Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

D-grade or lower agility is increased by two levels, and the C-grade shoes allow the use of the technique ‘Sprint’ once a day.

‘Swift Boots’.

The D-grade is already far behind. Pass.

When worn, the skin becomes tough, and additional damage is applied to beast-type monsters, but⋯

Occasionally, the desire for freedom to hold back or run free may be imbued in the body, which is a C-grade shoe.

‘Beast Instinct’.

The desire for freedom⋯ It’s not a mental attack, and I wouldn’t buy it if it would make me insane. Pass.

The wearer’s abilities are permanently reduced by two levels, but the B-grade item fills up with enough water for an adult man to drink every day.

‘Equivalent Exchange Water Bottle’.

If it were one level lower, I would have bought it. The penalty is too high compared to the reward.

Even if the magic power remains the same, a total of 10 levels of ability reduction is too much. Pass.

The B-grade item allows the use of the technique ‘Fog’ by consuming magic power, but rarely, the user’s health decreases with each cast.

‘Vampire Cloak’.

My luck would likely trigger the ‘rarely’ option, so I’ll pass.

C-grade cloak, shoes, D-grade magic tool, cloak.

Pass. Pass. Pass.

Pass!

‘Damn. Is there anything normal?’

Was 20 gold coins too small for the Exchange?

The items were all terrible, so I wondered if something was wrong.

If there were no penalties, the options were vague, and if there were, they were too severe.

Flap. Flap.

“Wait!”

Fortunately, a sensible employee had put the junk items in the front, so the good items began to appear in the middle.

Among them, this one caught my eye.

────

[Scattered Remains] (B)

A pair of shoes worn and cherished by the demon Nesquite, who hid in the gate ‘Dream Castle’ until his demise, along with a tailcoat.

Nesquite extracted energy from the border of dreams over a long period of time and wove it into his own essence, shadow, and shoes.

Its performance is beyond words, but⋯

Nesquite’s lingering thoughts may cause the wearer’s mind to collapse, so it is not recommended.

─When worn, one of the three mental status abnormalities, mental collapse, corruption, or eternal sleep, is applied with certainty.

─When worn, the technique ‘Remains’ can be used twice a day by consuming magic power.

─The shoes are maintained in optimal condition for the wearer’s feet, and damaged parts are automatically regenerated.

─When encountering demon-type monsters, their morale and abilities are reduced.

────

I want it.

When I saw the information written in detail on the paper, which was indistinguishable from Chaos, and the simple drawing of the appearance, my desire for material possessions rose for the first time in a while.

A pair of black shoes with a stylish design and technique options.

How can I resist?

If you look at the special conditions, the curse is so severe that⋯

The initial registration price was 50 gold coins, but it was reduced by 15 gold coins twice due to the severe curse, so it was exactly at the limit of 20 gold coins.

At this price, it’s almost like someone is forcing me to buy it.

“Then I’ll buy it.”

There was one more item that caught my eye.

────

[Broken Ancient Cup]

One of many items created by an unknown ancient alchemist for the purpose of seclusion in his laboratory.

It was a cup that could be filled with water by injecting a certain amount of magic power, but⋯

The magic circuit was distorted due to the scattering of the mystery within, rendering it unusable.

─By injecting a massive amount of magic power, a small amount of clean water can be filled in the cup.

────

An item without a grade.

I had already seen such items in the ancient ruins or the treasure chest in the tower, so it wasn’t surprising.

I looked at the special conditions, which were marked with emphasis.

‘A high-level magician was invited to test the function, but it required an enormous amount of magic power, almost equivalent to a fourth-order magic, to fill a bottle of water, making it extremely inefficient.’

‘Buyers are advised to consider the value of the item as an antique rather than a magic tool.’

So, the options were ruined, and the price was 3 gold coins?

“Not bad.”

Let’s think about it.

It creates drinking water using magic power.

However, the exchange rate is so bad that it requires a considerable amount of magic power to fill a bottle of water.

⋯Since my magic power doesn’t run out, the limit on drinking water is removed.

So far, Rotton had provided me with preserved food and water, and in the forest terrain of the labyrinth, I could find clean water sources if I looked hard enough.

However, as I reach higher layers of the labyrinth, the time spent in the labyrinth will increase, and there may be situations where I’m separated from my party, like when I was abandoned on the fourth floor.

Spending 23 gold coins at once is a big expense, but I’ll use it when I need it.

Flap.

There were no more items that caught my eye.

Even if there were more, I would have been disappointed anyway.

Tap tap.

I organized the documents and approached the employee wearing a blue hat.

“I’ve decided on the item I want to purchase. I heard that sales can be processed at the same time, so could you guide me?”

“I understand. Follow me.”

After arriving at the item storage on the third floor, everything went smoothly.

The information was accurate, and there were no visible flaws or hidden defects.

“I’ll pay in cash.”

“Confirmed. Now, for the sales process, please hand over the items to me and tell me the desired selling price.”

The employee adjusted his hat and added,

“Please note that if there are similar or identical items already registered, the price will be adjusted to the average market price.”

I need to replenish the money I just spent.

I hoped that the items would sell quickly, so I reached into my backpack.

.

.

.

I returned the confirmation slip and left the Exchange with Veronica.

“Sorry, it took a while because it was my first visit. Should we go to the carriage now?”

“Yes. Let’s just go back today, as the sun is setting.”

As we walked, I did most of the talking, and Veronica listened.

After boarding a personal carriage to Zone 6, I took a breath and asked,

“⋯I’ve been talking too much. Veronica, did you buy anything?”

“No. I was hoping to find an item that could forcibly absorb the energy within the body or slightly regenerate wounds caused by divine power⋯ but it’s not easy to find.”

Oh, I just asked if she bought anything because I suggested going to the Exchange.

Her answer was heavy, indicating a serious situation.

I may have asked the wrong question, but since I already started, I had to continue.

This time, it was my turn to listen.

I could guess the reason why she was looking for such an item.

“Perhaps⋯ you’re looking for an item to help your injured comrade from the trial of the Sky God?”

I remembered that two of the five fixed party members had died, one had succeeded in being appointed to a public office, and the other had suffered permanent disabilities that couldn’t be cured by potions or healing spells.

“⋯! Ahren, do you still remember the story I mentioned in passing during the interview?”

“Of course. It’s not just anyone’s story, it’s your story. How could I forget?”

Veronica, who had been looking down, looked up and widened her eyes.

I wanted to pat her head, as she looked so cute in her younger form.

Of course, I didn’t do it because it wasn’t the right atmosphere.

“Since we’re on the topic, can you tell me your story? I want to get to know you better.”

I’ve heard that sharing intense experiences or delving into personal matters can help build intimacy.

The former was already established as we struggled together in the labyrinth.

The latter was not because I had any ulterior motives, but because I wanted to get to know her better as a colleague.

I quickly waved my hands, fearing that she might be offended.

“Ah! If you don’t want to talk about a painful past, you can just skip it. I’m the type who doesn’t want to dig up buried secrets.”

I spoke sincerely, saying that I was worried about her as a colleague.

Veronica opened her mouth and spoke,

“To be precise, they were former colleagues. I’m now a vanguard in your party, aren’t I?”

“Yes. I’m so grateful to have you. Thank you, Veronica.”

Thanks to her, we were able to escape from the lower layers of the labyrinth, where we would have had to repeat the process of entering and exiting the labyrinth as a three-person party.

Perhaps I would have considered hiring a guild slave as a last resort.

“You know that I can only trust you as a vanguard.”

“Uhh⋯ Ah⋯ Ugh.”

She laughed.

“Isn’t that really sweet? Please just listen from now on.”

Veronica, who had revealed her unexpected charm, began to tell the story of the past trial.

Each of the five members had to face a different trial: strength, wisdom, courage, endurance, and proof.

The strength trial required the party to defeat a powerful flying monster.

The wisdom trial required them to answer three questions about the labyrinth.

The courage trial required someone to walk through a cloud path with deadly traps.

After enduring a mental attack of illusions, the endurance trial required one randomly chosen person to show their determination to sacrifice something valuable to the heavens.

Finally, the proof trial required the person chosen to receive a special trait to ride the Scale of the Sky and be judged for their purity and nobility.

Two of the members died, and the archer lost an arm, which couldn’t be regenerated, and divine energy seeped into the severed surface, preventing him from even wearing a prosthetic arm⋯

The thief suffered a severe trauma from entering the labyrinth, which was truly unfortunate.

[Chaos shakes her head, saying that the trials were quite difficult for mortals.]

‘Damn, the trials were hellish, as they offered a permanent A-grade trait as a reward.’

However, not only did Veronica receive the Halo, but the other two survivors also received high-grade traits or items.

But even with the Halo, the archer couldn’t use his bow with his mouth or feet, so it was still a problem.

I was impressed by the thief, who had to give up his adventurer life and start a new one.

Whoosh!

After hearing the whole story, I hugged Veronica tightly.

“I’m so proud of you.”

“⋯.”

She had lost her fourth princess in the kingdom and her close comrade in the labyrinth due to an unfair trial.

Despite experiencing such terrible events and remembering them vividly, she didn’t give up and worked hard to complete personal quests.

I was proud of her for trying to live on, even though her motivation was revenge.

I gently patted her stiff shoulders.

“You’ve been through a lot. You’ve worked hard.”

“⋯.”

“From now on, I’ll try harder to prevent such tragedies from happening in your life. I mean it.”

I won’t let her lose any more precious connections in the labyrinth or the city.

As the party leader and vanguard, I won’t let that happen.

“At least I won’t leave your side, no matter what.”

I won’t die. I’m as strong and lucky as anyone when it comes to bad luck.

Hmm.

“⋯Really? Can you really promise that you won’t die in front of me?”

“Yes. If you’re worried about losing someone again,⋯ let’s get rid of that fear. Where should we go tomorrow?”

I’m moving for your happiness, both yesterday and today, and tomorrow.

[Chaos tells me to stop, as it’s getting embarrassing.]

Actually⋯ I’m really embarrassed right now.

“Haha, sorry. Did I make you feel embarrassed? I got carried away with the atmosphere.”

“⋯Ahren.”

“Yes?”

“I give up. Or maybe I never⋯ I never kept my promise in the first place. Stupidly.”

Shouldn’t she just say thank you?

Veronica, with a flushed face, smiled softly.

“I have to cancel the request I made on our first meeting.”