Conquering the Labyrinth with a Trash-Tier Trait - Chapter 58

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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 58
“I know how to fight too! That’s why I cleared the Novice Zone!”
“Son, what you did wasn’t fighting. When will you admit that?”
“Whatever! I made an impressive contribution, so I became a Special Class.”
Special Class?
“Don’t you see the Mana Tattoo right here!?”
Only once my son pointed to the spot above his left eyebrow did I notice it—a Mana Tattoo so small it was barely perceptible.
Perhaps half the size of a pinky nail. A small bowl of stew, wisps of steam rising softly from it.
‘Huh.’
Without his pointing it out, I’d have mistaken it for a blemish. The steaming shape was far too faint to make out clearly.
But it was definitely a Mana Tattoo. Proof of a Special Class.
It meant he’d obtained a top-tier or higher-ranked class on the 10th Floor.
‘The face is where the highest standards show, isn’t it? Then the arms.’
Of course the meaning varied by size and type, but gaining even a small Mana Tattoo on the face meant, just as he’d said, that he’d made an impressive showing in the Novice Zone.
“You’re proud of a Special Class you got for cooking well on a battlefield!?”
“Because of me, the battle turned around! That’s a good thing, isn’t it!”
“No, that was a special situation. How often do you think adventurers end up in a defensive siege?”
“I’m good at tanking too!”
“Holding a shield and standing firm—that’s what you mean?”
“That’s still fighting…….”
“Son, please come to your senses. You think your father’s saying this because he wants you to fail? Adventuring is something you do with your life on the line. Your life! Do you think you can survive just by defending? Do you think you can grow that way!?”
The Shop Owner struck his chest in frustration.
‘Hmm. So if I can grow, he’ll approve?’
I understood the situation well enough, and it was a shame to waste an impressive skill.
‘But it’s not my family. Hmph.’
I wasn’t about to meddle in family affairs.
“Um, Shop Owner…….”
Just as I was about to pay and leave.
Thud.
Jingle.
“Well, well. Looks like this shop still has customers.”
A bald man in armor shoved the door open and strode in roughly.
“L-Lord?”
“Lord? I’m just the mayor. That’s right, Daniel. Business is still good, I see? Customers and all.”
The bald man’s eyes swept up and down over me and Kirk.
He didn’t seem to recognize me.
Whoosh.
He didn’t even sense the wind spirit brushing against him.
[Kendrick Howard]
[Upper Knight (3rd Class) Lv.31]
[Innate Ability 2/2]
-Swordsmanship (Sealed), Stamina (Sealed)
[Bartus Royal Family, Palace Knight]
The fact that a 3rd Class had descended into the 1st Class zone accounted for the two sealed Innate Abilities—a penalty I was already familiar with.
‘Everything reads clearly. So the two-tier gap is still manageable.’
The scan was swift—I’d verified his traits and items with ease.
And most of all.
‘This bastard only had two slots? And he pulled that shit on me?’
A hollow laugh was escaping me when Kendrick addressed me directly.
“Who are these guests? And this one in particular—from the looks of your hair and skin color, you seem to be a Summoner?”
I answered in place of Kirk, whose expression had hardened.
“Char……sir. I don’t think you remember me. Knight Kendrick?”
“Char?”
He furrowed his brow, then his eyes widened slightly.
“Ah, that Char. The name I gave you myself, wasn’t it.”
-Iron, you? Garbage like you—the name’s inconvenient to say. Just call yourself Char.
“……So the garbage managed to get a promotion. Your skin’s improved considerably.”
“Wow……. You certainly haven’t changed.”
Strangely, it made me more at ease.
‘Doesn’t seem like he’s heard the rumors about me.’
I can dislike him without worry.
“Me? I’m always consistent. A model knight, after all.”
“Yes. Consistently cheap, sir.”
“……What?”
I didn’t need his Traits or status window to understand why he was like this.
—Now then, Summoners. You’ve all received quite a bit of supplies from the Royal Palace, haven’t you? If you show me appropriate goodwill, I can arrange for you to be deployed to better places. Those of you interested…….
I remembered perfectly well the shameful way he’d looked at my back when he kicked me out.
Besides, I’d heard that managers and administrators of the lower floors usually ended up in positions similar to exile.
‘Whether that’s why he came here, I’m not sure.’
But I could always press and find out.
The situation certainly seemed to fit that profile.
“Shop Owner, was this bald fellow here asking for bribes?”
“I, no, I, that is…….”
Just as I thought. Bingo.
“Wow. You’re really asking for bribes here too? You’re consistently garbage, Char.”
“……You, you bastard. Are you trying to provoke me?!”
I’d struck a nerve.
And the moment Kendrick Howard erupted in rage.
My heart seemed to plummet into my chest.
For an instant, his frame appeared to swell by half its size.
Whoosh.
The Purification Wave emanating from his undergarment sent me skidding backward.
“Hmm. Struck a nerve, didn’t I? Using a Skill so openly, no less. That’s Pressure, isn’t it? The Upper Knight’s special Skill?”
The moment I spoke, his expression hardened.
“Gasp. Cough.”
“Cough. Cough.”
“Haaah.”
Kirk, the Shop Owner, and his son behind me all gasped for breath in unison.
The reason why even with two Innate Ability Slots sealed, a third-class rank could become a manager of the 10th Floor tier.
It was the power of Class and Skill.
“What are you trying to do here, if people see this? Ah, so that’s why you came alone? Really. You and the Mayor?”
“Ha. I can’t even fathom how far your audacity has swelled. Char. Did you pick up some fine item somewhere?”
Wariness flickered across his expression.
Understandably so.
The moment he showed hostility, the Pressure aura from my armor would have borne down on him as well.
“Shop Owner, did this person ask you for a bribe? I can report it to the Royal Palace for you.”
“You, you bastard……!?”
Kendrick Howard shouted, but he made no further move.
Already, onlookers were gathering just outside the shop.
“What’s going on? Isn’t he the governor?”
“What’s happening over there…….”
Murmur.
In the end.
“……Remember this.”
Bang.
He vanished, leaving only a clichéd threat behind.
“……Thank you, guest. But are you sure you’re alright?”
“Sir, are you okay? Going against the Mayor like that…….”
“Yeah, it’s fine. Don’t worry, Shop Owner. It’s nothing serious.”
“But it really isn’t nothing…….”
The Shop Owner looked at me with worried eyes, but I simply smiled back.
“Sir, that guy doesn’t seem like a good person…….”
“It’s fine. The 11th Floor will be done quickly anyway, and besides, I’ve got insurance.”
“Insurance?”
“Yeah.”
“What is it?”
“You don’t need to know.”
I touched the Earring as I watched the space where Kendrick Howard had vanished.
[Voice pattern registered.]
[Target designated.]
“……Still, if that bastard tries to sneak in a hit on you, there’s nothing I can do about it. Look, stay in the crowds as much as you can. Don’t go wandering around alone.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Thanks for worrying about me.”
I understood Kirk’s concern, but I just laughed it off.
I hadn’t charged in purely on emotion, after all.
‘That much? I’m not worried.’
His Innate Ability slots numbered two, and both were already sealed.
And his Class was Upper Knight—the most common of the third-tier martial professions.
As for where all those bribes went, his artifacts were just a sword and a chest plate—both Rare Grade at that.
Even with a level gap and a two-tier Class difference, if I fought knowing his information beforehand—
‘I think I’d win.’
But I couldn’t voice that thought.
It had only been a few hours since Kirk warned me against causing trouble.
“I’ll be careful, so don’t worry.”
“……Okay. Yes. I’m going to report this to my master. That bribery thing too. It’s unsettling.”
“Mm. Without evidence, there won’t be much to do anyway. Do as you like.”
“……Please really be careful.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Don’t worry. I’ll be up and back soon.”
“So… I’m leaving now?”
“Yeah. Just settle the bill on your way out.”
“……You really don’t have any money? I heard you made a fortune.”
“Don’t you see the gear I’m wearing?”
I spread my hands proudly for Kirk’s benefit, but his expression only hardened.
“Ah.”
Now that I thought about it, the equipment I wore didn’t look like much on the surface.
The World Tree Spear just looked like a wooden shaft.
“……I’ve spent a lot. The rest I’ll need for emergency provisions.”
I had to use the leftover money from what that woman named Ella gave me as an emergency fund.
And in the middle of all this—
“Hey, hey! I can make you Mana Dishes! Would you like to party with me!”
The shop owner’s son suddenly jumped in.
“……?”
“That bastard right there. He comes into our shop—the locals here—and demands bribes. A real bad egg, and all because he’s the new mayor or whatever. The way you served him his just desserts was incredible, sir. Or rather… brother.”
Brother and sir?
The round-faced kid grinned broadly and grabbed my hand.
“Hey. Hey, you little fool! Stop spouting nonsense! Customer, I sincerely apologize. My apologies. Please forget what you heard.”
The shop owner suddenly cut in and shoved his son backward.
“Father!”
“Idiot, be quiet! Ah. Customer. Thank you, and once again, I apologize. So please, today’s meal is on the house. Safe travels.”
I could guess why the shop owner was suddenly trying to usher us out, so I could only offer an awkward smile.
* * *
Golden Acre City Hall was massive and ornate.
And the plaza in front of the hall—especially the bulletin board where parties formed to clear quests—was even more dazzling and crowded with people.
I approached one of the men there.
“Jungle Monster Subjugation. Looking for a Dealer to join us!”
“I’d like to apply for your party.”
“Oh! Yes. Welcome. What’s your Class?”
“I handle spirits. I also use a spear. My level is 18.”
“Oh. That’s good. You’re quite high level. And your name is……?”
“Char.”
“Char……?”
At that moment, the man hesitated and exchanged glances with his companions.
Then he looked me over from bottom to top, and soon shook his head with an awkward smile.
“I’m sorry. It seems we won’t be able to party together.”
“Ah. Okay.”
I just nodded.
I’d only been trying to confirm something just in case.
-If you party with that guy, they’ll penalize you, they say.
-Who cares? Are you insane? Not through official postings! Spread the word in whispers to the recruiters in front of the board!
I’d already heard Kendrick’s voice.
‘Hmm. So party play is off the table?’
Honestly, it didn’t matter much.
I’d only agreed to try it once because he’d suggested it—I never thought I couldn’t handle a quest alone.
The problem was that it didn’t end with just sabotaging the party formation.
His voice still echoed in my head.
—Investigate that bastard. Find out who he’s connected to. Something’s off about how he’s pushing things.
—What? The Royal Palace asked you to run a test on him? Why the hell are you telling me this now?
‘The Royal Palace?’
It was the kind of thing that should’ve made my heart skip, but.
—Well, this works out fine. Just say he died during the test. What are you talking about? Me run his first-class test personally? Don’t be stupid. His Highness must’ve gotten the message wrong. You lot handle it.
It was a relief that Kendrick Howard had taken it so carelessly.
—Follow him. When he leaves the castle and is alone, take care of it. Strip him of everything and bring it all to me.
—It’s just you and me who’ll know. What does it matter?! The Royal Palace, my ass! Have you already forgotten why we’re stuck in this hole?! Just pretend to follow orders! Besides, he gave us the perfect excuse.
—Run away? Then we just both go so he can’t escape! Ah, don’t worry—I’ll take care of you! When have you ever seen me eat alone?!
‘He’s even more garbage than I thought.’
I had old grudges and thought it might be worth a shot, so I rushed in—but I never expected him to move for the kill right away.
‘He must think I’ve got good items…. Obviously. Damn it.’
Still, I never imagined he’d try to kill me so suddenly.
At least I know what’s coming, so I can prepare. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little on edge.
‘Maybe I should head to the Jungle for the quest, set up a decent position, and draw him in?’
But then.
“Big brother!”
A familiar voice called from nearby.
“…?”
“Huff, huff. It was tough sneaking out without Father knowing. Big brother, please let me join your party. I’m confident I can pull my weight and then some.”
A short, chubby blond kid.
The son from the kimchi stew restaurant.
‘When did I ever say we’d met?’
The way he called me made me let out an involuntary laugh, but his gear was even more absurd.
“Just two shields?”
“Yes! I’m confident I can do the tank role well!”
Bang. Bang.
He held two shields as big as his torso, one in each hand, and clacked them together.
It was a bizarre combination, but the shields themselves were surprisingly high quality.
[Reflection Shield (Supreme)]
— Impact Absorption +11
— Returns a portion of incoming enemy attacks at random chance.
[Steadfast Shield (Supreme)]
— Impact Absorption +13
— Damage Reduction -11
And his specs were unexpected too.
I knew he had a Special Class, but.
[Name: Max Lee]
[Battle Chef (1st Class) Lv.12]
[Innate Ability Slots: 2/4]
— Constitution. Cooking.
[Great-grandson of Korean Summoner Lee Jung-seop. Shows talent in culinary arts.]
[You’ll definitely succeed as an adventurer]
‘Four Innate Ability Slots?!’
Never mind the special traits the additional info revealed—four slots alone was enough to call it talent.
“You want to be the tank?”
“Yes! I’m not good at attacking, but I can hold the line well. And, uh, I cook pretty well too.”
When I stared at him, his voice dropped sharply toward the end.
“You’re hired.”
“Huh?”
“Hired, I said.”
“Yesss! Awesome!”
It seemed I’d found myself a rather endearing party member.

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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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