Chapter 73: Twelfth Level - Boss (5)

He had a goal, but nothing would change.

As Maria said, he was in a very weak state right now. He hadn’t learned multiplication yet, not even addition, the essence strike, or copying.

So he would descend.

Deeper.

To a place where he could become stronger.

“But before that.”

He hadn’t checked what he had gained from the sudden invitation. He checked Maria’s reward first.

[Shape Changing Weapon] [Attack + 15] [Selectable weapon.] [It can transform into the form of a dagger or a long sword.]

It had decent attack power and was attached to a special ability. Taesan immediately checked it. The weapon changed into a short dagger and then transformed into a normal-looking longsword.

He could use it as two different weapons. The attack power seemed to not change even when the shape changed.

Taesan, who had finished checking the weapon, checked his new skill next.

[Special Activation Skill: Freedom of Choice] [Mana Consumption: 20] [Proficiency: 1%] [It is possible to convert stats. The ratio doesn't seem to be very high yet.]

Stat conversion. It was something he hadn’t seen yet. Taesan immediately experimented.

The possible conversion ratio was 10%. Agility, Strength, Intelligence, Health, Mana, Shield, Attack, and Defense could be converted among each other. It seemed impossible to convert two types at the same time.

“Not bad.”

Changing around his stats could be important, depending on the situation. There were times when health was of no value, while there were other times when defense had no value.

Those meaningless stats could be changed to important ones as necessary. The effective ratio was only 10% now, but the ratio would rise further as proficiency rose.

Eventually, it might be possible to convert 100%. Depending on how it was used, it was a useful skill.

“She gives rewards as promised.”

Maria’s reward wasn’t the only thing. As difficult as Maria’s trials were, additional rewards could be obtained.



First, there were skills that had significantly increased in proficiency.

[Special Activation Skill: Breathless Attack] [Mana Consumption: 2] [Proficiency: 21%] [It allows movements that ignore breathing during combat. Currently, it only lasts for about 20 seconds. The fatigue of muscles decreases.]

The Breathless Attack skill, which he had been using tirelessly, finally passed 20% proficiency and added the content that the fatigue of muscles decreases.

The Breathless Attack was tiring because the movements became more intense as breathing was ignored. It was a good change that alleviated this fatigue.

[Special Always-on Skill: View Expansion] [Proficiency: 80%] [You can obtain a wide field of view. It has greatly exceeded the human category.]

View Expansion was quickly rising, almost reaching 100%.

Most skills change dramatically the moment they hit 100%. It was safe to say they became entirely different skills from what they used to be.

It might be possible to reach 100% at this speed before breaking through the 20th floor. With a little hope, Taesan checked the other skills.

Perhaps due to the endless fights, he was able to learn a new skill.

[Your mind is out of sync with the flow of time. You've obtained the Special Activation Skill [Mind Acceleration].]

‘I’ve been feeling like time was a bit off.’

During Maria’s trials, the enemies and his own movements seemed generally slower than expected.

Mind Acceleration. In Easy Mode, there were not many occasions to fight intensely enough for the time in his mind to twist to that extent, so he could not learn this skill in his previous life.

[Special Activation Skill: Mind Acceleration] [Mana Consumption: 8] [Proficiency: 1%] [Accelerates the mind. The flow of time twists very slightly. It seems like it can only be used for 10 seconds at this point.] [You have activated Mind Acceleration.]

He used the skill, but nothing seemed to change.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.

Taesan raised his arm.

‘Slow.’

The speed at which his arm moved felt strangely slow. His mind was moving faster than the time outside. It was a very subtle difference, but it was a definite difference.

‘So this is the skill.’

Having more time to think during combat was equivalent to increasing the chances of winning. The value would increase more and more as proficiency was raised. Its usefulness could just be below a main skill.



As he learned each of these things, he became stronger. At that moment, Taesan finished checking and was about to move.

There was something in his pocket.

“What’s this?”

It was a tiny flower-shaped ornament. Its seven petals were colorful like a rainbow.

[Maria's Gift] [A gift given to a human loved by the gods. Currently, it has no effects.]

“Ghost?”

[Uh, what?]

To him, who had created the Blazing Orb and Frost Arrow, it didn’t seem that significant. Recognizing Taesan’s reaction, Lillis pouted.

“People risk their lives to learn this...”

“So, what can you learn?”

At Taesan’s question, Lilis composed herself and put a finger on her lips.

“First of all, you aren’t allowed to choose. The gods decide and bestow it.”

“So there’s no choice.”

He nodded calmly, as he had expected this.

“Then let me learn.”

“Okay. Just wait a moment.”

She closed her eyes again and murmured something. A force descended on her from the void.

‘Is that the power of magic?’

It was a wave of mana so strong that even Taesan could sense it. Lilis opened her eyes.

“I’ve learned it.”

“Which one is it?”

“It’s a status effect magic. I’ll let you know which magic it is when you learn it. Let’s postpone the fun for later.”

As she spoke, a constant smile was on Lilis’s face. The ghost asked with a smile of his own.

[Is it really that good?]

“Good or not, it’s basic magic! I struggled to learn Invisibility, but I easily learned one this time! Thank you so much!”

Lilis spread her arms wide, intending to hug Taesan. Taesan distanced himself, and she fell to the ground.

“Ouch!”

“What the hell are you doing all of a sudden?”

“Uh... I wanted to express my joy.”

Taesan chuckled softly.

“No need for that. I’ll come back when I have more offerings next time.”

“Mmm. See you again!”

She said goodbye with a shaky smile.

Taesan went down to the 13th floor.

[13th floor quest start.] [Defeat the boss of the 13th floor and pass.] [Reward: Ring of Severance.] [Secret Reward: ???]

He didn’t have enough money to use the store. The dwarf also looked sullen, as if there was nothing else to bet on besides penalty play. He arrived at the 13th floor without much conversation.

The 13th floor was a zombie den. Like goblins, they attacked in large numbers, but each individual was weak. While roughly fending them off and breaking through, he felt a presence.

As Taesan was about to crush a zombie’s head, he paused. His presence detection sense had activated sharply. Someone was approaching him from beyond the door.

Soon, as the door opened, the presence revealed itself.

“Ugh. Annoying. How long do I have to patrol...”

A man with red hair and a bold face appeared. He saw Taesan, and his pupils dilated.

“Oh, what?”

“Hello.”

Crack.

Taesan smashed the zombie’s head and spoke. The man stammered at Taesan, looking perplexed.

“Oh, hello?”

[Your detection skill has been activated.] [Levabas Aita] [Level: 42]

Level 42. He was 14 levels higher than Taesan.

“Uh... are you new? I was surprised. It’s been so long.”

Levabas scratched his cheek, looking at Taesan, then his gaze fell on the ghost. Levabas’s face twisted.

The ghost sneered.

[Piss pants. You're still alive?]

“... Why are you here?”

Levabas frowned at the ghost.