NOVPUB4,139 points.
It was an impressive amount. The points he received from the Quest of the God of Descent were around 2,800, which meant this was 1,200 more.
The question was, what should he use these points on?
"Balancing. Earthquake. Forced Vitality Drain. Enemy of the Deep. Partial World Alteration..."
Each skill was extraordinary. Upon checking the conversion ratio of skill proficiency to points, he found it was almost 1:100.
This meant that even with 4,139 points, he could only raise proficiency by about 40%.
He needed to decide carefully. Taesan inspected each skill one by one.
Skills like Word Control, Dark Power, and Divinity were out of the question—they couldn't be enhanced with points. The same went for skills like Skill Acceleration and Absolute Judgment.
Only certain skills allowed point allocation.
He needed to choose the one skill that would bring about the most significant change with the limited points available.
After some thought, Taesan made his decision.
He decided to raise the proficiency of the Green Witch's Magic that creates domains and Partial World Alteration.
As a spell belonging to an Immortal, its value would increase exponentially with each level of proficiency.
Other skills could be improved during battle, but Partial World Alteration required preparation, making it difficult to increase proficiency during actual use.
The reasonable point cost also factored into his decision.
Taesan used his points to boost both skills' proficiency.
---
[Green Witch's Magic]
[Proficiency: 23%]
[A magic built up by the Witch of the Cursed Forest during her mortal life and perfected after becoming immortal. It uses a catalyst to manifest a domain, influencing the world in various ways.]
[Partial World Alteration]
[Proficiency: 22%]
[Ongoing Mana Consumption: ???]
[Allows the alteration of certain laws within a designated range. It can interfere with concepts beyond physical, including magic, dark magic, and spirits.]
---
As proficiency increased, he received additional information about the skill’s ability to affect magic, dark magic, spirits, and other similar concepts. The knowledge of how to wield these skills emerged naturally in Taesan's mind.
"Not bad."
Taesan nodded, satisfied. As expected, reaching 20% proficiency had changed much.
With his choices made, Taesan turned back instead of descending further into the labyrinth.
He went to find Hafran, who greeted him warmly.
"You came back quickly. What brings you here this time?"
"Can you repair damaged weapons?"
"Repair?"
Hafran looked puzzled. Taesan offered the Heaven’s First Sword in silence.
"...What is this?"
Hafran took the Heaven’s First Sword with a confused expression.
The Heaven’s First Sword was severely damaged, with its blade corroded and form twisted, rendering it useless as a weapon.
Its attack power had dropped to a single-digit number. It had become a piece of equipment he could no longer use.
"What did you do to it?"
Hafran looked at Taesan in disbelief.
"Materials and equipment crafted by the mages and gods in this place contain their power. Mortal beings shouldn't be able to alter or damage them..."
"It happened," Taesan replied calmly. Hafran frowned.
"It's perplexing... but also intriguing."
"So, can you fix it?"
"As I said, labyrinth equipment holds divine power, and mortals cannot tamper with it," Hafran explained as he examined the Heaven’s First Sword from various angles.
"Only a few beings like myself, authorized by a mage, are exceptions. So yes, to some extent, I can restore it."
"That’s good to hear."
"However, it’s only restoration. It won’t perform as well as it originally did, and I’ll need a significant amount of materials. Do you have any?"
"I do."
Taesan opened his inventory. Materials he had gathered while descending the labyrinth spilled out.
"...That’s quite a lot. Wait here for a moment. I swear, fixing equipment... this is a first for me."
Taking the Heaven’s First Sword and the materials, he began hammering. Taesan watched, unable to comprehend the process, until Hafran handed the sword back to him.
---
[Restored Heaven’s First Sword]
[Attack Power +200]
[Above All. Peerless among the Heavens. A sword that no one could match. It was broken but restored by a skilled blacksmith.]
---
"Not bad."
Its attack power had dropped by 50, but it was still usable for the time being. Hafran, putting down his hammer, said,
"If you want a proper weapon, bring me better materials. By the way, to break a weapon like this..."
A look of curiosity crossed Hafran's face.
"Could you show me? How did you manage it?"
"Sorry, that’s impossible. It’s too dangerous."
Taesan shook his head. He couldn’t control the gray power. Once unleashed, it had to be discharged, making it impossible to demonstrate safely.
"That’s a shame. I’d love to see it someday if possible."
With a nod, Taesan descended the stairs.
[Quest for Floor 70 begins.]
[Defeat the Gatekeeper of Floor 70 to pass.]
[Reward: Necklace of the Reached.]
[Hidden Reward: ???]
Floor 70
The last floor before entering the depths.
The Specter was silent, as was the shopkeeper, who only gave Taesan a faint smile.
Passing the shop, Taesan arrived at Floor 70.
The floor was vast.
It seemed to be the size of a football field. In the distance, he could see the stairs leading to Floor 71 and the depths beyond.
Who would the opponent be this time? Taesan tightened his grip on his sword and looked at his adversary.
“...Oh?”
The opponent let out a soft chuckle. A man with black hair and sharp eyes looked at Taesan in admiration.
"So, you made it here in the end."
Taesan’s face twisted slightly. The opponent was someone from his memories.
"The Broken Man?"
[The Broken One has appeared.]
---
The man who had once guarded the labyrinth before Taesan entered solo mode.
He had called himself a defeated man, someone who had failed in his challenge and become the labyrinth’s gatekeeper.
Taesan looked around. There was nothing else in sight besides the Broken Man.
"Are you the gatekeeper of this floor?"
"Indeed."
The Broken Man twirled his spear with ease.
"It wasn’t supposed to be me. Someone else had this job, but for some reason, they asked me to take over. No new challengers were coming, and I was bored, so I accepted."
He looked at Taesan with a mixture of surprise and admiration.
"I saw you at the entrance not too long ago, and now you’re already here? How is that possible?"
The Broken Man himself had once delved into the labyrinth, so he fully understood what it meant for Taesan to have reached Floor 70 so quickly.
"That’s how it turned out," Taesan replied, gripping his sword.
The Broken Man.
When he first encountered him, Taesan had thought he was stronger than Lee Taeyeon.
Now, upon seeing him again, Taesan knew that his initial assessment had been somewhat exaggerated, but he was still no weakling. If the Broken Man fought with intent, even Lee Taeyeon would have a hard time defeating him.
"So, I just need to defeat you."
"Exactly."
The Broken Man swung his spear.
"I am a failure. An adventurer who, after abandoning his descent, made a pact with a mage."
A fierce aura surged forward, like a sharp blade pressing down on Taesan. The Broken Man bared his teeth.
"Anyone who can’t even defeat a failure like me has no right to descend to the depths."
Taesan gathered his energy quietly.
The calm but resolute way he focused his power brought a satisfied smile to the Broken Man’s face.
But instead of initiating the battle, the Broken Man gradually withdrew his energy. Taesan looked at him curiously as he relinquished his fighting spirit.
"Apologies, but an honored guest has arranged to go first. Our fight will come afterward."
The Broken Man stepped back.
"Come on, fellow kind."
"I am not your kin, failure."
"Well, you don’t look that different to me."
With a smirk, footsteps began echoing from the stairs.
A powerful presence was approaching.
It was fire.
A being of pure flame appeared. A woman with flowing hair of fire descended gracefully.
[The Fire Spirit King, Vishnu, has appeared.]
The Broken Man leaned against the wall.
"Your battle with me comes after. I’ll just watch for now."
Taesan looked at Vishnu.
Her fiery hair and contrasting white skin stood out.
Red eyes fixed on Taesan, filled with anger and murderous intent.
"This is going to be a pain."
He muttered.
Of all the higher powers, Taesan had the most tangled relationship with the Fire Spirit King.
He had destroyed the spirit domain that she had guarded fiercely. An estranged spirit bearing her grudge had been bound into his sword, and both her spear and shield had fallen into his hands.
Among the higher powers, Vishnu was likely the one who most wanted Taesan dead.
"I won’t blame you. The labyrinth is just that kind of place—kill your opponent to win."
Vishnu spoke quietly.
"Therefore, in keeping with the labyrinth’s laws, I will kill you."
Fire erupted.
Flames clung to the walls, heating the air until it felt as if anyone nearby would be consumed.
An invisible aura surrounded Taesan, shielding him from the Spirit King's fire.
Taesan smirked.
"For someone who claims not to bear a grudge
, your emotions seem rather intense."
The Fire Spirit King.
Unlike previous higher powers, her strength lay in offense rather than defense. Shaman, whose strength was defense, had lost that edge against Taesan’s Absolute Judgment.
But the Fire Spirit King was clearly an offensive force.
This was likely the first higher power Taesan would face in her full power.
"Appropriate as the gatekeeper to the depths."
[You summon the Shield of Colors, Barkhaza.]
[You summon the Wind Spirit King, Minerva.]
A golem materialized, while the wind gathered into a womanly form.
[Oh...]
"Hm."
Barkhaza let out a groan, and Minerva’s eyes sparkled. Vishnu scowled.
"...The King's Shield. And the Wind Spirit King?"
"Hello, senior!"
Minerva waved cheerfully. Vishnu clicked her tongue, clearly displeased.
"You call yourself a king among spirits, yet you’ve made a pact with one who slaughters your kind? You should feel ashamed."
"You realize you're not one to speak, right?"
Minerva smirked—a rare, combative stance for her.
"You abandoned your world and entered the labyrinth to fulfill your own desires, yet you think to lecture me?"
"..."
Vishnu’s face hardened.
"How rude."
"That’s my line. You defied your father’s wishes and fled to the labyrinth, Spirit King."
"Enough."
Vishnu waved her hand dismissively, as if there was no more to discuss.
Fire exploded. The flames grew, spreading rapidly along the walls and rushing toward Taesan.
It was a fire capable of consuming the entire world.
Vishnu spoke.
"Die, you worm."
[I’m too weak to get involved in a fight like this.]
Barkhaza grumbled, yet still clapped his hands. Rainbow light spread everywhere, and Minerva’s wind surged forth. Amplified by Barkhaza’s power, the wind tore through the fire, scattering the flames.
Taesan drew his sword, his skills activating as power surged within him.
[You activate Apostleship [Darkness and Chaos].]
[You activate Vessel of the King.]
Strength filled Taesan’s legs.
He charged forward, following the path forged by the surging wind.
