Ascension Through Skills

A distinct presence emanated from the ring. A will with a clear sense of self appeared.

It was equipment with a consciousness—different from Bardray's.

Taesan waited, holding a small mix of unease and expectation.

At last, a voice echoed.

[…How do you do?]

It was the voice of a young woman. Gentle and soft, so much so that Taesan almost lost his composure for a moment.

[Are you my master?]

"That's right."

[I see.]

[I am confused… but I understand the situation. I am your possession. I must follow you as my master and protect you. Please give me any command, Master.]

Fortunately, the ring's will seemed to have no major issues. It acknowledged him as its master and followed him completely.

Still, a question arose.

"Who are you?"

The ring's voice was distinctly human. Each word carried human emotion.

It was hard to believe this was a newly formed consciousness. Even Koslun could not create a weapon with a perfect will. It couldn't be something Haphran had made.

[…I was…]

After a pause, the ring continued.

[I was alive.]

"I don't recall using a living being as a material."

[But I was a living, breathing human. I remember that clearly.]

Her voice carried deep certainty.

The ring hesitated, then spoke.

[I… trusted someone. I believed in them and placed my life in their hands.]

"Who was this person?"

[They were… they were… ugh…]

The ring groaned as if in pain.

[I was… their faithful servant… guarding their side… an Apostle…]

"An Apostle?"

A memory surfaced in Taesan's mind—one of the materials used to make the ring.

[Apostle's Core]

[The core containing the essence of a god's apostle. Materialized through a fallen divine rank.]

The Apostle of a forgotten goddess.

On the 30th floor, Taesan had fought an apostle and won. As a reward, he had obtained the Apostle's Core.

That material had been used in forging the ring.

The will of the apostle he had defeated now resided in it. That it was a woman was surprising, but then again, he had never seen the apostle's face—only the heavy aura inside the armor.

Taesan glanced at Haphran.

Haphran also looked startled.

"It's unheard of for a mere material to take over the will of equipment. But… if it's an apostle, perhaps it's possible."

"You think it's possible?"

"The Apostle's Core contains the very essence of the apostle itself. I never fully understood it. It's no ordinary material, so I can't say it's impossible."

That was the only explanation that fit. The ring gradually calmed its mind.

[I… don't remember well. My mind is in disarray. But one thing is certain—you are my master.]

The ring's voice was steady.

[I will follow your will. Please command me.]

"Hm."

Taesan looked at the ring.

The fact that the being he had killed now inhabited the ring was surprising, but as the ring said, he was its master.

There was no reason to reject it.

"What can you do?"

[I have all the abilities the individual rings had before they became one. In addition, I am synchronized with you, Master. I can become your shadow and amplify your actions.]

"What actions, exactly?"

[I can increase the cost of the skills that consume your mana and Magi, while maximizing their efficiency and power.]

Taesan immediately tested it. In the dead world, he used [Frozen World].

The ring glowed.

It interfered with the magic as it was manifesting, increasing its power.

Zzzzzzt!

Frost raged forth.

Taesan's eyes lit up.

Just as the ring had said, the power was noticeably greater. Mana consumption increased, but it was negligible compared to the gain.

"Not bad."

[And I can store the power you possess and release it when needed.]

"A memorize function, huh."

As a test, Taesan stored black magic in the ring. The ring absorbed it without any strain.

Then he ordered the ring to release it. The stored black magic was manifested instantly, without any preliminary signs.

Kugugugung!

"This part's the same."

The pure white ring from before could also store power. On its own, this wasn't particularly special.

'I wonder if it can store Boundary Line too.'

Taesan formed [Boundary Line] and stored it in the ring.

It settled inside without resistance.

The unified ring could store Boundary Line as well.

While the capacity was limited, being able to deploy it instantly was a major advantage.

The exact applications would need testing, but it was an effect that could greatly impact combat.

On top of that, the ring would grow stronger by defeating enemies. The longer he used it, the greater its abilities would become.

'What kind of equipment is this…'

It was on a completely different level. The ring spoke quietly.

[Are you satisfied?]

"Plenty."

[Good. To be of use to you as a tool—there's no greater happiness.]

The ring spoke warmly.

For Taesan, who had once fought to the death against an apostle, that answer stirred complicated feelings.

He asked the ring,

"Do you remember anything about the one you served?"

It was unexpected, but this could be an opportunity.

Taesan had a quest to restore the faith of the forgotten goddess. He needed to find someone who remembered the goddess, but had no leads.

The ring was her apostle. If she remembered the goddess, the quest could progress.

[…I don't know.]

After a short silence, the ring spoke again.

[All I recall is that she was very precious to me. Nothing more. If something triggers it, I might remember…]

Taesan showed the ring the spear he had made from an arrow obtained in the domain of the forgotten goddess. Though reforged, it still carried the same essence.

[…This feels nostalgic.]

The ring murmured with a note of emotion.

After staring at the spear for a long while, she suddenly spoke.

[Akasha.]

"What?"

[Akasha. That was my name in life. I believe so.]

"Akasha, huh."

[Beyond that… I'm not sure. I'm sorry.]

"No, that's enough."

Recalling her name meant there was a chance she could remember the goddess as well. With growth, those memories might return.

"So I should call you Akasha, right? I'll be counting on you."

[Understood, Master.]

[Is that the end of your little talk?]

Bardray quickly cut in.

[So that's what was going on. Not bad. Let's get along, fellow weapon—miss ring.]

[You are… a sword? An ego sword?]

[No. I don't move according to this guy's orders. I'm free.]

[A free sword? I don't quite understand, but you're also the Master's possession. I look forward to working with you.]

[Possession? I said I'm not.]

Bardray grumbled.

Akasha seemed somewhat absent-minded.

It didn't seem to be because she was a ring now—it felt like that was simply her original personality.

With the basics confirmed, Taesan spoke to Haphran.

"I'm more than satisfied."

"If you need anything else, come to me anytime. With you, I feel I can make equipment on an even higher level."

Haphran saw him off with a satisfied look.

Taesan returned to the labyrinth.

"What now?"

There wasn't much time before he had to return to Earth.

It wasn't enough to clear another floor. After a brief thought, Taesan moved.

He headed to the 78th floor—the Great Library of All Things.

There, its librarian Jorge, just like their first meeting, was reading a book.

"You came at the right time. Ainzhar was going to look for you. Go see him."

Taesan nodded.

As Jorge continued reading without looking up, he suddenly raised his head.

His gaze fixed on Bardray.

Jorge frowned.

"Hero?"

[Hello, Jorge.]

"…An ego sword? No… no, that's not it."

After his initial confusion, his expression calmed.

"So you were reborn as a sword. With Koslun, it's not impossible. But death wouldn't normally allow it… though with the one holding you, I suppose it doesn't matter."

Jorge quickly pieced together the truth.

The interest in his eyes faded.

"In any case, I wish you well. I hope you don't regret that choice."

[No need to worry about that.]

[Hello.]

Akasha spoke softly.

[Who are you? I sense something familiar.]

"…You…"

Jorge's voice carried a hint of surprise.

"Who are you?"

[I am my master's possession.]

"No. I can't see anything from you. What are you…"

"Not even the librarian of the God of Knowledge knows?"

It wasn't strange—everyone had forgotten her. Taesan explained briefly.

"…Such a transcendent being existed? I can't tell."

"If you knew, you wouldn't be calling her forgotten in the first place."

"Still, it's worth looking into."

Taesan went to find Ainzhar. Upon arriving at the twenty-fourth Secret Room, he found Ainzhar at the entrance.

"Oooh! Taesan!"

Seeing him, Ainzhar beamed and rushed over.

"You're here! My benefactor! Hahaha!"

"You seem quite happy."

"How could I not be?"

Ainzhar patted his shoulder.

"My goddess, Lady Levinenov, has regained her senses!"

Once the corruption had been removed, Levinenov had lost consciousness.

Ainzhar had said they would talk more after the goddess woke, and Taesan had agreed.

Now, Levinenov had awakened.

"What will you do? Will you meet her?"

"Yes."

Taesan nodded. Ainzhar smiled broadly and dashed into the Secret Room.

"My goddess! An honored guest has come to see you!"

Clack.

The door opened.

Inside stood Levinenov.

[You have encountered the Fallen Goddess, Levinenov.]

"Oh my."

A gentle voice rang out.

Her face was serene, bringing peace to the heart just by looking at her.

The blackness that had stained her chest was gone completely.

She had fully overcome the corruption. Taesan knelt before her.

"Congratulations, Lady Levinenov."

"It's all thanks to you."

Levinenov shook her head.

"And there's no need for formalities. I am no longer a god."

She raised her hand—pure white and flawless.

But there was no longer any divinity within it.

Levinenov had fallen. She was now a mortal being.