Leveling Up With Skills - Chapter 263: The Old Demon God (2)

A mortal’s attack had reached the body of a transcendent being.

It was an extraordinary event. An achievement no one had accomplished for thousands of years.

Taesan, unaware of this, felt satisfied on his own. Although the Old Demon God’s body bore no wound, not even a scratch, the mere fact that his attack had made contact was enough for Taesan.

One of the Old Demon God’s arms moved. An overwhelming power, beyond even Taesan’s ability to counter, gathered and intensified.

Yet, Taesan did not react defensively; he just smiled.

“This time, I win.”

Boom!

The power concentrated in the Demon God’s arm dispersed.

It didn’t gather again but slowly began to be absorbed beyond the confines of space.

“Time’s up.”

The Old Demon God had descended here with Ilraine’s aid.

And there was a time limit to that descent.

Normally, it would have lasted longer, but the excessive use of power to subdue Taesan had accelerated it. The wave of energy used at the end had been the largest.

Now, the Old Demon God could do nothing more here.

“So get lost.”

The black barrier surrounding them began to collapse. Space expanded, gently enveloping the Old Demon God.

The Old Demon God faded away.

[Congratulations.]

He spoke in pure congratulation.

[You have won. At least this time.]

And then, the Old Demon God disappeared from sight.

With the overwhelming presence cleanly erased, Taesan sank down.

‘I couldn’t activate Spirit Ascent.’

He felt regret, but part of him thought it was for the best.

An anomalous existence, the body of a transcendent being. If he had activated Spirit Ascent and gained something from such an entity, it might have killed him instead.

Not yet. He needed to become stronger, gain more power, and try again later.

The tension drained from his body. The fierce energy and will that had filled his mind vanished without a trace.

Although the battle hadn’t lasted long, it had been more exhausting than any other fight since his rebirth.

“…Phew.”

Taesan braced himself, planting his feet firmly.

As the Old Demon God had said, he had won. Therefore, he should stand with the dignity of a victor.

Swoosh!

The black barrier crumbled completely.

The surroundings came into view.

“Lord Taesan…”

Annetsha’s voice trembled as she shouted. Taesan, noticing the Demon God standing nearby, furrowed his brow.

“…Were you watching?”

[Yes.]

The Demon God nodded.

Her face was filled with boundless pride and satisfaction.

“It would have been nice if you’d helped.”

[I believed you would win. And you did return victorious, didn’t you?]

“Well, yes.”

Taesan grumbled as he turned his gaze.

“Cough! Cough!”

The space that had trapped him dissipated, revealing Ilraine, who had been buried within it.

He let out a faint chuckle.

“Haha… Truly remarkable. To behold the Great One in person and not only survive but retain your sanity…”

Ilraine’s gaze at Taesan was peculiar.

It was as if he were looking at something vast and incomprehensible.

“You… Are you really a mortal? It makes me question.”

“I still am, for now.”

He hadn’t reached their level yet. But one day, he would.

“First… Congratulations. You defeated the Great One.”

Ilraine laughed even as he lay dying.

“But for them, this result isn’t all bad. They saw your power firsthand and now understand better what they might achieve with you.”

It meant the Old Gods would now target Taesan more directly.

As his limbs crumbled, Ilraine spoke with a dying voice.

“I wonder… what path you will take…”

“You won’t be around to see it.”

Taesan drove his sword into Ilraine’s chest. His body disintegrated completely.

“That’s… quite unfortunate…”

[Your Spirit Ascent has been activated.]

[The proficiency of the passive skill *Cradle Nestled in the Abyss* has increased by 6%.]

[The proficiency of the passive skill *Twisted Spirit Coordination* has increased by 5%.]

[You have acquired the passive skill *Double Casting*.]

And so, the Saint of the Old Gods died.

Taesan shook the blood from his sword. The spirit approached him.

[Did you win?]

“Yes.”

Taesan answered briefly. The spirit smirked.

[You monster.]

“Ugh…”

Minerva, who had been collapsed on the ground, began to rise, holding her head.

“Why is she knocked out?”

[The Demon God put her to sleep temporarily. She was a bit too noisy. Because of you.]

“M-Master…”

Minerva looked around frantically. When she spotted Taesan, her pupils widened.

“…Master!”

She ran to him.

Taesan patted her head as she clung to him.

“I’m alive.”

“Ah, Master. Master…”

With her head pressed against him, she wept. His clothes were soaked, but he didn’t mind.

[The Demon God had promised, but seeing it happen still feels surreal. How on earth did you manage to win?]

“Now he’s truly a monster. I can’t believe I once fought against someone like that.”

Varkaza asked out of curiosity, while Quanid grumbled. Annetsha, holding back tears, approached and spoke.

“Congratulations. As expected, Lord Taesan.”

“Yes.”

Taesan looked at her briefly, then turned his gaze to the Demon God.

“O Demon God, I have completed Your task. What say You?”

[Absolutely. Very satisfied, Kang Taesan.]

The Demon God smirked.

The quest was over. It was time to return to the labyrinth.

Before that, the Demon God allowed Taesan to stay in the demonic realm for a short time.

[Even you must be quite exhausted. Rest well.]

It was a kind gesture. The battle with the Old Demon God had been both mentally and physically taxing. Resting before returning to the labyrinth would do no harm.

Varkaza and Minerva had been temporarily unsummoned to the spirit realm.

Varkaza, due to the significant energy expended breaking through the abandoned land, and Minerva, because she had used all her strength to aid Taesan during his fight with the Old Demon God.

As a result, Taesan took a day to rest in the demonic realm.

“It’s about time.”

There was little physical damage. If anything, it was mental fatigue, which recovered after a day.

It was now time to return to the labyrinth.

At that moment, the door opened, and Annetsha entered.

“Lord Taesan, do You have a moment?”

“Yes.”

She sat across from Taesan. After hesitating for a moment, she spoke.

“Lord Taesan, You are truly amazing…”

It was pure admiration and reverence.

The Old Demon God, a transcendent being who ruled the demonic realm only seen in legends. Even though it had been exiled by the Demon God, it was an equal in power.

Taesan had returned victorious against such a being.

He shook his head.

“It’s not that impressive.”

“No, it is. If it were me, I would have accepted defeat the moment I saw it.”

Annetsha laughed softly, then grew serious and asked.

“You’re leaving now, aren’t You?”

“Yes.”

“…Will You ever return here?”

“Who knows. If something comes up, I might. I can’t say for certain.”

“Then… may I ask one thing?”

“Go ahead.”

She took his hand.

“Someday, even if it’s just once, I hope You’ll return here.”

Taesan nodded.

“I’ll try.”

“That’s enough for me.”

Annetsha smiled.

After she left, Taesan waved his hand toward the space. The space opened, and his body was drawn into it.

[Have you rested enough?]

“Yes.”

The Demon God sat on the throne.

She smiled faintly.

[As I said before, I hope you find a place to rest.]

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

[Good enough. No pressure, just keep it in mind.]

The Demon God crossed her legs.

[Now, it’s time for you to receive the reward for all your hardship, isn’t it?]

It was time for the reward.

[But before that, it seems you have some questions.]

“Quite a few, actually.”

But instinctively, he knew the Demon God would not answer.

The Demon God spoke with an ambiguous expression.

[You probably already suspect why. It’s because of the boundary you possess, that power. But… as you might guess, I cannot give you an answer to that question.]

She twirled her hair.

[Because it’s something you’d find difficult to handle.]

“Even though it’s my own power?”

[It’s simple. If you knew what you could do with that power, many beings would target you. Including transcendent and immortal ones.]

“…That sounds serious.”

Not just mortals, but even transcendent beings seeking to kill him. It implied even they viewed Taesan’s gray power as something unnatural.

The Demon God sighed.

[Since their banishment, the Old Gods have shown nothing but anger and hatred to this world. But greed… That an existence as unchanging and close to eternal as they would desire your power—it’s an odd thing.]

The Demon God sighed again.

[So I can’t tell you. Knowing would only add to your confusion.]

“I understand.”

[Who would’ve thought you could get such a thing through the labyrinth’s system.]

She muttered, then clapped her hands, as if to clear the atmosphere.

[Now, to the main point. Taesan, you’ve done exactly what I hoped for.]

She was beyond satisfied that the entire abandoned land, which had been an eyesore, was now gone. And not only that, but Taesan had also triumphed over the Old Demon God that had descended.

It couldn’t have been more satisfying.

[As a reward, become my apostle—]

“I refuse.”

Taesan rejected her flatly.

The Demon God seemed unsurprised by his refusal and merely waved her fingers nonchalantly.

[I figured as much. You have no reason to become anyone’s apostle right now. But… the power of an apostle itself would be a great help to you. So here, take this.]

The divine essence imbued Taesan.

[The special skill *Apostle Transformation [Blended Spiritual Force]* has evolved into the special skill *Apostle Transformation [Darkness and Chaos]*.]

[Check it out. You’ll be satisfied.]

The Apostle Transformation skill was one of Taesan’s most vital, given the constant emergence of formidable foes. The evolution of this skill was one of the most rewarding outcomes Taesan could have received.

[And… the ring you possess.]

The Demon God glanced at the black ring.

[While the white one is too unique and demands too much power to touch, the black one can be managed.]

The Demon God’s power enveloped the black ring. The ring resisted, emitting a force. The Demon God wiggled her fingers, as if finding it amusing.

[Stay still, now.]

Boom!

The power concentrated in the ring.

The ring creaked, and the power it emitted grew stronger.

[I’ve loosened some of the constraints imposed by your lack of strength. Its consciousness has also become stronger… but you should be able to control it without issue now.]

“Thank you.”

[It’s not much, considering what you’ve accomplished.]

And it wasn’t over yet. The Demon God added softly.

The main reward was the black magic. Any other benefits were personal gifts from the Demon God.

[I was originally going to give you a mid-level black magic spell. One that was quite powerful, at that.]

Even that would have been a reward Taesan would be satisfied with. Based on the power of spells like *Frozen World* and *Star Arrow*, the standard of mid-level magic was evident.

But the Demon God’s expression was ambiguous.

[But they interfered.]

“They?”

[Demons contracted with me, who lend their power through black magic.]

The Demon God’s eyes narrowed.

[They have taken an interest in you.]

“…Doesn’t sound like good news.”

Demons.

Beings as complete as the Old Gods from birth, but with lesser inherent power, who lent their power to demons through pacts with the Demon God.

They might not compare to the Old Gods, but they certainly surpassed mortals by far.

Even the potency of a low-level black magic spell demonstrated their strength.

[It’s not exactly good news, but at least for now, it’s not bad. Take it.]

Darkness imbued Taesan, materializing into part of his power.

[You have obtained the mid-level black magic *Naberius’s Golden Sword*.]

[You have obtained the mid-level black magic *Amon’s Jet-Black Spike*.]

[You have obtained *Lemegeton*.]