_ Vol. 3, Ch. 19 69. The 12th Floor, the Goddess of Choice, Maria (1) The Dwarf was a being brought here by the Mage himself, settling in right after this place was designed. As such, he had seen countless individuals who had visited this place.
Among them were those renowned even in the outside world, those who were strong from the very beginning, and even owners of such talent that he, who had seen countless figures, was still surprised.
‘It was astounding.’
The Dwarf recalled the past. One gained a Skill with a single sword strike, and their Proficiency rose by double digits with every floor they cleared. It was, quite literally, an unbelievable Talent.
From his perspective, Taesan was exceptional. He clearly possessed Talent. If he had no Talent to begin with, he wouldn't have survived this long.
But it wasn't the greatest Talent he had ever seen. He was outstanding, but the Dwarf had seen several with Talent on Taesan's level. The world was vast, and there were even more worlds beyond it.
Everyone who entered the Labyrinth had Talent.
‘There were even mechanical races, weren't there?’
There were those who came from worlds so advanced it was incomprehensible to the Dwarf. They raced through the Labyrinth with perfect calculation and judgment. Although many of their advantages faded upon entering the Middle Floors, they were faster than any other race in the early stages.
However, not even they had ever shown the numbers Taesan was displaying now.
‘The strongest one was in the 250s.’
His were nearly twice as high. It wasn't just simple Talent. He possessed some other ability.
Unaware of Soul Rank Ascension, this was the only conclusion he could draw.
‘I want to know his Skills.’
The Dwarf licked his lips. If there was a variable at play here, it was most likely a Skill. He wished he could just rip him open and dissect him, but that was not within his permitted bounds, so he had no choice but to ask politely.
"Is this really your first time here?"
"It is."
It was indeed his first time in Alone Mode itself. The Dwarf let out a gasp at the calm reply.
"Well, I'll be..."
‘He’s not one to die easily.’
In his eyes, Taesan's ability wasn't Talent, but the ability to know his limits. The one with 250 in his Stats had died on the 74th Floor. Trying to gain everything in a divine Trial, he had taken off all his Equipment and fought with only a weapon, and died just like that.
The man with the most outstanding Talent had died on the 30th Floor. He had let his guard down against the Boss, showing an opening, and was killed by an Instant Death attack.
‘But this one won't be like that.’
Taesan had sacrificed five Stats. At first, he thought it was reckless, but after seeing the Stats, he realized even that was an act of restraint. From his perspective, Taesan could have easily touched his Attack Power and Agility as well.
‘And he wasn't just playing it safe, either.’
If he had, the Stats he had now would have been impossible. Weighing the value. In that, Taesan was perfect.
The Dwarf's eyes shone.
‘Could it be?’
At first, it was just a level of interest. An interest in how he would last a long time, how he wouldn't die easily. He had no expectations that he would clear it at all.
But if things continued like this, if Taesan descended the Labyrinth without making any major mistakes...
‘Is it possible?’
For a moment, his heart pounded. A hope he had long since given up on began to blossom. Unaware of his feelings, Taesan stared blankly.
From his point of view, the Dwarf had been lost in thought and then suddenly his eyes began to shine. Belatedly coming to his senses, the Dwarf cleared his throat.
"Well, a deal's a deal. Fine. I'll give you a 50% discount."
Taesan smiled faintly. He had thought the Dwarf might refuse, even if only a little, since he had used a bit of trickery, but his worries vanished completely.
"How do I use it?"
"Pick one piece of Equipment. I'll take 50% off that."
The choice was given to him. He already knew what he was going to buy.
[Purple Ring: Hongyeong] [All Stats +3%] [A ring that has received the power of the sun for as long as it takes for dripping water to wear away a rock.]
[100,000 G] "You're picking that one?"
"Yes."
He hadn't even considered any other equipment. Of course, they were all good pieces of equipment. If he wore them, he could probably use them for quite some time.
But were they worth spending all his money on right now? No. As he was now, he would have no trouble even up to the 20th Floor.
His Stats and Level would continue to rise, and he would acquire more Skills, so by the time he reached the 20th Floor, it was highly likely that the 25th, and maybe even the 30th Floor, would pose no problem. And by that time, the other pieces of equipment would have lost their value.
This was a place where growth accelerated, so they would become largely meaningless. However, a percentage bonus was useful at any point. Plus, since it was a ring, the slot with the most equipment pieces, its value was even higher.
"Do as you wish."
The Dwarf spoke indifferently, but inwardly, he was quite pleased. In his eyes, that was the correct move. Taesan was starting to look more and more appealing.
"But when are you going to buy it?"
"It'll take some time. I'm just keeping an eye on it for now."
He currently had about 20,000 Gold. Even after saving so diligently, it was nowhere near enough for 50,000 Gold.
Taesan realized.
'So this isn't something you're meant to buy with money in the first place.' If he hadn't accepted the Penalty, he would have barely been able to afford one by the time he reached the 30th Floor. He clicked his tongue.
'How much did she have to Grind?' Lee Tae-yeon had come out with a nearly full set of such equipment. Unlike Taesan, she hadn't done a Penalty Play, so she must have bought everything at full price.
It literally meant she had repeated the same tasks over and over, sacrificing sleep. While Taesan was marveling at her tenacity, the Dwarf was stroking his chin.
"I'll have to make a change. The Penalty ends here. I'm a merchant, after all. I don't like giving things away for free."
He accepted it calmly, as he had expected this. The Dwarf wanted to give him a reward befitting his achievements, not handouts like this. Still, he had cut the price by 50,000 Gold.
It was a huge gain no matter what.
"I'll think about it some more and let you know."
"Then I'll be on my way."
"Go on, you brat."
The Dwarf grumbled, but a pleased smile hung on his face. Leaving the Dwarf's face behind, Taesan headed for the Labyrinth. He broke through the 12th Floor just as he had the 11th.
This time, it was ghouls.
"Are ghouls stronger than Skeletons?"
[Who do you think is stronger, a guy with flesh or a guy with only bones?]
"Is that so?"
Taesan nodded, finding the reasoning plausible enough. Before long, he discovered an Altar of a God.
[You have discovered Maria’s Altar.]
[First Discovery Bonus] [Your Intelligence has permanently increased by 3. Your Mana has permanently increased by 5.] There was a statue of a goddess with her scales.
It was so colossal that it filled nearly half the room, a size that would overwhelm an ordinary person by its presence alone.
"She's calm."
One could discern the characteristics of the corresponding god from their Altar. Rakiratas's Altar, for instance, was adorned with violence and blood, as if it loved conflict. In contrast, Maria’s Altar had no particular decorations.
Only the statue of the goddess with her scales stood calmly in the room. Without an explanation, one would have had a hard time even recognizing it as an Altar of a God.
"What kind of god is she?"
Not even Lee Tae-yeon knew of every god. Maria was not among the gods she had mentioned. The Ghost trailed off.
His attitude suggested a sense of reluctance.
[She's the God of Choice, but... hmm...]
"What's wrong?"
[No, it's nothing.]
The Ghost changed the subject.
[You and I have different conditions, so I can't say for sure. Speaking only of the god and not the Trial, she's a strong god. Very much so.]
"How strong?"
[On the same level as Rakiratas.]
"I don't know what that means."
He had yet to properly witness the power of a god. The Ghost gave a bitter smile.
[You'll find out as you descend. In any case, just know this. Powerful gods are usually fickle.]
"Hmm."
Even so, nothing changed. A god's Trial offered much. He had no intention of getting scared and running away.
As Taesan approached the Altar, power poured out from the goddess's statue. A calm, yet dense and profound power began to take shape.
[Sub Quest Initiated] [Maria wishes to test you, who have come to her Altar. If you accept, a Trial will come to you. If you overcome it, a Reward will follow.]
[Maria’s domain of interference is reduced.]
[Maria proposes an Enhanced Trial to you.]
"An Enhanced Trial right away?"
There was no sign of her observing him as before. As Taesan frowned, the Ghost replied as if it were obvious.
[Word about you has probably spread to the gods. They already know everything, so there's no need to test the waters. Unlike Rakiratas, she won't screw you over in the middle of it, so don't worry.]
In any case, accepting it was a given.
[Sub Quest Initiated.]
[Maria smiles.]
[Maria's domain is reduced.]
[A Choice Window is presented to you.]
[What do you prefer?]
[Many enemies vs. A few enemies.]
Taesan paused at the unexpected System Window.
"What is this?"
[Just as her title says, she's the God of Choice. Pick what you want.]
It felt unsettling. There was no right answer as to what consequences this choice would bring. The atmosphere suggested the Ghost wouldn't answer even if he asked.
After a moment of thought, Taesan made his choice.
"A few enemies."
If there's no right answer, answer honestly. That was Taesan's way of thinking. Moreover, the gods had, on several occasions, acted as if they could read his memories.
There was no reason to needlessly get on a god's bad side. Another Choice Window appeared.
[Many types of enemies VS Few types of enemies.]
"Few types."
It was easier to deal with enemies who cleanly used only swords rather than those who complicated things with Magic, bewitching, swords, and arrows all at once.
[Combat with movement. VS Combat without movement.]
"Combat with movement."
He preferred to fight while dodging here and there. He utilized his surroundings to the fullest. The choices kept coming.
Quantity or small waves, spear-wielding enemies or magic-wielding enemies. They were all about combat. Taesan's expression grew more and more uneasy.
But he couldn't take back his choices now. He answered honestly, just as he had been doing. After about ten more questions like that, the choices finally stopped.
[Maria is satisfied.]
Clang!
The statue of the goddess disappears. The room instantly expands. Taesan is left alone in a room that has doubled in size.
Gurgle. Monsters appear.
Seeing their numbers, Taesan's face contorts. There are so many of them. The monsters filled the widened room, leaving no empty space.
And each one was distinct. A large one, a small one like a child, one with long arms. One floating in the air, and so on.
There were so many different types.
Kiiing.
A red circular barrier envelops Taesan. It's an area he could cross in about two large strides.
[If you move beyond this space, you will be defeated.]
"Son of a..."
His words were cut short. The monsters charged all at once. With an annoyed expression, Taesan gets into his stance.
He draws his Dual Swords and enhances his senses.
[You have activated No Breath Attack.]
First, he removes the restriction of breathing and analyzes the attacks. A Goblin in front. An Ogre to the left.
A Lizardman to the right. Behind him, an unknown spear-wielding Monster. He plans his path and moves.
He twists the Goblin's neck and strikes the Ogre's face. He lowers his waist to dodge the spears of the Lizardman and the unknown Monster, then kicks them.
"Kaak!"
"Kii-ek!"
The monsters went flying, but Taesan frowned. They were clearly stronger than the monsters he usually encountered. It meant they had been enhanced by the Trial.
As they flew away, new monsters thrust their weapons at him. Taesan tried to back away to create distance, but the red barrier blocked his movement.
"Damn it."
It was certain. The Trial had begun in a form that was the exact opposite of everything he had chosen, everything he preferred.
‘So this is why she’s the God of Choice.’
There were many monsters among them that he didn't recognize. There were even some that looked like they had no business appearing on such a low floor. A skeleton flying right above Taesan muttered something, and a Magic Chanting began.
Taesan took out a Dagger he was carrying temporarily and threw it. The knife lodged in the skeleton's head, disrupting the magic. He immediately lowered his stance and kicked off the ground.
His body flew through the air. The skeleton, which had been struggling to pull out the embedded dagger, flinched.
"Die."
Kwajik.
The skeleton shattered.
[Your Proof of Struggle has been activated.]
Leveling up through battle