Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 79 (Part 1): A Bit of Fresh Air (4)

“Now, we’ll begin the scouting interviews~”

The fifth stage of Monster Hunting had concluded. As expected, the ones who cleared it were Kang Hyun, Lee Jun-ho, Seo Ji-woo, Ryu Yeon-hwa, Kate, and Zhao Yun. The top six.

“Master. That was so close. You could’ve cleared Stage 5. Was it just a five-second difference?”

Lim Hae-jun had a cast on his right arm. He’d cleared Stage 4, but a bad landing had broken his arm.

This guy ends up injured in a new place every time something wraps up.

“Right now, scouting offers for all seventy of you should’ve been sent through the NaN system~”

—

[Room 17: Zephyrell]

For me, there was only one: Zephyrell.

Given how many factions there were, it almost felt like someone had gone around spreading rumors that I’d been marked by a particularly talkative scout.

“Oh! Hyung! I got one from Taebaek Sect!”

Lim Hae-jun’s face lit up.

“Really?”

The Taebaek Sect was a martial arts faction based in Mount Taebaek. While not quite on the same tier as global powerhouses like the Nine Schools of Wulin or the Brotherhood of the Rocky Mountains, it was Korea’s own orthodox martial tradition—especially renowned for its archers.

“Wow, I’m shaking. Shaking! Hyung, I’m dizzy. Taebaek Sect…”

To the average person unfamiliar with the exploration world, guilds, schools, and sects might seem the same, but they’re entirely different entities.

Guilds are corporations that contract explorers, form teams to tackle labyrinths, or manage explorers’ publicity rights. Schools and sects, on the other hand, are like the ‘roots’ that shape an explorer’s category.

Of course, major guilds often partner with specific schools or sects to secure promising talents early and provide training, but they don’t meddle much in the development of already fully grown explorers.

Guilds just bring in the jobs. An explorer’s personal growth happens within their school or sect.

The problem is, there are far more corporate guilds than proper schools or sects.

Over seventy percent of explorers don’t have a proper affiliation, only occasionally auditing classes offered by schools or sects.

That’s why Labyrinth Exploration makes an effort to connect explorers with schools and sects.

This is in-camera scouting. A tradition and a courtesy of the Labyrinth Exploration series.

“Hyung, where’d you get scouted from?”

“Me?”

The guys pretending not to eavesdrop perk up their ears.

Should I show off a bit?

“Zephyrell.”

“…Pfft. Hyung, you’re such a liar.”

“What? It’s true.”

“Come on~ Sure, you’re awesome, but why would Zephyrell… Ohh~ You’re jealous of me, aren’t you~?”

Lim Hae-jun waggled his eyebrows cheekily.

“Anyway~ Hyung, I’m off to my Taebaek Sect interview~”

“Go already.”

“Hehe. If you’re jealous, just say so~ I’m outta here~”

Lim Hae-jun sauntered off, glancing back at me with a smug grin, and I moved my cane.

To Room 17, where Zephyrell awaited.

* * *

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Jung-wook, a high-ranker from the Zephyrell School. You’ve probably heard of me? There was an article recently about me clearing a B-rank labyrinth with high quality. Not here to brag, though, so let’s move on…”

The man introducing himself as Kim Jung-wook had a lot to say.

“…The point is, the Zephyrell School wants to scout you. You know, don’t you? Zephyrell mages wield the wind. Wind. Doesn’t that feel familiar?”

“Exactly. Your enchanted bullets, broadly speaking, have a wind attribute, don’t they? Bullets fly like the wind. What do you think would happen if your pyromancy synergized with our wind?”

“Yes, that’s right. We can pave a well-trodden path for you. So you can soar like the wind.”

He doesn’t even give me a chance to speak.

Anyway, Zephyrell is a solid school. Even as many schools rise and fall over the years, they’ve held a Tier 1 spot consistently for nearly seventy years.

“…To be honest, I saw a spark of a mage in you.”

A ‘spark of a mage’ is a cliché way to praise a sorcerer’s talent. It’s better than nothing, but with tens of thousands stuck at just a ‘spark,’ it’s not something to get overly excited about.

“You might think it’s tough in your mid-to-late twenties. But after Labyrinth Exploration ends, if you train in Zephyrell’s workshops, with Zephyrell’s support at a university?”

*Click.* Kim Jung-wook snapped his tongue.

“It’s not impossible. If it’s true you’ve only been a sorcerer for seven months. So, is that true?”

“…Yes. It’s true.”

Kim Jung-wook’s eyes narrowed with a hint of suspicion.

“Really? What were you doing before that?”

“Rehabilitation.”

“What kind?”

“Full-body paralysis.”

“…….”

Kim Jung-wook clamped his mouth shut. He pushed back his slicked-back hair unnecessarily.

“An alibi, huh? *Ahem!*”

He cleared his throat and asked again.

“So, your answer?”

I replied immediately.

“I apologize.”

Kim Jung-wook’s expression hardened.

Zephyrell has been a mage school for three generations. But even among mages, there are ranks.

With only about thirty top-tier mages worldwide in Labyrinth Exploration, there’s no need to look elsewhere.

“What, because of Sorcerer Yu-yul?”

I stayed silent. A quiet agreement.

Kim Jung-wook let out a hollow laugh.

“Ha, Sorcerer Seol Ha-woon. If you’re swayed by sentiment, you’ll never become a mage, let alone a high-ranker. You might think you and her can do something together.”

“Thanks to Mentor Yu-yul—”

“I know. She taught you mana breathing or whatever. But our school’s know-how and mage teachings are on a whole different level from some sorcerer. Even I only became a proper sorcerer after joining Zephyrell.”

Kim Jung-wook crossed his arms.

“This kind of opportunity doesn’t come often. We don’t usually take newbies, but Zephyrell’s mage’s daughter is a Labyrinth Exploration fan, so here we are.”

“I’m grateful for the offer, but…”

I let my words trail off.

Reading my refusal, Kim Jung-wook clenched his teeth.

“Haa.”

He let out a deep sigh and suddenly turned to the camera.

“…Cut.”

Then he pointed at me aggressively.

“Hey. You’re really not going to do it, are you?”

The vibe suggested something harsh was coming.

“Yes.”

“You hoping for another school? Like Lemierre or Belpesi?”

“No.”

“Good. They’re not interested in you anyway. They’re all-in on Seo Ji-woo and Yoon Hwa-rim.”

Oh, I see.

Kim Jung-wook slicked back his hair again.

“You’re turning down Zephyrell just because Yu-yul’s your mentor?”

“…Yes.”

“Wow~ You’re something else. But, you know, I talked to this Yu-yul person? She—”

“I know. She probably doesn’t even consider me an acquaintance, let alone a disciple.”

Kim Jung-wook’s eyes, nose, and mouth widened. He looked genuinely dumbfounded.

“…Alright. Fine, I get it.”

He patted the back of his neck.

“Let’s do this.”

He scanned the production crew and pulled out a business card.

“I’ll just give you my card. Our school has its pride, you know?”

“…Sorry?”

“Hey, crew. Edit this properly. You remember Zephyrell’s appearance conditions, right?”

The PD and writers gave wry smiles.

“Here we go again.”

Kim Jung-wook adjusted his suit, his expression turning serious in an instant.

The earlier casual demeanor vanished, replaced by the gravitas of a movie star.

“…Sorcerer Seol Ha-woon. The Zephyrell School highly values your talent.”

Is this guy an actor or what?

“However, it may be premature to bring you into our fold.”

He handed me his card.

“Keep striving. We’ll be watching your efforts.”

I took the card and examined it closely. Might as well play along with his seriousness.

“Good, cut!”

He suddenly stood up.

“Now act like you’re agonizing over it. Like you *really* want to contact our school but are staying loyal to Yu-yul or whatever. It’s a good narrative for both you and us.”

I let out a hollow laugh.

But, it’s not a bad deal.

“Yes. Thank you for understanding.”

“Good. And we’re always open. Contact us anytime. But don’t play both sides. You’re *really* not joining another school, right?”

“Zephyrell’s a top-tier school. Why would I go anywhere else after turning you down?”

Kim Jung-wook finally relaxed his expression.

“Alright. Then… I’ll check how the edit turns out. Our mage at Zephyrell *does* watch *Labyrinth Exploration*. No joke—his kids are fans.”

“Oh, sure.”

“Uh, Sorcerer Kim Jung-wook. One moment.”

A voice piped up from the crew. It was PD Kim A-rang.

“Let’s talk. Please wait outside…”

“Sure. But it’s probably not happening.”

Kim Jung-wook waved dismissively, already knowing what she wanted, and stepped out.

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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