Leveling Up With Skills - Chapter 230: The 52nd Floor (1)

[Are you really okay?]

“I told you, I’m fine.”

[Hmm…]

The ghost still seemed skeptical.

But Taesan didn’t have much more to say. He really was fine. Aside from a little mental fatigue, there was nothing wrong.

[Are you sure? Master. Even my connection to the contract was nearly severed for a moment.]

“I said there’s no problem. If there was, I would’ve noticed first.”

Taesan shook his head. Just as Varkaza was about to say something, a breeze blew through the area.

“It’s over here too, huh?”

At that moment, Minerva appeared. Varkaza bowed deeply.

[You have arrived, my King.]

“Yes, Varkaza.”

After glancing briefly at Varkaza, Minerva turned her gaze.

“It’s over for us as well. As long as I remain here, the Old Gods won’t be able to interfere with this world.”

She looked at Taesan with a somewhat sad expression.

“And now… it’s time to say goodbye. It’s unlikely we’ll meet again.”

[But you made a contract? Doesn’t that mean you can come anytime you want?]

“I can leave, but I must protect this world. Since I gave part of my power to you through the contract, the protection here has weakened a bit. I’ll have to work harder to make up for that. I probably won’t be able to come visit you.”

Minerva shook her head.

“Don’t worry about the power. The strength we exchanged through the contract will remain with you.”

She forced a smile and waved her hand.

“It was enjoyable, Taesan. And thank you. I wish you blessings on your journey.”

With those words, light enveloped the world. Taesan closed his eyes as the light filled his entire vision.

When the light faded and he opened his eyes, he found himself in the same place where he had first met Beatrice.

[Oh, oh…]

Varkaza stammered as Taesan looked around.

[You’ve done well, mortal.]

Beatrice stood there.

[My, my lord… this lowly one has, the presence of… my lord…]

Varkaza stuttered. Even though he had shown calm respect when meeting the Spirit King, he was now too overwhelmed to speak properly.

[It’s alright, my child.]

Beatrice lightly wrapped Varkaza in her power.

[You have done well. I commend you.]

[Oh… oh…]

Varkaza trembled with emotion.

Beatrice turned her gaze to Taesan.

[You have also done very well. This was the best result I could have hoped for.]

Her voice was filled with satisfaction.

Taesan spoke.

“You planned this, didn’t you?”

[To some extent. While I am capable of blocking the Old Gods, they always find other ways to interfere. I expected they would try something. The important part was the timing.]

Beatrice chuckled, clearly pleased with how things had turned out.

[No matter how they interfered, as long as I was guarding this place, there were limits to what they could do. Once the Spirit King became complete, we could handle it. I could deal with them and fix the problem easily. The key was holding out until then, and I knew you could do it. The result speaks for itself.]

Her gaze on Taesan was warm.

[Even if there wasn’t much cost to my power, interference like that means they won’t show up for a while. You did very well, human.]

The praise was over.

Now, it was time for the reward he had been waiting for.

[You accomplished exactly what I wanted. So, I will give you a reward worthy of that.]

Boom.

The power of the Spirit God enveloped the entire space.

[The original reward I intended for you was to stabilize your vessel. The Spirit King’s power is difficult for you to handle, so I was going to help with that. But it seems that won’t be necessary.]

The white ring. Its ability to store power had allowed it to contain the energy gained from the contract with the Spirit King without any issues.

[For a mortal to have something like that is remarkable. Right now, your lack of authority prevents the full power from being drawn out… but once all limitations are lifted, it will be quite useful.]

[Hmm.]

Even Beatrice, a transcendent being, recognized the ring’s power. Her acknowledgment made the ghost let out a small gasp.

[So, I’ve decided to change my plan.]

Her power surged toward Taesan.

[First, I recognize you. You followed my will and aided me. All who follow me will accept you.]

The god had acknowledged Taesan. The entire world seemed to tremble at her words.

[The title [One Who Opposes Nature] has evolved into [One Who Rules Nature].]

[And here’s a little gift for my adorable child.]

[You have received the special passive skill [Proxy of the Contract].]

A power swirled deep within Taesan’s chest.

It was like a passageway. Taesan instinctively understood its nature.

[The poor child needs someone to depend on. Since she has already given her heart to you, I cannot leave her without support.]

“Thank you.”

Taesan bowed his head. The Spirit God spoke indifferently.

[Not yet. Since you did what I wanted, there’s one more thing.]

Beatrice seemed to consider something as she looked at Taesan before waving her hand.

[Varkaza, you cannot receive my power. You’ve already been gifted strength from the Spirit King. If you try to take more, your mind will be shattered.]

[Your words are too gracious. I am content just to have seen you, my lord.]

Varkaza responded without hesitation, showing no regret. Beatrice continued.

[Then, I will take care of the spirit within your sword.]

“Are you referring to the maddened spirit?”

The spirit had wanted revenge on the Spirit King. It had sacrificed everything to dwell within the sword for that purpose.

[I will grant that pitiful one’s wish.]

Taesan’s sword floated and flew toward Beatrice. She lightly touched the blade’s tip.

The presence within the sword appeared.

The quivering, white presence trembled in fear, but Beatrice spoke to it.

[I acknowledge you.]

Her power imbued the spirit.

The white figure shivered.

The power and presence emanating from it were now on a completely different level from before.

The white figure returned to the sword. Taesan caught the sword as it gently floated back to him.

“Is this really okay?”

The spirit’s wish had been for the death of the Fire Spirit King.

[It doesn’t matter. Both sides are my children. I honor and reward both.]

Beatrice spoke calmly.

[With that, my rewards are complete.]

Taesan bowed deeply.

“Thank you.”

He had gained much. Even just forming a contract with the Spirit King had been more than enough of a reward. On top of that, he had received so much more. The time he had spent was well worth it.

As Beatrice watched Taesan, she spoke again.

[You were consumed by that thing, weren’t you?]

The Old God had gathered his power through the shadows to kill Taesan. And when Taesan approached, the power was unleashed to consume his very being.

[Yet you have no issues at all.]

It was the Old God that had consumed him. Though Beatrice didn’t know all the details, it was clear that the god’s very authority had tried to crush Taesan’s mind.

The authority of a transcendent being.

It was not something a mortal could withstand.

Even those who had trained rigorously suffered mental damage from merely witnessing a transcendent being.

Simply observing one was enough to drive someone mad, let alone being directly attacked by one.

Yet Taesan remained unscathed. Even under Beatrice’s divine gaze, neither his mind nor body showed any signs of damage.

[It seems what they said was true. There is indeed this kind of endpoint.]

Beatrice murmured to herself as her power began to fade, signaling Taesan’s return to the labyrinth.

[The Old Gods will surely notice your unusual nature. Next time, they’ll approach using other means, so be careful.]

“Thank you for the warning.”

[Oh, and one more thing.]

Beatrice spoke as if she had suddenly realized something.

[I have no intention of interfering with the power you’ve gained. It’s surprising that such a thing is possible, but since you achieved it with your own efforts, it’s yours to keep.]

Her words were cryptic yet clear at the same time.

[However, some may not take kindly to the fact that you possess their power. Keep that in mind.]

“I understand.”

Taesan nodded.

[Then, adventurer. Conquer the labyrinth. And fulfill our shared desires.]

With those final words, Taesan returned to the labyrinth.

“Hah.”

Taesan let out a long breath and sat down.

The beginning had been relatively easy, but the latter half had become a whirlwind of unexpected events. While he hadn’t expected it to be simple, it had still been quite exhausting.

[Ohh. So this is the labyrinth?]

Varkaza looked around the labyrinth with great interest.

[Hmm… It’s strong. I can sense powerful beings from just a glance. I like it. I like it very much.]

Varkaza laughed, clearly pleased.

While Varkaza explored the labyrinth, Taesan began organizing his thoughts. He had gained a lot.

He needed to figure out how to use everything and what techniques could be developed from it.

[Title: One Who Has Made a Contract with a King]

[You have formed a contract with the Spirit King, protector of the world and ruler of all spirits. Your authority over spirits has increased, and you can now exert influence over nature.]

Taesan could already feel the title’s effects. When he had made the contract with the Spirit King, he had felt his connection to nature.

And the effects were further enhanced when combined with the skill he had obtained.

[Special Passive Skill: Harmony with Nature]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[You are in harmony with nature and can exert influence over it. However, it seems you can only induce minor changes for now.]

“It didn’t feel minor to me.”

The influence Taesan had felt over nature was enough to control the weather.

If he wanted, he could summon a rainstorm in a sunny area or bring sunlight to a foggy place.

It was practically a miracle, but it wouldn’t be difficult for him now.

[Well, to someone on the level of a Spirit King, it’s probably a minor task. After all, they’re beings capable of creating waterfalls and turning deserts into forests.]

“It feels like I’m becoming less and less human.”

[You’re only realizing that now?]

“I suppose you’re right.”

Taesan continued checking his abilities.

[Special Active Skill: Vessel of the King]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[Mana Cost: 300]

[You can channel part of the Spirit King’s vessel into your body. There will be penalties if you do not possess the strength to match its authority.]

“As expected.”

It was a skill that allowed him to channel the Spirit King’s authority directly into his body. Normally, Taesan wouldn’t have the strength to handle it, but with the ring, he could use it without issue.

[Considering what the ring is made of, it’s not surprising. Still, it’s amazing that even an incomplete vessel can accept the power of a king.]

This was why Beatrice had shown interest in the ring.

This skill was the greatest reward from the contract with the Spirit King. If used alongside the Apostle Transformation skill, Taesan could face an Apostle of the Old Gods without being overpowered by their authority.

“I think I can fight now.”

The Apostle that had killed him before—the one who had defeated him in the end—was no longer a distant goal. He wasn’t yet strong enough to win, but he could hold his own in battle.

He was growing stronger.

[So, can you summon her?]

The ghost asked curiously.

[Minerva said at the end that she wouldn’t be able to come, but I wonder what will happen.]

Minerva had mentioned that she needed to stay in her world to maintain its protection and replenish the power she had given away in the contract.

That meant they wouldn’t be able to fight together.

“Let’s see.”

[Spirit Contract: Wind Spirit King, Minerva]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[Summoning Mana Cost: 1000]

[You have formed a contract with Minerva. You can summon her and give her commands. You can also draw on part of her power.]

Summoning the Spirit King.

The mana cost was a staggering 1000. That meant the effect would be equally powerful.

“Let’s find out.”

[You have summoned the Wind Spirit King, Minerva.]

Humm.

The space in front of Taesan began to distort. At the same time, the power within him stirred.

[You have activated Proxy of the Contract.]

A great force tore open the space.

And from it, a woman with flowing blue hair appeared, falling to the ground.

“Huh? What…?”

Minerva, summoned into the labyrinth, looked around in confusion as she sat on the floor.