CRUMBLE!
Spiderweb-like cracks spread across the wall where the Skull Mask had been thrown.
He slowly slid down its surface.
“…Gurrk.”
Blood gurgled in the Skull Mask’s throat as he lay sprawled across the floor.
At a glance, he appeared to be only moments away from death.
At that moment—
THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD!
Numerous figures poured through the shattered entrance.
Every one of them appeared powerful.
They exuded presences no weaker than those of the <Tiamat> assailants who had attacked the auction hall earlier.
The other Ascenders and I immediately realized that they belonged to <Black Hand>.
‘They arrive after everything is already over.’
You are one step too late, gentlemen.
Seeing them appear only now made me realize once again how significant my contribution had been.
What would have happened if I had not been here?
The Skull Mask would already have looted the auction hall and leisurely escaped.
‘There is no way I can settle for only the Branch of the Lightning Tree.’
I should receive at least one more auction item.
While the <Black Hand> reinforcements stared in confusion at the scene, which had already been completely resolved—
* Take that ring first!
Aleon pointed toward a ring worn by the Skull Mask.
My eyes lit up when I saw it.
It was the ring that had activated <Shadow Binding> against me earlier.
‘It must be at least Legendary grade.’
I had to take it.
Since I had defeated the Skull Mask, the items he possessed belonged to me.
I immediately removed the ring from his finger.
[Ring of the Shadow King]
*Grade: Legendary (1-Star ★)
*Darkness Element +1
*Darkness Attack Power +15%
*Darkness Resistance +20%
*Contains Shadow Binding (2-Star ★★). Binds a target with shadow hands. Targets of two-star grade or below are bound with 100% certainty. The probability of success decreases as the target’s grade increases.
‘Oh.’
This was even better than I expected.
A Darkness Type Ascender would struggle to find a better ring for use on the lower floors.
‘No. It is excellent even without any Darkness Type skills.’
Shadow Binding.
Its success rate was practically 100% against targets of two-star grade or below.
In other words—
On the first and second floors, it was effectively an unparalleled binding skill.
‘It should be extremely useful through the second floor, and even if I sell it later, it will command a high price.’
I had come here seeking a Branch of the Lightning Tree and unexpectedly obtained another treasure.
“That ring looks impressive.”
As I admired the <Ring of the Shadow King>, the Fox Mask standing nearby murmured enviously.
“Yes. It is quite a good ring.”
With those words, I placed the <Ring of the Shadow King> upon an empty finger.
Including the <Tome of the Sage>, the <Dispel Ring>, and <Grang’s Ring>, I now possessed four rings.
Every one of them was either Legendary grade or possessed effects comparable to a Legendary item.
‘At this rate, I’ll end up wearing rings on all ten fingers.’
Did I dislike that idea?
Of course not.
If they were Legendary-grade rings, I would gladly wear them on every finger and toe.
“Ascender! Thank you so much for helping us.”
The Black Rabbit Mask hurried over and expressed his gratitude.
Now, then.
We had compensation to discuss, didn’t we?
“As promised, we will provide the Branch of the Lightning Tree as compensation—”
“Wait a moment. Don’t you think the Branch of the Lightning Tree alone is insufficient?”
I was prepared to argue until I extracted as much additional compensation as possible.
“Ah! My apologies. I was so overwhelmed by the situation that I failed to consider it properly. You accomplished something truly significant. Naturally, the Branch of the Lightning Tree alone would not be enough. Would you prefer additional financial compensation?”
Huh?
The Black Rabbit Mask agreed to increase the reward far too readily.
What was going on?
In any case, it was a welcome development for me.
“Hmm. Rather than money, may I take one more item from the auction?”
The Black Rabbit Mask appeared to consider my request for a moment before nodding.
At that, I immediately examined the items that had been scheduled for auction.
A sword, a cross, an ancient book, an elixir, ores, crafting materials, a ring, and more.
Every item appeared valuable enough to cost several hundred gold coins at minimum.
Which one should I choose to ensure that everyone praised my judgment?
* Oh. That item does not appear ordinary.
Aleon pointed toward a somewhat worn-looking necklace.
“If you’re uncertain which one to choose, I would recommend that.”
At the same time, the Fox Mask, who had been examining the auction items beside me, recommended the same necklace as Aleon.
What was this?
Why were both of them recommending that necklace?
“As far as I know, that necklace was scheduled to appear as the final item in today’s auction. Items presented last in a <Black Hand> auction are usually exceptionally rare, sealed, or inactive. That necklace belongs to the latter category, and I believe it may become quite valuable.”
I had not known that.
Thanks to the Fox Mask’s lengthy and helpful explanation, I learned that the necklace was a sealed item.
“I’ll choose this.”
“You have selected Guldin’s Necklace. If its seal can be removed, we expect it to prove quite useful. An excellent choice.”
And so, I obtained both the <Branch of the Lightning Tree> and <Guldin’s Necklace>.
“Please feel free to visit <Black Hand> whenever you wish. We will provide you with our finest treatment.”
That was not all.
I also received a Black Hand Royal Membership Card.
From now on, I would have a much easier time acquiring high-grade alchemical materials.
“Perhaps we will meet again.”
Then there was the Fox Mask.
Her voice carried such force and confidence that I had initially assumed she was a man.
However, she was actually a woman.
‘How did I mistake a woman for a man?’
She possessed the commanding presence of a formidable warrior.
Now I was curious about her face.
Did women like her usually possess rough, masculine features?
With that small curiosity, I formed a minor connection with the Fox Mask as well.
After experiencing such an unexpected incident, I returned home, finished showering, and collapsed onto my bed.
A bed truly was the greatest invention.
I rolled around upon it for a long time.
Even though it was the cheapest bed imaginable, it felt so comfortable that my entire body seemed to melt into it.
‘Someday, I want to roll around on a truly luxurious bed.’
After lounging for some time, I finally sat up.
‘I need to finish advancing the <Tome of the Sage> today.’
Otherwise, how could I challenge the Ascension Trial to the second floor tomorrow?
‘Tomorrow will mark exactly two weeks.’
Good.
I would establish an unprecedented record with both the shortest completion time and the highest score.
The moment I imagined my name engraved at the top of the <Hall of Fame>, the last traces of fatigue vanished.
Intense excitement filled their place.
“Aleon! I’m beginning preparations to advance the <Tome of the Sage> immediately.”
Overflowing with motivation, I entered the <Sky Tower>.
Then I hurried directly to an Alchemy Workshop.
[You are using <Sage’s Alchemy>.]
This was the critical stage that would determine whether the attempt succeeded.
I focused every part of my mind upon controlling my Magic Power.
Mithril Fragments, Etherium Powder, Windleaf, Sunbloom, and the other ingredients—
I carefully engraved each material with an alchemical Magic Power Imprint.
There could not be even the slightest error.
‘The Sunbloom is complete.’
Excellent.
Only the Branch of the Lightning Tree remained.
CRACKLE.
I took a deep breath while staring down at the branch, through which faint lightning energy flowed.
Lightning mana was among the most difficult Elemental Powers to control.
I concentrated even more intensely than before.
Eventually, I felt as though my entire being had become one with the Magic Power inside the Branch of the Lightning Tree.
A state of perfect absorption.
A fortuitous opportunity that ordinary people might never experience even once in their lives had come to me.
I remained immersed in that state for several hours.
Then—
‘Ah!’
An ecstatic exclamation escaped my lips.
[Congratulations. You have successfully created the <Advancement Stone: Tome of the Sage>.]
[The proficiency of <Sage’s Alchemy> has increased considerably. ‘Transmutation’ is now available.]
[Your understanding of Magic Power has increased considerably.]
[Magic Power has increased by 1.]
‘Magnificent.’
The concept of ‘Transmutation’ surged into my mind like a tidal wave.
At the same time, the increase in Magic Power filled my body with a refreshing sensation.
Overwhelming exhilaration washed over me.
* Extraordinary! Your talent for controlling Magic Power is truly unprecedented and may never appear again.
Even Aleon, who was ordinarily stingy with praise, showered me with admiration.
My shoulders rose naturally.
The self-esteem that had plummeted after Yeonhee dumped me became full once more.
“Good. Let’s advance the Tome of the Sage immediately.”
There was no reason to hesitate.
SHIIIIING!
For the first time in a while, the <Tome of the Sage> transformed from a ring back into its original form as a book.
[The Advancement conditions for the <Tome of the Sage> have been fulfilled. Would you like to advance it to the next stage?]
There was still a possibility that the Advancement could fail.
However, for some inexplicable reason, I was filled with absolute confidence that it would succeed.
HUMMMMM!!
My Magic Power, the Tome of the Sage, and the Advancement Stone began resonating with one another.
Then—
WHOOOOOM!!
A storm-like surge of Magic Power erupted from the Tome of the Sage.
At that moment, I became certain once again.
This was a success.
The following day—
As soon as dawn broke, I headed toward the Gate of Ascension leading to the second floor.
“Ah! I failed again.”
“Me too. Why is a mere tree so powerful?”
“That thing truly is despair itself, just as its name suggests. Damn it. If I fail again next time, I’ll simply live a peaceful life on the first floor.”
Countless cries of despair echoed around the Ascension Gate leading to the second floor.
The <Corrupted Ent of Despair>, the subject of the Ascension Trial and the entity known as the gatekeeper of the second floor, stood before the first-floor Ascenders like an insurmountable wall.
‘No wonder it takes people so long to rise from the first floor to the second.’
Some Ascenders who awakened one-star Traits remained trapped on the first floor for years.
Others abandoned the idea of ascending forever.
Even those who possessed Traits above one-star found it difficult to pass on their first attempt.
Depending on their talent, many people possessed high-grade Traits yet failed to draw out those Traits’ full power.
* When viewed from that perspective, you have performed remarkably well.
Of course.
My Sage Trait was ten-star, after all.
I could reasonably say that I had drawn out the potential of a ten-star Trait quite effectively.
‘Reaching Level 10 in only two weeks proves that much.’
Phew.
Before entering the Ascension Trial, I looked toward the enormous holographic window floating above a stone monument.
One name stood proudly in first place.
James Smith.
The records of the other Great Seven Ascenders followed beneath his.
They would probably all be astonished after today.
Every one of their first-floor Ascension Trial rankings would be pushed down by one position.
* You are confident, I assume?
‘Of course.’
I grinned at Aleon’s question.
It was not baseless confidence.
‘The Tome of the Sage. And Guldin’s Necklace.’
I had expected the Tome of the Sage’s attributes to increase after advancing to two stars, so its improvements had not surprised me greatly.
What truly shocked me was Guldin’s Necklace, from which I had expected very little.
‘Who could have imagined that it was such an extraordinary treasure?’
Merely wearing it around my neck cleared my mind considerably.
Unable to suppress the smile escaping my lips, I examined the detailed information of Guldin’s Necklace.