Conquering the Labyrinth with a Trash-Tier Trait - Chapter 15

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 15
“What!?”
I reflexively closed my hand around the orange crystal, then glanced sideways at Cain.
He smiled and gestured for me to take it.
“Go ahead and take it. It’s a pittance compared to what you’ve accomplished.”
A pittance? That couldn’t be right.
This was a high-grade Ability Stone, wasn’t it?
Still, I had no intention of refusing.
I set aside the question of whether an Orange Ability Stone even dropped from Novice-tier monsters.
“Thank you. And this Magic Stone here…….”
“Take that too. The Caravan Master will approve. What’s good is good, don’t you think?”
Cain was grinning contentedly, but his eyes held a peculiar, unsettling gleam.
‘Hmm?’
For someone who’d just displayed such formidable power, his languid expression seemed unlike the Cain I knew, and the focus in his eyes was distinctly hazy.
“If I had my way, I’d hunt down every last one of those creatures and slaughter them, but it’s better to exercise restraint, wouldn’t you say, Char?”
“……Yes. Of course.”
“Ah. Yes. What a glorious night this is. Ahaha, hahahaha.”
Hmm.
This state Cain was in looked distinctly like a Penalty from the Blessing of Moonlight.
I’d thought the description “slight dulling of reason” was trivial.
“Combat’s finished, so why not crack open a bottle to celebrate? Oh, right. We don’t have any alcohol.”
Yikes.
‘That’s not slight at all!’
If this was “slight,” I didn’t want to imagine what “severe” would look like.
Cain’s condition forced me to reconsider the Penalties of Ability Stones more seriously.
“For now, let’s catch up with the Caravan. Take it slowly.”
“Ah, yes. The Caravan will have alcohol.”
“…….”
Well.
At least Cain’s generosity in handing over the Ability Stone and Magic Stone was a good thing.
I decided to count my blessings.
[Special Training]
[Strength +15, Agility +18, Vitality +19, Mana +12, Physical Resistance +12, Magical Resistance +15]
Just looking at the visible stats attached to this Orange-grade Ability Stone filled me with anticipation.
‘Let me see…….’
A pulse of energy rippled through me.
I activated the trait:
-You can dominate beasts.
-The Grade and number of beasts you can dominate varies according to your Level and Mana stat.
-The effect applies to both animals and beast-type monsters.
“Hmm…….”
Honestly, I had no idea what to make of it.
‘Is this good? Is it bad?’
One thing was certain: there was no Penalty.
And considering the utility I’d gained from handling Spirits until now.
‘……it might actually be quite useful.’
So I found myself torn.
The Spirit offered versatility, but this Ability Stone seemed to allow greater numbers and might offer far superior combat effectiveness.
‘It would definitely fetch good coin, but should I sell it? Or wait and use it myself?’
Orange-grade stones could only be equipped after obtaining a First Job.
And since I had only one Ability slot, using this would mean deleting Multiple Spirit Summoning.
‘And deletion costs a fortune…….’
Conflict churned inside me, but there was no need to decide immediately.
‘Let’s get out and think about it.’
Regardless, securing such an extraordinary reward — one I’d never expected from Dungeon Floor 2 — was undeniable.
“Let’s go!”
The commission wasn’t fully complete yet.
The Caravan members had to remain safe until we reached the destination point.
“What? Where to? Ah, the Caravan. Right. We should head out.”
“Oh. Wait. This corpse. We’re taking it with us!”
“Why?”
“Evidence!”
“Do we really need to……?”
I led Cain, whose thoughts seemed increasingly scattered, back toward the Caravan.
“Oh! You two! You made it! But why so soon?”
“We eliminated the one controlling the beasts. Here he is.”
“Goodness! That’s appalling.”
“I suspect there won’t be attacks like before, at least not as frequent.”
“……Yes. Definitely a monster, that one. Good work.”
“Master, the moonlight’s so fine—how about a drink……!”
“What’s wrong with Commander Cain?”
“A side effect of his ability. Nothing serious…….”
“Ah.”
The Caravan Master welcomed us warmly, and we successfully regrouped. Over the next two days we suffered minor attacks here and there, but
compared to the Boss Monster’s assault, they were nothing.
[Dungeon Floor 2 Perfect Clear condition fulfilled.]
[Caravan members safely escorted 12/12, Boss Monster defeated 1/1.]
[You receive 1 Level-Up Point!]
[Achievement created. Bonus modifier will apply upon First Job acquisition.]
As expected.
‘Long live the Perfect Clear!’
I received a Level-Up Point again this time.
Even without the bonus effect upon class acquisition, it was a worthwhile reward.
A smile spread across my face when the Caravan Master patted my shoulder.
“Char, wait with the Caravan members at the inn. Once I finish meeting with the lord, I’ll make sure to give you a proper reward.”
“I appreciate that, but I’m afraid I need to leave now.”
“Hmm? Weren’t you planning to stay in Edellin anyway?”
“That’s…….”
I glanced toward the Blue Portal near the city gate of Edellin.
Unseen by the others, the exit I needed to pass through flickered, beckoning me insistently.
Seeing this, I was certain—this place was indeed a constructed world.
And yet.
“……I have things I need to take care of.”
“Is that so? Well, that’s a shame. We received considerable help from you. I promised to reward you, didn’t I?”
“I’ve already received compensation from defeating the Boss Monster.”
“No, no. That’s what you earned yourself. My reward is separate. A true merchant always settles his debts properly. Don’t make me look like a small man.”
“Char, have a drink with us before you go! We crossed the line of death together. We can’t just part ways like this! Don’t you all agree!?”
“Absolutely!”
“Is there anyone here whose life Char didn’t save?”
“Not a soul!”
The Caravan Master saying such things. Commander Cain.
Even the Caravan members who backed them up didn’t seem like mere illusions.
-The dungeon inhabitants—are they fake? That can’t be right.
-Even if the Dungeon’s god made them, creating everything as false would be wasteful.
-It makes more sense that the Dungeon’s god simply opened a passage to another world.
The theory that a famous mage had done something similar suddenly felt persuasive, resonating with the deepest part of me.
‘Well, I should collect the reward the Caravan Master promised anyway.’
I’d never heard mention of any deadline for leaving through the exit.
So then.
“Fine. How about just one drink?”
“Excellent!”
“Let’s go!”
I spent that entire day drinking with the Caravan members.
The camaraderie of sharing drinks with those who’d crossed the threshold of death alongside me was enjoyable enough.
But what made me truly happy was the reward I received the next day.
“What do you think?”
“I’m—I’m absolutely delighted. Thank you so much!”
The moment I laid eyes on the Artifact spear the Caravan Master handed me, its surface flowing with a pale blue light, I couldn’t suppress the broad grin that broke across my face.
“The lord of Edellin said to give it to those who distinguished themselves. A masterwork from him, no less. Will this suffice?”
“Of course! But then what about Commander Cain and the others……?”
“Don’t worry about my people—I’ll look after them.”
The Caravan Master’s face was so reassuring as he spoke.
“See you again!”
“Safe travels, Char!”
“If you ever need anything in Edellin…!”
Knowing I’d never see them again, I waved goodbye to the Caravan members with a smile and made my way back out of the Dungeon.
‘Another world entirely…’
I’d heard that some adventurers chose to make their lives inside the Dungeon.
I was beginning to understand that impulse a little.
* * *
Flash.
[You have cleared Dungeon Floor 2 (Novice Sector). Vitality increased by 1.]
With the announcement of clearing Floor 2, my stats rose and a surge of satisfaction flooded through me.
‘Hmm.’
The moment the shimmer faded from my vision, the sharp rise in temperature—so different from Floor 2’s snow-covered wasteland—confirmed I was back in Bartus.
‘Floor 2 was definitely cold.’
My increased Vitality had kept me from suffering much, but still, the warmth felt genuinely good.
“Phew…”
I’d successfully cleared Floor 2 with a Perfect Clear and made it back intact.
I’d gained two unexpected levels, brought Volante Footwork to Stage 1’s level cap, and evolved my Spear Technique besides.
And that was all before the unexpected rewards I’d picked up.
‘This is excellent. If I can keep this momentum going…’
It felt like the future was actually shining before me.
But alongside my satisfaction, there was something nagging at me with worry.
“Go. Tel. Woo? You’ve returned?”
“Yes.”
“Yes. Confirmed. Chel-roo, um. The pronunciation…”
“Call me Char. That’s what everyone else does.”
“Understood. It’s been recorded. You’re free to go.”
I turned away after the soldiers logged my return,
‘How am I going to handle this?’
The problem was the reward I’d received was far too generous.
The Caravan Master’s reward had been manageable enough.
I’d have two spears strapped to my back, which would look odd, but people would understand—a spare weapon is nothing unusual.
[Edellin’s Spear (Advanced)]
—Attack Power +9
—An Artifact spear forged by Rufes, the master craftsman of Edellin, the dungeon city on Floor 2. Exceptional in durability and force.
The same ‘Advanced’ grade as the boots I was wearing. In other words, an Artifact.
‘If Attack Power is +9, that means I get an effective boost as if my Strength increased by 9, right? So even a casual thrust would…?’
Just handling it filled me with satisfaction, and I kept imagining new applications for it. A true masterwork.
But my thoughts quickly shifted to the Ability Stone in my pocket.
‘Has an Orange Ability Stone ever dropped in the Novice Sector before?’
I wasn’t sure whether I should even be keeping this.
Fortunately, I had someone I could consult.
“Hmm. I’ve heard rumors about it. Or should I say, legends?”
“Legends, you say?”
At Jerrik’s words, I tilted my head, and he let out a dry laugh.
“The Dungeon is still a world of mystery, Char. Far more remains unknown than has been revealed.”
“That much, I do understand.”
“Extremes aside, no one’s ever reported two adventurers meeting in the Novice Sector, and nobody knows why. Same goes for how ten different Dungeon cities all connect to the same Dungeon.”
“So then…”
“It’ll become talk of the town, sure, but there’s no real cause for concern. So congratulations—hitting jackpot two runs in a row.”
“…Oh!”
Jerrik’s words put my mind at ease.
“Are you going to sell it?”
“I’m still deciding. It’s an Orange Ability Stone with no Penalty, after all.”
Watching Cain’s case, my perspective on Ability Stone Penalties had shifted somewhat.
‘I can’t overlook Penalties. Especially mental Penalties.’
Which is why the absence of Penalties in Special Training alone was worth serious consideration.
Of course, I had a Goblin Pouch—a tool that could reliably remove Penalties for me.
“……Since I can’t use this Ability Stone right now anyway, I thought I’d sell it. Get some money for a Spatial Pouch instead.”
There was some thought of better equipment, but since I’d obtained Edellin’s Spear as an artifact, my choice could only be the Spatial Pouch.
“You don’t even bring back junk items—why do you suddenly need a Spatial Pouch?”
“……Well. That’s how it is now, but will it stay that way? If I’m not making income, at least I should be able to pick up scraps.”
“Hmm?”
Actually, more than that, I was uneasy about leaving this treasure pouch at home.
If I carried it in my pack, I worried it might break if something unexpected happened.
“Fine. Orange ones sell in Sector 8, so I’ll go with you. Or do you want to try alone?”
“I’d be grateful if you came with me.”
I knew well enough that a Novice walking into Sector 8 alone would likely get cheated in this already expensive upper sector.
If you weren’t the right Rank, you didn’t even get proper treatment—that was the Sector System of Bartus.
“Right. Now that it’s come up, let’s go straight away.”
In that sense, Jerrik, who had the credentials to live in Sector 4, was an excellent protector for me.
And.
“Hmm. Special Training, is it? That name alone screams there must be a Penalty attached…….”
The merchant Rufes, whom we met in Sector 8, seemed like a typical cutthroat trader.
“I was just going to——”
“This friend here has an appraisal ability that can verify details. No Penalty.”
“That’s certain…… I suppose. Hmm.”
He’d been about to snipe back with a grin, but the moment Jerrik flashed what looked like a system window—probably his Rank—at him, his smile grew strained.
“Why would someone of your standing be here…….”
“Never mind that. Char, show me the appraisal details from earlier.”
“Yes. Here.”
When I handed over the notes I’d written about the Special Training Ability, the bald merchant Rufes’s eyebrows twitched slightly as he read.
“This is remarkable. If it’s true, that is.”
I wondered what was so surprising, but Jerrik didn’t react.
“You can bring an appraiser when you sell. And I’ll tell others besides you to look for buyers however they can. Minimum asking price is 200 Gold. Nothing less. As for goods, I’m thinking of exchanging for a Spatial Pouch.”
Red Ability Stones, when confirmed to have no Penalty, went for cheap—around 10 Gold. Popular ones like “Iron Body” went for about 100 Gold.
Measured against that, the price Jerrik had set for Special Training was reasonable.
“200 Gold. Spatial Pouch. Yes, I understand. That should be sufficient. Give me three days.”
“Good.”
That way, we told the same story to three more merchants in Sector 8, including Rufes.
Three days later, Rufes was the first to get in touch.
With terms far better than expected.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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