The Gauntlet to Jinri

The standoff between the Golden Absolute and the Sole Dragon God Emperor was utterly tedious. They simply stood there, weapons trained on each other, neither making the slightest movement. Yet to someone like the protagonist—who had mastered both magic and a respectable level of martial arts—the exchange sent chills racing down his spine. Though invisible to the naked eye, he could sense the countless spear trajectories and thrusts exploding through the space between them.

Not a single sound rang out. They refused to waste energy on unnecessary clashes, instead repeating the cycle of probing for openings, attacking, and withdrawing with such precision that counting the exchanges became impossible. The moment the Grey Absolute imagined stepping between them, the conclusion was immediate.

Ten seconds. At most. His head would be pierced, his neck severed, and then his body would be shredded to pieces.

As expected, ordinary magic or martial techniques were useless here. Even the Black Flame Absolute had found that his magic and authorities failed completely; only the hybrid authority he had forcibly created managed to inflict any damage at all.

This is a realm that cannot be reached through granted power alone. What supported it was an endless cycle of training and tempering that produced physical ability obvious at a single glance.

All the Ten Centers possessed bodies powerful enough to rival the Black Flame Absolute, who boasted the strongest physique regardless of his specialization. The Grey Absolute had realized this simply by sitting beside them. Even their smallest gestures raised goosebumps across his skin—his body was instinctively screaming in warning.

Monstrous defensive and offensive power. In the Absolute Realm, two trillion units of innate divine power would already mark one as a supreme ruler. So why did these beings, each possessing a thousand trillion, continue such rigorous physical training? Who in existence could possibly be their opponent?

The question arose naturally. The Grey Absolute had trained his body out of necessity for revenge against the Black Flame Absolute, but the others had no such reason. Strengthening one’s primary field was the fastest route to greater power. While physical shortcomings would eventually impose limits, that was a problem for the distant future. To seize an advantage in the immediate ranking battles, specializing should have been the priority—yet they seemed to place physical conditioning first.

The other Ten Centers watched the Grey Absolute silently analyzing the battle between the Golden Absolute and the Sole Dragon God Emperor, then nodded in approval. His capabilities as a sage were not his only strength; his personal combat ability had barely scraped past their standards.

“As expected, you’ve trained your body arts to a respectable level,” the Great God said, stroking his white beard. “If you can sense and comprehend that exchange, your physical standards must be near those of a Center. Sword Bat, what is your assessment of his evasion against sword techniques?”

The Golden Absolute still does not acknowledge the current Grey.

The Black Flame Absolute had also violently opposed the seat being filled, leading a joint attack that eliminated the newcomer first. Yet even he had felt unease. He had clearly aimed for the head, yet the opponent’s neck had been the only thing severed. The fact that the Grey had avoided the vital point against Sword Bat—the fastest blade among the Ten Centers—was proof of extraordinary ability.

Moreover, seeing him hold his own against the Black Flame Absolute now, he was clearly no weakling who could be defeated easily. It seemed he had deliberately accepted Sword Bat’s blade and chosen to be eliminated.

“During the ranking battle, he withstood our combined assault and avoided every fatal blow,” Sword Bat said, gently stroking the black blade in his hands. “With physical ability at that level, he should be able to endure somehow. I approve, regardless of what the Black Flame says.”

The Great God smiled with satisfaction. If the fifth-ranked Center—who stood supreme in swordsmanship—acknowledged him, it meant the Grey’s resistance to sword techniques was also exceptional. Even if the first and fourth ranks opposed fiercely, the second, third, and fifth together held the greater voting power.

Still, they needed certainty. The Golden Absolute was a being who found it difficult to oppose anything without perfect odds. Moreover, they understood his position—that the Ten Centers must be ever stronger and more perfect.

A clearer voice of approval was necessary.

“What do the rest of you think?” the Great God asked. “I am against unnecessary emotional disputes. Let us reach a unanimous decision before the Black Flame returns from that contest.”

The response was immediate. As expected of the spiritual-type Centers, they all approved.

“His other authorities also appear to be at the Center level. There is no reason to oppose. Proceed as you wish.”

“Not a bad addition. I approve.”

“I approve as well.”

The seventh-ranked One Circle, eighth-ranked One Line, and ninth-ranked Great Hand all gave their consent. Though they were lower in rank, those numbers only reflected combat strength when everyone held back. Once they fought seriously, the hierarchy could shift. Each specialization possessed an absolute authority rivaling the Sage-type’s Yggdrasil. A collision between them would leave neither side unscathed.

Only the sixth-ranked Soma remained, but his answer was obvious ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠without asking. The moment he learned the Grey’s primary means of attack was magic, he had been almost entirely in favor.

“If magic that manipulates magical power is his main force, then I too have no reason to oppose. I will lend my strength to cover any shortcomings.”

The Great God smiled with deep satisfaction. Higher ranks held priority in decisions, but if the lower ranks united in opposition, the motion would fail. It was simply a matter of being overpowered. The wise Golden Absolute would never engage in the foolishness of fighting two against seven.

“Hohoho! Then it is decided. After five hundred billion years, the second generation of Ten Centers has finally been formally appointed in full. Jinri will be most pleased. Since we are all busy, let us proceed with the next preparations at once.”

The rainbow-colored parchment he produced contained a simple summary of the Ten Centers. The ranks and names were recorded exactly as they had been for the previous generation, with only the first and second positions left blank. The Great God signed his name first, then passed the document around. Once every Center had signed in order of rank, it was handed to the Grey Absolute.

“Congratulations on becoming one of the Ten Centers, second generation Grey Absolute. We must make a formal report and application to Jinri, so please sign beside your name.”

“Ah? Yes.”

The atmosphere felt strange, but since everyone else had signed without comment, he moved to do the same by reflex. Then an incredibly ominous premonition struck him.

Where have I experienced this before?

Like a bolt of lightning, memories flooded back. After becoming a god, he had fought Granzoa and carelessly written the Karma Contract, which forced him into the role of a mercenary god and subjected him to endless unfair contracts. Even upon entering the Divine Realm, an odd contract with the main gods had resulted in him inheriting a complete mess of a realm. Everything that followed—running around desperately, only to be defeated by the All-Powerful Splendor—had been the entirety of his first ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠life as a god.

All because he had lacked social experience and signed contracts without reading them properly.

If I had only checked the contract carefully and revised those absurdly unfavorable terms, my fate would have been completely different.

He had regretted it countless times. Yet he had overcome the hardships caused by those unreasonable contracts and gained his current power. There was no changing the past. The best he could do was accept that his own carelessness had invited all that suffering.

Thinking this might be a similar situation, he examined the document again. There was no content. He flipped it back and forth, then mobilized every authority at his disposal for a thorough inspection. Nothing. Only the ranks and names were written on it. An extremely simple document.

Ah. There was one more thing. The title…

Having learned from past experience, he had only checked for strange content. When he found none, he felt deflated—until his eyes finally landed on the title. He read the word blankly.

“A letter of challenge? From the Ten Centers to whom? Surely not…?”

There was only one being in the entire Absolute Realm worthy of a challenge from the strongest of each specialization gathered together. Yet he didn’t even want to think the name.

Just considering the conclusion made his mind go blank and his expression go slack. The other Ten Centers had been watching his frantic examination with great interest, smiling. Finally they could hold back no longer and burst into laughter.

“Pfft—! Hahahaha!”

“Ah, I was exactly like that.”

“Brings back memories.”

“Those were the days.”

“The Black Flame’s face was the funniest. He had just escaped that nightmare of a cleanup period and was celebrating becoming the official fourth rank, only to plunge straight into the abyss. Kahahahaha!”

“Ahem! Everyone, restrain yourselves. Isn’t it pitiful? Hohohoho!”

Even the relatively dignified Great God laughed heartily for a while before speaking again.

“Hoho—! There may be misunderstandings, so I shall convey the message exactly as it was given. Jinri speaks.”

The face that had remained solemn until now suddenly transformed into that of a mischievous child.

“The Wind Family is a martial house! Power is justice and truth. Enforce your will through strength.”

The Grey Absolute looked utterly bewildered. He was already miserable from the worst possible prediction, and now this nonsense?

Yet the Great God continued as if truly channeling Jinri.

“Having been born into a world where power is everything, a son has the duty to surpass his father.”

The surrounding Ten Centers turned pitying gazes toward the Sole Dragon God Emperor, who was still locked in combat. Their expressions were genuinely sympathetic. In the past, the Sole Dragon God Emperor had recklessly challenged the sealed bodies of the first-generation Ten Centers alone and been defeated. As a result, the main body of the Dragon God race—which had been evaluated as possessing roughly half of Jinri’s power—had been repurposed as the core of a newly created Eight-Ring Seal. After that, he had operated through an avatar. No matter how strong that avatar became, how could it possibly defeat Jinri? The fact that he had grown this powerful with only an avatar was already close to a miracle.

“All lower beings have the responsibility to overcome those above them. If they cannot, they have no right to exist. Those who will eventually fall to this reality shall become sacrifices for the strong.”

The Ten Centers nodded or sighed, their faces filled with the weariness of life. Even for them—the acknowledged strongest in existence—Jinri’s words about the weak becoming sacrifices were no one else’s problem. To Jinri, they were all weak.

“Therefore, challenge me! My most precious children and treasured Ten Centers.”

By this point, the Great God’s expression had changed from mischievous child to one overflowing with benevolence.

“I shall meet your challenges with all my emotions and crush you with full power. In doing so, I will become an insurmountable wall and remain your eternal goal. Surpassing and overcoming me is the only repayment I ask for the blood and grace I have given you. I am Jinri.”

“……”

The Grey Absolute’s worst premonition had become reality. The Great God, having returned to his solemn expression, delivered one final line.

“Should you fail to sign the letter of challenge, you will be reported to Jinri for lacking spirit and immediately dragged to the specialized training grounds. It is the Wind Family’s official training regimen, enhanced for Ten Centers…”

At those words, the faces of both the Great God and the other Ten Centers turned pale. They knew there was no choice. They had learned this lesson during their own initiation as Ten Centers.

If Jinri says do it, you do it. Resistance only ends with you doing it anyway.

However, the Black Flame Absolute—his intelligence reduced to near zero by the influence of his own authority—had stubbornly refused to challenge Jinri, claiming there was no chance of victory. He had been dragged away regardless. No one knew exactly what happened, but after that training, he had become the most fervent challenger, grinding his teeth and charging at Jinri in a suicidal, self-abandoning manner.

If even the Black Flame Absolute, possessor of the strongest body and power, had ended up like that, one could easily imagine the nature of the training.

“It would be best for your well-being to avoid that. One does not remain normal for quite some time afterward.”

“……”

The Grey Absolute had already tasted a light version of the Wind Family’s training from the Origin of the Mage God. The intensity was enough to completely shatter any pride he had in his patience and perseverance. It consisted solely of repeated basic training and sparring. Neither teacher nor student rested. Rest reduced the effectiveness of the training. Therefore there was no rest and no sleep. It was a continuous process of keeping one’s life hanging by a thread while forcing the body to constantly transcend its limits. This continued until the target level was reached.

This reckless training, combined with the bloodline reinforcement known as “hereditary strengthening,” was why the Wind Family produced a Ten Center-level expert every ten thousand years.

There was no right of refusal. Rejecting basic training led directly to sparring. Rejecting sparring led directly to beatings. And the beatings were not at a level one could simply endure by begging to be killed. They used special absolute techniques that made endurance impossible.

That is why the Sword of Ruin and Soul is used for the Wind Family’s training.

Since the Sword of Ruin and Soul could never deliver death under any circumstances, they could strike without restraint. Refusing training only increased the pain.

Understanding all this, he immediately grasped the Great God’s meaning.

Whether I get beaten while fighting or get beaten in training, the result is the same. I have no choice but to challenge. But what the hell is this? I only planned to deal with the Black Flame and be done with it. Why do I suddenly have to challenge Jinri?

His body trembled with rising fury as he looked down at the letter of challenge. There were no traps in the document. There was no content. His name and the title alone said everything. There was no specified time or place, yet he understood. Judging from their calm expressions, the moment the ranking battle ended, this challenge letter would be delivered to Jinri and the ordeal would begin here. These people would not fear even Jinri as an opponent. They would not resort to tricks to delay it. They would simply fight with composure.

Challenging Jinri was simply part of daily life for the Ten Centers.

So this is what it means to be one of the Ten Centers. The ten pillars and spears that support the Absolute Realm. They truly are the strongest beings that Jinri cherishes most.

Grinding his teeth, he steadied his trembling fingers and calmly signed beside his name.

And now I too am one of the Ten Centers. I will become Jinri’s pride. That is now my final wish in this life.

He had already grown far too large and lofty to show weakness or hesitation. Above him now there was only Jinri. All that remained were Jinri’s decisions and their execution. Nothing else was worth paying attention to.

Thus, the final line of the letter of challenge was completed with the signature of the Grey Absolute.

Scritch.

Grey Absolute, Sian II.

It was the name obtained by the future self of the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Dimensional Magic God, who had permanently sealed his original name to minimize the negative effects of karma.