Chapter 199: The Goddess’s Failed Experiment
The more Luke thought about it. The more suspicious the System seemed.
[(ಠ_ಠ)]
An expressionless face suddenly appeared before him.
[Luke.]
[You can’t slander me like that.]
Luke coughed awkwardly but didn’t look particularly convinced.
The System continued.
[You never received the Goddess’s gift because the process failed.]
[Her method of creating an Origin Titan was unsuccessful.]
Luke’s eyes widened slightly.
[As for the SSS-Rank Titan Knight.]
[That reward was created by the System.]
[It has nothing to do with the Origin Titan.]
Before Luke could ask another question, the System added,
[And I have already told you before.]
[Every System reward is the highest quality possible for its respective rank.]
[Your SSS-Rank skill is fundamentally different from the Origin Titan’s power.]
[In one aspect... it is even superior.]
Luke blinked.
"Superior?"
[Correct.]
[Because it can evolve.]
The System’s uninterrupted explanation left Luke completely stunned.
He had never expected the Goddess’s gift to have failed.
’Just who the heck was the delivery person!’ Luke couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.
’I’d like to have a few words with that guy.’
After mentally complaining for a while, his thoughts shifted back to his SSS-Rank Titan Knight skill.
Thinking about it objectively. Aside from the System’s habit of imposing ridiculous restrictions.
The skill itself was unbelievably powerful.
More importantly. It could evolve.
That alone placed it beyond almost every ability he had ever heard of.
’Maybe...’ Luke’s lips curled upward.
’One day, after it evolves enough. It might even surpass the Origin Titan.’
His shoulders visibly relaxed.
If even the System claimed the skill possessed greater potential, then perhaps it truly wasn’t inferior.
As though confirming his thoughts, the Origin Titan slowly spoke.
"However, it seems you have received a different kind of gift."
His ancient voice echoed throughout the temple.
"One capable of allowing you to wield the power of Titans."
Luke’s attention immediately snapped back to the giant.
The Origin Titan slowly swept his gaze across Luke. Nyx. Caelith.
And finally Myrkhal.
Then the ancient giant opened his mouth once more.
And uttered something Luke never could have anticipated.
"And it seems your body is too weak right now."
"But at Silver Rank, you will merge with them."
The origin titan said with curious tone. Because he could feel, that merging was already happening.
But something was stoping it from happening. what he didn’t knew.
Luke’s heart skipped a beat as his eyes widened with anticipation.
’Finally...’
’I’ll be able to use their real Titan strength instead of just borrowing fragments of it.’
However.
Before his imagination could run any further, the System immediately poured cold water over his excitement.
[Don’t get too excited.]
Luke’s smile stiffened.
[You will only inherit the amount of power your current body can withstand.]
[Your bloodline, body, mind, and soul will all evolve gradually.]
[At your current Silver Knight level.]
[They can only support the lowest stage of a true Titan bloodline.]
Luke’s expression twitched.
The System continued mercilessly.
[In other words...]
[You will become the weakest kind of true Titan.]
[A Titan that every genuine Titan would look down upon.]
Luke’s face darkened.
[Fortunately, that won’t remain the case forever.]
[Every breakthrough in your cultivation will further strengthen your body, mind, and soul.]
[As that happens, your Titan bloodline will continue evolving, allowing you to inherit increasingly greater portions of their true power.]
Luke nodded slightly.
That part, at least, sounded reasonable.
Then the System added one final sentence.
[Right now, though... you’re basically a newborn Titan.]
"..."
Luke’s eyelid twitched.
’That last part was completely unnecessary.’
He silently cursed the System.
Somehow.
It always managed to remind him just how weak he currently was.
’Wait a sec.’ Then his expression turned to worry, as he looked toward Nyx, Caelith and Myrkhal... nah, not Myrkhal.
"What would happen to all of you after merging?" He asked this important question.
’Would they die for real?’ Luke thought with a sad expression.
Because even though he didn’t spend much time with them, all the moments were precious to him.
As they were his companions, teachers and support. He could not describe it in words.
Seeing Luke’s sad expression, Nyx shook his head, while Caelith just smiled, before telling him.
"Luke, our universe is already destroyed and we were just imprisoned." She shook her head in regret.
Since they couldn’t protect their home, while their enemies imprisoned them because they couldn’t die.
But after their bodies merged with Luke, they would die for real, at least on a body level.
Still, their consciousness would remain, which she mentioned to Luke.
"I will get revenge for you against the being who did this to you." Luke said with resolve, but Caelith just shook her head.
"Your world has its own problems, focus on them." With that, they became quiet and looked toward the Stone giant.
Seeing their talk had finished, he nodded, before saying. "Since you are a hero seeking my fragment."
"You have to prove that you are worthy." His deep, heavy voice came serious this time, which clearly indicated: fail and no fragment for you.
Luke nodded and asked, "Does every hero come after your fragment?"
The Origin Titan shook his head in denial. "Only the hero of light has come here."
"Also, the world holds many secrets and many beings which were no less weak than me in my prime."
"Though, with different characteristics."
"So maybe those heroes are after them."
As the final words left the Origin Titan’s mouth, he slowly rose to his feet.
RUMMMMMBLE!!
The entire temple shook violently.
At the same time, countless ancient runes carved across the walls, pillars, and ceiling blazed with a brilliant azure light, illuminating the vast underground world.
Seeing this Luke narrowed his eyes, realizing the runes weren’t restraining the giant but strengthening the temple itself, allowing it to withstand the Origin Titan’s upcoming attack.
When the giant finally stood upright, Luke instinctively raised his head.
Higher and Higher.
Until he could finally see the top.
A thousand-foot-tall stone Titan stood before him, making even the colossal gate seem insignificant.
"So... big," Luke muttered, his mouth hanging open.
The Origin Titan looked down at the tiny Hero beneath him before speaking in his deep, ancient voice.
"Prove your strength by breaking this body."
"You will have three attempts."
"You may use any method at your disposal."
There wasn’t even a hint of arrogance in his tone—only absolute confidence. In his eyes, no matter what Luke chose to do, the outcome would remain the same.
Failure.
Luke couldn’t even argue with the challenge.
After all, he had no idea what realm the Origin Titan actually belonged to.