Ascension Through Skills

[You have activated Frozen World.]

A blizzard raged. The power contained within was of a completely different level from before.

Crack! Creak!

A massive wall of ice surged up ahead. Pillars of ice raced forward, freezing the shadow in place.

Taesan exhaled. The cold air froze instantly and dropped to the ground.

Even without using Forced Amplification, the power he produced was similar.

The black magic was no different.

[You have activated Marbas' Pitch-Black Wave.]

A black wave surged forth. The strength within it was even more intense and fierce than before.

The entire body of the shadow quivered as it clashed with the wave.

The growth in Proficiency had been slow, but the resulting change was clear.

It had already been one of his main skills, but its value had now risen further.

Taesan still wasn’t satisfied. This was a rare opponent who could help him easily increase his Proficiency. Ideally, he wanted to bring all his skills to 100%.

However, the limit was approaching.

The Shadow Maw had grown so massive that it could no longer support its own weight.

“If I push it any further, it’ll be dangerous.”

Taesan continued to attack the Shadow Maw with magic and black magic. Minerva and Barkaza assisted him.

The shadow, after endlessly consuming power, had reached its limit.

Left alone, it would self-destruct. It was time to end it.

“It’s a pity, but there’s no choice.”

The blackness on Taesan’s sword thickened, and a golden hue began to overlay it.

The gold and black mixed together, creating a grayish power.

Suppressing the power imbued in his sword, Taesan stomped forward. He charged at the bloated shadow, swinging his sword.

Boom!

The gray light exploded, engulfing the shadow. Even in its overextended state, the shadow instinctively tried to devour the gray light.

Crunch.

But it was impossible.

The shadow couldn’t consume the gray light. It was as if the power belonged to an entirely different dimension, one that it wasn’t allowed to touch.

The shadow stared at the small figure that had driven a sword into its body.

It had devoured countless powers and transcended its limits. It was infinitely unstable, yet at the same time, it had reached a state it had never attained before.

Thus, it could understand.

The small figure before it was like the being that had summoned it to this world. It was an entity it could not consume.

No, to be precise, it was somewhat different.

This being was even more foreign.

It was darker, and something about it was different.

Though it could not be devoured, the essence was fundamentally twisted in some way.

The Shadow Maw finally realized. No matter how much power it consumed and how much stronger it became, it could never reach the level of the small figure before it.

With that realization, the entire body of the shadow was engulfed in the gray light.

The power that twisted the laws of nature swallowed it whole.

Boom!

[You have defeated the Shadow Maw.]

Taesan sheathed his sword.

He could now use the boundary somewhat safely. It was still dangerous and unstable, but unlike the first time, Taesan no longer had to risk his life to use it.

The power that the Shadow Maw had possessed was absorbed by Taesan.

As he silently observed the transfer of power, Taesan’s eyebrow twitched.

The Shadow Maw was a monster that devoured and plundered power. In some ways, it was similar to Soul Ascension.

Perhaps because of that, Soul Ascension had been triggered in a rather peculiar way.

[Your level has increased.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Your Soul Ascension has activated. Your health has permanently increased by 6,211.]

[Your Soul Ascension has activated. The proficiency of Seed of Life has increased by 22%.]

[Your Soul Ascension has activated. You have acquired the Source of Devouring.]

At the same time, Taesan sensed that something had changed.

A more fundamental transformation had taken place.

Taesan opened his skill window.

[Special Continuous Activation Skill: Seed of Life]

[Proficiency: 26%]

[Absorb a portion of the power contained within consumed life. It assists Soul Ascension, allowing for an extremely delicate adjustment.]

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“…Adjustment of Soul Ascension?”

No matter how many times he checked, it was certain.

A new phrase had appeared in the description of Seed of Life, stating that it now adjusted Soul Ascension.

“Adjustment, huh?”

Taesan quietly read the description of Seed of Life after sending Minerva and Barkaza away.

Soul Ascension was one of Taesan’s most important skills.

It allowed him to plunder an opponent’s stats and acquire numerous skills, including the divine and black attributes.

However, it was also a power that Taesan could not control. Despite the many powers and skills he had accumulated while descending through the labyrinth, Soul Ascension would activate on its own, as if he wasn’t yet qualified to control it.

But now it could be adjusted. Even the ghost seemed puzzled.

[You can adjust that? Is that really possible?]

From the ghost’s perspective, Soul Ascension was a power not granted to mortals. It didn’t know how Taesan had acquired it, but it seemed to be a skill that couldn’t be controlled until one reached a certain level.

Taesan, who had been staring at the skill window, stood up.

He began searching for shadows in the surroundings.

Soon, he found a wriggling shadow crawling through the darkness.

Crunch.

Taesan drove his sword into the shadow. The shadow recoiled in surprise and tried to devour him.

Taesan easily shook it off and stomped on the shadow.

[You have defeated the Starving Shadow.]

Upon victory, power began to flow from the shadow. Soul Ascension had been activated.

At the same time, Taesan knew.

He could now somewhat interfere with that power.

Taesan interfered with the activated Soul Ascension. The power that was flowing in became more tangible and was absorbed by him.

[Your Soul Ascension has activated. Your health has permanently increased by 92.]

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His stats had increased.

Until now, the effect of Soul Ascension, which had only raised the proficiency of Seed of Life when defeating shadows, had just given Taesan an increase in stats.

[...You can really adjust it. What is this?]

The ghost murmured in disbelief. Seeking further confirmation, Taesan began to walk again. He tracked down and defeated the surrounding shadows one by one.

As a result, he was able to grasp the changes in Soul Ascension to some extent.

“I can now somewhat adjust the amount of stats I gain.”

When an enemy is defeated, Soul Ascension activates, allowing Taesan to acquire the opponent’s stats and skills.

Among those, it became possible to interfere with stats.

If he wished for agility stats, he could acquire more agility; if he wished for strength stats, he could acquire more strength; if he wished for health, he could obtain more health.

“It’s probably not too meaningful, though.”

The amount of stats he could acquire was extremely minor.

Furthermore, since it was best to raise all stats evenly, there was no reason to obsess over raising specific stats.

However, once he reached 20%, he gained the ability to adjust the stats.

What would happen when he reached 40% or 60%?

He might be able to steal the desired skills and activate Soul Ascension at will.

“What kind of skill is this, anyway?”

It was a skill he possessed but still couldn’t fully understand.

To grasp it more accurately, Taesan continued to seek out and defeat shadows. However, it seemed he had hit a limit, as Soul Ascension stopped activating.

There was nothing more to gain here.

As Taesan searched for an exit, he checked other skills as well.

[Intermediate Magic: Frozen World]

[Mana Consumption: 300]

[Proficiency: 22%]

[Summons a cold that freezes everything. Able to manifest a glimpse of its true power.]

The Proficiency of some intermediate and black magic had reached 20%.

As a result, the damage and power had noticeably increased.

The skills that had reached 20% were Frozen World, Starlight Arrow, Distorted Vegetation of Decarabia, and Marbas’ Pitch-Black Wave. These four.

It was a satisfying achievement, and he had also acquired a new skill.

[Special Continuous Activation Skill: Consecutive Incantation]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[When magic or black magic is activated consecutively, its power and casting speed progressively increase. Canceled if another action is taken in between.]

It was a simple and easy-to-understand but excellent skill. Now that Taesan had obtained high-tier magic and demon magic, he could unleash bombardments of magic and black magic, and this skill boosted that power even further.

“It’s definitely faster.”

At this rate, the proficiency of other skills would also noticeably increase. The Airak Weapon Technique and Ability Sword, which had been stagnant, could now also start accelerating.

“And what is this?”

A flickering shadow hovered over Taesan’s hand.

It was imbued with the energy to devour everything and make it its own.

[Source of Devouring]

[The origin possessed by those born to devour everything.]

It was the first time Soul Ascension had brought back material.

Taesan pocketed the Source of Devouring. Perhaps showing it to Hafran would yield more information.

It had been an unusually unique opponent.

Taesan moved forward, using Territory Detection to locate his position. Perhaps due to his defeat of the Shadow Maw, the shadows no longer approached him and instead fled, allowing him to proceed without interference.

Eventually, Taesan reached the passage leading to the 72nd floor.

“Is there no secret room?”

As he scouted a wide area in search of the exit, he activated Territory Detection. He had already mapped out most of the floor, but nothing appeared. It seemed safe to assume there was nothing.

Taesan’s prediction proved accurate, as he even obtained the secret clear reward.

Just as he was about to check the clear rewards, bricks crumbled, revealing Balbambamba.

[……You never cease to surprise me.]

He muttered as he stared at Taesan.

[What you defeated was the master of this place. It was the one who regulated the number of shadows and controlled their strength. Now that the master is gone, this place will collapse. Thanks to you, I’ll have to rebuild the entire floor.]

“Good luck.”

[The wizard might have wished for someone like you, but… it's quite bothersome. Finding usable materials is going to be a pain.]

Balbambamba sighed deeply and returned to his brick form. Taesan resumed inspecting the rewards.

[Mythical Anklet]

[Strength +400]

[Agility +400]

[Intelligence +400]

[Defense +400]

[Movement Speed +7%]

[An anklet said to have been used by a hero from myths. Whether it’s genuine or not is unknown, but it contains considerable power.]

[Ring made from metal struck by lightning]

[Defense +300]

[Electric Resistance +50%]

[A ring forged from metal struck countless times by lightning since the beginning of the stars. It boasts absolute defense against electricity.]

The stats of the clear rewards were twice as high as any equipment he had obtained so far. Moreover, it had the special effect of resistance.

“Specialized for electricity, huh.”

While it might not have much use generally, it seemed like it could come in handy in specific situations.

After organizing the rewards, Taesan stepped onto the 72nd floor.

He moved deeper into the abyss.

[Quest on the 72nd floor initiated.]

[Pass the Trial of the Gods.]

[Reward: A belt created by the master of the ferocious domain.]

[Secret Reward: ???]

As soon as he entered the 72nd floor, the space split open, and a demon god appeared.

[The next battle will take place on the 73rd floor.]

“Understood.”

Taesan nodded. The demon god, having informed him of the schedule, disappeared with a grin.

The 73rd floor. It was sooner than he expected. Just one more floor, and it would be time to face the guide again.

After passing the shopkeeper, Taesan arrived at the 72nd floor, where there was a divine altar.

The gloomy atmosphere suggested that the altar’s master governed something sinister.

[You have discovered Rigrit’s Altar.]

[First Discovery Bonus]

[Strength permanently increased by 200, Intelligence by 100, Mana by 200.]

It was a small but pleasant bonus for a first discovery.

The ghost muttered quietly.

[Rigrit, the God of Regret.]

The God of Regret.

Taesan gazed at the altar.

The altar had a metaphysical appearance, as if it was rejecting and excluding everything it touched.

[Ugh… of all gods, why this one?]

“Do you know this god?”

[I haven’t met them in the labyrinth. But in the outside world, yes.]

There was a deep aversion in the ghost’s voice when speaking about the God of Regret. It was the first time the ghost had shown such strong rejection towards a particular god.

[It’s personal, so don’t worry about it. Rigrit isn’t a good god, but he’s not particularly bad either.]

“Will clearing the 72nd floor be as simple as passing the god’s trial?”

[From this point onward, there are several floors like that. However, the trials demanded are much harsher. They’re much closer to the essence of the gods.]

After gazing at the altar for a moment, Taesan placed his hand on it. Since it was a clear condition, there was no option to ignore it and move on.

[Subquest started.]

[Rigrit wants to test you after you have come to his altar. If you accept, the trial will begin. Rewards will follow if you succeed.]

[Reward: Determined by Rigrit based on your performance.]

“I accept.”

Taesan spoke.

The power materialized, and the presence of the altar’s master began to manifest.

[Rigrit proposes an enhanced trial.]

Taesan nodded. He had anticipated this, so it wasn’t surprising.

With a quiet chuckle, the world began to shift.

In the twisting space, Taesan thought.

‘The God of Regret, huh.’

The gods each delivered trials that matched their domains.

Considering that the God of Despair had simulated a ruined Earth for him, the God of Regret would likely do something similar.

What would his regret be? If he thought simply, it would be his choice of Easy Mode at the start. Or perhaps it was one of the many events that happened as he descended the labyrinth, or even something from Earth.

Taesan steeled himself for any possibility.

The twisting space began to target its subject.

[Rigrit’s authority manifests. Rigrit’s domain of interference decreases.]

[Rigrit designates the target of his authority.]

The power began to flow from the altar. Taesan waited silently as the power approached.

[……Huh?]

But the power wasn’t headed for Taesan.

Rigrit’s power was aimed at the ghost.

[Wait.]

The ghost panicked as the power surrounded him. However, the unleashed force paid no heed to his confusion, and the space-time distortion exploded.

[Quest condition: Defeat the Demon King and save the collapsing world from a memory.]

[Quest reward: Depends on the emotions of the owner of the collapsing world.]

The world changed.

Taesan found himself in a small room.

He looked around. The room, adorned with various jewels and decorations, was so extravagant that it would seem impossible, even for royalty.

“What is this?”

Taesan turned his head to look at the ghost. Since Rigrit’s power was targeting the ghost, it was likely that this place was within the ghost’s memory.

Then, Taesan froze.

There was a man in the room.

Platinum blonde hair, neither too fine nor too thick. A textbook example of a handsome man.

And clothes that were proof of his noble status.

Taesan had seen that face before. It was the face of the ghost when he appeared during the Trial of the Sword.

But this version looked younger.

As if it was the ghost from before he entered the labyrinth.

“You?”

“…Who are you?”

The Prince of the Destroyed World, Bradley, stared at Taesan with a cautious look.