> **[First, I'll give you my most magnificent and exceptional magic.]**

> **[You have acquired Magic Stacking.]**

> **[You have acquired Magic Release.]**

*Magic Stacking.*

It was a spell Shayen had used. Akisha proudly explained.

> **[It’s a spell I created. By separating and merging multiple magic cores, you can stack different types of magic and use them simultaneously. It’s not just about raw power; it also combines unique traits, which will be very beneficial to you.]**

“I know.”

Akisha paused.

> **[You know?]**

“Shayen used it.”

> **[…I see. That explains it.]**

Akisha chuckled.

> **[He wanted it so badly that he ended up creating it himself. Well, then there's no need for me to go over it in detail. Try it out and see for yourself.]**

Akisha then handed him the staff and robe Shayen had once used. Taesan examined them, assessing their quality.

---

> **[Staff of the One Who Nearly Became a Great Archmage]**

> **[Magic +300]**

> **[Mana +5000]**

> **[Casting Speed +12%]**

> **[A staff imbued with the resentment and talent of one who possessed the strength to become a great archmage but perished due to a vile betrayal.]**

This was equipment of a high standard, something you wouldn't normally find on the floor where Akisha had died. It seemed that the level of the quest had boosted the quality of the gear.

The robe matched in caliber. Although Taesan, being a swordsman, wouldn’t be wearing it, it would make a fine offering to the god of magic.

> **[That concludes my rewards.]**

Akisha's form began to slowly fade.

> **[I achieved my wish... yet it feels so hollow.]**

He murmured bitterly.

He had ultimately died.

There was no chance of resurrection. His talent, abilities, and potential—all had ended this way.

> **[Truly unfortunate. You're also bound to this labyrinth by a similar wish, aren't you?]**

The ghost gave a quiet nod to Akisha’s question, and Akisha chuckled wearily.

> **[We share the same affliction. Prepare yourself. An end like this... is truly empty.]**

With those words, Akisha’s body vanished.

His spirit was no longer there. With his wish fulfilled, the contract was complete, and he left the labyrinth.

> **[…]**

The ghost silently gazed at the place where Akisha had disappeared.

---

---

> **[Magic Stacking]**

> **[Proficiency: 1%]**

> **[Allows multiple spells to be stacked and used together. Currently limited to the same type of spells, and the number that can be stacked seems very restricted.]**

> **[Magic Release]**

> **[Proficiency: 1%]**

> **[Releases stacked spells.]**

This was the skill Akisha had left him: Magic Stacking.

After testing it with a variety of spells, Taesan came to a realization.

“It's quite similar to dark magic.”

Dark magic relied on demonic power, opening a channel to summon its true strength with the demon’s permission.

However, opening that channel took considerable time and increased magic consumption.

Magic Stacking had a similar drawback. It allowed the stacking of magic to amplify power, but due to his lack of proficiency, it took time to set up.

Still, the increased potency was undeniable.

With Taesan’s Double Casting ability, he could adjust his approach to different situations. As his proficiency improved, he would eventually be able to use it without delay, just as Shayen had. It was a valuable skill.

There were also other skills he had acquired from defeating Shayen.

> **[Forced Magic Calibration]**

> **[Proficiency: 1%]**

> **[Allows forced adjustment of magic spells.]**

The description was brief, but Taesan had observed Shayen using it to adapt offensive spells into defensive ones and vice versa.

This skill would prove quite useful, especially for Taesan, whose arsenal was largely offensive. The ability to use magic in a variety of ways expanded his versatility, which would be invaluable.

Additionally, he had gained an intermediate magic spell.

> **[Intermediate Magic: Distortion]**

> **[Proficiency: 1%]**

> **[Mana Cost: 150]**

> **[Twists space. Currently limited to a small, narrow area.]**

Taesan tested the skill.

> **[You have activated Distortion.]**

Crackle.

Space twisted.

Though only a small area—barely enough to fit a fist—was visibly warped.

“It doesn’t make a substantial difference.”

Unlike Shayen, he couldn’t use it to block entire attacks. At best, it was a minor distortion in a small space. It seemed unlikely to be highly impactful in battle.

However…

Taesan stroked his chin.

He could control the location and size within the limitations. This skill might aid him in recovering a skill from his previous life that he hadn’t yet regained.

For now, he planned to explore it further and determine its full effect.

---

> **[Special Passive Skill: Swift Decision-Making]**

> **[Proficiency: 1%]**

> **[Assists in making rapid decisions during battle.]**

Swift Decision-Making. One of the skills he had gained last in his previous life.

In battle, he needed to weigh different possibilities, find the best choice, and act quickly.

Just as enhanced senses bolstered perception, Swift Decision-Making aided him in making quick judgments.

This skill reminded him of another.

*“Ten Thousand Possibilities.”*

A skill that calculated ten thousand scenarios to find the optimal solution.

It was a skill only Lee Taeyeon had possessed, and one Taesan had never managed to acquire.

But now, it seemed within reach.

His proficiency in various spells and intermediate magic had also increased.

After confirming everything, Taesan continued onward.

---

---

Before descending further into the labyrinth, Taesan visited Liris to offer a tribute.

> **[Intermediate Rune Magic: Shield of the White Rune]**

> **[Proficiency: 1%]**

> **[Mana Cost: 700]**

> **[Summons three rune shields to protect the caster. The shields remain close to the body, deflecting incoming attacks.]**

The *White Rune Shield*, a basic rune magic skill obtained from clearing the Giant’s Domain, was rarely used now as low-tier magic was ineffective against most threats.

But now, the god of magic had upgraded it.

With increased mana cost, the intermediate version likely offered a much stronger defense—an asset for someone like Taesan, who was constantly in motion. There was a significant gap between basic and intermediate magic.

It reminded him of the advanced spell Shayen had used.

The *Call of Destruction* Shayen had cast possessed the power to kill Taesan with ease.

And he could cast it not once, but five times. Taesan had survived using various skills, but any slight shortcoming would have led to his death.

It was a power far beyond what a mortal should wield. He now understood; advanced magic was a domain beyond the mortal realm.

Taesan descended deeper into the labyrinth.

He had yet to clear the 73rd floor.

Beyond the place where he defeated Shayen lay the entrance to a cave.

Taesan stepped inside.

The scent of damp moss and thick, dark shadows filled the cavern.

He recalled the conditions for clearing the 73rd floor.

> **[Floor 73 Quest Start.]**

> **[Conquer the dungeon and defeat its master deep within...]**

> **[Reward: Boots of the One Who Left Footprints Across the Land.]**

> **[Secret Reward: ???]**

A dungeon to conquer.

Taesan placed his hand on the cave floor. Gathering his mana, he opened a channel.

> **[You have activated Leraje’s Area Detection.]**

A hum filled the air as waves of detection spread throughout the cavern, relaying information back to Taesan.

He quickly understood that this was a vast, five-leveled cave.

“So, a dungeon within the labyrinth.”

He gripped his sword and ventured deeper into the dungeon. As he progressed, monsters began to appear.

> **[The Withered Swordmaster, Dreyn, has appeared.]**

> **[The Withered Spearmaster, Byan, has appeared.]**

They were desiccated skeletons, each wielding weapons, charging at Taesan.

*Clang!*

Taesan maneuvered his sword, deflecting a spear aimed at his head and twisting his body to avoid a strike toward his thigh.

They were fast, their movements skilled like seasoned warriors. They countered Taesan’s strikes with ease.

He recognized who they were.

*“Adventurers who died on the 73rd floor.”*

The deeper floors of the labyrinth were notoriously difficult. Many had perished here.

These skeletons were their remains.

*Clang!*

Taesan struck with force. Though the skeletons attempted to block, they were sent flying, weapons still in hand.

In the end, they were failures.

They couldn’t stop him.

Taesan moved in, cutting them down. Though they responded as seasoned fighters, he was faster.

*Crack.*

In moments, two monsters lay defeated.

Taesan sheathed his sword with a sigh.

“They’re not that impressive.”

It seemed their souls had long departed, leaving only remnants of their former selves. Unlike the guides he had faced, these foes lacked unique traits.

Taesan continued onward.

He quickly cleared the first and second floors, reaching the third without much trouble.

Though the

 dead adventurers kept appearing, none could halt his progress.

> **[This wasn't the original design of this place.]**

The ghost murmured. For someone who had descended the labyrinth with much more limited strength, he could tell.

Taesan’s words were true—the dead adventurers retained some of their former power, but their talents had diminished.

Many adventurers would struggle to clear the 73rd floor, designed to be analyzed and overcome through careful observation and skill.

But to Taesan, it was no challenge.

He breezed through the deep floors as though taking a leisurely walk.

As he advanced, he came across a hidden chamber, which he promptly uncovered and examined.

> **[Aegis Shield of the Divine]**

> **[Defense +150]**

> **[A shield used by the great saint Aegis when they ascended from humanity to divinity.]**

> **[Grants immunity to all damage for one second. This effect has a one-month cooldown.]**

“A stronger version of the Aegis Shield, huh?”

The Aegis Shield Taesan owned provided one second of immunity to damage, but immobilized the user as a penalty.

This shield had no such restriction. Having experienced the shield’s effect firsthand, Taesan knew it would be invaluable.

He stored the shield in his inventory and continued through the dungeon.

He made swift progress, completing the challenging dungeon in under an hour.

Finally, he reached the 73rd floor’s boss.

> **[The Withered Lich, Malacos, has appeared.]**

Holding a staff and clad in a dark robe, a skeletal figure stood before him.

A lich, a sorcerer reborn as undead.

“Another mage, huh?”

Taesan drew his sword as Malacos raised his staff, empty eye sockets glaring with unmistakable hostility.

> **[Malacos activates Frost Arrow.]**

Taesan dodged the incoming arrow, swiftly closing in on Malacos, who struck down with his staff.

> **[Malacos activates Frozen World.]**

Crackle!

A bitter cold engulfed the narrow cavern as frost filled the air.

“Using intermediate magic too?”

Taesan murmured with admiration. The deeper floors certainly lived up to their reputation; even monsters wielded intermediate magic.

> **[You have activated Starlight Arrow.]**

> **[You have activated Forced Amplification.]**

However, the spell was not particularly strong. The frost shattered under the power of Taesan’s Starlight Arrow. Malacos hurriedly raised his staff.

> **[Malacos activates Wall of Protection.]**

*Boom!*

Blue energy clashed with the Starlight Arrow, sending shockwaves throughout the cavern.

Taesan closed in on Malacos.

The lich wasn’t weak; he wielded intermediate magic with proficiency, putting Taesan on the defensive.

But Taesan had just defeated Shayen, who delved into the depths of magical prowess.

With his superior strength, Malacos couldn’t withstand him for long and soon fell to Taesan’s sword.

*Clatter.*

Bones scattered across the floor. As Taesan readied himself to claim his reward, something unexpected happened.

*Clatter.*

The shattered skeleton began to reassemble itself. Though clearly defeated, it reformed, and once again turned its hostility toward Taesan.

> **[The Withered Lich, Malacos, has resurrected.]**