Ascension Through Skills

“Before we continue, I have something to ask.”

Taesan frowned.

“Why did you start reclaiming power before I even returned?”

The transcendent beings were in too much of a hurry. If they had waited until Taesan returned to the labyrinth to reclaim his power, there would have been no issues.

However, they began reclaiming his power before he even returned, giving the High Gods an opportunity to intervene.

If they weren’t careful, Taesan could have died. Balbabamba spoke in a hesitant tone.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

[In regards to that, it’s unjust. To clarify, it wasn’t a group that reclaimed Valhaluni’s power. It was a single transcendent. And that one isn’t one who resides within the labyrinth.]

“…Is that so?”

Taesan realized something.

To such a transcendent, Taesan was merely a mortal. Whether he lived or died made no difference.

[Among the transcendent beings outside, there are some who do not look favorably upon the labyrinth. From their perspective, it’s only natural that they’d be displeased to see someone worthy of becoming their servant drawn into the labyrinth.]

“I already know that.”

Even the transcendent beings Taesan encountered on the Battlefield of the Gods displayed hostility toward the labyrinth.

It wasn’t strange for them to dislike Taesan, who had the favor of the labyrinth’s transcendents.

[A transcendent from the labyrinth tried to intervene, but the High Gods stepped in, and they lacked the power to stop him. I pass along their apologies.]

“That’s enough.”

With that explanation, he could understand. Balbabamba continued.

[However, because of this incident, the gods outside the labyrinth will also take an interest in you. At the very least, you’ll be etched into their minds.]

After defeating the remnants of the Immortal, a system message appeared, indicating that the gods outside the labyrinth had taken an interest in him.

[Whether that is good fortune or misfortune, even I cannot say. It’s beyond my domain. Still, I hope it brings you fortune.]

Now it was time for his reward once more.

Balbabamba addressed Taesan.

[You’ve solved a problem that has long troubled the transcendent beings.]

The quest on the 74th floor had been created at the gods’ request.

Even the gods had to rely on the power of mortals to counter the High Gods.

Completing such a quest perfectly without any issues was certainly a remarkable achievement.

[First, you’ll need a new weapon.]

The boundary, close to immortality, had shattered under the strain. Balbabamba gathered his strength.

[Balbabamba has activated #000451.]

[You have obtained a sword created by the Labyrinth’s Wizard.]

[Sword Created by the Labyrinth’s Wizard]

[Attack Power +750]

[A sword forged during the design of the labyrinth. Though not made with serious intent, it holds tremendous power within.]

[A sword made by the wizard as a pastime. It should still be quite useful for you now.]

Balbabamba gathered his strength once more.

[Additionally, I will provide the materials for your wrist guard.]

Balbabamba summoned gray soil. The wrist guard, which had been lying silently, sprang to life and absorbed it.

Clack.

With a pleasant sound, the wrist guard returned.

[Wrist Guard of World Transformation.]

[Attack Power +600]

[Defense +500]

[A wrist guard infused with power directly by a witch. Under certain conditions and with a catalyst, it can alter the rules of the world around it.]

His attack power increased by 100, and his defense by 100. The wrist guard, usable until he cleared the labyrinth, was certainly a worthwhile gain.

[And those rings.]

Balbabamba’s gaze fell upon the black and white rings on Taesan’s fingers.

[It’s reached its limit. Consider it a small service. I’ll break through it for you.]

Balbabamba’s power enveloped the black-and-white ring. With a clacking sound, the energy within the ring surged violently.

The ferocity within the black ring diminished. It was as if it had finally accepted Taesan.

[Ring Dyed in Grandiosity and Darkness]

[Attack Power +1,250]

[A ring created from the fusion of dragon claws and the spark of the Spirit King. It is simply powerful. The mighty forces clash within to create a single consciousness. The consciousness is incomplete, unruly, and acknowledges no one but its twin and its owner. Those who tame it completely will gain yet another power.]

“Oh…”

His attack power increased by 250.

Originally, the ring acknowledged no one but its twin. Now it included its owner as well.

[Ring Dyed in Purity and Mystery]

[With its own spirit and divinity, it synchronizes with the user, providing assistance. It can store and unleash a range of powers as needed. It offers slight support when dealing with the black ring.]

[A ring created from the fusion of the Light of Origin and the Apostle’s Essence. The tremendous forces collide to form one entity. The consciousness is complete and exudes grace. It accepts beings other than its twin. Those who tame it completely will gain yet another power.]

An additional line in the white ring allowed it to slightly assist the black ring. This change was certainly useful, as the black ring was a power he would continue to wield.

[Regarding the equipment, that’s everything. Are you satisfied?]

“More than enough.”

Taesan nodded. His attack power alone had increased by 600. This alone was a sufficient reward.

But it wasn’t over yet.

[What you’ve accomplished is far more impressive than that. Wait a moment.]

The bricks that formed Balbabamba’s body collided, as if sending a signal.

[It’s done.]

After a brief pause, Balbabamba spoke.

[I received confirmation from the Demon God and the God of Magic. For what you’ve done for the transcendent, I’ll grant you fitting magic and black magic.]

It was unexpected that Taesan would acquire magic and black magic through Balbabamba.

Power and mana flowed from Balbabamba into Taesan.

[You have acquired the intermediate magic [Focused Detection].]

[You have acquired the intermediate black magic [Arrow of the Storm of Disregard].]

[This concludes the rewards of the 74th floor. Farewell, then.]

With those words, Balbabamba’s body crumbled.

Taesan examined the magic he obtained.

[Intermediate Magic: Focused Detection]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[Mana Consumption: 500]

[Allows for focused detection of a specific area. Can bypass most detection interference and reveal secrets and seals.]

“A detection spell. Not bad.”

Given the need for extensive information in the depths, the power of detection was highly valuable. Since he hadn’t acquired Complete Reconnaissance yet, the intermediate detection magic would be useful.

[Intermediate Black Magic: Arrow of the Storm of Disregard]

[Mana Consumption: 700]

[Basic Magic Consumption: 200]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[Summons an arrow containing the storm of disregard. The intense storm is concentrated into a single arrow, piercing and grinding through everything in its path. The arrow, capable of piercing to the world’s end, has slightly deteriorated.]

“A black magic version of the Starlight Arrow, perhaps.”

[You activated Arrow of the Storm of Disregard.]

The arrow of the storm was summoned.

Taesan aimed the arrow at the wall of the labyrinth and fired. The arrow collided with the wall, leaving no trace or impact.

[It’s a concentration of power.]

All the magic was focused into a single arrow. The range was extremely narrow, but the concentration of power in that one arrow would be intense.

It was similar to the Starlight Arrow, but with notable differences. It seemed quite useful.

This concluded the rewards of the 74th floor.

But there was still more to explore. Defeating the remains of the Immortal had granted Taesan numerous benefits.

[Special Activation Skill: Challenger of Immortality]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[When facing an Immortal, raises one’s authority and power to a level capable of opposing an Immortal. However, the strain must be endured by the user themselves.]

The description indicated it was an immensely powerful skill. To elevate his authority and strength to contend with an Immortal — this meant that even Taesan could somewhat challenge a complete Immortal.

‘But…’

The condition was that he had to endure the strain on his own.

Even facing it would strain his mind, and he would have to withstand it himself.

“I won’t be able to use it recklessly.”

Still, the skill itself was valuable enough to warrant further study.

[Title: Achiever of Unattainable Feats]

[You have accomplished a feat that no one else in the world has.]

[Health +3,000]

[Mana +1,000]

[Strength +500]

[Agility +500]

[Intelligence +500]

[Attack Power +300]

[Achieving what no one else could has elevated your authority.]

The overall stats were beneficial, but the most significant part was the increase in his authority noted afterward.

Authority would be extremely important in future battles. In some ways, it was even more crucial than simple stats.

Authority wasn’t something that could be gained from mere victory; any reward that raised his authority carried significant meaning.

“Just because I’m on the boundary doesn’t mean my authority can’t rise.”

After defeating the remains of the Immortal, the system message indicated that his authority was on the boundary. However, this didn’t mean that his authority couldn’t increase.

It seemed logical to assume that merely increasing his authority wouldn’t be enough to transcend mortality.

Finding that path would likely become his next goal.

After defeating the god’s angel, Taesan had obtained divine power.

When he defeated the three-digit monster, he gained the Twisted Spirit Coordination.

When he defeated Hazzak, the High Gods’ slave, he gained a transcendent skill — the Black One.

And now, having defeated the remains of the Immortal, he acquired a soul skill similar to Soul Ascension.

What he acquired was a soul skill: King of Machinery.

[Soul Skill: King of Machinery]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[King of Machinery. The power possessed by their lord. Currently, the user’s authority and strength are far too insufficient to wield this power.]

[This is…...]

The ghost let out a sigh. Taesan quietly examined the skill.

Even after acquiring the soul skill, Taesan didn’t feel any significant change.

He hadn’t obtained any new power, nor had his authority or strength increased.

This could only mean one thing.

As stated in the skill description, Taesan hadn’t yet reached the level necessary to wield this skill.

Thus, the skill wasn’t showing any effects.

And if it was beyond his current capacity, there could only be one explanation.

The Immortal.

A power that transcended mortality, possessed solely by those who had surpassed it.

Soul Ascension had granted even that power.

‘I suspected as much from the moment I acquired the Black One.’

The ghost let out a small laugh. Now, he was certain.

The soul skill Taesan possessed, Soul Ascension.

The power it contained was greater than that of an Immortal’s power.