Chapter 4
Chapter 4
The start had been smooth.
At the front was Derek, the vanguard, leading the way. Bernard and I, the sub, followed behind, handling trap disarming and exploration.
Behind me, Scarlet the mage and Yeriel the priest whispered to each other as they walked, while Hans carried a large pack on his back and stayed at the rear, using it as a makeshift shield.
Walking carefully and surveying the surroundings, I thought it would be wise to understand my party members’ abilities before engaging in battle.
“Alright. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
I naturally focused on the backs of Derek and Bernard, who were closest to me.
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[Derek]
[Strength: E+] [Agility: E] [Endurance: E+]
[HP: E+] [MP: E] [Luck: E]
Traits (collapsed)
Basic Sword-and-Shield Technique
Steadfast Stance
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As expected from a leader and vanguard, his overall stats were high.
Still, E+ being the highest suggested that reaching D and above might not be easy.
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[Basic Sword-and-Shield Technique (E)] [P]
The fundamentals of using a sword and shield. Can grow through training and combat.
─ Minor bonuses in combat when wielding sword and shield.
─ Certain moves consume MP to use skills like “Shield Strike” and “Bash.”
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[Steadfast Stance (D)] [A]
Able to push fear aside and protect allies while taking the lead, he’s still a beginner but worthy of the vanguard title.
─ Activation phrase: “Defensive Stance.”
─ When casting and holding up the shield, gains resistance to being pushed.
─ During trait use, can disperse a certain amount of impact through the ground, consuming MP.
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Judging by stats and traits, he was a reliable tank.
Though I didn’t know much about the labyrinth yet, with specs like this, I wondered if this was standard for 3rd-floor adventurers.
“How many floors of the labyrinth are known anyway? I heard fragments are at the far depths, and the gods’ battle only ends there. So which floors are considered the deep floors?”
[Chaos says the deep floors start at the 25th floor.]
That was far away.
[Chaos apologizes, saying it’s been a while since it last descended to the lower world and it’s better to check the details in the city.]
“So, just one more question. Is Derek’s level average for a 3rd-floor adventurer?”
[Chaos says he’s capable of handling a 3rd-floor dungeon easily with a 5-person party.]
[Bernard]
[Strength: E] [Agility: E] [Endurance: F+]
[HP: E] [MP: F+] [Luck: E]
[Traits]
Basic Archery
Hunter’s Basics
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[Basic Archery (E)] [P]
The first step as an archer and the foundation of bow use. Can grow through training and combat.
─ Minor bonuses in combat when wielding a bow.
─ Using a longbow slightly increases penetration; crossbows slightly increase accuracy.
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[Hunter’s Basics (D)] [P]
Raised in a nameless mountain range, he inherited solid hunting skills.
─ Skilled in trap disarming, surrounding exploration, and herb gathering.
─ Minor penalties to vision and hearing in non-combat situations.
─ Slight resistance to poison.
────
As expected, his status window reflected his solid, basic reliability.
Just as I finished reading, Bernard suddenly noticed something and waved his arm to stop everyone.
Then he whispered to the party:
“Goblin group ahead. Three Goblin Warriors among them, and many others—archer ambush is possible.”
Derek immediately asked,
“Do they sense us yet?”
“No. But they’ll probably spot us soon. What do we do?”
Derek paused briefly, then quickly issued orders.
“Bernard, fall back to the rear with Hans. Provide cover fire if the rear is safe.”
“Understood.”
“While I draw attention and defend, Aren, you reduce their numbers. Scarlet, hit them hard. Yeriel, buff immediately!”
Right, Yeriel specialized in healing and buffs.
“Let the light of divine weapon punish evil!”
[Divine Weapon increases Strength by one tier for 10 minutes.]
[Strength: E+ → D-]
I clutched my fist, and instinctively felt a difference. So that’s the difference between E and D?
[Chaos warns not to get cocky.]
‘Of course. Don’t worry.’
“Alright. Stick to the plan. Let’s go, Aren!”
Derek began the fight by hitting his shield with his sword, drawing attention.
“Over here! You green dwarf filth!”
The goblins panicked at the sudden appearance of two humans.
Then, realizing Derek was insulting them, most of them charged at him.
Most.
Two poorly equipped Goblin Warriors ignored Derek’s provocation and targeted me instead, perhaps underestimating my weak gear.
“Huuh!”
I dodged their attacks slowly, tracking their trajectories.
Slash!
I swung my sword through an empty gap.
Thanks to the temporary D-rank Strength, it split them as if struck by an axe.
‘These two are done for.’
After cutting them down instantly, the attention that had been on Derek shifted to me.
“Kishaaat!”
“Keruk!”
Slash! Scrape.
A few more down, and Scarlet shouted from behind:
“Derek! Aren! Step back!”
Seeing Derek gesture to retreat, I dashed back quickly.
“Burn it! Fireball!”
Boom─!
A fireball the size of a body flew from her staff and exploded.
‘If I hadn’t moved back, I’d have burned too. So that’s magic?’
Swoosh…
‘Wait. Something feels off…’
The lingering magical residue grazed my body.
“Aren, you okay? Shocked by magic? Don’t just stand there. All visible goblins are dead by our blades and magic.”
Damn! I had almost gotten the hang of it!
“Yes. Thanks for your help. Let’s move.”
Derek patted my back and laughed as we moved.
“By the way, your skills are impressive! Not like you learned swordsmanship, yet you swung the sword so precisely. You even dodged attacks before they hit—felt like you could see the future.”
I see… that’s how it looks to others.
“Usually, participating in battle means starting with your gear penalty applied. Maybe I should discuss it with the party later.”
Sigh. He’s my benefactor, praising me… can’t be angry for missing a chance to awaken magic.
While hunting and searching for a portal, I’d get another chance.
“Haha. Thanks. Maybe I have sharp eyes.”
I smiled awkwardly, ending the conversation.
Returning to the party, Scarlet jumped and spoke to us.
“Good work, both of you! Derek was brave as always, and Aren, you were amazing too!”
She clapped hands with Derek, then exaggeratedly twisted her body side to side in front of me.
“Dodge like this! How did you do it?”
Before I could awkwardly answer, the world slowed down. Nothing was visible.
Where am I?
Turning my head slowly in this slow-motion world, I saw a red dot cutting through Scarlet and me at a diagonal.
Peeng─
An arrow was fired. I rolled forward, covering her.
“Kyah!”
Whoosh. Thud!
The arrow hit a tree, and the world returned to normal.
“There! Over there!”
Bernard immediately shot the arrow, and a goblin’s final scream was heard as it collapsed.
[Chaos asks if you’re okay.]
‘Phew. All good.’
[Chaos sighs in relief.]
“Come out now, please?”
Right. Scarlet.
“Are you okay, Scarlet? Sorry for tackling you like that. You were surprised, right?”
I released her, and she took my hand to stand.
“Heh… thanks. You saved me, right? The goblin archer really was hiding there. I overreacted…”
‘Why is her breathing so heavy? I guess it was scary enough. Could have been fatal.’
Trying to downplay it, the party arrived.
Derek, pale, shouted:
“Scarlet! Are you hurt? Aren, thanks so much! Could’ve been fatal if you’d hit a vital spot!”
“Derek, I’m talking to Aren. Can you quiet down?”
What’s with that cold tone? I thought they were dating.
“No problem. No one’s hurt, so all good. You two continue your conversation.”
“No, Aren, wait…”
I heard Scarlet but left the scene.
Approaching Bernard and Yeriel, I said:
“Bernard, pointing briefly and shooting instantly—amazing!”
Bernard smiled modestly, saying it was a small trick, and I was amazing instead.
“Yeriel, your buffs were incredible. Made fighting easy.”
Yeriel blushed, happy to be helpful.
While we praised each other, Hans muttered:
“Tch. Just slicing some goblins and Scarlet falling by luck… what’s so great?”
Typical Hans. Always negative.
Bernard frowned, about to respond, but Derek said:
“Let’s cut ears, organize, and move on.”
The mood was low. Seeing Derek and Scarlet, it was clear—they had fought.
Scarlet turned coldly away.
I pretended not to notice, cut the goblins’ ears, and handed them to Hans.
“Tch.”
After a brief cleanup, we continued our journey.
Three days passed.
“Finally, the goblin village with the escape portal is close. Let’s camp here for today.”
Derek suggested resting; everyone agreed.
We set up the supplied tents and sleeping bags and ate our rations.
After a bit of movement, I lay down in the tent.
‘Since the first battle, five days have passed hunting goblins or passing other adventuring parties. The 3rd-floor drop was terrifying at first.’
[Chaos says we can escape safely.]
In these five days, I bonded with the party, learned labyrinth basics from Bernard and Yeriel, and how to behave outside and handle identity.
Unfortunately, despite active participation in battles, I still felt no magic.
[Chaos says Scarlet sticking to me is annoying.]
Right. Since saving her a few days ago, Scarlet had been acting strange.
─Aren! Want me to show magic? It’s amazing!
─Aren! Outside the labyrinth, you’d know nothing. Can’t you stay in our party?
─Go to Derek? Am I annoying?
She ignored Derek coldly, then clung to me warmly.
Curious, I checked her status window:
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[Scarlet Ennis]
[Strength: F+] [Agility: F+] [Endurance: F]
[HP: E-] [MP: D] [Luck: E]
[Traits] (collapsed)
Emophilia
Noble Bearing
Magic Basics
Fire’s Blessing
Her being a noble with D-rank magic and four traits wasn’t important compared to the content of the traits.
[Emophilia (B)] [P]
A noblewoman who grew up unlovingly, leading her to fall in love easily and intensely once freed. Also quick to lose interest.
{Previous partner: Derek}
{Trigger: Joining the party}
{Current partner: Aren}
{Trigger: Life debt}
─ Falls in love easily if the current trigger is stronger than the previous.
─ Believes the loved one loves her in return.
─ Obsession grows with trigger strength.
─ If material demands are made by the partner, love fades.
─ Falling in love increases magic by three tiers; effects vary with emotions.
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At first, B-rank shocked me. She didn’t belong in this party.
But reading further, rank didn’t matter. This trait was a curse—a poisonous one capable of ruining someone’s life.
Saving her shifted her affection from Derek to me. Since then, she had clung to me, even whispering about breaking up with Derek.
‘Even if it’s the trait, this isn’t right.’
I had no desire to steal a lover, especially Derek, who saved me, clothed me, fed me, and sheltered me.
If Derek had opposed it, I’d still be wandering the forest alone.
If Hans had been the type, fine… but this?
“Damn it. No matter what, I must push her away. Betraying Derek and ruining this party is impossible.”
Her love fades if material demands are made, so I pretended to ask for money, and she said to wait until we escaped.
So I abandoned the first method and ignored her advances, keeping distance.
‘Just a bit further, then we can leave the labyrinth.’
We finally reached the goblin village with the escape portal.
Just had to endure a bit more to escape and live a new life.
‘Bernard and Yeriel will be missed… but we’ll meet again.’
Praying to exit tomorrow or the next day, I closed my eyes.
Sleep overtook me.
Sluur─
‘What?’
[Chaos says it’s strange the alarm magic wasn’t triggered.]
Something entered the tent and climbed onto me.
Thinking it might be an assassination attempt, I prepared to strike.
“I’m Scarlet.”
‘Why are you here?’
“Aren, listen. Soon we’ll escape the labyrinth. Even if I cling to you, you’re leaving the party; my attempts are useless.”
That made sense.
“I fell in love at first sight. When you tackled me to save me, your scent filled my brain!”
That’s just her trait. Not real.
[Chaos calls her insane.]
“Over the last three days, I’m certain. I can’t live without you. If you leave, take my virginity so I have unforgettable memories!”
Damn it. If I say, ‘I can see others’ traits! This is all your trait,’ it’ll be bad.
Does she not know her trait?
“You’re crazy! What nonsense! I won’t date a woman who switches after being saved! Derek and I—what do you think? And virgin? You’ve already…”
Her trait said physical contact makes love fade.
So, if she’s insisting voluntarily, no problem.
When I finished speaking, Scarlet shook with rage.
“You—how dare you! Light touching I accept. But that’s it! I barely liked Derek because he approached me first. I’m still pure! We’ve never kissed! Derek just toyed with my heart!”
“….”
“I’m a virgin! Believe it!”
She screamed in frustration.
“If you keep rejecting me, I’ll scream, get everyone, claim you assaulted me, and kick you from the party! You couldn’t escape alone anyway!”
[Chaos wants to kill her.]
“Go ahead.”
Scarlet froze.
All or nothing. Better to bear the stigma myself and leave than betray Derek.
I grabbed my gear and left the tent. Yeriel was already there.
“Crazy woman.”
Yet Yeriel acted strangely, covering her mouth and muttering.
Listening closely… Scarlet must have threatened me, and Yeriel heard.