Surviving the Dungeon with an EX-Rank Trait

The results of enduring the hellish training for 14 days were incredibly sweet.

‘Status window.’

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[아렌]

[Strength: D-] [Agility: D-] [Durability: D-]
[Health: D-] [Magic: EX] [Luck: E+]

[Held Traits] (fold)
Chaos Inside
Chaos Dragon’s Heart
Weak Power
One Language
Lousy Concealment
Solid ─ Draconian
Purple Lightning
Super Rookie
Ivelyn Style ─ Explosive Swordsmanship

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After a few days of swordsmanship training, I repeatedly charged in, got hit, and flew away.
Dodging, hitting, and diving while facing off against Ivelyn, who adjusted her skills to match mine.
As a result, I achieved the remarkable feat of raising my agility and durability by one level each.
When I mentioned my stats had improved on the last day of training, Ivelyn’s expression was one of disbelief, as if to say I had just grown again.
She remarked that it wouldn’t be easy to raise levels from D rank moving forward.
…This was all earned while bleeding.

The day after finishing training, I headed to my office after hearing Aide Cain call Ivelyn.
Upon knocking and entering, I saw Ivelyn choosing something.

“Master? I heard you called for me.”
She looked up from the papers spread across her desk.
“Yeah. You arrived just in time. Cut to the chase and go to the Adventurer’s Guild.”

Of course, since training was over, it was about time to register at the guild, learn some common knowledge, and also go to the Labyrinth… but this immediately?
“Do you mean leave right now?”
She nodded firmly.
“If you’re going anyway, it’s better to depart quickly. No need to dawdle now that training is complete, right?”
She asked with a comical expression.
“Or do you want to train a bit more with the Knights at the communal training ground? I wouldn’t mind adding one more person if that’s what you wanted.”

Has she lost her mind?
“I’ll pack my things right away. Then!”
“Puhaha! Just kidding, just kidding. Wait a moment. I have something for you before you go.”

She grabbed something from her desk as if it had been decided and tossed it to me.
“Check this out right now.”

Hearing that, I turned my gaze to the object in my hand.
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[Highnax’s Earrings] (A)
A pair of earrings crafted from part of the Frost Lord Highnax for his mate, the Flame Witch Helena.
Must be worn in pairs by a man and a woman.
─ If the wearer is male, strong fire resistance applies.
─ If the wearer is female, strong cold resistance applies.
─ Allows for telepathy between the two.
─ Effects don’t apply if they are too far apart.

────

“Oh, can I really accept something like this?”
Ivelyn nodded and said,
“It’s a reward for completing your training. Well, I don’t have anyone to share them with anyway, so just take it… What are you thinking right now? If you’re thinking of the aide, you’ll be in trouble.”

How did she know?
“Wearing this means we’ll have to stick together as partners, right? Same goes for parties. But I don’t go around with anyone who isn’t at least as skilled as me.”
She furrowed her brow.
“And, more importantly, I don’t want to share something like this with a man who’s weaker than me.”

Understood, I calmed her down and thanked her for the generous gift.
“By the way, make sure to visit the Cathedral and meet Yeriell before registering at the guild and receiving any training.”

The Cathedral?
“She’s been hanging out with the priestesses of the Light Church lately. She even sleeps there.”

Now that I think about it, I hadn’t even seen Yeriell’s face once during those two weeks of crazy training.
“Why is Yeriell living at the Cathedral? Didn’t you say there was a separate house where you and Yeriell live near the Knights?”

From what I vaguely heard when I brought Hans last time, the house is very close to the Knights, right?
It seems her older sister, being a deep-level adventurer and the leader of the Knights, often enters the Labyrinth for long periods or spends her time at the Knights’ base, frequently leaving Yeriell alone at home.

To my question, Ivelyn replied eagerly,
“Wow, you’ve grown a lot… to stay in the same party with you, she knew she couldn’t just sit still, so she said she’d train at the Church.”

Though I’ve never gone to the Labyrinth with another priest, isn’t Yeriell exceptional for a first-time priest in a Labyrinth?
With healing, buffs, shields, and quick situational judgment, she seems quite capable.
‘That’s kind of impressive.’
[Chaos says she’s the type of human that should be recruited as a companion.]

“I guess she thought it wouldn’t be long before you left her behind since you’re so exceptional. To be frank, she’s just a slightly above-average low-tier priest right now.”
As Ivelyn said this, she presented her fist to me.
“Listen! As her older sister, whatever happens, don’t ever make Yeriell cry.”
Thud.
And then, flicking her finger off her fist, she continued,
“Unless it’s due to a lack of ability keeping you from traveling together, don’t hurt her over anything else. Got it?”

I didn’t have to say it—I wouldn’t dream of that.
“I’ll make sure. I already owe her a debt, and besides, why would I make her cry, especially someone as kind and cute as Yeriell? Don’t worry.”
She smiled satisfactorily.
“Good. Well, I was behaving too much like someone seeing off a person who’s going to travel far. I’ll clear your room for you, so come back anytime. Have a good trip.”

As Ivelyn said, the atmosphere was a bit too sentimental.
Returning to my lodging, I packed my things and made my way to the main gate of the Knights.
“Well then, I’ll really be going now! Don’t be too sad without me!”

I moved away from Ivelyn, who chuckled, and headed towards the Cathedral.
*
I walked steadily and arrived at the Cathedral.
Even though it was morning, there were quite a few people. Well, with all the checks concerning traits, removals, and church-related business, it was no surprise there would be many visitors.

Navigating through the crowd, I approached a nun who seemed to be the least busy.
“Excuse me, may I ask you a question?”
“Don’t you see I’m busy right no… Oh my! What can I help you with?”

Wow. Talk about a quick change in expression.
I silently admired it and asked if she knew where Yeriell, the priestess who had been spending time at the church, was.
“Oh! Aah! You must be the Aran that Yeriell often talks about! If you wait by the entrance, I’ll go and fetch her for you. Please wait a moment!”
“Thank you. You’re really kind.”

The moment she heard my name, she seemed to be filled with some juicy gossip as her energy spiked, and she dashed off somewhere.
I waited while watching the people passing by.
‘Wow. Werecats, dwarves, and elves—every time I see them, it’s amazing.’

Soon, I heard that familiar voice I hadn’t heard for two weeks along with the sound of running footsteps.
“Is that really Aran? Aran! Long time no see!”

Oh, that’s Yeriell’s voice.
“I wanted to see you, but my sister wouldn’t let me… I’ve been waiting for when we could meet!”

‘What? Yeriell isn’t stuttering? Her voice is loud too.’

The moment I turned around, I was momentarily mesmerized.
It wasn’t just about not stuttering or having a loud voice.
Her shoulders were straightened rather than hunched like before in the Labyrinth.
She was wearing stylish clothes that were not her usual plain blue robe but rather elegant white and black attire.
Looking at the outfit for a moment, I was left wondering if it really was the garb of a priest.
Isn’t her body a bit too accentuated for a priest?
‘Yeriell really has grown into an adult…’

When she wore that baggy robe with her shoulders drooping, she looked like just a delicate girl.
Seeing her changed appearance suddenly made me conscious of the situation, and it felt awkward.
Anyway, meeting Yeriell after such a long time, so much had changed. I guess I should acknowledge her new look?
Keeping my expression neutral, I decided to start with a compliment.
“Yeriell, you’ve changed a lot since we last met! I mean, all in good ways, of course.”

Yeriell giggled as she heard my compliment.
“Really! While you’ve been training with my sister, I worked hard too? I learned new spells and got new gear!”
She fidgeted with her hands, looking somewhat bashful.
“Um, of course, the gear was given to me by my sister. After hearing how hard I worked last time, she practically forced me to take this and that.”

Well, I would’ve done the same as Ivelyn.
“Yeriell, you’re doing great even now. What’s wrong with relying on your family a little? That’s your strength too.”
I patted Yeriell’s shoulder.
“Don’t feel guilty for that or undermine yourself. Your master would rather see you smiling, fueled by the help she provided, than sulking.”
As I spoke with a soft smile, she eventually nodded her head in understanding.
“Okay! I’ll do my best! I want to grow and surprise my sister later. Aran, can you help me?”
“Of course! When times are tough, lean on me and don’t hesitate. And by the way, you already look more impressive than two weeks ago, right? You seem more confident.”

When I said this while smiling, Yeriell blushed and covered her cheeks.
“Yeah… The priestesses have been really encouraging and supportive. But the biggest help was that you made me put my heart out during our last talk.”
Yeriell smiled brightly, saying thank you. So adorable.
“Oh, by the way, should I try wearing these earrings? They’re a high-grade accessory given to me by my Master. We need to wear one each.”

She took the pair I handed her and whispered,
“C-can I share the earrings with you? What if people think we’re in a relationship?”
“Ah, come on. Just say no if they do. Why worry? We need to wear them together for the effects to apply, so don’t mind it.”

Yeriell suddenly got angry.
“Oh come on, Aran! I wasn’t worried for that reason!”
She popped the earrings on and walked into the Cathedral.
‘Wait… does that mean it’s okay if we appear as a couple?’
We’d only known each other for less than a month after all.
In fact, we hadn’t even seen each other’s faces for two of those weeks. This wasn’t the kind of relationship that warranted that sort of implication, was it?
[Chaos clicks her tongue, stating it’s a sneaky situation.]

In any case, that wasn’t what was important. I needed to grab Yeriell and suggest we head to the Guild together.
“Wait, Yeriell!”
⋯
⋯
That was how I safely met Yeriell at the Cathedral and we began to head towards the Adventurer’s Guild together.
*
“Aran, I don’t know why, but just bear with it for now! For the sake of my face… okay?”
After experiencing various events since arriving in this other world… I thought I had finally managed to forget.
But it wasn’t over yet.
─“Agh, I’m sorry! I didn’t see where I was going while rushing because of this game. Are you okay?”
─“Hahaha, let’s go to the other world! Starting with Sexy Dungeon Girls Adventure!”

Yeah, since I was transported here, it’s only logical that this jerk would also be in the city.
Crack.
I clenched my fist, thinking,
What should I do about this guy?