BAAAAANG!
Under Ethan's might, the last giant statue shattered into fine flakes. He was exhausted, having fought for more than seven hours straight.
"Phew… I guess that should be the last one," he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow and tying his long silver hair. His star-gazing blue eyes pierced the darkness as he pressed forward.
"I can't wait to meet the boss. I'll show him how much of an asshole he is," Ethan chuckled. His thoughts went back to the Fallen Giant—his guess was that it had been commanded by the boss to throw him down here.
He quickly checked his stats:
[ Name: Ethan Sylvester ]
[ Rank: Half-Awakened Level 9 (EXP: 520/1000) ]
[ Attributes: Strength 75 | Agility 63 | Stamina 65 | Speed 70 | Mana 65 ]
"Hmm, nice," Ethan smirked.
He kept walking until he saw light ahead. Dashing forward at full speed, he reached the end of the path. What lay beyond was an open hall—scalding hot, almost unbreathable. The sun above beat down harsh rays, and the air twisted with chaotic time and space.
Runes, like those carved into the protruding rocks outside, glowed across every inch of the hall. At the center, seated on a throne, was a figure cloaked in black, radiating a kingly aura. A majestic crown rested on its head. Both hands clutched mysterious weapons that seemed to hum with ancient power.
[ The King Who Wants to See Tomorrow gazes at you in shock. ]
"Gaze? Where are its eyes? I can't see them…" Ethan frowned. But then the figure raised its head—its expression was blank, its eyes pure white.
Clank… clank… clank.
Chains rattled as the figure rose from its throne.
"Gods… is this what I'm supposed to fight?" Ethan smirked. The being towered six times his height. Each step it took carried crushing weight.
[ Warning! The King Who Wants to See Tomorrow has used a skill. ]
[ Your Space and Time skills are restricted. Duration: 30 minutes. ]
[ All attributes reduced by 10. Duration: 10 minutes. ]
[ The King Who Wants to See Tomorrow uses
[ You are unable to move. Duration: 5 minutes. ]
"Damn—I'm cooked." Ethan gritted his teeth. He couldn't move a muscle.
[ With your Achievement
BAAAAANG!
He broke free just in time, ducking beneath the King's devastating strike. "Damn, that was close."
Ethan drew his Starless Sword and summoned Ork Chief and Black Knight to assist. If he couldn't use Space Skip, he'd need them as shields.
The King raised its left-hand weapon, which transformed into a massive scythe. Ethan's eyes narrowed—it was priceless. The King moved like a phantom. In less than ten seconds, thirty strikes were exchanged. Each blow that landed burned through Ethan's armor—had he not leveled up inside the castle, he'd already be dead.
Black Knight and Ork Chief charged.
BANG! BANG!
They were swatted away like flies, half their HP gone.
"This thing is no joke," Ethan muttered. He poured mana into his First Dragon Subduing Palm.
BOOOM!
The King flew backward, coughing black blood.
[ The King Who Wants to See Tomorrow ]
[ Rank: Abomination Level 15 ]
[ Attributes: Strength 75 | Agility 70 | Stamina 75 | Speed 80 | Mana 80 ]
"Almost on par with me," Ethan thought. "Or is it the chains?"
The King's counterattack was ferocious. Ethan dodged, thrusting for its heart, but the scythe nearly cleaved his head. Ork Chief barreled in, flinging the King upward. Black Knight's obsidian blade swung for its neck—
CRASH!
The scythe transformed into a bladed whip, tearing Black Knight into shreds.
[ Black Knight has been destroyed. Respawn: 2 hours (time reduces as your summons grow stronger). ]
"Goddamn you!" Ethan roared, charging. Ork Chief hurled him forward, doubling his speed.
The King flipped the weapon in its right hand—a flat, round relic resembling a clock. A strange energy flowed within it.
BANG!
Time froze. Ethan couldn't move.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Flurries of blows rained down with the ancient clock, shattering Ethan's HP by half. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he slammed into the ruins.
But then—the entire ruin lit up. Chains surged with power, blasting the King with electricity. Its HP dropped by 100.
Now! Ethan lunged. Blow after blow, he hacked at its weapons. The scythe was knocked away, but the clock remained.
[ Restriction expired. Space and Time skills restored. Attributes returned to normal. ]
Grinning through blood, Ethan used Space Skip thrice, reappearing behind the King. He unleashed a barrage of Dragon Subduing Palms before severing both its arms. Golden blood sprayed like a fountain.
The King's sorrowful eyes met Ethan's. And in that gaze, Ethan saw a history of betrayal and pain. This had once been a good king, ruined by the greed of the gods.
The King lifted Ethan's hand, pressing the clock into his palm. In a whisper, its ancient voice spoke:
"End it while I sit on my throne. Let my people's souls know I died a good king."
Ethan's heart ached. He nodded, eyes blazing with resolve.
The King sat proudly upon its throne. Ethan raised the Starless Sword.
"I promise you, as the descendant of the God of Space and Time—I will avenge you. I will bring the heads of the greedy gods and lay them here."
BAAAAANG!
The blade severed the King's head. Its body crumbled to ash.
The hall shook violently as runes and chains collapsed into flames.
[ Congratulations! Quest Complete. ]
[ Reward: Divine Relic of Space and Time —
[ Level Up! You have reached Level 10. ]
[ You are about to become Awakened. Transformation required. ]
Ethan pressed No. "Take me out of here or I'll die!"
His vision blurred. When it cleared, he was in his room. He pressed Yes.
[ Transformation initiated. Becoming Awakened… ]
Agonizing pain wracked his body. His HP drained to 0, yet he did not die. It was as if ten thousand heavenly hammers crushed him.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" His screams shook the walls.
After an hour, a cool sensation washed over his bones and marrow. His body became refined, stronger, faster, more alive.
[ Transformation Complete. ]
[ Immortal Shop Unlocked. ]
[ Rewards: 2000 Ace Coins (Total: 3600), 10 Health Potions, 10 Mana Potions, +1000 EXP. ]
[ Level Up Bonus: +5 to all attributes. ]
[ New Skills Unlocked: