NOVEL NEXT Chapter 36
It’s over.
After Epusio’s body was shattered into pieces…
A gigantic, white glass sphere, almost larger than my torso, was floating low in that spot.
“I can’t see any information just by looking at it. Should I poke it with my sword?”
I had gone through so much trouble to catch Epusio, but there was no way it would turn around to hit me from behind again, right?
Could it possibly be a unique item? I recalled my memory from the third layer when I obtained Barak. But no matter how closely I looked, it seemed more like a glowing mass rather than the shape of something transforming…
This one looked like an egg… it felt completely different.
“Could it be that it will awaken in a smaller form and forget its memory, joining us as a pet or companion? Please, tell me it’s not that cliché!”
Ugh, damn it. Just thinking about it gives me chills. I desperately wished that wasn’t the case.
“There’s no way something terrible like the Layered Ruler resurrecting in a weakened state inside this strange sphere could happen, right?”
It seemed Leisya had similar thoughts, speaking up with a worried tone.
I shook my head and was about to speak, but Viktor approached.
He tossed his Great Sword to the ground.
“Now that it’s all over, why are we still thinking? Come on, let’s just touch it or break it and get it over with!”
Viktor was ready to throw a punch and smash the outer shell, insisting there would be no way things could get any worse.
“I’m sick of being toyed with without understanding anything!”
That was when…
“Stop!”
Heins shouted, trying to stop Viktor.
He then looked at me and started speaking strongly.
“I think leaving it be like this isn’t going to have any meaning. But!”
He pointed at me.
“If that thing isn’t a trap but something related to a special reward, then the person who contributed the most to capturing the Layered Ruler should be the one to touch it.”
Leisya nodded vigorously in agreement.
“That’s right! I think so too, um… that’s not it.”
I was curious why her natural tone kept slipping out like that when she was trying to correct it.
Should I ask about it? If it’s a sensitive issue, I could just apologize, so I casually inquired.
“Your lady-like speech is cute, but why do you keep trying to correct it mid-sentence and repeat similar phrases?”
Whoa!
“Uh, w-well… Is it cute?”
Leisya twisted her body.
“I’ve been an adventurer for a few years now, and sometimes, I feel embarrassed like I’m showing off my noble side when it slips out, so I try to correct it…”
It seemed my question wasn’t rude after all.
“A-anyway! If it weren’t for Aren, we would have all died or become the Layered Ruler’s nourishment!”
Viktor scratched his cheek shyly, interrupting our conversation.
“Yeah. Of course. I just found it frustrating because everyone was just dilly-dallying.”
Viktor pointed at me.
“Hey, Aren, is it? You caught that monster named the Layered Ruler, so what are you stalling for? Let’s finish this and rest already!”
“Right. It should just be some hunting reward, right? What other gimmicks could there be? Let’s touch it.”
Despite having gone through more than I could believe in just the first layer, it was useless to be overly tense.
I tensed up and brought my hand to the unknown sphere.
[You have contacted the origin of the Layered Ruler.]
[Checking hunter… Starting settlement.]
“Whoa?”
Whirrrr…
As the noises echoed, the sphere shot high up into the sky in an instant.
[The traits absorbed by the origin will all be returned to their original holders.]
With a crack, its shell broke apart.
Shwooom! Pewww…
Whooooooshhh…
“Wow…”
“Oh, how beautiful!”
“Whoa, what a spectacle.”
“Seeing that, I feel like my magical vision is expanding. What a mysterious sight.”
[Everyone gasps softly while witnessing the light of Chaos spreading around.]
Something that was inside shot out an incredible light, filling the sky with white arrows like it was raining.
As it touched the adventurers who had been bewildered by the intelligence reduction and memory loss…
[All adventurers afflicted by the trait ‘Oblivion’ have their forgetfulness status lifted.]
“What the… huh?”
“…Yes! I’m not Dudgeon but rather a proper adventurer from Labyrinth City, Luke! Creave, you bastard, you’re getting exiled as soon as I return!”
“I, I remember! My memory has returned!”
Everyone had returned to their original selves.
Moreover, the settlement of the first Layered Ruler hunt was not over yet.
Of course, this was merely returning what had been taken from them along with their identities.
Dum. Dum. Dong.
A low, resonant sound echoed like a drumbeat.
“What is that sound?”
Viktor looked around.
‘This is… the same sound that was heard when Epusio broadcasted his waves.’
Even though I had returned their traits and restored their sanity…
There was no way something serious was going to happen suddenly now. Hmmm, what could it be?
[Checking battle analysis and the overall contribution… Complete.]
[Unique hunting rewards will be given to adventurers Aren, Leisya, Viktor, and Heins.]
[All 52 adventurers who participated in the battle and survived will receive traits based on their contributions.]
‘Unique hunting rewards, huh?’
As listed in the system window, a glowing white sphere appeared before the four of us.
At first, the odd shape of the origin had me confused, but seeing it keep shining like before in the third layer…
It seemed like it was finally ready to grant us the real rewards of unique items.
‘I shouldn’t have been afraid to touch it right away. I was too anxious since facing Epusio.’
“This, this is? Am I right in thinking this?!”
Leisya clasped her hands in excitement, mouth covered.
“…Unique items, right? I’ve definitely heard of it. Such things happen very rarely when defeating unique or powerful enemies, and something will be given.”
Wishing for a piece of gear to appear, Viktor was grinning and bouncing.
“To receive my first unique item as an adventurer from the very first layer. Is this a trick of fate? Ha ha, anything will do. It’s worth the risk of life I took!”
Heins adjusted his glasses, eyes sparkling.
[Chaos applauds merrily.]
Clap clap!
I clenched my fist in overwhelming joy.
‘Yes. After going through such hardships, it’s only right to reward us with something this worthy!’
Because of the endeavors we made, not only did we survive the brink of death…
We received unique items that even lower-layer adventurers and most mid-layer adventurers had never seen.
…
Boom!
“Finally!”
After a short wait, the different glowing spheres before each of us took distinct shapes, and Viktor shouted in delight as he watched the transformation process.
Wuuuuuuu!
This… gloves?
Let’s grab it.
[Judging fit.]
[Credential check.]
[Gear has been assigned to the user.]
────
[Convergence of Arms] [Unique]
The first Layered Ruler, Starter’s Epusio.
Having awoken from the long slumber, he gathered the adventurers to confine them and intended to absorb all their strength as sacrifices to take the first step in regaining his once-glorious self.
However, due to the four adventurers, his fleeting ambitions crumbled, leaving only remnants of his powers stemming from his self-conceit in the Labyrinth.
Being made from a conscious entity, it neither deteriorates nor gets damaged.
─Up to 5 weapons can be registered for usage in subspace.
If you wish to register additional weapons after registering 5, you must choose one of the previously registered weapons for permanent destruction.
─All holding and wearing effects of registered weapons are always applied.
─While using registered weapons, basic level corrections appropriate to each weapon are applied.
The user’s weapon skills and trait levels take precedence.
─The correction grades can rise as the user grows.
────
The form transformed from the brilliant light was…
A pair of gloves dyed in the same white as Epusio.
‘The abilities are generally… weapon storage and keeping effects are always active, and basic corrections?’
This seems like it transformed from the state where he had absorbed dozens of traits during his last desperate attack using the eight arms wielding different weapons.
He had used techniques like stabbing with a spear, striking with a blunt weapon, and whatever else.
‘Let’s put them on for now.’
Whew!
Oh, there’s almost no feeling. It’s like my bare hands.
I’ll check the abilities later in a place where no one can see.
“Ooooh!”
“Oh wow, incredible!”
While I examined my unique gear, the others seemed to be using appraisal scrolls, each holding something in awe.
First up was Leisya—what is it, gauntlets?
────
[Vitality Devourer] [Unique]
The first Layered Ruler, Starter’s Epusio.
Though he awakened weakened after trying to swallow everyone, his absorption abilities were materialized.
Despite the appearance modeled after white gauntlets, it harbors malicious abilities within.
Very sturdy.
─Upon hitting an opponent, a mild life absorption based on damage is applied.
─If hit by an attack, the attacker suffers a status effect of lethargy. Up to 3 stacks.
─If hit by an attack, the user gains increased vitality. Up to 3 stacks.
─Can recover even if damaged with mana.
────
… Wow, for Leisya, it must feel like hitting the jackpot.
Now for Heins.
────
[Tome of Terra] [Unique]
The first Layered Ruler, Starter’s Epusio.
It is a spellbook created from his summoning ability, which produced many forms resembling himself, mixed with the aspirations of an earth magic user.
When worn, it enhances the user’s earth-type magic in various ways, but…
In exchange, it renders the user unable to use magic other than earth-type.
As the user grows, they can unlock pages that contain enhancement spells.
─Reduces mana consumption for earth-type magic by half.
─If the user employs earth-type magic for defense, it grants reduced damage from magic.
─While using earth-type summoning magic, the user can exert more influence over the summoned entity.
─First enhanced magic: Capable of using monstrous boulders.
────
Heins’s unique item was a tome, a book-shaped weapon that stood out compared to others, probably because it was from defeating the Layered Ruler.
This was definitely a weapon specialized for earth spellcasters.
Lastly, what about Viktor?
────
[Talisman of Oblivion] [Unique]
The first Layered Ruler, Starter’s Epusio.
He processed the fragments of his mutated body into a jewel, embedding pieces of his powerful ability, Oblivion.
On the outside, it may look like a brilliantly shining pendant, but…
There will undoubtedly be costs for whoever wears this powerful talisman.
─Grants strong mental resistance when facing mental attacks.
─Gives minor damage resistance when facing physical attacks.
─Very rarely inflicts the target with a lethargy condition upon attacking.
─When struck, there is a slight chance to inflict confusion upon the opponent.
─Wearing it induces constant headaches and tinnitus.
─Once worn, it cannot be taken off. However, it does not break or dirty.
────
This… well, the strong resistance is definitely enough to make it worthwhile, but I don’t know about the penalties.
“Damn it! Ugh.”
Viktor didn’t seem happy. Must be because of the headache and buzzing.
“As a northern warrior, I shouldn’t be wearing this flashy jewel-encrusted necklace!”
The brilliantly shining jewel glimmered oddly against his scarred torso.
‘So that was it…’
The penalties were bearable, it seemed. Good for him.
Anyway, there’s no stopping the news that all four of us acquired unique items on the first layer.
‘I’m not scared, but it feels like I’m going to be wrapped up in annoying matters. Well, I guess I’ll just have to deal with it.’
There were far too many eyes already. How could I silence dozens of adventurers?
By the time we finished checking our unique items, there was a sudden…
“Oh!”
“This feeling?”
“It’s a trait, it’s definitely a trait! I’m sure of it! We haven’t even left the Labyrinth yet?”
I froze.
As I looked around at the commotion, I soon felt the odd sensation and strong tremor wrap around my body, just like everyone else.
[You have acquired the trait ‘Token of the Hunt—First Slayer’]
────
[Token of the Hunt—First Slayer] [P]
A mark and symbol awarded to the 52 adventurers who participated in the hunt for the first Layered Ruler, ‘Starter’s Epusio,’ who awakened on the first layer.
Only those with the highest contribution can acquire the trait of First Slayer.
─Luck increases by two levels.
─Because you participated in the hunt against a powerful enemy exceeding your level, the probability of gaining favor from a higher-ranked opponent increases.
─Luck very rarely comes your way.
────
So, does that mean I was the only one to receive the First Slayer trait?
As I turned my head, I spotted Luke, a somewhat familiar face.
────
[Luke]
[Strength: E+] [Agility: E] [Durability: E+]
[Stamina: E+] [Magic: E-] [Luck: E+]
[Held Traits] (Collapse)
Caution
Beginner Swordsmanship
Token of the Hunt
────
────
The difference is clear.
‘─Luck very rarely comes your way.’
This made me especially happy.
It’s the opposite of the misfortune option included in the Chaos Core.
It’s a vague way to put it, but I’m sure it’ll help later.
Rumble rumble—
Huh?
[Due to the hunt, the terrain of the first layer begins to change again.]
[The prison of convergence starts to disappear.]
The barrier that had confused us about why it remained even after capturing him…
Finally began to fade away.