Chapter 294: Treason If We Fail, Revolution If We Succeed (8)
Malfite, the guardian of the Terra Ring, could not believe what he was seeing.
—A mere short-lived creature is enduring this?
He was so shocked that his thoughts spilled out as words.
—In eight hundred eighty-seven years, eight mortals have challenged this trial. Not one of them lasted more than five seconds!
Those who challenged the trial to obtain the Terra Ring were not only humans—there were beastfolk, elves, dwarves, and more. From them, the ones renowned for their strength had challenged the trial, but every one of them failed and died. Among them was even a descendant of the giant race, though only half-blooded.
—A trial that even a descendant of the giant race failed... and some lowly little human dares...!
Malfite was shocked. Under normal circumstances, Keter would have taunted him endlessly, but now he was silent, as he had no room to speak. He didn’t even have spare focus to think of anything else. In Keter’s mind remained only two commands: push and endure. Even blinking or breathing felt like a waste of muscle.
Crack!
Riiip!
A series of cracks and rips sounded from across Keter’s body. His entire body and legs trembled violently. Under the overwhelming pressure, all his blood vessels burst, and blood streamed down his skin. Even so, Keter did not collapse. He did not close his eyes. He did not lower his arms. He simply endured, like someone born solely to support this colossal mountain.
Malfite felt fear. He had told Keter that the trial would end if he could take the Terra Ring, but the truth was different. This trial ended only if one endured the weight for one full minute. And now, forty seconds had already passed. Malfite grew anxious.
—The Five Element Relics are the sacred relics of us giants, the primordial race. You short-lived creatures are by-products, scraps, livestock! At best, you are pets. I cannot hand a divine relic to someone like you!