Chapter 24: The ordeal of Ymir, The first giant

“I’m not fond of complicated trials.”

‘Me neither.’

I found common ground with this giant.

I preferred straightforward, simple trials over complex ones.

Intelligence stats helped with memorization and calculations, not wisdom. Intelligence and wisdom were different things, and I preferred physical challenges.

“I promised the gods I’d grant them my power if they could withstand a single stomp from me at full power.”

‘Does he have a conscience…?’

A being larger than Mount Everest, a primordial giant with immeasurable strength, and his trial was to withstand a stomp, not even dodge it?

Even Thor, Asgard’s greatest warrior, couldn’t withstand it. I doubted any god could.

“However, subjecting a pure human with no divine blood to the same conditions would be unfair.”

As expected of the being who sacrificed himself to create the world, he was reasonable.

“I will lightly press down on you with one finger. If you withstand it, you pass.”

From a full-powered stomp to a single finger press was a significant nerf.

But the problem was, even one of his fingers was larger than a mountain.

He was a walking world. But a light press with a finger, and in the mental realm… This was doable.

“No take-backs? You can’t change the conditions if I suddenly become stronger in the mental realm, right?”

I needed clarification. The trial might be based on my current state, so I had to ensure the difficulty wouldn’t change.

“Of course. I have never uttered a falsehood since the beginning of time. The condition is to withstand the light press of my finger. That is all.”

He’d taken the bait.

He likely assumed my strength in the mental realm was limited. And he was right, in a normal situation.

Mental bodies usually mirrored their physical counterparts, with a maximum two-fold increase in strength.

But I was different.

I’d show him.

“Alright. Let’s begin.”

“Very well. Here it comes.”

The giant bent down to reach me with his finger.

The sky darkened as he descended, casting a vast shadow.

He made a fist, extended his index finger, and brought it down towards me.

‘That’s the biggest, most powerful finger flick I’ve ever seen…’

He flicked his finger with the practiced ease of a school bully. A normal person would be terrified, but my mind remained unaffected.

Unwavering and Unyielding.

Unbending and unyielding.

My mind wasn’t paralyzed by fear; it was actively searching for a solution.

As my powerful spirit took over, my mental body began to regain its peak form.

All my physical stats exceeded 100. My mastery of Ink Lightning Divine Art reached 9-stars.

My body, fortified with Diamond Body, Poison Immunity, Cold Immunity, and countless other overpowered skills, returned.

The proficiency of every skill I’d ever learned returned to its peak, augmented by Unwavering and Unyielding. I felt stronger than ever before.

Ink Lightning Divine Art – Lightning God Transformation.

Ink lightning enveloped me, turning my hair ink-black. At 9-stars, the boost to my physical abilities was far greater than at 6-stars.

But it wasn’t enough. I’d be crushed if I faced that finger now.

‘It’s the mental realm, so I might as well use it.’

A technique from the Demonic Sect that granted immense power by burning one’s lifespan.

Blood Sky Dance.

A forbidden art that consumed 10% of one’s lifespan for every minute of use. But it tripled all abilities, making it perfect for this situation.

Crimson energy mingled with the ink lightning, and my power surged.

Primordial Qi.

The source of life, used only by martial artists when facing death.

Combining Blood Sky Dance with Primordial Qi would kill me for sure.

But I didn’t care. I only needed to withstand this one attack.

The giant’s finger descended upon me.

I crossed my arms above my head, channeling the principles of concentration and dispersion throughout my body, preparing to receive the full impact.

His finger pressed down.

Crack. Crunch.

I resisted for a moment, then the ground beneath me gave way.

I plummeted downwards, the earth tearing open around me, past the crust, towards the mantle.

The immense pressure from the giant’s finger, combined with my enhanced durability, forced me deeper into the earth’s layers. But my body was reaching its limit.

It wasn’t just the descent; the giant’s power was overwhelming.

A simple press from his finger had shattered the bones in my arms, and the bones in my legs were cracking.

Ten more seconds, and my body would shatter.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1-

Just as I was about to give up… the pressure vanished.

“Is it over…?”

The giant’s finger retreated.

I deactivated Blood Sky Dance, stemmed the flow of Primordial Qi, and used movement techniques to ascend through the chasm created by the giant’s finger.

I was on the verge of death, but I needed to speak with the giant.

Though I couldn’t see his face, I sensed his astonishment.

“You… withstood it.”

His usually calm voice was laced with disbelief. I’d surprised him.

“A mere human child, only 17 years old, withstood an attack that even gods struggle against…”

‘I’m actually 137…’

And my mental body was in its prime, so I couldn’t even use the 17-year-old excuse.

‘An attack that even gods struggle against…?’

He’d used that on me? How little did he intend to give me his power? But I’d passed.

“No divine blood, no mixed heritage, not even a High Human. You show aptitude for lightning energy, but your physique isn’t exceptionally talented.”

‘Does he not know about Status Windows?’

Having died before the world was created, he was likely unaware of its laws.

He’d even said I was the first human he’d met.

“So, as promised, will you grant me your power?”

His ignorance didn’t matter; obtaining his power was my priority.

What was the point of questioning a being about to vanish?

“Indeed. You have proven your worth and earned the right to inherit my power. It will be bestowed upon you when you return to your world.”

‘Yes! finally!’

The first SS-rank trait on Earth, and a Legendary skill to boot.

Along with that, the inherent power of the elixir itself would drastically increase my level and stats.

It wouldn’t be enough to reach the Transformation Realm instantly, but at least 20 levels, and maybe a total of 50 stat points.

Ymir spoke.

“Be wary.”

“Huh?”

Why? I was about to get an SS-rank trait and enjoy my happy life.

“The appearance of my heart in your world signifies that □□□ has □□□ □ □□□.”

His words were garbled, like a broken transmission. I focused my energy on my eyes, trying to read his lips, but his mouth seemed blurred, like it was censored.

“It has already begun. A realm beyond my influence.”

This was ominous.

Statements like that usually foreshadowed catastrophic events.

As a primordial being, he must possess vast knowledge.

I needed to learn more.

“What do you mean? What has begun?”

“I cannot say. Even if I did, it wouldn’t reach you. All I can tell you is to become stronger. Time is running out.”

The giant’s form blurred, and the world began to crumble.

‘I still have so many questions…’

Just before the world shattered completely, the giant’s whisper echoed in my mind.

-My successor, you must stop it.

With those cryptic words, the trial realm vanished, and I returned to Jin Baek-ryong’s room.

“Gasp… Gasp…”

His final message had struck my mind with the force of a physical blow, causing even my Unwavering and Unyielding mind to reel.

He’d forced his way through some barrier to deliver that message.

And before I could process it…

[You have passed the Trial of Ymir, the Primordial Giant.]
[Physical modification commencing.]

The next event was already underway.