Chapter 52
Skadi stood frozen, eyes wide with shock and disbelief.
She simply couldn't believe it.
In all her experience as a goddess, nothing had ever come close to something so absurd. So nonsensical.
A D-rank being granting a title—to a god?
Madness. Absolute madness.
And yet… the proof was right there. Clear. Unmistakable.
The Tower's system had been deliberate with its wording. It hadn't simply said, You have received a title.
No.
It had said, You have received a title from The Allholder.
A shiver ran down her spine.
Because in that moment, she understood the terrifying implications.
If Ethan could bestow titles upon others…
Then he could grant them to himself.
He would never be bound by the limits of soul power. Never be stalled in rank.
He could tailor his own divine attributes, refine them, stack them—until something obscene was born.
Now she understood.
She understood why a mortal—a D-rank mortal—was granted an audience with her, a Stage-3 goddess.
A feat so rare that even most Stage-1 and some Stage-2 gods weren't deemed worthy.
The man standing in front of her—this impossibly beautiful young man—was an irregular.
No… an anomaly, even among irregulars.
And so, her decision was made.
She stepped forward, slow and deliberate, stopping just an inch away from him.
Ethan didn't flinch.
Didn't blink.
Didn't step back.
His face wore a calm, unbothered smile, as if he hadn't just committed an act of divine-level blasphemy.
Skadi spoke.
"I don't know how you just did something only the Tower should be able to do… but I won't ask."
"I've already sworn an oath—binding and absolute. I won't speak of what happened here. I won't use it against you."
"So, you don't need to worry about betrayal."
She paused, eyes—icy blue—locking with his dual-toned black-and-white gaze.
"I have a proposition. If this ability of yours—granting titles—is something you can repeat, then let's cooperate."
"Tell me what you want. What you need. I will do everything in my power to provide it. In return…"
Her voice lowered, more serious. "You'll grant titles. Ones I personally select."
Ethan stayed silent, his smile unchanging.
'It's good to have the upper hand,' he thought to himself.
Then he spoke—gentle, but with unmistakable weight.
"But… not to sound presumptuous, dear goddess…"
"…as someone who can enhance the soul of a goddess like you—what exactly do you have to offer me?"
Skadi didn't answer right away. But when she did, her voice was calm and sure.
"Information."
"I'm a goddess. I've lived millions upon millions of years. I know things you couldn't begin to fathom—secrets of the Tower and what lies beyond."
She stepped closer, her eyes glowing now—not with power, but with certainty.
"So… are you in, Allholder?"
Ethan smiled.
"Yes, Goddess of Winter. I'm in."
They held each other's gaze—and smiled.
For the first time, a god treated a mortal as an equal.
And the Tower responded.
⸻
{Impossible Achievement Unlocked!}
{You have received a new title.}
{Title Received: The Mortal Who Humbled a Goddess}
{Your soul has been greatly enhanced.}
⸻
Skadi watched him carefully, then added one final note.
"Normally, no god may speak with a climber who hasn't passed the 50th trial. But for you… I'll make the sacrifice."
"Call my name. I will answer."
Ethan nodded. His body began to dissolve—his time here was up.
"Okay then. I'll call you."
And just like that, he vanished.
Skadi stood alone, still processing everything that had just happened.
Then, slowly, a smile crept across her lips.
"With this," she whispered, "I can challenge the 103rd floor… and finally become a Stage-4 goddess."
She couldn't wait.
⸻
Ethan reappeared in his rest zone, letting out a long sigh of relief.
Things had ended on a good note—but they'd started off horribly.
"I really need to shut my mouth sometimes," he muttered. "But…"
He opened his system panel.
[Current Points: 0]
His body trembled. He'd kept his cool in front of Skadi, but now that he was alone—he could finally react.
He dropped onto the cold grass, staring blankly up at the sky.
"…Is life even worth it?" he muttered.
"What the hell am I gonna do, System? I was counting on those points to prepare for my class awakening on the 10th floor."
"Now I have zero. Zero. From trillions to nothing. Seriously, who told me to mess with a goddess?"
[Once you reach the 10th floor, you'll be able to help others. That will earn you points.]
"I know that," he groaned. "But I'm lazy. Can't you tell?"
He clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Then, after a beat, he exhaled.
The act of despair ended. He sat up. Cracked his neck. And smiled.
"Let's go meet them. I hope they're waiting for me."
He looked upward.
"Tower—take me to the 10th floor."
{Understood, O Allholder.}