"So this is it..." Gilbert muttered, coughing up blood, his strength fading. "Beast... before I die, please... tell me your name."
I looked down at him, the battlefield around us now silent, the echoes of our clash still reverberating in the distance. "Ymir," I said.
Gilbert smiled, his lips stained red. "Ymir... that's a wonderful name. Tell me, was it fun?"
"Yes," I admitted. "It was fun."
A weary chuckle escaped his lips. "Good... now I can die in peace."
His body fell still, his eyes gazing at the sky as if searching for something beyond this world. A pang of sorrow struck my chest—not an injury, but an ache deeper than flesh. I knelt beside him, my breath slow and heavy as I looked over his fallen comrades. These warriors, who had given me the battle of a lifetime, deserved more than to be left in the dirt.
One by one, I buried them, marking their graves with stones and engraving their names into the earth. It was the least I could do to honor them.
As I finished, the system's cold voice echoed in my mind.
Ding!
{Host has completed the 1st trial.}
"Wait... what? How?! It hasn't even been a hundred years yet!"
{Host need not worry. The quest did not end prematurely; due to a system error, host has been transported to Level 149: Hell Difficulty.}
My mind reeled. "So you're telling me... I died multiple times because of a mistake?"
{Affirmative.}
{As compensation, host has been granted the following rewards:}
Martial God Breathing Technique
Heavenly Demon Breathing Technique
Weapon Techniques and Mastery
Additional Rewards Pending...
{Would host like to accept or postpone the rewards?}
My brain clicked into high gear. "Wait... if I postpone them, do they stack?"
{Yes.}
A grin spread across my face. "Then postpone them until I complete the full 100 years, and put it all in Hell Difficulty."
{Affirmative. Trial difficulty has been increased to Hell Mode.}
You know what they say—high risk, high reward.
Another notification popped up.
{Host, would you like to challenge all ancient-grade enemies?}
"How many years' worth are we talking?"
{Approximately 45 years.}
I whistled. "So every year, I have to fight these guys?"
{Every week, host.}
I paused. "...Will the rewards stack up every week?"
{Negative. However, due to the increased difficulty, rewards will be multiplied by 10 for each victory.}
I ran a hand through my hair. "So every week, the opponents will get stronger?"
{Affirmative.}
A thrill ran down my spine. This was exactly the kind of challenge I thrived on.
{Due to the system error, new features have been unlocked:}
Cultivation Rank System
Shop System
Practice Partner System
"Practice partner?"
{A realistic holographic model that allows host to test techniques and counter enemy attacks.}
This was getting way too familiar. But I wasn't complaining.
"Alright. Before I start fighting again, I need to understand these techniques. Let's train."
{Synthesizing techniques...}
{Synthesis complete.}
Heavenly Yin-Yang Cultivation Technique – A fusion of Supreme Dao and Demonic Dao breathing techniques, achieving near-impossible balance.
"Let's see what this can do."
I sat in a lotus position, channeling energy through my body. Heat flooded my veins, a roaring inferno building inside me. Then, a voice echoed in my mind.
Congratulations! You have broken through!
Congratulations! You have broken through!
Congratulations! You have broken through!
My eyes widened. "Wait, wait, wait! Isn't this too fast?! If I stop now, I might explode!"
Congratulations! You have reached Peak Emperor Realm.
I nearly choked. "WHAT?! I just started!"
{Host has skipped 10 cultivation realms due to perfect technique synthesis.}
A new screen flashed before me.
{Cultivation Stages:}
Qi Gathering
Qi Condensation
Qi Tempering
True Qi
Spiritual Qi
True Spirit Realm
Origin Realm
Enlightenment Realm
Sage Realm
Emperor Realm
**(More stages beyond)}
{Each stage consists of 10 sub-levels: 1-4 (Early), 5-7 (Middle), 8-10 (Peak).}
{Host has also unlocked 148 Meridians and awakened 49 Golden Meridians.}
"Hold up! I skipped TEN realms and unlocked golden meridians?! What do they do?"
{Meridians enhance host's Qi flow and physical strength. Each regular meridian doubles host's power. Each Golden Meridian grants a 1,000,000x boost.}
My jaw dropped. "Is that... rare?"
{Golden Meridians are a 1-in-10-quintillion chance. Host has unlocked a perfect set, making host the first being in existence to achieve this.}
I had to sit down. "So... let me get this straight. With all my meridians, I'm currently 4.9 Trillion times stronger than a regular Emperor Realm cultivator?"
{Affirmative.}
I exhaled, feeling a rush of excitement. This wasn't just an advantage—this was insane.
I clenched my fists, the energy inside me surging like a living storm.
"Alright then," I said, grinning. "Let's see just how far I can push this."