Chapter 360
Taesan looked at the rings.
A black ring and a white ring.
These rings had been born as twins, just like the Black and White Twins.
Then could he use [Two Become One] with this pair of rings?
Taesan could tell—it was possible.
But not yet.
Though the rings were indeed twins, their powers weren’t equal. The black ring held offensive power, while the white ring contained class and divinity.
It was difficult to say they perfectly met the skill’s conditions.
On top of that, Taesan hadn’t completely mastered the rings yet.
So first, he would need to clearly understand the skill’s conditions. Then he planned to seek out Haphran, the one who created the rings, for help.
“There’s a lot I need to do.”
Much preparation seemed necessary.
The next reward he received was the Fist Saint’s special passive skill—his martial art.
But Taesan wasn’t a fist-fighter, he wielded a sword. So the skill had been integrated into [Airach Martial Technique] and [Ability Sword].
His proficiency in [Airach Martial Technique] increased by 5%, finally reaching 54%.
A skill that barely rose no matter how much it was used. Given its nature, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it activated in nearly every battle—yet it hadn’t even reached 60%.
“Come to think of it, it’s almost time.”
He was now on the 76th floor.
And Ainzhar’s destination was the 78th floor—the Library of All Things.
Only two floors remained.
Had he achieved his goal? Or was he still lost on his path?
He would soon find out.
He finished reviewing the rewards obtained from defeating the Guides. Overall, instead of gaining entirely new powers, the rewards mainly supported and strengthened his existing ones.
It might not seem like a big gain, but it wasn’t bad at all. Taesan already had too many types of powers.
Rather than gaining more powers he couldn’t handle, reinforcing what he already had was far more helpful.
And this wasn’t the end.
Upon entering the Abyss, Taesan had gained a title that supported skill proficiency growth.
And through his battles with the eight Guides, he used many skills.
As a result, the contents of several stagnant skills began to evolve.
The first to change was [Ability Sword].
[Advanced Swordsmanship: Ability Sword]
[Proficiency: 62%]
[A one-of-a-kind swordsmanship created by an adventurer of the Labyrinth. Based on the Labyrinth’s system. Built upon the swordsmanship once used by a prince of a destroyed world. Allows for perfect integration of multiple skills into sword techniques.]
Now that its proficiency reached 60%, [Ability Sword] began to affect various skills.
[Special Activation Skill: Reconnaissance]
[Proficiency: 82%]
[An evolved form of Insight. Reveals extensive information about a target.]
[Condition: Advanced Swordsmanship [Ability Sword]]
[When the target uses a sword, it reveals detailed characteristics, weaknesses, and principles of their swordsmanship.]
With Reconnaissance reaching 80%, the effect of [Ability Sword] was added.
Previously, Reconnaissance gave general info, but now it offered much deeper analysis—if the opponent used a sword.
Then there were skills like [Acceleration], [Strong Strike], and [Deflection]—skills that could be repeatedly activated with correct timing.
A new effect was added: their impact grew stronger with successive activations.
Skills that were already hard to counter had become even harder to deal with.
[Special Activation Skill: Conversion]
[Mana Cost: 1,000]
[Adjust the values of your Attack and Defense. The total adjustable limit is equal to the sum of both stats. This skill can only be used once per week, and stats return to normal immediately after an attack.]
[Condition: Advanced Swordsmanship [Ability Sword]]
[When adjusting attack via Conversion and striking with a sword, an additional 20% is added to the adjusted stat.]
“Ho.”
A skill that allowed a full-power attack in a single strike—[Conversion].
The added effect from [Ability Sword] was simple yet powerful. It added 20% to the adjusted stat.
If he converted 5,000 Defense into Attack, it became 6,000 Attack.
A straightforward and potent effect. Very satisfying.
[Special Activation Skill: Forced Fall]
[Mana Cost: 20]
[Proficiency: 7%]
[Temporarily lowers the opponent’s stats by a set percentage.]
[Condition: Advanced Swordsmanship [Ability Sword]]
[When swords clash, increases the weight of the opponent’s weapon. This effect can stack.]
“Weight?”
It didn’t feel all that impactful. Increasing weapon weight against beings with monstrous stats—it was hard to imagine what advantage that would offer.
Still, since it was an effect gained at 60% proficiency, it had to be useful in some way.
That was the extent of changes tied to [Ability Sword].
Next came the regular skills.
[Frozen World]’s proficiency had reached 40%.
[Intermediate Magic: Frozen World]
[Mana Cost: 30]
[Proficiency: 40%]
[Summons frost that freezes everything. Brings forth a portion of the power that can freeze the world itself.]
Its proficiency had already reached 40%. Repeated use via [Magic Stacking] had likely helped accelerate the increase.
[You have activated Frozen World.]
Frost swept across the world.
The power of [Frozen World] was now manifesting through the mana pathway.
It was definitely stronger. Even without [Magic Stacking], it would now be hard to defend against.
‘Still…’
Though it was powerful, Taesan felt something lacking.
He had used [Partial World Alteration] and [Beyond the Boundary] to unleash [Frozen World].
The power it contained truly exceeded mortality. The genuine might of the spell created by the God of Magic.
Compared to that, it felt far too insignificant.
Someday, he would wield that power without relying on any external aid.
Taesan calmed his emotions and moved on to check the rest of his skills.
There were many that had changed—[Critical Point Designation], [Eyes of Synchronization], [Essence Identification], [Counter], [Forced Duel], [Acceleration].
And along with them, the proficiency of various other passive skills had also increased.
Taesan reviewed each one carefully and was satisfied.
But it still wasn’t over.
The space split open. A thick, familiar darkness flowed out, revealing the form of a girl.
With a clap, the Demon appeared.
[Well done, Taesan.]
“You were watching?”
[Of course. Why would I look away when the feast was right before me?]
The Demon smiled with her eyes.
[You finished it more easily than I expected, which is a little disappointing… but that’s only because of the power you’ve built. I’m satisfied.]
The Demon’s reward was granted. Darkness settled into Taesan.
[You have acquired Intermediate Black Magic: Zepar’s Black Storm.]
[You have acquired Intermediate Black Magic: Asmodeus’s Chains of Decay.]
[You have acquired the Special Passive Skill: Return as Darkness.]
[Your Special Activation Skill: Apostle Transformation [Darkness and Chaos] has evolved into Apostle Transformation [Chaos Stained in Black].]
Two intermediate black magic spells.
One passive skill.
And an evolution of his Apostle Transformation.
He would have to check the exact effects later, but this alone made fighting without recovery restrictions worth it.
“Thank you.”
[You granted my request. As a god, it’s only proper that I repay you.]
The Demon spoke cheerfully. Rather than leaving immediately, she gazed at Taesan.
[You know where you stand now, don’t you?]
“Yes.”
Taesan was now at the boundary between mortality and what lay beyond.
[Until now, I left you alone because I thought you weren’t ready… but they might start approaching you in earnest.]
Taesan understood what she meant.
The masters of black magic—demons.
They would now try to approach him.
[I won’t interfere. Everything is your choice.]
“Understood.”
Taesan nodded.
The Demon laughed pleasantly and vanished into the darkness.
[Special Passive Skill: Return as Darkness]
[Proficiency: 1%]
[Recovers a portion of Magi consumed when casting black magic.]
A skill that returns some of the Magi used when casting black magic. Magi was costlier and harder to increase than mana. Even if minor, reducing Magi consumption was helpful.
His Apostle Transformation had changed significantly as well. The duration increased from two to three hours, and while active, Magi consumption was halved.
The two intermediate black magic spells also looked quite useful based on their descriptions. He planned to test their practical power in actual combat.
“Hoo.”
At last, everything was sorted.
Since entering the Labyrinth, this was the longest he had ever spent checking skills. But what he had accomplished was equally significant.
Instead of rising, Taesan opened his mouth.
“Come out.”
“You noticed?”
A red-haired, flippant man appeared in the air. He scratched his head with an awkward smile.
“I thought I hid pretty well.”
“I knew from the moment you slipped in.”
While Taesan was checking his skills, Ambresia had hidden himself in the room. Taesan had considered attacking, but left him alone since there was no hostility.
“So that’s how it is.”
Ambresia scratched his head.
He had done his best to hide, yet Taesan had noticed from the start. That meant there was a significant gap between them.
“…You’ve really changed.”
Ambresia had been the first to meet Taesan.
Back then, Taesan casually blocked his attack and tossed him aside. It hadn’t been long ago.
And yet now their positions had reversed so drastically. Ambresia gave a bitter smile.
“This is the first time I’ve felt it—like hitting a wall.”
“So what?”
Taesan gripped his sword. Ambresia backed off.
“I don’t want to fight you. Unlike the ones who died by your hand, I don’t have a death wish.”
There were those who had chosen to hide and reject battle with Taesan. Ambresia was one of them.
“Then why are you here?”
“I was curious about the result.”
[Curiosity and boredom, huh? Well, you were the most curious of the Guides. The closest thing to a real adventurer.]
The ghost spoke. Ambresia gave the ghost a conflicted look.
“Ghost… I don’t know what to say.”
[I don’t really hold a grudge against you. It’s fine.]
The ghost spoke calmly. Ambresia scratched his cheek.
“Anyway, I don’t plan to fight. But… if you decide to kill me, I’ll resist.”
Ambresia raised his hand.
In it was a small key.
Taesan stared at him expressionlessly. Ambresia swallowed nervously.
“…Alright.”
Taesan lowered his sword.
“I’m not looking to waste my time.”
He remembered Ambresia had used a key to move him from the lower floors to the 70th floor.
Then the reverse should be possible too.
If Ambresia had several similar items, taking him down would take considerable time. Taesan was certainly strong—but he wasn’t at the level where he could swiftly eliminate someone like Ambresia if he was determined to escape.
If a game of cat-and-mouse began, it could drag on for quite a while. Ambresia let out a relieved sigh.
“Thanks. Really.”
Ambresia had confidence in his ability to run. But if Taesan seriously tracked him to the end, he would have died.
The fact that Taesan let him go was something he deeply appreciated.
“It’s a bit much to call it repayment, but… I’ll share a piece of information.”
Ambresia stepped back and said:
“Most of the Guides made the same choice as me.”
“The Guides who chose to fight you are already dead. But two Guides have chosen a different path.”
[Who are they?]
At the ghost’s question, Ambresia answered.
“The Lion King. And the Ashen Woman—Sociét. Those two are waiting for you somewhere in the Labyrinth.”
“Only those two?”
That was a steep decline. It left things a bit dull from Taesan’s perspective, though not for the ghost.
[So she didn’t run. Sociét.]
“Didn’t seem like she ever planned to,” Ambresia muttered.
The ghost let out a quiet chuckle.
[Good. Very good.]
“Then this is goodbye.”
Ambresia raised the key.
“Let’s hope we don’t see each other again.”
With those words, his body vanished. He had used the key to transport himself to another floor.
If Taesan defeated just those two, no more Guides of Sin would stand in his way.
And that meant the ghost’s wish was also nearing its fulfillment.
Taesan took a step forward. In the midst of battling the Guides, he had been ignoring the altar—but now it appeared before him.
Clear Maria’s trial. That was the quest of the 76th floor.
[You have discovered Maria’s Altar.]
The God of Choice—Maria.
It wasn’t their first meeting. When Taesan placed his hand on Maria’s altar, a tremendous power began descending into the Labyrinth.
[It is good to see you, child.]
Maria’s presence filled the entire Labyrinth.
Facing her cheerful voice, Taesan responded,
“It’s been a while.”
[A while, you say. Not enough time has passed to warrant such a phrase. But it has been… a fulfilling time.]
Maria let out a soft laugh.
[Watching your choices has been most entertaining. You brought life to a very dull stretch of time.]
“Do I just have to pass your trial, Lady Maria?”
[Yes. For one such as you, I shall bestow a trial.]
Maria’s power infused Taesan.
[Sub-quest Initiated.]
[Maria wishes to test you for coming to her altar. If you accept, her trial will come to you. If you overcome it, you shall be rewarded.]
[Maria’s field of interference has decreased.]
[Maria offers you an enhanced version of her trial.]
Taesan nodded.
[Sub-quest Initiated.]
[One who bears Divine Blood is trapped in eternal despair, preparing to become an offering to the Emperor. Aid his journey and guide him to make his own choice.]
[However, you are forbidden from physically interfering with the owner of the Divine Blood.]
[Reward: Maria will determine your reward based on your achievement.]
