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The place where Ethan’s group arrived was a rather old building.

On the top floor of that building, dozens of spirit mages were gathered together.

“This place was once called the Tower of Spirit Mages.”

Despite not having been touched by human hands for quite a long time, the interior was extremely clean.

‘They must have been thinking that spirits would return to Prochet someday.’

Although there were many difficult aspects, Magic Tower Master Michael had not given up.

“It’s well-maintained.”

“Because we never let go of hope.”

As soon as Ethan arrived, the spirit mages immediately began circulating mana.

Shaaaaaak-.

The magic circle spread on the floor was glowing with a blue light.

And at its center, green, red, and blue lights were mixed, shining brilliantly. This was where the core ingredient, mana powder, had been sprinkled.

“It’s similar to a basic spirit ritual. Ethan, you will be going to the Spirit Realm for a short while. There’s a spirit staircase there.”

The spirit ritual was simple.

After crossing over to the Spirit Realm through the ritual, one climbs the spirit staircase there to contract with spirits.

From the first floor to the top floor.

The higher the floor, the higher-ranking spirits one could contract with.

“According to the stories passed down, the ancient spirit is on the 11th floor. It’s one floor above the 10th floor, which is commonly known as the top floor. With ordinary rituals, it’s impossible to set foot on the 11th floor, but if you enter the Spirit Realm through the ancient spirit ritual, you can access the 11th floor. But be careful. Ancient spirits are dangerous beings.”

This was all Magic Tower Master Michael knew.

“I’m sorry I can’t tell you more details.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Ethan smiled and waved his hand, as he had already contracted with an ancient spirit in MePan.

‘I already know how to do it. But knowing the method doesn’t make the contract itself easy.’

The spirit Ethan was trying to contract with this time was a special spirit even among ancient spirits.

‘It’s a spirit that there’s usually no reason to choose so recklessly, but it can be of great help to me now.’

Even if he knows the method, it’s uncertain whether he can succeed.

But whatever the result, he has to try to know.

Ethan stood in the center of the magic circle and closed his eyes.

“I’ll begin.”

As the tense Magic Tower Master Michael gestured, the spirit mages simultaneously raised their hands.

This ancient spirit ritual was a first for them too.

Therefore, they were all tense like Magic Tower Master Michael.

Behind these spirit mages, Archmage Hansen was fidgeting with an anxious expression.

This is an impossible ritual.

Why would a legend be a legend? Why would a tale remain a tale?

If the ritual goes even slightly wrong, Ethan will go mad the moment he reaches the 11th floor and will never be able to escape from the Spirit Realm.

That’s how much of an unknown space the Spirit Realm was.

But having already been scolded by Ethan, Hansen could only watch with his arms folded.

Shaaaaaak-!

An intense light began to spread around.

The magic circle activated simultaneously, and soon a light mist gently enveloped Ethan’s body.

Ethan felt the surrounding air currents changing with his senses while keeping his eyes closed.

And then he slowly opened his eyes.

“Phew.”

The place where one can contract with spirits.

It was the spirit staircase.

Different backgrounds spread out on both sides of the long staircase.

On the left were lush green thickets, and on the right stretched a blue sea.

The scenery kept changing as he climbed up the stairs.

‘Each floor has different spirits available for contract.’

Also, the grade of the spirit was determined by the floor number.

‘As you get closer to the 10th floor, higher-grade spirits appear.’

Moreover, the higher you go, the more diverse the attributes of the spirits that appear.

But that doesn’t mean you can contract with any spirit you want.

You can climb freely up to the 10th floor, but those who don’t qualify won’t be chosen by spirits no matter how high they climb.

‘It’s not a structure where I choose.’

Ethan continued to climb the stairs.

-Human! Human!

-Let’s contract!

The approaching low-grade spirits were like children. Ethan patted them and continued climbing the stairs.

Rumble rumble-!

-You have the power of lightning? You’d be a good match for me! Let’s contract, human!

A yellow lightning mid-grade spirit approached Ethan. Ethan refused again and continued climbing.

As he reached the 10th floor, the highest-grade spirits became interested in Ethan and approached.

But soon they retreated and said,

-Human, there’s something scary inside you.

-The little ones might not know about such things and approached you, but we’re different.

-Sorry, but we can’t contract.

-You’re a rare human, but it’s a pity.

The highest-grade spirits each threw a word at Ethan.

Ethan glanced at them once and continued climbing the stairs.

-You shouldn’t go up any further.

-You’ll become dizzy.

-You’ll become a fool.

-You might become an idiot. You might never return.

The spirits whispered, terrified.

Ethan smiled at such spirits.

“I know.”

Then the spirits trembled on the spot as if a bell had rung.

Ethan took a deep breath and stepped up.

Shaaaaaak-.

Although he would have normally gone mad the moment he set foot, Ethan was safe.

Because he entered through the ancient spirit ritual, a barrier protecting Ethan’s mind was created as soon as he set foot on the 11th floor.

“Ugh.”

As soon as he stepped onto the 11th floor, he felt an immense pressure. It felt as if something was gradually constricting his entire body.

At the same time, he felt as if a huge being was looking down on him from above.

After a moment, something pitch black began to creep towards Ethan.

-Come with us.

-Let’s play with us.

“Get lost.”

Ethan said firmly.

These black things were byproducts of corrupted ancient spirits. They try to swallow those who have come this far and suck out their life force.

-You don’t want to?

-Then we have no choice.

-This isn’t a request, you know.

In an instant, they clumped together and swallowed Ethan whole.

-A powerful curse swallows you.

-Extinction negates the curse.

As Extinction negated the curse, the byproducts of the corrupted ancient spirits retreated.

-What?

-What on earth is inside you?

-Scary, scary!

Ethan took a deep breath.

From the 11th floor, the path itself wasn’t visible, so he had to find his way forward using only his senses.

One step.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

After taking that step, Ethan figured out the pattern of the hidden path with that sensation.

‘There are five patterns in total.’

The pattern that just appeared was the most viciously difficult pattern among the patterns that could be seen here.

‘But it’s okay. I’ve cleared this viciously difficult pattern before.’

“Phew.”

Suddenly, a huge wall appeared in front of Ethan, who was calmly climbing up. Then, disgusting tentacles flew towards Ethan from that wall.

Swish-!

He almost instinctively swung his sword, but Ethan put his sword back in.

That was fake anyway.

This is a place where the mind takes precedence over the physical body.

-Immortal Hero’s Breathing is activated!

-You become immune to mental attacks due to Chiron’s teachings!

‘Phew.’

However, there was no time to feel relieved after solving one problem, as a powerful energy began to surge around Ethan.

Kuguguguk-!

It was such an intense wind that it made him stagger greatly.

Ethan looked up at the ceiling while staggering.

There was a giant fist there.

A fist the size of a castle. That fist was precisely targeting Ethan.

Death.

Swiiiiish-!

It was an attack that couldn’t be avoided or blocked, but Ethan took no action.

Bwoong-.

‘It looks so real, but that’s fake too. The purpose is to make me fall from this invisible path. Below is the abyss. If I fall, it’s over.’

Terrible creatures must be waiting for Ethan below that abyss with their mouths wide open.

Ethan passed right through the giant fist and moved forward.

Next was a pitch-black mass.

Ethan unhesitatingly drew his sword and cut the approaching black mass in two.

“This time it’s real.”

As soon as he cut the black mass in two, a scream was heard.

It was a scream so horrible that it made him shudder for a moment.

-You become immune to mental attacks due to Chiron’s teachings.

Thanks to Chiron’s teachings, he was blocking mental attacks, but the spirits of the abyss were persistent.

Ethan’s body stopped in place and then fell to the ground.

Ethan’s body falling endlessly.

However, Ethan’s expression showed no change.

‘How could a person not feel fear?’

Ethan focused on Immortal Hero’s Breathing, which was protecting his mental state.

Hercules’ teachings had become a great milestone for Ethan.

-Fear is natural. But not retreating from that fear is the attitude of a hero.

‘I didn’t struggle until now to die here.’

Ethan had experienced countless near-death situations.

Ethan had experienced countless near-death situations in his life.

Maybe someday this Extinction might kill him. But at least that’s.

‘Not today.’

Shaaaaaak-!

Ethan’s falling body was suddenly in the middle of the invisible path of the 11th floor.

After distinguishing numerous real and fake situations and overcoming the fear of the abyss, the path began to become visible to Ethan’s eyes.

‘I’ve arrived.’

-Congratulations! This is the top floor!

Numerous ancient spirits welcomed Ethan.

They weren’t the corrupted ancient spirits he had just met. These were the real ancient spirits.

Ethan recognized the familiar-looking spirits he had contracted with in MePan in the past.

-I am Shude. You are an extraordinary human. To still be alive while harboring such a terrifying thing inside your body.

-You might be able to surpass humans.

-I want to contract with you.

Ethan looked over the ancient spirits once.

“It’s not here.”

-Not here?

-What do you mean, not here?

“I’m leaving.”

-After coming all this way?

-You’re not going to contract with anyone?

-This could be a chance to change your life?

“You guys are always so good at lying, aren’t you?”

Ancient spirits were incredible beings.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean they are good.

“This isn’t the top floor, is it?”

-……How do you know?

“Because I’ve been here before.”

-Lies. The human is the one lying.

-This is a place you can only come to once.

“I managed to do it.”

Ethan said that and then moved forward, passing through them.

It looks like a wall, but this isn’t a wall.

-You…

This is the path to the real top floor.

Whaaaaaaah-!

The dark space suddenly brightened.

-You have reached the highest stair!

-You have achieved an achievement!

-You have acquired likes for achieving the [Highest Place] achievement.

-You have gained ‘8’ likes!

There was a blue mass there. As Ethan approached, the mass gradually began to take shape.

“Found it.”

It was certainly the ancient spirit Ethan was looking for.

That blue ether was indeed the characteristic of the ancient spirit he was searching for.

Shaak-!

The ancient spirit that had taken shape then looked at Ethan.

A small fox filled with blue ether.

“Kyung!”

-Lyuka, the master of mana, wants to contract with you!

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