Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 72 (Part 1): Die With a Smile (2)

[Stat Point Selection Ticket used.]

[ Magic Stat increases by 1. ]

For the next three days, it’s rest time. The 26 contestants eliminated from the World Labyrinth pack their bags and leave, while the remaining 70 get a break to recover from the labyrinth’s aftereffects.

I recovered in no time.

【Dream Droplet】

■ Grade: Rare

■ Description: When used, installs a Dream Droplet. The Dream Droplet emits soft, gentle light and waves around it. This energy stabilizes the user’s body and mind, greatly enhancing natural healing during sleep.

The Dream Droplet’s energy is effective only within a certain range and applies to all living beings.

It was thanks to this skill I obtained in the Unconscious Labyrinth.

A godsend item, like rain in a drought, that could replenish my rotten Stamina and Durability. Better than dragon scales.

…At least for me.

“Haaaawn…?”

In the first-floor lobby, I was pulling a cola from the vending machine when I spotted Kim Doo-gyeom. The guy was scurrying down the hall, arms full of supply boxes. Probably volunteering to help with staff tasks.

“Hup, hup!”

The way he’s making those noises is genuinely disgusting. Where’d he even pick up that kind of persona? If I could, I’d love to slam a fist into his face with a satisfying *crack*.

But with my current Strength, I probably couldn’t even break his nose. The loss of physical ability hits hardest at times like this.

“…Oh.”

Kim Doo-gyeom noticed me. *Tsssk.* I popped open the cola can and glared at him.

“What’re you looking at?”

“H-Hello!”

“I’m not feeling very ‘hello’ right now.”

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I got out of the labyrinth…”

“I wasn’t planning on pulling you out.”

Kim Doo-gyeom bowed at the waist. I eyed him suspiciously.

He’s in the perfect position to be tripped right now. Hugging that big box, if I just stretched my cane a little under his feet, he’d go sprawling in the most pathetic way.

Normally, I’d have done it without hesitation.

But today, something feels off.

He seems to *want* it. Grinning ear to ear, swaying lightly. He’s stepping closer to my cane’s side, legs swinging…

I yanked my cane back with a *swish*. Kim Doo-gyeom staggered unnaturally. This guy was *ready* to fall.

I grabbed him by the scruff of his neck.

“Eek!”

“…Watch it. You almost tripped.”

Right then, Ryu Yeon-hwa appeared from behind. A gaggle of writers and PDs showed up too.

Just as I thought. I knew it’d be like this. This sly, arrogant jerk.

I smirked.

“Be more careful next time, yeah?”

“…Yes.”

Kim Doo-gyeom forced his expression under control.

“What’s going on?”

Ryu Yeon-hwa asked, helping Kim Doo-gyeom steady himself.

“Well, uh—”

“He almost fell, so I caught him. Why?”

Ryu Yeon-hwa’s expression as he looked at me was sour. Probably because he’s close with Kim Doo-gyeom. The guy’s likely playing the innocent card, acting fine while subtly tanking my image.

I turned to Kim Doo-gyeom.

“Watch your step. You might be fine, but this cane’s my leg, got it?”

The writers shot me sidelong glances. Their looks were somehow grumpy. Kim Doo-gyeom nodded.

“Yes. I’ll be careful.”

“Let’s go, Doo-gyeom.”

“Yes…”

Kim Doo-gyeom trailed off sadly as he left with the writers and PDs.

*Thud.* I deliberately tapped my cane on the floor. When he turned back at the sound, I moved my lips silently.

‘Thought I wouldn’t notice?’

I raised my middle finger at his stiffening face.

‘Eat this, jerk.’

* * *

Early dawn.

*Tap tap tap. Tap tap tap.*

The sound of falling rain woke me. The rain was coming down hard outside the dark window. I got ready to head out immediately.

There’s a golden rule revered by countless sorcery theory books, active sorcerers, and even mages as orthodoxy.

A sorcerer must not avoid snow or rain. They should welcome it. Snow and rain are the condensed essence of natural mana.

So I dressed accordingly. I slipped on my leather gloves too. To make them a cherished item, I need to spend most of my routine with them.

“Pretty Snowflower. I’ll be back.”

Snowflower had already sprouted a stem. I gave it a gentle pat before heading out. I climbed the back hill.

I was planning to do my mana breathing at my usual spot, but…

“…The hell.”

There was an uninvited guest. Some guy sitting cross-legged in *my* spot.

*Pat pat pat.* I glared irritably at the white-haired head soaked in rainwater.

“Hooo…”

The guy looked like he was practicing some kind of meditation. A talented sorcerer from a prestigious family, a future debut candidate.

Ryu Yeon-hwa.

I limped toward him. I stretched out my cane and tapped his shoulder. *Thud.*

“!”

Ryu Yeon-hwa flinched and opened his eyes. Spotting me, he frowned and stood up.

“What’s the matter?”

Ryu Yeon-hwa’s tall. When he stands up straight, he’s so high it startles me every time. His profile and self-claimed height is 191 cm, but that’s a blatant lie. He’s at least 3–4 cm taller. I know because I was exactly 191 cm before my accident shrank me.

I pointed my cane at his spot.

“My spot.” [T/N: You’re making Sheldon Cooper proud.]

“…Ha.”

Ryu Yeon-hwa let out a scoff, as if dumbfounded.

“Doesn’t seem like a particularly great spot.”

“You can tell?”

“Of course. A good spot for a sorcerer is where yin and yang are in harmony, with an appropriate mana density, and where the spirit of nature lingers—”

“Move.”

Too many words. What’s with him acting like some noble’s heir? Ryu Seong-ryong’s been dead for ages. [T/N: Reference to Ryu Seong-ryong, a historical Korean scholar-official, likely used here as a jab at Ryu Yeon-hwa’s pretentiousness.]

“Shoo.”

I waved my cane.

Using a cane lately, I get why elders treat it like an extension of their arm.

“….”

Ryu Yeon-hwa twitched his nose flaring, and stepped aside. I sat in my spot. It was nicely warmed to just the right temperature. Feels gross.

“Seoul Ha-woon, Sorcerer.”

“…What now.”

I looked at Ryu Yeon-hwa.

“Doo-gyeom’s been in pain lately.”

Suddenly bringing up Kim Doo-gyeom.

“Kim Doo Doo-gyeom?”

“Yes.”

Come to think of it, even before my regression and in recent broadcasts, Kim Doo-gyeom and Ryu Yeon-hwa got along well. Kim Doo-gyeom leeched off Ryu Yeon-hwa’s screen time and recognition, while Ryu Yeon-hwa remained oblivious.

“You came here just to say that?”

“There’s no reason to torment him. He’s a friend. I’ve never seen a kid as good as Doo-gyeom.”

I nearly spat. A shady 21-year-old getting called a kid like that?

“You. Need to work on your eye for people.”

“…Karma always comes back. Like a boomerang.”

“Watch yourself, then. Heard about that club rumor?”

I’m surprisingly internet-savvy. Information is essential for tracking people. I’m well aware of the ghost stories about me and Kim Doo-gyeom floating around online.

Details that only an insider would know are getting posted. Who’s behind it?

Obviously Kim Doo-gyeom, naturally.

The broadcast crew’s writers and PDs aren’t so careless as to leak internal matters. They’re all full-time employees, not temps.

“…Are you threatening me?”

“Not a threat. Just saying it’s been popping up online lately. Don’t you use the internet?”

I remember the scenario.

Some druggie club MD spreads rumors about Ryu Yeon-hwa. Articles break, controversy erupts, and Kim Doo-gyeom comforts him, their friendship gets highlighted, Kim Doo’s fame skyrockets, and Ryu Yeon-hwa takes the fall. That’s the gist.

“…Sigh.”

Ryu Yeon-hwa shook his head and headed down the mountain trail.”

I closed my eyes immediately. I had work to do before the rain stopped.

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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