Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 79
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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 079
Get Some Fresh Air(4)
“We’ll now begin the scouting interviews~”
Monster Hunting Stage 5 had ended. Those who cleared everything were as expected. Kang Hyeon, Lee Jun-ho, Seo Ji-woo, Ryu Yeon-hwa, Kate, Jo Woon. The top 6.
“Master. That was really close. I could have done Stage 5. Was it a 5-second difference?”
Im Hae-jun had a cast on his right arm. He did clear Stage 4, but broke his arm from a bad landing.
This guy gets injured somewhere every time he finishes something.
“Right now, scouting offers should have been delivered to 70 people through Mitamnan’s system~”
[ Room 17 : Zephyrell ]
I had exactly one, Zephyrell.
There could have been more, but it seems like rumors spread around the neighborhood that some talkative person would pick me.
“Oh! Hyung! I’m from Taebaek Sect!”
Im Hae-jun was delighted.
“Really?”
Taebaek Sect is a sect based on Taebaek Mountain. While not world 0-tier like Murim’s Nine Sects and One Alliance or the Rocky Mountains’ Brotherhood, it’s a traditional Korean sect that follows right behind them. Especially in archery, they’re not far behind the leaders.
“Wow, I’m nervous. So nervous. Hyung, I’m getting dizzy. Taebaek Sect…”
General people unfamiliar with the exploration world sometimes equate guilds with schools and sects, but they’re completely different groups.
Guilds are companies that contract with explorers to form teams for Labyrinth conquest, or manage explorers’ image rights, while schools and sects are ‘root’ concepts that form categories for explorers.
Of course, large guilds sometimes partner with specific schools and sects for early education to secure promising talent, but they don’t heavily involve themselves in developing already grown explorers.
Guilds just bring work opportunities, while the explorer’s personal growth happens within schools and sects.
The problem is that there are far more corporate guilds than proper schools and sects.
Over 70% of explorers have no proper affiliation and only attend occasional open lectures held by schools and sects.
Therefore, Mitamnan is making efforts to connect explorers with schools and sects.
This is on-camera scouting. A tradition and consideration of the Labyrinth Exploration series.
“Where did you get scouted, hyung?”
“Me?”
The guys pretending not to eavesdrop on our conversation nearby perk up their ears.
Should I brag a little too?
“Zephyrell.”
“…Come on. Hyung, you’re lying too much.”
“What are you talking about. It really is Zephyrell.”
“Ah what~ Of course hyung is amazing, but why would Zephyrell… Ah~ You’re jealous of me~?”
Im Hae-jun wiggled his eyebrows smugly.
“What~ Hyung, I’m going to my Taebaek Sect interview~”
“Just go.”
“Hehe. If you’re jealous, just say you’re jealous~ I’m going~”
Im Hae-jun walked away leisurely while glancing back at me with chuckles, and I moved my walking stick too.
To Room 17 where Zephyrell was waiting.
* * *
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Jeong-wook, a high ranker from Zephyrell School. You probably know my name, right? There was an article recently about how I conquered a B-rank Labyrinth with high quality. Well, I didn’t come here to brag about myself, so I’ll stop here…”
The man who introduced himself as Kim Jeong-wook told me many things.
“…The main point is, Zephyrell School wants to scout you. As you know, the Zephyral Mage handles wind. Wind. Doesn’t that sound familiar?”
“That’s right. Your Mana Bullet is broadly a wind attribute. bullets fly like wind too, right? What do you think would happen if your Mental Visualization and our wind created synergy?”
“Yes, that’s right. We can open a very well-paved path for you. So you can fly like the wind.”
He doesn’t give me a chance to speak.
Anyway, Zephyrell is a good school. Even as many schools have broken and fallen over the years, it has steadily maintained its 1st-tier position for nearly 70 years.
“…I’ll be honest. I saw fragments of a mage in you.”
Fragments of a mage is a clichéd expression for praising a mage’s talent. It’s better than nothing, but there are tens of thousands who remain at just fragments, so there’s no reason to be overly pleased.
“Of course, you might think it’s difficult at your age in the mid-to-late twenties. But what if you grow in Zephyrell School’s workshop, at university with Zephyrell’s support after this Mitamnan ends?”
Click. Kim Jeong-wook clicked his tongue.
“It’s not impossible. If what you said about being a 7-month mage is true, that is. So tell me, that’s not a lie, right?”
“…Yes. It’s true.”
Kim Jeong-wook’s eyes narrowed slightly as if suspicious.
“Really? What were you doing before that?”
“I was in rehabilitation.”
“What kind of rehabilitation?”
“I was completely paralyzed.”
“…”
Kim Jeong-wook pressed his lips tightly shut. He swept his slicked-back hair backward once more unnecessarily.
“You had an alibi? Ahem!”
After clearing his throat, he asks again.
“So, what’s your answer?”
I answered immediately.
“I’m sorry.”
Kim Jeong-wook’s expression hardened.
Zephyrell is a 3rd generation mage. But mages have rankings too.
When a mage who’s easily in the world’s TOP 30 is lurking in this Mitamnan, there’s no reason to look elsewhere.
“What, is it because of Mage Yoo Yul?”
I kept my mouth shut. It was quiet agreement.
Kim Jeong-wook let out a hollow laugh.
“Oh my, Mage Seol Ha-woon. If you’re swayed by petty feelings, you won’t become a mage, let alone a high ranker. Right now you might think you can do something alone, or rather, together.”
“Thanks to Mentor Yoo Yul, I-”
“I know. She taught you Mana Breathing for the first time and all that. But our school’s know-how and the mage’s teachings are on a different level from just any mage. I became a proper mage after joining Zephyrell too, you know?”
Kim Jeong-wook crossed his arms.
“Opportunities like this are rare. We don’t usually take new members these days, but it’s possible because the Zephyral Mage’s daughter is a Mitamnan fan.”
“I’m grateful for the offer, but…”
I drew out my words.
Reading my intention to refuse, Kim Jeong-wook clenched his teeth hard.
“Hah.”
He let out a deep sigh and suddenly turned toward the camera.
“…Cut.”
Then he suddenly pointed at me.
“Hey. You’re really not going to do it, right?”
The atmosphere suggests something harsh might come out.
“Yes.”
“Are you perhaps expecting other schools? Like Lamiere or Belphegor?”
“No.”
“That’s fortunate. They’re not interested in you anyway. They’re all-in on Seo Ji-woo and Yoon Hwa-rim.”
Ah, I see.
Kim Jeong-wook swept his slicked-back hair once more.
“The reason you’re dissing Zephyral is purely because that person Yoo Yul is your mentor?”
“…Yes.”
“Wow~ This is quite a friend. But, I talked with that person called Yoo Yul? That person doesn’t-”
“I know. That person wouldn’t consider me a disciple, let alone an acquaintance.”
Kim Jeong-wook’s eyes, nose, and mouth widened. His face showed he was genuinely dumbfounded.
“…Fine. Well, honestly, I get it.”
He patted the back of his neck repeatedly.
“Then let’s do this.”
He glanced over the production crew in the room and pulled out a business card.
“I’ll just hand you my business card. Our school has its reputation to maintain, you know?”
“…Yes?”
“Hey everyone. Please edit this properly. You remember the conditions for Zephyral School’s appearance, right?”
The PD and writers gave bitter smiles.
“Alright. Let’s go again.”
Kim Jeong-wook straightened his suit. He quickly changed his expression to a serious one.
Gone was his light-hearted demeanor from moments ago, switching his stance with the gravity of a movie actor.
“…Mage Seol Ha-woon. Our Zephyral School holds your talent in high regard.”
Is this guy some kind of actor?
“However, to invite Mage Seol Ha-woon into our school might still be somewhat premature.”
He held out his business card.
“Keep working hard. We will be watching your efforts.”
I also received the business card and looked at it carefully. Since Kim Jeong-wook is being serious, I should play along.
“Good, cut!”
He suddenly jumped up.
“Now you act like you’re agonizing alone. Like you really, really want to contact our school but you’re staying loyal to that mentor Yoo Yul or Yulmoocha or whatever. It’s a good narrative for both you and us.”
I let out a hollow laugh.
But, well, it’s not bad.
“Yes. Thank you for understanding.”
“Good. Ah, we’re always open. Contact us anytime you want to. But don’t go back on your word. You really won’t join any other school, right?”
“Zephyral is a top-tier school. After rejecting that, where else would I go?”
Only then did Kim Jeong-wook relax his expression.
“Good. Then… I’ll be watching how the editing turns out. It’s no joke when I say our Zephyral Mage also keeps up with Mitamnan, you know? The kids are fans.”
“Ah, yes. Of course.”
“Um, um, Mage Kim Jeong-wook. Just a moment.”
One person popped out from among the staff. It was PD Kim A-rang.
“Let’s have a talk. If you could wait outside first…”
“Yes. But it probably won’t work.”
Kim Jeong-wook waved his hand as if he knew what Kim A-rang was going to do and went outside.
PD Kim A-rang turned off all the cameras and then glared at me.
“…Ha-woon.”
“Yes.”
“You really won’t do it? It’s Zephyral?”
“Yes.”
“Because of Mentor Yoo Yul? It’s Zephyral?”
“Yes.”
You wouldn’t know, but I have a lot to extract from that person Yoo Yul in one way or another.
“I’ll be honest. That person, Mentor Yoo Yul really doesn’t think anything of you, Ha-woon.”
Of course she would.
I’m the same way. I have no desire whatsoever to serve Yoo Yul as a mentor. Just as she deceives everyone, I’m trying to deceive her too.
“You’re giving up a winning lottery ticket because of a scratch-off?”
I looked at Kim A-rang silently.
“…Fine. Do whatever you want. This is your narrative too.”
PD Kim A-rang waved her hands dismissively as if annoyed.
“Filming’s over, so let’s go.”
“Yes.”
I left Room 17.
Tap tap. I was about to go down, retracing my steps with my walking stick, when Kim Jeong-wook was still standing by the window. The wind flowing through the open window disheveled his slicked-back hair.
“Mage Ha-woon. Come here and look at this.”
He called me over while gazing at the distant sky.
I stood beside him.
“There~ over there. Look at the center of the sky.”
I looked where his finger pointed. ‘Something’ was condensed there.
Invisible wind had formed rings following the path of magic power.
“Now.”
Click. He flicked his tongue. The rings scattered in all directions, creating a whirlwind.
An advanced formula that bloomed in an instant and swept across the heavens.
“Think about it. What if you combined your Mana Bullets with that wind?”
I imagined it briefly. Mana Bullets spreading along the grain of the wind. Their speed would be incalculable, their trajectory completely random. It would become an unavoidable mass destruction formula.
“It would just kill more people.”
Then Kim Jeong-wook paused for a moment. He turned his eyes to me.
“I heard you were a soldier, do you still think like that often?”
“…It’s the truth.”
“Eh. You could also use it to sweep away monsters, not people.”
I looked at Kim Jeong-wook. He had somehow taken on a comfortable expression.
“Seol Ha-woon. I understand what you’re thinking. But listen. If there were no bullets, no firearms, no weapons, this society, this world couldn’t have been maintained.”
Click. He flicked his tongue. It seemed to be a habit that doubled as self-hypnosis for a mage.
“It’s a necessary balance of power. How could ordinary people deal with superhumans who wield magic power? If such superhumans multiply into thousands and tens of thousands, and the only means to restrain them is each other, why would they follow the law? The whole world would just become like the Mercenary District.”
Kim Jeong-wook continued.
“If there’s anything to blame, it’s only human nature. The desire to want something. To take what belongs to others, protect what’s mine, and ultimately want to place others beneath me… such beast-like instincts.”
A voice that seemed to sigh.
“Hey, young friend.”
Kim Jeong-wook, who turned to look at me, smiled. His eyes curved like butter shrimp.
“So, your fault is…”
He said, drawing out his words.
“Small.”
Small.
From that word, I felt something.
“If I said none, you wouldn’t accept it anyway, right? You wouldn’t acknowledge the people you killed with your own hands either.”
Kim Jeong-wook leaned against the window frame.
Looking at him again now, his sturdy build and large but rough hands were too suspicious for just a mage.
“Still, we have to move forward somehow. PTSD isn’t a big deal. Not just panic disorder, anxiety disorder, depression, but just staying still in that place is equally PTSD. The past is holding us back.”
His words might be right.
I changed jobs and grew as a mage.
But that’s only to that extent.
The human called Seol Ha-woon is still sitting in the same place.
“But you know what. When you overcome that, there’s something called PTG. Post-Traumatic Growth. You discover your true self by struggling with the self within you.”
That’s when I was certain.
“…Were you a soldier?”
Kim Jeong-wook laughed heartily. His eyes, nose, and mouth were so large it was quite cheesy, but he seemed equally hearty.
“You’re just figuring that out now? You should have thought a bit deeper about why I specifically came to recruit you.”
He pulled out another business card. This time it wasn’t from the school, but Kim Jeong-wook’s personal card.
“Anytime. We’re open. Take care.”
He picked up my palm, placed the business card on it, and brushed past me. He didn’t forget to wave his hand behind his back with a show of bravado.
I looked at Kim Jeong-wook’s business card.
[Kim Jeong-wook│ Current Korean Branch Director of Zephyrell School, High Ranker Mage Former 707th Special Mission Unit Member – Anti-terrorism Operations and Special Operations Specialist]
“…707.”
A laugh I didn’t know I had escaped me.
707 and UDT are considered rivals by both domestic media and within the military.
“Interesting.”
The world of mages is bleak and cold. Schools that were Tier 1 ten years ago suddenly collapse, and unknown schools that were nobodies suddenly emerge as mainstream topics countless times.
In such a turbulent world of mages, I think I understand how a school called Zephyrell maintains Tier 1 status for three generations.
They have an eye for people. They know how to influence people and utilize them in the right place at the right time.
With just that, a group can last long.
* * *
“Ha… damn. This is really ridiculous.”
Kim A-rang, who came up to the rooftop, lit a cigarette first. Honestly, she was annoyed. Seol Ha-woon had kicked away the greatest narrative.
Starting from 96th place and joining Zephyrell, a world Tier 1 school?
It’s news material that would make the 9 o’clock news.
Right now, Zephyrell’s headquarters is in New York. The center of the world, America’s capital, though that’s Washington. Anyway.
Tier 1 schools based in super-megacities like New York are truly countable on one hand.
“…Sigh.”
Can’t help it.
You can manipulate editing, but you can’t manipulate people. This is Yoon Sa-hyuk’s philosophy that Kim A-rang also strictly follows.
If you don’t create a script, you have to take responsibility for whatever situation comes up.
“Didn’t go well, I see.”
Then someone approached from behind. It was Yoon Sa-hyuk.
“…PD-nim. How did you know?”
“Know what.”
“That Seol Ha-woon would reject Zephyrell.”
“I didn’t know.”
Yoon Sa-hyuk offered mix coffee. Kim A-rang stubbed out her cigarette. She accepted the paper cup while lighting a new cigarette.
“Still, Seol Ha-woon was someone PD Yoon would like.”
“That’s right. Who would have thought he’d prefer scratch-offs over winning lottery tickets.”
Yoon Sa-hyuk laughed. Kim A-rang’s lips twisted.
“Are you dissatisfied with Seol Ha-woon?”
“…No.”
Seol Ha-woon. He’s showing far more than what she expected.
“Rejecting Zephyrell is something an ordinary person like me couldn’t do. That place was my old dream too.”
Kim A-rang, who was once an aspiring mage, slumped her body over the railing. She smoked while sprawled out like laundry.
“So that’s why I became even more… convinced.”
She let out a laugh like a sigh.
“Seol Ha-woon is All or Nothing.”
“All or nothing?”
“Yes. I have that kind of feeling somehow.”
She muttered while blowing out cigarette smoke.
“He’ll either die early, or become a mage. I think it’ll be one of the two.”
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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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