Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

The atmosphere in Haynes’ personal laboratory was warm and friendly.

“Is that true? Did that really happen?”

“Haha. Yes, it is. Victor has been going wild since he got his unique equipment, contrary to my worries.”

Haynes put on a deliberately foolish expression and spoke in a comical manner.

“We fought a human-type special species, and at a critical moment, Victor was hit by the monster’s attack and flew through the air. Suddenly, the monster’s eyes started spinning.”

The confusion status effect must have activated!

“Although it was brief, when the injured party members saw this, they ganged up on the monster, and Victor’s furious strike cut the monster deeply.”

Cut it deeply?

“Well, the monster didn’t counterattack, but instead, it looked at us and asked for food.”

“Food? I’m speechless just hearing about it, but you must have been completely baffled.”

“Yes, it was. Wow, I thought Victor’s unique equipment option was only good for resistance, but it turned out to be a really scary option. If it weren’t for the talisman, someone might have died.”

Dumbification… Despite its silly name, the effect is not to be taken lightly.

“Well, it only worked because the enemy had low mental defense. Anyway, we defeated the special species and returned to the city, and now we’ve hit the jackpot.”

Haynes gestured to me and continued.

“Thanks to this, I have some free time, and I was able to put up a request and meet you like this.”

Slurp.

By the time we finished our tea, we had almost finished sharing our stories.

“I’m surprised. A cave and a hidden space on the fourth floor?”

“Oh, don’t remind me. If it weren’t for the wit of the friend who joined us there, it would have been quite difficult.”

Haynes pushed up his glasses and said.

“Anyway, it was a good decision to leave in the middle. Perhaps, at the end of that cave where darkness was seeping out, there might have been a high-ranking species like a lich or a death knight, although it’s unimaginable. The origin of the place is beyond comprehension.”

“The Great Labyrinth is a place where anything can happen, and no one knows what will happen when and where.”

Haynes nodded in agreement and sat up straight, ready to get to the main point.

“Now, let’s talk about the request. To cut to the chase, I’m quite satisfied with this item.”

“Does that mean…?”

He asked me to wait a moment, then went to another room inside and brought something back, placing it on the table.

“I can offer you several choices for the compensation. Let’s start with the first one.”

Click.

His finger pointed to the first thing, which was a small brown pouch. It probably contained money.

“Yes, it’s what you’re thinking. Exactly two gold coins and fifty silver coins. The average auction price for the core of a regular golem is two gold coins.”

Two gold coins and fifty silver coins! That’s enough to make up for more than half of the money I spent on the armor.

“Considering that it’s a rare type of core that I’ve never seen before, and taking into account that it’s half-broken, this price seems appropriate. Shall we move on to the second choice?”

Haynes pushed the ochre scroll on the table towards me.

───

[Rockfall] (D)

The usage method is to stare at the empty space in front of you, designate a location in your mind, and then tear the scroll in half.

When used correctly, a rock will appear without warning and fall at the designated location.

──If the enemy struck by the rock does not die, there is a high probability that they will fall into a state of confusion, dizziness, or internal bleeding if their endurance is D-rank or lower.

──The rock inflicts weak defense-ignoring damage on the enemy hit by the broken fragments.

───

“This is a scroll with the fourth-rank magic ‘Rockfall’ imbued in it. It can be useful in life-threatening situations.”

Indeed, it would be good to use it together with the ‘Palm of Destruction’ scroll I got in the cave.

But is this the end? He said there were several choices, but he’s only giving me two.

“The third and last reward is an enchantment. I can add an option to any equipment I can touch, as long as it’s not a high-level magic of the Earth School, which I have permission to use.”

“What do you mean by enchantment?”

“Hmm. For example, if I enchant a piece of armor, a random option might be added, such as a simple increase in defense or damage reduction.”

Haynes tapped the table with his finger and continued.

“Or a unique option like pushing the opponent back with a certain probability when hit. For weapons, the attack might become heavier?”

He explained all the rewards he could offer, and now it’s my turn to choose one of the three.

What should I choose? The most straightforward choice is money.

Just like people are tempted to buy limited editions or special offers even if they don’t need them.

Since it’s a rare opportunity to receive a school’s magic or a barbarian tribe’s ritual, I’m having a hard time deciding.

‘Chaos, do you know anything about enchantments? Which one should I choose?’

[Chaos says that enchantments can be done by professional enchanters, by the magic of the Magic Tower or the rituals of barbarian tribes, or by applying consumables, and there are various types.]

Ooh.

[Chaos says that it’s not common, so this is a rare opportunity.]

‘So, the conclusion is to choose the enchantment? That’s what I was thinking, as I didn’t know if it was a low-value decision compared to the gold coins.’

Chaos was indeed reliable.

“I can always earn more money, and a continuous enchantment is better than a one-time-use scroll. I’ll choose the third option.”

“That’s an excellent choice. I saved some funds, and now it’s time to use the contribution points I’ve been accumulating.”

Beep!

“Damn! Please wait here for a moment. I’ll be right back.”

A beeping sound came from the other door leading to the inside of the laboratory, like a call signal.

As soon as the sound rang, Haynes interrupted his words and hurriedly went to the door.

Click.

Although I couldn’t see Haynes, I could vaguely hear his voice.

──Yes. Yes? But that’s too much. Even if it’s what the Elder said, it’s too much to ask of my guest. I understand. Let’s end this.

Bang!

Haynes came out of the door, looking nervous.

“Phew. I’m sorry, but I think you have to go see the master of our school and the Elder of the Magic Tower.”

?

“What? What do you mean? …No, just one question. Will it cause me any harm?”

“It will never harm you. Even if it does, I’ll make sure to handle it, so please give me some time.”

I stood up.

Yes. Why would they kill me out of the blue?

Haynes must be very worried if he’s asking me like this.

“Let’s go. It’s not a bad idea to think of it as seeing a high-ranking person instead of watching a magic demonstration.”

“Thank you. As a token of appreciation for saving my face, I’ll give you the scroll in addition to the enchantment.”

Then I’m grateful.

I took the scroll he offered and put it in my backpack, then followed Haynes, who led the way.

.

.

.

“Well, how have you been, Scarlet? It’s time for my weekly teaching session.”

“Have you been well, Elder?”

“Of course. Hehe, what work could I possibly have? I’m just loafing around. …You seem to have something you want to say.”

“Oh my. You’re so perceptive. I have a favor to ask of you.”

Scarlet laughed, saying that it was a good thing that their schedules overlapped.

“Let’s hear it.”

…

“So, you want me to arrange a meeting between that man named Ahren, who’s currently on the 27th floor, and someone under your command?”

“Tsk. You know that we all turn a blind eye to the communication holes. You’re a bit mischievous sometimes, aren’t you?”

The Elder stroked his beard.

“Hmm. Why should I grant your request? I have no reason to be rude to the guest of one of our school’s wizards. I’m not the type to force my authority on others.”

“If you do this for me, I’ll ask my father to pay more attention to the Earth School.”

“Even if you ask, it won’t work while you’re locked up. Conrad isn’t that soft.”

‘Huhu, I’ve been hiding my achievements little by little, and now they’re being used like this.’

Scarlet brought her hands together and said.

“This is something you’ll see before my father, so don’t be surprised.”

Tsuk. Click.

Whoosh!!!

In her hands, a fierce white flame rose from the sparks.

Phew-

But it went out in less than ten seconds.

“Hmm. It’s a bit dizzy. It’s still very difficult. Did you see it well?”

The Elder’s eyes, which didn’t match his age, were wide open as if they were about to pop out.

“Huh, even after eating all kinds of things, how can you use the Hundred Flames at this age!”

“What do you think? Isn’t this enough to impress my father, or even the Tower Master?”

“Yes. I’ll make sure the meeting happens no matter what. Don’t worry, I won’t ask any questions.”

Scarlet winked one eye.

“I don’t trust the other elders. You know, don’t you? The stubborn First Elder and the talkative Third Elder, as well as the others… they’re a bit…”

“Haha! That’s right. I’m the only one among the elders who’s as solid and reliable as me! That’s why I’m the authority on Earth magic, isn’t it?”

“Since you’re granting my request, please give him something and say some nice words. Okay? You’re like a grandfather to me.”

Scarlet pouted and flirted, and the Elder patted his chest.

“Since I’ve seen the achievement, I can easily skip today’s education. I’ll call him right after I go down. Who’s the wizard that has the guest on the 27th floor?”

“Haynes. He said his name was Haynes.”

“I remember. But what’s your relationship with this man named Ahren that you’re asking such a favor?”

“Shh.”

Scarlet put her finger on her lips.

“You said you wouldn’t ask any questions.”

“Hmm. I was too oblivious. Already asking for my help. He’s a lucky guy.”

The Elder stepped onto the central warp magic circle.

“Then, I’ll take my leave. Don’t worry, I’ll make up an excuse if anyone asks about today’s early education.”

“Yes. Please go.”

Pfft!

“Is he gone? Hmm. I’m tired. Oh, this isn’t the time for that.”

Scarlet infused magic into the communication gem in her chest.

Vroom.

After a short wait, a woman’s voice came from the other side of the communication gem.

─Oh my? What happened that you’re calling during your teaching time?

“You. Do you have the familiar I created?”

─Yes? Yes, I do.

“Then, take it and go straight to the Elder. Then, give the familiar to the man named Ahren, and gradually get closer to him. Narrow the distance.”

─Me, get closer to a man? Suddenly?

Scarlet sighed.

─I understand! Don’t sigh, it’s scary! Oh my, my fate.

“Don’t be cheeky and just go.”

─Yes, yes. I’ll report tomorrow when we connect. Then.

Click.

Scarlet put the disconnected communication gem back in her chest and blushed, placing her hands on her cheeks.

Her breathing became rougher.

“Haa. Good. Soon, I’ll be able to see him through this roundabout way.”

Whoosh!

The flame started to burn brighter with her emotions.

“I’ll have to be satisfied with this for now.”

.

.

.

“Thank you for granting my unreasonable request. Haynes, you can go back now.”

The Elder, who was also the master of the Earth School, was a dwarf