Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

The light that filled Yeriel’s body began to glow white.

‘What the hell is going on right now? Did Yeriel’s actions trigger something serious?’

Chaos answered my urgent question.

[Chaos says that swearing to a god is… a powerful act of making an unbreakable promise with a strong desire as a servant of the god, and if the god accepts it, one can receive power.]

But the current situation is completely different from that example.

[Chaos adds that one can also use an oath to distinguish between truth and falsehood, to discern the truth.]

Truth and falsehood. False discernment.

[Chaos says that in this case, one must either stake their life or offer a significant offering, or they will fall out of favor with the god they serve and face consequences. It’s usually a rare sight that surprises people.]

In other words, swearing to a god is like saying, ‘I’ll put myself under a lifelong restriction, so if it seems acceptable to you, please make me stronger!’ or ‘I’ll stake my life, so please don’t be angry, and let everyone know that my words are true!’

So, there are two directions to swearing to a god, right?

If the latter is wrong, does that mean they’ll really die?

‘What the hell? Why did Yeriel stake her life to defend me?’

We’ve only known each other for about four days and become friends. Was it because she was grateful that I got rid of Hans?

Or was it because she heard our conversation in the tent and felt sorry for me?

I was thinking about this when the white light that had been piercing my eyes began to fade.

“Yeriel is alive. How did this happen, Scarlet?”

Bernard confronted Scarlet.

“It wasn’t a vow, she just used her divine power to shine brightly. How can you say it wasn’t rape when you see her like this…”

Bang! Crackle!

Hans, who was suspicious of Yeriel, tried to accuse her, but a bolt of lightning fell from the sky right in front of them.

Hans trembled and crouched down, his mouth shut tight.

“Scarlet, I have a question too. What’s going on? If Yeriel’s words are true, did you tear your own clothes and slap your own cheek to stage this whole thing?”

Scarlet, who had been hesitating, finally spoke up.

“Yes, I tore my own clothes and messed up my hair to create this whole drama. Why did I do it? Because Ahren didn’t accept my feelings!”

Derek’s face turned red with anger.

“Hey, I’m your lover, not Ahren! And now that I think about it, you’ve been acting strange for the past few days. I thought Ahren was in the wrong, but it was you who was seducing him?”

Thud!

Derek’s footsteps were filled with anger.

“Why! Did you fall in love at first sight or something?”

Scarlet retorted in frustration.

“I was going to break up with you anyway!”

“…”

“When I first left my family and registered as an adventurer, you approached me with your veteran attitude, showing off your magic skills and inviting me to join your party. Do you remember that?”

Derek reluctantly agreed, and Scarlet continued.

“At the time, I thought you were a bit cool and handsome, being a newly registered adventurer. But in the life-and-death battles, I think I mistakenly thought I was in love with you.”

Was it also because of the swaying bridge effect of her trait?

“But even though I was the one who said I liked you first, you always made me back down. I hate men like you, who are obsessed with authority and blind to their goals, neglecting me! I’ve had enough of such trash! One father like that is enough!”

Scarlet shook her head vigorously, pulling at her hair in frustration.

“As we climbed the floors, I was the one who kept making advances! While you kept pushing me away with excuses about dungeon strategies and being the party leader, you secretly enjoyed being in a position of power!”

She pointed at Derek and accused him.

“You kept talking about the dungeon and pushing me away, but when I made the first move, you thought I was easy? Did you think I was a caught fish? Were you playing hard to get?”

Hmm, Derek was a bit…

“Ahren is cool, kind, and doesn’t treat others lightly! Even when he rejected me, he did it gently! I like a man like that!”

‘Didn’t Yeriel say something similar when we first met? She said that since he didn’t react to her trait, he couldn’t be an evil person. Do they not know each other’s traits?’

I silently asked Chaos a question that had been on my mind for a while.

[Chaos says that while it’s easy to confirm ability values and trait names, to get a detailed understanding, one must apply at the cathedral and wait for their turn to be examined.]

The cathedral?

[Chaos adds that it’s the same place where they remove traits and that it costs money.]

‘So, even if Scarlet had a strange trait that appeared when she left her family, she didn’t have time to check it out because she immediately joined the party after registering as an adventurer.’

Was that strange curse-like trait something she gained when she left her family?

As I was thinking to myself, Derek, who had been fuming, continued.

“But even after Ahren didn’t accept you, you threatened him, and when that didn’t work, you staged this whole drama, making fools of everyone and trying to ruin someone’s life?”

“Because I love him that much! You may think it’s abnormal to fall in love in just a few days, but I’m different! I truly loved Ahren with all my heart!”

Fuck. If only she hadn’t been driven by her trait-induced love and obsession…

“Stop it, Scarlet. I already said I don’t want you to deceive Derek. It’s best to stop here.”

Upon hearing this, Scarlet’s eyes lit up.

“Ahren! So, if I end things with Derek right now, it’ll be fine?”

“Stop. Scarlet, until tomorrow’s goblin village raid, you’ll be tied up separately, and we’ll take turns watching over you.”

Derek, who had lost all affection for her, ended the conversation.

“I’ll let it go since you were almost framed by her, but do you want to add any further punishment?”

At the time, I was so angry that I even mentioned revenge, but… since everything has been resolved, agreeing to this will only worsen the party atmosphere.

Let’s just focus on escaping the dungeon tomorrow.

“No, it’s fine. I just want to go back to the city. I hope Scarlet doesn’t cause any more trouble before we leave tomorrow.”

With that, the issue was settled, and we tied Scarlet’s hands to a nearby tree and began taking turns watching over her.

It was my turn, and I sat at a distance from Scarlet when Yeriel came over.

“Ah, did I do well earlier? Hehe.”

It hadn’t been long since she staked her life, and I was still shaken.

“From now on, don’t do such dangerous things, staking your life for others. Do you know how scared I was?”

“It’s not just for anyone, it’s for Ahren…”

Yeriel fidgeted with her fingers and mumbled something, but it was too quiet for me to hear.

“I couldn’t hear you, can you say it again?”

“No! Ahren is a fool! You should just say thank you at a time like this!”

“Thank you for saving me earlier. Thanks to you, tomorrow will be better.”

Yeriel smiled awkwardly.

“Just words?”

“Um, is there anything you want?”

“Pet me! It’s not anything special, I just like the feeling because your hands are big!”

Thud!

Scarlet, who was tied to the tree, kicked it.

“I can also smile and act cute, and I can do more, but why are you only nice to her? Why don’t you smile at me too? Just get rid of her, and you’ll look at me more, right? No, I want to die with Ahren and be with him forever.”

‘Wait, it seems like Scarlet is muttering something.’

Was she frustrated because her drama was exposed?

I thought she might have something else to say, so I moved closer.

[The violent anger causes chaotic magic operation and increased output.]

[Scarlet Enis’s Fire Blessing is going out of control.]

“The fierce flames that will burn…”

Damn it.

Whoosh!

As the magic was completed and flames erupted, time slowed down around me. At least I had time to think.

The problem was that the magic was too close, and even with the slowed-down time, it was impossible to completely avoid the flames.

I was caught off guard by her sudden action.

So, she can use magic without a wand?

‘If I stay still, I’ll be roasted. If I look closely, I can see that it’s a magic that shoots flames in a wide line.’

So, what should I do?

‘Jump up? I don’t know when the magic will end. Slide down? One side of my body will be burned.’

In the end, I had to minimize the damage and trust Yeriel’s healing.

Once I made my decision, I acted quickly.

I immediately jumped to the right and into the flames. Soon after, time began to flow normally again.

Boom!

“Kkk, kkkk!”

As expected, my legs were burned in the process of avoiding the flames.

It was a brief moment, but my legs were already burned.

“Ahren! No!”

‘Shit! It hurts so much! Grrr!’

The pain was so intense that I couldn’t do anything but grab my legs and grit my teeth.

[Chaos is distressed and stomps its feet.]

In the meantime, hearing my scream, Yeriel and the rest of the party members rushed over.

“You avoided it? If I can’t be with Ahren, it’s better to die together! Get out of the way, you trash!”

Whoosh!

Boom! Bang!

“Defensive stance!”

[Derek casts ‘Firm Stance’ and gains resistance to being pushed back.]

[By consuming mana, shock dispersion is possible.]

“Bernard and Hans, move Ahren behind me, and Yeriel, go and heal him. If you want to live, don’t leave my back!”

Bernard and Hans immediately carried Ahren behind me.

“Ah, Ahren! Please let them rise above the pain!”

[The effect of the healing restores the injured area.]

Yeriel immediately ran over and healed me, and the pain subsided as my legs began to regenerate.

That’s when it happened.

‘…What is this?’

As the pain subsided, I felt something strange in my legs, which had been burned by the magic.

It was the same feeling I got when I killed goblins, a faint sensation at my fingertips.

The clue to the magic I had missed when the magic exploded and its scent lingered…

Whoosh.

This time, I felt the magic even more strongly, as it had directly hit my legs.

I sat down, holding my legs, and closed my eyes.

Thump.

I could still feel the magic in her hand, like embers, wanting to burn something.

It was a violent magic, as if Scarlet’s rage was embedded within it.

Thump!

Once I truly felt the magic, my senses spread uncontrollably.

Is this… magic?

When I opened my eyes, the magic was right in front of me.

The blue magic gathered at Scarlet’s gesture, swirling into a red whirlwind, and then turned white as Yeriel chanted. Derek’s shield became a solid mass of yellow magic.

Furthermore, magic floated in the air, swaying with my breath. It even flowed through my body, racing through my veins.

Thump!

The world, shining in various colors, seemed like a different realm.

…This must be the other world.

What I needed was to directly experience strong magic in some way.

It was like priming a dry pump with water to draw it up.

Thump!

Now I understand.

That’s why it’s called the heart of the dragon. I understand the significance of the dragon’s blood that has seeped into me.

My heart beats.

[The Dragon’s Heart begins to operate due to the user’s magic perception.]

[Acquired trait: Dragon Body – Dragonian]

The dragon’s blood has seeped into the human body, optimizing it. This is the Dragonian Body Technique, which utilizes that magic. It’s on a completely different level from a normal human’s body technique.

Consistent training and practical experience can unlock the next stage.

Current: Stage 1

• Enhances overall physical abilities by operating the magic within the body. When operated, each physical rating increases by one stage.
•
• When operated, adds weak Chaos attribute damage to attacks.
•
• When operated, provides weak magic resistance.
•
________________________________________

As I acquired the trait, I operated the magic according to the method engraved in my mind.

[Activate Dragonian Body]

[Each physical rating increases by one stage.]

Thanks to this, even the faint phantom pain disappeared, and my body felt invigorated, allowing me to stand up easily.

[Chaos congratulates you on taking the first step.]

Bernard asked, “Ahren, are you okay? It seemed like an important moment, so I waited quietly. I’m glad you’ve recovered enough to stand up already.”

“Scarlet’s magic burned my legs, and that’s when I finally awakened my magic. It’s not just about recovery. You’ll see that I’m quite different from how I was a few days ago.”

I answered confidently and turned to look at the battlefield.

“You’re surprisingly stubborn for just being a meat shield. It’s none of your business, so just back off!”

“I can’t do that! Ahren is still a member of my party, and even though it’s been a short time, I have feelings of comradeship with him. How can I just abandon him?”

How did it come to this?

“I was so blinded by you that I was all over the place during the dungeon exploration, and I was jealous and envious of him because I thought Ahren was seducing you! Those few days when I was jealous and envious because of you were truly horrible! You bitch!”

Upon hearing Derek’s words, Scarlet clenched her teeth as if she wanted to erase the shameful memory.

“I can’t believe I ever liked a guy like you! You’re indecisive, and all you care about is authority and success! You’re a greedy, pathetic piece of trash!”

Whoosh!

“If it weren’t for you, Ahren might have accepted me! Compared to Ahren, you’re inferior in every way, from appearance to ability to personality! Just die first!”

Scarlet, enraged, waved her hands and struck Derek with flames.

Bang. Bang.

Bang!

“Ugh, kkkk!”

Derek endured with his trait until I recovered, but the yellow magic on his shield had faded, indicating that he had squeezed out all his magic.

Yeriel had been assisting Derek with a protective shield but had collapsed earlier and was gasping for breath.

‘In the end, I have to finish this with my own hands. Let’s go.’

I told Bernard that I would take care of the two of them and then move away, as they might be attacked if they stay near me.

“I understand. Please be careful.”

I nodded and started walking towards Scarlet.

When Scarlet saw me, she smiled broadly and waved her hands, sending fireballs at me.

“Ahren! Let’s just die together and leave this place!”

Boom! Boom! Bang!

I easily avoided the fireballs in the slowed-down world, following their trajectories.

“Please stop!”

“Eek!”

I ran towards her using the shortest path, and she bit her lip, spreading her hands wide and creating a wall of fire.

‘The magic must be running low, as it looks grand visually, but the wall itself is thin. I’ll just break through it.’

With the weak magic resistance from the Dragonian Body Technique, I charged through the wall without hesitation.

“Oof.”

Whoosh!!

I was slightly scorched all over, but it didn’t hurt.

On the other side of the wall, I faced Scarlet, who was chanting with blood dripping from her nose and mouth.

“Fierce flames, cut through the enemy with a burning sword. Flame Cut!”

The giant flame that Scarlet was swinging to cut me in half and the slowed-down world.

Now, I think I can do it.

I concentrated, my eyes bloodshot from remembering the feeling I had when I saw the colorful magic earlier.

And then I finally saw it. A blue trail cutting through the red trail.

“Haaap!”

Whoosh!

I slashed my sword along the blue trail, causing the magic to distort and explode before it could reach me, spreading sideways.

At the same time, my sword cracked.

‘Just from cutting the magic, my sword is almost broken. This technique is almost unusable.’

I looked down at my sword, which was about to break, and approached Scarlet.

She had already exhausted herself and was sitting on the ground, looking at me.

Scarlet spoke with difficulty.

“Yes. If I can’t end this with you, I want you to end my life. Please end this meaningless life, Ahren?

Not once, but several times, you tried to kill me and failed. In the end, you must die for this to be over.

“Haa… Yes. The burning pain I felt because of you was the most painful experience I’ve ever had in my life.”

I closed my eyes tightly and then opened them.

“Still, thanks to you, I’ve grown a lot. Goodbye.”

Puff.

I’ve heard that if you deeply stab someone’s heart, they die in 3 seconds.

I didn’t want to risk my sword breaking, so I stabbed her in the heart instead of beheading her.

Even with the light movement of pushing the sword in, it broke in two.

Whoosh. Whoosh.

Flames began to rise from her pierced heart.

It’s been more than 10 seconds, and she’s still not dead.

‘Is it because she’s a mage, and the remaining magic in her body is burning, allowing her to hold on for a moment? Or is it because of some trait like the Fire’s Blessing?’

She whispered, “I… I was a little strange. I actually knew, but still, I truly loved you… I was truly happy.”

She clenched her teeth and bowed her head.

“In my family, the child who killed her mother was cursed, and no one loved me as I grew up…”

Scarlet, who had coughed up a bucket of blood, struggled to continue.

“Even though it was one-sided, I was obsessed and focused on that brief time, and now I know what love is, at least a little.”

…I don’t regret killing her, as she tried to frame me and even tried to kill me.

But hearing her story made me feel a bit sorry for her.

Damn it. It’s written on her trait window that she was oppressed, but what did a baby, who knew nothing, do to deserve a curse?

What a great father she had. It would have been better to be an orphan like me.

Now I understand that her behavior towards me wasn’t just because of her trait; she was just starved for affection.

“Now that I know your situation, I understand that you must have had a hard time. Thank you for loving me. Now, rest in peace.”

I wiped away the tears from her empty eyes and patted her head.

Damn it, I’m not being hypocritical. I killed her, so what am I doing? Let’s go back.

The flames in Scarlet’s heart faded.

Sizzle.

As I stood up, she spoke one last time, like a final flash of light.

“I won’t forget you even in death. I love you, Ahren.”

Thud.

With those last words, Scarlet, who was lying on the ground, stopped moving.

Hmm, I feel a bit sad. Let’s shake it off and go.

[Chaos wants to pat me on the shoulder.]

Now that I’ve awakened my magic, all that’s left is to defeat the goblins and use the portal.

I decided to live well in this other world, and there will be even more difficult times ahead. Let’s move forward.

…

[Due to a strong trigger, the trait Emophilia changes to Blind Love.]

________________________________________

[Blind Love (A)] [P]

As a child, she received no love, and her family was cursed. She found a love strong enough to overcome everything. It may have started as a result of her trait, but in the end, it was purely her own love, even if it was one-sided.

• She loves only one person.
•
• She never forgets the person she loves, no matter the situation.
•
• She doesn’t feel guilty when she does something to help the person she loves.
•
• When she loves, her magic power increases by four stages, and her operation and output also increase.
•
________________________________________

[The target has died.]

[The Phoenix Feather, which was applied to the target, is consumed, and the target’s body and soul are returned to the specified time and moved to the specified location.]

[Target Designator – Conrad Enis]

[Revival Target – Scarlet Enis]

Whoosh!

[Error! Error! A conflict between the trait and the consumable item has caused an error.]

[…The trait is given priority. The soul is preserved.]

[Scarlet Enis’s body is returned to its state 20 days ago, and her soul is injected, moving her to the Enis mansion.]

________________________________________

My eyes opened involuntarily.

Huh? I should have died when Ahren’s sword pierced my heart, right?

‘Kyaak! So even in death, I didn’t forget Ahren?! The power of love is truly amazing!’

“Are you awake?”

Huh?

“I asked if you were awake. If I have to repeat myself three times, you know what will happen, don’t you, Scarlet?”

“Yes, yes! I’m awake, Father! I’m sorry for making you repeat yourself three times!”

This is my father’s voice. Conrad Enis, the youngest master of the Flame School and the only tower master in this city. I shouldn’t be dead, right?

And this is the hated mansion.

“Listen to me carefully. You caused a ruckus, insisting on going into the dungeon instead of the tower, which would have been a waste of the Phoenix Feather I had prepared for you, the only daughter of the family.”

He looked at me with disgust.

“Since I don’t have any other children, I used one of the three Phoenix Feathers kept in the family vault for you. You wasted such a precious family treasure…”

The Phoenix Feather? I know about it. But isn’t it a consumable item that returns your body and soul to a certain point in time instead of resurrecting you?

‘But I remember everything, even the moment when Ahren’s sword pierced my heart.’

“You’ve now lost your one-time opportunity, so you won’t be able to leave the tower until you achieve a certain level of success. My daughter, coming back to life after just 20 days… Of course, you have no objections?”

Even if I tried to resist now, it wouldn’t work.

The great master of the Flame School and the only tower master in this city has spoken, so of course, I have to agree.

…But that doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m alive again, and I can see Ahren again. Then, entering the tower is nothing.

“Yes. I will enter the tower and achieve what you have asked of me. In return, I want the freedom to live as I please after I leave the tower.”

“Hmm? Your atmosphere has changed suddenly. …Well, it doesn’t matter. Yes. As long as you don’t bring shame to my reputation or family, I won’t interfere.”

He looked at me with an indifferent gaze.

“As long as you don’t tarnish my reputation or family, I won’t care.”

That’s a promise, right?

“Then can I go to my room and rest? I’m very tired after coming back to life, and I need to prepare for my departure tomorrow.”

“Yes. Go.”

I bowed and headed straight to my room.

As I ran, I ignored the whispers of the servants I passed, but it didn’t bothered me.

Whoosh.

As soon as I entered my room, I secretly installed various magic spells, including alarm and soundproofing spells.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hehe, hahaha.”

Ah. Ahren. My Ahren.

“Hehehehehe!”

I don’t know why my memories are intact, but it seems like we’re destined.

You must have thought I was strange.

‘You fell in love with me because I saved you once? You have a lover, but you keep clinging to me and flirting? Is it normal to say you can’t live without me after just five days and ask me to hold you at night?’

But now, even though I’m supposedly smarter than before, I still feel the same way.

I’ve realized that it isn’t strange to don’t need a reason to love. I love you, Ahren.

I don’t mind if there are other women in your life. Well, polygamy isn’t so bad.

I don’t mind if you still hate me. I’ll just love you even more.

So please don’t forget me and live well. When I leave the tower, I’ll come to find you.