Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 37

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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 037

Hate you(4)

Midnight.

David Magic Bookstore Owner sits at the counter, pouting his lips.

The bookstore has been getting quite a few customers lately. Thanks to that bastard Seol Ha-woon mentioning the magic shop in episode 1. Sales have increased by about 30%.

“…What are you snickering at, you punk.”

However, he’s not in a very good mood right now. Because of Tae-woo. That guy going between the bookshelves and snickering.

“When did I laugh? My mouth is the same as always.”

“That’s what snickering is. What did you come here for?”

Tae-woo said while fiddling with his leather gloves.

“‘He’s right,’ they say. About that soldier.”

He’s right. Seol Ha-woon became the representative villain of [Labyrinth Exploration NaN] episode 2 and became a global punching bag.

“Don’t you have anything better to do as a mage than leisurely watching TV?”

“It was interesting.”

People sometimes misunderstand, but mages aren’t otherworldly beings. Their hobbies usually don’t stray far from common sense either.

David clicked his tongue.

“Tsk. It’s devil’s editing, you punk. Broadcasting station bastards are always like that. Are you doing the voting?”

“The weekly voting?”

“Yeah. That one.”

“Are you doing it, old man?”

“…Yeah.”

The Labyrinth Exploration NaN website voting allows up to 7 people per week. It’s not one vote per day, but one vote per week.

Voting opens on Monday, and that week’s voting ends at midnight the following Monday. Until then, you can cancel your vote or change your voting target.

“I’d recommend not doing it if possible.”

“Huh? Why?”

David tilted his head. Tae-woo looked out the window and crossed his arms.

“When voting, magic power flows out slightly. It was a very faint amount even by ordinary people’s standards though.”

“…Wouldn’t that mean there’s a problem with your smartphone?”

Tae-woo nodded calmly.

“That’s possible too.”

As a mage, he doesn’t assert certainty about uncertain things. A blind person’s touch can never recognize the form of an elephant.

“Who did you vote for, old man?”

“Me?”

David Magic Bookstore Owner scratched his cheek.

Seo Ji-woo. Kate. And Seol Ha-woon. Only three people, but since there were more women, it felt a bit awkward to reveal.

“Don’t you know about secret voting, you punk?”

* * *

Geoje Island Naval Base. Inside the UDT Barracks, the TV is broadcasting the hottest program these days. It’s 「Labyrinth Exploration NaN」 that swept the Korean Peninsula just 2 weeks after it started airing.

The soldiers each talked about their picks. Most were about female explorers like Seo Ji-woo, Kate, and Yoon Hwa-rim, but occasionally Seol Ha-woon joined the conversation too.

Then.

“Ugh, so noisy.”

The company commander burst open the door. The soldiers quickly stood up and assumed attention position.

“What are you doing? The noise can be heard outside.”

“Ah, we’re sorry.”

“I’m disappointed. Watching TV is fine. But you shouldn’t make such a fuss… What are you watching?”

The company commander also quietly showed interest in the TV. A senior soldier quickly changed the topic.

“…Company commander. Do you happen to know someone named Seol Ha-woon? They say he’s from UDT.”

The captain’s expression hardened slightly.

“Seol Ha-woon? Why that guy… No, how do you know him?”

“Here, he’s on TV.”

“…What?”

Frowning, he pushed the soldier’s shoulder.

─Seol Ha-woon : This third route doesn’t look good at all.

It was definitely Seol Ha-woon. A hollow laugh escaped his lips.

“Why is that bastard…”

“Do you know him?”

“…Of course I know him. He’s UDT. He was Special Task Force.”

“Oh!”

Special Mission Unit. Though they generally call it Special Task Force, Seol Ha-woon went even deeper than that.

Just as Navy SEALs have DEVGRU under them, Seol Ha-woon was active in UDT BLACK.

His codename was Hound. A somewhat childish wordplay.

“What kind of person was he?”

“…He was a peculiar guy. Why did he grow his hair so long?”

In reality, there were many soldiers who feared him. Though his magical talent was limited, his physical abilities and motor skills were excellent, and above all, his persistence and mental strength were at a superhuman level.

“You must have met him often before.”

“A few times. Not that often.”

Company commander Lee In-gang had met Seol Ha-woon before. But they weren’t close. It was even difficult to talk to him. The past Sergeant Seol Ha-woon was someone even superiors found hard to look straight in the eye.

Because he was obsessed with revenge.

“Hey. Can’t we replay this from the beginning?”

“We can’t replay from the beginning. But there’s a rerun right after it ends.”

“A rerun right after it ends?”

“Yes. This is also a rerun, and there are 2 consecutive reruns.”

“…Really? Must be a huge hit.”

“Outside, everyone only talks about this, company commander. You need to watch it quickly.”

“…Really?”

He quietly sat down on the bed.

It happened to be a scene where Seol Ha-woon appeared again. His appearance was very different from before. Especially the muscle that had approached 95kg was almost completely gone. Well, he had been in a coma for several months.

However, his distinctive atmosphere remained.

─Yoon Hwa-rim : Why? It’s the easiest path.

Cargo Dungeon. Since he joined in the middle, the flow was a bit hard to understand, but the captain was captivated by the broadcast as if enchanted.

─Seol Ha-woon : In this operation, my words will be absolutely right.

“Ha. Look at that guy.”

The captain let out a hollow laugh at Seol Ha-woon’s arrogance. Some soldiers frowned.

“Company commander. Was he really like that in person?”

“Well…”

UDT BLACK team operates specially. First, there are no ‘soldiers.’ Each member is essential for mission execution.

Anti-terrorism and villain specialists who achieve their objectives by any means necessary when given a purpose.

Among them, Seol Ha-woon was quite an exceptional individual.

“It’s similar. I couldn’t stay under a superior who was incompetent.”

“Oh~ Then, was there a superior who could handle that kind of senior?”

“There was.”

“Could it be the company commander?!”

At the flattering comment, the captain chuckled and shook his head.

“Not me, but he’s probably watching this from somewhere.”

“If you could just give me a hint about his rank…”

“He’s discharged, man.”

Seol Ha-woon’s former superior is no longer in the military. He went astray into mercenary work. The people involved in ‘that day’ all suffered from PTSD, regardless of nationality or race, big or small.

Anyway.

“…This is interesting.”

Lee Jun-ho’s labyrinth conquest had just begun. Captain Lee In-gang found himself absorbed without realizing it.

* * *

“Those who have worked hard, depart~”

The set stage where all 96 people gathered. Yoo Ji-in, dressed in summer vacation attire, smiled brightly and shouted. Large letters also appeared on the monitor.

[ Vacation ]

Today’s theme was vacation, but everyone looked suspicious. These broadcasting station bastards who told them to go shopping for travel then suddenly sent them to a snowy wasteland.

But this time it’s really a vacation. According to my pre-regression memories, a 3-night 4-day vacation.

“This time it’s really a vacation, but instead.”

Yoo Ji-in floated a GoPro in the air and distributed it.

“You need to film how you spend your vacation.”

It means to film everything like YouTubers.

It’s a daily life part completely unrelated to labyrinths, but it should still help with voting.

“Also, there are instructors who have opened special lectures for you all? Please tap your wrist twice~”

Tap tap. The sound of 96 people simultaneously tapping their wrists was loud.

[ Guest Instructor List ]

The names of about twelve instructors and the locations where their special lectures would be held.

There were many famous rankers, and there was even Yoo Ji-in’s personal class, but I decided on one person as soon as I saw it.

Kim Se-jin.

“…?”

Then I made eye contact with Seo Ji-woo. Seo Ji-woo quickly averted her gaze. Her movements were stiff like a machine.

“A, ahem!”

She even suddenly coughed, why is she acting like that.

“But there are conditions for taking the courses. The instructors will give very small quizzes. You can only receive the special lecture if you answer correctly. Of course, it’s first-come, first-served.”

Yoo Ji-in smiled brightly.

“If too many people flock to one person, you might have to take turns, so please think carefully.”

Yoo Ji-in seems worried that people will flock to her. In reality, they probably will.

“Hyung. Who are you going to choose?”

Im Hae-jun next to me asked. This guy has been by my side whenever I come to my senses lately.

“Mage. Kim Se-jin.”

“Ah~ That’s different.”

Im Hae-jun muttered as if disappointed.

I was dumbfounded.

“…Of course it’s different. You’re a shooter and I’m a mage, right?”

* * *

I took an express bus and returned home. I put my walking stick in my bag and pulled my hat down low in case people might recognize me.

It was a wasted effort.

Seriously, no one recognized me.

I need to work harder.

“It’s cramped.”

The studio apartment I returned to after a long time definitely looked cramped. The dormitory was much more spacious.

I fiddled with the GoPro and took a video selfie.

“…I think I look a bit better.

Appearance　│　8.05　│ B+

My appearance had broken through 8 at some point.

According to [MoMo]’s ability explanation, it’s a level where I can objectively be called ‘handsome’ enough.

“That’s good.”

I lay on the bed as usual and turned on the TV.

[ Next news. A D-rank labyrinth has been discovered near Kkachi Mountain. ]

The first segment of the news was about a D-rank labyrinth.

My temples suddenly throbbed. Reality hit me belatedly.

One fact I had been trying to forget.

The ending of the undiscovered debut team is annihilation.

No matter how much recognition I accumulate, if I enter ‘that labyrinth’, it’s all for nothing.

Of course, I can quit midway. But I’d have to return all the loot, and the penalty fee is hefty.

If I deliberately fail 3 times in labyrinths, I can build moderate recognition and naturally drop out, but…

Is dropping out really the right method?

Let’s say I escape this program by failing 3 times.

Then, the future doesn’t change. The 8 debut team members die the same way.

The current me is unconsciously expecting that ending.

The reason I don’t try to get attached to the explorers is also because I think it’s a foregone conclusion.

“Labyrinth…”

Even so, isn’t there a better way?

I could debut in the top ranks and vehemently oppose conquering that labyrinth, or else-

“…Wait. Labyrinth?”

Suddenly my mind flashed.

The undiscovered debut team was annihilated in a labyrinth. It was a D-rank labyrinth.

I know the current location of that place that hasn’t been discovered yet.

Also, Black Call isn’t a phenomenon that suddenly manifests. It’s a ‘property’ inherent in the labyrinth from the beginning.

In other words, I just need to find that labyrinth first and report it!

As the situation changed, reality began to come into view.

I had to move.

* * *

I desperately searched through my pre-regression memories.

The labyrinth where Black Call occurred was in the mountain area of Samcheok, Gangwon Province. It was the 5th labyrinth the debut team challenged.

Since attention had been focused on it, the specific location was also in my head, and I discovered the epicenter without difficulty.

“…Sigh.”

A natural cave buried in moss and wooden vines. From within it, the distortion of magic power flowing faintly out was being detected by my Ki Sensing.

“Let’s stay calm.”

Suppressing my excitement, I slowly entered. The cool air felt somehow eerie, but I soon reached the deepest part of the cave.

Whiiiii….

A clearly rippling layer of air. A crack in magic power.

Anyone could see it was definitely a Labyrinth Passage.

“No wonder it wasn’t discovered for 5 years, being in a place like this.”

I took a photo with my smartphone.

Click.

Afterwards, while leaving the cave, I wrote an email to send to a major guild.

[ I discovered a Labyrinth in the mountain area of Gangwon Province. However, please be cautious. I see signs of a Black Call inside. ]

I attached the current coordinates and photo, requesting anonymity with no reward needed.

“….”

I hesitated just before sending the email.

I had clearly added that I saw signs of a Black Call inside the D-rank Labyrinth.

But if the guild ignored my warning and formed an attack team, they might be wiped out.

If a Black Call erupted inside this place, would I be killing those nameless people instead of the Debut Team?

…Press.

I pressed my finger. I sent the email.

Much thinking wasn’t necessary.

My survival was the top priority.

Even if everyone else died, I alone had to survive.

[ Sent. ]

The guild would move immediately. D-rank Labyrinths usually take two to three days to clear. Confirm the Labyrinth’s existence, get government approval, send in reconnaissance, select elites based on information and enter – that’s it.

That’s why D-rank Labyrinths have good cost-effectiveness. The scale isn’t large, but you can pull at least 2-3 billion won worth of loot.

“…Haah.”

I came out of the cave. My heart wasn’t at ease.

If a Black Call occurred, everyone from the major guild would die.

Of course, if they listened to my warning, the damage might be less.

But, on the contrary.

What if a Black Call didn’t occur?

Perhaps that might be an even bigger problem.

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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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