Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 59 (Part 2): Let you down (7)

He uses a grinder to smooth the log’s surface into lumber, then *thok-thok-thok* slices it cleanly.

A casual swing of the hand axe splits the wood along its grain, like a master sculptor chiseling marble. Even a rough strike produces perfect angles.

– He’s building a house lol
– Does a hand axe cut like that? Look at those edges
– This is satisfying to watch
– So calming~
– That axe work is insane

In no time, Seol Ha-woon constructs the framework of a cabin. After roughing out the structure, he sits on a stump as a chair.

Then, he pulls out a burner, a frying pan, and a slab of pork belly.

Dinner time.

*Chaaaa.* The pork belly sizzles, cooking to an impossibly perfect hue.

Seol Ha-woon picks up a perfectly grilled piece with tongs and takes a big bite.

*Chomp.*

– Wow
– Wow
– Wow
– Insane
– Dude’s doing a mukbang by himself
– Wow
– Looks so damn good
– He just eats it straight like that??
– Wow

Ishia types ‘Wow’ while swallowing the saliva pooling in her mouth. Maybe she should order some pork belly delivery.

“Wait, no.”

She almost forgot her duty. Ishia hurriedly moves her hands, creating and posting memes in real-time.

│ Seol Ha-woon Chopping Wood │

│ Seol Ha-woon Mukbang │

Basic fan work.

Lately, Ishia’s noticed Seol Ha-woon’s popularity surging. The active fanbase has grown, with others besides her making memes and posts.

│ Seol Ha-woon lolol │

│ His character is so unique │

│ He’s filming a solo survival doc │

│ Still, Seol Ha-woon’s kinda old-school… still not a fan │

│ That looks so good,, time for late-night snacks │

│ Can’t they release the full version? Perfect for sleepless nights │

With a whole segment dedicated to him, the community response is strong… but Ishia suddenly frowns. It’s because of a certain post.

│ Labyrinth Exploration NaN Insider Gossip │

“…It keeps popping up.”

Lately, there’s been a persistent weird post. So-called ‘insider gossip’ from the broadcasting station.

[ ‘A’ is bullying ‘B,’ causing ‘B’ to consider dropping out. Many writers and PDs are also dissatisfied with ‘A.’ ‘A,’ who’s on the older side, has a worse personality than shown on air, while ‘B’ is popular and well-liked among PDs and writers… ]

– So who’s this ‘A’ lol
– Older with a bad personality? Sounds like Seol Ha-woon
– lol Seol Ha-woon’s personality seemed off since the Escort Labyrinth
– If ‘A’ is Seol Ha-woon, who’s ‘B’?

The gossip claims ‘A’ is Seol Ha-woon.

Ishia ignores it. She’s too busy posting memes.

│ Seol Ha-woon Grilling Meat │

│ Pork Belly Mukbang │

Uploading posts, she watches the live broadcast.

This episode broadly showcases the efforts of 96 explorers in the Survival Labyrinth. Kang Hyun defeats the bear, Lim Hae-jun builds a tunnel, Ryu Yeon-hwa sets up near a volcano, and Seol Ha-woon crafts woodwork.

Grinding logs, carving wood like a sculptor with his hand axe, building a cabin’s framework…

– Why is this so healing?
– Can’t stop watching
– Never thought building a cabin in the woods could be this relaxing
– Seriously, I’m just zoning out watching this

─Seol Ha-woon: Done.

Seol Ha-woon completes the cabin. It’s small, pretty, and meticulously crafted. The interior is so clean, it’s hard to believe it was built in just two days.

– Wow, it’s cute LOL
– How’d he make that??
– He could sell it
– Wow lolol
– LOL 40 hours and he built THAT?

“So fun.”

It’s nothing special, yet she can’t look away. She’s sucked in. No wonder woodworking YouTube videos get so many views.

Anyway, as time passes, various explorers take the spotlight.

Kang Hyun meets Lee Jun-ho, Seol Ha-woon hunts expertly despite his cane, and lower-rankers drop out in droves, unable to endure.

─Haa… Haa…

Then, someone staggers across the screen, breathing heavily.

It’s Seo Ji-woo, a wolf slung across her back.

– As expected, Seo Ji-woo’s screwed
– Did she hunt that wolf?
– Considering her prep, lasting 100 hours is impressive
– Without Seol Ha-woon, she’d have been out in 24 hours LOL

─Haa…

Her breaths sound like she’s exhaling ice. In a state where viewers can almost taste blood in her lungs, Seo Ji-woo missteps and collapses into the snow.

“Oh no!”

– Whoa;; Seo Ji-woo?
– Seo Ji-woo’s out too.
– LOL this is why you need brains and experience over name value. Look at Ha-woon—dude built a cabin instantly.

*Shwiik, shwiik.* As she collapses like a deflated balloon, something moves on her back.

The wolf.

– ?
– ??
– What’s that?

The wolf, presumed dead, comes to life and scurries off somewhere.

*Whoooosh—*

The blizzard intensifies, burying Seo Ji-woo like a snowy grave.

How much time passes?

Just when it seems she’ll drop out—

*Rustle.*

Footprints appear in the snow before her buried form. And then…

[ To be continued in the next episode ]

“NO! WHO IS IT? WHAT?!”

Ishia shouts. The real-time chat is just as chaotic.

– What the heck
– Damn cliffhanger
– Who is it
– Explain that wolf first
– I think I know who it is, gonna write a prediction post

“…Oh.”

Time flew by.

Reluctantly, Ishia starts searching for reactions about Seol Ha-woon. Ego-surfing, sort of. Not that *she’s* Seol Ha-woon.

She checks Enter News first.

│ Labyrinth Exploration NaN Captivates with Diverse Themes and Unique Characters │

│ Kang Hyun Nearly Loses His Life… Facing a Bear │

│ Seol Ha-woon Changes Genres, From Labyrinth Survival to Healing Observation │

Seol Ha-woon’s article ranks high.

[ Seol Ha-woon Changes Genres, From Labyrinth Survival to Healing Observation ]

Seol Ha-woon turned Survival Labyrinth into a healing variety show.

Known by the nickname ‘MyWordIsAbsolute,’ Seol Ha-woon showcased a uniquely distinct personality in this Survival Labyrinth.

More prepared than any other explorer, he personally built a cabin. With just a hand axe and a small saw blade, he crafted a refined and cozy…

Liking the article, Ishia copies its title and link, spreading it across various communities.

* * *

[ Quest Completed ]

■ Acquired 3,000 WP

“Perfect.”

Under the moonlight, amid the stench of blood and oil at a construction site, Sier stands among a pile of bodies, snapping his fingers. Cleaners appear, tidying the ground.

“This should suffice. Good work.”

At Sier’s words, I tilt my head.

“…They’ll give up in a day?”

“Yes. Even street nomads value their lives over money. Once word spreads that someone like you was hired, they won’t dare show their tails.”

Sier is confident, but I’m skeptical of his certainty.

He’s a meticulous man. Not just judging by appearance—even now, facing me, he maintains a safe distance. When I subtly shift my feet, he casually steps back.

Certainty doesn’t suit a man like him.

“Well, if you say so.”

My paranoia is creeping up, and a headache throbs. *Ziiiing.* It’s like a drill splitting my skull.

A side effect of using Sequence.

I need to stop thinking for a bit.

“Also.”

Sier snaps his fingers again. This time, his secretary hands me snake wine and a stack of cash.

“The gift and advance payment we discussed. I’d like to formally hire you now, Mr. Ha-woon.”

“…Formally? I thought this was the end of it.”

“No. This is just the beginning. There’s someone behind this attack, someone very close to me. I think I know their ultimate goal.”

“…….”

I take the snake wine, tapping my wrist.

[ 2,000 WP required to store in inventory. ]

Indeed, the WP needed varies by item value. At this rate, even if I earned 500 WP, only 200 would remain.

“Mr. Seol Ha-woon. What do you say?”

[ New Quest ]

■ 3,000 WP

Another 3,000 WP.

Sier is a goldmine. No reason to let him slip over mere paranoia. I’ll stay cautious, but a business-minded man who sticks to business isn’t a major threat.

“Let’s do it.”

Above all, I’m no longer a soldier.

It’s time to let go of that old temperament.

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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