Ascension Through Skills

Taesan accepted Ariel’s proposal.

The core of the Spirit King might hold great value to the spirits, but to Taesan, it was just a useful material. There was no reason to refuse as long as he received equivalent compensation.

[Thank you for accepting the proposal, contractor of Minerva.]

Ariel expressed gratitude. She slowly moved the soul of the mad spirit and the core of the Spirit King.

[There might be a slight impact. No need to step back... though I suppose it won't be a problem for you.]

Ariel, who had intended to challenge Taesan, changed her tone.

[Feel free to watch as you like. Then, everyone.]

[Understood.]

The five Spirit Kings, including Minerva, gathered before Ariel.

“So, will it become the King of Fire Spirits?”

[That would be difficult. While the mad spirit does acquire the power held within the Spirit King's core, becoming a Spirit King isn’t something achieved through mere strength. Moreover, the mad spirit's condition is far from favorable.]

The mad spirit had sacrificed everything to harm the Fire Spirit King.

It wasn’t just a matter of burning life away. The soul and essence—the entirety of its being—were offered up with a resolve close to abandonment. Only then was it possible.

[It will take considerable strength just to restore the broken state. It won’t reach the power of a king.]

The soul of the mad spirit and the core of the Spirit King began to slowly spiral towards each other.

[We are attempting to merge the essence and core of the Spirit King. A single mistake could be dangerous, so focus.]

Boom!

The two forces collided, creating a shockwave.

A powerful force radiated from the core. It was an intensely condensed energy that even Taesan couldn’t ignore.

[Let’s begin.]

The Spirit Kings gathered their power to suppress the outburst. An incomprehensible flow of energy started to emerge, which even Taesan couldn’t fully grasp.

Groan…

The Spirit Kings let out strained sounds.

Their power was certainly strong, but clearly beneath Taesan’s. They couldn’t completely suppress the force from the collision.

At that moment, Ariel revealed her strength.

A bright and gentle light emanated from within the tree.

The clashing power began to yield to the overwhelming force. Slowly, the energies melded, settling into harmony.

Taesan’s eyes gleamed.

Ariel was the strongest among the Spirit Kings. Witnessing her reveal her true strength, it became certain.

‘At least at the level of an immortal.’

She was a spirit with power surpassing mortality. Even without the other five Spirit Kings, Ariel alone could easily suppress the rampaging energy.

Screech.

The two cores slowly merged into one.

White turned to red, and then began to fade into ash.

[...It is done.] ’

Ariel withdrew her power. The radiance slowly faded.

The soul of the mad spirit had stabilized.

[Thank you, contractor of Minerva. Thanks to you...]

Ariel suddenly stopped speaking.

Whoosh!

The soul of the mad spirit suddenly scattered in all directions.

The scattered soul spread across the entire spirit realm.

A quiet voice resonated in Taesan’s ears as the soul passed him by.

[Thank you.]

With that final word, the mad spirit disappeared.

All that remained were the Spirit Kings and the ash-colored energy between them.

[Hmm?]

[This is…]

“What went wrong?”

[No, nothing went wrong.]

Ariel slowly fluttered her wings.

[The fusion of powers was successful. However… the mad spirit only took enough power to sustain itself and discarded the rest.]

“Discarded?”

Whether because it had achieved its desire and no longer cared for power, or because it rejected the power of Vishnu, who had brought it to this state—the mad spirit had not taken the full power of the Spirit King. ⱤáNo͍𝔟Ês

As a result, remnants of power were left behind.

[Well then...]

[This is...]

The eyes of the Spirit Kings gleamed with desire.

Stabilizing the mad spirit required considerable power, which was why they had used the Spirit King’s core.

However, not all of the core’s power had been necessary.

The mad spirit had taken only the minimum amount of strength it needed and left the rest behind.

As a result, a substantial amount of power remained.

[It worked out well.]

Ariel said.

[This power was originally yours. You had to receive it all because it couldn't be separated, but now that the mad spirit has discarded it, the leftover power is yours to claim, contractor.]

“Is that so?”

Taesan looked at the power, briefly considering how to handle it.

He made his decision.

“Minerva. Devour it.”

“Are you sure?”

“You need to become stronger.”

At Taesan’s words, Minerva groaned. She couldn’t refute him. Compared to Taesan, her power was significantly lacking.

“I suppose I should get stronger. Thank you.”

She placed her hand on the remnants of power.

The energy flowed into her.

“Hoo…”

Minerva let out a breath as she absorbed the power. The force emanating from her grew noticeably stronger.

After watching her for a moment, Taesan asked Ariel.

“So, what will happen to the mad spirit?”

[Though the broken soul has been mended, recovery takes time. When it deems the time is right, it will be reborn as a spirit here.]

Ariel spoke with satisfaction. Taesan was also pleased with the outcome. The mad spirit had been a great help in defeating Vishnu.

It was better for it to return to a normal state rather than remain broken.

[I look forward to seeing what kind of spirit it will become. Thank you again for yielding the Spirit King's core. I shall give you a reward worthy of your generosity.]

Ariel flapped her wings.

A radiant light gathered and began to take shape before her.

[Take this. It is power at the limit of what a mortal being can handle. With it, you will be able to obtain what you desire.]

[You have obtained the Pure Light Crystal.]

Just as Ariel mentioned, the Light Crystal contained immensely condensed and powerful energy.

[However, compared to the Spirit King’s core, it is of lesser value. If there is anything else you desire, please let me know. I will try to accommodate.]

“Then…”

Taesan looked around inside the tree. Countless branches bore flowers and leaves.

“Can I take some of the materials from here?”

These could be used as components for partial world alteration. It was an opportunity he couldn’t afford to miss.

After a brief moment of consideration, Ariel agreed.

[Normally, this would be forbidden, but I have the authority to allow it to this extent. As long as it’s within reason, it’s fine.]

“Thank you. Then, could I ask for one last thing?”

[Go ahead.]

Taesan looked at Ariel and spoke.

“May I fight you?”

[Hmm?]

[Human, are you insane?]

The Spirit Kings who had been silently observing were taken aback.

[Ariel is a spirit who has existed since the dawn of the spirit realm. She’s not someone a human can challenge.]

The older a spirit, the stronger they became.

Moreover, this was the spirit realm. There were no restrictions on the power of the spirits here.

Ariel, after briefly glancing at Taesan, nodded.

[If that is what you wish, very well. Follow me.]

Ariel led Taesan to an incredibly vast clearing.

[This place is where the Spirit Kings once fought long ago. Afterward, it became this dead land.]

Taesan drew his sword.

Ariel possessed power on the level of an immortal.

Engaging in battle with such an opponent without the risk of death was an invaluable experience.

Taesan wasn’t one to let such an opportunity slip away.

The Spirit Kings who had followed to watch spoke.

[Go easy on him, Ariel. If Minerva’s contractor is harmed, she won’t sit idly by.]

[We’ll see.]

Ariel gazed at Taesan, who had taken a battle stance, and spoke.

[That won’t be necessary.]

Light erupted forth, engulfing the world in its brilliance and burning everything in its path.

Taesan unleashed all his strength.

He activated every buff skill and launched himself forward.

Power clashed.

Boom!

[What!]

The Spirit Kings watching were shocked.

Taesan was clearly being overwhelmed.

He couldn’t mount much of a defense and was fully focused on withstanding the attacks.

But in other words, he wasn’t being defeated by Ariel’s power.

He was enduring the strength of an immortal with a mortal body.

Taesan moved, somehow shaking off the overwhelming light.

[How is this…]

The Spirit Kings were at a loss for words.

The battle soon came to an end.

As Taesan neared his limit, Ariel withdrew her power.

[That should be enough.]

Taesan, catching his breath, nodded.

It had been a worthwhile experience.

He now had a rough idea of how to move and respond when facing an opponent of immortal-level strength.

Ariel spoke quietly.

[You are walking on the edge.]

“The edge?”

[The edge of mortality.] n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

He was neither fully inside nor fully outside. He was walking precisely in the middle.

That was Ariel’s assessment of Taesan.

[It is extremely difficult to cross that line… but you are remarkable. I look forward to seeing what path you take.]

Afterward, Taesan gathered various materials from the spirit realm.

He acquired enough components to perform partial world alteration twice.

What he gained was Minerva’s enhancement, materials for partial world alteration, components for equipment, and the experience of fighting an immortal.

Satisfied, Taesan returned to the labyrinth.

Upon his return, the first thing he did was seek out Hafran.

“This is…”

Hafran stared blankly at the Pure Light Crystal in his hand.

“…Where did you get something like this?”

“I got it from a spirit. Can you make something with it?”

“It’s possible.”

Hafran grumbled with a displeased expression.

“This is exactly at the limit of what I can handle. With material like this, the options are quite limited.”

“Just make something useful.”

“Got it. It’ll take some time.”

Hafran grabbed his hammer.

As Taesan left, he checked the rewards for the 73rd floor.

[Shoes of the One Who Left Footprints on All Lands.]

[Attack Power +200]

[Defense +500]

[Strength +600]

[Agility +600]

[Action Speed +20%]

[Movement Speed +20%]

[One man wished to leave his footprints on every land in the world. He began his journey from his first steps and achieved his goal the day before he died.]

[Helmet of the Iron Wall.]

[Attack Power +150]

[Strength +300]

[Defense +400]

[Magic Resistance +10]

[The iron wall that guards the world. A helmet forged by compressing that very wall.]

The rewards for the 73rd floor were high-stat equipment overall.

The helmet, in particular, had both strength stats and magic resistance attached.

And so, the 74th floor began.

Taesan had arrived at a floor that had been blocked for tens, maybe hundreds of years, only recently cleared by the Guides.

[74th-floor quest begins.]

[Obtain information from the Battlefield of the Immortals.]

[Reward: ???]

[Secret Reward: ???]

Stepping onto the 74th floor, there was nothing.

In cases like this, there was usually only one explanation.

Something would soon appear to give the quest.

The labyrinth’s bricks assembled, and Balbabamba appeared.

[You’ve arrived. I suppose there’s no need to bore you with too many details.]

“You’re going to explain?”

[The 74th floor is unique. The system alone cannot fully explain it, so I’ve had to appear personally.]

Balbabamba began to speak.

[The Battlefield of the Immortals. Countless immortals fought and died, and in the end, it became a forsaken land. Valhaluni. To clear the 74th floor, you must go there.]