- Volume 4, Chapter 13 88. 20th Floor, Death Knight Lord (1) In front of the Altar, the Ghost spoke.
[They call him the Demon God, but his essence is demonic energy itself. A being who presides over all demonic energy.]
The Demon God, Lucifer. Perhaps that was why demonic energy was flowing from the Altar. The amount was small, but it was incredibly dense.
[First Discovery Bonus] [Intelligence has permanently increased by 3. Mana has permanently increased by 10.] [Altar of Lucifer] [An Altar made by those who serve Lucifer. It is a passage connected to the god. Lucifer can exert his influence through this place.]
“Do you know what kind of trial it is?”
[Uh…]
The Ghost’s words trailed off.
[Actually, I don’t know either.]
“You didn’t receive it?”
[You should know that a god gives a trial suited to their domain. So, what kind of trial do you think the Demon God would give?]
Taesan understood from the Ghost’s words.
“Is he a god who only gives trials to demons?”
[Not necessarily, but the standards for humans would be impossibly high.]
The God of Victory gave a trial of victory, the God of Conflict gave a trial of combat, and the Goddess of Choice gave a trial of choice. The Demon God would naturally give a trial related to demonic energy. And humans had no connection to demonic energy.
It was highly likely the Demon God would not find any value in giving him a trial. He understood, but that put him in a difficult position.
“So I can’t receive the trial either?”
He had sought the Demon God’s Altar to learn Dark Magic. But to come all this way and be told he couldn’t learn it was baffling.
[I couldn't receive it, but it might be a different story for you. In any case, you were victorious against demons and even obtained Dark Magic, so Lucifer must know. Even if that weren't the case, he would at least make contact.]
He had cleared all the Enhanced Trials given by various gods. Not only that, but Maria had even personally invited him. No god would stand by idly just because it wasn't their domain in such a situation.
That's what the Ghost thought.
[The only problem is… we have no idea what kind of trial it will be.]
“I’ll have to come back later.”
[Going to strengthen your weapon first?]
“I don’t know what kind of trial it is.”
There was no information. So it seemed best to get as strong as he could before proceeding. Even if the trial was enhanced to match Taesan, there was a clear difference between having many options and having few.
Taesan finished clearing the 19th Floor. As it was the floor of the Lich, the Secret Rooms, Clear Reward, and Secret Reward were all equipment related to Magic. With the thought of taking them all to Lilith later, he entered the 20th Floor.
The Monsters on the 20th Floor were Death Knights. Knights of death who wielded swords, they possessed considerable Swordsmanship skills. Of course, it meant nothing to Taesan.
Crack.
He smashed the sword away and pierced its chest. Black energy erupted and scattered in all directions. Their Levels were similar, so Soul Rank Ascension was activating, but the gap in their Stats was far too great.
There was no way he would struggle now. While breaking through, he found a Guide of Sin. Gagorath, who seemed to be passing by, flinched upon seeing Taesan as he moved between rooms.
“I told you I wouldn’t kill you.”
“…The weak can only ever worry about the whims of the strong.”
Gagorath gave a bitter smile.
“To think you’ve come this far already…”
“I’m passing through.”
Taesan walked past him. Gagorath spoke to Taesan’s back.
“Will you be heading down to the 21st Floor right away?”
“No. I’ll stay for a bit.”
He planned to combine his equipment, meet Lilith, and then clear the Demon God’s trial before going down.
“Then there is something I must tell you before you leave.”
“I know.”
Taesan left Gagorath behind and entered another room. He found the Secret Rooms and cleared the rooms roughly, leaving just one untouched. Then, he entered the Boss Room.
[A Death Knight has appeared.]
The name was the same. But it was stronger. The roughly swung sword strikes held enough power to clash with Taesan to some extent.
Crack.
But the result was the same as before. Its sword was sent flying by his strength, and it flailed, unable to keep up with his speed. Since his time on the 8th Floor, Taesan had been able to defeat an adventurer of the 20th Floor.
Now that he had reached the 20th Floor, there was no way the Boss of the 20th Floor could be his opponent. He defeated the Boss without any trouble.
[Man… this isn’t supposed to be cleared so easily…]
“Fighting the Guides of Sin in the middle was a big help.”
Normally, he wouldn’t have been able to overwhelm it like this. It was only possible because he had been able to raise his Stats and Level tremendously by fighting the Guides of Sin. System Windows popped up.
He grew noticeably stronger each time he cleared a theme. It wasn't a huge boost for the current Taesan, but it wasn't a meaningless number either. But Taesan skimmed through the System Windows, checking for something.
“As I thought, it’s not here.”
The Secret Reward, the reward obtained when one uncovered all the Hidden Elements of a floor. That System Window was nowhere to be seen. Taesan quietly surveyed the room.
[You had a strong premonition.]
Along with the Premonition, a single brick entered Taesan’s vision. The red of that brick was paler than the others. Taesan pressed the brick.
Drrrk.
The brick pushed in, and a passage soon appeared.
[…Come to think of it, I couldn’t get the Secret Reward on the 20th Floor either.]
“I knew it.”
From the First Floor to the 10th Floor, there were quite a few Named Monsters. But from the 11th Floor to the 20th Floor, only NPCs were present, with not a single Named Monster. He had a feeling there would be at least one on the 20th Floor, and his feeling was correct.
Taesan stepped inside. A Death Knight was there.
[Death Knight King, Valoran has appeared.]
“A Lord-class.”
Lord-class and King-class monsters are overwhelmingly stronger than the average of their species. Taesan had felt the threat of death several times while facing Hage-Ha, who couldn't even leave his chair due to his crippled legs.
[Your An Honorable Duel has been activated.]
Valoran opened his mouth.
[You’ve come.]
A low, sunken voice echoed.
[You must be the Ghost of a Hero.]
[You know me?]
[The Sage often spoke of you. He said you were strong, but a pitiful and weak being.]
[…You met that guy?]
There was a huge difference between the 10th and 20th Floors.
Valoran chuckled.
[What of it. This is a secret between us. As one who is bound, I should be allowed this much freedom.]
Valoran wiped the smile from his face and turned his gaze. The red light within his black helmet focused on Taesan.
[So you are my enemy. You are strong indeed. I see no chance of victory.]
“For someone who says that, you sound quite pleased.”
His voice was laced with a joy even Taesan could recognize.
[This is a hidden room. Not easily found.]
With a gloomy voice tinged with madness, Valoran drew his greatsword and stood up.
[It’s been hundreds of years since anyone found this place.]
Valoran launched himself forward. He closed the distance to Taesan with great speed, as if conversation was unnecessary. Taesan pulled his arm back.
Sword and sword clashed, and they were both thrown back. He was strong. Definitely not at the level of the 20th Floor.
If he had to guess, he seemed to be above the level of the 25th Floor. It was not a level a normal Player could win against. But Taesan was not a normal Player.
[Hup!]
With a short shout, the greatsword moved. Despite its massive size, its movements were incredibly splendid. Taesan moved both hands roughly.
A loud noise rang out as they collided with the greatsword. Sparks flew, brightening his vision. The greatsword, unable to withstand the force, was pushed back, and Taesan thrust his sword into the opening.
[25 Damage dealt to Valoran.]
Valoran moved his leg. The heavy limb struck Taesan’s abdomen. And Attack Nullification activated.
Valoran’s leg returned to the moment just before it was lifted. Taesan used that gap to drive his sword in. Again, Valoran attacked, and again, it was erased.
In an instant, he landed over ten attacks. Valoran roughly swung his greatsword to drive Taesan back and let out a hollow laugh.
[Attack Nullification… How amusing. A remarkable Skill.]
Muttering gloomily, Valoran charged again. His sword strikes held no fear that his attack might be erased again. It was a calm attack that even felt somewhat resigned.
As he deflected and blocked the sword, Taesan felt something was strange. Valoran was a Named Monster. He should have been able to use at least one or two Skills, be it Parry or Counter.
But Valoran, even when being pushed back, only used his sword to face Taesan. The red eyes were looking at Taesan seriously.
“Hmm.”
His thoughts changed. Taesan began to pressure Valoran using only his Swordsmanship. The eyes visible between the gaps in the helmet curved into a crescent.
Kagagak!
The greatsword moved splendidly. That itself was probably a sword form. Taesan moved both his arms fluidly.
The Dancer’s Step. He struck the greatsword here and there, twisting its trajectory.
Pow!
Valoran let go of the greatsword with one hand and slammed his elbow into Taesan’s chin.
[You have taken 72 Damage.]
Vicious damage came in. His brain rattled from the impact. Valoran didn’t miss the opening and gripped his greatsword with a shorter hold.
Taesan bit his lip. With the metallic taste of blood, his shaken mind cleared slightly. He gripped the sword in his left hand in a reverse hold.
Kaang!
He blocked the greatsword that came right under his chin. With his other sword, he stabbed Valoran’s side. The sword pierced through the armor and dug in.
Valoran took a step back, twisting the hand holding the greatsword outwards and slashing as if to tear. The sword blocking the greatsword was breached, and the greatsword pierced Taesan’s shoulder. Taesan, sticking close, struck Valoran’s head.
The helmet shook violently, and distance was created. His opponent was superior in Swordsmanship. But he was superior in Stats.
In that case, he just had to win based on his advantage. He brought both hands down roughly.
Kaang!
Valoran’s arm was pressed down slightly. In a power struggle like this, The Dancer’s Step didn't mean much. He used Wolf Fang to slash roughly.
Valoran didn't just take it either. He used every part of his body to push him away and held the greatsword in a reverse grip to cover even close-range combat perfectly. They fought a bloody battle, each leveraging their strengths.
And the victor was Taesan.
Crack.
Taesan’s sword pierced Valoran’s chest. The cracked and split armor completely shattered. Taesan caught his breath.
He wasn't in good shape either. Blood was flowing from various parts of his body, and nearly half of his Health was gone. Valoran, leaning against the wall, let out a laugh.
[Thank you. I didn’t think you would deliberately refrain from using your skills.]
“The feeling is mutual.”
Valoran had deliberately not used his skills. Taesan had matched him, sealing his skills and continuing the fight with only Swordsmanship.
Valoran chuckled.
[I am a Knight.]
The word knight referred to one who wields a sword.
[I did not want to rely on some unknown Skill that can only be obtained in this incomprehensible space. I wanted to fight with only a pure sword. But that was a wish born from my own stubbornness. I had no intention of forcing an honorable fight… Thank you so much. Thanks to you, I can depart in satisfaction.]
Valoran took off his helmet. A surprisingly clean-cut face was revealed. He might have just turned thirty.
He didn’t look very old.
[It may not be much of a reward for that, but I shall give you this.]
Valoran also had Skills, but they weren't his main strength. For Taesan, however, Skills were his main strength. If he had used them, he could have passed with barely a scratch.
But Taesan chose to take the loss and not use his skills. Valoran, understanding this well, intended to give a fitting reward. It was the helmet used by the Death Knight Lord.
Of course, its performance would be outstanding. Moreover, a helmet was an equipment piece that could only be obtained much further down. Taesan received the black helmet.
[Normally, I was planning to leave without giving anything. You can see this as a reward for your actions.]
It wasn't intentional, but not using skills had its rewards.
[Now I am free… I’d like to say, but that’s not the case either.]
Valoran gave a bitter smile.
[Adventurer. Do you know why we, beings with intelligence, are bound here as Monsters?]
“I don’t.” [It is simple.
For some, this place is a land of opportunity. But for others, it is not.] Valoran groaned and stood up.
He supported his trembling body with his sword.
[It is a pity that I cannot convey the truth. You will likely be able to descend to the Depths. Then you will naturally come to know. Who we are, and what kind of being the Mage is.]
With a bitter voice, Valoran disappeared.
[If that happens… please bestow mercy upon us who cannot escape. O strong one.]
With those earnest words, Valoran vanished. All that remained was his shattered armor and a sword that had lost all its power.
[You have defeated the Death Knight Lord, Valoran.]
[Your Level has risen.]
[Your Soul Rank Ascension has been activated.]
[You have acquired Valoran’s Helmet.]
[You have discovered the Hidden Element of the 20th Floor. You have obtained the reward [Will of ???].]
Taesan opened the System Window he had turned off.
[You have perfectly cleared the 20th Floor. You have obtained the Title: One Who Advances.]
[You have perfectly identified and cleared all floors up to the 20th Floor. You have obtained the Title: One Who Has Touched the Speck of Perfection.]
[You have entered the Labyrinth to a level you can be proud of. You have obtained the Title: One Who Stands at the Start of the Path.]
[Not only have you sufficiently proven your strength here, but you have also shown even greater worth. You have obtained the Title: One Who Succeeded in Proof.]
[You have accumulated countless experiences. You have obtained the Title: What Has Been Accumulated. You have obtained the Special Passive Skill: Proof of the Self.]
[The Transcendents have begun to take a stronger interest in you.]
Leveling up through battle