Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 281

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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 281

Youtiful(7)

The sunlight is warm.

The breeze is refreshing.

Kim A-rang has many worries.

“Mages are really amazing.”

She nodded at the filming staff’s admiring voice for now.

The shabby countryside house from just a few hours ago had already been reborn as a hanok with an elegant wooden porch.

“Right.”

“Having mages do construction work is incredibly fast.”

“The cure costs more than the disease. There’s no one who does it like Seol Ha-woon, and the labor costs are ridiculous.”

There are mages whose Mental Visualization is ‘architecture’. But the buildings such mages create are quite different from buildings where ordinary people live, and the biggest problem with mage construction is the labor costs to begin with.

“There’s no mage who can do tricks at that level. Even if there were, they’d do something other than construction.”

Kim A-rang looked at Seol Ha-woon.

He’s doing landscaping now. Pruning shears move as if dancing wildly through telekinesis. He precisely cuts away weeds and bushes that grew wild, and trims bare branches into picturesque forms.

“But that’s not the problem.”

Kim A-rang sat down on the bench.

“Oh wow, what’s this?”

She was startled.

Even though it’s a bench, it feels good to the touch. A bench like a sofa. It’s incredibly fascinating.

“This is really smooth and soft… No, that’s not it. The important thing is. I really think he’ll just eat meals.”

“It’s a variety show anyway. Just going out for 30 minutes would be fine. It’s Seol Ha-woon after all.”

That’s true. Seol Ha-woon’s debut is already confirmed, and his mere presence will guarantee ratings to some extent.

“…True. Since there are 25 programs.”

Come to think of it, it’s funny too. It’s like they rented out the entire broadcasting station.

To give opportunities to lower-ranked explorers, the highly watched prime time slots are assigned starting from the lower rankings.

So Sunday evening, Saturday evening, and Friday evening go to ranks 25-15, while higher ranks get weekdays.

But Kim A-rang is ambitious. Her goal is for Seol Ha-woon to take first place in every aspect. A narrative that starts from 96th place and ends in perfect 1st place.

Just then, Seol Ha-woon approached.

“By the way, Ha-woon. How did you make this bench?”

He answered the staff’s question.

“Ah. I got inspiration from the chefs. They reconstruct ingredients at the molecular level to change texture. Creating completely different tastes and textures from the appearance. I thought it would be interesting to do that with furniture too, so I tried it once.”

“Ah~ This is a spell technique?”

“Yes. Similar.”

Rather than a pure spell technique, it’s circuit implantation. So it won’t last long once the mage leaves.

“Well then. I’m going to install this.”

Seol Ha-woon picked up a fish trap. He headed toward the coastal rocks while leaning on his staff. The camera followed his back, and Kim A-rang watched with her chin propped up.

Ring ring ring-

A phone call came just then. It was the guest team.

“Hello? Ah. In 3 hours? Yeah. Got it. Call when you come… No. I don’t think the scale needs to be that big. Just set up cameras and leave only a small crew. Because…”

Kim A-rang looked at the fire pit and pot that Seol Ha-woon had brought to the yard.

“I really think he’ll just cook and eat meals.”

She sighed and hung up the phone.

[Yu-yul Mentor: Keep filming.]

Just then, a text came from Yu-yul Mentor, to whom she had similarly complained.

[Yu-yul Mentor: Who knows?]

[Yu-yul Mentor: Something interesting might happen.]

I arrived at the pier. There was much to do for self-sufficiency. First, I firmly secured the fish trap in a rock crevice where the waves were calm.

Next was the fishing rod. I set up an ordinary fishing rod on the ground. I wove a spell technique and infused it into the fishing rod.

An automation spell technique that detects bites, automatically sets the hook, and pulls caught fish to shore.

I’m a very intuitive mage. The advantage of intuition is that improvisation is extremely excellent. I can spit out spell techniques suited to any situation.

“Should I make a cart too?”

I think I’ll need a cart to ride around. My Mental Visualization doesn’t match summoned creatures at Yoon Hwa-rim’s level, but I can make something decent enough to ride around on.

After installing the food supply devices, I returned home. The dwelling had been neatly organized.

“Now I’ll prepare a meal… no, wait.”

Commentary isn’t necessary. I’ll show my natural self. When have I ever cooked while talking?

I first lit a fire in the fire pit. I put rice in the pot. The crackling sound of burning firewood and the sound of boiling rice water harmoniously blended together.

While waiting for it to heat up, I headed to the chicken coop. I carefully took out two eggs that were still warm.

Next was the jar terrace. When I opened the lid of a jar that the production team seemed to have prepared in advance, a rich and deep soybean paste aroma wafted out.

I picked zucchini and onions from the garden and placed them on the cutting board. Chop, chop, chop-chop. With clean knife work, the vegetables were cut into uniform sizes. I poured anchovy broth into an earthenware pot and mixed in soybean paste. When I added the cut vegetables and let it bubble, a savory aroma spread hazily.

Finally, I heated oil in a hot pan and cracked the eggs. With a sizzling sound, the egg whites cooked and the fried eggs were complete.

I transferred lunch to the dining table and devoured it in an instant.

For eating shows, you shouldn’t try to eat deliciously. You just have to eat as you are.

Afterward, I lay down on the bench for a while.

From now on, it was nap time.

“Oh my!”

The camera filmed the guests getting off the boat.

“Nice to see everyone~”

Kim A-rang warmly welcomed the two people, a man and woman.

The man was Lee Je-hoon, the woman was Jin Yu-ha. Familiar faces from ‘Mitam AAA’, the season right before Mitamnan.

“Yes. It’s been a while.”

“Long time no see, unnie~”

Seol Ha-woon’s guests are previous season winner Lee Je-hoon and 3rd place Jin Yu-ha.

Isn’t this too destructive a casting? Not really. The guests’ levels are all similar.

For Kang Hyeon, Lee Jun-ho, and Im Hae-jun too, top stars of this caliber appear as guests.

Mitamnan’s prestige is that tremendous.

“I heard the format. Just eating meals… What do you think?”

Lee Je-hoon asked Jin Yu-ha. Jin Yu-ha tapped her cheeks and said.

“My heart is pounding. I’m finally going to see Seol Ha-woon in person.”

“Me too.”

Lee Je-hoon felt the same.

Seol Ha-woon is the explorer’s explorer these days. Explorers imitating Seol Ha-woon’s unique stance are sprouting up everywhere, and he’s also a wannabe for quite many young aspiring explorers.

Seol Ha-woon’s ranking or affiliated guild doesn’t matter.

Only throwing himself into labyrinth conquest, unwavering composure in any situation. His ability to find the best move without unnecessary emotional waste was the role model that explorers secretly desired.

“Then go and give us 100 minutes of content.”

The longer the programming, the different the scale of money earned. For example, 50 minutes and 100 minutes is simply a 2x difference, but profit is almost 4x or more.

“100 minutes? Piece of cake! I even made a question list of things to ask.”

Jin Yu-ha pulled out a notebook from her pocket. Lee Je-hoon was similar.

“I wrote mine down on my smartphone.”

The two people walked into the island following the staff’s guidance. When they climbed the dirt hill, a well-maintained garden and neat hanok appeared.

Both their eyes widened.

“Wow.”

A small stream flowed gently around the house, and unknown wildflowers bloomed modestly beside it. It was landscaping that harmonized with nature without being excessive.

“Seol Ha-woon is over there.”

Kim A-rang chuckled and pointed to the bench. Seol Ha-woon was lying down.

That guy even sleeps upright. With both hands neatly folded on his chest, lying straight as a board—what is he, Dracula?

“Ha-woon!”

At Kim A-rang’s call, Seol Ha-woon opened his eyes. He drowsily turned to look this way. Seeing the guests, he quickly grabbed his walking stick and stood up straight.

“Hello. Lee Je-hoon, and—”

“Jin Yu-ha. Just in case you didn’t know.”

Jin Yu-ha smiled brightly.

“I know. The 3rd-ranked Archer in Unexplored A.”

“Oh~ I’m touched!”

Seol Ha-woon tidied his slightly disheveled hair. Jin Yu-ha couldn’t take her eyes off him.

“Wow. You look much better in person. I’m a fan too!”

Lee Je-hoon quickly joined in.

“I’m also a fan. Nice to meet you, Ha-woon.”

“Ah, yes. Let me show you to your luggage first.”

The suitcases they brought floated smoothly into the dormitory.

It was Seol Ha-woon’s formula!

“Is this that everyday application of formulas I’ve only heard about?!”

“Well…”

After that, the three sat on the bench.

Natural cameras that seemed present yet absent filmed them, and a brief talk session followed.

Jin Yu-ha unfolded a question sheet she had prepared in advance.

“I won’t ask about Bok Mal-ol. Fans are also careful when handling Bok Mal-ol. It’s too precious a story.”

“Ah, yes. Please do that. I also think that clone is a separate being from me. I can’t speak for him.”

Lee Je-hoon tilted his head slightly while looking at Seol Ha-woon.

“Ah, right. What about during the Wol-ryeong Labyrinth? Were you really not scared at all? Fear labyrinths are something explorers who don’t match them absolutely cannot do, even if they die trying.”

Jin Yu-ha poured out all the questions she had written on her sheet.

“Yes. I haven’t been easily frightened since I was young.”

Sometimes Seol Ha-woon would ask questions first too.

“I heard both your guilds conquered a C-rank labyrinth this time.”

“Ah~ We did it on a small scale. But there’s something you realize the more you go into labyrinths. Mages are essential!”

Jin Yu-ha made a bitter smile.

“Really, warriors, swordsmen, archers—they’re all useless. Even Je-hoon oppa freezes up when it really matters. He has no choice but to freeze.”

“What are you saying. You’re not a mage either.”

Lee Je-hoon glanced at Jin Yu-ha.

“Exactly. When magical situations arise, people who only know how to use their bodies are useless, you know?”

“I’m useless in situations that require using the body.”

Seol Ha-woon’s joke was the difficult kind to respond to. Jin Yu-ha and Lee Je-hoon looked at his left knee and brushed it off with awkward laughter.

“But Ha-woon, you seem to sleep really well. Even in labyrinths, you’d sleep whenever you had a chance. There are even sleeping compilations of you.”

“Yes. As you know, explorers are ultimately the same as ordinary people. If anything, we need more reliable sleep and nutrition. Whether you get good sleep makes a huge difference in judgment.”

Lee Je-hoon sighed.

“I’m envious. I haven’t been able to sleep at all lately.”

“Is it insomnia?”

Seol Ha-woon looked at Lee Je-hoon. Lee Je-hoon slightly avoided his gaze.

“…Yes. Something like that.”

Those pupils were burdensome to face directly. Too transparent, resembling cold crystal. It felt like they would see through the fake me.

As they chatted about various things, evening time arrived before they knew it.

“Let’s go check the fish traps together.”

Seol Ha-woon headed to the pier with the guests.

The fish traps set during the day contained a fairly large octopus. The automated fishing rod had also caught four fish.

“Let’s go. Time to make dinner.”

As soon as they returned home, he cleaned the octopus, blanched it in boiling water, and sliced it thin to serve on plates. The savory smell of sizzling grilled fish filled the evening air.

“The main dishes are blanched octopus and grilled stone bream.”

This was accompanied by freshly cooked pot rice, lettuce just picked from the garden, and homemade soybean paste.

Lee Je-hoon stuffed his mouth full with the wrap. Jin Yu-ha also nodded continuously while eating the chewy blanched octopus.

“Wow… this is really delicious.”

“This is crazy. Wait, are you a chef?”

The slightly awkward atmosphere disappeared completely, and laughter and conversation filled the bench cozily…

After the meal.

“Should we go to sleep now?”

Seol Ha-woon said while suppressing a yawn.

“Yes… Huh. It’s been 11 hours since we arrived.”

“Already?”

Jin Yu-ha and Lee Je-hoon looked at their watches and laughed awkwardly.

They came at noon, and it was already 11 PM.

Is Seol Ha-woon someone who makes time pass quickly?

The staff scattered to small rooms. Jin Yu-ha used a single room, while Seol Ha-woon and Lee Je-hoon ended up sharing the same room.

“…This feels surreal. Sharing a room with Je Mal-ol.”

Lee Je-hoon glanced at Seol Ha-woon and laughed awkwardly.

“I feel the same. Being with Lee Je-hoon, the Unexplored A winner and high-ranker.”

It might be empty words, but it still felt good.

“You’ll probably be more comfortable tomorrow. Your insomnia should be better too.”

Seol Ha-woon activated a dream bubble on the ceiling.

“This is my formula.”

Lee Je-hoon looked at the dream bubble with curious eyes and nodded.

“…Yes. Thank you.”

“You can speak casually.”

Lee Je-hoon was two years older than Seol Ha-woon.

“Then… should I call you little brother?”

“…”

Seol Ha-woon’s movements stopped. He froze like a statue. Only his head turned with a creak to stare at Lee Je-hoon.

“…Just kidding.”

In fact, for Seol Ha-woon, Lee Je-hoon wasn’t his older brother. Including the years before regression, he was actually the older one.

“Let’s sleep.”

“…Yes.”

Before they knew it, they were back to formal speech.

This is strange. I’m clearly older and a much higher-ranked high-ranker.

Click.

Seol Ha-woon turned off the lights. In the gently spreading waves of the dream bubble, both closed their eyes.

…Thud.

…Thudududududuk.

…Thudududududududuk.

…Thudududududududududududududududududuk!

“…?”

I opened my eyes. Something was wrong outside.

Whiiiiiii───!

The windows shook as if they would shatter, and the sound of rain hitting the roof was like a mad ship’s horn.

“What the hell.”

Lightning flashing through the thick darkness. Waves surging like a geyser.

It was a typhoon that seemed like it would uproot the entire island.

I came outside, leaning on my walking stick. The staff were already in chaos.

“Hurry, hurry! At this rate everything will be ruined!

They moved frantically to retrieve the cameras.

I released magic power into the air. Blue magic power spread between the rain streaks, forming a transparent barrier. The torrential rain that had been pouring over the staff’s heads stopped.

It was a curtain that blocked the rain.

“Oh, you’re awake?”

It was Kim A-rang. I nodded to her and let out a sigh.

“There was no forecast for a typhoon.”

“Oh, that’s right. For now, everyone! Just retrieve the nearby cameras and come inside! Don’t go toward the seaside, it’s dangerous!”

There definitely was no forecast for a typhoon.

So something’s strange.

“…I should do some analysis.”

Shaaaaaaaa─

I stared intently at the falling raindrops. I sensed the natural magic power forming within those particles.

“The arrangement of magic power is strange.”

This isn’t ordinary rain. If it’s not ordinary rain, there’s a chance it’s a ‘magic disaster.’ That phenomenon that even decent rankers fear.

“No way…”

I placed my fingers on my forehead.

I definitely came here to film a variety show. I came here to enjoy a vacation.

“Why is my life like this.”

—————
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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