Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 17 (Part 1): Rush (1)

The day of filming arrived after a full day of repeating mana circuit training and mana breathing exercises. Before I knew it, the time had come.

“Everyone, gather around!”

Ninety-six people assembled on the large set. The order in which we stood didn’t matter, but I subtly adjusted my position while keeping an eye on the others.

Should I stand behind Kang Hyun? Near Lee Jun-ho? Or maybe Seo Ji-woo…? Nah, I’ll pass.

I quietly slipped myself in behind Kang Hyun’s shoulder, so that I’d at least appear on the edge of the camera filming him.

Anyway.

The structure of this set was unusual. Long platforms lined both sides, with the explorers standing in the middle.

Of course, I already knew how this would unfold.

*Chiiijik──*

The doors in the center of the stage opened, and the main MC, Yoo Ji-in, made her entrance. Today, she was dressed in a red gown. Her appearances were always dazzling—probably part of her contract.

“Nice to see you all.”

The explorers’ reactions to her were still filled with admiration.

As beautiful as she was, Yoo Ji-in wasn’t exactly a kind person. She wasn’t particularly nice, either.

“Today’s mission… is still a secret.”

Yoo Ji-in smiled sweetly. The explorers groaned playfully, complaining about how everything was always a secret.

“First, the participants whose names appear on the screen above, please step onto the platforms.”

She pointed to the center of the set.

—

[ Lee Jun-ho ]

[ Seo Ji-woo ]

[ Ryu Yeon-hwa ]

[ Kang Hyun ]

[ Kate ]

[ Zhao Yun… ]

—

These were the top 12 from the level test. They each stepped onto a platform.

“Now, each of you will need to select three team members.”

The remaining explorers reacted immediately.

“Whoa.” “Wow.” “What?” “Oh, so that’s how it is?” “Huh.” “Gasp.”

Should I react too?

Probably.

“Whoa.”

“First, the top-ranked S-tier, Lee Jun-ho, will select one member.”

“Yes~”

Lee Jun-ho, always wearing that bright smile, exuded confidence. That easygoing grin made him look strong—and he genuinely was.

“Who will Lee Jun-ho choose?”

“Haha, well… Hmm.”

I already knew who he’d pick.

Kim Woo-hyuk. A young kid, maybe around 18 years old.

“I’ll pick B-tier, 24th place, Mage Kim Woo-hyuk.”

At that moment, Kim Dong-ha, who was ranked 13th, froze.

Right before my eyes, a scene I’d watched on TV played out again. Kim Dong-ha and Lee Jun-ho would bicker all throughout training camp because of this draft.

But I could understand the choice. *Labyrinth Exploration* was, after all, a competition—a battle fueled by public attention.

In other words, you had to stand out.

And it was even better if you were the ONLY one standing out.

So, Lee Jun-ho’s best choice was someone who was decently skilled but not as good as him—someone easy to handle.

“Next, S-tier Seo Ji-woo?”

Seo Ji-woo, with her arms crossed, spoke.

“A-tier, Warrior Kim Dong-ha.”

Kim Dong-ha, now standing on Seo Ji-woo’s platform, glared at Lee Jun-ho with a furious expression. Lee Jun-ho muttered something under his breath as he faced him.

*Off the record!*

As a former fan, I quickly perked up my ears.

“Relax your face~ Why’re you staring like that? I need a mage more than a warrior.”

“Get lost.”

“…Tch. Jerk.”

Things were getting pretty tense between them.

“Next, Ryu Yeon-hwa.”

“I’ll choose A-tier Warrior Jin Ho-jong.”

Ryu Yeon-hwa picked A-tier Warrior Jin Ho-jong.

“Next, Kang Hyun?”

“I’ll pick A-tier Mage Yoon Hwa-rim.”

Kang Hyun selected the A-tier, 16th-ranked mage. The female mage blushed as she took her place behind him.

“Next, Kate…”

And so, a total of 48 people formed 12 teams.

Of course, I wasn’t picked, and there were still 48 people left.

“The selection for Team A is complete.”

Yoo Ji-in extended a hand toward the platforms opposite Team A’s.

“Now, from the unselected pool, those ranked 44th, 45th, 50th… 57th, and 58th, please step onto the platforms.”

Twelve lower-ranked contestants took their places. Then, the platforms changed color. Team A’s shone with dazzling prismatic light, while Team B’s turned a dull, earthy brown.

It was a familiar system. *Labyrinth Exploration*’s unique way of layering skill levels—intuitively distinguishing the “gold spoon” teams from the “dirt spoon” teams.

“Starting with D-tier, 44th place, you’ll also select your team members.”

Main MC Yoo Ji-in, quite blatantly, didn’t even bother calling out the lower-ranked names.

—

* * *

…I ended up as the 90th pick for Team B12. Sure, there were six people behind me, but it didn’t mean much. I only got chosen early because every team needs a mage, so they reluctantly grabbed me.

“Let’s do our best! Now that we’re here!”

The team leader was 58th-ranked Archer Lim Hae-jun.

He was the guy who tied a ribbon during his one-minute self-introduction.

“Yeah, let’s do our best.”

“Let’s Fight!”

Our team consisted of 61st-ranked warrior Jin Yoon-hwa, 73rd-ranked martial artist Ichiko (Japanese), and me, 96th-ranked Seol Ha-woon. Four of us in total.

“Everyone, pay attention.”

At Yoo Ji-in’s words, everyone focused.

“On the right is Team A. Starting with S-tier Lee Jun-ho, we have Team A1, Team A2, and so on.”

Team divisions. The faces at the front of Team A—Lee Jun-ho, Kang Hyun, Seo Ji-woo—were all beautiful and radiant.

“On the left is Team B. Starting with 44th place, we have Team B1.”

Meanwhile, we looked… pretty pathetic. Though, to be fair, our team leader’s face wasn’t half bad. He had a kind of cute charm, almost like a Pomeranian.

“Let’s all do our best! Let’s Fight!”

Even with our hopeless lineup—58th, 61st, 73rd, 96th, averaging 72nd—we huddled our fists together. It was kind of endearing.

“Now, I’ll reveal the mission.”

Yoo Ji-in spoke.

Cargo Escort.

“It’s Cargo Escort.”

Dangun

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