Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

From a distance, they looked serious, but as I approached, they seemed more deflated than serious.

For some reason, the atmosphere was a bit down.

Knock, knock.

“Come on, why are you two so gloomy? What were you talking about?”

Yeriel bit her lip for a moment before speaking.

“Ahren, you’re back? We were just talking about the future and stuff.”

Lumia cautiously added, following Yeriel’s words.

“We were wondering if we were holding you back…”

Wait, just a few hours ago, you were jumping for joy because of your new trait.

Did you suddenly start talking about this topic while I was upstairs?

Yeriel began to speak in a dejected tone.

“I want to think positively, but compared to you, who had a private meeting with the Guild Master on your first return, I’m just a low-level adventurer who can’t even easily meet mid-level adventurers.”

And compared to her, she continued.

“I’m just a pseudo-scout who uses black magic and healing potions as a substitute for buff totems.”

“Especially, other than helping you deal with those human hunters in the labyrinth, I don’t feel like I’ve done much. I only defeated three weaklings with your help.”

She sighed and said,

“I was just thinking, after returning safely from the labyrinth and getting our traits, that the gap between us is already so big. I was worried that it would only get wider as time goes on…”

Why suddenly worry about that?

“I don’t have any outstanding abilities. I’m just an ordinary priest with a good sister, and I was feeling a bit down about that…”

But if you just look at her traits, she has the potential to be a capable priest.

And having a talented family is also a skill, isn’t it?

“Maybe finding a more capable priest than me would be the way to go for your future? I’m worried that our short acquaintance is holding you back…”

‘What’s all this about? Is it because she had to wait outside the barrier during the subjugation, or is it because of the obvious difference in abilities and equipment?’

As I reflected on the presence of the Layer Boss and the fact that I was called to meet the Guild Master, it may have hit me later than I thought.

Her shyness and weakness from when we first met hadn’t completely gone away.

It was just hidden behind her cheerful and confident attitude.

Well, it’s not easy to get rid of such an innate nature.

Should I boost their self-esteem? No, I’ll take the direct approach.

“We’ve only just completed our first trip to the labyrinth together, so why are you having such a serious conversation?”

I plopped down in a chair.

I thought that if I brushed this off lightly, it would come back even bigger later.

‘When the topic comes up, I need to address it clearly.’

Since I’m currently covered in good traits and wearing unique equipment,
I thought that people might think that I’m showing off my low-level flying skills.

“Without you two, Isaac, the human hunters, and the Layer Boss would have been impossible. I couldn’t have done it alone. We survived because we worked well together, didn’t we?”

[Chaos clicks her tongue at the girls for their lack of tenacity.]

“Both of you, listen carefully. I’m not in the same party with you just because I need your abilities. I like being in the same party with you.”

Of course, I can’t deny that I needed their abilities and that they were useful in various ways. It’s the truth.

But.

“Forget all that, I just like you two as people. What about you?”

I began to speak, recalling one thing after another.

There were countless things to praise.

“Yeriel, your cute smile, your comforting words that relieve others’ fatigue, your constant consideration for others, and even your sudden confidence when you hold my hand…”

Yeriel, who swore to protect me on the third floor and has been by my side ever since, giving me strength.

“And Lumia, your determination to endure unfair situations, your eagerness to help the party, and even your overly clingy behavior towards me, I liked all of that.”

She was hated by almost everyone she met, told to leave the city or go back to the cursed village.

I felt sorry for her as she trembled and endured the harsh words.

When I felt that Lumia needed me,
I realized that I could be important to someone. I felt a sense of self-worth, and my self-esteem gradually increased.

I can’t help it if others call me selfish and shady. It’s the truth.

“So what if there’s a gap in our abilities or equipment? We can make up for it by training hard in the city and gradually improving in the labyrinth.”

No one knows what will happen in the labyrinth in the future.

Sometimes, we may have safe and uneventful trips to the labyrinth.

Or we may find ourselves in another life-or-death situation, facing an even more significant event.

But for now, I want to enter the labyrinth with them, not alone.

Bang!

I pounded my chest and looked at them alternately.

“I just like you both as people. What about you?”

I looked into their sparkling eyes and put strength into my voice.

“Don’t you want to cry and laugh together with me as we face countless events in the labyrinth and the city from now on?”

As I spoke, my emotions took over.

I reflected on Yeriel’s earlier slip of the tongue.

“Do you think finding a better priest than you would be better for my future?”

Why would they suddenly agree with such a statement?

“No one can replace you. Don’t you remember all the hardships we’ve been through since the third floor? It’s not about the person, it’s about the situation. I can’t even imagine having anyone other than you by my side.”

Why would she bring up my future and belittle herself like that?

Let’s calm down now. I coughed and ended my speech.

“If you’re okay with it, I want to walk the path to success as high-level adventurers in the labyrinth city together. From now on, forever. How about it?”

After saying all that, I realized something.

…I seemed to have gone too far.

The anger towards the concept of abandonment, which had followed me from Earth, and the obsession with relationships.

I was aware of it, but it was a mental issue that was difficult to fix.

…

The silence was short-lived.

Whoosh—

A small whistle and the sound of chatter came from the surrounding tables.

“Hey, they’re so lovey-dovey they’ve forgotten they’re in the guild building!”

“The guy’s showing his face, huh? He’s so passionate.”

“Ugh, my hands and feet are cramping.”

Damn. The situation was so sudden that I got carried away and raised my voice without realizing it.

Even though the table was in the corner, it still drew attention.

Hearing the words from the surrounding tables, I felt embarrassed and didn’t know what to do.

The girls just stared at me, speechless.

“Say something—”

Thud!

They rushed towards me.

“Yes, yes! I’ll work harder to be worthy of being by your side! I’m sorry for saying such weird things! Hmm.”

“I was also touched. I’ve been thinking about this since the last time… I’ll stick by your side from now on.”

Not only Yeriel, who had been cheerful since returning from the third floor,
but also Lumia, who had to stay with me because of the curse, I didn’t expect this reaction, so I was a bit surprised.

“Haha, okay. You two, let go of me now? I can’t breathe.”

Fortunately, I was so embarrassed that my face was hot, but the mental care seemed to be successful.

“Let’s quickly settle the payment and go back to the inn. Let’s have a small celebration for our safe return and drink our first commemorative wine.”

“Hmm, yes, yes.”

“I agree. I also want to go back and tell Old Man Roten that I’ve returned.”

Yeriel, still teary-eyed and sniffling, and Lumia, with her ears perked up in a good mood,

They seemed to have regained their confidence, so I told them I’d be right back and went to one of the many settlement counters.

The line was short, and soon it was my turn.

A receptionist with a distinctive bubbly voice greeted me.

“Welcome back! Oh, you’re back! Did everything go well upstairs?”

“Yes, it was a bit overwhelming at first, but thanks to you, it was quickly resolved.”

“Haha, if even the first-floor receptionists like me were informed about it, it must have been a big deal. I’m glad it worked out!”

She laughed and started taking out the monster byproducts from my bag.

“Let’s see. Goblin ears, Kobold noses, Ratman tails, and Woodman cores. Confirmed.”

The receptionist wiped her hands with a handkerchief and said,

“Well, the total is 24 silver coins and 30 copper coins. Do you have any other business?”

‘Is there a cleanliness spell or something? The handkerchief is spotless. And 24 silver coins…’

Divided, it’s 8 silver coins and a little copper?

If I didn’t have any remaining funds, I would have had to look for work or turn to the job postings on the matching board or the quest board.

‘The first floor really doesn’t pay well. If I want to stay in Zone 4 with Lumia, I’ll have to go deeper into the labyrinth on the next trip.’

Even though Roten is charging almost half the price of the previous inn, eight silver coins per person is still a lot. The taste in my mouth was bitter.

Even though we wasted several days with Derek’s party, we still received 25 silver coins each for the settlement.

If we can conquer at least the third floor or higher, we’ll be able to breathe a little easier.

‘Oh, I almost forgot the most important thing.’

I asked the receptionist, who was waiting for my response.

“In the labyrinth, we were attacked by human hunters, and after the battle, we secured the head of their leader. Can I take it out now?”

“Yes! Take it out and put it here. Just keep in mind that it should be recognizable at a minimum.”

I nodded.

Before leaving, I cut off the leader’s head.

Lumia used her black magic to slow down the decay.

So I put the slightly blackened head of the leader in my space bag.

Thud.

Ugh. Even putting it in the bag made me feel a little sick, but seeing it now still didn’t feel good.

I took out Gospel’s severed head and placed it on the counter.

“Hmm. It seems your companion can use decay prevention or delay magic. Since the condition is good, if you come back in a few days, you’ll receive a reward for verification.”

The receptionist calmly proceeded with the procedure as if seeing a corpse was a common occurrence.

“Thank you. I’ll be on my way.”

“Be careful!”

I left the counter and headed towards the girls.

“Here’s the settlement. Eight silver coins and ten copper coins each.”

Both of them received the settlement without saying much.

“I put the guy’s head in the bag, so I’ll go to the guild in a few days. Let’s go to the carriage now.”

“Yes! Let’s go.”

“I don’t think we missed anything.”

Good. Let’s go back to the inn.

We all walked towards the carriage platform.

.

.

.

Thud!

“Hmm?”

Roten happened to be near the door and was surprised to see us, especially Lumia.

“Haha, Lumia, you made it back safely! Well done, well done. You’ve worked hard.”

“Yeah. Anyway, I’m back.”

“That’s right, that’s right. Go upstairs, unpack, and come back down. You rascal, show some skill.”

“Yes, sir. We’ll be back soon.”

We entered the room on the second floor where we had stayed before entering the labyrinth.

Whoosh—

“Phew, it’s nice.”

[Chaos praises the body as always.]

Chaos is always consistent, thanks to the trait.

After getting ready, I went downstairs and waited for them.

Soon, both of them came down and sat down, chatting away.

“Well, we finally got to show our skills. There’s plenty of food, so eat up! Since we’ve safely returned, let’s have a drink to celebrate.”

We all raised our glasses.

“I can’t believe so many things happened on the first floor. But we overcame all of it and are now back here, in our home.”

I looked at Yeriel and Lumia and continued,

“What doesn’t kill us will eventually become valuable experience, and the blood and flesh we shed will become the foundation for our growth.”

“So, don’t be hard on yourself like before. Just enjoy this moment.”

To celebrate our safe return and for the journey ahead.

Cheers!

As we ate and drank,

Suddenly, Lumia started crying.

Her usually expressionless face glistened with tears, and soon, a waterfall of tears flowed down.

I was startled for a moment, but then I wiped her tears and gently hugged her.

“Hic. Sniff. Sniff. Hic.”

Yeriel came over and stroked Lumia’s head as she sobbed.

Pat, pat.

“Hic. Hic.”

“Are you okay? You suddenly started crying and surprised me. Are you okay?”

Nod.

Yeriel comforted Lumia, asking if she was okay, and Lumia nodded, wiping her swollen eyes.

“I was reminded of the memories of being the only survivor several times on the first floor… I feel guilty, but on the other hand, I’m also happy that so much has changed, and I can do it too. I cried without thinking, but I’m fine now.”

I understand.

It’s sad that Lumia was cursed and suffered every day, and the others who were caught up in it and died.

Let’s cry today and shed some of the pain, and from tomorrow, let’s live with a new heart.

With that thought, I comforted her again, and we clinked our glasses and busied ourselves with the food.

When everyone was tipsy, we went to our rooms and closed our eyes.

[Chaos whispers goodnight.]

Just before falling asleep, I thought,

Tomorrow… I have to return to the Silver Cross Knights.

I have to tell Evelyn the truth.

That I’m transmigrator.