Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

As I was idly sitting and killing time while looking around, someone approached me.

Knock, knock.

A woman, her hood pulled down deep over her face, tapped the table lightly with her index finger to get my attention before speaking in a soft voice.

“You… Are you Ahren, the one who applied as a vanguard for the sewer patrol request?”

“Yes, I am. And you are?”

Why was she speaking so informally right from the start?

It was a bit unpleasant at first, but I could sense a certain cautiousness in her tone, so I kept my expression neutral.

“Sorry. Because of my trait, I can’t speak formally. Even if it’s uncomfortable, please bear with it for a bit.”

A trait that forces her to speak informally? There really are all sorts of bizarre traits out there.

“It’s fine. In a labyrinthine city, it’s not unusual to meet people with negative traits. Don’t worry about it.”

“…Thanks. You’re a good person.”

I never thought I’d be called a good person just from exchanging a few words.

“You, on the other hand, seem quite mysterious.”

“…Me?”

“Who else? The way you carry yourself, your atmosphere… You must hear often that you have a pretty voice, right?”

“Pfft. No.”

A faint chuckle escaped from within the shadow of her hood, brushing against my ears.

“Why not take off your hood? It looks a bit stifling.”

“Ah, sorry. Coming to recruit someone while hiding my face like this isn’t very polite, is it?”

She sure had a lot to apologize for.

She removed her hood, revealing her face.

…Bandages?

Strangely, her head was wrapped tightly in bandages, covering most of her face. Because of that, her tousled ash-gray hair and striking teal eyes stood out even more.

Just from the parts of her face that were visible, it was clear she was quite beautiful.

Well, she must have her reasons for covering up.

There were even people whose appearances had been forcibly altered into something monstrous due to traits imposed by the labyrinth. This wasn’t all that surprising.

“Oh? You’re not surprised?”

“Was I supposed to be?”

“Weeell… Not necessarily. But don’t you feel any unsettling aura from me? Like, doesn’t looking at me make you feel nauseous?”

“Not at all. My first thought when I saw you was that your eyes are stunning.”

“…”

“I’m sure you have your reasons for hiding your face. I make it a rule not to pry into sensitive matters.”

“You’re interesting. I’ve never met someone like you before.”

[The Chaos Eye detects an alteration in perception caused by ‘Ancient Being.’]

…? What’s this?

Just as I was about to wrap up the conversation, a system message popped up.

──

[Theodora Encianod]

[Strength: D+] [Agility: C] [Endurance: D+]
[Stamina: C+] [Magic: B] [Luck: C-]

[Traits] (Expand)

• Mastery of Word Magic
•
• Second Personality
•
• Ego Expansion
•
• Magic Affinity
•
• Ancient Being
•
• Ether Conversion
•
──

As I hurriedly pulled up my status window, she cleared her throat and introduced herself.

“I’m Theodora Encianod, a mid-tier adventurer. I saw your name on the recruitment list, and if you’re okay with it, would you like to sit down and talk?”

Then, with a bright smile, she added:

“It’d be even better if you dropped the formal speech too. It’d be weird if I’m the only one speaking informally.”

“Alright then. I mean… sure.”

“Hehe. Great.”

I decided to let the conversation flow naturally before scrutinizing her traits in detail.

After Theodora, the ever-smiling woman, took a seat, our conversation drifted smoothly from topic to topic.

For instance, I asked about her highest reached floor.

“My record is the 11th floor. The total exploration time, based on the Rule of Return, was one year and two months. I’ve only recently been recognized as a mid-tier adventurer. I’m pretty skilled, you know?”

Since I needed basic information before joining the party, I listened to her explanations about her class and traits, cross-referencing them with her status window to check for any inconsistencies.

“My class is a mage. And not just any mage—a Word Mage! Surprised?”

Seeing her proudly puff out her chest, I decided to play along.

“…Wow, amazing! I had no idea I was in the presence of someone so distinguished! So, with Word Magic, do you just shout, ‘Die!’ and the monsters get split in half? Hahaha.”

Theodora burst into laughter at my exaggerated reaction.

“Pfft, hahahaha! You’re trying too hard to act impressed! ‘Split in half,’ seriously?!”

“Well, I really am surprised, though. I’ve never met a Word Mage before.”

──

[Second Personality (B)] [Passive]

Due to an unknown congenital defect, the soul vessel has split into two—one large, one small.

The second personality, deeply submerged within, remains dormant under normal circumstances. However, under specific conditions, it will suppress the original personality and awaken, revealing its terrifying nature.

• When in a near-death state, all stats increase, and the personality switches.
•
• In this state, all linked equipment changes, and the user loses control of their body, though consciousness remains shared.
•
• After activation, the awakened personality will eventually fall back asleep, and Luck permanently decreases by one rank.
•
──

──

[Ancient Being] [Passive]

A nameless ancient entity forcibly imbued you with a racial factor.

By miraculously surviving a high probability of instant death, you gained an unknown power, but your soul was eroded, causing all who see you to experience a perceptual distortion regarding your identity.

• Grants the additional trait ‘Ether Conversion.’
•
• Increases Magic by four ranks and permanently enhances mana regeneration.
•
• Interferes with the minds of those who see you, distorting their perception of your appearance.
•
──

Just skimming through Theodora’s status window was fascinating.

She was a mage—a class usually reserved for nobility. And not just any mage, but a rare Word Mage belonging to a specialized school, alongside Temporal, Arcane, and Combat magic disciplines.

On top of that, her traits were full of rare and powerful effects.

A second personality, form-changing abilities, a forced informal speech trait, and even a racial transformation trait…

Whether they were innate or acquired from the labyrinth, they were all incredibly potent. As expected of a mid-tier adventurer.

One thing concerned me, though—the distortion effect attached to her ‘Ancient Being’ trait.

It seemed like something as severe as Lumia’s curse.

I turned to Theodora, still smiling brightly, and asked:

“How are the other party members? As the party leader, could you give me a quick rundown?”

“Huh? Party leader? Hehe, I’m not the leader. We all just met today. It’s totally awkward.”

She mumbled under her breath.

“In fact, you might be the one I feel closest to right now.”

“I thought you were the leader since you came to recruit me. Instead of giggling, why don’t you tell me about the others?”

“Heheh. Sorry. I’m not usually like this, but for some reason, I just can’t stop laughing today.”

I didn’t know how to respond, so I just shrugged.

“Sometimes, it’s better to see things for yourself rather than explaining. Come on, I’ve already reserved a spot.”

Theodora stood up, adding that in front of the others, she might seem cold but not to mind it.

Was it because of the perception alteration mentioned earlier?

Since I couldn’t turn my Chaos Eye on and off at will, I had no idea how she appeared to others.

“Oh, wait. I forgot to ask the most important question. You do plan on joining the party, right?”

“Of course. No need to worry.”

With Theodora alone, I wouldn’t have to worry about paladin squads or synthetic-type monsters.

Surely, the remaining three weren’t all useless, right?

I followed behind Theodora, who had pulled her hood down deeply again.

“I brought him. I’m going to rest now, so handle the rest yourselves.”

As soon as she sat down, she leaned against the chair’s backrest and lowered her head.

“Yo, is this finally the last party member? I’ve seen way too many fifth and sixth-floor nobodies lately.”

The one who started speaking was a martial artist with a carefree demeanor.

“I’m Jackson, my best record is the ninth floor! Just like you, I’m on the verge of mid-tier promotion.”

At first, I was skeptical because his weapon wasn’t even proper gauntlets, just spiked half-gloves.

But after closer inspection, I saw that they weren’t ordinary gear—they were B-rank items made from the hide of a mutant monster.

His equipment was acceptable.

──

[Jackson]

[Strength: C-] [Agility: C+] [Endurance: C-]
[Stamina: C] [Magic: D+] [Luck: C-]

[Possessed Traits] (Collapse)

• Intermediate Martial Arts
•
• Agile Body
•
• Blade Wind
•
• Empty-Handed Combat
•
──

His stats were evenly distributed around C-rank, leaving nothing lacking, and his traits emphasized both offense and defense. Any concerns I had were put to rest.

He seemed to have a decent personality too—overall, a solid damage dealer.

Jackson wiped his nose with his thumb and spoke in a cheerful tone.

“You already dropped honorifics with Theodora, right? Let’s do the same! We’re both here for contribution points, so let’s work together without any fuss!”

With a bright smile, he held out his fist.

“Sounds good to me. Thanks for the warm welcome.”

Thud.

I lightly extended my arm and bumped fists with him.

“Is it my turn? I’m Alina Olga! As you can see, a Barbarian! My record is the tenth floor!”

The next introduction came from a rare sight—a female barbarian warrior.

She had long black hair tied tightly back and carried dual axes on her back.

──

[Alina Olga]

[Strength: C+] [Agility: C+] [Endurance: D]
[Stamina: C-] [Magic: C-] [Luck: C-]

[Possessed Traits] (Collapse)

• Intermediate Destruction Arts
•
• Battle Frenzy
•
• Bloodstained Axe
•
• Iron Body—Artali
•
• Ancestors’ Blessing
•
──

Her stats were solid, fitting for a mid-tier adventurer like Theodora, and her traits screamed berserker-type warrior.

A well-balanced mix of strengths and weaknesses.

“Using honorifics feels weird! Just speak casually with me too!”

“Alright. Alina, your body looks amazing. Like a sculpture carefully crafted by a famous artisan.”

“Woahahaha! Compliments right from the start? You understand the beauty of muscles! Got any more?!”

She craves praise?

“Hmm… The scars all over your body must be battle marks, right? Anyone can tell at a glance that you’re a fierce warrior.”

“Exactly! This scar on my right shoulder is especially meaningful! I got it when I single-handedly took down a high-tier monster!”

“Ooooh!”

“Don’t just look—go ahead and touch it!”

Grab.

She took my hand and pulled it, so before I knew it, I was running my fingers over various scars.

From her arms and shoulders to her neck and back…

“Uh, uh?”

I felt the rough skin and firm muscles beneath my touch.

“Haa… Haa… Why do I feel weird… Th-That’s enough! Stop now!”

Alina’s face turned red as she breathed heavily.

She told me to touch, but now she was embarrassed?

Just as I awkwardly withdrew my hand, the last remaining party member, an archer, clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, tsk. What a ridiculous scene.”

He was a man on the border between scruffy and outright unkempt, with a patchy beard.

[Chaos says this guy’s face looks like a smashed pumpkin and that his words are just as unpleasant.]

“We already have two frontline fighters, and now another one? It would’ve been better if the last member was a priest.”

His tone. Is he subtly telling me to leave?

There’s a saying that if you gather five people, at least one will be garbage. Looks like we found our troublemaker.

Alina, who had been catching her breath, suddenly exploded in anger, bypassing me—the one insulted—and lashing out.

“You cowardly bastard! If you have complaints, don’t mumble behind my back—look me in the eye and say it directly!”

“I-I didn’t mean it like that… Just that it would’ve been better, that’s all…”

“Then why say it at all?! Think before you speak!”

Overwhelmed by her presence, the man grumbled.

“Rumors about this party weren’t exactly great… Let’s hope our dear ‘ugly lady’ made the right call.”

Ugly lady? Who here is ugly?

“Being ugly isn’t a crime! Even if it’s just temporary, a teammate is a teammate! Even if someone is revolting, we should tolerate them!”

“Ugly… Revolting… Haah.”

Boom!

Alina slammed the table and muttered a low warning.

“If you call Theodora ugly to her face again, I’ll split your skull open before the monsters do. Consider yourself warned.”

“I wasn’t trying to take sides, but I think Alina’s right.”

Jackson joined in.

“No matter how uncomfortable a face is to look at, cutting people down over their appearance is just pathetic. You’re old enough to know better.”

“…”

“Thanks for backing me up, but let’s drop it. We’re all here in Arlen now, and we don’t need to be fighting before we even start the job.”

“Ahem. My words came out wrong. I apologize.”

…This is basically an ugly-versus-pretty battlefield.

So this is how the ancient entity’s penalty manifests.

It seems to warp Theodora’s appearance in people’s minds, making her seem disturbingly unpleasant even with her face covered in bandages.

“I’m Carlson. It’s embarrassing to admit, but I started adventuring late, so I’ve spent years just repeatedly hunting on the seventh floor for a living.”

Considering everything, it seemed like this guy joined purely for the money.

His abilities and traits were average, and since every party needed a guide, the others didn’t seem inclined to reject him.

After everyone finished their introductions, I also wrapped up mine, officially joining the party for the mission.

‘For a simple sewer patrol, isn’t this lineup complete overkill?’

That thought crossed my mind.

I went back to the receptionist to confirm my participation in the mission and thanked her.

“Riel, thanks for being so kind the whole time.”

“How do you know my name? …Wait, could it be?”

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she trailed off.

I glanced at her nametag.

“Oh.”

[Chaos says even delusions have their limits.]

I smiled at her surprised expression.

“I hope we run into each other often. If I have more questions in the future, can I come by on slow days like today?”

“Of course! Oh, and drop the formalities—just call me Riel!”

She was the type to be flexible about minor rule-bending as long as people did their jobs properly.

“Thanks, Riel. See you next time.”

“Take care!”

After waving goodbye, I rejoined my temporary party.

“The confirmed support parties must gather by 8 AM tomorrow. A staff member will lead us to the sewer entrance—no exceptions for latecomers.”

‘8 AM, huh? To be safe, I should arrive 30 minutes early.’

“Make sure to bring anything you think you’ll need. That’s it for today—dismissed!”

With Theodora’s final words, we all scattered and left the Adventurers’ Guild.

Supplies needed.

I already had enough ropes, torches, and miscellaneous tools left over from my last labyrinth expedition.

All I needed was a mask to block the stench.

After checking out a few general stores and magic item shops, I found a suitable cloth mask.

“Here, this one’s the most effective while still being convenient.”

“I’ll take three… No, five.”

With that, my party formation and preparations for the mission were complete.