Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1348 Ascension and Ashes

Hulk: "That rolls off the tongue a little too easily, don't you think?"

Ordinarily, Aerin reserved the title "Godfather" for their private messages. Orion was caught off guard when she used the honorific so openly before the group after all this time. It appeared she no longer cared about the opinions of others.

Aerin: "Hehe... I have to stick close to the Godfather if I want to eat well!"

At that moment, Caesar and Tangere entered the chat, likely drawn by the flurry of notification pings.

Caesar: "Big Boss! You've finally woken up. Just a heads up, I'm already in the middle of preparing for my Legendary level ascension!"

Shunning useless pleasantries, Caesar jumped straight into reporting his recent progress.

His territory within the Silverwood Realm had thrived over the past decade. The trade routes and alliances he had forged with Aerin and Tangere acted as a robust economic motor, producing a relentless flow of Faith Energy.

Hulk: "Good man. I'll be waiting for the good news."

Orion understood the subtext of Caesar's words: I am leveling up so I can be of use to you once more.

In the realm of high-level operations, the Legendary Rank was the minimum requirement for entry. Tangere had secured massive spoils during the southern campaign against the Cult of Four simply because his stats allowed him to participate, while Caesar and Aerin—stagnant at the Alpha-level—could only watch as the best opportunities passed them by.

Tangere: "Big Boss... have you achieved ascension to Demigod?"

Unlike the boisterous Caesar or the playful Aerin, Tangere possessed a sharp intuition. He sensed the profound shift in Orion’s aura. Even his choice of greeting—"Big Boss"—was deliberate, laced with a newfound level of deference.

The question struck the chat like an EMP blast. The channel fell into a dead silence.

Hulk: "You guessed correctly."

A smirk played on Orion's lips. There was no reason to conceal the truth. Having scaled the mountain, he intended to enjoy the view.

Aerin: "OH HELL YEAH! GODFATHER IS A BEAST!"

Aerin: "Congratulations, Godfather!"

Aerin reacted with the most speed. Having been by his side longer than anyone, she always suspected he was destined for the peak, though the sheer speed of his progress was beyond her expectations.

Caesar: "Big Boss, you are literally my idol."

Caesar’s shock was immediately fueled by his own drive. He wasn't merely impressed; he was inspired.

Tangere, however, went completely silent.

Silverwood Realm, Venomfen Swamp

Tangere had abruptly logged out.

Orion’s confirmation had landed like a physical strike, rattling Tangere's mental state so violently that his connection to the Survivor's Platform was severed.

Deep within the swamp, standing on the highest spire of his floating Mage Tower, Tangere remained motionless while staring into the fog.

"Demigod... a Demigod..." he muttered, the word feeling heavy and foreign as it left his lips. "He actually achieved it."

The initial shock transformed into a tremor that began in his hands before vibrating through his entire core. It wasn't a feeling of dread, but pure euphoria.

He possessed a direct connection to a Demigod—a being capable of warping reality itself. Furthermore, they were on excellent terms.

I must protect this relationship, Tangere thought, his gaze burning with intense focus. No matter the cost.

***

[Survivor's Platform]

Scarecrow: "Uh, guys? Are we telling fairy tales now?"

Scarecrow had logged in just as the chat was erupting. He posed a soul-searching question to the group, born not from malice, but from total disbelief.

It had only been ten years since he reached the Legendary Rank, and he was still working to stabilize his power. Now, he was being told his former client had ascended to godhood? It felt like a ridiculous joke.

Aerin: "Brother Scarecrow, your death-substitution artifacts are fine, but if you doubt my Godfather, you're doubting me. And that means war."

Orion didn't need to type a single word. Aerin had already stepped into the role of his enforcer.

Caesar: "Scarecrow, you haven't witnessed the Big Boss in action."

Caesar: "I've seen him flip the heavens and command the rain. It isn't combat; it's a natural disaster."

Caesar: "Arch Lords? He sneezes and they turn to dust."

The memory of the power Caesar had witnessed still haunted his dreams. It was the primary fuel for his own desperate cultivation and training.

Scarecrow: "Are you being serious?"

No one replied. The silence served as the only answer he needed.

Orion, however, had already turned his attention elsewhere. A notification from Aina had drawn him away from the festivities.

Tower Defense World: Kindling Platform #3318

The platform had expanded massively, dwarfing its original size from the early days.

Commanders like Aina had grown powerful. Their summoned guardian beasts and mobile combat fortresses pushed the safe zone deep into the Void, reclaiming more territory.

But today, the defensive walls were deserted.

Aina, the fierce combat genius who usually lived for the heat of battle, was huddled in a small tent at the platform's center. Her face was buried in her knees as she wept in silence.

"Throwing a pity party?" Orion’s voice sliced through the darkness. "That doesn't seem like your style."

The tent flap was pushed aside. Orion, using an avatar dressed in basic leather armor, squeezed into the small space.

He didn't offer any comfort or tissues. Instead, he grabbed a bag of snacks Aina had purchased from the system store and began to eat.

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.

For half an hour, the only sound within the tent was Orion aggressively finished off her snack supply.

Once the last crumb was gone, the chewing ceased. Aina finally looked up.

Her eyes were red, swollen, and filled with tears. Yet, beneath the sorrow, Orion recognized a deep, crushing loneliness. It was the expression of someone who had lost their last anchor to the world.

"Mister..." her voice was raspy and fractured with grief. "Can you do me a favor?"

"Let's hear it," Orion replied with a burp, leaning back. He didn't commit to a yes or a no.

"Help me destroy Eldoria. Kill every single human there."

Though the young girl's face was wet with tears, her words were pure poison.

Orion’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Eldoria. That is your home world, isn't it?"

"Yes," she hissed. "But the only thing connecting me to it is gone."

She looked him directly in the eye, her gaze radiating a hatred so profound it felt frigid.

"I hate them. I want to eradicate them. But I lack the power." She took a trembling breath. "But you have it, Mister. I know you do."