NOVPUBBroken Man looked at Taesan with a face full of satisfaction, despite having had nothing to do with Taesan's victory.
"So, someone who hasn’t reached the Deep Floors managed to defeat someone who has. Interesting."
Broken Man smiled as he watched.
"The rookie I saw back then has grown so quickly."
Initially, Broken Man didn’t expect much from Taesan. He thought that even if Taesan descended into the labyrinth, he would eventually get stuck and fall short.
Yet, here he was, defeating Vishnu, the Fire Spirit King. It was astonishing, even awe-inspiring.
Taesan spoke calmly.
"Is it time for me to defeat you now?"
"Seems that way."
Taesan readied his sword. Unlike Taesan, who assumed a combat stance, Broken Man simply waved his hand, not even picking up his spear.
"Let’s rest a bit first. To be honest, I don’t think I can stand against you."
Broken Man jabbed his spear into the ground, almost as if marking his territory.
"I’m on the 70th floor. I failed before reaching the Deep Floors and gave up. Vishnu, who has reached the Deep Floors, is obviously stronger than I am. And yet, you defeated him."
Simply being fast and powerful doesn't guarantee victory. Still, Broken Man knew he couldn’t beat Taesan. The gap between them was simply too vast.
"So there’s no need to rush. Take your time. Although leveling up should have restored your energy, it doesn’t hurt to gather your thoughts."
"Fair enough."
There was no reason to refuse the courtesy, especially since Taesan had a few things to confirm. He sat down on the spot.
---
[Taesan [Alone]: Haven’t the other regions cleared it yet?]
[Kim Hwiyun [Hard]: No, only Korea, Japan, and China have finished. All other communities are silent. They may have failed, but it seems they haven't returned from Earth yet.]
So far, only Korea, China, and Japan had completed Earth’s quest. This wasn’t unexpected; the quest required players from each country to gather in a designated location without a time limit.
Some countries had to cross seas, others had to traverse long plains. For most, this quest would have taken years under normal circumstances. Without an anomaly like Taesan, it would have naturally turned into a prolonged battle.
[Kim Hwiyun [Hard]: ...Do you think Goshin might target other countries?]
With Taesan off Earth, there was a chance Goshin would attack players from other countries. While possible, Taesan dismissed the idea.
[Taesan [Alone]: He doesn’t have the luxury for that.]
Goshin had expended a lot to try to kill Taesan, even directly descending to intervene in the quest. Given that, he wouldn’t have the resources to go after other places.
[Kim Hwiyun [Hard]: That’s a relief.]
Her message hinted at her distress, relieved now that the possibility had been eliminated.
Afterward, Taesan exchanged some small talk with Kim Hwiyun and Chinese players about the current state of each country's community, noting that relations between countries were reasonably cordial.
After finishing the exchange of information, Taesan called over Itaeyon and Kang Junhyuk.
[Taesan [Alone]: How’s it going?]
[Itaeyon [Alone]: Not bad. Thanks to the power we gained on Earth, we’re descending more easily.]
Taesan recalled a memory and asked,
[Taesan [Alone]: Did you both contract with mid-level spirits?]
[Kang Junhyuk [Alone]: Yes.]
[Taesan [Alone]: Are they helpful?]
[Itaeyon [Alone]: Absolutely! They’re incredibly strong, perfect for supporting us in combat, and more than anything, they’re adorable! Just hugging them makes me happy!]
Uncharacteristically, Itaeyon's message was lively and cheerful. Taesan chuckled slightly.
Descending the labyrinth without anyone’s help was mentally grueling. Taesan, at least, had the ghost to talk to, but Itaeyon and Kang Junhyuk were truly alone. In such a situation, having a spirit ally would have been a huge comfort.
[Taesan [Alone]: Keep going strong.]
Leaving that message, Taesan closed the community.
“Good for her.”
Taesan remembered how, in her past life, Itaeyon had struggled, posting countless messages on the community as she descended. Now, there was no trace of that.
It was a good thing.
Taesan stood up. Waiting at a distance, Broken Man asked,
“Done with your rest?”
“Yes.”
Broken Man gripped his spear tightly.
Taesan drew his sword.
The two faced each other.
Broken Man spoke.
"Do you know why I called those guys my comrades? Because I could see they’d end up like me."
Descending the labyrinth, at some point, one falls short, gives up, and becomes a failure. Broken Man thought that even the Sins’ Guides would be no different.
"I realized it early, while they realized it too late. It doesn’t make much difference. But you... maybe you’ll be different."
Broken Man tightened his grip on his spear.
With a sound like bursting air, he accelerated, thrusting his spear toward Taesan’s head, only to be blocked by Taesan’s sword.
Clang! 𝓷ℴ𝓿𝓹𝓾𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
The spear sliced through the air.
[You have activated King’s Vessel.]
[You have activated Incarnation of Nature.]
An immense aura and strength enveloped Taesan. As he advanced, swinging his sword, Broken Man’s body was sent flying from a single strike.
"Haha!"
Broken Man laughed as he quickly steadied himself, gripping his spear with renewed strength. The spear twisted, creating a trajectory.
The spear’s technique was truly mysterious. It was a level only someone who had dedicated countless years to mastering it could achieve.
But it shattered.
The mystery of Broken Man’s spear was torn apart by overwhelming power. Facing Taesan’s relentless attacks, Broken Man laughed.
---
Broken Man didn’t lose his fighting spirit. Despite being overwhelmed by Taesan's strength, he kept searching for a way to win.
This was just like he had done back when he was still descending the labyrinth.
Yet he still couldn’t win.
After a fight that could be considered both short and long, Broken Man was defeated.
"So, this is the strength of someone with the potential to see the end. I’m somewhat satisfied."
Broken Man let his spear fall.
He was someone who had failed, who, unable to continue, had given up.
The emotions felt by a failure toward someone who continued onward could be admiration, longing, or jealousy and resentment.
For Broken Man, it was the former.
"I may be trapped here, unable to leave... but I’ll be cheering for you."
With a sly grin, Broken Man faded into light and disappeared.
He hadn’t truly died. Most likely, he had returned to the labyrinth’s entrance.
Once again, Broken Man would guide those descending into the labyrinth.
Taesan sheathed his sword.
A flurry of system notifications filled his vision.
[Your level has increased.]
[You have reached the 70th floor. You have gained the title, "One Who Reached the Threshold of the Deep."]
[You have perfectly cleared the 70th floor. You have gained the title, "One Who Has Entered a New Realm."]
[You have comprehensively cleared every floor up to the 70th. You have gained the title, "March of Conquest."]
[You have reached the minimum threshold desired by mages. You have gained the title, "One Favored by the Mage."]
[You have reached the Deep. Before you lies a place where gods dwell, a realm that holds the secrets of the world and all dreadful beings.]
[Whether you advance or are content to rest here is your choice.]
[You have been granted new rewards based on your achievements in reaching the 70th floor. You have gained the title, "One Who Has Earned the Right."]
[The Deep bestows profound insight merely for reaching it. You have acquired the special passive skill, "Aura of One Who Has Reached the Threshold."]
---
Taesan reviewed each new title and skill, reflecting on how his achievements had shaped their effects.
After his assessment, he descended the staircase, finally reaching the Deep.
A different sensation permeated the air.
And there, instead of the usual shopkeeper, stood Balbaba.
[You’ve arrived.]
Balbaba spoke quietly.
[Welcome, adventurer. You have reached the Deep.]
