Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 207

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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 207

Empty Car (7)

Kang Hyeon opened SNS. There were all kinds of news in the real-time trends, but first place was Seol Ha-woon’s medical records.

│Seol Ha-woon Medical Records Leaked│

Medical records from when Seol Ha-woon was in a coma

1. Complete nerve and musculoskeletal damage to left leg (practically permanent disability, main cause of current walking stick use)

2. Cervical and spinal cord injury. Resulting in total paralysis diagnosis, unclear prognosis even after surgery.

3. Unconscious state for several months. Dependent on life support systems.

4. Multiple gunshot wounds throughout body. Multiple penetrations near major organs, some bullets deemed inoperable.

5. Extensive third-degree burns and above.

6. Multiple complex fractures and shrapnel wounds throughout body.

7. Multiple internal organ ruptures and damage.

8. Brain hemorrhage.

9. Shock from excessive blood loss and multiple organ failure crisis…

The records were listed, and the public was horrified.

There were many reactions like whether a person could endure this, it’s a miracle he’s alive, and such.

But Kang Hyeon felt annoyed for some reason.

“No, shit. Hyeon. Shouldn’t this be regulated?”

Jun-ho seemed to feel the same way.

“What kind of lunatic posted this.”

Was it twisted fan devotion, or just to satisfy attention-seeking? Lee Jun-ho furrowed his brow deeply.

Before long, Kate, Seo Ji-woo, and Yoon Hwa-rim also approached. Everyone had their eyes glued to their smartphones.

Seo Ji-woo clicked her tongue.

“Shouldn’t we ask them to take this down? Contact the PDs.”

“What is Mal-ol-haem doing right now?!”

At Yoon Hwa-rim’s words, Kang Hyeon looked toward the dormitory entrance.

“Hyung went to the dormitory. Hae-jun would probably know…”

Just then, Im Hae-jun was returning humming cheerfully. Dragging a thick suitcase with one hand, rattling along. He was as bright as usual.

“Hey Hae-jun. Where’s Seol Ha-woon?”

Lee Jun-ho asked straight away.

“Master said he’s going straight to sleep? He doesn’t want to do anything on cloudy days. Aren’t you guys going on vacation?”

“…”

Everyone looked at Im Hae-jun silently.

“What. I’m going~ I made a fine dining reservation~ Do you know a place called Moosu~”

Im Hae-jun left humming cheerfully again. The five people watched his retreating figure blankly.

“For now, it’s not something that would be solved even if we stepped in. It would look strange too. Je Mal-ol will handle it himself.”

Kate reached a conclusion.

Everyone nodded belatedly.

“Right. Since it’s Je Mal-ol… Wow, but if it were me, I would’ve caught and killed the bastard who leaked this.”

It would probably feel like being stripped naked. The feeling of your wounds becoming aggro for others and gossip material isn’t very pleasant.

Even knowing it can’t be helped because it’s Mitamnan, it’s still fucking awful.

At least that’s what Lee Jun-ho thinks.

* * *

The next morning. I woke up to the sound of rain tapping on the window.

“…I want to kill the rainy season.”

Rainy days are the worst, then and now. Every joint in my body aches, and especially my left knee has constant pain like being hammered.

I looked up at the ceiling and sighed. I fumbled beside the bed and picked up my smartphone.

All kinds of KakaoTalk messages had piled up.

〔Im Hae-jun: Gasp Master, did you see this?? Was this agreed upon? It’s not marketing or something like that, right?? Or I think you need to quickly take some measures!!〕

“…What marketing.”

I replied.

〔It’s measures, not measuers〕

〔Im Hae-jun: Yes??〕

There were many others besides Im Hae-jun.

〔Kim Se-jin: Amazing. I respect you once more.〕

〔Seo Ji-woo: This is chaos right now, you ok?;;;;;〕

[Ganghyeon: Hyung ㅠ.ㅠ]

〔Lee Jun-ho: Link〕

〔Lee Jun-ho: Some fucking attention seeker posted this, are you okay?〕

〔Kim A-rang: Legal action could be considered… for now I’m resting.〕

〔Kim A-rang: Contact me if you’re worried〕

When I woke up, KakaoTalk messages had piled up.

“What is it this time.”

I got up.

“Ah, damn leg.”

I grabbed my knee and collapsed again.

“Ugh…”

After groaning in pain for a while, I finally managed to get up. I drank a cup of water and opened SNS to find my name trending a lot. The portal site articles were the same.

│Seol Ha-woon Medical Records Leaked… Fact Check Needed│

│Celebrity Personal Information Leaks Are Vicious Crimes│

│Seol Ha-woon Did He Really Return From Death’s Door│

My medical records had been leaked. Actually, these were records that even I didn’t know in detail.

“…”

Reading them, even I was dumbfounded. Had I been injured this badly?

“Ridiculous.”

A hollow laugh escaped.

I had tried so hard to live. I swam backwards across the Samdo River at death’s door.

“But who was it.”

What kind of grudge was it. Or was it misguided fan devotion trying to help me.

But even more absurd than that motive was that several doctors were saying on SNS that my injury history was bullshit.

The reason is simple.

@kiska lol Don’t try to add stuff to a narrative that’s already established. With injuries that severe, it’s actually impossible to survive. It can’t be explained medically. You need to keep your baseless theories within reason.

@jamjam019 This is ridiculous. No, think about it logically. A patient with total paralysis, multiple organ failure, and brain hemorrhage walking around fine? Write a novel. It’s more amazing that people believe such things.

“I can’t walk fine though.”

They say with injuries this severe, I should have died peacefully, and it doesn’t make sense that I’m alive and moving.

“Is this what happens when you become famous.”

Well, thinking about it, I haven’t become just ‘a little’ famous. Mitamnan is now global. That’s the weight class.

The speed at which followers are accumulating is already ridiculous, and the consecutive OTT first place is scheduled to be registered in the Guinness Book soon.

“Who was it…”

But who leaked it.

Why did they do this.

I’m not particularly bothered by it. At least the current me feels that way. If I were afraid of others’ gazes, fearful or ashamed or humiliated, I would have no choice but to actually die.

Recognition goes up too, so it’s good.

I went outside leaning on my walking stick.

Tap. Tap. I pressed the elevator button.

Ding.

The door opened.

There was someone else inside. It was Yu-yul Mentor.

“Oh. Mentor.”

I got on the elevator and pressed the 1st floor button.

“…Don’t you take vacations?”

Yoo Yul asked that. Her expression was as indifferent as usual, but the way she looked me over seemed to show concern about this issue.

“I don’t have a home. My studio apartment contract ended too… I’m looking for one, but there aren’t any suitable properties.”

“Get a personal loan. With your face as your ID now, they’d probably lend you billions.”

The best apartment. I’d like to try living in a place like that once. I’ve been rolling around on dirt floors for so long.

“…Um, Mentor. Could you possibly lend me the jeweled string?”

Then Yoo Yul looked at me quietly. I scratched the back of my neck.

Ding.

Just then, the elevator door opened.

“The third refinement is-“

Before I could finish speaking, she pulled out the jeweled string from her inner pocket. She handed it to me and said.

“Take it.”

“…What? No. Just lending it to me would be enough.”

Shh. Yoo Yul put her finger to her lips.

“You have to do the refinements after that on your own anyway. You can’t rely on your mentor forever. It’s something I don’t need anymore, and I wouldn’t give something like this to someone who can’t control themselves in the first place.”

Yoo Yul looked at me and twisted her lips.

“You’re someone who knows how to control yourself. Even by my standards, you’re among the best.”

If she’s going to say that much.

I gladly accepted it.

“Thank you.”

“Good work.”

Yoo Yul waved her hand and left. I looked at the jeweled string and smiled faintly.

* * *

Astroal Merchandise established a new business. It was banking centered around safes. They also began construction to expand a new hotel. Its name was ‘Hotel Arcana’.

〔As clean as possible. The most important thing is soundproofing.〕

Aro ordered the construction robots.

Right now, robots hired through the MoMo network are moving to build the hotel. It’s absurd even watching it, but anyway.

“Aro. Don’t you have anything for your master? I’m lacking energy these days.”

〔While you were away in the labyrinth, I purchased the catalysts you ordered and expanded the training facility where mana concentration is maintained at the highest level.〕

“What, really? You should have told me that earlier. Guide me.”

〔Yes. Please follow me.〕

Aro guided me to the underground of the main building.

It was an empty space like a training hall, but in the center was a crystal-shaped catalyst emitting a gentle blue light.

“…I can feel it.”

The mana concentration is perfect.

Environment is also important for training. In this place, the success rate of refinement would increase somewhat too.

〔Also, it appears this can be utilized as a business when you’re not using it.〕

“What business.”

〔Training hall rental business. If they’re mages, they’ll be able to train very efficiently here. Especially the recovery speed from mana depletion is expected to be several times faster than outside. If we set an hourly usage fee and rent it to other mages, there’s a high probability it will become a decent revenue model.〕

“…Right. Do that. You’re doing well.”

That Aro bastard turns everything into money.

I looked around the newly created ‘Mana Spring’ and placed the snow flower nearby.

It’s something I received as a reward from a labyrinth long ago, and if something big happens while refining, it’ll help me like last time.

〔Then. I’ll be going now.〕

Aro left. That guy was busy in his own way too.

“…Preparation.”

I popped one of the two remaining Completely Precious Candies into my mouth.

【Completely Precious Candy】

◆ Overview: A completely precious candy that cannot be seen commonly.

◆ Grade: Rare

◆ When consumed, the mind and body stabilize and stamina and magic power recover rapidly.

Now in this place overflowing with mana, I attempt refinement while holding the candy in my mouth.

The third refinement.

…Is it possible?

It’s possible.

Even if it doesn’t work, I have to make it work.

There’s no need to be afraid. Look at your medical records, Ha-woon. You’ve already died and come back to life dozens of times.

I wrapped the jeweled string around my left arm.

At that moment, pain arose in my body.

It was incomparable to before, a pain as if crushing bones down to the particle level.

* * *

“So. You’re saying it can’t be done?”

Seokho Corporation, a major company, in the department head’s office.

Department Head Yoon Il-young pressed his temples while looking around at the so-called renowned theoretical mages. On the desk lay Seol Ha-woon’s duct tape formula orb and contract.

“Yes. We succeeded in interpretation, but…”

Copyfield, the head of the globally renowned formula analysis team. He had stayed up nights for weeks dissecting Seol Ha-woon’s formulas.

“But? That’s great. If it’s interpreted, isn’t that the end? Why?”

“We succeeded in interpretation, but replication is impossible.”

“What does that mean? There’s nothing that can’t be done! If it doesn’t work, make it work!”

“…Because we cannot modify the duct tape’s circuits, we can only reproduce it as is. However, if we do that, we cannot escape the legal framework of current formula patents.”

Copyfield shook his head as if there was no choice. His colleague mages sitting beside him all had haggard faces too.

“We will refund the contract money. It’s our lack of ability.”

Yoon Il-young scratched around his eyes. He let out a hot sigh and leaned back. The backrest creaked loudly.

“Fuck, damn! This is so ridiculous. Hey. Do you know how much money those Latin or Retina bastards make selling tape?!”

Yoon Il-young spoke in Korean, and the manager beside him translated into English.

Copyfield gave a bitter smile.

“Yes. We’re fully aware. However, I’m sorry to say this, but…”

Copyfield gestured to his colleagues. They each pulled out thick bundles of reports from their briefcases.

Thud!

Heavy documents piled up like a mountain on Department Head Yoon Il-young’s desk. The cover clearly read ‘Duct Tape Formula Structure Analysis Final Report’.

“This is the Seol Ha-woon formula analysis. As you can see, just understanding this one duct tape formula resulted in a 337-page A4 report. We thoroughly analyzed the flow of magic power composing the formula, the multi-layered three-dimensional structure utilizing all XYZ axes, and the physical and magical interactions of the manifested phenomena.”

Copyfield opened to a specific page of the report. It was packed with complex diagrams and formulas.

“Also, the academic papers we referenced just to interpret Seol Ha-woon’s duct tape number in the dozens. We covered everything from three-dimensional magic dynamics to multi-dimensional formula geometry. All the theoretical mages on our team devoted their respective specialties to this.”

Copyfield’s voice was heavy with fatigue.

“Of course, we don’t think Mage Seol Ha-woon mastered all these theories and designed his formulas. Rather, the opposite is likely. His formulas appear to be constructed through momentary inspiration and intuition rather than following standardized theoretical frameworks. But precisely because of that…”

He stopped speaking and let out a hollow laugh.

Truly, as if amazed.

“Precisely because of that, we couldn’t find a way to perfectly imitate or circumvent those core principles. If it were meticulously calculated theory, we could trace it backwards and dismantle it. But ideas born from flashing intuition, lightning-like emergence, are difficult to trace even in their thought processes.”

Copyfield put down his glasses and ran his fingers through his hair.

“Mage Seol Ha-woon already possesses intuition equivalent to a theoretical professor, perhaps even beyond that.”

“What the fuck are you saying.”

“To be specific, from our analysis, Seol Ha-woon’s formula orb is based on magic power mapping utilizing at least three-dimensional spatial coordinate systems, but this is difficult to perfectly simulate with most existing formula orb models.”

“I understand even less now?”

“Anyway, it seems to mean we can’t disassemble and analyze Seol Ha-woon’s orb.”

The manager whispered. Department Head Yoon Il-young glared at him intently.

“It hurts our pride to say this,”

Copyfield gritted his teeth as if his pride was wounded. In his eyes, resentment and envy, jealousy and admiration flickered simultaneously.

“Seol Ha-woon is a genius. Beyond simply possessing powerful magic power, he’s someone with the insight to see through the essence of formulas. It’s as if he’s dragged skills that could only be implemented in games into reality.”

Copyfield paused for a moment, then looked directly at Department Head Yoon Il-young and spoke decisively.

“More than anyone I’ve encountered in decades in this field…”

He gazed into the air for a moment, then nodded as if he had found the right word.

“Yes. He is the most unconventional mage.”

Seol Ha-woon has no framework. Breaking free from theoretical structures and the established teachings of schools, he advances on his own path with infinite intuition.

Therefore, no limits exist for Seol Ha-woon. Just as the sky has no end.

Copyfield had an intuition.

“Seol Ha-woon will become a mage.”

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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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