Taesan gazed at the bracelet.

It glowed a deep crimson, reminiscent of blood—likely due to the essence of the Giant King’s blood within it. He could feel the immense power it contained.

It was powerful.

While it lacked a sentient consciousness like his rings, the bracelet held an unwavering strength that seemed ready to act at its master’s command.

---

**[Bracelet of Despair, Imbued with a Fragment of a World]**

**[Strength +500]**

**[Agility +500]**

**[Intelligence +500]**

**[Attack Power +500]**

**[Defense Power +500]**

**[Formed from the flesh and blood of the Giant King, combined with materials from a destroyed world, this bracelet contains a portion of that world’s essence.]**

**[Special Skill: Greed of Destruction]**

---

A smile tugged at Taesan’s lips.

The base stats and attack power alone were impressive, even if they weren’t as high as the ring’s. And the bracelet’s special skill appeared to be its true strength. Taesan opened his skill window to examine it.

---

**[Special Skill: Greed of Destruction]**

**[Mana Cost: 400]**

**[Aligns the user’s will with the power within the bracelet to devour and nullify attacks imbued with hostile intent. However, it cannot devour attacks that surpass the will of the user or the power within the bracelet.]**

---

After reading the description, Taesan glanced at Hafran.

"A defensive skill?"

Taesan had requested an offensive piece that could be controlled through will.

Hafran raised a hand. “If I may explain.”

“Go ahead.”

“I tried to make it offensive, just as you requested. I designed it to control space using the Giant King’s blood.”

This was roughly what Taesan had anticipated. The Giant King’s blood held a tremendous amount of raw power. With enhancements, it could be crafted into a weapon of devastating potential.

“But as I used the materials, this cursed bracelet started rejecting me. The blood tried to pierce my limbs repeatedly.”

Hafran lifted an arm to reveal faint, thread-like marks tightly wound around his muscular forearm.

“I couldn’t make it offensive with my skills,” Hafran said, his voice tinged with frustration.

Reflecting on it, this limitation wasn’t too surprising. Hafran couldn’t manipulate willpower, so creating a piece that required it naturally had limitations.

“So, I changed the approach entirely. Instead of offense, I aimed to instill defensive power. And that stopped the bracelet from rejecting me.”

“This is the result, then.”

“Exactly. I apologize.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Taesan had only requested offensive capabilities to overpower his opponents faster. In truth, it didn’t matter to him one way or the other.

The bracelet’s effectiveness was the only priority.

---

**[You have summoned Minerva, the Spirit King of the Wind.]**

---

“Oh! Master! Long time no see!”

“How are things going on your end?”

“They’re stabilizing nicely. My lovely little ones are putting in a lot of effort.”

Minerva chuckled. The realms of spirits and humans—Arulia—were gradually settling now that a new Spirit King had been born, filling the void and alleviating the chaos.

“Attack me,” Taesan instructed.

“...Why, all of a sudden?”

“I have something to test.”

Minerva looked at him skeptically, but upon seeing the bracelet, she nodded in understanding.

“Oh, I see. You scared me with that sudden request. At what level?”

“With all you’ve got.”

“Got it!”

---

*Boom!*

Hafran, alarmed, tried to stop them, but it was too late. A tempest ripped through his workshop, scattering tools and materials with loud crashes.

Minerva grinned.

“Here it comes!”

*Boom!*

Wind surged toward Taesan.

Minerva’s power was nearly equal to Taesan’s. This was an attack at full strength, almost on par with his own.

Taesan concentrated his will on the incoming wind.

---

**[You have activated Greed of Destruction.]**

---

The crimson light of the bracelet flared up.

*Whirrrrr!*

The red energy rose and swallowed the wind. Despite the fierce resistance from the gale, the crimson energy hungrily devoured it all.

As the wind subsided, Minerva’s eyes widened.

“...Did my power just disappear entirely?”

She had expected him to block it. Even if he couldn’t, she assumed the nullification ability would prevent any damage.

But Taesan’s response went beyond her expectations.

He hadn’t merely blocked her attack; he had devoured it entirely, without expending any significant energy.

“So that’s how it works,” Taesan murmured, shaking the bracelet. The crimson glow had dimmed slightly.

Even though it had countered Minerva’s full power, he felt little mental fatigue. If he had erased it purely with his will, the effort would have been much greater.

The bracelet itself had likely absorbed much of the energy; its power had noticeably diminished.

Though it was slowly recovering, it wasn’t a rapid process.

The bracelet could completely erase an opponent’s attack, but it expended its power in doing so. Once depleted, *Greed of Destruction* couldn’t be used again until it recharged.

Taesan nodded approvingly.

“Impressive.”

The fact that it nullified Minerva’s full strength meant it could likely block attacks from the leaders of the Sins, too. It was a piece that could erase crucial attacks, creating openings to exploit.

“This is fine as a defensive item.”

It had enough capability that he didn’t regret switching out the bracelet he had just recently acquired.

“I’m glad to hear that. But next time, please give me a heads-up before you test something like that,” Hafran grumbled as he retrieved his scattered tools. Minerva circled around Taesan, curious.

“Master, what other powers have you gained in the meantime? I sense something... unusual.”

“Word of Command.”

“...Word of Command?”

Minerva froze momentarily. Taesan handed a whetstone to Hafran.

“Can you use this too?”

This was the Frost Edge Whetstone, a hidden reward from the 60th floors. Its purpose was to enhance attack power significantly.

Hafran’s eyes gleamed as he inspected it.

“A fine piece. Any specific weapon?”

“Here.”

Taesan handed over the *Relic of Kabart*.

He had continued to wield the sword acquired near the labyrinth’s entrance, a blade that had belonged to the ghost in life. Although the sword was laden with special effects, it was time to boost its raw attack power.

Hafran took the relic and glanced at the ghost.

“This is the ghost’s sword?”

[That’s right.]

“Give me a moment.”

Hafran set to work sharpening the blade with the whetstone. While he did, Taesan used the time to further assess the bracelet’s exact capabilities.

After thirty minutes, Hafran handed the relic back.

“All done.”

“That was quick.”

“It didn’t take much. I wasn’t re-forging or re-combining materials, just sharpening it.”

Hafran shrugged. Taesan checked the weapon’s newly improved attack power.

---

**[Kabart’s Relic: Blade Imbued with Ancestral Blood]**

**[A relic from a world now lost, this sword has taken countless royal lives.]**

**[Attack Power +300]**

**[+150 Attack Power when facing all enemies]**

---

“Oh?”

The attack power had increased more than he had expected. Hafran explained.

“Over time, the blade had lost some of its original power, and the blacksmith who originally forged it hadn’t fully utilized the materials. Even so, it’s an excellent sword, and the enhancement has brought out its true potential.”

[Of course it has. Look who wielded it.]

The ghost exuded pride. Satisfied, Taesan sheathed the blade.

He waved his hand as he turned to leave.

“See you next time.”

“Bring me more materials like that. It’s challenging, but rewarding.”

Hafran grinned, bidding him farewell.

His preparations complete, Taesan waited in silence.

---

**[You have summoned Barkhaza, the Highest Spirit of Multicolor.]**

---

Barkhaza joined him, and Minerva spoke with dawning realization.

“Are you returning to your world again?”

Taesan nodded. Minerva muttered to herself with a look of curiosity.

“More battles with the ancient gods...”

---

*Shhhk.*

Space split open.

Taesan stepped into it.

What he saw upon emerging was a colossal rift in the sky.

As usual, Earth was in ruins.

Calm voices echoed around him, including one that was familiar.

“Everyone, gather around! I’m going to do a headcount!”

The fifth return had begun.

Taesan walked toward the source of the voice.

---

---

“Leaders of each mode, please gather your people and give me your numbers!”

Kim Huiyeon was calling out instructions, managing the situation. Taesan approached her.

“Oh, Mr. Taesan.”

“How are the people holding up?”

“It’s the fifth time by now. I’d say we’re all starting to get used to it.”

People were following her directions calmly, with no signs of despair or hopelessness.

Kim Huiyeon lowered her voice and said quietly, “We need to be more prepared than ever. We don’t know how this quest will go.”

Taesan nodded and addressed Minerva and Barkhaza.

“Eliminate all approaching monsters.”

[As you command, Master.]

“Got it, Master.”

Minerva and Barkh

aza launched themselves into the fray. Explosions soon echoed from nearby.

Taesan looked up at the rift in the sky.

From it, monsters descended toward the ground.

Now that he possessed the Word of Command, he could sense the power within the rift more clearly.

Taesan chuckled.

‘Unbelievable.’

He could tell—the energy in that rift far surpassed mortal strength.

The rift itself was a kind of monster.

‘I’m not ready yet.’

But for now, he was closer to understanding the nature of the rift than he had ever been before.

He was drawing nearer to their level of power. Taesan sought out Lee Taeyeon and Kang Junhyeok.

After sparring with them briefly, Kim Huiyeon approached, having finished her headcount.

“We have a total of forty thousand people. In Hard Mode, thirty-eight hundred survived.”

“What was the count after the last return?”

“Forty-six thousand in total. Around four thousand were in Hard Mode.”

“Not bad.”

“Everyone’s found their footing by now,” Kim Huiyeon replied with pride. After years of effort, they were steadily progressing through the labyrinth. Deaths were rare unless someone overestimated their abilities or got careless.

Taesan asked, “What floor are you on?”

“The high 40s. We’re almost at the 50th floor.”

“There?”

The high 40s.

Taesan cautioned her.

“Be careful.”

“Pardon?”

“The labyrinth’s difficulty changes drastically at around the 71st floor in Alone Mode. There could be a similar threshold in Hard Mode.”

“Oh...”

Kim Huiyeon’s face turned serious as she nodded. It was a warning against overconfidence.

“I understand.”

This wasn’t an idle warning. In Taesan’s experience, Hard Mode had also changed significantly past the 71st floor, marking a distinct boundary between those who could progress and those who couldn’t.

But he had faith in Kim Huiyeon and Korea’s Hard Mode players. They had already proven their resilience by fending off attacks from ancient gods on Earth.

For other countries, though, things might not go as smoothly. Given that divine interference had lessened, some nations would likely face even greater challenges than before.

The preparations were complete.

A system message appeared.

---

**[Special Quest Initiated]**

**[This is a National Joint Quest. Participating countries: South Korea, North Korea, Japan, China.]**

**[All players from designated countries must gather in one location. Overcome the obstacles encountered on the way and meet the players of other nations.]**

**[This quest has no time limit.]**

**[The greater your influence on the meeting of players from different countries, the more points you will receive upon returning to the labyrinth.]**