Ascension Through Skills

Earning the qualification from the dragon dwelling deep in the valley,

Obtaining the roots of the World Tree in the elven territory,

Recovering the fragment of a god from the sacred land,

And at the end, obtaining the weapon to defeat the Demon King.]

The ghost finished the explanation and continued speaking.

[It’s quite a straightforward prophecy. If you meet all those conditions, you’ll obtain the weapon to defeat the Demon King.]

“Did you fail to do so, or did you succeed and still lose?”

[The former.]

The ghost replied gloomily.

Taesan mulled over the prophecy spoken by the ghost.

Before long, Bradley came to find Taesan. He sat on a chair and spoke.

“Now that I think about it, I haven’t asked for your name. Descendant of Kariat, what is your name?”

“It’s Taesan.”

“Taesan? That’s an odd name. Is it a name chosen to live in hiding?”

Bradley tilted his head as he spoke.

“I am Bradley Alkerite, rightful heir to the great empire.”

Bradley was confident, as if proudly boasting of the achievements he had accomplished.

“Let me confirm once again. Taesan, you have come here to defeat the Demon King, correct?”

Taesan nodded. Bradley’s eyes darkened.

“If that’s the case, how much do you know?”

“I know about the contents of the prophecy. And that the Demon King will soon appear.”

“You know quite a lot. As expected of a descendant of Kariat…”

Bradley’s expression showed surprise, but he quickly spoke with a serious face.

“Yes, although I don’t know the exact time, the Demon King will soon show himself. The fools of other kingdoms live lazily as if it’s not a big deal, but the Empire is different. We’ve been preparing for this for a long time.” ŕ

The training of soldiers, understanding the prophecy, and preparations for the Demon King’s appearance—the Empire had been ready for it.

But the most important part was still missing.

“The Demon King is a being that brings destruction to the world. And the one who defeats him is always the chosen hero.”

Bradley looked at Taesan and spoke quietly.

“Originally, I intended to become that hero… but I’ve changed my mind. I will recommend you as the hero to His Majesty.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Taesan was a bit surprised at Bradley’s words.

The ghost he had known so far didn’t seem like someone who would yield such a position to another. He wasn’t someone considerate or understanding enough to entrust his life to someone else.

But now, Bradley was offering the position to Taesan.

Bradley spoke calmly.

“You are stronger than me. Overwhelmingly so.”

With just one fight, Bradley realized that the power Taesan possessed was something he could never match, even if he fought him hundreds of times.

“It is only natural for the strong to obtain the qualifications. Besides, isn’t that what you want? To become the hero, make your name known, and escape the oppression and contempt your bloodline faces?”

“I won’t deny that.”

“Then there’s no problem. It’s disgraceful for the weak to covet such a position.”

Bradley grinned and patted Taesan’s shoulder.

“Then it’s settled. Stand up. Let’s go see His Majesty.”

Bradley walked down the hallway confidently. The maids and servants glanced at Taesan in confusion before quickly bowing to Bradley.

Absolute authority and power were on display. Bradley accepted it as if it were natural.

‘So that’s the kind of person you were.’

Taesan whispered so that only the ghost next to him could hear. The ghost groaned.

[This is kind of embarrassing.]

After walking through the long hallway, Bradley arrived at the audience chamber.

He spoke toward the throne.

“Your Majesty, ruler of the Empire, your bloodline greets you.”

“Enough with the formalities. Raise your head. The one behind you as well.”

Taesan raised his head and looked at the throne.

Sitting on two chairs were a middle-aged man and a slightly younger woman.

Their affectionate gazes toward Bradley made it clear they were his parents.

[...I miss this.]

The ghost muttered. His voice carried an emotion he couldn’t hide.

But his voice didn’t reach the two on the throne.

The Emperor looked down at Bradley and spoke.

“So, Bradley, you wish to move forward to fulfill the prophecy?”

“Not exactly me.”

Bradley turned his gaze toward Taesan.

“He will become the hero.”

“I’ve heard the story. The former hero, the descendant of Kariat. I knew your bloodline had survived, but I didn’t expect it to still exist…”

The Emperor looked at Taesan in surprise, but soon his gaze settled.

“I’ve heard from Bradley that you are strong. But how can I believe you won’t fall into corruption?”

Kariat had defeated the Demon King but later fell into corruption. Even now, he was remembered as leaving behind terrible destruction.

It was a reasonable doubt if Taesan truly was the descendant of Kariat.

Taesan replied.

“I don’t expect you to accept my words to convince you. I’ll simply prove myself through strength.”

“Hmm.”

The Emperor stroked his chin. After a brief look at Taesan, he grinned.

“I like that.”

He slammed his palm down on the armrest of the throne.

“If you had tried to dress yourself up poorly, I would have refused. Nothing is as crude and worthless as someone else’s words. What matters is strength. Simple but undeniable power.”

The Emperor, who Taesan thought would refuse, suddenly stopped adjusting the three judgments.

The Emperor gestured with his chin.

“So, I shall test your strength. Come out.”

Clank.

The knights, who had been hiding behind the pillars, all appeared at once. The Emperor clenched his fist.

“If you are truly as strong as Bradley says, you should easily win against this. Prove it.”

Boom!

The knights charged toward Taesan.

Taesan stomped his foot.

Clang!

Swords and shields rushed at him as if to crush him. Dozens of knights formed a perfect formation and pressed Taesan.

‘Not bad.’

With this level of power, they might not be able to clear the labyrinth, but they could certainly make meaningful progress. The overall strength of this world was higher than Arulia and Vekveta.

But that was all.

The Emperor, watching, widened his eyes.

Taesan dodged the coordinated attacks of the dozens of knights with fluid movements, not even shifting his footing.

Taesan glanced at Bradley.

He was looking at Taesan with an astonished expression.

“You seem closer than I expected.”

While the Emperor was asking Taesan various questions, Bradley continued speaking beside him.

The woman, who appeared to be his mother, also sent gentle glances, suggesting that the family had a good relationship.

This surprised Taesan.

“I thought you’d have a cold relationship, considering you killed all your siblings.”

[What? You remembered that?]

The ghost had mentioned before that he had six siblings, all of whom he had killed.

The ghost spoke.

[The Calvert Empire reveres power in the extreme. In this place, those born of noble blood naturally kill their siblings to prove their worth.]

“That’s quite fascinating.”

It was a concept Taesan couldn’t accept from Earth’s perspective.

“Was there no resentment?”

[None. I was overwhelmingly stronger than them. They simply said to me as they died, ‘Make the empire eternal and wield great power.’]

But the empire was destroyed before the ghost became Emperor.

The atmosphere around the ghost became even gloomier.

An hour later, Bradley came to see Taesan.

“Are you holding a ball?”

Taesan asked. Bradley nodded.

“Yes, it will begin in about an hour. You should attend.”

“…Is that really necessary?”

Taesan had already received the Emperor’s approval. He was eager to proceed quickly with the prophecy.

However, Bradley disagreed with Taesan’s words.

“It is necessary. What is the first condition of the prophecy?”

“To receive the recognition of the Will of the World for having the qualification to save it.”

“That will is buried beneath this palace.”

Bradley pointed to the floor with his finger.

“Because of its immense power, it was sealed a long time ago. It will take time to undo the seal.”

“I see.”

Bradley looked at Taesan for a moment, then, as if something crossed his mind, placed a hand on Taesan’s shoulder.

“You seem concerned.”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you worried that the people at the ball will look at you negatively?”

Now that he thought about it, Taesan’s role was the descendant of Kariat. It wouldn’t be surprising if he was apprehensive about standing before people.

Bradley’s words seemed to address that concern.

“Don’t worry. You possess great power.”

Bradley spread his arms wide.

“This is the great empire, Calvert. Unlike other kingdoms, we don’t care about petty things and instead worship power. Your ancestry, your bloodline—none of that matters.”

He grinned.

“Stand tall. Recognize your worth and don’t hide. That’s what you should do.”

With that, Bradley led Taesan to the ball.

There, Bradley spoke. He said that Taesan was of the Kariat bloodline but possessed immense power, and he had personally acknowledged him.

Indeed, as Bradley had said, the people at the ball did not ignore or fear Taesan.

Rather, he struggled quite a bit to fend off the noble ladies who swarmed toward him.

Had Taesan truly been a descendant of Kariat who had lived a life of persecution, he would have been deeply moved by Bradley’s actions.

Taesan stepped out onto the terrace to take a break from the ball.

Bradley approached him.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes. Thank you for your concern.”

“It’s nothing. As long as you’re enjoying yourself, that’s what matters.”

Bradley swirled his wine.

“Those with power should be treated with respect. There’s no need to let trivial matters interfere. That’s always been my motto.”

“I see.”

Taesan listened quietly to Bradley’s words.

At that moment, someone approached.

“Prince Bradley, you’re here?”

“Oh.”

Bradley’s expression changed in an instant.

It brightened enough for even Taesan to notice.

[Ah.]

The ghost let out a groan.

The approaching figure was a woman. She wore a white dress, her abundant blonde hair shimmering, and her sparkling blue eyes gleamed like jewels.

She was a beauty who seemed to radiate light.

And when she appeared, the ghost visibly trembled.

Even when seeing his family, the ghost had not wavered, but now his emotions were beginning to stir.

Bradley chuckled.

“Levantia, you attended the ball as well.”

“How could I refuse when you called for me?”

The woman, called Levantia, covered her mouth as she laughed. She looked at Taesan with curiosity.

“Is he the descendant of Kariat who caused the commotion?”

“Yes.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Levantia grasped the hem of her dress and greeted Taesan.

“I am Levantia Coriezai, of the Duke’s bloodline in the great Calvert Empire, and the fiancée of the man beside you.”

Levantia smiled sweetly.

And the ghost stared blankly at her.

When the ball ended, Taesan returned to his room.

Throughout the process, the ghost did not say a single word.

He simply stared at her silently until she left.

The silence continued. The next day, Bradley came with a somewhat ambiguous expression.

“I’m sorry, but it will take a bit more time. The imperial magicians are having trouble undoing the seal.”

“Can you show me the way to the site?”

“If you wish.”

Taesan followed Bradley’s lead down to the underground area of the palace.

There, many magicians were sweating profusely in front of a massive magic circle.

“P-Prince.”

“What’s going on?”

“…I hate to admit it, but the magicians of the past were far superior to us.”

One of the magicians bit his lip.

“We are stuck at the basic understanding required to undo the magic. I apologize, but it seems it will take quite some time.”

“I see.”

Bradley didn’t blame them.

He quietly accepted the situation and moved to address it.

“There’s no use in blaming a lack of ability. We may have to call upon those who dwell at the center of the world.”

“But will they come to the Empire…?”

“They are also part of the prophecy. Since this is an effort to fulfill it, they won’t refuse. However, it will take considerable time.”

“There’s no need for that.”

Taesan stood in front of the magic circle. He raised his hand. The watching magicians gasped.

“If you touch that carelessly!”

Kiing!

A burst of resistance erupted, attempting to repel Taesan.

The magic circle tried to reject and eliminate the one approaching it. Dark killing intent swirled toward Taesan.

Taesan activated a skill.

[You have activated Magic Dispel.]

Crash!

The magic circle crumbled. Taesan dusted off his hands.

The magicians who had tried to stop him stood frozen, eyes wide.

Taesan spoke calmly.

“It’s done now, isn’t it?”