Chapter 305: The Fifth Return, Earth (1)
Taesan gazed at the bracelet.
A crimson bracelet, as red as blood. Likely due to the inclusion of the Giant King’s blood as a material. He could feel the immense power contained within it.
It was strong.
Though it didn’t possess a sentient will like some rings, the unwavering power suggested it would follow its master’s intent without question.
[Bracelet of Despair Containing a Fragment of the World]
[Strength +500]
[Agility +500]
[Intelligence +500]
[Attack +500]
[Defense +500]
[Description: Forged from the flesh and blood of the Giant King and infused with the power of materials from a now-ruined world, this bracelet embodies a fragment of the world itself.]
[Special Activation Skill: Greed of Destruction.]
A grin crept across Taesan’s face.
The stats and attack power were satisfactory. While they didn’t surpass those of his rings, the numbers were still impressive.
Then there was the special activation skill, which seemed to be the bracelet’s core feature. Taesan opened his skill window to examine it.
[Special Activation Skill: Greed of Destruction]
[Mana Cost: 40]
[Effect: Synchronizes the user’s will with the power contained within the bracelet, allowing it to consume and nullify attacks imbued with an opponent’s will. However, it cannot consume attacks that surpass the user’s will or the bracelet’s power.]
After interpreting the description, Taesan turned to Haphran.
“A defensive skill?”
Taesan had requested an offensive piece of equipment that could be controlled by his will.
Seeing his reaction, Haphran raised his hands.
“Let me explain myself.”
“Go ahead.”
“At first, I tried to create an offensive piece as you requested. I envisioned manipulating space using the Giant King’s blood.”
This was similar to what Taesan had anticipated. The Giant King’s blood was inherently powerful, and reinforcing it would have yielded a formidable weapon.
“But as I worked with the materials, the cursed bracelet began rejecting my touch. The blood kept lashing out, trying to pierce through my limbs.”
Haphran lifted his arm, revealing marks that looked like fine threads cutting into his muscular forearm.
“I couldn’t create an offensive piece with my abilities,” Haphran admitted bitterly.
It wasn’t surprising when Taesan thought about it. Haphran couldn’t wield willpower, so crafting equipment reliant on it was naturally limited.
“So, I changed my approach. Instead of focusing on offense, I channeled the power into defense. After that, it stopped attacking me.”
“So this is what we got.”
“Exactly. Sorry about that.”
“It doesn’t matter much.”
While Taesan had requested an offensive piece to help subdue enemies faster, he wasn’t particularly attached to the idea. What mattered was the equipment’s performance.
—
[You have summoned Minerva, the Spirit King of Wind.]
“Hey, master! Long time no see!”
“How are things on your side?”
“Pretty stable now. My adorable underlings are working hard.”
Minerva smiled brightly. The chaotic gaps and confusion caused by the birth of a new Spirit King in Arulia, the world of spirits and humans, seemed to be settling down.
Taesan addressed Minerva.
“Attack me.”
“…What?”
“I want to test something.”
Taesan gestured at the bracelet. Catching on quickly, Minerva nodded.
“Oh, that. You scared me for a second. How strong should I go?”
“Full power.”
“Got it!”
‘Boom!’
“Wait!” Haphran shouted in alarm, but it was already too late. A fierce gale roared through his workshop, sending tools crashing against the walls.
Minerva grinned mischievously.
“Here it comes!”
‘Boom!’
A gust of wind surged toward Taesan.
Minerva’s strength was nearly on par with Taesan’s own, meaning this attack matched his full power.
Focusing his will, Taesan faced the incoming storm.
[You have activated Greed of Destruction.]
With a surge, the bracelet glowed crimson.
‘Whirr!’
The red energy surged forth, devouring the wind. Despite the wind’s violent resistance, the crimson power consumed it entirely, leaving nothing behind.
The storm subsided.
Minerva widened her eyes in disbelief.
“…Did my power just disappear?”
She had expected Taesan to block it. Even if he failed, she assumed he would nullify the attack without sustaining damage.
But this was different.
Taesan hadn’t just blocked her power—he had consumed it. And he had done so without expending much energy.
“So that’s how it works.”
Taesan shook the bracelet. Its crimson glow had dimmed slightly.
Despite neutralizing Minerva’s full power, the strain on Taesan was negligible. Without the bracelet, nullifying the attack with sheer will would have consumed significant mental energy.
However, the bracelet itself had drained a considerable amount of its stored power, and its recovery rate was slow.
The bracelet could erase attacks almost entirely, but it depleted its own power in the process. Once exhausted, the skill couldn’t be used again until the bracelet recovered.
Taesan nodded in satisfaction.
“This will do.”
If the bracelet could nullify Minerva’s full power, it could likely handle attacks from faction leaders. It was a tool that could erase key attacks and exploit openings in critical moments.
“This is more than sufficient, even if it’s not offensive.”
Although Taesan had to discard a recently acquired bracelet, the performance of this new one made it a worthy replacement.
“Well, great. Next time, let me know before you test something like that.”
“Sorry.”
Haphran grumbled as he retrieved the scattered tools. Minerva inspected Taesan curiously.
“Master, what kind of power did you get this time? Something about you feels strange.”
“Intent Projection.”
“…Intent Projection?”
Minerva froze, visibly startled.
Taesan handed a whetstone to Haphran.
“Can you work with this, too?”
Taesan handed Haphran the ‘Whetstone of Frost Edge’, a secret reward from the 60th floor, renowned for its ability to enhance attack power.
Haphran’s eyes gleamed as he took the whetstone.
“This is excellent. Do you have a weapon in mind?”
“Here.”
Taesan passed him ‘Carvert’s Relic’, a sword obtained in the labyrinth’s early floors that once belonged to the ghost. Despite its various special effects, it was time to focus on boosting its raw attack power.
Taking the sword, Haphran glanced at the ghost.
“This sword of yours, huh?”
[Of course it is.]
“Wait a moment.”
Haphran began sharpening the blade with the whetstone. Meanwhile, Taesan further tested and analyzed the bracelet’s exact effects and power.
Thirty minutes later, Haphran handed back the refined sword.
“It’s done.”
“That was quick.”
“All I had to do was sharpen it, not reforge or combine materials. There was no reason for it to take long.”
Haphran spoke indifferently as Taesan checked the updated stats.
[Carvert’s Relic: Sword of Ancestral Blood]
[Description: A relic from a now-destroyed world. It has claimed the lives of many royals.]
[Attack +300]
[Attack +150 when facing all enemies.]
“Interesting.”
The attack power had risen more than expected. Haphran explained further.
“The weapon’s natural strength had deteriorated over time, and the original blacksmith couldn’t fully utilize its materials. Thanks to the whetstone, its performance has greatly improved.”
[Well, of course. You’re talking about ‘my’ sword.]
The ghost boasted proudly as Taesan, satisfied, sheathed the weapon.
Taesan waved a hand at Haphran.
“See you later.”
“Bring me materials like that next time. They’re hard to work with, but worth it.”
Haphran laughed as he bid Taesan farewell.
—
With preparations complete, Taesan summoned another ally.
[You have summoned Varkaza, the Supreme Spirit of Vibrant Colors.]
Minerva, observing the summoning, finally grasped the situation.
“You’re heading back to your world again, aren’t you?”
Taesan nodded, prompting Minerva to mutter with interest.
“Another clash with the ancient gods, huh…”
‘Shhhk.’
The space before him split open.
Taesan stepped into the void, emerging to see the massive rift in the sky once more.
As always, the Earth was in ruins.
A calm voice echoed across the surroundings, interspersed with some familiar tones.
“Everyone, gather up! We’re organizing the groups!”
The fifth return had begun.
Taesan walked toward the direction of the voice.
“Representatives of each mode! Report your numbers to me!”
Kim Hwiyeon was shouting commands energetically. Taesan approached her.
“Ah, Taesan.”
“Are the people okay?”
“Well, this is the fifth time. Everyone’s starting to get used to it.”
People calmly followed Kim Hwiyeon’s instructions. There was no longer despair or hopelessness in their expressions.
Kim Hwiyeon spoke quietly.
“We don’t know how this quest will progress, so we need to prepare for anything.”
Taesan nodded and gave orders to Minerva and Varkaza.
“Clear out all the approaching monsters.”
[As you wish, master.]
“Got it, master.”
The two spirits moved swiftly, and soon loud booms resounded from the distance.
Taesan looked up at the rift in the sky.
From there, monsters descended to the ground.
Now that he wielded ‘Intent Projection ‘, he could feel the power of the rift more clearly.
Taesan chuckled to himself.
‘Ridiculous.’
It was clear to him now—the rift contained a power far beyond mortal comprehension.
The rift itself was a monster.
‘I still have a long way to go.’
Still, this time, unlike in his past life, he could at least identify the rift’s true nature.
Step by step, Taesan was approaching their level of power.
—
After checking in with Lee Taeyeon and Kang Junhyeok, Taesan sparred briefly with them before Kim Hwiyeon returned with her report.
“We’ve counted 40,000 survivors. Among them, 3,800 are Hard mode players.”
“How does that compare to the last return?”
“Last time, there were 46,000 survivors, including 4,000 Hard mode players.”
“Casualties are low.”
“Everyone’s more established now.”
Kim Hwiyeon spoke with pride. After investing significant time, they were descending the labyrinth steadily. Deaths were rare, except in cases of overconfidence or negligence.
Taesan asked, “What floor are you on now?”
“Late 40s. We’re almost at the 50th floor.”
“That’s where things change.”
Taesan warned her, “Be careful.”
“Huh?”
“In Solo mode, the labyrinth’s difficulty shifts drastically around the foundational layers. Hard mode likely has similar thresholds.”
“…Oh.”
Kim Hwiyeon’s face hardened as she nodded firmly.
“Yes.”
His advice wasn’t baseless. In his memory, Hard mode also saw a significant shift starting at the foundational layers. From that point onward, a clear divide emerged between those who could progress and those who couldn’t.
While he trusted Kim Hwiyeon and the Korean Hard mode players to handle it, the same couldn’t be said for other countries. With the ancient gods’ influence reduced outside Korea, some nations might struggle even more than they had in his past life.
—
The preparations were complete, and the system window appeared.
[Special Quest Start]
[This is a joint national quest. Designated countries: South Korea, North Korea, Japan, China.]
[Objective: All players from the designated countries must gather at one location. Overcome the trials encountered during assembly and meet with players from other nations.]
[This quest has no time limit.]
[The greater your influence during the assembly, the more points you will earn upon returning to the labyrinth.]
