Leveling Up With Skills - Chapter 231: The 52nd Floor (2)

“Hello?”

Taesan waved his hand.

Minerva stared at Taesan, dazed.

“Uh, uh, uh?”

She looked around. A small space made of bricks, and the immense power felt within it.

“Taesan?”

“We meet again.”

Taesan nodded. Minerva’s face became even more confused.

“I wasn’t supposed to be summoned, though?”

She was supposed to protect Arullia. When she made the contract with Taesan, they had excluded the part about summoning.

“So this is what a gift is.”

Taesan checked the skill that had been activated when Minerva was summoned.

[Special Passive Skill: Proxy of the Contract]

[Part of the power generated by the contract with the Spirit King is substituted for.]

It seemed like Beatrice was bearing the power that allowed Minerva to come here.

Minerva, who finally grasped the situation, had her face darken.

“…I understand now. My father gave me this kind of help…”

Her voice was filled with emotion.

“Haha. I thought I’d never see you again. It’s good to see you.”

Minerva smiled and approached Taesan.

When she opened her arms, Taesan kept his distance.

“What? Why are you moving away?”

“It didn’t matter before, but now it feels a bit awkward.”

Minerva had previously appeared as a child. But now, she was in the form of a mature woman, and hugging her like before felt awkward.

Minerva puffed her cheeks. Even though she had become a complete Spirit King, mentally, it seemed she hadn’t matured that much.

When Taesan patted her head, she grinned widely.

“Feels good.”

[Oh King.]

“Oh, Varkaza. Hello to you too. And hello to you, Ghost.”

[Hello. A contract with the Spirit King, and now the summoning of the Spirit King. This must be a sight for those in the depths.]

The ghost chuckled.

Minerva, realizing for the first time where she had been summoned, spoke.

“This is the labyrinth?”

“Yes.”

“Ho.”

She looked around with gleaming eyes. As she sensed the powers around her, she let out a sigh of admiration.

“Strong. I can’t take this lightly.”

She was a protector of the world, stronger than most beings in the entire universe.

However, in the labyrinth, she sensed powers on par with her or stronger. This fact piqued Minerva’s curiosity.

“Are there spirits here?”

“There are.”

The Spirit King of Fire.

She was Taesan’s enemy. It was hard to predict how Minerva would react when meeting another Spirit King.

Would she show hostility toward the one who abandoned her duties, or would she be conflicted and unable to oppose her own kind?

Minerva seemed to have caught on to Taesan’s inner thoughts and smiled.

“Don’t worry. I’ve made a contract with you. No matter who I face, I’m on your side. Except for my father, of course.”

“That’s a relief.”

It seemed there wouldn’t be any issues when fighting the Spirit King.

Now that the situation was understood, it was time to move on to the main topic.

“How much power can you use?”

“Hmm.”

Minerva groaned and raised her hand. Wind gathered at her palm, and it began to take a tangible form.

Minerva clenched her fist.

The wind exploded, shaking the labyrinth. Taesan’s hair swayed violently.

“…I can’t use my full power. At best, I can wield the highest-level spirit power, and at the very top of that.”

[It’s only natural since this guy doesn’t yet have the strength to fully bear the contract of a Spirit King. Still, to reach the top of the highest rank is impressive.]

The ghost spoke in awe.

[With Minerva and Varkaza, you could probably conquer the labyrinth.]

“Is there a time limit for the summoning?”

“My father substitutes the power consumed during the summoning. Once all that power is used up, I’ll be forcibly returned. But if I control the power carefully, I could probably stay indefinitely.”

“That’s good.”

Taesan nodded. It was a favorable condition.

The stronger he became, the closer the Spirit King’s power would get to its full potential. Beatrice had given him a satisfactory reward.

“It doesn’t seem like you need me right now.”

“For now, no.”

“Then I’ll go back. I’m going to be quite busy for a while.”

Minerva had just been born. There would be much to do in Arullia.

“Okay.”

“Hehe. See you later, Taesan.”

Minerva smirked and waved her hand.

The Spirit King of Wind vanished beyond the space.

Varkaza let out a sigh.

[It’s nice to be with the King, but my contract feels overshadowed.]

“That won’t happen.”

Varkaza had plenty of tasks to handle on his own.

And there was still more to check.

[Title: Master of Nature]

[Recognized by the Spirit God Beatrice. All spirits acknowledge and approve of your existence. You also have vast influence over nature.]

[Damage to spirits +30%]

There were as many as three skills that gave him influence over nature. Thanks to that, he could control the weather.

The damage also increased by 10%. Not a bad change.

[Special Passive Skill: Clear Mirror Reflection]

[Proficiency: 58%]

[A steady mind. An unyielding will. An indomitable spirit. An immortal struggle.]

His proficiency in Clear Mirror Reflection had greatly increased after overcoming the trial of the Ancient God.

Some additional sentences had been added, but nothing felt too different. It was as if the original power had now been included in the description.

[Special Passive Skill: Twisted Spiritual Force Coordination]

[Proficiency: 42%]

[Twisted beings can distort and manipulate their spiritual force. By bearing an appropriate burden, one can control the spiritual force within themselves or nearby.]

The Twisted Spiritual Force Coordination had also evolved at 40 percent.

The first change was that the burden had decreased. And now, he could control not only his spiritual force but also others’ within a certain distance.

“It’s not for offense but defense.”

When a spiritual force attack came, he could distort it and deflect some of the impact. Based on the description and feeling, that seemed to be its purpose.

It was a meaningful change. All the enemies he couldn’t yet confidently defeat had high spiritual force, so deflecting spiritual force was akin to deflecting attacks.

And lastly, the change in the insane spirit.

[A vengeful spirit resides within. Attack power +80. Against spirits: Attack power +30%. Against Spirit Kings: Attack power +60%. Spirit skills “Abandoned Blade” and “Wrath of the Acknowledged” can now be used against Spirit Kings.]

His attack power had increased by 50.

Moreover, his attack power against spirits had increased by 10%, and against Spirit Kings by 20%.

And a new skill, “Wrath of the Acknowledged,” had appeared.

Overall, it was a change aimed solely at killing a Spirit King.

He was looking forward to his encounter with the Spirit King of Fire.

Though the proficiency of his conceptual skills had risen, there weren’t any noticeable changes. It seemed he was now at a transitional stage.

“Then.”

Now came the final part.

The one skill that filled him with both anticipation and unease.

[Transcendence: Black]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[Consumption ???: ???]

[?#[system protected]!! #[system protected]# @#@11

“What is this?”

It was a skill he had obtained after blocking the passage of the Ancient God.

The power of the Ancient God had entered him, raising his spiritual force.

The consumption and the details were unknown.

It was essentially a mysterious skill.

The ghost sighed.

[Honestly, it feels pretty ominous. I think it might be better to just leave it alone… But I know you won’t make that choice.]

It was a new card in his hand. Ignoring it was not an option.

Whether it would be a boon or a bane, he had to at least try it.

Taesan activated the skill.

[You have activated Black.]

Taesan’s shadow rippled.

The moving shadow seemed to have its own will and began creeping forward.

[Master?]

[Huh?]

The ghost was astonished.

The power emanating from the rippling shadow was something the ghost had experienced before.

A shadow that devoured and corroded everything.

This power was similar to what Hasak, who had made a contract with the Ancient God, had wielded.

Taesan furrowed his brow slightly. An unpleasant sensation slowly crept into his mind. Just by using the skill, he felt his mind being tainted.

Taesan dispelled the shadow. The creeping sensation that had invaded his mind subsided.

“I can use it, but it’s going to be tough.”

Although he could suppress the corruption, in a battle where the slightest difference could decide the outcome, it would be hard to use. Depending on the efficiency of the shadow, it could be a double-edged sword.

[This is…]

The ghost was still unable to hide his shock.

The shadow was power directly granted by the Ancient God. In other words, it was the power of the Ancient God itself.

Taesan had this power, despite not making a contract with the Ancient God.

Just as the ghost was about to say something, the labyrinth trembled.

Boom!

The bricks shook. The ground rose as power converged.

[I don’t know how you got here, but.]

Balbamamba, who had revealed himself, radiated hostility. Intense killing intent surged toward Taesan.

Varkaza hastily created a barrier, but it shattered in an instant. The power was beyond what he could handle.

[How dare a lackey of the Ancient God set foot here. I’ll make you regret your arrogance…]

As he was gathering his power, Balbamamba paused when he saw Taesan.

[…You.]

“Hello?”

Taesan waved his hand.

Balbamamba, silent for a moment, spoke.

[I felt the power of the Ancient God here.]

“This?”

[You have activated Black.]

The shadow rippled. Balbamamba was momentarily speechless at the sight of Taesan clearly wielding the power of the Ancient God.

[…Did you make a direct contract with the Ancient God?]

“As if. Why would I make a contract with something like that?”

[That’s… true. Wait a moment.]

Balbamamba’s presence expanded.

[As the labyrinth’s overseer, I command. Reveal yourself.]

His gaze scrutinized Taesan.

[This is…]

Then, a groan escaped him.

[This is… fascinating.]

“I’m just as confused.”

Taesan drew his sword. Although he didn’t know all the details, Balbamamba seemed to show hostility toward the black power Taesan possessed.

But Balbamamba shook his head.

[You don’t need to worry. I’ve figured out the situation. I have no intention of doing anything.]

“That’s good to hear.”

[The power you just wielded is that of the Ancient Gods. So I assumed you were their lackey. It’s confusing.]

Balbamamba’s presence faded. The labyrinth began to return to its original state.

[It’s a strange thing, but since no contract has been made, I won’t do anything. Continue descending the labyrinth.]

Balbamamba’s final voice echoed faintly as he disappeared.

[Is this what the magician was after?]

His presence completely vanished.

[That was close.]

[A being beyond my capabilities. Are there many like that scattered throughout the labyrinth?]

The ghost spoke. Varkaza was impressed.

[You’ll have to be careful when using that power. Personally, I’d recommend not using it at all.]

Balbamamba had shown hostility toward Taesan. It was likely the gods would react similarly.

‘So this is what Beatrice was talking about.’

She had said that there would be those who wouldn’t look kindly upon him, though they wouldn’t interfere.

She had been referring to the black power Taesan had gained.

It was the power of the Ancient Gods. Not an indirect power like the Twisted Spiritual Force Coordination, but the actual power of the Ancient Gods themselves.

Naturally, the beings of this world wouldn’t view it favorably.

Taesan resolved to seal the black power unless absolutely necessary. Gods were egocentric, and they might kill him just for using it.

All the checks were complete.

It was time to descend the labyrinth again.

Taesan advanced. Varkaza followed, seemingly excited.

[A transparent snake has appeared.]

“Varkaza.”

Boom.

Varkaza clapped his hands.

Light erupted and swept through the area.

The transparent snake moved violently to evade, but it was engulfed in the light that filled the room and disappeared.

[You’ve gotten stronger too. You could probably handle up to the 60th floor on your own.]

[It’s the King’s grace. But to encounter a transparent snake that has power equivalent to a high-ranking spirit as an enemy. Interesting. Very interesting.]

Varkaza’s voice was filled with intense delight.

He was thoroughly enjoying himself and eagerly stepped into the fight. Thanks to him, Taesan was able to clear the 52nd floor without doing anything.

After passing through the secret room, they reached the boss. The boss of the 52nd floor was a transparent scorpion.

[Ho.]

Boom!

Light trembled. Being a boss, it didn’t go down easily. It swung its pincers, distorting the light, and charged toward Varkaza.

[Hahaha!]

Varkaza let out a loud laugh.

Taesan didn’t intervene.

The victory, of course, went to Varkaza. But it wasn’t an easy fight, and it took quite a bit of time.

[That was fun.]

Varkaza laughed. It was the most animated voice Taesan had ever heard from him.

[It was the right choice to follow you. Who knew a place like this existed?]

“You seem satisfied. That’s good.”

Taesan checked the rewards.

First, the purple leaf obtained from the secret room. It was absorbed by the bracer imbued with killing intent and strengthened.

[Bracer with Killing Intent.]

[A bracer that seeks to kill everything except its owner. Created by the Witch’s whims. There is still something hidden within. It has absorbed a red rose thorn, green vine roots, and a cursed leaf.]

[Attack +125]

[Defense +10]

Attack power increased by 50. His attack power now comfortably exceeded 2000.

[Necklace of the Transparent One.]

[Defense +100]

[A necklace worn by a magician who had disappeared forever.]

[The wearer of this necklace enters a state of light concealment. The concealment is not dispelled unless they attack or bump into something.]

“Oh?”

A piece of equipment that allowed for permanent invisibility while worn.

It was a decent piece of equipment. Though the enemies Taesan faced could easily see through invisibility, it would be helpful for certain quests.

“I should keep it for now.”

And the secret reward.

[You have used ???.]

[You have obtained the Boots of the World’s End.]

[Boots of the World’s End.]

[Attack +6]

[Defense +200]

[Agility +150]

[Movement Speed +20%]

[Action Speed +12%]

[These boots are said to reach the world’s end. Whether that’s true, no one knows.]

[You can leap further distances.]

[You can perform a very short-range blink. This effect can be used once per hour.]

“Blink, huh.”

It was quite good. Unlike random blinks, this allowed him to jump exactly where he wanted.

The boots he was currently wearing had an excellent effect of removing status conditions once per day, but it was worth switching.

After finishing all the equipment changes, Taesan descended to the 53rd floor.

‘I need to descend quickly.’

It had been quite some time since his last return to Earth. According to Taesan’s memory, there wasn’t much time left.

The time was approaching for the things he had built up to come into play.

He intended to gain as much as he could before then.

“So much to do.”

Taesan muttered as he descended the stairs.