Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 154

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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 154

 

Spear Ghost(17)

 

A mountain that seems to reach the sky, stretching upward while obscuring the moon.

 

Faint moonlight outlines the mountain’s contours, and the temple near the peak is half-hidden in mist like a hazy lantern.

 

Kate looked up at that place and prepared for the challenge.

 

“Everyone, how are your mental states?”

 

Lee Jong-soo, Yoon Hwa-rim, Ryu Yeon-hwa, Lee Sin-hye.

 

It was a party of five including these four people.

 

“Yes. Thanks to the items, I’m in perfect condition.”

 

Lee Jong-soo fiddled with his red bean necklace.

 

Ryu Yeon-hwa wore red slip-on shoes, Lee Sin-hye had a red mirror, Yoon Hwa-rim wore red-black padding she’d picked up somewhere, and Kate also equipped mental power-boosting items like red underwear.

 

“Everyone. You’ve all read this magazine, right?”

 

Kate held up a magazine called ‘Temple Journey’.

 

If any parts differed from the Wolryeong Temple photos in this travel record, they would all be fake.

 

Ryu Yeon-hwa nodded.

 

“I’ve definitely memorized it.”

 

Yoon Hwa-rim energetically stretched out her hand.

 

“Then everyone, shall we go for it?!”

 

They placed their palms on the back of hands in turn. Kate reluctantly followed along.

 

“One, two, three, fighting!”

 

Then they climbed the stairs.

 

Everyone counted together.

 

One, two, three, four, five… one hundred seven.

 

Stepping on the 107th stair, they entered the temple.

 

“Check it.”

 

Everyone scattered in unison to check for abnormal phenomena in the temple.

 

“Nine shoes. Checked!”

 

Lee Jong-soo checked the shoes at the entrance.

 

“Three incense sticks. Confirmed.”

 

Lee Sin-hye checked the incense inside.

 

“…The stone pagoda is the same too.”

 

Ryu Yeon-hwa took interest in the stone pagoda itself.

 

“The stone pagoda is beautiful. Was it made in the early Joseon period…”

 

Kate observed the Expressionless Man wandering around the courtyard. His appearance and clothing matched the wanted poster exactly.

 

“This place seems fine. Let’s pass.”

 

They climbed the temple stairs again.

 

* * *

 

Pitter-patter.

 

Cold raindrops fall on Wolryeong Police Station. A gas lamp hanging from the ceiling illuminates the interior, and Lee Jun-ho sits in a chair, quietly thinking.

 

“Jeoldong Elementary School…”

 

When that thing was pretending to be Teacher Lee Se-eun at Jeoldong Elementary School, the red stone that So-yeon discovered.

 

So-yeon didn’t know what it was and asked the creature, and it answered that it was a fruit piece, but probably.

 

It was a red bean, wasn’t it.

 

Next, the picture diary that Seo Ji-woo brought from the abandoned hospital.

 

The creature that had been confined for 40 years as a research subject was struck by lightning from the sky. At the same time, it saw something ‘descending’.

 

Wasn’t it a divine calling?

 

“Are these all the victim files?”

 

Lee Jun-ho lifted up a bundle of files.

 

Im Hae-jun turned his head while eating his lunch box.

 

“Ah, gulp. Yes, hyung. That’s all of them.”

 

Now that Yoon Hwa-rim had left for the temple, Im Hae-jun and Kang Hyeon had set up this police station as a second base camp.

 

They installed a sacred rope at the entrance and scattered red beans and salt generously.

 

“Hey. I’ve decoded it.”

 

Just then, Seo Ji-woo finished interpreting the CCTV footage. The spell preservation data that had been hidden in the police station.

 

However, there was no need to examine everything. They just needed to investigate mainly the CCTV footage filming ‘Wolryeong Bridge’.

 

“Everyone gather around.”

 

Seo Ji-woo projected the footage in mid-air. The four people looked at it together.

 

Soon, Lee Jun-ho’s lips twisted.

 

“It’s certain. Right?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Kang Hyeon also nodded.

 

The more they watched the CCTV, the clearer the facts became.

 

Numerous missing people, including Teacher Lee Se-eun, had crossed the bridge.

 

Of course, that could happen. According to various magazines, Shaman Village was like a specialty of Wolryeong Village, so tourists frequently came and went.

 

However, all the victims crossing the bridge were dressed in red clothes.

 

When it was time to shed its skin, that is, when the creature’s Human-Skin Masked Ghost had reached its limit, it would return to its original base while relying on red clothes.

 

“Why was there so much resentment specifically on Wolryeong Bridge?”

 

Wolryeong Bridge had too many people’s voices, too many people’s resentments lingering there, making it difficult even to cross.

 

The reason was simple.

 

“I’ll go check it out. To Shaman Village.”

 

Lee Jun-ho stood up and picked up two victim files.

 

•Name: Lee Yong-tae•Gender: Male•Age: 83•Family Relations: Wife Kim Young-mae, Son Lee Jong-seok•Special Notes: Went missing while under investigation as a suspect immediately after wife’s (Kim Young-mae) disappearance•Status: Missing

 

This person is the Vengeful Spirit of Shaman Village.

 

The Grandfather Ghost from the early part who grabbed wrists and said let’s go together.

 

Flutter.

 

A photo fell from another file. Seo Ji-woo picked it up.

 

“…What’s this photo?”

 

“Ah… just. It’s nothing.”

 

Lee Jun-ho scratched the back of his neck and took the photo back.

 

•Name: Kim Young-mae•Gender: Female•Age: 79•Family Relations: Husband Lee Yong-tae, Son Lee Jong-seok•Special Notes: Dementia patient•Status: Missing

 

Seo Ji-woo gestured toward Kim Young-mae’s photo with her chin.

 

“Do you know that person?”

 

“No. Why?”

 

“I think I’ve seen her somewhere.”

 

At those words, Lee Jun-ho’s eyes widened.

 

“Where?!”

 

Seo Ji-woo stroked her chin and recalled the memory.

 

“When I went to the abandoned hospital, near that area. She seemed to have dementia. Even when I tried to take her with me, she wouldn’t move.”

 

Lee Jun-ho smiled brightly.

 

“Ji-woo, thank you. I’ll go right away.”

 

“Do you also get rope or something?”

 

“Rope?”

 

“Yeah. Kate said she wanted some.”

 

“I’m fine.”

 

Lee Jun-ho stood at the entrance of the police box. The clock on the ceiling still showed 6 o’clock. The particularly dangerous even-numbered hour.

 

“Jun-ho. Let’s go together.”

 

Before he knew it, Kang Hyeon had approached his side.

 

“…Yeah.”

 

If Kang Hyeon was his partner, that would be reliable.

 

“You two stay and guard the police box. If anything happens, I’ll contact you by radio.”

 

“…Okay. Ah~ I might get caught by a ghost halfway through and won’t be able to follow.”

 

Seo Ji-woo frowned as if frustrated.

 

“…Noona.”

 

Im Hae-jun, who had already finished his lunch box, asked cautiously.

 

“If you’re not going to eat it, can I have that?”

 

“I’m going to eat it. Hands off.”

 

Lee Jun-ho and Kang Hyeon arrived near the abandoned hospital. They searched for an elderly person, shining their flashlights here and there.

 

One elderly person with dementia.

 

“Jun-ho. Do we really have to find them?”

 

Kang Hyeon asked while keeping watch of the surroundings.

 

“Not necessarily…”

 

“Not necessarily?”

 

“…It would be good if we found them. Like how we brought So-yeon back.”

 

Hehehehehe

 

Suddenly, a spine-chilling laughter.

 

It was Dokkaebi Fire.

 

“Ah, you startled me. You came too?”

 

“Jun-ho. Look over there.”

 

Kang Hyeon shone his light somewhere. An elderly woman was crouched at the bus stop behind the abandoned hospital.

 

“Oh!”

 

Lee Jun-ho ran over.

 

“Grandmother!”

 

“…Who is it?”

 

The grandmother blinked and asked back.

 

“Is it my son?”

 

“Uh… Yes. I’m your son. Get on my back.”

 

“What’s my son’s name?”

 

“Lee Jong-seok.”

 

“That’s right?”

 

Even with dementia, she doesn’t forget her son’s name. Though she forgets his face.

 

“Get on my back, Grandmother.”

 

Lee Jun-ho smiled bitterly and offered his back. The grandmother climbed on. She was light as a feather.

 

“…What’s that?”

 

As he was about to walk away, he noticed a stake. A stake driven into the ground near the abandoned hospital.

 

Crack─!

 

Then, a rupturing sound as if something was breaking echoed.

 

The sound of joints twisting grotesquely.

 

In the pitch darkness, something writhed quickly and massively.

 

This was exactly the situation the Wolryeong Village signpost had warned about.

 

Kang Hyeon shouted.

 

“Jun-ho, run!”

 

“Oh my.”

 

The two men ran.

 

Crack─

 

Crack─

 

Craaaack─!

 

The grotesque thing followed them, twisting the bones of its body.

 

Thump thump thump thump thump thump!

 

The speed of its stomping feet was tremendous. It was strangely fast. Far from shaking it off, it seemed like the evil spirit would grab their ankles.

 

“Jun-ho.”

 

After running for a while, Kang Hyeon suddenly looked at Lee Jun-ho.

 

“Why?!”

 

“…”

 

Kang Hyeon silently looked deep into his eyes. As if trying to gauge his intentions, he just stared blankly, then suddenly.

 

Chuckle.

 

He laughed.

 

It was a clear smile.

 

“I’ll handle the rest!”

 

He shouted energetically and changed direction.

 

“Jun-ho, do well!”

 

He kicked off toward the opposite direction from Lee Jun-ho and swung his sword at the evil spirit behind them.

 

Crack─

 

Crack─

 

Crack─

 

The thing was distracted by Kang Hyeon, and Lee Jun-ho safely ran to Shaman Village.

 

“…Thank you.”

 

He didn’t look back.

 

* * *

 

Tap. Tap.

 

I tap my walking stick solemnly. My left knee is gradually getting better. As dawn approaches, am I recovering?

 

Tap. Tap.

 

The village’s night market.

 

Tap. Tap.

 

There, sitting most solemnly, an elderly person. A spirit with particularly strong presence.

 

To that person with a sashimi knife stuck near his liver…

 

I hand over a bundle of yeop-jeon.

 

“50 yeop-jeon. Please check them.”

 

He looks at me. As if trying to gauge my intentions, he just quietly stares, then.

 

Clink clink. He takes the yeop-jeon and examines their authenticity.

 

“Confirmed.”

 

And so, he gives me 【Craftsman’s Hand Techniques】.

 

A mastery book that’s treated as preciously as skill books among loot.

 

I have instantly gained the craftsmanship this craftsman accumulated over decades.

 

“Thank you.”

 

I bowed with cupped hands.

 

Having learned from the Craftsman’s experience through just one book, this level of formality was necessary.

 

“…Use it well.”

 

The elder rose from his seat.

 

“Are you leaving?”

 

“I must go now. I feel like I’ve stayed too, too long.”

 

The Craftsman tapped his lower back with the hammer, wearing a bitter smile.

 

“Please wait just a little longer.”

 

I held him back.

 

“Soon, the fire cannon will sound.”

 

* * *

 

“Ha.”

 

Lee Jun-ho let out a hollow laugh in front of Seol Ha-woon’s ferry boat. It wasn’t just because of Grandmother sleeping on his back, snoring softly.

 

“Broken?”

 

The means of transportation to cross to Shaman Village. The ferry boat was completely destroyed.

 

Even though he had attached protection talismans to prevent ghosts from touching it, if this happened anyway, it must have been human work.

 

Lee Jun-ho examined the ferry boat closely.

 

“Sword.”

 

That bastard destroyed the ferry boat with a sword.

 

And it was a sword with quite a large blade. Anyone using a great sword this size would definitely be a warrior, and there were only three among the explorers.

 

Stupid bastard. Since he keeps switching bodies whenever he’s suspected, he doesn’t even know how to hide evidence.

 

“But…”

 

Lee Jun-ho looked up at Wolryeong Bridge.

 

In the end, the bridge was the problem. He had to cross the bridge, and it was even an even hour now. In this urgent situation, he couldn’t wait until an odd hour.

 

Hehehehehe

 

Suddenly, the dokkaebi fire flew to Lee Jun-ho’s hand.

 

“…You’ll help me?”

 

Hehehehehe

 

It sparkled at his fingertips as if acting cute.

 

“You’re adorable. Okay. I’ll trust you.”

 

Whew. After taking a deep breath, Lee Jun-ho climbed onto Wolryeong Bridge.

 

Hehehehehe

 

The dokkaebi fire laughed and led the way, with Lee Jun-ho following behind.

 

Step.

 

Just one footstep.

 

As soon as he stepped forward, rushing in.

 

Whyisthispersonaliveyoucan’tseeuswhereareyougoing?He’shandsome~Iwanttowalkwithsomeonelikethattoobutistherenowayforus?Let’skillhimcutoffhisfaceandtakeitormayberipouthisentrailsandhangthemaroundhisnecklet’sdietogetherlet’sdietogetherifwefallbelowthebridgewecanbetogetherstaywithusplease

 

I can endure this much.

 

I can bear the screams about stabbing my back, and the curses about gnawing at my entrails.

 

But.

 

Oppa.

 

A tone that made me grit my teeth.

 

Harder to bear than anything else, that child’s…

 

Oppa.

 

My body collapsed at just one word, my heart fell at two words.

 

Should I just turn around and find peace?

 

If I did that, could I find peace?

 

Since you left, thoughts I’ve had thousands upon thousands of times.

 

If only I could go back to that day and die in your place. If only I could take upon myself the wounds carved into your small body.

 

So-dam. Every time I think of your pain, my heart feels like it’s being torn apart.

 

How much pain were you in?

 

How much agony did you suffer?

 

How difficult was it for you…?

 

Hehehehehe!!!

 

The dokkaebi fire’s laughter pounded in his ears like an alarm bell. Lee Jun-ho snapped back to his senses. Without realizing it, his whole body had been leaning toward the bridge’s railing.

 

Chills.

 

He corrected his path again. He stepped forward with both feet straight.

 

Oppa… thank you…

 

Deliberately ignoring the too-pretty voice saying thank you.

 

He reached Shaman Village.

 

“Haah…”

 

Hehehehehe

 

“Thank you.”

 

Lee Jun-ho opened his palm. The dokkaebi fire flickered above it.

 

Now, he had returned to the starting point again.

 

Where are you going~

 

The grandfather who appeared just in time. The old man who asked where he was going while suddenly grabbing his wrist.

 

Lee Jun-ho picked up the Wolryeong Ghost Stories after a long time.

 

[Grandfather Ghost]■ Grabs the wrist while saying let’s go together. If mental strength drops to one bar or below, drags you into the fog to Samdo River.■ Danger Level ★★★☆☆■ Countermeasure: Cannot recognize you if wearing straw shoes

 

This Grandfather Ghost’s name is Lee Yong-tae.

 

He still wanders every corner of Shaman Village. As if searching for someone.

 

Where are you going~

 

To him asking where he was going, Lee Jun-ho approaches.

 

“Grandfather.”

 

Then he quickly turns his head to look at him. Blood drops flow from those eyes. The wrinkles are also forcibly crumpled to look scary, making for quite a horrific appearance.

 

“Grandfather.”

 

Lee Jun-ho set down Grandmother from his back.

 

“I brought Grandmother.”

 

Instantly, Grandfather stops. Like a wind-up doll that’s run down, he doesn’t move.

 

He should be asking where you’re going while grabbing the wrist.

 

“…?”

 

Just then, Grandmother, who had been snoring, woke up from sleep and looked at that grandfather.

 

“…Who are you?”

 

Grandmother asked. Grandfather stood quietly.

 

The vengeful spirit’s face became stiff.

 

Much more human-like.

 

* * *

 

Sixty-seven, sixty-eight, sixty-nine… Kate’s party is climbing the temple stairs.

 

Ninety-nine, one hundred, one hundred and one, one hundred and two, one hundred and three… The person leading is Kate.

 

She stepped carefully on the stairs. Her footsteps were unwavering, not disturbed by even an inch.

 

One hundred and four, one hundred and five, one hundred and six, one hundred and seven.

 

“…One hundred and eight.”

 

Kate muttered quietly.

 

“Phew.”

 

Lee Jong-soo wiped the sweat from his forehead. Everyone’s faces were thick with tension.

 

“Should we go down?”

 

Yoon Hwa-rim asked. Everyone turned their steps around, but Kate alone glanced around at her teammates.

 

And then… step.

 

One hundred and eight.

 

She stepped on the 108th stair.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

The remaining four looked back at Kate with bewildered eyes. Anxiety and doubt crossed and disappeared, and that empty space was filled with utter shock.

 

“What, what are you doing!”

 

Kate faced them and smiled brightly. As if dancing at a ball, she tapped the road surface with her sneakers.

 

Light steps. The space beneath her feet twisted. Behind her, a red temple unfolded.

 

Clearly different from an ordinary temple.

 

Ominous and twisted in form, as if dyed in blood.

 

Death Temple.

 

A temple of death.

 

“As expected. Even if only one person steps on it, the whole party ends up like this. That’s fortunate.”

 

With her back to the crimson temple, Kate gestured to them.

 

“Come up, everyone. Don’t be scared.”

 

A tone more calm and enchanting than ever. In Kate’s eyes, magic power bloomed like petals.

—————
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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