Ex rank talent Awakening: 100\% Dodge rate-Chapter 176 - : CHALLENGING THE STRONGEST

Augustus's eyes narrowed. "The celestial or their representative will descend in two days. Until they depart, we must lie low. No mistakes. No attention drawn. Continue producing shadow slaves, but do so in silence."

"Understood," Number Twenty said, nodding like a child promised candy for good behavior. "I'll be a very good boy."

Without another word, Emperor Augustus turned and began his silent ascent, disappearing into the twisting corridors

Back in his chamber, he reversed the enchantment on the bed lamp. The secret stairwell sealed shut, and the room returned to normal—serene, untouched.

Meanwhile, Number Twenty sat cross-legged on a chair, his dagger twirling between his fingers.

"Augustus," he murmured to no one in particular, his tone curious and sinister. "What a fascinating man. So cold... so calculating. All for power, all for empire. What a masterpiece of human detachment."

He giggled to himself, the sound echoing in the cold, enchanted chamber of horrors.

Greg arrived at the titan's settlement. Even from afar, the colossal structures were impossible to miss. Each house looked like a fortress carved from mountain stone, their roofs disappearing into the clouds. The settlement felt ancient and alive, radiating an oppressive aura that made the air feel heavier. It was a place where giants dwelled—warriors born of earth and bloodshed.

"Wait here, Tempest," Greg said to the wolf king beside him. The massive creature let out a low growl, clearly displeased but obedient. Greg's gaze was fixed on a line of dark stones half-buried in the soil—a crude yet unmistakable boundary. It marked the line between the world of mortals and the land claimed by titans.

Greg took a deep breath and stepped forward. He knew what lay beyond this line wasn't just danger—it was death, waiting patiently. Each footstep across that threshold felt like an oath being signed.

Then, it happened.

A colossal spear slammed into the earth in front of him, the force creating a shockwave that nearly knocked him off his feet. Dust and debris exploded into the air as the ground groaned beneath the impact. The weapon, easily twenty meters long, was embedded like a warning in the soil. It was clear—this was no casual greeting.

A voice followed. Deep, ancient, and immense.

"Turn back and leave with your life intact," it rumbled like a thunderstorm crawling across the sky. "Or disobey... and die a fool's death. The choice is yours."

Greg didn't blink.

"I came here to challenge your best warrior to a duel," he announced, his voice calm and defiant despite the immense pressure pressing down on him. "The winner decides the fate of the loser. Be it life, death, or servitude."

There was silence. Then, the voice laughed—loud and thunderous, as if mountains themselves were roaring.

"Hahahaha! You?" The speaker sounded utterly amused. "You wish to challenge our best fighter? An insect dares to roar at the heavens. Some people truly chase death with admirable enthusiasm."

Dum. Dum dum.

The sound of footsteps—massive, deliberate, and unforgiving—began to resonate through the earth. Each step sent a tremor through Greg's body as the source drew near. Then, a titan emerged.

He stood at least thirty meters tall, his skin dark like volcanic rock and veins glowing faintly with molten energy. Each muscle was sculpted by centuries of battle, and scars ran down his arms like ancient scripts written in pain and triumph. His eyes were golden and sharp, focused directly on Greg.

"You?" the titan said, a smirk of disbelief on his lips. "An ant dares to speak of duels? I was entertained at first, but now I'm insulted. Leave, before I change my mind and crush you beneath my foot like the pest you are."

But Greg didn't move.

Instead, he reached into his inventory and retrieved a long, ornate spear. Its blade shimmered faintly with divine energy—a contrast to the demonic corruption in the air. Without hesitation, Greg broke the spear in two, the crack echoing like a ceremonial bell.

The titan narrowed his eyes, his expression shifting.

Greg calmly extended one half of the spear. "Take this to your best warrior," he said. "Tell him I challenge him according to your sacred traditions. One warrior, one battle, no interference."

The titan froze.

Playfulness vanished. Confusion flickered. Then came curiosity, and finally, a flicker of something rarer—respect.

"You… how do you know our ancient rites?" the titan asked, voice lower now, laced with surprise.

Greg's thoughts flashed back to his previous life. In the forums of the top-tier players, rumors had spread—titan dungeons had hidden rules. Most thought them myths, but Greg had confirmed it through grueling trial and error. If a challenger broke their weapon and offered it to the boss of the dungeon, it invoked a sacred duel. If the boss accepted, no subordinate could interfere. And if the challenger won, the dungeon was cleared immediately.

It had made titan dungeons a favorite among solo players—dangerous, yes, but with a shortcut for those powerful or clever enough to invoke the rite.

He hadn't been sure if it would work on demonized titans. Their minds were corrupted, their traditions likely warped or lost. But seeing the titan's face now, Greg knew—it had worked.

"Very well… challenger," the titan finally said, his deep voice laced with a strange mix of reverence and disbelief. He stepped aside, opening a path into the settlement. "Come with me."

Greg turned and whistled. "Tempest, with me."

The wolf king came bounding forward, his fur bristling, eyes sharp. Greg leapt onto his back and nodded toward the titan. Surprisingly, the behemoth said nothing, simply leading the way. Greg remembered: in titan tradition, a challenger was permitted to bring a witness or companion to observe the duel and offer morale.

They walked deeper into the titan's domain. Massive statues lined the path—each carved in the likeness of fallen heroes, their eyes full of judgment. The skies darkened above, as if the world itself was preparing for the ancient rite to commence.

Greg's heart beat faster—not in fear, but in anticipation. The fight ahead was bound to test every ounce of his strength. But if he won… he would claim the allegiance of a titan force corrupted by demons, and take one step closer to his divine conquest.