Taesan continued to pass through the rooms. After running continuously without a single break, he was able to clear up to the fifth room at a rapid pace.
“It's starting to get tough.”
Taesan massaged his tingling wrist. As he progressed through the rooms, the Orcs became stronger and stronger, and the last one was a bit dangerous. From here on, they were strong enough that it wouldn't be strange to receive a Difficult Foe Reward.
Instead of heading straight to the next room, Taesan sat on the floor. The Trial of the God of Victory was a series of 1-on-1 victories. The repetition was causing some fatigue to build up.
“This is a bit of a shame.”
Being forced into 1-on-1 situations reduces the variables, which means there's less to gain. As the opponents grew stronger, he lacked the leeway to create a new Skill, nor did he have the Stats for it yet.
[A god gives a fitting reward. There's no need to be disappointed.]
“I suppose so.”
It wasn’t a bad situation. Because the opponents were strong, Soul Rank Ascension activated significantly. He also obtained some minor Items.
They would fetch a decent price if sold at the Shop. Now, he just had to pass through here to reach the 6th Floor. And then he could learn Magic.
“Was she the Lowly One who wished for Magic.”
[That little kid?]
“How did you know her?”
The woman named Lilith was weak. To think she still hadn't passed the 10th Floor despite surviving for quite a long time. He hadn't thought such a weak being would be here.
[You know that the restriction of lifespan disappears here, right?]
Taesan nodded his head. In the Labyrinth, lifespan wasn't a problem. If it were, most Players would either die of old age or emerge as old men.
[She was here since I first entered the Labyrinth. She was struggling on the 4th Floor, just like now. She was about to be killed by an Orc, and I felt sorry for her, so I saved her. After hearing her story, I realized she was a truly pitiful soul.]
“... How long has it been?”
[Well? In outside time, wouldn't it be over a hundred years?]
She hadn't been able to leave the 10th Floor for a hundred years. Nor had she learned any proper Magic. It was a staggering story.
[She came here to learn Magic, but she was a pitiful thing who couldn't even grasp a fragment of it due to her lowly Talent. I felt so bad for her that I helped her out a bit. I can't believe she's still alive.]
The Ghost muttered in a fascinated voice. It was certainly true. No matter how little she aimed for the top, surviving for a hundred years without dying was a great feat in itself.
‘I wonder if there are quite a few NPCs like that.’
Those who entered not for the conquest of the Labyrinth, but with their own purposes, and made a home here. The possibility was certainly there. After a short rest, Taesan began to break through the rooms again.
Abandoning a bloody battle, he repeated victory after victory, and finally cleared the ninth room. The ninth was a named Orc, a being named Balta. He initiated the battle by shouting for an honorable death towards Taesan.
And Taesan was victorious. The spectating Ghost was impressed.
[Was Deflection a skill that could be countered not just by a higher-level skill, but with Counter? I didn't know that either.]
As an Orc with a name, Balta used many skills, including Deflection. A typical Player would have been flustered by the variety of skills, but for Taesan, it was actually a good thing. He knew all the weaknesses and ways to overcome Deflection.
Red blood flowed from Balta's entire body. He would soon die from blood loss. It was his victory.
“You. What are you?”
Instead of being angry or happy about his defeat, Balta had a puzzled look on his face.
“Amazing. To use Counter in such a way. It’s astonishing. You are indeed a great warrior. But... I don't understand. Are you truly an Adventurer of the 5th Floor?”
Balta had activated Deflection and charged. One might have been flustered by the charge that disregarded defense and shown an opening, but Taesan broke through it very simply. Taesan activated Counter and ran to meet him.
He attacks the opponent to draw out their Deflection, and when his own trajectory is twisted and an opening is revealed, he throws himself at the opponent's weapon to forcibly activate Counter and regain control of his body. Counter was a Skill that forcibly moved the body. Even if his trajectory was twisted by Deflection, it forcibly corrected his body.
At a glance, it was a rational method. The counterattack deals greater Damage, and since the opponent is focused on Deflection and has abandoned their defense, it is the perfect answer that can change the tide of battle in an instant.
But it was an answer that could only be derived after countless breakthroughs in the Labyrinth, after learning numerous conditions like the skill's activation method, its advantages, and disadvantages.
“It's not just information. It's a movement that you've personally felt and experienced. I cannot understand it.”
Taesan did not answer. Balta gave a satisfied smile.
“Questions arise... but it was a satisfying fight. I have something to boast about to my comrades.”
The Orc took off his earring and threw it.
“You people say that material value is also important in victory. Take it. Human. It is the reward for victory.”
For a Monster to give a reward directly. Taesan stored the earring with surprise.
“Go. Warrior.”
The life vanished from Balta’s face.
[You have been victorious against the Elite Orc, Balta.]
Orcs.
They desire an honorable death. There must be a reason they accepted the god's Trial. Taesan checked the earring.
[Balta's Earring] [Strength + 5] [An earring Balta made for himself the year he came of age. It is said that power dwells in objects used with affection for a long time.]
The Strength Stat was a whopping 5. It was not an piece of equipment that could be obtained on the 5th Floor, at least. And the victory reward.
[You have single-handedly won against a difficult foe. Strength permanently increases by 4. Agility permanently increases by 3. Health permanently increases by 10.] [Your Soul Rank Ascension has been activated. Strength permanently increases by 5. Agility permanently increases by 4. Health permanently increases by 5.] [Your Soul Rank Ascension has been activated. Proficiency for Deflection increases by 7%.]
And one more.
[Your Craving for Victory has been activated. Strength permanently increases by 4. Agility permanently increases by 3. Health permanently increases by 10.] The total simple Stat increase was 23. Health increased by 25. The Proficiency also went up by 7%.
“Not bad.”
In truth, it wasn't an increase that could be dismissed with such words. Contempt for the Strong, Craving for Victory, Craving for Battle, which he had obtained from defeating the Lord. All three were skills of the highest grade.
It was an increase that felt like he had Leveled Up, even though he hadn't. On top of that, his Proficiency for Deflection was slowly nearing 50%. After checking, Taesan confirmed his Status Window.
[Kang Taesan] [Level : 15] [Shield : 24/24] [Health : 575/575] [Mana : 80/80] [Strength : 112] [Intelligence : 75] [Agility : 85] [Attack Power + 18] [Defense Power + 19] [The target is in Optimal Condition.]
His Strength had already surpassed the Stat he had previously reached. His Agility was also close. To be on par with his past self who had cleared the 100th Floor, when he was only on the 5th Floor now.
It was a truly ridiculous difference. And he was able to obtain one Skill.
[Special Passive Skill : An Honorable Duel] [Proficiency : 1%] [When in a 1:1 situation with a target, Stats increase. The amount of increase is proportional.]
He hadn't used it yet, so he didn't know how much the increase would be, but it was a Passive Skill. It had no Mana cost, so it was a Skill with only advantages. It was naturally good to have.
He now had exactly 30 skills. And only one room remained. Before going, Taesan chatted on the community forums.
While Taesan was breaking through, Lee Tae-yeon and Kang Jun-hyeok were also slowly clearing the 2nd Floor.
[Lee Tae-yeon [Alone Mode] : I found that I can somehow manage to kill them by opening the door a little and throwing something like a rock to lure them out one by one.]
[Kang Jun-hyeok [Alone Mode] : Noona is really good at thinking of things like this.]
Having found a way to kill the Goblins, they were clearing the rooms one by one. Their pace was slow, but they were making progress, so it was a method close to the right answer. The Players on the First Floor were also slowly heading towards the 2nd Floor.
The Giant Rat wasn't that difficult to clear as long as you had oil and firebombs. Surviving after that was a separate matter, but there was nothing Taesan could do about that.
[Kang Taesan [Alone Mode] : It's better to get everything you can from the 1st Floor before you go. The means of recovery disappear on the 2nd Floor.]
[Moon Jae-seong [Alone Mode] : Yes.]
The Fountain of Life stops working the moment you leave the First Floor. The Rewards also decrease drastically, so it was difficult to go back and do things like a Grind. Time passed as he gave some warnings and advice.
Most of the people on the community forums were Players in Alone Mode. Players in other modes had no reason to use the community forums as they could meet each other directly.
[Kang Jun-hyeok [Alone Mode] : Ah. Hyung, I found an Altar.]
[Kang Taesan [Alone Mode] : Are you going to listen if I tell you not to?]
[Kang Jun-hyeok [Alone Mode] : Since you're putting it that way, I have to listen. You know better than me.]
[Lee Tae-yeon [Alone Mode] : It's so strange. After hearing that, do you still feel like doing it? I didn't even want to touch it.]
They were talking like that.
[Choi Jung-hyuk [Easy Mode]: Look at them go.]
[Kang Jun-hyeok [Alone Mode]: ... Excuse me?]
[Choi Jung-hyuk [Easy Mode] : Really, they're having a whole festival by themselves. It's unpleasant to watch, so could you tone it down?]
[Lee Tae-yeon [Alone Mode]: What did you say?]
[Choi Jung-hyuk [Easy Mode] : I said stop bluffing.]
[Lee Tae-yeon [Alone Mode]: ... Bluffing?]
Lee Tae-yeon posted a short message. A word that contained many meanings.
[Lee Tae-yeon [Alone Mode] : Us, bluffing?]
[Choi Jung-hyuk [Easy Mode]: So you're not? You're all really just playing around.]
Taunting posts continued to appear.
[Choi Jung-hyuk [Easy Mode] : I was watching quietly, and it's just ridiculous. What? You can't even touch the Big Rat? You can't even dream of fighting the Boss head-on and have to burn it to kill it? Where is there such a place?]
[Lee Tae-yeon [Alone Mode]: ...... You.]
[Choi Jung-hyuk [Easy Mode] : Let's stop bluffing on the community forums about a place others don't know about. Okay? Let's keep it moderate.]
[Gal Hee-joong [Easy Mode] : That's right. The community forums aren't just for you, are they? I understand you can't meet people, but can't you be a little more considerate?]
[Moon Su-han [Easy Mode] : More importantly, is it true you can't meet? Aren't you just scamming people?]
Posts from Easy Mode Players flooded in. The Alone Mode Players, who had been staring blankly, became furious.
[Lee Sang [Alone Mode] : You people!]
[Moon Jae-seong [Alone Mode] : How can you say that right now! Do you know what state of mind we're in here!]
[Kim Tae-jin [Alone Mode] : Wow. This is seriously ridiculous. Are you really saying that after choosing Easy Mode?]
[Gal Hee-joong [Easy Mode] : Who told you to choose Alone Mode? You chose it yourselves, so why are you making a fuss?]
[Choi Jung-hyuk [Easy Mode] : People from other modes are all quiet. You guys are just so talkative.]
Emotions flared, and they started arguing. Feelings that would have led to stabbing if they were face to face were exchanged. Taesan watched the scene with indifference.
A month had passed since the people of Earth entered the Labyrinth. In Easy or Normal Mode, it was time for them to have finished adapting and entered a period of stability. From here on, as long as they were careful, there was no reason to die.
And leisure makes people turn their attention elsewhere. They want to release the anger of being trapped in a terrible place. They want to create an outlet for their emotions.
The Alone Mode Players, who were chattering on the community forums at all hours, were the most suitable target. This was especially true for Easy Mode, as they couldn't comprehend the difficulty.
“Still, it wasn't this bad before.”
There were arguments in the previous world, but they hadn't escalated to this extent. They were all victims trapped in the same place. It is said that victims resent other victims more than their perpetrators, but there was still a sense of kinship, so it ended with light squabbles.
Taesan looked at the posts coming up.
[Choi Jung-hyuk [Easy Mode] : Wow. Just Easy Mode? Are you making fun of Easy Mode Players? This isn't a joke, you know. Choi Jung-hyuk.]
He had seen that name in the previous world.
“It really is that guy.”
[What is?]
“A story from over there.”
That guy was probably the one who escalated the emotions. Taesan, who had been staring blankly, raised the corner of his mouth.
[Choi Jung-hyuk [Easy Mode] : And Kang Taesan? That guy is the funniest. Who does he think he is to be so talkative? I was seriously laughing while watching.]
[Kang Jun-hyeok [Alone Mode] : Is that guy really crazy?]
[Choi Jung-hyuk [Easy Mode] : The skills he talks about are ridiculous too. Endure at 1 HP? That's just telling you to die, isn't it? Why do you guys believe a guy like that?]
Pfft.
A laugh escaped. He could guess why Choi Jung-hyuk was acting this way. He had probably created a guild by now.
In the previous world, there was an obstacle like him, but now, with no one to stop him, it was safe to say he had practically conquered it. And a group needs an enemy. Not a huge entity like the Labyrinth, but an enemy they could vent their emotions on and take their frustrations out on.
Choi Jung-hyuk was not a fool. He was probably saying such things because he thought that Alone Mode and Easy Mode could not meet, and that if what the Alone Mode players said was true, they were impossible to clear. Guys who only say difficult things and can't be met.
They were a suitable target for an enemy. But Choi Jung-hyuk didn't know one thing. Taesan leisurely posted a message.
[Kang Taesan [Alone Mode] : See you in a month.]
[Choi Jung-hyuk [Easy Mode]: ...... What?]
He seemed flustered. Taesan said no more and turned off the community forums. He would pay the price for running his mouth.
Until then, he planned to go down as far as he could.
[Are you going to move on right away?]
“There's no reason to delay.”
Taesan stood up. He had consumed almost no fatigue. His Health and Mana were also restored as soon as he defeated his enemies.
Taesan headed to the next room.
[Orc Chieftain, Ratran, has appeared.]
An Orc was waiting for him, his greatsword planted in the ground with both hands.
“Not a Lord.”
[You think a Lord would appear already? Hage-Ha was the strange one. If his legs were fine, you would have died.]
Even with the huge penalty of being unable to move, victory against a Lord-class opponent was hard to guarantee. Since Orcs were a higher-level Monster than Goblins, it would be impossible for even the stronger him to win.
[A chieftain isn't weak either. He has enough power to handle a whole chapter. As the final part of the Trial, his rank is high, and he's an enemy that the Adventurers here cannot face, but... well, you'll overcome it.]
In his calm words, there was a definite trust. Ratran saw him and opened his mouth.
“You've made it this far. Great warrior. I thank you for your fighting spirit. We can have an enjoyable Duel.”
Ratran lifts his greatsword.
“My proud comrades must have departed with satisfaction, right?”
Taesan nodded his head. Ratran smiled faintly.
“That is enough. I thought those beings called Gods were useless... but this time is different. I must express my gratitude.”
“You are more interested in a Duel than in killing me.”
Considering their role as protectors of the Labyrinth, not agreeing to the god's Trial would be the correct answer. The chances of victory would be much higher if they all moved at once to pressure Taesan. But the Orcs did not do that.
All twenty Orcs had agreed to the Trial.
“What's the use in killing you?”
Ratran had a look that said, why should I?
“We are slaves bound to this place. Forget a glorious battle, we do not even know when we will be liberated. And yet, you, who can show us not only liberation but also a glorious death, you want us to trample you with our own hands? To do something so meaningless and worthless?”
Ratran’s teeth are bared.
“I cannot do that.”
Madness creeps onto his face.
“That must not happen. You must show us glory.”
The air sharply nips at his skin.
“Warrior! Show me your strength!”
[The opponent is a difficult foe. Your Craving for Battle has been activated.]
[You have activated Contempt for the Strong. You receive a Difficult Foe Judgment Bonus.]
[It is a 1:1 situation with the opponent. Your An Honorable Duel has been activated.]
The System Windows appear in a row. Ratran lets out a roar.
“And grant me death!”
[Ratran has activated Charge.]
[Ratran has activated Rage.]