Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 240

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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 240

Dangerously(6)

David Magic Bookstore.

The owner of that place, David Han, famous these days as a pilgrimage site for Seol Ha-woon fans, is knitting while watching a talk show.

Kim A-rang: Labyrinth Exploration isn’t a program that can come out every year. Above all, the talent pool is important…

A: Still, I heard there’s been a huge explorer boom thanks to Mitamnan this time, so couldn’t the next season come out a bit faster? Especially if the stage expands globally.

Kim A-rang: Well, that could be possible, but we need to have perfect preparations ready before that.

A: Ah~ And this is really something, there’s a theory that PD Kim A-rang was the one who first discovered Mage Seol Ha-woon.

The talk pauses momentarily and scenes of Seol Ha-woon are displayed.

Famous scenes flash by like film: roughly sweeping back his long hair while looking in a mirror, walking alongside Seer on a path like thin ice, looking at Eldia with suspicion, glaring at the Shaman under the sacred tree of Imgak Mountain.

B: Mage Seol Ha-woon is currently in 1st place, right? What was your first impression of him?

Kim A-rang: Actually, his first impression wasn’t particularly striking. Of course, the trajectory of life he had walked was very unique, but the skill he first prepared was lighting paper on fire.

A: …Lighting paper on fire?

The hosts let out awkward laughs.

Kim A-rang: Yes. The kind that appears quite often on YouTube, something ordinary people do too. We’re also amazed by the steep upward trend Mage Seol Ha-woon has shown. Everyone suspects it’s rigged or whatever, but Seol Ha-woon really grew from the very bottom.

B: Wow… So that’s why people often use the “what if Seol Ha-woon had started his mage career a bit earlier” scenarios.

Kim A-rang: I suppose so?

“…Then he wouldn’t have gained the battlefield’s flame image like now.”

David muttered to himself and chuckled.

B: What’s Seol Ha-woon’s actual personality like? People around me are incredibly curious too. They even say meeting him once would be a lifelong dream.

A: Come on. No matter what, calling it a lifelong dream is… Seol Ha-woon would find that burdensome.

B: Uh… Then not a lifelong dream, but maybe bucket list level?

Kim A-rang: Haha. His personality is actually exactly like what you see. But he smiles a bit more often.

A: Oh. He smiles more often? I can’t imagine that. Of course, he’s really handsome and outstanding, but… he gives off a strong impression of being blunt and cold.

Kim A-rang: Ah, I know that one. The explorer ranked 1st who you’d feel like you couldn’t make eye contact with if you met him outside.

David Han snorted.

“He was just tiny and cute though. Kuhehe.”

Since I’m 213cm, there’s about a 24cm difference.

That first meeting when he was desperately worried I’d treat him like a fraud is still good for a laugh.

Kim A-rang: It’s not like he’s a visual shock or anything, honestly. But Seol Ha-woon’s atmosphere creates that impression. Usually he surprisingly likes collecting cards, and goes to the library almost every day.

A: Right. That library story really comes up every time. He must go there very frequently and stay long.

Kim A-rang: Yes. Perhaps because he has an obsession with filling in theory since he started late, he devotes more than half his waking hours to studying.

After that, stories about various explorers including Seol Ha-woon flow smoothly.

A: What’s Kang Hyeon like in real life?

Yoon Sa-hyuk: In one word, routine-oriented. A very routine person. Also, he’s a really kind friend. He’s always smiling whenever you see him, so it makes the people watching smile too…

And then it goes deeper and more seriously into the program called Mitamnan.

A: What are the differences between actual labyrinths and Labyrinth Exploration?

Yoon Sa-hyuk: First, it’s very safe. I can definitively say there’s no risk of explorers dying. That’s because there’s a safety device called forced repatriation. But excluding that, it’s similar to other labyrinths in almost every aspect.

The host’s voice tone drops even lower.

A: But it’s not like there haven’t been incidents and accidents. Kim’s school violence and attempted murder, Seol Ha-woon’s medical record leak issue, etc…

That’s when David Magic Bookstore Owner glanced to the side.

Whirr- Whirrr-

Tae-woo was lying on a massage chair.

The sight of his body slightly bobbing as the massage chair massaged him was quite amusing.

“Hey.”

David Han’s voice is very low and thick. So even speaking quietly, it pierces the ears.

“…”

Tae-woo opened his eyes drowsily.

“Don’t you work? Didn’t you say you established a corporation at some point?”

“…Magic Bookstore Owner, you must have made a lot of money. Enough to buy a chair like this.”

He seems extremely satisfied with the massage chair.

“I always had money. You should buy one too. And buy some new clothes. What are you, coal?”

Tae-woo’s coordination is always pitch black. He doesn’t wear white due to mysophobia, only solid colors.

The complete opposite of his younger brother who dresses more flashily than any celebrity.

A: If there’s a purpose to the Labyrinth Exploration series?

Kim A-rang: Um… well. We’re people who provide entertainment. Entertainment is the top priority, but at the same time, I think we need to convey awareness about the dangers of labyrinths and the existence of Labyrinth People.

Rustle. The scenery sparkles as the screen transitions to Kim A-rang’s individual interview.

Kim A-rang: In the end, it’s entertainment. Many people exhausted by daily life and work. When those people want to rest even briefly, if viewers can forget reality momentarily and enjoy watching our program.

Kim A-rang smiles standing across from the Han River. The water surface reflects sunlight, shimmering like scales.

Kim A-rang: If we can just do that, then our most important reason for existence is achieved for now.

Next is Yoon Sa-hyuk.

A scene of Yoon Sa-hyuk standing atop a high-rise building, looking around in all directions. The main street is filled with panels, promotional phrases, and commercials of Mitamnan explorers.

Yoon Sa-hyuk: …Together. Everyone achieved this together.

David clicked his tongue.

Yoon Sa-hyuk: I’m not limiting this to just the production team. Without the help of all the viewers who watched over us, this series wouldn’t have succeeded.

For him, Yoon Sa-hyuk feels somehow unsettling.

“Hey. What do you think of that guy? Don’t you know him?”

Tae-woo raised his upper body diagonally.

“Well.”

He doesn’t definitively categorize his connections. Because his future self might have already met that person.

“One thing is certain.”

Instead, he raised his index finger.

“That he’s a human who made a contract.”

Yoon Sa-hyuk drew magic and made it into a program. Therefore, there must be at least a being equivalent to a mage behind him.

“I probably already know.”

Tae-woo’s time is probably calmly but thoroughly digging into Labyrinth Exploration.

“Be careful. You might get attacked too at this rate.”

“…Pfft.”

That’s when Tae-woo twisted his lips for the first time.

It was pure mockery.

* * *

Camel Building

“Monthly rent is 200,000 won? That cheap?”

“Of course. It is narrow compared to apartments though. But as narrow as it is, it’s safe!”

I just went out to eat some food briefly, and before I knew it, a waiting line had formed. There were easily dozens of people lined up in front of the counter.

“Safe? There’s no security guard.”

“Hey, what do you mean none. Look at our Camel. He’ll block the entrance tight so murderers can’t get in.”

Camel stands solemnly and looks down at them.

“…This camel will protect us?”

Then Camel stood horizontally at the entrance as if showing off his physique. His massive body blocked the entrance without any gaps.

“See!”

“That’s true. Then… I have 450,000 won right now? Do you give discounts if I pay two months’ rent in advance?”

Jin glanced at me. I held up one finger.

“Yes. We’ll give you a 10,000 won discount.”

“Good. Then I’ll pay two months in advance for now…”

Jin conducts business cleverly, and Yen beside him busily writes in the ledger.

Like that, 390,000 won, 200,000 won, 200,000 won, 390,000 won, 680,000 won, 200,000 won…

In just half a day since building the structure, we earned 6.37 million won.

“Everyone move in quickly. Before the murderer comes!”

The shantytown residents pack their belongings and enter the goshiwon. Yen personally assigns room numbers, and everyone admires the clean facilities.

I said to Jin.

“Jin. There’s a self-generator underground. The backup generator is under the counter. Only you guys should know the location, and never let anyone find out.”

“Yes! Here’s the revenue!”

The basket was full of crumpled bills. I organized them with telekinesis and neatly packed them into the suitcase.

I like this.

“Do you need any supplies?”

“No! I think we can be self-sufficient with the rest. Just leave it to us!”

I nodded.

“Camel. Take care.”

Instead of answering, the camel winked with the dignity befitting a building owner.

“…Right.”

I left the building with the murmuring of people behind me.

Tap. Tap.

I’m not alone. The fox is still by my side.

Tap. Tap.

Stepping on the dry asphalt with my walking stick, I passed through the open ground and saw a road cracked like drought at its end.

It’s a highway.

I looked up at the ceiling. It was pitch black like the lid of a dome stadium, with stars and moon unnaturally painted above it.

It was silent.

A strange space where not a single breeze blew. Walking through it, I discovered a bus stop.

Airport Bus Stop

Rusty steel frame, cracked plastic chairs, flickering electronic display. It was a bus stop you could see anywhere.

I sat on a chair.

“Oof.”

These days I understand the elderly folks from the past. Why they made groaning sounds every time they sat down.

“…”

While quietly waiting for the bus, I found a booklet wedged between the chairs.

Airport Bus 3333 to Platform

AIRPORT LIMOUSINE

This is an airport bus that will comfortably guide passengers to the platform.

However, please be careful. The real bus is only Airport Bus 3333 to Platform. Remember only Airport Bus 3333 to Platform, as fake buses are also very sophisticated.

There’s a murderer on the fake bus. Be careful. The only way to avoid him is not to board the wrong bus.

♬♪~♩~♬♪~♪

Suddenly, the sound of a music box flows in from somewhere.

♬~♩♬~♬♪~♩

An eerie song that wets my ears. I see the silhouette of a clown in the direction the sound is coming from.

The mask with a torn smile is vivid, and the eyes visible between it are very large. Large pupils look only at me.

· Name: ‘Clown’ Felix

Characteristics: Wears dirty, worn-out clown clothes and always has a smiling mask on his face.

He carries around an old music box, and starts ‘hide-and-seek’ where that sound can be heard.

When you hear the music box sound, immediately hide in an enclosed space. If caught by the seeker, you become a ‘prop’.

Become a prop.

I quietly lowered my gaze to look at the chair. Was this object once a person too?

Thud. Thud.

The clown approaches me. To deal with this, I need an ‘enclosed space’.

Thud. Thud.

I dropped an experience orb. I expanded the infrastructure of the bus stop.

I transformed it from simply an electronic display and chairs into an enclosed space like a rest area.

Thud. Thud.

The murderer follows rules. Therefore, there’s no need to worry excessively. I just need to not deviate from the rules.

Thud… Thud…

The clown’s footsteps slowly fade away.

Vrooooom.

Next comes the sound of a bus.

I opened the door of the bus stop.

Headlight beams cut through the darkness as a bus approaches silently, gliding without any noise.

Hissssss.

The door opens. The driver only looks ahead, motionless like a mannequin.

I inspected the bus with sequence.

Airport Bus 3333 to Pluton

AIRPORT LIMOUSINE

The flow of magic power is stable. There are no mechanical defects. I don’t sense any magical traps inside either.

I boarded the bus. I sat on a chair and lightly tapped the floor with my walking stick.

We’re departing.

Hissssss.

The door closes again, and the bus moves forward smoothly.

“Sir. Did you come alone?”

The driver suddenly asked me.

I’m not alone. The fox is sleeping in the inner pocket of my dark journey coat.

When I don’t answer, he nods while looking at the rearview mirror.

“Have a good remaining life.”

Good remaining life… remaining life?

I looked out the window. The speed had become incredibly fast at some point. Suspiciously so.

“Now it’s the tunnel. Many people compare life to a tunnel.”

At that moment, both the interior and exterior of the bus became dark.

-But I’m telling you it’s fine to that extent?

-Wow, this is delicious.

-Sergeant Seol. What are you doing?

-What I said back then was…

-I really want to go to Korea and rest these days.

Voices arose simultaneously. They were the tones of people I knew.

-Ah, I want to pick a day and eat until my stomach bursts.

-The lobster was delicious last time

-Arthur. If lobster comes out, we’ll be deployed again.

-Sergeant Seol would like that.

-Hey. Are you tattling to the sergeant?

People who had already died and disappeared. Comrades who once lived and breathed.

This tunnel is dragging out my life.

-Ha-woon.

-Ah, it’s hot, so hot. Can’t we do something about this weather?

-If it’s not hot, would it be a desert…

-Seol Ha-woon!

Someone shouted my name. I turned to look there.

Seo Ji-hyuk was there.

-Won’t you eat?

Seo Ji-hyuk offered me ice cream, but I shook my head.

“I’m fine.”

Humanity’s greatest weakness is not misfortune but happiness. If you want to bring someone to their knees, give them overflowing happiness rather than unbearable misfortune.

Percival was also defeated by such good memories, and that was the reason many explorers became assimilated into the labyrinth.

-Come on. Don’t I know you? You’ll go get some by yourself later and eat it alone.

Seo Ji-hyuk said with a smile. A smile spread across my lips as well.

“I suppose so. Probably.”

I had already memorized the ice cream brand.

I’ll buy some when I get out of this labyrinth.

-Are you okay?

Seo Ji-hyuk asks.

“I’m fine. I’m actually grateful for experiences like this.”

I don’t even dream often. So if I can see them again through opportunities like this, I’m rather thankful.

It’s not just Seo Ji-hyuk. Through the power of illusion, I can once again take in the faces of my fallen comrades and treasure their voices.

Because I can keep from forgetting you all.

-That’s a relief.

Seo Ji-hyuk smiled as he finished his ice cream.

Swooooosh──

Their illusions gradually scattered, and my mistake flashed through my mind.

The real bus is only Airport Bus 3333 bound for Platform. The fake buses are also very elaborate, so remember only Airport Bus 3333 bound for Platform.

The phrase written in the booklet.

However, the front sign of this bus I boarded read:

Airport Bus 3333 bound for Pluton

AIRPORT LIMOUSINE

Pluton.

Petty, but unavoidable.

I was actually fooled because it was too petty. Still, I had prepared for any possibility from the moment I boarded the bus.

“Our bus is heading to Pluton.”

The view outside the window turned red. Pluton would be the road to the afterlife, I suppose.

Given the circumstances, the killer is the bus driver. Therefore, this bus itself isn’t invincible,

and I had already attached a magic bomb to the bottom of the bus.

Tap.

I tapped the floor with my walking stick.

BOOOOOOM──!

The bottom of the bus exploded.

──!

The surging shock and heat of magic power. Along with the deafening roar that tore at my eardrums, came the sensation of my body floating upward.

In that instant, my sequence fluctuated violently and the world was dyed blue. I could vividly feel the particles of magic power.

Brilliant as if I could grasp them in my hands.

Ruuuuumble…

The slowly spreading blast wave. An explosion caused by magic power in such a confined space is essentially self-destruction.

The damage would be fully transmitted to me as well, and a simple barrier cannot mitigate this damage. It’s similar to the principle of bulletproof vests.

Even this level of impact would be fatal to me. Because my durability is that poor.

Therefore, a mage like Seol Ha-woon needs a much more detailed and delicate approach.

“…”

Deep breath.

Through my sequence, I analyze the phenomenon of explosion, breaking it down into its magic power vectors and scalars. Simultaneously, I deploy a minute magic field just 0.1mm in front of my skin membrane that cancels out all flows of destruction.

It emulsifies the shock rushing toward me.

It ‘deceives’ the laws of physics, if only briefly.

It dissolves the concept of explosion like paint, scattering it as harmless waves.

──

Blazing smoke and impact. The bus’s steel frame is melting and warping from the heat, but within it, I calmly step forward with my walking stick.

Tap.

I walk out through the roughly rising flames.

Looking ahead, I see the killer sitting in the burning driver’s seat, gripping the melting steering wheel. His feet still stomp on the accelerator.

“…Do you only have the function of driving?”

I looked back and forth between the scrap metal that was once the vehicle and the undying bus driver.

I’ve destroyed the fake bus.

The guys coming after shouldn’t fall for this ‘Pluton’ nonsense.

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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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