NABC Chapter 360: 76th Floor, Guides Of Sin (5)
Chapter 360: 76th Floor, Guides Of Sin (5)
Taesan stared at the ring.
A ring of black and white.
The rings were born as twins from the very beginning, like black and white twins.
If so, could this pair of rings be used by two people as one?
Taesan could tell. It was possible.
But not at the moment.
Although the rings were twins, their power wasn’t equal. The black ring contained offensive power, while the white ring was imbued with divinity and grace.
It was uncertain if the skill conditions were perfectly met.
Moreover, Taesan had not yet fully mastered the rings.
So, first, he decided to clearly understand the skill conditions. Then, he planned to find Hafran, who created the pair of rings, to seek assistance.
“There’s much to do.”
It seemed that a lot of preparation was needed.
The next acquisition was the special Continuous Action skill of the Fist Saint: Fist Saint’s Martial Arts.
However, as Taesan was an adventurer wielding a sword rather than his fists, the skill merged into Airak Weapon Technique and Ability Sword.
The proficiency of Airak Weapon Technique increased by 5%, finally reaching 54%.
It was a skill that was difficult to progress. Despite activating in almost every battle due to its nature, it hadn’t even reached 60%.
“Thinking about it now, it’s quite stubborn.”
He was now on the 76th floor.
And Ainzhar’s destination was the 78th floor, the Library of All Things.
Only two floors remained.
Would he achieve his goal, or would he still wander aimlessly?
It wouldn’t be long before he found out.
After defeating the Guides, he finished reviewing the rewards he obtained. Overall, they enhanced and supported his existing powers rather than granting entirely new ones. РANƟbЕŚ
It might seem like a minor gain, but it wasn’t bad. Especially since Taesan already possessed an overwhelming variety of powers.
Instead of acquiring powers he couldn’t fully utilize, strengthening his existing abilities was far more beneficial.
And that wasn’t all.
Upon entering the deeper levels, Taesan acquired a title that boosted his skill proficiency growth.
While fighting the eight Guides, he used numerous skills.
As a result, many stagnant skills underwent changes.
The first to change was Ability Sword.
[Advanced Swordsmanship: Ability Sword]
[Proficiency: 62%]
[A unique swordsmanship created by a Labyrinth adventurer, based on the Labyrinth’s system. It is built upon the swordsmanship used by the Prince of the Destroyed World. It allows perfect integration of various skills with swordsmanship.]
The proficiency of Ability Sword reached 60%.
Although the skill’s description didn’t change significantly, many related skills were affected.
[Special Activation Skill: Reconnaissance]
[Proficiency: 82%]
[An evolved form of Insight. Provides extensive information about the target.]
[Condition: Advanced Swordsmanship [Ability Sword]]
[If the target uses a sword, their swordsmanship’s traits, weaknesses, and principles can be analyzed in detail.]
When Reconnaissance reached 80% proficiency, the effects of Ability Sword were added.
Reconnaissance provided general information but couldn’t delve into finer details. Now, against sword-wielding opponents, it could offer even deeper insights.
Skills like Acceleration, Strong Blow, and Flow Skill, which could continuously activate with proper timing, also evolved.
An additional effect was added: the more successful activations, the stronger the effect.
Skills already difficult to counter became even harder to deal with.
[Special Activation Skill: Conversion]
[Mana Consumption: 1,000]
[Allows adjustment of offensive and defensive stats. The maximum adjustment value equals the sum of offense and defense stats. This skill can only be used once a week, and stats revert to normal immediately after the attack.]
[Condition: Advanced Swordsmanship [Ability Sword]]
[When attacking with a sword after adjusting offensive stats through Conversion, an additional 20% boost is applied.]
“Oh?”
A skill that enabled a single all-out attack: Conversion.
The additional effect from Ability Sword was simple yet powerful, increasing adjustable stats by 20%.
This meant that converting 5,000 defense into offense would yield an attack power of 6,000.@@@@
It was straightforward yet immensely impactful. Taesan was satisfied.
[Special Activation Skill: Forced Descent]
[Mana Consumption: 20]
[Proficiency: 7%]
[Temporarily reduces the opponent’s stats by a certain percentage.]
[Condition: Advanced Swordsmanship [Ability Sword]]
[When clashing swords with an opponent, increases the weight of their weapon. This effect can stack.]
“Weapons’ weight?”
The effect didn’t seem particularly compelling. Against beings with monstrous stats, increasing weapon weight felt insignificant. He couldn’t imagine how it might be advantageous.
Still, since it was an effect unlocked at 60% proficiency, it was bound to be useful in some way.
That concluded the changes brought by Ability Sword.
The focus then shifted to regular skills.
The proficiency of Frozen World reached 40%.
[Intermediate Magic: Frozen World]
[Mana Consumption: 30]
Yet now, their positions had reversed so quickly. Ambracia chuckled bitterly.
“I’ve never felt this way before, but you feel like a wall.”
“What do you want?”
Taesan gripped his sword. Ambracia stepped back.
“I don’t intend to fight you. Unlike those who died at your hands, I don’t have a death wish.”
Some had outright refused to engage in combat with Taesan and chose to hide. Ambracia was one of them.
“Then why are you here?”
“I was curious about the outcome of the battles.”
[Boredom and curiosity, I suppose. Well, you were always the most curious of the Guides. You were also the most adventurous among them.]
The ghost spoke. Ambracia looked at the ghost with a conflicted expression.
“Ghost... well, I don’t know what to say.”
[I hold no grudges against you, so let’s leave it at that.]
The ghost spoke calmly. Ambracia scratched his cheek.
“Anyway, I don’t intend to fight you. But if you try to kill me, I will resist.”
Ambracia raised his hand.
In it was a small key.
Taesan stared at him expressionlessly. Ambracia swallowed quietly.
“Fine.”
Taesan lowered his sword.
“I don’t plan to waste my time.”
Taesan remembered how Ambracia had used a similar key to transport him from the lower floors to the 70th floor.
It meant the reverse was also possible.
If Ambracia had multiple similar items, defeating him could take an exceedingly long time. While Taesan was strong, he wasn’t yet at the level to swiftly subdue someone of Ambracia’s caliber who was determined to flee.
Starting a chase would likely consume too much time. Ambracia exhaled in relief.
“Thanks. Really.”
Ambracia had confidence in his ability to escape. But if Taesan truly pursued him to the end, he wouldn’t survive. The fact that Taesan was letting him go was something to be profoundly grateful for.
“It’s a stretch to call it a repayment... but I’ll give you some information.”
Ambracia increased the distance between them as he spoke.
“Most of the Guides have made the same choice as me. Those who decided to fight you are already dead. However, there are two Guides who have chosen a different path.”
[Who are they?]
The ghost asked. Ambracia answered.
“The Lion King and the Ashen Lady, Societ. Both are waiting for you deeper in the Labyrinth.”
“Just two, huh.”
Their numbers had significantly dwindled. Taesan felt a bit bored, but the ghost clearly did not.
[They haven't fled, Societ.]
“It didn’t seem like they ever planned to.”
Ambracia muttered. The ghost chuckled softly.
[Good. Very good.]
“Well then, goodbye.”
Ambracia raised the key.
“Let’s hope we never meet again.”
With those words, his body disappeared. He had used the key to move to another floor.
With just two more to defeat, no more Guides of Sin would block Taesan’s path.
This also meant the day the ghost’s wish would be fulfilled was approaching.
Taesan stepped forward. A previously ignored altar came into view, one he had overlooked while battling the Guides.
Clearing Maria’s trial. That was the quest for the 76th floor.
[You have discovered Maria's Altar.]
The Goddess of Choice, Maria.
It wasn’t their first meeting. As Taesan placed his hand on Maria’s Altar, a powerful presence began to descend upon the Labyrinth.
[It's good to see you, child.]
Maria’s presence filled the Labyrinth.
Facing the voice filled with a hint of laughter, Taesan replied.
“It’s been a while.”
[A while, you say. Not enough time has passed to justify those words. But it was a fruitful time nonetheless.]
Maria laughed.
[Watching your choices was delightful. You brought life to dull moments.]
“Do I need to pass Lady Maria’s trial?”
[Yes. For someone like you, I shall grant a trial.]
Maria’s power enveloped Taesan.
[Sub-quest initiated.]
[Maria wishes to test you as you stand before her Altar. If you accept, the trial will come to you. Overcome it, and you shall be rewarded.]
[Maria’s area of influence has diminished.]
[Maria offers you an enhanced trial.]
Taesan nodded.
[Sub-quest initiated.]
[A being of divine blood wishes to become an offering for the Emperor amidst despair. Assist his journey and allow him to choose for himself.]
[However, physical interference with the being of divine blood is forbidden.]
[Reward: Maria will determine your reward based on your performance.]