“First, the reward.”

[You have passed the first trial.]

Veldencia threw a potion to Taesan.

[You have obtained the [Superior Strength Enhancement Potion].] [Superior Strength Enhancement Potion] [Permanently increases Strength by 200.]

Strength 200.

It was quite a decent reward. Unlike equipment, the fact that it was permanent once used was a significant advantage.

“Not bad.”

“It’s a reward for the 10th stage. You deserve at least this much. The more trials you pass, the better the rewards you will receive.”

Veldencia tapped the floor with his staff. A small magic circle was drawn, and a bottle of alcohol and dried snacks popped out.

“First of all… I’m curious about you.”

Veldencia asked while sipping from the bottle.

“The adventurer who came here after a hundred years. What are you hoping for and how did you get here?”

Taesan’s background.

Since there was nothing to hide, Taesan spoke frankly. About Earth. About the High Gods who invaded it. And about how they were invited to the labyrinth.

Of course, he hid the fact that the labyrinth was separated and that he had returned to the past. Even so, Veldencia found it quite interesting that the entire Earth was invited, listening with a serious expression.

It was a rather long story. Every time Taesan talked about the trial of the gods, Veldencia asked various questions.

Taesan answered what he could and did not answer what he couldn’t.

By the time the story ended, a whole day had passed.

“So the High Gods did such a thing.”

Veldencia muttered, shaking the empty bottle.

“I didn’t know what was happening outside, but such things were happening. Interesting. Are they really trying to trample the world?”

[It's not really your concern, is it?]

“Well… that’s true.”

Veldencia smiled wryly.

He was an existence bound to the labyrinth. No matter what happened outside, it had nothing to do with him now.

“The most interesting thing is that all the beings of one world entered the labyrinth. Fascinating. Is there any chance they will reach here… I suppose not.”

“Some might reach it… There’s a big possibility.”

Lee Taeyeon and Kang Junhyeok were the ones showing potential to clear it. They were currently stuck around the 20th floor, but with consistent effort, they might reach it someday.

But the rest were the problem.

Most Solo Mode players had not yet broken through the 10th floor.

Even if Lee Taeyeon and Kang Junhyeok made it, could the rest survive and break through Solo Mode? It was difficult even with Taesan’s help.

What should they do to survive?

Seeing Taesan contemplating, Veldencia laughed.

“You’re different from me. Very kind. Just like her.”

“Her?”

Instead of answering, Veldencia stood up.

“A day has passed. Ready for the next trial?”

“Yes.”

Taesan nodded. Veldencia asked with a deep smile.

“What will you use this time?”

“Black magic.”

“Difficulty level 10, of course?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

[All abilities except black magic have been sealed.]

Veldencia drew a magic circle. From there, a gigantic monster sprang out.

[GRRAAAH!]

It was the size of a mythological giant.

The giant swung its enormous arm. The strength contained in it was stronger than Taesan’s.

Taesan kicked off the ground.

Thud!

He dodged the swinging arm. Veldencia, watching, was quietly astonished.

Even in a state where he could only use black magic, Taesan was not being overpowered by stats alone.

And the following scene astonished Veldencia even more.

[You have activated Mephisto's Black Lightning.]

Rumble!

Lightning pierced through the giant. Not missing the moment the giant’s movement slightly halted, Taesan linked his black magic.

[You have activated Eligos' Rose Thorn.]

The rose thorns entangled and restrained the giant’s movements.

[You have activated Marbas' Pitch-Black Wave.]

Then the black wave surged ravenously. The giant punched to shatter it, but the wave giggled and swept over him.

While the giant staggered, unable to get up, Taesan opened a passage.

Veldencia’s pupils dilated as he watched.

“No way!”

[You have activated Naberius' Golden Sword.]

The golden sword manifested.

“What is this?”

Veldencia let out a hollow laugh at the descending power. He knew Taesan possessed black magic, but he didn’t know its level.

He did not think it was high. Black magic required the permission of a demon god to obtain. It seemed that Taesan, as a human, had somehow acquired it, but compared to the demons, it was thought to be insignificant.

But this…

Veldencia realized. This was a power comparable to mid-level magic, a power not easily bestowed even upon the favored demons by the demon god.

In other words, the human before him was more favored by the demon god than the demons.

Thud!

The light collided with the giant. The giant flew away hideously.

Veldencia laughed. It was a smile of satisfaction.

‘If it’s someone with this power…’

It might be possible. To achieve his wish.

The nails of his clenched fist dug into his flesh. He watched the battle. The giant continued to resist but fell before long.

Thud!

Taesan landed on the ground. There wasn’t a single wound on his body.

Veldencia greeted him with a smile.

[The proficiency of Naberius' Golden Sword has increased by 1%.] [The proficiency of Mephisto's Black Lightning has increased by 1%.] [The proficiency of Eligos' Rose Thorn has increased by 1%.] [You have passed the second trial.] [You have obtained the [Superior Magic Power Enhancement Potion].] [Superior Magic Power Enhancement Potion] [Permanently increases Magic Power by 100.]

An increase in magic power. And by 100 at that. Considering his magic power was only 600, it was a significant boost.

‘Good.’

Taesan was satisfied and used the potion.

Veldencia sat down again. He tapped the floor, and alcohol and dried snacks appeared.

“Then let’s talk once more.”

But this time, the conversation ended quickly. Taesan had already said everything he could.

“Hero, do you want to speak?”

[Why should I?]

The hero refused. Veldencia laughed as if he had been waiting for this.

“Then shall I tell my story?”

“Weren’t you aiming for that all along?”

Since Veldencia suggested talking, he probably wanted to share his own story.

Veldencia chuckled.

“You figured it out. Sorry, but for my purpose, you need to listen to my story.”

“I’m curious as well, so go ahead.”

NPCs residing in the labyrinth each had their own reasons for being there.

Lilis sought the secret of magic, and the hero sought revenge.

What did Veldencia want?

Veldencia spoke as he drank.

“What I want is similar to the one in charge of the labyrinth’s shop. That dwarf deep inside.”

“With your ability, shouldn’t it be possible?”

Although Taesan didn’t know Veldencia’s exact level, he could easily surpass the 80th floor. He might even reach the 90th floor.

It would be faster for Veldencia to do it himself rather than asking Taesan for help.

“No.”

But Veldencia denied it.

“I can’t do it. It’s impossible for me.”

He laughed as if sobbing.

“That’s why… I need you.”

His laughter abruptly stopped.

With a vacant expression, he began to speak.

“Hemrodia. A world that was once beautifully shining with magic.”

This was the story of Veldencia before entering the labyrinth. A past from thousands of years ago, barely remembered.

“But it was a world that was slowly dying.”

Plants withered and springs dried up. The sun lost its light, and black clouds covered the sky.

No one knew the reason. Their world was dying just like that.

“I was the greatest magician there. Although I was young, even those who had devoted decades to magic knelt before my talent. No one could catch up to me. They said I could save the world, but… how could that be possible?”

The destruction of the world. No matter how great, Veldencia was just a mortal who couldn’t solve it.

And Veldencia himself had no intention of solving it.

“Though the world was dying, it wouldn’t happen before I died. So it had nothing to do with me, right? I just did whatever I wanted.”

Researching and experimenting with magic. Recognized for his outstanding talent, he lacked nothing in support. He lived as he pleased.

“It wasn’t just me. The world was clearly dying, but their generation could survive. Extravagance and pleasure filled the streets, and no one stopped it.”

They were the end of the world. There would be no descendants.

That fact drove people to madness.

Their world was like a city from myth, filled with greed.

“But… only the princess was different.”

The only royal bloodline of the empire. The only royalty who could continue the dying world.

“She dragged me out from my room where I was holed up researching. Do you know what the princess said?”

‘Let’s go save the world, you decadent genius magician.’

She said that, with her brilliantly shining golden hair, eyes more radiant than anyone’s, and a bright smile.

It was as vivid as yesterday. Veldencia chuckled.

“Isn’t it a funny story? Though she was strong as a princess, she was still human. And so was I. But she said we’d save the world, just the two of us. She was serious. Thinking back, she was a foolish woman.”

Veldencia’s eyes were filled with longing and memories. At least, it seemed the events of that time were not entirely bad for Veldencia.

“Of course, I refused… but she followed me around all day, nagging me to join her. So I got annoyed and told her I’d help if she found a way. And she brought information about the labyrinth?”

A labyrinth created by magicians and gods. If they conquered it, one wish would be granted.

If it were the gods, solving the world’s destruction wouldn’t be difficult.

So they entered the labyrinth.

“I was already annoyed at being dragged in, and the princess told me to protect her. That we could fulfill our wish. I was annoyed. I didn’t come here willingly; I was dragged. Why should I care about a wish? I didn’t care if the world was destroyed. But since I was here, I did my best.”

Veldencia laughed hollowly.

“For about two hundred years.”

He lived a life in the labyrinth much longer than outside. And he was not alone. He was always with the princess.

“The annoying girl eventually became the meaning of my life. I thought I could die for her. But… I couldn’t.”

Veldencia clenched his hand. The dried snacks in his hand turned to dust under the pressure. Mana, responding to his emotions, began to oppress the surroundings.

“I’m a coward. In front of an overwhelming presence, I could do nothing. I begged for my life with my head on the ground. I… I can’t.”

Veldencia laughed.

“So please.”

With a sorrowful but desperate face, he spoke to Taesan.

“Save the princess who is suffering in the depths.”

[Sub Quest Start] [A magician who failed to save the princess. Veldencia hopes to rescue the princess whose soul is trapped by the gods.] [Condition: Encounter the God of Descent. Make a deal with him.] [Reward: Determined by Veldencia and the God of Descent based on your performance.]