Ascension Through Skills

Chapter 285: 62nd Floor (2)

[Kang Taesan [Solo]: So, how is it going?]

[Oliver Khan [Hard]: Everyone is trying. But... it’s not easy.]

After Taesan informed the leaders of each country about the skills, they spread the word to the players on how to acquire them.

Skills such as the Breathless Attack, which allowed movements ignoring breath for a short time during combat, and Unyielding Will, which allowed one to continue fighting even after getting injured, were among them.

Each skill held great value, and many players strived to obtain them.

But it wasn’t easy.

[Ichijo Eika [Hard]: We have barely learned anything.]

[Oliver Khan [Hard]: Same here. There are rumors of a few people obtaining them, but it’s a rare feat. The prestige of America is no joke.]

As expected, Taesan looked at the community without much expression.

Even the Breathless Attack was obtained by only a handful. No matter how many death-defying experiences they had gone through, choosing death was a completely different matter.

[Amelia Aerin [Solo]: …I learned it.]

Amelia chimed in. Taesan chuckled.

[Kang Taesan [Solo]: Really? That’s quick. As expected of Amelia.]

[Amelia Aerin [Solo]: Shut up.]

A short message, but it carried undeniable emotions. Taesan was beginning to understand how to deal with Amelia.

[Kang Taesan [Solo]: It’s good to descend the labyrinth quickly, but it's more important to understand it thoroughly. Once you descend, you can’t obtain what’s only available there. Get everything you can before descending.]

[Amelia Aerin [Solo]: Got it. …Thanks.]

[Kang Jun-hyeok [Solo]: Ah, hyung. I have a question. Does the skill you mentioned include one that transforms with the Ability Sword?]

[Kang Taesan [Solo]: Yes. Leap and Landing transformations are included.]

Taesan shared information while Lee Taeyeon also joined in, gathering details about Solo Mode and skills from Taesan.

As the conversation wound down, Amelia, who had been listening quietly, asked.

[Amelia Aerin [Solo]: How far have you descended?]

[Kang Taesan [Solo]: Floor 62.]

[Amelia Aerin [Solo]: …Have you almost reached the depths?]

[Kang Jun-hyeok [Solo]: Wow….]

[Lee Taeyeon [Solo]: That’s unbelievable.]

[Junggeun [Hard]: Wait. Hyung, when did you get that far?]

The community buzzed with noise. Taesan answered briefly and closed the community.

“By the way, there seems to be a bit of a problem with the speed.”

Taesan was too fast.

At this rate, he could clear the labyrinth by the time Lee Taeyeon reached the depths.

It was an unnecessary worry for now. No one knew how long it would take in the depths. But it seemed wise to prepare in advance.

Taesan moved his feet.

As he passed through a narrow path blocked by walls on both sides, he saw multiple branching paths.

“As expected, the 60th floors are unique.”

The quest on the 62nd floor was different from other floors. There was a sentence to conquer the maze and defeat its master.

And it was true.

The 62nd floor was a maze.

[You have activated Leraje's Territory Detection.]

Magic flowed through the narrow paths, providing Taesan with information about the maze.

Multiple branching paths, which further split into dozens and then hundreds of paths.

Taesan checked the blocked paths and moved forward.

He had been conquering the maze for two days.

“It’s ridiculously vast.”

It wasn’t a slow pace. Although there were no enemies during the maze breakthrough, it was still taking a long time.

Taesan was again faced with dozens of branching paths.

[You have activated Reconnaissance.]

[Blocked path]

[Blocked path]

[Possibly blocked path]

[Unblocked path]

[Blocked path]

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The maze wasn’t revealing all its information through reconnaissance alone. So, he combined it with Leraje’s Territory Detection to find the way.

[Reconnaissance proficiency increased by 1%.]

[Leraje's Territory Detection proficiency increased by 1%.]

“Not bad.”

The proficiency of reconnaissance, which had been stagnant, increased considerably.

The 61st floor tested the overall strength of adventurers. The 62nd floor seemed to test their perception, reconnaissance, and identification abilities.

system_tsart

[The depths are truly diverse. They require many skills. Even I, who hasn’t set foot on the 80th floors, can tell. The 60th floors assess those skills.]

system_end

The ghost spoke.

[Not every floor in the 60th layers is like this, but there are quite a few unique ones.]

[You have activated Leraje's Territory Detection.]

He deciphered the paths.

Eliminating the blocked paths one by one, he advanced and significantly increased his reconnaissance proficiency.

[Reconnaissance proficiency increased by 1%.]

[Special Skill Activation: Reconnaissance]

[Proficiency: 60%]

[The evolved form of perception. Provides much information about the target.]

As proficiency increased, the text evolved, now providing much information.

[You have activated Reconnaissance.]

[Blocked path]

[Blocked path]

[Blocked path]

[Path to the passage]

“Found it.”

Taesan walked towards the passage.

The ghost marveled.

[Reconnaissance already at 60%.]

The ghost had also evolved perception to obtain reconnaissance but had only reached 50% proficiency by the end.

Even considering the assistance of points, Taesan’s speed was remarkably fast.

‘Indeed, few attempt to fully understand and conquer the labyrinth like this guy.’

Skill proficiency didn’t just increase by using the skill frequently. It depended on how effectively and efficiently one used the skill.

Thinking about it, it was inevitable.

Taesan advanced through the maze without interruption. He continued to activate reconnaissance, discovering secret rooms. The reward was a black magic staff intended for the Demon God. After obtaining the reward, Taesan broke through again.

[At this level, even if he falls into the Infinite Maze, he could escape without much trouble.]

The ghost recalled a floor in the depths, one he could only conquer just before his death.

Taesan soon reached the front of the passage.

“Uoooh!”

[You have encountered the master of the maze.]

The maze master was a monster with a bull’s head. Taesan drew his sword and charged.

“Uoooh!”

The bull-headed monster swung its axe with both hands as it charged.

Taesan swung his sword.

Clang!

The monster, several times larger than Taesan, was repelled by his strength. Taesan continued charging, deflecting the axe and piercing its chest.

“Uoooh!”

Even on the 60th floor series, nothing had changed. The ordinary monsters of the labyrinth were no match for Taesan. The monster fell without lasting more than a few minutes.

[Your level has increased.]

[Your Soul Ascension has been activated.]

[You have cleared Floor 62.]

[You have obtained Athena's Crimson Bracelet.]

[??? obtained.]

[Athena's Crimson Bracelet]

[Strength +200]

[Attack Power +120]

[Defense Power +200]

[A bracelet used by the goddess of war when she descended to earth. It carries a slight divine blessing.]

Decent strength stats, high attack, and defense. It was good equipment.

[You used ???.]

[You obtained the Pure Magic Spellbook.]

[Pure Magic Spellbook]

[Magic +50]

[Mana +2500]

[Intelligence +700]

[The magic itself has taken form and created a spellbook. The magic contained within is beyond comprehension.]

“Oh-ho.”

It was satisfactory. Perfect for offering as a tribute.

Taesan ascended to the 61st floor. Since he had cleared the 62nd floor, the maze had disappeared, leaving only a wide-open space.

There, Veldencia and a flustered Lilis were waiting.

“Oh, Taesan!”

“Huh? Do you know him?”

Seeing Lilis light up at the sight of Taesan, Veldencia asked. Taesan replied.

“We help each other as we descend the labyrinth.”

“…Aha. So that’s the arrangement? I wondered how such a weak one got this far, but now I understand.”

Realizing the situation, Veldencia lost interest in Lilis. However, Lilis looked at Veldencia with sparkling eyes.

“Wow…”

“What are you doing?”

“He’s a mage who has learned intermediate magic and descended to the depths. He’s my idol!”

Lilis smiled with satisfaction.

“As expected, making a contract with you was the right choice.”

“That’s good. Then handle this for me.”

Taesan handed over a staff and the spellbook. Lilis quickly accepted them and prepared to offer them as tributes.

She closed her eyes and prayed. The god of magic took the tributes.

Veldencia, who was watching from a distance, gleamed with interest.

After a while, Lilis opened her eyes.

“These are significant tributes… If you bring one more piece of equipment like this, I can learn intermediate magic.”

Taesan nodded. As he was about to descend the labyrinth again, Veldencia spoke.

“I was wondering how you learned intermediate magic. So, it was by creating a passage through that girl?”

“Yes.”

“Well, the god of magic is merciful to those who believe in him. That girl must have shown such faith…”

Veldencia’s gaze towards Lilis was filled with interest. He approached Lilis and spoke to her, and though flustered, Lilis responded.

At least, it didn’t seem like an uncomfortable relationship. Taesan descended the labyrinth again.

[Quest on Floor 63 begins.]

[Defeat the boss of Floor 63.]

[Reward: Magubania’s Red Shoes.]

[Secret Reward: ???]

Taesan began his conquest of the 63rd floor. Unlike the previous floors, there was nothing particularly special about the 63rd floor. It was a typical labyrinth, except slightly larger.

The appearing monster was a giant purple crow. Though it wasn’t clear how it was related to the gatekeeper, it obscured vision with its feathers and attacked with its beak.

Crack.

It wasn’t difficult to deal with, so Taesan advanced.

As he moved forward, Taesan found an altar.

[You have discovered the Altar of Oman.]

Oman. It was a familiar name, a god who had tested Taesan on the 8th floor.

The god of trials, Oman.

From the altar, power spread out as if welcoming Taesan.

“We meet again.”

[You’ve arrived? It’s rare to move an altar.]

The ghost murmured as if it wasn’t a common occurrence. As Taesan approached the altar, a system window appeared.

[Sub Quest begins.]

[Oman wants to test you, who has come to his altar. If you accept, trials will come your way. Overcome them, and rewards will follow.]

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

A familiar system.

Taesan nodded.

[Sub Quest begins.]

[Oman prepares for your challenge.]

Feeling the descent of immense power, Taesan pondered.

‘What will it be this time?’

Oman was the god of trials. The trial he had given when they met was to test his strength to a certain level.

Taesan prepared, expecting something similar this time.

Boom!

[The labyrinth is undergoing transformation.]

[A great will overturns the labyrinth.]

Boom!

The labyrinth trembled. Taesan lowered his stance. It shook like an earthquake.

‘This is…’

Taesan narrowed his eyes.

The labyrinth was turning over.

A massive force began to twist everything.

Rumble!

Like a collapsing building, everything broke and crumbled. Taesan lowered his stance even more to maintain his balance.

Rumble…

Finally, the commotion subsided, and Taesan lifted his head.

The scenery of the labyrinth had changed.

The bricks had disappeared, leaving only a space filled with sticky black mucus. The floor was also covered with mucus.

Taesan strengthened his footing.

Squish.

The mucus made an unpleasant sound and repelled Taesan’s foot with strong recoil.

“It’s going to be hard to move.”

Taesan took a deep breath. The air had also changed. The damp air was pressing down on him.

‘It’s definitely different.’

He had experienced changes in the labyrinth before during the trials of Balthazar, the god of victory.

But Balthazar’s trial was about changing the structure of the labyrinth floor. The floor itself remained the same.

This was different.

This wasn’t the 63rd floor.

[Oh... No way...]

The ghost trailed off, his voice filled with disbelief.

[I didn’t expect him to bring something like this...]

“Where are we?”

Taesan pressed against the wall. The mucus quivered. Seeing the movement, Taesan muttered.

“It seems like the inside of a living being.”

[Correct.]

“What?”

[I’ve heard of this. I’ve never seen it myself, but it remains in my memory. I heard it disappeared...]

“Where is this?”

[The previous foundational layer.]

Taesan paused. The ghost let out a hollow laugh.

[Bringing something like this... As expected of a god.]

“Explain in detail.”

[It’s exactly as it sounds. You know I was conquering the depths, right? From the depths, each floor is distinct and clearly distinguishable. It’s definite.]

The ghost spoke with conviction.

[This is the previous foundational layer. It’s the depths.]