NOVPUB[You have activated *Frozen World.*]
An intense, freezing wave surged forward, carrying a power far beyond anything Taesan had previously summoned.
Crack! Crash!
A massive wall of ice shot up before him, the pillars of ice racing across the floor, instantly freezing the shadow in its tracks.
“Hah,” Taesan exhaled, his breath condensing and falling to the ground in icy fragments.
Even without Forced Amplification, the power was comparable.
Dark magic proved just as potent.
[You have activated Marbas’s *Black Wave.*]
A wave of inky black energy crashed forward, stronger and more turbulent than ever before.
Boom!
The wave struck the shadow, causing it to tremble and ripple throughout.
With such significant improvements in his proficiency, the changes were unmistakable. These were already some of his primary skills, and now they were even more formidable.
Taesan wanted to continue taking advantage of this unique chance to boost his proficiency across the board, ideally reaching 100% on every skill.
But he sensed he was reaching a limit.
The Shadow Devourer had become so massive that it was struggling to maintain its form.
“If I push it further, it’ll self-destruct.”
Taesan maintained his barrage of magic and dark magic, with Minerva and Barkaja assisting him. Finally, after devouring more energy than it could handle, the Shadow Devourer reached its breaking point.
Left unchecked, it would eventually collapse on its own. It was time to finish this.
“It’s a pity, but I have to end it here.”
Dark energy coalesced around Taesan’s sword, blending with a golden hue to create a swirling, gray power.
Suppressing the concentrated energy within his sword, Taesan charged forward. He thrust the sword into the grotesquely swollen shadow.
Boom!
The gray energy exploded, engulfing the shadow. Even in its overextended state, the Shadow Devourer instinctively tried to absorb the gray energy.
Crunch.
But it was impossible.
The shadow couldn’t consume the gray energy, as though it was a fundamentally different force, something forbidden.
The shadow looked down at the small figure who had plunged a sword into it.
This small figure had devoured enough power to surpass its limits, a place the shadow itself could never reach.
It understood now.
The tiny figure before it was like the entity that had brought it into this world—something beyond its capacity to devour.
But this figure was different, somehow even stranger. Darker, otherworldly, and entirely out of reach.
With that final realization, the shadow’s form was consumed by the gray light, as its very essence unraveled.
Boom!
[You have defeated the Shadow Devourer.]
Taesan sheathed his sword.
Now, he could use Boundary to some extent without severe risk. Though still dangerous, it no longer demanded a life-threatening price each time.
The shadow’s powers seeped into him as it dissipated.
As he silently absorbed the energy, Taesan felt a slight shift within.
The Shadow Devourer had been a creature that consumed and usurped power. In some ways, it was akin to *Spirit Ascent.*
And so, *Spirit Ascent* activated in an unusual manner.
[Your level has increased.]
[Your level has increased.]
[*Spirit Ascent* has activated. Permanently increased HP by 6,211.]
[*Spirit Ascent* has activated. Increased Seed of Life proficiency by 22%.]
[*Spirit Ascent* has activated. Acquired the *Essence of Devouring.*]
At that moment, Taesan sensed something profound had changed.
His understanding reached a new level.
Taesan opened his skill window.
---
[Special Passive Skill: Seed of Life]
[Proficiency: 26%]
[Consumes the life force of defeated foes, partially assimilating their strength. Assists *Spirit Ascent* in performing refined calibration of power absorption.]
---
“...Calibration of *Spirit Ascent*?”
Taesan read the new description for *Seed of Life* several times.
*Spirit Ascent* was the most crucial skill in his arsenal.
It allowed him to steal stats, acquire countless skills, and gain divine and dark powers that were unique to him.
But it had always acted on its own, inaccessible even to Taesan despite all the powers he’d gained as he ventured deeper into the labyrinth.
Now he could calibrate it. Even the spirit seemed baffled.
[Calibrate it? Is that even possible?]
To the spirit, *Spirit Ascent* was a power beyond mortal reach. Though it didn’t know how Taesan had acquired it, it appeared to require a certain threshold of power to even begin to understand it.
After staring at the skill window for a moment, Taesan stood and set off to test his newfound abilities on nearby shadows. Soon, he encountered one slithering through the darkness.
Crunch.
Taesan drove his sword into the shadow. The creature convulsed and tried to engulf him, but Taesan easily overpowered and stomped it down.
[You have defeated the Starving Shadow.]
As he claimed victory, energy began to flow from the defeated shadow. *Spirit Ascent* had activated.
At that moment, Taesan realized he could control that power to a certain extent.
He adjusted the energy flow, allowing the absorbed strength to fully materialize and settle within him.
[*Spirit Ascent* has activated. Permanently increased HP by 92.]
His stats increased.
Previously, each use of *Spirit Ascent* on shadows had only raised the proficiency of *Seed of Life.*
Now, Taesan could calibrate *Spirit Ascent* to directly enhance his stats.
[...This is really happening. What on earth is this power?]
The spirit sounded awestruck. To confirm, Taesan went hunting for more shadows, eliminating them one by one.
He soon grasped a clear understanding of the changes in *Spirit Ascent*.
“I can somewhat adjust which stat I absorb now.”
Defeating a foe activated *Spirit Ascent,* allowing him to steal their stats and skills.
He could now select which stat to prioritize, whether agility, strength, or vitality.
“This is... useful, but not essential.”
The stat gains were minimal. Moreover, balanced stats were usually optimal, so he didn’t need to focus on a single attribute.
But at 20% proficiency, he’d gained some control over the process.
What would happen at 40%, or 60%?
He might be able to choose specific skills to acquire, or perhaps even activate *Spirit Ascent* on demand.
“What *is* this skill, really?”
Even with it in his possession, Taesan didn’t fully understand its true nature.
To explore further, Taesan continued hunting shadows, but eventually, he hit a limit. *Spirit Ascent* didn’t activate again, likely signaling the end of the opportunity.
Having no more business here, he searched for the exit while reviewing his other skills.
---
[Intermediate Magic: Frozen World]
[Cost: 300 Mana]
[Proficiency: 22%]
[Summons a freezing storm that can immobilize foes. Now able to unleash a glimpse of its full potential.]
---
The proficiency of several magic and dark magic skills had reached 20%.
As a result, both damage and potency had noticeably increased.
The skills that had reached 20% were *Frozen World,* *Starlight Arrow,* *Dekarabia’s Twisted Flora,* and *Marbas’s Black Wave*—a satisfying outcome. Plus, he’d unlocked a new skill.
---
[Special Passive Skill: Chain Casting]
[Proficiency: 1%]
[When casting magic or dark magic in succession, each consecutive spell grows stronger and faster. Interrupted if another action occurs.]
---
It was straightforward and powerful. With his increased mana and dark energy, Taesan could now unleash rapid-fire magic and dark magic, making this skill a valuable boost.
“This definitely feels faster.”
With this, the proficiency of his other skills would likely increase rapidly. Even those that had stagnated, like *Irak’s Weapon Arts* and *Ability Sword,* would start gaining momentum.
“And what’s this?”
In his hand, he held a writhing shadow.
It exuded an aura of insatiable hunger, ready to consume anything and make it its own.
---
[*Essence of Devouring*]
[The primal force of those born to consume everything.]
---
This was the first time *Spirit Ascent* had extracted a tangible resource.
Taesan tucked the *Essence of Devouring* away, thinking he might show it to Hafran for further insight.
An intriguing opponent, indeed.
Using area detection to guide him, Taesan moved through the labyrinth. Since the defeat of the Shadow Devourer, the remaining shadows fled rather than approach him, so nothing hindered his progress.
At the end, he arrived at the passage leading to the 72nd floor.
“No hidden room here.”
He’d scoured much of the 71st floor while activating area detection to find the exit, but he hadn’t seen anything hidden. It seemed safe to conclude that none existed.
Just as he’d predicted, he received the hidden clear reward.
He started to examine the reward when a section of wall collapsed, and Valvabamba appeared.
[You really cause some chaos.]
The creature observed Taesan with a mixture of amusement and resignation.
[What you defeated was the ruler of this floor, the one who regulated the shadows’ numbers and strength. Now that it’s gone, the floor will eventually collapse. Guess I’ll be reconstructing the 71st floor soon enough.]
“Good luck.”
[The sorcerer who designed this probably had people like you in mind... but you sure make things tedious. I’ll have a tough time replacing the valuables here.]
With a sigh, Valvabamba
disappeared back into the wall. Taesan resumed examining his reward.
---
[Mythical Anklets]
[+400 Strength]
[+400 Agility]
[+400 Intelligence]
[+400 Defense]
[+7% Movement Speed]
[Anklets said to have belonged to a mythical hero. Whether that’s true or not, they contain considerable power.]
---
[Ring Forged from Lightning-Infused Metal]
[+300 Defense]
[+50% Lightning Resistance]
[Made from metal struck by countless bolts of lightning since the dawn of the stars. Provides absolute protection against electricity.]
---
Even the regular clear reward here was leagues above the equipment he’d acquired so far, with both higher stats and specialized resistances.
“Electricity-focused gear, I see.”
It wouldn’t be useful in most situations but could be invaluable under specific conditions.
With his rewards sorted, Taesan entered the 72nd floor.
Deeper into the labyrinth he went.
---
[*Quest on Floor 72: Overcome the Trial of the Gods.*]
[*Reward: Belt Crafted by the Master of Ferocious Spaces.*]
[*Secret Reward: ???*]
---
Upon entering the 72nd floor, the space around him split open, and a demon appeared.
[Your next battle will be on the 73rd floor.]
“Understood.”
Taesan nodded. The demon, having relayed its message, smirked before vanishing.
The 73rd floor. It was closer than he’d expected—just one more floor to go before facing the guide once again.
Passing the merchant and entering the 72nd floor, Taesan found an altar devoted to a god.
The gloomy, oppressive energy hinted at the nature of the deity’s domain.
[You have discovered the Altar of Regret.]
[*First Discovery Bonus:*]
[*Permanently increases Strength by 200, Intelligence by 100, and Mana by 200.*]
It wasn’t much, but a welcome boost nonetheless.
The spirit muttered softly.
[Regret... the God of Remorse.]
The God of Remorse.
Taesan studied the altar. Its abstract form seemed to negate and reject everything that touched it.
[Hmm... of all gods, it had to be this one.]
“Do you know this god?”
[Not from the labyrinth, no. Outside the labyrinth, though.]
The spirit’s voice was tinged with disdain—a reaction it had never shown toward any other deity.
[It’s personal, nothing you need to worry about. Not a good god, but not entirely evil either.]
“So, the goal on the 72nd floor is simply to pass this god’s trial?”
[From here on, yes, you’ll face similar floors. But the trials become harsher, reflecting the gods’ true nature.]
After studying the altar for a moment, Taesan reached out and touched it. As this was a requirement for floor clearance, there was no point in ignoring it.
---
[*Sub-Quest Initiated*]
[*Regret wishes to test you. Accept, and the trial will come to you. Rewards await those who endure.*]
[*Reward: Determined by Regret based on your performance.*]
---
“I accept,” Taesan replied.
The power from the altar grew tangible as the god’s presence began to take shape.
Regret then presented an enhanced version of the trial.
Taesan wasn’t surprised and accepted it without hesitation.
As the world began to twist around him, Taesan considered the possibilities.
‘The God of Regret...’
The gods’ trials often mirrored their domains. Despair’s god, for instance, had shown him an image of a ruined Earth. This god of remorse would likely do something similar.
What regrets did Taesan carry? His initial choice to pick easy mode came to mind, as did countless incidents on Earth and in the labyrinth.
With his body braced and ready, Taesan steeled himself for whatever might come.
The warped world began to settle on a target.
---
[*Regret’s Domain Activated. Regret’s range of influence has been reduced.*]
[*Regret has chosen the target of its power.*]
---
Energy radiated from the altar. Taesan stood by, waiting for the energy to converge.
But the energy wasn’t directed at him.
Instead, Regret’s power was aimed at the spirit.
[Wait!]
Trapped within Regret’s influence, the spirit panicked. But the power surged, twisting time and space without regard for the spirit’s distress.
---
[*Quest Objective: Defeat the Demon King to save the doomed world within these memories.*]
[*Quest Reward: Variable, depending on the feelings of the world’s ruler in its final moments.*]
---
The world shifted.
Taesan found himself standing in a small room.
He looked around. The room was extravagantly decorated, filled with jewels and ornaments. Even royalty would find such splendor excessive.
“What... is this?”
Taesan turned to look at the spirit, now implicated in Regret’s trial. Given that Regret’s power was focused on the spirit, this room was likely a fragment of its memories.
Taesan froze as he finally saw the figure across from him.
It was a young man.
Straight platinum-blonde hair. Perfectly balanced features of classic beauty.
And he wore robes of the finest quality, a testament to his noble status.
Taesan recognized that face. It was the spirit he’d met during the Sword Trial. But here, the man appeared younger.
A version from before he entered the labyrinth.
“...You?”
“...Who are you?”
The prince of a fallen world, Bardray, looked at Taesan with wary eyes.
