Leveling Up With Skills - Chapter 233: 54th Floor (1)

The newly enhanced skill was **Consecutive Attack**.

The **Consecutive Attack** skill originally added a diminished damage bonus to a follow-up strike. But with the **Ability Sword**, it had evolved into a form where the sword could strike twice at once.

Now, an additional effect had been added.

**[Special Activation Skill: Consecutive Attack]**

**[Mana Cost: 3]**

**[Proficiency: 34%]**

**[The next attack will strike twice. The damage has slightly increased. It is no longer constrained by time or space.]**

**[Condition: Advanced Swordsmanship [Ability Sword]]**

**[1. The physical laws of the next attack are applied twice.]**

**[2. You can simultaneously perform both a physical strike and an illusory strike. The illusory strike can be somewhat controlled by the user. This effect lasts for a certain period.]**

**[You can choose one of the two effects to use.]**

The first effect was the one Taesan had been using so far. The second effect was the newly added feature.

As always, the best way to understand it was to try it out. Taesan walked down the passage in search of monsters. A condensed wind entity rushed toward him.

**[You have activated Consecutive Attack.]**

He swung his sword.

At the same time, a black sword strike manifested.

*Clang!*

Taesan’s sword strike and the black sword strike intertwined chaotically, crashing into the monster. Though the monster braced for defense, the attack pierced through and tore its body apart in an instant.

**[Dealt 5312 damage to the Wind Entity.]**

**[Dealt 1232 damage to the Wind Entity.]**

The monster could not withstand it and collapsed.

Satisfied with the result, Taesan nodded.

“Not bad.”

The damage was about 20% higher. Unlike the previous effect, this one couldn’t disrupt the opponent upon impact, but the chaotic nature of the two strikes made it much harder to defend against.

Both had their advantages, and he could switch between them based on the situation.

Additionally, new skills had been added to the **Ability Sword** as his proficiency increased.

**[Special Activation Skill: Stealth]**

**[You conceal yourself, masking your presence. It is still very crude.]**

**[Condition: Advanced Swordsmanship [Ability Sword]]**

**[You can activate it while hiding your presence from an opponent in combat. For 1 second, you evade all detection. However, the effect ends if you are directly seen.]**

“Does this block detection?”

He wouldn’t know the exact effects until he used it, but if it indeed made him undetectable except through physical sight, it would be extremely useful. It would allow him to ambush even in direct combat.

**[Special Activation Skill: Blade of Will]**

**[Mana Cost: 50]**

**[Triples the damage. This skill cannot be used again for an hour after activation.]**

**[Condition: Advanced Swordsmanship [Ability Sword]]**

**[After activation, the impact when clashing with an opponent’s weapon triples.]**

This skill transferred the effect of **Blade of Will** into physical strikes. Naturally, it was a powerful effect. It could be a major game-changer during battle, possibly more useful than the basic effect.

In total, three skills had changed or been added. Additionally, his existing parrying and counter skills had been strengthened.

The ghost marveled.

**[Recently, due to the strength of your opponents, this had been somewhat overshadowed, but it’s still clearly a high-level skill.]**

Enemies like those who brought about the destruction of the world or weakened Ancient Gods were more about sheer power and force than detailed skills.

Because Taesan had been fighting such disparate enemies, the **Ability Sword** hadn’t been able to fully demonstrate its strength.

However, if he faced a humanoid opponent, unless they were overwhelmingly strong, they would have to fight Taesan while being at a clear disadvantage.

Even the newly evolved **Consecutive Attack** would give the opponent the sensation of fighting two enemies at once.

The true potential of the **Ability Sword** was revealed when fighting humanoids.

Specifically, when fighting the **Guides of Sin**.

“I wonder when they’ll show up.”

**[Considering even the demons are quiet, it doesn’t seem like anything is happening right away… But I can’t be sure. If the 60th-floor adventurers fight you, they could probably put up a decent fight, but they haven’t sent them. Maybe they’re planning something?]**

The ghost chuckled as he spoke.

**[Now that I think about it, we’re almost at the end.]**

The adventurers of the 60th floor.

After them, the only remaining enemies would likely be the higher-ups.

Taesan quietly looked at his sword.

The power of the insane spirit dwelling within had grown even stronger.

He was steadily making his preparations.

Gripping his sword, Taesan continued through the labyrinth.

Taesan cleared the 54th floor, discovering the secret room and defeating the boss.

And he didn’t stop there—he proceeded to the 55th floor.

The monsters on the 55th floor were ones that interfered with the mind, creating illusions and breaking down mental fortitude. Naturally, they had no effect on Taesan.

He cleared all the secret rooms and defeated the boss.

By clearing the 55th floor, two pieces of his equipment changed.

**[Ring of the Mirage Containing Remnants]**

**[Intelligence +100]**

**[Defense +100]**

**[Magic +30]**

[A faint mirage is embedded in the ring. The magical energy contained within once had the power to reshape the world.]

**[Hat of the Great Sage]**

**[Defense +120]**

**[Magic +40]**

**[Action Speed +7%]**

[A hat once worn by a great sage, now long forgotten. It still holds the value and power befitting someone of such greatness.]

Both new pieces of equipment were magic-related. The rest of the equipment he found on this floor was also magical in nature.

“Is the theme of this floor related to mystical items?”

**[Maybe.]**

Taesan organized the items he had gathered.

It was about time. The people in the community were solidifying their resolve, having completed their preparations.

Taesan ascended through the labyrinth.

At the 54th floor, he entered the hidden room. Inside, **Lilith** was waiting.

“Hey! Long time no see!”

Lilith greeted him with a bright face. Her expression was noticeably more cheerful than before.

“Thanks to you, I’ve even made it to the 50th floor. You never know what can happen in life.”

She murmured with a new sense of emotion. The 51st floor was a mystical forest. For someone who pursued magic like her, it was like a treasure trove. Although she couldn’t fully utilize it, she enjoyed exploring and discovering the place.

While Lilith looked at Taesan with joy, her eyes caught sight of Varkaza.

“…Hello?”

**[It’s nice to meet you, human. You’re the first one I’ve seen here.]**

“A spirit?”

Taesan nodded. Lilith stared at Varkaza for a moment, then let out a breath of admiration.

“Impressive… With just that spirit alone, you could probably descend past the 50th floor.”

**[I am a being directly empowered by the King. Even in the labyrinth, that significance is not diminished.]**

Varkaza said proudly.

Lilith shifted her gaze back to Taesan.

“You’re here for the offering, right?”

“Yes.”

Taesan pulled out the magical equipment he had gathered. There were quite a few, all of high quality. Lilith’s eyes sparkled.

“Wow… All of this equipment is excellent. The quantity and quality should be enough.”

“That’s what I was hoping for.”

“Alright, just wait a moment.”

Lilith began to lug the equipment over.

“Okay. Now, you just need to pray to the God of Magic.”

Taesan sat before the offering.

He closed his eyes and began to pray.

His consciousness was soon summoned by the god.

**The God of Magic**, **Zervand**, was there.

As before, he was seated in his chair, surrounded by galaxies. Taesan bowed.

“I greet the God of Magic.”

**[Indeed.]**

Zervand responded briefly.

There was a strange glint in his gaze as he looked at Taesan.

It wasn’t hard to guess why.

**[I’m not sure what to do with the power you hold.]**

Zervand spoke.

**[I’d love to crush it and erase every trace of it, but… it’s power you earned by yourself. I cannot interfere in mortal matters now that you’ve ascended to that level. Just be cautious when using it.]**

“Thank you.”

Though it irked him that Taesan had acquired the power of the Ancient Gods, Zervand didn’t seem inclined to interfere.

**[For now, I’ll commend you. To endure that as a mortal is impressive. Even though the power was diminished as it passed through space, no one below your level could have maintained their sanity.]**

Zervand smiled slightly.

**[In fact, the idea that you even obtained their power is absurd. And yet your mind remains unshaken. That must be your unique quality.]**

His face took on a hint of curiosity.

**[I wonder if the magician desired someone like you? Interesting. I’ll have to meet him one day.]**

“Even if you say that…”

Taesan didn’t understand. Zervand chuckled.

**[Curious?]**

Taesan nodded. Zervand leaned back in his chair.

**[My answer is the same as before.]**

“Am I still lacking in strength?”

**[You’ve reached a decent level, but you’re not yet at the point of knowing the secret. However… since you’ve been entertaining enough, I’ll give you a hint.]**

Zervand opened his mouth.

**[What is required to become a transcendent?]**

“Isn’t it status and power?”

The **Status of Transcendence** and the power that matched it. If you only had power, you became an immortal. If you had both, you became a transcendent. That was the basic knowledge Taesan had.

**[You’re right about those two. But the mind must also reach a certain level.]**

“That seems obvious enough.”

Taesan had never believed that someone with great power could have a weak mind. Anyone that strong must have also attained a certain level of mental discipline.

But Zervand shook his head.

**[It’s not just about being skilled or enlightened. There are immortals with broken minds, aren’t there? There’s a specific condition that must be met.]**

Zervand clapped his hands.

**[That’s all I can tell you. You’ll have to find out the rest yourself, or get stronger and learn the answer that way.]**

“Understood.”

**[Now, I’ll grant what you’ve been seeking.]**

Zervand gathered his power.

An overwhelming will descended upon Taesan.

**[You have learned Intermediate Magic: Star Arrow.]**

**[The offering was slightly lacking in value compared to the magic you received, but think of it as a service.]**

“Thank you.”

**[Now it’s time for you to return, isn’t it?]**

Taesan nodded. Zervand smiled mischievously.

**[I’ll be looking forward to your progress.]**

With that, the world faded away.

Taesan found himself back in the labyrinth.

“Whew.”

Lilith was panting with excitement when he returned.

When Taesan gained intermediate magic, Lilith also received the same. That was the nature of their contract. Her face was full of satisfaction.

“This is great.”

**[Not that you’ll be able to use it since you’re low on mana, so why are you so happy?]**

“I don’t care about that. What matters is that a great power now resides within me.”

Lilith smiled brightly.

“Thanks.”

Taesan nodded and stepped outside.

Next up was the blacksmith **Halfran**. He had already entrusted him with some materials and requested the creation of new items.

When Taesan met Halfran on the 50th floor, he had produced some decent equipment.

And now, it was time to return to Earth.