Leveling Up With Skills - Chapter 288: The Previous Abyss Layer. The Giant King’s Flesh (3)

“Screeeeech!”

The centipede, emerging from the flesh, let out a shrill cry. The heart began to beat.

Thump. Thump.

The powerful pulsations made the mucus-covered surroundings quiver. The trickle of blood that had been slowly seeping out turned into a gushing torrent, in sync with the beating heart.

The flowing blood spread across the ground, soaking it and filling the space.

Then, the blood began to rise.

“Screeeee.”

The centipede’s cry was filled with a clear hostility aimed at Taesan.

“Straightforward.”

It was simple: kill or be killed. There was no need for dialogue.

The rising blood hovered in mid-air, forming into spherical shapes.

The blood spheres launched toward Taesan, transforming into sharp spikes aimed to pierce his body.

Taesan raised his sword.

Clang!

He struck the blood spikes, deflecting and shattering them. Fragments of blood scattered everywhere.

But before the fragments could even hit the ground, they rose again, surging toward Taesan in waves, trying to bind him completely. Taesan countered with a punch.

Boom!

The force of his blow rippled outward, but the blood split apart even before it could be struck, avoiding the attack as it raced toward him.

The blood moved with a will of its own.

[You activated Essence Identification.]
[The blood of the deceased Giant King, manipulated by the centipede’s will.]

‘Troublesome.’

The centipede’s raw power wasn’t overwhelming. In his current state, far beyond the Abyss adventurer’s level, Taesan could easily overcome it.

However, the movements of the blood were unpredictable. It gave no warning of its power or direction, making it nearly impossible to read in advance.

It was logical. This was the power of a long-dead entity, static and unchanging. The centipede, forcefully manipulating it, gave no cues about its trajectory or strength.

“Screech.”

The centipede emitted a soft cry.

At that moment, Taesan detected a trace of will from the centipede.

He stomped his foot, leaping away from the blood pooling on the ground.

Splash!

As soon as he moved, the blood surged violently from the floor.

Had he not moved in time, he would have been impaled. Taesan spread his wings and hovered above, observing the blood from the air.

The blood’s movements remained unreadable, giving no hints or warnings.

However, Taesan had predicted it and avoided the attack.

‘Concept skill.’

A skill gained in the Ruined World of Haphran, allowing him to perceive and manipulate will.

Because the centipede controlled the blood through will, its presence felt stronger than any enemy Taesan had encountered before.

Moreover, after defeating the queen ant, Taesan’s concept skill had reached 60%.

He could now project his will onto the world.

“Screeeeeech!”

The centipede cried again. Blood flowed more violently, rising into a vortex that sought to engulf Taesan.

Calmly, Taesan extended his hand.

“Stop.”

The blood exploded.

The splattering blood rained down toward Taesan.

It was a dangerous situation. The centipede could manipulate the blood to harm him by sharpening it upon contact.

“Screeeee!”

The centipede didn’t miss the opportunity. It projected its will to control the blood touching Taesan.

But nothing happened.

“Screech? Screeeee?”

The centipede was bewildered. Taesan muttered to himself.

“Still not fully under my control.”

Taesan focused his will on the blood spread across the ground.

The blood began to rise in response to Taesan’s will.

He stomped his foot. The blood, now sharp and controlled, shot toward the centipede.

“Screee!”

The centipede howled. Its will clashed with Taesan’s, causing the blood to scatter violently in all directions.

The ghost watching this finally understood.

[You’re… controlling the blood?]

It wasn’t through mana or magi. It wasn’t by physical force.

Taesan was controlling the blood purely with his will.

“Screeeee…”

The centipede couldn’t comprehend.

From the moment it gained consciousness, it had always been here. Though its awareness had flickered in and out, it had lived its entire life buried in the flesh of the heart.

Whenever it hungered, it devoured the heart’s flesh and drank its blood. Over countless eons, the Giant King’s remains became part of the centipede.

Eventually, the centipede gained control over the Giant King’s blood.

With that power, it had turned countless intruders into extensions of itself. None had been able to resist its strength.

Although intrusions ceased at some point, the centipede wasn’t intelligent enough to understand why.

Over time, it began to believe itself invincible. As long as the space remained filled with blood, it was untouchable.

But now, that invincibility was crumbling.

“Screeeeeee!”

The centipede, panicking, unleashed its will. Taesan, however, focused on the blood beneath him.

The blood quivered as if ready to rise but then stilled.

The centipede couldn’t comprehend why the blood it always controlled now resisted. It felt as if someone was interfering.

[It’s certain now.]

The ghost murmured in awe.

[Will manipulation… or more precisely, materialization? You’re moving objects with pure will?]

“It’s not as grand as it sounds. I can’t do much with it yet. But… for now, it’s enough.”

Taesan’s will moved.

The blood surged violently. The centipede screeched, its will clashing with Taesan’s as the blood burst outward.

Taesan charged directly at the centipede.

The centipede tried to resist, but its power was solely tied to the blood. Though its own strength wasn’t negligible, it was no match for Taesan.

Crunch.

“Screeeeech!”

Taesan’s sword pierced deep into the heart. The centipede screeched as the blade impaled its body.

Taesan reached his hand deep into the heart.

The writhing sensation of the centipede’s body met his hand. Taesan clenched tightly.

With a sickening crack, the centipede’s long body was forcibly pulled out of the heart.

“Screeeeech!”

Taesan slammed the centipede down, sending the surrounding blood splattering.

Pinning the writhing creature to the ground, he drove his sword deep into its body and dragged it through in a long slash.

The centipede thrashed violently, its countless legs wriggling as it tried to escape. It snapped its jaws at Taesan, attempting to bite him.

Taesan, unbothered, crushed all resistance beneath his feet.

“Screeeeeee…”

Before long, the centipede went limp.

[You have defeated the Centipede Feeding on the Heart.]
[Your Spiritual Rank Enhancement has activated. Your health has permanently increased by 1,021, strength by 150, and intelligence by 300.]
[Your Spiritual Rank Enhancement has activated. Mastery of ??? has increased by 2%.]
[Sub-quest completed.]
[Calculating rewards…]

The ghost asked,

[How exactly did you do that?]

“Wait a moment.”

Taesan focused on the blood around him.

The blood began to rise and swirl chaotically around him.

Swish.

The currents of blood moved rapidly around Taesan before falling back down.

“So this is how it works.”

[Hah.]

The ghost let out an astonished sigh.

Taesan was manipulating objects and influencing reality solely through his will.

This was a power associated with transcendent beings, yet Taesan demonstrated it effortlessly.

Still, Taesan assessed the situation with calm detachment.

“It’s not as extraordinary as it seems.”

He had only been able to overpower the queen ant’s will because of the vast gap in their strength. Moreover, the worker ants had no self-awareness, making them easy to influence.

The centipede was no different.

The blood it controlled wasn’t its own power. It merely interfered with the latent strength of the deceased Giant King.

In essence, it was a matter of how someone manipulated ownerless power.

That was why it had succumbed so easily to Taesan’s will. Against those wielding their own genuine power, this ability wouldn’t be nearly as effective. It was far removed from the domain of transcendent beings.

[Even so, it’s a ridiculous ability…]

The ghost remained in awe. This power meant Taesan could exert near-absolute control over anything without a true owner.

“We’ll see in time. I should visit Haphran to investigate further,” Taesan murmured.

At that moment, a system window appeared.

[Calculation complete.]
[You have received the 63rd-floor clear reward: [Magubania’s Crimson Shoes].]
[You have received the 63rd-floor secret room reward: [Orb of Dark Essence].]
[You have received the 63rd-floor clear reward: ???]
[Your level has increased.]
[Your level has increased.]
[Your level has increased.]
[The interference field of Arrogance has decreased.]
[Arrogance invites you to their domain.]

Taesan nodded.

“I accept.”

Boom!

The world warped. Everything distorted as Taesan’s body began to shift into the god’s domain.

When the distortion subsided, Taesan stood before an enormous gate.

It was larger than any mountain and seemed impossible to open. In the pitch-black space, only the massive crimson gate was visible.

[Interested?]

A voice echoed from behind Taesan. It was lighthearted, neither solemn nor heavy.

[You don’t have the qualifications to open that door yet. That’s a matter for much later. Still, I won’t stop you if you’d like to try. Want to open it?]

“No,” Taesan replied, shaking his head and turning around.

Standing there was a man with black hair and a bright smile on his face. He wore an adventurer’s outfit and spoke cheerfully.

[It’s nice to meet you.]

“I greet the Great God,” Taesan said, kneeling.

Arrogance waved dismissively.

[No need for that. Be at ease.]

With a snap of his fingers, two wooden chairs appeared.

[Have a seat.]

As Arrogance sat down, Taesan followed suit.

[It’s been a while for you too, hasn’t it?]

[…I greet the Great One.]

The ghost hesitated but spoke respectfully. Arrogance, observing him quietly, muttered:

[I’m truly sorry for what happened to you. I thought you’d be the one to reach the end someday.]

[Your words alone are a comfort.]

The ghost replied bitterly. Having failed in his own journey, he knew that even if he had reached the end, his desires wouldn’t have been fulfilled. Arrogance’s words offered little solace.

But Arrogance continued.

[How will you respond to the opportunity that has come to you despite your failure?]

[…What do you mean?]

[Zervand mentioned it, didn’t he?]

[…]

Zervand had told the ghost he would face three choices and warned him not to regret the wrong one.

[The time for that is approaching. I’m just reminding you not to regret your decision.]

[…Thank you.]

The ghost fell silent.

Taesan asked, “Have you seen the future?”

[It’s not as grand as that. Some of those who dislike you are making moves. It’s not hard to predict their actions.]

Arrogance shook his head and added:

[The reason I imposed this trial on you was to confirm something.]