Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

The meal started with a rich potato stew with soft bread, followed by a hearty meat pie with blue cheese, and a perfectly grilled venison steak. The oak barrel beer, kept cold by the magic tools in the inn, was the perfect accompaniment. The Golden Apple Inn was the quintessential fantasy inn, bustling with customers even on the fifth day, when most adventurers returned home. It was the perfect place to unwind and indulge in a luxurious meal after returning to the city.

‘Why not? This is what small successes and happiness are all about.’

After enduring hardships, they grew stronger, returned safely with their companions, and enjoyed a hearty meal and drink, laughing together. It was more than enough, almost too much. They filled their bellies with busy forks and knives and clinked their oak barrel beer mugs in a toast.

“Where should I start… Well!”

There was no need to be discreet or worry about eavesdroppers, as the inn was already filled with the lively chatter of other patrons. And if anyone activated a trait, a system message would appear before their eyes.

“You received teachings from a Transcendent? And it was the founder of the family of someone we’ve already met?”

In the mirror space, the Transcendent, Schperts Ibein, had intervened just as my clone was about to be killed. They had managed to turn things around, receive teachings, and learn a technique to turn the tables. And in the end, Schperts Ibein requested to send a message to Gail.

“That hand… It was a god. It’s unheard of to be so deeply involved with such beings, like Ahren.”

The Forgotten God, Soleil, who had been watching over the tower, had changed my trait and proposed to make me her attachment human. And the funny situation where she had a heated argument with Irene, whom she met in the sanctuary, was all fascinating stories to tell.

As time passed, it was soon time for everyone to return to their own homes. Yeriel and Lumia, and I headed to Roten’s Inn, which had become our semi-private base. Veronica had to go to the Angry Minotaur Inn in Sector 6, where she had been staying.

Seeing this, I realized that Veronica’s sector was far away. She had to cross not just one, but two sectors to get to Sector 6. I could have suggested that we combine our inns, citing various reasons, but I didn’t want to force her to do so, knowing that she was staying there for reasons beyond just money, food, or a place to sleep.

I said to Veronica, “Think about the offer I made earlier. Surely you’re not planning to pay a B-grade mana cost to raise a D-grade agility?”

“Of course not. It’s just a matter of when to start… I will definitely try. Don’t worry.”

“That’s good to hear. Well, take care and see you tomorrow.”

Veronica nodded and turned to catch a carriage to Sector 6.

“Let’s head back too.”

There were various ways to sober up, like using magic to dispel the drunkenness or receiving purification from Yeriel, but I wanted to enjoy the tipsy feeling after a night of drinking.

I was going to sleep like a log, so deeply that someone could carry me away without me noticing.

A cozy room and a soft bed awaited me.

[Chaos tells you to wake up.]

Knock knock.

“Ahren, are you still sleeping? It’s high noon, open the door!”

Roten’s voice calling my name and knocking on the door echoed in my ears.

‘Why is Roten calling me? Ugh, I must have overslept.’

I tried to think of a reason why the innkeeper would come up to the second floor to wake me up, but I couldn’t come up with anything. So, I opened my eyes and sat up in bed.

“Yawn.”

My body felt sluggish. Why was the sun so bright at this hour?

I squinted at the bright sunlight streaming through the window and checked the time on the pocket watch on my bedside table.

Tick.

[13:05]

Damn, it was already past one o’clock.

Maybe it was because I had slept on a soft bed for the first time in a long time.

Despite going to bed early yesterday, I had slept like a log.

[Chaos comforts you, saying that it’s because the accumulated fatigue from the labyrinth has hit you all at once, so don’t blame yourself.]

“Hmm. Hmm. Ahh.”

I stretched my stiff neck and cleared my throat.

“Yes, just a moment! I’m coming!”

After checking around the bed to make sure I hadn’t thrown off my clothes in my sleep, I yawned and opened the door.

Click.

As I turned the doorknob and opened the door, Roten’s face came into view.

He had been so happy to see Lumia return safely and to learn of the various ways she had acquired to purify the curse of darkness.

Anyone would have thought they were a real grandfather-granddaughter pair.

Seeing my disheveled appearance, Roten shrugged.

“I know you must be tired after returning yesterday, but your companion is waiting for you downstairs, so go down and see her.”

The only person Roten would refer to as my companion was Veronica.

“Oh, and Lumia is in the backyard, and the priestess left for Sector 3 after waiting for you to wake up. She said to tell you that she’s going to meet her sister.”

Roten clenched his fist and slapped his palm, sharing the news about the other two.

They must have gotten up early, waited for me to come down, and then left when I didn’t.

‘It would have been nice if they had gone to the guild to settle the spoils and check our contributions while they were at it.’

But what could I do? They didn’t go straight to the Knights Order when they woke up, and they left after waiting for me. It was all my fault for oversleeping.

Considering how tough and challenging this expedition had been, it was understandable that they had gone to visit their only family.

“Haha, I’ll go down right away. Sorry for bothering you.”

“It’s nothing… But your companion looked very young and seemed to be in a bad mood. Go down and talk to her.”

I rolled my eyes at the mention of her looking young and being in a bad mood.

Ah!

Last night, just before we parted ways after dinner and drinks…

I had suggested that she start the challenge right away, saying there was no need to give up on the challenge just because she looked young.

After all, she had to decide within three days whether to start or not, so there was no need to rush.

“Then, I’ll go check on Lumia in the backyard.”

As I was thinking about what happened with Veronica yesterday, Roten, who had finished saying what he wanted to say, left to see Lumia in the backyard.

“Let’s take a shower first.”

After quickly freshening up, I left my room.

.

.

.

Oh my.

I had mentally prepared myself for her body becoming younger, but seeing her transformed appearance made me widen my eyes.

She looked like she had aged back by more than ten years, and I felt lucky that she didn’t go all the way back to being a baby or a kindergarten student.

“…”

Veronica, who was sitting at a corner table on the first floor, was examining a piece of paper with mysterious writings and drawings.

Drrr. Drrrrr.

As she waited, she rolled a round object with her right hand, and the halo above her head seemed more unstable than usual.

“Veronica! Did you wait long?”

Since there were no other customers and it was just the two of us, I called out her name loudly as I approached her.

Or rather, I tried to approach her.

“…”

Whoosh!

‘Huh?’

Do-do-do-do.

As soon as she heard me calling her name, she quickly ran over and jumped into my arms without caring about the chair she was about to fall off.

I froze for a moment due to the sudden hug.

Ignoring my frozen state, she mumbled with her arms around my waist.

“…You’re late.”

My instincts were ringing alarm bells.

This was dangerous.

If I continued like this, I would succumb to her cuteness and start petting her.

“Sorry, I overslept. Let’s sit down and talk first, okay?”

“Y-Yes! O-Okay.”

I couldn’t help but twitch my hands at Veronica’s unexpected cuteness, which was unlike her usual self. She finally snapped out of it and looked up at me.

“Since my body became younger, my mind feels a bit strange. It seems like the saying that the mind follows the body is not just a lie, but somewhat true.”

I looked at her drooping head and swaying silly hair, and I couldn’t help but stroke her head.

Swish swish swish.

“H-Hey! Y-You!”

Veronica, who had her arms around my waist, now waved her hands above my head.

She finally spoke with a relaxed expression.

“H-H-Hmm… Th-That’s enough!”

Just like I saw earlier, the halo’s restriction seemed to have weakened due to her becoming younger, and her emotional expressions seemed richer.

[Chaos says let’s get to the point and move on.]

As Chaos suggested, I opened Veronica’s status window, which must have undergone a huge transformation overnight.

________________________________________

[Veronica]

[Strength: E+] [Agility: E-] [Endurance: E+] [Vitality: E+] [Mana: B-] [Luck: D]

[Possessed Traits] (Collapse)

Armes Shield Sword Art

Guardian Sword
Hard Body – Armes
Duel Challenge
Resonance of Circulation
Celestial Halo
Preparation for Stillness

________________________________________

Her status window was very disappointing compared to the day before.

‘At this rate, I have to be careful not only in the labyrinth but also in the city itself due to her becoming younger.’

I was shocked to see her physical abilities drop by six whole grades.

“Wow, they all dropped by two grades at once? That’s too much. If your stats drop so suddenly, won’t your body suffer side effects?”

“It’s not that bad… It would be a lie if I said it doesn’t bother me at all. Luckily, it’s not painful because it’s a special case. I just feel a bit empty and depressed.”

I understand. If it were me, my heart would break if my hard-earned stats suddenly plummeted.

“Since it’s already like this, after the settlement is done and I receive my share, I plan to take a break and enjoy myself for the next month.”

Veronica sighed and twiddled her fingers.

“So, can you accompany me for at least one day? There are places I want to go, but it’s difficult for me to go alone in this body.”

“I have a lot to do, but taking a few days off for you is no big deal. Where do you want to go? Just tell me!”

“I want to buy limited edition cakes from a famous bakery, have tea time at a confectionery shop, visit my old companions, go to the bank, and also…”

Before I could even finish saying that I would grant her request, places she wanted to visit came out like a machine gun.

Of course, if Veronica wanted to go somewhere, there was no need to specifically ask me to accompany her.

This was an opportunity. Unlike Yeriel and Lumia, who had been with me from the beginning, Veronica and I had a slightly ambiguous relationship, and this was a chance to develop our bond as companions.

Since it was already late in the afternoon, I decided to go to the Adventurers’ Guild first to settle the spoils.

Starting tomorrow, I would take a break from my schedule for a day or two to tour the city with the younger Veronica.