Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 34 (Part 1): Hate You (1)

[ 00:13:00 ]

13 minutes remaining. The end of the tedious Survival Labyrinth was just around the corner.

The cabin was barren. The chairs I’d painstakingly made, the wooden table, even the bed frame—all had been burned as firewood.

There was nothing left to burn, but fortunately, the howling blizzard that had raged until just moments ago had gradually subsided, fading into near silence.

“…Is it over? Did we make it?”

Seo Ji-woo muttered with a hint of anticipation.

“Hey. Don’t jinx it.”

Lee Jun-ho reprimanded Seo Ji-woo for her careless words.

I grabbed the cabin’s doorknob. It was frozen stiff and wouldn’t budge.

“Open this.”

I gestured to Lee Jun-ho.

“What, can’t even open a door? Weakling.”

Lee Jun-ho strode over and yanked it open with force.

*Crash!* Chunks of ice shattered as the door practically exploded off its hinges.

“I didn’t tell you to break it.”

“…Ahem.”

“Hey! The sun’s up~ It’s up~!”

Seo Ji-woo dashed outside first, her wolf following close behind.

“The sun’s up, it’s up~!”

Seo Ji-woo looked up at the clear sun with a bright smile. The origin of the word ‘bright’ suddenly made perfect sense.

Seeing Ji-woo like that reminded me of Seo Ji-hyuk.

Sometimes her childlike innocence, other times her seriousness—everything about her resembled him.

Family resembles family. A painfully obvious truth, yet it struck me differently now.

“Nghh—”

Lee Jun-ho stretched and shot me a sidelong glance.

“Hey. Can I ask you something? Why do you have that with you?”

He was probably referring to Seo Ji-hyuk’s dog tags.

“No.”

I shook my head.

The story between Seo Ji-hyuk and me wasn’t something to be shared with anyone. It shouldn’t be shared.

Because that’s what he would’ve wanted.

[ Time has elapsed. ]

Just then, the Survival Labyrinth’s timer ran out.

“It’s over!”

Seo Ji-woo ran up to me, raising her palm. I threw scissors. Her face twisted in confusion.

“Wait, don’t you know what a high-five is?”

The NaN system window flashed in my vision.

[ You have survived for 360 hours. ]
[ Survivors are granted ‘Snowflower.’ ]
[ Transporting to the waiting room… ]

—

After clearing the Survival Labyrinth, we were teleported back to the set.

[ 33 remaining ]

Thirty-three. More than half had failed this labyrinth. Compared to before my regression, the number of eliminated contestants had increased by about twenty.

The reason the future had changed? Undoubtedly because of the variable named Seol Ha-woon—me.

“Hey! Hyung! I knew you’d clear it too!”

“…?”

It was Lim Hae-jun. I hadn’t expected him to survive.

And his complexion even looked good. Did he hibernate somewhere?

“As expected of my hyung!”

“Since when am I your hyung?”

“It’s thanks to you I cleared it too!”

*Click. Click.*

The sound of high heels echoed across the set. Yoo Ji-in. Smiling faintly, she surveyed the survivors.

“You all worked hard. It must’ve been tough, right?”

Most of the responding explorers sounded hoarse.

Yoo Ji-in nodded sympathetically.

“The Survival Labyrinth is notoriously difficult, even for veteran explorers. The external threats are one thing, but ultimately, it’s a battle against yourself.”

I scanned the survivors. Kang Hyun, Zhao Yun, Kate, Kim Doo-gyeom… Kim Doo-gyeom.

That bastard survived too?

“I’m sure you’re all exhausted, so I’ll keep this brief. Rest well. As for the *Snowflower* you received as a reward—what it is and how to use it—you’ll have to figure that out yourselves.”

I studied the pure white, translucent flower resting in my palm.

【Snow Flower】
■ Overview: A flower containing the power of snow
■ Grade: Rare
■ Effect: Consuming its petals increases Cold Resistance by 1~3.

Cold Resistance.

A highly valuable resistance stat.

Resistance varies by individual, but it typically starts between -2 and 2. Someone sensitive to heat might have a Heat Resistance of -2, while someone who handles cold well might have a Cold Resistance of 2—that sort of thing.

These resistances are hard to train, so they’re usually acquired through labyrinth spoils.

In terms of market value… well, I’d say it easily exceeds 10 million or 20 million.

“That’s a wrap for today.”

Yoo Ji-in dismissed us with a benevolent smile. The survivors trudged off to their quarters, while I headed straight for the restroom.

I’d been holding it in for the last three days.

The stall was out of toilet paper. So were the other stalls.

“…Ah, sh*t.”

What kind of broadcasting station doesn’t stock toilet paper?

As I turned to leave, I bumped into someone entering.

Lee Jun-ho.

Perfect timing. I silently held out my hand. The gesture meant ‘hand it over.’

Lee Jun-ho tilted his head, clearly reluctant. I frowned.

“What.”

“…This. Shouldn’t Seo Ji-woo have it?”

“Then give it to her yourself.”

“…….”

After hesitating, he pulled out the dog tag. I snatched it and pocketed it.

“…Were you two comrades? UDT.”

His question was probing.

I answered curtly.

“None of your business.”

“Why’d you pretend not to know?”

He muttered discontentedly.

“You knew what kind of person Ji-hyuk hyung was to Ji-woo.”

“None of my business.”

Seo Ji-woo isn’t my business.

She may resemble Seo Ji-hyuk, but she isn’t him. The guy I owe, the guy who owes me, the only one I could ever call a friend—that’s Seo Ji-hyuk, not Seo Ji-woo.

Dangun

I'm currently Translating the following novels: "Labyrinth Exploration 101" & "The Monarch Who Levels Up by Devouring " If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

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