Chapter 408: 81st Floor, Advanced Magic (7) |
A vast, expansive brown space stretched out before him.
There, Taesan stood alone.
The quest had been cleared. Now, it was time to check what he had obtained.
[Magic]
[Proficiency: 81%]
[You can handle magic more efficiently. You can manipulate mana itself to enhance various aspects of your spells.]
Taesan’s magic proficiency had reached 80%.
Perhaps the reason he could use magic of negation, albeit in a limited way, was thanks to this increase in proficiency.
“19% left until 100%.”
Upon reaching 80%, he had acquired several new skills.
[Magic Circle]
[Proficiency: 1%]
[Allows you to utilize various forms of magic by setting them in magic circle formations.]
Seeing was believing. Taesan activated a spell.
[You have activated the Magic Circle of the Frozen World.]
Kiing!
A magic circle formed beneath Taesan’s feet.
A chilling frost emanated from the magic circle. It contained a force capable of blocking approaching attacks and freezing enemies.
“Has it become a continuous effect?”
By setting magic in the form of a magic circle, he could establish control over a space.
After further testing, he realized he could maintain up to three magic circles at the same time. Depending on how he used them, they could prove to be highly useful.
[Magic Interference]
[Proficiency: 1%]
[Allows you to interfere with an opponent’s magic.]
Magic Interference. He already had an idea of how to use it.
The Wirad had once prevented him from activating Limited Blink, making it significantly harder for him to approach.
Similarly, he could use this skill to block an enemy’s magic at the moment of activation.
With his current low proficiency, he wouldn’t be able to interfere completely, but as his proficiency increased, the skill’s value would rise tremendously.
[Memorize]
[Proficiency: 1%]
[Allows you to record spells in advance and activate them at will. Currently, you can store up to three spells.]
After reading the description, Taesan immediately tested it.
[You have activated Memorize.]
[You have recorded Frozen World.]
[You have recorded Starlight Arrow.]
[You have recorded Limited Blink.]
After recording the spells, Taesan activated one of them.
Jjejejeok!
The Frozen World materialized instantly, without a spell activation prompt or mana fluctuation.
Taesan’s eyes glimmered with interest.
The same happened when he activated Starlight Arrow and Limited Blink afterward.
Since the spells were pre-recorded, no activation prompt appeared.
“Not bad.”
He could now cast spells instantly, without visible activation signs.
Since even the mana fluctuation was absent, to an opponent, it would seem as if he was casting magic with no warning.
The downside was that he could only store three spells, but even so, it was an incredibly useful ability.
After clearing the trial, he obtained two intermediate magic spells.
[intermediate Magic: Mana Storm]
[Mana Cost: 1,000]
[Proficiency: 1%]
[Creates a storm formed from pure condensed mana.]
The mana consumption was the highest among all the intermediate spells Taesan had acquired so far.
Expecting great power, he gathered his mana.
[You have activated Mana Storm.]
A surge of mana poured out and took form in the world.
The initially swirling mana soon transformed into a powerful storm.
Kagagagak!
A violent mana storm swept through the surroundings.
As expected, the destructive force within was incredibly strong.
In terms of raw power, it was the strongest among his intermediate spells.
“It’s slightly different.”
His intermediate dark magic spell, Zepar’s Black Storm, summoned multiple small storms that affected a wide area.
In contrast, Mana Storm concentrated into a single massive storm, focusing its power in one place.
Both spells had different applications, making them equally valuable.
[Brilliantly Shining Blue Barrier]
[Mana Cost: 900]
[Proficiency: 1%]
[Summons a blue barrier. It blocks any entity with hostile intent and repels all forms of attacks.]
True to its name, the Blue Barrier functioned exactly as described.
When he activated it, a semi-transparent barrier spread over a significant area.
Judging by the description, it seemed to defend against all types of attacks indiscriminately.
Rather than for himself, Taesan figured this skill would be more useful when he returned to Earth.
“Not bad.”
The value of his newly acquired spells was exceptionally high.
Normally, he would have been ecstatic, but right now, their brilliance seemed dim.
Taesan opened his skill window.
[Advanced Magic: Grand Collapse]
[Mana Cost: 5,000]
[Proficiency: 1%]
[Creates a core that induces the collapse of all things.]
The mana consumption was absurdly high.
5,000 mana. That was about a quarter of his total mana.
With his intelligence stat and skills that reduced mana consumption, the actual cost wouldn’t be quite as high.
Still, this was on an entirely different level compared to what he had used before.
“Hmm.”
After checking the advanced magic spell, Taesan moved on to something just as important.
[Magic of Negation]
[Proficiency: 1%]
[Magic of negation. A new form of magic created by blending the power of the Ancient God and the magic of Zelbando.]
Magic of Negation—Taesan’s unique magic formed by merging the power of Black with standard magic.
Its effect granted absolute superiority over opposing elements.
Its power was undeniable.
Even with intermediate magic, he had been able to neutralize Wirad’s Dark Line, a spell that altered trajectories.
It was no exaggeration to say that this was a force comparable to an immortal’s authority.
However, the risk was just as high.
To use it, one needed to achieve absolute control over mana.
And that was the problem—Taesan hadn’t yet reached that level.
He needed to wield mana as if it were his own limbs, but achieving that level of mastery was still far beyond his reach.
Thus, to utilize the Magic of Negation, he had to apply Partial World Alteration on himself.
Partial World Alteration affected the world itself.
It could restrict abilities or alter the environment to disadvantage an opponent.
Sacrificing such a power to use the Magic of Negation was a significant trade-off.
Having an advantage over all elemental properties was undoubtedly powerful, but Partial World Alteration was valuable in its own right.
Moreover, the resource cost for casting the Magic of Negation was far greater than any other spell.
“A Powerful but Difficult Card”
‘It’s definitely useful, but…’
Although the conditions were strict and the cost was high, the return was just as significant.
A powerful yet difficult card to play—that was the best way to describe it.
[Can black be combined with anything other than magic?]
“I’ve tested it, but none of them worked.”
Taesan responded to the ghost’s question.
Black had to be mixed just enough to prevent it from going berserk, and only magic allowed such a combination.
When attempted with dark magic, it instead became more unstable and even tried to consume Taesan himself.
Unless he reached a higher level, it seemed he could only combine it with magic and divine power.
After finishing his examination, Taesan stepped out of the room.
As he walked down the corridor, he encountered quite a few mages.
Seeing him, they flinched slightly, sending him intense gazes.
Within those gazes were admiration and reverence—
And fear.
Every mage had witnessed his battle with Wirad.
They found Taesan, who wielded the power of Black, intriguing and astonishing, yet at the same time, unsettling.
Because of that, neither Eliana nor any of the other mages had approached him since.
“It’s lonely.”
[You're just saying that.]
The ghost scoffed.
Taesan continued walking down the corridor until he reached a small room.
Opening the door, he stepped inside.
“You’ve arrived.”
Inside was Wirad.
He closed the grimoire he had been reading.
“So, you’re planning to leave now?”
“I’ve gotten everything I needed.”
After defeating Wirad, Taesan hadn’t returned to the Labyrinth immediately.
Wirad had told him that if he wished, he could stay as long as he wanted.
He claimed it was the will of Zelbando.
With no reason to refuse, Taesan had remained for a while, refining his knowledge of magic and consolidating his newfound powers.
But that time was now coming to an end. It was time to return to the Labyrinth.
Taesan looked at Wirad.
“Thank you. I’ve gained a lot thanks to you.”
His Magic of Negation had been inspired by Wirad’s power.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that it was all thanks to him.
Wirad responded indifferently.
“You were able to acquire it because of your own ability. There’s no need to thank me.”
He then gazed at Taesan for a moment before speaking.
“You are no mage.”
“That’s right.”
Taesan nodded.
He wasn’t a mage who delved into the mysteries of magic.
He was an adventurer who grew stronger by accumulating countless abilities.
Though he admired Wirad’s magic, rather than climbing to that level himself, he preferred to use shortcuts to reach similar heights.
Wirad chuckled quietly.
“Zelbando has told me to bring you into the Tower of Magic.”
“Is that so?”
“But you do not belong here. Return to where you are meant to be.”
“Before that, may I ask a question?”
“A question? Ask whatever you like. I’ll answer as I see fit.”
“Your power…”
Dimensional Severance.
A power that created separate dimensions, manipulating points, lines, and surfaces.
It was a force akin to a law itself.
Far beyond what one would call an immortal’s power.
When asked about it, Wirad answered.
“This is the Tower of Magic—a space optimized for handling magical power. And in the area where we fought, I had made some preparations. Because of that, I was able to wield a power beyond my qualification.”
Wirad waved his hand, and a black point silently appeared.
“Intervening in dimensions is certainly the level I seek, but for now, I can only manage something as simple as this. One day, I will reach that level—but not yet.”
“I see.”
Taesan’s curiosity was satisfied.
Then, Wirad spoke again.
“This time, I have a question for you. You are an immortal. So, what is your authority?”
What was his authority?
Taesan himself wasn’t sure.
If he had to pick, it would be Soul Ascension, but he had possessed that power even before becoming an immortal.
So, it couldn’t exactly be called his immortal authority.
And calling it divine power was also ambiguous.
Divine power could be obtained by anyone who was worshipped, so it wasn’t exclusive to immortals.
Wirad seemed to take Taesan’s silence differently.
“There’s no need to answer. Authority is something an immortal builds upon themselves. It is a secret in itself. Instead, let me ask another question. How were you able to wield the power of Black together with your spells?”
“I don’t know.”
He had acquired the power of Black through Soul Ascension and had been able to handle it to some extent from the beginning.
That was all.
“Curious… Even among immortals, those within the laws of existence cannot wield the power of the Ancient God.
Yet, not only do you wield it, but you have also merged it with magic.“
Wirad stared at Taesan.
“It’s almost as if… their power is entwined with your very essence.”
At those words, a thought flickered through Taesan’s mind.
Wirad shook his head.
“It is intriguing, but since you do not have an answer, there is no need to dwell on it.”
“…Understood.”
“Zelbando’s trial is over. Then, you must have obtained an advanced magic spell?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm.”
Wirad looked at him with growing interest.
“I have never seen Zelbando’s advanced magic firsthand.”
“Is that so?”
“The mages here have yet to be granted that knowledge.”
The mages of the Tower had all been acknowledged by the God of Magic to enter this place.
They had exceptional talent and devotion to magic.
And yet, not one among them had been allowed to wield advanced magic.
Such was its rarity.
“I pursued my own magic, so I never learned advanced magic. Even now, I stand by that decision. However… I am curious. Shall we have another duel?”
Taesan nodded.
He also needed to test the power of his advanced magic.
And there was no better opponent than an immortal like Wirad.
Before departing, Taesan and Wirad moved to the training ground for one final battle.
Wirad waved his hand, summoning hundreds of black points.
“Then let’s begin. When you cast your advanced magic, I shall counter it.”
Taesan nodded and gathered his mana.
[You have activated Grand Collapse.]
His advanced magic materialized in the world.
At the same time, power condensed.
The space itself began to collapse, and a terrifying force gathered into a core, revealing itself.
A black sphere materialized before Taesan.
“…O.”
A faint groan escaped his lips.
His body strained under immense pressure.
Wirad’s expression stiffened.
Swiftly, he swung his staff, sending thousands of dark lines toward the black sphere.
Taesan released the sphere.
The core of collapse surged toward the dark lines.
Kugugugu!
“What in the…?!”
Wirad was stunned.
Although the dark lines had been negated by Magic of Negation, it meant they had the power to neutralize the power of Black.
And yet, the collapsing sphere crushed them completely.
Upon contact, the power itself was annihilated, leaving no trace behind.
The sphere remained entirely intact.
Hurriedly, Wirad summoned a white point.
As the white dot clashed with the black sphere, a violent ripple spread.
After finishing all his confirmations, Taesan left the Tower of Magic.
Just as he was about to return to the Labyrinth, the space around him shifted.
A pitch-black world unfolded, filled with countless galaxies.
[Did you like it?]
Zelbando stood alone in the vast darkness.
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