82. 14th Floor, Guides of Sin (5) "From you? I don't want much. If I had to say, Experience and Stats?"
Taesan drew his sword. The Adventurers retreated, letting out screams filled with Fear. However, the young man who had first appeared was looking at Taesan with unwavering eyes.
Taesan let out a smirk.
"You seem like the easiest one to talk to. Are you the representative?"
"For now, I am."
The young man answered calmly. If Taesan wished it, he could tear them all to shreds. Running would be useless.
Since they couldn't go down past the 20th Floor, their refuge was obvious. It wouldn't be long before they met their end. But instead of plunging his sword into them, Taesan called out to them with words.
The young man thought that he must want something from them. And the young man's guess was correct. Taesan stroked his chin and asked.
"What's your name?"
"It's Gagorath."
He had asked for his name. If he intended to kill him right away, there would be no need to know it, which meant he planned to let him live. The young man inwardly sighed in relief.
Taesan sheathed his sword.
"I was originally going to kill you all, but I figured it wouldn't be very meaningful."
His Level had risen significantly, so there wasn't a big difference between him and them now. Even if he defeated them all, his Level or Stats wouldn't rise much.
"You guys. You don't want to die, do you?"
Everyone nodded.
Though they were all prepared for death, they had no intention of dying so meaninglessly like this.
Taesan spoke.
"I'll spare you, but I have one order. Do not send my information to the Guides of Sin."
"By that, you mean..."
"Exactly what I said. Make sure the ones at the bottom don't know about me."
Those at the very bottom probably wouldn't be interested in the events of the second rank. However, if over twenty Adventurers died, they wouldn't remain indifferent. What's more, even an adventurer from the third rank had died.
Taesan's information must have already been passed on to some extent. So, the 13th Floor would realize that someone from the 30th Floor had been killed. Then, no matter how arrogant they were, they wouldn't just stand by and watch.
Whether out of interest or hostility, they would feel something. They might even come down themselves. That would be troublesome.
As strong as he was, he was not yet at a Level to face those at the bottom. So, he would use these people to create confusion about that information. Gagorath organized his thoughts with a calmer look in his eyes.
"You're telling us to deliver false information."
"Correct. They won't care much whether the information you give them is true or false. You can just send them a suitable lie, can't you?"
"That... is true."
In the first place, Gagorath himself had never met the High Council directly. He only communicated through intermediaries, so if he wanted to lie, it was entirely possible.
"So, tell them. That I died at your hands. That we took each other out, along with the adventurer from the 30th Floor."
Gagorath gulped.
It wasn't an impossible task. It was entirely possible. But if so, it was the same as telling him to help Taesan descend.
He was a Guide of Sin. It was an act that went directly against the group's objective. As if reading his thoughts, Taesan smirked.
"It's not like you joined because you wanted to, is it?"
Gagorath gave a bitter smile. Taesan's words were not wrong. They held no obsession with protecting the Labyrinth.
Even if they had, it vanished the moment they were blocked at the 20th Floor. They had only accepted the offer to join because it felt like they would be killed if they didn't. Gagorath neatly cleared his thoughts.
"I accept."
"Good."
Taesan grinned broadly. The binding killing intent dissipated, and they gasped for breath.
"Just in case, if any of you send information to the bottom, I plan to kill you all, so you'd better not try anything funny."
"You don't have to worry about that. The one who would do such a thing is already dead by your hands."
"That's great."
Having finished organizing things, Taesan spoke to the Ghost.
"Is this okay?"
[I don't care. The ones who killed me weren't worthless trash like these guys, but the ones below.]
The Ghost looked at Taesan with an expectant expression. Taesan took a step back.
"Do as you please."
[Good. Hey. Weakling.]
"...It's a nickname I haven't heard in a long time."
Gagorath smiled bitterly. The Hero had called him that when he was alive. He hadn't expected him to still remember.
[Yeah. You. Long time no see.]
"Do you resent me?"
[Why would I resent you for what you did? I don't even care.]
The Ghost said indifferently and then ground his teeth.
[I may not know about the bedwetter, but you should know. Who was the head that ordered my death?]
The one who had contributed the most to killing the Hero.
[Don't tell me you don't know. There's no way that information wouldn't have reached you, the Manager of Rank.]
After a moment of silence, Gagorath opened his mouth.
"We disliked you. You knew that, didn't you?"
[How could I not? When weaklings show such jealousy.]
The Ghost scoffed. He had descended to the Depths in a relatively short amount of time. To those who had been stuck on a particular floor for a long time, he was an object of envy, jealousy, and hatred.
"But there weren't many who tried to do anything to you. You were strong, and you could have been helpful to us. Then, one person made a suggestion."
Gagorath looked at the Ghost.
"To kill you. There was some resistance, but it wasn't long before your death was decided."
[Who was that bastard?]
"You might be better off not knowing."
[I'll be the one to decide that.]
At the irritated response, Gagorath spoke softly.
"A woman who inherited the bloodline of the Cursed Kingdom. The Ashen Lady. Societte Gardenia."
The Ghost's body shook violently.
[...She did that to me?]
"At least, that's what I heard."
[Why?]
The Ghost's voice was filled only with question. Gagorath shook his head.
"I don't know. That's why I was surprised when I heard it too. She was the only one in the High Council who was on good terms with you."
[...]
The Ghost fell silent, as if in shock.
"If you follow him, you will meet her. I hope you can resolve your questions."
Speaking softly, Gagorath turned his body. The others, with relieved faces, also began to cautiously turn back. Taesan stopped them.
"Where are you going?"
"Huh?"
"You still have something to give me."
Gagorath gulped.
Seeing the Fear creeping back into their faces, Taesan waved his hand.
"Information up to the 20th Floor."
"Ah..."
Gagorath's face showed he understood. Since they were permitted up to the 20th Floor, they had grasped everything about it. It was natural for Taesan, who was on his way up, to want that information.
They confessed all the information they knew. From Secret Rooms to the Altar of a God. And even the NPCs that existed.
"When you reach the 16th Floor, there will be an empty room. A blacksmith is there."
Taesan's eyes gleamed. It was finally time to meet the reason he had been gathering materials all this time.
"Alright. You can go now."
"...Yes. Thank you."
They left.
It wouldn't be long before the news of Taesan's death reached the High Council. All that remained were Taesan and the Ghost, who had fallen into silence.
[Kang Taesan [Alone]: Congratulations.]
[Lee Tae-yeon [Alone]: Ye, yes...]
[Kang Jun-hyeok [Alone]: We won! We won! We won!]
Lee Tae-yeon, looking somewhat dazed, replied. Kang Jun-hyeok posted excitedly. The reason for their reactions was simple.
They had passed the Trial of the God of Victory, Balthazar.
[Kang Taesan [Alone]: How does it feel?]
[Lee Tae-yeon [Alone]: Um... I'm bewildered. To be honest, it still hasn't sunk in that I cleared it.]
[Kang Jun-hyeok [Alone]: It feels great! I cleared that crazy thing! And I got the reward for it too! I'm so happy!]
Taesan chuckled at their completely opposite reactions. After chattering noisily and calming down a bit, Lee Tae-yeon showed a sense of relief.
[Lee Tae-yeon [Alone]: I managed to survive somehow.]
[Kang Taesan [Alone]: What was it like?]
The unenhanced Trial of Balthazar. Taesan was curious too. Lee Tae-yeon replied.
[Lee Tae-yeon [Alone]: It was about facing what you fear the most. For me, a giant spider appeared and attacked me. Ugh. It was horrible.]
[Kang Jun-hyeok [Alone]: For me, it was an elephant.]
[Lee Tae-yeon [Alone]: You're scared of an elephant? They're cute.]
[Kang Jun-hyeok [Alone]: You can say that because you didn't see it. Do you know how scary it is when a creature that big comes to trample you?]
Watching their trivial conversation, Taesan thought. 'Win against what you fear the most. Is this a trial befitting the God of Victory?'
It seemed to imply that one should face an enemy that makes their body shrink, their breath shorten, and sweat pour out at first sight, then gather their wits and achieve victory. It made sense to some extent. 'What would have appeared for me?'
It could have been the Apostle he saw at the end. Or perhaps the giant monster he saw in the sky. With a small question in mind, Taesan posted.
[Kang Taesan [Alone]: Is the reward enough?]
[Lee Tae-yeon [Alone]: It's more than enough.]
The basic reward from the God of Victory, Balthazar, was the Fighting Spirit's Belt. Its performance was Attack Power and Defense Power +3, and it restored Health and Mana upon victory. The Attack Power was meaningless to anyone but Taesan, but the recovery was of great value.
Especially for Lee Tae-yeon and Kang Jun-hyeok, who had no particular recovery skills, it would be even more significant.
[Lee Tae-yeon [Alone]: I understand why you told me to get it, Taesan. The Difficult Foe Reward makes a huge difference.]
[Kang Taesan [Alone]: Still, don't overdo it. Capricious gods always exist, so it's probably best to receive things in moderation.]
After giving some appropriate advice and information about Secret Rooms, he closed the community forums. Taesan opened his mouth.
"Are you ready to talk now?"
[Do I have to?]
"You have to."
Taesan said leisurely to the sharp voice.
"I don't want a quest I've diligently progressed to fail because of the whims of the person involved."
The Ghost's quest description stated that it was determined by the Ghost's mood. Taesan had no intention of leaving any variables. The Ghost silently wavered.
A voice echoed from within the shimmering remnant.
[It's not a grand story. I came here from a ruined world. There was nothing but monsters, and the only ones I could talk to were either madmen or idiots, so I didn't even want to speak to them.]
He didn't say it properly, but it must have been quite painful. Humans are social animals, and not interacting with others can cause mental problems.
[She was one of the few women I could talk to. We had a certain sense of kinship since we were in similar circumstances.]
"Did you like her?"
[...There were feelings. Though not to that extent.]
The Ghost said calmly. The emotion in his voice had diminished compared to before.
[But if she was the one who played the biggest part in my death, then I must do what I have to do. I'm just curious. Why she did it.]
"Then that's settled."
He would be able to meet her once he went down. Taesan descended a floor and met the Dwarf. The Dwarf was flustered to see Taesan.
"Oh, you're here?"
"You said you would give me a new quest from here. I've come to receive it."
Another quest in place of Penalty Play. The Dwarf had said he would give him that. But the Dwarf hesitated before barely managing to speak.
"Sorry, but I can't give it to you."
"What?"
"No, it's not that I don't want to give it to you."
The Dwarf said, as if making an excuse.
"I told you, right? I'm a being bound here, so I have restrictions. It was fine before, but was it when you were going down a floor? Suddenly, I was blocked from doing it. So I'm pretty flustered right now too."
"Suddenly?"
"Yeah."
Taesan tapped his cheek. He had a rough idea of the reason. 'Is it because of my Level?'
Taesan's current Level was 41. That wasn't a Level that could be obtained on the 14th Floor. It was because he had won against Adventurers as he descended the floors. His Stats were one thing, but perhaps a restriction was placed because his Level had also become unbalanced.
It was an understandable part, so Taesan nodded his head.
"Then it can't be helped."
"Hmm... but it was a promise, so it's not much of a substitute, but how much do you have right now?"
"I have about thirty thousand Gold."
"Then I'll take twenty thousand Gold off. Take this."
The Dwarf threw a ring. Taesan caught it reflexively.
[Purple Ring: Hongyeong] [All Stats +3%] [A ring that has received the power of the sun until the water dripping on a rock pulverizes it.]
"...Really?"
"It's true that I couldn't keep my promise. I have to reward you for that."
The Dwarf said calmly. Taesan accepted the ring with a bewildered feeling. Even though it was reduced by 50% through Penalty Play, it was still 50,000 Gold.
He thought he would only be able to buy it after descending about 20 floors, but he never imagined he would obtain it like this.
"Thank you."
Still, it was a good thing, so he quietly wrapped it up. A profit of twenty thousand Gold. He didn't know what kind of quest it would have been, but it would have been hard for it to be better than this.
"So, are you going to go down now?"
"There's nothing else to do."
The Dwarf, who had been observing Taesan for a moment, burst into a dry laugh.
"I see why the restriction was placed. It won't even take an hour."
"See you next time."
15th Floor.
As he cleared the entry quest, Taesan thought. 'There's nothing to gain.' Skills could only be obtained when one's rank was somewhat similar to the opponent's. Until now, his Level wasn't that high, so it was possible to acquire them, but now his Level had become too high.
Acquiring skills was impossible. So, he would descend quickly. Until he could obtain skills, to a floor where Soul Rank Ascension would activate normally.
He had gotten information from the second rank Adventurers, so there was nothing to block him. He knew the locations of all the Secret Rooms up to the 20th Floor. Taesan, who had been descending leisurely, passed through the room with quick steps.
Leveling up through battle.