Chapter 174: The God of Magic, Zervand (1)
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[Quest on the 37th floor begins.]
[Defeat the boss on the 37th floor to proceed.]
[Reward: Abyssal Anklets]
[Hidden Reward: ???]
A familiar system window appeared.
After passing the shopkeeper, Taesan reached the area with monsters. Instead of moving immediately, he decided to check his newly acquired skills.
Taesan placed his hand on the ground.
[You have activated Lerazier’s Domain Detection.]
A deep, dark energy swept across the entire floor through the ground.
Taesan’s eyes lit up as a multitude of labyrinthine details flooded his mind simultaneously.
The distance between the connecting passages.
The size of each room.
And the number of monsters occupying each room.
He could know all this information.
“This is pretty good.”
[Basic Black Magic: Lerazier’s Domain Detection]
[Mana Consumption: 18]
[Basic Magi Consumption: 10]
[Proficiency: 1%]
[Demon Lerazier emits a wave that reads everything within a certain range, revealing a lot of information.]
If Insight let him know things within his sight, this skill allowed him to detect things within a certain range, even if they weren’t visible. While it didn’t provide detailed information like Insight, it was excellent for reconnaissance.
Following the information revealed by Domain Detection, Taesan entered the room.
Inside the room, a knight wielding two dark swords was waiting for Taesan.
As soon as the knight spotted Taesan, he rushed at him, and Taesan responded with his skills.
[You have activated Vital Point Designation.]
After designating the knight’s wrist as the vital point, Taesan dodged the swinging sword and stabbed the designated spot.
Clang!
[2,450 damage to the Dual-Sword Black Knight.]
The knight staggered significantly.
Taesan continued to thrust his sword into the designated vital point. The knight collapsed without being able to put up much resistance.
“Nice.”
Although he already knew it from his previous life, it was indeed a very useful skill. Being able to designate the vital point where he wanted put pressure on his opponent.
Taesan continued to move forward.
Before long, he encountered the next room’s monster. Taesan waved his hand towards the approaching knight.
[You have activated Dekarabia’s Twisted Vegetation.]
Rumble!
Roots sprouted up, engulfing the room. They were darker in color and much thicker than before.
Due to the increased proficiency in black magic, the skill itself had been enhanced.
The knight, entangled in the roots, struggled, but the roots didn’t budge an inch.
Taesan smiled at the immense power.
With only 30% proficiency, if it was this powerful, he was very curious about how strong it would become with higher proficiency.
After dealing with the struggling knight, Taesan moved on to the next room. This time, he decided to test his newly learned offensive black magic.
[You have activated Seir’s Black Wind.]
Instantly, a black storm erupted.
While the storm wasn’t large enough to fill the entire room, the power contained within it was no joke. The knight hit by the storm was flung against the wall.
Taesan activated the Black Wind several more times at the staggering knight. Depending on Taesan’s manipulation, the wind took the form of blades or a storm.
“Not bad.”
[Basic Black Magic: Seir’s Black Wind]
[Mana Consumption: 1]
[Basic Magi Consumption: 5]
[Proficiency: 1%]
[Summons the black wind controlled by the demon Seir.]
Although the description didn’t provide much guidance on how to use it, it seemed he could manipulate it as he wished.
The wind could be used as a spear, for defense, or to sweep away projectiles like a storm.
While not extremely powerful, its versatility made it a useful skill.
‘Could it be used in conjunction with Wind Path?’
Both were wind-related skills. Although they were from different systems, it seemed worth trying out.
And then there was the final skill.
The one Taesan had the highest expectations for.
[Basic Black Magic: Marbas’s Black Wave]
[Mana Consumption: 5]
[Basic Magi Consumption: 45]
[Proficiency: 1%]
[Summons the Black Wave that protects the domain of the demon Marbas. The deep, dark wave devours everything, but it seems weakened enough to be blocked by trivial barriers.]
Up until now, the most powerful black magic Taesan had acquired was Mephisto’s Black Lightning.
It was an attack that could not be avoided by anyone weaker than Mephisto and even caused a stiffening effect on hit. It was very useful, but it consumed a lot of mana and magi.
However, the Black Wave had an even higher consumption rate.
Taesan, filled with anticipation, headed to the next room. Then he activated the magic towards the monster.
[You have activated Marbas’s Black Wave.]
Instantly, space beside Taesan tore open.
A black wave surged out from the rift connected to a deep dimension.
Crash.
The wave violently swept across the room. It seemed to have a will of its own as it crashed towards the approaching knight.
Boom.
The knight braced himself, planting his feet and swinging his sword downward.
But the wave split apart, seemingly mocking his attack, and swallowed the knight whole.
As the wave receded, the knight disappeared, and a sound like chewing teeth echoed.
Crunch. Crunch.
When the damage notifications, showing 350 and 532 damage, vanished, and the wave finally receded, nothing was left in the room.
The ghost spoke in a low voice.
[This is useful…]
“Does the wave itself have a will?”
The monster on the 37th floor was completely annihilated without any resistance. It seemed powerful enough to be effective even beyond the 40th floor, perhaps even up to the 50th floor.
[It’s a good skill, but it’s quite direct. It’s too directly connected to the other side. You don’t want the demons to take an interest.]
“Is that bad?”
[It’s not a good thing. While demons are under the archdemons, they aren’t exactly gentle beings.]
“What are these demons?”
All black magic was associated with demons. However, Taesan didn’t fully understand the difference between demons and demonic beings.
The ghost explained.
[They’re similar to the High Gods.]
Taesan frowned.
“Similar to the High Gods?”
[The power of the High Gods is infinite and unchanging from birth, though they do have limits.]
Taesan nodded. He had heard that explanation before.
[Demons are similar beings. Although they are much weaker than the High Gods, they still possess considerable power. They lend their power to demonic beings through black magic in exchange for freedom, to avoid being sealed away like the High Gods.]
“Contracts?”
[I don’t know the details. Perhaps they lend their power in exchange for freedom because they don’t want to be sealed away like the High Gods. But be cautious; they aren’t benevolent beings. Though no demon would dare touch you while the archdemon is interested in you… there are always madmen.]
The ghost muttered.
Taesan kept the ghost’s words in mind and continued forward.
He found a secret room, navigated through the traps, and obtained a reward. It was a fairly ordinary sword, so he planned to sell it to the shopkeeper.
Without stopping, Taesan soon encountered the boss.
Slash.
With a swing of his sword, the knight’s helmet shattered. With another swing, the knight’s breastplate broke, and the knight collapsed to the ground, unable to withstand Taesan’s strength.
Taesan stabbed his sword down.
The knight fell without much resistance.
[Easy.]
“Time to move on.”
Because of various issues, he had spent too much time on the 30th floor. Once this was over, he planned to focus on clearing the labyrinth.
[Abyssal Anklets]
[Strength + 5]
[Agility + 5]
[Defense + 45]
[Anklets that have been submerged in the deep, abyssal pit for countless ages. They hold the power of a place humans have yet to reach.]
The equipment provided high strength, agility, and defense. Taesan quickly equipped them.
[You have used ???.]
[You have obtained the Shield of Aegis.]
[Shield of Aegis]
[Defense + 150]
[The shield used by the great saint Aegis throughout his life.]
[For one second, if you are immobilized, you become immune to all damage. This effect has a one-month cooldown.]
“Oh?”
Taesan’s eyes gleamed.
Immunity to all damage. It was an effect he had never seen before. Although the penalty of immobilization existed, it didn’t seem to be a major issue.
Since it was a useful effect that could be used in various situations, Taesan took the shield.
After clearing the 37th floor, Taesan headed back up to meet Lilith. On the way to the 36th floor, he didn’t forget to sell the unnecessary equipment to the shopkeeper.
“When will you make a purchase?”
“It won’t take long.”
Taesan had accumulated a considerable amount of gold. He could now afford decent equipment.
However, to get the best quality, he planned to save as much as possible.
He returned to Lilith.
“Oh, it’s you! Where did you go?”
She greeted him with a fuss. From Lilith’s perspective, he had suddenly disappeared after meeting the God of Magic, so it was understandable that she was startled.
“I had some business.”
Taesan replied calmly.
“Can I go back to see him?”
“Oh, yes. The deity said to come back if you returned.”
Just like before, Taesan offered his prayers.
The space tore open, and Taesan was transported to the domain of the God of Magic.
This time, he arrived without any interruptions in the space filled with galaxies.
[You’re back?]
The God of Magic greeted Taesan in the same posture as before.
“Did you have a good meeting?”
“Yes. Although it was a bit puzzling.”
The interest and rewards shown by the archdemon were beyond mere goodwill.
Zervand smiled.
[We have expectations of you. That child must feel the same. You’ll understand soon enough.]
Zervand clapped his hands.
[Well then, you’ve done what I wanted you to do to them. So I need to reward you. What should it be…]
As he looked at Taesan, his gaze landed on Taesan’s gauntlets.
[You have those gauntlets?]
“Do you know them?”
[They were my gloves once. I miss them.]
A god’s gloves. It wasn’t too surprising. He had seen equipment used by those who became gods before.
However, it was his first time meeting a god who had used equipment he wore, which felt somewhat novel.
[This should be sufficient.]
Zervand murmured, waving his fingers.
[The seal on the Gauntlets of the Rough Grip has been lifted.]
[You have obtained the Gauntlets of the Rough Grip.]
[Gauntlets of the Rough Grip]
[Attack Power + 5]
[Magic Power + 30]
[Gauntlets made from breaking down the gauntlets of a being who crushed everything. His power still lingers.]
Taesan’s eyes widened at the changed information.
Magic Power affected the overall power of magic. If Magic Power increased by 1, the effects of all magic increased by 1%. It was a very useful effect but not one that received significant boosts from equipment.
This meant his magic power had increased by 30%.
[This should be a sufficient reward.]
“Yes. Thank you.”
[No need to thank me yet. It’s not free.]
Intermediate magic.
And the trial to obtain it.
Zervand scratched his cheek.
[Honestly, I was a bit hesitant. It seemed too rushed. Excess can be as bad as deficiency. But… I think you’re ready.]
Zervand smiled.
[It’s a bit lacking, but considering that poor and admirable child’s desire, I’ll give it to you.]
“Thank you.”
Taesan remembered Lilith’s words.
“And she asked me to convey her thanks.”
[Did she?]
Zervand’s lips curled.
[She’s a pitiful and adorable child. It’s rare for someone to come this far and survive solely to learn about magic.]
He chuckled. Unlike the gods Taesan had met so far, Zervand seemed lighthearted.
Taesan waited for Zervand to continue speaking. Zervand’s laughter subsided.
[The trial I’ll give you involves the archdemon. It’s similar to what that child gave you.]
The trial of the archdemon involved rescuing the princess of the demon race from a world where they were oppressed.
Zervand raised his finger. Countless stars passed by them.
[The world of arrogant giants, Bahulia.]
Zervand pointed at a planet.
The planet was significantly larger than the others, easily over ten times the size.
[The giants who once delved into the mysteries of magic have now forgotten me. So, your task is to make them remember me. Make them call my name and recognize me again. That’s your trial.]
[Sub Quest Begins]
[The God of Magic, Zervand, wishes to imprint the existence of magic on the giants who have forgotten him.]
[Reward: Intermediate Magic]
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