I Start with 13 Hidden Traits Chapter-6

Ch-6 **Main Quest 2**

—

“…Not even the slightest movement?”

“Yes.”

Receiving the women’s report, Isabella stroked her chin as she sat on the chair made from a lion’s hide.

She had the man’s feet washed by beautiful women—women so stunning that any man would have no choice but to react. It was the highest hospitality Faisalmer, the desert city, could offer, and at the same time, a trap devised to assess the Star-bearer.

And this trap was one no living being could escape, even if they weren’t a man.

These women were rigorously trained—so much so that they could detect even the slightest tremor of the skin or the faintest change in heart rate. Regardless of age or gender, any who felt their touch would inevitably display an honest reaction.

But apparently, there had been not a single twitch.

A perplexing matter, yet a faint smile bloomed across Isabella’s lips.

*‘An unshakable, unmoving heart. Just as the rumors said.’*

Isabella had seen and researched countless stories about the Star-bearer.

Among them, the most fundamental trait was this “unshakable heart.” It was said that those who devoted themselves wholly to the star would waver before no temptation in this world.

“Anything else to report?”

The five women opened their mouths one after another.

“From the start, he asked **us** to wash his feet. He is someone who understands Faisalmer’s etiquette.”

“He showed no hesitation entering the palace.”

“He remained calm even when he saw the monster bones hanging on the walls. Instead of being startled, he admired them—praising the quality of the dissection and taxidermy.”

“His skin was smooth like silk, but his muscles were firm—like a wild stallion’s.”

“And above all else, he seemed to place great importance on communicating with the stars.”

Hearing the women’s honest impressions and reports, Isabella nodded.

Nothing about him was ordinary.

First, he knew the etiquette of Faisalmer. If he could request foot-washing on his own, that meant he must surely have visited Faisalmer in the past.

Also, slaves or commoners were usually overwhelmed by the palace’s grandeur. If he moved freely even after entering, then his status had to be unusual.

*A noble? A royal?*

His dignified posture and speech—his unshaken composure even when speaking to her, boldly offering rebuttal—indeed brought nobles or royalty to mind.

Though Star-bearers were said to be born of the stars, they were ultimately still children of people. And as children of people, they naturally differed in rank.

If he could recognize the skill of dissection and taxidermy, that meant he also had considerable professional knowledge. To acquire such knowledge, one would need a certain level of social standing.

*Skin as soft as silk, muscles like a wild stallion’s… contradictory, yet it all makes sense for a Star-bearer.*

Star-bearer—truly a magical term.

There were no Star-bearers in the desert. No one knew their true nature, yet now one had appeared in this place. No matter what he said, they would have no choice but to believe him.

Having organized her thoughts, Isabella spoke.

“He said he was conversing with the star?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll have to see that myself.”

“B-but… if he doesn’t maintain communication, he’ll lose the qualification of the Star-bearer…”

Isabella let out a soft scoff.

“If one more person is nearby, does that suddenly stop you from speaking?”

The women shut their mouths tight.

Having one more person present didn’t make communication impossible.

If privacy was needed, she could simply stand still and watch quietly.

A private conversation?

Isabella couldn’t hear the star’s voice anyway. They were already communicating solely with each other; her presence wouldn’t disrupt anything.

Isabella rose from her seat.

Then she strode quickly toward the Star-bearer.

—

—

*…A little later and I would’ve been in big trouble.*

Isabella von Dersian. When I opened my eyes, she had been staring directly at me.

Good thing I logged in as fast as I could.

After roughly handling matters in the real world, I logged back into Pangaenia. A calmer mind and sharpened judgment led me here.

*Monsters in reality, summoned players appearing—taking the form of Pangaenia characters. It’s highly likely that the failure of this expedition was caused by them.*

At some point, this game called Pangaenia began increasing in difficulty exponentially.

NPCs who once behaved normally suddenly betrayed you. Companions abruptly turned into thieves.

No matter what possibilities you considered, the interference came in ways beyond imagination.

This expedition was the same.

*…But what if every one of those “interference factors” had been players?*

Not all of them, of course—but what if a significant number were “trollers”?

Someone who didn’t want the ending to be reached, or someone who considered me a competitor and deliberately sabotaged me…

*I’ll cut them all down.*

Harmony? Camaraderie? That bridge had already been burned beyond repair.

Hundreds of characters had been deleted because of such disruptions. Even my strongest character, which contained everything I had, had died and been erased.

Suddenly, I remembered what a soldier said when I was first summoned here.

—*Fuck. If it weren’t for the infighting, the expedition would’ve succeeded…!*

There is a hidden backstory I don’t know.

Even though I fought the Demon King alone, suddenly there were “Eight Heroes.”

This means there was a “Player”—someone who could twist the achievements to this extent. It might be an individual or an organization.

No, it must be an organization.

There is a group of players who target characters suspected of being me—who intentionally interfere and kill them. And they even falsified rumors about me and embedded them into Pangaenia.

Eight Heroes?

They deliberately damaged the superiority and uniqueness of my final deceased character.

Therefore, what I must do now is grow strong as quickly as possible.

To secure safety in both the game and the real world.

And for that—

“…No one can enter the sanctuary.”

“But *you* can.”

I needed her.

Isabella von Dersian.

A tragic character I created but gave up on midway.

I never intended it, yet she had somehow become known as the Snake Princess, Faisalmer’s second-in-command.

That wasn’t even the nickname I personally assigned her.

*Asuka Kirara…*

…Somehow, I felt sorry. But in Pangaenia, nicknames were treated as “aliases.” Real names and identities already existed, and players simply possessed those bodies.

Anyway.

“If they catch me smuggling someone out…”

“This is your last chance to leave the desert. Think carefully before you answer.”

Isabella’s eyes trembled.

“How… did you know I want to leave the desert?”

“The star told me.”

“…”

She had no rebuttal.

Of course, Isabella had no in-game setting about wanting to leave the desert.

No such setting existed.

But Isabella was originally a playable character. A being meant to roam the world and reach the ending.

Yet she was sealed in the desert due to a curse. How stifled she must feel.

I knew because I lived through it myself. That’s why I abandoned her.

*It was the fourth star I found.*

And I discovered something while raising a previous character—**the supreme star hidden in the desert’s sanctuary.** Only I would know its location among all players.

Naturally, that star was special. If it could be obtained, the sooner the better.

“…The sanctuary kills anyone who isn’t permitted.”

“That part is nothing to worry about.”

I had reached its end once already.

I already knew all the traps and dangers hidden there.

Among my hidden traits, several activated specifically within sacred areas.

Hearing my answer, Isabella rolled her eyes.

“Before dawn. When the moon begins to wane—stay awake.”

Then she abruptly turned with a blank expression and left.

—

—

Dawn.

“Kh!”

In the underground palace, I swiftly followed Isabella through a hidden passage. The soldiers we encountered along the way were all taken care of by Isabella.

Even from where I watched, her hand was terrifyingly swift. She cut down every soldier without hesitation.

Isabella possessed talents specialized for assassination. She was so agile that most soldiers died without even realizing they had been killed.

*She’s like a ghost.*

A chill crept up my neck.

Had Isabella wanted to kill me from the start, I would already be dead. Not just me—most so-called strong individuals would share the same fate.

Having her as an ally could not be more reassuring.

After moving relentlessly, a massive altar appeared.

Centered around the staircase leading underground stood rows of Moai-like stone statues.

“This is the sanctuary.”

Her gaze seemed to ask, *So? What will you do now?*

She herself looked displeased. The desert’s sanctuary was notoriously complex and chaotic.

But there was no going back. The river we crossed was too far gone.

Why else had Isabella killed every soldier?

*To eliminate evidence.*

Even if there was the slightest chance of her unauthorized entry being discovered, she wouldn’t allow it.

If I said I wanted to turn back, she would slice my throat without hesitation.

“I’ll go first.”

With a shrug, I stepped onto the stairway descending beneath the altar.

Immediately, countless messages flooded my vision.

**《You have entered the Hidden Desert sanctuary.》**
**《Sub-Quest: Explore the sanctuary.》**
**《Rewards will be granted based on exploration percentage.》**
**《Warning: Your level (2) is below the recommended level (8).》**
**《Warning: The area is filled with demonic miasma. Those with low resistance are advised not to enter.》**
**《Hidden Trait ‘Giant’s Resistance’ is protecting you.》**
**《Hidden Trait ‘Mutant’ is activating.》**

The hidden sanctuary—normally a level 2 beginner would never be able to enter.

Only by earning the queen’s approval or defeating powerful warriors could one barely reach this place.

And now, I had entered by shortcut—using Isabella.

The rewards from exploring the sanctuary were quite decent.

But that wasn’t my goal from the start.

**《Main Quest 2: “Acquire a Class” has begun.》**
**《You can obtain a class within the sanctuary.》**
**《The quest ends the moment you obtain a class.》**
**《Rewards vary depending on the grade of the acquired class.》**

The second main quest.

*“Rewards vary depending on class grade.”*

Seeing the condition, I couldn’t help but smile.

The strong monopolize everything—that is the law of the world. Nowhere is that truer than in Pangaenia.

But this was subtly different from the first main quest.

To obtain a good class, you also needed luck.

Skill alone did not guarantee the best class.

But I had nothing to worry about.

*I’ll be first place again this time.*

Because I possessed skill, luck, and hidden traits that encompassed both.

One of the thirteen hidden traits—**Mutant**.

*‘I can see hidden paths.’*

The trait awakened, allowing me to see what no human eye could normally perceive.