Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 182

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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 182

 

Shape of You(2)

 

The reaction to Episode 16’s ending was extraordinary.

 

Seol Ha-woon’s profile votes plummeted nearly 10% during the last 5 minutes, then soared to over 30% after the ending.

 

The impact wasn’t limited to the Korean Peninsula. Korea-China-Japan, Southeast Asia, North and South America, Europe. Seol Ha-woon and Mitamnan hashtags dominated worldwide trends.

 

If the weekly voting continues this trend, Seol Ha-woon’s debut at first place might not be impossible.

 

“What. Disappointed?”

 

PD Yoon Sa-hyuk suddenly asked.

 

Kim A-rang shook her head.

 

“No. There’s no reason to be disappointed. This scene will probably get 200 million views.”

 

“You were considering pushing it to next week though.”

 

Using Eldia as bait for this week would increase next week’s viewership.

 

It would certainly cause displeasure, but it was definitely a way to make people watch next week.

 

“It seems like the ratings would be high anyway, and it’s quite controversial.”

 

Labyrinth People glorification, influence, immersion. These are quite problematic topics in modern times.

 

“…Right.”

 

PD Yoon nodded.

 

“That aside. Are you really getting promoted to department head?”

 

Yoon Sa-hyuk had completely entrusted the editing of Episode 16 to Kim A-rang. He delegated an entire episode to her.

 

This would have been unimaginable during Season 2.

 

“I’m getting old now too.”

 

“Come on. From our perspective, you’re in your prime.”

 

Though he could pass for late twenties at face value, Yoon Sa-hyuk was approaching forty.

 

He gave a bitter smile.

 

“Time really is meaningless. I thought I’d be young forever… thought I’d be special.”

 

“These days forty is still quite young, and PD, you are special, aren’t you? I think you’ll definitely win the Baeksang this time.”

 

“Awards don’t define us, do they?”

 

“…Well. Still, it would be nice to win.”

 

“PD Kim should handle Season 4.”

 

Season 4.

 

Just hearing it sounds distant and dizzying.

 

“I wonder if I could even do it~ Season 3 is such a huge hit.”

 

“Wait 5 years, 6 years if needed. Until suitable talent gathers. You followed along with this season too.”

 

Kang Hyeon, Lee Jun-ho, Seo Ji-woo, Ryu Yeon-hwa, Kate, Jo Woon, Yoon Hwa-rim, Kim Du-gyeom, Im Hae-jun, Lee Jong-soo, and so on.

 

Mitamnan wasn’t a season created by chance. Rather, it’s a custom-made masterpiece timed perfectly.

 

“If the team members are still around by then.”

 

“Our team is famous for not quitting.”

 

Once Labyrinth Exploration team members join, they absolutely never quit. Strangely so.

 

Well, the rewards are as big as the workload.

 

“But I heard you decided to go on that debate show.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

The program Yoon Sa-hyuk decided to appear on was a flagship current affairs debate on public broadcasting.

 

The topic was [Labyrinth Entertainment. Labyrinth People Glorification or Abuse?].

 

It’s unnecessarily doing a favor for those snobbish public broadcasting folks, but…

 

“Don’t you dare lose. If things go wrong, threaten to ban them from using Mitamnan footage.”

 

Yoon Sa-hyuk chuckled.

 

“You think I’m going out to fight?”

 

“Well, still…”

 

“It’s time.”

 

Click.

 

Then it became 12 o’clock, midnight. Yoon Sa-hyuk focused on work again.

 

“…PD Yoon.”

 

No response.

 

He resumed editing Episode 17 alone.

 

Watching him, Kim A-rang had a strange thought.

 

Starting with mentor Kim Yoon-jun, then Kim Hyeok-jin and Lee Ji-yeon. All former Mitamnan contestants were dying.

 

But why do I find this person suspicious?

 

* * *

 

│Analysis of Why Seol Ha-woon Didn’t Trust Eldia│

 

│Archive of Posts Criticizing Seol Ha-woon 5 Minutes Before Ending│

 

│Isn’t Seol Ha-woon a Sociopath?│

 

│Active Ranker’s Review of Mitamnan Episode 16│

 

[5-digit Ranker Verification.jpg]

 

First, today the labyrinth pays respect to Seol Ha-woon. It was quite a difficult situation.

 

Actually, when conquering labyrinths, there are ironic situations where you can only clear the labyrinth by trusting Labyrinth People.

 

Many people think Seol Ha-woon didn’t trust Eldia from the start or completely suspected her, but I see it a bit differently.

 

Seol Ha-woon approached Eldia from the beginning by setting her as a ‘usable variable’.

 

The reason he was particularly gentle with Eldia was to gain trust and secure maximum information to calculate her utility value.

 

Because he planned to use her from the start, he actually acted more friendly.

 

In that sense, Seol Ha-woon is an explorer who ‘knows how to fully utilize’ Labyrinth People.

 

He keeps all possibilities open to conquer the labyrinth and shows no emotional disturbance to any choice.

 

He has no hesitation in making the best judgment.

 

That’s why he seems inhuman.

 

Not only the scene where he massacred Eldia’s group at the end, but in various previous choices, he’s been thoroughly rational and sometimes even cold.

 

He’s someone who only looks at the situation and goal to make the optimal move.

 

But that’s why I think he has the qualities to become a perfect explorer.

 

If he were on our side, he’d be reliable~ and trustworthy. His judgment would always be the best.

 

But that’s why I’m even more scared.

 

What if his last remaining best option is to abandon his companions?

 

Seol Ha-woon would do that without hesitation.

 

“Hyung. A 5-digit ranker says you’re scary.”

 

Dark grass field. Kang Hyeon reported public opinion.

 

“Here they’re calling you sociopathic. Cold-blooded. Sociopath. Someone frightening to keep close.”

 

Seo Ji-woo also muttered while scrolling through her smartphone.

 

“…Aren’t you guys only looking for hater reactions?”

 

Kang Hyeon smiled slightly.

 

“Right. He’s not someone I’d dislike having around.”

 

“These Instagram comments are funny. During the broadcast, they were cursing Seol Ha-woon like crazy.”

 

Seo Ji-woo giggled while scrolling through Instagram comments.

 

“During Seol Ha-woon’s ending, they all disappeared.”

 

But they keep saying Seol Ha-woon, Seol Ha-woon.

 

“Am I your friend?”

 

“…The ending scene. Looking at it again now, it’s kind of thrilling. Don’t you think?”

 

Seo Ji-woo pretended not to hear and continued speaking.

 

“I was just dazed at the time. But why is that Jemaloht always the protagonist?”

 

“Is Jemaloht your friend?”

 

Just then.

 

[ Recognition Level Up! ]

 

[ Recognition Grade: 17 ]

 

[ An additional 60 days of trial version has been granted. ]

 

“…I’m fine with not being the protagonist.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“What? All of a sudden?”

 

My heart brightened up. It swelled richly.

 

“I’m ready to break down anytime. If it’s to entertain the viewers.”

 

If you all can feel even a little joy watching me, find it interesting, and have your daily fatigue relieved.

 

For everyone who takes their precious time to watch over us.

 

“I’ll gladly sacrifice myself.”

 

“What are you saying.”

 

Seo Ji-woo chewed the pizza dough and put down her smartphone.

 

I glared at Seo Ji-woo.

 

“What. Why.”

 

“Use formal speech.”

 

I want to be as mature as possible with Seo Ji-woo. If possible, I want to become someone who can suppress her impatient personality.

 

I couldn’t do that before regression.

 

“Yes, yes~”

 

Seo Ji-woo lay down on the grass field, and I picked up my smartphone.

 

│Perfect Example of Dealing with Labyrinth People, Seol Ha-woon│

 

│Mitamnan’s Greatest Scene: Seol Ha-woon’s Conversation Method│

 

│From 96th to 1st Place? The Most Dramatic Reversal│

 

│Seol Ha-woon Surpasses 13 Million SNS Followers│

 

There are many articles promoting me. My followers have already reached ten million.

 

I never knew I would live this kind of life.

 

“Hyung. Look at this.”

 

Kang Hyeon showed me his smartphone.

 

│School Violence Attempted Murder Kim Du-gyeom Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison│

 

As expected, he was sentenced to exactly 7 years, and Kim Du-gyeom didn’t appeal.

 

Soon, the video evidence submitted for my self-defense will be released.

 

I don’t know when yet. Probably within a week.

 

“What did I say back then…”

 

I’m worried for no reason.

 

─Kaaaa.

 

Seo Ji-woo’s snoring. She had fallen asleep.

 

“Haaaam.”

 

Kang Hyeon also yawned and lay down.

 

“Aren’t you going inside?”

 

“…The weather’s nice. No bugs either.”

 

That’s true.

 

I also pressed the grass field firmly with my palm.

 

It’s moderately firm and moderately soft. It might be better than most luxury beds.

 

I lay down and spread out a dream bubble.

 

“Thank you. I was actually waiting for this.”

 

I smiled faintly at Kang Hyeon’s words and fell asleep.

 

* * *

 

During the long vacation, I handled various tasks.

 

I supplied Aro with about a dozen Astroal collections, maintained walking trails for the puppy Vector, and met with the Retina team again.

 

“Mass production facilities are ready! We’ve allocated almost all of our processes to Mage Seol Ha-woon’s duct tape!”

 

The factory was already full of vitality, with all equipment converted to my formulas.

 

“…Haven’t you invested too much?”

 

It’s burdensome to this extent.

 

Kim A-rang beside me seems to feel the same way.

 

“This isn’t necessary.”

 

“No! We were certain.”

 

Manager Kim clenched both fists tightly.

 

“If you say so…”

 

“Yes! Then, please look around freely!”

 

Manager Kim left for the site.

 

The manager is personally participating in the facilities. When a leader runs around directly, employees have no choice but to trust.

 

“Ha-woon. The royalties seem like they’ll be quite substantial?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“The advertising fees were deposited too, right? What are you going to use them for?”

 

“Ah. That.”

 

There was something I had thought about.

 

I wrote a donation certificate. The destination was Hanbit Orphanage. The place that raised me until I became an adult.

 

I recalled memories I had found uncomfortable.

 

The beds were too small. I was quite big too.

 

There weren’t many computers either. The rule I established was 30 minutes per person. Kids who did dishes or cleaning got an extra 30 minutes.

 

I had envied amusement parks so much. I wanted to watch movies every day too.

 

I wanted the children to enjoy not only such cultural activities but also recreational sports like bowling, billiards, ping pong, and badminton.

 

Not just this Hanbit Orphanage, but other children too.

 

“You’re pouring out all 1.5 billion?”

 

Kim A-rang looked surprised.

 

“There’s someone who shoots 50 CFs and donates everything.”

 

“Ja-ryong? He’s… really crazy. That’s hundreds of billions, and he really says he’ll donate it all.”

 

Kim A-rang smiled bitterly and asked.

 

“Do you prefer not being known, being known, or pretending you don’t want to be known while being known?”

 

“…”

 

I remained silent.

 

It would be nice if it showed a little. It would help with recognition.

 

Kim A-rang grinned.

 

“I understand. Then handle the rest of your personal schedule on your own~”

 

“Yes.”

 

Midnight when the night fog swirled hazily.

 

“David Magic Bookstore Owner.”

 

I had returned to the starting point of mage Seol Ha-woon.

 

“Oh. What brings you here?”

 

I set down the Labyrinth Exploration NaN goods I had packed.

 

“I’m on vacation. You’ve changed a lot too, sir.”

 

He used to be very natural, but now he seems quite well-groomed, even wearing a leather jacket.

 

“There are so many young people wanting to take photos. Because of you.”

 

“I heard business is going well too.”

 

“Well. That’s right.”

 

There was some kind of album spread open on the counter.

 

“What album is this?”

 

“The Craftsman album. From his independence activist days.”

 

I looked at the photos on the page.

 

Among the photos of independence activists, there was a somehow familiar face.

 

“This person. Doesn’t he look like Tae-woo the mage?”

 

Then David Magic Bookstore Owner chuckled.

 

“You know the Tae-woo vampire theory.”

 

“Ah~ I saw it on the wiki.”

 

The Tae-woo vampire theory. There were quite a few people who looked like Tae-woo in old photos, so there were some conspiracy theories like that.

 

“That’s a lie.”

 

“…Then could it be real?”

 

─Yoon Sa-hyuk : Labyrinth People. They’re actually the same. Most are no different from humans.

 

Just then, PD Yoon Sa-hyuk’s voice could be heard. It was the TV on the counter.

 

─Yoon Sa-hyuk : No one knows the principles of the Labyrinth. Just as mages cannot know the principles of magic.

 

─Lee Seon-yong : Haha. PD Yoon Sa-hyuk must be a mage then?

 

─Yoon Sa-hyuk : Then are you a Labyrinth Person, Congressman Lee Seon-yong?

 

─Lee Seon-yong : …No. Why would you say such a thing?

 

─Yoon Sa-hyuk : You’re not a Labyrinth Person, yet you speak about Labyrinth People. I’m not a mage either, but I can speak about the principles of magic.

 

Yoon Sa-hyuk speaks about Labyrinth People. He says to treat them simply as ‘objects’.

 

Labyrinth exploration is neither glorification nor abuse.

 

Labyrinth People are rather magical beings that prove anything can happen in the Labyrinth…

 

“What kind of person is that PD Yoon?”

 

David asked.

 

“I haven’t met him many times. His position is quite high. But he seems to have a good reputation.”

 

Ding-ding-ding-

 

Suddenly, messages came in succession through KakaoTalk.

 

I casually took out my phone and then hesitated.

 

[Kang Hyeon : Current location]

 

[Kang Hyeon : Hyung, I’ve been kidnapped]

 

[Kang Hyeon : Can you help me]

 

“…?”

 

I looked closely.

 

Kang Hyeon had been… (according to him) kidnapped.

 

Am I getting presbyopia?

 

I held the phone close to my eyes.

 

[Kang Hyeon : Current location]

 

[Kang Hyeon : Hyung, I’ve been kidnapped]

 

[Kang Hyeon : Can you help me]

 

A new type of voice phishing? Or hidden camera?

 

If it’s a hidden camera, it’s not something Kang Hyeon would plan alone.

 

I called Im Hae-jun. Im Hae-jun answered immediately.

 

─Huh? What’s the occasion, master?

 

“Hey. Are you filming some weird video?”

 

─Gasp! What! How, how did you know?! I’m filming a Mitamnan review video right now!

 

“…Review video?”

 

─Are, are you a stalker, master? Did you install cameras in my room?!

 

“I don’t even know where your house is. I just had that feeling.”

 

─Ah, what a shock. What is it? Are you bored on vacation?

 

“What are you doing?”

 

─I’m trying to start a personal YouTube channel. Mitamnan is ending soon too… sob sob. Oh right. Master, I’m thinking about channel names, how about HaejunHaejun? I’m torn between HaejunHaejun and I’mHaejun… Please appear as a guest just once, master… Oh master, are you calling to brag about how amazing this episode’s ending scene was-

 

I hung up immediately.

 

The current location Kang Hyeon attached isn’t that far from here.

 

But do I really need to take on the risk?

 

I looked straight ahead.

 

“…Sir.”

 

He’s a threatening human. Even though he’s retired from active duty, a tiger doesn’t stop being a tiger just because it gets old.

 

“What are you staring at?”

 

“One of my friends suddenly texted that he’s been kidnapped.”

 

“Oh. Then you should report it to the police.”

 

“If it were a situation where I could report to the police, I would have.”

 

“…So?”

 

David tilted his head.

 

“I was wondering if you could help.”

 

“…”

 

The old man let out a hollow laugh as if incredulous.

 

“But did you have friends?”

 

“Excuse me?”

 

I suddenly tilted my head.

 

It was unconscious, but I had called him a friend.

 

“…I don’t put much meaning into titles.”

 

“The guy who would be most likely to… Where is it? Lead the way.”

 

Thump. The old man came out from behind the counter.

 

His head is about two sizes bigger than mine.

 

A 7-footer, called by the standard of pure giants.

 

2 meters 13 centimeters, a genetic build that appears in one out of 3 million people, very reliable.

 

“Yes. Let’s go.”

—————
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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