Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

I started moving as soon as I woke up early in the morning.

First, I took a shower and had breakfast.

“Haaam. I’m still sleepy.”

Yeriel yawned as soon as she sat down at the table.

Her eyes were sunken from fatigue.

I was sure Evelyn was taking care of her, but was she okay?

“You look exhausted. Are you okay?”

“Yes. On the first day, my legs were shaking, and I felt like I was going to collapse, but after a few days of intense training, I feel like I can handle it now.”

Yeriel smiled brightly, telling me not to worry.

“I think I’m making progress with my magic too.”

Lumia, who had been listening quietly, spoke up, saying that she was also doing her best.

“Don’t you get bored just staying at the inn?”

“No. I’m used to it. The most important thing for me now is to become a capable adventurer who can stay by your side.”

…She must have remembered the sincere words I said to her before.

Yes, what can I do? All I can do is praise and encourage them.

While I was sweating and working hard in various ways.

Yeriel and Lumia were also doing their best in their own situations.

‘I need to work harder too.’

Good! First, I’ll solve the gauntlet issue at the armor shop.

Then, I’ll check if there’s a bounty reward for Gospel’s head at the library near the guild.

Clack.

After chatting with them and finishing breakfast, I went upstairs to get ready to go out.

“Then, see you in the evening.”

“Yes. I’ll be helping Lumia with her magic practice and studies, so be careful out there.”

I nodded.

After finishing my errands and returning, I’ll probably have to train until my arms are numb again, right?

I stopped thinking about it and headed towards the carriage station.

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“Good. Let’s go in.”

I arrived at the armor shop.

As soon as I opened the door and entered, I saw numerous weapons and equipment hanging on the walls or displayed on shelves.

“Welcome! Are you looking for something specific?”

Huh?

This time, it wasn’t the muscular middle-aged man, Hutton.

Instead, a man around my age with short hair and a passionate look greeted me.

“Hello. I came to see if my gauntlet can be repaired. By the way, where is Hutton…?”

The clerk laughed cheerfully and replied, “Haha, Master is currently working on an important order. Usually, he takes it easy at the armor shop, but an important request came in.”

He continued, asking if I knew Master Hutton and telling me that he was around my age.

He laughed and said that it was impressive that someone my age had fought so fiercely that even Savage Boar leather was torn like that.

He laughed and said that he had also dreamed of becoming an adventurer before he picked up the hammer.

Well, his friendliness and sociability weren’t bad.

‘So, can the gauntlet be repaired, or do I have to buy a new one?’

If I had to buy a new one, it would cost quite a bit… I was worried because I didn’t earn much on the first floor.

Just as I was about to ask again, the door opened.

Whoosh!

Hutton entered through the back door.

A wave of heat filled the area, rapidly taking over the surroundings.

As he approached, the smell of iron permeated the air, announcing his identity as a blacksmith.

Bang!

“Ah!”

“You little rascal, your laughter is so loud it’s echoing through the building and all the way to the forge. What’s so funny?”

The clerk held his head and groaned.

I assumed the important work was almost done.

“Hmm? I remember you as Yeriel’s companion. What was your name again? Aran? Yes, Aran, right? I remember your face clearly!”

“…”

Suddenly, the name Aran, which seemed like a good name for a polearm user, came out of nowhere.

Hutton looked at the clerk, clicked his tongue, and then noticed me.

When he heard me correct the name, I coughed and made a sheepish expression.

“Hmm. Sorry, I’m not very good at remembering people’s names. I hope you understand.”

“It’s okay. This is only my second visit.”

“Haha! You’re straightforward, which is good. Let’s see, but did you come alone? Your equipment looks like it’s been through a tough battle in the dungeon. Is Yeriel okay?”

Hutton looked around, searching for Yeriel.

Since she had introduced me to the armor shop, it was natural for him to be curious as a friend.

I told him about her situation.

She had returned safely, and due to various reasons, she was currently training intensely under her sister.

Upon hearing this, Hutton started sweating profusely.

“Oh no. Evelyn is pushing Yeriel to her limits? Once she sets her mind on something, she doesn’t see anything else.”

He scratched his head and shook his head, worried that the fragile girl might not be able to withstand the intense training.

Clap!

He clapped his hands to change the atmosphere.

“Alright! Now that I know how she’s doing, I feel a bit better. Let’s see, you came to get your gauntlet repaired, right?”

“Yes. I thought it would be better to get it fixed before the portal opens.”

It’s not like I have no money and have to wear a tattered gauntlet.

When I fought Gospel, I realized that I needed to invest in equipment to prepare for unavoidable attacks.

“Hmm. This isn’t bad enough to require a new one. By the way, how many floors did you go to end up with the leather in this condition?”

“…”

“I only explored the first floor, but I met a human hunter and teamed up with mid-floor adventurers. A lot happened.”

‘Damn. I’m worried that I returned from the first floor. I’ll grit my teeth and climb more floors next month.’

He looked suspicious for a moment when I said I explore only the first floor.

But when he heard about the human hunter and mid-floor adventurers, he nodded.

“You don’t need to explain further. Unless you fell for a low-level trap and insulted my work.”

“Then, how much will the repair cost be?”

I had about 4 gold coins and 30 silver coins in my possession.

Hutton rubbed his chin for a moment, then casually said, “I’ll give you a discount. Just give me 30 silver coins. But make sure to visit my armor shop from time to time.”

As soon as he heard this, the clerk, who had been silent since being hit on the head, spoke up.

“What? That’s ridiculous! Which armor shop would repair ordinary animal leather, let alone this, for that price?”

[Chaos says it wants to sew his mouth shut.]

Hmm, I thought he was just talkative, but he’s also good at stirring up trouble.

“So what? I sold the gauntlet for 70 silver coins. Are you saying I should charge the same amount for the repair?”

“That’s not what I meant… I just thought that there should be some profit, but it’s too cheap… Didn’t you give it to him for free?”

Hutton waved his hand.

“Enough. I let him breathe for a moment, and now he’s just talking nonsense. It’s a discount for a friend. Don’t argue.”

The clerk was intimidated by Hutton’s demeanor and became silent again.

I took off the gauntlet and placed it where Hutton had pointed, along with a bag containing silver coins.

“It will take a few days, so don’t come back tomorrow.”

“Yes, thank you for the discount again. I’ll see you in a few days.”

Hutton laughed and said, “If you make more money, buy more expensive equipment.”

I left the armor shop, feeling like I would only visit this one from now on.

‘I’ll probably keep coming here, but I wonder if I’ll have to deal with that talkative guy again.’

The first impression was definitely good, but… Hmm.

I guess I’ll have to think that he was just being diligent in his work.

I sighed and headed to my next destination.

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Time is money.

Especially during this period of self-improvement, I need to be even more mindful of it.

So, instead of walking all the way from the armor shop to the guild, I took a carriage to the nearby carriage station.

‘It’s great that the carriage fare is cheap enough to ride without hesitation.’

As I expanded my activities in the city, I was increasingly aware of the vastness of the 4th district.

I entered the guild through the revolving door at the entrance.

‘As expected, it’s bustling. By the way, I heard that there are branch offices in the 5th, 6th, and 7th districts.’

I suddenly became curious about the difference between the headquarters and the branches.

I’ll probably visit them someday while living in the city.

I stopped thinking about it and looked for the shortest line at the settlement counter.

“Next, please.”

After a short wait, it was finally my turn.

I handed over my iron plate and had a brief conversation with the clerk, and the rest of the process went smoothly.

“Here’s your reward.”

I accepted the small bag the clerk handed me.

…Huh? It feels too light. Is there anything in it?

I slowly opened the bag, curious.

‘Gold!’

Surprisingly, there was a single gold coin in the bag.

The clerk saw my surprised expression and explained, “After confirming your identity and processing the procedure, a relatively high amount was set because there was a record of the adventurer’s rank and the damage caused by him by those he killed.”

I didn’t expect to receive gold coins.

Before I visited, I had expected to receive a few dozen silver coins at most.

“The procedure for handing over the bounty for killing the adventurer Gospel of the Red Wolf Clan has been completed. Do you have any other business to take care of?”

“No, I have no other business. Thank you for your prompt and accurate service. I’ll be going now.”

I bowed and left the counter.

‘Red Wolf Clan… I’ll remember that.’

Whenever I encountered a group with that name, there was always trouble.

Anyway, this was a real windfall.

I felt delighted and headed towards the library.

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I spent every day training intensely, without any laziness or slacking off.

In response, the time until the dungeon entrance portal opened…

Flew by.

Bang!!!

‘Finally…’

For more than two weeks, every night past midnight.

I stabbed and stabbed again, filling my sword with mana.

The sense of unity I felt when I extended my arm just now, and the sound of the sword bursting in the air.

Even the difference in the sound.

Today, when I went outside as usual, I clearly heard adventurers shouting that the portal was opening.

‘I’ll go to bed early and leave tomorrow without any delays.’

The intense weeks I spent training were about to pay off.

Now…

It’s time to enter the dungeon again.