Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

We rested for a full day after arriving at the central area.

After fighting the Faceless Ironclads, we took the time to rest and recover our mana.

We focused solely on resting to ensure our bodies and minds were in optimal condition.

I looked around at my companions and asked, “How are you all feeling? Are we ready to go?”

“To be honest, I didn’t need to rest much since we had such an easy journey. I’m ready!”

“I’m fine too. My mana is full, so let’s get moving,” said Veronica.

“How about you, Lumia? You were in a lot of pain last night.”

Lumia, who had used the ‘Wavering Darkness’ from the ancient magic book to instantly defeat Embryo, had definitely done more than her fair share.

She had used a powerful magic that exceeded her abilities, and it was clear that she had pushed herself too hard.

On top of that, the pain from Obscuritas hit her every day, making it even more difficult for her.

Lumia nodded and said, “I know what you’re thinking, but don’t worry too much.”

“Are you sure?”

I asked again to make sure, as I knew she would endure the pain if it was bearable.

I wasn’t favoring one companion over the others.

“There are no monsters, and we have plenty of food, so it doesn’t matter if we rest for a few more days. We’ll just return to the same place anyway.”

“That’s right! We might not get another chance to rest like this again.”

Fortunately, the others seemed to understand.

“I’m fine since I get healed every day. Let’s go. I don’t want to hold you back.”

“If that’s what you want.”

I agreed and led the party to the layer portal.

“No one is injured. We have plenty of food and our equipment is in good condition.”

We were fully prepared.

I had everyone hold hands to ensure safety and took a step forward.

“Let’s go. To the 9th floor.”

The portal swallowed us up in its radiant blue light.

.

.

.

Whoosh!

This is the Gate of Proving.

“Wow… It’s huge!”

I couldn’t help but be amazed at the sight.

After safely landing, we were all captivated by the enormous arch-shaped gate.

As Veronica had described, the gate was located in a large area similar to the 8th floor, and it was the only thing that stood out.

The gate was so massive that it would look like a dot if a person stood in front of it. A black vortex, starting from the center of the gate, constantly rotated and formed a portal.

The portal’s slow rotation, almost appearing to be at a standstill, was awe-inspiring and made it seem even more dangerous.

‘So, if we pass through this gate and reach the top of the tower, we’ll be one step closer to becoming mid-level adventurers?’

I was overwhelmed by the gate’s grandeur and majesty.

I couldn’t help but smile.

A small flame ignited in my heart, and it quickly grew, surpassing my sense of awe and reverence.

I wanted to go further.

It was nothing more than a sense of competition and a desire for a challenge.

The flame was fueled by my ambition and desire to become a mid-level adventurer.

[Chaos approves of your mindset.]

Although I was involuntarily teleported to this dangerous world, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at the sight of such a magnificent structure.

Perhaps it was not just about power, wealth, or fame.

Maybe people came to the dungeon city to witness such a sight.

The flame in my heart was fueled by my ambition and desire to become a mid-level adventurer.

Veronica, seeing our excitement, spoke up.

“When I first saw the gate, I felt overwhelmed. Where else would you see something like this if not in the Great Dungeon?”

She was right. I was no expert in magic, but I imagined that building such a structure in the outside world would require an unimaginable amount of resources and manpower.

It was even questionable if it could be built at all.

“To be honest, until now…”

I paused and clenched my fist.

“I had a vague goal of becoming a high-level adventurer and entering the Great Dungeon.”

I took a breath and continued.

“But now, I feel like I’ve gained a new perspective.”

Veronica nodded in agreement.

“It’s a fact that the level of an adventurer is determined by whether or not they have seen this gate. Today, we have all grown.”

Yeriel and Lumia were also laughing behind us.

“How wonderful! When we return, I’ll have so many stories to tell my sister.”

“Me too. Grandfather will be so happy.”

I was also surprised by something else.

As we moved forward, a surprising sight caught my attention.

“Be careful and stay in line. If you try to cut in line, it will be considered a serious crime and you will be executed on the spot, so be warned!”

“Please be aware that as soon as you enter, you will be in a separate space. Please don’t forget to prepare yourself.”

“I’ll buy two bottles of mid-level potions! I’ll pay a high price! I also welcome high-level potions!”

The area in front of the gate was bustling with people, just like a smaller version of the portal square in the dungeon city.

I thought that most of the other parties had already passed through, but I was surprised to see so many people.

After all, there were three other roads, a forest, and a shortcut. It was not surprising that there were still many parties on the 8th floor.

The crowd in front of the gate could be divided into three groups.

First, the Exion Clan.

The city guards were already overwhelmed with protecting the city from various dangers.

It was unlikely that they would have the resources to send high-level adventurers to break through the 9th floor every time.

So, the Exion Clan, a powerful group of high-level adventurers, was hired to protect the Gate of Proving and maintain order on the 9th floor.

They were authorized by the 1st District and the Imperial Family to do so, and in return, they were granted various rights.

They took turns every few months using the law of return, right?

It was hard to believe at first, as high-level adventurers could earn a lot of money by hunting in the dungeon for just a few months.

However, it turned out to be a foolish idea, as high-level adventurers didn’t need to take such risks to live comfortably.

The Exion Clan had connections with the 1st District and the Imperial Family, and they could obtain intangible rewards that were impossible for low-level adventurers to achieve.

Accepting the request was a rational decision, as it didn’t require any complicated procedures like matching adventurer IDs, and it was a simple task of maintaining order through force.

Second, the Trading Place.

Aside from looting, there were limited ways to replenish food and potions in the dungeon. One of them was to buy them from adventurers who were about to return to the outside world at a high price.

Parties that had encountered random events or suffered losses and needed to replenish their supplies before going to the mid-layers could benefit from this trade.

Adventurers who had plenty of supplies and were about to return to the outside world could sell them at a high price, making a profit from the price difference.

Since returning to the outside world was guaranteed once they reached the 9th floor, this trade was possible.

I had considered joining the trade and selling most of my supplies, but I gave up.

What if there were more random events or losses inside? I didn’t want to take the risk.

I didn’t know what would happen inside the gate, and I didn’t want to risk my life for money.

The last group was, of course, the line of adventurers waiting to enter the portal.

The aura of the high-level adventurers was so strong that no one dared to cut in line.

The order was maintained by the adventurers’ strength, and no one dared to disrupt it.

Most of the parties didn’t have a priest or a wizard, which made me realize how rare and valuable those classes were.

I felt lucky to have Yeriel and Lumia as my companions.

Hey, is that an elf party of five?

When I first saw Rashion at Hutton’s weapon shop, I was amazed by how androgynous elves were.

If you took a male elf’s chest and hips and attached them to a woman, you’d have a beauty that could rival any other.

‘They didn’t seem to be from the same region, and they might have been half-elves. Why were they staring at me like that?’

I bowed my head.

There was also a familiar-looking Eastern swordsman, dressed in black, with black hair and eyes.

I stared at him curiously, and he sent me a message through sound transmission. I awkwardly returned his gaze and nodded.

I also discreetly checked out a halfling tank holding a tower shield as tall as himself, wondering if such a small body could tank.

“Ahren, it’s almost our turn.”

The line was moving faster than I expected.

I was so engrossed in observing my surroundings that I didn’t realize it was already our turn.

“Hmm?”

“What?”

One of the high-level adventurers guarding the portal noticed Yeriel and approached her.

“Who, who are you?”

Yeriel didn’t recognize the voice, so she didn’t know who it was.

The adventurer, fully armored, removed his helmet and revealed his face.

He was a man in his 40s, and he looked like he had seen something amazing.

He spoke to Yeriel with a friendly tone.

“I’ve seen you a few times, but you were so young that you might not remember me.”

“Hmm… I don’t remember, sorry.”

“I was a temporary party member who joined your sister’s high-level adventurer promotion quest. It was a difficult group quest.”

What? Is Yeriel’s sister here too?

Yeriel’s face lit up.

“Wow, really?”

Usually, if one sibling is much more talented than the other, it can create feelings of inferiority or insecurity.

However, Yeriel and her sister had to rely on each other, so they were both cheerful.

“Haha. It’s been a long time since then. I heard that while I was slacking off in the clan, she became the guildmaster and reached the mid-layers? I’m embarrassed to compare myself to her.”

“Haha… Yes, I’ll tell my sister about you when I return.”

Yeriel blushed and smiled awkwardly.

[Chaos acknowledges that the Evelyn’s reputation is well-deserved.]

“Yes. Let’s have a nice meal together sometime! My wife will be there, and your sister’s surprised face will be quite a sight.”

“Why would my sister be surprised?”

“Hmm. You know the temporary party we formed for the group quest? I married the fellow wizard we met there. There was an eight-year age gap between us.”

As they were talking, another clan member interrupted them.

“Sir Schmitz, I’m sorry for interrupting, but please hurry up… You know the clan leader was angry last time you broke the procedure.”

“Tsk. I know. Why do they have to fight over such trivial matters? Hurry up and switch shifts.”

He clicked his tongue and put his helmet back on. He took something out of his pouch and handed it to Yeriel.

Swish.

“Take it. It’s a high-level potion, so you can survive as long as you don’t get a fatal blow.”

What?

“No, no. This is too much.”

“I can’t just ignore the family of an old friend. Take it. My arm hurts.”

“Hmm… Thank you.”

Yeriel, who was frowning, took the high-level potion with trembling hands.

“By the way, your sister must have given you permission. How long have you been an adventurer? Since this is the 9th floor, has it been two years? No, if you received support from the Knights, it must have been one year?”

“No! It’s been less than half a year. My sister only allowed me to become an adventurer after I became an adult, and even then, I had to force her to agree.”

“Wait. You reached the 9th floor in less than half a year? Is that true?”

Schmitz was surprised.

He had been so focused on Yeriel that he hadn’t noticed the others.

He looked at Lumia and Veronica, and then at me.

I couldn’t see his expression because of the thick helmet he was wearing.

“I understand. There’s no need to exaggerate your achievements, and even if you did, it’s not something I should comment on.”

Schmitz gestured to me and asked, “You’re obviously the strongest. You’re the party leader, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Please call me Ahren.”

“You’re straightforward. I like that. If you ever need the protection of a clan, come to Schmitz Kruger of the 2nd District.”

His tone was completely different from when he was talking to Yeriel.

After finishing his speech, he extended his hand, and I shook it.

Crunch!

“Ouch!”

“Hmm. You have spirit. You’re approved. I can let you pass without worry.”

What the hell was that?

It wasn’t a greeting, but a test of strength.

He must have been testing me to see if I was worthy of being Yeriel’s acquaintance or a high-level adventurer.

I grunted in pain, and Yeriel’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

I was in trouble. Once she started, no one could stop her.

“Damn it! Let go of Ahren! What the hell are you doing?”

Yeriel was about to throw the potion bottle at him.

‘No! A high-level potion is like an extra life! Don’t throw it away!’

I quickly signaled to Lumia and Veronica.

“I’ll tell your sister everything when I get back! Who do you think you are to harass Ahren like this? Ugh!”

“Calm down. He’s an acquaintance of your sister… He didn’t mean any harm.”

“Calm down. He didn’t mean any harm…”

Yeriel was flailing her arms, but Lumia quickly pulled her away, saving the potion.

Schmitz released my hand and bowed his head apologetically.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t expect her to react like that.”

“It’s fine. Can we go now?”

“Here, take this. I should have given it to you earlier. It’s a high-level potion.”

What? A high-level potion?

[Chaos is annoyed by the situation.]

“Thanks.”

I felt relieved when I saw the high-quality appearance of the high-level potion.

‘Financial healing is the best. He must have tested me to see if I was worthy of being Yeriel’s acquaintance. What can I do? If I don’t like it, I’ll just have to get stronger.’

A high-level adventurer bowing to a low-level adventurer was a rare sight.

“Ugh.”

Yeriel was still breathing heavily, so I patted her hand to calm her down.

Yeriel was still angry, and I could feel glare on my back.

‘Cowards. I can’t stand them.’

I felt annoyed by the stares from behind, so I bowed and led the party towards the portal.

Damn it. I couldn’t believe this was happening before we even entered the tower.

‘It’s fine. I’m annoyed, but I got something out of it. Let’s just focus on climbing the tower.’

As I stepped into the black vortex, Schmitz’s whisper echoed in my mind.

“Reaching the mid-layers in less than half a year… This will cause a stir in the dungeon city.”