episode_0006

[Main Quest Completed!]

[Please check your rewards!]

—

Come to think of it, there was this too.

After returning to the lodging and lying on the bed, this popped up.

‘Rewards, huh.’

So far, the rewards have been good.

But each one had some kind of flaw.

‘Well, of course, it’s better than nothing.’

Take the Fatal Constitution (A), for example—it just unnecessarily draws aggro. Others might not notice, but sometimes, those who feel even slightly dangerous flinch when they see me.

It’s said that I can instinctively recognize the fatal weak points of others.

‘Since I’ve been using a bow, I think I kind of get what that feels like.’

It’s like the most critical weak spots become visible.

That sensation was intense.

Next up—

‘Blood-Soaked Dagger (B) and Hidden Space (B).’

Both were incredibly useful, but the Blood-Soaked Dagger had this obnoxious vibe, like it was screaming, “Look at me, I’m a super cool item!”

The Hidden Space was at least somewhat usable when paired with it.

‘Well, worrying about it won’t change anything.’

The rewards are predetermined anyway.

I’d rather avoid attention, but what I’d rather avoid even more is risking my life.

Whatever it is, it’s still a gain, so I checked the reward.

[You have acquired the Gift: Innate Combat Sense (B)!]

‘This time, it’s a B-rank.’

Lately, I’ve been getting higher ranks, so a B-rank feels a bit underwhelming.

‘I’ve gotten spoiled.’

Here I am, making such carefree thoughts when I should be focused on surviving.

[Gift] Innate Combat Sense (B) Growth-type. ◇No matter what weapon you wield, you can demonstrate mastery over it. ◇When using an object recognized as a weapon, combat senses are enhanced.

‘This time, it’s combat-related.’

One thing I’ve realized while doing quests—

This quest seems connected to the next one.

‘I’m not sure yet if it’s a main quest, a sub-quest, or an encounter quest.’

But since we’re about to enter the labyrinth, having something combat-related is ideal.

As I thought that, I noticed one phrase stood out.

‘…Growth-type?’

Gifts can grow too?

Rather than questioning it, I needed to figure out how to use this first.

Since it mentioned wielding a weapon, I first picked up the sword Armel gave me.

And as I took my stance—

‘Ah, so this is how it feels.’

I understood how to kill an opponent faster.

How to move swiftly.

There was also an instinctive feeling, like the pinnacle of a rogue’s skill.

‘But focused purely on weapons and combat?’

If I keep at it, it’ll grow into something more.

Whatever it is, my combat ability has improved, so I’m satisfied.

‘Today’s been quite productive.’

I smiled contentedly as I looked at the black bow.

—

“Take it. It’s yours.”

The dwarf, after watching me shoot the bow, said that.

“There’s no one else who can handle that bow properly anyway. It’s not even that great—just designed for low-level users.”

“Yeah, it does look that way.”

“…Aren’t you a little too blunt?”

“Hehe, isn’t it because someone as blunt as me ended up here that you’re acknowledging my skills?”

“Fine, you’re amazing. Anyway, the bow’s free.”

“Sweet! Then what about the arrows—?”

“Arrows cost money. But since I enjoyed the show, I’ll give you a discount.”

And that’s how I got the bow for free.

‘Fighting safely from the back with a bow is the best.’

Smiling in satisfaction, I drifted off to sleep.

—

“We’re entering the labyrinth today.”

Ermei said that to me as I was eating breakfast.

‘The labyrinth, huh.’

Currently, we’ve geared up in [The Cradle].

Our party consists of two people.

The frontline isn’t a concern.

We have a solid candidate for a sword-wielding hero, after all.

And she’s the one mentioned in the title.

Her talent must be real.

As for me, I’m an all-rounder who can handle both front and rear positions.

‘I’d rather not fight on the frontlines, though.’

But if I have to, I can.

That leaves—

‘A priest and a mage.’

But those two are rare classes, so we’ll probably have to recruit warriors or rogues instead.

That’s just how it usually goes at first.

“First, we need to join the Adventurer’s Guild.”

I’m already registered.

From the village where I met Lucia before coming to The Cradle.

“What’s next?”

“Then, we join a clan.”

“A clan?”

“Yes, a clan. Ah, I should explain. Within the Adventurer’s Guild, multiple clans can be formed based on mutual interests. Normally, they operate independently, but in cases like labyrinth incidents or external threats, they unite under the guild. That’s how the Adventurer’s Guild works.”

To put it simply, the guild is like a corporation, and clans are its subsidiaries.

“The reason I’m bringing up clans now is that I thought you might have one you’d like to join.”

“…I’ll have to learn more about clans first.”

I don’t know anything about them.

“It’s not too late to form one later. Right now, the important thing is the Binding.”

“Binding?”

Come to think of it, Hanul mentioned it.

Using the system to share experience points with each other.

That way, leveling up becomes possible.

‘Leveling up, huh.’

I don’t know how effective it is.

But if Hanul’s level is, say, 2—

‘…I still don’t get it.’

Was Hanul even that strong to begin with?

He was a mage, and the situation was too unusual.

A mage going one-on-one with an assassin?

“You might not understand, Yuseong-ssi, but the higher your Gift’s rank, the stronger you become as you level up.”

“Really?”

“Someone like Hanul, whom you killed alone, was probably Level 2 with a C-rank Gift.”

“C-rank?”

“Referring to his Gift. It was likely something related to magic. And as for you, Yuseong-ssi…”

Ermei rested her chin on her hand and looked at me.

Her gaze was meaningful, as if she already knew everything without me saying a word.

‘Why is she overestimating me like this?’

Not that I can really complain.

In this world, those considered geniuses usually have B-rank Gifts.

A-ranks are talents managed by the state.

S-ranks are so rare that you could scour the entire continent and only find a handful.

And that’s why they’re considered candidates for heroes.

‘She must have at least one high-rank Gift too.’

Like Ermei, who’s looking at me with that knowing smile.

In my case, I already have two S-ranks.

And two A-ranks.

It’s already dangerous, but if I draw more attention, I’ll only get stronger.

“Then, shall we go recruit some party members?”

—

The Adventurer’s Guild was bustling.

“This is the heart of The Cradle!”

“I heard this year’s hero candidates are all monsters. Ever seen the mage candidate?”

Amid the chatter, I could feel probing gazes directed at us.

A few eyes lingered on Ermei, but the worst part was—

‘Why me…?’

It must be Fatal Constitution (A) subconsciously emitting a threatening aura.

‘Can I turn this off?’

The moment I thought about it, I felt the Fatal Constitution deactivate.

‘Ah, so I can turn it off.’

The passive itself hasn’t disappeared.

I’m still a magnet for those with peculiar tastes, and I can still instinctively recognize fatal weak points.

But the indiscriminate sense of threat is gone.

‘Now I can finally relax a little.’

Just as I sighed in relief—

“Wow, you’ve got some nerve.”

“…?”

“You were just appraising people, weren’t you?”

Appraising? What is she talking about now?

When I gave her a blank look, Ermei nodded slightly.

“So, there’s no one here who catches your eye.”

She’s jumping to conclusions again.

It’s exhausting to react every time Ermei says something like this.

‘Besides, Ermei handles everything anyway.’

She’s absurdly competent and keeps overestimating me, which is a relief, but still.

“Still, what about that pair over there? One man, one woman. They were the quickest to react when you appraised them earlier.”

I turned to where Ermei was pointing.

A woman with a mace and a man with a sword.

‘Two warriors?’

Not ideal for our party composition, but—

We don’t strictly need a priest or mage.

‘Though it’d be nice.’

As long as everyone can pull their weight, it doesn’t matter.

However—

It’d be great if we could recruit them right away, but they were eyeing us with extreme wariness.

‘This might be tough.’

Ermei confidently strode toward them.

As we approached, the man stepped forward.

“A dangerous man…”

A seemingly dim-witted woman and—

“What brings you here?”

A wary man.

“We’re new to The Cradle and wanted to invite you to join us in the labyrinth.”

“First time in the labyrinth?”

At the man’s surprised tone, Ermei nodded.

The man and woman stared at me intently.

Their gazes were uncomfortably intense.

I gave a slight nod, and they looked at me like they couldn’t believe it.

“That’s… unbelievable. No, a man like you wouldn’t lie.”

“Naturally.”

The man adjusted his glasses as he spoke to me.

The absurdly high praise made Ermei’s shoulders rise to the heavens as she nodded proudly.

“If the two of us join, that leaves one spot. What about the last member?”

“As long as they can hold their own, it’s fine. We don’t have to bring a fifth.”

“True. The dangers in the labyrinth aren’t just monsters.”

“Hehe, you understand well.”

Ermei and the bespectacled man exchanged eerie smiles.

We quickly formed a party.

“Let’s introduce ourselves briefly. I’m Marcel. This airheaded woman here is Teresa.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Ermei. And this gentleman is Han Yuseong.”

“Pleasure.”

“Then let’s get going.”

“Since labyrinth entries are synchronized, there’s no need to rush, but…”

Labyrinth entries happen all at once?

Does everyone get transported simultaneously?

As I wondered, Ermei explained.

“I’m not sure how it works, but once you enter the labyrinth, everyone arrives at the same time. Exiting works the same way—no matter when you leave, everyone comes out together.”

So that’s how it is.

The more I learn about the labyrinth, the stranger it seems.

“Then let’s go.”

Ermei walked ahead with practiced ease.

Wait, isn’t this her first time in The Cradle too? Why is she so familiar with the place?

‘Well, she’s a hero candidate. She’ll figure it out.’

With that thought, I followed her.

“I’m Ermei, and this is Han Yuseong.”

“I’m Marcel. This is Teresa.”

“Four-party members confirmed. Applying Binding Magic.”

As the receptionist spoke, a faint thread-like sensation connected the four of us.

‘Is this the Binding Magic?’

It felt like something intangible in our souls had linked.

And instinctively, I felt that [Absolute Combat (S)] could manipulate this somehow.

‘…I’ll deal with it if a traitor shows up later.’

After introductions, we shared our roles.

“I’m a frontliner.”

“Me too. Nice to meet you.”

The airheaded woman—a paladin—shook Ermei’s hand.

“I know of you. Teresa, the Berserker.”

“…You know me?”

“You’re famous, aren’t you? And you are…?”

“A support caster.”

“Ah, I thought so. Elemental mages specialize in offense, but they don’t level up here—they go elsewhere.”

“We’re different from those elemental guys.”

“Support casters learn multiple spells to assist party members. Their burst power is weaker than elemental casters, but they provide various advantages to the party.”

“I see.”

So, two frontliners and two rear supports.

“Han Yuseong-ssi can handle both front and rear positions.”

“I don’t get why a man like you is carrying a bow.”

“Hehe, just think of it as him being exceptionally skilled with it.”

“Bows are for the weak. Maces are better.”

Teresa stroked her mace as she spoke.

Is she picking a fight?

As we got to know each other, the time to enter the labyrinth soon arrived.

“Everyone, proceed in order!”

At the guide’s call, people began filing in.

When our turn came, I understood why.

‘A warp…?’

A blue ripple hung in the air.

Stepping into it, the figures of others vanished.

“Let’s go.”

At Ermei’s words, we entered the labyrinth.