NOVEL WEB Chapter 9
Unique item?
It was clear just from listening that this was no ordinary thing.
I was feeling thrilled at the fact that not only did I gain traits, but now an item was also emerging.
“…If I can just get that! Get the hell out of the way!”
I was waiting for the purple glowing mass to transform into an item when suddenly, everything around me slowed down.
What the heck?
As I looked around, I saw Hans reaching out his hand toward the light, trying to shove me away with his whole body.
‘Is this crazy bastard serious?’
I was taken aback and reacted a bit late, but that guy was already laden with a burden, plus I had a three-level advantage in agility.
After quickly gauging the situation in the Chaos realm, I yanked him back before the light reached his hand and flung him away.
“Gehk.”
‘Is he really trying to steal my unique item right now?’
[Chaos frowns at the sight of such a loathsome human.]
Wow. There’s no way I could praise this guy. This is what they mean by an irredeemable human.
Heat rose to my head.
It had been no long since the fierce battle with Kikerro, and just when my hand reached for the sword’s hilt, ready to kill him without a second thought…
Hooosh—
Thud!
An unfamiliar shield came flying back like a boomerang and struck Hans on the head.
Is that… Derik’s shield?
Looking back, I saw Derik, being supported by Bernard, ready to toss it. So he’s still alive!
“Derik! You’re okay!”
Derik wiped his nose cheekily and replied.
“Yeah. I’m not the kind of guy who dies here.”
Then he stiffened, bowed his head towards me.
“Sorry, Aren. I got overwhelmed with excitement about going back and… it was pretty pathetic to see a tank collapse after just one hit, huh?”
Derik shook his head.
“I heard everything that happened while you were out of it. You’re really something. I might be facing some future dungeon crawler here.”
Well, at the time, I was pretty shocked when I suddenly accelerated and got struck by lightning, retiring immediately.
But if I hadn’t had Chaos, I would have been electrocuted in one hit. It ended well, so that’s what matters.
“Haha, you’re raising me too high! Don’t take that earlier stuff to heart.”
More importantly, Hans sprawled out on the ground is the real issue. Is he out cold from getting hit on the head?
Noticing my gaze on Hans, Derik said.
“We’re about to return to the city, but don’t dirty your hands on him or ruin your mood. Leave it to me.”
What’s he planning?
“Killing someone like that barely better than a goblin would be less painful than selling him as a slave with a magic sealing clause to the guild.”
Derik winked one eye.
“Of course, as a certified admin, the magic won’t be broken or leave any future troubles! All the money from the sale will go to you. Let’s do it in front of everyone.”
Is it just me, or does this world have a slave system openly operating? With magic binding and thorough management to boot.
Can you really sell someone as a slave based on just testimony without any evidence?
…Well, maybe there’s some magic like memory reading or a truth-telling spell that serves as a reliable procedure, which is why he’s boasting like that.
‘Yeah, if there’s a sure way to deal with him, there’s no need to kill him and ruin my mood just before I escape with some loot.’
If I think rationally, it would be best to just slice his throat right away.
But after experiencing the labyrinth and being an adventurer, it feels like sooner rather than later, I’d be seeing a lot of blood anyway.
So far, the only person I’ve killed in this labyrinth… was Scarlet.
Rumble!!
Just as I was lost in thought, the glowing mass flared one last time, sending out rays of light before transforming into a shape.
Is that… a sword?
It looked to be about 80 cm long—a dark sword floating in mid-air.
The odd part is that the entire thing, from the pommel to the blade, looked like it was made from a single slab, rough and clunky.
It almost seemed like it was made from solid rock, not metal.
“Hoo.”
I exhaled, filled with anticipation as I grasped the sword.
[Assessing eligibility.]
As the system window blinked with the sword glowing purple, it calmed down shortly after.
‘What the hell, if this thing existed, it would’ve failed anyway if Hans had tried to touch it first!’
I mean, what was he thinking? Was he going to steel it, and then what was the plan afterward? Jump through the portal and try to launder his identity outside?
Was he too stupid to know one thing while knowing the other?
[Eligibility confirmed.]
[Weapon is bound to the user.]
Information about the sword appeared before my eyes.
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[Thunderstrike Sword Barak ברק] (Unique)
Among the rare three-colored strains that emerge only from superior mutant bosses, the purple Kikerro.
His powerful lightning has been manifested into this sword like a small judge.
It looks rough and ordinary, but its true form will be revealed with a certain infusion of mana.
─Grants the user strong resistance to lightning while wielding the sword.
─Can recover through mana even if damaged.
─Inflicts a rare stun status effect when attacking in its true form.
─Though the sword won’t dull due to the murderous intent he held when dying, the user’s HP decreases one level.
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Wow. This is the first time I’ve seen an equipment info window, and I immediately knew how disproportionate it was for me at my level.
‘So with this, I wouldn’t need to change weapons for a while, huh?’
Considering that unique items drop from monsters, it really felt like a perfect fit after reflecting the battle before their death.
What if someone else, not someone with unlimited mana like me, got it?
It would just grant lightning resistance and be slightly sharp, turning the sword into something with a crucial downside of lowering HP.
Just look at Derik, who’s only a skilled E-ranked in mana.
All he can do now is conserve mana with activated traits, let alone how he’d maintain mana or infuse it into a sword!
[Chaos gives up calculating the probability of a mutant boss appearing from the tribe, the rarity of it being a unique type, and the probability of absorbing traits and resulting in a unique item.]
‘Even I think that’s a bit absurd. But if you consider this as a compensation for falling naked onto the third floor and managing to survive desperately, it doesn’t sound unreasonable…’
Yeah, sure, if I just left through the portal to the city, it would have been safe, but I wouldn’t have had these connections or the opportunity to grow so fast.
Being naked and having no money, I might have been homeless on the streets instead of being an adventurer. Ugh. Just imagining it sends shivers down my spine.
While I was busy checking the sword’s information and talking to Chaos, Derik spoke in a serious tone.
“Aren. Before we escape, I’ll give you some final advice. It’s best to put that sword in a shabby scabbard and try to keep it out of sight as much as possible.”
Derik shook his head.
“After all, it would be pointless if you use its special abilities and draw attention. If you become a target for hunters or losers, it gets troublesome.”
Hunters and losers?
“I know it’s different from other ordinary swords, so I understand that I should keep it hidden… but hunters and losers?”
Derik nodded.
“Right. There are sometimes human hunters who thrive on looting and killing, or losers who think they can take down an adventurer with good gear.”
He shrugged his shoulders as he continued.
“You’re just a novice who has just begun to grow, so it’s best to hide it as much as possible, and if something comes charging at you in the labyrinth, don’t hesitate to kill it.”
As he spoke, he pulled out a tattered blanket from Hans’ backpack and handed it to me.
“Here. Wrap this around it for now, and when we get to the city, find a scabbard. A unique item, especially a weapon, will be too much for an adventurer on the third floor to handle.”
I nodded.
“Even though it’s bound to me, and I can’t lose it even if I die, I should always bear in mind that overly extravagant possessions can just look like tasty prey in the eyes of others.”
Derik… I feel like I’ll never forget this guy no matter how famous I become in the city or how strong I get in the future. Just a true GOAT, Derik.
“Alright, I’ll be tying up Hans, so you two catch up before we leave!”
“Yeah. I’ll do that.”
“Since the chief was brutally killed, the remaining goblins probably won’t come here for a while.”
Derik dragged the sprawled-out Hans away and started rummaging through his backpack.
Hmm. Considering Derik’s advice…
If I suddenly use the lightning that Kikerro used to check features here, I’d immediately get into trouble explaining myself!
I’ll just check the sword’s true form and the purple lightning once we get to the city.
After reaching a training ground or somewhere less populated would be best.
Just as I was organizing my thoughts, Bernard approached.
“Aren, that clumsiness and ordinariness might be a blessing in disguise for you. That unique item shouldn’t put you in danger.”
“Thanks for your concern, Bernard. It is risky, but if I can use this as an opportunity to grow stronger, maybe one day I won’t be at risk even if I possess multiple unique items.”
Bernard chuckled at my words.
“You certainly carry confidence and ambition equal to your strengths.”
He then acted playfully.
“Oh dear, I might have to call it a day before that lady back there shoots daggers at me. I’ll see you when we leave.”
As Bernard left, Yeriell came running, her cheeks puffed up as she watched from behind.
“Aren! I waited because it seemed you and Derik were having a serious talk. Wow, so that’s the unique item! It feels… well, pretty ordinary compared to what I imagined?”
I smiled at her colorful expression changes.
“Yeriell, you’ve been waiting for a long time! When I first saw the shining thing, I thought it would be flamboyant, but the end product is a bit dull, huh?”
Yeriell nodded, her cheeks flushing as she spoke.
“W-well, it still looks like a fine sword in your hands.”
“Hurm. Thanks, Yeriell. By the way, what’s your plan after we get out?”
I had a lot to sort regarding my identity and what to do with Hans becoming a slave, so I was curious about her plans as well.
“Hehe, I think I’ll head to the Silver Cross Knights first. Since I’m a priest, um, my sister is the leader there!”
Wow, the head of the Silver Cross Knights, huh? Just hearing the name is impressive. Yeriell isn’t your average adventurer like Scarlet either…
Her eyes glimmering as she spoke.
“Aren, you have to come by for a visit! They’ll definitely let you in if you mention my name.”
“Sure. I’ll definitely stop by. It’s a promise.”
“Eek! You promised? And about the party…”
“Everyone, gather around! It’s time to hop through the portal and get out of here!”
Yeriell called out, and Derik shouted to gather everyone.
“Yeriell, I didn’t catch the last part. Can you repeat it?”
“L-let’s talk after we get out! It’s important!”
Important? I’m curious what it could be.
“Got it. Let’s go to Derik then. Did I miss anything?”
“Yep! Let’s go!”
We all gathered in front of the yellow portal.
“Everyone. You’ve really worked hard. Let’s settle our accounts and get some rest. I’ll go first!”
With that, Derik passed through the portal, dragging Hans, who was bound and gagged, along with his backpack.
In a flash of shimmering light, the two vanished. Now I get it.
“I’ll go wait too.”
Bernard said shortly before leaving.
“Aren! Don’t just stand there, let’s go! Hurry up!”
Yeriell grabbed my hand and pulled me along.
So this is really it. We’re finally exiting the third floor. I felt like tears might come out.
[Chaos comforts that it’s been tough.]
Yeah. Up until now, I’d consider it a tutorial that was way too difficult. Now I’m at the starting line.
Let’s go!
Whoosh—
Successfully conquering the third floor, we safely made our escape.
*
“Ugh.”
This is my second time through the portal, but I still have a long way to go to get used to it.
“Aren, are you alright? Do you want me to pat your back or something?”
“Thanks. I’m feeling better now.”
I steadied myself and looked up.
…Wow.
The first thing that caught my eye was a view that would typically come to mind when imagining a medieval fantasy world.
“Mrow! After all that hard work, why is this all there is?!”
“Traits, traits! So this is what getting traits from conquering a labyrinth feels like! Let’s head to the cathedral!”
“Mutone! You’ve worked hard, so let’s go get something delicious to eat!”
“Sara—! No! How am I supposed to live in a city without you?! Damn it!!”
Strange buildings and all kinds of adventures, their joys and sorrows.
This is a different world… and there are even beastmen.
At that moment, a strong, strange sensation engulfed my whole body.
“Ugh!”
[You have acquired the trait ‘Super Rookie.’]
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[Super Rookie] [P]
After skipping the first and second floors through some method on your first expedition, you have explosively escaped from the third floor! You are a being worthy of great expectations for your future journey.
─Increases luck rating two steps if it’s lower than D rank.
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Super Rookie?
“Wow. Aren! Based on your reaction, you must have obtained a trait, right? Congratulations!”
“Ugh. Thanks, Yeriell. This feels a bit strange.”
Now I understood why the adventurer from earlier was celebrating after finally getting his trait.
Do they track how hard you worked through the labyrinth? Or is it just based on luck and probability?
It made my head hurt, but I decided to take it as a good thing.
‘There’s a lot to do now. First, I need to find Derik.’
“Yeriell—!”
Suddenly, a loud voice called out. Who’s looking for Yeriell?
“Gasp! Sis, how did you find me? I’m right here!”
Yeriell, still holding my hand, raised her other arm and waved it around energetically.