Chapter 481
Among the skills that reached 100%, one of them was [Flow].
[Special Activation Skill: Flow]
[Consumed Mana: 5]
[Proficiency: 100%]
[Negates almost everything that interferes with you.]
The description of the skill had become much shorter. But the change it represented was undeniable.
It was no longer limited to attacks—now it could deflect almost anything that interfered with him.
The phrase “almost everything” meant that, except for a few special cases or situations beyond his capacity, it could handle practically anything.
Recently, he hadn’t been able to use [Flow] much. All the enemies he had faced lately were the kind who would smash through such techniques with sheer force.
But thanks to the magician’s reward, the skills he possessed were now truly his own.
From now on, he could use [Flow] even in full-power battles without limitation.
And that applied not only to [Flow].
[Special Activation Skill: Counter]
[Consumed Mana: 5]
[Proficiency: 100%]
[Counter almost every attack from the enemy. Even attacks that normally cannot be countered can be returned. If the attack still cannot be countered, you may activate Cross Counter.]
[Special Activation Skill: Cross Counter]
[Consumed Mana: 20]
[Proficiency: 1%]
[Instead of dodging the opponent’s attack, you use their power to deal greater damage. If you wish, you may also trigger it against attacks you could otherwise avoid.]
[Counter] had also reached 100% proficiency.
As a result, he had gained a new skill—[Cross Counter].
[Counter] allowed him to retaliate against attacks that would normally be impossible to counter, but there were still some that even it couldn’t deflect. In such cases, [Cross Counter] let him absorb the blow and strike back even harder.
For Taesan, who possessed multiple skills that nullified or erased attacks, this was an extremely advantageous addition.
[Special Activation Skill: Acceleration]
[Consumed Mana: 5]
[Proficiency: 82%]
[Accelerates rapidly toward the target. The farther the target, the stronger the effect.]
[Special Passive Skill: Clear Mirror Reflection]
[Proficiency: 88%]
[An unwavering heart. An immutable will. An unbreakable mind. An undying struggle. Enlightenment and self-observation.]
Aside from that, skills like [Acceleration], [Strong Strike], [Leap], and [Critical Point Designation] had all increased in proficiency. There were so many that he couldn’t check them all at once.
He thought it would take quite some time to acquire [Essential Strike], but at this rate, it seemed he could achieve it faster than expected.
“I didn’t think proficiency would rise like this.”
Still, it made sense. He had grown immensely powerful. The system meant to assist adventurers was now a restriction for him.
To the magician, that must have been irritating. Taesan had known it would be cleared away eventually—this was simply the moment it happened.
Either way, it was a good thing for him. It felt like he’d received a sudden gift.
And among the changed skills, there was still one crucial one left.
[Special Activation Skill: Essence Identification]
[Proficiency: 94%]
[Identifies the target’s essence. Reveals the source of their power and their weaknesses. Allows awareness of their beliefs and core nature. You can glimpse the deepest part of the target. However, it cannot be used if the opponent’s rank far exceeds yours or if they resist violently.]
[Essence Identification] had finally surpassed 90% proficiency.
And at last, his [Reconnaissance] had reached 100%.
When [Insight] reaches 100%, it becomes [Reconnaissance]. And when [Reconnaissance] reaches 100%, it evolves into [Perfect Reconnaissance].
[Special Activation Skill: Perfect Reconnaissance]
[Consumed Mana: 1]
[Proficiency: 7%]
[Evolved form of Reconnaissance. Allows knowledge of everything within a certain range. The deeper parts are still inaccessible.]
He had finally obtained [Perfect Reconnaissance].
Of course, there was still a long way to go—it was only 7% proficient. In his past life, he had reached 100%. The current effect was far weaker by comparison.
But it was still more than enough.
The ability to “know everything” was literal.
Even things he wasn’t consciously aware of, or that lay beyond his knowledge, would naturally come to him.
The strength of [Perfect Reconnaissance] wasn’t in battle—it was far more useful outside of combat.
Taesan looked at Akasha.
“Hold still.”
[Yes.]
Akasha answered quietly. Taesan activated his skills.
[You have activated Essence Identification.]
[You have activated Perfect Reconnaissance.]
[Akasha]
[An Apostle serving the Forgotten Goddess. Currently belongs to you.]
[She is not fully self-aware.]
[She has forgotten the deity she once served.]
[She was revered and admired by countless beings in life.]
[She…….]
A flood of unknown information, even things Akasha herself had never realized, filled his vision.
‘That’s the problem with Perfect Reconnaissance.’
Too much information appeared at once. With higher proficiency, he’d be able to select only what he wanted, but he hadn’t reached that level yet.
Filtering for key details, he grasped the general picture.
She had once been an Apostle serving the Forgotten Goddess—one of the closest attendants by her side.
And aside from Akasha herself, everything connected to that goddess no longer existed in the world.
Stars, relics, even the smallest fragments once used by the goddess—all had been erased. Not even [Perfect Reconnaissance] could detect a trace. That meant they truly no longer existed in this world.
‘A usurper, then.’
What was stolen—and what did they do with what they stole?
Even the magician hadn’t known, which meant it was a power capable of erasing existence itself. The very name disturbed him.
‘I don’t know.’
Taesan organized his thoughts and opened his status window.
[Kang Taesan]
[Level: 197]
[Shield: 39,138 / 39,138]
[Health: 400,665 / 400,665]
[Mana: 58,458 / 58,458]
[Magi: 2,488 / 2,488]
[Strength: 81,827]
[Agility: 82,958]
[Intelligence: 75,821]
[Attack Power +26,093]
[Defense +14,542]
[Status: Optimal Condition]
Taesan let out a small laugh.
It was a monstrous set of stats. Strength, Agility, and Intelligence were all nearing one hundred thousand. Even his former life’s Lee Taeyeon looked pitiful in comparison.
But even those numbers couldn’t fully represent his power. The status window only displayed what the system could measure—his true strength lay beyond it.
“Good.”
He murmured, then began reviewing the new skills and labyrinth rewards he had obtained.
[Special Activation Skill: Absolute Resistance]
[Consumed Mana: 10]
[Proficiency: 1%]
[Absolute resistance. Can be activated against enemies with greater rank and power than yourself. For a very short time, your rank becomes equal to theirs. After the effect ends, a corresponding burden will fall upon you. This skill has a one-week cooldown.]
“What in the world…”
Taesan chuckled in disbelief. He hadn’t expected much, but the effect was extraordinary.
For a short time, to become equal in rank to an opponent—that meant that if his opponent were Rakiratas or even a god, he could stand on the same level.
Even now, his victory over the magician had only been possible because the latter had barely fought seriously. Had they both gone all out, Taesan’s chances would have been slim.
This skill could raise those odds.
The penalty was steep, but if such beings ever truly intended to kill him, survival odds were near zero anyway. The mere chance of possibility made it a valuable skill.
Satisfied, Taesan checked the 90th-floor clear rewards.
[Magician’s Hat]
[Mana +3000]
[Intelligence +2000]
[Magic +200]
[Attack Power +300]
[Defense +1000]
[A hat once used by the magician who created the labyrinth. The rank and power of its former owner still linger within it.]
The magic stat was especially high.
Along with its significant intelligence and mana boost, it offered solid attack and defense—an equipment piece clearly of a higher tier.
[You have used ???.]
[You have obtained the Radiant Holy Sword.]
[Radiant Holy Sword]
[Strength +700]
[Attack Power +1800]
[A holy sword personally granted by a god to a cherished Apostle. Though both the god and the Apostle have long vanished, the power contained within remains untarnished.]
[When imbued with divinity, the sword’s power increases.]
The sword was also excellent. Taesan nodded in satisfaction and gathered his new gear.
Then he stepped toward the 91st floor.
A new theme—
The beginning of the end of the labyrinth.
As he descended the stairs, he was greeted, as always, by the shopkeeper. The man looked at him with a deepened smile.
“You’ve finally arrived.”
“What is it that you want from me?” Taesan asked.
The shopkeeper definitely desired something from him.
“Is what you seek here?”
“Perhaps.”
The shopkeeper’s grin widened unnaturally.
“With your power now, it’s possible. You can achieve it. You can… fulfill my wretched wish.”
He laughed.
Taesan didn’t need [Perfect Reconnaissance] or [Essence Identification] to read his emotions—his expression said it all.
“Just a little farther. Go down a little more… and grant my wish. I’ll reward you more than enough for it.”
He whispered softly.
Leaving him behind, Taesan proceeded to the 91st floor.
The 91st floor.
It wasn’t too different from the previous ones—rather ordinary, even.
And the magician was waiting for him there.
“Hello.”
“We meet again.”
“From this floor onward, some explanation is necessary. Unless it’s a special case, my clone will handle that.”
The magician spoke.
On closer look, his figure was faintly flickering. As he said, this was not his true body.
“Then I’ll explain the 91st-floor quest first. The quest is—Ouroboros.”
Ouroboros.
At that name, Taesan’s eyes gleamed.
The magician continued his explanation.
“The infinite, cyclical world swallowed by the serpent—go there, accomplish your purpose, and return. That is the quest of the 91st floor.”
[91st Floor Quest Begin]
[Enter the world swallowed by the Serpent of Cycles, Ouroboros, fulfill your desired purpose, and return.]
[Reward: Flute of Return]
[Secret Reward: ???]