Ascension Through Skills-Chapter 448: Revineff

"Does losing a god’s domain cause the fall of their divine essence?"

"Not everyone. Those like Lakiratas and Maria, who reached their level by their own power, don’t lose their great power even if they lose their domains. But I was a local god who received the faith of others."

Her divinity and godhood were sustained by the world itself. But now, she had lost her world.

"Normally, I should have perished there. But because of Ainzhar’s belief, I was able to endure."

Revineff looked at Ainzhar with a soft expression.

"Thank you, Ainzhar."

"I’ve only done what I was supposed to do, my goddess."

"You don’t need to call me goddess anymore. I’m no longer a god."

"No."

Ainzhar denied it.

With a steady expression, he spoke.

"Revineff, you are my goddess. That will never change."

"...Is that so? Thank you."

Revineff no longer denied it.

And as they spoke, Akasha quietly watched them.

[.....]

Through her connection with Taesan, Akasha’s emotions were felt. There was a deep mix of longing and confusion within her feelings.

Akasha was praying at the statue of the forgotten goddess.

Her relationship with Ainzhar and Revineff might not have been so different.

"And it’s not because of me, Revineff. The one who saved you was Taesan."

"That’s right. I’m really thankful, Taesan."

Revineff said with a joyful face.

"Even though I’ve lost everything and fallen to a mortal level... I’m still alive. That’s enough for me. It’s all thanks to you."

"I’ve only done my duty," Taesan said calmly. He had received the quest, accepted it, and completed it.

That was all there was to it for him. Revineff smiled faintly.

"Then I must give you a reward that matches what you’ve done."

Revineff extended her hand. A light began to gather in her pure white palm.

"I’m no longer a god. I would love to give you a blessing, but I no longer have the strength for that. All I have left are fragments of the past."

Kiing!

It was a platinum-colored fragment that resembled something forcibly torn from iron.

The power emanating from it surpassed Taesan’s recognition.

"Right now, it’s useless to me... but maybe it will be different for you. Please take it."

The platinum fragment moved to Taesan’s hand. He grasped it.

[Fragment of Divinity]

[The fragment of the divine essence of a being who can no longer be called a god. It is a shard of their divinity.]

"...This is..."

"I don’t know what to do with it either."

Revineff spoke softly.

"But you have an incredibly special power. You purified my corruption, and you can intervene in the laws of the world. Perhaps you could find some way to use it."

"Thank you."

Taesan carefully stored the fragment of divinity.

A shard of godhood. Though it was just a fragment, it was more valuable than divine blood. Taesan wasn’t sure how to handle it just yet, but it was an incredibly rare material.

He would need to figure out how to utilize it, but it was a fitting reward.

"I’m glad you’re satisfied."

"Then, it’s my turn."

Ainzhar stepped forward, chuckling as he patted Taesan on the shoulder.

"Once again, thank you. Thanks to you, I was able to fulfill my wish. So, I must give you a proper reward. First, take this... the wealth I gathered as I traveled the world."

[You have received 300,000G.]

Three hundred thousand gold.

Even at the depths of the labyrinth, this was still a substantial amount.

Then, Ainzhar began removing the armor he was wearing.

"I thought long and hard about what I could give you, but this is the only thing that came to mind. Take it. This armor, blessed by Revineff herself, the one I’ve worn my entire life."

[You have received Ainzhar’s Armor, Blessed by Revineff.]

[Ainzhar’s Armor, Blessed by Revineff.]

[Attack Power +1000]

[Defense +1000]

[Armor crafted by the goddess for her favored apostle. Although the goddess’s power has faded, the apostle wore it for so long that some of its power still lingers.]

[The attack power increased by Iyrac Weapon Techniques is further increased by 10%.]

Taesan was amazed.

An attack power of 1000 was impressive, but what stood out was the special effect.

An additional 10% attack power increase from Iyrac Weapon Techniques.

In essence, it was a 10% boost to his attack power. It was practically a graduation-level piece of equipment, one he could use until he cleared the labyrinth.

"Are you satisfied?"

"Definitely."

"I’m glad to hear that. I’ve been thinking hard about what to give you, since you saved the goddess. I’m relieved you’re happy with it."

Ainzhar grinned and asked.

"So, are you thinking of going down to the next floor?"

"No. I have to return due to the call of the High Gods. I still have some time left."

He had a few days of respite. It wasn’t enough to descend another floor. Ainzhar drew his sword.

"Then, how about this until then?"

Taesan nodded with ease. Ainzhar took out his sword.

***

Taesan spent the remaining time before returning to Earth engaged in a duel with Ainzhar.

Now, he could withstand Ainzhar’s full attacks. The gap still existed, but it wasn’t as significant as before.

As they continued to fight, Taesan engaged in various conversations.

"By the way, hero, you’ve become a sword."

[You’re asking that now? I thought you had forgotten about me.]

"I’m sorry. I had to focus on the conversation with him first, so I didn’t pay attention."

Ainzhar gave Bardray, now a sword, a strange look.

"...Born as a sword, huh. Are you satisfied?"

[Just about?]

"That’s enough then. As long as you’re alive, the day when your wish comes true will come. Don’t give up either."

[Well...]

The ghost responded ambiguously. He had let go of everything. There was no longer any wish to be had.

Meanwhile, Akasha also had something she wanted to ask Revineff.

[Goddess,]

Akasha asked quietly.

[Goddess Revineff, do you not know anything about me?]

“You...”

Revineff, looking at Akasha, furrowed her brow. After a moment, she shook her head.

"I’m sorry. I don’t know."

[Is that so...]

"Your aura feels familiar, like you were once a being similar to me... But beyond that, I don’t know."

Even Revineff, a transcendent being, didn’t know anything about the god Akasha had believed in.

Unless Akasha herself recalled it, it seemed there was no way to learn about the goddess.

For several days, they continued their battles.

And finally, it was over.

"Is it already time to return?"

"There’s still a little time, but I have one last thing to do. I think this is enough."

"That’s unfortunate."

"You’re my benefactor. Feel free to visit anytime."

"What will you all do now?"

The reason Ainzhar made the contract was for Revineff.

But now, he had fulfilled his wish.

"Well, I’m not sure."

"First, I need to meet the magician in the labyrinth. I should go to Metis and express my gratitude. After that... I’ll have to think about it."

"Even though you’ve fallen, Revineff, you are still a goddess. The magician should show you some favor."

Taesan also mentioned that, like Diana and Beldenkia, they too would be coming to Earth.

However, Ainzhar’s expression was uncertain.

"I’ve received a great favor from you. It’s a favor I can never repay. I also have a desire for revenge on the High Gods. But... for now, I want to stay by Revineff’s side."

"I see."

Taesan said no more.

Ainzhar had fulfilled a lifetime’s wish.

If he sought peace, Taesan had no right to stop him.

"But revenge... it’s an alluring thought. Once I find some stability and finish sorting my mind, I’ll think about it."

"That’s enough for now."

Taesan bid them farewell and headed for the 61st floor.

There, Beldenkia and Diana were chatting cheerfully.

"You’ve arrived? What’s going on?"

"Where’s Lilith?"

"She went to sleep because she was tired."

Taesan spoke to them.

"I’m about to return to Earth."

The atmosphere shifted. From their peaceful faces, it quickly transformed into the face of adventurers who had been through numerous battles.

"Is it almost time? How much longer?"

"About a day?"

"A day? Is there anything to prepare?"

"I have some things, yes."

Taesan thought for a moment and asked.

"Can you use a magic circle for spatial movement?"

"It depends on the type. Long-range or short-range? For many people or just a few? Or maybe for a specific target or an unknown number? What do you need?"

"All of them."

"Hmm."

Beldenkia stroked his chin.

"I have a few options in mind. I’ll prepare them."

"Please."

Taesan bid them farewell and descended to the 87th floor.

As usual, the shopkeeper was there.

"Are you going down?"

"No."

Taesan shook his head and approached the shopkeeper.

"I’m thinking of buying some equipment."

"Oh."

The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow.

"You’ve saved up quite a bit, haven’t you?"

"Quite a bit."

Taesan had about 1.5 million gold now.

This was the total amount of gold he had earned since descending through the labyrinth. The shopkeeper opened a portal.

"Alright. With what you have now, I can show you most things."

Whoosh!

Countless items poured out.

Taesan paused to look at them but immediately chuckled when he saw the prices.

[2,000,000G]

[1,800,000G]

Even with all the gold Taesan had earned up to the 87th floor, there were still items he couldn’t afford.

"What’s this?"

"Look at the price. You can expect performance to match it."

Taesan carefully examined the items.

[Extremely Compressed Mithril Sword]

[Attack Power +4000]

[Made by gathering all the mithril in a world and compressing it to its limit to create a single sword. Its weight is so heavy that no one can wield it properly.]

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[The user will suffer a penalty from its weight.]

[1,700,000G]

[Necklace Made from God’s Remnants]

[Health +10%]

[Mana +10%]

[Strength +4%]

[Agility +4%]

[Intelligence +4%]

[Attack Power +1000]

[Gods are generally eternal, but they too face inevitable ends. This necklace was made from the remnants left after the god’s destruction.]

[1,800,000G]

If it were just the stat increases, the boosts would be impressive, with several stats rising by over 10%.

Though not as powerful as Bardray and Akasha, these were equipment of a similarly high caliber. There were dozens of them.

‘Impressive.’

Taesan continued to browse the items.

Then, something familiar caught his eye.

It was the Dark Silver Wrist Guard.

[Dark Silver Wrist Guard]

[Made from pure colorless light woven into a wrist guard. The divine power contained within it protects the user.]

[Reduces all damage taken by 50%.]

[2,000,000G]

[...What’s this?]

Bardray let out a stunned sound.

Two million gold.

This was the most expensive equipment in the shop.

And it had performance that exceeded expectations.

It reduced all damage by half.

And Taesan recognized it immediately.

This was the same equipment worn by Lee Taeyeon.

Taesan realized.

The equipment here was essentially the "graduation gear" of the labyrinth.