Ascension Through Skills-Chapter 444: 87th Floor, The Demonic Battlefield (1)

Taesan’s attack power had increased by 500.

Additionally, Bardray could now move independently to attack enemies.

“If needed, you could fight on your own.”

[It’s possible, but... my movements are still clumsy. If I could fight at the level I did when I was alive, it wouldn’t be much of an issue.]

Bardray wasn’t yet fully adept at controlling his new form as a weapon.

[Besides, if I act alone, you wouldn’t be able to wield me. That’s a significant drawback.]

“Still, it’s a good fallback option. I’ll just have to keep a spare weapon handy.”

Taesan had already tested Bardray’s Form Manifestation. Bardray could assume a human form for an hour a day. While the time limit was a restriction, having the ability to take on a humanoid form was a significant advantage.

Moreover, Bardray was now a growth-type weapon.

Given Kosrun’s intent in creating him, this was expected, but the ability to increase attack power by defeating enemies was a welcome surprise. While the exact increment would need to be tested, even a modest growth rate would be highly beneficial.

[Not bad, right?]

“Sorry to say this, but you’re excellent.”

Bardray had immense value as a weapon.

With his basic assessment complete, Taesan went to find Kosrun. Still resting, Kosrun hadn’t yet emerged, so Taesan waited patiently.

A day later, Kosrun appeared, his face showing signs of recovery.

“All right, all right. Have you thought about what you’d like me to craft for you? I’ll do anything within my power.”

Kosrun examined Taesan’s equipment. His gaze stopped at the black-and-white ring on Taesan’s finger.

“That ring...”

Kosrun’s expression changed as he leaned closer to inspect it.

“...That’s incredible. It doesn’t seem like it’s from the labyrinth. What is it?”

“Haphran made it.”

“Haphran? That guy has skill, but I didn’t know he could make something like this. Can I take a closer look?”

Taesan handed the ring to Kosrun, who examined it with growing admiration.

“This is exceptional. But there’s room for improvement. Should I upgrade it for you?”

“I’ve already commissioned Haphran for that. There’s no need to touch it before then.”

The black-and-white ring was to be reforged into a single piece using rare materials—a request Taesan had made to Haphran. The process should have been nearing completion, and Taesan planned to visit Haphran before returning to Earth.

“Ah, I see. That’s a shame.”

Reluctantly, Kosrun handed the ring back.

“Anything else you need?”

“There is.”

Taesan pulled out a set of arrows.

Arrows with Independent Will

Arrows that move on their own to protect their master. They possess sentience and act autonomously but cannot travel beyond a certain range.

Current Master: Kang Taesan

Current Attack Power: 3421

The arrows have reached their limits as weapons.

These arrows, which Taesan had acquired earlier, were semi-autonomous. While useful at first, Taesan had stopped using them.

The reason was simple. The arrows had limited utility on their own. They required Taesan’s commands, either through mana or willpower, to function effectively. However, controlling them drained a considerable amount of energy, often yielding fewer benefits than costs in most battles.

As a result, the arrows had remained unused.

Taesan wanted to make them practical again.

“Oh?” Kosrun’s curiosity was piqued as he inspected the arrows.

“Who made these? With equipment like this, you’d usually see traces of the creator’s intent, but there’s none here. The craftsmanship is excellent, but that’s all.”

“Do you think you can improve them?”

“This? Easily.”

Kosrun fiddled with the arrows, a grin spreading across his face.

“Give me a bit. I’ll make something worthwhile.”

With that, Kosrun disappeared into his workspace with the arrows.

While Kosrun worked, Taesan kept himself busy.

He familiarized himself with Bardray’s changes, practicing with the Stormscar Sword and refining his control over Bardray’s movements. Bardray, in turn, adjusted to wielding himself as a weapon.

After three days, Kosrun reemerged.

Instead of arrows, he held a spear.

Fused Spear with Independent Will

A spear created by fusing autonomous arrows. It moves independently to protect its master and can travel over a wide area. It is self-repairing and can synchronize with its master to amplify power and capabilities.

Current Master: Kang Taesan

Attack Power: Equal to Kang Taesan’s Attack Power

Applies various status effects to enemies upon impact.

“Oh.” Taesan examined the spear.

Its attack power now matched his own. Kosrun, visibly pleased with his work, chuckled.

“The arrows were high-quality, far beyond what I expected. But they had clear limitations for standalone use, so I combined them into a single weapon. This should be much more useful.”

“It’s more than enough.”

Taesan threw the spear. It sliced through the air with a sharp whistle, moving rapidly and precisely.

Without needing Taesan’s active control, the spear synchronized with him and acted autonomously. It was now a viable tool for facing the powerful enemies ahead.

The upgrade had been well worth the time invested.

As Taesan prepared to leave, Kosrun asked, “By the way, do you know who made those arrows?”

“Not really.”

He had acquired them after defeating a Forgotten Apostle. They were related to a goddess whose name had been erased from memory. Since meeting her at the final altar, Taesan hadn’t encountered her again and had nearly forgotten about her.

‘There must be something to it.’

It was unlikely the labyrinth’s altars were placed randomly. The quest to restore faith in the Forgotten Goddess had been given to Taesan, but nothing had progressed since. Even at the upper levels of the labyrinth, there had been no signs.

All Taesan could do was wait until the time was right.

With his preparations complete, Taesan bid farewell to Kosrun.

“I’ll look forward to seeing you again,” Kosrun said cheerfully as he saw Taesan off.

Taesan turned his gaze toward the 87th floor.

[87th Floor Quest: Conquer the Demonic Battlefield.]

Reward: Coiled Serpent Statue of Darkness.

Hidden Reward: ???

As he stepped forward, Balbabamba appeared.

[Before you proceed to the 87th floor, I’ll impose a restriction. Your immortal rank will be sealed, reducing you to mortal status.]

“Do as you wish.”

Sealing his immortality didn’t matter. Without such limits, he wouldn’t be able to fully claim the rewards anyway.

Balbabamba used the labyrinth’s authority to suppress Taesan’s rank.

Taesan entered the 87th floor.

The first thing he saw was a bright moon hanging in the sky.

Below it stretched an endless battlefield filled with monsters killing one another in a frenzy.

Taesan stepped into the world. Immediately, a knight clad in twisted, broken armor rose from the ground and swung a half-shattered sword at him.

Taesan swung Bardray, slicing the knight clean in half.

Boom!

Before the knight’s body hit the ground, a massive hammer swung toward him. An enormous one-eyed ogre was charging with ferocious strength.

Taesan countered with his fist.

Crash!

The hammer shattered, and the ogre’s chest was pierced by Bardray, who returned to Taesan’s hand.

But it wasn’t over.

Through the mist, an endless tide of monsters approached—broken knights, barbarians, beasts, and abominations.

Taesan raised his hand.

[You have activated Great Collapse.]

[You have activated Magical Explosion.]

A sphere of destruction formed and erupted.

Boom!

When the smoke cleared, the area around Taesan was desolate. Yet his senses detected no end to the monsters.

The sheer number was incalculable.

“What is this place?”

[You have activated Lerazie’s Domain Detection.]

Buzz!

Waves of detection rippled outward, scouring the battlefield.

There was no end in sight.

Taesan clicked his tongue and canceled the detection.

This battlefield was incomparably vast, filled with monsters in every corner.

“This is going to take a while.”

Muttering to himself, Taesan took a step forward.

***

At the Same Time

Lee Taeyeon bit her lip anxiously.

“Lady Maria, isn’t this too harsh? You’re being too cruel to your favorite mortal.”

She muttered her complaints, but soon shook her head vigorously.

“No, no. I should face this sooner or later. If not now, then when?”

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

Steeling her resolve, she took a step forward.

[72nd Floor Quest: Overcome the Trial of the Gods.]

Reward: Belt crafted by the Master of the Savage Void.

Hidden Reward: ???

Passing through the corridor of the 72nd floor, she entered a vast, empty room.

Waiting there was a singular presence.

A woman made of fire.

Taeyeon smiled faintly.

“You’ve been waiting, haven’t you?”

[The Fire Spirit King, Vishnu, has appeared.]

The Fire Spirit King.

Vishnu stared at Taeyeon with a hardened expression.

“You.”

Her gaze was filled with seething anger.

“Do you dare betray us?”

“Betrayal? I’ve never worked with you in the first place. You forced your will upon me. That’s not betrayal, is it?”

Taeyeon replied lightly, drawing her sword and assuming a battle stance with unwavering confidence.

“There’s no need for a long conversation, right? Let’s get started.”