Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

I took a deep breath as I stood in the center of the training ground.

“Then, let’s start with something light.”

Evelyn said and began running in different directions.

‘So, she’s starting with this pattern today.’

She ran in different directions, making it difficult to predict her path, and then suddenly charged at me.

This pattern is better to block than to dodge by following with my eyes.

Pfft.

As the sound of her charge filled the air, the world slowed down. I looked around and saw the trajectory appearing to the side.

I needed to time my block perfectly.

…Now!

Thwack!

I blocked her attack by stepping back with my right foot and using it as a pivot to stabilize my sword.

At first, I tried to dodge without thinking about the rock I was standing on, and I ended up falling backward.

‘Damn, I’m still embarrassed about that.’

After several days of falling and getting hit, I realized something.

I had to dodge or block with minimal movement.

After blocking her attack, Evelyn landed on a nearby log and said,

“You’ve passed the first stage. Now, let’s move on to the next stage?”

Bang!

Evelyn charged at me, breaking everything she stepped on.

The second pattern is a continuous attack!

“Ugh.”

Red trajectories rained down in front of my eyes without stopping.

A quick mid-level stab followed by an upper-level slash and a lower-level sweep.

I dodged and blocked, then jumped back onto the rock.

“How’s it going? Can you keep dodging without stepping on anything?”

Just as she said, until yesterday, I kept trying to dodge the pouring sword strikes, but eventually, I stepped on thin air and had to retire.

“Today, I think I can do it!”

However, now that 60kg has been removed. My footwork was different from yesterday.

I could feel it without looking down.

‘There’s a short log behind me. A rock to the side!’

How much force do I need to jump to reach the nearby objects?

When I landed and my foot touched the object, I could sense the size of the object I was stepping on.

That’s how I was able to dodge without stepping on anything until the attacks stopped.

Evelyn sheathed her sword and spoke to me.

“Wow, you’ve already passed the second stage. This training only has one stage left? I thought it would take about a month to teach, but this is unexpected.”

I was terrified and said,

“Wh, what? I’m already struggling after just a week. A month?”

Evelyn saw my expression and covered her mouth, laughing. You didn’t feel that way…

“How cute. Did you think that a deep-level adventurer would finish teaching you one-on-one early?”

She raised her sword and said,

“After this training, I’ll teach you the secret sword technique. If you want to finish quickly, just pass it. Let’s go!”

As soon as she finished speaking, she disappeared and charged at me in the blink of an eye.

‘Damn! Until now, she matched my stats, but why did she suddenly become so fast?’

I dodged with difficulty, and she started spinning around, pulling out the logs and rocks stuck in the ground and throwing them at me.

I had to dodge and block repeatedly.

I saw her sword coming at me, aiming for my opening.

Damn, there’s no place to step on!

‘Damn it! Is it another failure? Will I have to reset to tomorrow again?’

Screw it!

I focused so hard that the veins in my eyes popped out.

I was going all out. If I couldn’t dodge because there was nowhere to step, I would just make sure she couldn’t attack anymore.

“Huff!”

As her stab reached me, I jumped in place and stepped on her wooden sword with my toes.

Success!

She waved her arm, and I fell, but I was ready for it. During the brief moment in the air, I swung my sword and aimed for her wrist holding the wooden sword.

‘Please let go!’

Thwack!

…Damn.

Thud!

[Chaos lets out a sigh of disappointment.]

I was so frustrated with my failure that I remained on the floor, and Evelyn clapped her hands.

“If you had jumped to the nearest object that was thrown, I would have passed you, but you jumped in place and stepped on the wooden sword to attack?”

Evelyn nodded and continued,

“I acknowledge your wit. Although the attack failed, I’ll count it as a pass. Ahren, you’re more capable than I thought?”

[Chaos says it’s fortunate.]

‘Yes, if I had done this for a few more days, I might have gone crazy…’

Sigh… As long as I reach my goal, I should be satisfied with passing.

.

.

.

On the ninth day.

I arrived at the training ground with excitement, but a problem arose from the start.

“Ahren. I said I would teach you sword techniques after you passed the training, but to properly learn my sword techniques, you need at least a large greatsword, if not a longsword.”

Evelyn pointed to the wooden sword I was holding and said,

“You seem to be used to a one-handed sword, but I’ll teach you intensively, so let’s change your weapon this time. Is there anything usable in the warehouse?”

…No way. My unique weapon, Barrak, is already an 80cm one-handed sword, so changing my main weapon is out of the question.

Even though I have to be careful with it, it’s still my unique item. How can I just use it as a spare secondary weapon?

“Th, that’s the thing. Can’t I use the secret sword technique with a one-handed sword?”

Evelyn looked puzzled at my question.

“I originally created it with the intention of using a greatsword, so using a one-handed sword will reduce its power and versatility, right?”

That’s true, but…

“But why are you insisting on a one-handed sword when you originally had a spare weapon? Don’t give me that crap about it being cool!”

Screw it. Evelyn is a powerful deep-level adventurer, and I’ve already formed a bond with her as her little sister. I should just tell her. It’s weird to keep hiding it.

“Actually, I have a unique weapon! It’s a one-handed sword, so I can’t change it to a greatsword no matter what.”

With that, I began to explain the circumstances, starting with how I obtained it by killing a mutant in the dungeon and then hiding it on her advice.

Evelyn listened intently with a serious expression.

She then said with a nonchalant expression,

“… Why did you take so long to tell me that? It’s true that it’s unusual for a low-level adventurer with a record of only reaching the 3rd floor to have a unique item.”

Evelyn sighed and shook her head, as if remembering something annoying.

“If the rumor spreads, some envious people might come after you. But I think you’ll grow quickly and turn the tables on them.”

She chuckled and continued,

“You cute little thing. I’m touched that you trusted me and told me, instead of making up an excuse.”

“Haha… Is that so?”

“Good! I’ll show you something I don’t usually show others, but since it’s you, Ahren, I’ll show it to you. As a deep-level adventurer, I also have several unique items.”

Evelyn’s hand began to glow with a crimson light.

“Among them, I have a unique weapon that symbolizes me. Open your eyes wide and look carefully.”

She then reached into the pocket dimension and pulled out something.

It was… just red and huge.

“Huh.”

For a moment, I couldn’t breathe as an immense killing intent materialized around Evelyn.

[Chaos says it’s not a mental attack, but a phenomenon, so stay focused.]

Fortunately, it disappeared quickly, but the goosebumps on my body wouldn’t go away.

I saw the status window of the object in front of me.

[The Bloodstorm of Judgment] (Unique)

15th floor, hidden layer boss Aldebaran.

During the battle, his broken giant horn and the pitifully mangled body of the giant species merged to form the shape of a greatsword.

The owner of this sword will undoubtedly bring forth a bloodstorm of judgment and revenge.

• Permanently grants the user the ‘Blood’ attribute.
•
• When attacking an opponent the user defines as evil, the seal of judgment is applied.
•
• It can be restored even if it’s damaged by absorbing blood.
•
• The longer the battle, the more the user loses their sanity.
•
• When the user accumulates a certain amount of damage, the skill ‘Aldebaran’s Roar’ can be used.
•
Huh. Is this why I felt so eerie when I first saw Evelyn?

Evelyn said,

“It’s huge, isn’t it? This is also the reason I created my own sword technique. It was awkward to use ordinary sword techniques with this weapon, which is even large than a greatsword.”

She began to swing the greatsword in the air.

Huff. Bang! Whoosh!

Bang!

Evelyn relaxed her arm, as if holding a square chunk of metal, and swung the greatsword a few times, quickly changing its trajectory in the middle.

Indeed, this sword technique complements the greatsword’s weakness, highlighting its strengths of wide range and destructive power.

She finished by slamming it on the ground, creating a sound like a bomb exploding.

‘Ugh, my eardrums almost burst.’

Evelyn spoke to me, seeing my grimace.

“In the end, what I want to say is this. Unique items, whether they are equipment, consumables, or anything else, have the power to change the foundation of their owner.”

She pointed at me with her finger and continued,

“So, Ahren. Instead of hiding it out of fear that someone will pick a fight with you, why not strengthen yourself with your unique weapon and rise to the top?”

“…”

“Since I’ve been training you in seclusion and vouching for you, the news will soon spread, and ordinary people won’t dare to mess with you for a while.”

Evelyn smiled, as if asking if I was scared.

“Of course, you’ll have to deal with envious people who might attack you, but you’re not afraid of them, are you?”

“Of course not! Who have I been learning from? Don’t worry.”

Initially, I was happy, but I thought that the sword I obtained was too extravagant, so I planned to use a regular sword in my daily life and only use Barrak occasionally to hunt strong monsters.

I thought it would be risky to use it openly, as it might attract unwanted attention from human hunters or losers.

‘Not anymore. As Derek advised, I’ll get a shabby scabbard for it, but I’ll use it without hesitation in combat.’

It’s bound to me, so even if I kill someone, they can’t take it away, and it’s safe for now thanks to Evelyn.

“Cough, cough!”

I decided to use it confidently, and Evelyn cleared her throat to draw attention.

“It’s nice to hear you say you’ve learned. Since you said that, do you have a different title for me other than my name?”

A title other than my name. Captain?

No, she seemed to be hooked on the word ‘learned’.

“Master?”

Evelyn was delighted to hear my words.

“Yes! That’s it!”

She shrugged and said,

“Well, someone of my status and abilities usually has a disciple or someone they’re training. I even have a friend who took a break from adventuring and is respected in the Swordsmanship Guild.”

Swordsmanship Guild.

“Ugh, every time I met him, he would brag about his disciples! I was annoyed and tried to make a disciple myself, but I couldn’t find anyone who met my standards or was worthy, so I was in a dilemma.”

What’s going on? She started laughing after getting annoyed.

“But just when I was in a dilemma, a worthy person with good specs and talent came along and said he wanted to learn from me desperately!”

…Maybe she took the words ‘learn desperately’ too lightly?

“And he has perseverance! So, I’m happy that you called me Master, right?”

I chuckled and said,

“You seem very happy. Are you that happy?”

“Yes! It’s not good for my reputation to ask you to call me that, but I’m happy that you called me Master on your own.”

She came over and put her arm around my shoulder, saying,

“Good. Since I’m in a good mood, I’ll help you use what I’m about to show you. Bring your unique weapon quickly. I’ll also modify the sword technique to suit you.”

“Yes! Just wait a moment.”

I quickly arrived at my room and held Barrak, wrapped in a blanket.

‘Good. With this, I’ll learn the sword technique, and with my Master’s help, I’ll make the purple lightning attribute my main attack.’

I imagined becoming stronger and took excited steps towards the training ground.