Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 4

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Labyrinth Exploration 101 Episode 004

One Day, Magic Power Sprouted from My Head (3)

The tech system of “Labyrinth Exploration MoMo” works as follows.

[ Please select which stat tech to acquire. ]１. Strength２. Stamina２. Agility３. Endurance４. Stamina５. Magic Power６. Perception７. Mental Power８. Appearance９. Luck

First, you choose which stat-related ‘tech’ to select.

Simply put, it’s called ‘specialization’, and for me, there’s no need to even think about it – Magic Power.

[ Magic Power related tech selected ][１. Lower Mana Recovery][２. Lower Mana Detection][３. Lower Mana Transfer][４. Lower Mana Release][５. Lower Mana Manipulation][６. Lower Mana Concentration][７. Lower Mana Blocking][８. Lower Mana Amplification]

Think of tech as a kind of ‘tech tree’ that enhances stats and adds additional abilities.

“Wow. They’re all unlocked?”

I was genuinely impressed.

Usually, the available techs differ based on stat values.

If a character’s Magic Power stat is around 7-8 level,

[７. Lower Mana Blocking][８. Lower Mana Amplification]

It means options 7 and 8 wouldn’t be available.

But for me, all Magic Power related techs are wide open.

What should I choose? It’s not really a dilemma.

[Mana Concentration], [Mana Manipulation]. These two are top priority. Learning these first unlocks the higher-tier techs that follow.

It’s a tech called [Mana Memory], and it’s an essential tech that any character aspiring to be a mage must take, both for immediate growth and future potential.

[ Lower Mana Concentration acquired. ][ Lower Mana Concentration ]◆ You can concentrate mana more easily.

Okay, done.

I lay down on the mattress. A mattress, not a bed. I didn’t buy a bed frame. Because I had no money.

I’ll sleep a bit today, and starting tomorrow… let’s properly learn mana theory.

* * *

The next morning.

[ David Magic Bookstore ]

I arrived at the closest magic bookstore to my home.

Magic bookstores are very different from regular bookstores. They sell magic-related books that are more expensive than any other books, and they also handle magic items, so normally security should be tight.

“Is it usually like this?”

This place looks like an ordinary neighborhood bookstore.

I quietly went inside. Ding-a-ling~ The door chime sounded pleasant.

“Hmm.”

I quickly scanned the interior. Books were lined up on shelves, and there was a slightly musty smell.

Limping between the bookshelves while browsing, I discovered a book.

“Understanding Mana: Basic Edition”

This is the basic textbook I was looking for. The author is ‘Tae Hyeok’, South Korea’s first mage.

I carefully picked it up and approached the counter.

The shop owner was quite unique.

First, he had long white hair tied back, and a thick beard like a lion’s mane. He was incredibly muscular but wore round glasses, like someone from a martial arts novel.

“How much is this?”

The owner glanced at the book. His features were very deep-set.

“5.99 million won.”

“…How much did you say?”

“5.99 million won.”

“…”

I pursed my lips.

Damn expensive.

“Is installment payment possible? 12 months.”

“Installments are possible, but only 6 months.”

“Ah, then.”

Since I had some savings, 6 months should be…

Wait. I’m not even working right now, am I?

I got confused with before my regression.

Around this time, I probably only had about 5 million won on hand.

After discharge, I had around 100-200 million won left from various compensation payments, but it all went to rehabilitation costs, hospital bills, mana injection fees, and so on.

“…Is credit possible then?”

I quietly changed my approach.

“Credit?”

“Yes. With a 3-month grace period, and then over the remaining 12 months-“

“Hah. What are you planning to do by buying that book on credit?”

He doesn’t immediately kick me out, but chuckles as if amused. Fortunately, his reaction isn’t bad.

“Just reading it. Maybe look at some pictures too.”

“No.”

“…Then. How about just standing here and reading a little?”

The owner raised his eyebrows. It was like watching a stone statue twitch.

“Do whatever you want. You can sit and read too.”

He speaks casually despite meeting me for the first time, yet still gives permission. He seems like a good person somehow.

I limped over to a seat in the bookstore.

…Ah.

That’s when I realized. This limping actually evokes some sympathy. I haven’t been out much since this happened.

I sat by the window and opened the book.

[ Ⅰ. Magic Power ]

[ Magic power, first manifested in 1900, is now known to everyone in the world. Its existence is no longer in doubt, but scholars still disagree about the source of magic power. However, this book will exclude such controversial topics and only describe basic methods of handling magic power. ]

[ Magic power is energy inherent in all living beings and nature. While its characteristics are very diverse, ultimately… ]

[ Therefore, magic power is ultimately a mage’s visualization. The most important beginning is injecting the ‘concept’ that magic power flows through blood vessels in the body into oneself, into one’s own flesh. Only then can one easily utilize magic power as a mage. ]

[ Remember this. Magic power follows both a mage’s desire and origin – these two sources (:). Human mana channels are created this way. Therefore, magic power is broadly conceptual. ]

You must think of magic power as flowing through blood vessels in your body. Because thought constitutes reality, and concept leads to existence.

Only then can you use magic power like a part of your body.

It’s certainly similar to what that YouTuber said, but compared to this professional textbook, that YouTuber is completely amateur.

“Whew…”

I raised my forearm. I stared at the distinct blood vessels on my gaunt skin and thought.

“…Mana in my vein.”

An English-style incantation meaning ‘there is mana in my blood vessels.’

“Move.”

It felt awkward so I switched to Korean.

Move.

Move.

Move.

How many times did I repeat it like that?

No, how many dozens, hundreds of times did I chant it?

At some point, the area around my forearm began to squirm. Maybe it was more visible because I was so skinny, but the blood vessels were definitely reacting. Even a faint blue light flickered on the surface of my skin.

Success!

“…Hey you.”

Suddenly a deep voice descended from above. I looked up in surprise.

The shop owner was standing behind me.

“Y-yes?”

Standing up, his build was much more overwhelming. Was he 2 meters tall? No, he looked like he’d easily surpass even 2 meters.

The shop owner narrowed his eyes.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m reading. You said I could read.”

“No. Not that. Aren’t you going home? It’s closing time.”

“…Already?”

“What do you mean already? Look outside.”

I looked out the window. The sun had completely set, and it was pitch black around the streetlights.

“Ah yes. I should go.”

I hurriedly got up. Then I deliberately limped quite severely. Much more than usual, limp─step─limp─step.

Operation sympathy induction.

I asked while putting the book back in its place.

“…May I come again tomorrow?”

The shop owner shrugged his muscles.

“That’s up to you.”

It seemed like the operation worked.

* * *

Returning home, I sat in a half cross-legged position. My left leg wouldn’t go into a proper cross-legged position no matter what I did.

Anyway, Magic Power training.

“…Magic Power.”

I chant. I think. I imagine. I contemplate.

Beyond that, I wish.

Furthermore, I believe.

Magic Power flows within my body. Magic Power flows through my blood vessels.

No, it’s ‘swirling’ around.

I inject this concept into myself.

I carve a Magic Power pathway─a path of my own through my body.

“Ugh….”

A sensation like something being grabbed arose in my heart.

This was the pain I had just learned about from the book.

Resonance between body and Magic Power. Communion with Magic Power created by a mage’s secret desire.

It felt like I’d succeed any moment, but I mustn’t be too greedy.

Modestly, little by little, I build it up. The Magic Power originating from my heart, I connect it all the way to my right fingertips.

In other words, I focus everything solely on my ‘right arm.’

Moment by moment, my head feels like it’s going to explode, and my heart rate shoots up like crazy.

Even though I’m just sitting cross-legged, it’s excruciating pain that feels like my organs will tear apart. But this much is bearable. Since I’m someone who endured hellish training….

Tszzzzt!

Sparks flew. My entire upper body burned up. At least that’s what the pain felt like.

I panted and raised my right arm.

“…It’s, done.”

Precisely half of my right arm. Magic Power ripples blue in vein patterns. Because I’m so skinny, it’s much more visible.

Moreover, I discovered my own efficiency method.

Isolation. Focus. Repetition.

Instead of trying to do everything at once, focus on just one side and repeat until it works.

“Ah… I’m dying.”

I was about to lie down on the mattress when I stopped. My whole body was soaked in sweat. My hair looked like a wet mouse too.

I should wash up before sleeping.

I might catch a cold on top of my already weak body.

* * *

For three more days after that, I went to the magic bookstore every day. Of course I didn’t buy any books, I just sat there and read them.

[ …Techniques do not precede the mage. In other words, the mage’s will is fulfilled first and techniques are formed as evidence of that manifestation, not that techniques control the mage’s will.

Therefore, a good mage can intuitively accept the implications of even techniques they see for the first time. ]

“Aha.”

I understood anew.

Techniques do not precede the mage.

Well, this seems to be why I grasped Kim A-rang PD’s technique as soon as I saw it.

“…Hey you. What good does reading that do?”

I’d become somewhat friendly with the bookstore owner too.

I have a conscience, so this was the result of bringing him a cup of coffee every day.

“I’m just looking at the pictures.”

“That? There probably aren’t many pictures in it.”

“Still, there were lots of wizard pictures and various other things.”

“…Hmm.”

The owner’s muscles squirm as he slurps his coffee. Each muscle fiber looks like a living creature. His hair is all white, but how is he like that?

“But you know. These methods for moving Magic Power and such, even if most people follow what’s written here, they probably can’t do it, right?”

I asked casually.

The owner twisted the corner of his mouth with a snicker.

“Of course. You tried it so it worked, right? It didn’t work, did it?”

It did work, but I had no intention of bragging. It was purely thanks to the help of the 「MoMo」 system.

The only effort I made was enduring some pain.

“Magic Power, you see. It needs somewhat delicate and professional training.”

“What’s that?”

“Hmm. Let’s see. Do you know what this is?”

The owner took something out.

An object about the size of a 500 won coin. It looked ordinary at first glance, but I could see a blue aura shimmering around its edges. At minimum, it meant it was an object imbued with Magic Power.

“A Magic Stone.”

“Half right. It’s called a Magic Magnet.”

“Magic Magnet?”

“That’s right.”

The shop owner placed a Magic Magnet on my body.

“As you probably read, to draw out Magic Power, you first need to implant Magic Power into your body as your own concept. But the act of ‘implanting that concept’ is extremely difficult. That’s why we attach this magnet to the body, to artificially help you feel even the smallest thread of Magic Power.”

For me, this was a process I had already completed. The pathway was definitely implanted within my body.

“Ah, I see.”

But people like this really love it when you react as if you’re hearing everything for the first time. It’s a familiar executive style.

“That’s amazing. Were you involved in the industry?”

“Ha. Were you involved? I’m still active, man.”

“Oh, I thought so. I thought you might be an actor or something.”

“Actor? Ha, really!”

Kahahaha. Just as the shop owner was laughing heartily.

Chime.

A bell rang.

“…”

The shop owner’s expression hardened. My eyes widened as I looked toward the entrance.

There was a customer. A quite famous customer.

First, he was clearly a man with long, lanky limbs.

Next, he was pitch black from head to toe. Black Coat and Black Jeans, Black Gloves and Black Walker Boots, black hair.

His whole body was jet black, but only his face was white. His nose was like a kitchen knife, and his wolf-like eyes and mouth were extremely sharp.

Resembling an alpha wolf, he was Tae-woo.

A mage.

“Oh. You’re here.”

The shop owner raised his hand as if greeting the kid next door. Tae-woo glanced at the owner and me, then walked over with heavy steps.

Thud── Thud──

Crushing footsteps. The sound of his boots was heavy.

He spoke to the shop owner.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————