Everything around began to disintegrate. In the deepest layers of the labyrinth, one could acquire the highest level of equipment, yet the sheer force unleashed here spared nothing. Lee Taeyeon found herself struggling to breathe amidst the searing heat.

But it didn’t matter.

**[You have activated the Shadow of Immortality.]**

Her body became shrouded in shadows, an embodiment of primordial darkness itself. Even in the face of this burning light and heat, the shadow remained, a part of the darkness that existed since the dawn of the world. Such a power could not be erased by mere force.

The relentless heat caused the monsters’ outer shells to crumble, their bodies shattering and breaking apart.

*Boom!*

If left alone, all the monsters would likely burn to death. However, three double-digit monsters threw themselves before the crimson giant star.

*Whoosh!*

Two of the monsters expanded in size, their swollen bodies intercepting the heat of the crimson star directed at the other creatures.

*Crackle!*

Their bodies instantly turned to sand as they bore the brunt of the crimson star’s power.

A single-digit monster seized the opportunity, gathering its amorphous form into a single mass and emitting a piercing violet beam that clashed with the crimson star’s energy.

*Boom…*

The crimson star, which seemed capable of burning the Earth itself, began to sink slowly.

Lowering her shadows, Lee Taeyeon scowled.

"Only managed to take out three?"

The three double-digit monsters that had intercepted the crimson star were gone without a trace. The other four monsters, though clearly damaged, still stood.

Three monsters had intercepted the star’s power with their bodies, while the single-digit monster neutralized it with its violet beam.

“Damn it. That was my trump card.”

She placed her now charred staff back in her inventory. The crimson star staff could only be used once, and she had already activated the Shadow of Immortality, which wouldn’t be usable for quite some time. She’d hoped to eliminate at least four monsters but had only managed three.

Now, she faced three double-digit monsters and one single-digit monster.

“You’re a pain in the neck. Really.”

Clicking her tongue, she quickly analyzed her situation.

Facing all four at once would be impossible. She had to reduce their numbers first.

**[You have activated Breath of the Hidden Rat.]**

**[You have activated Untold Story of the Unknown.]**

**[You have activated Invisible Shadow.]**

She vanished without a trace, leaving behind neither presence nor aura.

The monsters, once alert, hesitated, momentarily losing track of her.

Lee Taeyeon quietly approached one of the double-digit monsters. In her hand, she held a black gem.

“See you later.”

**[You have activated Forced Seal of the Distorted Space.]**

*Buzzing sound!*

The gem glowed and absorbed the double-digit monster in an instant. Lee Taeyeon quickly retrieved the gem.

The Forced Seal of the Distorted Space could imprison beings below a certain power level for one hour. She would’ve preferred to use it on the single-digit monster, but it was too powerful to be sealed.

With one monster out of the way, three remained. She quickly pulled out another item from her inventory.

She scattered the contents of her hand into the air.

**[You have used the Remains of the Saint Who Cried for Peace.]**

The powder wrapped around the single-digit monster, forming a monochrome prison. The creature struggled, but the prison, formed of sacred ash, showed no sign of breaking.

The Remains of the Saint Who Cried for Peace—a rare item that forcibly removed a designated target from battle.

Just a single pinch of this powder was worth over ten thousand gold. Given that it was an item she could no longer find since leaving the labyrinth, it pained her to use it, but removing the single-digit monster from the fight was worth the cost.

“Would’ve been nice if I had a Duel Enforcer.”

Two double-digit monsters remained.

She steadied her breath as her equipment began to shine with an array of activated skills.

**[You have activated Attack Amplification.]**

**[You have activated Shoes that Run Through Time.]**

**[You have activated Forced Calm of the Mind.]**

**[You have activated Conversion of Negative Emotions to Attack Power.]**

**[You have…]**

Activating numerous skills and equipment, Lee Taeyeon launched herself forward, a sword in one hand and a shield in the other, moving faster than ever before.

She kicked off the ground, moving instantly above the monster’s head, slamming her sword down.

**[You have activated Vital Spot Designation.]**

**[You have activated Add Damage.]**

*Boom!*

A massive impact shook the monster’s body.

**[Dealt 32,421 damage to Monster 43.]**

*Crack!*

She continued to swing her sword. Though insignificant in size compared to the enormous monster, she pushed it back with sheer force.

The other double-digit monster, unwilling to remain idle, swung its multiple arms at her, attempting to crush her.

She jumped back and raised her shield.

*Clang!*

The monster was repelled by the force of the shield’s rebound. She dashed forward, burying her sword into the monster’s chest.

She could take down two double-digit monsters on her own. She reached for her staff to finish off the fallen creature.

**[You have activated the Remains of the Countless Falling Stars.]**

A cascade of light rained down upon the monster.

Though not as powerful as the crimson star, the staff was high-grade, ensuring it dealt a significant blow. She quickly dispatched one of the monsters.

She then turned to face the last double-digit monster, shield in hand.

*Clang!*

“Ugh!”

A grunt escaped her lips as she felt the heavy impact behind her shield.

But she held her ground. Planting her feet firmly, she shoved the monster back.

*Boom!*

The monster was flung away.

It was a shield she’d acquired on the 100th floor, capable of deflecting any attack her body could withstand without taking damage.

She launched herself, pressing the attack on the monster.

*Slash.*

A deep gash appeared across the monster’s chest. Just as she was about to land a finishing blow—

**[You have activated Line of Death.]**

A cold shiver ran down her spine.

Moving now would mean death.

She gritted her teeth as the ring on her left hand shone.

**[You have activated Limited Space Teleportation.]**

She teleported behind the monster just as a beam of violet light obliterated the area she had just occupied.

*Shatter!*

The prison formed by the saint’s ashes crumbled, releasing the single-digit monster that unleashed the violet beam.

The monster she’d been attacking was instantly pierced by the beam and vanished without a trace.

Bracing herself, Lee Taeyeon quickly raised her shield.

*Clang!*

The violet beam collided with her shield, and her eyes widened.

The shield was melting at an alarming rate.

“Damn it!”

She hurriedly opened her inventory, twisting her shield and throwing a piece of distorted space towards the beam.

**[You have activated Fragment of Distorted Space.]**

The fragment distorted space itself, perfectly blocking the attack. It was an item she trusted entirely, as it had never failed her before.

But an eerie feeling overtook her, prompting her to quickly activate additional skills.

**[You have activated Fortification.]**

**[You have activated First Attack Weakening.]**

*Buzzing!*

The violet beam fractured into countless rays, shattering her defenses.

**[You took 32,421 damage.]**

“Urgh!”

She gritted her teeth, barely keeping her footing.

“…Hah.”

She let out a hollow laugh.

The Fragment of Distorted Space had been pierced.

Even with Fortification and First Attack Weakening, she’d sustained over 32,000 damage. Without those defenses, it would have been enough to kill her multiple times over.

“Sigh.”

She took a deep breath and looked at the single-digit monster.

An opponent with no guaranteed victory.

The only comfort was that she had already dispatched the other monsters, leaving her in a one-on-one situation.

**[You have activated Ten Thousand Possibilities.]**

A simulation began, with countless scenarios flooding her mind.

All potential outcomes were calculated instantly, revealing only one path to victory.

The first scenario: relying on her staff’s magic—result: death.

The second scenario: using all fragments of distorted space—result: death.

The third scenario: using her full arsenal of potions—result: death.

…

The 7,821st scenario: a prolonged fight, hiding and exploiting gaps in the monster’s defenses over time.

The result: victory.

“Not good enough.”

She erased that option.

Her concealment skills could hide her presence even from the monster. However, experience had taught her that if she prolonged the fight, the monster would turn its attention to others.

No one else could withstand this monster. Not even Taesan.

She recalculated, this time without any retreat.

Ten thousand simulations. Each one ended in her death.

**[You have activated Exclusion of Ten Thousand Deaths.]**

**[You have activated Ten Thousand Possibilities.]**

She ran the simulation again, excluding all previously failed outcomes. The result remained the same—death.

She persisted, activating the skill dozens of times in rapid succession, the entire process taking less than two seconds.

**[You have activated Ten Thousand Possibilities.]**

After countless attempts, she finally found it.

One victory among ten thousand deaths.

“Let’s go.”

She charged, knowing she had no time to waste

. She couldn’t hesitate; the only path to victory required immediate action.

She sprinted toward the monster, scattering a powder from her inventory.

**[You have activated the Intricate Fragment of Uncountable Threads.]**

The powder spread across the battlefield, her senses merging with its reach.

She could sense the monster’s intent, even if it showed no outward sign.

She twisted her body.

Dozens of violet beams erupted, penetrating the ground and spreading outwards.

*Boom!*

Each strike held enough power to kill her instantly. Suppressing her fear, she closed the gap between herself and the monster.

Although the beams were near-instantaneous, her extended senses allowed her to evade them.

She dodged the beams and attached herself to the monster’s side.

The monster’s attacks were linear violet beams. Staying close rendered it easier to dodge.

Gripping her sword tightly, she endured the barrage, continuing to attack.

She narrowly avoided each beam as she approached, raising her staff.

**[You have activated Unerring Thunderstrike.]**

*Crack!*

A bolt of lightning struck the monster, momentarily paralyzing it.

Unerring Thunderstrike—a guaranteed hit that inflicted a brief paralysis. Although effective, it required her to be in close range to activate.

So far, so good. She moved quickly, embedding her sword into the paralyzed monster.

*Slash.*

The sword pierced its amorphous body.

The monster prepared to retaliate, but she swiftly read the movement and stepped back.

**[You have activated Time’s Step.]**

Time seemed to slow as she shifted behind the monster.

Time resumed as a concentrated beam of energy vaporized the spot where she had just been.

Burying her sword deeper into the creature, she threw a vial.

*Sizzle!*

The sound of sizzling filled the air as the creature’s form began to burn.

She smirked.

The potion she used was Divine Blood of the Saint, capable of burning the body and soul of any accursed being.

The monster’s movements noticeably slowed.

Continuing to drive her sword into it, she managed to dodge each beam.

“I can do this!”

She gripped her sword tightly, feeling her heartbeat race as she kept up the attack.

Several times, close calls forced her to rely on her equipment’s defensive properties.

The monster’s body accumulated countless cuts as she carefully chipped away at it.

Finally, she sensed the end was near.

She knew, instinctively, that one last blow would finish it.

Dodging the incoming light, she raised her sword for the final strike.

Just then—

*Snap!*

“Huh?”

Her arm was grabbed.

She turned to see another monster holding her arm.

“Oh no.”

It was the monster she had sealed with the gem. The hour had passed, and it had broken free.

Ten Thousand Possibilities could only simulate calculated outcomes. External interference was beyond its scope.

The amorphous monster prepared a powerful attack. She tried to move, but it was too late.

Before she could evade, the beam fired.

She’d already used all her life-saving equipment.

She was going to die.

In that instant—

**[Kang Taesan has activated Limited Time Stop.]**

**[Time is frozen within a 100-meter radius for 2 minutes.]**

The monster froze mid-attack.

“What?”

She twisted her wrist, tearing the double-digit monster off her arm.

“That was close.”

She looked in the direction of the voice.

It was Taesan.

“Taesan…”

“Sorry, the Time Stop doesn’t distinguish between friend and foe, so it took a bit to calculate the range. I’m a little late.”

With a weary face, Taesan approached.

“Finish it off.”

“Right. Got it.”

She plunged her sword into the frozen monster, and it shattered, scattering its energy.

Another double-digit monster charged, but together, she and Taesan dispatched it in no time.

“Did we win?”

“I wouldn’t be here if we hadn’t. The others are safe too.”

“I see…”

They had won.

They had survived. Relief finally settled in her heart, and as she sank to the ground, Taesan gave her a sad look.

“But… I’m afraid we can’t afford to celebrate.”

“…Oh.”

She finally understood. The number of presences around them had dropped significantly.

They had won the battle.

But not everyone had survived.

“A victory is still a victory. Let’s at least take a moment to rest,” Taesan said, turning away. Lee Taeyeon stared at his back before forcing herself to stand.

The results of the battle:

All the monsters had been slain.

But nearly half of their people had died.

And the city they had painstakingly built was utterly destroyed.

They had secured a victory—but one marred with loss.