“You don’t deserve to go further down if you’re weak.”

Veldencia said.

“My trial is a kind of minimum threshold. If you can’t surpass it, you’ll only meet your death further down.”

Deep floors.

The first obstacle to get there.

That was the 61st floor.

‘How long did Lee Taeyeon say it took?’

She said it took her three months. When she barely passed, Veldencia looked at her with an incredulous gaze.

‘Passing is passing, but… How could someone pass like this?’

Veldencia, who had faced countless adventurers for an immeasurable amount of time, let out a snort when seeing Lee Taeyeon.

She didn’t say how she managed to pass, so Taesan didn’t know. He only knew that a coward like her wouldn’t have passed in a normal way.

“Will you accept?”

“Yes.”

Taesan answered.

“Then I’ll explain the general rules.”

Veldencia fidgeted with his hat.

“As you’ve seen through the system, you can choose one power. This power can be something you obtained in the labyrinth or something you acquired outside.”

Veldencia tapped the ground with his staff. Magic spread across the floor, and a magic circle began to engrave itself.

“Swordsmanship, labyrinth skills, magic… Choose one of the powers you have. I’ll seal all the other powers.”

“Overcome it with one ability?”

“That’s right. It’s a test to see how you use that ability and how proficient you are with it.”

Numerous geometric patterns were engraved on the magic circle in front of Veldencia.

“You can challenge the trial once a day, and it has levels of difficulty. If you measure it in stages, it’s from 1 to 10. 1 being the easiest and 10 the hardest.”

“How difficult is it?”

“Did you meet those strange things called Guides of Sin while coming here?”

Taesan nodded. Veldencia spoke.

“Level 1 is about the level of the boss monster on the 60th floor.”

The level of the 60th floor boss monster. That wasn’t an easy opponent.

Adventurers who reached the 61st floor had all defeated the boss, but they had used everything they had.

If you fought with only one ability, you would lose every time. It was understandable why Lee Taeyeon took over three months.

“Can I die in the trial?”

“You can get close to death, but you won’t die. I told you, it’s a trial. If you die, it defeats the purpose.”

It meant you could challenge infinitely without dying.

“What about level 10?”

“Don’t even think about that. It’s not a difficulty intended to be cleared in the first place. Will you accept?”

“Yes.”

“Then wait a moment.”

Veldencia’s staff pointed towards Taesan.

[Veldencia has activated the Labyrinth Authority: Target Identification.]

“It’s a skill I gained by being bound to this place. It allows me to identify what kind of power an adventurer has when they come.”

Veldencia said as he examined Taesan. Soon, his face distorted.

“What?”

“Why do you look like that?”

“Magic? That’s fine. Black magic? How does a human like you have that?”

“I received it from the Demon God.”

“…The Demon God?”

Veldencia was very confused.

He barely opened his mouth.

“You can challenge with… swordsmanship, magic, black magic, and spirit arts. Alchemy is still lacking, so you can’t challenge with that.”

After a brief thought, Taesan spoke.

“Then I’ll start with swordsmanship.”

“Good.”

Veldencia lightly tapped the completed magic circle.

The magic circle lit up.

“For swordsmanship… This guy seems suitable. What difficulty will you choose?”

“Please make it level 10.”

At Taesan’s words, Veldencia calmly manifested his power.

“Experiencing reality and then giving up isn’t a bad idea.”

[Veldencia activated Realization.]

The magic circle was realized. A knight in crimson armor holding a lance appeared.

Clank.

[All abilities except swordsmanship have been sealed.]

‘This is…’

It was strong.

It was at the level of the Spirit King’s Shield. It wasn’t an opponent you would expect to face on the 61st floor.

“I told you, didn’t I? You can’t clear it.”

Veldencia raised his staff.

“First, getting beaten and realizing it isn’t bad. Let’s begin.”

Thud!

The knight stomped the ground. The air burst as the lance aimed to pierce Taesan’s head.

Taesan stood still, unable to follow the knight’s movement.

Veldencia watched the scene calmly.

Many had chosen the same path as Taesan. Those who risked their lives and overcame all adversities to descend to this point had immense confidence in themselves.

The first thing they did after hearing Veldencia’s explanation was to attempt the 10th level of the trial.

The only adventurer who didn’t choose the 10th level and started from the 1st was Lee Taeyeon in her previous life.

In other words, every adventurer Veldencia had seen up until now had chosen the 10th level. And they all got destroyed in an instant.

This one would be no different. He wasn’t weak, considering he had the hero’s ghost by his side… but the 10th level possessed power beyond the 61st floor.

After challenging the 10th level and being crushed miserably, they would gradually lower the level. Ultimately, they would barely clear the 1st level while struggling.

And they would go down, feeling satisfied and pleased with their meager achievement.

Nothing ever changed. It was always the same.

It was detestable. Their weakness. The fact that they could feel confident with such paltry power.

‘When will I ever…’

There was nothing more to expect.

Veldencia sighed and raised his staff to heal the soon-to-be shattered Taesan.

Clang!

The sound of metal clashing echoed. Veldencia’s pupils widened.

Taesan had deflected the knight’s charge with his sword.

Taesan’s sword moved. As afterimages were drawn, the knight’s lance wobbled roughly.

Clang!

Sparks flew.

Movements faster than sound collided. Taesan’s sword came down. The knight swung his lance to deflect it.

Clang!

Taesan created distance. He looked at the knight with a calm gaze.

And Veldencia watched the scene blankly.

“What?”

“As expected, it’s fast.”

The level of the Spirit King’s Shield. Judging coldly, it surpassed the 70th floor.

But without the equipment from the deep floors, it wasn’t a big problem for Taesan. Currently, he had higher stats due to Soul Ascension.

However, Veldencia, who didn’t know this, couldn’t understand the scene before his eyes.

‘…Is he overpowering with strength?’

Veldencia was a mage.

He was someone who judged the principles and laws of things and tried to understand their nature.

He had learned and observed many things as he descended the labyrinth.

The stats of a knight at level 10 were beyond the reach of anyone who perfectly obtained everything up to the 60th floor. It was an existence beyond the norm.

In other words, the 10th level was never meant to be cleared.

The only possibility was to perfectly understand and strategize against the knight’s actions after countless challenges.

But no one had succeeded so far. It was easier said than done. It required almost years of investment. And even then, it was uncertain whether it would succeed.

So, everyone lowered their expectations after a few attempts, realizing it was impossible.

But.

This.

Clang!

The lance and sword clashed. Both weapons were repelled.

The difference in power was barely noticeable.

It was an unreasonable sight that even Veldencia, who had overcome numerous hardships and adversities, couldn’t accept.

And it didn’t stop there.

Thud.

Taesan stomped the ground.

[You activated Acceleration.]

“What?”

Veldencia was even more astonished. It was clearly a swordsmanship trial, but a skill? Incomprehensible. Veldencia hastily checked, but the trial was proceeding normally.

“What the hell?”

He was bewildered.

It was the first time in hundreds of years that he felt such confusion.

Meanwhile, the fight continued.

Taesan’s rapid attack was belatedly blocked by the knight. However, as the response was delayed, the knight’s body was pushed back.

[You activated Strong Blow.]

Clang!

The sword swung with power. The knight’s body was gradually pushed back.

Thud!

The knight didn’t just take it. He braced himself with his back foot and thrust his lance. Taesan moved his sword to deflect the lance aiming for his head.

[You activated Flow.]

The trajectory of the lance twisted.

Taesan plunged his sword deep into the exposed body of the knight.

The knight’s body shook violently. He swung his lance like a whip in all directions.

Taesan dug in deeper.

[You activated Leap.]

Thud.

The knight’s body was lifted into the air.

Taesan stomped the ground again.

It was a one-sided fight. Taesan’s stats had increased after passing the 60th floor. Even if the level of the opponent was at the 70th floor, it couldn’t overwhelm Taesan now.

Moreover, Taesan possessed the top-tier swordsmanship, Ability Sword. With superior swordsmanship and stats, the opponent was not challenging.

Veldencia watched the scene blankly.

Thud.

Ten minutes later, the knight with a sword in his chest turned to dust and disappeared.

[Your proficiency with Ability Sword increased by 1%.]

It was a good experience. Recently, other abilities had been so overwhelming that he hadn’t used Ability Sword often. Using it as a main skill like this helped him get a feel for it.

“Is this the end?”

“…Yes.”

Veldencia nodded slowly.

His gaze on Taesan was peculiar.

Astonishment. Disbelief. And anticipation.

After staring at Taesan for a while, Veldencia spoke.

“Congratulations. You’ve passed the trial. You…”

Veldencia seemed to want to ask something. Probably about how Taesan used skills in the swordsmanship trial.

Before he could ask, Taesan answered.

“This is my swordsmanship.”

“Swordsmanship that uses skills?”

“Yes. It’s a swordsmanship I created in the labyrinth, unique to me.”

“…That’s unique.”

Veldencia’s face showed intense curiosity.

But he didn’t ask and changed the topic.

“Are you going down now?”

Passing the trial allowed one to descend to the 62nd floor. But Taesan shook his head.

“No. I’ll take all the trials I can.”

The more trials one cleared, the greater the rewards. He had no intention of being satisfied with just this.

Veldencia groaned.

“Of course. Then there’s a problem. You can’t do anything for a day.”

“Can’t I take the trial immediately?”

“It’s a rule of the labyrinth. And so far, it hasn’t been an issue.”

The trials were never easy. Even the easiest 1st level required most adventurers to sustain hours of combat to barely achieve victory.

As such, time was needed to recover the stamina and mental strength consumed in battle.

No matter how much Veldencia helped, rest was necessary unless one leveled up.

Therefore, there was a day’s respite.

However, that respite was useless for Taesan.

The only thing consumed during the swordsmanship trial was a small amount of mana. Just one. His stamina and mental strength were intact.

While Taesan was contemplating what to do, Veldencia sat down and asked.

“Then why not have a chat?”

“A chat?”

“Yes, a chat.”

Veldencia smiled.

“You have to rest for a day anyway. Spending it idly is pointless, so let’s talk.”

Veldencia continued.

“I’m a creature bound to this place, the 61st floor. Adventurers who reach here are extremely rare. Maybe one in a hundred years. The occasional Guide of Sin that passes by is too foolish to talk to… so I’m very lonely.”

A century of solitude.

Veldencia looked at the ghost.

“What about you, Hero?”

[I'm only aware when someone comes near my tomb. I never felt loneliness like you.]

“Damn. Am I the only one feeling lonely?”

Veldencia grumbled.

“Ainzhar, that old man, unlike me, can move freely instead of being bound to one place. I should have made such a contract too.”

Veldencia straightened his back.

“I’m extremely bored. I have to live alone in a place with nothing. So, tell me some stories.”

Veldencia’s gaze turned to Taesan.

“Let’s share some trivial stories. That’s fine, right?”

[Huh?]

The ghost was puzzled.

[When you met me, you didn't talk at all. You just frowned and got annoyed when I tried to talk. So, why now?]

“Shut up, Hero.”

Veldencia said with a smile.

“So, what do you think?”

Veldencia’s gaze was on Taesan. There was a flickering flame in his eyes.

Unlike when they first met, he was now very proactive.

The labyrinth NPCs.

They all had their own desires and were bound to this place.

And most of those desires were ones they couldn’t solve on their own.

Taesan nodded.

“That’s fine with me.”

“Good.”

Veldencia clapped his hands. He sat down in front of Taesan and asked.

“Then let’s have an enjoyable chat. Let’s talk about our experiences.”