Taesan accepted Ariel's proposal.

While the core of a Spirit King might hold immense value for the spirits, to Taesan, it was just another valuable material. With an equivalent reward, there was no reason to refuse.

“I appreciate your acceptance, Minerva’s contractor,” Ariel expressed gratitude, gently guiding the crazed spirit’s soul and the Spirit King’s core into alignment.

“There may be a shock, but… I see no need for you to step back,” Ariel continued, now more confident of Taesan’s resilience.

“Feel free to observe as you wish. Shall we, everyone?” Ariel addressed the other Spirit Kings.

“Yes, understood,” Minerva responded, along with the other four Spirit Kings who gathered around Ariel.

Taesan, watching from behind, asked, “So, will this create a new Fire Spirit King?”

“That would be difficult,” Ariel replied. “While the mad spirit may inherit the core’s power, a Spirit King is not defined by strength alone. Moreover, the spirit’s condition is far from ideal.”

The crazed spirit had sacrificed everything to harm the former Fire Spirit King. A simple burning of life force would not have sufficed; it required a resolve akin to complete self-abandonment—letting soul and spirit burn away with no regard for survival.

“Just restoring its broken state will consume a great deal of energy. It won’t reach the level of a King’s power.”

The mad spirit’s soul and the Spirit King’s core began to swirl and draw closer, creating a vortex.

“We are infusing it with the dignity and essence of a Spirit King. Any misstep could be dangerous, so stay focused.”

A powerful wave erupted as the two forces collided, sending a shockwave across the area. Taesan could feel the extreme condensation of energy radiating from the core—it was no power to be underestimated.

“Let’s begin,” Ariel announced.

The Spirit Kings summoned their powers to suppress the raging force. Taesan watched the incomprehensible movements of their energy begin.

The Spirit Kings strained under the effort, even though their strength was formidable. Taesan noticed that their powers, while strong, fell significantly short of his own.

Then, Ariel’s power came forth, enveloping the surroundings with a warm, radiant light emanating from within the spirit realm’s tree.

Under the immense pressure of Ariel’s overwhelming strength, the chaotic energies started to settle and harmonize.

Taesan’s eyes sparkled with intrigue. Ariel was indeed the strongest among the Spirit Kings, his strength revealing that he was likely at the level of an immortal being.

The two cores gradually fused, the white merging into red and finally fading to ashen gray.

“…It’s done,” Ariel stated, as the blinding light began to fade.

The mad spirit’s soul stabilized, calming.

“Thank you, Minerva’s contractor. Because of you…”

Ariel’s words suddenly trailed off as—

A brilliant flash spread out. The mad spirit’s soul scattered in all directions, dispersing throughout the spirit realm.

As the soul brushed past Taesan, he heard a quiet voice in his ear.

“Thank you.”

With those words, the mad spirit vanished. Left behind were the Spirit Kings and a residual, ash-colored power.

“Hmm?”

“What’s this…?”

“Did something go wrong?” Taesan asked.

“No, not exactly.” Ariel gently shook his wings.

“The fusion of power was successful. However… the mad spirit only retained enough power to sustain itself, discarding the rest.”

“Discarded it?”

It seemed the spirit no longer had any desire for power, perhaps finding no attachment to the strength that had brought it such ruin. Or maybe it held no wish to wield power associated with Vishnu. Thus, the mad spirit chose not to claim the Spirit King’s power entirely.

The outcome left behind a substantial residue of power.

“Interesting…”

The Spirit Kings’ eyes shone with desire.

Suppressing the crazed spirit required considerable strength, which is why they had used the Spirit King’s core in the first place. But it turned out not all of the core’s power had been necessary.

The mad spirit had taken only what it needed and left the rest.

“This worked out well,” Ariel noted.

“This power was originally intended for you. Since the mad spirit abandoned it, it is yours, Minerva’s contractor.”

“I see.”

Taesan studied the energy for a moment, deciding how best to handle it.

“Minerva, you take it.”

“Are you sure?”

“You need to grow stronger.”

Minerva sighed at his response, unable to argue. Compared to Taesan, her power was indeed lacking.

“Then I’ll do my best to grow stronger. Thank you.”

Minerva placed her hand on the residual power, absorbing it into herself.

“Hoo…”

She exhaled as she integrated the energy, her strength becoming more pronounced.

After observing her, Taesan turned to Ariel.

“So, what will become of the mad spirit?”

“The soul is healed but will require time to recover. When the time is right, it will return here as a spirit,” Ariel replied with satisfaction.

Taesan was pleased as well; the mad spirit had aided him significantly against Vishnu. It was better that it could now return in a stable state.

“I look forward to seeing what kind of spirit it will become. Thank you for allowing the Spirit King’s core to be used. You deserve a worthy reward,” Ariel said, wings shimmering as a bright light began to coalesce before him.

“Accept this. It is a power bordering the limits of what mortals can wield. With it, you may achieve what you desire.”

[You have obtained a Pure Light Crystal.]

True to Ariel’s words, the crystal pulsed with intense and potent energy.

“Still, compared to the Spirit King’s core, this is worth less. If there’s anything else you’d like, just say it, and I will consider it.”

“Then…” Taesan’s gaze shifted to the vast spirit realm. Numerous branches held flowers and leaves of countless forms and colors.

“May I take some materials from this place?”

Ariel hesitated briefly but then agreed.

“Normally, this would be forbidden, but I have the authority to permit it within reason. Take what you need in moderation.”

“Thank you. One last thing, if I may?”

“Speak,” Ariel replied.

Taesan looked directly at Ariel.

“Would you spar with me?”

“Hm?”

[What?]

The other Spirit Kings reacted with surprise.

[Ariel is a being who has existed since the dawn of the spirit realm. No mortal can challenge him.]

The older a spirit was, the stronger it became. And here, in the spirit realm, there were no limitations on their power.

After a pause, Ariel agreed, “If that is what you wish, then very well. Come with me.”

---

Ariel led Taesan to an expansive clearing.

“This place… It was once a battlefield for Spirit Kings. Since then, it has remained a dead zone.”

Taesan drew his sword.

Ariel’s power was at the level of an immortal. Facing such an opponent without risking his life would be an invaluable experience. Taesan wouldn’t waste this opportunity.

The Spirit Kings, who had followed to watch, spoke up.

“Please, take it easy, Ariel. Minerva would not forgive you if her contractor were harmed.”

“Let’s see,” Ariel replied, eyes fixed on Taesan, who had assumed a fighting stance.

“There will be no need for restraint.”

A blinding light surged from Ariel, covering the entire clearing with a blazing intensity.

Taesan activated every buff skill he had and charged forward.

Power clashed.

Boom!

The Spirit Kings watching were shocked. Taesan was clearly being overwhelmed, barely able to defend himself. Yet, he wasn’t defeated; he endured Ariel’s power.

Withstanding the strength of an immortal with a mortal body, Taesan managed to hold his ground against the torrent of light.

The Spirit Kings were speechless.

Soon, the battle ended as Ariel withdrew his strength upon sensing Taesan nearing his limit.

“This should suffice,” Ariel said.

Taesan, catching his breath, nodded in agreement. It had been a valuable experience, giving him insight into how to counter and respond to an immortal-level opponent.

Ariel quietly observed him. “You stand on the boundary,” he noted.

“Boundary?”

“Yes, the mortal boundary,” Ariel clarified.

Ariel’s assessment was that Taesan was not fully bound by mortality yet not entirely beyond it.

“Crossing it is difficult, but… remarkable. I look forward to seeing where your path leads.”

Afterward, Taesan gathered various materials from the spirit realm, enough to perform partial world alterations twice.

With this, he gained Minerva’s enhancement, the materials for partial world transformation, equipment components, and the experience of fighting an immortal.

Satisfied, Taesan returned to the labyrinth.

His first task upon returning was to visit Haphran.

“What… is this?” Haphran murmured, staring at the Pure Light Crystal Taesan handed him.

“Where did you get this?”

“A spirit gave it to me. Can you craft something from it?”

“Yes, it’s possible,” Haphran replied, though with a reluctant expression.

“This is at the limit of what I can handle. I’ll be able to make something, but it will be limited.”

“Make it as useful as possible.”

“Understood. It’ll take some time,” Haphran replied, picking up his hammer.

Leaving Haphran to his work, Taesan reviewed his rewards from the 73rd floor.

---

**[Shoes of the One Who Left Footprints Across All Lands]**

- Attack Power: +200
- Defense: +500
- Strength: +600
- Agility: +600
- Action Speed: +20%
- Movement Speed: +20%

*A person wished to leave footprints across the world. Starting as soon

 as they could walk, they pursued their goal, achieving it one day before their death.*

---

**[Helmet of the Iron Wall]**

- Attack Power: +150
- Strength: +300
- Defense: +400
- Magic Resistance: +10

*The iron wall that guards the world. This helmet was crafted by compressing that very essence.*

The rewards from the 73rd floor were powerful equipment with high stats, particularly the helmet, which granted both strength and magic resistance.

Now, the 74th floor awaited.

Reaching the long-impassable floor that the guides had only recently managed to clear, Taesan began his next challenge.

---

**[Quest for Floor 74: Gather Information from the Battlefield of the Immortals.]**

- Reward: ???
- Secret Reward: ???

Setting foot on the 74th floor, he found it empty—an indication that something would likely appear to issue the quest.

The labyrinth’s walls shifted, revealing Balbabamba.

“You’ve arrived. I won’t need to bore you with explanations, I presume?”

“You’re the one explaining?”

“The 74th floor is unique. The system alone can’t fully describe it, so I had to appear personally,” Balbabamba explained.

“The Battlefield of the Immortals… A land where countless immortals clashed and fell, leaving it desolate in the end. Your path to clear the 74th floor lies in that place—Valhallu.”