Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 13 (Part 1): I AM (5)

[Labyrinth Clear]

As soon as the labyrinth was cleared, we returned to the set.
I was utterly exhausted, sitting slumped in a chair, while the others seemed to have already grown close, laughing and chatting with each other. Their youthful, vibrant bodies were a stark contrast to mine, which had already worn down in many ways.

I envied them.

“Great work, everyone.”

Before I knew it, the main MC, Yoo Ji-in, appeared. She spoke with a smile.

“All 96 participants have cleared this level test. Now, shall we introduce your mentors?”

The contestants erupted into applause. Some even cheered.

“First, the High-Ranker Warrior, DK.”

At Yoo Ji-in’s introduction, DK walked in.

He was dressed as if he were about to perform a rap. I recognized his face—he was a rapper-turned-explorer who had even released albums.

“What’s up!”

“Wooaaah—clap clap clap clap—”

The contestants erupted in excitement as DK waved his hand in a hip flair. Many of them jumped up, overreacting.

Ugh, it’s so loud.

My knee’s killing me, and now my ears are under attack too.

“Next, High-Ranker Warrior, Kim Yoon-jun.”

Mentor Kim Yoon-jun. Dressed in a suit, but his bulging muscles were impossible to hide. He was an actor-turned-explorer.

“Nice to meet you all.”

The reaction he received was on par with DK’s.

“Next, High-Ranker Mage, Yoo Yul.”

The third mentor, Mage Yoo Yul.

It was a rather unfamiliar name. The contestants’ reactions were slightly delayed, and some seemed to freeze upon seeing her.

Even I found her puzzling when I watched the live broadcast back then.

Usually, mentors are at least somewhat famous among the public, but she was a completely unknown explorer.

Anyway, she was a plump woman. While looks aren’t everything, her physique was quite unusual for someone in the physically demanding profession of exploration.

But…

What’s this?

My brow furrowed naturally. It was because of the faint mana emanating from her.

It wasn’t enough to be alarming, but it felt like she was already enveloped in magic.

It was extremely subtle, something only I seemed to notice.

“And finally, High-Ranker Archer Kim Ji-an.”

Meanwhile, the fourth mentor steps forward. An archer who wields a bow as her main weapon.

The four mentors and Yoo Ji-in took their seats at the judges’ table.

“Everyone, please step down from your chairs for a moment.”

At Yoo Ji-in’s words, the contestants stepped down from the set and lined up.

“First, I’ll announce the rankings based on the level test. From 1st to 10th place, the S-Tier.”

Rankings.

I felt uneasy. No matter how I looked at it, I was sure I’d be dead last.

[1st Place: Lee Jun-ho]
[2nd Place: Seo Ji-woo]
[3rd Place: Ryu Yeon-hwa]
[4th Place: Kang Hyun]
[5th Place: Kate]
[6th Place: Zhao Yun…]

“The top ten, please step forward.”

The top ten stood before the judges.

First, Mentor Kim Yoon-jun took the mic.

“My thoughts on your level test… overall, it was good. I was genuinely impressed by the skills of the MZ generation these days. Of course, there were some areas for improvement.”

He pointed at Lee Jun-ho.

“Especially Lee Jun-ho, the warrior. You were perfect in every aspect—speed, boldness, and most importantly, strength. There was nothing lacking.”

“But.”

Then DK took the mic. He stared at Lee Jun-ho through his sunglasses.

“Don’t you think you got hit too much? Like, goblins or whatever might not seem like much, but if you keep taking hits like that, you’ll accumulate damage without even realizing it.”

Lee Jun-ho nodded with a serious expression.

“I think I moved too aggressively because I wanted to clear it quickly.”

“That’s understandable. Just don’t do that in a real battle. Anyway, congratulations on first place. You’ve earned it.”

“Thank you!”

Lee Jun-ho smiled brightly and bowed.

The mentors gave similarly favorable comments to the remaining nine. They spoke about six or seven sentences each.

“The top ten, please take your seats according to your rankings. Now, I’ll call the A-Tier, 11th to 20th place explorers.”

The seats were completely rearranged, and the next group of 11th to 20th place stepped forward.

The mentors didn’t hold back on their advice. Compared to the top ten, there were more areas for improvement, so they had more to say.

“B-Tier, 21st to 30th place, please step forward.”

Then came 21st to 30th,
31st to 40th,
41st to 50th,
and 51st to 60th.

“D-Tier, 61st to 80th place, please step forward.”

From 60th place onward, the groups were called in sets of 20. My name wasn’t on that list either.

“Please step forward.”

From D-Tier onward, Yoo Ji-in spoke less, and the mentors’ comments were limited to one or two sentences.

Just a “Do better next time” or “This part was a bit disappointing.”

“Finally, F-Tier, 81st to 96th place, please step forward.”

The final tier.

Would I be 81st or 96th?

Honestly, even feeling nervous felt like a luxury.

It took me 3 hours and 20 minutes. How could I not be 96th?

“…94th place, Kim Jang-hoon. 95th place, Lee Jong-hyuk. 96th place, Seol Ha-woon.”

Hearing it confirmed doesn’t exactly feel great.

Anyway, I stood at the very end of the F-Tier line of 16 contestants.

The expressions on the faces of those in this line were far from pleasant. The mentors only gave them a word or half a word before moving on.

It felt like the editing team had already decided our fates.

My situation was even worse. It had only been three minutes since I stood up, and my knee’s already aching.

“96th place, Seol Ha-woon?”

Suddenly, someone called my name. It was High-Ranker Mage Yoo Yul.

“…Yes.”

I swallowed hard and answered.

“How did you detect the last trap?”

The last trap. Honestly, I expected someone to ask about it.

But how should I answer? My mouth went dry.

I knew someone would ask, but I hadn’t thought of an answer.

Could this be camera anxiety? Now that I think about it, this is the first time I’ve had to speak while being directly filmed.

“…I saw it.”

That was all I could manage to say.

“Ah. I see. Got it.”

Yoo Yul quickly lost interest.

Wait, shouldn’t she ask more?

Like where and how I saw it, what happened to my leg, wow UDT? What did you do in UDT, why did it take so long?

“Alright. Everyone, please take your seats according to your rankings.”

“…….”

I limped back to my seat.

Dangun

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