Taesan looked at the rings.

The black and white rings.

These rings were like the Twin of Black and White; they were born as twins.

If that was the case, could this pair of rings be used to invoke the Two Become One skill?

Taesan understood. It was possible.

However, it couldn’t be used immediately.

Though the rings were indeed twins, the powers they held were not equal. The black ring contained attack power, while the white ring held the aspects of level and divinity.

It was ambiguous to say that it perfectly met the skill's conditions.

Furthermore, Taesan had not yet mastered the rings completely.

So, he first needed to accurately assess the skill's conditions. Then, he planned to seek help from Harpan, the creator of the twin rings.

“I have a lot to do.”

It seemed he had various preparations ahead of him.

Next, he obtained Kwon Seong’s special passive skill. The martial art of Kwon Seong.

However, Taesan was an adventurer who wielded a sword rather than fists. Perhaps for that reason, the skill had merged with the Ailak Weapon Technique and Ability Sword.

The proficiency of the Ailak Weapon Technique had increased by 5%, bringing it to 54%.

It was a skill that had risen excruciatingly slowly. Given the nature of the Ailak Weapon Technique, it could be said to activate in every battle, yet he still hadn’t reached 60%.

“Thinking back, it’s soon.”

He was now on the 76th floor.

And Aintzhar’s destination was the 78th floor—the Library of All Things.

Only two floors remained.

He wondered if he had achieved his goal or if he was still lost along the way.

He would find out soon enough.

Having confirmed the rewards obtained from defeating the guides, he found that overall, they provided enhancements to his existing powers rather than granting new ones.

While it might not seem like a significant gain, it was not bad at all. After all, Taesan already possessed a multitude of powers.

Strengthening existing abilities rather than acquiring new ones that he couldn't manage would be far more beneficial.

And this was not the end.

As he entered the depths, Taesan received a title that would help increase the proficiency of his skills.

And during the fights with the eight guides, he had utilized numerous skills.

As a result, several skills that had been stagnant underwent changes.

The first to change was the Ability Sword.

---

[Advanced Swordsmanship: Ability Sword]

[Proficiency: 62%]

[A unique sword technique created by the adventurers of the labyrinth. It is based on the system of the labyrinth. It was created based on the sword techniques used by the prince of the fallen world. Can perfectly link with various skills to utilize them in swordsmanship.]

---

The proficiency of the Ability Sword had reached 60%.

While the description of the skill itself hadn’t changed significantly, several skills had been affected.

---

[Special Activated Skill: Reconnaissance]

[Proficiency: 82%]

[An evolved form of Insight. Provides a significant amount of information about the target.]

[Condition: Advanced Swordsmanship [Ability Sword]]

[When the target wields a sword, details about the characteristics, weaknesses, and principles of their swordsmanship can be understood in detail.]

---

As the proficiency of Reconnaissance reached 80%, the effects of the Ability Sword were added.

Reconnaissance provided overall information but could not go into fine details before. Now, when the opponent wielded a sword, he could gain a deeper understanding of it.

Additionally, skills like Acceleration, Strong Strike, and Slip, which could be triggered with perfect timing, had the additional information that their effects grew stronger with each successful activation.

Skills that were difficult for the opponent to respond to became even harder to counter.

---

[Special Activated Skill: Transformation]

[Mana Cost: 1,000]

[Can adjust the values of attack power and defense power. The limit for adjustment equals the sum of attack power and defense power. This skill can only be used once a week, and the values revert to normal after an attack.]

[Condition: Advanced Swordsmanship [Ability Sword]]

[When adjusting the attack power with Transformation, an additional 20% bonus is applied to the sword attack.]

---

“Hooh.”

It was a skill that allowed for a single strike to be delivered with full power. Transformation.

The added effect of the Ability Sword was simple yet powerful. It raised the adjustable stat by an additional 20%.

If 5,000 defense was converted into attack power, it would yield 6,000 attack power.

It was straightforward and powerful, making it easy to understand why it was beneficial. Taesan felt satisfied.

---

[Special Activated Skill: Forced Descent]

[Mana Cost: 200]

[Proficiency: 7%]

[Lowers the opponent's stats for a certain period of time by a set ratio.]

[Condition: Advanced Swordsmanship [Ability Sword]]

[When the swords collide, it increases the weight of the opponent's sword. This effect can be stacked.]

---

“Weight?”

It was not an effect that resonated much. Increasing the weight of the weapon for those with monstrous stats seemed difficult to grasp in terms of advantages.

Since it was an effect gained upon reaching 60%, it should still have some use.

That was all that had changed regarding the Ability Sword.

Now, moving on to the general skills.

The proficiency of the Frozen World had reached 40%.

---

[Intermediate Magic: Frozen World]

[Mana Cost: 300]

[Proficiency: 40%]

[Summons cold that freezes everything. Calls forth a portion of the power that freezes the world itself.]

---

The proficiency of the Frozen World had already reached 40%. It seemed that using magic stacking multiple times had significantly aided its proficiency growth.

[You activated Frozen World.]

Cold envelops the world.

The power of the Frozen World is manifested in the world through the conduit of mana.

It had definitely become stronger. At this level of power, even without using magic stacking, defending against it wouldn’t be easy.

‘But.’

While it was undeniably a powerful force, Taesan felt a sense of dissatisfaction.

He had utilized Partial World Alteration, Beyond the Boundary, and then activated the Frozen World.

The power contained within was literally beyond mortality. It was the true power of the magic created directly by the god of magic.

In comparison, this felt quite paltry.

Someday, he would be able to wield that power without relying on other abilities. Taesan composed himself and checked the other skills.

There were numerous skills that had transformed: Critical Mark Designation, Eyes of Resonance, Essence Recognition, Counter, Forced Duel, Acceleration.

Additionally, the proficiencies of various passive skills had also increased.

Taesan felt satisfied as he checked each one.

But it was not yet over.

The space rippled. A dark, thick, yet familiar darkness flowed out, revealing a girl’s figure.

With a round of applause, the Dark Goddess appeared.

[Well done, Taesan.]

“Were you watching?”

[Of course. I had no reason to look away with the banquet in front of me, right?]

The Dark Goddess smiled.

[Though it was a bit disappointing how easily you accomplished it… but that’s likely due to the power you’ve built up. I’m satisfied.]

The rewards from the Dark Goddess were bestowed upon him. The darkness enveloped Taesan.

[You have acquired Intermediate Dark Magic [Zephyr’s Black Storm].]

[You have acquired Intermediate Dark Magic [Asmodeus’s Chain of Corruption].]

[You have acquired Special Passive Skill [Return to Darkness].]

[The Special Activated Skill [Amplification [Darkness and Chaos]] has transformed into the Special Activated Skill [Amplification [Darkened Chaos]].]

Two intermediate dark magic spells.

Along with one passive skill and the evolution of his amplification.

While he needed to check the detailed effects, it was worth the effort he had put into fighting.

“Thank you.”

[You’ve fulfilled my request. As a god, it’s only natural for me to repay that.]

The Dark Goddess said cheerfully. Instead of leaving immediately, she looked at Taesan.

[You know where you stand now, right?]

“Yes.”

Taesan stood at the boundary between mortality and beyond.

[I’ve let things slide until now because I thought you weren’t ready… but now I might seriously consider approaching you.]

Taesan realized what the Dark Goddess was implying.

The masters of dark magic. Demons.

They intended to approach Taesan.

[I have no intention of intervening. Everything is your choice.]

“Understood.”

Taesan nodded.

The Dark Goddess smiled pleasantly and faded into the darkness.

---

[Special Passive Skill: Return to Darkness]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[Returns a portion of the magic consumed when using dark magic.]

---

A skill that returns a portion of the magic consumed when using dark magic. The consumption of magic is greater than mana, and it is difficult to increase. It was a small but helpful skill that reduced the consumption of magic.

The amplification had also changed significantly. Its duration had increased from two hours to three hours, and while the amplification was active, the consumption of magic had been halved.

Reading the descriptions of the two intermediate dark magic spells, they seemed quite useful. The actual power would be tested in combat.

“Hah.”

Finally, everything was settled.

It felt like the longest time he had spent checking skills since entering the labyrinth. What Taesan had accomplished was significant.

Instead of getting up, Taesan spoke.

“Come out.”

“Did you notice?”

A frivolous man with red hair appeared in the air. He grinned awkwardly.

“I was trying my best to hide.”

“I’ve

 known since you sneaked in.”

While Taesan was checking his skills, Ambrosia had concealed himself and hidden in the room. He considered attacking but left him alone since there was no malice.

“So that’s it.”

Ambrosia scratched his head.

He had hidden with all his strength, yet Taesan had known since he entered. This indicated a significant gap between them.

“Really… you’ve changed a lot.”

Ambrosia was the first to meet Taesan.

He had blocked Taesan’s attack nonchalantly and tossed him aside without a care. It wasn’t long ago.

But to think the roles would reverse so quickly. Ambrosia smiled wryly.

“I’ve never felt this way before. It feels like a wall.”

“So what?”

Taesan grasped his sword. Ambrosia stepped back.

“I have no intention of fighting you. Unlike those who died by your hand, I don’t want to engage in a suicide mission.”

There was also someone who chose to avoid fighting Taesan and hide. Ambrosia was one of them.

“Then why are you here?”

“I was curious about the outcome of the battle.”

[Just curiosity and boredom? Well, you were the most curious of the guides. You were the most like an adventurer.]

The spirit said. Ambrosia looked at the spirit with an ambiguous expression.

“Spirit… what should I say?”

[I have no ill feelings towards you, so it’s fine.]

The spirit said calmly. Ambrosia scratched his cheek.

“Anyway, I have no intention of fighting you. But if you intend to kill me… then I’ll resist.”

Ambrosia raised his hand.

In it was a small key.

Taesan stared at him impassively. Ambrosia quietly swallowed.

“That's enough.”

Taesan lowered his sword.

“I don’t intend to waste time.”

Taesan remembered that Ambrosia had used the key to move him to the 70th floor when he was on a lower level.

If that was the case, the opposite should also be possible.

If he had several similar items, it would take a long time to take him down. While Taesan was certainly strong, he was not at the level to quickly suppress a fleeing opponent like Ambrosia.

There was a significant chance it would turn into a game of tag, taking a long time. Ambrosia breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thanks for that. Really.”

Ambrosia was confident he could flee. But if Taesan truly pursued him to the end, he would have no choice but to die. Taesan letting him go was a great relief.

“While it’s ambiguous to call it a reward… I’ll give you one piece of information.”

Ambrosia spoke, widening the distance.

“A majority of guides have made the same choice as me. The guides who decided to fight you have died by your hands. However, there are two who have chosen to find another way.”

[Who are they?]

In response to the spirit's question, Ambrosia answered.

“The Lion King. And the Gray Woman. Societ. They will be waiting for you inside the labyrinth.”

“Just the two?”

That was a significant reduction. It might be boring for Taesan, but it seemed the spirit was not displeased.

[They didn’t run away. Societ.]

“It seemed like she never intended to do so in the first place.”

Ambrosia mumbled. The spirit chuckled softly.

[Good. Very good.]

“Then this is goodbye.”

Ambrosia raised the key.

“I hope we don’t meet again.”

With those words, his figure vanished. He had used the key to move to another floor.

Once he defeated those two, the guides of sin would no longer obstruct his path.

And that meant the day the spirit's wish was fulfilled was drawing near.

Taesan took a step forward. He had ignored the altar while fighting the guides, and now it came into view.

Clearing Maria’s Trial. That was the quest of the 76th floor.

[You have discovered Maria's Altar.]

The Goddess of Choice. Maria.

This was not their first meeting. As Taesan placed his hand on Maria’s altar, a tremendous power began to descend upon the labyrinth.

[It’s good to see you, child.]

The presence of Maria filled the labyrinth.

In response to her laughter-laden voice, Taesan replied.

“It’s been a while.”

[It’s been a while. Though I can’t say enough time has passed to utter that phrase. But it was a fulfilling time, nonetheless.]

Maria laughed.

[Watching your choices has been quite enjoyable. You’ve brought life to otherwise dull times.]

“Is it just a matter of passing Maria’s trial?”

[That’s right. For you, I will bestow a trial.]

The power of Maria enveloped Taesan.

[Sub Quest Started]

[Maria wishes to test you after you have arrived at her altar. If you accept, the trial will come to you. If you overcome it, rewards will follow.]

[Maria’s intervention area shrinks.]

[Maria offers you an enhanced trial.]

Taesan nodded.

[Sub Quest Started.]

[One who possesses divine blood desires to become an offering for the long despair. Assist him on his journey and make your own choice.]

[However, physical intervention against the owner of the divine blood is prohibited.]

[Reward: Maria will determine the rewards based on your achievements.]