They had won. They had defeated destruction.

The Empire held a grand celebration to commemorate their victory.

“We have triumphed!”

“To the hero!”

“To the immortality of the great Empire!”

People in lavish attire reveled in joy, drinking and feasting. Taesan was among them, quietly observing the festivities.

“Oh! Our hero is here!”

Badre approached Taesan, his face flushed from drinking.

“Once again, thank you! Because of you, our world is saved!”

Badre raised his glass, and others cheered, lifting theirs as well. The warmth of celebration enveloped them.

As the noise began to settle, Taesan asked, “What do you plan to do next?”

“Hmm… I’m not sure.”

Badre frowned. Although they had won, it wasn’t a victory without cost. Countless kingdoms had fallen, and many knights and soldiers had perished. It would take a long time to recover from such losses.

“But… we overcame destruction.”

For the first time, they didn’t have to fear the future. Badre took a relaxed sip of his drink.

“For now, let’s enjoy ourselves. We have time.”

The doors opened grandly, and the Emperor and Empress entered. Those at the party quickly bowed.

“You’ve come.”

“Yes, my son.”

Pride filled the Emperor’s face as he looked at Badre.

“You’ve done well, Badre. No one else but you can take my place.”

“...Thank you.”

Badre’s face showed a mix of pride and fulfillment. He was the Empire’s crown prince and sole heir. Having eliminated his competition himself, the throne was practically his. The Emperor’s public acknowledgment only solidified this.

The Emperor laughed heartily, patting Badre on the shoulder.

“Enjoy yourself, my son. Only a bright future lies ahead of us.”

The Emperor joined the party, and Badre wore a contented smile.

“Good.”

He looked truly happy.

“You’ve done much for us. You fulfilled the prophecy and defeated the Demon King. No amount of gratitude would be enough for the Empire to repay you.”

Badre turned to Taesan.

“If you wish, we will reserve a place for you in the Empire.”

“I’ll think about it,” Taesan replied quietly.

The party continued.

“Your Highness.”

“Oh, Levancia.”

Levancia approached Badre, looking slightly flustered as she spoke.

“I have something to confess to you.”

“A confession?”

Badre looked at her with curiosity.

Levancia spoke, and Badre’s eyes widened in surprise, followed by a smile of joy. He shouted with happiness and embraced Levancia.

Then the world began to distort.

Everything started to fade.

Taesan found himself in a dark world oozing with a sticky, oppressive force—a place that could erode one’s mind, forcing them to confront their past.

Taesan lifted his gaze. In front of him was a twisted figure.

He instinctively knew what it was.

“The God of Regret… Ligrit.”

The formless entity seemed to acknowledge his answer.

Ligrit, exuding an intense aura, asked if Taesan had enjoyed himself.

Taesan didn’t respond, but Ligrit’s satisfaction radiated all around.

[Ligrit’s sphere of influence has diminished.]

[Ligrit grants you a reward. You have received the *Robe of the Dominator.*]

[You have completed the enhanced trial. An additional reward has been granted.]

[You have acquired the *Ring of Twisted Distortion of the Regretful.*]

Taesan received two rewards.

The trial was complete.

But Ligrit didn’t send Taesan back. Instead, he fixed his gaze on the Ghost, who stood silently by Taesan’s side.

Ligrit asked, “What do you want?”

After a long silence, the Ghost spoke.

[What do you want from me?]

His voice was tight with emotion as he questioned the God of Regret.

[What answer are you seeking from me?]

Ligrit chuckled ominously as if the real test was just beginning, unleashing a tremendous force.

[Ligrit’s sphere of influence has diminished further.]

[Ligrit presents the Ghost with a choice.]

[1. The Ghost can return to the Labyrinth and continue his quest with Taesan.]

[2. The Ghost can inhabit his body within the memory world created by Ligrit, canceling his contract with Taesan and returning to his resting place in the Labyrinth upon death.]

The Ghost read the options slowly, his form trembling.

[...You’re truly cruel.]

The Ghost muttered darkly, and Taesan glanced through the options as well.

The first choice was straightforward. The Ghost would continue by Taesan’s side, guiding him as they traversed the Labyrinth, defeating the forces of sin.

But the second option was different.

The Ghost could return to his world and live once more with those he loved, experiencing the birth and growth of his child. He could watch them live, act, and eventually pass away.

But of course, it was all a fabrication.

The Ghost’s world had already fallen. This was only a replica, crafted from the Ghost’s memories by Ligrit. It wasn’t real, only a mirage.

Yet, the Ghost couldn’t make his choice so easily.

Even if it was fake, he wanted to see his world again, to live alongside his loved ones.

But if he rejected it as a falsehood, he would never see his world again.

If he let go of his vengeance by defeating the guide of sin, his soul would likely no longer be bound to the Labyrinth, freeing him.

If he chose the second option, he would also sever his contract with Taesan and return to the tomb at the entrance of the Labyrinth, waiting indefinitely for someone else to fulfill his wish.

Ligrit delighted in the Ghost’s turmoil.

Taesan realized Ligrit’s twisted intent.

‘This god really has a cruel sense of humor.’

Ligrit wouldn’t care what choice the Ghost made. If the Ghost chose the first option, he’d be plagued with regret for never seeing his world, even if it was fake. The second option would let him experience joy, but with the agony of knowing it was a lie.

Either choice would result in the same outcome that Ligrit desired.

[I…]

The Ghost’s voice trembled with anguish as he looked at Taesan, seeking support.

Taesan spoke briefly.

“I respect your choice.”

It was all he could say.

Ultimately, it was the Ghost’s decision alone.

The trembling form of the Ghost began to calm.

He spoke.

---

Upon returning to the Labyrinth, a system message appeared before Taesan.

[You have received the *Belt of the Ruthless One.*]

[You have acquired ???.]

“So I automatically get the hidden rewards?”

Even though he hadn’t found the hidden chamber, he received the secret rewards for completing the trial.

[There are no more hidden chambers from here on out. Secret clear rewards depend on how perfectly you meet the conditions.]

The Ghost’s voice was steady but carried a subtle tone of finality.

After organizing his rewards, Taesan asked.

“Are you alright?”

[...I’m not sure.]

The voice of the Ghost held a hint of sorrow.

[I wanted to see my child’s face. To hear their voice, their laughter.]

The thought of his child—his flesh and blood, the result of his love—pained him deeply.

[But in the end, it was a lie. It wasn’t real.]

The Ghost spoke with a tone of bitter resentment.

[Choosing a lie and deceiving myself would have been an insult to my world and myself.]

Though he had suffered, the Ghost was strong, refusing to give in to any temptation, even if it meant continuing to suffer. Thus, he chose the first option.

[Besides, you’ll need my help. You’re still just at the entrance of the deeper levels, aren’t you? There are plenty of things I can guide you through.]

The Ghost spoke with a forced sense of cheer. Taesan responded.

“Thank you.”

[There’s no need to thank me. It was my choice.]

Taesan’s presence played a significant role in the Ghost’s decision.

From the moment Taesan entered the Labyrinth and descended to its depths, the Ghost had been with him. Though not a long time, they had shared many experiences, and the Ghost had grown attached to Taesan.

‘We’ll part eventually, but until then…’

Even if it was only temporary, he preferred to witness how far Taesan would go rather than dwell in a false reality.

That decision had been made.

[You’ve gained many things. Why don’t you check them?]

“Of course.”

First, the proficiency of *Ability Sword,* *Irac Weapon Skills,* and related skills had significantly increased. The title he earned on the 70th floor had contributed greatly, raising the Irac Weapon Skills by 3% in a single battle.

Although none of his skills had evolved, the improvement felt satisfying.

Then there were the skills he had obtained from defeating the Demon King.

---

**[Special Active Skill: Call of Destruction]**

*Proficiency: 1%*

*Cost ???: ???*

*Summons destruction.*

---

The description was unusually simple. It wasn’t even clear what resource the skill consumed.

“What is this?”

He couldn’t tell if it was an attack skill or something else entirely, but he sensed one thing: it was ominous.

The skill itself felt inherently unsettling.

“I’ll test it later.”

Taesan decided he would try it out only in a controlled situation.

---

**[Special Passive Skill: Opponent of Destruction]**

*Proficiency: 1%*

*Greatly amplifies strength and power when facing beings of destruction.*

---

A useful skill for future battles, especially against enemies like the Demon

 King or other apocalyptic threats.

---

**[Special Passive Skill: Will of Resolution]**

*Proficiency: 1%*

*A mind that has conquered and risen. The spirit resists contamination from external forces.*

---

“Interesting.”

Taesan’s eyes glinted with approval.

Currently, his mind faced contamination when he wielded powers like the Holy attribute and the Dark. This skill would help resist that influence, making it invaluable.

The *Will of Destruction* he obtained seemed to be an item rather than a skill, likely a material he could examine with Half-Ran.

Finally, Taesan looked at the item he was most curious about: the ring Ligrit had given him as a reward for completing the enhanced trial.

---

**[Ring of Twisted Distortion of the Regretful]**

*Health +100*

*Mana +100*

*Attack Power +100*

*Defense +100*

*Allows one skill with a cooldown to have its cooldown reset. Skills with a cooldown of over a week cannot be reset. This effect has a cooldown of one month.*