Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 40 (Part 2): Day of Peace (3)

After eating, I returned to my room and unpacked the soil into the pot. It was fine-grained, faintly glowing—definitely mana-rich. Its pale hue almost resembled snow.

The reason I’d gone into debt for this? Snowflower.

【Snowflower】
◆ Description: A flower imbued with the power of snow.
◆ Grade: Rare
◆ Effect: When consumed, increases Cold Resistance by 1–3.

There’s a secret to these bud-shaped items: they grow when planted.

Of course, they need the right pot, soil, and care. The pot and soil are necessary, but the most crucial factor is attention.

In [MoMo], characters with negative karma couldn’t make flowers bloom—they’d neglect them.

Granted, I wasn’t sure if [MoMo] logic applies to reality, but it has so far.

“…Grow well, okay?”

I placed the Snowflower atop the magic soil.

“Aww, so pretty.”

Still just a bud, but soon it’d take root, sprout stems, and blossom fully.

I hope it grows.

Next, I checked my [MoMo] inventory.

【Ultra Precious Candy】
◆ Overview: A not commonly seen, absolutely precious candy.
◆ Grade: Rare
◆ Effect: Stabilizes mind and body, rapidly restores HP and MP.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

A blatant dud. Of course, it was about time I got a dud anyway….

“Wait, hold on.”

I reread the effect:

‘Stabilizes mind and body, rapidly restores HP and MP.’

It soothes both body and mind.

Wouldn’t this be great for refining?

It hit me.

I’d need to undergo the second Refinement eventually. I knew I had to, but I kept putting it off.

Because it hurt.

Even for me—someone who’d been shot and crippled—refining was terrifying.

“If I suck on this candy while doing it…”

It might be bearable.

And since I’ve got three of them, it’s not just getting candy—it’s like getting second and third refinements handed to me. Not a dud, but a jackpot.

*Ding-ding.*

A notification popped up from NaN:

[A banquet will be held for the 33 explorers who survived the Labyrinth.]
[Those who’ve received this message, please gather at the banquet hall by 5:00 PM.]

5:00 PM is 30 minutes from now.

They wanted us there now.

“Flower, I’ll be back.”

I’d eventually boil and consume it, but until then, I’d treat it tenderly.

“Baby~ Hold down the fort~”

I waved at the Snowflower and headed out.

* * *

The 33 survivors arrived at the banquet hall. A long table bore nameplates for each of us.

“Everyone, please take your assigned seats~”

Yoo Ji-in appeared next. Dressed in a vintage gown, she smiled gracefully and took the head seat.

I found my place at the [Seol Ha-woon] nameplate. Seo Ji-woo was seated beside me.

Seo Ji-woo approached, constantly clearing her throat, ‘Cough, ahem’.

“The mentors will join us, but since there’s no feedback needed for the Survival Labyrinth, don’t worry too much. Just enjoy the meal—it’s part of your reward.”

As Yoo Ji-in spoke, Ji-woo kept fidgeting, her leg shaking nonstop. Does she need the bathroom or something?

When our eyes met, she flinched and forced her gaze away. What a mess.

“Stay still, will ya?”

“…Wh-what’s it to you? Why don’t you just look forward?”

Why’s she acting like this? She’d been all gratitude when giving me the Mana Socket. Is she bipolar or something?

Just then, the mentors entered: DK, Kim Yoon-jun, Yu-yul, Kim Ji-an. The 33 survivors welcomed them.

Mage Mentor Yu-yul sat across from me.

“Seol Ha-woon. I heard you went to see Kim Se-jin?”

“Yes.”

“Looks like you learned something interesting.”

Seo Ji-woo perked up her ears.

“…Yes. I feel like I’m growing as a mage, but, um, by any chance.”

I cautiously broached the subject.

“Could I borrow your Gemstone Thread?”

Yu-yul’s eyebrow twitched.

“You just finished your first refinement. You should rest for six months.”

“I think I can handle more. If you’d just lend it to me…”

With the Gemstone Thread, Mana Amplification, and the Ultra Precious Candy, I might break through as early as tomorrow.

Then the food arrived. A curiously plated appetizer—part of a course meal, it seemed.

Yu-yul spoke.

“Let’s eat first. Langoustine tomato consommé.”

What’s langoustine? And consommé?

I took a spoonful. It melted in my mouth.

“!”

My eyes widened.

A flavor I’d never experienced—unimaginably good. How is food like this possible?

Most explorers wore similar expressions.

Except Ji-woo.

“…….”

She wasn’t eating. Just glancing at me repeatedly.

“What?”

“…That bracelet. You’re wearing it. Even though you said you didn’t need it.”

She meant the Mana Socket.

“Want it back?”

“So two-faced… So two-faced…”

Muttering weirdly, she finally took a sip of the consommé. Instantly, her face transformed. Like an anime character tasting divine cuisine, she froze with a “Uoooh!” expression.

Stunned.

I smirked and turned back to Yu-yul.

“Mentor. About the Gemstone Thread…”

She clicked her tongue mid-bite.

“…Stubborn brat. Fine, I’ll lend it to you after the next labyrinth.”

“Ah, thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. You’ll see how insane—”

“UOOOH!”

A loud cry interrupted us. Seo Ji-woo.

In her excitement, she shoveled the entire plate into her mouth.

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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