Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 23 (Part 2): The Fall (3)

“Breathe.”

Yu-yul’s voice. I barely managed to breathe. Inhale, exhale. Each breath felt like my body was being ripped apart.

It hurts.

More than I imagined.

*Thud.*

Yu-yul grabbed my wrist. In that instant, the mana movement stopped. The pain ceased.

“…….”

I stared blankly at her.

“Your heart rate far exceeded the limit.”

Yu-yul said.

A drop of sweat rolled down my face. The veins in my arm were already dark red and swollen.

She shook her head.

“Any further would be dangerous.”

*Clench.* I gritted my teeth.

“…No.”

It can’t stop here.

“Not yet.”

I was so close.

If I don’t push through now, I won’t succeed. I have to pour everything into this. Retreating won’t achieve anything.

“I can still do it.”

Yu-yul looked into my eyes. I met her gaze and spoke.

“I can do it on my own.”

“…….”

She quietly let go.

“All right. Go ahead.”

I moved the mana crystal again. The pain had already spread from my arm to my entire body.

It hurts like hell, but as long as I don’t die, I’d manage.

As long as I don’t die, as long as I’m alive, I can always start again.

Pain is nothing to fear. It’s proof of life.

Those who fear pain die young.

“Guh, guh… Aaah!”

I still remember the comrades who fell before my eyes.

I remember the countless people I’ve killed.

“Seol Ha-woon. Don’t pass out from the pain. The moment you lose consciousness, your mana will fade. Mana is the power of your will.”

Death in battle. A meaningless death disguised with the label ‘line of duty.’

Their families never knew how mangled their bodies were in those coffins.

Murder. The faces of the countless people I’ve killed.

They might have been terrorists, collaborators, or just civilians.

“Guhhh…”

Having experienced all those deaths, having delivered all those deaths, on the battlefield, I had only one thought.

I want to live.

Even if everyone else dies, I have to survive.

“Endure the pain. Don’t take the easy path.”

There’s never been an easy path in my life.

Every step I’ve taken has been anything but easy.

“…Keep going. Push through.”

I was born without knowing my parents. My grandmother died when I was six. I was kicked out of the orphanage at fourteen. I lived in the back alleys, brawling until I met that man who helped me become a soldier.

That’s when the real hell began.

“───!”

A guttural scream escaped my lips. Anger and pain spilled out like a lump. It felt like my teeth were falling out. Probably just my imagination.

“…Stop.”

Yu-yul placed a hand on my shoulder. I gasped for air, looking at the desk.

Blood, saliva. The remnants of what came out of me were thick. Thankfully, no teeth.

“Stop.”

Yu-yul forced me to stop. Her mana halted mine.

“Hah, hah…”

I leaned back, breathing heavily. My mind slowly returned. All eyes in the classroom were on me.

Then, Yu-yul lifted my bloodied arm. She wiped away the blood with a handkerchief and said,

“This is refinement.”

The circuit glowed blue. It was much thicker and longer than before.

My body trembled. I kept drooling.

“…I’ll try too.”

Someone, seemingly inspired, raised a hand. It was Ryu Yeon-hwa, the white-haired mage. Yu-yul approached him and placed the gemstone string on his right arm.

Ryu Yeon-hwa closed his eyes.

Three seconds later.

“Guh! W-wait, hold on!”

He flailed like a shrimp, throwing off the gemstone string.

“W-what was that? What just happened?”

Ryu Yeon-hwa asked, horrified.

“Ah. I forgot to mention something.”

Yu-yul held up the gemstone string.

“This string amplifies the movement, size, and frequency of your mana. It’s much more painful than regular refinement.”

“……?”

I was speechless.

So, I was amplifying an amplification? You could’ve said that earlier. If I knew it was squared, I wouldn’t have done it.

“But…”

Ryu Yeon-hwa looked at me. His eyes seemed to ask, *What freak of monster are you?*

I buried my face in the desk.

I can’t think anymore.

—

[ ‘Seol Ha-woon’ has crossed the first barrier of mana. ]
[ Mana stat increased by 0.3. ]
[ Trait 【First Refinement】 has been acquired. ]

Dangun

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