Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

We all headed towards the 3rd district, the Holy District, where the headquarters of the Silver Cross Order was located.

I wanted to ask about how the city was divided into different districts and what the Holy District was like, but…

The atmosphere was too tense as Evelyn dragged Hans, who was gagged with a disposable magic muzzle.

“…”

So I quietly followed along, occasionally whispering to Yeriel.

After walking for an hour or two, the atmosphere definitely changed as we entered a different district.

There was a sense of tranquility and reverence, as if no commotion would easily occur here.

Looking around, most of the buildings seemed to be entirely white.

“Wow, this place is huge. It’s also quite grand, fitting its size. That must be the cathedral, right?”

As I continued walking and sightseeing, I spotted a building that was unmistakably the cathedral.

The white color exuded a sense of nobility, and the colorful stained glass windows were breathtaking.

“Yeah, that’s right. It’s huge, isn’t it?”

I quietly asked Yeriel, and she confirmed my guess.

“Let’s go inside.”

After passing the cathedral, we walked a bit further and reached the headquarters of the Silver Cross Order.

This place had a solid and sturdy feel, like well-forged steel.

Clang! Clang!

The sound of swords clashing and formations practicing filled the air as we approached the headquarters. Their enthusiasm was remarkable.

Indeed, they lived up to their name as a powerful military organization.

As we walked through the headquarters and observed the various sights, we reached the leader’s office. Evelyn shouted, “Deputy! Come to my office immediately!”

Soon after, the door opened with hurried footsteps.

Bang!

A man with neatly combed hair and glasses appeared. He looked very strict.

“Leader, you called for me! I heard you were going to see Yeriel. Is your business done?”

Hearing his words, Evelyn spoke coldly, “Yes. I successfully reunited with her and came back with her. But a minor issue has arisen with this guy here.”

The man looked at Hans, who was in restraints, and said, “A slave, huh. Did you bring him from the guild?”

“No, I received the rights from Ahren over there.”

The man glanced at me, so I nodded slightly in greeting.

“Then there shouldn’t be any issues with abuse of power. How do you want to handle this?”

Evelyn clenched and unclenched her fists as she spoke, “It’s not about handling him. Put him in the interrogation room. Leave him there for three days and let the interrogators do their job. I’ll check on him after that.”

Was she trying to show her authority as the leader?

Her demeanor was different from when she was talking to Yeriel or at the guild.

“Remember, destroy him thoroughly, but don’t kill him. He dared to touch Yeriel. It’s best to start with his fingernails and toenails.”

The man’s eyes hardened, and he assured her that he would remember. Then, he took Hans away.

Evelyn sighed, seemingly agitated, and turned to me. “Now, Ahren, let’s go to your room.”

The fact that the leader herself was personally attending to me drew attention, and I felt uncomfortable as we arrived at the lodgings.

Evelyn obtained the room key from the manager and handed it to me. “Here you go. It’s a private room, so there shouldn’t be any problems. I have some pending work to take care of. Get some rest and see you tomorrow, Ahren.”

As she left, I took the key with the number 306 engraved on it and opened the door.

‘Room 306’

I turned the key and entered the room, which was spacious enough for one person.

The bed and other furniture exuded a sense of cleanliness and regular maintenance, and thanks to magic, I could even take a shower in the bathroom.

“Great. Now that I have a place to stay for the time being, the major issue is resolved.”

My accommodation was settled, and Evelyn had promised to help with my identity issue.

Reflecting on the significant events that had occurred within a week of my arrival in this new world, I was simply exhausted.

After a quick shower, I threw myself onto the bed.

Let’s sleep…

But I only managed to fall asleep for a short while.

‘Where am I? I’m sure I fell asleep in bed, didn’t I?’

When I came to, I found myself in a completely white space.

.

.

.

I was definitely asleep, but was this a dream? Or was I lucid dreaming?

My body was moving normally… Was there anything around me?

I slowly walked around, but in this white space, there was nothing else but me.

“What’s the point of this? There’s nothing to touch, and I’m alone. What am I supposed to do here?”

If this was a dream, I assumed I would just wait for time to pass and eventually wake up.

I walked around for a while, talking to myself, but soon became bored and stopped.

I wondered if I could sleep here.

As I was about to lie down, something happened.

Bang!

Suddenly, a loud noise came from behind me.

‘What’s that sound? Am I not alone here after all?’

I quickly turned around and saw black smoke billowing up.

I focused my eyes and saw something within the smoke.

I tensed up and kept my eyes on it, but suddenly, it rushed towards me.

“Damn it!”

What’s this, an ambush? Are there monsters even in dreams?

I tried to dodge the attack, but something was strange… Why wasn’t it slowing down?

Before I could figure it out, the creature reached me.

The black smoke that enveloped its body spread widely, and it let out a roar.

“Kyaaang!”

Hmm, correction. It wasn’t a roar but a soft voice.

“Haha! You’re so cute. Were you scared?”

Standing before me was not a monster but something that resembled a human, with black horns on its head.

She wore a fur cloak and a revealing outfit that barely covered her chest, and she was incredibly beautiful.

Unconsciously, my fists unclenched.

‘You idiot, what’s wrong with you? Are you going to let your guard down just because a beauty is here to attack you in real combat? Snap out of it, you fool!’

Slap!

I slapped my cheeks to regain my senses, and the woman, who had been silently observing my behavior, spoke up.

“Hmm. Do you like my human form polymorph? You seem completely smitten!”

She smiled at me. Who is this person, acting so familiar with me on our first meeting?

If it’s polymorph, isn’t it a magic spell that dragons use for entertainment, as seen in various settings?

The horns on her head and the familiar atmosphere…

-Chaos takes pride in the blood it has infused into you, but it is up to you to tune and apply it.

-So the being I’m communicating with is a dragon? It makes sense that it wouldn’t be ordinary, considering it calls a god its master.

Could it be…

“Chaos?”

As soon as she heard my words, she started clapping with joy.

Clap, clap, clap!

“You’re indeed quick on the uptake. Yes, I’m the Chaos that has been communicating with you through the system all this time!”

“…”

I had a feeling. When it rushed towards me, Chaos Eyes didn’t react, and it was natural since I wasn’t going to take any damage.

“Chaos, what’s going on! I thought I could only see you through the system window.”

I was just happy.

After being transported to this new world, Chaos was the only thing I could rely on.

Even when I was laughing and chatting with my party members, I felt a sense of loneliness deep within me, knowing that I was an outsider in this world.

But whenever I talked to Chaos, the feeling of loneliness seemed to fade away, perhaps because Chaos knew my past.

Moreover, I had less resentment towards Chaos, as it was just a servant of the goddess who had forcibly brought me here.

“Haha! Ahren, you’ve safely escaped the labyrinth and grown stronger, and now you have some free time in the city. So, I decided to come out in your dream!”

Then, she laughed and said, “I was so worried about you. But you managed to overcome the challenges and reach the city. Come here!”

I approached her, wondering why she was asking me to come closer. She began petting my head.

“There, there. You’ve done well, my brave one. Isn’t it right to praise a child who has done well?”

She continued petting me.

The sensation of being petted made me feel like a child.

“Mama…”

Damn, I almost lost my mind from the petting.

By the way, why am I being treated like a child, and why is she speaking in such a strange way? And what’s this about being a dragonkin? How old are you?

In fact, aren’t you a grandmother instead of a mother?

Thump! Thump, thump!

“Ouch, stop it!”

“Get those strange thoughts out of your head right now!”

She was still petting the top of my head.

“Hmm. You brought this upon yourself.”

I decided not to think about age-related matters.

She seemed to want to end the banter and said, “Ahren, I have a few things to tell you. Listen carefully…”

Bang!

What’s going on? Why did she suddenly explode while talking?

Suddenly, smoke appeared in front of me, and I coughed and waved my arms. Her voice reached me through the smoke.

“Oh, it seems my power is still limited even in dreams.”

“What do you mean?”

Gradually, her figure became visible, but it was slightly different from before.

She was much smaller… extremely so.

Her clothes had also changed to something more ordinary.

“Stop staring at me like that!”

“You look so cute now.”

“Eek! How embarrassing!”

She scolded me for no reason.

After pouting for a moment, she regained her composure and began speaking in a calm tone.

“The reason I appear like this is because I’m too powerful to easily interfere with reality, and…”

At the same time?

“It’s because you and I are mentally connected, and I’m trying to manifest myself in your dream, which has resulted in this semi-successful appearance.”

I understood that she was powerful, but mentally connected?

“To put it simply, from the moment you were transported to this world and infused with her power, you and I have become like family, connected by strength instead of blood.”

…Family?

“As the Chaos Dragon who feeds on the power of the goddess, I am her servant, and you are her only apostle, granted most of the causal laws she had stored. We both have a commonality that shakes our very existence.”

“…”

“Especially after you became like this, our minds became half-connected through the system. Otherwise, how could we have communicated through our thoughts?”

She pointed to herself and then to me.

“You and I are now inseparable within the boundaries of the Chaos Goddess. Do you understand?”

The first thought that came to my mind after hearing Chaos’ explanation was, ‘Hmm, I have something like a family now?’

‘I didn’t have this in my previous world, but I have it now in this new world.’

“If you die, my mind will be half-corrupted, and I might go mad. Then, I might descend to the lower realm and be known as a disaster.”

After saying this, she relaxed and smiled.

“In your world, there’s a saying that a married couple is one body and one soul, right? So, we’re now half-married!”

She winked at me.

“Come closer. I’ll encourage you to live harder and not die so that you can continue to live a more fulfilling life! Hurry up!”

I slowly approached her.

“Good. Oh, now our eye levels don’t match! Bend your body a little!”

Ignoring her, I picked her up and placed her on my lap.

“Huh?”

“Now it’s my turn.”

I began petting her vigorously.

“Mmm…”

After a while, I stopped, thinking it was enough, but she spoke up.

“More, a little more… It feels so good…”

Pat, pat.

“Hehe. Oh, no!”

Chaos’ body began to fade.

“You’re waking up from your dream! Listen, don’t underestimate the first and second layers just because you’ve cleared the third layer. Also, focus on your inner strength for the time being.”

Indeed, overconfidence is a pitfall. I nodded in agreement.

“And…”

She didn’t finish her sentence and began to fade away.

“Huff.”

At the same time, I opened my eyes in reality.

It was morning.

.

.

.

[Chaos asks if you slept well.]

“Of course. Last night was very exciting. One thing is certain: thanks to Chaos, I will work harder from now on.”

[Chaos chuckles.]

After getting ready, I opened the door and stepped out.

‘Where should I go to eat? Can outsiders eat at the Order’s dining hall?’

I was pondering this when the man who had introduced himself as Evelyn’s deputy yesterday approached me.

“Good morning, Ahren. Did you sleep well last night?”

“Yes. I had a good night’s sleep. By the way, what’s your name?”

“I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Cain, the leader’s personal deputy.”

Cain, Evelyn’s personal deputy. I must remember that.

“Oh, this isn’t the time for introductions. The leader asked me to bring you to her personal training ground, so let’s go.”

Is it urgent? My stomach is growling, but I can’t ask for food in this situation.

I followed Cain to Evelyn’s personal training ground.

‘Wow, this is her personal training ground? It’s huge.’

Upon arrival, I saw Evelyn standing in the center of the training ground.

When she noticed me and Cain, she spoke.

“Cain, thank you for your efforts. You may go now.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Cain bowed his head and left.

“Ahren, I’m sorry to ask you this early in the morning, but I’d like to spar with you.”

Suddenly?

“A test… is that what you mean?”

Evelyn nodded.

“Yes. Last night, I had a heartfelt conversation with Yeriel. She told me that she wants to stay in the same party as you and continue going to the labyrinth if you’re okay with it.”

Of course, I’m more than okay with that. In fact, it’s more than just okay.

“But I don’t know your true abilities, so I feel a bit anxious about entrusting my sister to you.”

Hmm, that’s understandable.

I also prefer to have Yeriel, who has both skill, character, and loyalty, as a cleric in my party or one that I’ll create later.

“I’m sure you won’t reject my sister, but can you give me some reassurance through a sparring match?”

I nodded in response to her words.

“Great! I’ll fight you with the average physical abilities of a low-level adventurer, which is E-grade. Please give it your all.”

As she said this, she threw me a wooden sword.

“It’s made of ironwood, so you don’t have to worry about breaking it.”

As she loosened up, she spoke.

“Take the sword, Ahren. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Great. If I can satisfy Evelyn in this sparring match, it will be beneficial not only for Yeriel but also for me.

“Let’s give it our all.”

[Activate Hard Body]

[All physical attributes increase by one level.]

“Oh, you know how to use Hard Body? This is more interesting than I expected. I’ll let you go first!”

[Chaos reminds you not to be too rough during the sparring.]

‘Don’t worry. It’s just a sparring match; I won’t die.’

“Huff!”

I started with a charge and a diagonal slash.

Clang!

Evelyn narrowed her eyes at the faster and stronger attack than expected and stepped back, slightly tilting her sword to deflect the blow.

‘As expected, her experience and skills are on a different level.’

“Your abilities seem to be above the average low-level adventurer. This is fun. Now, it’s my turn to attack! Defend yourself!”

As she charged towards me, my vision began to slow down due to Chaos Eyes.

?!

Both her charging speed and attack movements were clearly visible, as if they matched the E-grade abilities she mentioned.

Despite this…

Not a single trajectory could be seen.