Chapter 173: Return To The Labyrinth (1)


    The Saints Seat.


    As one experienced in the battlefield of the gods knew, the Saint was a position that managed all believers who had faith in the god. It was less significant than an Apostle, but still an important role chosen directly by a god.


    Such a position was being granted to a human, not a demon.


    What did the Demon God expect from him?


    He knew she had a liking for him. But it wasnt just liking that had granted him such a favor. There must be something she expected from him.


    I dont know.


    Taesan shook his head.


    The sure thing was her favor toward him.


    Then, it was something to be gratefully epted for the time being.


    Taesan called Kim Hwiyeon, Geum Junggeun, Kang Junhyeok, and Lee Taeyeon to check.


    Did you all get Magic Energy?


    Yes.


    About 10? I saw it appeared right below Mana in the status window.


    Did you learn ck magic?


    Having Magic Energy alone was useless. It could only be used with ck magic given directly by the Demon God.


    To Taesans question, they shook their heads.


    No. We havent learned anything like that.


    Hmm.


    Taesan read the description of the title.


    He could exercise great influence over humans with Magic Energy.


    An idea suddenly struck Taesans mind.


    Just stay still.


    Taesan skillfully handled the Magic Energy and enveloped them with it. It was as if he had known how to do it all along.


    Huh?


    Suddenly, their pupils dted.


    Taesan, what is this?


    Is that so?


    Taesan clicked his tongue.


    The influence written in the title was the ability to impart ck magic to humans.


    What did you all learn?


    I learned the basic ck magic Seirs ck Wind and the beginner-level ck magic Decarabias Twisted Vegetationtwo in total. Why are these names so long?


    Huh? You learned two?


    How many did sister learn?


    I only learned Seirs ck Wind.


    Same here.


    Listening to their chatter, I discovered that Lee Taeyeon and Kang Junhyeok had learned one basic and one beginner-level ck magic, while Kim Hwiyeon and Geum Junggeun had only learned one basic ck magic.


    It seems theres a limit to what you can learn based on your strength.


    The result was natural, as the Demon God wouldnt want those unworthy to wield her power.


    Teaching ck magic to everyone seems impossible.


    Taesan scattered the darkness.


    The spreading darkness enveloped the survivors.


    Some of the resting survivors eximed in surprise.


    Realizing what Taesan had done, Kim Hwiyeon muttered in disbelief.


    This is unbelievable


    The only being who could impart ck magic to humans was a power that seemed beyond human.


    But could you have taken it back if you gave it?


    Probably.


    Taesan clenched his fist, and the power that had dwelled in Kim Hwiyeon was suddenly withdrawn.


    Its real.


    Its a power given by you, brother, so its natural.


    Geum Junggeun nodded in agreement.


    Taesan then re-granted the skill to Kim Hwiyeon.


    It might not be used often due to theck of Magic Energy, but it will be quite useful.


    Of course, unlike Taesan, those without the means to increase their Magic Energy wouldnt reap significant immediate benefits. However, given the uniqueness of ck magic, it would be a formidable power in conquering thebyrinth.


    Having experienced the effects of the ck magic used by Taesan, all of them nodded in agreement.


    Thank you so much.


    Enough of that. Now, Lee Taeyeon, Kang Junhyeok, follow me.


    Taesan picked up his sword.


    The two nodded earnestly.


    The fastest way to improve the proficiency of a sword skill was to spar directly with someone who possessed that skill.


    Once they returned to thebyrinth, it would be extremely difficult for Lee Taeyeon and Kang Junhyeok to increase their proficiency on their own.


    Therefore, for the two days until their return to thebyrinth, Taesan continuously pushed them in sparring.


    As a result, the proficiency of Lee Taeyeon and Kang Junhyeoks Ability Sword increased by 2%.


    With the effect of the title Authority of the Saint, Taesans proficiency also increased by 1%. Not a bad oue.


    Thats it.


    Only one hour remained until their return. When Taesan stopped his sword, Lee Taeyeon and Kang Junhyeok finally sat down.


    Huff, huff.


    They were too out of breath to speak properly, while Taesans breathing remained unfazed.


    Youre surprisingly obedient. I thought youd ask for a break at least once.


    During the dozens of sparring sessions they had, they alwaysined. But in thest two days, they followed without a word.


    Lee Taeyeon, having caught her breath, spoke up.


    I realized how big the gap is.


    Its toote to whine now.


    Both held a certain pride in themselves. They could easily defeat ordinary monsters, and, apart from Taesan, no one couldpare to them.


    It wasnt an overstatement. In reality, no monster had been able to stop them. The gap with the Hard Mode yers had widened, reaching a level where they could win even in 3-to-1 battles.


    However, that confidence shattered with the appearance of a three-digit monster.


    A monster with the power to blow them away with just the aftermath of a collision.


    They had a premonition that they would be killed helplessly. The gap between them and the monster was that significant.


    But Taesan had defeated such a monster without a scratch.


    What floor are you on now?


    The 36th floor.


    The 36th floor


    Kang Junhyeokughed bitterly. Already on the 36th floor. They would have to reach there someday, but it still seemed too far away.


    Their inted confidence deted like a balloon pricked by a needle.


    Taesan shook his head.


    Dontpare yourself to me. If you count by the strength of the floors, Im an adventurer above the 50th floor.


    A-grade monsters wereparable to yers who had cleared Hard Mode. Such monsters could not be easily defeated, even in Solo Mode. A typical adventurer on the 36th floor would have been defeated without a chance to fight properly.


    Theres no need to rush,


    Taesan spoke calmly.


    Youre already doing well.


    Lee Taeyeon and Kang Junhyeok had descended to the 13th floor faster than Taesan had anticipated.


    Build up your skills slowly but steadily. Then, someday, youll reach where I am.


    The eyes of Lee Taeyeon and Kang Junhyeok settled down.


    Finally, the remaining time ended.


    The return to thebyrinth began.


    [Monster Hunting Bonus +351]


    [First Wave Bonus +54]


    [Second Wave Bonus +55]


    [Third Wave Bonus +52]


    [Fourth Wave Bonus +61]


    [Fifth Wave Bonus +65]


    [Special Victory Bonus +641]


    [Domination Bonus +84]


    [Victory Bonus +115]


    [Totaling Completed]


    [1,478 points will be awarded.]


    One thousand four hundred seventy-eight points. Simple calctions showed that this could increase skill proficiency by close to 150%.


    Of course, due to the skill proficiency limit, achieving that much effect was difficult, but it was still a considerable reward.


    However, Taesan did not use the points immediately.


    During this return, he had acquired several skills. He needed to check them first.


    I didnt expect to learn this already.


    [Special Activation Skill: Essence Detection]


    [Proficiency: 1%]


    [Identifies the essence of the target.]


    It was a very simple skill with no borate description.


    In his previous life, he had acquired this skill after surpassing the 70th floor, but he had not fully understood its effects then. In Easy Mode, there werent enough challenging enemies to necessitate understanding their essence.


    However, the true value of this skilly in its ability tobine with other skills, like the Vital Point Attack skill, which targeted the opponents weak points.


    Once the proficiency of this skill reached 100%, it transformed into the Vital Point Designation skill. This excellent skill allowed targeting and attacking the opponents weak points.


    When the proficiency of Vital Point Designation reached 100% while possessing Essence Detection, one could acquire a new skill called Essence Strike.


    This skill hits the essence of the target, ignoring any form of defense.


    It was the skill that had allowed Taesan to defeat the Apostle.


    In his previous life, he had realized the value of Essence Detection toote and never achieved 100% proficiency.


    But now, he knew well the value of Essence Detection.


    He wondered what changes would ur if he achieved 100% proficiency in Essence Detection, which he hadnt in his previous life.


    He was very curious.


    Taesan immediately worked on increasing the proficiency of Essence Detection. Considering the enemies he would face were rted to gods or higher beings, it was a worthwhile investment.


    [Special Activation Skill: Essence Detection]


    [Proficiency: 50%]


    [Identifies the essence of the target. It can determine where the power originates and its weaknesses.]


    Like with Mana, the consumption of points significantly increased after reaching 50%. It seemed there were restrictions on skills of a certain level.


    Taesan immediately turned his attention to the ghost.


    [You have activated Essence Detection.]


    [Ghost]


    [The Ruined Prince of Calvert.]


    [One at a crossroads of choice.]


    What? Why are you looking at me like that? Whatsing out?


    Its nothing.


    It was simr to Reconnaissance but allowed him to see more in-depth information rted to the target. He was curious about the effects it would have on monsters.


    Taesan continued to examine other skills.


    [Special Constant Activation Skill: Twisted Soul Ascension Tuning]


    [Proficiency: 1%]


    [Twisted beings can manipte their Soul Ascensions in a twisted manner. They can control the Soul Ascension residing within them by taking on a great burden.]


    Tuningif the skill description was to be believedseemed to offer the possibility of tuning a soul that had ascended to an Apostle level. Monsters employed it to shield their vulnerabilities, yet it held the potential for offensive use as well.


    The extent of the burden it would impose remained a mystery. Still, given its potential impact on battle, it was adequately valuable.


    Remaining points: 988.


    No deep contemtion was necessary. Given the worth of Essence Strike, the choice of skill to enhance was obvious. Taesan promptly increased the proficiency of Vital Point Attack.


    [The proficiency of Vital Point Attack has reached 100%. The special activation skill [Vital Point Attack] has evolved into the special activation skill [Vital Point Designation].]


    [Special Activation Skill: Vital Point Designation]


    [Proficiency: 1%]


    [Designates a part of the target as a vital point and inflicts double damage when attacking it. Once a vital point is designated, it cannot be changed on the same target until a day has passed. Only very small parts can be designated as vital points.]


    This was a skill that allowed for the designation of vital points. If an opponents weapon was a fist, simply targeting the fist as a vital point could thwart the attack.


    Although the area that could be designated as a vital point was limited, making it seem less useful than one might expect, the skills value increased significantly with proficiency.


    Taesan invested all the remaining points into ck magic. Consequently, the proficiency of ck magic rose by roughly 30%.


    [ck Magic]


    [Proficiency: 36%]


    [Allows control over the magic of the Demon God. Uses Magic Energy to cast ck Magic. The power and range vary based on the Magic Energy expended. Basic power is essible.]


    ck magic, much like other forms of magic, proved even more challenging to master.


    With the acquisition of new ck magic spells, enhancing its value, investing in it was justified.


    Taesan checked the effects of the newly acquired ck magic.


    It might take a bit longer, but theyll understand.


    The God of Magic had instructed Taesan to return to him after his return. However, uncertain of the trial he might face, Taesan nned to meet him only after verifying everything he had acquired. He made his way to the 37th floor.