Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 56 (Part 1): Let You Down (4)

[ Final Rankings of the Cargo Labyrinth ]

1. Transport Team A4, Escort Team B12
2. Transport Team A1, Escort Team B11…

Based on the mentor evaluations for the Cargo Labyrinth, Kang Hyun’s team took first place. The reasoning: their labyrinth had the highest difficulty, their teamwork was harmonious, and they perfectly executed the mission.

Hmm. Fair enough.

Scenes of the explorers staying at their lodging and attending mentor classes flashed by quickly…

─Yoo Ji-in: “As you can see, we’re at a department store today. This mission is in collaboration with BraveWorld.”

BW Department Store. *Labyrinth Exploration NaN* had secured a product placement deal with Korea’s most famous department store.

─Yoo Ji-in: “Your task here is simple: prepare for a trip. In other words, shopping. Of course, you don’t have any money on hand. Your currency is your vote count.”

Vote count—meaning the profile votes cast on the broadcast network’s website. The weekly explorer text voting hadn’t been tallied yet.

– lolol we’re the ones giving them money
– the set legit looks like a department store
– Is this PPL?

─Yoo Ji-in: “After shopping, look forward to a special trip. Hints about the destination are scattered throughout this department store~”

The explorers wandered around the department store, and the cameras kindly highlighted hints for the viewers: a painting of a snowy landscape on the wall, explorers’ breath visible in the chilly department store air, and a billboard for a famous outdoor puffy jacket brand, clearly part of the PPL.

“Looks like we’re headed somewhere cold.”

At that moment, Lim Hae-jun and Seol Ha-woon appeared on screen.

─Seol Ha-woon: “You should get a suitcase too.”
─Lim Hae-jun: “Eh. I’m more of a backpack traveler. I don’t like dragging suitcases around…”
─Seol Ha-woon: “Buy one.”
─Lim Hae-jun: “…Alright.”

Ishia, watching, couldn’t help but smile. At some point, the chemistry between those two had become pretty entertaining.

– lolol them hanging out is so cute
– lmao
– comedy duo fr lol
– like big bro and baby bro lol

Lim Hae-jun sighed and picked up a suitcase. Seol Ha-woon pointed at it with a hawk-like gaze.

─Seol Ha-woon: “Bigger.”
─Lim Hae-jun: “This one’s enough for me.”
─Seol Ha-woon: “Get a bigger one.”
─Lim Hae-jun: “What’s with you, hyung? Why are you being so controlling? This suits me better.”

Lim Hae-jun tried to push back a bit, but Seol Ha-woon’s glare was practically a laser.

─Lim Hae-jun: ‘…Ugh, fine.’

Grumbling, he hauled out a massive suitcase.

– why’s Seol Ha-woon acting like that lolol
– it’s funny but is he a J? [T/N: “J” refers to the MBTI personality type, Judging, implying someone who is controlling or plan-oriented]
– he’s been giving Power J vibes since the Cargo Labyrinth. Always forcing people into his plans.
– isn’t that less Power J and more Maniac J?

In reality, Seol Ha-woon stuffed his suitcase with all sorts of survival gear and forced Lim Hae-jun to do the same.

– legit Maniac J. what’s he preparing for?
– nuclear war? lolol
– what’s that dude doing

Meanwhile, the other explorers’ outfits grew thicker. Kang Hyun, Lee Jun-ho, Kate, Zhao Yun, and most others donned puffy jackets, cramming emergency food and camping gear into their bags.

─Kang Hyun: “Jong-su, should we keep it at this?”
─Lee Jong-su: “Yeah, sounds good. Too much stuff might get cumbersome.”

The screen switched back to Seol Ha-woon and Lim Hae-jun.

“Pfft.”

Ishia burst out laughing. The chat was in a similar state.

– lolol what are those two doing?!!
– lmao they’re decked out like Christmas trees
– those clothes are THICK af lol
– They look like overstuffed penguins lol
– lmao
– what’re they up to lol

Dressed in parkas as thick as a polar bear’s hide, the two were weighed down with massive suitcases, backpacks, handbags, ropes, and all sorts of gear jangling off them.

─Lim Hae-jun: “…Hyung, is this really necessary?”
─Seol Ha-woon: “Just pay.”

They reached the checkout counter. The self-checkout was bustling. Kang Hyun accidentally scanned his forehead with the reader before Lee Jong-su stopped him, and Lee Jun-ho broke a scanner by mistake.

Then, Seol Ha-woon’s gaze shifted somewhere—toward Seo Ji-woo and Yoon Hwa-rim.

“Wow, she’s gorgeous.”

Ishia gasped in admiration. Seo Ji-woo had transformed. The fit of her designer clothes was model-perfect.

– Seo Ji-woo’s form is insane ;;
– damn, she pulls off luxury so well
– she’s gonna land a ton of CFs after this
– future brand ambassador
– Seol Ha-woon’s face lol he looks smitten lol?

Seo Ji-woo shot a glance at Seol Ha-woon, tilting her chin up.

─Seo Ji-woo: “Hey, What are you looking at?”
─Yoon Hwa-rim: “Oh? Mage Ha-woon!”

Spotting Seol Ha-woon, Yoon Hwa-rim grinned slyly.

─Yoon Hwa-rim: “What do you think~? Isn’t Ji-woo pretty~? Hehe.”
─Seol Ha-woon: ‘Haa…’

Seol Ha-woon let out a sigh for no apparent reason.

─Seo Ji-woo: “A sigh? What’s with the sigh?”

Suddenly, Seol Ha-woon grabbed chocolate, emergency food, and a few other items from his bag and tossed them at Seo Ji-woo.

─Lim Hae-jun: “Hey! Hyung! That chocolate is mine!!”

Lim Hae-jun protested loudly.

─Seo Ji-woo: “What am I supposed to do with this?”

Seo Ji-woo blinked at Seol Ha-woon, confused. The audience, equally baffled by his actions, got this response:

─Seol Ha-woon: “…It’s cold outside.”

– ???
– lolol what was that
– it’s cold outside?
– Ji-woo’s dumb af. Didn’t she see the hints?
– Too busy shopping to dress properly lol
– Seo Ji-woo’s a famous dirt spoon, still not getting it lol she was known as the broke kid at school lol

“…Ugh, really.”

That last comment was definitely from someone who knows Seo Ji-woo. Their jealousy’s a bit petty.

Anyway, Seol Ha-woon turned away with Lim Hae-jun.

─Lim Hae-jun: “…Hehe. Hyung, do you like Seo Ji-woo?”

Lim Hae-jun teased him.

─Seol Ha-woon: “Shut up.”
─Lim Hae-jun: “Aww~ You’re lying~”

*Thwack.*

Seol Ha-woon smacked the back of Lim Hae-jun’s head.

“Pfft.”

– I hope those two stick together forever lmao
– lol why do they look so much like penguins
– does Seol Ha-woon actually like Seo Ji-woo?
– why would he? what have they even done together?
– he must have fallen for her.
– fallen for her? With what evidence??

[ Shopping Time Ended ]

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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