Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

My head cleared.

To be precise, I felt like I had been split into two people.

A man screaming in despair and a sage who had thrown off all burdens coexisted within me.

“Ah, ah.”

“It’s not a person…”

I stood up, looking at the women who had collapsed in despair.

“Kkeuk!”

To be precise, I managed to lift my body halfway.

My legs gave way, and I couldn’t stand up.

‘Move. Move, damn it! After all I’ve done to pass the trial, am I going to fail just because my legs won’t move?’

The feeling of weakness throughout my body was stronger than during Evelyn’s hell training, and the pain in my lower body made me go crazy.

-Slap!

I repeatedly hit my thighs and calves, barely managing to stand up.

“Whoo. Whoo.”

My appearance was getting worse and worse.

I was completely naked, with my dick cut off and blood dripping.

Despite my efforts, the tears and cold sweat made me feel even more pathetic.

“Kkeu-euk.”

-Grind.

I clenched my teeth so hard that I heard a cracking sound from my gums and jaw, but I didn’t care.

I moved forward, repeating to myself that I had to keep going.

One step.

Two steps.

I left behind a trail of blood and tears, and soon I reached the white portal, which was clearly the exit.

The remaining distance was only about ten seconds away, even if I walked slowly.

But a problem arose.

“If you don’t have an arm as thick as a pillar, then just use your arm instead!”

“I, I can do it with just his handsome face!”

“Get lost! You don’t know how sweet my honey is, I’ll let you drink it to your heart’s content!”

The crazy bitches who had been sitting on the ground in despair suddenly woke up and charged towards me.

‘What the hell do you want me to do now?’

I began to doubt whether this was really a trial or not.

If I were caught here, my whole body would be used as a sex toy by these bitches, smeared with all kinds of dirty fluids.

“Whoo. Whoop.”

As I narrowed the distance to the portal, I racked my brain.

Running was impossible.

Using magic power to charge forward was also impossible.

…Wait a minute.

There was one way to make both possible.

But it was even more absurd and bizarre than cutting off my dick earlier, so I hesitated to take action.

‘Think. There must be a better way. Please!’

“If you’re caught, I won’t let you go!”

“You thought you could get away with treating us nicely?! Even if you’re missing something down there, you can still go crazy with pleasure! I’ll make you remember it one by one, you bitches!”

They were really persistent. Wouldn’t they give up at this point?

I had no choice. This was the only answer.

Pudeuk!

I stabbed my hand into my chest.

“You crazy bastard! What’s wrong with your head since earlier?”

“Yaaah!!! What’s the point of committing suicide? Let’s just feel good together?!”

Ignoring their words, I waved my hand that had pierced my chest and grabbed my heart.

If I burst it… thanks to my trait, the pain would disappear, and I could immediately use magic power to run.

Given the circumstances, there was no way I would return to the past.

In other words, if I didn’t escape or die within 5 seconds, I would fail.

My hands were shaking.

Could I detonate the magic power and reach the portal in that short time?

…I could. I would!

Puhwaak!!!

“Kkeu-euk— Puhah.”

[Trait ‘Death Resistance’ activated.]

[5 seconds of grace is given.]

Even though it wasn’t written in the information window for Death Resistance, I had learned through dozens of returns that when the trait was activated, all pain and abnormal status effects disappeared, and I was given 5 seconds of grace time before death.

5 seconds.

I channeled as much magic power as I could into my feet.

3 seconds.

Twokwang!!!

My body was launched like a cannonball towards the portal.

1 second.

“Come back!!!”

‘Goodbye, you damn illusions.’

My body touched the edge of the portal.

[You have passed the final trial.]

In the end, I not only killed my dick but also died twice before everything was over.

.

.

.

‘Just put me down on the ground. You always have to ruin a good thing.’

I held my sore buttocks as I fell to the ground.

[Chaos says she saw you rolling around and is comforting you for your hard work.]

“Ahren!!! Are you okay? Are you really okay?”

“He looks fine on the outside. Why isn’t he saying anything?”

“Yeriel, stop screaming and use a healing spell.”

“Ah, yes! With light…”

Everyone was worried about me, but unfortunately, none of it reached me at the moment.

I turned around and checked my crotch.

‘It’s there. It’s there!’

Not only was it there, but it was also standing tall, and there was no sign of phantom pain or trauma from touching it.

“Haaah.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. Now I could finally see my companions.

“Haha. I’m sorry for ignoring your concerns. I had to check something right away because of what I experienced inside. I’m fine now.”

Now that the most urgent problem was solved, I finally realized it.

‘Now, everything I had to do here is over. It’s finally time to receive the rewards for all my hard work!’

Amidst the lively and cheerful atmosphere, everyone was chatting when the voice of the transcendent, the clear and crisp voice of Adelai, echoed.

“It’s truly amazing… A human with such strong willpower. It’s not just a matter of harboring grudges. I, the radiant Adelai, acknowledge you.”

The transcendent. That’s right, Adelai’s clear voice reverberated.

Before I could respond, I heard her next words.

“Well, now nothing stands in your way. Come in.”

Kugung.

Kikikik.

The barrier that blocked the way to the white building, whether it was a temple or a sanctuary, disappeared without a trace in an instant at the transcendent’s declaration.

“Guys. Let’s share our reunion later. We have to get our well-deserved rewards.”

“Yes!”

“I’m more concerned about…”

“Yes, let’s talk about it as we go.”

The innocent Yeriel, the relieved Veronica, and Lumia, secretly touching her lips.

[Chaos says she’s excited.]

The sleeping El, who was watching everything, was a bonus.

I led everyone towards the white building, whether it was a temple or a sanctuary.

.

.

.

The majestic and intricate architecture, with its elaborate stained glass windows, caught my eye.

In the center of the sanctuary, more magnificent than the cathedral in the 3rd district.

There, the radiant Adelai awaited us.

“Welcome. Adventurers who have passed the Trial of the Stars.”

Is this because she resides in this realm?

Unlike when I heard it from the outside, her voice was not so much sweet as it was pleasant, making me feel a strange sense of closeness.

Her eyes sparkled with a different kind of brilliance than Lumia, who had gem-like eyes.

At first glance, her platinum-like hair and shining eyes changed color depending on the angle, creating a mysterious atmosphere.

Indeed, she didn’t look human.

“Uhu-hu. I am pretty, aren’t I? But please don’t stare so much. It’s a little embarrassing.”

This transcendent, should I say, seemed very gentle and soft.

Overall, she had a harmless aura.

‘But if I let my guard down and get too close, I might get hurt. I must be careful.’

She stood up, holding her dress with both hands, and smiled.

“I am Adelai, the Transcendent of Radiance. I am a remnant of a forgotten past, once revered as the God of Radiance by various races.”

So that’s why she seemed so grand. She wasn’t an ordinary transcendent, but a forgotten god.

I was about to agree and continue the conversation when Veronica, who had been waiting for her turn, asked a question.

“This may be rude, and it may be disrespectful to Yeriel, but is there any connection between you and the God of Light, who is known to the public?”

“Ve, Veronica.”

She must have thought that she wouldn’t be killed since we were here to receive our rewards.

To be honest, I was also curious about this.

Adelai smiled wryly and said,

“He is of a different caliber. He is a representative god of the Light faction, with followers and a church spread throughout the continent. How can you compare him to a forgotten god like me?”

“I see. My apologies.”

“No, it’s okay. Then, let’s skip the formalities and get to the rewards you’ve been longing for.”

She raised her index finger and pointed at Yerieel.

“First, Yerieel, the Challenger of Greed.”

“Eh. Why me first, not Ahren?”

Yeriel, who was startled, was pushed aside, and Adelai began to chant as she lowered her index finger.

“Ah!”

A light cluster appeared in front of Yerieel’s eyes and soon shrank slightly.

The reward she received was… a pocket watch-shaped unique equipment.

Yerieel, who had passed the trial of greed, was now qualified to hold this pocket watch.

I was filled with excitement as I watched Yerieel carefully holding the pocket watch, wondering what my reward would be.

─────

[Time Line Pocket Watch] [Unique]

Yeriel, who had cherished unforgettable memories for a moment, made a bold decision in the face of a false happiness-filled past.

In the midst of a past filled with illusions, she chose the present over the past.

She passed the trial of greed by making the right choice and earned the qualification to hold this pocket watch.

The pocket watch is shaped like a pocket watch but is always stopped.

• If damaged or destroyed, it is immediately restored to its original state.
•
• When equipped, luck increases by one stage.
•
• Very rarely, the stopped watch starts ticking, and when it does, it brings another version of yourself from a different timeline into your body.
•
• In this case, you become a spiritual body, and you share control of the temporarily altered body with the other version of yourself.
•
─────

It was a bit too unique for my taste.

Yerieel, with her sparkling eyes, was waiting for me to explain, but I turned my attention to the next reward.

“Next, Veronica, the Challenger of Wrath.”

As soon as the previous reward was given, I turned my attention to the next one without a break.

Crash

Veronica, who had quickly picked up the blue shield that had fallen to the ground, looked at me.

‘She’s going to shoot lasers out of her eyes. I’ll look at it anyway, so you don’t have to rush.’

─────

[Wall of Calm and Anger] [Unique]

Despite being consumed by extreme anger that burned her body, she drew her sword against her adversaries who had taken away her precious connections.

She learned to use intense anger as a powerful weapon when she calmly faced and defeated an enemy stronger than herself.

• When equipped, luck decreases by two stages, but endurance and stamina increase by two stages.
•
• It can be restored with magic power.
•
• When entering combat, ‘Meditation’ is granted to the user.
•
• When attacked, anger is acquired, and a small amount of anger can be consumed to restore health.
•
• When anger reaches a certain level, the previously granted ‘Meditation’ changes to ‘Rage’, and all actions receive hostility adjustments.
•
─────

It was a shield for a tank.

To be honest, luck is a very abstract ability compared to the others, so decreasing it by two stages and lowering it to a D rating didn’t seem to have much meaning.

‘But it increases defense by two stages.’

A shield that can be self-restored and healed with magic power. On top of that, it attracts aggro when continuously attacked, making its usefulness immediately apparent.

I explained the information about Yeriel and Veronica’s rewards without leaving out any details.

“Eee. So another version of myself comes into my body? I don’t like the idea of timelines. I’d rather just be myself.”

Yeriel was confused and held her head.

“Huh. Huh-hum. I’ll just turn around for a moment. Don’t peek.”

Veronica, realizing that it was a great reward, hugged the shield and turned around, coughing repeatedly.

Now, is it my turn or Lumia’s?

“Ahren. You. Close your eyes and stretch out your hands. The rest of you should also cover your eyes or turn away. It would be beneficial.”

‘Why is Lumia being skipped and it’s my turn next?’

I did as she said and closed my eyes while stretching out my hands.

One minute passed, then ten minutes.

My arms didn’t get tired, but I felt frustrated not knowing how long I had to stay in this position.

Paat—!

At that moment, I felt a kind of vibration.

A warm and gentle energy, like the sun’s rays, swept over me and disappeared.

‘What is it? A sword?’

I couldn’t see it with my eyes closed, but the shape I felt with my fingertips was familiar, like a sword.

“You can open your eyes now. I hope this reward meets your expectations.”

Blink.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I couldn’t help but exclaim at the sight of the sword in my hand.

This is… Huh.

─────

[Solace, the Sword of Radiance] [Unique]

Not only did he intrude on his companions’ trials, but he also led them to the right path. In the final trial, he cut off his own penis to resist lust and, in the end, used his own heart to overcome death.

Adelai, the Transcendent of Radiance, was so impressed by his efforts that she gathered her radiant power and personally forged this sword.

• When equipped, all stats increase by one stage.
•
• The sword is imbued with ‘Impregnable’ and is never damaged.
•
• Once a week, magic power can be injected to heal allies and use ‘Radiance’ to blind enemies.
•
• When fighting against darkness-type enemies, the sword glows and deals additional light-attribute damage.
•
• When fighting against light-type enemies, the damage received and inflicted is slightly reduced.
•
─────

I was so surprised that I couldn’t close my mouth.

If Barrak’s sword was a crude, black one-handed sword made of solid metal, this one was its opposite, a pure white, antique-looking longsword.

On top of that, it was a longsword dedicated to darkness-type enemies.

Whoo!

At least to my perception, the weight distribution was perfect, and I could swing it lightly without any resistance.

“Your expression tells me that you like it. I was so impressed by your efforts that I used my power after a long time.”

“I do like it. I’m so excited that I’m barely holding myself back.”

“I’m glad you’re happy.”

Thus, I, along with the other three, received our unique items, but I wondered why she didn’t call out any more names.

‘In terms of trials, Lumia was the first to pass, so why is she the only one without a reward?’

Adelai smiled mysteriously.