hwa-rim.

 

“Hello… I’m Yoon Hwa-rim…”

 

She’s trembling. The hand holding the microphone is shaking, shaking, shaking.

 

“Thank you sincerely for coming to watch…”

 

Then she immediately handed it to Kang Hyeon.

 

It’s a bit pitiful. She had received such concentrated fire in the early episodes.

 

While Seol Ha-woon at least received compensation through later editing, Yoon Hwa-rim is still treated as an annoying elite in various communities.

 

Kang Hyeon moved his lips while holding the microphone.

 

But no sound can be heard. Just his lips moving like a carp. Moving, moving.

 

He accidentally turned off the microphone.

 

Kim A-rang came and turned on the microphone for him.

 

“What, ah. Ah. Aah. I’m sorry.”

 

Everyone laughed.

 

Lee Si-ah is curious about the faces of the people in the front seats. There were especially many Kang Hyeon fans – I hope they don’t have high blood pressure attacks.

 

“Everyone’s expressions look bright. It’s not just me feeling that way, right?”

 

Yesssss—

 

“It doesn’t seem like you regret it. That’s a relief.”

 

Kang Hyeon smiled.

 

It’s like an oil painting unfolding, or light floating around – that smile that Kang Hyeon’s fandom gushes about so much.

 

“…Please come to the theater to watch the remaining story too. Thank you.”

 

Kang Hyeon bowed his head and handed over the microphone.

 

Next was Ryu Yeon-hwa.

 

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ryu Yeon-hwa. I heard ticket reservations were difficult. I hope you received compensation for that effort today. Also… I sometimes receive direct messages.”

 

Ryu Yeon-hwa talks long from the very beginning.

 

What are direct messages anyway.

 

Could it be DMs?

 

“It was a message saying that Mitamnan is the joy that gets them through each week…”

 

Ryu Yeon-hwa talked for a very long time. It was the tone of someone reciting a ceremonial address.

 

“I’ve thought about many things. The flowing time, the uniformly continuing daily life. If we can make you happy in between those moments, there’s nothing we couldn’t do…”

 

Her words seem about to end but continue, seem about to end but continue, so Kate, who’s next, reaches out to take the microphone then pulls back, reaches out then pulls back repeatedly.

 

Ryu Yeon-hwa is also quite a unique character.

 

“Thank you. Everyone, I sincerely wish for you all to always be peaceful and happy.”

 

Finally, Kate received the microphone.

 

“Meeting you all in such a close place brings special feelings.”

 

Kate’s pronunciation is even more amazing when heard in person. How does someone with that appearance speak Korean more like a Korean than actual Koreans.

 

“…Whatever image we show on screen, we always have grateful hearts toward our fans. There are still many episodes remaining. Please keep watching until then.”

 

Kate smiled brightly.

 

A woman who’s kinder to fans than anyone else. There’s a reason she’s so popular.

 

…Finally!

 

The person Lee Si-ah had been waiting for.

 

Seol Ha-woon gripped the microphone.

 

“Hello, I’m Seol Ha-woon. First… I hope you found it entertaining. Since you invested your precious time.”

 

He looked around at the people in the theater and smiled.

 

“And, I don’t know where it cut off but-”

 

Are you a Labyrinth Person?!

 

At someone’s resentful scream saying that’s where it cut off, Seol Ha-woon let out a hollow laugh.

 

“Ah. I see. That must be tough.”

 

Seol Ha-woon is gentle. He’s meticulous and firm in everything, especially in this World Labyrinth where he was the only one to see through Seer’s intentions, but he’s generous with smiles toward fans.

 

Lee Si-ah stared blankly at him. For some reason, a foolish smile appeared on her face too.

 

“…Oh right. Here, we have Mitamnan t-shirts that we all signed.”

 

Seol Ha-woon rustled as he pulled something out. The other explorers did the same.

 

In an instant, the entire movie theater went wild.

 

Lee Si-ah had no memory of the following 5 minutes.

 

However, when she came to her senses, she was clutching a t-shirt with Seol Ha-woon’s autograph in her hand, so it could be called successful.

 

* * *

 

We toured various theaters at Yongsan Station CVG, and as a reward, we received free time—in other words, vacation.

 

“Oh~ well said. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

 

I visited David Han’s Shop. The old man I was meeting after a long time had quite a different outfit.

 

“…Why are you wearing a leather jacket?”

 

“Don’t you know me?”

 

“You’re David Han.”

 

“That’s right. David Han. Do you know how many tens of thousands of followers I have?”

 

He seemed to have caught celebrity disease somehow, but anyway, he said business was going well.

 

“Old man. Do you happen to sell generators and laptops too?”

 

“Do you think this is some kind of electronics store? I do have them though.”

 

“What? Then give me those.”

 

The old man brought out products from the storage room. It was a latest laptop and a small magic stone generator.

 

A cutting-edge ‘artifact’ that generates electricity using magic stones.

 

Magic stone generators are treated as artifacts.

 

“It’s on credit. You know that, right?”

 

“…You’re quite shameless about credit?”

 

I leaned my body against the wall.

 

“You know it. Now my face is collateral.”

 

David Magic Bookstore Owner narrowed his eyes.

 

“Did you catch celebrity disease?”

 

“…That’s actually what I wanted to say.”

 

“What did you say?”

 

“How much?”

 

“Well… you know magic stone generators are expensive without me saying it, right?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Items like magic stone generators are mostly used for military purposes first, then distributed to civilians.

 

It means I’ve used them before.

 

“25% discount, 8,000.”

 

“That’s pretty cheap?”

 

“I’m giving you a cheap price, you brat. Instead, sign all of these before you go.”

 

David Magic Bookstore Owner held out nearly a hundred sheets of autograph paper.

 

…I almost want to give up on the discount.

 

“Yes. I’ll do it for now, but do you happen to have more books by Mage Tae Hyeok?”

 

“Books?”

 

“Something a bit more advanced…”

 

“There are no books, ask that guy. He just arrived.”

 

The old man chuckled and pointed beyond the door.

 

A man dressed entirely in black—black fedora, black coat, black tie, and Black Walker Boots—opened the bookstore door.

 

I recognized his face at a glance like before.

 

Mage, Tae-woo.

 

* * *

 

“You’ve become quite popular.”

 

Empty Lot Behind the Bookstore. Tae-woo said.

 

“Yes. I was lucky.”

 

I looked at him.

 

His height seems similar to mine or slightly taller, but the aura he emanates is extraordinary. It’s an even greater sense of intimidation than David Magic Bookstore Owner, who has a naturally large build.

 

“You’re curious about ‘concepts’?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Tae-woo gladly allowed a one-day lesson. He said it was repayment for past events.

 

I’m slightly anxious about this. They say learning gets mixed up when teachers change.

 

Still, whether it’s Tae-woo or Tae-yul, they’re both people who came from the same root called Tae Hyeok.

 

Also, after learning from Tae-woo and then hearing Yoo Yul’s teachings, I could ‘finally’ be certain whether she’s Tae-yul or not.

 

“A concept is carving a system within yourself. Implementing your own logic that transcends intuition.”

 

Snap. Tae-woo broke off a tree branch. He also plucked off a leaf.

 

“As everyone knows, in a vacuum, these two fall at the same speed. It’s a law that governs nature. This is also a concept.”

 

He dropped the branch and leaf simultaneously. They descended at the same speed.

 

My eyes widened greatly.

 

“…This isn’t a vacuum though.”

 

“It’s nothing more than a small trick. Mages don’t twist natural laws. If you think mere humans can modify the world, that’s too petty an arrogance.”

 

Tae-woo continued speaking.

 

“A mage is merely one who temporarily deceives the world’s eyes. Magical causality that manipulates momentary gaps. When you layer these tricks upon each other, it becomes a mage’s concept.”

 

I activated my sequence. Ears and eyes. I imprinted everything Tae-woo said into my mind.

 

“However, individual human concepts don’t accumulate. No matter how much you build up, they disappear when your lifespan ends. There’s no continuity at all. That’s why universities exist, and why families reign supreme.”

 

Bloodline families that once made a name as mages are different from schools. They remain extremely exclusive yet stay as prestigious families for quite a long time.

 

Tae-woo, Tae-yul, and Tae Hyeok are representative examples.

 

They have improved themselves by inheriting Tae Hyeok’s concepts and also developing them.

 

“In modern society, mages’ concepts are built through collective intelligence. Simply put, they’ve been turned into textbooks. Ordinary mages acquire concepts that match their attributes at university and internalize the system. That’s why departments are divided.”

 

Universities have curricula for mages. This is called the ‘Department of Magical Studies,’ divided into preparatory and main courses.

 

The preparatory course covers basics for 1-2 years. The main course goes deeper into more advanced fields.

 

Major categories include Elemental Magic, Necromancy, Illusion Magic, Alchemy, Support Magic, Summoning, Shamanic Magic, Barrier, and so on.

 

“You are special among them. If I had to categorize your concept, it would be ‘Aberrant Form.'”

 

“Aberrant Form…”

 

“The concept of Aberrant Form doesn’t exist in universities. You have to create it yourself. It’s rare among mages, but quite common among magic users.”

 

What he’s saying is.

 

I’m an ancestor who must directly create and assemble concepts.

 

“Create your core, Seol Ha-woon.”

 

“A core, you say.”

 

“Yes. Pull that core down like an anchor to connect the world and yourself.”

 

I closed my eyes.

 

I raised the gears of my sequence all at once.

 

First, I extend my magic power downward beneath my feet.

 

I connect myself to the world.

 

I embrace such mental visualization.

 

“Convey the mental visualization you want to create to the world. Build it up.”

 

Tae-woo released his magic power. He surrounded me with a thin membrane.

 

My concentration was enhanced, and my magic power was firmly grasped. It was Tae-woo’s assistance for me.

 

I don’t understand the principle.

 

I simply convey the system of the formula I desire to the world.

 

To complete my concept. To manipulate my own causality…

 

Splash.

 

Some object echoed within my body. It felt like such a sound was ringing.

 

As if reaching out to grasp it, I clutched that object. The cold sensation was familiar.

 

Bullet.

 

It appeared in my heart.

 

“What is your first?”

 

Tae-woo suddenly asked.

 

I opened my eyes.

 

Quietly, I looked at him and answered.

 

“It’s merely a bullet.”

 

Tae-woo shook his head with an expressionless face.

 

“It’s not merely anything. Your concept is a bullet. That means you can ‘fire’ your concept.”

 

My mind was dazed. Tae-woo’s voice seemed to waver in the air.

 

“Artillery looks powerful to the eye. But what’s important is density and convergence. You can’t achieve anything through dispersion alone.”

 

I understood.

 

If a single bullet could make an operation successful, there would be no need for a nuclear bomb.

 

“You can fire all your concepts including your memories and intentions, beliefs and mental visualization.”

 

My body staggers. I need to lean on my walking stick.

 

“Seol Ha-woon. From what I can see, you are a human who embodies the battlefield.”

 

A foreign sensation felt in my heart. I recalled my concept.

 

“But trees grow on battlefields too.”

 

Clang.

 

A bullet appeared in my grasp. I fired it directly into the ground. It burrowed into the soil. A faint crack opened and a sprout emerged. It instantly grew into a tree.

 

…This is my small deception.

—————
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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