Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

Let’s have a conversation and ask each other questions, since we both have a lot we want to know?

I didn’t really want to, but I had no choice but to follow his suggestion.

Damn.

I had just barely managed to defeat it, and now some strange thing had entered the clone.

In my case, the clone couldn’t replicate the unique item, so I was able to win without a scratch.

What about the other companions, whose builds had completely changed after receiving the equipment and consumables from defeating Cresdowzer?

I was worried that they might be worried about me, having easily defeated the clones and woken up early.

[Chaos calmly suggests that we respond.]

Of course, I was a mess of frustration and confusion, but I didn’t let it show.

“Sigh, phew.”

I took a deep breath, as Chaos suggested, and desperately tried to hide my emotions.

After all, it was obvious that I was no match for this unknown being.

Whether the opponent was a remnant of the past who had become possessed by a phenomenon, or a god or transcendent being who had intentionally approached us.

For now, it was best to bow down and comply with their wishes.

‘This is why they say that being strong is the best way to live.’

I moved without showing any sign of my thoughts, following his gesture beckoning me to come closer.

As I approached, I could see his eyes, which had changed due to his intrusion, clearly. He grinned.

As expected.

The one who took the initiative and started asking questions was him, who held the reins of this confusing situation.

“Well, both you and I have many questions to ask each other, but let me ask one first. Did Gail Ibein use a spear as his main weapon, or some other weapon?”

I thought he would ask if his descendant resembled him, since they shared the same surname.

But he was checking if the lineage of spear techniques was still alive.

“Yes, it’s certain that his main weapon was a spear. I didn’t see him use any other weapon during our brief encounter.”

I answered smoothly, but added something else because I felt he might ask more questions if I ended it there.

“Oh, and the spear Gail used was a long spear, longer than his height. And his eyes, which were a brown that looked just like yours, stood out in my memory.”

“You’re quite perceptive. Good! Now it’s my turn to answer your questions. It would be wise to think carefully about what you ask.”

I quickly racked my brain to come up with a list of questions.

Where are we?

What is the time ratio between outside the mirror and here?

If, by some chance, my companions are defeated by the clones, will their personalities really change? And so on.

There were countless questions to ask…

But the person in front of me didn’t show any signs of disappearing, so I decided to ask the one that was most pressing.

“Who are you, and how… no, why did you suddenly take over the body of a dying clone? Are you a god or a transcendent being?”

“I was wondering what you would ask first. It seems that was what you were most curious about.”

Schperts, with his arms crossed, shed his lighthearted demeanor and spoke in a solemn tone.

“I am Schperts Ibein, the first head of the Ibain family who founded the ancient kingdom of Herta, and was once known as the Divine Spear among mortals.”

“Divine Spear…”

“Now, I am merely a transcendent being bound to the labyrinth of the past.”

He winked with one eye and continued.

“Also, the reason I intervened and took over the clone’s personality is that, for some reason, the laws of Karma were twisted as soon as you entered the 10th floor—”

The laws of Karma were twisted?

Damn. It seemed that the effect of the misfortune on the floor was not just a change of topic.

“I simply became curious and wanted to test the strongest-looking one among you four, while also stretching my muscles. I paid a price to come down to the mortal realm through the gap that opened up.”

“…

“Hahaha! In other words, there’s no grand or serious reason for it!”

So, he didn’t have any important or serious reason, but simply took advantage of the misfortune to come down and have some fun?

‘This is completely selfish.’

[Chaos says that even if the laws of Karma were twisted, a transcendent being bound to the labyrinth interfering and moving outside their designated area… is taking the distortion of dimensions too lightly.]

“Well, are your questions answered?”

Since he didn’t seem to want to kill me, I had to speak up.

“Forgive me for being rude, but aren’t you afraid of the backlash that might come later?”

I know. I still don’t know much about the labyrinth, various mysteries, transcendent beings, gods, and so on.

I realized that there was a lot I didn’t know about the labyrinth city and the foundations of this world.

However, despite this, I could easily predict what would happen.

As soon as I left the space inside the mirror… whether or not I had paid a personal price, I knew that Schperts would face a huge penalty.

“Even though I’m no longer a mortal, I still have emotions, so of course I’m afraid. But…”

Schperts stroked his nose.

“Even if I’m afraid that my existence might be permanently destroyed, I can’t just ignore this opportunity to meet a mortal. My life won’t allow it.”

“…

“You can’t imagine how frustrating and boring it is to be stuck in a half-frozen space, just observing the tower.”

Of course, I, as a mere adventurer, had no way of knowing this.

“Haha! If I didn’t have someone to talk to, I might have gone crazy!”

“Do you know anything about the phenomenon where the random floors of the tower are connected to the personal spaces of transcendent beings?”

“That’s up to the labyrinth. To be precise, it depends on when and with whom the laws of Karma in the dimensions are connected. But you’ll learn more about this as you get stronger.”

This was too complex and dangerous knowledge for an adventurer who had just started challenging the tower.

Schperts, who had dismissed my question so easily, gestured for me to come closer.

“It’s your turn to ask questions now. Since I’ve answered sincerely, you should also take this seriously. Do you understand?”

“Of course. I’ll answer to the best of my knowledge.”

After what felt like a few hours, we exchanged questions and answers several times.

First, he asked about the prosperity of the Herta Kingdom and the family he had established.

“What? What did you say? The Herta Kingdom is treated as a small country, and you’ve never heard of the Ibein family in your life?!”

“Oh… I’m not very knowledgeable about the world, so I don’t know much about the continental situation or noble families. I’m sorry.”

“Hmm. That’s fine. It’s not like you’re from the imperial family, which is the only one in the empire. Let’s move on.”

Next, he asked how strong his descendant, Gail, was.

“He’s in his early twenties, and he’s still at this level? Is it true that he can’t even use the first stance freely?”

“He may have had more talent than others, but he was also very passionate. Stances are strong techniques, but they have restrictions. He used them well at the right moments.”

“Restrictions? If he had learned them properly, the first stance wouldn’t have put much strain on his body. It’s all about talent.”

“…”

“In my time, I was already forging my own path and creating stances before I became an adult. But my descendant’s talent is only slightly better than others! This is truly lamentable!”

Isn’t he being too harsh on the family he established?

Gail might have cried if he were here.

Schperts also asked about the labyrinth city, which was only a name for a city of immense size, and whether I had a master.

On the other hand, I asked about the identity of the mirror that had sucked in our entire party, and the difference in time between this space and the outside world.

‘Even though I couldn’t finish off the clone, it was a very informative time. I should be able to return soon, right?’

.

.

.

The time for satisfying our curiosity had come to an end, and the long conversation was about to conclude.

“The questions are almost done. Do you have any more?”

“No. I’d like to go outside now… Even if the time outside is the same, I want to check on my companions as soon as possible.”

“No, no. Even though the verbal conversation is over, there’s still the physical conversation left.”

Damn. After talking so much, why won’t he just let me go?

He had been talking non-stop, but it seemed that it wasn’t enough for the transcendent being.

Schperts threw Rehagen, whose magic power was damaged and useless, far behind him.

Boom!

‘He really wants to fight, huh? Oh well, that’s my fate.’

“I originally wanted to have a crazy fight with an equal body…”

He turned his head with a cracking sound and said,

“Why fight against a young friend who brought news about my descendants and family? Besides, I’ve lost interest.”

What about the greatsword he threw?

“I’m being generous! Before you leave, I’ll teach you a technique. Come here and turn your back to me.”

Before I could react, he added jokingly,

“Oh, don’t take off your armor. I’m not your master or anything, and I don’t want to touch the back of a man wearing only a piece of cloth.”

“… I also don’t want to be touched by a hand that looks just like mine. By the way, what’s the technique?”

“Yes. I’ll teach you something that will be very useful. You’ll find it very handy.”

With such a bold statement, I couldn’t help but be excited.

“Hahaha! Your gloomy face brightened up as soon as you heard that!”

“Hmm. Okay.”

[Chaos shrugs and says that she didn’t expect things to turn out this way.]

I could feel my lips curling up and my face brightening without even touching it.

[Chaos suggests that I should learn whatever it is perfectly.]

I approached Schperts, who was laughing, and turned around to stand still and show my back.

“Consider this as a reward for keeping an idle old man company. Or, you can think of it as a lesson from a distant senior.”

I couldn’t even guess how distant this senior was, but this was definitely a very distant one.

“Okay, let’s begin. Don’t resist and try to refine your basics after learning this.”

He placed his hand on the back of my armor.

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.

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“You have an incredible talent!”

Five days passed.