LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 33
“M-my nose! ⋯Hiccup.”
“Get a grip, Creave!”
Shit. My traits are really gone.
And it’s not just that. Traits are one of the fundamental elements that make up each adventurer along with stats.
One of those was not erased through procedures at the cathedral, but got deleted after being absorbed by a monster⋯.
In cases like this, looking at the Creave in front of me showed how it affects the body.
“That’s wrong. He lost consciousness. No matter how much I shake him, he won’t wake up.”
Does forcibly losing a trait cause you to faint?
Am I really never going to wake up again?
“Cough!”
Sniff sniff.
“Aah, so this is what having a sense of smell is like?”
Swish. Swish.
“This in my hand too, huh? It’ll take some time to adapt. This is good news for you all.”
When Epusio let out a strange noise and looked, he had a nose on his round, white egg-like face.
What’s that he’s holding, a dagger?
Epusio was also holding a white dagger that looked like it belonged to himself.
────
[Traits Owned] (Locked)
Prison of Cohesion
Primordial Seraph
Summoning Hesmana
Oblivion
Beginner Dagger Skill
Sensitive Sense of Smell
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I never thought traits would reflect so immediately onto his body after being absorbed.
More than that⋯.
I shouldn’t be idly watching him. Damn, I should have grabbed the traits as soon as I killed Isaac!
The ground shook and the terrain changed, causing me to be astonished by the system window that announced the Layered Ruler’s appearance.
After checking Yeriell and Lumia’s condition, I had to quickly step back when the Layered Ruler Epusio suddenly appeared.
⋯Honestly, it’s all an excuse. Whether I share a thought with Yeriell or converse with Chaos, just touching Isaac’s body wouldn’t have been an issue.
Aah⋯ now that the corpse is near Epusio, I can’t easily approach.
Now that I think about it, the description of the power trait definitely said this.
—Killing an enemy allows you to rarely absorb a random positive trait from the opponent.
There was no wording anywhere about touching or contact, so can I assume that I can absorb without actually touching?
I killed the goblin archer on the third floor, and at that time, it was so natural to touch the gray light and absorb it.
What if it only needed the concept of seeing the light to absorb it?
What if tapping into my unconscious touch was the trigger?
Is that too convenient of a thought? No, if I don’t try something crazy right now, I might lose these traits. Let’s do it.
If Epusio starts moving again and a battle breaks out, Isaac’s corpse will quickly leave no trace behind.
Then I will lose a valuable trait.
Focus. Focus!
“Ugh⋯.”
⋯
Is this too much? My head is throbbing as I try to concentrate.
⋯
Humm.
[Due to the user’s strong desire, a method for applying the weak power trait has been added.]
The gray light in the center of Isaac’s distant corpse wobbled and shot toward me like an irresistible small orb unseen by others.
Fwoosh!
[The power activates.]
It really absorbs!
[You have acquired the trait “Whispers of the Wind.”]
[Error⋯ You are not a recipient of the causality paid by the Wind God Nefer. The trait is adjusted.]
Huh?
────
[Whispers of the Wind] [P]
User Ki Isaac. Trait absorbed from adventurer Isaac.
Since you are not the recipient of causality, the winds of the Wind God Nefer are weaker than before.
─Agility increases by two levels.
─Every action is accompanied by winds, providing a slight speed boost.
─Can contract with a low-level wind spirit. If the contract succeeds, the spirit will grow according to the user’s level.
────
Ah. It seems that absorbing traits directly given by gods is rather challenging.
I’m lucky to have gained something that could have vanished due to carelessness! I must never make such a foolish mistake again.
Anyway, the issue with Isaac’s traits has been settled.
While I was absentmindedly staring off, the situation was rapidly changing due to other adventurers.
“L-look! That nose looks just like the guy who just collapsed! And he’s holding a dagger!”
“Right. It’s a beastman, no way to mistake it. That’s definitely his nose. ⋯So, does that mean?”
“It’s hard to believe, but it seems that the Layered Ruler has traits absorption or duplication abilities. From what I see with that beastman, whether it’s stolen or copied, it seems they’ll all retire if they keep taking hits.”
Luke shouted.
“Creave had the beginning dagger skill and the sensitive sense of smell traits. I’m sure of it since I’m the party leader!”
“The moment that thing got a nose and dagger, and Creave collapsed, clutching his nose, it’s clear that it’s absorption and not duplication. No doubt about it!”
A commotion arose.
“Hey! You dumbasses, shut your traps? You’re babbling like shocked kids; listen carefully to what I say from now on!”
A man with a scarred face and bare upper body, exposed by partial armor, yelled to gain attention.
“As long as you don’t keep taking hits like the idiot who just collapsed, you won’t fall!”
“Well, that’s true. No matter how much a Layered Ruler there is, the conditions for absorption skills can’t be that lenient, can they?”
He continued, hitting the great sword with his fist.
“You see that appearance? After absorbing, it seems he’ll need time to adjust to his changed body, and since that thing’s attention is diverted right now, this is our chance!”
“So what we need to do right now is not to fuss about the brain-dead guy who just passed out!”
Pointing a finger towards Epusio.
“Immediately split into roles, form a shape, and capture that white bastard! Got it?”
Hearing those words, a dwarf shouted.
“What you’re saying is all just speculation and wishful thinking, right?”
“Hah, can you assert anything? Is there anything you know for sure besides that it’s a Layered Ruler?”
“That’s not it, but—”
The scarred man glared fiercely at the dwarf.
“You. What’s your record for the highest floor?”
“3, 3rd floor.”
“Is a 3rd-floor brat questioning my words? Know your place. Shut up and stay still.”
Bang.
“Unless you want to be split in half by my great sword faster than dying to that Layered Ruler.”
Whoa. That’s intense.
────
[Viktor]
[Strength: C-] [Agility: D-] [Durability: D]
[Health: D+] [Magic: D-] [Luck: D-]
[Traits Owned] (Fold)
Intermediate Great Sword Skill
Battle Cry of the Barbarian
Rock Splitting
Mass—Barduk
────
Oh, he uses the Mass technique?
────
[Mass—Barduk (C)] [A]
Only the elite warriors of the northern barbarian tribe Barduk can learn this technique.
Their bodies and minds, honed through constant training and battles, allow them to endure and use this intense mass technique.
Consistent training and actual combat can unlock the next stage.
Current: 2nd Stage
─Enhances physical ability by utilizing in-body magic. When used, strength and health increase by one level.
─Reduces appropriate damage from mental attacks while in effect.
─Weakly mitigates damage from physical attacks while in effect.
────
It really seems that he has specs that would confidently draw everyone’s attention.
“Okay, okay, Viktor, don’t be too harsh.”
Heinz, perhaps a party member of Viktor, stepped in and spoke up.
“Just as Viktor said, we need to prepare quickly so that we can endure and take down whatever outrageous attack comes next. Time is of the essence.”
“First, for the rear—”
Hmm, shall I start moving soon?
Before his words could finish, Epusio started to move.
[Starter’s Epusio casts “Primordial Seraph.”]
Zzing—
It’s coming.
This time, the attack fortuitously shot in my direction.
“Everyone dodge!”
“Uwaah!”
Thud.
As soon as I saw the system window, I yelled to dodge and leaped to the side.
I hope no one got hit this time!
“Aah⋯.”
No way, shit. Does he not have the ability to learn?
────
[Daniel]
[Strength: F+] [Agility: F] [Durability: F+]
[Health: F] [Magic: F] [Luck: E-]
[Traits Owned] (Fold)
Beginner Sword Skill
────
⋯ Now I see why he couldn’t dodge.
This must be the pinnacle of stats for a real first-floor adventurer. He’s the weakest I’ve seen among those in the labyrinth so far.
With that despair-filled expression on his face.
No. How long has it been since Viktor said that as long as one doesn’t keep getting hit by the laser, they won’t absorb the traits?
Is he panicking or just frozen in place without being able to move?
Just as I was gathering magic at my feet to push the frozen guy away, that moment happened.
[Yeriell casts “Savage Tiger Strike.”]
Thwack—!
“Gah!”
“If you’re weak! Stop being a hindrance and at least keep your mind together!”
One adventurer leaped in like the wind, knocking Daniel’s stomach and sending him flying away.
────
[Yeriell Yuzpell]
[Strength: C-] [Agility: C] [Durability: D+]
[Health: C-] [Magic: D+] [Luck: D]
[Traits Owned] (Fold)
Carmen Style—Strike Technique
Mass—Yuzpell
Indomitable Will
Overdrive
Nobility’s Grace
────
Huh. It really was selected at random and it seems extreme. She’s stronger than Viktor?
Since it’s only been a few days since they entered through the entrance of the labyrinth⋯.
It seems that weak adventurers like Daniel who stay on the first floor for days catching monsters and escape when their supplies run out were unfortunately caught up, just as strong adventurers like Viktor, Heinz, and Yeriell came in a bit late, possibly right when they were breaking through the first floor.
If strong adventurers are going to transfer, I wish some from the higher floors were included.
Is that too selfish of a thought?
Well, the labyrinth is vast, and they say high-floor adventurers don’t want to linger down here unless it’s for special purposes, so we probably won’t see them often anyway.
Yeriell, with side hair reminiscent of a roll bun, clashed her gauntlets with a loud noise.
“Come on, just like the barbarian said, we need to fight! Are we going to keep waiting for that monster to do something?”
“An adventurer who doesn’t fight is a dead adventurer! Priests, mages, and archers to the rear. The front lines will be for tanks and evaders, including me!”
Viktor boisterously laughed, picking up on her words.
“Hahaha—! Sounds good; everyone must’ve heard, let’s hurry up and move!”
“Alright. Let’s do it. We have no idea what else he might do besides absorbing, and if we dawdle, we might end up in trouble.”
“Let’s give it a go. I’ll take the lead!”
“Priests and mages, over here! Let’s buff everyone at once!”
Yeriell and Viktor shifted the atmosphere to excitement, and the formation began to take shape.
“May the light that punishes evil shine upon us.”
“Revitalize us all without fatigue!”
“Grant us the strength to overcome adversity and hardship.”
“⋯May you embody the earth’s steadfastness. Earth Armor.”
⋯
[Strength increases by one level for one hour.]
[Health increases by one level for 30 minutes.]
[Weak damage enhancement for impact-type skills for 40 minutes.]
[Weak damage reduction applied when hit for 30 minutes.]
⋯
No more than ten priests and mages were drenched in sweat as they cast buffs on dozens of adventurers.
The mass has been maintained since Epusio appeared, and with the increase in agility due to the whispers of the wind and several additional buffs.
I can feel it! Let’s go!
[Starter’s Epusio casts “Primordial Seraph.”]
“Don’t flinch at it! Don’t freeze up if you get hit; move right away to dodge!”
“Here we go!”
Viktor and Yeriell began to charge toward Epusio.
Zzing—
Gathering magic to my feet⋯ I break through!
Boom!
“I won’t go down easily!”
[Starter’s Epusio casts “Summoning Hesmana.”]
Zwoosh—
Fwoosh!
“Is this the second phase?”
“Ugh!”
Just as the term summoning suggested, doppelgängers that looked just like the Epusio with a nose and dagger began to appear from the air, shimmering with light.
The number of them⋯ easily exceeded that of several adventurers.
He can’t be weak just because he’s only holding onto a dagger! He must have some baseline strength that matches his name!
If we just charge in like this, the sheer volume will definitely wipe out weak adventurers like Daniel.
“Haa!”
An intense battle began.