[Aha?]
I was forced out by the changes in the Labyrinth. The ghost, realizing this a bit late, cackled.
[So that's why you were having such an uncomfortable cohabitation?]
"Ugh... Why is the Labyrinth changing all of a sudden..."
The woman whimpered, as if it were truly unfair. While living in her own space, she was suddenly kicked out and ended up in the same room as an Orc Fighter. She must have been quite flustered.
[That's because of this guy.]
"What?"
Bewilderment filled the woman's eyes. She glanced at Taesan and trailed off, as if it were absurd.
"He looks like an Adventurer who just entered the Labyrinth..."
[Well, anyway. Let's talk later. Let's take care of this first.]
The fighter raised his sword. Taesan responded in kind.
"Whoa, whoa."
The woman muttered, breaking the tension.
"Wait a minute. That Adventurer is going to... that..."
[He'll be fine.]
The ghost spoke in a voice full of trust and faith.
[Just watch.]
Though they were making a fuss behind him, Taesan barely heard a thing. His gaze was fixed solely on the Orc Fighter.
"Kurruk."
The fighter laughed pleasantly and presented his greatsword. A blade befitting his massive frame was pointed at Taesan.
"Is the target me?"
If the woman had been here since the Labyrinth changed, he could have killed her at any time. But the fighter ignored her as if she were a bug. Only after Taesan arrived did he move and point his sword at him.
They had consented to the god's Trial. It meant their target was Taesan, and only Taesan. In that case, he had every intention of playing along.
Taesan kicked off the ground.
[You have activated Acceleration.]
The wind struck his face. His already high Agility became even faster with Acceleration. The fighter hastily raised his sword, but Taesan had already brushed past him.
[31 Damage dealt to the Orc Fighter.]
"Kurruk!"
The fighter swung his greatsword wildly. Taesan met the attack head-on. The clash of swords echoed loudly throughout the Labyrinth.
A Boss, as expected. The strength he felt was just a little less than his own. Despite his Strength having increased significantly after entering the 4th Floor through Soul Rank Ascension and a Level Up, the Orc wasn't outmatched.
And the fighter also possessed swordsmanship. The greatsword moved smoothly, aiming for Taesan's openings. Seeing the trajectory coming to cut off his arm, Taesan activated a Skill.
[You have activated Counter. You will counter the opponent's next attack.]
His body moved naturally. He struck away the fighter's sword and, in turn, stabbed at his chest. But the fighter didn't just stand there and take it.
He moved his hands and feet to minimize the Damage. However, his posture was bound to break, and Taesan did not miss the opening.
Kaaang!
The sword struck down on the Orc. The Orc's knees buckled. But it did not fall.
No matter how much force he applied, he could only maintain the current state.
[You have activated Power Strike. Your next attack will deal great Damage.]
Power Strike.
A strong attack. It didn't simply increase Damage; it literally added weight and power. It was a hidden trait that even its users were not well aware of.
Kiiiiik!
The added force pressed down on the Orc as if to crush it. It struggled desperately to break free but was blocked by Taesan's movements. Unable to withstand the weight, its own body slowly began to be cut by its sword.
The fighter's face turned red.
"Kurrrruk!"
[The Orc Fighter has entered a Berserker State.]
The Berserker state, which activates from the fighter level. Its effects were a decrease in cognitive ability and a doubling of the Strength Stat. The Orc violently pushed the sword away.
With the sudden reversal in strength, most Players would panic and lose their lives. But Taesan already knew the conditions for activating the Berserker State. He had created distance the moment it was activated, so the fighter's sword uselessly cut through the air.
Unable to control its misplaced strength, the fighter flailed about.
[You have activated Acceleration.]
His accelerated body pierced through the fighter's chest.
"Kurrrruk..."
With a look of admiration, the fighter vanished.
[You are victorious against the Orc Fighter.]
[You have defeated the Boss of the 4th Floor. You have obtained the basic Reward [Ashen Wrist Guard].]
[You have discovered the Hidden Element of the 4th Floor. You have obtained the reward [U??].]
[Your Level has increased.]
[You have acquired a Heavy Greatsword.]
Taesan sheathed his sword. Even for a Boss, victory was not so difficult. He had easily defeated the Goblin Chieftain on the 3rd Floor just moments ago.
The Goblin Lord had been an irregular; for a normal Boss, a 30% enhancement wasn't enough to make it a match for Taesan. It was a difference not of simple Stats, but of experience and information. Unfortunately, there was no Difficult Foe victory reward.
It meant a fighter-level opponent was no longer judged as a difficult enemy, and in truth, that was the level of difficulty. That wasn't to say the rewards were meager.
Combining the Soul Rank Ascension and Level Up rewards, his Health increased by 50, Agility by 4, Strength by 6, and Intelligence by 1. His Strength Stat was already close to the Stat he had reached in the past.
Even Lee Tae-yeon hadn't reached his current Stats before the 10th Floor, and considering the exponential growth as one descended the Labyrinth, his pace was incredibly fast. His Shield also increased by 10% of his Health, now standing at 17. And thanks to the continuous battles, the descriptions of a few Skills had changed.
[Special Passive Skill: Combat Sustenance] [Proficiency: 20%] [You can sustain combat for a long time. You do not tire easily. The time you can fight in optimal condition increases.]
Combat Sustenance was a Skill whose Proficiency didn't rise easily. But perhaps thanks to fighting numerous Difficult Foes, he had managed to reach 20% in just the 4th Floor. Now, he wouldn't get tired from trivial matters.
He could fight for over an hour even if he continued to battle without rest. That's what reaching 20% meant.
[Special Passive Skill: Sense Enhancement] [Proficiency: 21%] [Your senses are enhanced. You can sense things like killing intent. You can also sense your blind spots.]
The ability to check his blind spots was added. It was now safe to say there was virtually no chance of being caught from behind. There were still more rewards, but he couldn't check them right away.
Perhaps thanks to Sense Enhancement, he could constantly feel a distrustful gaze directed at him.
"How, how could a 4th Floor Adventurer defeat a fighter, and so easily at that..."
The woman muttered as if it were impossible.
"... Who are you?"
"A Player."
Taesan answered nonchalantly. After muttering that it was impossible for a while, the woman seemed to have regained her composure after hearing an explanation from the ghost. She approached Taesan with a calm face.
"A-hem. Thank you. You saved me."
Taesan nodded while chewing on Goblin meat. The woman stared at him as if he were a curiosity.
"So someone really eats that... Is it good?"
"No." The taste was foul, but it could roughly fill his stomach.
Since Goblins were humanoid, there was a time when he felt uncomfortable, but he couldn't even remember it now.
"So, who are you?"
The Hero knows her. She must be someone who has survived here for quite a long time. The blue-haired woman brushed the dust off her robe.
"I am Lilith. One who yearns for magic. A woman who entered this place to learn its lofty mysteries."
"Magic?"
"It seems you're from a world without magic, just as the Hero told me... What a strange world."
Lilith, looking on with curiosity, replied.
"Magic can only be learned by those who can learn it. It's an innate Talent. I had no Talent, but I wanted to learn magic more than anyone. That's why I came here."
She murmured with a distant expression.
"This is the Labyrinth. A place where you can find your dreams. Thanks to that, I've achieved something too."
[A very faint achievement, like a firefly's light, at best.]
Lilith's face crumpled at the jesting words. She waved her hand. A light formed.
And it spread throughout the room. In the brightened space, Lilith grumbled.
"That's right. This is as far as I've gotten. This blasted Labyrinth plays favorites too."
[Still, you gained something you couldn't have otherwise, didn't you? You should be satisfied enough.]
"It's not enough yet. I didn't abandon everything to come here just to get this."
Taesan stared at her quietly. She said her level was faint. But the light Magic she manifested was a Magic that everyone desired, yet only a lucky few could obtain.
Since the effects on magic staffs were random, the chance of getting the desired Magic was extremely low. Taesan was no exception to that. Unaware of Taesan's gaze, Lilith complained nonstop.
"So I was holed up here doing research, and suddenly the room was destroyed and I got kicked out. Why on earth did this happen?"
[I told you. It's because of this guy.]
"Don't lie to me."
Lilith's face scrunched up.
"Yes, I admit he's strong. But he doesn't seem to be on a level that can tamper with the laws, does he? Even you couldn't do it, Hero."
[Of course, this guy can't.] The ghost said leisurely.
[But there's someone who can, right?]
Lilith's eyes widened as she thought.
"Don't tell me, a god?"
[So you know.]
"But to change the Labyrinth, don't they have to sacrifice their own domain?"
[It means this guy is worth that much.]
"Ah..."
Lilith sent a look of awe toward Taesan.
"Some of us are stuck here groveling just to learn magic..."
[Are you complaining about that now?]
"It's just a complaint. It's a truly unfair world."
Lilith grumbled as she straightened her back.
"Sigh. Since the Labyrinth is in this state, I have to find a new base."
[You're going down?]
"What other choice do I have? I have to go find a Secret Room and settle down. The 5th Floor will be like this too, so I guess I have to go down to the 6th Floor."
[Can you even get down there?]
The 5th Floor had been changed into a straight path. The 6th Floor would also have stronger Monsters, so breaking through without issue would be difficult.
"That much is no problem."
Lilith flicked her finger. A transparent veil enveloped her. Her form was hidden from view.
[Invisibility Magic? You've learned that much?]
"They won't notice me up to the 9th Floor, so I can go down with this."
Before she left, she looked at Taesan.
"Anyway, thanks for the help. I'd like to repay you, but... I don't have anything."
"You do."
Taesan said calmly. Lilith had a puzzled look on her face.
"I'm really broke, you know? My catalysts and materials were all blown away."
"The power you have."
Lilith's face hardened.
"Magic. I want to learn that."
"Uh..."
She trailed off. Her face showed reluctance.
"I'm sorry, but this is something I've spent my whole life learning. I'm grateful for your help, but I can't just give this away."
She refused Taesan's offer. It was a reaction he had somewhat expected. From her words, she likely came here to learn magic.
She wouldn't teach something like that to just anyone. From here, it was time for negotiation. Just as Taesan was about to open his mouth, the ghost spoke first.
[Why not just teach him?]
"What?"
Lilith looked at him in surprise. Taesan also shifted his gaze to the ghost. The ghost began to speak calmly.
[You have nothing, right? Do you have anything to repay him with?]
"That's..."
[All you have is your magic. I know you place great value on it, but from an absolute standpoint, it's nothing. Isn't that a fair price for your life?]
"Well... that's... but..."
Still, she seemed hesitant. Value is relative, so her magic must be truly precious to her.
[And this isn't a bad deal for you either.]
"What?"
[What floor did you get down to?]
"... The 9th Floor."
She answered softly, as if embarrassed. The Hero spoke as if he had expected it.
[Right. With your skills, you probably can't go any further. But he's an Adventurer descending the Labyrinth. Moreover, he's one who has been acknowledged by a god. Naturally, he'll go to deeper places. That means he can obtain things from those deeper places. Isn't it a chance for you to learn the magic you couldn't learn?]
"Ah."
Lilith's eyes widened.
[I think it's a mutually beneficial deal. What do you say?]
"Now that I think about it..."
Lilith's face brightened.
"In that case, okay! Great! I'll teach you!"
Taesan nodded his head, bewildered. He glanced at the ghost. The ghost said nothing.
Lilith spread her arms with a joyful expression.
"Wow! Come to think of it, you're an Adventurer! This is going to make life fun. I can't teach you right now because I have nothing. I'll set up on the 6th Floor, so let's meet then!"
"Alright."
She clapped her hands. There was no visible incantation. Her body slowly faded until nothing could be seen.
"See you on the 6th Floor!"
She was gone. That's what he thought. He could only assume so, as he couldn't feel anything at all.
If she hadn't spoken, he wouldn't have even been able to detect her presence. 'So that's magic.' It seemed more than worth investing time in.
Taesan stared quietly at the ghost.
"What is it?"
[What?]
"Why are you suddenly being so nice to me?"
[What about it? Am I not allowed to be nice?]
The ghost grumbled.