Chapter 190: 40th Floor, The Demon Child (4)

Chapter 190: 40th Floor, The Demon Child (4)

Quaned staggered back with a weak groan, his eyes shaking erratically.

What is this

Realizing close combat was ineffective, he created distance to utilize curse magic, believing he had the upper hand in this domain due to his demon race heritage.

But even his black magic was thwarted.

The last strategy he believed in crumbled miserably.

Quaned bit his lip, grasping at his crumbling spirit amidst the sense of powerlessness.

Its not over yet.

Quaned moved.

Clash!

Taesan laughed coldly at the sight of Quaned charging in. All the Guides he had faced until now had crumbled mentally and became clumsy in their movements when pushed to this point. However, Quaned showed no such signs.

This is what an adventurer is.

Taesan planned to treat him accordingly.

Clang!

The swords shook as they clashed, creating loud sparks in their attempt to pierce each other.

[You have activated Flow.]

Quaneds sword, attempting to collide with Taesans, shook violently.

Quaned didnt just take it; he responded.

[Quaned activated Counter.]

Quaneds body moved naturally, his wavering sword correcting itself to collide with Taesans.

Taesans response was simple.

Taesan also activated Counter.

Crack.

Ugh!

Quaned, who was hit after getting his guard bypassed, clutched his shoulder and created distance.

What the heck?

Normally, Flow was activated only when an attack physically connected with the opponents body. However, Taesans version activated as soon as an attack touched the sword.

The Counter was also entirely different from the effects he knew.

Thats why he couldnt respond adequately and had to take damage.

Uh.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

Quaned groaned as he raised his hand, the aura of will emanating from him changing simultaneously.

Taesan, reading this, activated magic before Quaned could.

[You have activated Grain Diffusion.]

[You have activated Tracking.]

The grains flew towards Quaned in a swarm. Attempting to manifest black magic, Quaned failed to hit his target and moved hastily.

Thud!

Quaned was relentlessly pushed back.

But he did not give up. He desperately sought means and strived for victory.

And Taesan trampled over all of it.

Ha.

Utterly beaten, Quaned leaned against the wall and let out a hollow laugh.

It was truly dangerous.

Throughout many hardships and trials, he had never been pushed to this extent before.

This is the end.

Quaned gathered his strength.

A massive demonic energy descended.

[Quaned activated Belial's Young Beasts.]

Darkness engulfed the entire space in an instant. Quaned, bleeding from the mouth, poured out demonic energy.

His body swayed greatly. Barely holding onto his collapsing body, he muttered.

If this doesnt work, then I guess I have to accept it.

Boom!

From the darkness, numerous beasts appeared. Mutant-like, they bared their claws and teeth towards Taesan.

It was as if hell itself had descended. The beasts that appeared possessed strength that even Taesan could not easily handle.

Dozens of them charged at Taesan all at once.

Taesan grounded himself.

[You have activated Frozen World.]

Cold swept through the darkness. Frost began to form on the bodies of the charging beasts. Ice started to overlay the darkness that had engulfed the space.

Crack!



[This is]

The ghost groaned.

[Could it be Patricia's contract?]

Whats that?

[...A contract scattered throughout the labyrinth by the immortal Patricia. Those who have signed it, their souls and power after death are transferred to the person named in the contract. The soul is bound, unable to escape, and the power accumulated over a lifetime becomes someone else's sacrifice.]

The ghost let out a hollow laugh.

[I knew the contract was found, but to actually use it? And what about you? Why did you receive it?]

The ghost questioned Quaned as if probing. It was something incomprehensible to him.

And Quaned himself did not understand what was being said.

The only recent contract I made was that if I defeated you, my previous contract would be annulled?

[Ha. These crazy bastards.]

The ghost gritted its teeth, rarely showing such anger.

[There's a limit to deception. Are they insane to deceive with this? Thinking a contract with the immortal wouldn't backfire on them?]

Whats that? Explain in detail.

Taesan asked the ghost. Calming its anger, the ghost explained.

[Patricia's contract. A contract created by the immortal to mock and inflict pain on mortals. And this contract is perfectly overlapped in two layers.]

Overlapped means

[On the front, meaningless false sentences. And on the hidden back, the real contract is written.]

Quaneds eyes widened in shock.

The ghost continued to explain.

[Why do you think I'm still here even after death?]

Because you made a contract with the labyrinths wizard.

Thus, the ghosts soul was bound to the labyrinth.

[Yes. According to the contract, the soul can move even after death. An Apostle's contract is also one of these types. You offer your soul to a god and receive power. The important thing is that a contract involving a soul must have clear conditions.]

Conditions?

[The soul is not light. It's about being bound for an eternity close to death. That's why there must be conditions for the one making the contract.]

The ghost continued.

[In my case, I agreed knowing everything, and when my wish was fulfilled, my soul would be released. An Apostle's contract grants great power in exchange for the soul. Such contracts involving souls require the other party to also pay a corresponding price, and only beings with that level of power can make them.]

It doesnt seem like the Guides have that kind of power.

Quaneds eyes were shaking greatly as he listened to the story.

The ghost clicked its tongue.

[Patricia herself lent out Patricia's contract. In exchange for fulfilling the soul's contract, she collects a significant price. The Guides must have paid a not insignificant price to Patricia.]

Anger and disbelief filled the ghosts voice.

[So they've decided to side with the immortals after falling out with the gods? They're really something.]

Taking all the power, huh? I get the gist.

Taesan twisted the corner of his mouth.

The labyrinths system grants a lot when one adventurer defeats another.

But if Patricias contract was as the ghost described, even if Taesan killed Quaned, he might not gain anything. The contract already determined the transfer of that power.

That must have been the aim of making the contract.

How can we screw them over with this?

Taesan sheathed his sword. Knowing this, killing Quaned now was meaningless. The contract would transfer all his power to the Guides anyway.

Quaned was also confused.

So what happens to me?

[What can happen? Your soul will be used as they please and then discarded. Once a contract is made, there's nothing to be done.]

Quaneds face paled.

[Since the contract with the immortal is already made, even the Demon God can't interfere. That's why she must have been distressed.]

His soul would not return to the Demon God but would be bound to the Guides. It was a regrettable matter for the Demon God, who did not interfere in the affairs of the labyrinth, but there was nothing she could do.

[It's pitiful, but it has to be dealt with.]

The ghost spoke softly. Quaned was already bound by the contract. If he was spared now, he would return to fight again.

But Taesan did not move.

Killing Quaned would be what the Guides wanted. His soul and power would return to them.

Not killing him would also be what they wanted. Then the surviving Quaned would become stronger and benefit them.

The contract of the immortal.

The binding of the soul. And the transfer of power.

And the skill Taesan possessed.

Could it be possible?

[What?]

To screw them over.

Taesan stood up and pointed his sword at Quaned.