Leveling Up With Skills - Chapter 274: Floor 61, Trial Grounds (5)

[Conquering and reaching are different issues? So, are you saying that even if you reached the end, you wouldn’t have been able to make your wish?]

“I don’t know. I never made it to the end of the labyrinth. But… I’m certain of this.”

Beldenkia spoke calmly.

“Even if I cleared the labyrinth, I wouldn’t have been able to make my wish. Because I wouldn’t have conquered the labyrinth.”

Conquering and clearing.

The ghost began to grasp the distinction.

[…So it’s not enough just to clear it?]

“Exactly. Hero, you’re extraordinary. You might be able to clear the labyrinth. But you’d have ended up like me.”

[Hmm.]

The ghost crossed his arms, seemingly deep in thought. Yet his voice carried neither confusion nor denial.

[I figured as much.]

“You expected it?”

[To some extent. If it’s about granting wishes, then gods themselves would be directly intervening. It’s hard to imagine such incredible rewards being granted just for clearing the labyrinth.]

Wishes weren’t trivial. If gods granted them, it meant influencing the very fabric of the universe under specific conditions.

Though the labyrinth was undoubtedly difficult and life-threatening, the risks felt disproportionately low for the magnitude of the potential reward.

Even so, the ghost had descended into the labyrinth, hoping for the slim chance of success, and believing that the power needed to clear it could also save their world.

[So, what does conquest mean?]

“I don’t know. Maybe it means solving everything in the labyrinth, or fulfilling certain conditions… One thing is certain—I can no longer do it.”

[Then…]

The ghost’s gaze shifted to Taesan.

[What about you?]

Taesan had resolved and addressed every challenge the labyrinth had thrown at him. He was perhaps closest to embodying the meaning of “conquest.”

“Well.”

It seemed possible based on his progress so far, but without knowing the exact requirements, it was difficult to say. The conversation naturally made Taesan think of Lee Taeyeon.

‘She managed to clear the labyrinth.’

She never mentioned having fulfilled a wish.

In hindsight, it was odd. Someone as cautious and hesitant as her would surely have wished to prevent the monsters from invading Earth if she could.

Yet she had returned, leaving a warning for Taesan before her death.

She either failed to achieve her wish or fulfilled it in a way unknown to Taesan.

He couldn’t say. Lee Taeyeon never spoke about it.

‘Who knows.’

Taesan pondered quietly.

As he thought, a day passed. It was time for the final trial.

“Spirit Arts.”

“Understood.”

[All abilities except for Spirit Arts have been sealed.]
[You have summoned the highest-grade spirit of many colors, Varkaza.]
[You have summoned the Spirit King of Wind, Minerva.]

“Here we go.”

Minerva landed gracefully. Beldenkia, upon seeing her, let out a hollow laugh.

“A Spirit King… This is absurd.”

A contract with a Spirit King. Even Beldenkia, who had seen countless spirit mages, had never witnessed such a sight.

Beldenkia tapped the magic circle. With a roar, a golem emerged.

*Roar!*

The golem charged forward. Taesan gave his command.

“Take it down.”

[Jumping straight into battle after being summoned. Not bad.]

“Ugh, this is annoying.”

While Varkaza seemed eager, Minerva grumbled about the sudden fight. Nevertheless, they both lunged at the golem.

*Boom!*

The battle had barely begun, but the golem was quickly overwhelmed. As Taesan grew stronger, so did Minerva. With the spirits handling the fight effectively, Taesan only needed to observe.

“Clearing Stage 10 with spirits alone, without their master’s direct assistance.”

Beldenkia chuckled in satisfaction. The more Taesan showcased his power, the more delighted Beldenkia became.

It wasn’t long before the golem fell.

[You have cleared the fourth trial.]
[You have obtained the Water of Harmony with Spirits.]

*Water of Harmony with Spirits*
[Increases affinity with spirits, significantly extends the summoning duration of spirits, and raises the power spirits can manifest in the world.]

“What’s this? This energy feels familiar,” Minerva said, her eyes sparkling as she stared at the vial.

Taesan drank the water.

*Whir.*

A strange energy flowed through his body, spreading to every corner.

“Oh…”

Taesan couldn’t help but let out a small exclamation of wonder.

He could feel the vitality of the weeds scattered across the labyrinth floor. He could smell the gentle breeze emanating from Minerva.

The world felt closer.

Minerva, sensing the change, looked wide-eyed.

“What the—?”

“What do you feel?”

“I sense a strong aura of nature from you, Master. And the energy required to maintain my summoning has decreased.”

Minerva swung her arms, forming a small hurricane with the gathered wind.

“…The energy cost has dropped by more than half.”

“Good.”

Minerva had always been powerful, but the time limit on her summoning was a significant drawback. Despite having power comparable to Taesan, her restrictions had limited her potential.

With this limitation reduced, the reward would undoubtedly be of great help moving forward.

But Minerva couldn’t accept the change as calmly as Taesan.

“Master, this isn’t something to take lightly.”

She was a Spirit King, and the energy required to summon her was something even hundreds of skilled spirit mages couldn’t sustain.

She had only been able to descend thanks to a direct intervention from the Spirit God lifting her restrictions.

And now, a single vial of water had halved those restrictions.

“This is the 61st floor. It’s already a deep part of the labyrinth. What he’s done is an impossible feat.”

Beldenkia stated matter-of-factly.

“Such rewards are to be expected. And this isn’t the end.”

Beldenkia raised his staff.

“Normally, I would now give you the final reward. It’s a culmination of everything you’ve done, providing a fitting conclusion to my role here.”

Mana radiated from his staff, spreading like waves throughout the room.

“But… the merciful mage has permitted me to take this a step further.”

Beldenkia smiled faintly.

[Beldenkia has challenged Taesan to a duel. Both parties can use all their abilities.]

Taesan glanced at the sudden system notification.

“I believe in you. With the strength you’ve shown so far, I’m confident you can fulfill my wish.”

It would be dangerous, life-threatening even, but there was a chance. And that chance was enough.

“But this is my way of staking everything I have.”

What would happen to Beldenkia if Taesan failed?

There were few gods merciful enough to spare mortals who opposed them, and the God of Fall was certainly not one of them.

“Of course, Beldenkia may be untouchable due to the constraints of his contract, but the princess isn’t.”

“I want to see your true power, unrestricted by any limitations. Fight me with everything you have.”

*Whir.*

Mana waves surged, filling the air.

[*Hidden Quest: The Fifth Trial has begun.*]

This was a trial only available to those who had received Beldenkia’s personal quest.

“What’s the point of fighting you?”

Winning was impossible. Even the labyrinth’s top-tier beings would undoubtedly lose against Beldenkia in his prime. Fighting him seemed absurd.

Beldenkia shook his head.

“I’m not asking you to win. I just want to see if you can reach a level I find acceptable.”

“In that case.”

Taesan drew his sword.

Fighting against an overwhelmingly strong opponent always presented opportunities to learn and grow.

“Come at me, adventurer. Prove your strength.”

[Beldenkia has activated *Frozen World.*]

An intense frost surged forth.

Taesan had used intermediate ice magic before, but this was on a completely different level. The very air froze as waves of cold enveloped the space.

[You have activated *Apostle Transformation: Darkness and Chaos.*]
[You have activated *King’s Vessel.*]
[You have activated *Embers of Calamity.*]

Flames capable of bringing about the end of the world erupted. The fire clashed against the frost, the elements colliding violently.

“What in the—?”

Taesan clicked his tongue.

Even with his flames roaring, the frost didn’t dissipate. The walls of the labyrinth remained frozen solid.

[Beldenkia has activated *Star Arrow.*]
[Beldenkia has activated *Magic Separation.*]

A barrage of star-shaped arrows filled the air, multiplying into hundreds, then thousands, before firing all at once.

“Click.”

Realizing he couldn’t dodge them all, Taesan charged toward Beldenkia instead.

The arrows struck him, but *Attack Nullification* activated.

[Your first *Attack Nullification* has been triggered.]

“What?”

Beldenkia’s eyes widened in shock. His attacks not only failed to harm Taesan but also completely vanished, as though erased.

But Beldenkia was a seasoned mage of the Depths.

Before his surprise could paralyze him, his hands moved instinctively.

[Beldenkia has activated *Resonant and Echoing Waves.*]

Invisible waves of mana surged forward, attempting to push Taesan back.

Even though it was a simple manifestation of mana, the sheer force behind it was overwhelming.

“Minerva.”

“Oh… even I’m struggling with this.”

Minerva broke into a sweat, summoning all her power to unleash a gale of wind.

*Boom!*

She gave it her all, using every bit of the extended summoning time granted by the potion.

Even so, she couldn’t completely block the resonating waves.

Minerva was stunned.

‘What kind of power is this?’

Even if she fought in her true form as the Spirit King, she wouldn’t stand a chance. The strength Beldenkia displayed didn’t seem like something a mortal could wield.

“Damn it!”

Varkaza also joined the effort, but even together, they could only partially mitigate the waves.

That was enough, though, for Taesan to block the remainder with his absolute defense.

He steadied his footing.

[You have activated *Acceleration.*]

Taesan charged forward. The resonating mana waves broke against his absolute defense. Beldenkia, impressed, swung his staff.

“What kind of powers do you possess?”

[Beldenkia has activated *Guardian of the Azure World.*]

A shimmering blue barrier enveloped Beldenkia.

It was an advanced-tier magic barrier, one that even the labyrinth’s top entities would struggle to penetrate.

‘How will he get through this?’

Beldenkia watched with anticipation. He believed Taesan might be able to overcome even this.

Taesan didn’t disappoint, though not in the way Beldenkia expected.

[You have activated *Absolute Judgement.*]

The moment Taesan’s sword touched the barrier, it vanished.

Beldenkia’s eyes widened to their limits as Taesan seized the opportunity, pressing his attack like a storm.

[You have activated *Naberius’s Golden Sword.*]

The golden blade slashed through the air, aimed directly at Beldenkia.

Just as the attack was about to land, Beldenkia’s body disappeared.

[Beldenkia has activated *Blink.*]

“Phew.”

Far off, Beldenkia caught his breath.

‘I nearly got hit?’

Even the labyrinth’s top-tier leaders wouldn’t be able to approach him, yet here was an adventurer who hadn’t even reached the Depths nearly landing a decisive blow.

“Click.”

Taesan clicked his tongue and activated black magic.

[You have activated *Mephisto’s Black Lightning.*]
[Beldenkia has activated *Pillars Embedded in the Earth.*]

Earthen pillars rose, intercepting the black lightning and dispersing it into the ground.

“Black lightning is hard to dodge, but it’s not unbeatable.”

Beldenkia smiled, his face alight with joy.

‘With this level of power…’

Perhaps his wish truly could be fulfilled. With a renewed sense of hope, he unleashed his power once more.

“Let’s continue.”

The battle raged on.

After over an hour, the fight finally ended with Taesan’s defeat.

Yet Taesan remained calm. He had gained much from the fight. Facing a high-ranking mage taught him invaluable strategies and countermeasures.

‘This is good.’

When he first entered Solo Mode, even Ainzhar’s weakest attacks had been beyond him.

Now, he had held his own against a mage comparable to Ainzhar, despite not yet reaching the Depths.

“Haha! Excellent. Truly excellent, Kang Taesan.”

Beldenkia was thoroughly satisfied as well.

Of course, if Beldenkia had fought with the intent to kill, Taesan wouldn’t have stood a chance. A barrage of dozens of intermediate spells would have ended things instantly.

But Beldenkia hadn’t gone easy, either. Even while countering Taesan’s attacks and aiming for victory, Taesan had endured.

“With your strength now, even the top leaders won’t underestimate you. Yes, with this kind of power, it’s possible.”

Beldenkia waved his hand.

“I’m satisfied.”

[You have obtained the *Supreme Attack Boost Potion.*]
[You have obtained the *Supreme Defense Boost Potion.*]

“And here are some additional rewards from me.”

[You have obtained the *Singing Gem* and the *Echoing Steel Ring.*]
[You have obtained the *Mage’s Music Box.*]