Chapter 347

Taesan accepted Eriel’s proposal.

The Spirit King’s Core might have been of immense value to spirits, but to Taesan, it was nothing more than a useful material. If he was to receive an equivalent reward, there was no reason to refuse.

[We are grateful for your acceptance, Contractor of Minerva.]

Eriel expressed gratitude and began to move the Mad Spirit’s soul and the Spirit King’s Core.

[There may be some shock during the process. You may want to step ba— No, I suppose that won’t be necessary. You should be fine.]

Eriel reconsidered his words as he had initially suggested Taesan move back.

[Feel free to observe as you like. Now then, everyone.]

[Understood.]

The five Spirit Kings, including Minerva, gathered before Eriel.

Taesan, watching from behind, asked,

“So, will it become the Spirit King of Fire?”

[That will be difficult. While the Mad Spirit will indeed absorb the power contained within the Spirit King’s Core, being a Spirit King is not just about strength. Moreover, the Mad Spirit’s current condition is extremely unstable.]

The Mad Spirit had sacrificed everything to wound the Spirit King of Fire.

Burning mere lifespan would not have sufficed—it had taken a complete resolve to abandon its soul and existence to make such an act possible.

[Much of the power will be spent simply on repairing its shattered state. It will not reach the level of a Spirit King.]

The Mad Spirit’s soul and the Spirit King’s Core slowly began to swirl together, drawing closer.

[We are about to infuse the Spirit King’s essence into the core. A mistake could be dangerous, so focus carefully.]

Kuuuuung!

A tremendous force burst forth as the two collided, sending waves of power rippling outward.

The concentrated energy radiating from the core was immense—even Taesan could not disregard it.

[Let’s begin.]

The Spirit Kings gathered their strength, suppressing the raging energy. Taesan observed an unfathomable process unfolding before him.

[Ugh…]

The Spirit Kings groaned under the strain.

Though strong, they were clearly weaker than Taesan. Their combined efforts were not enough to completely contain the surge.

At that moment, Eriel revealed his true power.

A brilliant and gentle light emanated from the heart of the tree.

The chaotic energies yielded to this overwhelming force, slowly stabilizing and merging.

Taesan’s eyes gleamed.

Eriel was undoubtedly the strongest among the Spirit Kings.

Seeing his true power firsthand confirmed it.

‘At least Immortal-level.’

This was a spirit that had transcended mortality.

Even without the other five Spirit Kings, Eriel alone could have effortlessly suppressed the rampaging energy.

Kiiiiing.

The two cores slowly became one.

The pure white gradually turned red, before finally shifting into ashen gray.

[…It is done.]

Eriel withdrew his power.

The radiance gradually faded.

The Mad Spirit’s soul had finally stabilized.

[Thank you, Contractor of Minerva. Thanks to you…]

Eriel abruptly stopped speaking.

Fwoooosh!

The Mad Spirit’s soul suddenly scattered in all directions.

Fragments of its essence dispersed throughout the Spirit Realm.

As one of the drifting remnants brushed past Taesan, a soft voice echoed in his ear.

[Thank you.]

With those final words, the Mad Spirit disappeared.

All that remained were the Spirit Kings and a lingering ashen force between them.

[Oh?]

[This is…]

“What went wrong?”

[Nothing went wrong.]

Eriel gently flapped his wings.

[The fusion of power was successful. However… the Mad Spirit only retained enough strength to sustain itself—it abandoned the rest.]

“Abandoned it?”

Had it discarded its power because it had fulfilled its wish and had no attachment to strength anymore?

Or had it simply refused to take in the power of Vishnu, the one who had created its suffering?

Either way, the Mad Spirit had not absorbed the full Spirit King’s Core.

As a result, a significant portion of power remained.

[Hoo…]

[This is…]

The Spirit Kings’ eyes glowed with desire.

Stabilizing the Mad Spirit had required a tremendous amount of power. That was why the Spirit King’s Core had been used.

However, the entirety of that power had not been necessary.

The Mad Spirit had only taken what it needed, leaving the rest behind.

[This is rather fortunate.]

Eriel spoke.

[Originally, this power belonged to you. Since we could not separate it before, you had to hand over everything—but now that the Mad Spirit has relinquished it, the remaining power is yours to claim.]

“I see.”

Taesan gazed at the power and briefly contemplated.

How should he use it?

Then, he made his decision.

“Minerva, take it.”

“Are you sure?”

“You need to grow stronger.”

At Taesan’s words, Minerva let out a small groan. She could not argue against it.

In comparison to Taesan, her power was significantly lacking.

“…Then I guess I better hurry up and get stronger. Thanks.”

She placed her hand on the remnant force.

The power flowed into her.

“…Phew.”

Minerva exhaled as she absorbed the energy.

The power emanating from her became noticeably denser.

After watching her for a moment, Taesan turned to Eriel and asked,

“So, what happens to the Mad Spirit now?”

[Though its soul has been repaired, recovery takes time. Once it decides it is ready, it will be reborn as a spirit in this realm.]

Eriel spoke with satisfaction.

Taesan had no objections—it was a good outcome.

The Mad Spirit had played a crucial role in defeating Vishnu.

It was better for it to be whole rather than remain broken.

[I am eager to see what kind of spirit it will become. And, of course, I must offer appropriate compensation for your generosity in yielding the Spirit King’s Core.]

Eriel flapped his wings.

Before him, light coalesced into a solid form.

[Take this. This is power at the very limit of what a mortal can wield. Use it to achieve whatever you desire.]

[You have obtained the Pure Light Crystal.]

As Eriel had said, the Light Crystal contained an incredibly dense and potent energy.

[However, even that pales in comparison to the Spirit King’s Core. If there is anything else you desire, please let me know. I will do my best to accommodate.]

“Then…”

Taesan glanced around the inner structure of the great tree.

Countless branches stretched outward, each adorned with blossoms and leaves.

“Can I take materials from here?”

They could be used as components for Partial World Alteration. It was an opportunity too good to pass up.

Eriel hesitated for a moment before nodding.

[Normally, this would be forbidden. However, I possess the authority to permit such an exception. As long as you take only a reasonable amount, it is fine.]

“Thank you. Then, may I make one final request?”

[Speak.]

Taesan turned to Eriel, his gaze unwavering.

“Will you fight me?”

[…Huh?]

[Human… are you insane?]

The Spirit Kings, who had been quietly watching, were visibly shaken.

[Eriel has existed since the dawn of the Spirit Realm. He is not an opponent a human can challenge.]

The older a spirit, the stronger it became.

Moreover, this was the Spirit Realm—where a spirit’s power was unrestrained.

Eriel studied Taesan for a moment, then smiled faintly.

[If that is your desire, then very well. Follow me.]

Eriel led Taesan to an expansive clearing.

[This place… was once a battlefield where Spirit Kings clashed long ago. Since then, it has become a dead zone.]

Taesan unsheathed his sword.

Eriel possessed Immortal-level power.

To face such an opponent without the risk of death was an invaluable opportunity.

Taesan was not the type to pass it up.

The Spirit Kings, who had followed to spectate, spoke up.

[Please, go easy, Eriel. If Minerva’s Contractor gets seriously injured, things won’t end well.]

[Hmm…]

Eriel, watching Taesan take his combat stance, responded.

[That will not be necessary.]

A burst of light erupted.

The radiance consumed the entire field, scorching everything in its wake.

Taesan unleashed all his power.

He activated every buff skill and launched himself forward.

Their forces collided.

Kwaaaaaaaang!

[What?!]

The watching Spirit Kings were stunned.

Taesan was clearly losing.

He could do nothing but defend, unable to mount an offense.

But on the other hand—

He was not collapsing.

Despite facing the power of an Immortal, he was holding his ground in a mortal body.

He pushed through the overwhelming radiance.

[…This is impossible.]

The Spirit Kings were speechless.

Before long, the battle came to an end.

As Taesan reached his limit, Eriel withdrew his power.

[That should suffice.]

Taesan took a deep breath and nodded.

It had been an excellent experience.

He had gained a general understanding of how to fight and respond against an Immortal-tier enemy.

Eriel spoke quietly.

[You… are on the threshold.]

“The threshold?”

[The mortal boundary.]

Not quite inside, yet not fully outside.

Taesan existed precisely at the midpoint between mortality and something beyond.

[Crossing that line is an exceedingly difficult feat… But you are fascinating. I look forward to seeing the path you take.]

Afterward, Taesan gathered various materials from the Spirit Realm.

By the end, he had acquired enough components to use Partial World Alteration twice.

His gains:

1. Minerva’s enhancement
2. Materials for Partial World Alteration
3. Equipment materials
4. Combat experience against an Immortal

Satisfied, Taesan returned to the Labyrinth.

—

“This is…”

Haphran stared at the Pure Light Crystal, dumbfounded.

“…Where did you get something like this?”

“A spirit gave it to me. Can you use it?”

“…It’s possible.”

Haphran grumbled with a conflicted expression.

“This is exactly at the upper limit of what I can work with. Materials of this caliber place some severe restrictions on what can be crafted.”

“Then make the most useful thing you can.”

“…Alright. But this will take some time.”

Haphran picked up his hammer.

Leaving him to work, Taesan checked his rewards from the 73rd floor.

—

[Boots of the One Who Left Footprints Across All Lands]
– Attack Power +20
– Defense +500
– Strength +60
– Agility +600
– Action Speed +20%
– Movement Speed +20%
– _One human wished to leave his footprints on every land in the world. From the moment he took his first steps, he challenged himself. The day before his death, he finally fulfilled his wish._

[Helmet of the Iron Wall]
– Attack Power +150
– Strength +300
– Defense +400
– Magic Resistance +10
– _A helmet forged from the very essence of the Iron Wall that guards the world._

—

The rewards from 73rd floor were overall high-tier equipment.

Particularly, the helmet provided a significant strength boost along with magic resistance.

The Guides, who had been blocked for decades, maybe even centuries, had only recently managed to break through to this level.

Taesan had now arrived.

—

[74th Floor Quest: Start]
– Obtain information from the Battlefield of the Immortals.
– Reward: ???
– Secret Reward: ???

—

As he set foot onto the 74th floor, there was nothing.

In such cases, there was usually only one possibility—

Something would appear to give the quest.

The Labyrinth’s bricks shifted and assembled, revealing Balbamaba.

[So, you’ve arrived. At least with you, I won’t have to waste time explaining the obvious.]

“You’re the one explaining this time?”

[The 74th floor is unique. The system alone cannot fully describe it, so I have to explain it personally.]

Balbamaba continued.

[Battlefield of the Immortals—a forsaken land where countless Immortals fought and died. That place, Valhalluni, is where you must go to clear the 74th floor.]