Ascension Through Skills

The Third Floor(1)

TL: handCream

Tae-san checks the staff first.

[Staff of Random Mind]

[It’s a magic staff made by chance. Even the one who crafted it doesn’t know why magic is contained here. Basic magic [Random Mind Attack] could be used.]

[Basic Magic: Random Mind Attack]

[Mana Cost: 5]

[The user randomly could use when unfavourable mental magic is performed. Could be used to attempt to determine the abnormal status of the target.]

Literally, a wand that could create confusion, curses, madness, etc., that could cast unfavourable magic on the target. Being random within the framework causes an unfavourable effect on the target but could get exhausted. In that case, it was not a big disadvantage. 

And the other reward he received for clearing the 2nd floor was Basic Mana Increasing Potion. 

[Basic Mana Increasing Potion] 

[A liquid that contains the essence of mana. Mana would immediately rise once taken.] 

Tae-san drank without hesitation.

[Mana is permanently increased by 10.]

It was a satisfactory result. Now, Tae-san’s mana is nearly eight times as big as before.

“This is great.” 

And now for the rest of the compensation.

“What is this?”

Other than the reward for clearing the floor, he’s also received a secret reward. In anticipation, Tae-san confirmed the rewards.

[Reward: ????]

[Received the Tool of a Humble Thief]

It seemed to be a picking tool that appeared in Tae-san’s hand. Tae-san, who thought it was a reward related to the stats, was confused for a moment.

“What’s this?”

[Tool of a Humble Thief]

[The only talent he has. If the user were to lose it, they would be abandoned by their colleagues.]

[Helps in determining whether to lock or unlock a trap.]

“Oh?”

Tae-san was surprised. It is the equipment for unlocking traps and locks.

‘I didn’t know this was the way to get this.’

Among the traps, there are many traps that must be met.

So, without this, releasing from major traps could be difficult. So, in the end, a player has to give up their rewards in tears. This tool would come in handy from the 5th floor, where most of the traps and treasure boxes are locked. With this tool, Tae-san would have an easier path clearing the floor.

It’s a very good item. In addition, if a player uses this tool, they could obtain the skill of understanding traps and unlocking them.

Although it seemed to have no practical performance, it could be useful for breaking through the labyrinth. The ghost grumbled.

[You’re getting everything.]

“Why do you have so many complaints?”

[Would a dead person really like it when they see the living get better results?]

“Well, that’s true, too.”

Tae-san agreed to the plausible remark.

Ghosts are those who have failed to clear the labyrinth. So, watching him gradually break through the labyrinth seemed to give the ghost a lot of thought.

The ghost was done pondering.

He headed down the passage where Tae-san went down. As Tae-san went down the aisle, a quest window appeared.

[Start of the Third Floor’s quest]

[Overthrow the Boss on the third floor and pass through] 

[Reward: Beginner Health Increase Potion]

[Secret Reward: ???]

Beginner Health Increase Potion, it’ll increase the player’s Health by 50.

It was a rare item, just like the Mana Increasing Potion. Tae-san, who finished inspecting, opened the door. The dwarf was waiting for him.

“Oh, you’re here already?”

“Yes, I’m here.”

The dwarf, who was looking at him with a warm welcome, made a distorted face at once. 

“What is this?” 

[You stubborn old man, you’re not dead yet.]

The ghost cackled. The dwarf clicked his tongue.

“Looks like you just received a quest.”

[I’m here because I want to. Got it?!]

The Dwarf ignored the ghost’s words and told Tae-san.

“He’s just a noisy loser. Don’t mind him much.”

[Tae-san, don’t mind him much, this guy is nothing but full of bluff.]

They showed sharp reactions towards each other. While the dwarf showed disinterest and contempt for the ghost, the ghost in turn would criticise and ridicule him.

[Please, you need some slack. You are too serious]

The ghost jokingly said.

[I would be delighted to see you go crazy.] 

“Me? Go crazy?”

The dwarf laughed. Tae-san waved his hand.

“Don’t fight amongst each other and take care.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Because this loser kept on annoying me.”

The dwarf apologised without hesitation. As expected, the dwarf was very kind to him.

“Don’t be influenced by this guy. Do you have anything to buy?”

“Not really.”

Tae-san made a plan, to first collect the money first from the third floor and then come back to the store. 

“Then see you next time. If possible, get rid of that guy.”

[Ha!]

The ghost snorted. As he left the store and entered the third floor, Tae-san asked.

“How are you guys not getting along?”

[Really, how can we? The dwarf is not only depressive but also foolish.] 

His voice contained a hint of hostility.

[You should be careful too. The dwarf only helps you when he sees profit, so he can suddenly change his mind. He can’t be trusted.]

“Did something happen when you were alive?””

[Then when do you think?]

If he had a grudge from the time when he was alive, he was clearing the labyrinth. He was in the same situation as Tae-san. 

He can’t be trusted. The ghost referred to the store owner as such. Tae-san entered the labyrinth.

“Kiek!”

“Kik!”

Just like the second floor, four goblins were waiting. The second and third floors of the Solo Mode had the same type of monsters and could be doubted as the same yet overlapping floors.

The only difference herre was that the goblins use magic rather than bows and arrows..

“Keik!”

[The goblin with the wand activates Delusion]

[No judgement required! You are with an indomitable spirit.]

[All stats have increased.]

Tae-san pulled out his sword delicately.Three minutes later, only Tae-san and the ghost remained in the room.

“The 3rd floor is easier than the 2nd floor.”

[Though, I want to refute, I have nothing to say.]

The ghost grumbled.

[Originally, I was pretty scared to be here. Perhaps because I died here over and over again. But you made it look so easy.]

The ghost’s words were not wrong. The goblin here uses the magic of Delusion along with three escorting goblins.

It’s not a difficult task to avoid those three goblins, but Delusion forces the player to deal with them one by one. 

However, Tae-san was half immune to Mental Magic. So for him this floor was rather easier than the 2nd floor.

Tae-san continued breaking through the labyrinth. He went to the other room and took care of the goblins. That barely took 2 minutes this time.

[Damn!]

The ghost who was watching silently, was marvelled by him.

[Your movements are good, too. Not to mention you practice your skills. But I had my limits,  I couldn’t do anything without Sense Enhancement and Detection.]

Tae-san could never be satisfied with being mediocre. 

He wanted to trump over the labyrinth.

Taesan continued to wander around the labyrinth, killing goblins.The ghost asked as he found it strange.

[Why are you killing them all? With your level right now, doing this won’t help you in experience at all. I think it’s best for you to continue to the next floor.]

The ghost’s advice was not wrong.

Tae-san wasn’t doing this for the experience, with his stats he wouldn’t have much problem with the 4th and the 5th floors.  

But his Soul Raiser was also sealed due to the difference in stats, and right now only money and equipment could help him in raising in stats. 

Tae-san calmly replied.

“Because of my quest.”

[Quest? Whom did you receive it from?]

“Lakiratas.”

[Huh?]

The ghost was cool.

[Does he give a quest like this too?] I’ve never heard of it.]

“Did you receive a quest, too?”

[I did and I cleared it without a problem]

The ghost proudly answered. Come to think of it, Tae-san was curious about something. Tae-san asked, while continuing his killing spree of the goblins.

“Who is the Servant of Lakiratas?”

[Oh, they are literally just devotees. A lowly man dedicated himself to Rakiratas and became strong.As you can see, the price is eternal bondage, but there are people who say that they like it]

The ghost answered as if he couldn’t understand.

[And they are strong. They are really strong, so to defeat one you’ll at least need to clear the 5th floor. I think it’s not worth giving up your life to them.]

Hearing the ghost’s story, it didn’t seem to intensify the ordeal all of a sudden. Still, he seemed to know Lakiratas well enough.

Tae-san continued.

“Do you know what an apostle’s contract is?”

[Huh?]

The ghost was surprised and asked.

[How do you know about that?]

“Lakiratas suggested it to me.”

[Did he really proposed it to you?]

Seeing the ghost was quite perplexed, he kept his mouth shut. He looked worried for a moment, but soon his mouth opened.

[I could help you, but I wasn’t offered anything.] 

The ghost grumbled and said.

[How should I start?]

“You can give out information so easily.”

The dwarf was reluctant to explain, referring to the contract. He was about to make a bet, but it was unexpected.

[I’m already dead. Though tied up by the law, there’s no restriction on information. And if the dwarf doesn’t tell you, it’s for your own good. Just him being uselessly considerate of you.]

The ghost snorted.

[Why should I care about you? We’re going to break up on the 10th floor anyway.]

The ghost wasn’t here to help him, but he liked the way this was going. To be honest, the dwarf’s consideration was rather unnecessary.

He needed information. Regarding this place, what is the purpose of this place? And who are the gods?

The ghost began to answer his curiosity.

[A god is in charge of his own realm. There are those who are in charge of victory while those who are in charge of defeat. There are all kinds. Among them, Lakiratas is the god of struggle and death. And he’s also the strangest god.]

“Strangest, in what sense?”

[Though a god, he’s very partial. He breaks the contract at will and tries to help the person he likes at the expense of his strength. Should I say he’s like a child? On such a subject, he was pretty filthy but the backslash was suppressed. He is a god that is difficult to express.]

As he listened to the explanation, he had a question.

“What’s a god?””

At least, they weren’t the gods from the Earth. Listening to the ghost, there seemed to be at least dozens.

[Those who helped design the labyrinth.]

“Design?”

[Do you remember the system window?]

Tae-san traced his memory.

“… A labyrinth created by a wizard.”

[This is a labyrinth created a long time ago by a great wizard, and there is a rumour that it grants wishes to those who conquers it.]

A labyrinth created by a great wizard.That’s it.

[But it’s hard to build it on his own. He visited the transcendents and told them his plans. He said he wanted to build a labyrinth and a tower headed towards the depth of the underground. He also mentioned that he would call upon countless warriors and heroes to clear the labyrinth. Don’t you want to watch their challenges, struggles for their lives, and fleeting deaths?]

“I think I’ll like it.”

[How can you say something like that? That’s crazy. They fully supported the wizard. This place was designed after a period of time that was meaningful to the gods as well. That’s what a labyrinth is!]

The picture was much bigger than what Tae-san had thought. The ghost continued.

[And the gods have settled down in this place that they carefully built. They identify those who enter the labyrinth. Giving them a trial, keeping an eye on them, and judging their worth. Among them, they make a proposal to those who they get particularly impressed by That’s the Apostle’s Contract.]