The Ghost had been grumbling ever since they first met. Hating Taesan, looking down on him, he constantly talked about what kind of person he himself was. It was impossible to know if it was the jealousy of the dead, but at the very least, it was not a good relationship.
But suddenly, the Ghost's attitude changed. 'Was it after I took down the Lord?' He had been quiet since then, and when Taesan asked something, he answered without complaint.
He no longer spoke of his own greatness.
“Why are you being like this?”
[Just think of it as me seeing your potential.]
The Ghost said in a bitter tone.
[And it's also a form of atonement for myself.]
“Atonement?”
[Enough. From now on, I will help you with what you're trying to do. There's no harm in that, right?]
It was a similar stance to the Dwarf's. He probably wouldn't answer anything even if pried. '…Is that settled then.' When he asked for Magic, the look on Lilith's face showed she had no intention of giving it. Thanks to the Ghost, he passed that easily.
Taesan said jokingly.
“Then will you teach me Swordsmanship too?”
[With your current Stats, you can't learn it even if I teach you. Normally, you'd barely be able to once you reach the 10th Floor… but at your growth rate, yes. The 7th Floor should be possible. I'll teach you then.]
The Ghost answered obediently. Taesan, who had expected him to say no, given how cautious he was about his Swordsmanship, was even more flustered.
'What?'
It was confusing, but just as the Ghost said, it wasn't a bad thing for Taesan. In fact, it was good. If he cooperated fully, they could get through many things.
Thinking it was for the best, Taesan checked his rewards. There was a weapon he obtained from defeating the Fighter.
[Heavy Greatsword] [Attack Power + 7] [It is very heavy. A normal person would likely find it difficult to even lift.]
An Attack Power of 7 was higher than Rakiratas's blade. But he had no intention of switching. The weight itself wasn't a problem.
If there was a weapon Taesan found hard to lift now, it probably wouldn't even have the form of a weapon. The problem was that the greatsword was very large. It was more than twice Taesan's size.
Restrictions would arise depending on the situation and conditions. On average, Rakiratas's blade was unconditionally better. It was absurd for a Longsword to have an Attack Power of 5. Still, it was a good weapon.
With its higher Attack Power, a day might come when he could use it. And the 4th Floor Clear Reward.
[Ashen Wrist Guard] [Defense Power + 5] [Ash powder is sprinkled on it. It does not seem to have any meaning.]
“Heh.”
For a wrist guard, it had a Defense Power of 5. It was on par with the shield he was holding. Its performance was too good to be a simple Clear Reward. Taesan took off the wrist guard he had been happily wearing.
The Ghost, who was staring at it, opened his mouth.
[That looks familiar.]
“The Gatekeeper gave it to me.”
He had given Taesan a wrist guard. Taesan had thought the wrist guard was just basic equipment. He had been using it quite effectively.
[Right. So that miser did it too.]
The Ghost mumbled quietly. Taesan changed his equipment and checked. His current Defense Power was 19. It was gradually becoming superior to his Attack Power.
“Not bad.”
He didn't pay much attention to it, but Defense Power was also an important stat, so it was a good thing for it to increase.
And ???.
Perhaps because he discovered an NPC, it seemed to count as finding a Secret Room.
[You have used ???.]
[You have obtained a Scroll of Engraving.]
As expected, it was a satisfying reward.
“I got a scroll already.”
Unlike staffs, these were a type of buff-form magic. They were named scrolls.
[Scroll of Engraving [Imbues a special power into a piece of equipment.]]
Taesan used it immediately. It was hard to obtain in the Lower Floors, but you could get it easily once you reached the Middle Floors. There was no need to save it.
Of course, that didn't mean it had little value. In these early stages, the value of a single scroll was greater than that of equipment. The equipment he used it on was, of course, Rakiratas's blade.
[You have activated the Scroll of Engraving on Rakiratas's Ceremonial Blade.]
[Rakiratas's Ceremonial Blade] [Attack Power + 5] [Recovers 5 Health upon killing a target.]
[On attack, has a chance to push the target back.]
'Has a chance to push the target back.' This line was added. Taesan, having confirmed it, smiled with satisfaction.
Scrolls of Engraving have random effects. There were various effects, such as imbuing a weapon with the lightning attribute or recovering Health with every attack. Among them were effects that were practically duds.
Effects that were actually harmful to the user. The pushback effect he got was close to a jackpot, as it could create favorable variables during combat. Since there were many Difficult Foes here, it was considered a top-tier effect.
“Secret Rewards are the best, as expected.”
As they were rewards for finding all the Secret Rooms and Hidden Elements, they were things you couldn't obtain on the floor. This was why Taesan went out of his way, even wasting time, to get them. After finishing up, Taesan went down.
The Dwarf, who was waiting, was surprised to see Taesan.
“You're back already? That was fast.”
“Because the Labyrinth has changed.”
“Ah. I was wondering what all the commotion was about, so Balthazar meddled. Well, if it's you, I guess that's to be expected.”
The Dwarf, just like the Ghost, seemed to take Balthazar's use of power as a matter of course. The Ghost said nothing. The Dwarf, as if pleased by that, also ignored him.
“So, what are you going to buy?”
“Yes.”
He had gathered quite a bit of money now. Each Orc dropped 100 Gold. As they were a small elite force, the amount of Gold they provided was less than the Goblins.
Still, including the reward from the Fighter, it was 1,500 Gold in total. He was planning to sell what he had as well.
“How much is this worth?”
“About a thousand Gold.”
A thousand Gold. 2,500 Gold in total. The Dwarf skillfully opened a Spatial Storage and showed him the goods.
“My recommendation is this.”
“Inventory Expansion Ticket?”
“... How do you know about this?”
The Dwarf was surprised. Taesan checked what he offered.
[Inventory Expansion Ticket] [Increases your Inventory by five slots.]
[1,000G] “I'll buy it.”
Twenty Inventory slots were starting to feel insufficient. Since the expansion tickets were only sold at specific times, it was best to buy them right away. Now he had 1,500 Gold left.
Taesan checked the goods. As he had descended a floor, there were better items, but it was hard to decide easily. 'They're all more or less the same.'
Whatever he bought, the difference would only be 1 or 2 Attack Power. Since he had already bought all the basic equipment, it was hard to make a significant change. An increase was still an increase, so it wasn't bad, but something felt lacking.
As Taesan continued to look, something caught his eye. A silvery, sparkling powder was contained in a transparent bottle. 'Why is this here?'
Surprised, Taesan checked it.
[Powder of Blessing] [Powder said to come from a fairy's wings. Rumor has it that it gives a blessing to the user.]
[500G] He was certain.
Taesan was flustered. The Dwarf, noticing his expression, came over and picked up the Powder of Blessing.
“Were you looking at this?”
“Do you know what it is?”
“I don't know either.”
The Dwarf shrugged his shoulders.
“Fairy powder. There are many stories that it gives a blessing. But nobody knows if that's true. There was even a guy who took a bath in the powder to get lucky, only to fall over and crack his head open. And yet, it has a strangely high value, so it's expensive. It's useless.”
“Do you know?”
[I don't know. I've never bought it either.]
The Ghost also seemed not to know.
'Of course.'
In the previous world, numerous Players had bought the Powder of Blessing. That was because the claim that it gave a blessing was very appealing. However, no one had ever experienced its effect, so until Taesan discovered it, it was an item abandoned by everyone.
The Powder of Blessing. Its effect was a minute adjustment of probabilities.
“Give me three.”
“Huh?”
The Dwarf looked at him in surprise.
“You're really buying this?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I can't stop you… but really? This thing has no effect.”
“It's fine.”
It wasn't that it had no effect. It was just that others didn't know about it.
“Are there any more?”
“For now, three is all I have.”
He couldn't get any more. It was a shame, but this was enough. An occasion to use it would come soon.
The Dwarf looked at him as if he were strange.
“Why is he buying that?”
But Taesan was satisfied. With this, he would gain something soon. Now he had spent all his money.
He had no more business at the Shop.
“Then I'll see you next time.”
“Alright. Go on.”
The Dwarf waved his hand to see him off.
[5th Floor Quest begins.]
[Defeat the boss of the 5th Floor and pass through.]
[Reward: A brilliantly decorated ornamental sword.]
[Secret Reward: ???]
At the same time, another window appeared.
[Balthazar is pleased with your performance. He looks forward to giving you a satisfactory reward.]
It was a subtle urging. The Ghost, who must have also seen the System Window, let out a dry laugh.
[Those guys who act all high and mighty aren't satisfied with just shaving off their own domains, they go this far. He's quite a character.]
“Is the domain of interference that important?”
[Important? Gods know nothing but their own domains. Their domain is something they don't even use for the many who have found this place, for the brave warriors who received their trials, or for the loyal followers who cry out their names. They package it as if it's something valuable while giving paltry rewards. That's what gods are.]
The Ghost spat out as if the question was ridiculous. But Taesan's face was indifferent. From his perspective, all the gods were trying to do something for him by reducing their own domains of interference.
He didn't think it was such a big deal. The Ghost said bitterly.
[They're using it because you're worth that much. You can be proud.]
“I don't know about that.”
Since they were giving a reward, he intended to clear it. Taesan arrived at the first room.
“Kurrrk.”
[An Orc Fighter has appeared.]
“A fighter right from the start.”
The Fighter raised its spear. It charged straight ahead and thrust it towards Taesan. Taesan swung his shield.
Kagagak!
The force he felt from beyond the shield was not inferior even when compared to the Boss of the 4th Floor.
Kang!
Instead of pushing back immediately, Taesan took some time. The sword, shield, and spear clashed. At that moment, the Fighter's body was suddenly pushed back.
“Kurk!”
The Fighter let out a flustered cry as its body moved against its will. Taesan immediately rushed in and stabbed its chest. The Fighter swung wildly and pushed him away.
“Kurrrk!”
Once again, their weapons clashed. After about ten exchanges, the Fighter was thrown back again. Taesan stabbed its chest.
The Fighter fell. Power Strike and Consecutive Attack. Because he used them all, he was able to take it down quickly.
“As expected, it's useful.”
The effect of the Scroll of Engraving. It pushes back the opponent with a certain probability. Since the pushback was sudden, it could create a major variable in battle.
It seemed to happen about once every ten times. Without the scroll, it would have taken quite some time. The Fighter possessed that much strength.
Upon entering the 5th Floor, the enemies had suddenly become stronger. If the first one was this strong, the fifth, eighth, and tenth would be truly powerful.
“This is fine.”
But Taesan had a pleased look on his face. Until now, things had been rather dull. Since he had only caught one, there was a great sense of something lacking.
The stronger the opponent, the more there is to gain. The only thing that matters is victory. Taesan began to pass through the rooms.