Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 2

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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 002

One Day, Magic Power Sprouted from My Head (1)

Strength　　│　2(-5)　│　F　　Stamina　│　2(-5)　│　F　　Agility　│　2(-5)　│　F　　Endurance　│　2(-5)　│　F　　Magic Power　│ 　10　　│　D　　Perception　│ 　9　　│　B　　Mental Power　│ 　9　　│　B　　Appearance　│ 　6　　│　C+　Luck　│ 　6　　│　C+

─Magic Power. The ability to call upon mana. People usually call it the ‘Power of Yearning’. In other words, the power of the mind. You can think of most of what’s taught at Magic School as being related to Mind Control.

Mana. A mystical force. Around 1900, it first appeared and turned the world upside down – a ‘particle that isn’t a particle’.

─So to put it more simply, you need to think quite seriously. You put your yearning into what you desire. Like this… Fire!

The YouTuber on screen ignited magic power at his fingertips. A blue flickering burned the paper like a torch.

“Oho.”

This is it.

─I do it with plain paper, but you can lightly soak it in oil if you want.

“Soaking in oil…”

I nodded and wrote in my notebook.

Use oil if difficult.

─If you have decent talent, you’ll probably be able to do it after about a month of effort. Honestly, if you go over a month, you should think there’s no hope…

A month.

My interview is tomorrow, and he says a month.

For reference, I already passed the document screening. I put my heart and soul into writing that personal statement.

The life I scribbled down in 8 hours was pretty decent, if I do say so myself. Born into an unfortunate family, became a Special Forces soldier, total Disability during an operation, somehow survived and overcame everything except my left leg – a specimen of human vitality.

Well, that’s that.

“…Think seriously.”

I glared at my finger. Stared at it intently while thinking.

Magic power, come out.

Magic power, come out.

Magic power.

Come out.

Like I saw on YouTube.

Come out of my body.

─Ah, Incantations are good too. You focus your will through words. There’s a reason mages recite Incantation verses. It might be a bit embarrassing, but efficiency increases by 20%.

Incantation. Globally called Aria, it’s a mage’s self-hypnosis.

I faithfully followed the YouTuber’s advice.

“Magic power, bloom forth.”

I recited the Incantation while glaring at my finger. Glared desperately. Glared until the blood vessels in my eyes might burst.

“Magic power…”

Magic power. Magic power. Magic power.

The moment I gritted my teeth and repeated magic power,

Pop!

A burning heat rose in the nerves at the back of my neck. Then small magic power bloomed at my fingertips.

Not as clear or long as the YouTuber’s, but definitely taking shape.

“!”

I quickly grabbed some paper. I rubbed the magic power against it.

“…?”

It made a steaming sound like grilling, but no fire caught at all.

It means I need to concentrate once more.

“Whew…”

If bringing magic power out of my body was the first step, then imbuing the magic power with heat was the second.

I muttered my own improvised Incantation again.

“God of fire. Primordial flame… humanity’s greatest discovery, oh fire…”

A poem praising fire. Of course, it’s meaningless nonsense. I’m just babbling whatever comes to mind.

“Oh fire, give me strength… Ah, my eyes hurt.”

My eyeballs felt like they might burst, so I gave up.

Plain paper is still too much for now. I should at least put some oil on it.

I opened the kitchen cabinet to get some cooking oil.

“…Oh right.”

Then I suddenly remembered.

“Random Box.”

I activated the 「MoMo」 system.

【Random Box】■ A box containing items of unknown identity.

The gift package I bought with 300 Diamonds before my regression contained 2 Stat Points and 4 Random Boxes.

I’m still confused about what principle allows items I bought before regression to remain after regression.

[ Would you like to open them? ]

I opened all 4 at once.

Thud-thud-thud-thud!

Four boxes appeared on the system screen. Their lids banged against each other while emitting some kind of light.

“Oh?”

Three were just blue light, but one was purple. That means it’s a rare item.

I checked that one first.

【Mystical Staff】■ Grade: Rare■ Description: A black staff made from mystical wood. Seems like it would help a mage.■ Restriction: Recognition Level 1 or higher■ When equipped: Magic Power +0.5■ Recognition acquisition rate +10%■ Movement speed +5%

The information window was completely ‘unlocked’.

In 「MoMo」, information windows appear differently depending on the character who owns the item.

In other words, each character’s appraisal grade varies tremendously, and being this detailed means it’s almost completely unlocked.

I was momentarily puzzled, but quickly understood.

【Good Ears, Good Eyes】■ Grade: Intermediate■ The character’s vision and hearing are fundamentally excellent. All actions performed with eyes and ears are superior.■ Can assess people more accurately and sensitively observe invisible things.■ Can easily appraise the value of objects.■ If you can see it with your eyes, you can also hear the sounds from that place.

It must be thanks to the third line: ‘■ Can easily appraise the value of objects.’

Anyway, it’s a good item. A rare that boosts stats, top quality among rares.

Still, the reason I’m lukewarm about it is… I don’t use staffs.

Of course, my leg is damaged. The reason a staff came out of the Random Box is probably because I’m a cripple.

[MoMo]’s cash shop has that kind of character-customized design. Like magic items coming out for mages, or melee items for warriors – that kind of considerate system.

This 【Mystical Staff】 is certainly an item that suits the character ‘Seol Ha-woon’, but I’ve never used a staff even when going outside, despite limping on my leg.

Right, it’s petty pride.

But.

“…It’s annoyingly good.”

When equipped, Magic Power +0.5. At this level, what can I do about pride or whatever.

I checked the remaining items.

【Blue Lemona】■ Overview: Contains 3 packs of Lemona with a blue glow swirling around them. Looks sweet.■ When consumed, increases character’s Magic Power stat by 1 for 1 hour, and overall magic functions are enhanced.

【Comfortable Blanket】■ Overview: A soft-looking blanket. Has a cloud-like texture.■ Character’s sleep efficiency increases by 10%.■ Character’s deep sleep probability increases by 5%.

【Lucky Coin】■ Overview: A coin with identical front and back sides.■ Luck +0.2 when carried

Why do they all look so good?

This is strange. By [MoMo] veteran standards, most of these are trash items, but thinking about using them in real life makes them feel incredibly decent.

The Blue Lemona seems like it would be useful for tomorrow’s interview.

But how do I take this out?

I clicked on [Inventory].

【Mystic Staff】,【Blue Lemona】,【Comfortable Blanket】,【Lucky Coin】.

Four items were arranged in a grid pattern. When I stared at them, [Would you like to withdraw?] appeared.

Easy.

“Yes.”

I took out all four.

First, I unfolded the blanket and spread it on the bed, put the coin and Blue Lemona in my bag, and just stared at the staff for no reason.

“…Tsk.”

Still, I should use it. It has Magic Power, knowledge acquisition rate, and even movement speed attached.

“Right.”

I muttered like a sigh.

I’ve lived like a shut-in my whole life, that’s enough. My body may be broken, but is my spirit broken?

Let’s prepare for tomorrow’s interview.

Again, I spread my palm.

“Hup!”

Fortunately, magic power came to my fingertips quickly. Having high talent stats means once you succeed once, the second time is easy. In other words, excellent reproducibility.

I quickly picked up the paper soaked with cooking oil.

* * *

The next day. A large building in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. This is the headquarters of ‘IONet’ where the first audition for 「Labyrinth Exploration NaN」 is being held.

“There are too many people.”

People were packed from the entrance. Not just reporters, but tons of fans too. Apparently promising talents from famous agencies are participating.

Indeed, some pretty impressive faces can be seen one by one.

Ryu Yeon-hwa, a white-haired sorceress with perfect visuals and skills, standing nine heads tall.

Lee Jun-ho, a swordsman with a long sword at his back, evaluated as a future sword saint.

Both are people who die in the future.

Meaning they’re the Debut Team from before my regression.

“Document passers, please come this way~”

I joined the long line at the participation booth.

Maybe because I’m limping and carrying a staff, there are many eyes on me.

[ Recognition is increasing. ]

[ Recognition is increasing. ]

[ Recognition is increasing. ]

Thanks to that, my recognition is rising in real time… but honestly, I feel like my face might explode.

Still, let’s think about lifespan.

I’m a firefly that can’t even live 30 days. I’m not in a position to be picky about-

“Next person?”

Before I knew it, it was my turn.

“Yes. Here.”

I handed the staff member my acceptance text.

“Seol Ha-woon. Number 1,356.”

I pinned the number 1,356 nameplate to my chest. I went inside and got on the elevator.

The interview room for the 1,000s was on the 13th floor, where many chairs were placed along a long corridor.

“Everyone please sit and wait~! We’ll call you when it’s your turn~!”

A person wearing a staff necklace shouted through a megaphone.

“…Yaaawn.”

I yawned as soon as I sat in the chair. I didn’t sleep well last night.

Ah, I did succeed in the fire-starting that the YouTuber said would take a month. Of course, it was oil-soaked paper, but there shouldn’t be any failures in actual practice.

I’m going to drink the 【Blue Lemona】.

“Next~ Numbers 1,300 to 1,309, please come in.”

Ten people go in quickly. Five people enter and most come out in less than 10 minutes.

Number 1,356 will come up soon.

“…Yaaawn.”

I yawned and closed my eyes.

I’m getting sleepy. I’m naturally not the type to get nervous.

Should I get a little shut-eye?

* * *

“Numbers 1,350 to 1,359, please come in.”

Suddenly, ten people including those on my left and right all got up at once. I dozed off for a bit and before I knew it, it was my turn.

I hurriedly drank the 【Blue Lemona】 and entered the interview room.

“Everyone please sit.”

Exactly three people were sitting at the judges’ table.

They’re familiar faces to me, a fan of the 「Labyrinth Exploration」 series.

Assistant Director Kim A-rang, Assistant Director Im Hyeong-uk, Writer Yoon I-in.

They all have tremendous presence~ not really. Compared to military officers, they just look like high school students.

“Well… you all know about Labyrinths, right? I won’t bother asking.”

Labyrinths are rifts in magic power. Simply put, they’re ‘natural disasters that don’t move’.

If Labyrinths are left alone for too long, monsters emerge, but conversely, clearing them yields loot, so organized conquest is carried out by the Explorer Guild.

“Everyone, please show us one talent each.”

Assistant Director Kim A-rang’s single statement. That was it.

While we were all flustered, the woman sitting on the far right stood up first.

“Number 1,359, Lee O-ri.”

After introducing herself, she extended her arm into the air. Following her gesture, several cards spun whirling through the air. It was quite precise Mana Manipulation.

“…Hmm. Telekinesis? Nice.”

Kim A-rang gave a not-bad evaluation.

“Thank you.”

The woman sat down with a slight smirk at the corner of her mouth.

Next, the man to my left stood up.

“Number 1,355, Kwon Chang-hyuk!”

“Yes. Go ahead.”

With his impressive muscles all over his body, he suddenly pressed his fists together.

Thoom───!

A fairly large shockwave erupted.

Gaaah. I clutched my ears.

Come on, my body already has low durability, give me some warning first.

“Confirmed. Please sit down.”

“Yes!”

“Number 1,357. Lee Yo-hoon.”

The person to my right also stood up. I quietly pulled my chair back. Fortunately, this one pulled out a dagger and performed some kind of dance.

It looked like something from a play.

“That was sword dance.”

“…Yes. Well done. Please sit down.”

Kim A-rang said while fidgeting with her necklace. It was quite an indifferent reaction.

After that, numbers 1,358, 1,353, 1,351, 1,352… all the other people finished their talent shows.

“Is there anyone who hasn’t gone yet?”

Assistant Director Kim A-rang asked.

“Ah. Me.”

I hesitantly raised my hand. Kim A-rang looked in my direction.

“Hmm… Number 1,356. I noticed you were limping when you walked.”

“Yes. I had a bit of an accident.”

“I see. Well then, show us. What did you prepare?”

“Yes.”

I pulled out a piece of paper from my pocket. Paper that burns well. I had conscientiously soaked it just a little in oil.

“So then…”

Like that, I was about to show off my magic power a bit.

“Don’t tell me you’re planning to light that on fire?”

Such a sudden criticism. An excessively sharp strike to the vital point.

I froze with the paper pulled out.

“That’s easy. You didn’t come here just knowing how to do that and nothing else, did you?”

“…Excuse me?”

My mind went completely blank.

This kind of predicament wasn’t in my scenario.

“So. That. Is.”

Kim A-rang crossed her arms with an exasperated expression.

“Number 1,356, you already have a penalty, don’t you? You applied thinking that you have advantages that would get you selected even with that penalty, didn’t you?”

…Her tone is quite harsh. Considerably irritable and aggressive.

Assistant Director Kim A-rang. She’s just as I heard. Successful at a young age, praised by those around her, with a vicious personality-

“Excuse me? Can’t you hear me?”

“Ah. Yes. I’m sorry. My hearing isn’t good either.”

Actually, there’s nothing wrong with my hearing. It’s actually quite good.

“…Should I repeat myself?”

“No.”

In any case, my life depends on that person right now.

Gulp.

I swallowed.

Is there a way? Other than this oil paper, another talent. Something I could call a talent…

As I remained silent, the people beside me glanced at me. Their gazes contained a rather subtle pity.

I looked at the oil paper clutched in my hand, then at Kim A-rang, then the oil paper, Kim A-rang, oil paper, Kim A-rang… ‘s necklace.

“Sigh.”

The ‘special necklace’ that Assistant Director Kim A-rang was wearing as she let out a sigh suddenly

caught my eye.

—————
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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