Surviving the Dungeon with an EX-Rank Trait

The time remaining until the entrance to the labyrinth is just one day.

Every few days, when I went to the Knights, while Yeriell was resting, I managed to elevate my stamina by having a practical spar with Ivelyn.

And then…

[You have acquired the trait: Focused Strike.]

“Kuh!”

[Chaos claps its hands joyfully.]

Is it luck that’s on my side? Finally, I was able to obtain the long-awaited trait in a one-on-one lesson with Rotten.

‘…No, it’s not about luck or any kind of uncertainty.’

I’ve trained every single day until I collapsed from exhaustion.

Despite the unlimited magic power, sweat dripped from my chin as I struggled, my vision spinning out of control from the effort.

Perhaps because I focused my magic entirely with my right arm, after swinging my sword countless times in the same way throughout the day, my fingers gripping the hilt became numb and unruly. Sometimes, intense spasms hit my arm, making me collapse and lay there, unable to move.

So, this trait is… It’s safe to say it’s purely the result of my efforts without any outside interference.

────

[Focused Strike] [A]

This is a technique that can be described as the signature skill of the high-level adventurer Rotten.

Originally, it was a technique that could unleash a thrust powerful enough to snap someone’s neck with a set amount of magic, usable multiple times, but it has been refined by Rotten himself to better suit its user.

It is the final strike that doesn’t look back.

Now, that should be the new finesse of Focused Strike that the user should pursue.

─The destructive power, piercing power, and internal impact correction depend on the amount of magic concentrated in the weapon after focusing.

─If successful in hitting, additional damage ignoring defenses applies in proportion to the used magic.

─Using this technique places a tremendous burden on the weapon.

─If the casting of the technique is interrupted or misses the target, recoil proportional to the concentration time and the amount of magic used is inflicted on the user’s body and weapon.

────

One-hit kill.

The word that sprang to mind as I finished reading the content.

‘I wouldn’t dare use it unless it’s a decisive moment.’

After using the technique, my sword might be broken, and no matter how much I ask Barak, it would take some time to recover it. Moreover, the action of thrusting itself leaves a massive opening if I miss the attack.

And now, it even has inherent recoil with the trait.

“Well, your expression and the sound just now suggest that you’ve succeeded in acquiring it.”

“Haha, yes! It’s finally done! I almost thought I’d be stumbling into the labyrinth without any results.”

Seeing my bright smile, Rotten patted my shoulder with pride.

“Heh. I can’t believe you’ve managed to refine my livelihood in just a few weeks… Your effort and talent are beyond my imagination. It would have been easy to give up with all the times you collapsed and couldn’t even move. I’m proud of you.”

“Hehe, are you flattering me too much?”

As I laughed, creating a warm atmosphere, Rotten opened his mouth, reminding me.

“To use that technique, you must be prepared to kill. In short, don’t use it unless it’s a moment of certainty.”

“Of course. I know very well that it’s a technique with many openings.”

“No, you don’t understand.”

His eyes settled into a deep gaze, recalling something.

“With just one wrong choice, swept away by bloodlust, losing a precious one… it’s truly a horrifying thing.”

At Rotten’s words filled with remorse, I simply closed my mouth, nodding gravely.

“Ha ha ha. You old fool. Now go get some sleep! You’re departing tomorrow.”

Right. I should sleep early today.

As I hesitated, seeing him looking particularly weary, I finally bowed and ascended.

As soon as I entered my room, washed up, and sat on the bed, perhaps because it was the day before entering the Great Labyrinth, numerous thoughts of good and bad floated to the surface in my mind.

“No, I’ve finished everything that needed to be done. I’ve done my best in every possible aspect.”

That damn Layered Ruler.

Even after I watched him die, having dealt the final blow myself, his presence never left my mind throughout my exhausting ordeal.

Even if a similar incident occurred again in the lower levels…

Next time, even without mid-level adventurers around, we’ll have to get through it with only our strength.

[Chaos encourages you, saying you can do it.]

‘Thank you, Chaos. This time, let’s go without stopping!’

Got it!

I shook my head vigorously and lay down, closing my eyes.

—

The next day. For some reason, my body felt incredibly refreshed.

“Yawn. I slept well. Feeling good.”

It was bright outside, bustling with the sounds of adventurers moving about.

Voices chatting while moving in parties and the sounds of hooves from several wagons created a strangely uplifting atmosphere for me as well.

“Alright! Food, torches, and a few graded potions are packed. The clock and compass are in good shape, and my armor is fitted and ready.”

After a hearty breakfast, I rummaged through my bag to double-check that nothing was missing, and together we looked back.

“Hehe, looks like we’ve got everything. Let’s hurry!”

“You seem more excited than usual, Yeriell. Is there something good happening?”

“No, just… I think I’ve finally finished rolling around in tears under my sister. Now it’s time to show results!”

Her enthusiasm was off the charts. That’s a good look.

Shall we check how much she’s changed?

—

[Yeriell]

[Strength: E] [Agility: E+] [Durability: E]

[Stamina: E+] [Magic: D-] [Luck: D+]

[Traits:]

Foundation of Sacred Arts

Inborn Luck

Devotion

Overcoming Weakness

Touch of Light

Silver Cross Exorcism

—

Wow, her traits were no joke!

She’s on a completely different level than she was a month ago!

These traits intertwined with the training have significantly improved Yeriell’s physical abilities, which were mostly at E- grade, all rising by one or two levels.

“Yeriell, you’ve really put in the effort!”

“Huh? Oh, you saw my traits! Hehe. How is it? I can now keep up with you!”

Lumia was shooting sharp glares at her.

—

[Lumia]

[Strength: E+] [Agility: E] [Durability: E]

[Stamina: E+] [Magic: D] [Luck: E-]

[Traits:]

Punishment of Darkness

Black Magic Proficiency

Mask of Deficiency

Succubus Sense

Burning Determination

—

Oh!

Not only did she evolve her original foundational black magic traits, but I heard that it’s quite slow to rise in D rank without special equipment or items.

Seeing as how I raised my stamina through sheer effort, her most critical stat, magic, had also risen a whole level.

It’s clear that she spent weeks secluded in the inn practicing magic…

“Lumia, you’ve really worked hard too. Alright! When we come back safely this time, let’s go out and explore together, regardless of what others say.”

The mention of going out made Lumia flinch.

“Well, the curse won’t affect me if I’m with you. Is there somewhere you’ve always wanted to go?”

“Uh, um. I’d be happy to go anywhere as long as I’m with you. Just stay by my side.”

“Ahem! We don’t have time to be sitting around! If we don’t hurry, we’ll have to wait in line for hours. Let’s get going!”

Yeriell raised her voice to hurry us up.

“Tch.”

I couldn’t hear the brief mumble from Lumia as she clicked her tongue, so I let it go.

“Then, Mr. Rotten, we’ll be off now. It’ll probably take longer than last time.”

“Of course. Would I not know that? I’m just hoping you all come back safe and sound. Be careful, everyone.”

We all answered his concern and stepped out of the inn.

‘It’s only the second time, but this is serious.’

As we got off the carriage in the busy square and were swept along by the crowd, I saw various adventurers, just like last time.

“This time, I’m definitely going to get through the gate of proof and shake off the lower-level label!”

“Ugh. It’s getting tiresome. Do we have to run around the same layer and the same spot until we run out of resources again?”

“Let’s go! This time, let’s all try hard to get great items and traits!”

As we lined up and waited, I thought about it.

I wonder if some guards are pocketing bribes, or maybe they have their own side arrangements. There might be some hidden agreements going on beneath the surface that I’m not aware of, but you never know: among all those adventurers, they could be hunting humans, members of dark clans, or even criminals from Zone 8…

‘Please, this time, I just want to avoid getting involved with anyone. Just like other adventurers, I want to break records and farm my heart out and come out safe.’

Vvvrrr—

As the black portal’s surface rippled, it began to spew out radiant light.

Before long, a commotion broke out at the front.

“Everyone! Please maintain order!”

The line kept getting shorter and shorter.

A short while later, it was our turn as we showed our party cards.

“Party leader Aren and two others. Confirmed. May good luck be with your steps, adventurer!”

Thanking the guard who was a lot friendlier than the last, I held hands with the others.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Without hesitation, I stepped into the portal.

Vvvrrr—

—

“Phew.”

‘This time, the nausea is definitely less.’

I hadn’t used a portal much before, but it was starting to feel more familiar.

The first layer of the Great Labyrinth.

Here, where I had fought desperately, I was back again.

Facing the darkness that obscured my vision and the chill in the air, I sharpened my senses.

Being my second entry, my judgments were quicker than before.

‘First, let’s light the torch.’

I released the hands I clasped when entering and lit my torch.

Swish.

The light driving away the darkness secured my vision.

“Everyone, all good?”

“Yep! No problem here.”

“Me neither. I don’t sense anything nearby.”

Good. An issue hasn’t arisen right from the start.

I took the map out of my bag and began scanning the surroundings.

“Looks like we’ve dropped quite deep into the southern zone. We might reach the portal earlier than last time.”

Because we weren’t starting near the center? That’s good news.

If I’m reading this map correctly, it should take us maximum three to four days to reach the portal going south.

This time, we should be able to escape the first layer quickly.

“Everyone, you still remember the events from the first layer, right? Let’s stay alert, but don’t get too scared.”

I added, looking at Lumia.

“Since we haven’t hired a scout yet, looks like it’ll be up to you again this time, Lumia.”

I asked her to notify us at once if she felt any movements or presences.

“Well then, let’s set off.”

With me in the lead, our party started to press forward through the darkness.

Pat pat.

“I sense the presence of demons ahead. Their number… 6.”

Nodding at Lumia’s alert, I proceeded.

The monsters emerging from the first layer were just low-tier ones like ratmen and kobolds.

“Let’s go. We need to move quickly to reach the second layer.”

Focusing ahead, I indeed spotted the kobolds.

“I’ll go first!”

[Activate Body Reinforcement]

[All physical attributes increase by one level.]

Having slightly mastered magic control, as long as I can endure the rush of blood coursing through my veins, I could use the body reinforcement without much trouble from this point on.

‘Since we’ve entered the labyrinth, I’ll keep it active constantly, except when I sleep.’

To practice using my great sword in battle, I silently summoned it.

Swish.

With both hands firmly gripping the sword hilt, I charged in.

“Kyaaa!?”

“Kyaang!”

The monsters belatedly noticed me, shouting in panic, but it was too late.

With magic fueling my massive great sword, I swung it down heavily.

Woosh!

“Kyaaa!”

“Kyaang!!”

With an overwhelming difference in strength, I cleaved through the bodies of the two highly visible kobolds, tearing them in half.

Slash!

The kobolds froze in shock at the sight of their split kin.

“Gulp!”

Using the momentum from my swing, I turned and slashed horizontally with my great sword.

With a splatter and the sound of bursting, three more fell lifelessly.

“Kya、 kyaang.”

The last trembling kobold took a step back and began to run in fright.

Huh? The monster is running away?

“The unseen hand that grasps the night.”

[Rugen’s Grip]

Whoosh.

At Lumia’s incantation, a black hand materialized in the empty air.

It grasped the fleeing kobold with force and then burst it into bloody pieces.

The battle wrapped up easily, and I turned to give Lumia a thumbs up.

With her expressionless face hiding a sense of accomplishment, she nodded.

“Well done, both of you! Hmph. I didn’t even need to cast buffs. I felt useless.”

“No, doesn’t that show how easy it is to deal with the first layer’s monsters?”

“Hmm. I guess so, but my sister said having a priest around means they should step back as little as possible when in a labyrinth!”

Yeriell laughed brightly.

Yeah. She’s right about that. Whether it’s buffs, healing, or protection, a priest is a valuable resource just by existing.

And I think they should only act when it’s crucial in battle.

‘On that note, wizards hold an essential role too. Essentially, it’s about role distribution.’

That said, I can confidently say that the hard training and rolling around we did in the last labyrinth and city are showing up with definitive results in this battle.

—

[Aren]

[Strength: D] [Agility: C-] [Durability: D]

[Stamina: D+] [Magic: EX] [Luck: D]

[Traits:]

Chaos Alignment

Chaos Dragon Heart

Weak Authority

One Language

Shoddy Concealment

Body Reinforcement – Draconian

Purple Lightning

Super Rookie

Ivelyn’s Style – Slice Sword Technique

Accumulated Killing Intent

Whispers of the Wind

Proof of Subjugation – First Subjugator

Gentle Kiss of the Breeze

Focused Strike

—

This is how my status looks after applying body reinforcement.

Clenching my fist tightly, I made a resolution.

‘I haven’t set a defined limit for how deep I’ll go, but I will absolutely break through the third layer on this first return.’

It wasn’t just feasible. I was confident that, as long as there were no variables, three layers were easily within reach.

“Alright, let’s get moving again. We’ve got a long way to go.”

I cut off the noses of the fallen kobolds and stowed them in my bag.

‘Now that we’re on the first layer, there’s nothing to hold me back, Layered Ruler or what not. As long as I’m careful of people—just people!’

Taking out my compass and map, I stepped forward with energy toward the south.

---