Survive the labyrinth with EX-grade traits

“My, my nose! …Kheuk.”

“Snap out of it, Crib!”

Damn. His trait really disappeared.

Not only that, but traits, along with stats, are one of the fundamental elements that make up each adventurer.

One of them has been deleted, not through the proper procedure in the cathedral, but absorbed by a monster…

From what I can see from Crib in front of me, I can tell how this affects the body.

“It’s no use. He’s lost consciousness. No matter how much we shake him, he won’t wake up.”

Does losing a trait cause them to lose consciousness?

‘I hope they don’t stay unconscious forever…’

“Kha!”

Sniff sniff.

“Ah, so this is what a sense of smell is like?”

Whoosh. Whoosh.

“It’ll take some time to get used to this, and to this thing in my hand. It’s good news for you.”

When I looked at Ephusio, who had roared, I noticed that he now had a nose on his previously egg-like, round, and white face.

‘Is that a dagger in his hand?’

Similarly, Ephusio held a white dagger that looked like a part of his body.

──────

[Held Traits] (Locked)

Prison of Gathering
Seraph of the Beginning
Summoning of Hesmana
Oblivion
Basic Dagger Technique
Sensitive Smell

──────

I didn’t expect the traits to be reflected in his body so quickly after being absorbed.

But…

‘I can’t just stand here and watch. Damn it, I should have taken care of Isaac’s traits first after killing him!’

The ground shook, the terrain changed, and the system window appeared, informing me of the Tier Lord’s appearance.

After checking on Yeriel and Lumia, I was suddenly confronted by Ephusio, the Tier Lord, and had to quickly step back.

…It’s all just an excuse. Whether I was communicating with Yeriel or Chaos, I could have easily touched Isaac’s body without any issues.

‘Ah… Now that Isaac’s body is near Ephusio, I can’t easily approach it.’

Now that I think about it, the description of the Authority trait clearly stated:

-When you kill an enemy, you rarely absorb their random positive trait.

There’s no mention of touching the enemy in the description, so does that mean you can absorb traits without touching them?

On the third floor, when I killed the goblin archer, I naturally touched the gray light and absorbed the trait.

But what if I only needed to see the light to absorb it?

What if my unconscious action of touching was just a trigger?

‘Is this too convenient? No, I have to try it now, or I might lose the trait forever. Let’s do it.’

As Ephusio started moving again, and a battle was about to begin, Isaac’s body would soon be gone without a trace.

Then I would lose a valuable trait.

Focus, focus!

“Kheee…”

…

Is it impossible? I’m concentrating so hard my head might explode.

…

…Woong.

[Due to the user’s strong desire, a new application method for the weak Authority trait is added.]

The gray light in Isaac’s body, which was far away, began to ripple.

A small sphere, invisible to others, was drawn towards me.

Hwaak!

[Authority is activated.]

It’s really being absorbed!

[Acquired trait ‘Whisper of the Wind’.]

[Error… The target of the Karma paid by the Wind God Nepher is not you.]

What?

──────

[Whisper of the Wind] [P]

User: Kang Isaac. A trait absorbed from the adventurer Isaac.

As the Karma recipient is not you, the wind of the Wind God Nepher is weaker than before.

-Agility is increased by two levels.

-All actions are imbued with wind, providing a slight speed boost.

-A contract with a lower-level wind elemental is possible. If the contract is successful, the elemental grows according to the user’s level.

──────

Ah. It seems that traits directly bestowed by the gods are a bit difficult to absorb.

‘I almost lost it due to carelessness, but I’m glad I got it back. I must never make such a stupid mistake again.’

Anyway, the issue with Isaac’s traits has been resolved for now.

While I was distracted for a moment, the situation was rapidly changing due to the other adventurers.

“Hey, look at that! Doesn’t that nose look like the one who just fell? And he has a dagger in his hand too!”

“Yes, it’s definitely the same. It can’t be mistaken for a beastman. That’s the same nose. …An attack hit the opponent, and the same nose appeared. Could it be…?”

“I can’t believe it, but it seems that the Tier Lord has the ability to absorb or copy traits. Seeing the beastman, it seems that if you lose your trait or have it copied, you’re done for.”

Luke shouted.

“Crib had the traits Basic Dagger Technique and Sensitive Smell. I’m the party leader, so I know for sure!”

“As soon as the monster got the nose and dagger, Crib grabbed his nose and fell unconscious. It’s not a copy, but an absorption. It’s clear!”

Murmurs spread among the adventurers.

“Hey! You stupid bastards, shut your mouths! Stop chattering like scared children and listen to me!”

A man with a scarred face and upper body exposed by his partial armor drew everyone’s attention.

“Unless you keep getting hit like that idiot who just fell, you won’t be knocked out!”

“That’s because, no matter how much of a Tier Lord it is, the conditions for a trait-absorbing technique can’t be that lenient, right?”

He continued, banging his greatsword with his fist.

“Looking at the situation now, it seems that the Tier Lord needs time to adapt to the changes in its body after absorbing a trait. This is our chance while its attention is elsewhere!”

“So what we should be doing right now is not freaking out because one idiot fainted!”

Chak.

He pointed at Ephusio.

“Right now, we should divide into roles and form a formation to capture that white monster! Do you understand?”

A dwarf shouted in response.

“What you’re saying is all speculation and wishful thinking, isn’t it?”

“Ha, can you determine anything for sure? Other than the fact that it’s a Tier Lord, do you know anything for certain?”

“That’s not the case, but… What are you saying?”

The scarred man glared at the dwarf.

“You. What’s your highest floor record?”

“3, 3rd floor.”

“You 3rd floor bastard, how dare you question my words? Know your place. Shut up and stay quiet.”

Thud.

“If you don’t want to be split in half by my greatsword faster than being killed by the Tier Lord, then do as I say.”

Wow. That’s intense.

[Victor]

[Strength: C-] [Agility: D-] [Endurance: D]
[Vitality: D+] [Magic: D-] [Luck: D-]

[Held Traits] (Collapse)

Intermediate Greatsword Technique
Barbaric Roar
Rock Breaking
Strong Body – Barduk

──────

Oh, he’s using a strong body technique?

──────

[Strong Body – Barduk (C)] [A]

A strong body technique that can only be learned by the elite warriors of the northern barbarian tribe, Barduk. Their bodies and minds, hardened through constant training and combat, have allowed them to withstand and utilize this extreme strong body technique.

Consistent training and practical application can unlock the next level.

Current: 2nd Stage

-Strengthen the body by operating internal magic power. When operated, strength and vitality increase by one level.

-Provides moderate damage reduction against mental attacks when operated.

-Provides slight damage reduction against physical attacks when operated.

──────

Indeed, his stats seem to be high enough to confidently take the lead and draw everyone’s attention.

“Come on, Victor. Don’t be like that.”

Haynes, who was in the same party as Victor, intervened and spoke up.

“Victor is right. We need to prepare as quickly as possible. If we do, we can withstand any bizarre attacks that come our way and kill that monster. We’re in a hurry.”

“First, let’s move to the rear…”

“Hmm, should I start moving?”

Damn it, Ephusio started moving before I could finish my sentence.

[Ephusio of the Beginning casts ‘Seraph of the Beginning’.]

Ziiing─

Here it comes.

This time, the attack was fired in my direction.

“Everyone, get out of the way!”

“Uwaah!”

Tat.

As soon as I saw the system window, I shouted for everyone to get out of the way and jumped to the side.

‘I hope no one got hit this time?’

“Ah…”

Damn it. Does it not have any learning ability?

──────

[Daniel]

[Strength: F+] [Agility: F] [Endurance: F+]
[Vitality: F] [Magic: F] [Luck: E-]

[Held Traits] (Collapse)

Basic Sword Blocking Technique

──────

…I understand why he couldn’t dodge it.

This must be the true bottom line for a first-floor adventurer’s stats. He’s the weakest person I’ve seen in the dungeon so far.

The guy with a look of despair on his face.

‘No. How long has it been since Victor said that as long as he doesn’t touch the laser, his traits won’t be absorbed?’

Is he panicking and his mind going blank? Or are his legs frozen, unable to move?

I was about to walk over and push him out of the way, gathering magic power in my feet, when…

[Leesia casts ‘Tiger Strike’.]

Tukwang─!

“- Kheup.”

“If you’re weak, don’t cause trouble and just stay alert!”

One adventurer, as quick as the wind, jumped in and struck Daniel in the stomach, sending him flying.

──────

[Leesia Yuzfel]

[Strength: C-] [Agility: C] [Endurance: D+]
[Vitality: C-] [Magic: D+] [Luck: D]

[Held Traits] (Collapse)

Carmen Style – Kwon Kak Technique
Strong Body – Yuzfel
Unbreakable Will
Overdrive
Noble’s Dignity

──────

‘Huh. With the random selection, it’s like the extremes have been brought together. She’s stronger than Victor, isn’t she?’

It had only been a few days since the entrance to the dungeon opened on the first day…

Daniel, a weak adventurer who had been on the first floor for several days, barely killing monsters and escaping when supplies ran out, was unfortunately caught up in this situation.

Victor, Haynes, and Leesia, who were strong adventurers, also seemed to have been teleported here shortly after entering the dungeon due to personal circumstances or preparation, and were in the process of breaking through the first floor.

If strong adventurers were going to be teleported, it would have been better if some adventurers from the upper floors were included.

Is this too selfish of me?

‘Well, the dungeon is huge, and it was said that adventurers from the middle floors and above would quickly leave the lower floors to avoid losses.’

Since the number of adventurers from the upper floors was noticeably smaller, I didn’t expect to see any of them.

Leesia, with her distinctive roll-shaped side hair, clapped her gauntlets together.

“Come on, just like that barbarian said, we have to fight! Are we just going to wait for that monster to do something?”

“Adventurers who don’t fight are dead adventurers! Priests, mages, and archers, move to the rear. Those who can tank and dodge, including me, move to the front!”

Victor laughed heartily and responded.

“Hahaha─! I like it, everyone heard that, right? Let’s move quickly!”

“Okay. Let’s do it. We don’t know what other techniques it might have besides absorption, so if we hesitate, we’ll be in trouble.”

“Let’s go. I, Tomar, will take the lead!”

“Priests and mages, come this way! Let’s start with buffs!”

Leesia and Victor reversed the atmosphere and energized everyone, and the formation began to take shape.

“May the light of righteousness smite evil.”

“May you all have tireless vitality!”

“Please give us the strength to overcome adversity and hardship.”

“…May the earth’s firmness be within you. Earth Armor.”

…

[Strength is increased by one level for one hour.]

[Vitality is increased by one level for 30 minutes.]

[Weak damage enhancement is applied to charge-type techniques for 40 minutes.]

[Weak damage reduction is applied when hit for 30 minutes.]

…

The dozen or so priests and mages sweated profusely as they cast buffs on the dozens of adventurers.

The strong body technique had been maintained since Ephusio appeared, and with the two-level agility increase from the Whisper of the Wind, along with the multiple buffs, the effects were overwhelming.

‘This is incredible. Okay, let’s go.’

[Ephusio of the Beginning casts ‘Seraph of the Beginning’.]

“Don’t be intimidated by him! If you’re hit, don’t freeze up, just keep moving and dodge!”

“Okay, let’s go!”

With Victor and Leesia in the lead, we started running towards Ephusio.

Ziiing─

Gathering magic power in my feet… I’ll break through!

Paaang!

“So you won’t just take it lying down? How amusing.”

[Ephusio of the Beginning casts ‘Seraph of the Beginning’.]

Ziiing─

“Huh.”

“Don’t stop!”

[Tomar casts ‘Charge Rush’.]

[Cantar casts ‘Wedge Break’.]

With the charge and dodge techniques of the adventurers, the laser attack was now useless.

‘Is it really that easy to reach him? That can’t be right.’

Recalling the description in Ephusio’s status window, the Tier Lord still had two activated traits left.

“I can’t stand seeing these lowly creatures being so full of themselves. I can’t hold back any longer.”

[Ephusio of the Beginning casts ‘Summoning of Hesmana’.]

Jwoong─

Hwaak!

“Is this the second phase?”

“Ugh!”

As expected, with the summoning prefix,

Dozens of clones of Ephusio, with the same nose and dagger as the original, began to appear from the flickering light in the air.

And their numbers were… far more than the dozens of adventurers.

‘With just a dagger in hand, they can’t be weak! They must have some basic stats to live up to their name, right?’

If we just keep charging, the sheer number of clones will wipe out the weaker adventurers like Daniel.

“Haaa!”

An intense battle began.