"The path of the mammoth is unyielding, vast as the ancient earth. Its steps shake the heavens, its will endures through endless ages. I walk its path... and its strength flows through me. Together... we stand unbroken."

Ulric slipped into a chant as his eyes snapped open. The golden hue in his eyes grew brighter as his body shone with resplendent golden radiance.

Before suddenly, he waved his hand. A faint smile carving across his face.

Instantly, the air before him shimmered violently. Phantoms of ancient colossal mammoths spawned to fill the room, at first tens, before growing to thousands... until stopping at an impeccable ten thousand.

Staring as waves of mammoth phantoms split from Ulric to cover the whole room, the girls couldn’t help but stare blankly. Gasps tore from their throats.

Even after witnessing multiple of his feats, this was different. They had never seen something like this before. A simple glimpse at the phantoms inspired awe deep inside them, almost giving them the urge to bow before such majesty.

Slowly rising to his feet, Ulric walked forward to stare intently at one. So small yet so grand. Their phantoms only towered a few meters tall.

But with his golden eyes, he could see so much more. He could see them in all their glory.

Ancient beasts towering over thousands of meters, with massive tusks curved like crescent moons. Their beauty did not take away from how terrifying they were.

Covered in golden-pelted fur, he could see plates of seemingly divine armor interlocking across their frames, attesting to their supreme defensive abilities.

Still, even with all that, he could see micro-fractures and cracks racing across them—marks attesting to the countless battles they had endured, making them stronger with each one.

"Mighty creatures of battle," Ulric deduced. His head nodded in recognition. Before it slowly lifted to stare into their eyes.

Far smaller than their massive bodies, they were small beads. But of all the terrifying features they possessed, their eyes piqued his interest most.

They gleamed with an intense ethereal glow as they looked down on him, almost in a judging manner.

A few seconds passed this way. Before the intensity lessened a bit, causing Ulric’s brow to lift slightly.

What was that he sensed? A hint of approval?

Before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, of the ten thousand phantoms, a thousand lit up with incandescent light.

Casting their brilliance on him, his already glowing body lit up in a splendiferous display.

As it did, he could feel waves of raw energy pumping into him. His body strengthened to inhuman levels. Far beyond what any other E-rank being could even dream of.

"Hahaha! Strength enhancement?!" Ulric chuckled as all the information relating to his new SSS-rank talent flooded his mind. The core of it all being its utility.

Unlike Aelira’s Raging Bull Strength that gave her a small strength boost for a short amount of time before leaving her in a temporary moment of weakness.

This was far different. As the thousand phantoms of the Ancient Colossal Mammoths cast their light on him, he could feel his base strength enhanced at least ten times over! Even more insane, it wasn’t limited to a period of time.

He could keep up this state for as long as he wanted in battle, and when he dispelled its use, he wouldn’t be left in any momentary period of weakness.

This was insane! Ulric mused, his breath hitching just at the thought of it. To put it into perspective, if he were to face off with Thunderblade again when he was a C-rank being, he was certain he could kill him easily with a single punch with this buff. It was just terrifying thinking about it. Still, it couldn’t be helped, this was the might of an SSS-rank talent.

Which couldn’t help but make him raise his head to stare at the other phantoms that had yet to light up.

He could sense his body was not yet strong enough to take on their power. And even with all his means, he couldn’t display the full might of an SSS-rank talent just a few seconds after acquiring it. With enough practice and a little refining, he could fix that.

Still, looking up to the top of the room, endless thoughts swirled at the back of his head.

If one thousand ancient colossal mammoths granted him ten times his base power, would unlocking all of them potentially allow him to wield a hundred times over his base strength?

He suppressed the fit of maniacal laughter that threatened to burst from his throat as he sighed quietly. With this new talent, his future seemed even more limitless. What about when he acquired another one... and another?

He breathed, shaking his head as a wry smile spread across his face. Even he felt the weight of his own greed. But it couldn’t be helped. Once he got a taste... he just couldn’t get enough.

Waving his hand once more, the slew of phantoms burst into multiple golden particles that surged back into his body. The brilliant golden light slowly dimmed to reveal his body once more. The molten gold in his eyes vanished as well, welcoming back the previous swirling crimson.

Watching as the whole phenomenon receded, Amber and the rest walked forward to appraise him fully. This time not blinded by the golden elegance.

At first glance, he seemingly looked the same as before. But that illusion shattered the more they stared as they noticed the subtle changes.

His frame had grown a little more lean, the muscles rippling across his body becoming even more carved and defined, causing them to gulp slightly.

His appearance had grown even more pleasing, his hair lengthening slightly as well. And as they looked deeper, they couldn’t help but notice that although his eyes had regained their previous devious crimson, if one looked close enough, golden sparkles flashed deep within like a constellation of stars. All of it creating a mesmerizing sight.

Tearing her gaze away, Amber walked forward, unable to restrain herself as her fingers reached out. Tracing across his chest and trailing lower before she finally voiced her concern.

"Are you... okay?"

Nodding slightly, Ulric smiled, grabbing her hand. He felt far better than ever before.

And all of this was because of one person. Turning slightly, his figure vanished, appearing before Aelira.

Who was still reeling from her shock as she slowly snapped out of it.

"What did you do?" She breathed. Her pupils constricting violently. She could deduce what had just happened, but the implication was just beyond impossible.

Smiling faintly, Ulric brought a hand to stroke her hair gently as he caressed her face. A quiet sigh slipping past his lips.

"Carved a path toward absolute strength."