Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

From the moment Ephusio appeared,

I explained the entire process of how we worked together to finish off the boss and how the adventurers who were affected by the boss returned to normal.

I slowly began to unravel everything.

“Hmm. That’s quite a story.”

“Oh ho! So you responded like that? That’s truly a brilliant idea.”

As I told my story, he seemed more like a friendly neighbor than the Guild Master.

Throughout my story, the Guild Master expressed his admiration and surprise, nodding and agreeing with me.

Perhaps it was due to his consideration, but I was able to relax and tell my story without making any mistakes.

“Well, I guess there won’t be another Layer Boss appearing on the first floor from now on.”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

Even though the person in front of me seemed like a kind, friendly uncle,
I couldn’t fully trust him, especially since he was someone I had just met today, and I had already witnessed his formidable aura earlier.

So while hiding the fact that I killed Isaac, I made up a story that only Isaac, who committed suicide, knew the conditions for summoning Ephusio.

‘I don’t know what he’s thinking inside, but on the surface, it seems to have gone well.’

Well… I hid a small lie among most of the truth.

“If you hadn’t endured the boss’s last mental attack, who knows how many adventurers would have died.”

Indeed, if I had also fallen into the state of oblivion, no one would have been able to move immediately.

Unless a high-ranking adventurer was there to take charge of the subjugation…

At least a few hundred low-level and mid-level adventurers would have died, their traits stolen by Oblivion.

The boss would have become even stronger, becoming a bigger problem.

Thud!

The Guild Master snapped his fingers, changing the tense atmosphere.

“Now, I’ve heard everything, so it’s time for a warning.”

Warning?

“I told you about the Labyrinth Record earlier, didn’t I? You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

“Of course not! I remember it clearly.”

“Good. Then you should know how much attention the ‘first’ achievement you’ve earned will get.”

…I understand what he means.

A Layer Boss that hadn’t been discovered for decades was defeated,
and a rookie adventurer, out of dozens of adventurers who participated in the subjugation, had his name listed first.

‘Someone might be curious and want to test me, or they might want to nip me in the bud. What should I do?’

Seeing my worried expression, the Guild Master seemed to understand and said,

“Don’t worry for now. I, Raki, will block any external pressure and attention directed at you because of this achievement.”

“Why are you doing this for me? I’m just a beginner adventurer, despite the ‘first’ achievement.”

“Hmm! A simple thank you is enough.”

“Thank you.”

Is this the Adventurer’s Guild’s Guild Master?

“I’m not responsible for the lives of all adventurers, but I’m not so stupid as to ignore a promising young adventurer like you. I didn’t become the Guild Master for nothing.”

With these words, he showed a ferocious smile.

The friendliness and playfulness from earlier were gone, and in their place was a monster ready to crush anyone who dared to cross him.

“You just need to overcome the trials and tribulations you encounter in the labyrinth and the city. I’m only blocking this one thing, so don’t let your guard down. Understand?”

“Yes! I understand, and I’ll keep it in mind!”

After hearing my words, the Guild Master nodded in satisfaction and pointed at my hand, specifically the white gloves I was wearing.

“That’s the unique equipment you obtained by subjugating the Layer Boss, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is. Well… it allows me to store and use various weapons, according to its ability.”

“Good! Follow me. I’ll give you a gift since you’re a promising young adventurer who has achieved so much!”

Huh?

He didn’t listen to my rebuttal and started walking somewhere.

The situation was unfolding so naturally that I didn’t have time to react.

Woong—

Clang.

He put his hand on something in the corner of the office and infused it with magic, causing a wall to open up and reveal another space.

“What are you waiting for? Come in quickly.”

Huh… is that so?

What is he trying to give me?

[Chaos widens her eyes and rubs her hands together in anticipation.]

Hey, what’s this?

[Chaos cancels her anticipation!]

I followed the Guild Master, or Raki, into the new space.

‘Wow, it’s so spacious! Did he use a space expansion spell or something?’

He stopped walking and scratched his chin, deep in thought.

But before I could focus on his appearance, something else caught my attention.

It was a display case filled with countless weapons and items, some of which were sealed with chains and magic circles.

Among them was a sword that stood out, sealed so tightly that it seemed to be under immense pressure.

───

[The Sword of Extinction, Degafrice] (S)

An unidentified beast that suddenly appeared through a Dimension Break, causing countless sacrifices before being subjugated by the End of Keas.

This sword, dropped after the subjugation, grants immense power to its wielder but also binds them to a destiny of leading themselves and those around them to destruction.

• Upon first equipping, the user is permanently affected by the state ‘The Road to Destruction’. This state cannot be changed by any means.
•
• Increases all of the user’s abilities by six levels.
•
• Grants the user the trait ‘Wave of Extinction’.
•
• Grants the user the trait ‘Aura of Annihilation’.
•
───

Fuck. This is insane.

I was so shocked that I couldn’t help but curse.

‘What the hell is this sword doing here?’

Shouldn’t this be under state management instead of being kept in a personal space?

…No, it’s better this way.

If it falls into the wrong hands, it could cause a disaster.

It’s probably better for a powerful individual to take responsibility for sealing it.

Next to it was a red gem, also sealed in the same way.

[Ignis’ Heart] (S)

The heart of Ignis, a mutated flame giant that appeared in the lower depths.

Those with a certain level of magic power or lower will be burned to ashes the moment they touch it.

Upon consumption, the user gains absolute resistance to all things related to fire, but at a great cost.

• Upon consumption, the user is granted the trait ‘Ignis’.
•
• Upon consumption, the user is permanently affected by ‘Burning Sanity’. This state cannot be changed by any means.
•
• Upon consumption, the user’s mental strength permanently decreases significantly.
•
• When the user enters a near-death state while in a state of insanity, they transform into a flame giant that burns everything, receiving a boost to their abilities and traits. In this state, there is no going back to their previous form.
•
───

Wow.

“Hehe, you’re a cute one. Don’t strain your eyes like that.”

Ugh, I was unconsciously scanning the information that appeared.

If others saw me, they would think I was staring at each piece of information intently.

‘This is scary. Is the Guild Headquarters building safe?’

“Can you see the value of those items? I think I know what you’re thinking.”

Raki chuckled and said,

“Hmm, I spend more time at the Adventurer’s Guild than at my own mansion.”

He scratched his cheek, saying that such a thing could never happen.

“I’ve decided to keep them at the Guild Headquarters. No one will be able to break through the security and defenses that I’ve set up, I assure you.”

That’s right.

‘I was crazy to even think of that. I have other things to worry about. I need to focus.’

“Hmm, if you were able to defeat the Layer Boss… your attack power must be sufficient. I’ve decided. This is the one.”

Raki walked over to a display case and picked up a large sword.

It was a greatsword with a huge and broad blade, much larger than the Barrak I had.

“Hahaha! A greatsword is indeed a man’s romance!”

He’s giving me this?

“Long ago, before I reached the middle layers, this was one of my favorite weapons. What do you think?”

I wonder if I’ll be able to wield it.

───

[Shield Sword Rehagen] (C)

A large sword created by a Dwarf Master Smith through special magic and black iron.

It specializes in defense using its wide blade rather than attack.

When infused with magic power, the sword’s durability is restored, but if the entire blade is completely destroyed or the magic’s lifespan ends, its function stops.

• Due to the delicate process of its creation, it is very sturdy.
•
• When defending against projectiles with the blade, weak damage reduction is applied.
•
• When defending against attacks with the blade, intermediate stagger resistance and weak defense increase are applied.
•
• Upon equipping, the user’s stamina increases by one level.
•
───

“This will help you a lot in terms of defense. Even if you just swing it around, relying on its weight, it will be useful.”

“I don’t know if I can really accept something this big—”

“Tsk. What did I say earlier?”

He said that a simple thank you was enough.

“Thank you very much.”

“That’s enough. Now, try using the glove’s ability. I believe you said it can store things, right?”

I received the Rehagen from Raki and equipped it.

[Stamina increases by one level.]

‘Hmm, it’s quite heavy. It’s hefty.’

Not only is it large, but black iron is inherently a heavy and sturdy metal.

I’ll need to continuously use my strength to wield it freely or take defensive stances.

I looked at the greatsword in both hands and thought about registering it.

[Do you want to register ‘Shield Sword Rehagen’ in the collection of armaments?]

‘I will register it.’

[Registration complete. 3 spaces remaining.]

I had already registered Barrak while traveling through the portal in the labyrinth.

“Hoo, if you just register it, you can freely store and retrieve it from the pocket dimension, and there’s no sign of it being summoned or put away?”

Raki said that if used well, it could become a surprise attack technique in itself.

“Hmm, now that everything is done, you can go. I’m a busy man, after all.”

“Yes, sir.”

I left the secret space.

Before grabbing the doorknob, I had received so much that I bowed deeply in gratitude.

“Then, I’ll be on my way.”

“Yes. Be careful. I’m not someone you can easily find, so I hope you keep in mind everything I’ve said.”

Thud.

‘Phew.’

I must have used too much mental strength, as my legs felt weak as soon as I left the office.

Only one or two hours had passed, but it felt like three or four times as long as I had been in the office.

‘I’m glad it went well. If I had messed up this meeting with the Guild Master, it would have been… just thinking about it makes me shudder.’

[Chaos sighs in relief, saying that if I had been disliked or targeted, it would have been difficult not only to enter the Great Labyrinth but also to live in the city.]

Oh, I shouldn’t be wasting time like this.

I thought that Yeriel and Lumia must have been worried and anxious during the one or two hours that I was gone.

My legs, which had relaxed, regained strength, and I started moving again.

“Are you done with your business? Seeing a low-level adventurer go up to the fifth floor and come back safely, it seems you’ll be able to get rid of the iron badge in a few years.”

As I walked down the stairs, the guard I had seen earlier spoke to me.

From the fourth floor onwards, all adventurers entering were high-level adventurers.

I heard that the number of mid-level adventurers compared to high-level and deep-level adventurers decreases rapidly, so this guard must be quite bored.

“Yes. Well, I was very nervous when I went in, but fortunately, it wasn’t as bad as I thought.”

“Haha, no one can help but be nervous when meeting the Guild Master for the first time. You did well. Go ahead.”

“Thank you. Then.”

I lightly bowed.

The stiffness I felt on the way up had mostly disappeared, and I smiled as I left the fifth floor and headed to the first floor.

‘Let’s see, where are they?’

I looked around a bit and spotted them sitting at a table in the far corner.

‘Why do they both look so serious? Did something happen while I was gone?’

I quickly walked over and knocked on the table.