Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 53 (Part 1): Let You Down (1)

“W-Wait, you! Whether Professor Emer is handsome or not, do you even *understand* the spells in that book? You’ve never even met the professor, so why do you keep… It’s not like you’re *jealous* or anything… Huuh?!”

Seo Ji-woo’s face flushed oddly as she jabbed a finger at me.

“…….”

I sat at the desk and picked up a pen. Since she asked if I understood, I suppose I need to prove I do.

“…What are you doing?”

Seo Ji-woo leaned in curiously.

Emer’s first spell, 「Hollow Resonance」.

To my eyes, I can see a way to simplify the overly complex flow of this spell. A path to reconstruct the circuit, making it easier and far more efficient.

I jotted it down on paper.

“What are you scribbling?”

The principle behind the spell is excellent. The naming isn’t bad either. It’s a spell that emits [Amplification].

For example, if used in a place where a spark exists, even a tiny match flame could erupt into a blaze that shakes the heavens and earth.

That’s why it’s called *Hollow Resonance*. As a standalone spell, it seems to have no effect, but given the right environment, it amplifies everything.

“Here.”

I handed the paper to Seo Ji-woo.

“Compare it with this.”

“Compare? Yeah, right…”

Seo Ji-woo’s mouth froze as she stared at the paper, her eyes narrowing.

She’s a skilled mage. Not on my level, but an elite with exceptional talent.

So she should be able to tell.

The difference between my spell and Emer’s. Even if the results are the same, which one is more precise and optimized.

“…This.”

Seo Ji-woo looked up at me, dazed.

“How did you do this?”

I tapped my temple lightly with my fingers.

“My eyes are pretty good. I can see the strengths and weaknesses of spells clearly.”

My practical abilities may fall short compared to Seo Ji-woo, but I have the power to perceive mana as mana and understand spells as spells.

A talent rated at [12.5].

Complex or difficult doesn’t always mean better. Being able to simplify it—that’s what makes something *real*.

“…….”

Seo Ji-woo lifted her gaze from the paper. There was a strange glint in her expression.

“Can I take this?”

“Sure.”

“…Thanks.”

Seo Ji-woo left the library. I watched her retreating figure, then ran a hand through my hair. I even slapped my cheek lightly.

I got carried away.

This wasn’t my effort—it wasn’t even my talent. Just a fake achievement pulled off with something like 「MoMo」.

Did I unconsciously want to help her?

It’s suffocating.

Seo Ji-hyuk.

Why do you still linger in my heart, burdening me with this debt?

Why can’t I erase you yet?

“…Haa.”

A sigh escaped from deep within my core.

* * *

‘…Snowflower. I’m back.’

Late at night, Kate paused her pen. Her notebook was filled with mana spell formulas.

As both an archer and a mage, she never neglected her spell studies, not wasting a single second.

‘Did you guard the place well while I was away~?’

Seol Ha-woon arrived at the dorm.

Surprisingly, he loves flowers. Not just casually—he’s *obsessed*. When it comes to flowers, he shows a side that Kate, and likely no one else, could ever predict.

Completely unlike the man who shot a child without hesitation—a profoundly alien…

‘You’re growing well. Thank you.’

Kate picked up a document from the corner of her desk.

*Name*: Seol Ha-woon (偰霞雲)
*Rank*: Sergeant
*Physique*: 191 cm, 93 kg
*Blood Type*: O…

This was hard-earned information about Seol Ha-woon. It was from his active-duty days, so much of it—starting with his physical stats—was different now, but he was a member of the UDT Black Team, a Tier-1 special forces unit.

The family had ordered Seol Ha-woon’s elimination, and Kate had found a suitable method.

Expulsion or voluntary withdrawal.

By inflating public opinion the way Seol Ha-woon dealt with Kim Doo-gyeom and exposing his vulnerabilities at the right moment, Kate could force him to leave.

She sent her proposal to the family.

* * *

The next day.

[ Mana Coefficient has been activated. ]

The back hill, now as familiar as my own bed. I embedded a mana circuit into my gloves.

“Took some effort.”

It was much harder than with the cane. Probably because the cane is a cherished item, it was easier.

【Elastic Mana Fiber Gloves】

■ Grade: Rare
■ Overview: Durable gloves made of mana fiber. Adjusts to the wearer’s body. Grants Hand Technique.
■ Hand Technique: Provides a faint correction to hand-related actions.
■ Mana Coefficient: Receives a boost based on the owner’s Magic stat and mana quality.

The changes from the Mana Coefficient are like spotting differences in a picture.

Originally, it was just “gloves made of mana fiber,” but now they’re “durable.” The “slight correction to hand-related actions” became a “faint correction.”

“Would it improve more if it were a cherished item?”

Naturally, these gloves aren’t a cherished item yet. I want to make them one, but I don’t know how. Maybe just wear them for a long time…

“Let’s get along well.”

I’ll keep talking to them, like I do with Snowflower.

[ Please gather at Set 3 by 3:00 PM. ]

A summons to the set came just in time. I trudged down from the back hill.

“Seol Ha-woon-ssi?”

Someone called out to me.

Mentor Kim Yoon-jun was leaning against a tree.

“Yes, Mentor-nim.”

He gave a faint smile.

“Seol Ha-woon-ssi, are you holding up okay?”

“Oh, yes. My leg’s like this, but my body’s surprisingly sturdy.”

“Hmm… Be careful.”

The warning came out of nowhere. It felt oddly loaded with meaning.

Noticing my expression, Kim Yoon-jun stepped closer. The tree’s shadow slid off his face.

“Seol Ha-woon-ssi.”

“Yes?”

“Why do you want to become an explorer?”

I looked at him, glancing sideways for any hidden cameras.

“No cameras. Speak freely.”

“Uh…”

That makes it weirder. I thought he was here for footage.

“Well…”

I answered briefly.

“To survive?”

To survive.

And also…

“To finish something that’s not yet done.”

“Something not yet done…”

Kim Yoon-jun nodded quietly.

“But, Ha-woon-ssi, have you heard this saying?”

He continued in a low voice.

“The world seen from within the labyrinth and the labyrinth seen from within the world are indistinguishable.”

“…I’ve heard it.”

It’s a famous maxim in the explorer world, akin to philosophical discourse about labyrinths.

I have no idea why Kim Yoon-jun is bringing this up.

He smiled at me.

“Then don’t trust this program too much. That’s all I can say.”

He placed a hand on my shoulder.

“I want to see you go far, Seol Ha-woon-ssi. Your performance… You’re not my top pick, but you’re definitely in my Top 3.”

*Tap tap*. He patted my shoulder a few times and headed down the hill.

I watched his back.

Mentor Kim Yoon-jun seemed like a good person.

The archetype of a good commander.

But “good” and “great” are far too different. You can’t mistake them for the same.

There’s an even greater gap between them.

“Don’t trust the program too much…”

If I weren’t a regressor, I’d think he was warning about the devil’s editing. I’ve already been burned by that once.

But knowing the ending of Labyrinth Exploration 101, I can’t brush it off lightly.

A good commander speaks the truth. So Kim Yoon-jun’s words are likely true.

But truth alone can’t solve anything.

If this program is truly dangerous, then you, who tried to tell me the truth, might be in even greater danger.

That thought lingered.

* * *

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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