Ascension Through Skills-Chapter 439: 86th Floor, The World of Armaments (1)

[The Relic of Cavert is now completely yours.]

[Relic of Cavert: The Final Master]

[A relic of a world that no longer exists, soaked in the blood of countless royals. You are the final master of this sword. If ownership changes, all abilities of the sword will disappear.]

Attack Power: +1500+500 Attack Power against all enemiesGreatly increases mastery gain for all swordsmanship skills.The sword’s attack power had increased by 850, and the additional effect of significantly enhancing swordsmanship mastery was invaluable.

[And now, you are the sole wielder of the Storm Scar Sword—a successor to its legacy.]

[Title: Successor of the Storm Scar Swordsmanship]

[Attack Power: +500]

[Defense Power: +500]

[You are the final successor of the Storm Scar swordsmanship, acknowledged by its founder. If you wish, you may teach this swordsmanship to those deemed worthy.]

[Though my world will now fade from memory... if you pass on the Storm Scar swordsmanship, its legacy will remain.]

The ghost’s voice was calm, as if he had come to terms with everything, carrying the wisdom of someone who had transcended life.

[The other two items are the last remnants of my world. They should be quite useful.]

[Ring Announcing the Succession of the Fallen Empire]

Stamina: +3000Strength: +500Attack Power: +300Defense Power: +300

[A ring that signifies the successor of an empire. However, the empire itself holds no value, as it has already fallen.][Bardray’s Keepsake]

[A small earring Bardray never removed from his body since reaching adulthood. It holds his lingering resentment and emotions.]

The keepsake appeared to be a material item for crafting. While these rewards were exceptional, Taesan’s expression remained subdued, showing little joy.

“You...”

Taesan started to speak to the ghost but stopped himself.

The ghost appeared deep in thought, clearly needing time to sort through his emotions. Deciding to give him space, Taesan began reviewing his rewards.

He had gained three levels. Defeating two adventurers had significantly boosted his stats and skill mastery through Spiritual Rise.

Yet the most notable rewards weren’t merely numerical increases.

[Special Activation Skill: Necromancy]

Mastery: 1%Mana Cost: 2500[Revives corpses with intact self-awareness and intelligence. However, they are permanently undead and weaker than in life. The spell breaks if they sustain significant damage. You may revive up to three corpses simultaneously at this time.]It was the skill Societ had used to revive Bardray and cheat death herself. While the restrictions were severe, the ability to summon the dead to the battlefield could provide both strategic and combat advantages in the labyrinth. Unfortunately, testing the skill was impossible as Bardray and Societ’s bodies had already disintegrated.

The most intriguing acquisition was the power granted by the God of Death, Derzha.

[Special Activation Skill: Cradle of Death]

Mastery: 1%Mana Cost: ???

[Allows you to escape any form of death other than physical damage. Grants a faint dominion over the dead, allowing limited influence on them.]The skill offered resistance to instant-death declarations and spiritual destruction—threats that rarely troubled Taesan. Most such attacks didn’t affect him, and with the Boundary Line now enveloping his body, he could escape the concept of death altogether.

However, the added ability to exert influence over the dead was of particular interest.

[This...]

The ghost murmured, reading the skill’s description.

The phrase about dominion over the dead seemed to resonate with him—a soul that had already died.

[What kind of influence does it grant?]

“Hold on a moment,” Taesan said.

[You activated Cradle of Death.]

Derzha’s authority manifested, bringing the concept of death closer to Taesan like a mother’s embrace.

With this power, Taesan could now perceive deeper truths about the ghost.

The energy enveloped the ghost, causing him to let out a soft groan, as if experiencing something strange.

“...This seems to be the limit,” Taesan said, canceling the skill and taking a breath.

Even a brief activation carried an enormous burden, pulling Taesan toward death itself.

“But now I understand,” he continued.

The ghost’s soul was being drawn somewhere, though Taesan couldn’t discern its destination. Likely, it was the place where all freed souls from the labyrinth were meant to go.

For now, Exireia’s granted reprieve was preventing that pull. Taesan’s Cradle of Death could temporarily anchor the ghost in place, but its limitations were clear—it couldn’t hold him indefinitely.

Eventually, the ghost would have to leave.

Taesan clicked his tongue in frustration and resumed reviewing his gains.

[Soul Skill: Divine Sword Unification]

Mastery: 1%

[A state where the body and sword become one. For now, you have glimpsed only fragments of this realm. Greatly enhances your swordsmanship.]Taesan drew his sword and swung it experimentally.

Unlike before, the blade felt like an extension of himself, moving seamlessly with his intent.

‘The God of Swords, Ehilie.’

Ehilie was one of the few gods who had shown him favor, even bestowing blessings during his battle with a High God’s avatar.

Yet Ehilie had turned Bardray into his apostle, pitting him against Taesan. Whether this was a test for Taesan or a move to claim Bardray’s body and soul remained unclear.

‘Gods truly are unpredictable.’

Still, Taesan benefited from the encounter, gaining a fragment of Ehilie’s authority.

Taesan examined the rest of his equipment.

[Ferocious Broken Sword]

Strength: +500Attack Power: +1250

[The sword wielded by an avatar of ferocity. Once renowned for its near-absolute cutting power, it broke under the strain of the avatar’s strength.][??? has been used.]

[You obtained the Ankle Guards of a Love-Desperate Slave.]

[Ankle Guards of a Love-Desperate Slave]

The sourc𝗲 of this content is freēwēbηovel.c૦m.

Strength: +400Agility: +400Attack Power: +700Defense Power: +1000

[These ankle guards were gifted by the God of Lust to a slave who desperately sought love. Unfortunately, their master forgot the slave’s name. Wearing these grants the attention of the God of Lust.]The stats were excellent, but the side effect of drawing a god’s attention was often more trouble than it was worth. However, since Taesan was already under divine scrutiny, it didn’t bother him much.

The most significant development wasn’t in his equipment or skills but in his ability to envelop his entire body with the Boundary Line.

Now, Taesan could escape the laws and order of the world entirely while surrounded by the Boundary. Unlike the unstable Boundary Rebound, which shattered under any force, this was a perfected form. Even physical attacks were nullified and erased.

Expanding the Boundary to cover more than his body might also become possible, as he had once theorized. The only issue was the energy consumption. The wider he wielded the black energy, the more divine power was needed to suppress it.

When he fought Derzha’s authority, the strain had nearly depleted his reserves.

Taesan hoped this problem might be resolved upon his return to Earth.

There, he would face the remnants of humanity.

Finishing his review, Taesan spoke.

“Have you sorted your thoughts?”

[More or less.]

“What will you do?”

Would the ghost remain in the labyrinth or return to where he belonged?

The ghost hesitated.

[I don’t know.]

[I’ll need more time to think about it.]

“It’s your decision,” Taesan said.

[Taesan... can I leave your side for a while?]

“Are you sure?”

[I’m no longer bound by a contract. I’m free to go wherever I please.]

For the first time since his death in the labyrinth, the ghost had gained true freedom.

“Do as you wish.”

[I’ll return later.]

And so, the ghost left.

Though it wasn’t the first time the ghost had temporarily disappeared, this was different. This was a full departure, leaving Taesan with an unfamiliar sense of emptiness.

Shaking off the feeling, Taesan advanced to the 86th floor.

[Quest for the 86th Floor initiated.]

[Subdue the King’s Sword in the World of Armaments.]

[Reward: Ego Soul.]

[Hidden Reward: ???]

***

The 86th floor began.

Taesan walked through the passage and emerged into an entirely new world.

What lay before him was a sight he had never witnessed.

Countless weapons—spears, swords, shields, halberds, and bows—were embedded in the earth.

He walked across the vast terrain, his gaze sweeping over the innumerable weapons. Each one exuded an intense will, as if they were more than mere tools.

"They said this floor was pulled up," Taesan thought.

This wasn’t a fabricated space—it had always been a floor of the labyrinth.

He didn’t know its original depth. It could have been from the late 80s or even the 90th floors. Pondering the implications, Taesan continued forward.

Rumble.

After walking for a while, a sword embedded in the ground began to tremble violently.

It radiated a fierce, overwhelming intent.

Swish!

The sword pulled itself free and hurtled toward Taesan, carrying an unmistakable killing intent.

Taesan moved, his body shifting with minimal effort, evading the attack with ease.

The sword’s speed increased, growing sharper and deadlier.

Taesan’s eyes gleamed faintly.

The speed of the sword was such that an ordinary adventurer wouldn’t even be able to react, let alone dodge. Even his past self, Lee Taeyeon, would have struggled to keep up.

"It seems this is a very deep floor," Taesan mused.

It appeared the trial had been pulled from the late 90s, possibly even the final stages of the labyrinth.

As the sword continued its relentless assault, Taesan decided to act.

Reaching out, he grabbed it mid-swing.

Boom!

Air exploded around them as the sword writhed violently in his grasp, trying to break free.

Taesan tightened his grip ever so slightly.

His will and presence engulfed the sword.

Thrum.

The weapon quivered violently, almost as if it had been struck by a blow. It trembled for a moment longer before going limp, surrendering to him.

The sword had submitted.

Taesan opened the system window to inspect it.

[A Sword with Will]

[A nameless sword born of self-forging in this world. Holds no value as a weapon.]

“Just material, huh?”

Taesan glanced around.

Staves, spears, swords—an array of weapons surrounded him, all emanating a strong, palpable intent.

The air was thick with hostility, as if the weapons regarded him as an intruder who had to be dealt with.

Their collective will was like that of vigilant guardians determined to protect this domain.

Taesan stared at the weapons for a moment before tossing the subdued sword aside and continuing forward.

In this living, breathing world of armaments, where countless weapons seemed to draw breath, Taesan walked alone, pressing onward.