Chapter 183: The World of the Arrogant Giants (9)
The God of Magic gazed quietly at the land. Next to him, Taesan asked,
“Aren’t you going back to the Labyrinth?”
[I will, but not immediately. It’s been a long time since I’ve been home, and I want to enjoy it.]
Zerband’s eyes reflected longing as he looked at the scenery.
[Because of those pesky gods, I haven’t been able to come back for a long time. It was extremely frustrating, but thanks to you, I could return. I thank you once again. This is genuine.]
“So what happens to the gods?”
[Nothing much.]
Zerband shrugged.
[Causing them this much trouble won’t have a significant impact on them. If it did, we would have broken their seals and torn them apart a long time ago. However, they won’t be able to interfere with my world anymore.]
The sky, now a calm blue, seemed peaceful.
But Taesan could sense a massive, invisible barrier spreading across the sky.
[I’m not planning to return right away, but… I can’t keep you here.]
Zerband waved his hand.
[Go meet the Giant King. Talk to him, receive your reward, and then return. After that, I’ll send you back to the Labyrinth.]
Taesan nodded and went to find the Giant King.
“You’ve come.”
The Giant King awaited him on his throne.
“You look well.”
“Thanks to you.”
The Giant King chuckled softly.
The restrictions he previously felt were completely gone.
Just by existing, he emanated the aura of an immortal who could make all beings submit and obey.
“I thank you, human. Because of you, we were able to achieve victory.”
For over a thousand years, even before he ascended the throne, the giants had been plagued by an ever-lurking threat. Now, that threat was finally vanquished.
The Giant King struggled to express his gratitude in words.
“Although the cost was not small.”
The Giant King smiled bitterly. Out of the hundred giants, half had died.
Each one of them was not just an ordinary giant but a lord of their respective territories. This was a significant loss.
“But we achieved victory.”
They succeeded in crushing and driving out the monster.
And the losses were much less than the Giant King had anticipated.
He had expected the monsters to spread and devastate many territories.
The deaths of the lords were sorrowful, but it was their duty to sacrifice their lives to protect their people.
The names of the lords who died fighting the gods would be remembered and passed down among the giants.
“All this is thanks to you. You performed your task perfectly. You deserve a reward.”
The Giant King raised his hand.
Magic energy gathered, forming a white stone.
“Take this. It is our rune.”
[You have obtained the White Rune.]
“What is this?”
Taesan took the rune.
The white stone was inscribed with numerous intricate patterns.
“It is a magical material. It will be quite useful when applied to your equipment.”
“Is it something like this?”
Taesan shook his necklace.
[White Rune Necklace]
[Defense +15]
[Magic +8]
[Intelligence +25]
[A necklace made from the highest quality white rune. Every mage in the tower would covet it.]
It was the necklace he had.
This also had the same description, “white rune,” as the one given by the Giant King.
The Giant King frowned.
“Don’t compare it to a crude imitation created by humans. This is far superior and a perfect material. Rather than explaining, it’s better to show you. Do you have any equipment you want to enhance with the rune?”
“I have one.”
Taesan pulled out a staff.
[Withered Staff of Calamity]
[Magic +40]
[A staff that brought about the destruction of the world through individual greed.]
[Each time you kill an opponent with magic using this staff, magic power increases by 1. However, attack power decreases by 1, and health decreases by 10.]
It was an item he obtained after passing the trial of the Hunchback, who pursued twisted mysteries.
Although it was a good item, it had significant penalties.
He had considered giving it to a blacksmith but kept it for now.
The Giant King’s eyes sparkled as he saw the staff.
“That is the item of an immortal.”
“You can tell?”
“I can feel the remnants of its power. It seems to be an item used in his mortal days. Judging by the twisted aura, it must have been quite a being.”
The Giant King laughed.
“Hand it over. I’ll make it usable.”
There was no reason to refuse when he offered to fix it.
Taesan handed over the staff.
The staff floated into the Giant King’s hand.
“And the rune.”
Taesan handed over the White Rune as well.
The Giant King held the White Rune in one hand and the staff in the other, muttering something.
Crack!
A violent wave of power emanated from the staff.
The dark, dense energy twisted the mind and burrowed into the flesh of anyone it touched.
The Giant King smiled broadly at the desperate thrashing of the trapped beast’s power.
“Pathetic creature.”
Crunch.
The wave of power was crushed.
The rune merged with the staff.
The ominous aura of the staff disappeared, leaving only a faint, gentle white light.
“Take it.”
Taesan accepted the staff.
[Purified Staff of Calamity]
[Magic +70]
[A staff that brought about the destruction of the world through individual greed. Purified by the magic of the giants.]
[Each time you kill an opponent with magic using this staff, magic power increases by 1…]
Taesan’s eyes sparkled.
His magic power increased by 30.
Moreover, the penalty of decreasing health and attack power had been removed.
“Are you satisfied?”
“More than enough.”
Taesan happily stowed the staff, but the Giant King seemed slightly regretful, stroking his chin as he asked,
“Your main weapon is a sword, isn’t it? You don’t seem to use staves.”
“That’s right. I’ll have to visit a blacksmith to reshape it into another form.”
Even if it wasn’t a weapon, it could be armor.
Although the effect would deteriorate during the process, it would still be valuable.
Hearing this, the Giant King nodded.
“Hand over the equipment you want to combine with the staff. I’ll do it in one go.”
“…Really?”
“Considering what you have done for us, it’s the least I can do. Besides, no matter how excellent the blacksmith, the equipment will degrade significantly during the process. I don’t like that.”
There was no reason to refuse.
After a moment’s thought, Taesan removed his cloak.
“Then, please use this.”
[Robe of the Ancient King]
[Defense +4]
[A robe worn by a great king from a long-lost era. The magical protection intended to guard the king is now just a residue.]
The Giant King examined the robe.
“It’s quite a fine robe. This will minimize the loss.”
He chanted something over both the staff and the robe.
White energy enveloped both items, merging them.
When the light subsided, only a pure white robe remained.
“Not bad. It should be sufficient for you now.”
The Giant King tossed the robe to Taesan.
[Magic-infused Robe of the Ancient King]
[Magic +40]
[Defense +5]
[A robe worn by a great king from a long-lost era. Awakened by the great power of the giants.]
[Damage taken is reduced by 20% when blocking with the robe.]
“There was a latent power within it, so I awakened it. I don’t know if this is better, but it minimizes the loss.”
“This is more than enough.”
The robe increased his magic power by 40. Its defense had also risen slightly, and it now had the added effect of significantly reducing damage when blocking with it.
Considering that he expected the equipment to lose some of its effectiveness, he was more than satisfied.
Moreover, since it was an item he was already using, he didn’t have to carry the staff separately, which was the most satisfying part.
The Giant King murmured as he saw Taesan’s pleased expression.
“I’m glad to hear that. Are you leaving now?”
Taesan nodded.
His goal was to conquer the Labyrinth.
“Come back anytime. I’ll personally welcome you.”
“I will.”
Taesan left him and headed towards the God of Magic.
On the way, he saw Umberak.
Seeing Taesan, Umberak greeted him warmly.
“Oh, human. Have you met our king?”
“Yes.”
“So, are you leaving now?”
“My place is back there.”
“I see.”
Umberak smiled bitterly.
“Magic… We had forgotten it.”
Umberak was confused.
His mind was now filled with extensive knowledge of magic.
Hearing that this power they had never recognized was originally theirs was naturally bewildering.
“But it is still our power. And that’s thanks to you. Come visit anytime. I’ll be waiting.”
“Got it.”
Taesan left Umberak, who waved goodbye.
“Good luck with your quest, human.”
Taesan reached the God of Magic.
[Going back?]
“Yes.”
The God of Magic smiled.
[You did a very, very good job.]
Magic power flowed from his hand, enveloping Taesan.
[This is a little service.]
[Your magic proficiency has increased by 4%.]
[You have learned the beginner magic [Tracking].]
“Thank you.”
Taesan sincerely expressed his gratitude for the unexpected reward.
The God of Magic waved his hand.
[A fitting reward for a job well done. Good luck. See you later.]
The space enveloped Taesan.
When his vision returned to normal, Lilith was waiting for him.
“You’re back?”
She quietly gasped as she looked at Taesan.
“You’ve become stronger.”
“Can you tell just by looking?”
“At least in terms of magic. That’s intermediate magic right there.”
Her eyes glinted fiercely.
Taesan distanced himself from her predatory gaze.
“Then I’ll be going.”
“Yes, that might be best. It’s hard to hold back.”
Taesan left her and descended the floor.
[Quest on Floor 38 initiated.]
[Defeat the boss on Floor 38 to pass.]
[Reward: Necklace of Spells]
[Secret Reward: ???]
He had reached Floor 38.
Finally, the end of the 30s was in sight.
There was something he needed to do before clearing the floor. Taesan opened his skill window.
[Magic]
[Proficiency: 56%]
[You can properly handle magic. You seem to be able to control flames, ice, and wind.]
His magic proficiency, which had been slow to rise, was finally nearing 60%.
This was all thanks to the help from the God of Magic.
Magic skills were difficult to level up, but they brought significant changes when they did.
He was eagerly anticipating what would happen once he surpassed 60%.
His conceptual skill proficiency also rose to 40% after defeating the monster.
As a result, its description had changed once more.
[Conceptual Skill: ??? Aura]
[Proficiency: 42%]
[The power of will ??? descends. You can see and feel the will of all things and adjust your own will accordingly. And ???. ??? was obtained.]