Ascension Through Skills-Chapter 420: 83rd Floor, Essence of the Falling God (2)

“Not exactly a tempting offer.”

The 83rd floor quest required clearing the trial of the Falling God.

Essence could impose a trial on Taesan without the need for a deal.

However, the reason Essence was proposing a deal was simple.

It was to lay down a reinforced trial that would be almost impossible to clear, a trial where the adventurer would have to risk their life.

Even if a god suggested a reinforced trial, adventurers had the right to refuse it.

But Essence could not force Taesan, just like Rakiratas couldn’t. The Demon Lord was likely watching over Taesan, so direct compulsion would be impossible.

That’s why it was a deal.

Essence spoke.

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

“Why should I do that?”

A deal can only be made if both parties agree. Since the deal required risking his life, there needed to be a worthwhile reward to accept it.

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

“......”

At the deep voice of Essence, Taesan closed his mouth.

Most transcendent beings pay no attention to mortals whom they deem unworthy.

But there were also gods who, for amusement, torment and mock mortals.

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

Amelia, who was descending into her despair, and the other adventurers like Kang Junhyuk and the foreign players.

Although transcendent beings cannot directly intervene with adventurers, they can easily influence them if they choose.

Maria had forcibly invited Taesan into her domain with an unreasonable choice, and Rakiratas had imposed a reinforced trial on him. There was no reason why Essence could not do the same.

Lee Taeyeon, with Maria’s blessing, might be fine, but other players without the protection of a god could easily be interfered with by Essence.

‘You're targeting my weak spots.’

What Essence had mentioned was something Taesan was also worried about.

Though Taesan could handle himself, other adventurers would be deeply troubled if a god intervened with malicious intent.

But.

“Do as you wish.”

Taesan rejected Essence’s proposal.

[.......]

Essence’s true form wriggled. Taesan calmly spoke.

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“You must know who the god that favors me is, don’t you? It’s the Demon Lord. He’s trying to claim me as his own. If I make a deal with him, he’ll gladly protect other adventurers from your hands.”

Taesan wasn’t sure if the Demon Lord would actually do that. He was usually hands-off with his approach.

However, the important thing was that there was a real possibility.

“If I’m to strike a deal with a god who wants to kill me for the sake of adventurers’ safety, wouldn’t it be far more reasonable to make a deal with the one who would protect me?”

[You.]

Essence’s voice was filled with displeasure.

The killing intent directed at Taesan was much stronger and more obvious than before.

But that was all.

No declaration of death or physical influence followed.

‘As expected.’

When Taesan had freed Amelia earlier, Essence had shown similar displeasure and tried to crush him, but the Demon Lord had intervened and driven Essence away.

There was a clear difference in power between them.

That’s why Essence was trying to secure Taesan’s agreement in the form of a deal.

[......Speak.]

Finally, Essence restrained the killing intent. With an annoyed voice, Taesan spoke leisurely.

“What are you asking me to say?”

[Mentioning the name of the Demon Lord means you have something more in mind. A displeasing thing. Speak your conditions.]

“I wasn’t planning on saying anything, but if you insist.”

Taesan smiled.

He hadn’t planned to refuse in the first place.

Even though the trial was reinforced, it was essentially still part of the labyrinth trials. While difficult, it wasn’t an impossible quest. Taesan had already planned to accept the offer from the start, knowing he could get a fitting reward for it.

‘But I’ll take everything I can get.’

“What I want is for you not to interfere with other adventurers. And your powers. The powers themselves.”

After the Earth return quest was completed, Maria had granted Taesan the skill Choice Exclusion.

It was a skill that allowed him to negate one attack from an opponent, superior even to attack nullification. This skill was a part of Maria’s divine power that was granted to Taesan.

Its effectiveness was extremely high. It was one of the highest-tier skills that Taesan had obtained during his time on Earth.

Essence, being a transcendent, likely possessed a similar power to Choice Exclusion.

Right now, what Taesan wanted as a reward was precisely a transcendent’s power.

[......You, a mere mortal, wish to wield my power?]

Essence’s voice trembled with fury.

Taesan could feel the air grow heavy.

All that was showing through was pure rage. Nothing more.

But Taesan calmly responded.

“If you don’t like it, you can refuse.”

Whether Essence accepted or rejected, it didn’t matter. Taesan had made the offer with that mindset.

Essence fell silent and eventually restrained his fury.

After a long moment, the voice rang out again.

[Fine.]

Essence accepted Taesan’s proposal.

Taesan was somewhat surprised, as Essence had accepted more quickly than expected.

[I accept your proposal.]

“Well... then, I am satisfied.”

Boom!

The deal was struck.

In response, the power within Essence’s domain began to surge.

[Sub-quest started.]

[The Falling God. Essence wishes to impose an enhanced trial upon you, the one who has come to his altar.]

[Conditions: Clear the Essence’s Model Garden.]

[Reward: Non-interference with other adventurers. Essence’s power. Reward for clearing the trial.]

“Oh. There’s one more thing I’d like to add.”

Taesan, after reading the system message, spoke up.

“I also want the soul of the princess that Vendingkiah served to be added to the reward.”

[Doesn’t matter. And I will seal one of your abilities.]

The power of Essence began to envelop Taesan.

“What ability will you seal?”

The calm voice echoed.

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

Essence chuckled.

With a tone of amusement.

It was as if he was certain that Taesan would not return alive.

[Countless talented ones, my playthings, gathered in my Model Garden. No one has ever escaped. You must clear it.]

Boom!

The power roughly engulfed Taesan.

He began to plummet deeper into Essence’s domain.

And Taesan arrived in a desolate world.

The ground was dry and cracked, and a harsh wind brushed against his cheek.

“Hmm.”

Taesan let out a soft groan.

His rank was falling.

While he had an incredibly high rank that surpassed mortality, this was a transcendent’s domain. Taesan’s immortal rank quickly plummeted to the level of a mortal.

The fall stopped just at the threshold of mortality.

“So this is it.”

Taesan looked up.

The dry land and sharp winds brushed past his cheek.

There was nothing around him, only a barren plain.

[You’ve got some nerve. Proposing a deal with a transcendent full of hostility.]

The ghost spoke with an astonished tone. He had said nothing in the face of Essence’s fury, but Taesan had stood his ground and gained the upper hand.

“I see no reason to bend for someone who dislikes me.”

Taesan checked his current state.

The sealed ability was his Immortal Rank. That was the only thing.

The power he had remained intact.

While he could no longer wield divine-like abilities to the same extent, it was not as though he couldn’t use them at all.

[Even so, sealing your Immortal Rank is going too far.]

“I agreed to the deal, so it’s fine.”

Taesan spoke calmly. Right now, he was too powerful. Either the labyrinth would rise to his level, or his powers would be sealed, but it wasn’t difficult to predict.

“So what is this place?”

[...Essence called this place his Model Garden.]

A place where he gathered his playthings, his own little garden.

So, what kind of playthings were gathered here?

Taesan soon found out. As he walked through the barren plains, several figures approached in the distance.

Taesan stopped and waited for them.

“Never seen these faces before.”

The man at the front stroked his chin.

Their appearance seemed familiar.

They were dressed similarly to adventurers Taesan had seen in the labyrinth.

And they were strong.

The five of them were all on the cusp of breaking into higher ranks.

Taesan began to have an inkling of where he was.

The man who had been observing Taesan suddenly asked.

“Are you a newcomer?”

“A newcomer?”

“You mean, is this your first time here?”

Taesan nodded. A look of melancholy appeared on their faces.

“That’s unfortunate. Even now, the Falling God hasn’t stopped his games...”

The man sighed briefly and then asked, his voice calm.

“Do you have any idea who we are?”

“...The ones who have become the Falling God’s toys?”

“Correct. Just like you, we were all chosen by the Falling God and received his full support. But in the end, we were all abandoned.”

The man spoke in a grim tone.

Taesan realized what filled this Model Garden.

The Falling God selects talented mortals, offering them all kinds of support.

Once these mortals reach a certain level, the Falling God imposes an insurmountable trial, casting them into a deep abyss.

It had happened to Amelia in her past life, and to Princess Vendingkiah.

It was a place where the souls of the Falling God’s playthings were gathered.

[Don’t you see me?]

The ghost waved in front of them, but they didn’t react.

“Sorry about this.”

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

“Sorry to show you this right after you arrived, but it’ll be a good example.”

The man grasped his sword tightly.

“Most importantly... this won’t be so bad for you. Don’t worry. Unfortunately, death doesn’t exist here.”

With that, they began to surround Taesan, ensuring he couldn’t escape.

“Who’s next?”

“It’s me. Boss.”

“Are we halfway there? Still a long way to go.”

Looking at them blankly, Taesan asked.

“Are you aiming for my life?”

“Sadly, yes.”

“You don’t look like you’re trying to kill me.”

They didn’t look like they were underestimating Taesan or treating him like easy prey. Nor did they appear to be driven by greed or desire.

While there was no killing intent, they were still trying to kill Taesan.

“It’s just how it is here.”

The man smirked.

“Sorry I couldn’t explain earlier. You’ll figure it out soon enough.”

The man spoke wearily.

“Our only hope is this.”

Before Taesan could react, they charged at him.

Spears, swords, and arrows came flying from all directions.

Extremely fast and powerful attacks. As fast as the heads of the Guides.

Taesan drew his sword.

Clang!

“Ugh!”

“Gah!”

Screams erupted. The man, pushed back by Taesan’s counterattack, stared at his hand in shock.

In a single strike, his hand had been shredded and was bleeding.

“I don’t get it.”

They were trying to kill Taesan, but there was no malice behind it.

It was as if they thought it was just natural.

“Did you say there’s no death here? I’d like an answer to my question.”