"Before we proceed, there’s something I’d like to ask."

Taesan frowned. "Why did you start reclaiming power before I even returned?"

The Transcendents had been hasty. They could have waited until he returned to the labyrinth to reclaim their power without any issues. But by acting prematurely, they allowed the dark god an opportunity to intervene, a misstep that could have cost Taesan his life. Balbabamba replied in a measured tone.

[On that point, we were wronged. To clarify, the power reclamation of Valhalluni was not the work of many, but of a single Transcendent. And he’s one who’s not aligned with the labyrinth.]

"...I see."

Taesan understood now.

Although he had garnered the favor and interest of numerous Transcendents, that favor only extended to those who had directly met and tested him. Transcendents outside the labyrinth had little reason to care about him. To them, Taesan was just another mortal, his life and death inconsequential.

[Among the Transcendents outside the labyrinth, there are many who look down on it. From their perspective, it's natural to resent the idea of someone with potential who could be their servant slipping into the labyrinth’s clutches.]

"I figured as much."

Even among the Transcendents he’d encountered in the divine battlefield, many harbored hostility toward the labyrinth. It wasn’t surprising that those who supported Taesan, beloved of the labyrinth's Transcendents, would face resentment.

[A labyrinth Transcendent tried to intervene, but the dark god seized the moment to disrupt them. Allow me to offer an apology on their behalf.]

"It’s fine."

With that context, Taesan could understand the situation. Balbabamba continued.

[However, due to this incident, even the gods outside the labyrinth will now take an interest in you. At the very least, your existence will be etched into their minds.]

After defeating the remains of the Immortal, a message had appeared: "The gods outside the labyrinth are now interested in you."

[Whether this is fortune or misfortune, I cannot say. It is beyond my domain. Nonetheless, I wish you luck.]

With that, it was time for Taesan’s reward.

Balbabamba looked at Taesan and asked,

[You have solved a long-standing problem that has troubled the Transcendents.]

The 74th floor’s quest had been established under the gods’ request. They’d needed mortal assistance in dealing with the dark god’s interference, and Taesan had completed the quest flawlessly.

[First, you’ll need a weapon.]

The sword Taesan had wielded had broken under the immense force of the Boundary, which bordered on immortality. Balbabamba gathered his power.

[Balbabamba activates #000451.]

[You have acquired a sword crafted by the labyrinth’s mage.]

---

**[Sword Crafted by the Labyrinth’s Mage]**

- **Attack Power +750**
- A sword forged by the labyrinth's mage during the labyrinth's design process. Despite being crafted without serious effort, it contains tremendous power.

---

[A sword the mage created on a whim. Still, it should be quite useful to you.]

Balbabamba gathered his power again.

[And I'll also give you materials for your wrist guard.]

He summoned a gray clay, which was swiftly absorbed by Taesan’s wrist guard, emitting a satisfying rumble.

---

**[Wrist Guard of World Transformation]**

- **Attack Power +600**
- **Defense Power +500**
- A wrist guard created with the power of the Green Witch. Using specific conditions and catalysts, it possesses the power to alter the world’s laws around the equipment.
- If one has learned the Green Witch's magic, [Partial World Transformation] can be used.

---

The wrist guard’s attack and defense had each increased by 100. Since it was equipment that would last until the labyrinth’s end, it was a valuable upgrade.

[And that ring.]

Balbabamba’s gaze fell on the black and white ring on Taesan’s finger.

[It’s reached its limit. Here’s a little favor. I’ll break through it.]

Balbabamba’s power enveloped the black and white ring, amplifying the ring’s strength with a harsh sound.

The ferocity contained in the black ring had slightly subsided, as though it was beginning to accept Taesan.

---

**[One Shrouded in Black with Magnificence]**

- **Attack Power +1,250**
- A ring forged from a dragon’s claw and the ember of a spirit king. Raw power resides within, with conflicting energies creating a nascent consciousness. While the consciousness is not whole, it’s violent and recognizes only its twin and master. The one who tames it will unlock further power.

---

"Interesting."

The ring’s attack power had increased by 250.

Previously, it hadn’t acknowledged anyone other than its twin. Now, it recognized its master.

---

**[One Shrouded in Pure White with Mystery]**

- Resonates with the user’s aura and sanctity, storing energy that can be used when needed. It can slightly assist in handling the black ring.

---

The white ring now had an additional line indicating it could assist with the black ring. Since Taesan would continue wielding the black power, this change was valuable.

[That’s everything for the equipment. Satisfied?]

"More than enough."

Taesan nodded. Just the increase in attack power, totaling 600, was reward enough.

But there was more.

[What you’ve achieved is worthy of a greater reward. Give me a moment.]

The bricks making up Balbabamba’s form shifted, as if he were signaling something.

[It’s done.]

After a moment, Balbabamba spoke again.

[I've obtained approval from the god of magic and the god of dark arts. For what you have done for the Transcendents, you shall receive magic and dark magic fitting for your achievements.]

To receive magic and dark magic from Balbabamba was unexpected.

Balbabamba channeled magical and dark energy into Taesan.

[You have acquired Intermediate Magic [Focused Detection].]

[You have acquired Intermediate Dark Magic [Storm Arrow of the Accursed].]

[This is the last reward for the 74th floor. Farewell.]

With that, Balbabamba’s form crumbled.

Taesan checked the magic he had received.

---

**[Intermediate Magic: Focused Detection]**

- **Proficiency: 1%**
- **Mana Cost: 500**
- Allows focused detection within a specified area, penetrating most obstructions and revealing secrets and seals.

---

"Detection magic. Not bad."

As deep floors demanded wide-ranging information, detection was crucial. Since he hadn’t fully acquired the ability for complete reconnaissance, this intermediate detection magic would prove useful.

---

**[Intermediate Dark Magic: Storm Arrow of the Accursed]**

- **Mana Cost: 700**
- **Dark Energy Cost: 200**
- **Proficiency: 1%**
- Summons an arrow imbued with an accursed storm, concentrating powerful winds into a single arrow that pierces and grinds through all barriers.

---

"A dark magic version of Starlight Arrow, I see."

[You have activated Storm Arrow of the Accursed.]

A storm-wreathed arrow materialized.

Taesan fired it at a dungeon wall. The arrow made contact without leaving any lingering effects, its impact fully concentrated.

[It’s a focused power.]

All of the dark energy was concentrated into a single arrow. While its range was limited, the focused power within the arrow was formidable.

Though similar to Starlight Arrow, it had distinct qualities and looked quite useful.

This concluded the rewards for the 74th floor.

But there was more for Taesan to review. By defeating the Immortal’s remains, he had gained new abilities.

---

**[Special Skill: Opponent of the Immortal]**

- **Proficiency: 1%**
- When facing an Immortal, your rank and power are elevated to a level capable of contending with an Immortal. However, you must bear the burden of this power.

---

Based on the description, it was an extremely useful skill. To elevate one’s power to that of an Immortal’s meant even Taesan, in his current state, could hold his own against a genuine Immortal.

"But…"

There was a condition: he had to bear the burden of this power himself.

Even standing in the Immortal’s presence had threatened to crush his spirit. If he wanted to use this skill, he would need to endure that strain alone.

"Not something to use carelessly."

Still, the skill’s effects were valuable enough to warrant further exploration.

---

**[Title: One Who Achieved the Impossible]**

- **Health +3,000**
- **Mana +1,000**
- **Strength +500**
- **Agility +500**
- **Intelligence +500**
- **Attack Power +300**
- This title increases one’s rank.

---

The stat boosts were impressive, but the real benefit was the rank increase.

Rank would play a crucial role in future battles, arguably more so than raw stats.

Increasing rank wasn’t something that could be achieved by simple victory, so any reward that boosted his rank held great significance.

"Seems my rank isn’t hindered by being on the threshold."

After defeating the Immortal’s remains, the system had notified him: “Your rank is on the threshold.” However, this didn’t mean his rank couldn’t increase further.

Simple rank boosts wouldn’t elevate him beyond mortality.

Finding a path forward would be his next goal.

He had slain a divine angel, gaining holy power.

He had defeated a three-digit beast, obtaining Twisted Spirit Resonance.

He had vanquished Hasak,

 the dark god’s slave, and acquired the Transcendent skill, Black Power.

And now, by overcoming the remains of an Immortal, he had gained a soul skill of spiritual ascendance.

---

**[Soul Skill: King of Machinery]**

- **Proficiency: 1%**
- The sovereign among mechanical beings. The power of their king. Currently, the user's rank and power are insufficient to fully wield this strength.

---

[This is...]

The specter groaned in awe. Taesan studied the skill quietly.

Despite acquiring a soul skill, Taesan didn’t feel any significant change.

No new power had surged within him, and neither his rank nor strength had increased.

The meaning was clear.

Just as the skill description indicated, Taesan hadn’t yet reached a level capable of wielding this skill.

For now, the skill remained dormant.

Considering his current abilities, there could be only one explanation.

This was the power of an Immortal.

It was the natural authority possessed by those who transcended mortality.

Obtaining Black Power had hinted at this outcome.

Now, the specter’s doubts had been laid to rest.

Taesan’s soul skill, Spiritual Ascendance, harbored a power even beyond that of an Immortal.