Too Stubborn to Die

The battle had been surprising, in the sense that it felt like it should have been harder.

Every attack the giant made came with a shockwave that blasted through mountains, but they were pretty easy to dodge, especially when you could see seconds into the future.

Like the other giants, this guy was incredibly strong. But he didn’t seem to have much else going for him.

Well, that wasn’t entirely true. The giant was hardy as all hell. But Aaron could summon stupid amounts of energy from his adipose tissue and cycling of stamina, firing it out in haymakers that bruised and battered the behemoth. But nonetheless, the giant wasn’t overly impressive.

It had to be related to Titles, he figured. It was strong, no doubt about that. And the Blizzard Crow had been at a higher level, but the gap between the two seemed bigger than just that. And not just because he was suited to fighting the slow-moving giant.

Maybe it was just because the crow was consciously controlling its shadow? Aaron couldn’t be too sure, but the two were definitely on different levels.

Still, the sheer power gap between them meant that Aaron needed to buzz around the giant like a fly for quite some time, regenerating and landing whenever he was given an opening.

Thankfully, despite its toughness, the giant’s healing wasn’t comparable to the troll’s. And gradually, he beat it down.

However, barely seconds after he killed it, a screech filled the air. And through the clouds, he spotted a red-scaled drake flapping about.

“Ah, dammit. This is just getting annoying now.”

He really only had himself to blame, though. Perhaps this was just what happened in the Trial of Survival if you could beat the enemies. Stronger ones would keep showing up.

Well, he was sick of it now and raced toward the finish. He had plenty of opportunities to test himself still. No need to waste any more time now that he has cemented his theory.

The drake swooped and blew flames, but when he wasn’t fighting, Aaron could outrun and dodge its attacks relatively easily. And again, the drake wasn’t as strong as the crow had been.

At this point, he figured he wouldn’t have much issue completing most trials up to at least the fifth stage. And before long, he had found the finish.

Chain Quest: The Trial of Survival

Stage four of [ Trial of Survival ] COMPLETED!

You have tested yourself against a deathly landscape of hellish fiends and managed to survive.

Quest Rewards: War Paint [ Elite ], Armory upgraded.

Experience rewarded for completing a quest stage!

No level up? He wasn’t overly surprised by that.

Aaron might have struggled when he first arrived, but he had a feeling the first few trial stages would be a piece of cake for true elites, and not just Mo’han.

It also seemed like the trials weren’t supposed to provide a huge amount of XP. The rewards, blessings, and whatever he could purchase at the end of it all were huge enough boons as they were. If the XP from the trials was huge as well, then the gulf between elites and everyone else would grow to stupid levels.

War Paint [ Elite — F Grade ]

When applied, this war paint marks the user with the colors of their faction. Faction war paints can provide buffs dependent on the faction and buildings within their settlements. Or, it can just be used to tell friend from foe.

“Eh, nothing special,” Aaron murmured as he threw the paint in his sack.

He didn’t bother looking for the others when he got back to the hallway. He knew what needed to be done and went to the kitchen.

Aaron had the ingredients and recipes ready, so it wasn’t particularly hard to grind out soul-strengthening dishes.

That would likely change outside of the trial. Ingredients likely wouldn’t be so easy to come by.

Not only that, but it was only his first race evolution. How hard would soul strengthening be at higher grades?

It was only several hours later, and several easily consumed meals, that he got the notification.

Race Evolved to E grade!

Two evolutionary paths available!

Select new path — Ogre Evolution!

Unlike humans, who received a balanced 1:1:1 distribution of energy resources for stats, ogres receive additional HP, whilst receiving less MP. They are also more likely to receive Classes and Professions with Strength, Vitality, and Fortitude Stats, and less likely to receive Intelligence, Charisma, and Agility. Warning: Becoming an ogre will distort your perception, including physical attraction.

Continue evolutionary path — Human Evolution!

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Remain human, but have your life and energy expanded to match that of an E-grade species.

Aaron couldn’t shake his head fast enough. There were more reasons than he cared to count for not choosing to become an ogre. Plumping up for power and eating like an ogre was already bad enough. The last thing he wanted was to go further in that direction.

Yeah, I’m already too much of a damn ogre!

Are you sure you want to reject ogre evolution? Evolving into different species is a rare and difficult path to follow. This option may only be available once. Proceed with caution!

“Yeah, I’m very bloody sure! I don’t want to be a damn ogre!”

Evolution rejected!

Continuing standard human evolutionary path…

Aaron sighed with relief. For a moment, he was a little worried. Living the rest of his life as an ogre made him shudder. Romance was hardly the first thing on his mind. There were many more important things to worry about. But just the thought of being married or in a relationship with an ogre ruined his day a little.

It wasn’t helped by the fact that he essentially just imagined ogre women like Oozagh, but in a dress.

It’s fine. Calm down. Everything worked out. You’re not going to turn into an ogre.

Race evolution completed. Human [ Awoken ] E grade.

Unlike his Class and Profession evolutions, the sensation wasn’t just power, although he did feel an influx of it.

He could have sworn he grew a little taller, and his skin felt smoother. Even his hands and forearms looked a little more muscular.

Aaron rubbed his hands through his hair, and it felt thicker. And the little corner bits that kinda made him look like he was balding on a bad day were gone. Not only that, but his short beard felt a little less patchy.

“Mirror, I need a mirror!”

Aaron rushed through the hallway, catching Douglas between rooms.

“What is wrong with you?”

“Mirror, Douglas! Do we have a mirror?”

“Yes, at the far end of the dining hall.”

Aaron shot off, and Douglas curiously followed with an amusingly raised brow.

“What’s happening?” Aaron said, rubbing his face in the mirror. “My hair, it’s thicker than I remember. And am I taller? And my skin, so silky!”

“Did you go and evolve your race?”

“Yeah.” Aaron nodded.

“Well, there’s your answer.”

“What do you mean, there’s my answer, Douglas? Can you be a little more specific?”

“Each race evolution takes you one step closer to your ideal version of yourself. If you’re a little taller and your hair is a little thicker, then that is indicative of your inner desire to improve your appearance. Someone who thinks they are too skinny is likely to thicken out. Too tall? They get shorter. Chicken legs? No more chicken legs. Acne? No acne. Do you follow?”

“I do,” Aaron nodded. “So, I’m just going to keep getting taller and growing thicker hair?”

“Don’t worry,” Douglas sighed. “It won’t overdo it. If you climb all the way to S rank, you’ll evolve into your idea of perfection for yourself. As will everyone else.”

Wait, so that means Oozagh considers his form perfection? That thought made Aaron shudder again and be very, very glad he wasn’t an ogre.

It also made his thoughts drift to Yendal momentarily. He hadn’t been spending his time checking the goddess out, but now that it was mentioned, she kinda was perfect in a modest, girl-next-door kind of way.

Aaron quickly dismissed those thoughts. He didn’t need anything like that distracting him from his training.

But this revelation put a bit of a spin on the multiverse. No wonder the gods were a bit full of themselves. They had evolved into their own image of perfection. And so would he, if he made it that far.

“That is… actually really insightful. Thank you, Douglas.”

“Glad I could be of assistance. Now, are we done here?”

“Yeah, all good.”

“Bye-bye,” Douglas said and walked off. “Don’t spend too long looking at yourself.”

Aaron stood there for a few minutes, touching his slightly softer skin and slightly more even pigment, and appreciating his slightly improved hairline.

“Not bad. I could get used to this.”

Then his thoughts drift back to Yendal. Not her looks, but their planned meeting. She had instructed him to come see her after hitting his race evolution.

I should probably see to it.

He didn’t know what was waiting for him in that conversation, but figured it was best to prioritize it. Besides, he wanted to ask about the accusations Oozagh had made.

I’d better be careful about how I word myself. The last thing I need is to get my patron goddess pissed off at me.

Not wanting to get held up in another conversation, Aaron headed straight for the trial dial and started the Trial of the Challenger.

He stood in a dark room lined by purple flames, with Yendal standing at the far end with a raised brow.

“What did the ogre say?”

Wait, that’s her first question? Oozagh was telling the truth, wasn’t he? She manipulated me!

Although Aaron didn’t really like being manipulated, it was hard to be too annoyed. What with the boons he had got out of the little exchange and all.

“Wait, how do you know I spoke to Oozagh?” Aaron asked, hoping to probe for more information.

Yendal’s lips twitched deliciously. “Come on, Aaron. I’m a god.”

“Fair point. Tell me, did you set me up?”

“Set you up? That’s a little harsh, isn’t it? I simply returned balance to our relationship. I’m first, remember?”

Aaron gulped. He wasn’t sure exactly how to feel. He had certainly got himself stuck in the middle of some godly competition, but was that a bad thing? So far, it had turned out pretty well for him. He even suspected that her little rivalry with Oozagh was exactly the reason why Yendal had given him the True Blessing to begin with.

After all, had Aaron actually done enough to earn such a powerful thing so soon? He doubted it. Yendal had one True Blessing, and she had already given it up.

Aaron’s thoughts continued on from that possibility for a moment. If Yendal had played him and given him the True Blessing to get back at Oozagh, then maybe he should play into that?

He had to be careful, of course. The gods were well beyond him, and he certainly didn’t want to risk doing or saying anything that might have them turn their backs on him.

But what about casually fueling their little rivalry? Surely he could get away with that, couldn’t he?

Aaron thought about the risks and rewards. He had been through enough with both gods that he doubted either would just abandon him for playfully indulging their rivalry, and if he played his cards right, he might just be able to snatch up some extra boons.

“Fair enough,” Aaron threw up his hands. “You’re number one, Yendal. Although it is strange…”

“Strange?” She probed.

“It’s just, I only had one other race evolution option, and it was an ogre. Even though he could only provide me with a Major Blessing. A bit odd, isn’t it?”

He had no idea if this was good bait. Yendal looked every bit as human as he did, except completely void of flaws, a fact he now realized in far greater detail now that Douglas had explained race evolutions.

“That makes sense,” Yendal said. Her face was unchanged, but Aaron could have sworn he saw her brow twitch ever so slightly. “I’m human, and so are you. Unfortunately, you’ve tainted yourself with him enough that you received that option. However,” her lips now curled into a smile. “You rejected it.”

“I did,” Aaron nodded.

“Good,” she suddenly turned stern again. “You’ve completed your E-grade evolution now. How about you show me what you’ve learned? How far have you really come, Aaron Dober?”

Aaron lowered into a fighting stance. “You’ll see.”