Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 159

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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 159

 

Eight(3)

 

A close-up scene of Im Hae-jun opening his eyes.

 

─Im Hae-jun: …?

 

He blinks blankly, then sits up and looks around. The sickbed and hospital room are very clean.

 

─Nurse: You’re awake.

 

─Im Hae-jun: Where… is this?

 

Lee Si-ah’s heart pounded as she watched.

 

-Wow, could this be Seol Ha-woon’s base?

 

-That herbalist Seol Ha-woon was a civilian.

 

Just as the chat was about to catch on.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: You’re awake.

 

Seol Ha-woon appeared. He leaned against the wall and looked at Im Hae-jun.

 

-Jemal-ol appears

 

-ㅋㅋㅋ They came to retrieve Lim Haejun before he gets completely ruined

 

-No no, every single offender is probably precious to him right now lol

 

─Seol Ha-woon: Eat some food and come to the hall. With the mercenaries.

 

─Im Hae-jun: Fo, food?

 

The nurse brings out a food tray. The screen shows food in abundance. Healthy barley rice, clean water, meat, snacks.

 

-Wow this place is amazing. Other bases were a mess

 

-What? How is this possible?

 

-Is this really Jemal-ol;;?

 

-Seol Ha-woon didn’t buy food packages, what is this, magic?

 

-Did he use the garrison farming system?

 

A nutritionally perfect meal plan that contrasts with other bases that don’t even have food trays or spoon and chopsticks, making people eat with bare hands.

 

─Nurse: If you have any discomfort, please let us know anytime~ Enjoy your meal~

 

Im Hae-jun picks up his spoon and chopsticks in a daze. He puts meat on rice and eats it.

 

─Im Hae-jun: Nom!

 

The eating sound is funny.

 

-hahahaha

 

-That looks delicious

 

-He’s doing a mukbang

 

-Wasn’t this a labyrinth where food supplies were also a problem?

 

After eating heartily for a while, suddenly.

 

─Kim Yong-tae: The eastern region was right.

 

Kim Yong-tae smiles as if acknowledging Im Hae-jun. His face shows he’s really enjoying the food.

 

─Im Hae-jun: Hmph! What did I tell you?

 

Im Hae-jun straightens his shoulders and sits up straight.

 

─Im Hae-jun: My strategy was right.

 

-Production rightㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

 

-Little horsey lololol

 

-As a result, coming quickly was good. If he’d been at other bases, he would’ve been swept up there

 

-Yeah, wasn’t the closest one near Ryuwei? Almost got screwed there.

 

-Im Hae-jun reevaluation?

 

-Those idiots were talking so much shit lol

 

-Because of you guys, Hae-jun is crying right now

 

Somehow it seems like he might actually be crying.

 

Anyway, the three mercenaries and Im Hae-jun eat their fill and come outside.

 

─Im Hae-jun: Wow.

 

The eyes of Im Hae-jun and the mercenaries widen as they look at the village scenery, and for some reason a mystical soundtrack plays.

 

Oriental fantasy-style music.

 

Soon, the camera rotates 360 degrees, showing the entire village.

 

“…Wow.”

 

Lee Si-ah also exclaimed in admiration.

 

Seol Ha-woon’s village was not damaged at all. The castle walls were still solid, and it was actually much more vibrant than before the Defense Labyrinth.

 

Children run around laughing and playing. Cooks prepare meals in the dining hall. Young people train in the training ground or go outside to procure food supplies, while the elderly carve wood to make arrows.

 

The hands of the elderly, worn from never resting.

 

It’s the heart of the elders who want to help in any way they can.

 

-The village is really well-made.

 

-Look how they’re systematically working the civilians lol

 

-And he’s still going to be eliminated?

 

-Jemal-ol didn’t make a fortress, he made a village.

 

-It’s incomparable to Kate’s stronghold;

 

-Kate’s side looked kind of ragged, but this place is brand new.

 

-Are those kids who were crying about spoilers starting to get scared now? lol

 

“Getting scared~”

 

Lee Si-ah was grinning widely as she focused on the live broadcast.

 

─Seol Ha-woon : You’re here.

 

Command Center, Village Hall.

 

Seol Ha-woon greets Im Hae-jun and the mercenaries.

 

─Seol Ha-woon : Let’s start with the plan to attack the crystals.

 

He spreads out the map, and everyone gathers around the strategy board.

 

─Kim Yong-tae : How about we deal with the crystals closest to the base first?

 

Kim Yong-tae makes the first suggestion, but.

 

─Seol Ha-woon : No.

 

Seol Ha-woon starts with denial again this time too.

 

-lol you’re still the same as always

 

-Hahahaha the mercenaries are cut too

 

-Jemallot translation: Stop talking nonsense and just listen to me

 

-It’s a meeting, but it’s a meeting where only I talk first

 

─Seol Ha-woon : Rather than crystals we can deal with anytime, we’ll strike the crystals that threaten our base first. These nine crystals positioned behind us.

 

At Seol Ha-woon’s suggestion.

 

─Kim Yong-tae : Yes. That makes sense.

 

Mercenary Kim Yong-tae immediately agrees.

 

─Seol Ha-woon : The prerequisite is reconnaissance, but is anyone familiar with horseback riding?

 

─Iroquois : I know how to do it somewhat.

 

Another A-rank mercenary, Iroquois.

 

─Seol Ha-woon : Then I’ll ask you to handle reconnaissance. We need to accurately identify the crystal locations and plan the most efficient route.

 

─Iroquois : Yes.

 

From then on, Seol Ha-woon leads the meeting.

 

─Seol Ha-woon : Considering not just the entry route but also the escape route….

 

The mercenaries naturally listen attentively. Without any objections or conflicts, they listen to his words.

 

A mischievous smile spreads across Lee Si-ah’s lips.

 

-He just takes control immediately

 

-This seems to be his charm. I thought he was just arrogant and didn’t like him, but since he shows results, there’s nothing to say.

 

-If you’ve worked at a company, you know. A team leader like Jemallot is 100 times better than an incompetent boss.

 

─Seol Ha-woon : Also, magical beasts have huge individual variations. When facing them, first consider their structure….

 

─Mercenaries : Yes. Yes. Yes.

 

The A-rank mercenaries hired by Im Hae-jun just perk up their ears and nod.

 

-He even ate an S-rank, so A-ranks are just followers

 

-lol Im Haejun is gonna lose Ji Yongbyeong

 

-Lee Maejun hahahahahahaha

 

Just then Im Hae-jun’s expression appears on screen. Just when you’re about to feel sorry for his face of having his mercenaries stolen.

 

─Seol Ha-woon : Hey.

 

Seol Ha-woon gestured to him with his eyes.

 

─Im Hae-jun : Me, me?

 

─Seol Ha-woon : Of course you. What are you doing? Aren’t you coming over? You’re the attack team leader.

 

─Im Hae-jun : …Ah, right! I’ll take responsibility!

 

-Look at you taking care of me ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

 

-Does he really think of him as a pet?

 

-Pet hamster

 

─Seol Ha-woon : Listen carefully. First, the reconnaissance route ‘on the map’ is like this. It might change depending on field information though.

 

─Im Hae-jun : Should I do the reconnaissance?

 

─Seol Ha-woon : Can you ride a horse?

 

─Im Hae-jun : It’s been my hobby since I was 4!

 

─Seol Ha-woon : Good. Then Iroquois, Im Hae-jun. You two go together. They’re fine horses so they’ll run pretty fast, but there’s no time to tame them.

 

He holds out tickets as he says this. One to Iroquois, the other to Im Hae-jun.

 

─Seol Ha-woon : Tear it when it seems extremely dangerous. You’ll be teleported to this base.

 

─Im Hae-jun : Wow. Master. Is this a gacha item?

 

─Seol Ha-woon : Yeah. Return it when reconnaissance is over.

 

─Im Hae-jun : Yes…. Ah, right. Master. This, two orbs and some strange fragments. They came out when I smashed the crystal.

 

Im Hae-jun hands over his payment.

 

─Seol Ha-woon : The fragments are loot so they’re yours, we’ll take the orbs.

 

Seol Ha-woon, as expected, doesn’t get greedy. He definitely takes the orbs needed for the village, but returns the loot to Im Hae-jun.

 

-It’s different from other places where they fought over “hand over the loot” and such

 

-In situations like this, it’s just important who the person in charge is.

 

-I agree. It’s awkward to say this, but if Kim Dong-ha’s opponent had been Jemallot, he would have given the orbs without complaint, right?

 

-Fucking true lol guys are secretly obsessed with that kind of hierarchy shit.

 

-Even that fierce Kate gets pushed down in the hierarchy by Malok ㅋㅋ

 

─Im Hae-jun : Master. What do you use the orbs for? Food supplies?

 

─Seol Ha-woon : No. We made it as a weapon.

 

─Im Hae-jun : …A toilet?

 

─Seol Ha-woon : Yeah.

 

─Im Hae-jun : Ah~ Like a toilet seat? Bathrooms are important, I guess.

 

-Hahahaha

 

-Hahahaha

 

-Hahahaha

 

─Seol Ha-woon : No. A weapon, you fool, a weapon. There’s something called a ballista.

 

Just then, a flashback about how to use the orb interrupts.

 

─Seol Ha-woon : It’s an orb that can become anything.

 

─Akiman : How about using it for food supplies.

 

─Smeshion : Hmm… I think it would be good to make this into a potion, so you can drink it when your magic power runs low.

 

─Seol Ha-woon : You don’t need to worry about my magic power. It’s always overflowing.

 

-Hahahaha damn look at that confidence lol

 

-hahahaha

 

-This is why I kinda hate this guy. He’s so arrogant.

 

-Inferiority complex?

 

-Agreed, if it’s a drinker with an inferiority complex, it makes sense they’d hate horses

 

-Inferiority complex my ass lol when I make this much a month…

 

─Seol Ha-woon : A turret… a ballista looks good.

 

A brief clip from the 2nd day wave is inserted.

 

Kudududududu—!

 

It’s the ballista in action, with wooden arrows shooting out from the muzzle and tearing apart magical beasts.

 

─Seol Village Soldier : Royal Inspector! This weapon is amazing!

 

Seol Ha-woon nods with satisfaction at its excellent performance.

 

─Seol Ha-woon : Now. Get on.

 

The flashback ends, and at the stable, Seol Ha-woon brings two fine horses before Im Hae-jun and Iroquois.

 

Iroquois naturally mounts well, and Im Hae-jun also climbs on skillfully.

 

─Seol Ha-woon : You’re really good at this?

 

─Im Hae-jun : What, did you think I was lying?

 

Hehe. Im Hae-jun laughs while gripping the reins.

 

Kieeeeeek…

 

The cry of magical beasts. It’s the prelude to a wave.

 

─Im Hae-jun : Should we help you too?

 

─Seol Ha-woon : No. Then it would be meaningless. The strike team needs to move while the wave starts. You have to destroy the crystal so the base’s burden is reduced. That means your role is important.

 

Seol Ha-woon gives instructions not only to Im Hae-jun but also to the mercenaries.

 

─Seol Ha-woon : Go and come back.

 

─Im Hae-jun : Yes! See you later, master!

 

Hihihihing!

 

The horses gallop out of the village.

 

While watching Im Hae-jun departing like that, Seol Ha-woon.

 

Suddenly.

 

Makes an expression that would surprise everyone watching the live broadcast.

 

─Seol Ha-woon : Haha…

 

A smile.

 

He laughs out loud as if he can’t help it and shakes his head, then climbs back up the castle wall.

 

Before long, he becomes the sturdy lord more than anyone else, waiting for the magical beasts that will soon attack.

 

-Fuck what’s with the big bro vibes lololol

 

-Hahahahaha that’s awesome

 

-Jemal-ol is human after all

 

-You’re absolutely right ㅠㅠ

 

-Seol Ha-woon always shows unexpected sides.. I love that so much.. Taking notes..

 

-That guy just repays as much as you trust him. That’s why Im Hae-jun completely ignored everything and ran to the east.

 

Such true words.

 

Seol Ha-woon always seemed arbitrary, but he had always repaid as much as people trusted him.

 

“Hae-jun. Please don’t die.”

 

If you die, Seol Ha-woon has no way out.

 

[Chicken is always right. Always right chicken…]

 

“Damn it!”

 

Fucking mid-roll ads. Lee Si-ah threw the remote control and opened the community.

 

Suddenly, a certain post caught her eye.

 

│Seol Ha-woon’s trust is hard to earn.│

 

But once you earn it, he never abandons it.

 

Seol Ha-woon is cold and detached in everything. He draws invisible lines and doesn’t tolerate crossing them.

 

│You guys know about Seol Ha-woon’s class?│

 

There were about 25 people in his class, and apparently almost half of them died. 9 people buried in the National Cemetery alone ㅎㄷㄷ

 

Probably because he’s already lost countless colleagues.

 

Because he knows how painful that loss is.

 

│Im Hae-jun who trusted only Seol Ha-woon and ran from the western end to the east│

 

Seol Ha-woon who repaid with a perfect base.

 

This is so awesome, so cool.

 

Lee Si-ah smiled contentedly as she scrolled down through the content.

 

* * *

 

A winding alley. Kang Hyeon is following someone’s trail like stepping on shadows.

 

A faint smell of alcohol mixed with the night air.

 

He’s probably on his way home. Having finished a contract with an entertainment agency at a bar, he must be feeling tipsy.

 

“No, no. I want to go into acting, not labyrinth adventures or anything like that. I was still a Mitamnan participant after all. I got eliminated in the first round… but I ranked 57th.”

 

His name is Kim Hyeok-jin. An explorer who was eliminated in the first tally as Mitamnan’s 57th place.

 

“Yeah, yeah. Do that for me. I’ll hang up.”

 

There are many rumors about his womanizing, but the problem isn’t just things like that.

 

“Ah, damn. Why do they keep telling me to enter the Labyrinth. I said I want to do acting…”

 

Kang Hyeon approached from behind him. At the sound of footsteps, Kim Hyeok-jin flinched and turned around.

 

“…What? Who are you?”

 

He couldn’t recognize the face hidden by a hat and mask. Rather, he seemed to assume it was a fan and smiled awkwardly.

 

“Are you a fan? Ah, well. Still, you should make your presence known.”

 

Instead of answering, Kang Hyeon took off his mask.

 

“Hello.”

 

“…Huh?”

 

Kim Hyeok-jin’s eyes widened. Surprise turned to joy.

 

They’d only met a few times at Ogada Lodging, yet he’s this happy to see him.

 

“Hyeon! Why are you here-”

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

Along with a quiet apology, a blade flashed. The sword extended from his hand pierced into Kim Hyeok-jin’s solar plexus.

 

Swoooosh! It stabbed through his lungs.

 

“…!”

 

He couldn’t even make a sound, couldn’t even breathe, just trembled all over as he collapsed.

 

His tall frame fell face-down on the road surface, looking up at him with shocked eyes.

 

Why, why…

 

Why.

 

There’s no need for why.

 

Because your inside is completely empty.

 

Kang Hyeon put his mask back on. He turned around through the alley and came out to the main street.

 

He disappeared into the crowd, among countless people.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: I’ll be back.

 

Seol Ha-woon’s voice suddenly rang out.

 

It was the live broadcast of Labyrinth Exploration NaN being transmitted from a large building’s outdoor billboard.

 

Below the broadcast was written [Please vote for Seo Ji-woo!]

 

Perhaps the building owner is a fan of Seo Ji-woo.

 

Kang Hyeon stood still and watched the broadcast.

 

─Im Hae-jun: Yes! See you later, master!

 

A story from the Defense Dungeon Eastern Base that he doesn’t know about.

 

Im Hae-jun rides a horse and leaves the village, while Seol Ha-woon watches his retreating figure with a smile.

 

─Seol Ha-woon: Haha…

 

“…”

 

He stares blankly at him.

 

For a moment, he falls into contemplation.

 

How does Seol Ha-woon choose and accept people?

 

Kang Hyeon is curious about that, while persistent doubt still rises within him.

 

Is Seol Ha-woon real?

 

Is he truly a genuine person?

 

Because he can’t know what’s inside, because it’s dark as if covered by a curtain, it’s still impossible to even gauge.

 

For Kang Hyeon, he can only… think this way.

 

“I hope he’s real.”

 

In this labyrinth-like world. In this world that wavers faintly like a mirage.

 

If a human like you is real.

 

How much like a lighthouse would that be.

 

How trustworthy would that be.

 

Kang Hyeon lowered his head. He moved his legs again. His retreating figure quickly mixed into the crowd and disappeared like a mosaic.

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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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