Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 139

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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 139

 

Spear Ghost(2)

 

I arrived at the village square under Kang Woo-hyuk’s guidance. Just as the missing person had said, there were quite a lot of people. Market stalls were lined up as well.

 

“There are many.”

 

“Yes. It’s a night market.”

 

However, it’s very quiet. There are many people, but I don’t feel any human presence. They’re not human to begin with, after all.

 

I checked my mental strength.

 

[Mental Strength : ■■■■■■■■■□]

 

It keeps repeating the cycle of decreasing then filling up again, decreasing then filling up again.

 

The standard for decrease seems to be ‘each time I make contact with ghosts.’

 

“Woo-hyuk.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Are there any empty stalls by chance?”

 

I want to take it easy in this labyrinth.

 

The aura of the spirit world, or something like that. Such things are being read by my sensitive ki sensing and magic power talent, but my mental strength has no problems at all.

 

The critical hit is actually my knee.

 

Whether it’s mana, spiritual energy, or ghostly energy, the higher the concentration of such things that aren’t oxygen or nitrogen, the more it worsens magical wounds.

 

My knee is precisely that kind of injury.

 

“Huh~? An empty stall, you say?”

 

“I’d like to try doing some business too.”

 

“Ah~ But you’re an outsider… Will you be able to endure the territorial behavior…”

 

“It’s fine.”

 

According to the map, this village square holds great significance. Because you must pass through here no matter where you’re going.

 

Even if all kinds of spirits are swarming about, I must secure at least one corner.

 

“If that’s not possible, I’ll pitch a tent and stage a sit-in.”

 

“Oh my… Such an intense outsider has come.”

 

“Intense?”

 

That’s an unexpected word choice.

 

“Normally it wouldn’t be allowed, but follow me. This youth crime prevention captain is also moved by your passion! It just so happens that one grandmother said she wanted to retire too.”

 

“Yes.”

 

I followed Kang Woo-hyuk as he walked.

 

“But this village… how many residents are there?”

 

“Hmm. There would be several hundred. What is your name?”

 

“Seol Ha… woon and pony.”

 

It’s a test.

 

“Yes. Since outsiders like Mr. Seol Ha-woon and pony visit frequently, the floating population is quite large.”

 

He accepts even a name like Seol Ha-woon and pony without any suspicion.

 

If this is acting, he’s a master that even Eldia couldn’t approach.

 

“Actually, it’s Seol Ha-woon. I misspoke.”

 

“Ah~ Yes. Mr. Seol Ha-woon. I sometimes get tongue-tied too. I wonder if I’m getting old… Here we are.”

 

In the meantime, we reached our destination. It was a bookstore with a wooden frame.

 

“Please come in.”

 

“Yes.”

 

I folded my umbrella and went inside.

 

A used bookstore with just four bookshelves, and other used books bundled and lined up on the ground. There was a sofa at the counter.

 

“Grandmother~ Grandmother~”

 

Then an elderly person appeared from somewhere.

 

“…Huh? Isn’t that Woo-hyuk?”

 

I looked intently at the top of her head. An axe blade was embedded there.

 

Interesting.

 

“Grandmother. Here she is. You said you’d sell for a certain amount of key money, right?”

 

“I said I’d sell for fifteen nyang. Yes.”

 

Fifteen nyang.

 

Grandmother looked at me. I met her eyes.

 

[Mental Strength : ■■■■■■■■■□]

 

Mental strength is consumed when you make eye contact with spirits.

 

[Mental Strength : ■■■■■■■■■■]

 

But it fills up again quickly.

 

“Fifteen nyang, are you referring to yeop-jeon by any chance?”

 

I took out five yeop-jeon from the missing person’s bag.

 

“That’s right. Those.”

 

“I have five. I’ll give you the remaining ten tomorrow.”

 

“Give them tomorrow? Hey, you’re not a scammer, are you.”

 

She believes Seol Ha-woon and pony, but why doesn’t she believe this? Is it a difference between ghosts?

 

“Come on. What a brave outsider he is.”

 

“I will definitely repay you. If I can’t repay within a day, I’ll return not only these yeop-jeon but also the bookstore.”

 

I handed the five yeop-jeon to Grandmother. Grandmother fingered the yeop-jeon with her wrinkled hands and nodded.

 

“Well, alright then. You definitely said tomorrow?”

 

“Yes. But what do you use those yeop-jeon for?”

 

“Ah. It’s the fare for going back.”

 

Kang Woo-hyuk answered instead. Grandmother also let out a deep sigh.

 

“…I feel like I’ve done enough. I want to go.”

 

Going back.

 

Only then was I certain.

 

Most of the residents here are dead.

 

“Well then. See you tomorrow.”

 

“Grandmother. I’ll escort you.”

 

“Oh my.”

 

Kang Woo-hyuk and Grandmother hold hands together and try to leave the used bookstore.

 

“Woo-hyuk.”

 

Kang Woo-hyuk turned to look at me.

 

“Right now, what time is it exactly?”

 

I’m thinking of imprinting a body clock into my sequence.

 

Kang Woo-hyuk answered while looking at his wristwatch.

 

“It’s been 3 minutes since midnight.”

 

“…3 minutes.”

 

I replied calmly.

 

“Didn’t you say it was midnight when we first met?”

 

“Yes. That’s right. So 3 minutes have passed.”

 

It seems the concept of time is on a different dimension from the outside.

 

“Understood. Take care.”

 

“Yes. Mr. Seol Ha-woon, work hard at your business too.”

 

Kang Woo-hyuk left.

 

I browsed through the books in the used bookstore. A newspaper clipping stuck to the wall caught my eye.

 

│Wolryeong Village Serial Disappearance Case│33 people missing… Despite mobilizing all local investigative personnel, the investigation is struggling. Shamans claim it’s ‘the work of ghosts’… What ghostly nonsense!

 

It seemed like Grandmother had clipped it herself.

 

I left the used bookstore.

 

Drizzle drizzle…

 

Standing on the landing where rain was still falling, I used the Land Magic Contract.

 

The radius was 14.44m³ including this used bookstore.

 

Whoosh!

 

A strong wind blew and the inside of the bookstore cleared up. The thick fog also lifted.

 

I picked up two wooden planks lying nearby and set up an A-frame sign. I tore off some duct tape and stuck a lantern on the wall to make it easily visible.

 

Business establishment complete.

 

“Hmm…”

 

I stepped back and inspected it.

 

[Explorer Base Camp]

 

Lodging fee: 1 nyang in old coins

 

“Perfect.”

 

In this labyrinth, I plan to become the base camp. The rest of you figure it out yourselves.

 

“Let me get carried for once too.”

 

I can’t do everything forever.

 

Beyond being a content hippo, I get cursed at daily for being an elephant with PD picks. There’s even some crazy guy trying to spread dating rumors about me and Kim A-rang.

 

…Actually, the increased difficulty of the labyrinth is probably all because of me.

 

Anyway.

 

I returned to the used bookstore. It felt somewhat eerie, so I lit the fireplace.

 

It didn’t seem to light properly.

 

“Why is the heat output like this?”

 

Rip rip rip. I stuck on duct tape.

 

Duct tape also serves as a temporary ‘circuit’. A fireplace with added circuits naturally performs better.

 

Whoosh!

 

“Oh, hot.”

 

I’m surprised even though I did it myself.

 

Lord Duct Tape. You’re not just almost omnipotent, you’re evolving into complete omnipotence.

 

“…I worship you.”

 

Muttering, I sat at the counter.

 

I quietly gripped my left knee. I bent my upper body forward. Gritting my teeth, I endured the pain for a long while.

 

It felt like my knee would tear apart.

 

If it were during an important operation, I would have cut off the leg, but there’s no need to go that far in a labyrinth.

 

“Haah…”

 

Just as the pain was gradually subsiding.

 

Grumble.

 

My stomach made a sound. I quickly looked around the inside of the used bookstore, but there was no edible food.

 

I summoned Truck from subspace.

 

The purpose was food gathering. Looking at the map, there were rice and barley fields, so let’s go there.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

I opened the door of the used bookstore and connected my senses with Truck.

 

Rattle rattle rattle rattle.

 

Elite Truck is heading out.

 

* * *

 

Kang Hyeon, Lee Jun-ho, Im Hae-jun, and Kate. The four people rested inside a barrier made of gold thread.

 

“…Everyone. How’s your mental strength?”

 

Lee Jun-ho asked.

 

“I’m fine. Hae-jun’s complexion has improved too.”

 

Though still unconscious, his complexion wasn’t purple.

 

“I’ve almost recovered too.”

 

Kate also seemed to be gradually adapting.

 

“Then let’s get going.”

 

Lee Jun-ho got up.

 

“It’s dangerous to stay in one place. The head ghost will come looking.”

 

│Head Ghost│◇ A headless ghost. If you stay in one place for too long, it will come looking for you. When you make eye contact with the head ghost, you suffer severe mental damage.◇ Danger Level ★★★★★◇ Countermeasure: Get out of that space!

 

“…Everyone. Put on the straw shoes.”

 

Each person put on the carefully made straw shoes, Kang Hyeon carried Im Hae-jun on his back. Kate shouldered a backpack tightly packed with items she had farmed and purchased.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

Lee Jun-ho led them while gripping a torch.

 

[Torch]■ Some ghosts might be afraid of it!

 

As they stepped on the ground with straw shoes, rustling forward.

 

“Where are you going~ Where are you going~”

 

A hoarse voice flowing from somewhere sent chills throughout their bodies.

 

“Where are you going~ Where are you going~”

 

A grandfather. Or something that looked like a grandfather was approaching from ahead.

 

“Where could it be…”

 

Muttering, it passed by the group.

 

“Haah…”

 

“Wow…”

 

“Phew…”

 

The three people let out sighs of relief.

 

* * *

 

I procured food supplies with Truck.

 

Pumpkin, bottled water, potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice.

 

From a jar terrace I happened to encounter on the way: soybean paste, red pepper paste, soy sauce.

 

Breaking into a closed butcher shop I discovered by chance: pork, braised beef, beef…

 

Luckily, I packed the cargo hold full.

 

“How many stages does the expansion have?”

 

Amazing. Julione did such a thorough modification that the cargo hold extends not only to the sides but also upward.

 

Anyway, the ingredients themselves show no abnormalities whether viewed with Sequence’s eyes or through the information window.

 

I laid out a burner, pot, and frying pan and displayed my cooking skills.

 

[Strategy! Cooking Secret Manual]

 

1. Pot Rice.

 

Delicious pot rice! Doesn’t look like much, right? Try it!

 

The first page is pot rice. As I stare intently at the recipe, my body moves on its own.

 

Put rice in the pot, wash it, add water, heat it, and it’s done.

 

2. Soybean Paste Stew.

 

Heartfelt soybean paste stew! If you cook it just like this, it’ll taste even better?!

 

The soybean paste stew is the same – looking at the page naturally leads to cooking.

 

Bubble bubble bubble.

 

The completed soybean paste stew that was finished before I knew it is admirable.

 

“This is loot.”

 

It seems this cooking manual is in mastery book format, meaning it’s quite a valuable item that transfers ‘proficiency’ itself.

 

Scoop. I ladled some soybean paste stew and took a bite.

 

“Ah…”

 

I unconsciously closed my eyes. I tucked the cooking manual book under my arm.

 

This isn’t loot, it’s treasure.

 

“…”

 

My eyes met with Truck’s. It seemed somewhat disappointed.

 

“You’re far more than treasure.”

 

Only then did it seem to smile.

 

“…Is this ghost village making me lose my mind too.”

 

I finished every bit of rice and went outside.

 

I wrote a few more letters on the sign outside.

 

[Explorer Base Camp]Lodging fee: 1 nyang yeop-jeonOne meal: 1 nyang yeop-jeon

 

“They’ll all make it this far somehow.”

 

I shouldn’t underestimate the explorers. Even though they’re still young, they’re the type who somehow find the way, find the answer.

 

I sat at the used bookstore counter.

 

“…Cigarettes?”

 

The cigarettes next to the cashier caught my eye. Tap tap. When I poked them, about half remained.

 

Were these what Grandmother used to smoke.

 

[ Doraji ]■ Old-fashioned cigarettes! They look like they’d taste good! Helps with mental recovery and pain relief!

 

Pain relief effect. I need that so badly. My knees feel like they’re about to give out anyway.

 

I took out one cigarette.

 

Then I glanced at the scrapbook article on the wall.

 

│Wolryeong Village Serial Disappearance Case│38 people missing… Despite mobilizing all local investigative personnel, the investigation is struggling. Shamans claim it’s ‘the work of ghosts.’What ghostly nonsense!

 

“Wait a minute.”

 

I frowned.

 

I compared my memory from just moments ago with what I’m seeing now.

 

“The number of missing people.”

 

Wasn’t it originally 33 people.

 

No, 33 people was correct.

 

While my memory might have errors, there are no errors in the visual information I processed. It’s practically because Sequence, meaning magic power, acts on my behalf.

 

I stared intently at the newspaper article.

 

Pitter patter…

 

In the bookstore where raindrops tap the window, I wait quietly.

 

│Wolryeong Village Serial Disappearance Case│40 people missing… Despite mobilizing all local investigative personnel, the investigation is struggling. Shamans claim it’s ‘the work of ghosts.’What ghostly nonsense!

 

“Now it’s 40 people.”

 

I put the cigarette in my mouth. I lit it with the tip of my index finger.

 

Smoke filling my lungs completely. Thanks to that, the pain in my knees subsided.

 

“Whew…”

 

I exhaled the murky smoke and twisted the corner of my mouth.

 

“…Well then.”

 

The work of ghosts. Serial disappearance case.

 

As if that could be true.

 

People killed them all.

 

All the terrible things in this world were entirely the work of people.

 

Someone who knows human nature isn’t afraid of ghosts or anything like that.

 

Ghosts are merely the dead, and the living actually create ghosts.

 

│Wolryeong Village Serial Disappearance Case│41 people missing…

 

“You…”

 

There are no evil ghosts in the world.

 

“You’re not a ghost, are you?”

 

There are only evil people.

 

That very person is lurking somewhere in this place.

 

That bastard is the purpose of this labyrinth.

 

* * *

 

“…What’s that supposed to be.”

 

The four people arrived at Wolryeong Bridge. Lee Jun-ho read the precautions with narrowed eyes.

 

Wolryeong Village Precautions1. Never cross the bridge between 11 PM and 5 AM.

 

“Hyun. We don’t know what time it is now, right?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Lee Jun-ho opened Wolryeong Ghost Stories again.

 

│Wolryeong Bridge│◇ The bridge of Wolryeong Village. It enchants people. It searches through memories and reflects the face of the person most precious to you. Dozens of tourists supposedly commit suicide on that bridge every year…◇ Danger Level ★★★★★◇ Countermeasure: Never look back! If you look back, you’ll be deceived!

 

“If we don’t know what time it is, we probably shouldn’t cross this.”

 

“No. I have an item.”

 

Kate took out a small lantern from her bag with a horolong sound.

 

[ Horolong Lantern ]■ Horolong lantern! Lets you cross bridges even on dangerous nights! It can protect you from illusions, but the light is too small so you shouldn’t be overconfident!

 

“It’s a Horolong Lantern. Come close to me. Just make sure it absolutely doesn’t go out.”

 

“Oh. Good. Confirmed.”

 

“Yes.”

 

The four people clustered together like a single mass.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

Kate took the lead. Lee Jun-ho and Kang Hyeon walked right beside her like escorts, and Im Hae-jun was carried on Kang Hyeon’s back.

 

The four people advanced through the thick fog.

 

Thud. Thud.

 

At the entrance of the bridge, there were clearly only the footsteps of four people.

 

Thudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthud.

 

At some point, countless footsteps became mixed together.

 

Excuse me. Excuse me.

 

Excuse me. Can’t you hear me?

 

Where are you going. Please look at me

 

Wow. Oppa! Unnie!

 

Unnie! You can see us!

 

They ignore all the voices completely, not even showing any reaction.

 

You can hear my voice! You can hear it you can hear it you can hear it you can hear it you can hear it you can hear it!!!!!!

 

Kate’s hand trembled slightly. Lee Jun-ho exhaled a cold breath. Kang Hyeon grabbed their shoulders and made them walk forward.

 

“We can’t stop.”

 

“…Right.”

 

“Yes.”

 

When they endured even this red trial and reached the end of the bridge.

 

“Kate.”

 

All three people stopped.

 

Kate’s heart trembled. The other two were the same. They felt each other’s agitation.

 

“You’ve grown up well.”

 

She remembers this voice. Even as years pass, even after 10 years and 20 years, she could never forget it.

 

His name is Percival.

 

A person who was more like a father than my own father.

 

“Come here. Look at me.”

 

The heads of the three people turn almost simultaneously, as if bewitched by someone…

 

——Thoom!

 

The sound of striking the ground with a walking stick… no.

 

The resonance of a massive shell bombarding the road surface awakened them.

 

“!”

 

“Ugh!”

 

The three people gasped for breath and fixed their gaze ahead.

 

For a moment the fog on the bridge brightened, and another silhouette appeared on the other side.

 

It was a man.

 

He was… a person who was always constant.

 

A person who would never change and seemed like he would never be deceived by anyone.

 

Standing as if illuminating the darkness with his blue eyes──

 

Seol Ha-woon.

 

He gazed at the backs of the group and spoke.

 

“Never look back.”

 

At that moment, Kate suddenly becomes curious.

 

Right now, ‘who’ is Seol Ha-woon seeing?

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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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