Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

I couldn’t just sit around and wait for party members to join.

As the party leader and an adventurer, I had to keep improving until the next time I entered the dungeon.

This time, I wanted to reach at least the 7th floor, or even higher.

“Yeriel, are you okay? You look exhausted.”

“Hehe, I’m fine! My sister has been pushing me hard since you two returned, but I can handle it because I feel myself growing stronger.”

“I can’t do much but cheer you on. But don’t overdo it.”

Yeriel has been training day and night because Evelyn, her sister, wanted her to become much stronger now that the evil god’s forces were becoming active again.

“Lately, I’ve been learning how to find paths and running with my eyes closed while avoiding obstacles.”

Lumia has been exploring her own path at the explorer’s training school, using her senses to train in a different way from the black magician.

“How are the people at the training school? I’m asking because I’m worried that they might be rejecting you because of the curse.”

“No, they’re fine. In fact, the principal said that as adventurers, we might encounter people with curses or negative characteristics.”

“Really?”

“He said he met a mid-level adventurer who couldn’t remove the curse that turned him into a kobold because he didn’t have enough money, but he’s never met anyone with better morals than him.”

Lumia’s curse is a bit different, isn’t it?

Anyway, it’s good that the principal of the training school is a decent person, and Lumia is only spending a few hours there each day, so the misfortune she brings to those around her shouldn’t be too severe.

‘Good. Now, let’s see what I can do.’

[Chaos cheers you on.]

Inspired by them, I also worked hard in various ways.

In the morning, I went to the library and extracted all kinds of knowledge from thick books, stuffing my head with information.

“You’re so diligent, coming here every day. This time, you’re looking for books about discovered abysses and gates, right?”

Most of the books I had read in the library were monster encyclopedias, dungeon common sense, and easily accessible information such as the basics that adventurers should know and widely known characteristics.

I had read a book that briefly mentioned elements like gates, abysses, and another space within the dungeon, so I wanted to look for it.

‘I guess this is too advanced information?’

“Just a moment, please. Invenio Querio.”

Whoosh.

The crystal-shaped magic tool glowed blue, but the librarian’s expression was less than enthusiastic.

“Hmm. You may not know this, but adventurers tend to be reluctant to share information about unusual or special things, so it’s hard to find the information you’re looking for.”

She was speaking in circles, which meant there were no books.

“In other words, there are no books with the information I’m looking for, right?”

“I searched and found a few, but they’re all checked out… Why don’t you look for books on other topics?”

Well, I can’t help it. If there are no books on this topic, I can always study something else.

.

.

.

In the afternoon, I went to the Swordsmanship Guild and learned the common training routine, then trained hard with other guild members.

“Grrr! Come on!”

“You can do it! Just a little more!”

Thud!

“See? I told you it’s possible! Haha!”

During the training, I became friends with some of the men, whose names and faces I didn’t even know.

“Let’s go!”

“Huff, huff.”

“One! Two!”

We ran while maintaining our pace, pulling and pushing training equipment to strengthen our bodies.

“…”

Drop. Drop.

We also had a meditation session to cultivate our mental strength, accompanied by the sound of falling water droplets.

After finishing our routine for the day, I visited the office and unexpectedly obtained the information I had been looking for during a casual conversation.

“Huh? Oh, I remember you saying that you were suddenly transported here without knowing anything.”

Sena, a former player and now a strong figure in the city, is well-versed in the knowledge of this world.

Cracks? Abysses? Monsters? She must know everything about this world that I don’t.

I can’t believe I didn’t think of asking her.

“Oh, I forgot because it’s so obvious to me and the other former apostles. I’m sorry.”

I agree. Instead of flipping through books in the library, I should have asked her from the beginning.

Sena said cheerfully, “Brother! Even though I’m busy these days, I can spare an hour to chat with you. Instead of small talk, why don’t you learn something from me that you don’t know?”

“Are you sure it’s okay? Then, you’ll be working even when you’re supposed to be resting.”

“Of course, it’s fine. But keep in mind that I’ve been here for five years, so I might have forgotten some things.”

“Even if I don’t know anything and just flip through books, learning from you, who’s been here for a long time, is a huge difference! Thank you, Sister!”

“Hmm! I always wanted a younger brother, and now I’m hearing the word ‘sister’ here on this planet. Let’s start today! First…”

…

…

Two weeks passed without any news.

“Haa.”

After finishing all the routines for the day, I took a deep breath and, as usual, went to the reception desk to check the recruitment notice and see if anyone had applied.

“There’s one person who wants to join your party!”

Probably not today either. Let’s go back…

Huh?

“Wait a minute. Could you repeat that?”

“There’s one person who wants to join your party! And it’s a high-level vanguard!”

“Huh!”

Finally, finally!

Calm down. It’s not yet confirmed that the person will join the party, and if the person is not suitable, it’s meaningless even if they apply.

‘If it’s a troll or a scoundrel, it’s better to go with just three people than to have a useless person in the party.’

If necessary, we can rent a slave managed by the guild as a last resort.

“So, what’s the next step?”

The receptionist smiled.

“Now, you two have to agree and coordinate. Go to the Angry Minotaur Inn in the 6th District and look for Veronica!”

Angry… What?

The name of the inn is quite unique. Isn’t the Minotaur a two-legged bull-headed monster?

“Thank you for the information. I’ll be on my way.”

“It’s my job as a receptionist! Good luck!”

After thanking her, I left the guild.

So, I’ll be going to the 6th District. I’ll get to see a new area.

If I take a carriage, I should be able to arrive before nightfall.

Excited, I ran to the carriage station without hesitation.

.

.

.

Huh, a halo?

A cold and chilling aura surrounded the beauty, and a ring of light floated above her head, rotating.

Is she human? Is she a new race I’ve never seen before?

──────

[Veronica]

[Strength: D+] [Agility: D-] [Endurance: C-] [Stamina: C-] [Magic Power: B-] [Luck: C-]

[Possessed Characteristics] (Collapse)

Armis Shield Sword Technique
Guarding Sword
Strong Body – Armis
Duel Request
Cycle of Resonance
Celestial Halo

──────

──────

[Guarding Sword (B)] [P]

She was a member of the Armis Guard and the lowest-ranking member of the Knights’ Guild.

Ironically, she gained insight when she lost the princess she was serving right in front of her.

Although the person she was supposed to protect is gone, if she ever has to protect someone again, she will stand in front of them without hesitation.

• When there is an ally in the back, endurance and stamina increase by one level.
•
• When there is an ally in the back, intermediate resistance applies.
•
• When defending against an attack, the shield is not dropped.
•
• When running towards an ally, agility increases by one level.
•
──────

──────

[Celestia Halo (A)] [P]

A symbol and grace given to only one person who passed the six trials of the God of the Sky.

It does not disappear until the user’s body and soul are destroyed.

Instead of wearing a helmet, it provides absolute defense to the head at all times.

• Magic power increases by three levels.
•
• Strong blessings nullify all curse effects directed at the user.
•
• Can cast ‘Light Wings’ by consuming magic power.
•
• Emotional expression becomes faint.
•
• The halo absorbs a small amount of magic power from nearby allies and stores it in the user’s body.
•
──────

The target is correct, but I was surprised to see an A-grade rating.

‘Why did such a person apply to join our party?’

I caught her eye.

“Excuse me, miss. You seem to be alone. Would you like to join us?”

“No.”

“Come on! We’ll pay for the food and drinks. Look, our party leader is smitten with you! Look over there. Isn’t he handsome? Why don’t we have a drink together?”

“Disgusting. Your pick-up line is one of the worst I’ve ever heard. Get out of my sight right now.”

“…”

I was so embarrassed.

I shook my head and approached the table where the argument was taking place.

Knock, knock.

I passed by the frivolous-looking man and tapped the table with my index finger.