Surviving the Dungeon with an EX-Rank Trait

Following Berkel, I arrived at a small training arena.

“This is a training ground assigned to instructors, so you don’t have to worry about anyone watching like in a public training area.”

Definitely. It’s better if I’m not attracting too much attention.

“I know both of your main weapons are one-handed swords. Am I right?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“Yup.”

Berkel brought out two one-handed swords of an appropriate length from the display case in the corner of the training ground.

At first glance, they looked like real combat swords, but when I picked them up and swung them, they were dull-bladed practice swords with a high elasticity that would bend under force.

Not as good as the Knights’ iron swords. What do they call this? Blunt?

Anyway, since they aren’t real swords, I don’t need to hold back my attacks.

“Okay, then. Take your positions.”

Isaac stepped back, glaring at me with half-open eyes, pulling up one corner of his mouth.

“That indifferent face and your cocky attitude. I’ve wanted to knock you down since day one when you were wide-eyed in class, you know? Since it’s a light spar, I’ll go easy on you.”

Seriously, what a loser.

“If that’s how you want to play it.”

“Ha, kid. Are you trying to act cool just because there are girls around? Hurry up and start!”

“Alright. Are both sides ready?”

“Yes.”

“Yup!”

“You can only use your traits to a level that won’t kill or seriously injure your opponent. If you get hurt and need a potion, it will be used for first aid, but you’ll have to pay for it, so be prepared.”

With that, he relaxed his arms.

“Now… keep in mind that this is a spar and not a life-and-death duel. I will end the spar if one side is incapacitated or surrenders. Ready.”

I’ll check how fast this guy is since his stats are focused on speed.

“Begin!”

As soon as the call to start was made, he swung his sword first.

Whoosh—

With a faint wind rustling around him, Isaac charged at me.

His agility was D-rank, and with some speed boosts from his traits, it was his fastest attack against me yet—excluding Ivelyn.

But.

[Activate Iron Body]

[All physical stats increase by one rank]

You’re not the only one with D-level agility.

Alright. This is the familiar slow-down effect.

Huff.

Simple trajectory considering the speed. I barely twisted my body to avoid it.

“Oh? You dodged this?”

I could definitely feel the difference in my movements thanks to my training with Ivelyn.

‘Even if I was back to when I was on the third floor of the Labyrinth, I would have dodged that earlier attack, but I would’ve wasted more energy doing so, I bet.’

Anyway, I’ve roughly grasped Isaac’s speed.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

After dodging once, I took the initiative and continued my assault.

Slashing through the air with my silver blade.

“Gah!”

Isaac was barely managing to defend thanks to his swordsmanship traits. He was gritting his teeth and barely keeping up.

‘Should I just use a wide-swing sword technique and finish this quickly?’

Nah. If I want to take him down when we face off in the Labyrinth, it’s best to reveal as little of my skills as possible.

Then… if the sword gets blocked, I’ll switch to punches.

Wham!

“Gah!”

The main goal of this spar is his blood and hair.

After swinging my sword a few more times, I noticed his focus on the blade, so I aimed for his nose with my left fist from an angle.

“Damn you!”

He stumbled back, holding his bleeding nose.

He shot me a wild glare, gritting his teeth, before charging forward.

[Isaac activates ‘Gale’]

You’re using a trait without a chant, huh? Just thinking about it makes you use it?

Thanks to Chaos, I can see it all.

Bam!

This time was different from earlier when he came with a gentle breeze; he was now wrapped in fierce winds, shooting straight at me like a cannonball.

His trajectory? A diagonal slash with his right-hand sword followed by a straight punch with his left.

‘That sword is just a fake.’

Clang.

I parried his sword. As expected, it was a weaker attack. Without hesitation, I twisted my body rapidly.

At the same time, his fist, loaded with all his power, struck the spot where my face was just moments before.

“What—?”

Unbalanced after swinging his fist madly, he was wide open.

Bam!

“Ugh!”

I nailed him right where I hit earlier. Blood sprayed into the air, painting it red.

Blood was splattered all over my fist and the training ground floor where he dropped.

“How the hell did you dodge that?! Do you have a high-level perception trait or something?!”

He shouted with blood streaming from his nose, not even bothering to wipe his face.

‘It’s obvious. You, filled with feelings of inferiority, just got your nose smashed in. You’re too embarrassed not to try to get payback, right?’

[Isaac activates ‘Gale’]

“Argh!”

Where is he coming from now?

…What? I don’t see any trajectory from his sword or fist.

‘An invisible trajectory attack? Just like when I first got hit by Ivelyn?’

Fortunately, it seemed that wasn’t the case, as the area within about five meters of him glowed red.

So it’s true. His traits must involve area effects… Gale!

Tap.

I kicked off the ground and jumped back.

[Isaac activates ‘Tempest’]

Crash!

A violent whirlwind erupted from the spot where he stomped down, spiraling red around the area.

“Ugh.”

Even though I escaped the range, the shockwave nearly lifted me off the ground. If I hadn’t, I would have at least sustained moderate damage.

Could this be because of the traits given to him by the gods?

“Ahhh! Damn it, just hit already, you bastard!”

Isaac yelled, filled with frustration as all his attacks had been rendered useless.

“If you were in my shoes, would you take that obvious attack?”

Focusing was a significant restriction for him; regardless of Chaos, Isaac’s attacks followed a predictable path.

Thud.

Now that I’ve secured his blood, I’m starting to wrap this spar up. I delivered a kick to his abdomen, causing him to clutch the injured spot and double over.

“Cough, ugh.”

I grabbed a handful of his hair and lifted his head up.

“…”

What’s he mumbling about?

Now that I think about it, looking at the traits Isaac has remaining, he still has the Wind Spirit card left. Could it be?

“Ha… I surrender, I surrender!”

Nope.

“Stop! Since a surrender has been declared, the winner is Aren. You must use a potion, so let go and step back.”

I forcefully shook off his hair, determined to pull some out, and headed towards where Yeriell and Lumia were.

Showing my bloodied hand, I said, “My hands got dirty. Lumia, can you clean them up with some magic? Is that too trivial to manage?”

I added silently with my lips, ‘Cursed materials,’ while closing my eyes to signal her. I hoped she understood.

Lumia quietly nodded and clasped her hands over mine, concentrating.

A violet glow flickered briefly before my blood and his hair vanished.

As I looked at my clean hands, Lumia whispered in my ear.

“The conditions are met. The materials need to be used today, and it’s too risky to cast here, so how about we head to the inn?”

“…Tch. It’s too close.”

Yeriell shot an annoyed look at Lumia.

“Ha ha, Aren, you’re not messing around, huh? You could easily bore through at least the first floor.”

Bardus said, approaching, impressed.

“Honestly, after the spar started, I was surprised to find out that Isaac wasn’t just full of hot air. His speed was incredible. And that final move? Just wow.”

He pointed at me, chuckling.

“But you really toyed with him like a child. Especially dodging those attacks with just a hair’s breadth… Thanks for the show. My eyes were opened.”

“I’m flattered, really. Honestly, Isaac got easier to handle as the spar went on because he was getting more excited. Anyway, thanks, Bardus.”

“Not at all. You did a great job.”

They say flattery can make even a whale dance, and it always feels good to hear.

Now that it’s all over, I need to check if the curse is applied correctly as soon as possible.

“Berkel, the spar is over, and I think we’ve received all the training for today. Can we leave now?”

While pouring a potion on the ragged Isaac, Berkel, who was saying something, replied.

“Sure. No need to discuss the spar, feel free to go. After pouring the potion on this guy, make sure he stays quiet until training ends.”

“Yes. Then see you tomorrow.”

After exchanging nods with Berkel and Bardus, I took in the sight of the sprawled-out Isaac.

Crack.

“…”

When our eyes met, Isaac gnashed his teeth, then turned his head away.

‘Thought I might have broken his spirit, but I guess it worked the other way around. Flames are practically shooting from his eyes.’

[Chaos says it seems he’ll be too embarrassed to show up for a few days if he keeps getting spotted here.]

‘That’s probably right? At least it should calm down a bit until the Labyrinth opens.’

Now it’s you and I. One of us has to die to break this circle of hatred.

For both of us to survive in Labyrinth City, we needed to take each other down.

And fighting today confirmed it. The one who will survive is going to be me.

*

After taking a carriage, I arrived at the inn run by a grandpa.

“Lumia, you’re back? You look particularly cheerful today.”

“Yeah. I feel good when I’m with Aren.”

“Right. As your old man, I’m just relieved you seem to have gotten your spirits back. Truly glad…”

It feels like we’ve bonded beyond just innkeeper and guest.

Well, whatever. Good things are good, so I told the owner that Yeriell and I would be staying here from now on.

“I don’t mind at all. If we’re going to see each other often, why not get to know each other? My name is Rotten. Call me Rotten Grandpa, or just Mr. Rotten, whatever you prefer.”

“I’m Aren. Thank you, Mr. Rotten. I look forward to it.”

“Hehe. I’m Yeriell!”

It gives a nice vibe. Thanks to Lumia, it feels like we’ve found a good inn.

After paying the fee and receiving our room keys, we unpacked in our respective rooms and then immediately gathered in Lumia’s room.

“I’m about to start.”

With her eyes closed, Lumia clasped her hands together and began chanting a spell.

“Mark the enemy’s heart with a cursed arrow. Shadigete Querenetis.”

Buzz.

A moment later, Lumia opened her eyes with confidence.

“Success! Now, for the next 30 days, I can track Isaac in whatever direction he is with this curse.”

She opened her hands, showing a black arrow like a compass pointing in one direction.

No matter how much I waved my hand, it continued to point that way, so it seemed to be functioning normally.

“Thank you, Lumia! Thanks to you, one of my biggest headaches has been resolved.”

Feeling joyous, I smiled, and Lumia shyly spoke up.

“I feel like I’ve really helped you, Aren. Can I have a hug just this once?”

“Right, I guess I can acknowledge you this time, just this once.”

What does “acknowledge” mean, Yeriell?

Anyway, a hug shouldn’t be too bad.

I gently embraced Lumia.

“J-Just a little tighter.”

“Is this fine?”

“Yeah. Good.”

Getting warm, Yeriell growled as she pulled us apart.

“Ugh, watching you two is just too much. Now separate! For now, let’s rest in our own rooms until dinner!”

I left a pouting Lumia behind and headed to my room.

“Seeing the bed makes me feel a sudden urge to flop down. I think I need a quick nap.”

[Chaos says you must be tired from battling the god, so hurry up and rest.]

Phew, it won’t be long now until the entrance to the Great Labyrinth opens. I heard it’s only about three days away?

Let’s take a quick nap and think about what to do for dinner later.

Now I need to start packing my gear for the Labyrinth and reinforce my equipment with the money I got from Hans.

With those thoughts, as soon as I lay down, sleep swept over me, and I fell into a deep slumber.

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