Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

“Is this your unique weapon?”

Evelyn said, looking at the crude sword as the blanket was removed.

She examined the sword carefully, stroking her chin.

“First of all, the appearance isn’t bad. You don’t know anything about this weapon other than the fact that it’s unique, right?”

“Huh? No. Well, I know some information, like its name.”

…Damn. I should have just said I didn’t know. Why did she ask that question?

Evelyn frowned and changed the topic.

“Ahren. You’re my disciple, and I’m your master, right? I’m going to teach you the secret sword technique, and you and my sister will be in the same party.”

Why is she stating the obvious?

“Yes. That’s right. It’s still hard to believe that Evelyn accepted me as her disciple.”

Evelyn spoke up immediately.

“So, if you have a secret or two, just tell me. A master and disciple should have a certain level of trust, right?”

“…”

“Listen carefully. Ordinary adventurers can’t see the information window of items unless they use specific magic or scrolls.”

Evelyn pointed to the sword and me.

“The same goes for unique items. Usually, unique items require a non-disclosure agreement with a guild appraiser to get a detailed appraisal. But you already have some information about it?”

“…”

“You came straight here after escaping the dungeon, and you couldn’t leave the Order’s grounds during the training.”

Evelyn took something out of the pocket dimension and shrugged.

“I was going to hand you an appraisal scroll when you said you didn’t know, but I discovered something strange in an unexpected area.”

Damn.

I should have just said I didn’t know instead of giving a vague answer.

I thought that since even ability and trait names could be seen by each person, everyone could see the names and descriptions of items.

‘I need to visit a library or something after the training to learn more about this world.’

I asked Chaos without thinking.

‘By the way, Chaos, did you not know about this issue? Couldn’t you have told me some basic information in advance?’

[Chaos says it’s difficult to proactively provide information unless you specifically ask about a question.]

…That’s right. Chaos usually displays a system window for its actions, saying things like ‘I speak. I worry.’

It’s not like an artificial intelligence that provides information without being asked.

Ugh, as my embarrassment subsided, I felt sorry and embarrassed for taking it out on Chaos.

‘I’m sorry for asking you like that. I didn’t mean to.’

[Chaos says it’s okay and not to worry about it.]

So, now that I’ve apologized to Chaos, I need to clear Evelyn’s suspicions.

Before the atmosphere became too awkward, I closed my eyes and said,

“Actually, I once talked about my eye-related trait when we first met, right?”

“Yes, I remember.”

“It’s not just about seeing attacks. I can also see the stats, traits, and specific item information of others.”

Evelyn paused for a moment before speaking.

“So, because of this eye-related trait, you can see other people’s information, trait details, and item information immediately?”

I went on to say that not only that, but when I kill monsters, I very rarely see light from their corpses.

And when I touch that light, I absorb a random trait.

Evelyn rolled her eyes and said,

“Wow… Isn’t that a scammy trait? Of course, I’m not one to talk, considering my own traits.”

Not just one, but traits?

“By the way, can you see my information now? I won’t mind, so why don’t you try it?”

Evelyn urged me with an excited expression.

“Don’t you feel uncomfortable when others see your stats or traits? Are you okay with that, Master?”

As soon as I finished speaking, Evelyn snorted.

“Hmph. Who am I?”

“Evelyn? Master?”

“…”

…She seemed to want a more elaborate answer.

“The highest record holder of the 27th floor, a deep-level adventurer, the captain of the Silver Cross Knights, and the unparalleled beautiful swordswoman who is the true master of Ahren, is none other than Evelyn!”

“Pffft! You’re so cheesy. Let’s do this, okay?”

“Yes!”

I almost got hit for not keeping up with her rhythm.

Evelyn changed the atmosphere and said,

“Anyway, I’m your master, and before that, I’m a deep-level adventurer. Let them see if they want to. Even if the whole world knows my information, most people won’t dare to challenge me.”

She came over and poked my nose with her finger.

“And. Why are you an outsider? You’re going to be my disciple from now on, right? I know you’re hiding more than that. How do you think I’ve survived until now?”

[Chaos frowns at the situation.]

“But I understand. You fell naked into the Great Dungeon, so it’s understandable that you don’t know much and are confused.”

She said, putting her arm around my shoulder and laughing.

“I’ll just be satisfied with you revealing your big secret for now. When you open up to me more in the future, you can tell me then.”

…Master.

She seemed to find the atmosphere awkward and removed her arm, saying,

“Okay! Now, tell me what you see about this sword’s information.”

I explained Barrak’s name and details.

And I added,

“It grants high lightning resistance, and I have a trait I obtained from killing the monster that dropped this unique weapon. It’s a trait that deals with lightning…”

[Azure Lightning (C)] [A]

A trait absorbed from the purple Cicero.

To wield the destructive lightning of the mutant species, one must pay a price.

Can be grown through consistent use.

• If the user does not have lightning resistance, using the trait will cause lightning damage and paralysis to the user.
•
• After concentrating, the user can use the technique ‘Thunderbolt’ by consuming mana. A headache proportional to the scale of the technique occurs immediately after use.
•
• The technique ‘Lightning Step’ can be used once a day. The stack is reset at midnight.
•
I learned this after obtaining the trait, but it seems that when I absorb traits from enemies, they are somewhat adjusted to fit me.

‘I didn’t know that when I absorbed the crappy Invisibility trait from the Goblin Archer.’

Unfortunately, since I didn’t have lightning resistance like the monster, I didn’t have techniques like Lightning Flow or Lightning Release, which almost killed me.

“Okay, that trait isn’t as simple as ‘can handle lightning.’ What’s its grade, D or C? What are its derived techniques?”

“It’s grade C, and its techniques are Thunderbolt, which can be used by concentrating, and Lightning Step, which can be used once a day.”

Evelyn thought for a moment and said,

“Let’s start with Thunderbolt. Since it has the penalty of causing a headache depending on its scale, we need to find a compromise that can be used in combat. First, at the weakest level!”

“Yes.”

Since lightning resistance is required, I held the sword’s hilt with my right hand.

[High lightning resistance is granted.]

[Stamina is reduced by one level.]

‘Thunderbolt.’

As I silently recited the technique’s name, I instinctively knew how to designate the location and strength of the lightning strike and how much concentration was needed.

First, at the weakest level.

Zap!

Bang!

“Ugh.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. I used it at the weakest level I felt, and it still gave me a piercing headache.”

“Hmm, now at the strongest level!”

At the strongest level, the location was far away. …Concentrate!

Zap. Zap!

Boom!

…

…

“Ahren, Ahren! Are you okay?”

I came to my senses at the sound of her voice.

I sat up, and a delayed throbbing pain filled my head.

‘Ugh.’

A ringing sound echoed in the back of my head, making it hard to concentrate.

‘Was I lying down? Did I pass out as soon as I tried the strongest level?’

I clutched my head and let out a sigh, and Evelyn spoke.

“Let’s test the other one when you’re fully recovered. It’s not urgent since it can only be used once a day. Come on, chug the potion and recover, then get up.”

I chugged the potion and looked ahead.

Wow.

The designated location was completely devastated, and purple remnants remained on the ground, sparking and crackling.

“The power is certain for a C-grade technique, but the backlash is also significant. Now that you’ve gotten a feel for it, let’s get used to how to use it in combat.”

Still feeling the headache, she wanted me to continue? Damn.

“Ugh!”

So, for a whole day, I endured the headache with potions and finally found the right balance.

________________________________________

The next day, I arrived at the training ground, still holding my head, and Evelyn greeted me with a smile.

“Ahren, you’re here? Come on, I’ve been waiting for you. It’s finally time to learn sword techniques.”

Finally, the training is coming to an end!

I clenched my fist to calm my excitement, and Evelyn gestured.

“Then let’s turn around and infuse mana.”

Turn around and infuse mana?

Isn’t she going to teach me the correct posture or explain the intricacies of the movements?

“You have a curious expression. I know what you’re thinking, but I’m different from others.”

She clicked her tongue and continued, waving her arm.

“Usually, when teaching sword techniques, they correct your posture and explain the meaning behind each attack. But I’m different…”

Isn’t that what sword techniques are usually like?

“If a strong person does this, I won’t say anything, but my way is better than most people’s. Turn around. I’ll teach you how to manipulate mana and then train you in practice.”

As I turned around, she placed her hand on my back.

“Concentrate. From now on, I’ll let a little bit of my mana flow into you, moving along the path of the explosive sword technique.”

Is it called the Explosive Sword Technique?

“This is a very dangerous technique. If you mismanage your mana, your blood vessels can burst internally, and if you overuse it, your body can suffer irreversible damage.”

I felt her mana flowing into my back.

“Now, the first is the basic path. The foundation is the most important, so you must memorize it.”

I closed my eyes and focused, feeling her mana swirling through my body in a rough yet precise path and speed.

“Next is the path you should use when you’re in the middle of swinging your sword.”

“Ugh!”

As her mana flowed through my body due to the basic path, it exploded from my shoulders and arms, then gathered again.

“Finally, it’s the technique of reversing the flow in an instant, called ‘Explosive Blood.’ I’ll only let you feel it for a few seconds, so hold on tight.”

Click.

“—-!”

I felt like my blood was flowing backward. Despite the pain of my organs twisting, an uncontrollable power surged within me.

“Stop.”

“Ugh.”

As her hand left my back, I spat out a mouthful of blood.

Damn, I’m dying. I’ll never use that last technique again.

In pain, I saw a system window appear in front of me.

[You have acquired the trait ‘Evelyn-style – Explosive Sword Technique’.]

[Evelyn-style – Explosive Sword Technique] [A]

A sword technique created by the deep-level adventurer Evelyn for her own weapon. Originally designed for greatsword use, it has been modified to be used with any weapon, making it an easily teachable sword technique.

• By operating mana along a set path, attacks can be enhanced. In this case, the durability of the sword decreases rapidly.
•
• During an attack, mana can be exploded within the body to forcibly modify the path. This puts a significant burden on the body.
•
• The technique ‘Explosive Blood’ can be used. It is a highly dangerous technique that can lead to death if misused.
•
Then Evelyn said,

“I see you’ve safely obtained the trait. However, I hope I won’t have to use that ‘Explosive Blood’ technique again.”

Evelyn scratched her cheek.

“Yes. I just wanted to show you that I have such a technique. It’s always good to have more trump cards.”

In other words, use it when you’re about to die.

“Of course, it’s extremely dangerous, so don’t use it unless it’s a life-or-death situation. Now, let’s stop the serious talk and start communicating with our bodies!”

I asked Evelyn, as she didn’t have the wooden sword she usually threw at me during training.

“Are we really going to use real swords in practice?”

“Yes. I’ll hold an iron sword, and you’ll hold that Barrak or whatever it’s called. Give it your all!”

I hesitated, and Evelyn laughed condescendingly.

“Do you really think you can even touch me? Come on, rookie. You’re not ready yet. Don’t dream, just do your best!”

Yes, of course, I can’t even hurt a hair on her head if I wanted to.

But I can’t just stand here and take it.

“Then, the rookie will go first!”

The final training began as I charged towards her.

.

.

.

“You’ve worked hard. Now, go to the Adventurer’s Guild. The training is over!”

On the 14th day, all the training finally came to an end.