Leveling Up With Skills - Chapter 334
He had fulfilled four prophecies.
Now, only one remained.
Bardray gazed at the burning forest.
“Elves. Such an old race, yet so utterly uninteresting.”
With an indifferent expression, Bardray turned away.
“Let’s go back.”
They departed. Behind them, the elves’ resentment and hatred echoed, but they paid no heed.
Upon returning to the imperial capital, the ghost spoke to Taesan in a low voice. Having vented his anger once, his emotions had somewhat subsided.
[I begged them, risking everything, to yield. But the elves refused. They mocked me and barred me from approaching.]
“So the prophecy wasn’t fulfilled because the elves obstructed you?”
[That’s not it. In the end, we used the full force of the empire to raze the entire forest. The cost was immense, but the prophecy was realized. However, too much time had passed, and all the plans that followed fell apart.]
Even the ghost had cleared the fourth prophecy. Yet, he failed to achieve the final one.
Before long, Bardray arrived.
“So, only the last prophecy remains. This is ending sooner than I expected.”
Bardray had anticipated it would take at least several months.
But in just two days, they had already completed the fourth prophecy.
Impressed by the rapid pace, Bardray remarked,
“You remember what the final prophecy is, don’t you?”
“To retrieve the fragment of a god residing in the sacred land.”
“Correct.”
Bardray nodded.
“The God of Regret, Rigrit. His followers guard the sacred land. The divine relic of their god is there. We need to retrieve it.”
At Bardray’s words, Taesan fell silent for a moment.
Then, he asked,
“The God of Regret?”
“Yes. A very ancient religion. I’ve already sent word. As expected, they didn’t even bother responding.”
Bardray spoke as if it were nothing surprising. The object they needed to retrieve for the prophecy was a divine relic—something the religion would protect with their very lives.
Even if it was for the sake of saving the world, they would never surrender it willingly.
“I’ve heard it’s a religion filled with zealots. This might take some time.”
Bardray pointed at Taesan.
“This time, you’ll have to go alone. A shame, really. I would have liked to see what the sacred land looks like.”
“Understood.”
Bardray had his own matters to attend to. With the Demon King’s invasion imminent, he had to train soldiers and knights in preparation.
“Well then, I’ll leave it to you.”
With those parting words, Bardray departed.
Left alone once more, Taesan spoke.
“So, is this why you looked unsettled when I mentioned the God of Regret?”
[Yes. I never encountered the God of Regret in the labyrinth. The 72nd floor I cleared was a different one. But outside the labyrinth, I did.]
The subject of the fifth trial. The God of Regret. The followers of Rigrit.
And the ghost had failed to clear this trial.
[What a sick joke. Truly.]
The ghost muttered bitterly.
The next day, Taesan set off for the sacred land of the God of Regret.
The sacred land was extremely far. It was located on the opposite end of the Kabert Empire.
Before they reached it, the ghost made a request.
[On the way to the sacred land, can we stop by a place I’ll tell you about?]
“A place?”
[Yes. There’s someone I want to see.]
It was rare for the ghost to ask anything of Taesan.
Taesan agreed.
Unfolding his fairy wings, he flew toward the sacred land.
After a long journey, he arrived at a towering mountain.
It was so high that its peak was shrouded in clouds.
[This is the place.]
The ghost said.
Taesan ascended the mountain.
Above the clouds, a small hut stood at the summit.
Inside, he sensed the presence of someone.
“Who’s there?”
A sharp voice rang out.
An old man stepped out of the hut, gripping a sword.
The old man was immensely powerful.
From what Taesan could tell, his strength surpassed even those who claimed mastery over the world’s center.
[Master.]
The ghost murmured.
The old man scowled at Taesan.
“…A descendant of Kariat? I don’t know why you’re here, but leave.”
The old man stomped forward, swinging a fist at Taesan’s solar plexus at incredible speed.
Taesan moved his hand, catching the fist.
The old man immediately twisted his body, aiming a kick at Taesan’s temple.
Taesan tilted his head to evade, then swung his clenched fist.
The old man was thrown into the air.
A look of shock crossed his face as he swiftly landed on the ground.
Lowering his stance, he drew his sword.
Their blades clashed.
Kagagak!
Taesan defended against the old man’s strikes and noticed something.
The old man’s swordsmanship resembled the ghost’s.
Kaak!
The blades deflected off each other.
Catching his breath, the old man glared at Taesan.
“…Who are you?”
“I am one who has been granted the qualifications of a hero.”
The old man’s pupils widened.
Taesan lowered his sword.
“Are you Bardray’s master?”
“Sit.”
The old man handed Taesan a battered teacup.
Inside was plain water.
“What, you expected tea in this old, rundown hut?”
The old man chugged the water and slammed the cup down before staring at Taesan with interest.
“What’s your relationship with that brat?”
His relationship with the ghost.
How should he put it?
After a brief moment of thought, Taesan answered,
“We are friends.”
“A prince and a descendant of Kariat, friends? That’s an odd pairing.”
Tilting his head in curiosity, the old man spoke.
“I saw my swordsmanship in your movements. The only one I ever taught it to was that brat. That means you’re not lying.”
Taesan’s swordsmanship was based on the Storm Scar Swordsmanship the ghost had wielded.
And from the old man, whom the ghost had called master, Taesan saw similar movements.
“…So, that brat is skilled enough now to teach someone else?”
“A lot has happened.”
“Did you teach Bardray swordsmanship?”
“It’s similar,” the old man said curtly.
“A brat climbed all the way up here and begged me to teach him swordsmanship. He had the empire’s sword techniques, but he claimed they weren’t enough. Even after I beat him up and ignored him, he refused to leave. In the end, I had no choice but to teach him. From that moment on, he stuck to me, calling me his master. What a bothersome kid.”
The old man grumbled.
The Storm Scar Swordsmanship was part of the empire’s techniques—nothing particularly special, something any imperial knight could learn.
However, the ghost’s Storm Scar Swordsmanship had reached a level high enough to be recognized as an advanced technique within the labyrinth.
It meant he had met numerous people, refining and modifying his swordsmanship along the way.
This old man before him seemed to be one of those people.
“If you took on a disciple, you should have at least mentioned it to me. Ungrateful brat.”
There was a hint of regret in the old man’s voice.
Taesan asked,
“How long did Bardray stay with you?”
“Around… three years. He left after that, saying he hadn’t been granted permission to stay any longer.”
Three years.
More than enough time for bonds to form.
The old man tapped his back as he continued his grumbling.
“That brat left this old man up in the mountains while he enjoys all the riches of the empire. I ought to teach him a lesson.”
[Even if he invited you to the capital, you wouldn’t have left this place.]
The ghost let out a small, wry chuckle.
For a while, they exchanged stories. The old man seemed curious about Bardray’s situation, asking various questions, and the ghost answered them. Taesan acted as the intermediary, relaying the words.
After some time, the old man murmured,
“Maybe I should pay him a visit.”
Satisfied with what he had heard, he seemed to consider it.
As their conversation ended, Taesan prepared to leave.
Watching him quietly, the old man asked,
“Has Bardray ever mentioned me?”
“No.”
“…I see. I suppose I wasn’t a good master to him. I’m not good at taking care of people. I always beat him up, barely gave him food. When the young brat cried alone out of loneliness, I never comforted him.”
The old man spoke with bitterness.
“It wouldn’t be strange if he resented me. In fact, he probably does. Honestly, I… I’m afraid of seeing my disciple again.”
[Master…]
The ghost’s voice wavered for the first time.
“You said you were his friend, right?”
The old man gripped Taesan’s hand with his bony fingers. His face was filled with concern and care.
“That boy is softhearted. He gets swept up in emotions too easily and doesn’t doubt people enough. Someday, that will lead to disaster.”
His grip tightened slightly.
“Look after him for me.”
The ghost was at a loss for words.
Leaving the mountain behind, Taesan resumed his journey toward the sacred land.
As he traveled, he spotted a small lake.
The ghost, who had remained silent for a while, spoke.
[A month after I started living with Master, he brought me here. Back then, I didn’t understand why… but now I get it. He was looking out for me.]
“Did you ever meet him again after that?”
[No. After the Demon King appeared, I went looking for him… but he had already passed away long ago.]
The ghost fell silent once more.
Taesan continued walking until he finally arrived at the sacred land.
A faint divine presence enveloped the entire sanctuary.
And within it, priests of the God of Regret were watching him with wary eyes.
“A lowly unbeliever has come.”
A large man with a plump figure stood before him. Compared to the other priests, his robes were far more extravagant—clearly marking him as the one in charge.
“I am the Pope of the great God of Regret, Rigrit.”
His face twisted in anger.
“How dare you! How dare a wretched unbeliever covet the sacred relic of our mighty Lord Rigrit! Such arrogance knows no bounds!”
He continued ranting about the God of Regret—who he was, why they worshipped him, how he was omniscient and omnipotent, and how all humans must follow his faith.
Taesan paid him no attention.
He had something else to confirm.
The divine presence that spread across the sanctuary—
A barrier that blocked out external threats and protected those inside.
The faith of the people within the sanctuary was continuously being absorbed, reinforcing the divine presence.
By the time he reached his destination, he had grasped the mechanism.
‘I can make this too.’
This was something the God of Regret had lightly established long ago, which the believers now maintained through their devotion.
If it was merely at this level, Taesan could replicate it himself.
He placed his hand on the divine barrier surrounding the sanctuary.
A strong force resisted him, attempting to push him back.
Even if it was crude, it was still divine power. Without the approval of those within, even someone immensely powerful would find it nearly impossible to break through.
Taesan finally looked up at the Pope.
The man was still reciting his doctrines fervently.
Taesan asked him,
“If you refuse me, the world will be destroyed.”
“That would be a better outcome!”
The Pope bared his teeth.
“It is far better for this wretched world to perish and return to the embrace of the gods than for the sacred relic to be defiled by human hands!”
His words were laced with the fanaticism and twisted madness characteristic of zealots.
It was clear that reasoning wouldn’t work here.
Taesan ignored the Pope once more.
“So, this is where you were stopped.”
[This place is under divine protection. No matter how hard I tried, that barrier never wavered. That man told me… that for daring to covet the divine relic, I would watch the world perish from the gates of the sanctuary.]
And his words had come true.
The ghost hadn’t given up. He had tried countless methods to break through Rigrit’s sanctuary.
But before he could, the Demon King descended.
[By the time I returned to the empire, my family… my lover… they were all dead. The empire had already fallen. Everything I wanted to protect… I was trapped here, forced to watch it crumble. What a miserable tale.]
A sorrowful voice echoed.
Taesan raised his hand.
“This is your own trial. You wouldn’t complain even if I break it, would you?”
Golden energy radiated from him as he manifested divine power.
“Ah…?”
The priests stirred in confusion.
An immense presence emanated from Taesan—one they could not hope to reach.
The divine force he unleashed began to clash with the one Rigrit had left behind.
Cracks spread through the sacred barrier that enveloped the sanctuary.
The Pope, who had been wearing a twisted smile, suddenly faltered.
The divine power protecting them was collapsing.
With an unmistakable cracking sound, the sacred energy shattered. The Pope gasped in horror.
“H-How is this possible?!”
The barrier surrounding the sanctuary was divine power.
Humans could not resist it.
Frantically, he shouted,
“Priests! Strengthen your faith! Show your devotion to the god!”
The priests began chanting hymns at the top of their lungs.
The divine energy brightened ever so slightly.
But that was all.
The faith of mere mortals—barely a few hundred believers—was insignificant.
Taesan gathered his divine energy and manifested it into the world.
The overwhelming force crushed the divine barrier encircling the sanctuary.
Crash!
“Gahh!”
“Kuhh…!”
The priests coughed up blood and collapsed.
The Pope was no exception.
Overwhelmed by the divine force, he fell forward, his head striking the ground.
“Kuh, ugh…!”
Barely managing to lift his head, his eyes widened in terror.
“A…Ah…”
The divine presence of Rigrit was gone.
In its place, Taesan’s divine energy now filled the sanctuary.
“So it was possible after all.”
“This… This can’t be…”
Taesan ignored the stammering Pope.
Following the strong force he sensed, he moved deeper into the sanctuary.
Inside a small structure, he found a tiny stone fragment.
At a glance, it looked like any ordinary rock scattered along a roadside.
But the power contained within it was undeniably divine.
Taesan grasped the fragment. The energy within it began to seep into his sword.
[You have obtained Rigrit’s Fragment.]
[The numerous powers contained within your sword are now being solidified and gaining form as the prophecy is fulfilled.]
The Kabert Relic began to change.
Something akin to a law was being embedded within it.
‘This is…’
Taesan was astonished.
The power seeping into the sword was beyond what he had expected.
At that moment, the world twisted.
From the farthest reaches of existence, something was descending into the world.
Taesan briefly glanced in that direction before stepping out of the building.
He felt the gazes of dozens upon him.
Shock, anger… but above all, fear.
They held many emotions, yet none dared to approach him.
“W-Who are you…?”
The Pope’s face was ashen.
The divine energy Taesan had unleashed still covered the sanctuary.
He was no longer human.
He was something far beyond—closer to a divine being.
The Pope mistook him for one. Trembling, he attempted to bow.
Taesan left without answering.
—
Upon returning to the empire, he was greeted by Bardray, who was leading the knights.
“You fulfilled the prophecy?”
Taesan nodded.
Bardray let out a breath of astonishment.
“It’s truly complete… This world might actually escape destruction.”
Clenching his fist, he turned toward the knights and shouted,
“Hear me! Knights of the empire! The Demon King will soon appear! A being that seeks to destroy this world! Stand and fight to protect our empire!”
A roar of determination erupted.
The days that followed were filled with preparations for war.
People steeled themselves, bracing for battle, while Bardray moved swiftly to form alliances with other kingdoms.
Taesan had nothing else to do.
There was still some time before the Demon King arrived, so he simply observed the people at work.
[It’s different.]
The ghost murmured.
[Everyone is motivated… They have hope. This is nothing like my time.]
He was witnessing a sight he had never been able to protect.
[Is this what the God of Regret wanted to show me?]
This is what you failed to achieve.
This is the outcome you couldn’t bring about because you lacked the strength.
Perhaps that was why the ghost had been made the subject of this trial—to force him to witness this scene.
Taesan asked,
“Do you regret it?”
[I do.]
The ghost answered bitterly.
[I wish I could turn back time. I still can’t accept it. But… I’m already dead.]
The ghost was a dead man.
He could no longer influence the world.
[I failed. Not just once, but twice.]
Had he been more careful and more decisive, he might have been able to fulfill the prophecy.
Had he not been careless in the labyrinth, he could have survived and cleared it, turning back time.
But he hadn’t.
He had already lost his chance.
Wishing for another would only make him pathetic.
[It’s over. All of it.]
At last, he forced himself to accept it.
—
Time passed.
One day, Levantia came to see Taesan.
“The great hero has arrived.”
“Levantia. What brings you here?”
“Well, he’s too busy. He doesn’t have time to entertain me, so I got a little bored.”
Levantia smiled.
The ghost, though slightly unsettled by her presence, no longer reacted as he had before.
He had come to terms with his past.
Levantia gazed at Taesan with admiration.
“You’re truly amazing. To have fulfilled the prophecy so quickly… Is it because of your hero’s bloodline?”
“It wasn’t that difficult.”
“Such humility. He told me, you know? That without you, the prophecy might never have been fulfilled.”
She was speaking about Bardray.
Her face was filled with warmth as she mentioned him.
Taesan asked her,
“Do you love him?”
“Yes.”
Levantia answered without hesitation.
There was no uncertainty in her expression.
“I love him. I want to spend the rest of my life with him.”
As she spoke, her hand gently caressed her abdomen.
As if something precious lay within.
[Ah.]
The ghost trembled—his very spirit momentarily flickering from the shock.
Even without an expression, his emotions were laid bare.
Levantia smiled shyly.
“This is a secret, okay?”