Conquering the Labyrinth with a Trash-Tier Trait - Chapter 35

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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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Episode 35
[Corrupted World Tree Wooden Spear (Rare)]
-Attack Power +30
-Spore Dispersal (Rare)*
-Thorns (Highest Grade)
-Battle Frenzy 30
-Self-Restoration
“Hmm…….”
Battle Frenzy.
The more immersed you became in combat, the faster you moved—and those bonuses were certainly useful, as was Self-Restoration.
But the Thorns option was absolutely outstanding.

-During combat, thorns naturally extend from the spear and strike enemies.
‘A secondary attack, then.’
I felt a spark of interest the moment I saw it, but then I caught sight of the remaining option and couldn’t help but flinch.
This was the first time I’d ever seen an option come attached with a penalty.
And the nature of that penalty troubled me deeply.

-When a wound is inflicted on an enemy, spores from the Hallucinogenic Jester Mushroom are forcibly injected.
-Impedes wound recovery and induces a hallucinatory state in the target.
* Spore Dispersal makes no distinction between friend and foe. Pray that your wielding hand and body remain unscathed.
“Ah, as you can see, this spear was crafted from a slightly Contaminated branch of the World Tree. That’s why its grade dropped and a penalty was attached to the primary attack option. But don’t worry too much—as long as you’re wearing sturdy gauntlets and armor, the penalty won’t be a problem at all! Now then, we’ll start the bidding at 200 Gold.”
Despite the auctioneer’s cheerful voice, the response from the crowd fell cold and flat.
Even the handful of elves who’d leapt to their feet moments earlier sat back down the instant they heard the word “Contaminated.”
The reactions of everyone else were much the same.
“It’s too unsettling.”
“For starters, the wound recovery interference and hallucinatory state—the description itself is vague.”
“Honestly, at the same price I’d rather take something else. Maybe if it were half the price.”
“Even at half price, I won’t buy it. Mushroom spores burrowing into my hand? Ugh. Just thinking about it is horrifying.”
The crowd murmured and stirred.
Despite the atmosphere, the auctioneer pressed on with a bright expression, trying to coax bids.
But no one bid.
Neither did I.
‘The option is… well, it’s problematic.’
The spear wouldn’t fit in my goblin pouch anyway, but even if it did, there was no guarantee the penalty attached to the option would disappear.
And honestly, since it wasn’t an instantly effective attack option, it fell short in terms of raw impact.
“……Regrettably, the Corrupted World Tree Wooden Spear has been withdrawn from sale. Hmm, well then, shall we proceed to the next item?”
As the auction continued, the item I’d been targeting finally appeared.
[Ethylene’s Thunder Spear (Rare)]
-Attack Power +30
-Current Release on Spearhead Impact (Highest Grade)
-Current Stimulation (Reaction Speed +20)
-Chain Lightning Activation Once Per Day (Highest Grade)
“……No need for lengthy explanation, yes? By anyone’s measure, this is an outstanding Artifact. You might even call it the finest weapon in the Rare tier. Opening bid 500 Gold. Increment of 50 Gold.”
The moment the auctioneer finished speaking, paddle after paddle shot up across the room.
‘Damn.’
I wasn’t pleased, but regardless of my feelings, the bidding climbed with frightening speed, reaching 900 Gold in what felt like an instant.
“We have 900 Gold! 900 Gold on the floor! Do we have any further bids!?”
Around that point, murmurs of disappointment began rippling through the crowd.
Whether it was a matter of capital, or whether no one wanted to spend more than necessary on a Rare-tier item no matter how good it was, bidders were dropping out one after another.
And only then did I place my bid.
“Go big. All at once.”
“Yes.”
Following Jerik’s counsel, I submitted an increment of 100 Gold instead of 50.
“Oh! Room 9 bids 1,000 Gold. One thousand Gold! Do we have any further bids!? From here on, the increment is 100 Gold.”
Please.
My heart pounded as I silently prayed for the hammer to fall in my favor.
“1,100 Gold! We have 1,100 Gold!”
That hope crumbled in an instant.
“1,200 Gold.”
I’d hoped the pursuit would end there.
“1,300 Gold on the floor! 1,300 Gold!”
Instead, it was my resolve that nearly broke.
‘Damn it. I shouldn’t have bought that armor yesterday.’
After purchasing Battleska’s Leather Armor yesterday, I had roughly 1,550 Gold left to my name.
Anxiety creeping in, I called out 1,400 Gold.
‘Please.’
In that moment of fervent prayer.
“1,500 Gold! We have 1,500 Gold!”
The auctioneer cried out with enthusiasm.
‘That bastard…….’
The same person who’d been chasing the bidding from the start—a towering orc with verdant skin, easily two meters tall.
He stared at Ethylene’s Thunder Spear with such intensity, glancing up at my booth from time to time.
His expression was tense, but I had no more ammunition left.
“……Damn it all.”
The moment I slumped in defeat.
The auctioneer’s voice came, almost taunting.
“Bidder in booth nine? Won’t you take 1,500? Ah, well then it will go to another. Let me count down, unfortunately.”
The instant the auctioneer’s count finished.
Bang, bang.
“Sold. The hammer price is 1,500 Gold. Your name, sir……?”
“Jarka. The Red Fist, Jarka.”
Watching Jarka grin toward my booth and call out his name boisterously, I could do nothing but swallow my regret.
The red fist tattoo on the orc’s nearly bare chest pierced my eyes with painful clarity.
“Even a fine weapon—three times the opening bid is excessive. Don’t lament it. Overpriced.”
Jerik’s words brought little comfort this time.
Ethylene’s Thunder Spear had better stats in every category except Attack Power compared to the 2,000 Gold Mage Tower Super Rare I’d originally aimed for.
Regret kept drawing sighs from me.
“I shouldn’t have bought this armor.”
Battleska’s Leather Armor, which felt so satisfying yesterday, suddenly seemed like a pointless burden.
“Couldn’t we try another weapon…….”
“The Thunder Spear was the last of the Rare-grade spears.”
“……Hmm. Still, should we make one bid on a Super Rare among the standard listings? Who knows. If luck favors us, you might be the sole bidder…….”
That I was tempted by Jerik’s words was only natural—I’m human, after all.
And sure enough, I found myself the sole bidder on a Super Rare spear with an opening price of 1,500 Gold—not once, but never.
“……Tsk. My prediction was off. I didn’t realize someone would spend so much on a Rare. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s not your fault, Master. I should have managed my funds better…….”
I was soothing my disappointment when.
The auctioneer’s voice took on an intriguing tone.
“……As for items that went unsold, you may purchase them at the Instant Purchase price if interested. Feel free to stay and examine them.”
It was the lingering regret over the lost weapon.
Though I knew unsold items went unsold for a reason, my feet still moved toward them.
But in the end, I remained myself.
“You already heard the descriptions. Let’s go.”
Jerik seized my shoulder after examining the unsold items, but.
I didn’t turn back.
Unlike ordinary Instant Purchase items, unsold goods could be directly handled and inspected under the watchful eyes of the Auction House staff.
‘Wow!’
And in doing so, I discovered something remarkable.
* Additional Information Confirmation.
-High-grade Spirit Stone 3 pieces [####] #### [#####] Removed [####].
I barely managed to keep my expression neutral to avoid screaming aloud.
‘Does Additional Information Confirmation not work properly from Rare-grade onwards?’
Was it because I was a Novice? Or could gaps of three tiers or higher simply not be overcome?
But even with only the revealed characters, there was enough to infer.
Tinged with fragile hope as it was, I felt certain.
“I’ll take this one. It’s 200 Gold, yes?”
“Ah, sir. An excellent choice.”
The auctioneer brightened and handed me the spear.
“Yes. Well. Used properly, that spear will serve you well enough.”
As Jerik turned back to comfort me, I let out a small laugh.
“This can be purified, actually.”
“……What?”
“You know my trait. I think the appraisers didn’t realize it.”
“Oh……!?”
Jerik glanced around frantically, swallowing his exclamation.
Then he asked me in a low voice.
“How?”
From the broken text, I could infer it would require three High-grade Spirit Stones. That should be enough to remove the Contamination.
Presumably.
‘If I’m wrong…… No, even so.’
It’s worth trying. Absolutely.
“I think we’ll need quite a lot of Low-grade Spirit Stones.”
“What? How many?”
“Around 1,200……?”
Jerik’s expression froze at my words.
Low-grade stones were different from the Lowest-grade Spirit Stones he’d procured before. Low-grade stones were popular commodities sold for Artifact materials and other purposes.
In other words.
“You’re telling me you want to spend an extra 1,200 Gold on a 200 Gold Rare item?”
“Yes.”
In fact, I was saving considerably on the cost.
Strictly speaking, I needed three High-grade Spirit Stones.
And I knew each High-grade Spirit Stone cost over a thousand Gold.
‘Perhaps the person who sold this knew that and raised the price.’
But for me, it was different.
“Yes. I think spending 1,200 Gold is worth it. Absolutely.”
“……All right. Well, if that’s what you’ve decided, we should try it. Then I’ll…….”
“No. I should ask Ruda to handle it, Master. I’m already grateful you took me to the Auction House—I can’t burden you further.”
“……But there’s a high chance that merchant sold your information? Why not ask Jinu instead? The way he handled that Necklace, he seems plenty trustworthy.”
“I think I can trust Ruda.”
“Is that so? Well, it’s your choice, but…….”
I couldn’t fully explain the situation to Jerik, who was under a serious misunderstanding.
Though things had taken a different turn from my original intent, I was satisfied with having obtained a proper weapon.
* * *
“1,200 Low-grade Spirit Stones……?”
“Yes.”
“What do you need them for? Ah, I’m sorry. I’m not trying to pry.”
“I heard they’re good for health.”
“……Pardon?”
“I’m going to sleep on them spread across my bed. Until all their properties are gone.”
“Ah…….”
Ruda’s expression grew awkward, but I kept my face impassive and asked.
“Is it possible?”
“Ah. Yes. The quantity is large, but I should be able to procure it within a week.”
“That’s plenty. Let’s wait then.”
“Ah. By the way. That…….”
“……?”
“It seems someone from above is watching you. Even though I’ve been mixing your items with other goods when disposing of them, it appears they’ve caught the scent. I’m sorry.”
Ruda’s expression was dark as he said this, but I smiled.
I’d never expected to hide it forever anyway.
“Well, there’s no helping it. I trust your efforts. I’m counting on you going forward as well.”
“Yes?”
“What? Are you breaking the contract?”
“No, no! I’m grateful you understand.”
“Of course. It would be even better if you were more careful going forward.”
“Of course. Absolutely! I’ll make sure of it. Ha ha.”
Can an individual truly shake off the interference of a massive power? Perhaps not easily. But one must still struggle against it.
And so the trust between Ruda and me deepened, little by little.
Exactly one week later, I obtained 1,200 Low-grade Spirit Stones.
However, removing the Contamination proved more difficult than I’d expected.
“How on earth am I supposed to do this……?”
I’d tried just about everything with the Corrupted World Tree Wooden Spear wedged tight in this cramped room.
Held three High-grade Spirit Stones against it—each one I’d synthesized from four hundred lesser stones.
Struck them against the shaft in sequence. Tried binding them with thread. And so on and so forth.
I’d exhausted every physical approach I could think of, yet the spear showed no change whatsoever.
‘Unless…….’
-Three High-grade Spirit Stones can remove the Contamination Source…….
Three High-grade Spirit Stones can purge the Contamination.
‘……Is that what it means?’
Had I simply jumped to conclusions out of wishful thinking?
But having come this far, I couldn’t afford to retreat now.
‘……Let me try piercing the Spirit Stone with the spearhead.’
If it failed, that was a thousand Gold—or by my accounting, four hundred Gold per stone, wasted.
The thought had made me hesitate. But I’d made up my mind regardless.
‘Money can always be earned.’
Honestly, if I decided to abandon the Labyrinth and commit to living as a merchant, I could probably manipulate item supplies and duplicate currency well enough. Not that I dwell on it—the risk of getting caught would be catastrophic.
I pushed that dangerous line of thinking aside.
Even though I’d carved it from wood, the spearhead came to a mysterious point, wickedly sharp—I aimed it at the first High-grade Spirit Stone.
And then.
Crack.
The instant the spearhead pierced the first stone, I saw its essence drain straight into the shaft in a heartbeat, and I knew.
‘This is it!’
And so.
Crack. Crack.
The moment I’d absorbed the last two Spirit Stones,
Shine.
A wondrous radiance erupted from the dark, weathered wooden spear.

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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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