Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

I appreciate the opportunity to learn, but this is a bit sudden, isn’t it?

I silently unsheathed Rehagen.

Evelyn whistled at the sight.

“Wow, I asked you to take it out, but my eyes are drawn to that glove more than the greatsword. You said it’s a unique piece of equipment, right? What exactly are its abilities?”

“It can store and retrieve up to five pieces of equipment in a pocket dimension, and the equipped effects are always active. It also provides a beginner-level boost when using registered weapons…”

It doesn’t create a separate trait like ‘Beginner Greatsword Technique’ in my trait window. I hadn’t had a chance to test it out yet, so I couldn’t really feel its effects.

Scratching my cheek, I said, “I can’t really feel the beginner-level boost yet.”

“In that case, it’s important to start swinging and get a feel for it. If you just swing that one-handed sword you used against Barak, you’ll definitely notice a difference with and without the glove.”

Evelyn casually responded, as if it were obvious, that items, including equipment, were straightforward.

“Let’s start with the greatsword. This thing is so big it should be called an ultra-greatsword or a giant sword. It’s a weapon with a clear purpose.”

If she wanted me to swing it, then…

“You trained for two weeks, right? I’ll adjust to your level, so tell me what your stats are like now.”

I wished she would just give me feedback on my movements or teach me some greatsword techniques, but…

I put aside my weak thoughts and told her that my stats were all at D, except for Agility, which was at C-.

As soon as I finished speaking, Evelyn looked surprised.

“You already have C-rank stats in personal combat? Did you eat some kind of amazing potion or something? Your growth rate is incredible… You must be Apostle-level.”

I did absorb traits from Isaac, not some potion.

“Anyway, this time, I’ll adjust to all C-rank. Got it?”

C-rank, not D?

“Shouldn’t you adjust to D-rank if I’m going to swing a sword?”

“Don’t be weak! Since it’s a defense-oriented weapon, it’s better to engage with stronger enemies than those of the same rank. Are you going to avoid fighting C-rank and B-rank opponents?”

‘That’s right. Even if I encounter an enemy that’s too strong for me to beat, now that I’m not alone… I should at least put up a fight.’

If she’s adjusting to a manageable level, I have no choice but to comply.

I nodded and took a stance.

Evelyn jumped back, creating some distance between us.

“I’m about to start. Treat this as a real battle.”

Evelyn drew a line in the air with her hand and then pulled out a wooden greatsword.

“Now, focus and try to withstand my attacks!”

So fast!

Thud!

“Ugh.”

My right hand, holding the hilt, went up, while my left hand, supporting the blade, went to the center of the sword.

I absorbed the impact with the blade as if I were holding a shield.

Or at least, I tried to.

I managed to withstand the attack, but that was it.

Just as I thought I had blocked it, my feet, firmly planted on the ground, scraped the earth and slid back.

Then, unable to dissipate the impact, I involuntarily expelled the air from my lungs.

“Adventurers with an average C-rank in their stats usually have specialized traits or techniques of their own.”

Thud!

“Ugh.”

Even though it was just a simple downward strike, it felt incredibly heavy.

“Among them, there are quite a few adventurers who can deal more damage than their skills should allow.”

Thud! Thud! Clang!

I kept getting pushed back.

Thanks to the sword’s ability, I was able to block the attacks, but that was all I could do. I couldn’t gain any initiative in the fight.

Evelyn shouted, “Don’t just rely on the sword’s abilities! You have to use them to your advantage! Are you a shield-wielding vanguard, just standing there and blocking?”

Bang! Clang!!!

“Ugh, huff.”

After getting hit repeatedly, I started to get a feel for it.

Blindly relying on the sword’s ability, I only thought about blocking with the blade, standing in a defensive stance, and trying to withstand the incoming attacks. That was a foolish way of thinking.

I could see every attack, every red trajectory, but what should I do?

‘Right now, I need to do more than just block. Every time a sword swing comes my way, I need to adjust the stance to match its trajectory!’

Receive the attacks at the perfect moment, interrupt the attacker’s rhythm by striking first, deflect the attacks, and look for openings to counter.

“Huff, your eyes are finally showing some promise. Keep going!”

Evelyn seemed pleased and continued her attacks.

Clang! Clang!

When I focused and concentrated, even the sound of blocking was different.

From below to above.

Clang!

When the attack was deflected, she followed up with more strikes.

A downward strike like a guillotine.

A sharp diagonal slash that could split my torso in half.

A quick half-spin, focusing the power at the tip of the sword for a thrust.

“Haaah!”

Clang! Clang.

After blocking the combo, I deflected the thrusting sword at an angle, and before its tip could reach me, I pushed my greatsword towards the point of impact, a beat ahead of the attack.

“Huff!”

A brief opening appeared.

Without thinking about the consequences, I gripped the sword with both hands and swung it.

Whoosh!

‘Damn, that was my best shot.’

Evelyn easily dodged it, rendering my attack useless.

Seeing my awkward stance, she continued her lesson.

“Don’t let the weapon control you; you control the weapon! Whether it’s a greatsword or a one-handed sword, think of it as an extension of your arm and calmly strike!”

Yes, I had seen it somewhere before.

A greatsword may look slow, but it’s a weapon that utilizes centrifugal force to swing quickly.

‘Of course, there’s a big difference between a modern two-handed sword and this ridiculously wide greatsword I’m swinging now. But…’

The difference in strength is just as big, isn’t it?

Whoosh! Whoosh! Clang!

I focused on horizontal slashes, stepping and jumping through the space as I swung.

“Hah! With a greatsword, strength is everything! There are plenty of guys who just swing it around, relying on its weight to crush or pin down their opponents vertically. You’re different, aren’t you?”

I heard the praise, but I didn’t have time to respond.

Flash.

Evelyn’s red eyes flashed.

“I think I’ve got a handle on what you need to do. Let’s finish this.”

“Ugh!”

Sling.

“Huff, huff.”

What was that? It was definitely fast enough for me to see and dodge.

The only way I could describe it was that her movements were on a different level.

Even in the slowed-down world, her sword moved so fluidly that I couldn’t react in time.

The tip of her sword had already touched my neck, stopping just barely.

If forced attacks could alter their trajectory, then… I don’t know.

All I knew for sure was that it was beyond my current level.

After she sheathed her sword, she spoke to me.

“There’s definitely a boost. It’s not easy for a beginner to handle a greatsword with such balance and apply techniques like that without a boost, unless they’re a genius among geniuses.”

“Huff, huff. Ugh… Is that so? It does feel like it was easier to perform the moves that came to mind.”

“Good. Take a breather for a moment. Let’s continue. You didn’t think this was the end, did you?”

Yes, yes. How much have I swung it? Of course, this isn’t the end.

“Huff. Let’s go again.”

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After that, I swung the sword like crazy and received various advice and feedback.

By the time the sun started to set, I was exhausted and collapsed on the ground.

After a short rest, Evelyn asked me to share my experiences in the dungeon, since it was my first time there…

We chatted in a friendly atmosphere, but when she heard about the human hunter’s attack, she became furious.

We clicked our tongues at Isaac, calling him pathetic.

She listened to the story of how the Layer Master appeared and how the events unfolded, and she patted my back and ruffled my hair.

Then, somehow, the conversation turned to the complaints and worries that Yeriel had expressed after our return.

“Yeriel said that…”

Evelyn wiped her face with her hand.

Then she let out a faint sigh.

“To be honest, as an older sister, I wanted to give her only the best and most special things. I wanted to protect her from any dangerous situations.”

Evelyn paused for a moment.

“But I think I might have overprotected her, to the point where she wouldn’t have to face any hardships that she needed to overcome on her own.”

She continued, “You know, if she relies only on equipment and consumables and keeps climbing floors without putting in any effort, it will eventually ruin her. The answer is obvious if you think about it.”

I understood.

If I gave her high-level equipment, and…

What if I filled her backpack with unique magical items and high-level magic scrolls every time she went to the dungeon?

When she encountered powerful monsters or hostile adventurers, would she try to fight them with her own traits and skills?

Or would she just take out a scroll from her backpack and try to win effortlessly?

Of course, she would do the latter.

“So I just provided her with decent priest equipment and some extra funds.”

Evelyn’s voice became firm as if she had made a decision.

“I think I’ve been too indecisive because she’s my only younger sister.”

She closed her eyes and nodded her head.

“Even now, I still believe that if she’s going to live as an adventurer rather than just a priestess of the Church of Light, she needs to face some challenges. But…”

But?

“I think I should provide her with a foundation that will allow her to keep up with you, so she doesn’t get discouraged.”

Evelyn’s red eyes blazed intensely.

…Did I say something wrong?

‘No, it’s not. Yesterday, she was so enthusiastic and determined to improve. This is an opportunity for Yeriel, an opportunity that others might not even get.’

This is like a party strengthening event.

“From tomorrow, before we enter the dungeon, tell her to come to me first.”

Sacred Law? Devotion? Those are important, but first, she has something to teach her, so she wants her to go to her before going to the cathedral.

“Yes, I understand. That…”

Before I could finish my sentence, Evelyn tapped my nose.

“I already feel bad for working Yeriel so hard, but… don’t worry. Who do you think I am?”

“Of course! I’m sure you’ll take good care of her.”

I nodded in agreement. Of course, she’ll do a great job. I Don’t need to worry.

“Then, I’ll have a serious talk with Yeriel. Um, how about in a few days? There’s still plenty of time before the dungeon opens.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll tell Yeriel that you want to see her tomorrow, and I’ll come to you in a few days.”

“Yes, yes, is that a promise?”

I bid farewell to Evelyn and left the building, feeling relieved that I had completed the most important task of this return.

Now, I could focus on other matters with a clear mind.

‘For example, I could contract with the Wind Whisperer trait that I obtained by killing Isaac, or…’

-Can contract with a lower-level wind spirit. If the contract is successful, the spirit will grow depending on the user’s level.

‘Roten said that if we safely returned from this dungeon trip, he would teach us a useful technique, didn’t he?’

Given how much he cherished Lumia like his own granddaughter, it was likely that he wasn’t just making a passing comment.

I decided to bring it up casually when I returned to the inn that night or when I saw him in the morning.

‘Of course, it would be better if he remembered and was eager to teach us the technique without me having to bring it up awkwardly…’

I didn’t know. Let’s go. I need to take a shower and have dinner with them.

Suddenly feeling tired, I yawned and left the Order’s building.

I looked up at the sky, where the sun was slowly setting, and made my way to the carriage station.

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“In my adventuring days, they called me the Pinnacle. ‘Pinnacle Roten’ was the name I earned in this city and the Great Dungeon.”

Roten laughed as he spoke.

“Of course… Now I’m just an old man who can’t reach the deeper floors and has been forgotten.”

He looked at me with eyes that were sharp beyond his years.

“Focus on one point. I will pass on to you one of the roots that made me who I am today.”