Chapter 35: Fourth Level - The God Of Victory, Balthasar (4)

[Ah?]

She was chased out due to the changes in the labyrinth. The ghost, who realized this belatedly, chuckled.

[So, you've been cohabitating uncomfortably?]

“Ugh... Why is the labyrinth changing all of a sudden...

The woman began sobbing, finding her situation truly unfair. Being driven out of her dwelling and suddenly ended up in a room with an Orc Warrior. It must have been quite startling.

[It's because of this guy.]

“Pardon?”

Confusion welled up in the woman’s eyes. She glanced at Taesan and trailed off as if it didn’t make sense.

“He seems like a new adventurer who just entered the labyrinth...

[Well, anyway. Let's talk about this later. Let's deal with this first.]

The Orc Warrior drew his sword, and Taesan met him head-on.

“Uh, um.”

The woman murmured, breaking the tense atmosphere.

“Wait a minute. An adventurer like you...”

[It's okay.]

The ghost spoke with a voice filled with trust and faith.

[Just watch for now.]

Although there was some noise from behind, Taesan barely heard it. His gaze was entirely focused on the Orc Warrior.

“Hehe.”

The warrior chuckled happily and swung his sword. The great sword, befitting his massive physique, was aimed at Taesan.

“Is your target me?”

If the woman had been here since the labyrinth changed, she could have been killed at any time.

However, the warrior dismissed her as if she were a mere bug.

He sprang into action Only after Taesan arrived, thrusting his sword at him.



They had consented to the trial of the gods. They were exclusively targeting Taesan.

In that case, he was ready to respond.

Taesan planted his feet.

[You activated Acceleration.]

The wind batted against his face.

Even without that sensation, his already-high agility became faster due to acceleration.

The warrior hurriedly raised his sword, but Taesan had already swept past him.

[31 damage to the Orc Warrior.]

“Hehe!”

The warrior roughly swung his greatsword, and Taesan faced him. The swords clashed with a loud noise that echoed throughout the labyrinth.

As expected, the Orc Warrior was a boss. The power he felt was only slightly weaker than his own. Despite the power boost from leveling up and his enhancement from Soul Ascension after entering the 4th floor, it was not a pushover.

And the warrior also possessed swordsmanship.

The greatsword moved smoothly, targeting Taesan’s weak points. Watching the trajectory aiming at his own arm, Taesan activated his skill.

[You activated Counter. Retaliate against the next attack from the opponent.]

His body moved naturally as he fended off the warrior’s sword and, in return, stabbed at his chest.

But the warrior didn’t just take the attack. He moved his arms and legs to minimize the damage.

However, his stance had to break, and Taesan didn’t miss that opportunity.

Kaang!

The sword struck down at the Orc, causing its knee to buckle. But he didn’t fall. No matter how much power Taesan exerted, it was just maintaining the status quo.

[You activated Mighty Strike. The next attack deals significant damage.]

Mighty Strike.

A powerful attack.

It was not just an increase in damage but literally added weight and power. It was a hidden feature that even the other users didn’t know of.

Squeak!



The additional strength pinned down the Orc as if it was being crushed.

He desperately resisted, trying to break free, but was blocked by Taesan’s movement.

Unable to withstand the weight, the Orc’s body slowly started to be sliced by his own sword.

The warrior’s face reddened.

“Hehe!”

[The Orc Warrior has entered a Berserk state.]

Berserk was a skill that was activated by enemies of the warrior class. Its effect was a reduction in cognitive ability and a twofold increase in strength.

The Orc roughly pushed out his sword. The sudden change in power usually caught most players off guard, costing them their lives.

However, Taesan was already aware of the conditions for activating Berserk.

As soon as Berserk was activated, he created distance, leaving the warrior’s sword to cut futilely through the air.

The warrior, unable to control his aimless power, stumbled.

[You activated Acceleration.]

Taesan’s accelerated body and sword pierced the warrior’s chest.

“Hehe...”

With an admiring expression, the warrior disappeared.

[You have defeated the Orc Warrior.] [You have defeated the boss of the 4th floor. You have received the basic reward [Ashen Wrist Guard].] [You have understood the hidden element of the 4th floor. You have received the reward [???].] [Your level has increased.] [You have acquired a Heavy Greatsword.]

Lillis sent a gaze filled with wonder toward Taesan.

“Some are stuck begging to learn magic......”

[Are you complaining about that now?]

“It’s just a gripe. What an unfair world.”

Lillis grumbled, bending her waist.

“Sigh. Now that the labyrinth is like this, I have to find a new base.”

[You're going down?]

“Do I have any other choice? I have to find the secret room and establish my base. The 5th floor is probably in the same condition, so I might have to go to the 6th floor.”

[Can you go down?]

The 5th floor had changed into a straight line. As more powerful monsters appear on the 6th floor, it would be difficult to break through without problems.

“That much isn’t a problem.”

Lillis snapped her fingers. An opaque curtain wrapped around her, hiding her from sight.

[Invisibility magic? You learned that too?]

“They can’t notice me until the 9th floor, so I can go down with this.”

Before she left, she looked at Taesan.

“Thanks for helping me for now. I’d like to repay you, but... I don’t have anything.”

“You do.”

Taesan spoke impassively, and Lillis looked puzzled.

“I really am penniless? All my catalysts and materials flew away.”

“Your power.”

Lillis’s face hardened.

“Magic. I want to learn that.”

“Uh..”

Her voice trailed off, and her face displayed a sense of repulsion.

“I’m sorry, but I spent my lifetime learning this. I’m grateful for your help, but it’s hard for me to give this away.”

She rejected Taesan’s proposal.

He somewhat expected this reaction. From her words, it seemed she came here to learn magic. She wouldn’t teach that to just anyone.

From here, it was negotiation time. As Taesan was about to speak, the ghost spoke first.

[Why not just teach him?]

“Excuse me?”

Lillis looked at him in surprise. Taesan also gave his attention to the ghost.

The ghost started speaking calmly.

[You've got nothing, do you? Anything to give back?]

“Well...”

[All you have is magic. I understand you put a lot of value into it, but from an absolute standard, it's nothing. Isn't it a fair price for a life?]

“Well... yes, but...”

Still, she looked reluctant. Value was relative, and to her, her magic was truly precious.

[And it's not a bad deal for you either.]

“Pardon?”

[How far did you go down?]

“...the 9th floor.”

She replied quietly, as if embarrassed. The ghost responded as if he expected as much.

[Right. With your abilities, you can't go any further. But he is an adventurer who explores the labyrinth. Moreover, he's been recognized by a god. Naturally, he'll go deeper. In other words, he'll be able to obtain things from those depths. Isn't it a chance for you to learn the magic you haven't learned yet?]

“Ah.”

Lillis’s pupils widened.

[I think it's a win-win deal. What do you think?]

“Come to think of it...”

Lillis’s face brightened.

“That sounds great! Yes! I’ll teach you!”

Taesan nodded with uncertainty. He threw a glance at the ghost, who remained silent.

With a joyful face, Lillis spread her arms.

“Wow! I just remembered you’re an adventurer! This will make life more exciting. I have nothing to teach you now, but once I settle on the 6th floor, let’s meet again!”

“Sure.”

She clapped her hands, but there were no visible chains. Her body slowly faded until she became completely invisible.

“See you on the 6th floor!”

She disappeared. He had no choice but to assume so, as he felt absolutely nothing. If she didn’t speak, he wouldn’t even detect her presence.

‘That’s magic.’

It seemed worth the investment of time.

Taesan looked at the ghost with a puzzled face.

“What’s up?”

[What?]

“Why are you suddenly being so helpful?”

[So what if I am? Do I need a reason to be?]

The ghost grumbled.