Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 59 (Part 1): Let you down (7)

On the rooftop of the broadcasting station, Yu-yul gazes up at the starry sky, lost in thought.

Her musings center on Seol Ha-woon’s lifespan.

His remaining days are not long.

Perhaps not now, but soon enough, that will be the case. He likely won’t last even five years.

A conclusion close to fate, grounded in a mage’s knowledge and common sense.

‘Sequence’ is like that.

If Sequence were a flawless system, every spellcaster in the world would have clung to it by now.

Yet, today’s Sequence is closer to a discarded theory.

The reason lies in the advancements of mana studies, medicine, and life sciences.

Sequence amplifies the human nervous system, overloading the brain and spinal cord. As a result, information processing and spell manifestation speed increase exponentially, but the nervous system burns out. The delicate human neural network simply cannot withstand the heat of mana.

Worse still, Seol Ha-woon’s refinement was rushed. Completing the first and second stages in just three months was akin to self-destructive flogging.

“…He said he’s already a dead man, didn’t he?”

A voice like the wind.

Yu-yul turns toward it. Kim Se-jin is sitting on a bench.

“There might be a sliver of hope. He overcame full-body paralysis, after all.”

“The odds are infinitesimally small.”

Yu-yul states flatly.

“His body will break first.”

“Hmm… Did I make a mistake by teaching him?”

Kim Se-jin purses her lips. Yu-yul shakes her head.

“He wanted it. He must’ve been desperate, having lost a leg.”

Though Kim Se-jin was the one who taught Seol Ha-woon about Sequence, it was with Yu-yul’s permission.

Kim Se-jin gives a faint smile.

“…As cold as ever.”

Yu-yul doesn’t worry or pity anyone. Not just Seol Ha-woon, but all humans.

If Yu-yul had felt any emotion toward Seol Ha-woon, she wouldn’t have given him the 【Gemstone Thread】. She would’ve stopped him from pursuing Sequence.

But Seol Ha-woon stubbornly clung to a path tied to his death, and Yu-yul didn’t bother persuading him.

That’s the kind of person Yu-yul is.

…Perhaps she’s already drifted a little beyond the category of ‘human.’

“It’s almost time for the main broadcast.”

Kim Se-jin glances at her wristwatch.

“I’m off to snipe some footage.”

Yu-yul nods, and Kim Se-jin vanishes in an instant.

*Ttiding.*

Just then, an alarm chimes on Yu-yul’s smartphone. It’s a message from PD Kim A-rang.

[ Mentor-nim. Please check your schedule after this World Labyrinth ends. If it’s okay, we’re thinking of arranging a separate filming slot for you, Mentor Yu-yul. I’ll plan it well, so don’t worry. ]

“…….”

True to broadcasting station style, they don’t specify what kind of filming, but there’s no reason to refuse cooperation.

She replies with a single line.

[ My schedule is fine. ]

* * *

┌──Labyrinth Exploration NaN──┐

Episode 5 of *Labyrinth Exploration NaN* begins. Ishia, as usual, sits in front of the TV, eyes wide.

「Remaining Time 360 : 00 : 00」

A pristine snow-covered mountain unfolds on screen. A timer ticks down above, followed by a single phrase.

「Survival Labyrinth」

The subtitle *Survival Labyrinth* sends chills down Ishia’s spine.

– Wow
– Wow
– Crazy lol
– They’re really throwing them into Survival Labyrinth?? Brutal.
– Sending them to Survival Labyrinth without explaining anything;; isn’t that too much;;
– Poor Seo Ji-woo LMAO

Survival Labyrinth is as infamous as Cargo Labyrinth. It’s straightforward, and with a blockbuster movie based on it grossing ten million, it’s widely known.

Anyway.

The opening unfolds from Kang Hyun’s perspective. Carrying a bulky backpack, he trudges through the snow, digging his way forward. His visible breath hints at the biting cold.

*Perseok. Perseok.*

A long shot of him walking across the snowy mountain, the clear and pristine scenery captured in various angles, plays for a few dozen seconds.

─Kang Hyun: …Huh?

Kang Hyun stops. Before him lies a cave.

─Kang Hyun: Hmm….

After a moment’s hesitation, he steps inside. The interior is pitch-black, but he conjures blue mana in one hand, using it like a torch.

─Kang Hyun: It’s warm. I can stay here.

As Kang Hyun sets down his backpack, a strange breeze sweeps in from deeper within the cave. He tilts his head and looks toward it.

*Grrr.*

A chilling growl echoes. Kang Hyun freezes. Slowly, he raises his head.

─Kang Hyun: A bear….

At the cave’s end stands a bear, glaring at him with glinting eyes. Kang Hyun stumbles back, drawing his sword.

*Gulp.*

Ishia swallows hard without realizing it.

Bears are dangerous beasts. Depending on their habitat and genetics, some are so formidable that even five or six high-rankers would struggle to take one down.

Of course, this bear probably isn’t *that* strong, but…

*Krrrrrr!*

As the bear slowly rouses from its slumber, Kang Hyun takes a deep breath.

Blue mana pulses from his body, and the moment he shifts into combat—

The perspective shifts.

* Dig, dig, dig.*

Now, someone is digging a tunnel—Lim Hae-jun. He’s burrowing through the earth like a mole with a shovel.

─Lim Hae-jun: Seriously… That hyung’s advice is like hitting the jackpot while sleeping.

*That hyung* was probably Seol Ha-woon.

*Dig, dig, dig.*

Lim Hae-jun diligently expands the tunnel, installing a lantern inside.

─Lim Hae-jun: …Yaaawn.

Finishing his work, he rubs his sleepy eyes and lies on the ground.

─Lim Hae-jun: Whoo…

He falls asleep, mouth half-open.

The next segment features Lim Hae-jun’s ‘that hyung.’

A figure in a penguin-like parka flashes on screen, limping forward. The camera zooms in on his hand.

He tightly grips a hand axe. The camera slowly pans up to his face.

It’s a face cam. Snowflakes cling to his pale, flawless skin, with dark circles lending a decadent air to his eyes.

Seol Ha-woon stops before a log.

*Ttuduk.*

He lightly stretches his neck, loosens up, and swings the axe.

*Kwak!*

A single strike gouges the wood’s surface.

*Kwak!*

The second blow sinks half the log inward.

*Kwak!*

The third.

*CRACKKK!*

In just three swings, the massive log topples. Ishia’s eyes widen.

– What the heck? How’d he do that?
– Wow
– Isn’t he a mage?
– A mage hiding his strength??
– Poor tree… is this okay to air? Too violent
– LOL so satisfying
– Guess his military strength’s still there

What follows is even more astonishing.

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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