episode_0003

“Greetings. I am Hanul, the mage who will be joining this cradle.”

A blond man with glasses and blue eyes introduced himself as Hanul shortly after boarding the carriage.

“Since we’re all here together, why don’t we introduce ourselves?”

“Pfft.”

Someone scoffed at Hanul’s words.

It was none other than Erme.

‘A hero candidate laughing at this?’

Before I could even feel puzzled, Erme made an apologetic gesture and spoke to Hanul.

“Sorry, I just found it funny for some reason.”

“…I see. And your name is?”

“Mehrya. Call me that.”

Erme gave a fake name and then shot me a sidelong glance.

‘……Why is she so fixated on me?’

What did I even do?

I did nothing.

If anything, I’ve been keeping my hood pulled low to avoid attention.

“And what’s your name?”

Erme grinned at me as she spoke.

For some reason, she looked incredibly pleased.

“Yuseong.”

“Yuseong, huh? Nice name.”

I couldn’t tell if she was genuinely happy to learn my name or just amused by teasing me, but she sat back down with a satisfied expression.

And so, we all exchanged introductions.

‘No one particularly memorable.’

Hanul was a mage, but the others proudly boasted about being farmers or escaping their boring villages.

No one stood out as unusual.

After introductions, there were plenty of people to get along with.

Some were even forming factions.

‘……I’m bored. Maybe I should check my rewards.’

I really didn’t want Erme’s attention, but what’s done is done. Might as well take the rewards.

[You have left a lasting impression on the Sword Hero candidate, Erme, beyond expectations!] [You have acquired a skill!] [You have obtained Hidden Space (B)!] [You have obtained Bloodstained Dagger (B)!]

‘Oh…….’

I sighed and checked the skill.

[Skill] Hidden Space (B) Your space is absolute—undetectable by anyone. ◇You can store and retrieve items at will.

As I thought about Hidden Space (B), my mind visualized roughly three compartments.

‘……What? Why’s it so small?’

It was a bit disappointing.

Shouldn’t pocket dimensions be at least a little spacious?

Still, it wasn’t without its merits.

Bloodstained Dagger (B).

This could be stored in Hidden Space and retrieved anytime.

[Item] Bloodstained Dagger (B) A dagger that grows stronger the more blood it drinks. ◇Unlocks abilities every 100 living creatures slain.

‘This is good too.’

I felt some aversion to the idea of killing living beings, but if I hunted monsters in the labyrinth, I’d eventually unlock its abilities.

I decided to test Hidden Space.

Just in case, I mimicked reaching into my pocket.

With the sensation of activating the skill, my hand grasped something.

‘Similar to Absolute Theft, but…’

Different.

Anyway, I stored the Bloodstained Dagger back in the space.

“…….”

I locked eyes with Erme, the orange-haired girl staring at me.

She was beaming at me.

Her gaze was like she’d stumbled upon a treasure chest.

‘……Did she see me?’

I hid it in my pocket, though…

Nah, no way.

The mage Hanul led the group, while Erme and I, who had been left behind, sat by the campfire.

‘Looking at this, it really feels like fantasy.’

Crackle, crackle.

Maybe it was the warmth of the fire, but I found myself oddly sentimental.

“Mr. Yuseong, was it?”

That sentiment shattered instantly.

Erme, the Sword Hero, had somehow gotten close and sat beside me with a bright smile.

I nearly scowled but forced a neutral expression. Composure, composure.

“You seem like a rogue-type. Ever thought about joining my party?”

No.

Absolutely not.

A future-confirmed Sword Hero.

She looked strong, and riding her coattails sounded tempting, but—

‘She’s way too suspicious.’

Everything about her behavior was off.

‘More importantly…’

Her class alone was too conspicuous.

The moment I joined Erme’s party, I’d stand out too much.

And naturally, I’d be linked to Lucia, the villainess I’d first encountered.

‘Worse, I might end up stalked by her.’

No, I know I would.

The fact that I stole the villainess’ obsession in this damn game was already absurd.

So, rejecting her offer was the right call.

I shook my head.

“That’s too harsh.”

Yeah, I’m harsh.

Please, just stop paying attention to me.

I’d be happy if she lost interest entirely.

After being rejected, Erme sat across from me.

Then, after a moment, she suddenly muttered to herself.

“Strange. You don’t seem like someone who’d die in a goblin ambush.”

“……?”

Goblins? Out of nowhere?

But I kept my face blank, pretending not to hear.

A moment later, Hanul approached us with two bowls, smiling.

“Dinner. I brought portions for both of you.”

“Thanks.”

“Thank you.”

Erme and I accepted the bowls.

Then Erme sharply turned her head toward me.

“Rude to me but polite to him, huh?”

“Haha, I’m sure Mr. Yuseong means no ill will.”

“What, you saying I’m the rude one now?”

Hanul and Erme exchanged pleasant smiles, but their words were sharp.

The conversation was tense, but—

‘More importantly…’

What’s with all this high praise?

Had they seen me do something?

Or had my Gift been exposed?

‘No, probably not.’

If they’d noticed, they’d have been more aggressive.

The old saying “Even staying still gets you halfway there” wasn’t wrong.

The downside was that doing nothing made me bored out of my mind.

But I was curious about one thing.

“So, what’s this ‘party’ thing?”

“……Is this your first time in a labyrinth?”

“Yeah. I’ve heard of parties, but not the details.”

“Hmm, you must’ve trained alone in the mountains. Someone of your skill would’ve been famous otherwise.”

“Right, right.”

Erme chimed in, nodding at Hanul’s words.

What is this evaluation?

‘I’m curious about this skill I don’t even know I have.’

Seeing my expression, Erme stifled a laugh.

“Let me explain specially for you, Mr. Yuseong. Everyone has unique traits—we call them Gifts, blessings from the heavens.”

“Is that so?”

“Since you know about Gifts, I’ll skip that. Think of the labyrinth as a tool to optimize and strengthen your Gift.”

“Haha, interesting take. Confident in your skills, I see?”

Hanul’s tone carried a hint of hostility at the idea of the labyrinth being a tool.

Or was it envy?

‘Eyes gleaming with inferiority.’

Erme’s words seemed to have struck a nerve.

“A party is the fastest way to climb the labyrinth.”

“So, you’re saying you want me with you.”

“Of course. You can leave anytime if it doesn’t suit you. Not that I’d worry about that with someone like you.”

Her orange eyes sparkled as she spoke.

“I have a party too. As an Elementalist, my firepower can support you.”

“Elementalists doing well these days? Support mages are more popular in cramped labyrinths, no?”

“That’s old news. Support mages are favored in the lower floors, but at higher levels, overwhelming firepower like mine shines.”

“Doesn’t seem like you have the skills to back that up… Oops, my bad.”

“You damn bitch.”

“Oh? Showing your true colors already? I don’t mind a little scrap.”

Their exchange grew increasingly hostile.

They might actually start fighting soon.

“Though, I’d rather not fight in front of Mr. Yuseong.”

Erme smiled sweetly at me.

“Honestly… looking at you, I get the feeling that if I made an enemy of you, you’d strike my weakest point.”

Hanul nodded in agreement.

‘Weakest point?’

I recalled Fatal Weakness (A).

‘Wait.’

A cold sweat broke out.

◇Instinctively, you can identify an opponent’s fatal weakness.

One of the effects of Fatal Weakness (A).

Was this why they thought I was skilled?

And why Erme took an interest in me?

“…….”

I hate this.

“Anyway, about parties—they’re bound by magic.”

“Though ‘magic’ is just a term. It’s more like using the system.”

“Party members hunt monsters in the labyrinth to level up. The labyrinth has more monsters than outside, making it easier to gain experience.”

“Which also means it’s more dangerous. But that’s how you grow stronger and become an adventurer.”

“The Empire and Kingdom aim to produce [Heroes] this way to stop the Demon King’s army.”

“That’s outdated. Who’s scared of the Demon King these days? There are plenty of strong adventurers already. Unless you’re targeting the beings in the labyrinth’s depths.”

“…….”

“…….”

Hanul and Erme glared at each other after that.

What’s their deal?

‘It’s like they’re competing over me.’

But they didn’t know about Thief’s Pinnacle (S) or Absolute Theft (S).

Were they really this worked up over just Fatal Weakness (A)?

‘Then…’

Just how powerful were Thief’s Pinnacle (S) and Absolute Theft (S)?

‘Stealing something like the villainess’ obsession already suggests absurd capabilities.’

If I could steal intangible concepts, then—

Why was I able to steal something as ridiculous as the villainess’ obsession?

“Anyway, that’s how it is. The labyrinth is great for leveling up, and monsters drop [Magic Stones].”

“Enough reason for higher-ups to build cities near labyrinths. Despite the danger, the experience and Magic Stones strengthen humanity’s forces.”

“Occasionally, you even find legendary-tier items.”

“That’s why both the Empire and Kingdom are obsessed with conquering labyrinths.”

“Thanks to that, travel’s convenient too. The Adventurer Guild gathers people like this.”

“Nothing but benefits.”

I see.

Good info.

I nodded along and was about to take a spoonful of the soup Hanul gave me when—

A strange discomfort washed over me.

‘……?’

The smell was off.

Like it was laced with poison.

‘Ten minutes after ingestion, the body petrifies like stone.’

I didn’t know what Suyangcho was, but the knowledge surfaced in my mind.

Probably thanks to Thief’s Pinnacle (S).

I stiffened and glanced at Hanul, who was still smiling.

‘Erme hasn’t eaten either.’

She was holding a spoon but hadn’t taken a bite.

It was so natural I hadn’t noticed.

‘They were both hiding their true intentions.’

Erme had caught on.

“Stop staring so hard.”

“……?”

When I looked at her, Erme blushed and spoke.

“Looking at me with those admiring eyes… I might misunderstand.”

What’s there to misunderstand?

‘Admiring eyes?’

I was just looking blankly.

This was ridiculous.

I set the soup down and sighed.

‘If the soup’s poisoned…’

Then the others must’ve already fallen victim.

How do I escape?

My options were fleeing or fighting.

If I chose to flee, more possibilities opened up.

Same if I fought.

‘The best move is to kill Hanul.’

Mages are usually weak to ambushes.

That’s why rogues are dangerous.

‘Worth a shot.’

I gripped the dagger’s hilt in Hidden Space.

Ready to strike if needed.

“Sigh, what a shame.”

“Why? Because your scheme failed?”

“That too. But you’re one to talk, Friend-Killer.”

What kind of title is ‘Friend-Killer’?

‘This is getting intense.’

I should never get close to Erme.

“My, my, men who dig up a lady’s past aren’t popular.”

“I have no interest in being popular with you. If we were friends, I might end up dead.”

Hanul shifted his stance.

Then, I sensed presences surrounding us.

‘About ten.’

The scent of blood suggested the others were already dead.

I realized, with some surprise, that I was eerily calm.

‘To escape…’

I had to kill Hanul first.

“Hmm, didn’t think there were still fools following the Demon King’s army.”

“Demon King’s army? I’m not with them. But your kind is too loud, too disruptive. We don’t want sprouts growing too big.”

“Labyrinth faction, then. Doesn’t matter. You’re still trash to be disposed of.”

“Calling people trash? How cruel.”

“Says the one who treats people like disposable tools.”

“Fufu, call them useful tools, at least.”

Erme stood behind me.

Back-to-back.

“You heard that? Though I’m sure you already knew.”

I didn’t.

I’d suspected Hanul was dangerous, but not this dangerous.

“You take him.”

Erme pointed at Hanul.

“I’ll handle the rest.”

Maybe it was the “Friend-Killer” title, but her voice sent a chill down my spine.

‘Hanul, huh.’

He didn’t seem weak.

At the very least, being alone meant he had some skill.

‘But for me…’

This was an opportunity.

If it’s just one, I might be able to manage.

“My, my, planning to pit Mr. Yuseong against me?”

“If you want to be my comrade, you’d better pull your weight.”

Who said I was your comrade?

This was absurd, but for now, I had to kill Hanul.

My first murder as a human.

I had to steel myself.

‘Can I do it?’

No—I had to.

I stared at Hanul with emotionless eyes.

I couldn’t lose my cool.

“Then let’s go.”

Screech!

Erme lunged forward, slicing through an enemy in an instant.

The scent of blood filled the air.

I rushed Hanul.

“Fire.”

Hanul conjured flames at his fingertips.

Not match-sized—a blaze as large as a house.

‘……Should I run?’

That’s kinda scary.

‘Can I dodge that?’

Doubtful.

But as I hesitated—

My body moved faster than I expected.

I ducked low and charged straight at Hanul.

“You’re underestimating me, aren’t you?”

Hanul chuckled.

My head throbbed.

But my Gift told me it wasn’t impossible.

“Too bad, but this is—”

As Hanul prepared to hurl the fireball—

‘Absolute Theft!’

I instinctively reached out.

“This is the en—Huh?”

Hanul’s fireball vanished.

The flames entered my body, instantly boosting my physical abilities.

‘Is this mana?’

The stolen fire’s energy surged through me.

“What the—?!”

Hanul staggered back in shock and drew his sword.

“So, you do have tricks! But I’ve wielded a blade before too!”

Confident, he swung at me.

I dodged and leapt upward.

‘Hidden Space (B).’

Like with Absolute Theft, my hand slipped into another space.

I drew the Bloodstained Dagger.

‘What I can do best here.’

Not swordplay—

‘A dagger throw.’

Trusting Thief’s Pinnacle (S), I hurled the dagger.

It was about to pierce Hanul’s head when—

“Fufu, I expected as much! But if a magic swordsman engages in close combat—”

A translucent barrier formed around his head.

Thunk.

The Bloodstained Dagger pierced Hanul’s skull.

“…….”

What? Why’d he die?