Ascension Through Skills
chapter-278

The God of Descent would choose one talented adventurer and bestow favor upon them.

Taesan didn’t know the details, but if a god showed up in person, it certainly wasn’t a minor support.

Perhaps the adventurer received a reward comparable to his own.

And when that supported adventurer arrived before him, the god would reveal his true nature.

He made them believe they were the chosen one of the god, only to shatter their expectations.

It was fitting for a god whose domain was Descent.

And being such a god, he would choose adventurers based not only on talent but also on character.

A heart that believed oneself to be the strongest.

He would choose an adventurer with arrogance.

Amelia would be no different.

So, Taesan planned to break Amelia’s belief first.

“Those Americans are too much. Can’t they take it easy?”

“Well, they’re desperate too. They can’t guarantee they’ll survive the next return.”

Kang Jun-hyeok answered Lee Taeyeon’s grumbling.

Their conversation broke Taesan’s reverie.

“It’s not really a problem. There’s no rule against teaming up.”

Taesan didn’t think the Americans’ method was wrong.

They were in a situation where they might not be alive tomorrow.

It was natural for them to prioritize themselves over others.

“Ah, this means next time it’ll be all Americans… This is going to be tough.”

“Stop whining.”

Kang Jun-hyeok laughed at Lee Taeyeon’s distressed look.

And soon, they were summoned back to the battlefield. Lee Taeyeon, who arrived in a vast, empty plain, walked gloomily.

“Huh?”

She spotted a player walking across the plain.

A big nose and sunken eyes. They were Americans. When they saw Lee Taeyeon, they were startled.

“…I don’t know any Asian player in Hard Mode who looks like you. Are you from another country?”

Lee Taeyeon nodded. They started whispering among themselves.

“What? Didn’t we eliminate them all?”

“Did one luckily survive? It’s hard to find someone who’s determinedly hiding using invisibility, isn’t it?”

“Or is it that guy? Kang Taesan?”

“That guy’s a man. Does she look like a man to you?”

“Hey. I can hear you.”

Lee Taeyeon grumbled. The Americans’ expressions darkened.

“…Should we eliminate her now?”

“We were told to wait until everyone gathered, remember?”

“She’s just one person. As long as she’s not Kang Taesan, we can handle her, right?”

“That… is true.”

They drew their weapons against Lee Taeyeon. She sighed deeply and drew her sword.

One American laughed.

“Unlucky for you.”

They rushed at her. One aimed at her head, another at her stomach, and the last one at her legs.

Lee Taeyeon moved her sword with an annoyed expression.

“Ugh.”

The sword aiming at her head was deflected, the spear aiming at her stomach was repelled, and the double-edged sword aiming at her legs was stomped down into the ground.

Lee Taeyeon swung her sword. One Hard Mode player vanished instantly.

“Wha- what!”

The Americans were shocked.

Although they had teamed up to eliminate other countries’ players, the final victor was decided purely by skill.

The three who made it through were among the top Hard Mode players. Even if Oliver joined in, he would have struggled to defend against their simultaneous attack.

Yet not only did she block all their attacks, but she also counterattacked! And they couldn’t even see her move.

While the two were flustered, Lee Taeyeon quickly slipped between them. The American players tried to respond hastily, but she didn’t allow it.

[Lee Taeyeon activated Flow Skill.]

The trajectory of the American player’s sword was skewed. Lee Taeyeon brushed past them, and they collapsed.

“I’ve never heard of something like this.”

“Damn it. Have we been forgotten too much?”

Lee Taeyeon grumbled at their last words filled with shock.

She and Kang Jun-hyeok had entered the mid-20s floors. Their strength now far surpassed Hard Mode.

Currently, she felt confident she could win even if a hundred Hard Mode players attacked her.

However, the presence of Kang Taesan meant she received relatively less attention. Even after days of monitoring the community, there was hardly any talk about her.

Ironically, in her previous life, she had felt burdened by the attention she received.

But now, with Taesan around, all expectations were focused on him.

Thus, Lee Taeyeon found herself wanting recognition more than in her previous life.

“If I stay till the end, maybe I’ll get some recognition.”

She murmured. She had confidence. As long as it wasn’t Amelia or Taesan, she could win against anyone.

She thought so and moved. Although she was strong, it would be difficult if all of Hard Mode gathered. She planned to find and eliminate them one by one before that happened.

But her steps halted. Her pupils shook as she looked ahead.

“…Taesan?”

“Hello.”

Taesan waved leisurely.

“Just my luck.”

Understanding the situation, Lee Taeyeon muttered gloomily.

“Out of 1,600 people, I had to meet Taesan… What is this…”

“Don’t worry. You’re not the only one.”

“Oh… Noona. Nice to see you.”

“…Jun-hyeok? You’re here too?”

Lee Taeyeon let out a dry laugh.

“This is too unlucky.”

Her confidence for victory had vanished without a trace.

“Amelia isn’t here too, right?”

“Probably not.”

Taesan replied.

According to his domain detection, there were a total of 50 players in this space. Out of 1,600 people, 50 were selected, and among them were Kang Taesan, Lee Taeyeon, and Kang Jun-hyeok.

It might have been just bad luck, but Taesan didn’t think so.

‘It’s crude, but it’s certain.’

From the beginning, it was never said to be assigned randomly. It was stated to be arbitrarily assigned by the system. It meant that the God of Descent could divide the space as he pleased.

And Lee Taeyeon and Kang Jun-hyeok were ones who could potentially reach Amelia.

Although it was nearly impossible given the more than ten-floor difference, it wasn’t entirely out of reach. In the current situation, where health was at 100 and defense was gone, there was a slight chance of victory.

So, Taesan decided to take them down.

As his thoughts concluded, several presences approached them. Dozens of American Hard Mode players had gathered.

“What? There are three of you? Didn’t we eliminate everyone except that guy Taesan?”

“Sorry, but we don’t have time to play with you.”

Taesan raised his hand.

[You have activated Starlight Arrow.] [You have activated Magic Separation.]

Arrows of light split and rained down on the Hard Mode players. They panicked and tried to flee, but the arrows of light flew faster.

Boom!

“Ugh!”

Lee Taeyeon covered herself in shock.

Each exploding arrow of light contained unimaginable power.

When the light subsided, no one was left. Dozens of Hard Mode players had all vanished in one strike.

“Perfect timing. This time, you two have a chance to defeat me.”

Taesan smiled and drew his sword.

“Come at me together.”

“Oh…”

“No way we’ll win.”

Despite their grumbling, determination was etched on their faces. They began to strategize seriously to defeat Taesan.

Taesan was satisfied with their attitude.

Facing an overwhelming enemy, believing it was impossible to win, yet not giving up and striving for victory. It was an essential mindset in Solo Mode.

‘They’ve met the standard.’

Taesan walked toward Lee Taeyeon. She lowered her stance and charged at Taesan.

[Lee Taeyeon activated Acceleration.]

Kang Jun-hyeok didn’t stay idle either. He quickly moved to Taesan’s back.

One from the front, and the other targeting the rear’s gap. It was textbook.

Taesan raised his sword against the charging Lee Taeyeon. She gritted her teeth and tried to defend.

[Lee Taeyeon activated Flow Skill.]

The sword came down. As Taesan’s sword clashed with Lee Taeyeon’s, it was diverted.

Lee Taeyeon tried to exploit the gap, and Kang Jun-hyeok kicked off the ground.

Taesan applied strength to his hand.

The sword, diverted by Flow, was forcibly corrected by his strength. Lee Taeyeon rolled on the ground in shock.

Taesan pulled his sword back. The charging Kang Jun-hyeok hastily blocked with his sword.

Crack.

He was shocked by the difference in power.

He barely managed to block without taking damage, but his hands were trembling. A few more clashes and he might lose grip of his sword.

It wasn’t even Taesan’s full strength. He was moving his sword very slowly.

“Flow of the Ability Sword is indeed strong, but it’s not omnipotent. If the opponent’s strength is significantly higher, it can be overcome.”

Taesan raised his sword.

“Come again.”

Taesan taught Lee Taeyeon and Kang Jun-hyeok how to deal with an overwhelming enemy through physical demonstration. As a result, although they were overwhelmingly pushed back, their expressions were bright.

“Well then, Taesan. Please take care of the rest.”

“Hyung, teach them a lesson. I’m too angry to stand it.”

Taesan waved and finished off.

[Quest Complete] [You have become the winner.] [Calculating results...] [You gained 760 points.] [Moving to the final location.]

This time, the location he was summoned to was different from before. Taesan was summoned to a room painted blue.

It wasn’t very large. At most, it was the size of a school field.

Taesan looked around the interior.

There were several Americans gathered.

[All winners have been determined. Moving to the next battlefield in one hour.]

Taesan took quite a long time training Lee Taeyeon and Kang Jun-hyeok. Because of this, Taesan was the last one to arrive.

Counting them one by one, there were a total of 31. Including Taesan, there were 32.

Among them, a blond man approached Taesan.

“Um… nice to meet you.”

“Hello.”

Taesan responded. He recognized the man in front of him.

Blond hair and blue eyes. A stereotypical Westerner.

Always steadfast and confident. When Kim Hwiyeon died, this man gathered and led the Korean players. And he survived to the end.

Oliver Khan. The leader of the Americans and the leader of the world.

Oliver spoke.

“Your name must be Kang Taesan.”

Taesan nodded. Oliver groaned.

“…I heard rumors, but you’re really strong. But it seems it took you quite a while.”

“There were two particularly strong ones here.”

“…The Solo Mode players of Korea. You mean those two.”

Oliver’s eyes gleamed. He seemed to have a misunderstanding, but that didn’t matter to Taesan.

He felt gazes boring into him.

Taesan turned his gaze.

He saw blue hair.

Brown eyes were staring at Taesan. A beautiful woman resembling a fierce cat was gazing intently at him.

She said nothing, but her entire aura was revealing herself.

-I am the strongest.

-No one can surpass me.

It was an aura that made such a claim.

Amelia Aerin.

The strongest Solo Mode player. And probably the player buried in the labyrinth by the God of Descent.

Taesan smiled and spoke to her.

“Hello?”

Her gaze, full of many emotions, was directed at him.

She finally spoke.

“Is it true?”

“What is?”

“That you cleared over 50 floors.”

Taesan smiled.

“What do you think?”

Amelia’s face twisted at his non-answer.

Her aura responded to her emotions. Oliver’s face hardened.

She had reached a level where she could control people with just her emotional outburst.

But that was all.

Taesan couldn’t help but laugh at the aura directed at him.

Amelia Aerin. The strongest Solo Mode player. The player he once believed he could never surpass.

But not anymore.