Leveling Up With Skills - Chapter 195: The 44th Floor - Despair's God, Aphrodia (Part 1)
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- Chapter 195: The 44th Floor - Despair's God, Aphrodia (Part 1)
Before descending to the 44th floor, Taesan sought out Lilith. She greeted him warmly.
“You’re here?”
“I have offerings.”
Taesan offered the equipment he obtained while descending to the God of Magic.
“Is it enough for intermediate magic?”
“Well… not quite.”
“How much more do I need to offer?”
The power difference between intermediate and beginner magic was immense. If he could learn it, intermediate magic was the priority.
Lilith made a vague face at Taesan’s question.
“Quite a lot, actually.”
An enormous amount of offerings, difficult to quantify. Given the power of intermediate magic, it was only natural.
“Although I’ve been given permission, I haven’t learned it yet. I need to work harder.”
She made a grunting sound.
Her expression was bright, probably because she could learn a lot in the future.
Leaving her behind, Taesan descended to the 44th floor.
The monsters on the 44th floor were spirits filled with despair. Naturally, they were meaningless to Taesan. The ghost muttered as it watched Taesan literally sprint through the floor.
**[At this rate, you’ll finish up to the 50th floor in no time. Or maybe not? I can’t predict what kind of reaction it will have.]**
“What is it?”
The ghost had said he might quickly pass through the 40th floors but could be blocked by something, making it difficult.
**[You’ll find out soon. If my memory is correct, it should be on the 44th floor.]**
“So, it’s going to take a while?”
**[Probably?]**
If that was the case, there was something he needed to do first.
Taesan opened the community.
**[Kang Junhyuk (Solo): Really?]**
**[Kim Hwiyeon (Hard): Yep. We’re a bit surprised too. There were signs before, but we didn’t think it would actually happen.]**
**[Lee Taeyeon (Solo): Congratulations… I guess?]**
**[Geum Joonggeun (Hard): We should, right? It’s a good thing anyway.]**
People were noisily chatting in the community. Taesan invited Lee Taeyeon, Kang Junhyuk, Kim Hwiyeon, and Geum Joonggeun to the chat.
**[Lee Taeyeon (Solo): Oh, Taesan?]**
**[Kang Junhyuk (Solo): What’s the occasion?]**
**[Kang Taesan (Solo): Just checking in after a while.]**
It had been a long time since he contacted other players. He wanted to know how far they had progressed and what they were up to, and if possible, offer some advice.
**[Kang Taesan (Solo): What were you talking about?]**
**[Kim Hwiyeon (Hard): Well, it’s a bit of a big deal… Someone is getting married.]**
Taesan paused.
**[Kang Taesan (Solo): Is it someone they were dating before?]**
**[Kim Hwiyeon (Hard): No, they met in the labyrinth. They asked me to officiate their wedding. Seriously. They fought so much before. Some are struggling alone, yet here they are.]**
Kim Hwiyeon grumbled. Taesan stroked his chin.
‘People are getting married already?’
It wasn’t that strange. They were trapped in the labyrinth and had to survive there for a long time. Most people had died, and they were struggling with loneliness.
It was only natural that lonely people would develop affection for each other.
However, it usually took a considerable amount of time to reach that point. Initially, all their focus was on survival, so it was three or four years before people started getting married.
But now, not even half of that time had passed.
It meant that people were relatively more relaxed compared to his previous life.
After some miscellaneous conversations about the labyrinth, Taesan asked,
**[Kang Taesan (Solo): How far have you gotten?]**
**[Lee Taeyeon (Solo): 15th floor. Junhyuk is probably the same.]**
**[Kang Taesan (Solo): That’s fast.]**
**[Kang Junhyuk (Solo): It’s all thanks to you. The Ability Sword and dark magic… they’re incredible.]**
Even through the text, his awe was palpable. They were indeed skills worth such reactions.
**[Kang Junhyuk (Solo): We used to struggle with even one monster, but now it’s not that bad. We lack a bit of mana, but we can manage without much trouble. It’s all thanks to you.]**
**[Kang Taesan (Solo): Good to know.]**
The 15th floor. Taesan thought for a moment about what was there and typed.
**[Kang Taesan (Solo): There’s a blacksmith on the 16th floor. If you bring all the materials you’ve collected, he’ll make something decent. So, gather your materials well.]**
**[Kang Junhyuk (Solo): There’s a blacksmith?]**
**[Lee Taeyeon (Solo): I wondered where we’d use the materials. Got it. Thanks.]**
Taesan then turned the conversation to the Hard Mode players. He asked how their progress was and if there were any problems.
**[Kim Hwiyeon (Hard): We’re doing fine.]**
**[Geum Joonggeun (Hard): The Seir’s Black Wind? It’s really good. Thanks to it, we’re descending more comfortably than before.]**
**[Kim Hwiyeon (Hard): We have a bit of trouble with dark magic… but it’s nothing major. We’re managing fine.]**
There didn’t seem to be any major issues.
Satisfied with his check, Taesan closed the community window.
**[Kang Taesan (Solo): Keep going without dying.]**
Taesan resumed his descent in the labyrinth.
As he progressed further.
He found what the ghost had mentioned.
**[You have discovered the altar of Aphrodia.]**
**[First discovery bonus. Mana +50, Intellect +30]**
The altar had no concrete shape, an abstract form.
The power emanating from it was dense and dark. It was a power that directly interfered with emotions.
“Is this what you meant by something that eats up time?”
**[Yes.]**
The ghost confirmed.
**[Aphrodia, the God of Despair. She wants to see humans in despair and then overcoming it. Her trials are quite sadistic. If you’re unlucky, you might suffer a lot.]**
The power emanating from the altar began to gather around Taesan. It seemed to beckon him.
There was no reason to refuse.
Taesan placed his hand on the altar.
**[Sub-quest start]**
**[Aphrodia wants to test you who have found her altar. If you accept, a trial will come upon you. If you overcome it, you will be rewarded.]**
**[Reward: Determined by Aphrodia based on your performance.]**
“I accept.”
**[Sub-quest accepted.]**
**[Aphrodia’s power is manifesting. As a price, Aphrodia’s interference domain will be reduced.]**
**[Aphrodia borrows the altar to show her presence.]**
A gigantic presence descended.
**[Oh?]**
The ghost was surprised. He hadn’t expected a god to descend into the labyrinth.
Due to the frequent appearances of the Demon God who favored Taesan, it wasn’t particularly exciting for him. Normally, it was extremely rare for a god to descend into the labyrinth.
A black-haired man with a cold demeanor emerged from beyond space.
**[I finally get to meet the one everyone’s talking about.]**
Taesan bowed.
The opponent was a god. It wasn’t wise to do anything that could be taken as disrespect.
Seeing Taesan bow obediently, Aphrodia’s expression softened a bit.
**[I thought you’d be arrogant since you’re favored by other gods, but it seems I was wrong. I like you.]**
“May I ask why you descended?”
Just like the ghost, Taesan was perplexed. There was no reason for Aphrodia to descend.
However, Aphrodia’s following words made him realize.
**[Many beings favor you. They reward you without hesitation, to an extent we find excessive.]**
The Battlefield of the Gods.
The gods who had tested Taesan there had rewarded him.
Many gods had questioned the rewards given to Taesan.
Although he had achieved accomplishments worth noting, they doubted if they warranted such rewards.
Aphrodia seemed to have descended to verify that. Taesan realized his assumption was correct as Aphrodia continued speaking.
**[So, I will test you. To see if you truly deserve their favor, or if they are blinded by your charm.]**
**[Aphrodia proposes an enhanced trial for you.]**
**[Will you accept?]**
Taesan nodded.
As Taesan immediately accepted, Aphrodia’s lips curled into a smile.
**[I like you.]**
Power began to envelop the room. Aphrodia spoke.
**[Look into your despair. And overcome it. That is my trial.]**
**[Aphrodia’s power is manifesting. Aphrodia’s interference domain is significantly reduced.]**
Rumble.
Power began to engulf the space.
The labyrinth distorted, giving way to a new realm.
It wasn’t just a simple shift to another world.
It was a form of materialization.
As the space fitted together like a puzzle, Aphrodia’s power intensified. A look of confusion crossed Aphrodia’s face.
**[Wait.]**
Power surged like an explosion.
The ghost gasped. Every entity in the labyrinth trembled.
Aphrodia groaned.
**[…This is.]**
**[Aphrodia’s power is manifesting.]**
**[Aphrodia’s interference domain is greatly reduced.]**
Boom!
The space flipped. A familiar world began to overlay the labyrinth. Amid the vanishing world, Aphrodia’s laughter echoed.
**[So that’s what it is. Interesting.]**
And the labyrinth disappeared.
Amidst the distorting waves of power, Taesan closed his eyes.
‘What will happen?’
This wasn’t a simple space transition. The sensation was distinctly different from anything he had experienced.
As Taesan steeled himself, he heard a familiar voice.
“Hyung?”
Taesan opened his eyes wide.
A giant door stood before him. In a daze, he reached out.
He felt the texture of the door.
Taesan looked back. There was a desolate plain stretching out.
And when he looked up at the sky.
There was a massive hole.
“Hyung? Why are you just standing there?”
A man who had been watching him asked. Taesan let out a small laugh.
“Geum Joonggeun?”
“Yes, it’s me. What’s wrong? Suddenly.”
Joonggeun descended, bewildered. He looked around Taesan and asked,
“Where’s the runaway?”
Taesan remembered this conversation.
His mouth opened naturally.
“He’s dead. His body was eaten by monsters.”
“What?”
Joonggeun was flustered. That expression was also familiar.
“That guy was a Hard Mode player, but he’s already dead?”
“Three A-rank monsters were tearing him apart.”
“Oh…”
Joonggeun’s face hardened.
Taesan’s mind was in turmoil.
“Where is he? We need to go…”
“I handled it. No need.”
Taesan brushed past Joonggeun.
“Let’s go in. I have a headache.”
“Ah, okay.”
Joonggeun closed the door.
Taesan looked inside.
Half-destroyed buildings.
People eating potatoes with familiar expressions.
He let out a chuckle.
This was Seoul before he went back in time.
Right before the collapse.
‘What is this?’
Taesan quickly sorted his thoughts.
Was everything up until now a dream? That couldn’t be. The experiences and power still resided in his body.
“…Status window.”
**[Kang Taesan]**
**[Level: 91]**
**[Shield: 1899/1899]**
**[Health: 20920/20920]**
**[Mana: 2722/2722]**
**[Magic: 376/376]**
**[Strength: 4693]**
**[Intelligence: 4124]**
**[Agility: 4333]**
**[Attack Power +858]**
**[Defense +738]**
**[The target is in optimal condition.]**
After confirming the status window, it was clear. He was indeed clearing Solo Mode, not Easy Mode.
Then was this an illusion?
He felt the solid ground beneath his feet. The chill on his cheek and the ominous energy from the sky were palpable.
Even if senses could deceive, the aura and power couldn’t.
This wasn’t an illusion.
Joonggeun, who had been walking ahead, stopped and looked back at Taesan, tilting his head.
“Hyung. Aren’t you coming to eat? You must be hungry.”
Geum Joonggeun.
Taesan gazed at him for a while before speaking.
“Block this.”
“What?”
Taesan raised his fist. The sudden surge of intimidation made Joonggeun flinch and raise his arms.
Crash.
Joonggeun was sent flying, blocking the attack.
Boom!
He crashed into a trash can and stood up quickly.
“Hyung! What the hell are you doing?”
“Just a simple test.”
Taesan swung his fist. He understood through the brief skirmish.
Geum Joonggeun had the same strength as he remembered.
**[This is… surprising.]**
The ghost murmured with a sigh.
Taesan chuckled. Joonggeun grumbled.
“A test? I almost died from your attack…”
Joonggeun suddenly realized something.
“Wait? Hyung, didn’t you use any skills just now? But you sent me flying?”
“You’re mistaken.”
“Mistaken?”
Taesan wrapped an arm around Joonggeun’s shoulders.
“Let’s go eat.”
They headed to the dining hall. There, a few people were having their meals. They waved at Taesan.
“Taesan, you’re here?”
Taesan greeted them familiarly and took a seat.
Joonggeun brought potatoes. As he took a bite, he felt the soft texture.
Taesan chewed on the potato, sorting his thoughts.
‘This isn’t an illusion.’
Everything was real. The potato, Joonggeun, and the people greeting him.
This was indeed Earth before he returned to the past.