Leveling Up With Skills - Chapter 266: Special Activation Skill. Absolute Judgment (3)

*[Special Activation Skill: Absolute Judgment]*

*[Mana Consumption: 10]*

*[The next attack after activation ignores the opponent’s defense and penetrates all defensive skills and means of defense. However, if the attack is offset, it does not activate.]*

[…Well, this is something.]

The ghost lets out a faint laugh.

[What is this?]

“See for yourself.”

Taesan moved on to the next room.

The final aberration. Taesan swung his sword with his equipment removed.

[You have activated Absolute Judgment.]

[103 damage to the fearful aberration with its eyes covered.]

Crack.

The aberration’s exoskeleton shifted as it took the hit. Taesan raised his sword again.

[You have activated Absolute Judgment.]

[99 damage to the fearful aberration with its eyes covered.]

This time, Taesan did not exploit any weak points in the altered exoskeleton and merely swung his sword ordinarily.

Yet, the damage was similar to before.

Taesan continued to activate Absolute Judgment, relentlessly pressuring the aberration. Although the aberration tried to adapt by changing its exoskeleton, the damage remained unchanged.

Voom.

The aberration changed its pattern, forming a blue veil around itself. Taesan struck down with his sword.

[You have activated Absolute Judgment.]

The sword effortlessly pierced through the veil, skewering the aberration.

[This is truly absurd.]

The ghost muttered. It had believed nothing with Taesan could surprise it anymore, but that notion was completely shattered.

In the labyrinth, defense was one of the most crucial stats. Outside, even the mightiest could die from the most trivial circumstances.

The strongest person in the world could die pathetically from tetanus after stepping on a nail, or a mercenary who had survived countless battles could be struck down by a stray sword.

Health and defense were stats that could prevent such absurd deaths. They also allowed one to safely push through dangerous situations that would otherwise be life-threatening.

Even the deadliest traps could be withstood as long as there was enough health. If one’s defense surpassed the attack, only minimal damage would be taken.

This was why labyrinth adventurers invested significant time and gold in boosting their defense.

And the skill Taesan had obtained now rendered all that effort meaningless.

[It doesn’t just ignore defense; it bypasses defensive skills and even defensive means? Just out of curiosity, can it penetrate fortitude as well?]

Taesan nodded. The ghost couldn’t contain its laughter.

[What on earth…]

Fortitude, which halved all incoming damage, was also meaningless in front of Taesan. The ghost groaned.

[This is ridiculous. This could make you the perfect counter for that guy.]

“That guy?”

[Yes. Among the upper echelons, there’s one boasting the highest defense. So formidable that even the other elites couldn’t break through. But even that one wouldn’t stand a chance against you.]

[Ignoring all defenses… can such things truly be obtained in the labyrinth?]

Even Varkaza couldn’t hide his shock. Among the spirits, some were dedicated entirely to defense, protecting their masters with every ounce of their strength. Yet, before Taesan, their powers were utterly meaningless.

[And the mana cost is only 10? Ridiculously low. It just makes me laugh.]

Crunch.

Taesan took down the aberration.

A smile crossed his face.

One of the skills that had once made him the strongest even in Easy mode had been regained.

“Good.”

Taesan brandished his sword and moved forward.

The boss on the 59th floor was a black aberration, larger and tougher than the previous ones.

But to Taesan, it made no difference.

[You have activated Absolute Judgment.]

Crunch.

The sword shattered the aberration’s body.

It tried to resist, but everything was nullified by Absolute Judgment. In less than a minute, the aberration was down.

“Status window.”

*[Kang Taesan]*

*[Level: 120]*

*[Shield: 3899/3899]*

*[Health: 40820/40820]*

*[Mana: 3780/3780]*

*[Magi: 653/653]*

*[Strength: 8461]*

*[Intelligence: 7261]*

*[Agility: 7815]*

*[Attack Power +2745]*

*[Defense +1622]*

*[The target is in optimal condition.]*

His stats were nearing those of Lee Taeyeon when she had cleared the labyrinth. Reaching the deep levels would undoubtedly bring him up to her level. The ghost muttered.

[These stats are insane.]

This was due to the rank enhancement. Every time he defeated an enemy, he took their stats, resulting in an exponential increase.

While stats weren’t everything in the labyrinth, they were fundamental. The higher the stats, the easier the conquest.

“Are my stats higher than yours?”

[No? They’re lower than mine at the time of my death.]

“Is that so?”

Apparently, stats increased significantly upon reaching the deeper levels. The thought amused him.

Even when Lee Taeyeon cleared Solo mode, her stats weren’t much different from his current ones.

[With these stats, you should be able to handle the equipment of those in the deep levels. Even the elites might have a hard time dealing with you.]

The ghost chuckled.

After defeating the boss, Taesan returned to the labyrinth to search for a secret room. He conquered it and collected the rewards.

Sorting through his gains, he found:

*[Belt of the Echo of Pain]*

*[Black Magic +20]*

*[Intelligence +100]*

*[Defense +150]*

*A belt crafted from the voices of demons tortured by an exceptional black magician. If you listen closely, you can hear the screams of the tortured demons.*

Though the description was unappealing, the effects were useful. Since he primarily used black magic now, any equipment that boosted his stats was beneficial.

And that wasn’t all.

*[Lich’s Necklace of the Western Forest]*

*[Black Magic +40]*

*[Intelligence +200]*

*A necklace gifted to the lich that ruled the forest when it was alive. Even after losing its humanity, it could not discard this necklace.*

This was also excellent equipment. The boost to black magic, given it was a necklace, was significant.

With this, the power of his black magic would noticeably increase.

*[Echo of the Advancing One]*

*[Horn for advancement. When blown in battle, it raises allies’ morale.]*

A horn for group battles. Not useful now but would be once he returned to Earth. Overall, the items were quite useful.

“Well then.”

Taesan descended the stairs.

*[Quest for the 60th floor begins.]*

*[Defeat and pass the boss on the 60th floor.]*

*[Reward: Earth of the Black Soil.]*

*[Secret Reward: ???]*

The 60th floor.

This was the end of the theme of mysterious beings.

The next theme would finally lead to the deep levels.

“I’ve finally arrived near it.”

What once felt so distant was now within reach.

Taesan braced himself and descended the stairs, where the shopkeeper awaited him as always at the floor’s entrance.

“You’re here.”

The shopkeeper spoke calmly, though an unmistakable eagerness gleamed in his eyes.

“At last. You’ve come this far. There’s not much left now.”

“Yes, indeed.”

“Yes. There’s not much left until you reach that place…”

He murmured, his eyes full of desire.

Collecting himself, he asked, “Anything you wish to buy?”

“No.”

Taesan shook his head. He didn’t need to buy anything now. With the deep levels ahead, he intended to save his money.

“Then go on. Go and reach that place.”

The shopkeeper bared his teeth.

Leaving him behind, Taesan moved towards the passage.

What did the shopkeeper desire?

The system window that appeared when Taesan met the shopkeeper called him a lost king.

He must have entered the labyrinth to recover what he had lost.

Whatever that was, it was likely in the deep levels.

Taesan encountered the 60th floor’s monster.

The final mysterious creature was an Imoogi (a mythical Korean dragon in its early form).

The massive Imoogi filled the room and lunged at Taesan.

Taesan drew his sword.

The Imoogi was powerful.

Its massive body moved faster than any monster Taesan had ever seen. Even those who reached this floor would have to fight with death in mind.

[Shyaa!]

The Imoogi thrashed wildly, jaws wide open. Taesan stretched out his hand, and a golden sword appeared in his grasp.

[You have activated Naberius’s Golden Sword.]

He struck a line in midair.

The golden arc sliced through the charging Imoogi. With a loud crash, the Imoogi collapsed.

Taesan clenched and unclenched his fist. As it was mid-level black magic, using it was quite challenging. He needed to practice more to become accustomed.

Without any issues, he cleared the 60th floor.

While the Imoogi was strong, Taesan had reached the threshold of the deep levels.

A mere 60th-floor monster was no threat to him.

He took down one monster after another, advancing steadily.

[Why are you going so slowly?]

“I need to prepare.”

[Ah.]

The ghost understood Taesan’s intent and fell silent. Varkaza spoke in a hesitant tone.

[Master. I sense a powerful force ahead. And… it seems to be akin to mine.]

“It likely is.”

Taesan pushed through the labyrinth.

The notifications from the community inviting him buzzed incessantly, but he ignored them, turning off the alerts entirely to avoid distraction.

Upon reaching a secret room, he overcame the traps and obtained a reward.

The reward was a spear. Though its attack power was decent, it wasn’t suitable for Taesan, who wielded dual swords. He stashed it in his inventory and continued through the labyrinth.

After clearing the monsters, he arrived at the boss room.

[Shyaa…]

[An Imoogi that failed to become a dragon coiled within the room.]

This one was distinct from the previous Imoogi, with smoother, more splendid scales and a face resembling the dragons Taesan had encountered.

Moreover, unlike the other Imoogis, it wielded magic.

Crash!

Taesan struck down at its open maw. With a deafening noise, the Imoogi slammed into the labyrinth floor.

Breaking all the magic cast in the air, he thrust his sword deeply, embedding it with a downward strike.

[Kiieek!]

The Imoogi shrieked and began to thrash wildly.

Taesan calmly engaged the Imoogi.

It wasn’t long before it collapsed with a cry.

Taesan sheathed his sword as the system window displayed his rewards for clearing the 60th floor. He wanted to examine each one, but he had no time to spare.

He turned his gaze towards the staircase.

Footsteps echoed as two figures emerged.

One resembled a knight, armored and radiating a faint glow. It held a massive shield in one hand and a sword in the other.

The other figure was engulfed in a calm, steady flame. Though the flames weren’t intense, one could feel the inherent power and prestige within.

There were two of them.

Taesan looked around.

“No way… these aren’t the Sixth-Rank Guides, are they? Where are they?”

[We killed them all. They were worthless.]

The figure holding the sword spoke calmly.

“Is that so?”

Taesan observed the two.

“Then you two must be the last.”

The final sentinels, barring his path to the deep levels and the elites.

The two spoke.

[I am the Great Fire Spirit King. Vishnu’s Shield.]

[I am the Great Fire Spirit King. Vishnu’s Spear.]

A powerful surge filled the room, swirling intensely.

[Come forth, daring one who opposes the king. Meet your death beneath our power.]