Conquering the Labyrinth with a Trash-Tier Trait - Chapter 55

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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 55
“A Butcher, is it? That’s quite a violent epithet. Someone might mistake him for a fugitive. To be branded with such a grim name, like some kind of massacrer…….”
“Isn’t that precisely what you intended, sir?”
Ruda let out a bitter laugh at the words of Mallun, the elderly butler who still called him “young master” three generations after their house had fallen.
“Hardly. I simply thought that since the fellow seemed reluctant to join any organization, we might as well let a few rumors grow. Nothing more.”
At that, a faint smile crossed Mallun’s weathered face.
“Surely you’re laying groundwork for when our Aslan steps back into the light, sir?”
“……That depends on his choices. Well, it’s true I find it inconvenient when every ruffian comes sniffing around a rough gem I’ve marked.”
“In the end, this Butcher will naturally fall into our Aslan’s hands, won’t he?”
“……Perhaps.”
Even at Ruda’s demurral, Mallun simply smiled and nodded as if he understood perfectly.
Ruda was aware that his loyal butler had seen through him, but he said nothing more.
He knew well that, in some sense, this butler desired the family’s revival even more than he did.
So he changed the subject.
“I’ve learned much because of him. When I thought he’d died on the 10th Floor, I figured I’d simply lost one investment, but never imagined he’d return in such an impossible way.”
“Sending someone after him was a wise decision, sir.”
“It was. A 1st Class held their ground against a 3rd Class. Quite remarkable.”
Ruda’s mind drifted to days before.
When he’d informed Char about the suspicious movements of that whip witch, Harry Cha, he’d only hoped he’d manage to avoid her.
He’d never expected him to face her head-on and shatter her completely.
“Indeed. Even considering he’s a piece I picked myself, it’s astonishing. All the more so for a battle between Summoners with less than three years in this world.”
“From what I hear, he doesn’t seem the sort of Summoner one can simply dismiss.”
Summoners dragged into this world only after reaching adulthood naturally had to be weaker than Natives who’d trained in combat since childhood.
‘No matter how much Traits might compensate.’
Of course, in time, as they accumulated Levels and raised Skills in their own fashion, some did close the gap.
“That whip witch aside, Char seems genuinely different.”
“……Yes. I heard that even that explosion at the end wouldn’t have seemed strange if attributed to a mage’s magic.”
It wasn’t merely talk of a single Skill.
Ruda swallowed the words that had nearly spilled from his throat.
What mattered wasn’t how strong Char was right now.
It was that attitude—to charge headlong at an opponent whose strength he couldn’t begin to fathom, and break them anyway.
With that one act alone, Char had erased the attention and threat that had focused on Ruda himself.
Though Ruda had, admittedly, nudged things along.
“Through him, I’ve learned that recklessness is sometimes necessary.”
“Sir?”
“I’m done selling only goods in the 9th District while slowly gathering people. I’m stopping that.”
“No, young master. What are you saying……?”
“I’m moving operations to the 8th District and expanding the organization far more aggressively. Not just goods—I’ll begin trading information as well.”
“……But you yourself said we needed several more years of preparation. That we mustn’t attract the attention of real adventurers and monsters.”
“Yes, I did say that. But circumstances have changed now. We’ll grow through action.”
“……Isn’t this decision rather sudden, sir?”
“No. I’ve only just realized it. Even knowing why Father failed, I was walking the same path as he did in the name of safety.”
At those words, the smile vanished from Mallun’s face in an instant.
“Your father has not failed. He is still pursuing his goal. Even building the organization to its current size——”
“……I know. But the truth is, I see no path forward like this.”
“Young master!”
“Mallun, how many more years must pass at this rate before we can reclaim the Mansion? Is it even truly possible?”
“That is……”
Unable to answer hastily, Mallun felt Ruda’s light touch on his shoulder.
“This is the time for adventure, Mallun.”
“Young master.”
“Don’t worry too much. I’ve grown as well.”
This was no mere reassurance for Mallun’s peace of mind in a human sense.
“Once my thinking changed, my very caliber shifted with it.”
“What? Surely not……?”
“Yes. I’ve undergone Promotion.”
Mallun’s eyes widened in shock.
“Without even visiting the Labyrinth since passing the Novice Stage, sir?”
“You know as well as I do—Promotion isn’t granted only within the Labyrinth.”
Natives could elevate their caliber through cultivation alone and receive the world’s blessing.
The same held true for the Merchant Class, which could be called a non-combat profession.
“Before the Labyrinth, our ancestors rose in rank through their own enlightenment alone. The Labyrinth is merely a tool to facilitate that process efficiently.”
Since he belonged to a non-combat profession, it was only natural that this was the path before him.
The family’s teachings showed him how enlightenment and cultivation worked for a merchant, the disciplines required and the wisdom passed down through generations.
But his promotion this time had taken a different course than what the family’s teachings described.
‘The scale of transactions. Reputation. That wasn’t all. Just the shift in my own thinking was enough…….’
That was why Ruda felt grateful to Char.
“That friend should be ready to get back on his feet soon now.”
“Since the young master sent a Potion, he must have recovered already.”
“I wonder. For something like that, he seems to be lying down far longer than expected…….”
Always a friend who defied prediction.
“Should we send someone to check on him?”
“No. We already sent word beforehand.”
“……?”
“When the time comes, he’ll find his way here on his own. He doesn’t seem like the type to slip easily on these lower floors.”
Either way, someday he and Char would become the kind of partners who could truly help one another.
If possible, he hoped he would be the one offering help first.
That was what Ruda thought.
* * *
“Mm.”
Whoosh.
The moment the spear cut through the air, a clean whistling sound erupted from its point.
It was proof that the burns he’d suffered in his battle with Cha Hae-ryeon four days ago had nearly healed.
[Name: Ko Cheol-woo]
[Race: Human]
[Class: Arc-Reaper (1st Class—Unique)]
[Level: 18]
[Stats]
Strength: 29 (+8.8)
Stamina: 36 (+17.7)
Agility: 31 (+26.5)
Mana: 57
Physical Resistance: 12
Magic Resistance: 17
[Magic Power Skills]
Shattering Spear (Supreme—Lv.2), Balgar Spirit Cultivation Method (Rare—Lv.1), Volante Movement Art Stage 3 (Supreme—Lv.2), Monster Butchering (Super Rare—Lv.4), Piercing Strike (Rare—Max), Throwing (Common—Lv.10)
[Level-up Points: 25]
[Innate Ability Slot (Full)]
Multiple Spirit Domination.
[Traits]
—Additional Information Available.
‘The evolved cultivation method feels natural to me now.’
As he smiled looking at his perfected status window, a voice came from behind.
“You refused to use the free Potion, yet you recovered in just three days. Impressive.”
“Ha. I told you I could manage.”
“It’s not because that merchant friend seems suspicious, is it?”
“No. He’s trustworthy enough.”
It was just about growing accustomed to the evolved cultivation method.
He’d conserved the Potion while relying on the subtle healing function woven into the purifying power granted by Cleansman’s Underwear.
“There he is, sending a Potion the moment he finds out you’re hurt. And here I keep telling you not to trust merchants.”
Why did Jerik hate merchants so much?
But rather than press the matter, he laughed it off.
“I already told you—he helped us out.”
“That’s exactly what bothers me. How does a 9th District merchant know about the Black Market’s movements?”
“He said he’s moving to the 8th District now.”
“What?”
The message that came with the Potion.
It contained a vague note about “trying his hand at adventure,” along with promises of faithful cooperation.
“He’s a Merchant Class in the first place. Staying in the 9th District was the odd part, really.”
“Tch. Fair enough. Your life is yours to decide. But don’t come crying to me later when you get backstabbed.”
“Ha. Yes.”
“Ah. And the rumors… you’ve heard them, haven’t you?”
“Rumors?”
“About you. Some rather strange talk has been circulating.”
“Ah. Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter much.”
“It’s not a situation you can simply brush aside.”
“I don’t care what others say. As long as they don’t call me a criminal.”
“…It seems they nearly do.”
“What?”
“No, it’s just—the rumors are rather vicious. Something about you skinning people alive, and all that nonsense.”
What else could he possibly think I’ve done?
At this point.
“It’s fine. If anything, it keeps the troublesome ones away. That’s hardly a loss.”
From the moment Ko Cheol-woo brought it up, I’d thought the same thing.
If harsh rumors drove away the ambitious organizations, I’d only be relieved.
Especially the Royal Palace.
“The Royal Palace hasn’t come looking for me, has it?”
“No. They’re not ones to back off easily, but it’s strange that they’d send only Summoners from your cohort…”
Jerik seemed uneasy, but the situation wasn’t bad at all. No—it was actually good.
I’d heard Lee Jin-sung’s voice, after all.
-You were evenly matched, they said?
-Ah. No, wait. But your condition…?
-Oh. Sorry, sorry!
-Ah. So that bastard laid a trap and ran. Hmm. Didn’t seem the type.
A brief exchange that must have happened as they passed from outside the Royal Palace into the compound.
I’d heard only Lee Jin-sung’s voice, but it was clear enough who he was speaking with.
‘If Cha Hae-ryeon disparages me like that, it works perfectly in my favor.’
And with the rumors that Ko Cheol-woo’s conduct had left in its wake piled on top.
Any organization would find it awkward to recruit someone like me.
In the meantime.
“I should focus on building my strength. I’m heading to the Labyrinth now.”
“Right now?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not going to cause some incident again and crawl back here half-dead, are you?”
“I won’t!”
I’d raised my voice sharply before noticing Jerik’s barely suppressed grin.
“I’ll push through the 10th Floor range as quickly as possible!”
“Sure. Just don’t spend three or four months on a single floor. Let me know if it looks that way.”
“Come on…”
No one came to see me off—only a master bent on teasing.
But the resolve to make a fresh start welled up within me, steadfast and full.
* * *
“He’ll be entering the 11th Floor soon, won’t he?”
“Yes. Likely.”
“The 11th Floor would be Golden Acre?”
“Yes.”
“Who’s in charge there now?”
“…Kendrick Howard is stationed there. He was a Summoner training instructor.”
“Kendrick?”
“Yes. We dispatched him to train a group of lower-ranking Summoners whose promotions have been delayed. He’ll keep them in hand until they obtain Supreme-tier skills. It also serves as a punishment of sorts for certain… indiscretions.”
“Indiscretions?”
“Ah, it’s nothing Your Highness need concern yourself with.”
“Hmm. Well, regardless—have him test that one.”
“Test him? To what extent…?”
“The incoming reports don’t match what Harry Cha said. I want to know what he’s really capable of.”
“Ah, you mean the report that he fought to a standstill with Harry Cha?”
“It doesn’t make sense. But lingering doubt is something I need to settle.”
“And if he proves to be genuinely skilled, would you consider taking him back?”
“Of course. But he seems to have a mental problem already, so mere skill won’t suffice.”
“What then?”
“If Kendrick Howard could be beaten—if a 3rd Class could fall by your hand—then we’re talking about something different entirely.”
In that moment, both speaker and listener let out a hollow laugh at once.
“Yes. I’ll relay your orders immediately.”
Kendrick Howard was no Special Class, not a 3rd Class who’d advanced beyond his tier—he was stalled, plateaued.
But precisely because of that, his combat experience was something else entirely, a “real” thing that put him in a different league from Summoners of equal level.

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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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