Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 90 (Part 2): An Ordinary Day (6)

Back at my lodging, I laid out my items.

The internet and the outside world are still buzzing, but I’ve got my own work to do.

【B-Grade Random Box *4】
【Skill Draw Ticket】
【Lucky Snake Wine】

Finally, it’s time to use the snake wine.

I could wait to gather more probability items, but if I die holding onto them, they’re useless. This has *nothing* to do with Kate’s comment about me being in danger.

I just felt that if I keep weighing efficiency, I’ll never use it.

If I open the boxes and get something promising, I’ll cherish it, use it carefully, and make it one of my *Beloved Items*.

“Looks tasty.”

I prepared some pig’s trotters as a side dish.

Oh, I was going to borrow some *Gemstone Thread* from Yu-yul, but I decided against it. The Perfect Candy and snake wine might not be compatible.

The snake wine imbues luck through its alcoholic buzz, but the candy might classify it as mental pollution and purify it completely.
Instead, I’m going to refine my ‘Nervous System Implant.’

“…Five years, huh?”

Drinking—solo drinking, at that—is something I haven’t done in five or six years.

*Trk!*

I opened the snake wine.

I’ll probably have to finish the whole bottle. Fortunately, it’s only about eight soju glasses or two regular cups’ worth.

I’m not going to chug it painfully. I’ll enjoy it while watching TV. Honestly, I’m in a pretty good mood.

First, one shot straight.

“…Urk.”

It’s strong.

The alcohol content is definitely above vodka—easily over 60 degrees.

“Kraa.”

I grimaced involuntarily and shoved some pig’s trotter in my mouth while turning on the TV.

I flipped to a random variety show and poured another glass of snake wine.

—Hey~ Is that how you do it? You’ve got to set it up properly!
—What’s setting it up properly gonna do? It’s human bowling!
—Still, set it up right!
—They’re running away! It’s human bowling! The humans are running away!

The people on the show are laughing, but I just watch silently. It’s my drinking habit—words disappear. But I’m in a good mood. I’m laughing on the inside.

Hahaha.

After downing eight glasses like that—

[ Lucky Snake Wine activates. ]

■ Luck +5 for 180 minutes

The snake wine kicked in.

│ Luck │ 11 │ A │

It’s done.

I rolled up my sleeves.

*Clap!* First, I put my hands together as if praying, then used the *Skill Draw Ticket*.

[ Using Skill Draw Ticket. ]

[ Acquired Skill 【Subspace】 Scroll. ]

【Subspace】
■ Grade: Epic
■ Description: Creates an independent dimensional space separate from reality. The size of the space depends on the user’s magic level. Only those permitted by the user can enter, and they can be expelled at any time. Living beings can stay for up to 8 hours once per day, and items can be retrieved from the subspace at will with simplified use.

Epic!

It seems like a good skill. The text is a bit hard to read, but *Subspace*.

Hahaha. It’s like an inventory but different. It’s Epic, at least.

I’ll try it out later.

Now, the random boxes.

Four of them, opened all at once!

【Herbal Flowerbed】
【Astroal193】
【Scarecrow Blueprint】
【Sacred Cloth】

I don’t know what they are, but they sound good.

Oh, there’s no time to waste. Only 2 hours and 40 minutes left. If I’m going to refine the implant, I need to move fast.

Focus. Tension. Calm.

I take a deep breath to steady my mind and sit cross-legged in the room. I place my hand on my spine. In that position, I implant it, channeling mana into it.

*Sssst.*

The flow of mana spreads through my entire nervous system. Starting from my spine, it envelops my central nervous system, stitching it together carefully, thread by thread.

“Haa…”

*Zzt!*

Did something just get tangled? Or was that my imagination?

Let’s keep going.

*Zzap!*

It stings. It stings, but it’s bearable. If it’s just this much…

*Zzzzap!*

A spark of electricity.

At the same time, my entire body feels clear.

It’s like my whole nervous system is hyper-activated…

[ …‘Seol Ha-woon’ has successfully established their own domain. ]
[ Magic Rank increases. ]
■ C+ → B-

“Huh?”

The system notified me of the change before I even realized it.

I calmly probed my body, checking the mana threads enveloping my nervous system.

“Ah.”

I realized it belatedly.

It’s not a straight line.

While drunk, I unknowingly let the mana flow twist. The alcohol made it curve.

And that’s how I figured it out.

It’s so simple.

So obvious it’s not even in textbooks… ‘Curves are less direct than straight lines.’

Mana is the same.

Techniques meant for raw destruction are rigid in their construction because they need to pour out mana all at once.

But more intricate and versatile techniques are curved.

It’s not ‘because it’s a straight line’ or ‘because it’s a curve.’

The causality is reversed.

The form of the technique changes based on its intent.

This time, it’s the same.

This implant affects my nervous system, the most sensitive and delicate part of my body.

It required a more refined approach. A much smoother flow of mana. Curves were more suitable than straight lines.

By chance—or perhaps thanks to luck—the mana threads are now spiraling around my central nervous system, embracing it rather than following a straight path.

The implant was completed by accident.

It’s something to celebrate… but it’s hot.

My body is burning.

Is it the alcohol? It feels like my whole body is melting.

Humans are vulnerable to heat. No matter how superhuman, the brain is no different from an ordinary person’s, and temperatures above 40 degrees can cause serious damage.

My eyes are blinking uncontrollably, and my limbs are trembling like they’re convulsing.

Am I going to die like this?

It doesn’t hurt much, though.

As I was reeling from the heat and alcohol—

Suddenly, white flakes began to settle.

*Sshh. Sshh.* The cool sensation against my skin.

Snow.

Snow was falling indoors.

I moved my eyes, too weak to turn my head.

It was a flowerpot.

*Snowflower*.

Snow was blooming and falling from the Snowflower. A flurry of snow indoors.

I gazed blankly at this mystical scene.

“Thank you…”

My burning body calmed, and my consciousness slowly faded.

With the cozy snow as my blanket, I drifted into sleep.

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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