Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 175

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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 175

 

As world caves in(11)

 

The rocket soared upward with violent vibrations. Kate endured the crushing pressure on her body as she gazed at the rapidly receding landscape through the transparent window.

 

The launch vehicle quickly escaped the atmosphere. The blue planet Earth was revealed in the pitch-black space.

 

A labyrinth already sentenced to death.

 

‘Please, do not be defeated by malice.’

 

Seol Ha-woon’s voice echoed in her ears.

 

Kate had escaped thanks to that person, that Labyrinth People. Because of this, his final moments tormented her mind.

 

What had he learned from Percival, what had he seen, and what had he endured….

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Alien objects rose from Earth’s surface. Like small flames, beams of light bloomed simultaneously from various continents.

 

Crystals condensed from humanity’s malice. Missiles carrying destruction shot up in parabolic arcs.

 

Soon, thousands, no, tens of thousands of nuclear warheads struck the planet’s surface.

 

The blue sphere was instantly stained with red flames and black ash. The outlines of continents melted away, and parts of the sea evaporated. The entire process was silent, submerged in the vacuum of space.

 

Kate watched the planet’s end with bated breath.

 

It was clearly fake.

 

All of it must be fake.

 

Then why did this indescribable emptiness wash over her?

 

Kate unbuckled her seatbelt. She staggered to her feet and placed her hand on the cold window.

 

Squeak. A dry friction sound arose. The sensation was vivid, but the scene before her eyes was surreal. Beyond the window that her breath couldn’t reach, Earth was perishing.

 

Kate gazed at the receding labyrinth for a long time.

 

How much time passed like that?

 

The rocket gently rumbled and landed somewhere.

 

[Moon Base docking complete.]

 

[External environment stability confirmed. Hatch opening possible.]

 

The launch vehicle had somehow docked at an outpost on the lunar surface. Kate looked at the sentences flickering on the panel before turning around. She walked slowly and opened the hatch.

 

Hissss.

 

A well-maintained passage came into view along with artificial gravity. Various facility guidance signs were on the walls.

 

She stepped onto the titanium-finished road surface.

 

A quiet space where nothing but her own footsteps could be heard yet. But from what seemed like a wide hall in the distance, people’s conversations faintly drifted over.

 

Could there be other survivors?

 

She cautiously approached that direction. The gate, detecting movement, opened first, but she stopped at the hangar entrance.

 

There were familiar faces.

 

Kang Hyeon, Im Hae-jun, Jo Woon, Seo Ji-woo, Ryu Yeon-hwa…. Beside them, each having different conversations, stood one person with his back turned.

 

Long hair and a walking stick still gripped in his left hand.

 

He slowly showed his profile.

 

“Coming to the moon makes my knees ache more.”

 

A familiar tone.

 

Kang Hyeon asked him.

 

“Hyung, where were you? Korea?”

 

“No. Afghanistan.”

 

“…Really?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

The ‘original’ Seol Ha-woon was standing there.

 

Kate couldn’t breathe. It felt like her left and right brain were twisted together.

 

Perhaps sensing her gaze, he suddenly turned around.

 

Kate quickly turned her back. Her heart pounded loudly. Inevitably, she fled back to the rocket she had come from.

 

“Haah….”

 

She exhaled and slumped into the cold chair. She fidgeted with the revolver in her arms.

 

An object that had somehow ended up in her hands. The .44 Magnum that the fake Seol Ha-woon had used.

 

“….”

 

Kate bit her lip.

 

Suddenly, the scene before her eyes gradually blurred.

 

[Terminating the labyrinth.]

 

It was the signal that the labyrinth was closing.

 

Kate closed her eyes while gripping the gun handle.

 

Now, it was time to return home.

 

* * *

 

The day after the labyrinth ended. The dining hall at the Maze Exploration Difficulty Site.

 

“Buffalo wing buffalo wing~ Bu buffalo~ Bu bu ffalo~”

 

Im Hae-jun brought almost 100 buffalo wings and sat down.

 

“It’s nice that there are buffalo wings left over since the number of people decreased~”

 

He cheerfully grabbed and tore into the chicken wings.

 

“Bu bu buffalo bu bu bu ffalo~”

 

“…Why are you making so much noise.”

 

“Bu bu buffalo bu bu buffalo… But why are buffalo wings called buffalo?”

 

“Ah, Hae-jun. You.”

 

Kang Hyeon suddenly lowered his voice seriously.

 

“You were curious about that too. They’re called buffalo wings because they first started at Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York.”

 

Getting so serious just to explain that.

 

“Oh really? I thought buffalo was a chicken breed… Right, didn’t master say he’s filming a CF for Hangyeolchi.”

 

“Buffalo, buffalo buffalo~”

 

Somewhere, a sound as stupid as Im Hae-jun’s could be heard. It was Seo Ji-woo. Seo Ji-woo was sitting across from Yoon Hwa-rim.

 

“Ah seriously, forget nukes and everything, I almost died wanting to eat this… Hey Hwa-rim. But why are buffalo wings called buffalo?”

 

Kang Hyeon was about to get up stealthily. To tell her why buffalo is buffalo.

 

“Don’t go.”

 

“…Why not?”

 

Just then Lee Jun-ho approached and sat down.

 

“Ah my hand hurts.”

 

Looking at his hand wrapped tightly in bandages, Im Hae-jun worried.

 

“Hyung, is that radiation thing okay?”

 

“They said I can’t use it for a week. Fortunately it’s a 2-week vacation.”

 

This vacation was a full 2 weeks. Since there was a lot of footage already filmed, the production team gave them a generous break.

 

“Hyung is also going to film a CF.”

 

Lee Jun-ho asked while tearing into buffalo wings with his left hand.

 

Is this a buffalo wing labyrinth?

 

“Yes. Master said he’s going to film that Hangyeolchi thing.”

 

Im Hae-jun answered instead.

 

“Wow, that thing that comes out so sickeningly often, he’s finally filming it?”

 

Hangyeolchi has become a meme these days. Something like it’s always Hangyeolchi that appears at crucial moments.

 

“They’re paying a lot of money?”

 

Im Hae-jun asks casually, pretending not to be curious.

 

“They’ll pay a lot. It’s a CF after all.”

 

“Hmm… Boss. Compare it with my pay. That way I won’t get ripped off.”

 

This guy is surprisingly obsessed with money despite being born with a silver spoon.

 

“Forget it.”

 

This advertising fee will be used entirely for my living expenses. If there’s any left over, I’ll donate some too.

 

Of course, I have a lot of money thanks to Aro, but it’s all unofficial assets. I’m technically a lawbreaker. Astroal Merchandise is basically a black market.

 

“You guys are filming a lot too, right?”

 

Kang Hyeon does luxury clothing, banks, smartphones, UNICEF.

 

Lee Jun-ho does outdoor gear, games, Airbnb.

 

Im Hae-jun does kids’ products, beds.

 

Seo Ji-woo does cosmetics, banks, Ministry of Defense.

 

Yoon Hwa-rim does Magic School, travel agencies, UNICEF.

 

Starting this week, everyone will be filming like crazy.

 

“We’re nothing compared to you, Boss. Jo Woon hyung went straight to China. To film like fifty CFs.”

 

“Fifty? Are you serious?”

 

Lee Jun-ho let out a hollow laugh.

 

“Yes. His face will probably be plastered even in rural areas of the continent, and he’s donating all of that money.”

 

“…He seems like a crazy person sometimes when I look at him.”

 

Lee Jun-ho shook his head back and forth.

 

And from that point on, everyone focuses only on their food without any signal. It’s an unwritten rule. When the topic seems to be somewhat settled, they instantly go quiet and bury their faces in their meal trays.

 

“Alright everyone~ Those with schedules, please come out.”

 

The production team came as our meal time was ending.

 

PD Kim A-rang cupped her hands like a megaphone.

 

“Hyeon can go with PD Yoon~ Hae-jun goes with PD Jung~ Ha-woon, come to me~”

 

All 38 surviving explorers had schedules lined up, big or small.

 

“See you later, Boss~”

 

“Hyung. Let’s grab a meal during vacation.”

 

“Good work. See you in 2 weeks.”

 

“Sure.”

 

Im Hae-jun, Kang Hyeon, and Lee Jun-ho got up while greeting me.

 

At times like this, I really feel my age.

 

“Ha-woon. You’re busy today. Hurry up.”

 

I followed Kim A-rang as well.

 

During CF filming.

 

“Chicken is always right. Chicken is always right.”

 

The line I deliver while holding a chicken leg in one hand and staring at the camera.

 

“Cut~!”

 

With the director’s pleased shout, thunderous applause rang out.

 

I don’t think it was that good though.

 

“Thank you for your hard work.”

 

There are tons of people around too. Besides the filming staff, it seems like their families and even the families’ relatives all gathered.

 

“…Um, excuse me. So, Mr. Chicken-is-Right. The filming is finished, but.”

 

The director approached with a slightly intimidated face, holding out a pen and paper. The other people around him also seemed very eager.

 

“Yes. I’ll sign autographs for everyone.”

 

Clap clap clap clap clap──-! Much louder applause than before erupted.

 

After CF filming and fan autograph session.

 

On the way back to the hotel, Kim A-rang in the passenger seat said.

 

“The CFs are all carefully selected ones. For food advertisements, the person’s trustworthiness is important, and with Seol Ha-woon, that’s definitely covered, right? We also need to soften that overly rigid image with ads like this, and the Chicken-is-Right side matched the modeling fee too. It’s probably at the level of top S-class celebrities?”

 

The number stamped on the contract was quite surprising. It was the first time I’d seen that many zeros.

 

“Anyway… How was this labyrinth?”

 

“It was ordinary.”

 

With clear goals and objectives, it was quite straightforward. Kim A-rang made a slightly strange face and gave a bitter smile.

 

“Then rest today, and tomorrow is the formula sales store. You know Magic Hat, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

MAGIC HAT. A site that sells various standardized magic formulas and ships worldwide, frequently used by mages.

 

“But they put in a special condition here.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“You know standardized magic formulas. If Ha-woon writes and releases a few under the name Seol Ha-woon, they’ll sell them under contract conditions just below mage level.”

 

Standardized magic formulas named after me.

 

It seems like it would be quite bothersome, but it might help with my recently stagnant recognition.

 

* * *

 

Astroal Merchandise is now famous among explorers. The net profit from product sales is also skyrocketing.

 

Especially Astroal Mint has demand that far exceeds supply, to the point where reselling is rampant.

 

It was even published in Legend Journal, the most authoritative among explorer academic journals.

 

[…The notable effects of Astroal Mint are as follows

 

1. Mental Awakening

 

A mental awakening effect that appears immediately upon consumption. Beyond simply chasing away drowsiness, thinking becomes clear and information processing speed improves.

 

2. Micro Mana Circulation Enhancement

 

Astroal Mint does not directly recover depleted magic power. However, it optimizes the flow of residual magic power in the body, showing the effect of increasing the precision of magic power operation. This greatly increases an explorer’s survivability, especially in combat situations requiring continuous formula use.

 

3. Temporary Five Senses Amplification

 

The five senses, including sight and hearing, temporarily become more sensitive.

 

It is presumed that specific components of Astroal Mint affect neurotransmitters, but additional research is needed.

 

4. Complete Absence of Side Effects

 

In research conducted so far and user reports, no serious side effects of Astroal Mint or cases of tolerance development from long-term use have been confirmed. This is a very exceptional characteristic compared to other drugs or herbs with awakening effects, suggesting the high stability of this herb.

 

Thus, Astroal Mint can be evaluated as an herb that provides immediate and comprehensive benefits to explorers exposed to extreme environments in terms of mental, sensory, and magic power operation aspects…]

 

“…Isn’t this mint getting too expensive? I used to buy 2.5 packs for this price before.”

 

Even so, customers complain. Primates who don’t understand the economic law of supply and demand. If it’s expensive, just don’t buy it, you idiot.

 

But a merchant must utilize customers’ low intelligence.

 

〔We launched this for customers who have such misconceptions.〕

 

Aro held out a card as if she had been waiting.

 

〔Astroal Membership.〕

 

“Membership?”

 

The explorer’s eyes widened.

 

〔Astroal Membership benefits. One free Astroal Merchandise invitation per month, and members get priority allocation of 3 packs of Astroal Mint and 3 premium random boxes to be released later. Membership fee is one B+ grade loot, subscription fee is C- grade loot.〕

 

“B+ grade? That’s almost 100 million… ah, that’s 100K then.”

 

〔Now is the cheapest it will ever be.〕

 

“…I’ll think about it.”

 

Doesn’t seem like they’ll join. Stupid human. It’ll be too late to regret later. The membership fee will keep increasing.

 

“Let me open this first…”

 

The stupid human opened a random box.

 

Random Box Open!!

 

The sound effect was cheerful.

 

“Huh?”

 

Aro was also tense.

 

The product that came out of the treasure chest was….

 

[Astroal Compass]

 

■ Grade: Rare

 

■ Overview: A mysterious compass that seems to contain the starlight of deep space. This is Astroal’s SSR series.

 

■ Nebula’s Boundary: Detects hostile entities or deadly traps within a 30m radius and warns the owner.

 

■ Micro Resonance: Resonates subtly with the owner’s mana waves, assisting mana control and improving formula stability.

 

Thank goodness it’s SSR.

 

“Aaaaaaahhhhh!”

 

The customer suddenly screamed. Aro hid his smirk while explaining the product.

 

〔The body of the Astroal Compass is crafted from beautiful obsidian resembling the night sky and platinum intricately fitted together. Under the transparent crystal cover in the center, stardust swims like a living miniature galaxy, and instead of a needle, the brightest star points the direction.〕

 

“Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!”

 

He transforms into a gorilla and goes wild. The commotion brings down fellow sect members from upstairs asking what’s happening.

 

“SSR, it’s SSR! Astroal series SSR!!!!!!!”

 

Everyone had blank expressions.

 

〔Yes. On the back of the compass, three letters indicating SSR grade are imprinted in elegant cursive, and beside them, the seal of the Astroal Workshop glows faintly.〕

 

“Aro! Aro! I love you! I’ll buy the membership too! Right now!”

 

〔An excellent choice.〕

 

The man jumped around trying to rush at him. Aro quickly stopped him.

 

Filthy furry human. How dare you try to approach me….

 

After business ended. Aro sat in a chair and downed a glass of cool coolant.

 

He had OTT on one side and the explorer community on the other, enjoying a honey-sweet break.

 

· Is Seolhaun really gonna beat Ganghyeon and take 1st place??? Holy shit

 

· Honestly, with his current form, I think Seol Ha-woon can take 1st place

 

· This episode’s Seo Ji-woo gif compilation

 

· Let’s estimate Seol Ha-woon’s mana capacity from a mage’s perspective

 

· Why Kang Hyeon and Lee Jun-ho are natural geniuses.

 

· Why is Lee Jun-ho suddenly exploring burrows?

 

· Let’s learn about ‘Astroal Merchandise’ that’s spreading by word of mouth among explorers these days.

 

The last one was viral marketing written by Aro himself, but it had quite high interest and recommendations.

 

〔Beep- Beep beep-〕

 

Aro smiled wickedly and prepared his operation.

 

Flutter flutter. He flapped both arms and activated a pre-made macro.

 

Now it was time to run the Mitamnan business.

 

Aro’s most beloved first pick was….

 

“Master has arrived.”

 

Seol Ha-woon appeared.

 

〔!!!!!!〕

 

Aro hurriedly fluttered frantically and closed the community.

 

“What’s all the fuss? Did you see something weird?”

 

〔Per so nal hob by can not share〕

 

“What kind of error is that.”

 

Seol Ha-woon sighed tiredly and sat down.

 

“Here. Loot.”

 

It was a new circuit board.

 

“Brought it from the labyrinth.”

 

Fortunately, he didn’t seem to notice. Aro answered as nonchalantly as possible.

 

〔Not a bad item, but compared to me, it’s a cheap circuit board. Mine is dozens of times superior.〕

 

“Geez. Who doesn’t know that? Let’s try making some staff members with this….”

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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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