Chapter 5

The island of Eldias is home to various labyrinths of all sizes.

Among them, the seven largest are known as the "Seven Great Labyrinths," and it is said that if one conquers all of them, the goddess, who is the creator, will grant a single wish, no matter what it is.

The island is shaped like a square, with each corner facing the cardinal directions.

When divided into five sections—east, west, south, north, and center—the Seven Great Labyrinths are located with two each in the north and center, and one each in the other areas.

The Great Labyrinth in the western district is the vast underground maze, Dalitros.

Today, Rio was hired by a party of three adventurers through the Adventurer's Guild.

According to the guild's representative, they were outsiders who had arrived on the island a few days ago and were about to challenge one of the Seven Great Labyrinths.

The town, which serves as a base, is located near the entrance of the labyrinth and is a safe zone where monsters do not approach.

When Rio went to the square in the center of the town, the party of three adventurers was already waiting.

Next to them was a large bag, about as tall as Rio.

"Hey, you're just a kid, aren't you? And you're only Level 1, right? Are you sure you're okay with this?"

As soon as Rio greeted them, a young man who looked like a swordsman frowned. He had a rough and thug-like appearance.

The other two were a woman in full armor, who looked like a knight, and a young man in a robe who seemed frail.

Rio looked at each of them carefully.

(The woman is Level 21, a heavy knight who can use healing magic. The robed one is Level 17, specialized in offensive magic. And the swordsman... he's Level 18, which is good, but his unique skill is [Fleeing Feet], which is quite rare.)

While it is a useful skill, it is also one that adventurers who always want to move forward might dislike.

They had just entered the island and were new to the status and system.

When they registered as adventurers at the guild, they must have been shocked to see their unique skills.

(Is their bad mood because of that?)

Ignoring their attitude, Rio bluntly said,

"Are you sure you're okay? Challenging Dalitros right after arriving on the island is quite reckless."

"What did you say, you brat!?"

"Enough! Stop it!"

The female knight stepped in to stop the swordsman, who was about to attack.

"I apologize. We are knights sent from a country far to the west of this island. We have been ordered by the king to obtain a certain treasure that lies within the Dalitros underground maze. We don't have much time, so we want to focus on this labyrinth."

"Knights..."

"Oh, you, did you just think, 'These guys don't look like knights'?"

"No, I don't know what knights are like. This is the first time I've met someone who calls themselves a knight."

"Haha, compared to the knights in stories, we might seem a bit dirty. In reality, we are just doing a series of tasks, like well-paid laborers."

Her tone was somehow familiar. Rio replied dejectedly.

"I'm sorry for my earlier words. I believe in your abilities. However, Dalitros is one of the most difficult labyrinths to conquer among the Seven Great Labyrinths."

"I understand your concern. We will approach the labyrinth with caution and listen to your advice, as you have supported adventurers for a long time. By the way—"

The female knight asked sharply.

"You just said you believe in our abilities. How do you know that? We've just met, and you haven't seen our skills yet, right?"

"Huh? Didn't you hear that I have [Appraisal Eye]?"

"Wh-What!?"

The three adventurers, including the usually timid mage, exclaimed in unison.

"Is that so? The guild must have forgotten to tell you. Let me explain—"

"No, I know about [Appraisal Eye]. But it's a limited skill, different from normal and unique skills. It's said to be extremely rare, as it can only be acquired through a valuable item."

On this island, there are three types of skills in the status system.

Normal skills, which can be acquired and improved through daily life, growing from Level 1 to 10.

Unique skills, which are granted by the goddess at birth or upon entering the island.

And limited skills, which can be obtained through special items called "Skill Books."

Unlike normal skills, which have basic effects, and unique skills, which vary in usefulness and are granted by the goddess's whims, limited skills are always highly useful.

Of course, obtaining a Skill Book is extremely difficult, and some are so powerful that they are considered one-of-a-kind.

[Appraisal Eye] allows one to see the true nature of people and objects, including their status.

"Why does a Level 1 porter have it!?"

"You're quite rude! Be quiet!"

The female knight scolded the swordsman, who looked dejected.

(She must be the leader. It's good that she seems like a nice person.)

Rio thought about something trivial.

"However, I also find it hard to believe. It's not something you can just get by chance, right?"

"Six months ago, I found it in the Jungle Labyrinth in the center of the island while supporting an adventurer party."

"How lucky are you!?"

"But the original owner was the adventurer party I supported."

Rio was not a member of the party but a supporter who carried their belongings.

According to the island's rules (not the goddess's), any treasure found during a dungeon exploration, even if found by a supporter, belongs to the adventurer party.

"Why did they give it to you?"

"They found many treasure chests, so they said it was my reward."

"That's incredibly generous... Anyway, do you have any exploration skills?"

"No, I don't have any of those."

Do you want to see? Rio displayed his status in the air. Normally, only he could see it, but he could show it to others if he wanted to.

However, since adventurers might become enemies, few people did this.

＝＝＝＝＝

Cooking Lv.3, Cleaning Lv.4, Carrying Lv.6, Swordsmanship Lv.2, Danger Sense Lv.5, Emergency Evasion Lv.3, Endurance Lv.5

Concentration Lv.6, Fainting Resistance Lv.8, Poison Resistance Lv.5, Paralysis Resistance Lv.3, Petrification Resistance Lv.1, Confusion Resistance Lv.3

Sleep Resistance Lv.2, Magic Sealing Resistance Lv.2, Restraint Resistance Lv.2, Curse Resistance Lv.3, Charm Resistance Lv.2

Fear Resistance Lv.10

Physical Attack Resistance Lv.7, Fire Resistance Lv.5, Ice Resistance Lv.3, Lightning Resistance Lv.2

Appraisal Eye (Limited)

Embrace of the Goddess (Unique)

＝＝＝＝＝

"Wow, so many!"

The adventurers exclaimed in unison again.

"Also, it looks like you have all the resistance skills. I heard that resistance skills are difficult to acquire and level up because you need to consciously avoid the related attacks."

"I get attacked a lot. But there aren't many monsters that use petrification, so I only acquired that skill two months ago."

Despite being an adventurer for less than two years, Rio was the only one to complete all resistance skills.

"Your Fear Resistance is at max level... How many scary things have you experienced?"

The swordsman suddenly looked sympathetic.

"I almost die multiple times a day."

"Don't say that so casually..."

"Let's not waste time. We can continue while walking."

Rio easily picked up the large bag, which was about as tall as he was.

"You lifted it so easily..."

A Level 1 Rio could easily carry the large bag because of the [Carrying] normal skill, which boosts his strength and endurance. Of course, he was also used to it.

"Let's get going, then. Oh, and—"

His casual tone made the three adventurers catch their breath.

"I won't die. So there's no need to worry about me. Of course, I will protect your belongings."

With that, Rio, as usual, but with extra determination today, headed into the dungeon.

Just a little over 100 million to the next level.

But the once overwhelming and hopeless number was now less than 10,000—.

Rio's skill levels show the traces of his struggles. He endured a lot of fainting.

Next time, a crisis will come! But Rio remains calm.

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