"I think I could go down using only Magic."
A Lizardman Fighter was an enemy one could only meet after reaching at least the 70th Floor in Easy Mode. He had defeated such a Monster using only Magic. The possibility was more than enough.
[Magic is a complete power in itself. There are guys who've actually gone down to The Depths. A guy I know went down to the 70th Floor, so it's not impossible.]
He had obtained a Skill on par with Swordsmanship. Considering the unique characteristics of Magic, he would likely be able to overcome many of the difficulties he had struggled with. And by defeating the Boss, he obtained various Rewards.
[You have defeated an enemy using only Magic. You have obtained the Special Passive Skill [Magic Chanting].]
Perhaps because he had used Magic properly, he was able to obtain a Skill related to Magic.
[Special Passive Skill: Magic Chanting] [Proficiency: 1%] [The speed of chanting Magic is reduced. It seems to be a difference that is not yet noticeable.]
Magic had a very slight casting time. The higher the level of Magic, the longer the time would likely become. It was a good effect to have.
[You have achieved a perfect victory. You have obtained the Special Passive Skill [Complete Victory].]
"I guess I got this because I won without even laying a hand on it."
Complete Victory.
Its effect was simple.
[Special Passive Skill: Complete Victory] [Proficiency: 1%] [Applies a forced intimidation Judgment against an enemy of an overwhelmingly different level.]
Intimidation was a good Judgment that dulled the target's action speed and thoughts. This Skill forced it upon them. If its Proficiency rose, it was a good Skill that could even be used on enemies of the same level.
Two Skills like that. And by defeating the Boss, his Level increased.
[Your Level has increased.]
[You have entered an Optimal Condition.]
[As a Level Up Reward, Health has increased by 40.] [As a Level Up Reward, Strength has permanently increased by 4. Agility has permanently increased by 5.] [Your Soul Rank Ascension has been activated. Strength permanently increases by 3. Agility permanently increases by 3.] The increase from Soul Rank Ascension was not very high.
The gap between the Fighter and Taesan now was too large. Naturally, there was no Difficult Foe victory. To hope for that after defeating it so easily would be shameless.
"Still, it's a bit of a shame."
Taesan licked his lips and checked the Item dropped by the Boss.
[Fighter's Necklace] [Strength +3] [Agility +1] [A necklace worn by the Fighter for a long time.]
"It's not bad."
For a necklace, the Stats were quite high, so normally he would have been happy to wear it. But the Goblin Lord's necklace was too good.
"I'll have to offer this as a Tribute."
It wasn't a bad Item, so it would serve as a decent Tribute.
[You have defeated the Boss of the 6th Floor. Basic Reward [You have obtained the Scroll of Engraving].]
[You have identified the Hidden Element of the 6th Floor. You have obtained the Reward [???].]
He would save the Scroll of Engraving for now. It could be applied to any Equipment, but its effect was very small on non-main Equipment. Using it on a necklace would only make a difference of 1 or 2 Stats.
It was a waste to use on the brilliantly decorated ornamental sword, and Taesan's current armor was not very good. He planned to use it later. And the Secret Reward.
[You have used ???.]
[You have obtained the Staff of Composure.]
"A Magic Staff?"
This was the second Magic Staff he had obtained since defeating the chieftain.
[Staff of Composure] [Magic +6] [Mana consumed when using Magic -1] [It is said that Composure is the foundation of a magician. A Magic Staff that can only be used by one who upholds the basics.]
"The Mana cost is reduced?"
The Mana cost for Fireball was 3, so it would become 2, a reduction of 33% by simple calculation. Since most of the Skills he had learned so far had single-digit Mana costs, even such a small number was a huge difference.
"This is good."
He originally intended to offer the Magic Staff as a Tribute, but this changed things.
"Status Window."
[Kang Taesan] [Level: 18] [Shield: 39/39] [Health: 725/725] [Mana: 104/104] [Strength: 161] [Intelligence: 79] [Agility: 122] [Attack Power +24] [Defense Power +21] [The target is in Optimal Condition.]
His Stats were now so high it was almost unfair to compare them to his former self. More than anything, the increase in Mana stood out. He had designated Mana for the Proof of Victory, so it increased with every enemy he killed.
Since he had learned Magic and would be consuming more Mana, it had been the right choice. Taesan returned to the 6th Floor. He needed to meet Lilith and talk about Magic first.
On his way back to the Secret Room, Lilith appeared first.
"Yoo-hoo! Hi!"
"Is it okay for you to be out here?"
"I have Invisibility. Besides, you defeated them all, right? It's safe for a while."
She led the way with a joyful face.
"Follow me! I'll show you the Safe Zone!"
Following her towards the edge of the floor, there was a very small door.
"Inside here is the Safe Zone! Monsters can't come in!"
The inside was large enough for one person to stay. Taesan looked around the empty room.
"So there was a place like this."
"It's not a well-known place, right?"
It only appears as a very small room at the edge of the floor after it's been cleared. Moreover, there's nothing inside. It was at a level where even those who found it would just think it was a room they had missed and pass by.
But Lilith seemed satisfied with such a small thing, happily patting the floor.
"Alright. You came, which means you have something to offer, right? Show me!"
As she looked on with expectant eyes, Taesan took out his Inventory.
Clatter, clatter.
The numerous pieces of Equipment he had obtained so far fell out. They were decent, but things Taesan couldn't wear. At the flood of more than ten pieces of Equipment, Lilith's mouth fell shut.
"With this much, I should be able to learn one thing."
"Yeah..."
Lilith offered the Equipment one by one as Tributes with a sullen face. After about ten minutes, once the last piece of Equipment was offered, Taesan chose a Magic.
"Frost Arrow."
[You have obtained Frost Arrow.]
[Basic Magic: Frost Arrow] [Mana Cost: 3] [Proficiency: 1%] [Fires a Frost Arrow. Enemies without immunity receive greater Damage. Attempts to apply the status abnormality [Frostbite] Judgment on the target.]
The basic description was the same as Fireball. The difference was that Frost Arrow had a definite physical force. It could be useful in situations where he couldn't shoot a Bow.
"I wonder if this is possible too?"
"Huh? What is?"
Hearing Taesan's mumble, Lilith tilted her head. The Ghost, realizing the meaning of his words, let out a dry laugh.
[So your thoughts went straight there. In terms of Judgment, it should be possible.]
"Yes? Judgment? What are you talking about?"
As Lilith kept asking, the Ghost spoke playfully.
[How much Beginner Magic have you learned?]
"You know what I've learned. Nothing besides Invisibility."
Lilith groaned.
Veil of Concealment.
Basic Detection. Fireball.
Frost Arrow were all Basic Magic.
"You know, right? The difference between levels of magic is huge. As long as I can't get past the 10th Floor, I can't learn Beginner Magic. Learning Invisibility was a real miracle, you know?"
"Is the difference that big?"
"Of course! Basic Magic is just an imitation of Magic. It can be easily stored in a Magic Staff. But Beginner Magic is Magic itself that cannot be contained in anything!"
She spoke passionately.
"Compared to intermediate or advanced magic, it lacks in class, but it's still sufficiently Magic. That's why I came here, but I've only been struggling. If I hadn't even learned Invisibility, I would have really gone crazy."
She groaned like a person who had aged overnight. The Ghost held back a laugh and opened his mouth.
[You know Scorching Orb, right?]
"The higher version of Fireball? Of course, I know it. It's a fire-attribute magic that also has physical force, making it hard to deal with, right?"
[That one. This guy is learning it.]
"Yes?"
Lilith's eyes widened. Soon after, she chuckled and waved her hand dismissively.
"Aigoo. You're joking."
[Do I look like someone who would joke about something like this?]
"You have to say something that makes sense. I admit he's strong. But he's from a world without Magic. There's no way to learn it other than being taught by someone, so how could he?"
[Then check for yourself. Is that okay?]
"It doesn't matter to me."
"...... Really?"
Lilith approached with a look of disbelief. Taesan opened the System Window.
[Beginner Magic: Scorching Orb] [Mana Cost: 6] [Proficiency: 1%] [Fires a moderately sized Fireball. Enemies without immunity receive greater Damage. Attempts to apply the status abnormality [Burn] Judgment on the target. Possesses a small physical force.]
Lilith's pupils dilated.
"... What is this."
[How about it? It's real, right?]
The Ghost spoke proudly. It was as if he were boasting about how great his child was. And Lilith was in no state to pay attention to that.
"What is this. Scorching Orb. What. How could he..."
She stammered like someone who had witnessed the impossible.
"This, how on earth..."
"Should I tell you?"
"Huh?"
She paused.
After dozens of thoughts flashed through her mind in a short moment, she opened her mouth. Her face was a mixture of a magician's desire and conscience.
"If you tell me... that would be nice... but what I can do for you is..."
"It's not difficult. I'll just tell you."
It was highly likely he would have a long-term relationship with Lilith. There was no harm in making her feel favorable towards him. A look of deep gratitude appeared on Lilith's face.
"Are you perhaps an angel? Or a messenger from a god? You're going to teach me this? You be my Master!"
"But it probably won't be of much help even if you know."
"What do you mean it won't help! It's a method!"
"Well..."
It would really be of no use to her. Taesan began to explain. As the story progressed, Lilith's face twisted strangely.
After the explanation, she let out a dry laugh.
"What is that?"
[Yeah. That reaction is normal.]
"Can't you learn it?"
"Do you think a magician would do physical training? If I had the speed to keep up with a Fireball, why would I even use a Fireball? I'd just use other Magic."
Lilith groaned.
"... Still, it's not a complete bust. So there's that kind of difference in Judgment. I didn't know that. I can try a few things. Thanks."
She looked at Taesan with eyes full of admiration.
"How did you find a difference like this? Are you really an Adventurer favored by the gods?"
"I just tried various things. And I have something to ask. In Magic, what exact difference does the numerical value make?"
"Why so suddenly? Did you get something?"
Taesan showed her the Staff of Composure. After checking it, Lilith let out a gasp of admiration.
"Magic +6 and even reduced Mana cost. This is Equipment you couldn't get even on the 10th Floor."
"What kind of difference does the magic stat make?"
"It's simple. You can think of Magic + as a percentage."
"So if it's 6, does that mean 6%?"
"That's right. And this percentage applies to everything about the Magic. Duration, Judgment Bonus, power, and so on... You can think of it as everything except the Mana cost getting stronger."
"Then that's not bad."
"Not just not bad, it's great, right?"
If it was a bonus to everything and not just power, then it wasn't a simple 6%. Depending on the conditions, it could even be used as a substitute for a weapon. He had found out everything he wanted to know.
Taesan turned around. Lilith waved her hand energetically.
"See you on the 7th Floor!"
Taesan headed for the stairs leading down. Finally, the 7th Floor. It wasn't long until the 10th Floor now.
[7th Floor Quest begins.]
[Defeat the Boss of the 7th Floor and pass through.]
[Reward: Earring of a Wretched One.]
[Secret Reward: ???]
When he arrived at the entrance, the Dwarf was waiting as always.
"You're here?"
"Do you have any Powder of Blessing?"
"Nope."
He could get something with just two or three, but he couldn't obtain them. It seemed they weren't easy to get.
"Then I'll sell these."
Taesan took out the hides and teeth of Lizardmen and Big Rats. Considering the blacksmith, he needed leather, but not this much.
"That's a lot... This should be about two thousand Gold. What are you buying?"
"No." "Leaving just like that again? How much money are you trying to save?"
"Plenty."
He had saved up nearly five thousand Gold. But it was still not enough. He would probably start using it properly after passing the 10th Floor.
"See you next time."
"Well, I'm bored."
Leaving the words filled with boredom behind, Taesan walked on.
[We're on the 7th Floor.]
The Ghost said as soon as they left the Shop. Taesan let out a wry smile at the obvious change in attitude.
"You hate him that much?"
[I told you. That one only moves for his own benefit. But... you don't have to worry. My dislike for him is due to personal experience. It has nothing to do with you.]
Unlike when he spoke about the Dwarf before, his emotions seemed restrained. The Ghost erased the somber mood.
[Anyway, it's the 7th Floor. You remember the promise, right?]
"You said you'd teach me Swordsmanship when I got here."
The Ghost, who had initially refused to teach him, had said he would after Taesan defeated the Lord and reached the 7th Floor. He had said there would be no problem with his Stats from that point on. That time had now come.
[What I'm going to teach you is the Swordsmanship of my Empire.]
The Ghost had said he was a Prince of an Empire, and that he had come here to save a dying world.
[The Carbert Empire was a nation that revered strength. The weak had no worth, and if you had strength, most things were permitted. The strong oppressing the weak was very common, and it was even called the right thing to do. It was no different even for the royal family. I had six brothers.]
Those who carry the blood of the royal family fight each other for the right of succession. In the case of the Carbert Kingdom, it was not a political battle.
[I was victorious against my brothers. I plunged a sword into their necks and seized the right of succession.]
"A harsh world."
[Everyone says that. The kid Lilith said so too. How could one live in such a place? Calling it a world of barbarians. But to me, it was my one and only world.]
The Ghost said gloomily.
[I want to go back, but I can't. I've already failed the chance to save it. At the very least, leaving behind proof of my world is the minimum atonement.]
The Ghost, after composing his emotions for a moment, continued calmly.
[As it is the Swordsmanship of such a world, its characteristics are also intense. First, defense does not exist.]