Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

The ground rumbled and shook.

“Everyone, be careful!”

I steadied myself, listening to Victor’s warning.

After defeating Ephusio and receiving the overall rewards, the terrain seemed to be changing again.

‘Ah, Yeriel. Yeriel, can you hear me?’

I waited for a moment, and Yeriel quickly responded.

-‘Are you okay, Ahren? Are you injured?’

Hearing her cute, worried voice made me feel warm inside, dispelling the fatigue from my body and mind.

‘Don’t worry. I’m not injured enough to need healing or potions.’

I looked around.

“Not only did we survive, but we also obtained traits! I can’t wait to return to the city and have them confirmed at the cathedral!”

“We really hit the jackpot. ⋯But I think we should take a break in the city for a month or two.”

“Right. Even though the dungeon boss is dead, the sight of its eerie face and the sound of its wailing still haunt me. I need some time off from dungeons and adventures. How can anyone adventure in the first floor with all this going on?”

“Come on, let’s stop the gloomy talk! Everyone, return to your parties and focus on returning to the city!”

‘We defeated the dungeon boss together, and now we’re all laughing and talking.’

-‘Thank goodness…’

‘Are you and Lumia okay? It’s been several hours since we were separated and fought in the dungeon.’

I looked at the cheap watch I bought from the general store.

Wow, I didn’t realize how much time had passed during the intense battle.

-‘Yeah! As you know, a white barrier appeared in the central area, right?’

I remember the crazed halfling rushing towards it and burning to death upon contact.

-‘So, we were just standing around when the dungeon boss appeared, and the shaking terrain revealed something…’

‘What did it reveal?’

-‘Many of the paths on the first floor led to the central area, so there are now dozens of adventurers waiting outside the barrier.’

I thought they would gather around the barrier, but I didn’t expect the paths to lead directly here.

If each party outside has one or two members teleported here, there must be at least twenty parties waiting.

And that’s not all.

Some adventurers may have come out of curiosity about the unusual phenomenon on the first floor, not just to find their missing party members.

‘Can you handle it? With only the two of you?

They don’t look like mid-level adventurers with their equipment and demeanor, it’s hard to believe that all these adventurers would ignore them.

Maybe they avoided them because of Lumia’s curse?

We fought together, united against death, but I hope the others outside don’t cause trouble.

─’Hehe, calling us beauties, you flatterer. Oh, Ahren, really!’

Yeriel giggled for a moment before clearing her throat and continuing.

─’There were a few close calls with troublemakers, but Lumia took the lead, and luckily there were strong and sensible people among the forcibly split parties like us. So, no major issues!’

I think I can guess which parties those sensible folks were from.

‘Phew. That’s good to know. Just so you know, the barrier is disappearing, so you’ll be able to see us soon. Please wait a little longer.’

-‘What? That’s great news! ⋯But people are starting to move as the barrier fades!’

I called Victor, Leesia, and Heinz over for a discussion while they were still excitedly examining their unique items.

“The reason I gathered the three of you is that I have a means of communicating with my party members within a certain radius.”

I shook my head and pointed to the barrier.

“Now that the dungeon boss has been defeated and all rewards have been distributed, the barrier is fading and will soon disappear.”

I gestured to the walls and floor.

“It seems that many of the paths on the first floor have been altered to lead to the central area, and there are dozens of adventurers waiting outside, including your parties.”

Heinz frowned and spoke.

“As the barrier fades, the situation will become chaotic when it completely disappears.”

He adjusted his glasses and continued.

“Adventurers are a prideful bunch, and some may start fights over trivial matters. This could easily escalate.”

Heinz stroked his chin and thought for a moment, then shook his head.

“Right now, our party and the members of the martial artist party are keeping the peace, but what if dozens of adventurers rush out at once?”

It would be chaos.

“So, I suggest that since we’ve all experienced combat together, the three strongest among us can maintain order.”

For example, Leesia could set an example by beating up a few, Victor could use his ‘Barbaric Roar’, and Heinz could use his earth magic.

By drawing everyone’s attention and organizing them into groups, we could send them back to their parties and on their way.

After explaining the plan, I asked for their cooperation.

“Sounds good! I was planning to rest at the shelter today anyway. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“Let’s do it.”

“I’ll help too!”

All three nodded.

[The effect of the Gathering Prison has ended, and it completely disappears.]

Murmurs filled the air.

“The way is clear. We can finally leave this place!”

“Move aside! I’m sick of this first floor. I’m going first!”

[Victor casts ‘Barbaric Roar’.]

“Waaaaah!”

Kwaaa!

“Ugh.”

“Aaaah!”

Ignoring the few foaming at the mouth, Victor surveyed the area and spoke.

“We defeated the dungeon boss and received our rewards. We can’t let these latecomers ruin everything.”

Thud!

Victor slammed his greatsword into the ground.

“Everyone, under our mediation, you will leave one by one, slowly rejoin your parties, and then depart. Is that clear?”

He glared at the crowd.

“If anyone has objections or complaints, speak up now. ⋯Anyone? If not, I’ll take that as agreement.”

He gestured to me, indicating that I was the first to leave.

‘No objections. Good.’

[Chaos says it’s good that there are no annoying idiots like Hans or Isaac.]

“⋯A towering wall of earth rises from the ground. Earth Wall!”

Heinz blocked the adventurers who were cautiously approaching from outside the central area.

“We will send you out one by one, so please wait and do not push forward. Everyone, stay put!”

He was thorough.

“Everyone, thank you for your hard work. If we meet again in the future, I’ll treat you to a hearty meal.”

Before leaving, I turned to bid farewell to the three.

“Hahaha! Good! I’m Victor of Barduk, remember that!”

“I hope that if we meet again, we can share our adventures with smiles.”

Victor and Heinz responded in their own unique ways.

Leesia took something from her pocket and approached me.

“Take this. If you show this token to the guards in Zone 2, you’ll be granted access to the Noble District.”

Such a precious item?

‘Why are you vouching for me to enter the Noble District? What if I cause trouble there?’

“Can you give something like this to me? What makes you trust me…?”

She came close to me, almost touching me.

Then, she whispered directly into my ear.

“You saved my life. I still vividly remember how you desperately blocked my path.”

Huff…

“My name is Leesia Yuzfel. We will definitely… meet again. I look forward to it.”

I rubbed my ears, which had become sensitive, and looked at her.

She giggled at my bewildered expression, then tilted her head and winked.

I opened my mouth to speak, but ended up just scratching my head and bowing before turning away.

‘What a peculiar person.’

She didn’t need to feel indebted to me for saving her life.

In fact, it was thanks to her that I was able to protect my arm during the final battle.

‘Well, if I’ve gained the favor of a noble lady as both a comrade and a lifesaver in just one day, that’s a good thing, I suppose.’

[Chaos says that there seems to be another cunning woman, and she bites her nails.]

‘Chaos is always so dramatic.’

Now, it’s time to return to my party.

I walked towards Yeriel and Lumia, crossing the earth wall that Heinz had raised.

As I passed through the boundary separating the central area, I looked around.

‘Wow, it’s even more crowded than I imagined.’

In various directions, at the entrances to the central area, and in empty spaces, there were at least a hundred adventurers gathered, their faces filled with worry, their eyes gleaming, and their voices whispering.

‘Where are the two of them?’

-‘Ahren, behind you on the right!’

Far off in the distance, I spotted Yeriel waving cautiously with a bright smile, and Lumia with her ears perked up.

Their adorable demeanor made me smile, and I started walking toward them.

But then-

“Hey, buddy. If you’re going to wait here, at least keep quiet. Don’t you see how curious everyone is?”

He grabbed my shoulder.

“Please don’t touch me. The others will come out soon, so you can ask them.”

“Damn, you’re being rude. What floor are you from?”

I sighed, thinking that my efforts to avoid trouble were in vain.

Did my battle-worn appearance interest him?

Adventurers truly come from all walks of life.

________________________________________

[Ludwig]

[Strength: D-] [Agility: E] [Endurance: E+]
[Health: E+] [Magic: E] [Luck: E+]

[Traits] (Expand)

Basic Blunt Weapon Skill
Man’s One-Hit
Evil Mind
Crouching Bear

________________________________________

“Hey, you. If you’re going to wait here, at least do it quietly. Don’t you see how curious everyone is?”

“Yes, yes. If a mid-level adventurer says so, a low-level adventurer like me should keep quiet!”

Got it!

The man removed his hand and opened his mouth, trying to act cool.

“I came here because I saw something unusual on the first floor, but it’s nothing… Guys! Let’s go!”

What’s going on?

“You too. The faster we send people out, the sooner Victor and Heinz can join us. They can ask about what happened inside.”

A middle-aged priest, who seemed to be from Heinz’s party, intervened and spoke to me.

I thanked him with a bow and approached Yeriel and Lumia, who were looking at me with concern.

Puff.

“Ugh, I’m fine.”

Lumia hugged me without hesitation.

“I missed you. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. But can you please let go of my arm? There are so many people watching.”

“Yes, I’m so happy that I just…”

Suddenly, Lumia sniffed and perked up her ears.

“⋯A strange woman’s scent. Who is it?”

“Wh, what?”

She’s acting like she caught me cheating on her.

Yeriel looked surprised.

I opened my mouth to speak, but ended up just scratching my head and bowing before turning away.

I walked towards Yeriel and Lumia, crossing the earth wall that Heinz had raised.

As I passed through the boundary separating the central area, I looked around.

‘Wow, it’s even more crowded than I imagined.’

In various directions, at the entrances to the central area, and in empty spaces, there were at least a hundred adventurers gathered, their faces filled with worry, their eyes gleaming, and their voices whispering.

‘Where are the two of them?’

________________________________________

[Ahren, behind you on the right!]

In the distance behind me, Yeriel and Lumia waved cautiously, their eyes bright with joy.

As I smiled at their adorable gestures and started walking towards them, a burly man approached me.

“Hey, buddy. If you’re going to wait here, at least do it quietly. Don’t you see how curious everyone is?”

He grabbed my shoulder.

“Please don’t touch me. The others will come out soon, so you can ask them.”

“Damn, you’re being rude. What floor are you from?”

I sighed, thinking that my efforts to avoid trouble were in vain.

Did my battle-worn appearance amuse him?

Adventurers truly come from all walks of life.

________________________________________

[Ludwig]

[Strength: D-] [Agility: E] [Endurance: E+]
[Health: E+] [Magic: E] [Luck: E+]

[Traits] (Expand)

Basic Blunt Weapon Skill
Man’s One-Hit
Evil Mind
Crouching Bear

________________________________________

“Hey, you. If you’re going to wait here, at least do it quietly. Don’t you see how curious everyone is?”

“Yes, yes. If a mid-level adventurer says so, a low-level adventurer like me should keep quiet!”

Got it!

The man removed his hand and opened his mouth, trying to act cool.

“I came here because I saw something unusual on the first floor, but it’s nothing… Guys! Let’s go!”

What’s going on?

“You too. The faster we send people out, the sooner Victor and Heinz can join us. They can ask about what happened inside.”

A middle-aged priest, who seemed to be from Heinz’s party, intervened and spoke to me.

I gave him a small bow of thanks and made my way toward Yeriel and Lumia, who were looking at me with concern.

Poof.

“Ugh, I got here first!”

Without hesitation, Lumia hugged me tightly.

“I felt so lonely. Are you okay? Not hurt?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. But, uh… could you let go of me? Everyone’s watching.”

I understood her relief—after all, her curse would resurge without me—but the stares from the adventurers around us were starting to sting.

“Oops, sorry! I was just so happy to see you—”

Suddenly, Lumia perked up her ears and sniffed at the air.

“…A strange woman’s scent. Who is she?”

“What the…?”

Yeriel looked shocked at Lumia’s suspicious tone, as if she were a jealous lover confronting an unfaithful partner.

I composed myself and calmly replied,

“A lot happened in there… I’ll explain everything on the way out. Let’s get moving first.”

They both nodded in agreement.

We slowly wove our way out of the adventurers’ gathering.

Alright, let’s keep moving.

Finally, we saw two portals ahead.

After days of trekking, we’d reached the southernmost portal.

It felt strange for my first voluntary labyrinth expedition—aside from that chaotic third-floor intrusion—to end on the first floor. But my armor was in no condition for further battles, and I needed time to familiarize myself with the unique equipment I’d just obtained.

“Let’s go.”

At last… my first labyrinth expedition was over, and it was time to return.