Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 30 (Part 1): Snowflower (5)

The premiere of Labyrinth Exploration NaN—a day long anticipated by the masses and desperately awaited by core fans.

Ishia sat before the TV, her heart pounding as she tried to steady it. A laptop and tablet were set up beside her.

[ What pizza today? Do-re-mi Pizza~ ]

“Hurry up.”

None of that “chicken pizza” nonsense. She wasn’t planning to eat while watching. No distractions.

Five more minutes of ads dragged on.

[ With your hands, the people will choose the nation’s top explorer. ]
[ The world’s first labyrinth-conquest survival audition. ]
[ Labyrinth Exploration Now and Never. ]
[ The first page begins now. ]

Finally, the broadcast began. Ishia clenched her fists.

The opening shot focused on Yoo Ji-in. Amidst a grand, mist-shrouded stage, she smiled at the camera.

──”Hello, everyone. I’m Yoo Ji-in, mentor to the explorers.”

Against a black backdrop, faint blue particles drifted around her.

──”Starting today, you’ll meet explorers with limitless potential.”

She gestured lightly, and the particles crystallized into shimmering aqua gems.

──”They’ll venture into the depths of labyrinths, battle its horrors, claim victory, endure defeat—and lay bare their everything for you.”

The gems glowed, reflecting the faces of the contestants: Kang Hyun, Lee Jun-ho, Seo Ji-woo, Ryu Yeon-hwa, Zhao Yun, Kate… all familiar to Ishia.

──”Now, witness the stage where their fierce competition unfolds.”

The camera refocused on Yoo Ji-in. Her expression grew solemn, her voice lower.

──”And remember—your support will shape their futures.”

The gems blazed brilliantly, flashing the faces of all 96 contestants.

──”So…”

Her smile lingered as the screen faded.

──”Let us begin.”

The opening ended.

The next scene showed a set with 96 chairs.

─”Wow. That’s cool.”
─”It’s huge. Oh, so those are the chairs.”

The first to appear were two contestants, a man and a woman. A tradition of Labyrinth Exploration, though early entrants were usually forgettable.

─ “Your name is Lee Dong-hyuk, right…?”
─ “Yes. I’m Lee Dong-hyuk. I’m 22.”
─ “Oh, I’m 23. Kim Yoon-seo. It’s, uh, a bit awkward, isn’t it?”
─ “Haha, yeah. I know you, though, Kim Yoon-seo.”
─”Oh, really?”
─ “Yeah. You’re a mage, right? You do YouTube too?”

As they exchanged small talk, the screen cut abruptly.

The set’s entrance. Kang Hyun trudged in, footsteps heavy.

[ Unaffiliated: Kang Hyun ]

A subtitle flashed alongside insert footage of his third qualifying round—flawless execution, praised by the judges.

─”Whoa.”
─”Damn.”

Kang Hyun’s looks alone drew awe. Without hesitation, he took his seat.

[ 10th Place ]

Modest, for his caliber.

“Pretty handsome,” Ishia muttered.

Four other unaffiliated explorers entered, but Ishia barely glanced at them. They looked like cafeteria kids, instantly cowed by Kang Hyun’s presence.

*Thud—*

An abrupt, dissonant sound crackled through the audio. Ishia’s ears perked up.

The camera angled upward from below.

*Thud.*
*Thud.*

A cane tapped against the set floor. A long leg, limping. The frame rose, revealing a face framed by long hair.

Seol Ha-woon!

─”Oh, he made it too.”
─”You know him?”
─ “I saw him during the mage prelims.”

Contestants whispered as Ishia’s pulse quickened.

Just like in the stills.

A man with a strange, decadent allure. His eyes were deep and dark—cliché as it sounded, he seemed like someone hiding a sad secret.

[ Seol Ha-woon ]

He sat right beside Kang Hyun at Rank 11, unlike the others who’d distanced themselves.

──”Contestant Seol Ha-woon. Not bad. He’s got talent.”

An insert clip played—commentary from Kim Se-jin, the high-ranking mage who’d overseen the third round.

──”Above all, he… my spells…”

The clip cut off mid-praise, a deliberate edit to build suspense.

“Seriously? Show more.” Ishia grumbled.

Next came renowned agency-backed explorers: Lee Jun-ho claiming Rank 1 without hesitation, established mages Seo Ji-woo and Ryu Yeon-hwa, America’s golden girl Kate, China’s Zhao Yun, and others. Soon, all 96 seats were filled.

Yoo Ji-in reappeared.

──”We’ll now begin the level test.”

The test was a straight-path labyrinth. All 96 people enter the same labyrinth simultaneously to establish rankings.

─”Oh…”
─”Ugh, I didn’t warm up properly today…”

Reactions varied—some feigned humility, others smiled confidently, a few tensed up.

Suddenly, the camera zoomed in.

Seol Ha-woon and Kang Hyun.

Seol spoke first.

─“Confident…?”

Informal speech. Were they acquainted? Kang Hyun’s reaction suggested otherwise.

─”We’ll see. Are you okay, Seol Ha-woon?”

Kang’s gaze flicked to Seol’s leg.

Seol smirked.
─“…I’ve lost some things, but I’ve gained others. Means I’m fine even with this leg.”

A clash of pride? Or an attempt to connect?

──”Everyone, prepare.”

The test began.

Dangun

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