Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

“You bastards, are you going to cower forever after getting hit by a single magic attack? Let’s go, the hunt begins!”

[Gospel activates ‘Hunting Time’.]

[Calculating the gap… Partial resistance!]

[If you take damage from the user’s attack, you will receive additional weak defense-ignoring damage.]

[The agility increase when chasing does not apply.]

Since the difference was not that large, only half of the effect seemed to apply.

“Huh? Why is the seal so faint? Whatever, it doesn’t matter. As long as it’s applied.”

Gospel seemed unbothered and began giving instructions to his party members.

“Hey! Stop wasting time on the dead guy and go after those two girls. Skiron and you two twerps, take care of them.”

The men hesitated, so he glared at them.

“If we just kill them here, it’s all over. Don’t be afraid! What are you waiting for, go!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Yes, brother!”

The three men ran towards us, looking pale. I couldn’t send them to the girls, so I tried to stop them.

“Hey, your opponent is me. Where do you think you’re going?”

Clang! Clang!

The dagger, shimmering with red mana like the man’s hair, flashed swiftly.

Huff.

His attacks were skilled, combining stabbing and slashing.

Even if his attacks were blocked, he continued with the next move without hesitation.

“If you don’t kill me quickly, your party members might die. Why don’t you use more strength?”

Krrr. I need to take the initiative, but I can’t find any openings.

When my ability scores first increased from E to D, I instinctively felt something different.

Now, I realize that the difference between C- and D agility is this significant.

Gospel’s dagger flashed as he swung it, but it seemed slow, and I could see each attack.

However, just because the attacks looked slow didn’t mean my body could move faster. I could dodge or block the attacks, but counterattacking was not easy.

“Hmm, you’re quite good.”

Clang! Clang!

He attacked so quickly that I couldn’t tell when he stabbed, and then he slashed in a counter-attack, spinning like the wind.

“Your defense is amazing. Hmm, but do you plan to keep defending? I’m starting to think that your sword has met the wrong owner.”

I didn’t fall for his childish attempt to break my concentration and focused on finding an opportunity.

Behind us, the sound of intense combat began.

“Holy Arrow, pierce the unholy!”

[Holy Arrow]

Swoosh—

“Impossible! Whirlwind!”

[Skiron activates ‘Whirlwind’.]

“The invisible hand that grasps the night.”

[Rugen’s Grip]

Damn, what’s happening over there? I hope Yeriel and Lumia can hold on!

[Chaos says to trust your companions and focus on the enemy in front of you.]

Whoosh—

“Are you distracted by what’s happening over there? Hmm, you shouldn’t be looking away when I’m right in front of you.”

Hoo.

“To be honest, I’ve lost interest in the sister of the Blood Witch.”

Clang! Clang!

Gospel struggled with me and smirked.

“I think it would be more fun to fight for our lives than to kill her for revenge.”

What the hell.

“I’ve finally found an interesting prey… Is that what you wanted to say?”

“Haha, yes. So, whether your lovers die or our party members die, just ignore it and fight with all your strength!”

Clang!

What a crazy bastard.

Yes. It’s better to survive and vomit blood from the recoil than to die here.

I discarded any hesitation.

“Hoo…”

Kaboom—!

“Kyaak!”

I clashed with Gospel’s attack, using the path of the Bomb Sword technique to channel mana into it.

It didn’t matter if the weapon broke, as it would be restored anyway.

Now that his guard was open, it was my chance.

Slash!

“Kyaak!”

I instinctively felt that I had cut him deeply.

“Damn. Did you think I’d be weaker than you?”

Gospel grabbed his chest, where his armor was cut and blood was seeping out.

“Hmm. Interesting. So, you had something hidden. This wound is nothing. I’ll just heal it with a potion after I kill you.”

Tap. Clang. Swish.

The smile disappeared from Gospel’s face.

He moved like a snake, slashing with his dagger.

Clang!

Gospel stumbled a little, as if he had been caught off guard, but then he quickly recovered.

The speed difference made it difficult for me to dodge and counterattack, but I was not inferior in terms of skill.

Clang! Kaboom! Clang!

“Krrr.”

Gospel gritted his teeth.

It must be frustrating for him that no matter how hard he attacked, I blocked him even more strongly.

[Gospel activates ‘Flurry’.]

Is this an intermediate dagger technique? He started swinging his dagger wildly.

Damn. I could see his attacks, but they were too fast for me to respond to all of them. My body couldn’t keep up with my eyes.

Clang! Clang!

Blood—

Gospel’s mana-infused slashes cut through my armor, and my arm was slightly cut.

Ugh.

“Krrr. Cough.”

Was this how the defense-ignoring damage from the seal applied?

Even though I avoided a critical hit, blood surged up my throat and I vomited.

[Gospel activates ‘Stealth’.]

Whoosh—

After a successful attack, he disappeared without a trace, using another technique.

Was he in front, behind, or to the side?

The world slowed down.

Behind!

I immediately jumped forward and rolled on the ground.

Hoo.

I quickly jumped up and saw Gospel, who had lost his balance and was about to strike the ground with a downward blow.

“Hmm.”

Gospel was surprised and tried to say something, but I ran towards him and tried to slash him in half, as if splitting a helmetless man.

Clang! Clang!

Gospel knelt on one knee and barely blocked my attack.

“Kyaak!”

“Kyaaak!”

I put my weight into the attack, intending to split him in half, but he skillfully twisted his dagger and rolled backward.

“Huff, huff. What the hell? Do you have eyes on your back or something? How many traits do you have?”

He didn’t know how much I had to move my eyes to avoid his previous attack.

“Now, I’m not just interested, but also a little tired of your onion-like talents. It’s time to end this. Goodbye!”

[Gospel activates ‘Fatal Blow’.]

He rushed towards me, determined to finish the fight.

Clang! Kaboom! Clang!

A whirlwind-like stab aimed at my heart.

A fatal series of slashes aimed at my neck and chest.

Hoo. Kaboom!

A half-spin downward strike and a diagonal slash.

“Hmm.”

I blocked all the attacks.

Due to the recoil from the techniques, Gospel was frozen, and I channeled mana into my right arm.

This was my chance. He couldn’t react to my attack, so it was my only opportunity.

The Bomb Sword technique was not primarily for weapon enhancement.

I thought back to my practical training with Evelyn.

Draw an unpredictable, lightning-fast blow.

‘You’re acting like you can kill me anytime you want. Well, I’ll show you.’

I channeled the mana I had accumulated in my right arm and slashed.

Gospel desperately tried to block my attack with his dagger, but…

Bang! Slash!

“Kyaaaak—!”

During the downward slash, I found an opening and immediately transitioned to a horizontal slash by exploding the mana again.

I slashed him from the side, splitting him in half.

“Kyaaak… What…

Gospel, clutching his intestines and vomiting blood, looked at me with bloodshot eyes.

Zzzz.

I massaged my aching right arm and tried to swing my sword again.

“Kyaak, kyaaaak—!”

[Gospel enters a dying state and falls into a ‘Frenzy’ state.]

A red aura enveloped him and pushed me away.

Damn. If I had beheaded him with a single strike, would the trait not have activated? No, his severed head might have reattached itself.

Don’t blame yourself unnecessarily and gather information before the final battle.

________________________________________

[Gospel]

[Strength: C-] [Agility: C] [Endurance: C-]
[Stamina: C-] [Mana: D] [Luck: F-]

[Possessed Traits]

Intermediate Dagger Technique
Unleashed Madness
Hunting Time
Roar of Malice

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[Unleashed Madness (B)] [P]

As the user faces death, the beast within is finally unleashed. Once the mind is consumed, the original personality is as good as dead, leaving only a beast that craves slaughter.

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All ability scores increase by one level, except for luck.

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Luck is fixed at F-.

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‘Madness’ stacks are always maintained at 5.

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Regeneration is greatly increased.

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[Roar of Malice (C)] [A]

The user lets out a roar filled with malice. Ordinary humans will die instantly when touched by this malice.

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‘Roar of Malice’ technique can be used.

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When used, there is a very high chance of applying fear to the opponent.

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When used, there is a high chance of applying despair to the opponent.

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This is truly disgusting. Just one trait has changed the status window to this extent.

-‘Yeriel, can you hear me? Lumia took care of them over there!’

What the hell?

A priest and a black mage defeated three people, including a melee fighter?

I thought they would just hold out, but I guess I underestimated them.

-‘I’ll come to you now!’

-‘If you attract aggro, it’ll be troublesome, so stay far away and just give me buffs. Wait for me in a safe place, okay?’

-‘Yes! I understand. I don’t want to be a burden, and I’ve already caused enough trouble. I trust your judgment, Ahren. Wait a moment.’

[The effect of Divine Weapon increases strength by one level for 30 minutes.]

[The effect of Haste increases agility by one level for 30 minutes.]

-‘Good! I’ll finish this quickly and come back. Don’t worry, and wait with Lumia.’

While I was having a short conversation with Yeriel, the red aura that had been pulsating and blocking my approach became calm.

Here he comes!

Clang!

“Kyaak, kyaak!”

Gospel, with bloodshot eyes, ran towards me.

There was no trace of reason left in him, only instinct.

Clang! Clang! Kaboom!

I continued to clash with him, channeling mana into my sword using the Bomb Sword technique.

One, two, three. Gospel’s attacks continued.

Normally, after the activation of ‘Frenzy’, his stats should have increased, making him more challenging to fight.

However, he was only using his experience and instincts to swing his dagger without any technique.

Huff!

Bang! Slash!

I quickly slashed him, avoiding his attacks as much as possible.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

I continued to bend his attacks, forcing him to create openings, and then I inserted my sword into those openings.

Even a slight scratch caused my stomach to churn and a taste of blood in my mouth.

My right arm was in excruciating pain, and I felt like vomiting, but I didn’t stop because I knew he was suffering even more.

Clang! Clang!

“Please just die—!”

His endurance was C-, and his regeneration was boosted by his trait.

To completely kill him, I needed to behead him or stab his heart, but…

His trait mentioned a beast, and he was indeed acting on pure instinct, never exposing his vital points.

At that moment,

Fizz, crackle!

“Kyaaaak—!”

The rare paralysis effect of Barrak activated!

[Gospel activates ‘Roar of Malice’.]

Kaboom—

Damn.

[Chaos Eye nullifies fear.]

[Chaos Eye nullifies despair.]

It was a physical and mental attack, but Chaos Eye blocked most of it, and the remaining physical force knocked me away.

Damn. I can’t miss this opportunity…

In the end, I was left with only one option.

‘Lightning Step.’

[Stacks: 1→0]

Fizz.

A technique that allows the user to teleport to a designated location once a day, turning into lightning.

I had used this technique once during my training with Evelyn and then sealed it because…

Even with the strong lightning resistance applied by holding Barrak, the extreme pain of electrocution and burning sensation overwhelmed me, causing me to collapse. I couldn’t use it in combat.

Krrr—

As expected, I collapsed as soon as I teleported behind Gospel.

“■■■■■■■—!”

It’s hot. Or is it cold? My legs, my hands. They’re burning. I’m dizzy. Am I standing? Did I fall? Am I dying? Kill. Sword. Heart. Kill to live. What?

[Chaos tells me to focus and hold on.]

Yes.

Tap.

I crawled towards Gospel’s fallen body.

Puff—

I had to kill him.

“Kyaak, kyaaaak!”

I crawled over to Gospel’s body and stabbed Barrak into his heart.

“Huff, huff.”

I lay down on my back and couldn’t help but shed a tear.

Damn. Why do I have to struggle so much on the first floor?

Even when I fell to the third floor without any equipment, it wasn’t this bad.

[Chaos wants to hug me and comfort me.]

“Haaah.”

Yes. I need to calm down.

Hmm, it’s not easy to live an easy life. Sometimes you get hurt, and sometimes you fall and get back up. That’s life. It’s okay now, so don’t worry.

[Chaos says it wants to cuddle me when we return to the city.]

Puff.

I think I’d rather cuddle you if you looked like you did before.

[Chaos says, “Let’s see.”]

Enough of this banter…

-‘Yeriel, can you hear me? Everything is taken care of, so please come over with the bag and the items we looted from them.’

-‘Yes! I understand. But are you badly injured?’

-‘No, I’m not badly injured, but I need to receive a heal. I feel weak because I’m relaxed.’

-‘Huff. I’ll be there soon. Wait a moment!’

They’ll be here soon too. Should I loot anything from Gospel? At least, I should take his dagger.

“Huh?”

I barely managed to lift my upper body and looked at Gospel’s corpse.

The center of his body was glowing gray.