Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 50

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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 050

Obvious Melody(4)

“Today we’re going to conduct a survey.”

On the day of filming Mitamnan’s daily life segment. Called by the writer, I blinked my eyes.

“A survey?”

“Yes.”

The writer held out a paper. But her words and gestures were particularly blunt.

Probably because of Kim Du-gyeom.

Kim Du-gyeom is smart. Cunning and crafty. He knows well how to isolate people. Not only to the cast members but also to the PDs and writers, he’s subtly revealing what’s being done to him.

From afar, from invisible places, he’s damaging my reputation.

It’s something I was prepared for.

“Please write quickly.”

“Yes.”

I skimmed through the survey form.

[1. Who is the person you’re most concerned about in Mitamnan?]

[2. Who would you like to spend vacation with in Mitamnan?]

[3. Who would you like to become close with in Mitamnan?]

[4. Who is the most guarded person in Mitamnan?]

[5. Who is your favorite mentor in Mitamnan?]

[6….]

First, the person I’m concerned about… honestly, there are many. Kang Hyeon, Lee Jun-ho, Kate, Kim Du-gyeom, Seo Ji-woo, and so on.

“There’s not much time. Please write quickly.”

The writer’s tone is quite irritating. What was her name again. Lee Yu-kyung, I think. She’s a writer who’s particularly close to Kim Du-gyeom.

I rested my chin on my hand.

The person I’m concerned about.

If it’s someone I’m concerned about in any way, there’s only that guy. That woman who’s like a thorn in my eye just because she’s Seo Ji-hyuk’s younger sister.

I wrote “Seo Ji…” then quickly erased it.

There’s no need to be unnecessarily honest.

I wrote a different name.

Kang Hyeon.

[2. Who would you like to spend vacation with in Mitamnan?]

Second. Who I’d like to spend vacation with… no one. If I were given a vacation, I’d want to rest completely alone. I’d want to sleep for a long time.

“Can I leave it blank if there’s no one?”

“Please write something if possible.”

“…Yes.”

Still, if I had to choose, it would be Kang Hyeon.

The reason is because he’s the most suspicious.

I’m curious about what Kang Hyeon’s daily life would be like. I want to closely observe his true face, his usual behavior.

Because I need to find evidence to tear him apart.

[3. Who would you like to become close with in Mitamnan?]

I don’t particularly want to become close with anyone, but if I have to write something, this would also be Kang Hyeon.

For the same reason as above.

[4. Who is the most guarded person in Mitamnan?]

Kang Hyeon.

[5. Who is your favorite mentor in Mitamnan?]

The fifth question. Finally, I wrote a different name.

“…You chose Mentor Yoo Yul?”

The writer asked as if surprised. I paused while fiddling with my pen.

“How did you know?”

The writer is sitting across from me but quite far away. That means she can’t see what I’m writing.

The writer silently pointed upward with her finger.

“…Ah.”

There was a camera. A camera filming the survey form from directly above.

I asked the writer.

“Am I the only one who wrote Mentor Yoo Yul?”

“Yes. Of course.”

That makes sense. Yoo Yul isn’t famous or attractive. Rather, she’s blunt and curt. Some explorers even talk behind her back, saying she’s rude and annoying.

Everyone has been fooled by her outward appearance.

“I’m grateful to Mentor Yoo Yul.”

I’m not.

I’m thankful to Yoo Yul.

I learned Mana Breathing and Refinement from her, and I would continue to learn more.

“This feeling is sincere.”

However, Yoo Yul as a person doesn’t have any emotions toward me. She regards me similarly to an ant on the roadside or a stone on the ground.

I can feel her indifference.

“She’s someone precious who illuminated my path as a mage.”

Nevertheless, I must stick to her as much as possible.

Even if I have to say any kind words, even if I have to sell my soul if possible, I must receive as much as I can from her.

“She illuminates your path?”

“Yes. I didn’t even know what Mana Breathing and Refinement were. I didn’t even know how to properly construct formulas. Without Mentor Yoo Yul’s advice and teachings, I would have been on the verge of elimination.”

“Hmm~”

The writer curtly twitched her eyebrows.

“What if. Let’s say the Caiden School contacted you after watching Mitamnan. But Mentor Yoo Yul is also founding a small-medium school. Where would you go?”

For reference, the Caiden School is one of the world’s leading magic schools. There’s no way they would contact me in the first place.

“I would go with Mentor Yoo Yul.”

This level of acting is easy. However, I must not be caught acting.

“Come on~ What if a real offer comes?”

“I’m sincere.”

To deceive a mage, I must first deceive myself. I must firmly press infinite respect and gratitude for Yoo Yul, and even actual affection, into my heart.

“Mentor Yoo Yul is…”

From today, I will become someone who loves her.

Like that, I will thoroughly gaslight the surface of my consciousness.

“She’s a connection I want to continue with for a long time, as much as my strength allows.”

* * *

“…The person I’m most concerned about is honestly Du-gyeom hyung.”

Im Hae-jun spoke aloud before writing it down.

“Huh? Why?”

The writer tilted her head.

“Just because.”

The implication of being “concerned” about someone varies depending on interpretation.

Kim Du-gyeom is a good person. Most of the cast members, as well as the writers and PDs, acknowledge this.

However, Im Hae-jun strangely doesn’t want to get close to him. It’s not quite wariness, just the right amount of concern.

“The person I want to become friends with is Ha-woon hyung.”

Im Hae-jun wants to become friends with Seol Ha-woon.

In fact, the biggest reason Im Hae-jun suspects Kim Du-gyeom is because of Seol Ha-woon.

Recently, bad rumors have been circulating in the dormitory. There’s gossip that Seol Ha-woon bullies Kim Du-gyeom in nasty ways, and because of this, the writers, PDs, and several cast members who are close to Kim Du-gyeom view Seol Ha-woon unfavorably.

“Aren’t you already close? You’re the one who talks to Seol Ha-woon the most, Hae-jun.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, but…”

Im Hae-jun shook his head.

“I don’t think so.”

He can face Seol Ha-woon and talk to him. He can follow behind him.

That’s as far as it goes.

Seol Ha-woon merely ‘allows’ him to approach, but doesn’t accept him. An invisible line… no.

“I’d say there’s a wall.”

A massive barrier covers the person called Seol Ha-woon. So he can’t grasp his hand. He can’t even dare to reach out.

“Even when we’re together, I feel some kind of distance.”

“Hmm~ I see. But…”

The writer was about to say something but swallowed her words.

Seol Ha-woon is on thin ice. His behavior of unilaterally bullying Kim Du-gyeom will definitely be broadcast. If public opinion becomes too harsh, Im Hae-jun might get hurt by association.

“Then I’ll be going.”

Perhaps sensing what the writer was about to say, Im Hae-jun, who had finished writing the survey form, stood up from his seat.

* * *

“The person I’m most concerned about…”

Lee Jun-ho pouted his lips while rolling his pen.

“…”

The writer checked the time on her smartphone. Lee Jun-ho had been stuck on the first question for 30 minutes already.

“Just write comfortably~”

The writer said with a forced smile. Lee Jun-ho scratched the back of his neck.

“Yes. I’ll write it.”

After answering, he placed the pen on the survey form. The writer let out a sigh of relief.

Swish.

Just one line.

One line was the end.

A line that didn’t form even a single character.

The writer rubbed her forehead as a headache began to set in.

“…”

Lee Jun-ho looked at the line and thought.

Should I write Seo Ji-woo?

But if I interpret the phrase “most concerned about” in various ways, it’s ultimately Seol Ha-woon.

No wait. Isn’t Seol Ha-woon the person I’m most wary of? I need to distinguish between wariness and concern…

“…Ugh.”

He grabbed his hair while agonizing alone.

The writer inwardly swallowed a sigh.

At this rate, one survey form will take 3 hours.

* * *

[1. Who is the person you’re most concerned about?]

As soon as he saw the survey form, a name written down in swift, scrawling strokes.

Seol Ha-woon.

[2. Who would you like to spend a vacation with?]

Seol Ha-woon.

[3. Who do you want to become friends with?]

Seol Ha-woon.

[4. Who is the person you’re most wary of?]

Same as above.

“…It’s all Seol Ha-woon?”

At the writer’s words, Kang Hyeon looked up. He asked back with wide eyes.

“Is that not okay?”

“No. It’s just interesting. There’s Jun-ho, Kate, Ji-woo, Jo Woon… there are many people.”

Kang Hyeon listened quietly then raised his eyebrows.

“Just.”

He continued in a low voice.

“Ha-woon hyung left the biggest impression on me. In the Situation Labyrinth, Survival Labyrinth, and Cargo Dungeon, he always found the answer.”

Seol Ha-woon found solutions in any situation.

A person who doesn’t discriminate between means and methods, who can do anything for his purpose. Someone who ultimately gets things done.

Kang Hyeon is curious about him.

* * *

Poke poke poke poke poke poke poke. Seo Ji-woo randomly stabbed the survey form with her pen tip.

Press. Press. Press. She carved dots into the survey form, then connected those dots with lines herself.

“…Do I really have to write this?”

[1. Who is the person you’re most concerned about?]

Seo Ji-woo was stuck from the first question.

“What, isn’t there anyone you’re particularly concerned about?”

At the PD’s words, Seo Ji-woo looked up.

“Yes…”

“What about Seol Ha-woon?”

PD Kim A-rang. She smiled while looking at Seo Ji-woo. Seo Ji-woo narrowed her eyes.

“Why would I be concerned about that person…”

“If it’s not that, then just write it.”

Press. Press. Press. Seo Ji-woo pressed on the survey form and muttered.

“…Actually, I’m most worried about Hwa-rim. She’s been getting too many hate comments lately…”

Apparently she can’t even use SNS anymore. Even though she’s not supposed to post on SNS due to contract restrictions anyway, the comments flooding in look scary even to Seo Ji-woo.

“Really? Oh right. You know what?”

Kim A-rang brought it up with a slightly mischievous expression.

“Seol Ha-woon wrote something then erased it.”

Seo Ji-woo tilted her head with an innocent face.

“What?”

“Ji-woo, your name…”

* * *

These days, Mitamnan parodies are common not only on communities and SNS, but also on terrestrial and cable variety shows.

─Hah… What I say is absolutely correct.

─What if you’re wrong?

─That’s impossible. I’m right.

─Damn, can I spit on you?

Right now even SNL (Sunday Night Live) has segments imitating me, and they’re sprouting up like bamboo shoots on YouTube too.

Regardless of main or sub channels, Mitamnan’s characters and terminology appear as material.

‘Initiating more active escort’ has also become a meme by replacing ‘escort’ with strange words.

It even made it to the news. Some politician initiated a more active escape or something.

“…It is fascinating.”

I let out a hollow laugh. It was quite fascinating to see the character ‘Seol Ha-woon’ being consumed as content. It was also amusing.

However, I shouldn’t get absorbed in it for too long. Recognition is merely a means for me to survive. What’s important is my growth and my lifespan.

Mitamnan is just a stepping stone.

A somewhat large stepping stone.

“Shall we get going?”

I put on my uniform properly. Today was quite an important day within 「Mitamnan」.

Tier re-selection.

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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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