Chapter 39: Training – 1

There was a huge uproar, but our party was more peaceful than expected.

Glasses had returned and was resting comfortably.

Erme and Theresa were also resting well.

Rozanté was holding a drinking party off to the side, taking down other men.

No, to be more precise,

Everyone except me was enjoying a peaceful moment.

Why was I not?

Because there were too many things I could guess.

It seemed like Volcan had caught the Rogolma.

But I was the one who leveled up.

Still, when I questioned Marcel, the fact that I had uncovered the true identity of the Rogolma earned me some extra points.

“If it weren’t for that, you’d probably be in some kind of jail by now.”

Volcan chuckled. Then, he leisurely placed his feet on the desk in front of him.

“By the way, kid.”

“Why am I a kid?”

“There’s something about you that makes me not let my guard down anymore, but I wouldn’t call you a rookie. And we’re not on such good terms to call you anything else.”

……

“Or, you could call me your master.”

“Please just call me ‘kid.’”

“You’re so stubborn. You’re not even cute anymore.”

Volcan clicked his tongue.

I ignored him and thought about the one who was inside Marcel’s body.

“Why was he holding a nail?”

Suddenly, that question came to mind. But I didn’t dig too deeply.

Last time, when we entered the labyrinth, many people were killed.

It wouldn’t be strange if one of them had been holding it.

…….The funeral will begin soon.

Then, a man came to mind.

Nation.

He was Viola’s older brother.

He was killed by the Rogolma, so I avenged him.

He must have been satisfied with that, after all, he only wanted to share a meal.

“What are you thinking about?”

“I was thinking about Nation.”

“He was quite a promising kid. His talents weren’t extraordinary, but he was good at getting along with others. The complete opposite of you.”

So, you’re saying I’m talented but not very personable?

Well, that’s true.

I was always like that.

“So, what did you do?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re trying to avoid it even though you know everything. There are no eavesdropping devices here, and nothing leaks out.”

“I just stole his soul.”

“You stole his soul?”

“Yeah, when Volcan subdued him, something came out.”

“Oh?”

“So, I grabbed it and killed him.”

“That’s not the usual case.”

Volcan looked at me with a curious gaze.

After thinking deeply, he casually said.

“It seems like you have some spiritual aptitude.”

“Spiritual aptitude?”

“Yeah, a soul is something you can’t normally see. Even I, with my great talents, can’t see it. It’s one of those abilities I don’t have. It looks like you’ve awakened a spiritual eye. The purple color of your eyes is probably because of that.”

….?

I didn’t think I had any such Gift or ability.

‘But…’

It wasn’t like I didn’t have any idea.

Why could I see the soul? Maybe it was because of Rishiel.

Or was it the effect of Fatal Allure (S)?

To steal something, you need to be aware of it.

It seems like Fatal Allure was helping me in this direction.

Truly a terrifying ability.

Perhaps it was because I had obtained Rishiel’s soul with Fatal Allure, and the Soulstone containing her soul.

“If you have a spiritual eye, you’ll see things you shouldn’t. Looks like you’re going to have a rough time.”

Volcan grinned as he looked at me, as if he was quite looking forward to me struggling.

I just want to get some convenient ability and live an easier life.

But it didn’t seem like that was going to happen.

“Anyway, has anything changed?”

“What do you mean?”

“You caught the Rogolma this time and leveled up. Leveling up usually expands an adventurer’s capacity and grants them new skills. Sometimes, it even grants them a Gift. Since you’ve already received something special before, it’s not unreasonable to expect something this time too.”

Volcan looked at me with gleaming eyes.

I thought for a moment.

Not much has really changed.

If I had to say, there was a change.

Just like with the previous level-up, I gained a new Gift.

This one combined with another, evolving.

Status window.

Name: Han Yuseong (Lv. 3)

Strength: 15

Agility: 24 (20 + 4)

Stamina: 15

Mana: 15

Mental: 15

Senses: 15

◆ Gifts

[Thief’s Pinnacle (S)], [Absolute Theft (S)], [Master of Swords (A+)], [Master of Bows (A+)], [Purple (A)], [Fatal Constitution (A)], [Combat Control (B)], [Mana Control (B)]

◆ Skills

[Hidden Space (B)], [Charging Shot (B)]

◆ Techniques

[Swordsmanship (Lv 16, 11 + 5)], [Archery (Lv 10, 5 + 5)], [Martial Arts (Lv 3)]

The result is this.

This is my current status window.

The change is that with the level-up, I gained a new Gift, and it evolved when combined with my sharpshooting ability.

And the stat window has greatly evolved.

This almost caused me some trouble.

Before I entered this room, I misjudged my strength and ended up breaking a few steps.

Still, just before I arrived in this room, I managed to control my strength using the dexterity from Thief’s Pinnacle (S).

Anyway, to get to the main point.

“How does it feel, being the youngest to reach level 3 in history?”

“Am I the youngest?”

“No one has ever gotten as strong as you in the thousand-year history of [The Cradle]. It’s unofficial, but still… Even if it’s unofficial, there’s no one else like you.”

Volcan chuckled.

That might be true. With all the Gifts making me stronger and having used some tricks, it would be problematic if I weren’t the youngest.

I guess that’s a lukewarm reaction.

Of course.

Even if he said that, I didn’t really feel it.

It’s actually harder dealing with all the chaos.

Seemingly bored with my sullen response, Volcan sighed.

“Alright, let’s get to the main point.”

At Volcan’s words, I looked at him with bright eyes.

What Volcan meant by getting to the main point was probably

The reward for the events that happened in the labyrinth.

Or perhaps a hush money of sorts.

Maybe because I looked at him with such an eager expression, Volcan looked at me with a bitter smile.

“First, you have two choices.”

“What is it?”

“One is that you defeated the Rogolma with your special Gift…”

“Please choose the latter.”

“Really, you have no desire for honor.”

“Honor is just a hassle.”

Honestly, it really is a bothersome thing.

It would be nice to have honor, but.

I must not forget my goal.

My ultimate goal is to return to the real world.

If that doesn’t work, living here is an option, but even thinking about it, becoming famous isn’t very appealing.

It’s a barbaric era.

An era where fists are closer than laws.

If someone dies, people just look at it as “Well, they’re dead.”

Even within the labyrinth, if someone is deemed an enemy, most people won’t hesitate to kill them, and there are plenty of people who would kill for just a gold coin.

Is it good to become famous in such a place?

Sure, my shoulders might feel a little prouder,

But I’m the type to prioritize practicality over that.

And the more famous you get, the more troublesome things become in this world.

Honestly, I already seem to be famous.

When I went to the back alley, a woman in the Cheonghwa Tower there looked at me and said, “Black-Purple Demon.”

I think it’s very rude to attach a ghost to someone’s name, So, I’m already becoming famous.

It’s probably because she works in the Information Guild, but if they know, it means rumors about me are already spreading.

So, I’d rather avoid becoming even more famous here.

But.

Well, I know you’re the type to think that way.

That’s why the guild has already made some moves.

Volcan paused and added that.

“As you can see, even if you don’t speak, there are plenty of ways to convey things. Many clans are probably already working to make contact with you.”

“And your level is 3, right? An unprecedented speed. You’ll keep advancing, but at some point, you might think you need to change your party. The only one who might match you would be that orange-haired girl.”

I know that.

“Is that so? Heartless bastard.”

Well, what am I supposed to do about it?

When I looked at Volcan with that expression, he sighed.

“Anyway, what you want is the reward, right? I told Hilda. You can pick it up later, secretly.”

“Secretly?”

“The ones there are tight-lipped, but if you take the reward all at once, it could cause some annoying problems.”

Is Volcan looking out for me?

I’m a bit moved.

Did he understand my thoughts?

Volcan looked at me, grinned, and said.

“Grow up big and strong. Then, I can retire with peace of mind.”

Give me back my feelings!

How did I end up sending that back to him?

Volcan recalled Han Yuseong, who had just left.

Even after watching up close, he still didn’t quite understand.

He’s an interesting guy,

And his character isn’t bad.

He’s sensitive to his own interests, yet somehow seems down-to-earth.

Above all.

I really like that he doesn’t seek honor.

Honor is a double-edged sword.

He’s better off taking care of himself than being a fool swayed by honor.

He has talent, and his character is good.

The only downside is that he avoids honor.

He cares for his comrades.

He revealed his secret to Volcan to save his comrade, Marcel.

That alone makes his character pass the test.

The more I see, the more I like him.

But unlike that, the power he possesses was the problem.

The ability to steal souls, I don’t fully understand it.

Is it too dangerous?

There were professions that dealt with souls.

As The Cradle had existed for so long, it had gathered all sorts of especially dangerous Gifts and such.

A thousand years’ worth of history.

The only Gift that dealt with souls was just one.

The fact that he has a spiritual eye…

There’s a chance he could become like that.

Of all things, souls.

About 300 years ago,

When The Cradle’s power was expanding at its peak.

At that time, The Cradle was dangerous.

It was endlessly strong.

Strong enough to overwhelm all the empires and kingdoms on its own.

The military power of those known as [The Cradle] had expanded so much that other forces began to try and counter them.

There was an event that led to the fall of such a force.

The monster known as the Guide of Twilight, Azazel.

At that time, one empire fell, three kingdoms vanished, and.

It was the worst incident caused by a monster that nearly led to the fall of The Cradle.

The first level 9, and the worst level 9, was the one who caused those events.

Volcan knew that Han Yuseong was not that kind of person.

But when considering the fact that he’s still involved with The Cradle, still in the labyrinth.

It’s uncertain whether he could remain someone who isn’t dangerous.

Volcan looked out the window.

Am I getting too old for this?

Lately, he’d been worrying for no reason.