Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: First Experience
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⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Main Quest Completed!] [Please check your rewards!] Come to think of it, there was this too.
After returning to my lodging and lying on the bed, this had popped up.
'Rewards, huh.'
The rewards so far had all been good.
But each one had its flaws.
'Well, better than nothing, obviously.'
In the case of Fatal Constitution (A), it drew aggro for no reason. Others might not notice, but there were times when people who seemed even slightly dangerous to my senses flinched upon seeing me.
They say it lets you instinctively know an opponent's fatal weak points.
'Using a bow, I kind of get the feeling now.'
It's like the most critical vital spots become visible.
That sensation hits intensely.
Next up.
'Blood-Soaked Dagger (B) and Hidden Space (B).'
Both were incredibly useful.
But the Blood-Soaked Dagger screamed "I'm an amazing item!" just by looking at it, which wasn't great.
Having Hidden Space as a set made it somewhat usable.
'Anyway, worrying about it won't change anything.'
The rewards were set in stone.
I didn't want the attention, but I wanted the threat to my life even less.
Whatever it was, it was a gain, so I checked the reward.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Acquired Gift: Innate Combat Sense (B)!] 'B-grade this time.'
Maybe because I've been getting high grades lately.
B-grade feels kinda weak now.
'I've gotten spoiled.'
I need to survive somehow, yet here I am with such complacent thoughts.
⚔ GIFT ⚔ Innate Combat Sense (B)
Growth Type
◇ No matter what weapon you use, you can wield it with masterful skill. ◇ Combat sense enhanced when using recognized weapons. 'Combat-focused this time.'
One thing I realized while doing quests.
These quests seem connected to the next ones.
'Not sure if it's main, sub, or encounter quest yet.'
Still, I'm heading into the Labyrinth soon, so something combat-related is best.
As I thought that far, I noticed one phrase had changed.
'...Growth Type?'
Gifts can grow too?
Before pondering that, I needed to get a feel for how to use this.
It said to pick up a weapon, so I grabbed the sword from Armel first.
And as I assumed a stance.
'Ah, so this is it.'
I knew how to kill an opponent faster.
How to run quicker.
It felt like the instinctive sense from Rogue Mastery.
'Focused on weapons and combat, huh?'
Keep using it, and it grows into something.
Whatever, my combat power went up, so I'm satisfied.
'What a fulfilling day.'
I smiled contentedly at my pitch-black bow.
-Take that one, you.
The dwarf had said that while watching me shoot.
-No one can handle that bow properly anyway. It was made for low-level zones from the start, so it's not that great.
-It sure looks good, though.
-...Aren't you too honest?
-Heh heh, since an honest guy like me showed up, they're acknowledging my skills, right?
-Fine, you're great. Anyway, the bow's free.
-Jackpot! What about arrows...?
-Arrows are paid. But that was fun to watch, so I'll give you a discount.
That's how I got the bow for free.
'Fighting from the safe rear with a bow is the best.'
I drifted off to sleep with a satisfied smile.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "We're heading into the Labyrinth today."
Ermé said that to me while I was eating breakfast.
'The Labyrinth.'
We've geared up in the Cradle now.
Current party: two members.
Frontline's no worry.
We have a reliable Sword Hero candidate.
And she's got the title too.
Her talent must be the real deal.
I'm an all-rounder who can do front or backline.
'Not that I want to fight up front.'
But I can if needed.
So what's left is.
'Priest and mage.'
But those are rare classes, so probably bringing warriors or thieves instead.
That's how it usually starts.
"First, we need to join the Adventurer's Guild."
I'm already registered.
Back in the village where I met Lucia before coming to the Cradle.
"Then?"
"And join a clan."
"Clan?"
"Yes, clans. Oh, I didn't explain properly. Inside the Adventurer's Guild, you can form multiple clans based on mutual interests. Normally, we group by clan, but for Labyrinth incidents or external events, we unite as the guild. That's the Adventurer's Guild."
In simple terms, the guild's a big corporation, clans are subcontractors.
"Mentioning clans now—do you have one you want to join?"
"...I'll look into clans slowly."
I know nothing about them.
"Clans can wait. What's important now is bonding."
"Bonding?"
Come to think of it, Hanul mentioned it.
Sharing EXP via the system.
That allows level-ups.
'Level-up.'
I don't know its effects yet.
If Hanul's level 2.
'...No idea.'
Was Hanul even strong? He was a mage in a super specific situation.
Facing an assassin one-on-one as a mage.
"You might not know, Yuseong, but levels rise faster the stronger your Gift is."
"Yeah?"
"Someone like Hanul, whom you killed solo, was probably level 2, C-grade."
"C-grade?"
"Gifts. Probably something magic-related. And our Yuseong is..."
Ermé trailed off, resting her chin and eyeing me.
Her meaningful gaze said she knew everything without me saying.
'What's with the high regard?'
Not that I could complain guilt-free.
Here, so-called geniuses get B-grade Gifts.
A-grades are national talents.
S-grades are one-in-a-continent rarities.
That's why they're Hero candidates.
'She must have at least one herself.'
Ermé, smirking meaningfully at me.
I've got two S-grades already.
Two A-grades too.
Already dangerous, more attention would make it worse.
"Shall we go recruit party members then?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Adventurer's Guild was bustling.
"This is the heart of the Cradle!"
"These Hero candidates are all monsters. Seen the mage candidate?"
Gazes scanned us while they chatted.
A few on Ermé, but the worst were on me.
'Why me...'
Probably Fatal Constitution (A) threatening them automatically.
'Can I turn it off?'
Thinking that, I felt Fatal Constitution deactivate.
'Oh, I can.'
The passive itself didn't vanish.
I'm still oddly appealing to weird tastes, instinctively spotting fatal spots.
But the indiscriminate threat aura was gone.
'Now I can relax.'
As I sighed inwardly in relief.
"Wow, you've got guts."
"...?"
"You just scanned everyone, right?"
Scanned what?
What's she on about now.
As I gave her a blank look, Ermé nodded slightly.
"No one here catches your eye."
She's deluding herself again.
Tedious to correct her every time.
'And she handles everything anyway.'
Super capable, overestimates me—handy, though.
"What about that one guy one girl over there? They reacted fastest to your scan."
I turned to where Ermé pointed.
A woman with a mace, a man with a sword.
'Two warriors?'
Positions don't match perfectly.
But no need for priest or mage specifically.
'Though that's ideal.'
As long as each pulls their weight, it's fine.
But.
They'd be great hires, but they eyed us warily.
'Tough sell.'
Ermé approached confidently.
As we neared, the man stepped forward.
"Dangerous guy..."
One fierce-looking woman.
And.
"What brings you here?"
One guarded man.
"We're new to the Cradle and want to invite you to the Labyrinth with us."
"First time in the Labyrinth?"
The surprised man got a nod from Ermé.
Man and woman stared me down.
Intense stares.
I nodded slightly; they looked incredulous.
"That's ridiculous... No, a guy like you wouldn't lie."
"Obviously."
The man adjusted his glasses, speaking to me.
Ermé's shoulders rose to the sky as she nodded at the high praise.
"With us two, one spot left—how to fill it?"
"Fine if they pull their weight, but no need to force it."
"Exactly. Labyrinth dangers aren't just monsters."
"Heh heh, you get it."
Ermé and glasses guy grinned darkly.
We formed the party right there.
"Quick intros. I'm Marcel. This airheaded lady is Teresa."
"Nice to meet ya."
"I'm Ermé. This man's Han Yuseong."
"Pleased to work with you."
"Let's head out then."
"Labyrinth entry's all at once, no rush but..."
All-at-once entry?
Maybe mass teleport, but Ermé explained to me.
"Not sure how, but once you enter the Labyrinth, everyone drops at the same time. Exit's the same—whenever you leave, everyone leaves together."
That's how it works.
The more I learned about the Labyrinth, the weirder it got.
"Let's go."
Ermé led with familiar steps.
Isn't this her first time in Cradle too? She seems way too at ease.
'Whatever, Hero candidate— she'll manage.'
I followed Ermé.
"I'm Ermé, this is Han Yuseong."
"Marcel here. That girl's Teresa."
"Party of four—applying binding magic."
The receptionist spoke, and a faint thread-like sensation linked us four.
'This the binding magic?'
Felt like subtle soul connections.
Instinctively, I sensed I could Plunder (S) it somehow.
'...Save it for traitors later.'
We exchanged info after intros.
"I'm frontline."
"Me too, nice to team up."
The airheaded woman—holy knight—shook hands with Ermé.
"I know. Berserker Teresa."
"...You know me?"
"You're famous. And him..."
"Support Enchanter."
"Knew it. Attack elementals are great, but leveling elsewhere—not here."
"We're not like elementals."
"Support Enchanters master buffs for party members. Single bursts weaker than elementals, but tons of party benefits."
"I see."
So two frontline, two backline.
"Han Yuseong here can do front or back."
"Why's a beast like you using a bow?"
"Heh heh, just means I'm that good with it."
"Bows are for weaklings. Maces rule."
Teresa stroked her mace.
What's this, picking a fight?
After a bit getting to know each other.
We entered the Labyrinth soon.
"Enter one by one!"
The guide called; crowds surged in.
Our turn came—I got why.
'Warp...?'
Blue ripples in the air.
Stepping in, people vanished.
"Let's go."
With Ermé's word, we entered the Labyrinth.