Chapter 325

It was starving.

It consumed, over and over, to fill the hunger.

Yet, no matter how much it devoured, its hunger was never sated.

Kirik.

The shadow let out a low wail, waiting for the day when its hunger would finally be satisfied. It lay dormant in the deep, endless darkness.

—

Taesan examined the equipment one by one.

Bracers, armor, boots, helmets—all of them boasted exceptional performance, tempting him to buy them all. But he suppressed his desire.

If he gathered more gold, he might afford multiple items, but for now, he could only purchase one. He had to choose wisely.

After regaining his composure and thoroughly reviewing the items, he realized something.

[Black Boots That Sink Into the Depths]
[Defense +500]
[Movement Speed +10%]
[Hides the user in the depths for 10 seconds, rendering them immune to all effects, though they cannot move. The user can emerge at will. Cooldown: 1 hour.]
[650,000G]

Boots that granted invincibility for 10 seconds.

Since the user could exit at will, there was no risk of being exposed while hiding.

They could be used to evade a fatal attack, to wait for an opponent’s opening, or for various tactical maneuvers.

However, due to their powerful ability, the boots’ raw stats were relatively modest.

And they weren’t the only ones like that.

[Ring of the Sealed, Wounded Balrog]
[Mana +100]
[Attack Power +50]
[Defense +5]
[Allows the summoning of a sealed Balrog. The summoned Balrog does not obey any commands and seeks to destroy everything. Upon taking significant damage, it will be resealed into the ring and can be summoned again after one week.]
[500,000G]

A Balrog.

When Taesan first encountered one, Haphran had summoned it to test him, calling it a demonic beast of the Deep Layers, a creature rivaling dragons.

A ring that could summon such a being was undoubtedly powerful.

However, its stat bonuses were unimpressive, even when compared to the equipment Taesan had obtained deeper in the labyrinth.

After checking more items, Taesan confirmed a pattern.

The equipment in this shop fell into three categories:

1. Gear with extremely high stats.
2. Gear with moderate stats but possessing a special ability.
3. Gear with low stats but granting an exceptionally powerful ability.

“This is the best equipment available here?”

“Of course not. This is only the entrance to the Deep Layers. The further you descend, the greater the equipment I can offer.”

The shopkeeper’s words made it clear—this was just the beginning.

That meant Taesan had to decide carefully what to buy.

In truth, any of the gear would be useful. But precisely because of that, it made the decision even more difficult.

He continued reviewing the equipment while organizing his thoughts.

What was he lacking?

Defense? No.

– Aegis Shield.
– Attack Nullification.
– Endurance.
– Greed of Destruction.

He had plenty of skills that blocked or erased attacks.

He could bypass an opponent’s defenses with Absolute Judgment and accelerate his skills to close gaps instantly.

With Restricted Blink, even mobility wasn’t an issue.

Attack power? No.

Thanks to Airach Martial Technique, his offensive capabilities weren’t weak either.

Taesan reached a conclusion.

What he truly lacked wasn’t attack or defense.

What he needed was the power to push through everything in his way.

With his mind made up, he swiftly resumed scanning the gear.

And at last, he found it.

[Gauntlets of Perpetual Amplification]
[Attack Power +50]
[Magic +30]
[Dark Magic +3]
[Mana +50]
[Magi +10]
[A pair of gauntlets created over a lifetime by an unnamed Grand Magician. The intricate magical design and materials allow them to absorb power and amplify it to the extreme.]
[Once every 10 minutes, can activate Forced Amplification.]

[Forced Amplification]
[Increases the resource consumption of mana- and magi-based skills in exchange for significantly amplifying their power.]

[600,000G]

“Can I test it out?”

“Go ahead.”

Taesan equipped the gauntlets and gathered mana.

The Frozen World unfolded.

Ice spread in all directions, filling the air with a biting chill.

Then, Taesan clenched his fist.

[You have activated Forced Amplification.]

Mana drained from him at an accelerated rate.

And then—

CRACK!

The frost intensified, consuming everything. A freezing storm surged, sending a numbing chill through Taesan’s skin.

“This is… impressive.”

It was incomparable to the Frozen World he had been using before.

Even Vishnu, who wielded the King’s Domain, would have felt pressure from this level of power.

Since it amplified existing power, the stronger the skill, the more devastating its effect became.

It was a weapon that scaled with growth.

A perfect fit. Taesan ran his fingers over the gauntlets.

“I’ll take these.”

“You’re the first person to buy these right after entering the Deep Layers.”

The shopkeeper let out a dry chuckle as he accepted the gold.

With his new gauntlets, Taesan headed toward the passage ahead.

“Take care.”

With that brief farewell, he stepped forward.

—

At the end of the passage, he arrived at a world of pitch-black darkness.

A void so dense that nothing could be seen.

Taesan expanded his senses.

[Break through the Domain of the Starving Shadows.]

That was the Deep Layer quest requirement.

Unlike previous floors, he didn’t need to meet specific conditions—he just had to make it through.

Taesan stepped into the darkness.

A thick, viscous sensation clung to his feet.

This was no ordinary darkness—even his enhanced vision couldn’t fully perceive what lay beyond.

[You have activated Leraje’s Domain Detection.]

A pulse of magi-infused energy spread outward.

The waves carried back information hidden within the darkness.

But then—

The signal abruptly stopped.

Something deep within the darkness devoured the power of Taesan’s Domain Detection entirely.

Taesan quietly drew his sword.

Focusing his senses, he cautiously stepped forward.

Shraaak!

At that moment, the darkness tore apart, revealing a monster.

It was a shadow.

A shadow with form, rising from the ground and lunging toward Taesan.

[The Starving Shadow has appeared.]

Taesan moved his sword.

Boom!

A tremendous impact sent the shadow crashing into the ground.

Yet, instead of dissipating, the shadow spread across the floor, crawling toward Taesan’s feet, trying to engulf him.

“Hmm.”

Taesan gathered force and stomped down on the shadow.

It twitched before rising again and rushing at him once more.

There was only hunger and greed in its movements.

[You have activated Frost Arrow.]

An arrow of cold energy shot through the shadow.

But it did not stop.

Instead, the shadow consumed the arrow and continued its charge.

Taesan raised his dual swords and stabbed forward.

The shadow opened a hole in its body, allowing the blades to pass through harmlessly.

Shraaaak!

The shadow then morphed into a blade and slashed toward Taesan.

He moved his sword.

Clang!

A sharp collision rang out.

Taesan’s current stats were superior to even high-ranking adversaries.

Yet, the shadow was holding its ground against him.

Kagagagak!

The shadow swirled like a storm, trying to grind Taesan down.

He stomped forward.

[You have activated Raging Gale Dash.]

[You have activated Skill Acceleration.]

A violent storm surged.

The overpowering force of the shadow was instantly pushed back.

Seizing the opening, Taesan drove his sword deep into the shadow.

Yet, rather than collapsing, it lunged at him, trying to burrow into his arm.

But an intangible force repelled it.

It was the activation of Absolute Protection, blocking sustained damage.

Taesan tightened his grip.

And then—he split the shadow in two.

Splatter.

Even cut in half, the shadow did not stop.

It continued trying to engulf him.

Taesan sighed in annoyance and stomped down on it.

[You have defeated the Starving Shadow.]

Only then did the writhing shadow cease its movement.

“…What is this?”

The shadow was incredibly strong.

Even with his current power, Taesan had to put in serious effort to defeat just one.

For a normal Deep Layer adventurer, this would be a battle of life and death.

Moreover, the nature of the monster was unique.

It wasn’t simply trying to kill him.

It was trying to consume him and make him a part of itself.

“So, this place is like that too?”

[No. It wasn’t like this when I was here. Seems like the floors have changed again.]

“I see.”

At that moment, Taesan felt a shift—more shadows were stirring, rushing toward him.

Taesan kicked off the ground, soaring into the air.

Below, over ten shadows leapt toward him all at once.

[You have activated Frozen World.]

[You have activated Forced Amplification.]

CRACK!

An absolute frost spread, freezing the darkness.

The charging shadows were instantly encased in ice.

At this level, even high-ranking adversaries would struggle to endure.

The monsters of the Deep Layers had no chance.

Creak.

Yet, the shadows did not die.

Instead, they shattered their own frozen bodies and resumed their charge.

There was no malice in them.

Only greed.

CRACK!

The ice shattered completely.

The shadows, despite their damaged bodies, threw themselves at Taesan once again.

But Taesan wasn’t idle.

Dark threads coiled in his hand.

[You have activated Sabnac’s Jet-Black Thread.]

[You have activated Restricted Blink.]

The dark threads erupted, slicing through the shadows.

At the same time, Taesan teleported far away.

The shadows were severed and scattered by the jet-black threads.

As the remnants fell to the ground, Taesan charged.

[You have activated Starlight Arrow.]

Using both magic and his sword, he methodically eliminated the remaining shadows.

It took considerable time, but at last—

[You have defeated all the Starving Shadows.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Your Soul Rank Ascension has activated. The proficiency of Seed of Life has increased by 2%.]

His level increased.

Moreover, the skill given to True Dragon by the Immortal—one that transcended mortality—gained proficiency.

Taesan narrowed his eyes.

Gathering magi, he opened a passage to the demons and activated Dark Magic.

[You have activated Leraje’s Domain Detection.]

Kiiiiing!

Magi spread in all directions.

Though much of it was devoured by the darkness, it continued to expand.

And through it—Taesan learned the truth about this place.

This darkness was vast.

Even Domain Detection couldn’t see its end.

And within it—

Countless shadows lay hidden.

Gulp.

The shadows were now rushing toward Taesan.

Their numbers easily exceeded hundreds.

It wasn’t just hundreds—it was in the thousands.

As he sensed them closing in, Taesan spoke with unwavering determination.

“Disappear.”

[You have activated Declaration of Concealment.]

The word of spirits activated.

Taesan’s presence vanished, and his aura faded into nothingness.

Instantly, the charging shadows froze in confusion.

They could no longer perceive Taesan’s existence and wandered aimlessly.

Silently, Taesan walked through the darkness.

His vision was blocked, and his senses were hindered.

Yet, he could see enough and feel enough to move freely.

Passing by shifting shadows, Taesan observed them carefully.

They didn’t detect him even when he brushed past them.

He continued forward—then paused.

Two shadows were fighting each other.

Gulp.

They clashed, each trying to consume the other.

Taesan silently observed.

Soon, the battle reached a turning point.

One shadow overpowered the other.

It crushed its opponent mercilessly and devoured it whole.

The dominant shadow’s power grew exponentially, while the consumed one shriveled instantly.

Satisfied, the stronger shadow moved away.

The weakened one stumbled pitifully.

‘So that’s how it works.’

This place belonged to the shadows.

They consumed each other to steal power.

And they sought to consume adventurers as well.

Now, he understood how to clear this challenge.

The quest’s objective wasn’t to defeat the shadows—it was to break through.

Avoid them. Find the passage. Escape.

For most adventurers, this meant using stealth skills or purchasing concealment items from the shop.

But Taesan had no intention of clearing it that way.

He stepped deeper into the darkness.