Episode 399

Everything began to collapse around Akyros’ Sword. Even the walls of the labyrinth, renowned for their near-absolute defense, cracked under the force of the destruction.

However, Taesan did not retreat.

Enveloping his entire body with divinity, he charged at Akyros’ Sword. Though the power of destruction engulfed him, it is blocked by his divinity and absolute protection.

“Minerva, return.”

“It seems I can’t help you from here. Do your best.”

Akyros’ gaze was filled with irritation and fury.

Akyros’ Sword, as a tool, began to fulfill its master’s will.

Kwaaaang!

The sword swung. Contained within it was a concentrated force capable of destroying everything.

Clang!

“O…”

Taesan let out a small groan as his sword collided with Akyros’ Sword. Although he took no damage, a strange sensation flowed through his weapon.

A direct hit would cause his body to disintegrate. It was an almost instinctive premonition.

‘Still, it doesn’t matter.’

Akyros’ Sword lacked intelligence.

That made it simple to pierce through. Taesan delved even deeper into Akyros’ Sword’s range.

Taesan moved behind Akyros’ Sword. Twisting its body, the sword lashed out. Taesan tilted his neck to dodge and drove his blade deep into the opponent.

Even without using the Blade of Resolve or Transformation, the damage was remarkably high.

Taesan gripped his sword tighter, driving it in deeper. However, focusing solely on offense left him exposed.

Akyros’ Sword didn’t miss the opening, which was exactly what Taesan had intended.

Akyros’ Sword’s attack was erased.

Time rewound to before the attack.

Akyros’ Sword visibly reacted with confusion.

Choice Elimination. A power granted by Maria that erased a single attack from the opponent. Its effect was almost identical to nullifying the attack.

While Akyros’ Sword wavered, Taesan continued to drive his blade into the designated critical point. Regaining composure, Akyros’ Sword swung its greatsword once again.

But it still didn’t connect.

Akyros’ Sword’s body reset to the state before its attack.

Taesan applied more force to his blade.

The Lion King fully understood Taesan’s power.

Having observed Taesan’s battles, he would have analyzed how to counter and neutralize Taesan’s abilities, though lacking the strength to execute such strategies.

In contrast, while Akyros’ Sword was stronger than the Lion King, it had lost its intellect and reasoning, acting solely on instinct.

Taesan’s power showed near-absolute strength when the opponent couldn’t comprehend it. Against foes driven only by instinct, it became even more dominant.

Akyros’ Sword rampaged. The destructive force spread from the greatsword, scattering like wind blades in all directions.

It was a force capable of destroying everything in its path. Even the leaders of the Guides of Sin wouldn’t be able to resist and would be annihilated.

But the current Taesan was strong.

Even the will of a transcendent being, wielded through a mere tool, could be overcome.

Taesan stepped forward, delving below the greatsword.

His body soared into the air. Using black magic, he relentlessly pressured the opponent. Although Akyros’ Sword slashed and shattered everything with the power of destruction, Taesan was not one to miss the resulting openings.

Immediately, he wielded the power of destruction.

A will capable of destroying the world itself.

The magnitude of its force was by no means insignificant. At its core, it surpassed mortal strength.

Though Akyros’ Sword detonated destructive power in all directions, Call of Destruction greedily sought to devour it. Seizing the opportunity, Taesan pierced through its head.

Kaang!

Blocking the swung greatsword, he widened the distance.

“A mistake.”

Taesan murmured quietly.

Normally, this wouldn’t have ended at this level. To kill Taesan, Akyros would have used even stronger measures.

However, due to the interference of the Demon God, further involvement beyond a set limit was impossible. Thanks to this, Akyros’ Sword was restricted to using limited power.

The sword once again pierced into the vital point.

Still, Akyros’ Sword didn’t fall. It continued to swing its greatsword toward Taesan without faltering.

Twisting his blade, Taesan deflected the attack and withdrew.

“Stubbornly durable.”

Even after dealing damage nearing a million, it hadn’t fallen.

But it seemed its limits were approaching. The form of the Lion King began to crumble.

Crunch.

At the same time, its power exploded.

As if maintaining a form was no longer necessary, its body disintegrated, leaving only raw power.

Taesan instinctively knew this was the end.

Thus, there was no need to hold back any longer.

Black and divine energy blended into Taesan’s sword, forming an ashen boundary.

The distorted force of destruction surged to devour Taesan.

Taesan swung the boundary with his blade.

Kuuuuung!

Power collided with power. Taesan’s brow furrowed slightly. The destructive force colliding with the boundary didn’t give way easily.

That was the authority of a transcendent.

At this level, even the boundary could be resisted.

Taesan drew out more black energy. Having reached immortality, he could wield it far more skillfully than before.

The ashen blade slashed forward, shaking the labyrinth with its shockwaves. Splitting and destroying the destructive force surging toward him, Taesan advanced.

At the end of his advance, he reached the core of destruction.

Taesan thrust his sword. The core, as if in its death throes, erupted with even greater force.

Taesan responded by pulling out more black energy.

As the ashen hue deepened, the destruction was consumed.

An explosion shook the labyrinth.

Kugugugugung!

The floor of the labyrinth trembled as walls collapsed. Taesan sheathed his sword. Only he remained in this place.

Taesan looked at the altar and spoke.

“It’s all over.”

What emanated from Akyros’ Altar was rage.

A strong will to kill Taesan was apparent. If an average adventurer were exposed to such emotions, their life would be forfeit.

But that story didn’t apply to Taesan. He calmly let it slide.

Akyros did not want to accept the outcome, but with the Demon God watching, there was nothing more he could do.

The Demon God was the god of the demon world itself. The god of all demonic beings, possessing immense power.

Akyros himself, as a transcendent, was strong enough, but the Demon God was on par with Lakiratas or Maria.

In the end, Akyros subdued his anger and fulfilled his duty.

The quest was cleared.

And that meant the 80th floor had been cleared.

It was all over.

Leaning against the shattered walls of the labyrinth, Taesan began organizing his thoughts.

The endlessly bothersome Guides of Sin were down to just one.

The remaining one was the ashen woman, Societ.

She was the ghost’s target.

Taesan opened his skill window.

It was a skill akin to Maria’s Choice Elimination—almost divine authority. When Akyros’ Sword had used it, it had affected Taesan, even though he was protected by divinity. The skill’s value seemed sufficient.

The descriptions were chilling. Taesan equipped the items.

A peculiar sensation enveloped Taesan.

It felt like something was creeping in, trying to dismantle his body from within.

“Stop.”

Taesan exerted a light force. The power flowing from the equipment was cleanly pushed back.

For Taesan, it wasn’t an issue. In terms of performance, the items were excellent rewards befitting divine compensation.

The title itself wasn’t significantly different from before. Overall stats had increased, but that was all. The titles Master of Even New Realms and Throne of the Depths also raised stats to high levels.

What stood out were the last two titles earned.

According to the description, it transformed the holder into one with a strong body and mind. However, Taesan felt no change.

The same went for the passive skill.

The commonality of both was that they were skills meant for mortals.

But Taesan had already transcended mortality. Having surpassed it himself, there was no reason to feel pressured when facing such beings.

The same applied to the title Indomitable Body and Mind. Having already reached a high level physically and mentally, further improvement held no meaning.

“This is a problem in its own way.”

Indeed, achieving immortality had caused several issues to arise.

It was the moment when Taesan checked the final reward for clearing the floor.

Drrrrk.

The shattered floor of the labyrinth rose. It was the appearance of Balbabamba. He surveyed the surroundings and let out a small sigh.

“Sorry about that.”

Balbabamba spoke, looking at Taesan.

When Balbabamba met Taesan on the 79th floor, he mentioned the wizard had left.