Ascension Through Skills

"You want to create weapons that transcend mortality?"

"That's right. That's why I made my home in the domain of the God of Blacksmithing."

Koslun tightened his grip on the hammer.

"I know myself well. I can never surpass mortality. I don't have the talent or the obsession for it. But the weapons I create—those might be different."

He smiled with a twisted expression.

"To forge weapons that transcend mortality, just like the God of Blacksmithing, with a mortal body. My achievements will be recorded across the universe. Don't you think that's worth dedicating a lifetime to?"

"I don't think it's possible."

Having reached the seat of the Immortal, Taesan knew.

The Immortal was fundamentally different from the Mortal.

No matter how hard Koslun tried, it was hard to believe he could create such a weapon. Koslun didn't deny it either.

"Well, I say that, but it's close to impossible. Still, it's my wish. I have no intention of giving up. And for that, there's no better place than here."

This place held countless excellent materials. For Koslun, it would indeed be hard to find a better location.

"I'm working my way toward the answer step by step. The quest I'm giving you is part of that. There are some weapons here even I can't do anything about. I want to use those as materials to create something new, so I'd like you to bring them to me."

Taesan nodded. The quest was accepted.

Koslun explained with a satisfied smile.

"The blazing red staff in the west, the merciless frost sword in the north, and the bloodstained crimson whip in the east. Subdue them and bring them to me. Bring them all, and I'll reward you."

"Understood."

"Then go on."

Taesan left the cave.

He cloaked himself in layered darkness and began to move.

—

Taesan headed straight for his objective.

He had already used [Leraje's Domain Detection] to identify the locations of the exceptionally strong armaments. He went west first.

There, a staff spewing flames floated high in the air with a noble posture.

The blazing flames incinerated everything, dominating the space itself.

Taesan stepped into the burning space. The staff, sensing him, immediately reacted with hostility. The flames lashed out violently, rushing toward Taesan.

[You have activated Marcohias's Fake Flame.] (T/N: I think I forgot to take note of this skill. In case you know if this is the correct skill name please comment down below. For now, I'll be using this name. )

Physical flames manifested in the world.

In an instant, the fake flame suppressed the fire spewed by the staff. The entire space was engulfed in fake flame.

The staff quivered, seemingly flustered.

Taesan casually stepped forward and grabbed the staff.

Rumble!

The flames swirled around Taesan. A strong will to incinerate everything could be felt.

"Stay still."

Taesan exerted his will.

The blazing flames were extinguished in an instant, as if doused with water. The staff, which had tried to resist, instantly quieted down.

The power contained in the staff was enough that even Diana couldn't easily subdue it. But to Taesan, it meant nothing.

"I hope the King's Sword puts up at least a little resistance."

Muttering, Taesan launched his body instantly.

He subdued the frost sword in the north and the bloodstained crimson whip in the east.

It was a quest that felt more like a walk. Having finished it swiftly, Taesan returned to Koslun.

Koslun's eyes widened.

"Already?"

"Here they are."

Taesan showed the three weapons. The weapons that had previously resisted and raged now lay meekly on the cave floor.

"…They're real."

Koslun looked at Taesan with astonishment in his eyes.

"No matter how strong someone is, no one has brought them back this quickly. Don't tell me… you've crossed the boundary?"

Taesan silently nodded.

Koslun let out a hollow laugh.

"That's amazing. Truly amazing."

He fiddled with the weapons.

"If that's the case, I can't make something half-hearted. I'll craft a weapon that even an Immortal would find valuable. It might become a meaningful experience for my wish as well. Wait a bit. I'll go prepare."

Koslun dashed deeper into the cave.

Taesan waited for Koslun to return.

As he passed the time, someone approached Taesan.

[Hello?]

It wasn't Koslun. It was the Ghost.

The Ghost, who had temporarily left Taesan's side, had returned.

Taesan asked calmly.

"Have you sorted out your thoughts?"

[More or less.]

The Ghost's voice was subdued.

[I won't be staying in the labyrinth anymore.]

The Ghost had decided to leave the labyrinth and go to where the dead were meant to go.

"You sure about that?"

If the Ghost wished, he could have remained in the labyrinth. That might have been better than true death.

And perhaps—though unlikely—the possibility of saving the Ghost's ruined world still existed.

[I'm fine with this.]

But the Ghost spoke calmly.

[My first journey was to save my world.]

The Ghost entered the labyrinth for the sake of his ruined world.

For that goal alone, he conquered the labyrinth and grew stronger.

But he was killed by Sociét.

His first journey had come to an end.

[And my second journey was with you.]

The Ghost had been with Taesan. He witnessed his efforts and perseverance. His values. How he conquered the labyrinth. He cheered, felt anxious, and empathized.

At the end of that, the Ghost was able to let go of his desires.

And with the quest ending, so too did the Ghost's second journey.

[Honestly, at first, I was going to choose to stay in the labyrinth. But when I thought about it, it didn't matter—I'd be separated from you either way.]

The quest between Taesan and the Ghost had ended.

And one day, Taesan would return to Earth. The Ghost, on the other hand, would have to remain in the labyrinth.

[Once I realized that, staying in the labyrinth lost its meaning. I don't need a third journey. My adventure ends here.] (T/N: 🙁 Please don't leave. Taesan's adventure is not going to be the same without you. We're all used to having you doing commentary about everything Taesan's doing.)

"…You've done well."

Taesan judged that the Ghost would leave before he returned to Earth.

The being who had always been by his side, who had given him information, helped him, and chatted with him, would disappear.

That would leave a great void for Taesan as well.

But the Ghost had made his decision. It would be tasteless for Taesan to argue.

Taesan said nothing. The Ghost also silently remained by his side.

"I'm done organizing my thoughts!"

Koslun appeared noisily, grinning.

"I've got a good idea of what to make! Now! Tell me what you want! I'll craft it according to—"

Koslun's voice gradually trailed off.

His gaze was fixed not on Taesan, but on the Ghost.

"…A soul?"

"First time seeing one, huh."

[So you're the one they call Koslun? You came after me, huh? First time I'm seeing you.]

The Ghost spoke with curiosity. Koslun was flustered.

"Why is a soul here?"

"He was also a labyrinth contractor, like you. And his contract has ended."

"A magician made a contract with the dead in the labyrinth? Then he should've returned to where he belongs. Why is he still here?"

Taesan answered Koslun's question. He explained that a Transcendent had intervened and granted him a little time. Along the way, he also explained the Ghost's circumstances.

Koslun fell silent after hearing the explanation.

"So he's now a free soul… and in life, he was a remarkable adventurer…" (T/N: I'm calling it! He is going to be an ego weapon!!!!!! Please make it happen!)

He mumbled to himself.

Different lights flickered in his eyes. The Ghost, however, showed no interest in Koslun. After all, Koslun was meaningless to him now that he was leaving the labyrinth.

But what Koslun said next took the Ghost by surprise.

Koslun grinned and spoke with burning passion.

"Ghost. Want to become a weapon?" (T/N: Called it!!!! YESSSSS!)

The statement was so sudden that the Ghost couldn't respond immediately.

[…What the hell are you talking about?]

Regaining his senses, the Ghost dismissed Koslun's words. Telling him to become a weapon out of nowhere—no one would accept such a proposal.

"I'm being completely serious. As a soul, don't you want to become a weapon?"

[Why the hell would I accept that? You want me to be trapped in a weapon or something? Cut the crap.]

"You wouldn't be trapped! You would *become* the weapon!"

Koslun shouted loudly.

"It's the concept of being reborn, using the weapon as your body! You'd retain your full sense of self, able to act on your own! And grow even stronger! Strong enough to one day surpass mortality!"

A cry full of madness echoed.

[…What kind of bullshit is that?]

The Ghost hadn't been present when Taesan and Koslun had talked. Perhaps that was why he couldn't understand what Koslun was saying. Realizing this, Koslun calmed down and explained slowly.

[So you're saying… you want to create a weapon that surpasses mortality? And how does turning me into a sword help with that?]

"Because I'm ultimately just a mortal."

Koslun clicked his tongue.

"I've never understood the concept of immortality. No matter how hard I try, I probably can't create a weapon that surpasses mortality."

Humans might understand how birds fly, but they couldn't truly understand a bird's senses or emotions. Imagining a state they hadn't reached themselves was impossible.

"But what if I created a weapon that grew stronger on its own like a human, one with a complete sense of self? Wouldn't such a weapon eventually be able to transcend mortality?"

Koslun grinned.

"There are artificially created beings who've reached the seat of immortality. It's definitely possible."

"That's your goal?"

"All I want is to see my weapon transcend mortality. I don't need anything else."

[Then why don't you use the weapons outside? All the weapons out there have wills of their own.]

The weapons in this place all had their own will. But Koslun shook his head.

"The weapons here don't have intelligence. They're just beasts acting on instinct. That's not enough. What I'm trying to create isn't an ego sword. Ego swords are just swords with consciousness."

Koslun's eyes blazed as he spoke each word with intense desire.

"A truly independent, perfectly free being in the form of a sword—that's what I seek."

A lifeform in the form of a weapon.

That was what Koslun desired.

"But for that, a complete sense of self is necessary. That's always been the hardest part. I kept getting stuck there… and then you appeared."

His eyes, brimming with desire, turned to the Ghost.

"You're a completely free soul right now, unbound by anything."

Due to Exirea's authority, the Ghost wasn't bound to the labyrinth, nor did he have to go where the dead normally go.

"Don't think of it as strange. Becoming a weapon wouldn't change much from when you were alive. You'd still have your will and make your own choices. The only difference is that your vessel wouldn't be a body—but a weapon."

Koslun continued.

"If you wanted, you could travel the world alone, or accompany someone you cared about."

The Ghost had chosen between two paths. He didn't choose a third journey.

But now, a new option had appeared.

"So? Interested?"