Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 2 (Part 2): One Day, Magic Grew in My Head (1)

The next day. A large building in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. This is the headquarters of ‘IONet’, where the first round of auditions for 「Labyrinth Exploration NaN」 is being held.

“There are so many people.”

The entrance was packed. Not just reporters, but also fans. It’s no wonder, since promising talents from famous agencies are participating.

I could see some truly impressive faces.

Ryu Yeon-hwa, a mage with white hair, possessing both perfect visuals and skills, and a flawlessly proportioned figure.

Lee Jun-ho, a swordsman with a long sword on his back, hailed as the future sword saint.

Both of them die in the future.

They’re part of the debut group before regression.

“Document passers, please come this way~”

I joined the long line at the participant booth.

Maybe because I’m limping and using a staff, I got a lot of stares.

—

[ Recognition is increasing. ]
[ Recognition is increasing. ]
[ Recognition is increasing. ]

—

Thanks to that, my recognition is rising in real-time… but honestly, I feel like my face is about to explode.

But think about my lifespan. Think about my lifespan.

I’m a firefly with less than 30 days left. No room to be picky—

“Next?”

Before I knew it, it was my turn.

“Yes. Here.”

I showed the staff my pass message.

“Seol Ha-woon. Number 1,356.”

I pinned the number 1,356 badge to my chest and went inside, taking the elevator.

The interview room for the 1,000s was on the 13th floor, where a long hallway was filled with chairs.

“Please sit and wait~! We’ll call you when it’s your turn~!”

A staff member with a neck badge shouted through a hand megaphone.

“…Haaaahm.”

I yawned as soon as I sat down. I didn’t sleep well last night.

Ah, I did manage to succeed in igniting the fire, which the YouTuber said would take a month. Of course, it was oil-soaked paper, but I shouldn’t fail in the actual test.

I’ve got 【Blue Lemonade】 ready.

“Next~ Numbers 1,300 to 1,309, please come in.”

They’re going through ten people at a time. Five people go in, and most come out in less than 10 minutes.

Number 1,356 will be up soon.

“…Yaaawn.”

I yawned and closed my eyes.

I’m getting sleepy. I’m not the type to get nervous.

Maybe I’ll take a quick nap.

—

* * *

—

“Numbers 1,350 to 1,359, please come in.”

Suddenly, ten people, including me, stood up. I must’ve dozed off because it was already my turn.

I hurriedly chugged the 【Blue Lemonade】 and stepped into the interview room.

“All right, everyone, take a seat.”

There were exactly three people on the judges’ panel.

As a 「Labyrinth Exploration 101」 geek, I recognized them.

Assistant Director Kim A-rang, Assistant Director Lim Hyung-wook, and Writer Yoon Yi-in.

Not that any of them radiated some overwhelming aura. Compared to military officers, they looked practically like high schoolers.

“Well… I assume you all know about labyrinths, right? I won’t bother asking.”

Labyrinths are essentially rifts of magic. Simply put, they’re “stationary natural disasters.”

If left unattended, monsters will pop out, but if cleared, you can obtain loot, so organized raids by exploration guilds are common.

“Now, each of you—show us what you’ve got.”

That was all Assistant Director Kim A-rang said.

While we were all flustered, the woman sitting farthest to the right suddenly stood up.

“Number 1,359, Lee Oh-ri.”

After introducing herself, she stretched her arm into the air. Following her gesture, several cards began spinning in mid-air. It was quite a refined display of magic manipulation.

“…Hmm. Telekinesis? Not bad.”

Kim A-rang gave a decent evaluation.

“Thank you.”

The woman smirked and sat back down.

Next, the man to my left stood up.

“Number 1,355, Kwon Chang-hyuk!”

“Go ahead.”

With impressive muscles, he suddenly slammed his fists together.

*Boom───!*

A fairly large shockwave erupted.

“Argh!” I covered my ears.

Seriously, my durability is already low. Couldn’t you warn me first?

“Got it. You may sit.”

“Yes!”

“Number 1,357, Lee Yo-hoon.”

The person to my right also stood up. I subtly moved my chair back. Thankfully, this one took out a dagger and performed some kind of dance.

It felt like a theatrical performance.

“That was a sword dance.”

“…Right. Thanks for showing us. Please sit.”

Kim A-rang fiddled with her necklace, sounding bored.

After that, numbers 1,358, 1,353, 1,351, 1,352… Everyone else finished showing off their talents.

“All right. Is there anyone who hasn’t gone yet?”

Assistant Director Kim A-rang asked.

“Ah. Me.”

I hesitantly raised my hand. Kim A-rang looked at me.

“Hmm… Number 1,356. You were limping earlier.”

“Yes. I had an accident.”

“Ah, I see. Well, show us. What did you prepare?”

“Yes.”

I quietly pulled out a piece of paper from my pocket. Paper that burns well. I soaked it in oil, just a little, out of conscience.

“Well…”

I was about to show off my magic when…

“You’re not planning to set that on fire, are you?”

Her sudden remark. A sharp, pointed critique.

I froze, holding the paper.

“It’s easy. You must have something else you can do, right? That’s why you applied?”

“…Huh?”

My mind went blank.

This kind of situation wasn’t in my script.

“I. Mean.”

Kim A-rang crossed her arms with an annoyed expression.

“Number 1,356, you already have a penalty. You must have thought you had something to offer despite that penalty, right? That’s why you applied?”

…Her tone is quite sharp. Very irritable and aggressive.

Assistant Director Kim A-rang. Just as I’ve heard. Young, successful, praised by those around her, and with a nasty personality—

“Hello? Can’t you hear me?”

“Ah. Yes. Sorry. My ears aren’t great either.”

Actually, there’s nothing wrong with my ears. They’re top-notch, in fact.

“…Should I repeat myself?”

“No.”

Anyway, my life is in her hands now.

*Gulp.*

I swallowed hard.

Is there a way? Other than this oiled paper, what else can I do? What talent do I have…

As I remained silent, the people around me glanced at me. Their gazes held a strange mix of pity.

I looked at the oiled paper in my hand, then at Kim A-rang, then back at the paper, then at Kim A-rang… her necklace.

“Sigh.”

The “special necklace” that Director Producer Kim A-rang was wearing suddenly caught my eye.

Dangun

I'm currently Translating the following novel: "Labyrinth Exploration 101" If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

•