Imprisoned for a Trillion Years, I Was Worshipped by All Gods!

"Kara, are you serious?"

Morris still found it hard to believe.

Because…

If someone truly possessed that level of skill, their strength couldn't possibly be weaker than his own!

So why would such a person participate in something as trivial as the Enlightenment Competition?

After all…

There was nothing in this competition that could possibly entice a figure of that caliber.

Morris couldn't understand it.

He even suspected that Kara might be hiding something from him.

Otherwise…

How could someone like that even exist?

Seeing Morris's expression, Kara immediately knew what he was thinking.

She herself had struggled to believe it at first.

After all, her student, Veya, had merely traveled to Greenstone City for a short time—

And in that short trip, she had somehow encountered a master-level artificer?

How was that possible?

And even if she did meet such a person—

Why would they help her?

And not just help, but do so to such an extreme degree?

So, Kara had started investigating.

In reality, the mystery wasn't difficult to unravel.

Veya's movements in Greenstone City were limited—

She had only visited one place: Velen Forge.

After making some inquiries, Kara learned something unexpected.

Apparently, a new master artificer had recently arrived at Velen Forge.

And he was very young.

Despite being new, he had already become a Tier-master.

Even the famous Master Dixon treated him with deep respect.

At first, Kara was still skeptical.

It sounded too unbelievable.

So she pressed further, questioning Veya's attendant.

Eventually, she confirmed it—

The one who had repaired Veya's magic array core…

Was the same young artificer from Velen Forge.

And—

He had traveled alongside Veya all the way to Greenstone City!

The only silver lining was that at least they knew each other.

—

"Of course, I'm serious," Kara said. "And… something else caught my attention."

"When he repaired the magic array core…"

"He did it in about ten minutes."

"WHAT?!"

Morris couldn't believe it.

In such a short amount of time…

A stranger wouldn't even have had time to fully analyze the magic array core.

Let alone repair it…

Let alone upgrade it.

"This is the truth," Kara assured him. "I verified everything myself."

Morris fell silent.

He knew Kara had no reason to lie about this.

Which meant…

This was real.

Quickly, he asked, "Then who is this master?"

As he spoke, Morris's eyes swept over the contestants of the Enlightenment Competition.

Had he overlooked someone?

Had he really failed to notice a true genius artificer?

"See for yourself," Kara said, pointing.

"It's that kid standing over there. The only one who isn't sitting."

Morris followed her gaze—

And his mind short-circuited.

Wait.

Standing?

Among all the competitors, the only one still standing was…

Daniel.

No.

No, no, no.

It couldn't be.

Daniel?!

The ordinary mage who had just reached Tier-Platinum?!

How could he be the master Kara was talking about?!

Morris's mind spiraled into chaos.

—

A Sudden Realization

Morris suddenly remembered something.

Back when he had visited Velen Forge, Dixon had said—

"I guarantee that Daniel's talent is enough to join Artisan's Sanctuary."

At the time, Morris didn't believe him.

Because no matter how talented someone was—

Their limited potential would eventually become their ceiling.

But now…

Looking at Daniel, Morris felt a horrifying suspicion creeping into his mind.

Had he…

Had he misjudged Daniel?

Had he missed a true once-in-a-lifetime genius?

—

Greg's Mockery

"Hahaha!"

Greg's mocking laughter rang out.

"Look at that idiot! Time's almost up, and he's still just standing there!"

"He thinks he can make it to the top ten like this? What a joke!"

"He's probably panicking by now!"

Hearing Greg's sarcastic remarks, Morris felt an overwhelming urge to slap him.

Greg continued, "Lord Morris, I'm sure you can already tell—"

"This Daniel must have used alchemical pills to force his breakthrough to Tier-Platinum!"

"That's why he's completely incapable of understanding the sword mark's profound meaning!"

"So now he's just standing there like an idiot!"

Greg grinned as he spoke, thinking he was pleasing Morris.

But the moment he finished speaking—

Morris's face twisted with anger.

"You…"

"Shut up."@@novelbin@@

Greg blinked in confusion.

Then, before he could react—

"GET LOST!"

Morris's furious roar exploded through the air.

Greg stumbled backward, his face turning pale.

He had never seen Morris so enraged before.

—

Daniel's True Intention

The time limit was almost up.

And Daniel…

Was still standing there.

To outsiders, it looked as if he had completely given up on comprehending the sword mark.

But—

No one had noticed something strange.

When Daniel had thrown his mana stones into the air earlier…

A powerful energy fluctuation had begun forming around him.

The truth was simple—

Daniel had made up his mind.

If he wanted to find Rose, he needed to become stronger, faster.

So—

He was about to break through.

For Daniel, power progression was never a challenge.

He had no bottlenecks.

All he needed was mana.

As long as he had enough mana, he could advance whenever he wanted.

The magic array he had just activated…

Was an energy absorption array—designed to devour mana at an extreme rate.

And at this moment—

An immense tide of mana surged toward Daniel.

Even the Thousand Suns Hall elders, as well as Kara and Morris, sensed it.

"What's happening?"

All eyes turned toward Daniel, drawn to the sudden mana fluctuations surrounding him.

"Wait… is he…?"

Morris's expression darkened.

"Is he trying to break through?!"

Why?

Why now?! Your next chapter is on My Virtual Library Empire

Why here?!

Was he insane?!

Then—

A terrifying wave of mana erupted around Daniel.

It poured into his body like a raging storm.

And Daniel…

Absorbed it all.

His aura surged—

And in mere moments, he had reached the absolute peak of Tier-Platinum.

Even Dixon, who had been watching from a distance, finally realized what was happening.

"Wait… Daniel is breaking through?! Now?!"

He remembered the last time Daniel had casually excused himself to 'use the restroom'—

And returned having successfully advanced.

Back then, Dixon had never seen how Daniel actually broke through.

But now, for the first time—

He was witnessing Daniel's advancement firsthand.

Right in front of an entire crowd.

"Is this… really happening?"

Dixon whispered in disbelief.

Then, just as the thought crossed his mind—

Daniel's aura shifted again.