Chapter 128: The Will of the World (1)
Clang!
Their swords clashed.
Taesan’s arm shook.
The second of the Storm Scar series, “Dance of the Warrior,” was executed.
Its trajectory was smoother and more difficult to predict than before. Kang Junhyuk could not block it even for two seconds and his arm was sliced.
“I can’t block it anymore,” Kang Junhyuk said with a pale face, shaking his arm. Taesan also wore a satisfied expression.
His movements had transformed, akin to when he first learned swordsmanship. Movements that had been incomprehensible or impossible to imitate before were now effortlessly executed.
In hand-to-hand combat, he had become incomparably stronger.
It was a change worthy of being called a divine blessing.
“I’ve received it too, but I don’t feel any different. If anything, it feels easier to lose now?”
“You’ve gotten stronger, haven’t you?”
“Well, that’s true.”
Kang Junhyuk felt his own strength had improved as he looked at Taesan with awe.
“To think you defeated such a monster.”
The power unleashed by the B-grade monster had overwhelmed Kang Junhyuk. His confidence was shattered and he was gripped by fear.
Against such a monster, Taesan had emerged victorious.
Moreover, he had received the acknowledgment of a dreadful labyrinth god, who had bestowed blessings upon all humanity.
Comparing himself now seemed almost disrespectful.
“Truly… you are remarkable.”
“Enough,” Taesan flicked his sword.
“There isn’t much time left, so come at me.”
The divine blessing bestowed by Lakiratas was not just for Taesan but for all humanity.
Those who had finished adjusting were sparring with each other to understand the changes. They were amazed and exhilarated by their newfound strength, realizing how much stronger they had become.
For those destined to descend into the labyrinth, being stronger literally meant a higher chance of survival. They expressed endless gratitude towards Taesan for this miracle.
“Thank you!”
“Taesan! You were here!”
Overwhelmed by the people flocking to him, Taesan escaped to the rooftop of a building.
“This is a bit too much.”
He wasn’t accustomed to receiving such overwhelmingly positive emotions. Taesan accepted their greetings and went looking for Kim Hwihyun.
“How are the casualties?”
“A lot died.”
Kim Hwihyun grimaced, but her face did not show despair.
“We’ve become stronger. Thanks to you, Taesan.”
She too had sparred lightly, enough to understand the difference from before.
“The next time we return… we’ll be much stronger.”
She clenched her fist.
It was not bad news for Taesan either. Not only the average players but also the last-standing hard mode players had been enhanced.
As strong as he was, he couldn’t handle everyone on his own.
The more people who survived, the more they could achieve and the higher their survival rate would be.
“It’s a good thing.”
It had been worth the effort to defeat the monster.
Above all, he had received not only the divine blessing but also other skills.
And it was time to return to the labyrinth.
“Let’s not die and see each other again.”
After bidding farewell, Taesan closed his eyes. The spreading rift of the labyrinth engulfed him.
When he opened his eyes again, he was inside the labyrinth.
[Monster Kill Bonus +383]
[First Wave Bonus +53]
[Second Wave Bonus +45]
[Third Wave Bonus +5]
[Fourth Wave Bonus +8]
[Secret Quest Bonus +525]
[Subjugation Bonus +104]
[Victory Bonus +112]
[Settlement Complete]
[1,2800 Points Awarded]
“Ha.”
1,280 points. The figure alone brought a smile to his face.
Taesan enjoyed the sensation of sitting down after such a triumph.
“Time to think leisurely.”
[Gold conversion rate: 1:10]
[Stat conversion rate: 5:1]
[Skill proficiency conversion rate: 10:1]
These were the conversion rates. Taesan prioritized his options—a delightfully difficult problem.
‘Gold is useless as always.’
Converting 1,280 points would yield only 12,800 gold. Stats were similarly unimpressive.
Although it was possible to become meaningfully stronger now, the value paled compared to increasing proficiency.
“Proficiency again, then.”
He could increase a total of 128% proficiency. This meant he could fully max out the proficiency of one skill and still have some to spare.
During his previous return, he had increased his magic proficiency. Damage, activation speed—improvements in all aspects had been useful up to now.
‘What if I max it to 100%?’
[Magic]
[Proficiency: 48%]
[You can handle magic properly. Control fire, adjust coldness, and manipulate wind.]
Previously, he had raised the proficiency to 44% using points, and only 4% had increased from usage.
It was standard to use points for skills that were difficult to improve. It was time for Taesan to decide how to use his points.
[Note: Converting points will change the ratio once this skill’s proficiency reaches a certain level.]
“Uh?”
Taesan frowned.
“This didn’t happen before.”
He had used points to reach 100% proficiency several times before without issue. This was the first time he’d been informed of a changing ratio.
After a moment of consideration, Taesan realized the cause.
‘It’s because it’s magic.’
Lilith had said that magic proficiency increased very slowly. Some would even cut off a finger for just 1%.
The slow increase in proficiency alone was telling compared to any other skill he had.
And the more proficient it became, the worse it would likely get. If a single point could easily reach 100%, it would upset the balance—a sort of balance patch, he supposed.
“Would this apply to other skills too?”
Irac’s martial arts. Storm Scar’s sword. Black magic. All the high-value skills he obtained in the labyrinth would likely have similar restrictions on magic.
“It’s a pity.”
While he understood, it was still disappointing news for Taesan. The path to increase his magic proficiency was blocked. He made his decision.
“This time, I should strengthen across the board.”
He would distribute 75%, investing a little in each meaningful skill. It was Taesan’s resolved decision.
Doing so wasn’t bad. Battle-related skills. If each skill’s proficiency increased by 5%, it was fair to say he had become stronger.
Investing everything in one skill depended on the potential of that skill.
But now, there was no such skill. Holy power was a skill whose application he did not understand, and necromancy was dubious if asked whether it was worth that much. Thus, an overall investment was the correct answer.
Taesan began to distribute the points.
If he invested 5% in each, he could enhance 25 skills. He invested based on proficiency and the potential for meaningful content change.
As a result, many skills changed.
[Passive Skill: Clarity of Vision reached 100% proficiency and evolved into the special constant activation skill [Eye of Synchronization].]
Clarity of Vision finally reached 100% and evolved.
[Special Constant Activation Skill: Eye of Synchronization]
[Proficiency: 1%]
[Synchronize with all things. You can see beyond your visual field, and even the invisible.]
Taesan immediately tested it.
[You have activated Scorching Orb.]
With the activation of the skill, flames arose. Taesan marveled as he observed the process.
“So this is it.”
During the brief moment that Scorching Orb was activated, he could see mana gathering, a wavelength that had been perceptible but never visible until now.
If it was this distinct, it would be a significant advantage in battle. Seeing something is much more accurate than just sensing it, allowing for precise evasion and counterattacks.
[You have activated Path of the Wind Stag.]
Confirmation with a spirit skill cemented it. He could see the wind gather, swirl, and advance, accompanying the force visually.
This would be a significant advantage in the 29th-floor fight against the spirit.
[Special Constant Activation Skill: Endurance in Battle]
[Proficiency: 60%]
[You can sustain combat for an extended period. You don’t tire easily. The time you can fight in your peak condition has extended. The threshold for reaching physical limits has significantly increased.]
The addition that the time to reach physical limits has increased was a positive change. In essence, he could fight for days without tiring. His ability to continually defeat an S-rank in the previous world was due to this skill.
[Special Constant Activation Skill: Sensory Enhancement]
[Proficiency: 61%]
[Senses are enhanced. You can feel things like murderous intent. Blind spots are also perceptible. You become increasingly sensitive to the invisible.]
With Sensory Enhancement, especially in conjunction with the Eye of Synchronization, no sloppy attack could reach Taesan.
Lakiratas’s given skill, Proof of Struggle, also changed, but it was somewhat disappointing as no significant change was noted besides its proficiency increase.
[Special Activation Skill: Breathless Attack]
[Mana Cost: 2]
[Proficiency: 62%]
[Allows movement ignoring breathing during combat. It lasts for about 30 seconds, allowing full-force movement.]
Even Breathless Attack, which he had always used unknowingly, had changed.
Now it lasted 30 seconds, and the added detail that he could move at full force was a meaningful change, allowing him to act without the typical fatigue associated with muscle exertion during battle.
[Special Activation Skill: Acceleration]
[Mana Cost: 5]
[Proficiency: 21%]
[Accelerates more swiftly towards a target.]
Acceleration also included the new feature of moving faster, which was critical for a skill that required quick closure with an enemy.
[Basic Magic: Frost Arrow]
[Mana Cost: 6]
[Proficiency: 22%]
[Launches a frost arrow. The less immune the target, the more damage it incurs. Tries to apply the [Frostbite] status effect. Strong coldness can freeze the air.]
Frost Arrow, a staple in his arsenal, had also been strengthened. Used frequently, its slow proficiency increase was evident—it was indeed a magical skill.
Trying out Frost Arrow, the coldness was noticeably stronger. Just being near it could cause exhaled breaths to freeze.
It could potentially cause damage to lower-ranked enemies just by their attempts to evade it, a satisfying improvement.
Other skills like Thirst for Battle, Fair Duel, Proof of Limits, Contempt for the Mighty, and Theism all had their proficiencies raised. While their descriptions didn’t change, the enhancements were definite.
Taesan was pleased. Plus, he had gained a new skill.
[Special Activation Skill: Apostle Transformation [Lakiratas]]
[The first power granted by the god of Struggle and Death since his creation. For 10 minutes, gain a portion of the power held by Lakiratas’s apostles. This skill cannot be used again for one day after activation.]
This was the same offer of apostleship he had continuously received.
Now, he could draw forth some of that power through this skill.
“I didn’t know you could turn it into a skill like this. It’s fascinating.”
If the ghost’s information was accurate, then this was a potentially game-changing skill.
“B-grade monster’s reward is sufficient.”
Taesan checked his skills with a smile, but two skills caught his eye.
“What are these supposed to do?”
[Divine Power]
[Proficiency: 2%]
[The power of a god. A blessing given when one faithfully follows another. Currently, it seems meaningless.]
Acquired while defeating the Angel of Harmony, it had shown no changes. The ghost speculated awkwardly.
“I’ve never heard of learning it like this. Perhaps it’s a skill that can only be used when you acquire divinity or godliness?”
“I don’t know.”
For now, it was just a skill inflating the number of digits, meaningless.
However, there was another truly mysterious skill.
[Concept Skill: ???]
[Proficiency: 12%]
[The will of ??? manifests.]
“Which skill could this be?”
“…I don’t know,” the ghost replied, unsure as well.
“…When I defeated the monster, the Rise in Willpower was activated.”
Its proficiency had increased by 8%, and the text about manifesting was added.
But it was still an unknown skill. Acquired from the world of the blacksmith Harfran after defeating nature, and its proficiency improved after defeating a high god’s monster. There was no consistency.
“I need to check it out.”
Taesan headed towards the blacksmith.