Ascension Through Skills-Chapter 418: 82nd Floor, Lemegeton (7)

The remnants of Belial that had spread throughout the entire domain vanished.

The sea urchins that had been guarding the domain, the small minions that scattered to fend off intruders, all ceased to exist.

The evidence that this had been Belial's domain disappeared one by one. The throne began to slowly decay.

And this place started to transform into Taesan's domain.

*“Huff.”*

Taesan took a deep breath. Ba’al muttered, looking surprised, but as if he understood.

[So this is what you are.]

With those words, Ba’al stomped his foot.

The world turned upside down. In the blink of an eye, Taesan was moved to a space of complete darkness.

*“Where is this?”*

[This is my domain. I wasn’t planning to bring you here, but I suppose with you, it doesn’t matter.]

In Ba’al’s domain, there was nothing but darkness. Yet, it was possible to distinguish objects. It was as though the darkness served the role of light.

Ba’al clapped his hands.

[Congratulations. A mixed being. You are now the first human to ever possess the domain of a demon that has existed since the dawn of time.]

The domain of a demon.

Taesan raised his hand. He could feel a sensation that he hadn’t experienced before, running through his entire body.

He had now taken hold of the demon’s domain.

*“But I don’t feel like I’ve become a demon.”*

While he felt the power and sensation of a demon, he was still human.

[That’s what’s surprising.]

Ba’al spoke with a chuckle.

[If you had taken Belial’s power and qualifications, your very essence would have changed to that of a demon. You would have become one of our kind. But you only seized Belial’s domain. As a result, your essence hasn’t changed.]

Taesan was still human.

[You acquired the domain of a demon while remaining human. That’s why you gained the skill, “Lemegeton’s Throne,” not the power of a demon.]

Instead of becoming a demon, he had simply stolen the demon’s domain. The skill “Lemegeton’s Throne” had this meaning.

[Quite remarkable. And amusing. I never imagined something would happen that would defy my predictions in this world.]

Ba’al spoke with a smile.

[Now, you possess the domain of a demon. You have placed your name in one of the 72 demon seats. Do you understand what that means?]

A demon with a domain—only 72 demons held such power.

Taesan had taken one of those seats.

A demon. It meant that Belial’s name had been replaced by Taesan’s.

Ba’al laughed as though he found it truly amusing.

[The demon that existed since the beginning of time has perished, and the owner of that domain has changed right here and now. Truly, it’s a great surprise.]

*“It doesn’t seem that way to me.”*

[It’s a surprise, yes. But more than that, I find the current situation rather enjoyable.]

Ba’al looked at Taesan with amusement.

[Who would have thought you’d give up both power and dignity, and only seek the position?]

*“Power doesn’t matter.”*

Taesan had killed Lee Taeyeon and defeated the Apostle of Goshin, and now, those who had blocked his path, the leaders of the guides, were all under him.

Both power and dignity could be reached if one continued to delve into the labyrinth. But position was different.

The demon’s domain—such an opportunity would not come again. From the moment Taesan saw the throne, his goal was not the power, but the position itself. Using *Seed of Life* and *Increasing Stature*, Taesan had been able to control the domain and seize it.

[So, has anything changed? It’s the first time someone has gained a demon’s domain, so I’m curious too.]

*“I can feel magic more clearly.”*

It was as if he could perfectly control magic, as if it were his own limbs. Ba’al spoke as though it was natural.

[Demonkind are the masters of magic. It’s only natural to be able to control it perfectly.]

*“And... I feel something within me.”*

It was still empty, but it was something vast.

*“This must be the domain of a demon.”*

[You understand well.]

Ba’al stroked his chin and looked at Taesan with an intrigued expression. He then spoke.

[The reward for this trial was Belial’s domain and his position. Normally, there would be no further reward... but I find you interesting. I’m curious about your endgame. I’ll give you a little service.]

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The darkness that filled Ba’al’s domain began to seep into Taesan’s body.

[Be pleased. You are the first to gain my dark magic.]

[You have acquired the intermediate dark magic skill: [Ba’al’s Abyssal Surge].]

[You have acquired the intermediate dark magic skill: [Ba’al’s Overlapping Darkness].]

[Your magic power has permanently increased by 3,000.]

[Your dark magic proficiency has increased by 5%.]

*“...Is it really okay to give me this much?”*

Taesan’s magic power had increased by 3,000.

It was even more than the amount he had now. Ba’al spoke dismissively.

[Being a great demon, this much is nothing. More importantly, from now on, you’ll need much more magic. So it doesn’t hold much significance.]

Ba’al waved his hand, as if signaling that everything was done. The darkness parted, revealing a passage.

[Go there. Lucifer. The young one will be waiting for you.]

Taesan gazed at the passage.

But he didn’t turn toward it.

He spoke to Ba’al.

“I have a few questions. Would you be able to answer them?”

[Hmm... You’ve shown me something enjoyable, and now it’s no longer an irrelevant matter. Go ahead. I’ll answer as best as I can.]

*“What are you?”*

Demons were similar to Goshin.

And Goshin were beings exiled from this world.

Now that Taesan had gained the demon’s domain, he could feel their power more intimately. And that power felt entirely alien.

It wasn’t of this world.

[...Does it matter?]

After a moment’s thought, Ba’al murmured.

[It seems you have some guesses. With where you are now, I’ll answer you. We are beings that existed before the creation of the world.]

They were beings that had existed before the world was born.

That was the nature of demons and Goshin.

[We are beings that distort the laws of this world. We existed before the laws of the world were ever made. The laws that were created later have no meaning to us.]

It wasn’t too shocking. Taesan had already made some guesses when he explored the Library of All Things.

Thus, the questions didn’t seem to be solved but only multiplied.

*“Then what meaning do you have?”*

Beings that existed before creation, yet they had survived and corrupted the world.

What meaning did that hold?

*“Do you exist to destroy the world? Or does it have no meaning at all?”*

Ba’al spoke ambiguously.

[Meaning, huh. If you want to search for it... I can’t easily answer that either. After all, that’s our original sin.]

*“Original sin?”*

[Think of it as denying the flow of time. I am the lord of demons, but I didn’t stop Belial’s demise.]

In fact, Ba’al had used Taesan to stop the plans of the other demons who tried to resurrect Belial. It meant that Ba’al didn’t want Belial’s resurrection.

[Originally, we were many more than this. We were, literally, enough to cover the world. But due to various events, only this many remain.]

Ba’al shook his head.

[That’s all. The rest, you’ll have to figure out yourself.]

*“...I understand.”*

Original sin. Denying the flow of time.

This was new information, but it wasn’t enough to understand everything. Taesan cleared his mind.

[Is that all your questions?]

*“There’s one more. You called me a mixed being.”*

[That’s the literal meaning. You didn’t think a being from this world could wield the power of Goshin and seize the domain of a demon, did you?]

Ba’al spoke as though it was nothing new, saying it was always like that.

[The seat of Belial has never been vacant since we were born. Since the dawn of time, no one has ever interfered with it. Yet you, easily, have meddled with it and forcibly replaced it with your name.]

*“When did this happen?”*

Taesan already knew that he wasn’t exactly a normal being.

But when had he become a mixed being?

Ba’al laughed quietly.

[The Labyrinth Mage seems to be looking diligently, but you won’t easily find the answer. So... I’ll give you a hint. Reflect carefully on your memories. And recall your journey.]

With those words, Taesan’s body was forcefully pushed toward the passage.

The world flipped, and Taesan arrived in a barren wasteland.

*“My journey?”*

Taesan shook his head. As Ba’al said, it was a question that couldn’t be answered immediately.

Taesan lifted his gaze.

A world of barren wasteland, with nothing in sight.

This place, once Belial’s world, was now Taesan’s domain.

---

* * *

Taesan walked through his

domain. He had gained control over a domain several times before. It had happened when he altered the world through partial changes or when he became the master of a world through faith.

But this feeling was unlike any of those.

It was the purest, most eternal sense of owning something untouched by anything else.

Taesan gathered his will.

*Boom!*

The empty world responded and moved.

The barren wasteland trembled, and cliffs and mountain ranges formed.

It was a miracle that shook nature itself, yet there was no consumption of power.

[This is your domain. This world is truly yours. Whatever you do here, it is your freedom.]

A quiet voice echoed. The Demon. Lucifer stepped into his domain.

*“Hello.”*

[The domain of a demon? I thought it was possible.]

Lucifer was crossing her arms, seemingly lost in thought.

[Well, this isn’t a bad picture.]

After reaching a conclusion, Lucifer extended her hand to Taesan.

[Make a contract with me. Taesan. A contract as the master of the demon’s domain, not as a human.]

Darkness flowed from her and enveloped Taesan.

*“What does it involve?”*

[Demonkind are beings beyond the laws. But they wield dark magic. That’s because there is a contract with me.]

Lucifer continued.

[Through this contract, you will be able to create your own dark magic. And by accessing the very essence of magic, you can strengthen this world. In return, the dark magic you create will be provided to dark magicians and demons.]

*“That’s fine with me.”*

Taesan agreed. The darkness gently flowed into him.

[You have acquired the contract skill [Demon and the Demon].]

[You have acquired [Dark Magic Creation].]

[You have acquired the special passive skill [Virtuous of Darkness].]

[You have acquired the special passive skill [Master of Dark Magic].]

[An excellent choice.]

Lucifer smiled. The connection between her and Taesan was felt.

Satisfied, she spoke.

[For now, you’ve only obtained the seat. You don’t have the corresponding power and dignity. You’ll have to fill that over time. A demon doesn’t grow in power, but as one who has merely obtained the domain, you’ll be different.]

Taesan’s essence was still human. He had only gained the power of a demon’s domain.

[From here on, I can’t assist you.]

This was Taesan’s world.

He would have to create it using only his own strength.

[Good luck. Try to create it as you wish.]

With that, Lucifer vanished.

*“My domain?”*

[What will you do?]

*“I’ve already gained so much.”*

The first thing was to confirm that. Taesan opened his skill window.

---

[Lemegeton’s Throne]

[You have acquired the Lemegeton’s Throne by taking the demon’s domain. You can now bestow Lemegeton upon your minions.]

---

By taking Belial’s domain, Taesan had acquired the Lemegeton’s Throne skill. Since it was an advanced skill of Lemegeton, it seemed he could now bestow Lemegeton upon his minions.

---

[Contract Skill: Demon and the Demon]

[A contract between a demon and the demon. The demon lends their power to their children, while the demon can influence the world through the demon’s power.]

---

Lucifer had once told Taesan that dark magic was the use of a demon’s power. This skill seemed to make that possible.

---

[Dark Magic Creation]

[Proficiency: 1%]

[By using some of the forces in your world, you can create dark magic that can be wielded through a contract with the demon.]

---

Dark Magic Creation.

Taesan had used various demons’ dark magic before.

Its power had been immense, helping him greatly in conquering the labyrinth.

Now, Taesan could create such dark magic himself.