Chapter 140: The Guide of the Gods, Part 2
After resting to recover his health and mana, Taesan restarted the conversation.
“What exactly is the battlefield of the gods?”
“It’s not a complicated story. You know that there are numerous gods in the labyrinth, right?”
Taesan nodded. He had encountered over five gods so far. As he delved deeper into the depths, the number was likely to be much higher, probably in the dozens.
“The gods who agreed with the sorcerer entered the labyrinth. However, those who did not agree with the sorcerer remain in the outside world.”
Like Harmon, the god born of earth and light, there were still gods outside. Taesan was already aware of this.
Vargan grimaced.
“Foolishly and weakly, the gods who couldn’t enter the labyrinth are trying to maintain their pride. They’ve created their own battlefield and are sending their slaves to fight there, claiming that anything you make, we can make too.”
Vargan scoffed.
“Don’t you think it’s a foolish notion? They’re just weak beings puffing up their pride without understanding the greatness of the labyrinth.”
The only god from the outside that Vargan knew was Harmon, the god born from the land of light.
But the disparity in power was clear. Harmon’s desperate struggles were crushed under the light hand of the demon god.
“The gods who settled in the labyrinth were the highest-ranking gods even outside it,” Vargan affirmed vigorously.
“Yet, the gods from the outside are foolishly prancing around, provoking the gods of the labyrinth, and saying, ‘If you’re doing something meaningful, prove it to us.’ They really don’t know their place.”
“Why not just wipe them out?”
“I wish it were that simple.”
Vargan shook his head in disappointment.
“Several gods from the outside have combined their power and made their battlefield into their territory. Even for the gods of the labyrinth, there’s a significant loss of power. And they probably don’t think it’s worth the risk.”
“I see.”
Taesan suddenly thought of the demon god.
If Vargan’s words were true, even gods would have to endure a loss of power to destroy another god’s territory.
But the demon god had literally smashed the world of Harmon, who had slaughtered her demons.
It meant that for her, the value of crushing Harmon was worth the loss of power, whereas the battlefield was not.
“I can’t stand it. The outside gods daring to mock the labyrinth.”
His words were laden with undeniable anger and pride for the labyrinth. Taesan nodded, pondering.
“A sort of pride battle?”
A fight of pride between the gods of the labyrinth and those outside. It was exactly that.
“If you’ve understood so far, you might guess what comes next.”
“I am to become the representative of the labyrinth?”
“Exactly.”
Vargan nodded emphatically. Though he understood the flow of the story, there was something he couldn’t grasp.
“Then why don’t you go?”
Vargan was stronger than Taesan. However, Vargan shook his head.
“I can’t.”
“I’m not allowed there.”
Vargan explained calmly.
“Very strong individuals are blocked by the gods from entering. Too weak, and they can’t send them. You’re perfect—strong enough to enter their world and defeat their slaves.”
Vargan’s eyes were full of fervor looking at Taesan.
“You could crush the pride of those arrogant fools outside.”
Become the representative of the labyrinth and defeat the followers of the outside gods.
That was Vargan’s proposal.
Taesan pondered for a moment, then Vargan, as if remembering something, clapped his hands.
“I almost forgot to give you your reward. Here, take this.”
Vargan handed over a golden ring.
“It might be a bit much for an adventurer of this floor, but you’ve proven your strength. You deserve this much.”
[Golden Ring]
[Health: +20]
[Mana: +50]
[Strength: +2]
[Agility: +2]
[Intellect: +20]
[Attack Power: +20]
[Defense: +2]
[The value of the Golden Ring is beyond words.]
[What is this? Wow.]
Even the ghost let out a sound unintentionally after seeing the effects, and Taesan also paused.
“Is it really okay to give me this ring?”
The effects were unbelievable.
Such capabilities should not be attached to a mere ring. Even the best armor with the most stats would be excessive, yet a ring you could wear ten of was this powerful. The ghost chuckled.
[Equipment hard to find even on the 50th floor, huh?]
“Don’t you know? As you go deeper, what was once valuable becomes worthless. The standards are just different there.”
[Isn’t that a long way off? Seems like an excessive piece of equipment for now, no?]
“Is that so? I don’t think so.”
Vargan murmured as he looked at Taesan.
“If it’s you, you’ll reach the deep layers soon enough. So, no big problem.”
[Well… there’s that.]
The ghost closed its mouth. Taesan put on the ring.
He had nothing to lose and was thankful to make use of it.
“So, what are you planning to do?”
Vargan asked with eager eyes.
Taesan continued his contemplation.
A power struggle between gods. He would likely end up on the battlefield in the territory of the outside gods who despise the labyrinth.
If they bore malice towards Taesan, the quest was not without its risks.
“What’s the reward for the quest?”
“It will be more than sufficient.”
Vargan grinned.
“The gods of the labyrinth will generously reward you for removing a thorn in their side. I will as well.”
If the rewards were assured, there was no reason to refuse. Taesan agreed.
“Let’s give it a try.”
[Sub-quest accepted.]
Vargan’s smile deepened.
“Good. Very good.”
“How do I get to the battlefield?”
“Once you reach the 33rd floor, go to the room at the far left. There’ll be an altar of the gods there. That’s your gateway.”
“Got it.”
The 33rd floor. It wasn’t far off. He would arrive there soon. Vargan, satisfied, sheathed his sword.
“Good. I’ll excuse myself then. I’ll prepare your rewards in advance.”
Vargan left with a smile. Taesan, watching him go, also grasped his sword.
His mind was set on advancing through the labyrinth again.
“You couldn’t receive that quest, could you?”
[They regretted it with me. They said I could be strong enough soon but not just yet. So it’s the first I heard of it. The outside gods had such thoughts, huh?]
The ghost murmured intriguingly.
[Makes sense, doesn’t it? From their point of view, the gods who entered the labyrinth must be irritating. They abandoned their own world, after all.]
“Can ordinary gods not enter the labyrinth?”
[They can, but it’s too risky for them. Unless they’re exceptionally strong, they have to sacrifice their domain, and doing so could shatter their very divine status. Most gods who have settled in the labyrinth are of the highest rank.]
The ghost suddenly trailed off as if remembering something.
[Ah. Maybe not.]
“Are there exceptions?”
[A few transcendent ones have come here, even if it meant shattering their rank. They’re not exactly nice gods… Just be cautious, and it should be fine, no need to worry.]
“That makes me uneasy.”
It seemed like an encounter that could lead to trouble someday.
As they continued through the labyrinth, a monster from the 31st floor appeared.
[The Lost White Knight has appeared.]
The knight wore armor similar to Vargan’s but in white, not gold, and the quality seemed inferior.
The knight charged at Taesan.
Taesan raised his sword.
Clang.
“Definitely stronger.”
From the 30th floor onwards, it was considered the middle layer, not the lower layers anymore. Because of this, the strength of the monsters was noticeably different from the previous floors. It was no big deal for Taesan, but an ordinary adventurer would struggle to adapt at this level.
That thought made him think of others.
“Now that I think about it, I haven’t contacted them since I returned.”
There had been so much going on since his return that he hadn’t had the time. Remembering this, he opened the community to send a message.
[Kang Taesan has invited Lee Taeyeon and Kang Jun-hyuk.]
[Kang Taesan[Solo]: Are you there?]
[Lee Taeyeon[Solo]: Oh?]
[Kang Jun-hyuk[Solo]: Brother. You were here. I thought you were gone like last time.]
Unlike before, there was a calm tone to the message. It seemed they no longer thought Taesan had died.
[Kang Taesan[Solo]: How are you doing?]
[Lee Taeyeon[Solo]: It’s tough, but managing. Almost cleared the 10th floor.]
Taesan was slightly surprised by her response. She was progressing faster than he thought.
[Kang Jun-hyuk[Solo]: The Divine Blessing? It’s made things easier. I heard that people in other modes are also descending faster than before.]
[Kang Taesan[Solo]: That’s good to hear.]
The Divine Blessing bestowed by Lakiratas enhanced their talent for struggle. It made him stronger, and for those without a foundation, it was even more significant.
It seemed that other Solo Mode players, as well as those in Hard Mode, were also making progress faster than before.
A good thing. More people would survive to the end that way.
[Lee Taeyeon[Solo]: The Trial of Pride was alright, just like you said, Mr. Taesan. Got stuck one floor higher than mine.]
[Kang Jun-hyuk[Solo]: I ended up similarly. Thanks to that, I’ve become much stronger and managed to break through.]
[Kang Taesan[Solo]: Good. Once you clear the 10th floor, it’ll get easier since you can obtain various things.]
Each theme clear awarded them various titles. Since Taesan had significantly strengthened after clearing the 10th floor, it would feel even more substantial for them with their lower base stats.
[Kang Taesan[Solo]: If you need anything, let me know. I can at least inform you of the basics.]
Information on secret rooms or bosses. That was okay to share.
As the conversation was drawing to a close, Lee Taeyeon seemed to remember something.
[Lee Taeyeon[Solo]: Ah. Mr. Taesan. Have you seen the community? The Easy or Normal modes.]
[Kang Taesan[Solo]: I haven’t. I hardly have time to look at yours, let alone theirs.]
[Lee Taeyeon[Solo]: That’s true. Hmm…]
[Kang Taesan[Solo]: What is it?]
[Lee Taeyeon[Solo]: It’s nothing bad. Just that the conversation got a bit lengthy. You can check it out later.]
It seemed like a complex issue to explain.
Taesan, who had little interest in the affairs of Easy or Normal modes, exchanged a few more words and then closed the community.
He continued his advance through the labyrinth.
When he had about half-cleared the 31st floor, Ambrecia appeared with an awkward expression.
“Hello?”
Taesan silently tightened his grip on his sword. Ambrecia quickly waved his hands.
“I didn’t come to fight, so don’t be like that.”
“Why are you here then?”
“Do you think I wanted to come? I have something to pass on, but these damn ones kept whining about not wanting to go. And I couldn’t send someone from the 4th rank either, as it might start a fight.”
Ambrecia sighed heavily. On reflection, he seemed one of the more mild-mannered Guides of Sin, which might be why he was pushed around so much.
“So, what is it?”
“I came to explain the rules between you and us.”
Ambrecia began his explanation.
“Having checked the rules set by the demon god, we decided to move when you reach the very brink of the 4th rank.”
“That’s later than I thought.”
“We can’t pour everything into it until that time.”
Taesan would need to be close to the 40th floor before all adventurers of the 4th rank could be mobilized against him. They would finish all their preparations by then to face Taesan, believing this strategy offered them the highest chance of success.
“Well… I don’t agree much.”
While they prepared, Taesan would also become immensely stronger by the time he reached the 40th floor. Ambrecia shrugged.
“Regardless, that’s how we’ve decided to do it.”
Taesan nodded. Ambrecia’s words implied that the Guides of Sin wouldn’t make a move until the 40th floor.
Though their message was delivered, Ambrecia didn’t leave immediately but instead stared silently at Taesan.
“What?”
“Just, it’s fleeting.”
Ambrecia grinned bitterly.
“Looking at you, I get all sorts of thoughts. See you later.”
Leaving those cryptic words behind, Ambrecia departed.
The ghost spoke.
[They must feel complex when they see you.]
“Why?”
[Because they see their past selves in you. They tried to conquer the labyrinth but ultimately failed and collapsed. Yet you keep advancing, earning the recognition of the gods. The successful versus the failed. They must have mixed feelings every time they see you.]
“Is that so.”
It was a matter of little interest to Taesan.
He does not bend. Having seen destruction and passed through death, he had no thoughts of retreating.
He would only move forward, for conquest, for victory.
Taesan clenched his sword.