Ascension Through Skills
Chapter 420: 83rd Floor, Essence The God Of Descent (2)

“That doesn’t sound very appealing.”

The quest on the 83rd floor was to clear the trial of the God of Descent.

Essence could impose the trial on Taesan without making a deal.

But there was only one reason it proposed a deal.

It was to impose an enhanced trial—one that required staking one’s life and was nearly impossible to clear.

Even if a god proposed an enhanced trial, an adventurer had the right to refuse it.

And Essence, unlike Lakiratas, could not force it.

The Demon God was surely watching over Taesan even now.

So, it had to be a deal.

[The condition of the deal is that you do not refuse my trial.]

“Why should I agree to that?”

A deal could only be made if both parties consented.

Since his life was on the line, he had no reason to accept unless the reward was worth it.

[If you accept my deal, I will not interfere with other mortals.]

Essence’s voice rumbled softly, and Taesan closed his mouth.

Most transcendents had no interest in mortals they deemed worthless.

However, there were gods who delighted in tormenting and mocking mortals just for fun.

And, by Taesan’s judgment, Essence was one of those gods.

Players like Amelia, Kang Junhyeok, and others from different countries who were progressing through Solo Mode…

Transcendents couldn’t intervene directly in adventurers’ affairs, but if they wished, they could interfere as much as they pleased.

Maria had forced Taesan into her domain through an unfair choice, and Lakiratas had imposed an enhanced trial. There was no reason Essence couldn’t do the same.

Lee Taeyeon was safe under Maria’s protection, but other players who lacked divine favor could be hindered by Essence as much as it wanted.

‘It’s poking exactly where it hurts.’

What Essence mentioned was something Taesan had already been concerned about.

While he could handle himself, others would struggle greatly if a god maliciously intervened.

However…

“Do as you please.”

Taesan rejected Essence’s offer.

[……]

Essence’s true form trembled slightly. Taesan spoke calmly.

“You must know which god favors me, don’t you? It’s the Demon God. She is trying to make me hers. If I ask her for a deal, I’m sure she’d gladly protect the other adventurers from you.”

Whether that was true or not, even Taesan wasn’t certain. The Demon God was fundamentally hands-off.

But what mattered was that the possibility existed.

“Rather than making a deal with you, someone who wants to kill me, wouldn’t it be far more reasonable for me to negotiate with the one who protects me?”

[You…]

Irritation seeped into Essence’s voice.

A far denser and clearer intent to kill surged toward Taesan.

But that was all.

It didn’t declare death upon him, nor did it exert any physical influence.

‘As expected.’

When Taesan had freed Amelia, Essence had revealed its displeasure and tried to crush him.

But the Demon God had appeared and driven Essence away.

There was a clear difference in power between the two.

That was why Essence had to approach Taesan through a deal rather than coercion.

[……Speak.]

In the end, Essence suppressed its killing intent. Its voice, tinged with annoyance, rang out.

“What do you mean?”

[If you invoke the Demon God's name, it means you desire something beyond this deal. Annoying. State your terms.]

“I had no such intention, but if you insist…”

Taesan smirked.

From the start, he had never planned to refuse.

Even if it was enhanced, the trial was still part of the Labyrinth. Difficult, yes, but never outright impossible.

With a matching reward, Taesan had always intended to accept the deal.

‘But I should take everything I can get.’

“What I want is for you not to interfere with other adventurers. And… your authority. The power itself.”

After the Earth Return Quest ended, Maria bestowed Taesan with a skill called Selection Exclusion.

A skill superior to attack nullification—it allowed him to erase a single enemy attack of his choosing.

It was part of Maria’s authority, granted to Taesan.

Its performance was exceptionally high. Among all the skills Taesan had acquired in this life, it ranked among the very best.

Essence, too, was a transcendent being. The authority it held would likely have an effect similar to Selection Exclusion.

Right now, what Taesan desired most as a reward was a transcendent’s authority.

[…You dare to demand my authority?]

Essence’s voice trembled with fury.

A suffocating pressure filled the space.

The only emotion emanating from Essence was anger.

However, Taesan remained composed.

“If you don’t like it, you’re free to refuse.”

Whether Essence accepted or not, it didn’t matter to Taesan. His offer was made with that in mind.

Essence fell silent, suppressing its rage.

After a long pause, a voice echoed.

[Very well.]

Essence accepted Taesan’s proposal.

Taesan was slightly surprised. He hadn’t expected Essence to agree so easily.

[I accept your proposal.]

“Well… if that’s your decision, I have no complaints.”

Rumble!

The deal was sealed.

As if in response, power surged wildly within Essence’s domain.

[Sub-quest initiated.]

[The God of Descent, Essence, wishes to impose an enhanced trial upon you at its altar.]

[Condition: Clear Essence’s Model Garden.]

[Reward: Non-interference with other adventurers. Essence’s authority. Additional rewards based on trial completion.]

“Oh, I have one more request.”

Reading the system window, Taesan spoke up.

“I want the soul of the princess Veldenkia served to be included in the reward.”

[That is acceptable. However, I will seal one of your abilities.]

Essence’s power began to envelop Taesan.

“What ability do you intend to seal?”

His voice was calm as it echoed through the space.

[I will seal your Rank of the Immortal. You will enter my Model Garden with only the rank of a mortal.]

Essence laughed.

It sounded amused.

As if it was certain that Taesan would never return alive.

[A place where I have gathered countless talented individuals—my playthings. My Model Garden, from which no one has ever escaped. You must clear it.]

Boom!

A violent force swallowed Taesan whole.

His body began plummeting deeper into Essence’s domain.

Then, Taesan arrived in a desolate world.

The ground was dry and cracked.

A dry wind brushed against his cheek.

“Ugh…”

Taesan let out a faint groan.

His Rank was falling. Though he had risen far beyond mortality, this was the realm of transcendents.

His Rank of the Immortal rapidly descended to the level of a mere mortal.

His plummeting rank stopped when it reached the boundary.

“So this is it.”

Taesan lifted his gaze.

Dry, cracked earth and sharp winds surrounded him.

There was nothing in sight—only an endless wasteland.

[You have some nerve. To propose a deal with a transcendent who holds hostility toward you.]

The ghost spoke in an incredulous tone.

Even it had been speechless before Essence’s wrath.

But Taesan did not retreat. Instead, he seized an opportunity.

“I have no reason to bow to someone who hates me.”

With that, Taesan checked his body’s condition.

The only thing sealed was his Rank of the Immortal.

All of his power remained intact.

Though his ability to wield divine-like powers would be slightly diminished, it wasn’t enough to render him incapable.

[Still, sealing your Rank of the Immortal—that’s a bit extreme.]

“I accepted the deal, so it doesn’t matter.”

Taesan spoke calmly.

He was too strong now. Either the Labyrinth had to rise to his level, or his power had to be sealed—he had already anticipated this.

“Now then, what kind of place is this?”

[…Essence called this his Model Garden.]

A place where he gathered his playthings.

His personal little garden.

Then, what kind of playthings were gathered here?

It didn’t take long to find out.

As Taesan walked across the wasteland, several figures appeared in the distance.

Taesan halted and waited for them.

“Never seen you before.”

The man at the front stroked his chin.

Their appearance felt oddly familiar.

They dressed similarly to the adventurers Taesan had seen in the Labyrinth.

And they were strong.

All five of them stood just below the Threshold of Transcendence.

Slowly, Taesan started to understand.

Where he was.

The man observing Taesan suddenly asked,

“Are you a newcomer?”

“Newcomer?”

“I’m asking if this is your first time here.”

Taesan nodded. A somber expression settled on their faces.

“That’s unfortunate. The God of Descent is still playing his games…”

After letting out a brief sigh, the man asked calmly,

“Do you have any idea who we are?”

“…Those who became the God of Descent’s playthings?”

“Correct. Just like you, we were all once chosen by the God of Descent. He granted us his full support. But in the end, we were all discarded.”

The man spoke gloomily.

Taesan realized what this Model Garden was filled with.

The God of Descent selected talented mortals and granted them immense support.

And when those mortals reached a certain level, he imposed insurmountable trials and cast them into an endless abyss.

In his past life, it had happened to Amelia. It had happened to Veldenkia’s princess.

This place was where the souls the God of Descent had treated as toys were gathered.

[Can’t you see me?]

The ghost waved its hand in front of them, but they did not react.

“My apologies.”

Shiiing—

The man drew his sword. The others behind him also gripped their weapons.

“I’m sorry to show you something so unpleasant the moment you arrive, but this will serve as a good example.”

The man tightened his grip on his sword.

“More importantly… this isn’t such a bad thing for you either. Don’t worry too much. It’s unfortunate, but in this place—there is no such thing as death.”

With those words, they surrounded Taesan, blocking any escape.

“Who’s up this time?”

“It’s me, Captain.”

“Have you reached halfway yet? Still a long way to go.”

Taesan, watching them quietly, asked,

“Are you after my life?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“You don’t seem like it.”

Their expressions weren’t filled with disdain or the look of a predator eyeing easy prey.

Nor did they carry the greed and desire of thieves.

Though there was no killing intent, they were clearly trying to kill him.

“This place works that way.”

The man gave a bitter smile.

“Apologies for not explaining. But you’ll understand soon enough.”

The man spoke with an exhausted face.

“This… is the only hope we have left.”

The moment he finished speaking, they lunged at Taesan.

Spears, swords, and arrows shot toward him from all directions.

A fast and powerful assault—on par with the leaders of the Guides.

Taesan drew his sword.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

“Argh!”

“Ugh!”

Screams erupted. The man staggered back, staring at his bleeding hands in shock.

In just a single exchange, his palms were torn open.

“I don’t understand.”

They had tried to kill him, yet there was no killing intent.

As if… this was the most natural thing in the world.

“You said there’s no death here. Then answer my question.”

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