Labyrinth Exploration 101 - Chapter 86

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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 086

 

An Ordinary Day (2)

 

“…What the hell is this talk about dropping out?”

 

Editing Room Corridor. Kim A-rang snapped at Im Hyeong-uk. Im Hyeong-uk scratched the back of his neck.

 

“Well~ the situation is like this. There’s military violence and school violence too….”

 

“What are you saying. Fuck, did he kill someone?”

 

“…He probably did kill people. He’s a former Special Forces soldier.”

 

“Are you playing word games right now?”

 

Im Hyeong-uk let out a hollow laugh.

 

She’s really sharp. The veins in her neck are practically like bamboo.

 

“…Right. At this rate, he’ll probably drop out during the first tally anyway. Even if we drop him now, he won’t be immersed in the World Labyrinth. It’s better to just keep him alive, whether it works out or not.”

 

Kim A-rang bit her lip. Im Hyeong-uk clicked his tongue.

 

“But get a grip, Kim A-rang. You dropped Lee Jin-woo last season when school violence rumors were going around about him.”

 

“….”

 

What a fucked up situation.

 

Yoon Sa-hyuk’s words came to mind again. That if the first picture you draw goes wrong, the heartbreak will be quite severe….

 

“I know. I’m saying if it gets really serious, it won’t be too late to drop him then.”

 

Kim A-rang walked past Im Hyeong-uk.

 

“Hey. Take care of your blood pressure.”

 

“Ah, shit….”

 

Who’s he making fun of. Kim A-rang was chewing her lip as she turned the corner of the corridor when.

 

There was a woman right in front of her.

 

“Oh my, Ji-woo?”

 

Seo Ji-woo. She nodded at Kim A-rang.

 

“I came because they said I had a separate filming schedule.”

 

“…The filming will be delayed for a bit.”

 

It’s a complete stop. Seol Ha-woon is in the 10th-20th rank range, but the next labyrinth content is enormous.

 

The next chapter was around 10th place.

 

Seo Ji-woo asked.

 

“Is that person dropping out?”

 

“…Who, Seol Ha-woon?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“The fact-checking hasn’t even been done properly yet. Even after all that’s done….”

 

Even if Seol Ha-woon really is that kind of person, she has to delay it as much as possible. She can’t let it interfere with Kang Hyeon’s narrative.

 

Scrapping that perfect World Labyrinth scenario without even using it would be a loss not just for Mitamnan, but for the nation.

 

“Sigh. What am I even saying to you. Go rest.”

 

Kim A-rang left the lobby while massaging her temples. Seo Ji-woo watched her retreating figure and sighed.

 

“…Seol Ha-woon.”

 

Seo Ji-woo also picked up her smartphone. She frowned as she looked at the portal sites filled with ‘Kill Seol Ha-woon’ posts.

 

Is he really that kind of person? A bad person who hurts others without a care?

 

‘I’ll pretend to be interested in you. You just keep doing what you’re doing now. Right now is perfect. Let’s debut together, shall we?

 

Seol Ha-woon making that proposal with a cowardly face was disgusting to look at, but….

 

“Ugh. I don’t know.”

 

Seo Ji-woo was about to send Seol Ha-woon a text asking how he was, but stopped.

 

If you want to debut, survive on your own~

 

* * *

 

The next day, noon at the Back Mountain.

 

I’m meditating. Mental management is important right now. I need to stay as far away from electronic devices as possible-

 

“Are you okay?”

 

A voice came from somewhere. Actually, I knew from the beginning.

 

Lee Jun-ho, sitting casually on a light tree branch above.

 

I looked up at him and frowned.

 

“Are you mocking me?”

 

“Hey. Why would I mock you? I survived thanks to you.”

 

“At least you know. You got an A+.”

 

The performance evaluations posted on the Mitamnan gallery at the end of each week.

 

It’s not official, just something users write, but Lee Jun-ho got an A+.

 

“You got an S, hyung.”

 

“…There was a parenthesis after it saying (including issues).”

 

“At least I didn’t get labeled as a crazy bastard thanks to you.”

 

In the Situation Labyrinth mentor evaluation, Lee Jun-ho suffered less image damage thanks to my words about considering eavesdropping. It actually improved his image.

 

“But. Did you really beat up kids at school?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

I nodded obediently. Lee Jun-ho tilted his head.

 

“Why?”

 

“The bullies were fucking annoying, so I bullied them.”

 

I’m naturally a bit twisted.

 

If you don’t want to be treated that way, you shouldn’t do it to others either.

 

“…Ah.”

 

Lee Jun-ho smiled as if he understood.

 

Hoi-jja. The guy who came down from the tree with a strange battle cry held something out. It was cigarettes.

 

“You smoke them.”

 

“…What? Weren’t you a smoker?”

 

“I quit.”

 

Lee Jun-ho put a cigarette in his mouth. Tss-sseut. He lit it with the friction of his sword and sheath while saying.

 

“So. Did Kim Du-gyeom bully someone?”

 

“Pretty seriously.”

 

There’s no reason to hide Kim Du-gyeom’s past. Whether he believes it or not is up to him.

 

“…Really? How did you find out?”

 

Lee Jun-ho exhaled smoke.

 

“Did you see? You’re 40th place now. In the individual profile voting.”

 

“…I was 20th?”

 

“No. 40th.”

 

“I’m saying I was 20th.”

 

“No, I’m telling you it’s 40th.”

 

“I’m saying I was originally 20th.”

 

Lee Jun-ho blinked and then nodded.

 

“Ah~ you were 20th before? You fell a lot. The first tally goes up to 50th place. You’re barely hanging on.”

 

“…This bastard.”

 

Is it because he’s either 1st or 2nd? He probably doesn’t even think about the lower rankings.

 

Well, I’d probably be the same.

 

Lee Jun-ho twisted his lips.

 

“I honestly don’t like it. I should stay until I wipe you clean.”

 

Then he inhales the cigarette deep into his lungs.

 

“Wipe what clean.”

 

Did he suddenly develop eighth-grader syndrome?

 

“Hmm….”

 

Lee Jun-ho seemed lost in thought, then suddenly chuckled and nodded.

 

“Then. Should I go check it out too? Since I received help and all.”

 

“Check?”

 

“Yes. I’ll go.”

 

Lee Jun-ho turned around. His loose martial arts uniform fluttered as he walked away with long strides.

 

“What’s with that bastard.”

 

He’s quite different compared to before the regression.

 

Could it be that he seriously took my advice to ‘acknowledge yourself’?

 

…I was just saying random things though.

 

* * *

 

In the cafeteria at the Maze Exploration Difficulty Site, Im Hae-jun is eating while glaring at someone.

 

It’s Kim Du-gyeom. Kim Du-gyeom who brought spaghetti, five slices of pizza, and almost forty buffalo wings.

 

“…Hyeon hyung.”

 

“What.”

 

“Don’t you find it suspicious?”

 

“Who.”

 

“Kim Du-gyeom.”

 

On Im Hae-jun’s radar, Kim Du-gyeom feels somehow eerie. It’s a radar that’s been developed since childhood. A radar for filtering out guys who tried to use him, since there were so many of them.

 

“What are you suspicious about?”

 

“Good people, you see. They don’t take so many buffalo wings when the quantity is limited.”

 

Im Hae-jun looked at his own food tray. There were only eight buffalo wings.

 

They ran out.

 

It’s not a supply shortage.

 

No matter how much they prepare, there are just too many people who devour everything. Even skinny Yoon Hwa-rim ate a whole pizza and 20 buffalo wings.

 

“Wow, Seo Ji-woo is… really too much. Whenever I see stuff like that, I really lose my appetite.”

 

Im Hae-jun was shocked at the state of Seo Ji-woo’s food tray.

 

Almost 60 buffalo wings alone. No, why is such an elephant in the dining hall?

 

“Isn’t that too selfish?”

 

“They make more for us.”

 

“It takes time though, time. I’m hungry right now!”

 

If he waits, training time gets pushed back too, and food coma gets worse for no reason.

 

“But why be suspicious over something like that.”

 

“Huh? What do you mean why. Ha-woon master is in hell right now.”

 

“…In hell?”

 

Kang Hyeon asked back while eating spaghetti.

 

“What. You don’t even know what’s going on?”

 

“What is it.”

 

Im Hae-jun looked at him with a betrayed expression. Kang Hyeon shrugged his shoulders.

 

“I don’t know what it is, but he’ll handle it well on his own. They say on the internet. Worrying about celebrities is useless.”

 

Then, the cafeteria door swung wide open. Some man pushed it open with both hands.

 

Lee Jun-ho, walking in while his wide martial arts uniform swayed.

 

His face is full of smiles today especially.

 

“Lee Jun-ho really seems to hate master.”

 

The atmosphere between Seol Ha-woon and Lee Jun-ho has been strange all along.

 

Im Hae-jun’s guess is that it’s probably because of Seo Ji-woo. The three of them are in an invisible love triangle. Im Hae-jun knows.

 

“Hey.”

 

Suddenly, Lee Jun-ho stood in front of Kim Du-gyeom.

 

“Huh?”

 

Kim Du-gyeom asked back. Lee Jun-ho smiled. It was a smile that seemed to reach his ears.

 

Is he going to give him praise or something?

 

“Why is your expression like that?”

 

“…Huh?”

 

Im Hae-jun tilting his head, and Lee Jun-ho leaning his body forward.

 

Im Hae-jun watched the two with sulky eyes.

 

“I’m asking why your expression is like that.”

 

“Ah… no. I’m fine.”

 

“No. I wasn’t asking if you’re fine.”

 

Lee Jun-ho’s lips, which seemed to be comforting, trembled strangely. He reached out and grabbed the food tray tightly.

 

“Why is your face like that, you son of a bi—tch!”

 

A lion’s roar that echoed through the entire dining hall. Food flying up in all directions.

 

Lee Jun-ho had overturned the food tray onto Kim Du-gyeom’s face.

 

Everyone watching widened their eyes, Im Hae-jun’s mouth fell open, and spaghetti and buffalo wings flew and stuck to Kim Du-gyeom’s upper body with splats.

 

“Hey, hey!”

 

“What are you doing!”

 

“What, what is it?!”

 

Even as other explorers stood up in great surprise, Lee Jun-ho only stared at Kim Du-gyeom’s face.

 

Was it because he let his guard down?

 

Was it because it was too sudden?

 

His expression wavered.

 

His true face under that mask was revealed nakedly for a moment.

 

“…Fuck.”

 

Kim Du-gyeom cursing very quietly.

 

A deep smile spread across Lee Jun-ho’s lips.

 

“Son of a bitch?”

 

Kim Du-gyeom seemed to realize his mistake and quickly managed his expression, but it was already too late.

 

“Right. What that person said. You fucking bastard, you’re wearing a mask, aren’t you? Get up.”

 

Lee Jun-ho stretched out his arm and grabbed Kim Du-gyeom by the collar.

 

“Get up, you bastard.”

 

“Hey Lee Jun-ho!”

 

Ryu Yeon-hwa stopped Lee Jun-ho who was trying to force him to stand up.

 

“Are you crazy? Why are you suddenly acting like this?”

 

She grabbed Lee Jun-ho’s arm.

 

“…Let go?”

 

Lee Jun-ho warned menacingly. His dry eyes stood sharp like blades.

 

Ryu Yeon-hwa also shot back angrily.

 

“What if I don’t?”

 

“….”

 

Lee Jun-ho stiffened. He stared closely at Ryu Yeon-hwa’s face. He examined every expression that appeared like wrinkles.

 

“You. I never liked that look in your eyes from before. Am I your subordinate?”

 

Ryu Yeon-hwa sighed.

 

“Jun-ho. That kind of thing, you know. It’s called a victim complex.”

 

“…Victim complex?”

 

Lee Jun-ho laughed. His eyes drew deep crescents.

 

“Hey, hey hey hey!”

 

Seo Ji-woo quickly stood up. This is what Lee Jun-ho does when he’s really pissed off. There’s no one more dangerous than someone who’s laughing when they’re angry.

 

“Why are you guys acting crazy again?”

 

Seo Ji-woo tried to stop the two of them, but.

 

“Get out of the way.”

 

“Ugh!”

 

Lee Jun-ho pushed Seo Ji-woo away with his arm. Seo Ji-woo spun like a top and fell hard on his butt.

 

“You follow me.”

 

At Lee Jun-ho’s gesture, Ryu Yeon-hwa also nodded willingly.

 

“Ah, has that bastard really lost his mind!”

 

Seo Ji-woo rushed at them again.

 

“Guys, stop it!”

 

“Please stop!”

 

Not just Seo Ji-woo, but Yoon Hwa-rim, Jo Woon, Kim Dong-ha and others… even people from outside the dining hall came running to stop them.

 

Im Hae-jun glanced over at them.

 

Why would they suddenly fight among themselves?

 

Well, they say you can know the flow of all things in the world but never know a person’s heart.

 

“Hyeon hyung. Shouldn’t we stop them?”

 

“…They’ll figure it out themselves.”

 

Kang Hyeon remained calm as always.

 

“What are you, some kind of hermit? You always say everything will work itself out… Hyung. But doesn’t Jun-ho hyung seem like he’s changed somehow?”

 

Lee Jun-ho’s character had strangely changed.

 

He got a lot of praise for being manly in this broadcast, so maybe he’s planning to completely shift in that direction.

 

“Yeah. He has changed.”

 

Kang Hyeon had already finished his food tray. A sense of unease flashed through Im Hae-jun’s mind.

 

Im Hae-jun quickly looked at his own food tray.

 

“…Ah! You ate mine!”

 

“No.”

 

“No my ass, there’s one buffalo wing missing!”

 

“…”

 

Kang Hyeon quickly got up from his seat.

 

“Ah really! You’d steal the liver from a flea!”

 

The angry Im Hae-jun was about to chase after him when he spotted Seo Ji-woo’s food tray. It had tons of buffalo wings.

 

Those people look like they’ll be fighting for a while longer.

 

Im Hae-jun sneakily moved some of Seo Ji-woo’s buffalo wings to his own tray, then pretended nothing happened while looking at his smartphone and eating chicken wings when.

 

“…Huh?”

 

He discovered a certain post on the community.

 

“What?!”

 

│I’m Seol Ha-woon’s junior│

 

A new post starting with this title.

 

Im Hae-jun’s eyes widened and rolled around.

—————
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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