Just call me Thor

Shadow Nine, carrying Gregory, transformed into a black shadow and swiftly traversed through space.

Before long, they returned to Earth, arriving at the base of the Tower of Truth.

A white cloud lifted Professor Gregory, suspending him outside the ninety-ninth floor.

Apollo's voice echoed from within the tower,

"Instructor, Professor Gregory."

"Explain what exactly is going on."

Shadow Nine, shrouded in black mist, clearly sensed that something was amiss.

His unique condition made him highly sensitive to talents.

After hearing Mike's explanation, everyone present sensed that Gregory's talent was unusual, but they tacitly chose not to mention it.

Ordinary talents wouldn't have so many effects.

Unlocking nine effects in succession seemed more like the nine awakenings of an SSS-grade talent.

Yet the effects were too weak.

Barely SS-grade, let alone SSS-grade.

Facing Shadow Nine's inquiry, Apollo was silent for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts.

He spoke again, "I mentioned to you that a hundred years ago, I made a deal with a certain entity."

Gregory remained silent; this was a matter between the instructor and student, and outsiders had no place to intervene.

Shadow Nine nodded, indicating he remembered the matter.

"I help him three times, he helps me three times."

Apollo yawned, looking a bit tired, "Today, I used the second opportunity."

Shadow Nine coldly remarked, "If I recall correctly, you've already helped him twice?"

"Yes."

"Can I just slash him to death and avoid the last favor?"

Gregory: ...

Shadow Nine's approach left the eight-hundred-year-old professor at a loss.

Is this how exploits work now?

If it can't be done through game mechanics, just do it physically?

Apollo shook his head, "He still owes me one more favor."

"Suit yourself."

The conversation between the instructor and student ended there, and Apollo turned to Gregory.

"Professor Gregory, you've worked hard."

"If you have any requests, feel free to ask."

Clearly, Gregory's three awakenings came at a cost.

"From today, you cannot leave the Tower of Truth."

Apollo slowly said, "During the day, you can stay in the conquered levels of the Tower of Truth, the Core City of Truth, and Private Spaces.

From midnight to 6:10 AM, you can challenge levels, but the conquer rewards will be halved. Try not to leave the Tower of Truth before reaching level 990, unless accompanied by a Supreme Being, otherwise..."

Even without Apollo finishing, everyone present understood.

Exploiting a loophole to awaken a talent always came with a price.

"I thought you wouldn't let me enter the tower anymore."

Hearing Apollo's words, Gregory felt relieved.

"That's not a big deal."

Just another Tower of Truth shut-in.

Moreover, Gregory was known for his research on the Tower of Truth and creating strategies.

Such a life wouldn't be boring for him.

He could challenge levels when possible to improve his strength.

When he couldn't, he could research other floors and complete strategies.

"Alright."

Apollo finished speaking and summoned a white cloud to send Gregory back to the eighth floor of the Tower of Truth.

Shadow Nine, however, didn't leave immediately. "Thor will come to you to ask about the Supreme Mark."

Apollo nodded, "Understood, I will tell him the truth."

Shadow Nine was silent for a minute, then asked, "Can't you lie?"

This time, it was Apollo's turn to be silent.

Though no one spoke, Shadow Nine felt as if he heard a single word in his ear.

"Boring."

"Do as you wish." Shadow Nine dropped the topic and said, "Announce Thor's class change tonight. The kid still has half a day in the Abyss."

"Alright."

The white cloud fell silent once more.

...

Abyssal Continent.

After Shadow Nine left with Professor Gregory, Mike felt he had been set up.

His feeling was soon confirmed.

Ares' voice came through.

"Cedric, share your insights on Fate's Reversal with Thor."

Cedric nodded and said, "Learn it but don't use it."

Mike: .....

If I'm not supposed to use it, can I just not learn it?

"Don't worry, I haven't started attacking yet."

Hearing Ares' reassurance, Mike felt a bit relieved.

Then he noticed his health bar plummeting!

In an instant, Mike's million health points dropped to just 1!

What was meant to happen had finally come.

There was no sensation of being slashed by a sword, no pain, just a feeling like a mosquito bite, but leaving his face a bit pale.

"Skill acquired: [Fate's Reversal]!"

[Fate's Reversal]: Upon receiving fatal damage, locks health at 1 and performs a forward attack, dealing 1 damage.

Health lock lasts for 5 seconds, during which no shields or healing can be received.

After the health lock ends, physical/magic defense is reduced to zero for 10 minutes.

Cost: None

CD: 24 hours

Mike: ???

Where's the high damage?

Why only 1 point!

Fortunately, Mike didn't rely on Fate's Reversal for damage.

He had long mastered output, and no damage could compare to his lightning.

But aside from the low damage, Fate's Reversal had many negative effects.

No healing or shields for 5 seconds, and zero defense for 10 minutes after.

"Five seconds of invincibility, then ten minutes of vulnerability?"

Looking at the description of Fate's Reversal, Mike fell into thought.

If he had to use Fate's Reversal, it would be fine in the Tower of Truth, where he could revive after death.

But in reality or the Abyssal Plane, using Fate's Reversal would put him in extreme danger if he couldn't resolve the enemy within 5 seconds!

This skill was indeed as Cedric Blackwell said: learn it but don't use it.

However, as a skill that could 'lock health,' it was better to have it than not!

There were two correct ways to use Fate's Reversal.

1. Enter the 5-second health lock state and kill all surrounding enemies.

This way, the side effects wouldn't matter.

Even with 1 health point left, he would still be alive.

2. Quickly retreat from the battlefield during the 5-second health lock!

If he ran fast enough, he wouldn't have to worry about losing health.

One was aggressive, the other cautious.

The former was clearly Ares' original intention for Fate's Reversal.

A typical aggressive approach: once I draw my sword, I'll kill you all.

The latter was the best choice for the cautious.

Five seconds was actually quite a long time to escape!

But Mike was different!

He was both aggressive and cautious!

When Mike used Fate's Reversal, there would only be one outcome: kill all enemies and then run!

If he didn't kill the enemies, he wouldn't feel safe running, leaving hidden dangers.

With health down to 1 point, running away was inevitable!

Therefore, Mike could only choose to kill all enemies before running.

"What are we doing now?"

Mike, with only 1 health point, weakly asked.

Being slashed by Ares, his health was down to 1, but there was no substantial damage to his body.

It was like having all his useless organs slashed away, yet still living well.

The key issue was the mental impact!

For Mike, losing 1 health point and having only 1 health point left were essentially the same.

Both meant he was close to death.

Now he was really close to death, barely hanging on.

"Taking you for a tour of the Abyss."

Ares walked ahead, leaving Mike with a view of his back.

"The Fifth demon god still owes me three sword strikes. I need to run an errand and settle that score."

"Follow me."

Wow—

Mike couldn't help but gasp.

To talk about slashing a demon god like going grocery shopping, Ares must be one of a kind.

Truly powerful, Ares!