Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 137
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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 137
There Is No Rainbow(6)
The dining table is full of food. Boiled pork, blood sausage, seasoned raw fish, beef shank, and more – there’s no empty space. Yet all we actually ordered was gukbap for two people.
“…It is delicious though. Good.”
If only I could ignore the constant stares.
They keep glancing at us from the kitchen. Outside, a crowd is gradually gathering too.
“Right?”
Kang Hyeon eats his gukbap. He takes rather large spoonfuls, but the actual amount on his spoon is small. Even his eating speed is slow.
This is driving me crazy.
“Do you often eat a lot like this?”
Can he even meet his basic metabolic needs eating like this?
“I mostly blend things up. Except for meat.”
“Is gukbap an extension of that?”
“Oh~ exactly. It’s convenient when everything’s mixed together.”
He’s going “Oh~” about it.
Anyway, he’s actually mixing all the boiled pork, blood sausage, seasoned raw fish, beef shank, and cubed radish kimchi into his soup. Honestly, at that point it’s already bizarre food.
“…Right.”
However he eats isn’t my business. Bothering someone while they’re eating just makes things awkward.
I put some boiled pork on top of my gukbap and ate it.
It tastes good, but it’s still hard to eat as much as I used to.
While chewing, I opened SNS on my smartphone.
The real-time trends were plastered with Kang Hyeon and me.
#DwaesunGukbap
#SeolHaWoon
#KangHyeon
#Mitamnan
One post among them caught my eye.
[ Seol Ganghyeon showed up at the pork and sundae soup restaurant ㄷㄷ Are they filming?? ]
A photo of me and Kang Hyeon sitting and eating. Judging by the amount of gukbap, it seems to have been taken about 2 minutes ago.
[ Going there right now ]
[ Shit I took a half day off ]
[ Fuck I’m running there now ]
Don’t come running.
“Nearby office workers are apparently taking half days off.”
Kang Hyeon said while wiping his mouth with a napkin.
“I think we need to ask for help too.”
“We should.”
I sent a text to PD Kim A-rang.
[ PD-nim, we’re at Dwae-sun Gukbap in Dongjak District and there are a lot of people outside ]
[ Kim Arang : Yeah ]
[ Could you come pick us up? ]
[ Kim Arang : Yeah, wait~ ]
“…Did you enjoy your meal?”
As we were finishing up, the staff members shyly came out from the kitchen.
“Ah yes. We enjoyed it very much.”
“Then, could you…”
The owner placed several sheets of paper on the desk. Probably one big one for the restaurant, and the others for gifts or personal collection.
“Could you sign these~?”
“Of course.”
We both signed about ten or so sheets. We took photos too.
One with the owner, one with the staff members, one all together.
“Oh my~ You’re both so handsome~”
“This Imal-ol guy is much taller than he looked on TV~?”
Who is Imal-ol now? Do they think Jemal-ok is actually a person’s name?
[ Kim A-rang : I’m outside. ]
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
“Thank you for the delicious meal.”
We said our goodbyes and went outside.
Waaaaaaah- cheers erupted. The entire main street was packed with people. I gripped my walking stick and gave a bitter smile.
“Look over here please!!!”
“Ha-woon, Ha-woon oppa!”
I held hands with several fans who reached out. The moment we touched, they acted like they were about to faint from electric shock.
This feels strange.
“Jemal-ok hyung! Photo, just one photo!”
People held up their smartphones to capture themselves and me in one shot. I naturally made expressions for them too.
“Hyeon, Hyeon oppa! Hyeon oppa!”
“Here, please look here just once…”
The situation around Kang Hyeon was similar.
We spent quite a while mingling with them.
“Thank you. Thank you.”
After that, we said our thanks and got into the staff van.
“There really are a lot of people.”
“Indeed.”
“…”
I watched them from inside the car, then slid the window down.
Waaaah! Cheers rose up.
I rolled the window back up. The cheers stopped.
I slid the window down again.
Waaaaah! Cheers rose up.
I rolled it back up.
“What are you doing, hyung?”
“…They came all the way here to see us.”
When I lower the window, cheers go “waaaah,” when I raise it again, they stop abruptly.
Grateful for their warm welcome, I repeated it a few times.
“Hey, you stick your face out too.”
“…?”
Kang Hyeon grabbed his face and stuck it out the window. Wooooooah! Kang Hyeon grinned and waved his hand.
“Shall we depart now?”
The staff member in the driver’s seat asked.
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
The van departed. Kang Hyeon must have gotten drowsy after eating as he immediately leaned his head against the car window, and I looked at the crowd that was still packed.
It’s awkward.
How can there be so many people who like someone like me.
Maybe it’s because they’ve never seen my true self.
Some young kid even made a placard and was waving it around.
I rolled down the window slightly and gave a thumbs up.
“Wo, woah! Woooooah!!!”
The guy who looked like a student turned red and started jumping up and down.
“…This is fun.”
I felt strangely proud.
* * *
The subspace of Astroal Merchandise.
I sat on the chair at the counter and laid out the trading cards.
“Ugh. Come on, give me something good.”
11 Koreans, 14 foreigners. They’re all low-level explorers. Kim Du-gyeom is the only rare one.
〔What kind of products are these.〕
Aro asked with sparkling eyes.
“These are trading cards. They’ve been famous in the unit for a long time.”
Figures, explorer cards, shoes, uniforms, and so on. There were many guys who collected all sorts of things.
I don’t know why.
If I had to guess, maybe they’re afraid that if they die suddenly, nothing will remain?
Maybe the continuous act of ‘collecting’ something feels like it will extend their lives?
“This looks pretty useless, but it’s half an artifact.”
Among the cards released by the Explorer Association, those ‘Gold’ grade and above have special functions attached. They’re coated with magic stone solution and then implanted with special formulas.
【2024 Association Official Trading Card: Gold Rookie Kim Du-gyeom】■ Grade: Rare■ Overview: Kim Du-gyeom Rookie Gold Card 1 of 3■ Purifies the air within a 15m radius range.
Each card has different functions, and Kim Du-gyeom is a natural air purifier.
“Strangely, the more expensive they get, the stronger the effect becomes.”
〔It’s because people’s beliefs gather.〕
“Right. The rarer they are, the more attention they get. The more expensive they are, the more attention they get. That attention gathers into belief and triggers ‘natural spell formulas’.”
Formulas are the power of yearning. But the sources of yearning are more diverse than you’d think.
When many people’s shared wishes gather, that also twists and changes reality.
Trading cards are very effective mediums for drawing in this collective unconscious power.
The Association turns famous explorers into cards, collectors invest money to get rare cards, and people perceive expensive cards as ‘valuable’ and ‘special’ things, sending unconscious admiration. This attention and desire gradually strengthens the cards’ formulas.
It’s a kind of naturally occurring formula.
〔Master. You seem to have deep knowledge about formulas.〕
“I study a lot.”
It’s too boring to appear on broadcasts, but the library is one of my daily routines. There’s a lot of knowledge accumulating in my head.
〔Did Master voluntarily start this kind of collecting?〕
“No. I actually thought…”
I thought it was stupid.
So, now.
“…I’m more on the side of following along.”
If you force yourself to immerse in it, that’s what happens. If I keep thinking of myself that way, I can definitely continue that hobby too.
This must also be the power of yearning.
〔Merchandise new business. I’ll try launching it.〕
Suddenly Aro became serious.
“…Did you get inspired?”
〔Yes. Master.〕
Aro grabbed the suitcase and snap! opened it wide. I opened my eyes wide at the sudden contents.
“It’s here, finally!”
【Dark Journey】. The appearance is an ordinary coat. The size seems too small for my body, but when I inject magic power?
Whoosh!
It transforms into particles and floats in the air, sticking to my entire body.
Pop!
The coat materialized with a perfect fit.
“…Good. I’ll give it 5 stars.”
〔Yes. Master.〕
Aro seriously blinked his eyes.
〔Please make collectible merchandise to sell here.〕
“What?”
I thought he was going to make it himself.
“Well, what could you make with your craftsmanship…”
* * *
Mitamnan filming day.
45 explorers—5 had been eliminated in the previous labyrinth—stood on the set stage. Yoo Ji-in looked around at them and smiled.
“Today is the ranking announcement ceremony. Also, the total scores combining weekly votes and profile votes will be announced every week.”
We’re heading toward the mid-to-late stages.
“Now then.”
Staff members moved busily behind the stage, and Yoo Ji-in spoke according to their signals.
“1st place.”
〔 1st Place 〕
Following the ranking that filled the monitor, the announcement.
“Kang Hyeon!”
The ranking had changed. Lee Jun-ho’s expression hardened coldly. A breathless sound flowed through the venue. The camera filmed both of them simultaneously.
Kang Hyeon stepped onto the platform.
“2nd place.”
〔 2nd Place 〕
“Lee Jun-ho!”
Lee Jun-ho smiled brightly. However, now his position was different. Not at the very top, but below Kang Hyeon.
“3rd place. Kate!”
Kate stepped up. Her expression was cold. She smiled for the camera, but only briefly.
She’s somehow different these days.
At some point, she changed.
“4th place. Seo Ji-woo!”
Seo Ji-woo stood next to Kate with a disappointed expression.
Next, 5th place was Ryu Yeon-hwa, 6th place was Jo Woon.
Up to six places like this was familiar, but.
“7th place.”
Yoo Ji-in paused for a moment. In that gap, my skin reacted.
It’s me.
“Seol Ha-woon.”
I silently clenched my fist. I climbed the stairs while leaning on my walking stick.
Clap clap clap.
The explorers applauded for me. Lee Jong-soo was unnecessarily excited, and Yoon Hwa-rim whistled for me.
On the other hand, Im Hae-jun’s face was swollen. When I glanced at him, he clapped but seemed somewhat jealous.
I stood on the seventh platform.
From 96th place to 7th place.
A rise of 89 steps.
[ Recognition Level Up! ]
[ Recognition Grade: 16 ]
[ An additional 60 days of trial version are granted. ]
[ Karma: Grade-up gift is given! ]
[ Trait Enhancement Ticket Acquired ]
Holy, shit.
I almost screamed but held it in.
Trait Enhancement Ticket.
Let me hold back for now.
I’ll think about it after everything’s over.
Don’t get excited, Ha-woon.
“8th place. Yoon Hwa-rim!”
“Yes!!”
The ranking announcement continued. Yoon Hwa-rim 8th place, Kim Dong-ha 9th place, Lee Jong-soo 10th place, Im Hae-jun 11th place, Lee Sin-hye 12th place, Jin Ho-jong 13th place, Kim Woo-hyeon 14th place…
“Well then, now… Cut. Everyone come down.”
Yoo Ji-in after the cut is sharp as a blade. She doesn’t even talk to the explorers, just stands there looking at cue cards as if annoyed.
“There aren’t many labyrinths left. It’s regrettable.”
As soon as the camera light turns on, she transforms like a ghost.
“Not only all of us, but this world will feel the same way too. Shall we go to the next labyrinth now?”
The next labyrinth.
I did catch something from her outfit. Im Hae-jun seemed to be trembling with anxiety in the same way.
“Follow me.”
All 45 people moved together.
“Ah, seriously, this doesn’t seem right… The styling… looks like a grim reaper…”
Today, Yoo Ji-in’s outfit is a pitch-black hanbok.
“Everyone, here. There are forty-five rooms.”
Yoo Ji-in gestured as if guiding. In the long corridor, doors were lined up almost endlessly.
“Please enter one person per room.”
“Sob.”
The sound of Im Hae-jun wiping away tears.
I limped over and opened a door.
It was quite an ominous room. The yellowed floor with tape stuck to it that I used to see often as a child.
On one wall, a folding screen with bizarre beasts drawn on it occupied space, and on the ritual table in front of it, various objects were placed like at a first birthday celebration.
Bang!
The door closed by itself.
“…I want to do something comfortable for this labyrinth.”
My body isn’t feeling well. I pushed myself too hard during the Space Maze.
Dream Bubble is said to increase natural recovery, but if the natural recovery is originally 0.1, even multiplying by 10 only makes it 1.
“Hmm…”
I looked at the objects on the ritual table. Price tags were attached in a rough manner.
[ Missing Person’s Bag: 50,000 Coins ]
[ Random Box: 50,000 Coins ]
[ Multiplying Walkie-Talkie: 50,000 Coins ]
[ Shaman Bell: 100,000 Coins ]
[ Protection Charm: 50,000 Coins ]
[ Grave-digging Charm: 50,000 Coins ]
[ Exorcism Charm: 50,000 Coins ]
[ Soul-borrowing Charm: 50,000 Coins ]
[ Purification Charm: 50,000 Coins… ]
[ Other items can be purchased at another shop. ]
50,000 coins for one charm. This is serious coin draining.
I’ll have to buy something though.
I summoned magic power to my optic nerves.
If it’s a special object, it must contain distinctive magic power.
Bubble bubble. Blue bubbles rise from certain objects.
“I’ll just buy these three: this bag, random box, and walkie-talkie.”
There’s no response.
Do I just pick them up?
I picked up the bag, walkie-talkie, and box.
[ – 50,000 Coins ]
[ – 50,000 Coins ]
[ – 50,000 Coins ]
They were automatically deducted.
Good.
I turned around and opened the door.
“…Huh?”
The outside is different. It’s not the filming studio, but another room. It’s a similar yellowed floor, but the dangling sacred ropes on the ceiling are somehow eerie.
They’re torn. As if someone had ripped them apart.
Kieeeeeek——!
Suddenly a crow cried out.
“…That’s certain.”
This is a horror special.
Im Hae-jun is dead.
First, let me do some farming before leaving the room.
I scattered radar with Sequence to search the room.
Shamanic energy was squirming from behind the folding screen.
Swish. I folded the screen.
[ Wanted Poster : Expressionless Man ]■ Only walks around without any change in expression. Usually peaceful.■ If this appearance and description differs even slightly from the composite sketch, exercise extreme caution!
I lowered my gaze a bit more.
A safe was embedded in the wall.
I opened my eyes wide. I concentrated magic power into my optic nerves and read the traces lingering on the safe.
4. 8. 6. 4
Beep.
The safe opened.
Inside were some book, documents, and a ledger.
[ Strategy! Cooking Secret Manual ]
[ Land Contract Spell Document ]
[ Customer Ledger ]
I took everything out.
“Hm?”
There was also a talisman that had fallen on the ground.
I bent down to pick it up.
A hand suddenly emerged from behind me. A withered, pale blue hand. I raised my head and looked in that direction.
A flat face was glaring with lidless eyes while grinning from ear to ear. An air-leaking sound flowed from its squirming mouth.
Hellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohello
It would be quite a frightening scene for ordinary people to see, but fortunately.
“Hello.”
I wasn’t born with something called fear. To the extent that I even received psychological evaluations during my active duty days.
The test results showed no abnormalities.
“Let go. I need to organize my stuff.”
Byehellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohellohello
“That’s not a request. Let go before I kill you.”
I drew up my magic power.
Only then did the face squirm back into the wall to hide.
I sat down peacefully on the ground. I stretched out my left leg and laid out the items I had farmed.
[ Land Contract Spell Document ]■ Spiritually contracts exactly 14.44m² of space to completely block it from all supernatural influences.■ The space contracted through this spell document nullifies all external shamanic and spiritual effects, and shamanic magic cast from within the space also does not extend its power beyond the contract boundaries….
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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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