Chapter 412

“The reason I made them twins in the first place was because their individuality was so strong, they couldn’t be combined into one. But with materials like these… it’s definitely possible.”

Haphran examined the materials.

“Are you planning to use all of these?”

“I don’t know exactly which ones are needed, so I just took everything out.”

“Hm.”

Haphran stroked his chin.

“All of them… won’t be necessary. Even though the individuality of the Twin Rings is strong, what you’ve shown me now is far beyond that. In fact, it’s too much.”

Haphran, while inspecting the materials, picked up the divine blood.

“This won’t be needed. Its grade is too high. It might even ruin the rings’ uniqueness.”

Divine blood—a material that could elevate a mortal to immortality.

Certainly, using it up for a single piece of equipment would be excessive.

“More than anything, if it’s an item related to a god… I can’t touch it. There’s no telling how that god would react.”

With a troubled expression, Haphran handed back the divine blood.

“But with the other materials, it should be possible. Since you’re using the Core of the World, the Essence of the World is also a good match. For now, focus on the labyrinth.”

“So it’ll take quite some time, I guess?”

“With materials like these, just planning how to use them will take considerable time. In any case, I’ll need your help to actually make the equipment. I’ll call you when everything’s ready.”

“Alright.”

“By the way, were you planning to use this too?”

The material Haphran referred to was the Fragment of Will.

“This is a will-related material. It would be better to leave it to Kosrun, not me.”

Previously, Haphran had mentioned something—there was a blacksmith specialized in making will-related equipment.

The mad blacksmith, Kosrun. He was said to be in the Deep Layers.

But Taesan shook his head.

“Sorry, I haven’t seen him.”

“Huh?”

Haphran looked confused.

“Haven’t you already passed the 80th floor? And you still haven’t found Kosrun?”

“If I didn’t miss him, he’s not here.”

And Taesan would never have missed him. Kosrun had definitely not appeared up to the 82nd floor.

Haphran stroked his chin.

“Last I heard, he settled on the 70th floor. Maybe he moved. In any case, keep it. You probably won’t need it right now.”

Taesan put away the Fragment of Will.

Haphran picked up his hammer, looking pleased.

“Well then, I’ll get ready. You can look forward to this.”

Taesan looked at Haphran for a moment.

Noticing the scrutinizing gaze, Haphran grumbled.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.”

‘Joy, excitement, and madness, huh.’

Taesan left Haphran behind and descended into the labyrinth.

The materials he entrusted were ones that were nearly impossible to obtain even in the Deep Layers.

If those were used to craft equipment, it would be far superior to anything Taesan had gotten so far.

Maybe it could even surpass the equipment that Lee Taeyeon handled in his previous life.

Taesan left Haphran behind and went deeper into the labyrinth.

* * *

The matter with Haphran was finished. Now it was time to check the new power he’d obtained.

He hadn’t gained many things, but the changes were significant.

[Concept Skill: Will of All Things]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[You can sense and read the will of everything in the world. And if you desire, you can harmonize those wills and manipulate them as you wish. For now, only a very minor influence is possible.]

Concept Skill ???.

Its effect was reading will.

He could preemptively understand what his opponent would do or think, and respond accordingly. It wasn’t flashy, but it was a skill that consistently helped in battle.

After defeating the world, that skill evolved into Will of All Things.

Taesan looked at the ghost. The ghost shuddered. Taesan’s gaze felt as if it was piercing through him.

[Why are you looking at me like that?]

“I just need to check something.”

After obtaining Will of All Things and facing Haphran, Taesan could read his emotions.

Not just surface emotions, but even those rooted much deeper.

It was almost as if he could read thoughts themselves.

And he could sense something similar from the ghost.

‘Expectation.’

Probably wondering if Taesan could make it to the end of the labyrinth, and what he might gain.

‘Anxiety.’

And the worry that Taesan might fail along the way.

‘…A very small despair.’

A despair that his own quest would soon be fulfilled, and afterward, he’d have to part ways with Taesan.

Emotions so deep that even the ghost himself was unaware of them were visible.

Taesan closed his eyes. The ghost became flustered.

[What’s wrong? Is there a problem with the new skill?]

“It’s a problem, I guess.”

Taesan explained roughly. The ghost fell silent after hearing it.

[…You can read all the emotions of me and Haphran?]

“Not just you two.”

He felt close to everything in the labyrinth.

He could understand the skill itself. What he had defeated was the world itself.

And the world was the master of all life.

So with Soul Rank Ascension, he had gained the power to read all things and manipulate them as he wished.

But Taesan was human.

While the skill had grown stronger, reading unnecessary parts was not a good thing.

“I need to adjust it.”

[Yeah, that’s a good idea. It’s uncomfortable if you can read everything around you.]

The ghost replied in a disgruntled tone. Taesan slowly focused on the labyrinth’s bricks.

The ghost’s emotions, which he’d continuously felt, began to fade away.

If Taesan wished, he could block unnecessary information and only read the will and emotions he wanted. It wasn’t a kind of power he couldn’t control.

How helpful it would be, only time would tell, but it was a welcome change.

And his Word Of Command proficiency surpassed 20%.

[Special Always-On Skill: Word Of Command]

[Proficiency: 24%]

[Materialization of will. By uttering words filled with will, you can make declarations that affect the world. More varied and detailed declarations are possible.]

Word Of Command was a useful power but not easy to control. But as proficiency rose, he could control it to some extent, which was a good change.

Taesan activated Authority Seal and stepped onto the 82nd floor.

[82nd Floor Quest Started.]

[Pass the Demon’s Trial.]

[Reward: Belt that Drank the Water of Deep Darkness]

[Secret Reward: ???]

“So, a demon.”

The master of the Magi Taesan possessed.

Both the normal and secret rewards on the 81st floor had been magic-related equipment. This time, too, it seemed to be equipment related to Magi.

Taesan advanced and discovered an altar.

It was simply black.

There were no markings or decorations at all. Only a black passage sat in the middle of the room.

Taesan quietly examined the passage.

As a result, he realized something.

That passage gave off a power similar to the Old Gods.

‘They did say these beings were similar to the Old Gods.’

Not nearly as strong as the Old Gods, but similar in nature. Beings born with great power. That was what demons were.

And Taesan had a related skill.

[Lemegeton]

[Contract with demons. If you wish, and if they desire it, you can make a direct contract and wield Magi. For now, it is only a right and has no effect.]

The right to make a direct contract with demons.

He’d obtained it quite some time ago but hadn’t had a chance to use it until now.

Finally, it was time to use Lemegeton.

Taesan took a step toward the passage. Just as he was about to enter without hesitation—

[Would you wait a moment?]

A massive darkness descended between Taesan and the passage.

Taesan stopped. The descending darkness was now familiar—a power he had faced several times.

“Demon God.”

[I told you we’d meet again, didn’t I? Taesan.]

The Demon God, Lucifer, quietly appeared.

Her black hair swayed. The Demon God who appeared in the labyrinth landed barefoot.

[Looks like you’ve acquired quite a few interesting powers.]

“That’s how it turned out.”

The Magic of Negation and the Will of All Things—both heterogenous powers. The Demon God spoke leisurely.

[I assume you know why I’ve descended here?]

“It must be because of this.”

Lemegeton. The right to make direct contracts with demons.

The Demon God nodded.

[Normally, I would have left it up to you whether to use it or not. Of course, you would have used Lemegeton, but the choice would still have been yours. But things are a bit different now. Taesan, you made a contract with the Magician, didn’t you?]

“Yes.”

Taesan nodded. The contract with the Magician. In exchange for raising the labyrinth’s difficulty, he got worthy rewards.

And the best way to raise the difficulty was Lemegeton.

Taesan accepted it calmly.

“I don’t mind. I was planning to use it anyway.”

The Demon God smiled in satisfaction and clapped his hands.

[Lemegeton has been activated.]

Rumble!

The black passage and Lemegeton fused together.

With a noise like a scream, the passage began to distort.

Crunch!

And the passage changed.

From beyond a chasm-like passage of darkness, he could feel dozens of gazes.

Those were demons.

Demons who possessed their own domains were staring at Taesan.

[Normally, a low-ranking demon would be in charge of the trial. Even a low-rank is enough to test an adventurer. But for you, there’s not a demon here—other than those with domains—who could defeat you.]

Taesan quietly looked beyond the passage.

Perhaps because the Demon God had connected it directly, he could feel their power much more closely.

The demons were strong.

Definitely above Taesan at his current level.

But in terms of fundamental rank, they stood on the same level.

‘Immortal class, huh.’

[These are the 72 strongest demons, each with their own domain. The masters of the Magi you possess. They will give you your trial.]

They were so restless, it seemed they would burst out of the passage at any moment.

From the black passage, dark energy seeped out.

[Stay still.]

The Demon God waved her hand. A massive shockwave swept through the passage. The stares directed at Taesan scattered for a moment.

[Annoying bunch. I’ve bound them with contracts, but they keep trying to do as they please.]

One by one, the fleeing gazes started to sneak back.

The Demon God seemed to read Taesan’s mind and said,

[They’re similar to the Old Gods. Born with powerful strength. Of course, most aren’t even close to the Old Gods in power… but if you had to compare, they’re closer to that side. This will be a meaningful trial for you.]

Perhaps because she had suppressed them once, the demons’ power had settled.

The Demon God reached her hand beyond the passage.

[Like I said, these guys are close to the Old Gods. That’s why their trials are rather nasty.]

She clicked her tongue as if dissatisfied.

[You don’t want to do torture and the like, do you? I’ll filter those out.]

“Thank you.”

It was unexpected, but Taesan gratefully accepted.

If the Demon God’s words were true, demons were closer to what he thought of as true demons. He had no desire to go through a trial that involved killing innocents or torture.

If the Demon God would take care of that, Taesan was grateful and waited in silence.

Time passed.

About ten minutes later, Taesan quietly asked the Demon God,

“Is it still not decided?”

[Just wait a bit longer.]

The Demon God frowned.

[I can’t give you a trial of this level.]

It seemed the trials proposed by the demons did not satisfy the Demon God. Her tone was resolute. Taesan closed his mouth and waited patiently.

Another ten minutes passed, then twenty. All the while, the Demon God kept her hand in the passage, sifting through possible trials.

“I think it’s about time I just took a trial—”

[Hmm. Still not satisfied. If the trial is only at this level, it can’t compare to Zervand.]

The Demon God muttered in dissatisfaction.

From Taesan’s perspective, he was grateful the Demon God cared so much, but if this went on, it seemed the trial might never be chosen. As Taesan was about to ask for a resolution—

[Then I’ll do it.]

A deep male voice rang out from beyond the passage.

Before long, an arm shot out.

[…Why are you coming out?]

The Demon God was flustered. The being who appeared spoke leisurely.

[At this rate, it’ll never end. I know you’re fond of him, but it’s best to wrap things up.]

The owner of the voice had massive horns on his head.

His red pupils were reptilian, and dark energy flowed from his entire body.

He looked every bit the demon.

And the power he emanated was on a whole different level from the other demons.

‘This is…’

A different class.

If ranked, it was transcendent-class.

Most of all, the type of power he radiated wasn’t of this world.

A being close to the Old Gods.

That being looked at Taesan and grinned.

[Pleased to meet you, mixed being.]

[The Great Demon, Baal, has appeared.]