Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 252
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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 252
Free(3)
Yoo Yul looked at Seol Ha-woon.
He is not the real Seol Ha-woon. He is merely a fake created in the rift called the Labyrinth.
However, he is building his own narrative. By acknowledging that he is not real, he is paradoxically making the same decisions as the real one.
Certainly, Seol Ha-woon is not ordinary. He is far from normal.
Perhaps he has a personality quite fitting for the title of ‘Mage’.
─Kate: ….
Kate looks at Seol Ha-woon, then bows her head deeply. Her face suddenly becomes ashamed as she bites her lips tightly.
─Seol Ha-woon: Instead, I’d like to give you one piece of advice.
With the gate’s glass window between them, two people of film-like material are reflected. An emotional OST flows.
─Seol Ha-woon: Please don’t be defeated by malice.
His voice is dull. It resonates low as if his vocal cords were scorched.
─Seol Ha-woon: Be wary that your malice, and malice that is not yours, doesn’t devour yourself.
Kate is shown in close-up. Seol Ha-woon is reflected in her pupils.
Suddenly, she asks back in a faint tone.
─Kate: …Will you be alright?
Seol Ha-woon looks at her.
─Kate: Even if you remain here alone.
A moment of silence.
The camera slowly moves away from the two people.
Beyond this utterly desolate space, it shows the corpses of the Dales that Seol Ha-woon massacred to save Kate, the Scavengers pressing in from outside, and the failed Dale creations rushing to stop them.
It’s the Labyrinth.
This place is the ‘real’ Labyrinth.
Brushing past such scenes, the camera returns to the two people again──
─Seol Ha-woon: Yes. It will be nothing special.
It captures Seol Ha-woon’s smile.
Gentle emotion hangs at the corners of his mouth. His always calm and cold demeanor melts away like ice under spring sunlight.
─Seol Ha-woon: Nothing special.
─Kate: ….
Kate gives no answer. Her lips move, but it seems no voice can come out.
─Seol Ha-woon: Well then, farewell.
Seol Ha-woon turns toward the outside of the rocket.
When Kate, Yoo Yul, and countless people around the world watch his back.
──Bang!
The Titanium Gate descends, separating the space.
Now Kate cannot see Seol Ha-woon. Seol Ha-woon cannot see Kate either.
Yoo Yul was satisfied.
“…Interesting.”
She wanted to see other humans’ reactions too, but KakaoTalk was still crashed. SNS was similar. When trying to refresh, only messages saying the server was hurting appeared, and occasionally only death rattle-like phrases
·So sadㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
·Ah I’m dying I’m dying fuck I think I’m going to die
·Which bastards are doubting Seol Ha-woon again?
·But this is too much..
·Labyrinth People GOAT Bok Mal-ol acknowledged
·Bastards who suppressed him unfairly post apology letters
·If this guy doesn’t win, something’s wrong…
Yoo Yul turned her gaze. She looked at the blank-faced Yoo Ji-in and chuckled.
“Do you know what the significance of a fake is?”
“….”
Yoo Ji-in stood up as if she didn’t want to bother talking, but Yoo Yul spoke to her back.
“It raises the value of the real thing.”
If he is a fake, he dies without hesitation.
Then, the current Seol Ha-woon must surely be real.
No, actually it doesn’t matter if he’s not real.
He will definitely uphold his principles….
─Seol Ha-woon: Nothing special.
The Seol Ha-woon that Kate watches says this. He accepts his death with a gentle smile.
─Seol Ha-woon: Well then, farewell.
Mage Tae-woo watched that scene from the Magic Bookstore. Not only Tae-woo but quite many people were in this bookstore.
David Magic Bookstore had become a famous spot for watching, and they all sniffled as if they had caught a cold.
“….”
The old man beside him was also silent. His eyes were already teary.
Tae-woo took advantage of the intermission to leave a brief comment.
“It must not have been an easy decision for a fake.”
Then David Magic Bookstore Owner glared at him sharply.
“Is that the only impression you have?”
“What more is needed. He’s fake anyway.”
“Look at how you talk?”
The old man frowned. Tae-woo thought logically with an expressionless face.
“Right. Maybe they were aiming for a reaction like yours, old man.”
A fake can be sufficiently real-like. A fake can make decisions as genuine as the real thing.
Seol Ha-woon over there is also broadly speaking a Labyrinth Person. Therefore, we must think of Labyrinth People differently──
That means such propaganda is possible.
“Look at this damn bastard?”
“What’s a damn bastard.”
──Bang!
Just then, the Titanium Gate separated the two people.
Thud- Thud-
Seol Ha-woon descends the rocket. His back is straight. He never collapses or wavers even in the face of death.
Thud- Thud-
A solemn, funeral march-like soundtrack flows.
“Sniff.”
His firm footsteps eventually made David Magic Bookstore Owner cry.
“Sometimes… there are times when you have to make decisions you really don’t want to make.”
The old man’s face was covered with tears. Since it was quite a disgusting sight for Tae-woo, he focused his gaze only on the TV as much as possible.
“Sniff sob. Sob sob…”
“…He’s crying quite loudly.”
“Whoa…”
The production crew who came to Miami to film Labyrinth Outside were left with their mouths agape. This was a development they hadn’t expected at all either.
Actually, they had expected a somewhat more flat ending.
Because it’s not a script.
If it were a drama, some kind of dramatic ending would be possible.
But Labyrinth Exploration is not a drama. The labyrinth in Labyrinth Exploration is not fake either. Therefore, there’s no script, and it’s an environment where manipulation itself is impossible.
─Seol Ha-woon : Well then, this is it.
This means Bok Mal-ol is not much different from Seol Ha-woon, that is, a real person.
Though it’s a replica that reproduced Seol Ha-woon infinitely similarly, it’s definitely Seol Ha-woon.
“Shit.”
“HOLY…”
Many people gathered in Miami’s plaza mutter many words. There are also many people quietly wiping away tears.
─Seol Ha-woon : ….
The camera shows Seol Ha-woon again. He descends the stairs. It’s his back view approaching his own death.
Thud-
A military boot stepped forward with a limping right foot.
Tap.
The screen is exquisitely cross-edited, and this time a walking stick appears.
It’s the real Seol Ha-woon.
MASK
He descends somewhere while receiving guidance from the artificial intelligence. His brow twitches slightly as if stepping on stairs is uncomfortable.
Congratulations. You have been selected as a qualified candidate.
Suddenly MASK’s voice continues coldly.
As the main artificial intelligence of Space Z, I wish to grant you one last opportunity to choose before the system’s final decision.
Seol Ha-woon advances while relying on his walking stick, reaching a huge cavity.
I searched your brain waves and traced your memories. You are an existence from outside this world.
Outside the world. Seol Ha-woon hesitates at those words meaning Mitamnan. Commotion also breaks out in the plaza where group viewing is taking place.
I will now activate the magic power disruption system to prevent your Forced Return.
Then, two buttons rise up from the road surface.
A red button and a blue button.
Seol Ha-woon looks at them.
If you press the blue button, you will be able to escape to the outside world aboard Space Z’s rocket. However, all rockets except yours will be intercepted by Doomsday. Your companions will not be able to survive.
The space gradually turns red.
It’s a test by the super artificial intelligence MASK.
If you press the red button, you alone will face a dangerous challenge. You will have to fight against me, the main artificial intelligence, in a battle with slim chances of victory.
At the same time, walls on all sides open. They’re filled with threatening-looking robots.
Please choose.
At MASK’s words, Seol Ha-woon quietly looks at the buttons. Is he gauging his remaining magic power?
He…
Presses the red button without a moment’s hesitation.
Even MASK seems flustered by the sudden decision and asks back.
Your chances of victory are less than 1%. Are you prepared?
Seol Ha-woon brushes back his hair and answers.
─Seol Ha-woon : I’m always prepared.
…Will you not regret it?
To the question asking about regret, he answers.
─Seol Ha-woon : I decided to do so.
At that moment, the production crew felt a thrill.
It’s the exact same line as Bok Mal-ol. Even though the situations are different, it’s a ‘connection’ that proves the two are clearly the same person.
Cheers erupted loudly in Miami Plaza as well.
Regardless of race, countless people are applauding Seol Ha-woon.
Wheeeee── Wheeeee──!
SHIT── CRAZY─── REAL DAWG────
The whistles and shouts are making my ears dizzy.
“Ugh, my ears hurt.”
“…Ha-woon is really awesome.”
It was an overwhelmingly exciting scene.
“Haah…”
With her hands clasped together at her chest as if praying, Lee Si-ah is watching the live broadcast.
Incheon Airport
─Im Hae-jun : Huff huff huff huff!
─Kim Dong-ha : Run faster!
The Im Dong-su party, having successfully defeated the Scavengers, rushes busily through the terminal.
─Lee Jong-soo : Jump!
Sliding to the final gate at Incheon Airport where the rocket is located!
─Im Hae-jun : …Hyungs, is this right?! It’s too small?!
But the rocket is a bit small in size. It looks somewhat like a passenger plane.
─Lee Jong-soo : This is right for now. Get on!
─Kim Dong-ha : The technology must have advanced tremendously!
The three people board the small rocket. There are only six passenger seats, and the console is extremely small too.
It’s exactly Im Hae-jun’s rocket. The rocket’s name is probably Im Hae-jun too.
─Lee Jong-soo : Try scanning this key card!
Lee Jong-soo hands over the key card he obtained from the mutant ghoul.
Beep-
Launcher protocol activated.
─Im Hae-jun : It works! It’s working!
─Lee Jong-soo : Fucking good! Safety, fasten your safety belts!
Leicester, England
Next, Lee Jun-ho, having broken through the ghouls, walks limping toward the Space Center, soaked in blood and sweat.
─Lee Jun-ho : Ah… I almost died.
He passes through the center’s corridor and reaches the control room.
He takes the key card from the skeleton scattered on the road surface and places it on the rocket console’s pad.
Whiiiiiing-!
Lights come on in the rocket. Internal power kicks in with thumping sounds and the whole thing operates. Lee Jun-ho limps his way into the rocket.
─Lee Jun-ho : Let’s go… let’s really live for once…
Exhausted, he barely manages to lie down in the passenger seat and closes his eyes with a tearful expression.
Naro Space Center
Yoon Hwa-rim and Seo Ji-woo ‘fly’ directly to the top floor of Naro Space Center.
─Seo Ji-woo : Keep running!
─Yoon Hwa-rim : Okay!
Riding the cart and breaking through the glass window while running, they reach the rocket’s boarding gate.
But the titanium door is tightly closed.
─Seo Ji-woo : …It says a password is required?
─Yoon Hwa-rim : What.
Boom!
A thunderous sound effect of disaster.
The two look seriously at the keypad.
─Seo Ji-woo : …Wait a moment.
Then Seo Ji-woo stares intently at the keypad.
But no matter how much you think about it, this alone is impossible with luck. Even if the password is just 4 digits, there are 6,561 possible combinations, and who knows how many digits the password is for a heavily secured space center.
─Yoon Hwa-rim : Ji-woo…?
Suddenly, Seo Ji-woo moves her finger.
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep beep.
Eleven digits. The number of combinations is countless, a probability that cannot be guessed correctly by just trying.
Click.
But the door opened.
─Yoon Hwa-rim : Huh, what?! How did you do that?!
─Seo Ji-woo : Hehe… I saw the lines.
Seo Ji-woo explains while blowing on her extended index finger.
─Seo Ji-woo : Many people must have been entering passwords all this time, right? Moving their fingers like this and that.
The lines drawn by the researchers’ fingers as they entered passwords.
─Seo Ji-woo : I saw those lines. I connected them exactly as they were.
─Yoon Hwa-rim : Is that even possible?!
─Seo Ji-woo : Ha! Who do you think I am! I’m Seo Ji-woo!
Ahahahahahaha…!
Her confident smile echoes as the screen transitions.
Busan
Kang Hyeon walks while looking at the GPS.
The last blinking red dot on the screen.
At the end where he arrived searching for the last person, there was some kind of bunker.
In the ruins where everything around had turned to ash, only that structure stood intact without a single scratch.
A bunker made of cold, smooth titanium alloy that didn’t melt even in the destruction of nuclear war.
Kang Hyeon stood before that steel gate.
Creeeeak-
The moment he opened the door, beyond that corridor.
The 9th Kang Hyeon was there.
The two stared at themselves reflected in each other’s eyes.
─9th Kang Hyeon : You came.
The clone’s voice resonates calmly.
─9th Kang Hyeon : It’s here. The rocket is beyond this place.
Kang Hyeon takes one step toward him.
─9th Kang Hyeon : I was waiting. Whichever of us survives can board it.
The 9th Kang Hyeon. Externally, there’s no difference from Kang Hyeon at all.
─9th Kang Hyeon : I’ve been wondering. Are you the fake? Or am I the fake?
The 9th Kang Hyeon looks at Kang Hyeon and lets out a hollow laugh.
─9th Kang Hyeon : Seeing you, I understand. I guess I was a bit dull.
Kang Hyeon gripped his broadsword. The 9th Kang Hyeon also drew his sword.
─Kang Hyeon : You don’t seem to have any intention of giving up.
─9th Kang Hyeon : …Yeah. You probably would have done the same.
Kang Hyeon’s expression hardens, and magic power begins billowing from both of them.
Just as the atmosphere for an extraordinary battle scene was building.
Kennedy Space Center
Back to Seol Ha-woon’s location.
Lee Si-ah straightened her posture.
Thud──-!
The thunderous sound of Scavengers pounding on the hangar door echoes.
Kuwoong───-!
The sound of metal being crushed grows louder, and Seol Ha-woon sits quietly watching the passage where enemies will break through.
[Launch sequence final confirmation complete.]
The moment the completion message appears on the panel.
Kwaddddeuk──-!
The hangar door bursts open inward. Dust clouds rise and curses echo.
─Scavenger : Damn, that was fucking solid.
─Scavenger : Hey, go straight to the rocket… What the hell is that bastard?
The Scavengers discover Seol Ha-woon standing alone. Seol Ha-woon faces them and shrugs his shoulders smugly.
─Seol Ha-woon : Sorry, but you can’t enter without cards.
─Scavenger : What the fuck is he saying, hey! Kill that bastard!
They immediately pull the triggers of their rifles.
─Seol Ha-woon : ….
Seol Ha-woon forces his limping leg to move.
There’s no need to conserve strength now. No need to worry about injuries either.
Because this is the end.
He extends his already broken leg more roughly and fires the pistol from his holster.
One shot, one kill. He moves nimbly and shoots the Scavengers dead.
“…Huk.”
Lee Si-ah sniffled while watching that scene.
“Ah shit, why am I crying.”
The main PD seemed to have edited it deliberately, as other scenes flow smoothly between Seol Ha-woon’s combat.
Kate sitting in the rocket’s passenger seat, seemingly lost in thought.
Im Hae-jun, Kim Dong-ha, and Lee Jong-soo operating the rocket.
Seo Ji-woo and Yoon Hwa-rim busily tapping at consoles.
Lee Jun-ho, who fell asleep while waiting for takeoff.
And….
Bang!
Bok Mal-ol, who remains here and can never leave forever.
To safely send off his comrade, and also to ‘shatter’ his fake self, he is killing the Scavengers.
“Ah….”
To Lee Si-ah, Seol Ha-woon is Seol Ha-woon.
It would be the same for everyone watching the live broadcast.
Seol Ha-woon is Seol Ha-woon.
He is someone who will make the right decision anytime, anywhere.
If his sacrifice is needed, if it must be done, he is someone who will gladly do so.
And so─ finally, as the conclusion of this drama begins to rise.
Bang!
A bullet fired by one of the Scavengers pierced through Seol Ha-woon’s abdomen.
─Seol Ha-woon : Kuk.
At the same time, the camera captured his contorted face!
──AMOS WAY
An airplane appeared on the suddenly darkened screen.
“…Crazy.”
The most perfect airline to guide your journey
“They’re really milking it….”
Lee Si-ah lifted her sleeve to wipe away her tears.
Her heart was pounding, and her hands were trembling. This commercial might actually be fortunate.
If it hadn’t cut off in the middle, she might have died from shortness of breath.
“Haah….”
Lee Si-ah sighed and calmed her heart. She steadily wiped away the tears that kept flowing down.
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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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