Ascension Through Skills

“Master? What is this?”

Minerva was visibly flustered.

She realized why Taesan felt so distant to her.

It was simple. Taesan had far surpassed her realm.

“Master. Don’t tell me… Have you transcended—”

“No.”

Taesan denied it.

“Not that far.”

Even Taesan couldn’t fully grasp his current state.

“Oh, ohhh…”

The legs of those watching him trembled. They bowed their heads and chanted Taesan’s name.

However, it wasn’t entirely their will—it was an instinctive reaction to being overwhelmed by a being vastly superior to themselves.

If this continued, they would all turn into fanatics, worshipping only him. Taesan suppressed his presence, and only then did the people gasp for air.

Just by not restraining himself, he had a profound impact on their minds. Taesan decided to move to a place without people.

In an instant, his body vanished.

As he pictured the location in his mind, his body appeared there.

[What?]

It wasn’t a skill. His body had literally transcended space, moving according to his will.

Minerva, who followed shortly after, asked with a shocked expression.

“What kind of realm have you reached?”

“I don’t know either.”

Taesan narrowed his eyes.

A sense of omnipotence dominated his entire being.

It felt as though he could achieve anything he desired, as if his limitations had vanished.

What realm had he reached?

He tried to understand himself. Observing his own power, he analyzed his state.

Taesan closed his eyes and delved into his inner self.

The ghost and Minerva silently watched him. Taesan’s contemplation didn’t end quickly. It was only after a full day that he opened his eyes.

“I see now.”

Taesan let out a faint chuckle.

“A limited transcendence, achieved by the collective faith of the people.”

That was his current state.

“Ah…”

Minerva let out a gasp.

“Minerva. You mentioned this before.”

It was not impossible to reach transcendence solely through worship. However, it required the faith of the entire world, making it practically unattainable.

It was something Minerva had said long ago, believing it irrelevant to her. She had dismissed it from her thoughts, never expecting it to happen this way. Minerva groaned.

“The surviving population of this world is confined to five cities. If all of them worship the master… maybe it’s not impossible.”

Normally, it would have been outright impossible. Humanity was diverse, with each individual holding their own beliefs. For everyone to worship a single being without a trace of doubt was unthinkable.

But here, only a small number had survived.

And they were all pushed to their limits, broken and desolate.

In such a situation, with Taesan saving them without asking for anything in return, they had come to worship him.

“And there are no gods here. Not even the planet’s will.”

This place was abandoned. The planet’s deity had been killed by ancient gods, and the gods who defeated those beings had also disappeared.

Thus, the conditions were met for the collective faith of the world to be realized.

As a result, Taesan seemed to have temporarily transcended mortality.

[What? So you’ve truly ascended to the seat of transcendence?]

The ghost asked in shock. Taesan shook his head.

“I’m not at that level.”

He looked at his hand. Though omnipotence filled his body, there was a clear limit.

“There are too few survivors.”

It was just five cities, not modern metropolises but medieval ones.

Taesan estimated that, at best, there were no more than a hundred thousand people.

Even if all of them worshipped him alone, it wasn’t enough for full transcendence.

Perhaps because of that, the power felt highly unstable. It was a limited strength that could vanish the moment their faith wavered.

“If I had to categorize it, I’d say it’s closer to immortality than transcendence.”

Even so, he had undeniably reached a realm far beyond his previous limits.

As Taesan contemplated his newfound power, he realized something else.

“This power is confined to this world.”

It was like the native deity Harmon of Vekveta. Vekveta was Harmon’s domain. Though it had been a misunderstanding on the ghost’s part, Harmon could wield overwhelming power within his territory, enough to even challenge a demon god.

Taesan would similarly lose this state if he left this world.

“Still, as long as the faith of the world remains intact… it should be partially possible. But I can’t be sure.”

Minerva groaned.

Regardless, Taesan was now in a state he couldn’t normally achieve.

Thus, what he needed to do was clear.

Taesan held the crystallized divine blood in his hand.

［Crystallized Divine Blood］

［The divine blood itself has been stabilized through crystallization. If an unqualified individual attempts to control it, it will run wild.］

Maria had once mentioned that mastering this was one of her joys.

Taesan focused his power on the crystal.

Crack.

The crystal trembled under Taesan’s will. Its power began to seep out, spreading into the world.

However, it was controllable.

As Taesan’s eyes gleamed and he tried to harness more power,

Crack.

A fissure appeared in the crystal, and its energy started to run rampant.

Crack, crack!

Space distorted, and the surroundings began to collapse. Taesan quickly gathered his strength and will, declaring:

“Be sealed.”

［You have activated the Declaration of Sealing.］

Screech!

The runaway crystal was suppressed by a mighty force. The fractured parts were restored.

The crystallized divine blood barely regained stability.

Taesan clicked his tongue.

“At my current level, it’s impossible.”

It wasn’t a matter of insufficient power but of instability. Taesan’s current state was an overlap of special circumstances, allowing him to temporarily transcend mortality. As such, his power was unstable, making it difficult to control.

In his current state, Taesan couldn’t control the divine blood.

Unexpected, but he wasn’t disappointed. On the contrary, it meant that the power contained in the divine blood was exceptional. There was no need to rush—this power would be his eventually.

“In that case, I can’t touch the rings either.”

Using a skill he acquired in his battle with the Guides, Taesan had fused the Twin Rings into one.

But he decided to hold off for now. In his current unstable state, mishandling the rings could damage them.

Taesan took out the floral ornament Maria had given him.

At least he should be able to analyze this. Focusing his contemplative gaze on the ornament,

Taesan read the power within it, his eyebrows twitching slightly.

He had assumed the ornament was an item meant as material for equipment. He had planned to use it once he became strong enough.

But the ornament’s ability, as revealed now, was entirely different.

It wasn’t meant for him but for someone else.

The ornament would activate its effect when given to a specific person.

However, Taesan couldn’t discern who that person was.

Even when he tried to analyze it further, no additional information came to light.

“What is this?”

Taesan put the ornament away.

He cleared his mind.

It was time to focus on what could be done.

In this world, he was essentially a god.

With that power, certain actions should be possible.

Taesan concentrated his will and declared:

“Gather.”

[You have activated the Declaration of Gathering.]

The world responded to Taesan’s command.

Power scattered across the entire world began converging, swirling like a vortex. Minerva stepped back, her face pale.

“Even if it’s limited, this is no different from full transcendence.”

This was a power beyond her reach, only attainable by those who had transcended.

Whirr—

With a hum that resonated across space, energy from the entire world coalesced.

In front of Taesan, a colorless orb materialized.

[You have obtained the essence of the world.]

Taesan stored the orb. The essence of the world itself—accessible only to its master. He hadn’t yet decided how to use it, but its value was undoubtedly immense.

“Now then.”

He had completed all he could for the moment.

It was time to handle his final task.

Suppressing his presence to the utmost, Taesan called the people together.

As they bowed their heads, Taesan spoke.

“I will soon leave.”

Despair clouded their faces instantly.

“No!”

“Please don’t abandon us!”

“Don’t leave us!”

They cried out, their voices filled with desperation. The flood of negative emotions overwhelmed Taesan.

“Ugh…”

He let out a faint groan.

In that moment, his realm wavered.

“So this is how it works.”

A state sustained by people’s faith—if their faith faltered, so too would his power.

Suppressing the surging force, Taesan opened his mouth.

“I have no choice. There are things I must do.”

“Wooo…”

Tears streamed down their faces, but they no longer tried to hold him back. Taesan continued.

“But do not worry. Even if I’m not by your side, I will always protect you.”

He channeled his power.

The suppressed presence expanded across the entire world. Taesan gathered divine energy, creating a golden pillar that pierced the sky. The people gazed at it in awe, their eyes dazed.

The omnipotent force that could move the world according to his will enveloped Taesan.

Controlling the power, he activated a skill.

[You have activated the Inner World.]

A skill that expanded his power and realm into a domain—Inner World.

Though the skill’s description was impressive, he had never used it since acquiring it. The energy and power required were disproportionate to the small domain it created.

But now, it was different.

The Inner World expanded, enveloping all five cities and more.

Taesan unleashed divine power.

He knew how to proceed. The Sanctuary of the God of Regret he had seen in the ghost’s world—it was possible now.

The expanded pillar of light spread across the land. As its radiant waves engulfed the world, people cheered and prayed.

Taesan guided their faith into the pillar of light.

Whirr—

The Inner World filled with divine energy, manifesting Taesan’s sanctuary in this world.

[You have created your sanctuary. You have acquired the unique divine skill, Sanctuary Creation.]

“Whew…”

Taesan caught his breath. Though brief, the effort had taken a significant toll on his divinity reserves.

He turned his gaze.

The sphere of light encased the people, drawing their faith to further solidify its presence.

“It’s done.”

“Ohhh…”

“This is…”

The people murmured in awe, looking around.

The pillar of light warmly enveloped them.

The barren land began to regain life. The colorless world became vibrant.

Dead roots deep within the earth were revived. Green sprouts emerged, painting the world in shades of life.

The divine light shone upon them like the sun, warming them.

It was a miracle, truly befitting a god.

Overcome with emotion, the people cried out to Taesan. For a moment, an overwhelming surge of faith engulfed him.

“As long as you do not forget me, the light that protects you will never fade.”

With those words, Taesan’s figure vanished.

Yet the people continued to pray to him.

“Phew…”

Taesan returned to the labyrinth.

At the same time, a system window appeared.

[You have acquired the transcendental skill, Eternal and Immortal Faith.]

[77th Floor Clear.]

[You have obtained the Bloody Hammer of the Cruel One.]

[Your secret reward has been adjusted based on your performance.]

[Checking...]

[Complete.]

[The Labyrinth’s Administrator, Balbabamba, appears.]

Rumble!

The labyrinth floor collapsed, revealing Balbabamba’s figure.

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