Chapter 408

A vast expanse of brown space.

There, Taesan stood alone.

He had cleared the quest. Now, it was time to check the rewards he had obtained.

[Magic]

[Proficiency: 81%]

[You can efficiently wield magic. Allows use of various supporting powers related to magic by manipulating mana itself.]

His magic proficiency had reached 80%.

Being able to use negation magic, even in a limited way, was likely thanks in part to this increase in proficiency.

“Nineteen percent left to reach one hundred.”

But judging from his experience with divine power, raising it from here would be extremely difficult.

Upon reaching 80%, he had acquired several new skills.

[Magic Circle]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[Allows you to utilize various magics in the form of magic circles.]

Seeing is believing. Taesan activated magic.

[You have activated the Magic Circle of Frozen World.]

Ziiing!

A magic circle was drawn beneath Taesan’s feet.

A chilly coldness radiated from the magic circle. It held the power to block incoming attacks and freeze enemies.

“It’s changed to a persistent effect?”

By setting magic as a magic circle, it occupies space. After testing, Taesan found he could deploy up to three magic circles simultaneously. Depending on how he used it, it could be very useful.

[Magic Interference]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[You can interfere with the opponent’s magic.]

Magic interference. He already knew how it could be used.

Wirad had blocked Taesan from activating Limited Blink. That had made it quite difficult for Taesan to get close.

He could use this skill to interfere when an opponent tried to activate magic. With low proficiency, he wouldn’t be able to interfere properly, but as proficiency rose, its value would grow significantly.

[Memorize]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[Allows you to pre-record your magic and activate it whenever you wish. Currently, you can record up to three spells.]

Taesan read the skill description and immediately tried it out.

[You have activated Memorize.]

[You have activated Frozen World.]

[You have activated Starlight Arrow.]

[You have activated Limited Blink.]

After recording the spells, Taesan activated the recorded magic.

Crackle!

Frozen World manifested instantly, without any skill activation window or mana fluctuation.

Taesan looked intrigued.

The same went for Starlight Arrow and Limited Blink, which he activated afterward. Perhaps because they had been pre-activated, no activation window appeared.

“Not bad.”

He could use spells instantly without a skill activation window. With no mana fluctuation, it would appear to his opponent as if he was using magic without any warning.

It was a shame he could only record three spells, but it was still a useful ability.

He had also acquired two intermediate magics by passing the trial.

[Intermediate Magic: Mana Storm]

[Mana Cost: 1,000]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[Creates a storm formed by the condensation of pure mana.]

The mana cost was the highest of any intermediate magic Taesan had obtained so far. Expecting considerable power, Taesan gathered his mana.

[You have activated Mana Storm.]

Mana surged forth and materialized in the world.

The swirling mana became a storm that swept through everything.

Clack clack clack clack!

A powerful storm of mana swept the surroundings. As expected, its power was immense. In terms of pure strength, it was the strongest of his intermediate magics.

“It’s a bit different.”

The intermediate black magic, Zepar’s Black Storm, summoned several small storms to affect a wide area.

In contrast, Mana Storm created a single, huge storm that concentrated its power on a specific area. Both could be used differently, so it wasn’t bad.

[Brilliant Blue Barrier]

[Mana Cost: 900]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[Summons a blue barrier. Blocks entry by hostile beings and defends against all types of attacks.]

The Brilliant Blue Barrier worked just as its name implied. When he activated it, a broad, translucent barrier appeared.

According to the skill description, it seemed to block all types of attacks without exception.

Taesan thought this would be especially useful after returning to Earth, rather than for himself.

“That’s good.”

The value of the new magics was very high. Normally, he would have been quite pleased, but at the moment, the excitement had faded.

Taesan looked at the skill window.

[Advanced Magic: Great Collapse]

[Mana Cost: 5,000]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[Manipulates a core that brings about the collapse of all things.]

The mana cost was ridiculously high.

5,000. That was about a quarter of Taesan’s total mana. With intelligence stats and skills that reduced mana costs, it wouldn’t be quite that much, but it was still a different level of consumption compared to everything before.

“Hmm.”

After checking advanced magic, Taesan checked another skill just as important as advanced magic.

[Negation Magic]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[Negation magic. Creates new magic by blending the power of the Old gods with Zervand’s magic.]

Negation magic. A magic unique to Taesan, created by opposing black and magic, with absolute superiority in terms of attributes.

Its power was certain. Even with intermediate magic, it had neutralized Wirad’s black lines, which could only be deflected from their trajectory. It could be said to possess power rivaling an immortal’s authority.

But the risk was by no means small.

First, to use it, he needed absolute control over mana.

The problem was that Taesan had not yet achieved such absolute control. He literally had to handle mana as if it were part of his own body, but that level was still far off.

That’s why, to use negation magic, he had to use Partial World Alteration on himself.

Partial World Alteration affected the world itself. It allowed him to restrict abilities or change the environment to a negative one for opponents. Giving up such abilities was the price for wielding negation magic.

Holding absolute superiority in all attributes was certainly powerful, but Partial World Alteration was also an extremely valuable ability.

Moreover, the amount of materials consumed when using negation magic was much greater than for other types.

‘It’s definitely useful.’

The conditions were strict and the consumption high, but the return was just as great.

It was powerful, but not something that could be used easily. That’s how he saw it.

[Can’t you mix black with any power other than magic?]

“I tried, but none of it worked.”

Taesan replied to the ghost’s question.

He had to blend black just enough that it wouldn’t go berserk, but only magic could manage that. With black magic, it went even wilder and tried to devour even Taesan.

Maybe if he reached a higher level, but for now, it seemed he could only combine it with magic and divinity.

After finishing the general review, Taesan left the room.

As he walked the corridor, he encountered quite a few magicians. When they saw Taesan, they flinched and cast intense gazes his way.

Contained within them were admiration and reverence.

And fear.

Every magician had witnessed the fight with Wirad.

They found Taesan’s use of black fascinating and astonishing, but at the same time, he felt alien to them. In fact, from then on, neither Elia nor any other magician approached Taesan.

“It’s getting lonely here.”

[Don’t give me that smooth talk.]

The ghost snorted.

Taesan walked the corridor and arrived at a small room.

He opened the door and entered.

“You’re here.”

Wirad was there.

He closed the grimoire he had been reading.

“Are you leaving now?”

“I’ve gotten everything I needed.”

After defeating Wirad, Taesan hadn’t returned to the labyrinth immediately.

Wirad had said Taesan could stay as long as he wished if he wanted. That was Zervand’s will, he said.

Having no reason to refuse, Taesan stayed for a while, accumulating knowledge of magic and organizing the powers he had gained.

But that too was coming to an end. Now, it was time to return to the labyrinth.

Taesan spoke to Wirad.

“Thank you. I gained a lot thanks to you.”

Negation magic was a hint he got from witnessing Wirad’s authority. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it was thanks to Wirad. Wirad replied indifferently.

“You were able to gain it because of your own abilities, so there’s no need to thank me.”

Wirad looked at Taesan for a moment.

“You are not a magician, are you?”

“Yes.”

Taesan nodded.

He was not a magician who pursued the mysteries of magic. He was an adventurer who became stronger by acquiring many different powers.

He admired Wirad’s magic, but rather than directly reaching that realm himself, as an adventurer, Taesan preferred to use shortcuts to reach it. Wirad smiled quietly.

“Zervand told me to bring you in as a member of the Magic Tower.”

“Is that so?”

“But you are not someone who belongs in the Magic Tower. Go back to where you belong.”

“May I ask a question first?”

“A question. Ask what you like, I’ll answer as best I can.”

“Your authority.”

Dimensional Separation.

The authority to create separate dimensions and manipulate points, lines, and planes.

It was a power close to law itself. It was a level quite high even for the power of an immortal.

When he asked about that, Wirad answered.

“This place is the Magic Tower. It’s a space optimized for wielding magical power. And I had set up a few things in the space where I dueled with you. Thanks to that, I could wield powers beyond my qualifications.”

Wirad waved his hand. A black point quietly appeared.

“Intervening in dimensions is certainly the realm I aspire to, but for now, I can only handle such simple power. Someday I’ll reach it, but right now it’s impossible.”

“I see.”

His curiosity was satisfied. Wirad spoke up.

“This time, let me ask a question. You are an immortal. Then what is your authority?”

What was his authority?

Taesan himself wasn’t sure.

If he had to pick, it would be Soul Rank Ascension, but he had that power even before becoming an immortal. He couldn’t call it the authority of an immortal.

Nor could he call it divinity. That was a power anyone could gain by being worshipped by people.

Perhaps taking Taesan’s silence for something else, Wirad spoke.

“You don’t have to say. Authority is a power an immortal builds up personally. It’s a secret in itself. Instead, let me ask you something else. How were you able to use black together with magic?”

“I don’t know myself.”

He had acquired black through Soul Rank Ascension, and he had been able to use it to some extent from the beginning. That was all.

“Fascinating. Even an immortal, if within the laws, can’t wield the power of the Old gods. But you not only wield it, you blend it with magic.”

Wirad looked at Taesan.

“It’s as if that power is mixed into your very foundation.”

At Wirad’s words, a thought flashed through Taesan’s mind.

Wirad shook his head.

“I’m curious, but if you don’t know the answer, there’s no need to worry about it.”

“…Understood.”

“Zervand’s trial is over, right? Then you must have acquired advanced magic?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.”

Wirad spoke with interest.

“I’ve never seen Zervand’s advanced magic directly.”

“Is that so?”

“The magicians here in the Magic Tower have yet to be granted that level.”

All the magicians in the tower had been acknowledged by the God of Magic to be allowed entry.

They all had great talent and passion for magic.

But none of the hundred or so magicians had been permitted advanced magic.

Such was the value of advanced magic.

“I pursued my own magic, so I never learned advanced magic. I feel the same now, but I am interested. Would you care to spar once more?”

Taesan nodded. He also needed to check the power of advanced magic. With the immortal Wirad’s help, there could be nothing more certain.

For a final check before leaving, Taesan and Wirad moved to the arena.

Wirad waved his hand, creating hundreds of black points.

“Let’s begin, then. Activate advanced magic and I’ll respond.”

Taesan nodded and gathered mana.

[You have activated Great Collapse.]

Advanced magic was realized in the world.

At the same time, power condensed.

The very space collapsed, and a terrifyingly powerful force became a core and began to manifest in the world.

A black sphere formed before Taesan.

“Ugh.”

Taesan let out a low groan. A powerful burden was placed on his body.

Wirad’s face stiffened for a moment. He quickly swung his staff. Thousands of black lines poured toward the black sphere.

Taesan immediately fired the sphere.

The collapse core shot toward the black lines.

Rumble!

“What is this!”

Wirad was startled.

The black lines were neutralized by negation magic, but that meant they had the strength to cancel out even black-infused negation magic.

Yet those black lines were being utterly crushed.

The moment it touched, it caused the force itself to collapse, erasing it without a trace. Even so, the sphere did not waver at all.

Wirad hurriedly summoned a white point. The small white point and the black sphere collided, and their forces clashed violently.

* * *

After checking everything, Taesan left the Magic Tower.

Just as he was about to return to the labyrinth, the space changed. A pitch-black world where countless galaxies spread out.

[Did you like it?]

Zervand stood alone in the black space.