Charge and Rage. These were Skills that had not appeared until now. Others would have been flustered, hesitating because they wouldn't know the effects, but Taesan was different.
He had knowledge. Taesan immediately rushed at Ratran. In response, it was Ratran who became flustered.
"Uh."
Perhaps thinking Taesan would hesitate before an unknown Skill, the tip of his sword wavered. But he quickly composed himself and pulled back his sword.
Kaaang!
A powerful force was felt from beyond the blade. In an instant, his arm was pressed down. 'As expected, this is absurd.'
To think there was such a difference. It was a monstrous strength. He literally was not a Monster of the 5th Floor.
It was the same as saying a normal Player shouldn't even try to fight him. But Taesan was not a normal Player. The three Skills that activated at the start of the battle with Ratran.
Craving for Battle improved all his action speed, Attack Power, and Defense Power when facing a Difficult Foe, and Contempt for the Strong also gave him a Stat bonus against a Difficult Foe. Since it was a 1-on-1 situation, An Honorable Duel also activated, raising his Stats. The Goblin Lord had given him much.
Taesan confirmed the increase in his Stats. With the activation of three Skills, all his Stats had risen by about 20. It was an increase of nearly 30%. Taesan rushed toward Ratran.
Kagak.
This time, he wasn't pushed back. Their strengths were perfectly equal.
"Hup!"
Ratran swung his greatsword wide. It was a movement that seemed to invite an attack, and Taesan obliged. There was no reason to waste an opportunity to attack without any burden.
The Damage windows popped up one after another. In an instant, over 200 Damage was dealt. Ratran's eyes gleamed.
The greatsword moved grandly. He gripped it with both hands and brought it down in a standard stance.
[Ratran has activated Power Strike.]
[Ratran has activated Parry Negation.]
The same strike as before. On top of that, the opening was huge. It was a clumsy attack that, if blocked and countered, would result in massive Damage.
But Taesan did not block and immediately created distance. The greatsword cut through the empty air in vain, and Taesan took out his Magic Staff.
[You have activated Fireball.]
Flames flew toward Ratran. Fireball was a good Magic, but that was only true in the early stages. With Ratran's Stats, he should be able to cut through it with ease.
But Ratran went out of his way to dodge the Fireball. Taesan, as if he knew this would happen, had already taken out his bow.
Pipiping!
Arrows were shot. Fired with an Agility of over 100, dozens of arrows instantly filled the space. Faced with a rain of arrows that left no room to dodge, Ratran had no choice but to move his sword.
Kagagak!
With a single swing of the greatsword, all the arrows fell. The attack had failed, but Taesan was calm. Ratran wore a bewildered expression.
"You, do you know about it?"
"Perhaps."
Taesan put his bow away. Charge, which enables the use of a specific Skill. And Rage, which deals more Damage the more you are hit.
It's a Skill that can be used with Power Strike, and the moment it hits, it deals damage beyond imagination. On top of that, there was Parry Negation. Clashing weapons normally doesn't result in a damage Judgment, but the Parry Negation skill can pierce through that.
If I had blocked it normally without knowing anything, half my Health would have been gone. But Taesan knew. That he shouldn't block that.
And that since it was an attack Judgment, even blocking something like an arrow would expend the Power Strike.
"Hmm."
Ratran held his weapon hesitantly. Normally, he would have gained a great advantage, but thanks to Taesan's perfect response, he had only suffered a loss.
"It seems these kinds of tricks won't work."
This is where it truly begins. Ratran moved his sword with a serious expression. A Swordsmanship close to perfection unfolded.
Taesan struck back. After a few exchanges, Ratran noticed.
"You have no Swordsmanship."
Ratran smiled faintly and moved his sword. A technique that had reached its peak unfolded. Just as he said, Taesan had no proper technique.
But Taesan had faced more than nine beings who possessed techniques. He had developed enough ways to counter them. Taesan threw his body toward the wavering tip of Ratran's sword.
[You have activated Counter.]
His body moved automatically, responding to the opponent's technique. Aiming for an opening, he cut the opponent's thigh. A strange light appeared on Ratran's face.
"Hoh?"
Counter's duration ended. Instead of blocking the sword aimed at his head, he charged forward.
[You have activated Deflection.]
The attack's trajectory twisted and struck Taesan's shoulder. A stab wound appeared on Ratran's chest.
[43 Damage to you.]
[45 Damage to Ratran.]
An exchange of Damage was made. A smile formed on Ratran's lips. He roughly pulled back his greatsword.
[Ratran has activated Power Strike.]
Power Strike.
It cannot be deflected by Deflection. Taesan created distance. The sword grazed past his nose, and he immediately kicked off the ground.
[You have activated Acceleration.]
At a speed that instantly doubled, he dug into Ratran. He plunged his sword into the chest of Ratran, who had yet to recover from the weight of his swing.
[56 Damage to Ratran.]
Kagang!
A look of admiration appeared on the face of Ratran, who had pushed Taesan away.
"You use Skills as if they were Swordsmanship."
He activated them like his own limbs, with perfect timing, without a single opening. It was truly an ideal use.
"I've used them for half my life."
Taesan replied as he brought his sword down. Ratran swung his to deflect it.
[Ratran has activated Power Strike.]
[You have activated Power Strike.]
Jjeong!
Both used Power Strike. The one who used more Mana and skill would win. Taesan pressed down on Ratran and slashed him.
His Health was not consumed at all. His Mana was also plentiful. If he defeated him, he would Level Up and recover everything.
Then there was no need to conserve it. Having made his decision, Taesan pressed his attack. He stabbed with his sword, struck with his shield, and pushed with his shoulder.
Ratran also responded. He struck with the hilt of his greatsword and pressed with his heavy body. Taesan's Health was dropping quickly, but Ratran's was decreasing even faster.
He knocked away the weapon Ratran was swinging.
Teong!
"Ugh!"
The effect of the Scroll of Engraving. Ratran's arm flew up high. He plunged his sword right into his chest.
[You have activated Acceleration.]
He charged forward just like that. Acceleration's Judgment applied even in close quarters. Ratran was pushed back by Taesan's strength.
Soon, he hit a wall.
Kuuung!
"Keoheok!"
Ratran coughed up blood. Taesan pulled out his sword and stepped back. The battle was over.
A look of regret settled on Ratran's face.
"I should have fought purely. By trying some clumsy tricks, I only suffered a loss."
If Ratran hadn't used Charge and Rage, and had only fought purely with Swordsmanship and Power Strike, it would have taken more time. But since Taesan knew all the Skills, he could respond easily. Because of that, it was actually simpler.
"Still, it was a satisfying fight. This is a sufficiently glorious death."
Ratran, with a pleased laugh, threw a bead.
"I thank you. This is a reward for the victor."
The life faded from Ratran's face.
"Go now. Warrior. Seize victory..."
Ratran closed his mouth. A Soul departed from the body.
[You have defeated the Boss of the 5th Floor. You have obtained the basic Reward [brilliantly decorated ornamental sword].]
[You have discovered a Hidden Element of the 5th Floor. You have obtained the Reward [Uh??].]
[Your Level has risen.]
[You have acquired a Rune of Strength.]
[Balthazar is greatly pleased.]
He was victorious. The 5th Floor was now over. He had cleared Balthazar’s Trial.
As if in response, a flood of System Windows appeared. Taesan began to sort through them one by one. First, the Level Up Reward.
Health 30. Strength 7. Agility 5. Mana 4. Perhaps because he had mainly fought Orcs, the increase in Strength and Health was noticeable. And the Difficult Foe Victory Reward.
Health 20. Strength 5. Agility 5. The Soul Rank Ascension Reward was Health 10. Strength 6. Agility 4. Mana 3. And on top of this, from Craving for Victory, Health 20. Strength 4. Agility 4. In total, it was 80 Health, 22 Strength, 18 Agility, and 7 Mana.
It was an unbelievable amount of increase to gain from a single victory. And Ratran was a Named Monster who used Skills. Soul Rank Ascension activated once again.
[Your Soul Rank Ascension has activated. Proficiency for Power Strike increases by 5%.]
[Your Soul Rank Ascension has activated. You have obtained the Special Active Skill [Charge].]
The Proficiency for Power Strike went up. On top of that, he also obtained the Charge Skill.
[Special Active Skill: Charge] [Mana Cost: 4] [Proficiency: 1%] [Can increase the power of specific Skills.]
A simple explanation. It could be used when linked with other Skills. It was a Skill that would gradually become more useful starting from the middle floors.
And the basic reward for the 5th Floor.
[brilliantly decorated ornamental sword] [Attack Power + 5] [An ornamental sword. It's needlessly sharp.]
Attack Power 5. It was on par with Rakiratas's blade. Also, its size was small, a one-handed sword. Meaning, he could equip one in each hand.
"Not bad."
Honestly, he didn't have much need for a shield right now. It was more beneficial to equip two swords to increase his Attack Power and kill things faster. Satisfied, Taesan checked the other rewards.
He postponed the Secret Reward. Things like that were meant to be checked last. There was a being who had been anxious to give him a reward for a while now.
[Balthazar is greatly pleased. He wishes to give you a fitting reward.]
Even through the System Window, it was clear he was delighted. The Ghost grumbled as if it was absurd.
[Right. He would be happy. Who else could pull something like this off.]
A Monster on the 5th Floor with All Stats over 100. If it hadn't been Taesan, he would have died without even clearing the 4th Floor.
[Balthazar's domain of interference has shrunk.]
[Balthazar gives you a reward. You have received [Fighting Spirit's Belt].]
[You have cleared the Enhanced Trial. An additional reward follows.]
[You have obtained the Special Passive Skill [Proof of Victory].]
[Balthazar proposes an Apostle’s Contract to you.]
"I decline."
Taesan refused immediately. Balthazar, on the contrary, seemed pleased.
[Balthazar is delighted by your choice.]
Whether it meant 'the one that got away seems bigger,' it seemed he wished for the one he acknowledged not to accept so easily.
[Balthazar awaits your next meeting.]
[You have received the Title [The Acknowledged One].]
The massive presence departed. The Ghost let out a small breath, and Taesan began to check.
[Fighting Spirit's Belt] [Attack Power + 3] [Defense Power + 3] [Recovers 5 Health and Mana upon each victory.]
[A belt that Balthazar bestows only upon those he acknowledges.]
"As expected, it's good."
A belt.
Equipment that could only be obtained much later. On top of that, it was a piece of equipment where it was hard to find a good one, as many of them had only clumsy Stats attached. Taesan equipped the belt with a satisfied expression.
The Gods were beings who gave certain rewards. The hardship had been worthwhile. And the Passive Skill.
Proof of Victory.
[Special Passive Skill: Proof of Victory] [Proficiency: 1%] [You have overcome and proven your strength. Designate one Stat to continuously increase.]
"Does this mean a Stat increases every time I win?"
He would have to check the exact details to know for sure, but that seemed to be the meaning. If so, the Stat to choose was already decided.
"Mana."
[Proof of Victory has been designated to Mana.]
The more Mana, the better. For other Players it might be different, but for Taesan, Mana was more important than Strength or Intelligence. He needed to check the rate of increase, but it was a definite win.
A Skill that increased on its own without him having to worry about it was always right. And the Secret Room reward. With the Labyrinth changing, a Treasure Chest was placed in the Boss Room.
Inside it was a small dagger.
[Blade of Self-Harm] [A reverse-bladed sword that only hurts oneself.]
[You can consume Health to store it.]
[Health 0/500] "Is it a type of Potion?"
Taesan immediately cut his forearm with the blade. The blood that welled up was quickly absorbed when it touched the blade.
[Health 20/500] Health consumed was 20. Health filled was also 20. A 1:1 ratio.
Considering that such Items usually came with a loss, this was a top-tier Item. If he filled it up in advance, he could use it effectively in an emergency. As a reward from a Secret Room, it was sufficiently satisfying.
He checked the rewards for a long time. Yet, it wasn't over. There were still many rewards left.
Taesan checked the Rune of Strength that Ratran had given him at the end.