Chapter 412: 82nd Floor, Lemegeton (1) |
“The reason I made them twins in the first place was that their individuality was too strong to merge into one. But with materials like these… it should be possible.”
Hafran examined the materials.
“You intend to use all of these?”
“I don’t know how much I need, so I just took everything out.”
“Hm.”
Hafran stroked his chin.
“Not everything will be necessary. Even if the Twin Rings have strong individuality, what you’ve brought exceeds that. It’s excessive.”
As he examined the materials, Hafran picked up the Divine Blood.
“This won’t be needed. Its rank is too high. It might damage the individuality of the rings.”
It was indeed excessive to use something of that level as mere crafting material for equipment.
“More than that, if it’s an item related to a god… I can’t touch it. There’s no telling how that god might react.”
With a troubled expression, Hafran returned the Divine Blood.
“But with the rest of the materials, it’s possible. Since you’re using the Core of the World, the Essence of the World is also a good match. For now, continue conquering the labyrinth.”
“So it’ll take quite a bit of time.”
“Handling materials of this caliber requires time just to conceptualize how to work with them. And to create the equipment, I’ll need your help anyway. I’ll call you when everything is ready.”
“Alright.”
“By the way, are you planning to use this too?”
Hafran pointed at a material—Fragment of Will.
“This is related to willpower. It’s better to leave it to Kosrun.”
Hafran had previously mentioned that name—
That there was a blacksmith specialized in crafting equipment related to willpower.
The Mad Blacksmith, Kosrun. He was said to reside in the Deep Layers.
But Taesan shook his head.
“Sorry, but I haven’t seen him.”
“Huh?”
Hafran was startled.
“Haven’t you passed the 80th floor? And you still haven’t found Kosrun?”
“If I didn’t miss anything, then he’s not here.”
Taesan wasn’t someone who would overlook such a thing. He had reached the 82nd floor, yet there was no sign of Kosrun.
Hafran stroked his chin.
“I heard he settled around the 70th floor… He must have moved. Regardless, take this with you. You might need it.”
Taesan took the Fragment of Will.
With a delighted expression, Hafran raised his hammer.
“Well then, I shall begin my preparations. You can expect great things.”
Taesan stared at Hafran for a moment.
Feeling scrutinized, Hafran frowned.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
‘Joy, excitement… and madness.’
Leaving Hafran behind, Taesan descended the labyrinth.
Each of the materials he entrusted to him was nearly impossible to obtain even in the Deep Layers.
If these were combined into a single piece of equipment, it would surpass any gear Taesan had acquired so far.
Perhaps, it would even outclass the equipment Lee Taeyeon had wielded in his past life.
Taesan left Hafran behind and continued his descent.
Hafran’s part was done. Now, it was time to assess the new power he had obtained.
He hadn’t gained much, but the changes were profound.
[Concept Skill: Will of All Things]
[Proficiency: 1%]
[Perceives and reads the will of all things in existence. If desired, their will can be adjusted and controlled to align with one’s own. Currently, its effect is extremely weak.]
The Concept Skill ???.
Its effect was reading willpower.
It allowed Taesan to anticipate actions and thoughts, responding accordingly. While not overtly noticeable, it was a skill that had consistently been useful in battle.
And now, by defeating the World itself, the skill had evolved into the Will of All Things.
Taesan turned his gaze to the Ghost. The Ghost flinched, as if Taesan’s stare was piercing through it.
[Why are you looking at me like that?]
“I need to check something.”
When Taesan acquired the Will of All Things and faced Hafran, he could read Hafran’s emotions.
Not just surface emotions, but those buried much deeper.
It felt almost like he was reading thoughts themselves.
And with the Ghost, he felt something similar.
‘Expectation.’
The hope that Taesan would reach the bottom of the labyrinth and uncover something significant.
‘Anxiety.’
The fear that Taesan might fail along the way.
‘…A faint despair.’
A realization that the Ghost’s quest would soon be completed, and that it would have to part ways with Taesan.
Even emotions the Ghost itself wasn’t aware of were visible.
Taesan closed his eyes. The Ghost panicked.
[What’s wrong? Is there a problem with the new skill?]
“It’s… a problem, yes.”
Taesan gave a brief explanation. The Ghost fell silent.
[…So you can read every emotion Hafran and I feel?]
“You’re not the only ones.”
Everything within the labyrinth felt close and connected.
The skill’s nature was understandable.
After all, he had defeated the World itself.
And the World was the master of all life.
Thus, through Soul Ascension, he had inherited the power to perceive and manipulate the will of all things.
But Taesan was still human.
Even though the skill had strengthened, being flooded with unnecessary emotions was not a good thing.
“I need to control it.”
[That’d be wise. Just standing next to you and having all my emotions read is… unsettling.]
The Ghost sounded uncomfortable. Taesan focused his mind, staring at the labyrinth’s walls.
Gradually, the constant flood of emotions from the Ghost began to fade.
If he wished, he could block unnecessary information and read only the will and emotions he wanted. It was not an uncontrollable power.
How useful it would be remained to be seen, but it was not a bad change.
And Word of Command had reached 20% proficiency.
[Special Passive Skill: Word of Command]
[Proficiency: 24%]
[Materialization of will. By speaking words imbued with intent, you can declare an influence upon the world. More diverse and detailed declarations are now possible.]
Word of Command was a powerful skill, but it wasn’t easy to control. However, as proficiency increased, some degree of control had become possible, making it a useful change.
Taesan activated Authority Seal and stepped onto the 82nd floor.
[82nd Floor Quest Initiated.]
[Pass the Trial of the Demon.]
[Reward: Belt Soaked in the Waters of Deep Darkness]
[Secret Reward: ???]
“A demon, huh.”
The masters of the Black Magic that Taesan wielded.
The rewards and secret rewards on the 81st floor were all magic-related equipment. This one also seemed to be tied to Black Magic.
As Taesan advanced, he discovered an altar.
It was pure black.
No symbols, no decorations. Just a black passageway lay at the center of the room.
Taesan quietly examined the passage.
And he realized something.
From that passage, he could feel a force similar to that of the High Gods.
‘They did say demons were similar to High Gods.’
Weaker than the High Gods, but similar beings. Those born with great power from birth—that was what demons were.
And Taesan possessed a skill related to them.
[Lemegeton]
[A contract with demons. If you desire it, and they agree, you may form a direct contract to wield Black Magic. For now, it is merely a right and has no effect.]
A right to form direct contracts with demons.
He had obtained it long ago, but until now, there had been no opportunity to use it.
Finally, it was time to activate Lemegeton.
Taesan took a step toward the passage. Just as he was about to step inside without hesitation—
[Would you mind waiting a moment?]
A vast darkness descended between Taesan and the passage.
Taesan paused.
The presence descending was one he was now familiar with—a power he had encountered several times before.
“Demon God.”
[I told you we’d meet again, Taesan.]
The Demon God, Lucifer, appeared quietly.
Her black hair swayed as she landed barefoot in the labyrinth.
[It seems you’ve acquired some rather intriguing powers.]
“That’s how it turned out.”
Black Magic and Will of All Things—both were peculiar powers. The Demon God spoke leisurely.
[You can probably guess why I’ve descended here.]
“This, I assume.”
Lemegeton.
The right to form direct contracts with demons.
The Demon God nodded.
[Originally, whether or not you used it would have been your choice. Of course, I knew you would use Lemegeton, but the choice still would have been yours. But now… things are different.]
[Taesan. You’ve made a contract with the Wizard, haven’t you?]
“Yes.”
Taesan nodded. The contract with the Wizard.
In exchange for raising the labyrinth’s difficulty exclusively for him, Taesan received equivalent rewards.
And the best way to raise the difficulty… was Lemegeton.
Taesan accepted it without resistance.
“I don’t mind. I was going to use it anyway.”
The Demon God smiled in satisfaction and clapped her hands.
[Lemegeton has been activated.]
Ku-gu-gu-gung!
The black passage and Lemegeton fused together.
With a sound akin to screams, the passage began to distort.
Kwa-deu-duk!
The passage transformed.
From the abyss-like dark passage, Taesan felt the presence of dozens of gazes.
Demons.
Demons who ruled their own domains were now looking at Taesan.
[Normally, a lower-ranked demon would have overseen this trial. Even the lower-ranked ones are strong enough to test adventurers. But right now, aside from those with domains, there isn’t a single demon here who could defeat you.]
Taesan gazed silently beyond the passage.
Because the Demon God had personally intervened, he could feel their power more vividly.
The demons were strong.
They were clearly stronger than Taesan as he was now.
But in terms of essence, they stood on the same plane.
‘Immortal-class beings.’
[These are the 72 most powerful demons. Those who possess their own domains. They are the true masters of the Black Magic you wield. They will administer your trial.]
They were restless, as if ready to charge out of the passage at any moment.
From the black passage, dark energy began to seep out.
[Stay still.]
The Demon God waved her hand, and a massive shockwave swept through the passage.
All the gazes directed at Taesan scattered instantly.
[Annoying creatures. Even though they’re bound by contract, they keep trying to act on their own.]
The gazes that had fled slowly crept back.
Reading Taesan’s thoughts, the Demon God spoke.
[They are similar to the High Gods. Born with immense power from birth. Of course, most are far weaker than the High Gods, but… they’re closer to those beings than to mortals. This will be a significant trial for you.]
Having been suppressed once, the demons’ power was now restrained.
The Demon God reached into the passage.
[As I said, these creatures are akin to the High Gods. So their trials tend to be quite… unpleasant.]
The Demon God clicked her tongue, as if displeased.
[You don’t want to torture people, do you? I’ll filter out the worst of it for you.]
“Thank you.”
It was unexpected, but Taesan appreciated it.
From what the Demon God implied, these demons were likely closer to the “true” demons he imagined.
The kind that delighted in murder and torture. He had no interest in such trials.
If the Demon God was willing to filter them, it was a relief. Taesan waited silently.
Time passed.
Ten minutes later, Taesan quietly asked.
“Is it still not decided?”
[Just a little longer.]
The Demon God frowned.
[I can’t let you take a trial of this level.]
It seemed that the trials the demons were suggesting weren’t to the Demon God’s liking. Her voice carried firm disapproval.
Taesan remained silent and continued waiting.
Another ten minutes passed. Then twenty.
All the while, the Demon God kept reaching into the passage, searching for a suitable trial.
“By now, I’d be fine with just about any—”
[Hmm. Still not satisfied. At this rate, it’d be laughable compared to what Zelbando gave you.]
The Demon God muttered, clearly displeased.
From Taesan’s perspective, it was kind of nice that the Demon God was being so considerate, but at this rate, the trial might not even be decided within a day.
Just as Taesan was about to ask her to wrap it up—
[Then, allow me to handle this.]
A deep male voice echoed from the passage.
A massive arm shot out.
[…Why are you here?]
The Demon God was taken aback.
The figure that emerged spoke calmly.
[This would never end at this rate. I know you like him, but wouldn’t it be better to settle this sooner?]
The speaker had large horns on his head.
His red pupils resembled those of a reptile, and dark energy flowed across his body.
He looked like a textbook depiction of a demon.
And his power was on a completely different level.
‘This one is…’
The gap was immense.
In terms of rank, he was a Transcendent-class being.
More than that, his power felt fundamentally different—not of this world.
A being close to a High God.
The figure grinned at Taesan.
[Pleasure to meet you, Interwoven One.]
[The Grand Demon. Baal has appeared.]
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