Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

They exchanged their hardships and stories as they talked back and forth.

“On the 4th floor, we were in the middle of a hunting spree, and suddenly, this skeleton wearing a barely draped priest’s robe came rushing toward us, flapping in the wind!”

“Ah, is that the priest you mentioned earlier?”

“Exactly. It looked at us, visibly startled, its jaw clicking as it said it was a humble priest of the Light Church named Markov and immediately introduced itself!”

Gary chimed in on Derek’s story.

“Ugh, I was so shocked I nearly dropped dead right there! When you see something out of place in the dungeon, it’s almost always the start of a grueling ordeal!”

Wow, that insight really captures the essence of the dungeon.

“Anyway, we initially thought it was some named monster we’d never seen before and froze up. But then it begged us to help it escape, saying it would support us with buffs and healing.”

The priest, who joined a temporary party that later turned out to be a group of concealed raiders, only realized their true nature around the mid-third floor.

Just when despair set in, as it didn’t know what to do, a random curse from an unidentified item the raiders had looted struck them.

The priest turned undead, while the others were cursed with disabilities or suffered blows that essentially ended their adventuring careers, throwing the group into utter chaos.

Using this chance, the priest escaped the raiders and joined Derek’s party, eventually making it out safely. Since then, the priest became an acquaintance and a contact within the Light Church, albeit a rare one.

“When a skeleton uses divine power, it already looks white as bone, but it shines even brighter!”

Derek shrugged, pretending to shield his eyes from imaginary light.

“When we returned to the city, I thought it’d head straight to the cathedral to remove the condition. But instead, they called it the ‘Rebirth of Sacred Bones’ or something and welcomed it! They loved it!”

Derek laughed, saying that if I ever met the skeleton in a radiant white hood glowing with divine power, I should mention his name.

“I’d love to meet them someday. Curious things are best experienced together.”

Other tales included capturing a named goblin and acquiring its essence and a C-grade item and the time they set a record reaching the 5th floor. But they nearly died choosing the Crystal Corridor to escape quickly, only to encounter human hunters.

While their stories were fascinating, I didn’t just sit and listen the whole time.

Most of the tales I shared were ones I’d already recounted to Bernard, Shurika, and Lenea.

“A g-golden goblin! I’m sure I read about that in Treasure of the Dungeon, Volume 1!”

“A vortex that shatters the mind, along with a colossal beast… Yikes, I’m never going to those sanctuaries.”

Gary and Derek’s enthusiastic reactions made sharing my stories enjoyable.

“The moment our first battle ended after letting you join the party, I had a strong premonition.”

Derek nodded, as if reminiscing.

“Ah! This person isn’t someone who’ll stay in the lower floors. Maybe I’m witnessing the seed of a future deep-tier adventurer—something like that.”

“Ahaha, you’re flattering me too much! It’s a little embarrassing.”

Lenea, who had been attentively listening and occasionally nodding along, stuck out her tongue.

“It’s no exaggeration. Breaking through the 9th floor in less than half a year? That’s not just impressive—it’s unheard of.”

Gary scratched his cheek, agreeing.

“Right? Normally, advancing to the middle floors involves…”

Gary trailed off, rolling his eyes as if recalling something.

“…completing quests that overlap with exploration, like gathering specific byproducts or rare materials, to grow and contribute to the guild simultaneously. That’s how most people do it.”

Well, it means I pushed myself that hard.

In any case, amidst the cheerful atmosphere, we enjoyed food, drinks, and conversation for a long while.

“Wait… Gary’s the youngest here? How does a guy who just turned twenty look like that?”

With Gary’s face flushed red and Lenea drinking cautiously, Derek, who had seemingly sobered up by channeling mana, turned to me.

“Ahren. I have something to discuss. Want to step outside for a moment?”

What could he want to talk about?

I was puzzled about leaving the others behind for a private chat but soon followed Derek out of the inn after a brief glance at Veronica.

We stepped into the night, where the sun had long set, and slowly walked down the quiet streets.

As I followed him, clearing my mind of any remaining intoxication, I noticed his determined steps suggested he had a specific destination in mind.

Sure enough, Derek eventually stopped at a secluded, empty clearing.

‘This place… Is it just an empty lot?’

It was a wide, desolate area with no signs of life. Only Derek and I stood there.

“Derek, what’s so important that you had to bring me all the way here?”

Just as I was wondering why he’d chosen such a place, Derek began speaking with a serious expression.

“I couldn’t help it. If I miss today, I won’t have another chance for a while.”

“A chance for what?”

“Ahren, let me get straight to the point. I have a favor to ask.”

Srring.

The smooth iron sword at his waist and the steel kite shield slung over his back were in his hands as Derek prepared for combat. He exhaled deeply, his stance fully transformed into a battle-ready posture.

Though the situation had changed suddenly, and his demeanor shifted drastically, there was no sense of hostility emanating from him despite being armed with a sword and shield. This allowed me to wait calmly for whatever he might say next.

After some hesitation, Derek finally began to speak.

“I know very well how shameless it is to make such a request after you’ve come to see me, remembering the small memories we shared. But…”

“…”

At this point, I wasn’t just curious—I was getting genuinely uneasy. What kind of request was he planning to make?

“I don’t want to feel powerless anymore, just some ordinary vanguard… a weak adventurer who can’t hold his ground.”

For crying out loud, just get to the point already and tell me what you want!

[Chaos pats you on the chest in frustration.]

Honestly, if it weren’t for Derek, I might have died long ago in that forest swarming with goblins. So, I’d already made up my mind to agree to most requests he might have.

Still, why drag it out so long? Is he worried I’d refuse?

Regardless of my frustration—or Chaos’s—Derek continued speaking in his composed tone.

“Ahren, for the past half-year, while exploring the labyrinth with a fixed party, I’ve fallen for someone.”

“…?”

“It’s not like before, where I got swept up in fleeting emotions. This time, just looking at her makes my heart race. I’ve found someone I want to protect, no matter what.”

“Could it be… that person is Lenea?”

“As expected, you’re sharp. Yes, it’s her. I don’t know how Lenea feels about me, but at least for me… I’m infatuated with her.”

Well, it’s not hard to understand. Lenea, being an elf, has an exceptionally striking appearance. She’s also a rare spirit mage, and from just a brief conversation, you can tell she’s got a flawless, pleasant personality.

In Derek’s fixed party, Gary takes on the role of the friendly, younger sibling constantly calling him “captain.” Bernard is the serious, quiet middle-aged man. Derek and Lenea? They might actually make a great pair.

Now, the puzzle pieces clicked into place.

After enduring a hellish ordeal on the third floor, Derek must have met Lenea. Thanks to her, he had a stable party and had been adventuring without trouble for over six months.

She was a promising spirit mage with rare and valuable traits, while Derek, aside from his one B-rank skill obtained by chance, was just slightly better than a typical vanguard.

It’s clear why he’d want to grow stronger.

Drawing his sword upon arriving at the clearing was likely because he wanted to spar with me and use his “Mimicry” trait to learn something from me.

“Let me cut to the chase. Derek, do you want to spar with me?”

Startled by my bluntness, Derek quickly nodded.

“Yes. Before tonight ends, I want to learn something—anything—from you.”

Scratching the back of his neck, Derek elaborated.

“There’s no guarantee we won’t miss each other if you visit again. Besides, you’ll obviously be too busy to come often, right? Didn’t you mention your lodging is in the fourth district, far from here?”

True enough.

With my business with Veronica wrapping up, I still had to visit the Magic Tower, show my face at the Knights’ Order, and drop by the Sword Guild.

Even if I came back later, it wouldn’t be soon, considering the Grand Banquet preparations.

“Please, as an old comrade who’s lacking in many ways—would you teach me something?”

“I don’t see a reason to refuse, but… what if the guards notice the commotion after we go wild in this clearing?”

“Don’t worry. They likely won’t. Even if they do, it’ll just result in a fine. I’ll take full responsibility!”

What to do?

One problem came to mind.

My skills and traits were all too unique to be easily mimicked.

The Lightning? Even if I demonstrated it, there’s no way Derek could replicate it. He doesn’t have resistance to it, so that’s a no-go.

The Frost of Despair, the Golden Crown, and Dimensional Leap were also out of the question.

Sword of Destruction and One-Point Focus? Same deal.

There’s no way I’m letting him copy techniques taught by my master or the Rotten One.

After quickly evaluating and sorting through these options, I decided what to do.

“Let’s begin then. I’m ready.”

Derek’s main weapons were a one-handed sword and shield.

It had been a while, but I summoned Barak, gripping the weapon tightly.