Chapter 19
[Taesan[Solo]: Don’t accept it.]
[Junhyuk[Solo]: Hmm… It’s tempting… Is there really no way to accept it?] [Taesan[Solo]: Tayeon is problematic because she’s too scared, and you’re problematic because you’re not scared at all. Let me give you a simple example. You were too scared to acquire “Endure,” right?]
[Junhyuk[Solo]: Yes. How do you even get that?]
[Taesan[Solo]: If you accept, you might get it, right?]
[Junhyuk[Solo]: What do you mean… Ah.]
[Taesan[Solo]: It’s either you get it or you die. If you’re confident, go ahead and accept the quest.]
First, he checked the short sword. The information window for the short sword appeared.
[Less Rusty Short Sword] [Attack Power: +1] [It seems usable.]
Its attack power was the same as the rusty sword. Since the short sword has a faster attack speed but the same attack power, it technically had an advantage in performance. However, Taesan did not switch to it.
Against other monsters, it might be different, but goblins used weapons. When fighting with the same type of weapon, reach has more value than attack speed.
Still, it wasn’t a bad weapon. It would be useful in close combat. Taesan stored the short sword in his inventory and checked the small shield.
[Wooden Shield] [Defense: +3] [It’s not big. It can block most attacks, but it seems like it would break against very strong attacks.]
Its performance was inferior to the tower shield. The defense was 2 points lower, and it had no attack power. But Taesan pondered.
‘From here on, the tower shield won’t be very useful.’
Unlike the Giant Rat, goblins attack in numbers and are quick. They coordinate attacks to pressure him. The tower shield has advantages in 1-on-1 combat but is not suitable for fighting multiple opponents.
Additionally, it can’t be wielded with one hand, preventing the use of other weapons.
Moreover, it’s too large. Covering his entire body, it restricts his view.
Focusing more on blocking than dodging due to its excessive coverage also creates problems in his actions.
Taesan made his decision. He stored the tower shield and took out the rusty sword.
Shield in his right hand. And the sword in his left. Normally, it would be the opposite, but being left-handed, this was more comfortable for him.
His defense dropped by 2 points. But against goblins, this was the optimal setting.
Sword and shield.
It was a combination he had used for quite some time.
The gain was 200 gold. 50 gold per goblin. Not bad.
With preparations complete, Taesan headed towards the corridor.
In the next room, he found one goblin with a bow, one with a spear, one with a short sword, and one with a long sword. There was a slight change from before, but Taesan’s approach didn’t differ much.
Taesan charged at the goblins.
“Kaak!”
“Kieek!”
He blocked attacks with his shield and stabbed with his sword.
It was much more stable than using the tower shield. Minor damages were inflicted, but they were manageable. Defeating just one would fully recover him.
[You have defeated the short sword-wielding goblin.]
“Kaaa…”
The bow-wielding goblin’s eyes widened in horror as its comrade fell. The long sword-wielding goblin hesitated upon seeing its comrade die. Taesan didn’t miss the opening and pressed on.
“Kieek!”
Thud!
He struck the goblin’s arm with the shield. Its weapon-bearing hand flew up, exposing its body. Taesan stabbed with his sword.
[You have defeated the long sword-wielding goblin.]
“Kieee…”
“Kaak!”
The spear stabbed at Taesan. He deflected it with his sword. He blocked an incoming arrow with his shield. The spear-wielding goblin screamed and swung its weapon at Taesan.
In that moment, it became clear. The goblin’s grasp on the spear was clumsy, its rage overriding its senses.
Taesan moved as his senses dictated. He deflected the spear with his shield and raised his sword. The spear flew through the air.
“Ka, kaak.”
He struck the disarmed goblin.
[You have defeated the spear-lost goblin.]
Only the bow-wielding goblin remained. It desperately shot arrows at him, but Taesan easily knocked them down with his sword. Without backup, the bow was not a threat.
“Ka, kaak.”
He approached the trembling goblin and brought down his sword.
[You have defeated the bow-wielding goblin.] [Your level has increased.] [You are in optimal condition.] [As a reward for leveling up, your health increased by 10.] [As a reward for leveling up, your strength has permanently increased by 1, your agility by 2, and your intelligence by 1.]
A well-balanced increase is always best.
Spirit Ascension remained unchanged. Four windows appeared, each indicating an increase of 1 in intelligence.
“Status window.”
[Taesan] [Level: 4] [Health: 165/165] [Mana: 15/15] [Strength: 18] [Intelligence: 24] [Agility: 32] [Attack Power: +3] [Defense: +5] [The subject is in optimal condition.]
He couldn’t help but smile at his stats. Before returning to the past, his stats were:
[Taesan] [Level: 57] [Health: 1021/1021] [Mana: 820/820] [Strength: 105] [Intelligence: 100] [Agility: 98] [Attack Power: +49] [Defense: +58]
Now at level 4, his agility had already reached a third of his past self’s, not on the 10th or 20th floor, but while breaking through the 2nd floor.
The more he thought about it, the more he laughed at the difference in growth.
Iteyon’s stats, which he thought were overwhelming, now seemed not so impressive in hindsight.
Rushing through and missing much, her stats were likely below the average for Solo Mode.
Only because there was no one else who survived did she not realize it.
Pleased with his status window, Taesan quickly checked the equipment.
“Long sword, come out.”
There was one goblin wielding a long sword. Given that the dagger had an attack power of 1, it was likely the long sword had 2.
Two arrows, one bow, and the long sword were his rewards.
“Yes!”
Taesan quickly verified.
[Less Rusty Sword] [Attack Power: +2] [Seems usable.]
“Good.”
An increase of 1 in attack power might seem modest, but it was of immense value.
In the labyrinth, additional attack power is summed up.
An increase of 1 in attack power could mean the difference between hitting 8 or 9 damage.
At such low base damage, the difference between 1 or 2 points of attack power could determine whether an extra hit is necessary or not.
For now, attack power was much more important than other stats.
The sword was satisfying enough, but there was more. Seeing the bow, Taesan’s eyes widened.
[Bow] [Attack Power: +1] [Accuracy: +40%] [Seems usable.]
“This is good too.”
The bow he was using had no attack power, relying solely on the arrow’s power.
Without Ailac Weaponry Technique, the damage would have been very weak.
The accuracy was also low at 20%, requiring significant effort to aim when shooting arrows.
Both issues were resolved at once. Taesan happily organized the bow.
“You’re banished now.”
He stored the rusty sword in his inventory and wielded the less rusty sword.
He had become stronger. Even after switching to sword and shield, he managed to deal with four goblins without using a single skill. Now, he could likely handle them without using arrows.
With his preparations complete, Taesan headed towards the corridor again.
He opened the door slightly, as before, to check the inside.
“Huh?”
Taesan entered the room. There were no goblins inside. But it wasn’t just an empty room.
Inside was an altar dedicated to a god.
[You have discovered the altar of Rakiratas.]
[First Discovery Bonus] [Your intelligence permanently increases by 1. Your mana permanently increases by 2.]
Intelligence and mana. Always beneficial stats. Taesan looked at the altar.
A circular altar was placed in the center of the room.
Stained with blood and decorated with sharp edges, it hinted at the nature of the altar’s deity.
The gods of the labyrinth have various personalities.
Some are friendly to players, while others are hostile. Some see them as objects of ridicule, and some show compassion.
But most view them as playthings, as Iteyon had said.
Rakiratas.
The name of the god shown in the system window. Taesan tried to recall what kind of god it was.
‘The God of Struggle and Death.’
He knew no more than that. Since Iteyon was mocked and ridiculed by the gods, she didn’t bother to learn more. Taesan placed his hand on the altar.
[Altar of Rakiratas] [An altar made by those who worship Rakiratas. It’s a conduit connected to the god. Rakiratas can exert influence through here.]
An altar for those who worship the god. Iteyon said that upon reaching an altar, she was offered a quest. As soon as the thought ended, a blood-red mist filled the room.
A massive presence emerged from beyond the altar. Even from this side of the portal, the intensity was enough to drive most to madness if they were to witness it directly.
‘Is this a god?’
Unique to Solo Mode, Rakiratas was one of them. A quest window appeared.
[Sub Quest Start] [Rakiratas wants to test you for reaching his altar. If you accept, a trial will come to you. If you overcome it, there will be a reward.] [Reward: Rakiratas will decide based on your performance.]
Upon reaching an altar, one can challenge the trials set by the god. Iteyon also found Rakiratas’ altar on the 2nd floor and was offered a similar quest.
However, she did not accept.
Iteyon instinctively felt the trial was beyond her capabilities. She fled the room as if running from danger. Hence, there was no information on what the trial was or its nature.
Taesan planned to accept.
‘Risk and reward.’
Risking his life to breach the Secret Room rewarded him with the Staff of Flames.
Surviving Aintzhar’s strike granted him Ailac Weaponry Technique.
Achieving seemingly impossible feats always brought rewards beyond expectations.
Although Easy Mode had its rewards, this place offered even more.
He had no intention of fleeing like a coward. Taesan accepted the sub quest.
[Sub Quest Start] [Rakiratas is pleased with your decision.]
The room filled with blood-red mist gathered in front of the altar.
The mist coalesced into legs, knees, thighs, a torso, and finally a head, forming a human shape.
But it didn’t stop there. The mist engulfed the shape again.
Eventually, the mist dissipated, revealing blood-red armor.
Clank.
The blood-red knight reached out.
The remaining mist gathered into the form of a sword.
[You have encountered Rakiratas’ Servant[Fake].] [Rakiratas’ Trial: Defeat Rakiratas’ Servant[Fake].]
Taesan measured the distance and observed Rakiratas’ servant.
The knight wore armor reminiscent of a medieval knight. The armor covered every part of its body and the head was fully protected by a helmet. It was hard to find any vulnerabilities.
Clank.
The blood-red knight pointed its sword at Taesan. Without fighting, just by the stance, Taesan could tell.
This was much stronger than the goblins.
Taesan armed himself with a shield and a sword.
After observing Taesan for a moment, the knight charged.
Boom!
With a speed that belied its armored appearance, the knight rushed at Taesan. But Taesan was not startled. He had seen countless beings where appearances and actual abilities were vastly different. He blocked the descending sword with his shield.
Clang!
Taesan was pushed back. An uncomfortable numbness spread through his arm from the impact.
[You have received 25 damage.]
“Ha.”
The ridiculous damage made him chuckle. Even when blocked, if the damage was this severe, the shield was practically useless. Taesan stepped back to gain distance. He stored the shield and drew the rusty sword.
“Double swords, it’s been a while.”
Boom!
The knight charged again. The entire room shook with its heavy movement. The knight swung its sword broadly.
Taesan swung his sword in response.
Metal clashed. Again, Taesan was pushed back.
After two clashes, Taesan realized. The knight’s strength was superior. Not a huge difference, but enough to ensure defeat in a head-on contest.
What about agility? Taesan began to flee. The knight pursued.
Clank! Clank!
Watching the knight chase him, Taesan realized.
He was superior in agility. The distance between Taesan and the knight gradually increased. Not a huge gap, but not small either.
The knight had superior strength, but Taesan had superior agility. Taesan suddenly turned and charged at the knight, striking down with his sword.
The pursuing knight hastily raised its sword.
Clang!
The swords met. Both were pushed back, but Taesan was the one moving backward.
Without the shield, the damage was still bearable. He created distance and readied himself.
“Damn it. What’s going on?”
The situation had suddenly changed. Already high in stats, the knight had regained its intelligence, making it frighteningly strong.
Above all, the quality of its skills was exceptionally high. In a sword clash, it was effortlessly deflecting Taesan’s attacks.
In terms of skill, it was superior to anyone Taesan had seen.
The knight, with regained intelligence, sought to fulfill its master’s command. It charged at Taesan.
