[Main Quest Completed!]
[Check your rewards!]
Oh, right. This kind of thing existed.
While lying in bed after returning to the inn, a notification popped up.
“Rewards, huh.”
The rewards so far had been good, but…
Each of them seemed to come with some sort of drawback.
“Well, better than nothing, obviously.”
Take Fatal Allure (A), for example.
It tended to attract unnecessary attention.
Most people didn’t seem to notice, but whenever my instincts told me someone was dangerous, I’d catch them flinching while looking at me.
It was said to allow me to instinctively detect someone’s fatal weaknesses.
“Now that I’ve used the bow, I think I understand what that means a little better.”
It felt like the most critical and vulnerable points of a target became visible to me.
Next were Blood-Soaked Dagger (B) and Hidden Space (B).
Both were incredibly useful, though the dagger practically screamed, “Look at me! I’m an amazing item!” which made me wary of drawing attention.
The hidden space paired with it made it manageable, but only barely.
“Anyway, worrying about it doesn’t change anything.”
Rewards were fixed, after all.
While I didn’t like attracting attention, what I liked even less was risking my life.
A reward is a reward, so I checked it.
[Gift Acquired: Innate Combat Instincts (B)]
“This one’s B-rank, huh.”
Maybe it’s because I’d recently received a lot of higher-ranked Gifts.
B-rank felt a bit underwhelming.
“Am I getting spoiled?”
It was a luxury to even be thinking this way when survival was at stake.
[Gift]
Innate Combat Instincts (B)
Growth Type
â—‡ Regardless of the weapon you use, you can demonstrate skilled proficiency.
â—‡ When using anything recognized as a weapon, combat instincts are enhanced.
“So this time, it’s combat-related.”
One thing I had realized while completing quests:
These quests seemed interconnected, leading into the next.
“Whether it’s a Main Quest, Sub Quest, or Encounter Quest, I’m not entirely sure yet.”
Still, with the labyrinth ahead, something combat-related was the best kind of reward.
That was when I noticed something different in the description.
Growth Type?
Can Gifts really grow?
Instead of questioning it further, I focused on figuring out how to use it.
The description mentioned using a weapon, so I picked up the sword I had received from Armel.
As I took my stance.
“Ah, so this is how it works.”
I instinctively knew how to strike faster to kill an opponent or how to move quickly toward my target.
It felt similar to the intuitive sensation provided by Thief’s Pinnacle, but more focused on weapons and combat.
“So it’s like honing that intuition specifically for fighting?”
The more I used it, the more it seemed like it would develop further.
Whatever the case, my combat ability had improved, and that was enough to make me content.
“Today has been quite productive.”
I glanced at the black bow and smiled with satisfaction.
“Take it, it’s yours,” the dwarf had said after watching me shoot the bow.
“There’s no one else who could handle it properly anyway. It’s a bow designed for low-level use, so it’s not even that impressive.”
“It does seem like that,” I replied.
“Hey, don’t you think you’re being a bit too honest?”
“Haha, maybe that’s why someone with such raw honesty is being acknowledged here for their skills.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re amazing. Anyway, the bow is free.”
“Awesome! Then about the arrows—”
“Arrows cost money. But since I enjoyed the show, I’ll give you a discount.”
And just like that, I got the bow for free.
“After all, fighting safely from the back with a bow is the best!”
I smiled contentedly and fell asleep.
The next morning, as I ate breakfast, Erme made an announcement.
“We’re heading into the labyrinth today.”
“The labyrinth, huh.”
Currently, we were well-equipped thanks to our time at The Cradle.
Our party consisted of two members.
There was no need to worry about the vanguard.
We had a reliable Sword Hero candidate in Erme—someone with talent so real that her name was featured in the game’s title.
As for me, I was a versatile member, capable of fighting in both the front and rear.
“Though I’d prefer not to fight up front.”
If I had to, I could.
That left us with just one gap to fill.
“We need a priest and a mage.”
However, priests and mages were rare professions.
Chances were we’d end up taking warriors or other thieves instead.
That’s usually how it went at the start.
“First, we need to officially register with the Adventurer’s Guild.”
“I’m already registered,” I replied.
I had signed up back in the village where I met Lucia, before arriving at The Cradle.
“What’s next?”
“Next, we’ll need to join a clan.”
“A clan?”
“Yes, a clan. Oh, I didn’t explain properly, did I? Within the Adventurer’s Guild, members can form smaller groups called clans based on mutual interests and goals.”
“Normally, people stick to their clans, but during labyrinth incidents or external emergencies, everyone unites under the guild. That’s the structure of the Adventurer’s Guild.”
To put it simply, the guild was like a large corporation, and the clans were its subcontractors.
“I mentioned clans in case you were thinking of joining one,” she continued.
“I’ll have to take my time looking into them,” I replied.
After all, I didn’t know much about any of them.
“There’s no rush. You can always create or join a clan later. What’s more important right now is forming a bond.”
“A bond?”
That reminded me of what Han Ul had mentioned—using the system to share experience points with others.
Apparently, it allowed for leveling up.
“Leveling up, huh.”
I had no idea how effective it actually was.
If Han Ul’s level was 2, then…
“I still don’t really get it.”
Was Han Ul even strong in the first place?
He was a mage, and the situation had been far too unique.
A mage going toe-to-toe with an assassin in a 1:1 fight wasn’t normal.
“Yuseong, you might not know this, but the strength of a Gift significantly impacts how much stronger you become as you level up,” Erme explained.
“Really?”
“Take Han Ul, the one you killed. He was probably at level 2 with a C-rank Gift.”
“A C-rank Gift?”
“It refers to the Gift’s tier. It was likely something related to mana. As for you, Yuseong…”
Erme trailed off, resting her chin on her hand and giving me a meaningful look.
Her gaze seemed to say she already knew everything, even if I didn’t say a word.
“Why am I so highly regarded here?”
Then again, I had my suspicions.
In this world, those referred to as “geniuses” typically possessed B-rank Gifts.
A-rank individuals were national treasures, managed directly by the state.
S-rank Gifts were so rare that even searching the entire continent might uncover only a handful of them.
It was because of their rarity that individuals with S-rank Gifts were elevated as Hero candidates.
“She probably has at least one,” I thought, noting Erme’s sly smile and the meaningful look in her eyes as she gazed at me.
As for me, I already had two S-rank Gifts and two A-rank Gifts.
It was already a dangerous combination, and attracting more attention would only make things worse in the future.
“Shall we go recruit some party members now?” Erme suggested.
The Adventurer’s Guild was bustling with activity.
“This is the heart of The Cradle!”
“They say this round of Hero candidates is full of monsters. Have you seen the Mage candidate?”
Amid the chatter, I could feel several curious gazes fixed on us.
A few were directed at Erme, but the worst part was—
“Why are they looking at me?”
It seemed like Fatal Allure (A) was passively projecting a threatening aura again.
“Can I turn this off?”
As I thought about it, I felt the ability deactivate.
“Oh, so I can turn it off.”
The passive traits weren’t entirely gone.
I was still someone who attracted people with peculiar tastes and could instinctively identify others’ fatal weaknesses.
But the indiscriminate aura of intimidation had vanished.
“Now I can finally relax.”
As I breathed a sigh of relief, someone nearby spoke up.
“Wow, you’ve got guts, don’t you?”
“……?”
“You just appraised them, didn’t you?”
“Appraised? What appraisal?”
What was this person even talking about?
I glanced at them with a disinterested expression, and Erme gave a small nod.
“So, there’s no one here who caught your eye?”
Another one of her odd assumptions.
I didn’t have the energy to respond to every one of her comments.
“Besides, Erme tends to handle everything on her own anyway.”
She was highly capable and had a habit of giving me unwarranted high praise, which, for now, worked in my favor.
“What about those two over there? They seemed the most responsive when you ‘appraised’ earlier,” Erme said, pointing toward a man and a woman.
The woman carried a mace, and the man had a sword.
“Two warriors?”
Their positions weren’t ideal, but it wasn’t strictly necessary to have a priest or mage.
“That would be best, of course, but as long as everyone can pull their weight, it doesn’t matter.”
The problem was that the two seemed to regard us with heavy suspicion.
“This might be difficult.”
Erme, as confident as ever, strode toward them.
As we approached, the man stepped forward protectively.
“A dangerous man…” muttered the sharp-eyed woman.
“And what brings you here?” asked the cautious man.
“We’re new to The Cradle and wanted to invite you to join us in exploring the labyrinth,” Erme explained.
“You’re new to the labyrinth?”
The man looked surprised at Erme’s response and stared at me intently, as did the woman.
Their gazes were so piercing they felt oppressive.
I gave a small nod, and the man’s expression turned incredulous.
“This can’t be… no, someone like you wouldn’t lie,” he said.
“Of course not,” Erme replied confidently.
The man adjusted his glasses as he continued to assess me, his words so flattering they bordered on excessive.
Erme’s shoulders practically touched the sky as she nodded in agreement, clearly pleased with the high evaluation.
“If two people join us, that leaves one spot open. What should we do about it?”
“As long as everyone can pull their weight, there’s no need to fill it,” I said.
“That’s true. In the labyrinth, danger doesn’t come only from monsters,” the man added.
“You’re well-informed,” Erme replied, letting out an eerie chuckle that the man mirrored.
We quickly decided to form a party.
“Let’s introduce ourselves,” the man suggested.
“I’m Marcel. This rather sharp-looking lady here is Theresa.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“I’m Erme, and this gentleman is Han Yuseong.”
“Looking forward to working together.”
“Let’s head out, then.”
“Though there’s no need to rush. Entry to the labyrinth happens all at once, anyway,” Marcel remarked.
All at once?
Did that mean everyone entered simultaneously?
I was pondering the implications when Erme clarified.
“No matter how you enter, it’s the same. Once inside, everyone gets dropped in at the same time. And when exiting, everyone leaves at the same time as well.”
The more I learned about the labyrinth, the stranger it seemed.
“Let’s go,” Erme said confidently, taking the lead.
Wait, isn’t this her first time in The Cradle? She seems way too familiar with the place.
“Well, she’s a Hero candidate. She probably knows what she’s doing.”
I followed her, trusting her instincts.
“Let’s proceed with the party bonding spell for the four of you,” the receptionist said.
A strange sensation ran through all of us, like an invisible thread connecting our souls.
“So this is the bonding spell?”
It felt like something intangible but significant had linked us all together.
Instinctively, I realized that Plunder (S) could probably do something about this connection if needed.
“I’ll save that for when someone decides to betray us.”
After introductions, we discussed our roles.
“I’m on the front line,” Marcel said.
“I’m a vanguard too. Nice to meet you,” Theresa added.
The sharp-looking woman, who seemed to be a paladin, shook hands with Erme.
“I’ll keep that in mind, Berserker Theresa,” Erme said with a knowing smile.
“…Do you know me?”
“Of course! You’re famous. And this person here is…”
“A support mage,” Marcel said.
“I figured as much. Offensive elemental mages are great, but they tend to level up elsewhere, not in places like this.”
“Elemental mages and we are different,” Marcel said with a hint of pride.
“Support mages specialize in spells that assist party members. While their raw power is weaker than that of elemental mages, they offer many advantages to the party.”
“I see.”
So, we had two vanguards and two rear guards.
“This man here, Han Yuseong, can operate as both a vanguard and a rear guard,” Erme added.
“Why would a man like you even bother with a bow?” Theresa scoffed.
“Haha, because he’s excellent with it,” Erme replied with a smirk.
“Bows are for weaklings. Maces are better,” Theresa said, patting her weapon lovingly.
“Is she trying to start a fight?”
After some time spent learning about each other, it was finally our turn to enter the labyrinth.
“Everyone, proceed in order!”
At the guide’s instructions, people began stepping into the portal, disappearing one by one.
When my turn came, I understood how it worked.
“A warp…?”
A wave of blue light shimmered in the air.
As I stepped into it, the sight of the people around me vanished.
“Let’s go,” Erme said, motioning for us to enter.
With that, our group stepped into the labyrinth.