The collision between Emil and the Triple Head Ogre King shook the battlefield.
The ground cracked.
Trees collapsed from the shockwave.
The monster horde stopped moving, watching the battle between their king and the tiny human who dared challenge it.
---
Emil stood in the center of the destruction.
His arms trembled.
His breathing was unstable.
Every part of his body was screaming.
---
But he was still standing.
---
The Triple Head Ogre King looked at him.
For the first time, there was something different in its eyes.
Not anger.
Not hunger.
Recognition.
---
The monster recognized him as an opponent.
---
Ding!
Host has gained the attention of a powerful existence.
Battle pressure increased.
---
Emil ignored the notification.
His focus remained on the enemy.
---
The first head roared.
The second head released flames.
The third head began gathering energy.
---
Kael immediately understood.
"Emil!"
---
The veteran's expression changed.
"It's preparing its full attack."
---
The Triple Head Ogre King raised all three heads.
---
The first head released overwhelming physical force.
The second head gathered flames hotter than before.
The third head strengthened its body with defensive energy.
---
A combination attack.
---
Even an A-rank hunter would struggle against it.
---
Emil took a breath.
Slowly.
Calmly.
---
The Sun God Breathing Technique circulated.
---
One breath.
---
Two breaths.
---
Three.
---
His mind became clear.
---
He remembered Kael's lessons.
---
"Don't think of the sword as your strength."
---
"The sword follows your will."
---
Emil lowered his stance.
---
The Triple Head Ogre King attacked.
---
A massive fist descended.
---
Emil moved.
---
Sun Step!
---
His body flashed across the battlefield.
---
The fist missed.
But the flames followed.
---
The second head swept the area with fire.
---
Emil had nowhere to escape.
---
He used his body.
---
Sun Body Technique!
---
Golden energy covered his skin.
---
The flames struck.
---
Pain spread through his body.
---
But he endured.
---
He moved through the fire.
---
Kael's eyes widened.
"He is using the attack itself as a path."
---
Emil appeared beneath the Ogre King.
---
Sun Sword!
---
A golden slash struck upward.
---
This time...
The wound was deeper.
---
The Ogre King stepped backward.
---
The monster horde became restless.
---
Their king had been injured.
---
But the third head reacted.
---
A dark green energy covered the wound.
The damage slowly disappeared.
---
Emil frowned.
"So regeneration is the problem."
---
The system responded.
Ding!
Analysis complete.
Recommended strategy:
Disable regeneration source.
---
Emil looked at the third head.
---
The answer was obvious.
---
But reaching it was another matter.
---
The Ogre King understood his intention.
---
The third head moved behind the others.
Protected.
---
The first head attacked aggressively.
The second head filled the battlefield with flames.
---
The monster had changed its strategy.
---
It was adapting.
---
Emil's situation became worse.
---
Every opening disappeared.
---
He continued fighting.
Minute after minute.
---
His sword struck.
His fists landed.
His steps carried him through impossible attacks.
---
But the Ogre King kept pushing him back.
---
The system appeared again.
Ding!
Host condition:
Energy: 5%
Stamina: 3%
---
Warning:
Body damage increasing.
---
Emil fell to one knee.
---
The Triple Head Ogre King approached.
---
The villagers watched from a distance.
Fear filled their faces.
---
A young hunter stood against a monster they believed impossible to defeat.
---
Kael clenched his fist.
---
He wanted to help.
But he knew.
This was Emil's battle.
---
The Triple Head Ogre King lifted its fist.
---
The shadow covered Emil.
---
For a moment...
Everything became quiet.
---
Then Emil heard something.
---
A voice.
---
Ancient.
Powerful.
---
From within the Sun God fragment.
---
"Why do you seek power?"
---
Emil's consciousness entered a strange space.
A golden world.
A place filled with endless sunlight.
---
Before him stood a figure made entirely of light.
---
The Sun God.
---
Emil looked at the divine presence.
---
"Because I don't want to be weak anymore."
---
The figure remained silent.
---
"Wrong."
---
The answer surprised him.
---
"Strength is not born from fear."
---
"Then why?"
---
Emil thought.
---
The village.
The people.
Kael.
Everyone behind him.
---
"I want to protect."
---
The golden figure looked at him.
---
"Now you understand."
---
Outside, the Ogre King's fist continued falling.
---
Inside, the fragment began to awaken.
---
Ding!
Awakening conditions reached.
---
Current progress:
100%
---
First Awakening beginning.
---
The battlefield changed.
---
A golden light erupted from Emil's body.
---
The Triple Head Ogre King's fist stopped.
---
The monster looked down.
---
For the first time...
It felt fear.
---
Kael stared at the golden light.
---
"What is this power?"
---
The Sun God fragment answered.
---
First Awakening: Initiating.
---
The sun had finally answered its chosen one.