Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

I bid farewell to Jacob and returned to the table, where Yeriel was sound asleep.

“Lumia, you’re trying to stay awake, but you’re clearly exhausted. I’ll take Yeriel to the room, so don’t worry and go upstairs first.”

“Hmm. See you tomorrow.”

Lumia staggered up the stairs.

‘She might fall over. Hopefully, her sense of balance is good enough.’

Indeed, she seemed to be the most relaxed I’ve ever seen her, probably due to the accumulated fatigue from this dungeon trip.

“I need to quickly move Yeriel and clean up the table.”

I carried Yeriel and lightly climbed the stairs, opening the door to the room.

Thud.

I carefully put her down, but the sound was still loud. I hoped she wouldn’t wake up.

I spread my palms over her face and waved them, but thankfully, she didn’t show any signs of waking up.

Now, let’s go downstairs.

“…”

I turned around to leave the room, but Yeriel, who I thought was asleep, grabbed my wrist.

“!”

I was startled, but I realized that she was sleep-talking and calling for her sister.

‘She has become more confident and bright, but she still has a childlike side. After all, she’s just an adult, and Evelyn is her only remaining family.’

Yes, she’s just an adult, and she said that Evelyn is her only remaining family.

“Na, naa…”

She mumbled something to me, mistaking me for her sister, and smiled and frowned. I had no choice but to stand there quietly for a while.

Thud.

After about ten minutes, she finally let go of my hand and fell into a deep sleep.

I straightened her messy hair and slowly left the room.

Thud.

I closed the door and was about to go to bed when I decided to clean up the messy table first. I went downstairs, and Roten had already cleaned up most of it.

He saw me and laughed.

“Hmm. The innkeeper should clean up after the guests. You should go back upstairs and rest. You’ve worked hard.”

“Yes, thank you. Good night, Roten.”

I nodded and headed to my room.

I sat on the bed, took off my equipment, and leaned against it.

“Ugh, I can’t sleep like this. I need to take a shower to feel refreshed.”

Shh…

I stood under the water flowing from the magic tool above.

‘Tomorrow, I’ll go to the third district with Yeriel as soon as I wake up.’

After that, I need to either repair or get a new suit of armor, as well as dispose of the miscellaneous equipment that has accumulated in my bag.

‘Honestly, I can’t keep getting discounts from acquaintances. This armor is so damaged that I should just get a new one.’

Sigh… I wish I could just lounge around in my room for a few days and explore the areas I haven’t been to yet, but…

If there are still problems to solve, it’s better to get them out of the way all at once.

If I just put everything off and try to relax, I’ll just end up feeling uncomfortable.

[Chaos tells me to just sleep and not think about anything.]

I hope I won’t wake up in a dream again.

I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes, falling asleep instantly.

.

.

.

This time, Chaos didn’t have the energy to wake me up.

I woke up feeling refreshed and started my day.

“I’ll be back. Lumia, let’s go out together soon.”

“Yes. I remember you telling me to go out and explore without worrying about others after we return from the dungeon.”

Lumia nodded calmly.

‘What did I say before entering the dungeon? Ah.’

-‘I really appreciate it. When we return safely, let’s go out and explore without worrying about what others say. Do you have anywhere you want to go?’

I vaguely remembered saying something like that.

Yes. Let’s keep our promise and finish our tasks in the next few days, and then go out and explore together.

We can even go further, like looking for attractions between the fifth and seventh districts.

Thud, thud.

I arrived at the carriage station and spoke.

“Yeriel, are you sure you can go alone? Last time, Hutton said he wanted to see you in person to make sure you were safe.”

“No, no. The procedure for removing the trait will take a long time, and I’ll have to wait for a while after getting a number. I’m going to the Order today, so I’d rather go alone.”

Ah… Yes. Since there are so many adventurers, even if they divide the work, the waiting time will be quite long. Especially since most of the adventurers who returned yesterday are here.

‘I’ll just go with Hutton later to see him.’

“Oh, by the way! Today, I’m going to stay at home with my sister, so you don’t need to wait or worry about me. Okay?”

“Yes. See you tomorrow.”

Yeriel waved and got on the carriage to the third district, and I watched her for a moment before getting on a carriage to Hutton’s weapon shop.

________________________________________

Clink.

I opened the door and entered the weapon shop.

I walked a few steps and saw that the incompetent employee I met last time wasn’t there. Instead, Hutton was talking to a blonde adventurer.

‘It’s good that I didn’t have to see that employee again. I was a bit uncomfortable.’

“Hmm. I understand. Since this is your first visit through an introduction, I’ll pay extra attention to that aspect.”

“How long will it take to complete everything?”

“It will take at least two weeks. Anyway, the next portal will open in almost a month, right? You can relax and wait while preparing other things.”

“Well, then I’ll come back in three weeks. I paid a large sum, so I expect a satisfactory result.”

What? He’s acting like he’s talking to a subordinate.

Who is he to act so arrogantly? Is he a high-ranking adventurer?

I was curious and looked up the man’s information.

───

[Rashion Elsinore]

[Strength: A-] [Agility: A] [Endurance: B-] [Stamina: A-] [Mana: A] [Luck: B+]

[Acquired Traits] (Collapse)

High Elf Sword Technique
Fairy Eye
Wanderer
Circulating Mana
Soul Contract
Elven Knight’s Pride
Trained Mind
Light Splitting
Scattering Wind Blade Storm
Light Sword – Genesis

───

───

[Fairy Eye (A)] [P]

A bloodline where the blood of the ancient fairy king is unusually strong.

Because of this, the eyes were replaced with the fairy eye, a collection of mysteries, instead of ordinary eyes at birth.

Most elves envied and were jealous of the user, but it wasn’t all good to be special.

──Mana increases by four levels.

──Endurance decreases by two levels.

──Sometimes, he is plagued by visions of the past.

──He can see everything about the spirits.

──The favorability of all spirits is not easily lowered.

──Multiple spirit contracts are possible.

───

Strong.

That was the word that came to mind as soon as I looked at his status window.

He was at least a high-level adventurer.

‘By the way, he said he was an elf.’

After reading his status window, I looked at the man again and saw his pointed ears sticking out of his long golden hair.

Hutton frowned and said, “Just say yes instead of talking nonsense. Are you insulting my craftsmanship?”

Thud.

Hutton threw the hammer he was holding behind him and crossed his arms.

“Guldan introduced you to me, and now you’re causing trouble. I’ll have to give him a good talking to.”

“Woah, woah. Calm down. I was just stating the facts. Isn’t it reasonable to expect such a reaction when dealing with platinum-level transactions?”

Rashion calmly apologized.

“Hmm. You need to be more careful with your words. Anyway, I understand, so I’ll just leave for now.”

“Yes. I’ll come back in three weeks.”

The blonde elf turned gracefully and walked towards the entrance where I was standing.

“Huh?”

I had already moved to the side to avoid getting involved, but he suddenly turned his head towards me.

To be precise, he didn’t just turn his head; he stared at me with his turquoise eyes.

“Hey, you. Come here for a moment.”

I almost sighed in exasperation at his high-handed and arrogant tone, which was different from his usual demeanor.

‘I just came here to get my equipment fixed. Why am I getting involved in something else?’

I said politely, “Are you talking to me?”

“Who else could it be? I have something urgent to check, so just stay still for a moment.”

What the hell? He’s talking to me like a street ruffian.

[Chaos says it’s annoying.]

After a while, Rashion spoke in a suppressed voice, as if he had seen something interesting.

“Sorry. I was surprised because the spirit connected to me suddenly reacted strangely. I can’t help but be curious.”

‘Is it because of the Dragon’s Hearth or something related to Sirene?’

He pointed his finger at my forehead.

“I was surprised to see a mark on your forehead. It’s a trace left by a top-tier spirit, which is rarely seen in a lifetime.”

Yes. The reason he suddenly turned to me was entirely due to the trait Whispering Breeze of the Wind.

He shrugged and continued, “I don’t know if it’s because of the trait you obtained by chance or the power you obtained through a special path.”

Slurp.

He took something out of his pocket.

“Here, take it. As an elf known as the friend of spirits, I can’t just ignore such a rare sight.”

…Suddenly?

I took what he offered, as I couldn’t ignore it, and examined it.

───

[Elven Knights Emblem]

The Elven Knights is a title bestowed by the king and elders of the time to a small number of exceptionally strong elves.

It is a kind of token that can be given to anyone at the discretion of the elf, such as a friend, lover, someone of interest, or a promising talent.

When shown to an elf, it can gain a certain amount of favor depending on the elf’s personality.

When the emblem is returned, the elf can be asked for help once.

Whether or not the elf accepts the request is up to them, but the probability of acceptance is high due to the traditions of the Great Forest.

Be careful, as counterfeiting can lead to being killed by many elves.

Each emblem is inscribed with its own mana, making it easy to identify.

───

“I’ll let it go for the sake of my reputation, so if you have any elves who are hostile or make things difficult for you, show them this.”

“…”

“There’s not only the simple act of showing it, but also a hidden way to use it. However, you’ll have to figure that out on your own. Anyway, keep it safe and use it wisely.”

“You’re giving me this precious thing out of the blue. Is it just because you saw something interesting?”

What’s the catch?

I asked him, trying not to offend him.

“I have several of them, so I gave it to you without hesitation. What, do you doubt my sincerity because it’s a favor without any compensation? Then throw it away. It’s no longer my property, so do whatever you want with it.”

Rashion shrugged, not caring.

No matter how I think about it, he’s not someone I should get close to.

It’s best to end the conversation here.

“…”

“Yes. I’ll keep it safe. Thank you.”

“Yes, yes. In addition to what I said earlier, there’s the unrefined mana flowing through your body and your impressive eyes.”

Rashion showed interest and continued, “You don’t seem like someone who would stay at the mid-level. When you grow up, make sure to praise the keen eye of Rashion Elsinore, who recognized your potential.”

He said he would leave and laughed at the absurdity of a spirit’s mark being a kiss mark.

Flap.

Rashion left, flapping his cloak and disappearing in the blink of an eye.

“Tsk. I don’t know how such a frivolous person could be a member of the esteemed Elven Knights. Why did Guldan recommend this place to him?”

Hutton, who had approached me, frowned and said, “Well, well. Ahren, come here. Oh, did you remember my name correctly this time?”

Indeed, He had forgotten his name the last time and called him Alan.

“Haha, yes. What about the Elven Knights?”

“The emblem on that guy’s armor symbolizes it. I looked at his equipment, and it seems to have been crafted by the elven blacksmiths of the Great Forest.”

I didn’t have the leisure to notice such details because a strong man suddenly approached me.

The emblem is probably the same as the one he gave me.

“Let’s not get into a long conversation. As for the armor, it’s beyond repair…”

Hutton shook his head when he saw the condition of my armor.

“Yes, that’s what I thought.”

“Torn, beaten, and split. The repair cost will be more than the cost of making a new one. Why don’t you get a new suit of armor instead?”

I earned a lot of money this time, so I should invest in my equipment.

After fighting Grilops, I realized the importance of good armor, so I didn’t hesitate to agree.

“Yes. I was thinking the same thing. I’ve been relying on this armor a lot lately.”

“Great! I’ll bring some blueprints. Just wait a moment.”

…

Thud!

After a short wait, Hutton returned with a bundle of scrolls in his arms.