Chapter 3
Chapter 3
I got the first strike.
Thwack!
I smashed the lead goblin with my fist, sending it flying, and tracked the movements of the others charging at me with belated murderous intent.
Just like the first fight, I could see the red trajectory.
Whoosh.
I dodged attacks while staying focused and landed a hit on the solar plexus. I followed through by kicking the body that had gone rigid.
“Kek! Keruk!”
Thud!
I grabbed another goblin by the head and slammed it into the ground.
“Keeeh…”
Ignoring the convulsing one behind me, I approached the last hesitant goblin.
From the bushes behind it, I noticed a red dot unlike the straight and curved trajectories I had seen so far.
…Dot?
Peeing—
A stealthy arrow shot out. Thanks to my slowed perception, I barely rolled to dodge it.
‘Damn. So projectiles appear as red dots like laser pointers!’
“Keruk!”
The goblin lunged at me during my tumble, but it was pointless. I got up and smashed its jaw as it approached.
‘Arrow! I have to get the one shooting arrows.’
I urgently picked up a stone from the ground and threw it into the bushes it came from.
Thwack!
“Kek.”
I clearly heard a hit. So it wasn’t fleeing because it missed me; it must have been preparing to shoot again.
Worried it might escape, I ran straight over.
Rustle.
I parted the bushes, and luckily the stone had hit the vital spot. The goblin archer fell, trembling.
“Thanks for the lesson. Rest in peace.”
I grabbed the scattered arrows and impaled it on its neck.
Blood splattered across my face like a fountain.
Perhaps because of the life-or-death fight, I didn’t tremble even seeing blood.
Wiping the blood off my cheek, my thoughts drifted.
The modern human I had been—laughing and crying in society—who had cheered at the lottery just yesterday and felt excited reading the reviews… in such a short time, I had changed into something else, and it felt a bit bitter.
[Is Chaos okay?]
If it’s going to hear me anyway, it would have come during the fight. Since I can’t really hear it well, I decided to just speak.
“If I weren’t okay, what could I do? The water’s already spilled, so I won’t hesitate going forward. Don’t worry about me.”
[Chaos says it wants to pat your head because it’s proud.]
“Haha. Impossible, but I’ll take the thought.”
I awkwardly scratched my cheek.
“Being able to talk to someone here in another world is more comforting than you can imagine.”
I considered the goddess Ceres summoning me forcibly a cataclysm I couldn’t control, and I let it go.
I was too weak to live holding grudges or revenge against a god.
And even if I had ended up in a forest with goblins…
Shouting at Chaos, who was just a familiar, to return my 2 billion won or let me leave wouldn’t help me survive. I had to act first and keep those feelings inside, like I had decided.
Right now, I felt secure because Chaos remained beside me, offering advice—not because I had given everything and it disappeared.
Or more accurately… thinking that way and acting was the only way I felt at ease.
[Chaos is embarrassed.]
I laughed softly and ended the conversation.
…Huh?
The goblin with the arrow in its neck was lying still, but I saw something gray glowing on its corpse.
I touched it, and a system window appeared.
[Power activated.]
[Absorbed trait: ‘Shoddy Concealment’.]
────
[Shoddy Concealment (E)] [A]
Trait absorbed from a mutant goblin archer.
Hides poorly behind cover.
─ Must have a place to hide to activate.
─ Effect significantly decreases against opponents above hobgoblin level.
─ Moving or attacking for more than 3 seconds breaks concealment.
────
‘So this is how rare random traits activate. But “shoddy”… sounds lame.’
E seems to be the trait grade.
Does that mean my traits are just ungraded, so they don’t appear?
P and A are probably passive and active distinctions.
“Do I activate a trait by saying its name, or do I have to perform a specific action?”
I asked Chaos immediately, since it’d be a problem if I couldn’t use it in time. It answered kindly.
[Chaos says that most normal traits can be activated just by thinking about them.]
Good—so I won’t have to shout out each skill name.
Seems like everything’s settled, so I looked around to see if there was anything to loot before leaving.
The last goblin’s arrow had snapped in the middle, probably because I drove it in too hard. It couldn’t be reused.
‘Better than nothing to at least have something to swing.’
I grabbed a crude wooden bow. Better than bare hands.
Returning to the fight site, two goblins hadn’t died and were barely breathing. I finished them quickly.
I glanced at their lower garments briefly, gagged, and gave up.
“Ugh. Just rags on the lower body aren’t going to kill anyone. I can’t handle it.”
[Chaos says it looks good, don’t worry, and laughs mischievously.]
Pervert…
Anyway, there was nothing else worth taking.
Standing still here wouldn’t solve anything, so I started moving cautiously.
Damn. I was the pervert.
“Ugh, crazy. No, wait… aaaaa! Naked pervert in a labyrinth!”
“Don’t look! Scarlet, I’ll cover your eyes!”
“Such confidence.”
“Uh, maybe there’s a reason…?”
“Damn. Life’s unfair.”
‘I didn’t even walk far and already ran into people. If I’d known I’d be branded a pervert at first glance, I should’ve just worn something, no matter how dirty!’
I’d overlooked the fact that this was a labyrinth.
Of course, there are explorers in the great labyrinth and labyrinth city.
What should I do?
[Chaos says take a deep breath and first decide a name to introduce yourself.]
‘Okay. From now on, I’m a memory-lost adventurer wandering the 3rd floor… what’s a good name? Hans? Too unlucky. Ian? Too vague.’
I finally decided.
‘Aren. Memory-lost adventurer Aren.’
[Name updated in status window.]
[??? → Aren]
Since staying too far could raise suspicion or make them chase me, I wondered how to talk first.
A young man around my age, appearing as a vanguard, approached first.
“I’m Deric, the leader of this party. Why are you wandering the 3rd floor naked without armor? Do you have no companions?”
I calmed my breath and answered.
“Hello. My name is Aren. It may sound suspicious, but I have no idea why I’m naked here either.”
Seeing Deric’s growing suspicion, I continued.
“I’ve lost most of my memories except my name. I don’t know how I arrived at this ‘3rd floor’ place, and as for being naked, I’m just embarrassed and want to run.”
Deric touched his chin, making a thoughtful sound, then spoke to a timid, rabbit-like girl.
“Yeriell, what do you think from a priest’s perspective?”
The girl, Yeriell, spoke hesitantly.
“I… I don’t think he’s evil. No trait reactions, and his divine power doesn’t feel rejected.”
“Really? Then at least he isn’t lying about memory loss or planning to ambush our team.”
Then he spoke to me again.
“Sorry. I’ve heard of human hunters sending bait to sabotage parties. Let me discuss with my companions if we accept you temporarily. Wait a moment.”
I nodded, meeting Deric’s gaze.
After talking with his team, he smiled at me.
“Alright, handsome. Aren, right? We’re about the same age, so speak comfortably. Use honorifics or casual speech as you like.”
For now, honorifics felt more comfortable.
“Understood. I’m too confused for now, so honorifics are better for me.”
Deric blinked in understanding.
“Good. If you truly lost your memories, everything is strange and confusing. I understand.”
He called out behind him.
“Hans! Get the spare equipment and clothes from the pack. Let’s fix the nakedness first.”
Hans? Good thing I didn’t pick Hans. Seems common.
“Isn’t this overkill?”
Someone sent a hostile glance at me.
Deric didn’t let it slide, maybe feeling his leadership was challenged.
“Hans, if we decided to temporarily include this friend, shouldn’t we equip him for battle? Just giving clothes and letting him waste his potential? Are you going to be the vanguard yourself, Hans?”
Hans reluctantly acknowledged and began unpacking.
Deric leaned closer to whisper.
“Hans seems jealous because you’re so good-looking. Don’t mind him. Just get dressed and equipped. I’ll talk to Hans for a bit.”
He tapped my shoulder and walked over to Hans.
Leaders really earn their title.
‘Yeriell said there’s no trait reaction… I wonder what trait she has. Will anyone notice if I peek at status windows?’
If someone noticed, it wouldn’t end well.
I asked Chaos silently.
[Chaos says unless someone has a very peculiar trait, you won’t get caught.]
Good. I relaxed.
Hans approached with the gear.
As I put it on, he suddenly whispered in my face.
“What are you doing appearing out of nowhere? Memory loss? I know scum like you who brag and scam. I’ll watch, so behave.”
Ugh. His breath… almost dizzying.
I stayed silent. Thinking I was intimidated, he added proudly and left.
“Scarlet is Deric’s partner, and Yeriell I’m courting. Don’t try anything with that big face and size, got it?”
Seems like Hans has a grudge from some past incident.
‘Why is someone like him in the party? Maybe a great pack mule trait?’
I focused on Hans’s back and saw his status window.
────
[Hans]
[Strength: E-] [Agility: F+] [Endurance: E-]
[Stamina: E] [Mana: F] [Luck: E]
[Traits] (collapsed)
Cowardice
Pack mule strength
────
Stats lower than mine. Two traits.
────
[Cowardice (F)] [P]
Born rotten, weak at lying and persuading.
─ Slight bonus for lying and persuasion.
─ Envies those better than him.
─ Confident around those worse than him.
‘What a pathetic trait.’
────
[Pack mule strength (E)] [P]
Developed from carrying loads.
─ Stamina increases when carrying a certain weight.
─ Strength increases by two levels when carrying a certain weight.
─ Cannot hold a weapon while carrying load.
────
‘Really a pathetic pack mule. Did he underestimate me because I’m naked and memory-lost?’
[Chaos yells that such idiots need a serious scolding.]
[Chaos says it got hit for being noisy.]
Patience. I have to stay in this party for safety.
‘Honestly, Chaos makes it bearable.’
[Chaos rubs its eyes and giggles.]
Done dressing and equipping.
The spare gear was shabby, but still serviceable: basic hard leather armor, tight greaves and boots, and a low-quality iron sword. Enough for now.
Deric said,
“Alright, let’s all introduce ourselves to Aren and get moving.”
He pointed to himself.
“I’m Deric, party leader. Sword and shield, vanguard. Count on me until we escape the labyrinth.”
Next was a middle-aged man with a bow and dagger. Experienced hunter vibe.
“Scout and archer, Bernard. Welcome.”
Serious and quiet, very reliable.
Then Scarlet spoke. Deric’s partner.
“Nice to meet you! I’m Scarlet, party mage. You might know I’m dating Deric. Temporarily, but nice to meet you, Aren!”
A bit light and bubbly. And… a wink.
[Chaos says it feels bad.]
“Next is Hans!”
Deric pointed.
“Transport and support, Hans.”
Is that it?
Deric’s expression stiffened. Then Yeriell noticed and spoke quickly.
“I-I’m Yeriell, priest of the Light Order. My specialty is healing and buffs. I’ll heal you if you’re injured. Nice to meet you!”
Snow-white, gem-like red eyes… and Hans was looking at her? Impossible.
Deric relaxed and smiled.
“Alright, let’s go. It’s a long way to the escape portal. Bernard, don’t forget to check the map. Let’s move!”
With the signal, Deric led the party.
If I can just endure Hans, the party seems decent in roles and personalities.
I felt optimistic. Hopefully, I could master some magic before escaping the labyrinth.
Wrong feeling. How did it come to this?