episode_0068

– “You, what nonsense are you spouting?”

Lysiel spoke as if she found my thoughts utterly absurd.

– “Didn’t you absorb the souls those bastards held? That in itself is a reward.”

‘A reward in itself?’

– “For creatures like them, you could say their ‘vessel’ is large. The act of hunting monsters in the labyrinth is closer to devouring their souls.”

‘……Devouring souls?’

I was horrified.

Was I supposed to eat something like that?

– “Not in that sense. Well, in a way, yes—but it’s very different from what you’re imagining.”

‘Is that so.’

– “Anyway, since you took down one of those things, your vessel will expand further with this level-up.”

‘……So that’s what they meant by it being a reward.’

– “Precisely. And just in time for your level-up, too.”

Not just me—level-ups were happening all around.

I slowly closed my eyes.

Then, the system window appeared in my mind.

[Gift, Fighting Spirit Enhancement (A) acquired.] [Gift, Synthesis (B) proposes the fusion of Fatal Constitution (A) and Fighting Spirit Enhancement (A).] [Proceed with synthesis?]

……What’s this now?

I narrowed my eyes at the blue window.

It wasn’t hard to understand.

Synthesis meant merging the newly acquired gift with Fatal Constitution.

‘……It’s probably a good thing, right?’

Since it appeared automatically, there must be some synergy.

I went ahead with the synthesis.

[Tuma (S) has been completed.]

The pinnacle of a thief’s power—

The effects were immediate.

A surge of energy, different from mana, swirled inside me.

“Hah……!”

Instantly, everyone around me backed away, staring.

‘……An enhanced version of fighting spirit, then.’

Unlike before, the fighting spirit moved as naturally as my own body.

It felt like gaining a new organ, but it wasn’t burdensome.

“Ghk……!” “Guhk……!” “Wh-where is this killing intent coming from?! Is there someone stronger than that bastard hiding here?!”

Chaos erupted everywhere.

Some of the orcs, already weakened from battle, collapsed.

The rest of the party looked like they were on the verge of passing out.

‘First—’

I reined in the power.

It was too wild.

Like an untamed beast, violently radiating in all directions.

“F-friend?” “Don’t worry. He’s dead.” “Thank goodness.”

Burkan seemed like he wanted to ask something but held back.

“Still, you should be careful with that power. Fighting spirit of that caliber… I’ve only seen it once before, in an orc hero from my youth.”

Burkan left those words behind.

—

After dealing with the boss, we debated our next move.

“For now, I recommend heading back up.”

Burkan, who had fought at the forefront, spoke first.

“This situation is clearly abnormal. We know far too little about these things.” “No intel at all?” “Even if we orcs are considered the least intelligent of the five races, someone in my position should’ve heard something. But there’s nothing on them.”

– “……I hate to admit it, but I don’t know anything about them either.”

Even Lysiel didn’t know? That was unexpected.

More importantly, seeing Burkan equally baffled suggested they genuinely had no information.

In that case—

‘The only one here who might know is…’

I stared at Erme.

Erme stared back, eyes gleaming with curiosity. How the hell did you catch that thing? her gaze seemed to ask.

‘Wait, is this not normal?’

Should it have been impossible?

If it were Erme, she’d probably have some trick up her sleeve—

But right now, I had no idea.

“The Rotbone Horse. And the Dark Knight we just took down. The common thread is souls.” “Souls? Why would—”

Burkan’s eyes widened mid-sentence.

“Don’t tell me… Are those things what I think they are?” “Probably? It sounds weird to say this, but they seem like entities unique to this place.” “……How do you— No, never mind. I’ll keep this to myself. Thanks for the info.” “You catch on quick.” “……Your female companion is a dangerous one.” “Hey, what’s with the ‘female’ this, ‘female’ that—”

Crack.

Leaving the two to bicker, I focused on my new gift, Tuma.

[Gift] Tuma (S) A gift that allows extreme manipulation of fighting spirit and mana. ◇Fighting spirit and mana control adjustment. ◇Fighting spirit and mana amplification. ◇Reveals enemy weaknesses in combat. ◇Mana, mental, and sensory adjustment. ◇Absolute intimidation against weaker foes. ◇Intimidation against stronger foes. ◇Attractiveness adjustment for those with dangerous tastes.

“……”

Unlike Absolute Theft and Pinnacle of a Thief, the description was far more detailed—seven effects in total.

The overwhelming fighting spirit I’d unleashed earlier was due to losing control from the sudden surge.

I kept reading.

Most of these would be a hassle to test here. The “intimidation against weaker foes” part, for instance—

‘……But what’s this at the bottom?’

Attractiveness adjustment?

And the condition before it was the real issue.

For those with dangerous tastes.

‘Still, our party doesn’t…’

…have anyone like that, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

“Yuseong, you look kinda scary right now.” “Hah, huff, guh……”

Erme licked her lips while staring at me.

Rosen was making strange noises.

“……”

Is this really okay?

Seriously?

—

Our party parted ways with Burkan’s group.

“This matter… might be more dangerous than we thought. Friend, I’m not underestimating you, but the labyrinth is treacherous.” “I’ll keep that in mind.”

We descended to the 5th floor.

As long as that Dark Knight—or whatever it was—that ate the gray lizard wasn’t around, things should be fine.

But Angeon, Teresa, and Rosen were exhausted, so we decided to rest here for a day.

I went out to scout, just in case.

‘……?’

Something felt off.

There was an unnatural presence here—subtle, but unmistakable.

Not so much hidden as…

‘Magic?’

– You?

Lysiel looked at me curiously.

– What’s wrong?

‘There’s something over there.’

– Something there? I don’t see—

Lysiel squinted at the spot I pointed to but shook her head.

‘……Lysiel can’t see it.’

I activated Absolute Theft to examine the area.

Absolute Theft—a gift that could steal anything.

My other gifts were useful, but this was my most vital ability.

And when I used it—

‘I can see what can be stolen.’

Bags, swords, spears, staves… and [Veil of Souls]?

That veil stood out.

Pinnacle of a Thief whispered that it was the most valuable thing here.

– You?

I focused harder.

My head throbbed as if splitting open.

A hot liquid trickled down my nose.

‘This is…’

It felt different from anything I’d stolen before.

Then—

Snap!

Crash!

A veil-like object was in my hand, filled with countless bags and weapons.

“……”

I stared at the sight, thinking.

‘……I take it back.’

They said those things only gave EXP?

With loot this generous?

‘I won’t forget you, Dark Knight.’

You were better than the Rotbone Horse.

No, even the Rotbone Horse gave me 500 platinum coins, so—

‘……Are these guys actually good people?’

Your sacrifices won’t be in vain.

—

Plans changed. We decided to head back up immediately.

“Jackpot, jackpot, jackpot! This much loot?! Of course, since Yuseong found it, ownership goes to him, but—” “We should at least get first dibs on buying some of it.” “……I’ll share a portion.” “Wait, really? Yuseong, you’re too nice! The world’s too harsh for someone this kind!”

Erme fretted over me, though her heart-shaped eyes betrayed her excitement.

‘If I offered a little more, she’d be head over heels.’

The others were stunned but delighted.

But this was the right call.

‘We did take down a Dark Knight.’

And one more thing—

‘There’s no way I could carry all this alone.’

The haul was massive. Every party member was loaded down with bulging packs.

‘I even had to use a hidden storage space.’

And that was after clearing out Lysiel’s soulstone and Lucia’s obsessive clutter.

We made our way out.

The exit was uneventful.

‘……’

– Kyeek! Kyeek!

The Arachne of the 3rd floor panicked and fled at the sight of me.

– Kreeeek!

The Hobgoblins of the 2nd floor shoved each aside in their rush to escape.

“……Yuseong, is your new gift some kind of terror aura?” “……Not exactly.”

“Absolute intimidation against weaker foes.”

The effect was far more terrifying than I’d imagined.

‘In other words—’

I watched my party sprint ahead, weighed down by bags.

‘I’ve outgrown this group.’

—

Outside, the labyrinth’s stale air was replaced by something fresher.

Burkan was nowhere in sight.

But someone else was.

‘Silvanas? Ranna?’

A pale-faced elf stood there.

Why was an elf here?

Before I could wonder further, Volcan appeared before me.

“What’s with you? Level up again?” “Yes, I did.” “First, do something about that fighting spirit. You’re scaring everyone.” “……?”

I was controlling it. What was he talking about?

‘Ah, maybe this.’

I tried deactivating Tuma’s passive, like how I’d first turned off Fatal Constitution.

Then—

“……Hah… hah…!” “Holy shit, I thought a floor boss was glaring at me!”

Relieved sighs echoed around us.

“……”

I’d been too distracted by the elf to notice earlier.

“More importantly, what’s with all that luggage?” “Rewards from the floor boss.” “Since when do floor bosses hand out that much? Knowing you, you probably started a fight right in front of it.”

Volcan clicked his tongue.

‘I’m not some disaster magnet.’

I glared, and he chuckled.

“Get inside already. We’ve got a lot to do.” “A lot to do?” “……? Didn’t you hear? From Level 4 onward, this cradle treats you as a proper figure.” “……”

I’d heard nothing about that.

I looked around in confusion—my party was equally stunned.

“Wait, Yuseong, I know you’re clueless about the world, but…” “At Level 4, the kingdom treats you as nobility. Even the empire grants a quasi-noble title equivalent to a knight.”

That was a thing?

“I’d ask how you didn’t know, but— Actually, never mind. It’s only been a month since you got here.”

Volcan stared at me like I was a monster.

‘This is so unfair.’