JR.GOD

Shan arrived at the test site, scanning the area with anticipation. To his surprise, a large crowd of people was already gathered, all waiting for their turn. His stomach sank. I thought I'd be the first... this is going to be harder than I expected.

He stood in line, fidgeting nervously as the minutes ticked by. The tension grew unbearable when he saw a boy walking out of the test chamber, tears streaming down his face. Shan recognized him immediately—the same boy who had teased him at the riverside.

Shan smirked slightly and muttered under his breath, "He deserved it."

After an agonizing hour of waiting, a voice called out, "Shan!"

His chest tightened as he stepped forward, his heart pounding like a drum. He entered the chamber to find Elesta standing at the center, her gaze calm yet piercing.

"You are Shan, correct?" she asked, her voice carrying a quiet authority.

"Yes, I am," Shan replied, his voice steady despite his nerves.

Elesta studied him intently, her mind recalling the Celestial King's command: Do not let him receive the ichor, no matter what.

"Let's see if you're worthy of the ichor," she said finally.

"Let's begin," Shan said, bracing himself.

Elesta's lips curved into a faint smile. "For this test, you must meditate. Clear your mind completely. I can read minds, so don't even think about trying to deceive me."

Shan nodded, closed his eyes, and began to meditate. Elesta's expression grew serious as she reached out with her divine senses, expecting to find stray thoughts or distractions in Shan's mind.

But to her shock, his mind was perfectly clear—a serene emptiness that even she couldn't penetrate.

Ten minutes passed. Finally, Elesta said, "You've passed the test, Shan."

Shan's heart leaped with joy, but he held back his excitement as she gestured to five ornate boxes laid out before him.

"Inside one of these boxes lies the ichor," she explained. "Choose wisely. If you fail, you may try again another time."

Shan nodded, his determination blazing in his eyes. "I won't fail."

He closed his eyes again and focused intently on the boxes. Moments later, his eyes snapped open.

"These boxes don't hold the ichor," he said confidently.

Elesta's eyes widened. "What? How could you know that?"

"It's just... instinct," Shan replied, his tone calm but firm.

Elesta stared at him in disbelief. How could he detect that so easily? she thought.

"You're right," she admitted, shaking her head in astonishment. "But your final test remains."

Shan straightened, his resolve unshaken. "What is it?"

Elesta stepped forward, her aura flaring with divine power. "You must fight me."

Shan stood in the center of the arena, brimming with determination. As he readied himself for the fight, one of the gods approached Elesta, whispering cautiously, "Captain, this isn't part of the Stage 3 test."

Elesta's expression remained calm but firm. "It's the King's order. I can't disobey it," she replied quietly, then turned her attention back to Shan.

"Ready... Go!" she commanded.

Shan charged forward, his fist aimed directly at her. But Elesta, with her ability to read minds and anticipate every movement, dodged his attack effortlessly. She weaved through his strikes like a leaf in the wind, her composure unbroken.

"You're insane!" Shan exclaimed in frustration.

Elesta smirked, her voice calm yet challenging. "If you want to become a god, you'll have to do much better than this."

Undeterred, Shan doubled down, launching attack after attack. But no matter how fast or forceful his movements, Elesta evaded every punch, every kick, as though she were toying with him.

"You're just dodging! That's not fair!" Shan shouted, his frustration boiling over. "Why don't you attack me instead?"

Elesta chuckled softly. "Fine," she said, her voice tinged with a dangerous edge. "I'll defeat you without lifting a finger—only using my aura."

"Do it if you can," Shan shot back, his voice defiant.

Elesta's eyes narrowed. She released her divine aura, an overwhelming wave of energy that swept through the arena like a storm. The gods observing from the sidelines shouted in alarm.

"All fall back! Captain Elesta is releasing her aura!"

The crowd of gods and mortals scattered in panic, fleeing from the suffocating power that filled the room. Shan, however, found himself frozen in place. His arms and legs refused to obey him as the pressure bore down on him.

When he managed to lift his gaze, he saw Elesta surrounded by a swirling red aura, her eyes glowing with an intense white light. The sheer magnitude of her power made him feel as if he were standing at the gates of hell itself.

"You can't stand against a god's power," Elesta said coldly. "Go home. You're not worthy to become a god."

But Shan clenched his fists, his voice echoing with resolve. "I will not return home until I become a god. I will never give up!"

Elesta paused, studying him. Slowly, she absorbed the aura back into her body. "You... you are truly remarkable, Shan," she said, her tone softening. "I've never met a mortal who could remain standing in the presence of my aura. You are worthy."

She stepped forward, placing the ichor before him. "This is the final step. Drink it. If the ichor harms you, you'll never become a god. If it doesn't... you've succeeded."

Shan hesitated for only a moment before raising the ichor to his lips. Elesta muttered under her breath, "Forgive me, my lord. I couldn't stop him."

As the ichor flowed through Shan's body, he felt an intense, searing heat spreading from within. His entire being began to change, his senses heightening, his power surging.

But before the transformation could complete, a sudden explosion rocked the chamber.

"Attack!" came a shout from the side.

Elesta turned, her eyes narrowing as a group of devils surged into the room. "Stay back, Shan!" she ordered. "I'll handle this!"

But before she could act, the world around her blurred. In the blink of an eye, she found herself standing in a twisted version of the castle. Confused, she scanned her surroundings.

"What's happening?" Elesta demanded.

A sinister laugh echoed through the chamber. Lucifer emerged from the shadows, his grin wicked. "Welcome to my domain, Elesta. You're under my control now."

Elesta's eyes blazed with fury. "So, this is your game? You'll regret this, Lucifer!"

Releasing her full aura, the illusion shattered like glass, revealing the true reality. The devils attempting to seize Shan were paralyzed, their bodies crumpling under the weight of her power.

"Shan, hold my hand!" Elesta commanded.

Without hesitation, Shan reached out and grasped her hand. In an instant, they were airborne, soaring away from the battlefield. As they flew toward safety, Lucifer's enraged voice echoed behind them.

"Elesta! You damn girl! You'll pay for this!"

Elesta ignored his threats, her focus on Shan. "You've proven yourself today, Shan. But this is just the beginning. Prepare yourself—for the trials ahead will be even greater."