Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 39 (Part 2): Day of Peace (2)

Kim Se-jin’s expression stiffened. A strange light flickered in his eyes, but only for a moment before his friendly smile returned.

“Why are you curious about something like that?”

Black Call.

Labyrinths were classified alphabetically for convenience, but the Explorer’s Association categorized them by color.

Blue. Green. Yellow. Red. White. Black.

A Black Call means the labyrinth has turned black—a catastrophe requiring mage-level intervention.

“Three years ago, wasn’t there a Black Call incident in a C-rank labyrinth? I was still in service back then.”

“An artificial Black Call is, of course, impossible. How could a human trigger one?”

“Impossible…”

I ran my tongue over my teeth.

“Are you absolutely certain there’s not even a 0.1% chance?”

“……”

Kim Se-jin stared at me silently before shaking his head with a smile.

“Well… If mages designed the labyrinth, then maybe.”

“Designed? Aren’t labyrinths naturally occurring?”

“That’s what most people believe.”

“If most people believe that—”

“Shh.”

Kim Se-jin pressed a finger to his lips.

“That’s enough. Ignorance is bliss. Knowledge, on the other hand, is dangerous. The truth is deadlier than a blade at your throat if you lack the means to protect yourself.”

Means to protect yourself.

I raised the back of my hand, letting mana vibrate across my skin.

The ‘Sequence’ he mentioned.

Still imperfect, still full of holes—but thanks to [Low-Grade Nervous System Enhancement], I’d managed to replicate it.

Kim Se-jin’s eyes flickered slightly.

“…Mr. Ha-woon, you might just earn that qualification sooner than expected.”

*Ding!*

My phone buzzed.

[Lee Mae-jun: Hyung! It’s Lim Hae-jun! Wanna meet up?]
[Lee Mae-jun: I ran into Team Leader Kang Hyun by chance!]

Attached was a selfie of Lim Hae-jun and Kang Hyun.

Meet up?

I ignored the message and checked the news. A fresh article had just popped up.

My face turned cold.

***

Something’s off.

This Labyrinth Exploration NaN might have depths beyond what someone like me could ever imagine.

A familiar feeling.

Commanders don’t reveal the full picture to their soldiers. Yet no soldier marches into war expecting to die. Every soldier steps onto the battlefield believing they’ll survive.

That confidence stems from ignorance.

And that ignorance leads to death.

Kim Se-jin advocated for ignorance, but I couldn’t agree.

The ignorant are consumed without ever knowing why.

—

“Next stop: Jeongdong Beach. Jeongdong Beach Station.”

Before I knew it, I’d arrived. Leaning on my cane, I stepped off the bus.

“Hey! There he is!”

A voice called out immediately.

“Hyung!”

It was Lim Hae-jun. I’d agreed to meet him—not for his sake, but for Kang Hyun, who stood beside him.

Kang Hyun nodded.

“Hello.”

“Yeah. Hi.”

As I approached them in their casual shirts, I asked,

“Hae-jun. How’d you meet Kang Hyun?”

“Ah~ Turns out Kang Hyun-hyung and I are from the same hometown! Gangnam, Seocho! We bumped into each other by chance!”

I smiled at Lim Hae-jun’s words.

Truthfully, last night—no, maybe today—

I’d gained another duty. A personal one.

Maybe I still hadn’t shaken off the instincts of a hunting dog, a ‘special soldier.’

“Did you finish your lecture, Mr. Seol Ha-woon?”

Kang Hyun asked. I turned to him with an amiable smile.

“Yeah. By the way, Kang Hyun.”

“…Yes?”

I had my suspicions.

A near-certain intuition.

Among the eight debut contestants, there was undoubtedly a culprit.

Someone who triggered the Black Call by means I couldn’t fathom, burning everyone—even the corpses—to nothingness, leaving no trace behind.

“Just call me hyung.”

*Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.*

Truer words were never spoken.

I slipped my smartphone back into my pocket.

On the screen was this morning’s news article.

[Forest Guild Successfully clears D-Rank Labyrinth ‘Samcheok Cave’ in Gangwon-do… Estimated Loot Worth 10 Billion Won. Achieved Thanks to an Anonymous Tip.]

—

“But wasn’t that editing a bit too much?”

Under the parasol at Jeongdongjin Beach, Lim Hae-jun sprawled out, muttering.

I silently piled sand onto my left knee.

Sand therapy—surprisingly helpful.

“Seriously, in my friends’ group chat, they keep talking only about you, Hyung! They say I’m not the leader but a pushover idiot because of you!! Because of youuu!!”

Lim Hae-jun suddenly flew off the handle.

This kid is obsessed—no, blatantly fixated—on appearances.

“I was the team leader, dammit!! Everyone thinks you’re the leader now!!!”

“Yeah, yeah. What do you want me to do?”

I lay back, tilting my head to glance at Kang Hyun.

“Kang Hyun. What do you think?”

Kang Hyun scratched the back of his neck.

“I don’t really care. It was interesting, though. Seeing how editing can twist things.”

“…Yeah.”

*Beep-beep-beep— Beep-beep-beep—*

Then, my wristwatch alarm went off. I’d already prepared everything.

Mana circuit training time.

Today’s target: the lower body. Once I cleared the calves and soles, this tedious training would finally be over.

“Huu…”

I closed my eyes, quietly circulating the circuits for several dozen minutes before—

*Beep-beep-beep— Beep-beep-beep—*

The alarm snapped me back.

Conditioning is crucial during training. Knowing when to stop is important—even if things are going well—to avoid overtraining, which disrupts the next day’s progress. Instead, it’s better to steadily accumulate like building a sandcastle.

“…Ugh. Tired.”

I sat up. Kang Hyun was staring at me, his expression oddly hazy.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Seol Ha-woon-hyung. What were you doing just now?”

“Circuit training. My legs are like this, so lower body’s tough.”

Kang Hyun nodded quietly.

“Wah~ It’s here! Over there!”

Suddenly, Lim Hae-jun jumped up, pointing excitedly.

“Come on! Let’s get on that!”

A yacht had appeared at the pier.

“Get on what? Is that yours?”

“My dad’s. He lent it to me since we’re hanging out today.”

…This guy really is a golden spoon. I should’ve known when he used Termion arrows.

Lim Hae-jun sprinted onto the yacht, and Kang Hyun and I followed.

“Hop on quick~ We’re setting sail~”

Lim Hae-jun stood at the helm, gripping the oversized wheel tightly. The yacht cut through the water, leaving the pier behind. His white shirt fluttered in the sea breeze.

I leaned against the deck railing.

“Been on many boats?”

Kang Hyun suddenly asked. I smirked.

“Of course.”

Does he not know what UDT is?

“Everyone~ We’re now on a yacht!”

Lim Hae-jun had pulled out a GoPro, chattering away like he was streaming.

“With these three people! Me, Ha-woon-hyung, and Kang Hyun!”

“Everyone, give me a V-sign! V-sign! Ha-woon-hyung! Give me a V!”

I raised my middle finger. Lim Hae-jun yelped, covering the camera lens with his body.

“Ah, seriously! What are you doing?!”

“This is also a V.”

I made a peace sign with my middle and index fingers. Kang Hyun bit his lip, clearly holding back laughter.

Lim Hae-jun scowled.

“Wow, unbelievable. I’ve never seen a V-sign like that in my life.”

“You just haven’t lived enough.”

“Whatever! We need at least three more minutes for the broadcast! Gotta rally the votes too! Do it properly!”

He lifted the camera again.

Then, good news arrived.

[Recognition Level Up!]
[Recognition Rank: 8]
[+30 Days Added to Trial Period]
[Karma: Level-Up Gift Received!]
[Obtained 3 Fully Precious Candies!]

…wait, what kind of candy is this?

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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