Ascension Through Skills-Chapter 507: 93rd Floor, Demons (6)

A colossal, heavy, and alien power.

That was the sensation that slowly settled within Kang Taesan, transforming into something he could wield as his own. Watching Taesan absorb this power without issue, Baal chuckled softly.

[This power is an unacceptable concept for the beings of this world, yet you assimilate it as if it has always been yours.]

“Is this advanced dark magic?” Taesan asked.

[That’s the name they gave it. Are you satisfied?]

“...Quite,” he admitted.

Through the process of acquiring the skill, Taesan had gauged its strength and caliber. Yet, it left him curious.

“This level of power is only considered advanced?”

[It doesn’t compare to what Jervand created, does it?]

Baal smiled as if waiting for Taesan to agree.

Taesan couldn’t refute him.

He already possessed advanced magic—Great Collapse and Teleportation—both extraordinarily potent. However, the advanced dark magic he now wielded was on an entirely different level.

Though they shared the same “advanced” designation, the disparity was glaringly obvious.

[In truth, advanced dark magic doesn’t inherently exist. That term was coined to fit my power into this world’s concepts. Comparing magic created by Jervand to something rooted in my essence is... unfair.]

“Thank you.”

Such power would undoubtedly be invaluable in future battles. Yet, the newfound strength raised a question.

“Is there a tier beyond advanced?”

[It’s not that it doesn’t exist—it does. But it’s tied to the core of our being. It’s not something I can simply pass on, so there’s no need for you to concern yourself with it.]

Baal offered a faint smile.

[Besides, if it’s you, it won’t be long before you reach that level on your own.]

“...Thank you.”

[Now, let’s head back. Staying here too long won’t do us any good.]

Baal clenched his fist, preparing to leap through space. Just as he was about to act, a thought struck Taesan, and he spoke up.

“There’s something I’d like to ask.”

[What is it?]

“Why did you betray them?”

Baal had originally been akin to the Old Gods, yet he turned against them and sided with the Transcendents. There had to be a reason.

Baal responded leisurely to Taesan’s question.

[It’s nothing special. Just an entirely personal reason.]

“Personal?” Taesan probed.

[Even a being like me cannot fully control my emotions.]

With that quiet remark, the world shifted.

Thud.

Taesan landed on solid ground, the firm texture beneath his feet immediately apparent.

They had returned to the Demon Realm.

As soon as they arrived, space opened, and a girl appeared.

[Taesan.]

“Demon God,” Taesan greeted her respectfully.

After briefly examining him, the Demon God’s expression softened with relief.

[You seem unharmed.]

[I’m offended, Demon God. Do you not trust me at all?]

[How could I? I would’ve gone with you if I could. It’s only because it was your matter that I refrained.]

The Demon God offered Taesan a satisfied smile.

[You’ve done well, Taesan. Thanks to you, I was able to rid myself of something that always irritated me.]

[It couldn’t have been done without me, so I’d appreciate some acknowledgment as well.]

[Shut up.]

Though she grumbled, the Demon God glanced briefly at Baal.

[Still... it was thanks to you. Without your cooperation, it wouldn’t have been possible. For that much, I’ll give you credit.]

[Much appreciated,] Baal replied with a relaxed smile, treating her as one might an unruly child.

Taesan had noticed it before—Baal seemed to have a particular fondness for the Demon God. But it wasn’t romantic. It was closer to how a parent might view their child.

‘...The Demon God was said to be a created deity.’

The demons had sought to free themselves from their previous Demon God, forcibly molding a young child into a vessel. That child was Lucifer.

Taesan couldn’t help but wonder what role Baal had played during Lucifer’s creation.

[Well, I’ll be taking my leave now,] Baal announced, clapping his hands to open a portal.

[The rest is for you two to discuss. Until we meet again.]

With those parting words, Baal returned to his domain. The Demon God slowly descended to the ground.

[How do you feel?]

“Quite surprised.”

The quest itself had been devoid of much emotion. From the moment he first encountered the demons, Taesan hadn’t expected the gathering to end on a cheerful note. However, the truths he had learned afterward had given him much to ponder.

“How long will the seal hold?”

[I can’t say. It’s weakening rapidly, but... it was forged by all of us together. It could hold for a long time yet—or it could break as soon as tomorrow. I thought it was something you needed to know.]

The Demon God gazed at Taesan, her feline-like eyes scrutinizing him.

[The Old Gods are still targeting you.]

“Aren’t they only trying to break their seal? If it’s already weakening, they wouldn’t need me anymore.”

[I thought the same, but they seem to still be moving with you as their goal.]

“...”

Taesan’s gaze darkened. The Demon God spoke reassuringly.

[Don’t worry. We’ve already defeated them once. The defeated are nothing to fear.]

Changing the subject, she clapped her hands with a bright expression.

[Anyway, congratulations. You’ve acquired all the demonic domains. How do you feel?]

“...Strange. I can’t quite put it into words.”

[It’s all yours now. With dark magic gone, there’ll be some chaos, but Baal and I will handle that. There’ll be some losses, but nothing we can’t manage.]

The Demon God gave him a sly smile.

[You should take stock of the power you’ve gained. Honestly, even I’ve never seen the domains gathered like this. I’m curious to see how it changes you. At any rate, this quest is now complete.]

[Quest Clear.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Your level has increased.]

[You have obtained a Fragment of Light Darkened by Shadows.]

[You have obtained ???.]

Taesan’s body was pulled back into the labyrinth. As he was being drawn away, the Demon God spoke with a hint of regret.

[I’d love to talk more, but I have much to do. Until next time, Taesan.]

And with that, Taesan returned to the labyrinth. The familiar walls of the maze welcomed him back.

The 93rd floor was now complete.

Taesan sank to the ground, exhausted.

***

[W-what’s going on?]

The newly freed Bardray and Akasha were visibly startled.

[What exactly just happened?]

Taesan calmly explained to the two what he had seen. As the explanation unfolded, both Bardray and Akasha were left speechless.

[...Is that really true?]

“I saw it with my own eyes, so it must be.”

[Uh... well.]

Bardray struggled to process the revelation. After a long moment of confusion, he let out a deep sigh.

[...I wish I hadn’t known.]

His voice carried a tinge of reproach directed at Taesan.

[The scale of this is too overwhelming. Just imagining it feels like my mind is going to break.]

“Is it really that bad?”

[Of course it is! We’re talking about something that affects the universe itself!]

[It’s... extremely dangerous. I’m feeling a bit dizzy myself.]

“Is that so?”

Bardray’s tone turned exasperated.

[How are you so calm about this? This is a situation where the entire universe could be obliterated without anyone even realizing it.]

“Nothing new to me at this point.”

From the very beginning, Taesan had known about the conflict between the Transcendents and the Old Gods. He was even aware that he held the key to potentially freeing the Old Gods. It was surprising, yes, but not terrifying.

For him, it was merely another possibility to prepare for.

And preparation meant becoming stronger. Taesan turned his attention to his rewards.

[Fragment of Light Darkened by Shadows]

A shard of something incredibly dark yet dazzlingly radiant. It holds contradictory power.

The 93rd-floor reward was a material. Though its appearance was dark, it emitted an unmistakable brightness.

The mysterious ??? reward was similar in nature.

[You have used ???.]

[You have obtained a Fragment of Radiant Darkness.]

[Fragment of Radiant Darkness]

A shard that is brilliantly bright yet overwhelmingly dark, consuming everything within its domain. It holds contradictory power.

Though it represented darkness, it didn’t absorb light. Instead, it illuminated its surroundings, allowing for clarity.

Taesan recognized this shard—it was a piece of Baal’s domain.

“It’s surprising they’d give something like this as a reward.”

The material was of a significantly high caliber. Even for someone at Taesan’s level, it was immensely valuable.

Taesan contemplated how to use it. After a brief pause, he began to meditate on the newly obtained power.

A vast and profound concentration of all the malice lingering in the universe.

How he chose to wield it was entirely up to him. He could channel it into dark magic or use it to craft something entirely new.

An intriguing possibility crossed his mind.

The demons, in essence, were akin to the Old Gods.

If their domains could be corrupted by the blackness Taesan wielded, then perhaps he could expand that potential, crossing boundaries yet unexplored.

Though still a possibility, it wasn’t outside the realm of feasibility. Organizing his thoughts, Taesan opened his skill window.

[Advanced Dark Magic: Baal’s Shattered Fragment]

Mana Cost: 30,000

Base Dark Energy Cost: 5,000

Proficiency: 1%

Summons a fragment of Baal’s essence, shattered during his betrayal of his own nature.

“This is... something else.”

The consumption values were absurd.

30,000 mana—a cost six times that of Great Collapse. The base dark energy cost was an additional 5,000.

Taesan’s original maximum dark energy barely exceeded 3,000. Normally, this would render the skill unusable. However, the battle with the demons had significantly increased his reserves.

Even so, it wasn’t a skill that could be used lightly.

The description alone didn’t clarify the exact effect. Resolving to test it, Taesan activated the skill.

[You have activated Baal’s Shattered Fragment.]

A black gem materialized in Taesan’s hand.

It did... nothing. The gem rested silently in his palm, exerting no discernible effect on its surroundings.

The stillness was so pronounced that Bardray was visibly confused.

[...How are you supposed to use this?]

Taesan stared at the gem.

It resembled a piece of shattered obsidian, its surface shimmering with an eerie brilliance.

[You have activated Complete Analysis.]

[You have activated Essence Identification.]

[A remnant of what Baal held at the moment of his creation.]

[A fragment of his essence before he cast it away.]

[An existence incompatible with the universe.]

An overwhelming amount of information surged through Taesan’s mind. Among it all, he identified what he needed.

[A conduit for amplifying power.]

“A conduit?”

The gem was a channel for amplifying force.

With that in mind, Taesan placed a finger on the gem.

[You have activated Frost Arrow.]

Crack.

He decided to start with a basic spell to gauge the amplification. As the Frost Arrow came into contact with the gem, it began to turn black.

CRACK!

The air grew heavy as the black frost rapidly expanded, spreading across the room.

[W-what?!]

Bardray’s voice rose in alarm as the arrow swelled, its power growing uncontrollably.

Crack.

The labyrinth’s floor fractured, and cracks spread across the walls.

[Again?!]

Balbabamba appeared, wielding his authority to suppress the spreading frost.

Crack! Crack!

But it was futile.

The black frost began to freeze everything in its path. This was no mere basic spell.

Just as Taesan prepared to use Boundary Line to contain the situation, a voice echoed through the space.

“Ah, so you’ve obtained something interesting again.”

The Magician’s voice resonated as the surrounding space began to compress.

Crrrk!

The black frost, which had filled the room, began to condense, as if trapped in an invisible box. Soon, the frost that had engulfed the room shrank to the size of a small container.

The Magician stepped through a portal, picking up the box.

“Hmm.”

Inspecting the contents, the Magician’s eyes gleamed with interest.

“So, this is a fragment discarded by Baal. And now it’s yours.”

“You’re familiar with it?”

“I once fought against him. How could I not be?”

Placing the box into another portal, the Magician warned Taesan.

“Be careful with this. It’s an incredibly dangerous power.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good. Balbabamba, you can leave now.”

[Damn it. Seriously. What a mess.]

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Grumbling, Balbabamba departed. The Magician smirked.

“So, how was it? You must’ve uncovered quite a lot.”

“I’m just doing what I have to do.”

Taesan’s response was calm. Nothing had changed. His goal remained the same: save Earth and drive out the invading Old Gods.

The Magician looked satisfied with his answer.

“That’s all you need to be. It’s enough.”

With a knowing smile, the Magician extended his hand. In his palm rested a white gem.

“It took some effort, but it’s done.”

It was an item Taesan had commissioned from the Magician, crafted using the Scales of Ouroboros. Now, it was finally complete.