Ex rank talent Awakening: 100\% Dodge rate-Chapter 177 - : ZENITH

Greg was escorted through the towering gates of the demonic titan settlement, the ground trembling beneath each step of the colossal beings. Dozens of titans turned their massive heads toward him, their sharp, hungry gazes filled with primal curiosity. They stared at Greg like predators sizing up prey, puzzled by why their patrol captain would personally walk beside such a tiny, fragile creature.

But Greg's expression didn't waver. Not a single bead of sweat rolled down his face. His stride remained steady, his gaze calm. The overwhelming aura of the titans around him—each radiating the pressure of a natural disaster—might've shattered the spirit of most mortals, but not Greg.

The titan walking beside him noticed this and chuckled deeply, the sound like the rolling of boulders down a mountain. "To not cower under the pressure of so many titans... I'll give it to you, you've got confidence," he said, voice booming like distant thunder.

Greg's lips curled into a faint smirk. "This much isn't enough to scare me," he replied with ease. After all, if he hadn't flinched before Drakonix back when he was barely level ten, why would he fear anyone now?

"I hope your skills match your boldness, brave ant," the titan grumbled. "It would disappoint me to see you crushed so easily."

Greg didn't dignify that with a response. Words were wind. Only actions mattered.

Tempest, the majestic wolf king, padded silently behind the titan, carrying Greg atop his broad back. Despite the beast's own intimidating presence, it remained calm, its yellow eyes scanning the crowd of titans with quiet disdain. Together, they moved through the village until they reached a grand structure that stood even taller than the rest. It was a building of such size and complexity that Greg couldn't fathom how it had been constructed. Massive pillars the width of castle towers held up a roof that seemed to brush the clouds.

Then, with ritualistic ceremony, the titan escort raised his voice, thundering through the settlement like a war horn.

"Zenith! A challenger has broken his spear before your name, demanding battle! By rite, the victor decides the fate of the other!"

A stunned silence spread across the area, only to be broken by murmurs that roared like an avalanche.

"What? That ant dares to challenge Zenith?"

"Is he insane?"

"What gave him the gall to think he stands a chance?"

Even murmured, the titans' voices were like gales of wind. Greg heard every word, but his expression remained unmoved. Let them talk.

Then came the reply—a thunderous voice from inside the colossal building.

"I accept. When does the challenger wish to fight?"

The crowd rumbled with excitement. Some titans even started stomping their feet, causing shockwaves to ripple through the earth.

The titan escort turned to Greg. "Challenger, he seeks your time."

"Now," Greg replied flatly, his tone arrogant enough to silence even the jeering titans. "I'm not in the mood to wait."

"He wishes for the challenge to be now!" the titan announced, and a deafening boom followed as the building's massive doors creaked open. Out stepped Zenith.

He was a mountain in motion—taller than most titans, his body sculpted to perfection. Every muscle was defined as if carved by the divine hand of a sculptor god. His skin shimmered faintly with a bronze hue, and his crimson eyes bore into Greg with disdain and challenge.

"Who dares challenge me?" he asked, his voice like an avalanche crashing down the mountainside.

"I do," Greg replied, meeting his gaze without flinching, unbothered by the immense pressure Zenith exuded.

"Very well, ant. I shall honor your challenge. But hear this—when I win, I will take everything from you. Your possessions, your followers... even you. You will serve me until your last breath, obeying every command I give." Zenith reached out and took the broken spear from the escort. As soon as he declared his terms, the spear dissolved into pure light, rushing toward Greg and encircling his body.

[You have been placed under an oath by the Universal Will.]

[Your Concept cannot override the law of the Universal Will. You must comply with the victor's demand.]

Greg clicked his tongue. "Annoying," he muttered. "But I'm not going to lose."

He raised his own broken spear. "When I win, you will serve under me as your god. You'll obey my every command, and all that belongs to you will follow me as believers. You will not disobey or betray me. That is my demand."

The light from his spear mirrored that of Zenith's, binding itself to the titan with radiant authority.

"Very well then," Zenith said, smirking as he turned away. "Come with me to the arena. Let's end this quickly. I just hope I don't squash my future slave to death."

Greg said nothing. He simply followed behind, every step deliberate, his eyes set on the coliseum ahead.

Meanwhile...

Kodiac stepped out of his tent into the pale light of dusk, the scent of blood and smoke lingering in the air. He had intended to take a walk, to stretch his limbs and bask in the destruction his forces had wrought. But before he could move, a sudden pulse echoed in his mind—the telepathic signal of the demon god himself.

His body stiffened. A connection was formed, and the voice of the demon god echoed within him like a thousand whispers layered over one another.

"Master," Kodiac said, kneeling.

"You have done well," the demon god's voice rumbled, dark and ancient. "The fear harvested from the humans was delicious... and the souls, even more so. But your task here is complete. Soon, an angel will descend upon that world to purge all remaining demons. I do not wish you to be caught in the crossfire. Return home."

Kodiac's face twisted. "But master... I am confident I can kill this angel—"

"No," the demon god interrupted, his tone final. "After the fall of Ray Kingdom, I ordered you to cease direct engagement. You obeyed then. Now you will obey again. Leave the demons behind. Return alone. And leave the Demon Origin Seed."

Kodiac clenched his fists, biting back his frustration. Returning in defeat—without fully conquering the continent—was a stain he didn't wish to bear. But the demon god's will was absolute.

"I... understand," Kodiac muttered.

The link snapped shut, and Kodiac stood still, expression unreadable. He had one task left before his departure.

A visit. A final encounter.

Elsewhere...

Nemesis – Lv 87

Sword God – Lv 81

Kyle – Lv 75

Scarlett – Lv 74

Cain – Lv 71

Stagnant Water – Lv 71

Dual Blade – Lv 70

Shadow – Lv 68

Odin – Lv 65

Gold Goblin – Lv 65

Brian scrolled through the leaderboard, eyes narrowing. The gap between him and Nemesis had widened once again—but instead of despair, he felt his blood boil with excitement.

His lips curled into a wide grin.

"What's with the creepy smile, weirdo?" Stagnant Water asked, nudging him with an elbow. "Princess, say something to your lunatic companion."

Elizabeth, walking beside them, didn't even glance his way.

"Sigh... one ignores me and the other's smiling like he's about to eat someone," Stagnant Water muttered. "I'm surrounded by psychos."

But their idle chatter ceased when a voice spoke—a voice too familiar to ignore.

"I see you've grown stronger."

Everyone immediately froze, their senses heightened as they turned toward the source.

The presence was unmistakable.

And the threat it carried was undeniable.