Ascension Through Skills

Taesan looked at the bracelet.

A crimson bracelet, as red as blood. It must be because it contained the blood of the Giant King as a material. He could feel the power embedded within it.

It was strong.

Although it didn’t possess a will like the ring, it had an unwavering power, as if it would move according to its master’s will at any moment.

[Bracelet of Despair, holding a part of the world]

[Strength + 500]

[Agility + 500]

[Intelligence + 500]

[Attack Power + 500]

[Made by drawing out the power contained in various materials from a world that is now destroyed, with the flesh and blood of the Giant King as its base. Contained within it is a part of the world itself.]

[Special Activation Skill: Destruction's Greed can be activated.]

Taesan’s lips curled into a smile.

He was satisfied with the stats and attack power. Although it was lower than the ring, it was still a sufficiently satisfying number.

And there was a special activation skill. That must be the core of this bracelet. Taesan opened the skill window to check.

[Special Activation Skill: Destruction's Greed]

[Mana Consumption: 400]

[By syncing the user’s will with the power contained in the bracelet, it can devour and nullify attacks imbued with the will of the opponent. However, attacks that exceed the user’s will or the power of the bracelet cannot be devoured.]

After interpreting the explanation, Taesan looked at Hafran.

“A defensive skill?”

What Taesan had wanted was an offensive piece of equipment that could be controlled by will.

Hafran raised his hand at Taesan’s gaze.

“If you’ll allow me to explain.”

“Go ahead.”

“At first, I tried to make offensive equipment as you requested. I envisioned controlling space using the blood of the Giant King.”

That was similar to what Taesan had expected. The Giant King’s blood was powerful in itself. If it could be controlled and enhanced, it would become a mighty force.

“But as I used the materials one by one, the cursed bracelet started rejecting my touch. The blood kept spurting out, trying to pierce through my limbs.”

Hafran raised his arm. A mark that looked like a tight string had been etched into his strong forearm.

“I couldn’t create offensive equipment with my skills.”

Hafran spoke in a dissatisfied voice.

On reflection, it wasn’t all that strange. Hafran couldn’t control will. It was only natural that he would be limited in creating equipment that required will to control.

“So I completely changed the approach. Instead of focusing on attack, I focused on defense. Once I did that, the bracelet stopped trying to attack me.”

“So that’s what happened.”

“Yeah. Sorry about that.”

“It doesn’t matter much.”

Taesan had requested offensive equipment to subdue opponents faster, but he didn’t particularly care either way.

What mattered was the performance of the equipment.

[You have summoned Minerva, the Spirit King of Wind.]

“Yo, master! Long time no see!”

“How’s it going over there?”

“It’s getting pretty stable. My adorable kids are working hard.”

Minerva said with a broad smile. The world of spirits and humans, Arulia, seemed to be slowly stabilizing as the new Spirit King was born, filling the void and chaos.

Taesan spoke to Minerva.

“Attack me.”

“…Why all of a sudden?”

“I want to test something.”

Taesan shook his bracelet at Minerva, who was staring at him with unease. Minerva, understanding the situation, nodded her head.

“Ah, that. You startled me by suddenly asking me to attack. How strong should I go?”

“With all your might.”

“Got it!”

Boom!

“Wait!”

Hafran, startled, tried to stop her, but it was too late. A violent gust of wind swept through his workshop, sending the tools hanging on the walls flying with a clattering noise.

Minerva grinned widely.

“Catch this!”

Boom!

The wind shot towards Taesan.

Minerva’s power was almost on par with Taesan’s. In other words, this attack was similar in strength to Taesan’s full power.

Facing the oncoming wind, Taesan focused his will.

[You have activated Destruction's Greed.]

With a flash, the crimson light of the bracelet shone.

Kiiing!

The red energy rose up and began devouring the wind. The wind resisted, surging and swirling, but the red energy voraciously consumed it all.

The wind slowly died down.

Minerva’s eyes widened.

“…My power completely vanished?”

Taesan had known he would block it. Even if he couldn’t, knowing about the attack nullification would have assured him that there was no damage.

But the power Taesan just displayed was different from what she expected.

Taesan hadn’t just blocked her power; he had literally devoured it, and without much energy expenditure.

“So this is how it works.”

Taesan shook the bracelet. The crimson hue had slightly diminished.

Despite blocking Minerva’s full power, there was barely any mental strain. If he had tried to erase it purely with willpower, without the bracelet, it would have consumed a considerable amount of his mental energy.

But the bracelet had used up some of its power; the energy felt from it had significantly decreased.

Although it was gradually recovering, the pace was not particularly fast.

He could nearly erase an opponent’s attack perfectly. However, the bracelet’s power would be consumed in the process, and if it was fully depleted, Destruction’s Greed couldn’t be activated again until it recovered.

Taesan nodded.

“It’s good.”

Blocking Minerva’s full power meant that he could also block the attacks of the Guides’ leaders. It was equipment that could erase attacks at critical moments and create opportunities.

“This is more than sufficient, even if it’s not offensive.”

Though he had to immediately discard the bracelet he had just acquired, its performance made it well worth it.

“That’s good. But next time, I’d appreciate it if you told me before experimenting.”

“Sorry.”

Hafran grumbled as he put the scattered tools back in place. Minerva circled around Taesan curiously.

“Master, did you gain some new power while I wasn’t looking? I feel something strange.”

“Word of Power.”

“…Word of Power?”

Minerva hesitated. Taesan handed a whetstone to Hafran.

“Can you use this too?”

The whetstone of Nalsoreum. It’s a secret reward from the 60th floor. An item that would certainly increase attack power.

Hafran’s eyes sparkled as he received the whetstone.

“This is good. Do you have a specific weapon in mind?”

“Here.”

Taesan handed over Calvert’s Relic.

He was still using the sword he had found at the entrance of the labyrinth, a weapon once used by the ghost in life. Although it had many special effects attached, it was time to increase its pure attack power.

Hafran looked at the ghost as he accepted Calvert’s Relic.

“It’s that guy’s sword.”

[That’s right.]

“Wait a moment.”

Hafran started sharpening the sword with the whetstone. During that time, Taesan took the opportunity to further confirm the exact effects and power of the bracelet.

After thirty minutes, Hafran handed Calvert’s Relic back to Taesan.

“It’s done.”

“That was quick.”

“There was no need to draw out and recombine the power from the materials, just sharpening the blade, so there was no reason for it to take long.”

Hafran spoke indifferently. Taesan checked the increased attack power.

[Calvert’s Relic: A Sword Imbued with the Blood of Ancestors]

[A relic from a world that has now perished. It took the lives of countless royals.]

[Attack Power + 300]

[When facing any enemy, Attack Power + 150]

“Ho?”

The attack power had increased more than expected. Hafran explained.

“Over time, the inherent power of the equipment had deteriorated, and the blacksmith who originally made it couldn’t fully bring out the potential of the materials. But still, it’s a good sword. As a result, its performance has improved significantly.”

[Of course. This is the sword used by someone important.]

The ghost boasted. Satisfied, Taesan sheathed the sword.

Taesan waved his hand.

“See you later.”

“Bring materials like that next time as well. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it.”

Hafran smiled as he saw him off.

Everything was now prepared. Taesan waited quietly.

[You have summoned Barkaza, the Supreme Spirit of Multicolored Light.]

He even summoned Barkaza. Minerva, seeming to understand, asked,

“Are you returning to your world again?”

Taesan nodded. Minerva murmured with interest,

“Is it another confrontation with the ancient gods…”

Shwaaak.

Space tore apart.

Taesan stepped into it.

What appeared was a massive hole in the sky.

As always, it was a desolate Earth.

A calm voice echoed from all directions. Among them was a familiar voice.

“Everyone, gather around! We’ll do a headcount!”

The fifth return had begun.

Taesan walked in the direction of the voice.

“Representatives of each mode! Please count your numbers and report to me!”

Kim Hwiyeon was shouting energetically. Taesan approached her.

“Oh, Taesan.”

“Are the people okay?”

“Well, it’s the fifth time. By now, they should be getting used to it.”

The people were calmly following Kim Hwiyeon’s instructions. There was no longer any sign of despair or gloom.

Kim Hwiyeon spoke quietly,

“This time, we don’t know how the quest will proceed, so we need to be prepared in advance.”

Taesan nodded and spoke to Minerva and Barkaza.

“Clear out all the approaching monsters.”

[As you wish, Master.]

“Got it, Master.”

Minerva and Barkaza took off. Soon, a deafening roar erupted from the surroundings.

Taesan looked up at the rift in the sky.

From there, monsters were descending to the ground.

Perhaps because he had obtained the Word of Power, he could feel the power of the rift more clearly.

Taesan chuckled.

‘Ridiculous.’

Because of that, he could understand. The power contained within that rift easily surpassed mortal strength.

The rift itself was a monster.

‘I still have a long way to go.’

But now he could understand the nature of the rift, something he hadn’t known in his previous life.

He was gradually getting closer to their power. Taesan sought out Lee Taeyeon and Kang Junhyeok.

After sparring with the two for a while, Kim Hwiyeon, who had finished organizing, approached.

“Forty thousand in total. Thirty-eight hundred Hard Mode players survived.”

“How many were there after the last return?”

“Forty-six thousand. Over four thousand in Hard Mode.”

“Low casualties.”

“They’ve all established a solid foundation.”

Kim Hwiyeon said proudly. After investing much time, they were now descending the labyrinth stably. Unless someone overestimated their own abilities or got careless, there were almost no deaths.

Taesan asked,

“What floor are you on?”

“The late 40s. We’re almost on the 50th floor.”

“There, huh.”

The late 40s.

Taesan spoke to Kim Hwiyeon.

“Be careful.”

“What?”

“In Solo Mode, the difficulty of the labyrinth changes starting from the base floor. The same might be true in Hard Mode.”

“Ah…”

Don’t let your guard down just because things were going smoothly. At Taesan’s words, Kim Hwiyeon nodded with a serious expression.

“Yes.”

It wasn’t just idle talk. According to Taesan’s memory, the difficulty in Hard Mode also changed from the base floor. A clear wall appeared between those who could advance and those who couldn’t.

Still, there shouldn’t be a problem for Kim Hwiyeon or the Korean Hard Mode players. They had already overcome the attacks of the ancient gods on Earth.

However, other places outside of Korea would have a harder time. As the interference of the ancient gods in other countries decreased, some nations might struggle more than in the previous life.

The organization was complete.

Then, a system window appeared.

[Special Quest Initiated]

[This quest is a joint national quest. Designated nations: South Korea, North Korea, Japan, China.]

[All players from the designated nations must gather at one location. Overcome all hardships encountered during the assembly and meet with players from other nations.]

[This quest has no time limit.]

[The more influence you exert during encounters with other players, the more points you will receive upon returning to the labyrinth.]