Ascension Through Skills-Chapter 509: Floor 94, Easy Mode (2)

[Wait a second. Then this place...]

“This is where I cleared before turning back time.”

The world experienced only by Taesan and Lee Taeyeon. Bardray swallowed hard.

[Master? What is this place?]

“It makes sense you wouldn’t know.”

Taesan briefly explained his past to Akasha. When he finished, she was at a loss for words.

[That’s... truly real?]

“It feels good, like coming home after a long time.”

Taesan approached the fountain, dipping a finger into the water. Ripples spread gently across the surface.

[So...]

Bardray, having barely calmed his astonishment, slowly pieced things together.

[This isn’t exactly the past, is it?]

“You could look at it that way.”

This wasn’t the past. It was closer to a discarded world, stranded on a twisted temporal axis.

If Taesan’s sole objective had been to travel back in time, it could’ve been accomplished more easily. But that wasn’t what he had wanted. His goal had been to return to the now-distorted timeline of Easy Mode.

Taesan scooped some water from the fountain and drank. The refreshing taste washed away the weariness lingering in his body.

As he shook off the remaining droplets, Bardray asked.

[So, what’s your plan here?]

“What else? First, I’ll assess the situation.”

Taesan turned to Bardray and Akasha. Both were now spectral figures, having lost their physical forms. They hovered faintly beside him, their glowing essence flickering softly.

Taesan, too, was different. All the equipment and gear he had accumulated as the pinnacle of the labyrinth’s challenger were gone. The items he now wore belonged entirely to Easy Mode.

“Possession, then.”

It seemed he was temporarily inhabiting the body of this timeline’s version of himself. If it had been a mere summoning, his actions might have been restricted, so this arrangement was preferable.

“Status window.”

[Kang Taesan]

[Level: 57]

[HP: 1021/1021]

[Mana: 820/820]

[Strength: 105]

[Intelligence: 100]

[Agility: 98]

[Attack Power: +49]

[Defense Power: +58]

[Condition: Optimal]

The stats were meager. Compared to his current self, they were abysmally low. Taesan couldn’t help but chuckle.

This was the exact Taesan from Easy Mode, unchanged in any way.

The only difference was a dormant power deep within him—likely the remnants of the strength he possessed in his original timeline. He could probably draw upon it if necessary, but doing so would almost certainly lead to his expulsion from this world.

Having finished his initial assessment, Taesan turned his gaze to his surroundings.

[This place... it’s exactly like the labyrinth. How is that even possible? What did the Old Gods do?]

“Exactly the same?”

[There’s no difference. The energy, the structure—it’s all identical.]

“That’s how it seems to you.”

But not to Taesan.

Although all his power had been sealed, the knowledge and experience he had accumulated were still intact.

Because of this, he could perceive something he hadn’t noticed before.

“It’s different.”

Easy Mode and Alone Mode were fundamentally different. There was an unsettling stench here.

It was alien, yet oddly familiar.

Something was warped.

He had suspected as much, but now he was certain after seeing it firsthand.

“There’s plenty to do.”

Taesan recalled the floor they were on. After a brief pause, he realized it was the 80th floor.

The resting place of the Fountain of Life. Taesan had often taken long breaks here during his journey to clear the labyrinth. Many other players in Easy Mode had done the same, gathering here to chat and recuperate.

But now, there wasn’t a soul in sight.

He was the only one in the expansive chamber.

No, not entirely alone.

Someone was slowly approaching.

Before long, an old man appeared.

“...So this is where you were.”

The old man greeted Taesan with a warm smile.

“It’s been a while since you’ve taken a break, hasn’t it, Taesan?”

“...Deoksu Grandpa.”

Forgotten memories surged through Taesan’s mind.

Most players in Easy Mode admired, even feared him. Taesan’s strength, so far beyond what was typical in Easy Mode, made others hesitant to approach him.

But a few dared to bridge that gap and formed bonds with him.

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Deoksu Grandpa was one of those few.

“It’s been a while.”

Taesan spoke, his tone neutral. Deoksu's Grandpa expression shifted subtly.

“...Something about you has changed. It seems you’ve had a change of heart.”

“Did you notice?”

“Well, we’re both getting on in years, but I’ve still got a little edge on you.”

The old man chuckled softly.

“So, does this newfound resolve mean you’re planning to leave the labyrinth? You’ve stayed here for a long time. There are fewer than a thousand of us left now. Most have already gone outside. If you leave, I might get lonely.”

“Not yet. Not yet.”

Taesan replied briefly, lost in thought.

Fewer than a thousand remaining. That meant a significant amount of time had passed since his last return. It confirmed that he had successfully arrived in the timeline he wanted.

“Now that I think about it, why are so many still here?”

Easy Mode wasn’t difficult. Anyone could clear it within a few years if they set their mind to it.

Yet, nearly a thousand players remained. That struck Taesan as odd. His question prompted a bemused look from Deoksu Grandpa.

“All because of you. What else?”

“...What?”

“You didn’t know? That’s surprising, honestly.”

The old man clicked his tongue.

“Most of the people who stayed are here for the skills you talked about.”

The meaning behind his words dawned on Taesan.

In Easy Mode, Taesan had shared everything about the skills he obtained—their requirements and effects—without holding back. These included skills like Addition, Acceleration, Leap, and Absolute Judgment.

And he had acquired all of them in Easy Mode.

This meant players in Easy Mode also had the opportunity to obtain those powerful skills. It was only natural that many would crave the same strength Taesan had achieved, even if it surpassed the limits of Easy Mode.

But Taesan hadn’t realized how many had taken on the challenge.

He had assumed only a handful would try, not over a thousand.

“You’re busy pursuing new skills, I’m sure, but maybe spare a little thought for those around you. Everyone here looks up to you, you know.”

“...I’ll think about it.”

Taesan replied curtly and began to move.

“Off to get another skill, are you?”

“Yeah.”

“Hah... Everyone’s obsessed with skills these days. No one listens anymore. Guess I’ll just stick to chatting.”

Deoksu Grandpa grumbled as he took a seat.

Watching him, Taesan was struck by an old memory.

Deoksu Grandpa had never shown much interest in acquiring skills. Instead, he stayed in the labyrinth, occasionally talking with Taesan.

At the time, Taesan had asked him why he didn’t leave the labyrinth.

It had been a reasonable question. They had judged that the struggle was over.

‘I’m scared,’ the old man had said.

‘Of what?’

‘We have to move forward, don’t we? But I’m not that kind of person. Even if I leave, I’ll fall behind others. Rather than struggle to keep up, I’d rather stay here with everyone and take it easy.’

Taesan hadn’t understood.

He had tried to persuade the old man to leave.

But when Taesan himself finally emerged from the labyrinth...

The old man was no longer alive.

Taesan stared at Deoksu Grandpa for a moment before speaking.

“Halabeom.”

“Yes?”

“There’s no need for you to go outside.”

“...What brought this on? You always used to tell me to leave.”

“I did, but thinking it over, staying here doesn’t seem so bad.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

The old man chuckled softly.

“Well, hearing that from you is a relief. I’ve been mulling it over recently. Maybe I’ll stay a while longer.”

“Live as you like. I’ll see you next time.”

“Sure. Until next time.”

Deoksu Grandpa bid him a leisurely farewell.

***

Taesan continued his descent through the labyrinth, aiming for a deeper floor to achieve his goal.

Occasionally, monsters appeared to block his path, but his body instinctively reacted, honed by countless repetitions—thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of battles. As he progressed, he opened the community chat.

[Lee Taeyeon [Alone]: Argh! Seriously! This damned labyrinth!]

“Hah.”

Taesan let out a short laugh.

The moment he opened the community, a flood of posts from Lee Taeyeon filled the screen.

[Lee Taeyeon [Alone]: When will I ever get out of here? I’m only on the 77th floor! Stop it already! I want to go home too!]

“So, she’s reached the 77th floor now,” Taesan mused.

Her posts were filled with frustration and anger. Watching her vent, Taesan decided to post a reply.

[Kang Taesan [Easy]: Hang in there.]

The torrent of posts suddenly paused. A moment later, a reply appeared, as though trying to mask the awkwardness.

[Lee Taeyeon [Alone]: ...What? That’s awkward.]

[Kang Taesan [Easy]: What is?]

[Lee Taeyeon [Alone]: Why are you suddenly being so nice? You usually just tell me to stop whining and keep going.]

Lee Taeyeon’s response made Taesan pause.

Now that he thought about it, she was right. He had rarely indulged her complaints, often responding curtly or even coldly.

There had been jealousy and anger toward her buried deep within him back then.

Smiling faintly, Taesan typed another reply.

[Kang Taesan [Easy]: Let’s just say I’ve had a change of heart.]

[Lee Taeyeon [Alone]: Huh? Are you about to leave the labyrinth? Don’t go. Don’t leave me here alone. Stay until I make it out... please.]

[Kang Taesan [Easy]: Shut up and focus.]

Taesan closed the community chat.

“Feels nostalgic.”

How had he been back then? He hadn’t thought about his younger self in a long time. This moment brought those memories rushing back.

“Not bad.”

“So.”

Bardray, who had been quietly observing, broke the silence.

[You didn’t come here just to chat with old acquaintances, did you?]

“Of course not.”

[Then what’s your exact goal? You wouldn’t use the Fragment for something ordinary.]

There was a note of anticipation in Bardray’s voice.

Taesan always did things that exceeded expectations, producing results that were nothing short of extraordinary. This time, Bardray was eager to see what his master was aiming for.

“You’ve already guessed.”

Crack.

Taesan drove his blade into a monster’s neck, swiftly taking it down. He was now on the 94th floor—his destination was close.

“It’s a skill.”

[A skill? What kind? Don’t tell me it’s something on the level of Addition.]

“Multiplication.”

[...Multiplication?]

“And a reset skill for designated abilities. If possible, I’d like to acquire a few others as well, though I’m not sure if that’ll work.”

Taesan spoke calmly, his tone matter-of-fact.

Bardray fell silent for a moment before letting out a soft sigh, equal parts disbelief and admiration.

[...You never do things halfway, do you?]