Chapter 50: Meeting with a Goddess (1)
Ethan sat in silence for a moment, contemplating his next move.
Then, a thought struck him.
"System, in your opinion, what would a goddess like Skadi want?"
[Host, even gods require resources to grow stronger and develop their abilities.]
[While they have divine followers, faith is merely a conduit—a means to accumulate power more rapidly. Gods can absorb faith to enhance themselves, but it's not their only method of advancement.]
[That is why most deities on the higher floors maintain connections with the lower floors. If they bless a mortal and that mortal proves exceptional, the return on investment is immense.]
[However, should that mortal die, the deity suffers severe consequences. They not only lose the power they invested but may also experience a backlash that weakens them significantly.]
"So blessings aren't handed out lightly," Ethan mused.
[Precisely. The truly blessed ones are rare.]
"So, it all comes down to resources again."
Ethan opened his inventory, scanning through the wealth of materials he had accumulated. He had plenty of resources—some valuable even to stage-3 gods. The problem?
They were all flame-based.
Not a single ice-related divine resource.
"System, how many points do I have?"
[1.5 trillion.]
Ethan smirked. That's a lot of bargaining power.
But there was no point in blindly offering resources without knowing what she needed. It was better to talk to her first.
Then an idea struck him.
He reached into his inventory and pulled out a potion—Aphrodite's Blessing.
It was the same potion that had transformed Gobu from an ordinary goblin into a strikingly handsome one. But for Ethan? He was already dangerously attractive.
Still, he wasn't taking any chances. Every advantage counted.
He downed the potion in one swift motion.
The transformation was immediate.
His already silken black-and-white hair grew longer, cascading down his back like a divine tapestry of Yin and Yang. His eyes deepened, the stark contrast between his void-black irises and his glowing white pupils becoming more pronounced—hypnotic.
His facial features adjusted, reaching impossible levels of symmetry. Every detail—his jawline, his lips, his proportions—became so flawless it was almost unnatural.
At the end of the transformation, Ethan stood there, his beauty transcending mortal limits.
And then—
{Your beauty is unparalleled among mortals and gods. Your only worthy rival is The Goddess of Love, Charm, and Sex—Aphrodite.}
{You have received a new title: "The Mortal Whose Beauty Surpasses the Gods."}
{Your soul has significantly strengthened.}
{Your presence has greatly increased.}
{Be cautious. Such beauty can also be a curse.}
{Do not become the second Adonis.}
Ethan smiled—a sight so breathtaking that words failed to describe it.
"I have the strength to protect myself. Adonis didn't."
Even his voice had changed. It was richer, more soul-stirring—like a melody woven from the stars themselves.
[Your Charm Affinity has increased to Supreme grade.]
Ethan exhaled. Now, let's meet the goddess.
"Tower, use my reward."
{As you will.}
⸻
A Court of Ice and Divinity
The moment Ethan opened his eyes, he found himself standing inside a grand throne room.
The ceiling stretched impossibly high, shimmering with hues of blue, as if woven from the essence of the frozen sky itself. Tiny ice spirits flitted about, glowing softly, their presence adding an ethereal beauty to the chamber.
The air was cold—not a biting chill, but something deeper, primal. The very concept of winter seemed to emanate from this place.
Ethan took a slow step forward, noticing the spirit beasts and elementals that roamed the chamber. Their intelligent eyes fixated on him—not in hostility, but in shock.
Some of the spirits blushed.
…What?
Ethan frowned. Even spirits had preferences? That's new.
But his attention quickly shifted upward.
At the highest point of the throne room sat a single throne.
It was crafted from black ice, radiating an aura of absolute coldness—so intense it felt like the concept of warmth had never existed in its presence.
And upon that throne sat Skadi.
The Goddess of Winter.
She was breathtaking in a way that was not human—an otherworldly beauty sculpted from the purest essence of ice. Her skin was blue, yet not simply blue—a divine hue, rich and layered, shifting between shades of ice and frost.
Her eyes were like frozen lakes, unfathomable and deep.
She gazed at Ethan.
And for the first time in her immortal life…
Skadi was stunned.
Her thoughts halted as she took in his presence.
'How… how can a mortal be so beautiful?'
'More than that bitch's plaything, Adonis?'
Her fingers tightened slightly against her throne. The way his black-and-white hair cascaded behind him, the way his deep eyes held an almost gravitational pull—
Skadi stopped herself.
She was a goddess. There were certain behaviors she could not display.
She composed herself, her voice smooth and regal.
"So you are the mortal granted the opportunity to speak with me."
She tilted her head slightly. "Tell me—why have you come?"
Ethan inclined his head in a respectful bow—not too deep, but enough to acknowledge he was a guest in her domain.
"It is an honor to meet you, Goddess Skadi." His voice was silken, magnetic.
"Please forgive my bluntness, but I was curious… What does a goddess like you need most right now?"
For the first time in centuries, Skadi frowned. "What?"
Ethan's smile remained. "I have a very particular talent. It has allowed me to reach this point—standing before a goddess—without even reaching the tenth floor of the Tower."
"I don't want to waste your time, so let me be direct. If there is something you need—a skill, a potion, a rune, a bloodline, even a talent—I will find a way to acquire it for you."
Silence.
Skadi studied him carefully. Her expression remained composed, but there was a flicker of intrigue in her eyes.
For a moment, she considered dismissing him outright. But…
The Tower itself had granted him this meeting.
That alone proved he was not ordinary.
Finally, she spoke.
"I am a Stage-3 Goddess." Her words were calm, yet carried undeniable weight. "I am preparing to ascend and take my Trial for Stage-4."
Ethan's breath hitched.
A Stage-3 Goddess… That was a realm beyond his current understanding.
"What do you need?" he asked.
Skadi's expression remained unreadable. Then—
"I need three things."
Her fingers rested against the arm of her throne.
"A Fragment of the Origin of Ice."
"The Tears of the Stage-3 Goddess of Beasts and Oceans."
"And the Blood of one who carries the Bloodline of Ymir—the Primordial Frost Giant."
She leaned forward slightly. "Can you acquire them for me?"
Ethan stood frozen.
…Okay. I'm fucked.
He had definitely bitten off more than he could chew.
— End of Chapter 50 —
A/N:
Ladies and Gentlemen, support with power stones please.
Thank you for reading.