Conquering the Labyrinth with a Trash-Tier Trait - Chapter 68

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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 68
The morning after.
When a day had passed at the kimchi stew restaurant where I’d stopped by as both an alibi and a farewell between friends.
I obtained an unexpected windfall.
“Huh?”
[Kyle’s Advanced Boots (Super Rare)]
—Defense +40
—Movement Speed +40
—Stamina +30
—Binding Resistance +30
—Auto-Fit.
—Auto-Repair.
—Foot Fatigue Recovery.
“What is this?”
The name had changed on the advanced boots that once bore my name and were stuffed with nothing but convenience options.
Not only had they retained all the effects of Kyle’s Leather Shoes.
[You have collected 2 pieces of the Kyle Series. (2/5)]
The set item effect remained intact.
“How is this even possible?”
Bewildered but pleased, I checked my Trait, and shocking information emerged.
—The ‘Liberator’ trait unique to Kyle has been superimposed onto the existing item.
—The Liberator cannot be bound by anyone.
‘Liberator, Kyle?’
Though I’d never heard the name before, the impression it left was unmistakable in its intensity.
‘So it’s not just a set item effect—it’s this?’
I’d never experienced anything like this while using the Goblin Basket.
“Hm……”
But regardless, it was good news for me.
If only the convenience aspect was resolved, Kyle’s Advanced Boots would undoubtedly rank among the finest Super Rare-grade footwear.
Slip.
‘Ah, excellent.’
The moment I put them on, my feet felt noticeably lighter.
‘Incredibly comfortable.’
The convenience features felt even better, refined to match the grade.
Simply wearing the boots was enough to lift my spirits.
Was this how a marathoner felt when slipping on top-tier running shoes perfectly calibrated to their feet back on Earth?
‘No, it couldn’t have been like this.’
Earth’s running shoes didn’t actually boost movement speed or stamina.
There was no going back now.
‘I’ll have to wear these constantly from here on out.’
In high spirits, I checked my status window.
[Name: Ko Cheol-woo]
[Race: Human]
[Class: Arc-Reaper (1st Tier—Unique)]
[Level: 22]
[Stats]
Strength: 29 (+9)
Vitality: 38 (+18)
Agility: 31 (+27)
Mana: 58
Physical Resistance: 12
Magical Resistance: 17
[Mana Skills]
Shattering Spear (Top-tier—Lv.3), Balgar Spirit Cultivation Method (Rare—Lv.1), Volante Movement Method 3rd Stage (Top-tier—Lv.3), Monster Butchering (Super Rare—Lv.4), Piercing Strike (Rare—Max), Throwing Technique (Common—Lv.10)
[Level-up Points: 31]
[Innate Ability Slot (Full)]
Multiple Spirit Domination.
[Traits]
—Additional Information Confirmation.
‘Good. Let’s go.’
His level had already climbed to the standard of a second-class, and he’d upgraded his equipment as well.
He couldn’t remember when his spear technique and footwork had each risen a level, nor could he recall hearing the system’s voice, but that was a good thing.
Thanks to the Balgar Spirit Cultivation Method at Rare Grade, Level 1, his body felt taut with power.
“Excellent!”
The results were satisfying enough to draw an involuntary exclamation.
‘I’ll have to sell the Innate Ability Stones and the materials I’ve been stockpiling and give it all to Max.’
If that happened, he’d be broke again.
The thought made his chest ache.
Not because of giving Max his share, but because of the Jungle Swamp King Centipede he couldn’t butcher and the knights’ purses he couldn’t pick.
‘There’s no helping it. Even if Kendrick’s sword and boots have simply vanished, I can explain that away as lost items…’
If the monster centipede that died with them was already butchered, and if the knights’ pockets were thoroughly emptied, it would look like a setup—like he was begging them to investigate.
“Right. Well, that centipede anyway—you said its byproducts were worthless. The corpse was too damaged; even extracting materials would be difficult.”
Muttering to himself, he shook off his disappointment and stepped into the hallway, where Max was waiting.
“Let’s go!”
‘Really is an extraordinary person.’
Watching Char greet him, Max felt complicated emotions stir.
At twenty-six years old, it was quite late to start as an adventurer.
‘Yet he subdues elites in one stroke.’
Of course, people said it was because he was a Summoner, so his level and class didn’t align.
But that itself was the remarkable part.
Most Summoners, even if they possess a unique Trait, tend to be weaker than native adventurers of equal rank.
Summoners who arrive as adults can’t help but be inferior to natives who trained in Mana from childhood, in both martial arts and Mana control.
‘I trained from age five, and yet he handles Mana better than I do.’
Thinking of the expectations his father had for him as a child, he was certain he had decent talent with Mana.
Yet this man surpasses him. And he said he’d only been handling Mana for just over a year.
His weapon technique he’s unsure about, but that thrust and footwork seem exceptional too.
On top of that, he demonstrates abilities that defy common sense.
That impossible explosion skill is one thing, but what he understands even less is…
“Brother, I’ve thought about it over and over, but I still don’t understand.”
“…What?”
“That—the swarm of flesh-flies you burst. That really works with spirits?”
Just a day earlier, the flesh-fly swarm had given him hell, and now suddenly he’d developed a counter-magic (?) against them.
Max doesn’t know much about Spirit Magic, but he knows for certain it’s abnormal.
“Of course. It works. You saw it yourself.”
“I did see it. But is that really… Spirit Magic?”
“It’s a technique using spirits, so it’s Spirit Magic, isn’t it?”
“Uh…”
Well, I suppose so?
It’s not wrong, exactly. He just can’t wrap his head around it.
Or rather—can’t quite accept it.
But he can accept it anyway.
‘Well. This brother is definitely impressive.’
And such a person shows him favor.
He eats what Max cooks, looking moved even by such a trivial Magical Cooking skill.
Max gave him a Rare-Grade item just for minor help in battle, and promised to get him other things too.
‘And he seems a bit weak on defense, actually.’
There’s room for Max to make up for it.
Even when Max says he’s terrible with weapons, the man doesn’t blame him.
So then.
“…Brother. We’re together for life, yeah?”
“Huh?”
“I’ll make you lots of delicious food!”
“…Oh. That’s great!”
He was thinking of staying as close as possible.
If he was going to do that, he should appeal himself somehow too.
“I tried cooking with that hind leg meat, and my Magical Cooking has grown to Supreme Grade!”
“Oh!? Really!?”
“Yes. Father there is my witness.”
When Max pointed, his father gave a small cough and nodded along.
“That monster meat would improve the Magical Cooking techniques we’ve researched since my great-grandfather’s time. What a discovery indeed. Ahem.”
“Right after cooking, the duration extends to thirty minutes! The buff effect and maintenance time both increased!”
“Oh! And the taste?”
“Sorry?”
“The flavor must’ve improved too, right?”
“Y-yes……? I mean. Well, I suppose?”
It was odd that the adventurer seemed to care more about flavor than the buffs themselves.
‘Must be his concept.’
Either way, he felt like a lifeline dropped from heaven—no way he was letting go.
“Let’s head out. Father, I’ll be back soon.”
“Take good care of our Max. Please.”
“Father, I’m going!”
“Be careful! Please! Please! Look after yourself first! Eat your meals properly!”
Goodness. My father.
‘He’s calling me vanguard!’
Going out with his older brother, who’d be leading the party, and yet he’s telling him to look after himself first.
It was absurd, but understanding that heart made his chest flutter strangely.
-Oh! Bahahaha! My son! You’ve finally achieved our family’s long-cherished dream!
This morning, when his skill had ranked up, his father had been even happier than he was.
For that father’s sake, he wanted to become an adventurer of higher rank and earn greater renown.
“Father! I will succeed! Absolutely!”
“Don’t get hurt. Son. Stay healthy……!”
That expression overlapped with a sight from not long ago.
-You can’t use weapons? There’s nowhere that’ll take you like that? Your special skill is cooking magic? What does that even……!
-Sigh. It seems you’re fated to do nothing but cook in this life.
A hint of relief had flickered across his father’s disappointed, sighing face.
That expression had now transformed entirely into worry.
“I’ll come back healthy and safe!”
With that, he turned his head away.
If he kept looking back, he felt tears would come.
“Your father worries a lot.”
“Yes. Well, parents are always like that.”
“Are they?”
“……?”
“Ah. I wouldn’t know. I don’t have parents.”
Wait, what!?
“I-I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t apologize for that. I mean, your concern for your father is probably similar to how I worry about my sister.”
“Oh. You have a sister? Since you have a sibling, I’ll treat her like a real sister too!”
“She’s in my original world.”
Wait, what!?
“I-I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing for that?”
“Still, seeing how wonderfully you’ve grown, wouldn’t your parents rejoice from the afterlife? Ah. The afterlife. I mean, that world, the spirit realm…….”
What am I saying?
‘Stop it. Tongue!’
As he felt devastated by his own words,
“I killed them though?”
……What!?
That added answer made his brain freeze entirely.
“Um…… That is…… So you……. Uh, did my ears just……?”
At the sight of Max stammering in confusion, a laugh escaped him.
Before the boy sank deeper into confusion, he told him the truth.
“They died in an accident because of me. So I spent my time protecting my sister…… and somehow ended up here instead.”
“Ah! Of course! That’s, that’s what happened! Ah. Haha. You scared me. Hahahaha.”
“You’re laughing? I’m telling you something pretty sad here.”
“……Ah. Right. I-I’m sorry.”
Chuckle.
This kid was actually fun to tease.
“Anyway. That’s why I’m going to surpass the 100th Floor and return to my homeland. No matter what.”
“……100th Floor?”
“Yeah.”
“I heard the top-ranked adventurers are stuck at the 80th Floor, though……?”
“Right. I know. But there was a team that cleared it twenty years ago.”
“……Isn’t that just legend? Unconfirmed?”
“Doesn’t matter. If one person did it, then I can too. We can.”
“We…….”
As I spoke to Max, I felt my resolve strengthen anew.
“……Yes! I’ll do my very best!”
His spirited reply drew a smile from me.
“Good. I’m counting on you going forward.”
People need to eat well wherever they are if they want to manage the stress on body and mind.
“Cook.”
“As a vanguard too. Faithfully……. Yes?”
“Ah, you can do both.”
……
His expression twisted slightly, but what could I say — might as well make the best of it.
“I’ll take good care of you! Let’s go!”
“……Yes.”
I found myself liking his temperament too — the way a single word could make him grin.
“First we head back to Bartus, organize our items and prepare, then enter the 12th Floor right away. Our goal is to push through the 10th-tier floors as quickly as possible.”
“Yes!”
“Let’s go!”
Our steps forward felt light.
[You have cleared the Labyrinth 11th Floor.]
[Magic Resistance increased by 1.]
And at that very moment.
“The manager and several administrators of the 11th Floor’s Golden Acre have gone missing all at once.”
“What? Why so suddenly!?”
“We’re not sure. Apparently they chased after some Worn-Grade creature into the jungle and haven’t returned even after a day.”
“Worn-Grade? What are you talking about?”
“Well, didn’t you tell them to test it? The Butcher Char…….”
In the corner of the Royal Palace, word of the upheaval on the 11th Floor was already beginning to spread.

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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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