Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant novel Chapter 681

A shadow appeared.

What had been a small circle gradually grew larger, then revealed its true form and slammed into the ground.

It was Hyman’s hand.

The collision of fists.

More precisely, Su-ho had struck it aside from the side with the edge of his hand.

As a result, Hyman’s hand was severed and fell to the ground.

Of course, losing one hand did not break his tempo.

Without even realizing his hand had been cut off, he immediately threw a combination with the opposite hand.

The problem was that the opposite hand followed the exact same path.

Only when he finally realized that both hands had been severed did Hyman stop moving.

Blood sprayed from his wrists like fountains.

The spraying blood once again moved toward Su-ho and was absorbed into him.

Hyman blankly watched that entire sequence of events.

Then he let out a faint laugh.

“I lost.”

“Good work.”

Hyman’s body shrank.

Su-ho reduced his size along with him.

Fortunately, when both of their bodies returned to their original size, Hyman’s hands were perfectly fine as well.

“Ta-da.”

He spread out both of his intact hands and made a mischievous expression.

“That’s a relief. I was already wondering whether I’d have to treat you.”

“This is the power of a genuine Titan Body. In that sense, congratulations.”

When Hyman held out his hand, Su-ho clasped it as well.

His grip felt so heavy that it was hard to believe those hands had been severed only moments ago.

“Thanks to you, I’ve realized something. From the beginning, the position of Giant King wasn’t something an ordinary man like me could hold. Only chosen people like you could become one.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

“It’s the truth. Because while fighting you, I ended up feeling a wall I could never overcome. Something like blood magic, for example?”

Instead of answering, Su-ho responded with a smile.

Well, if nothing else, something like blood magic was probably something that could never be learned without the System’s help.

“Then I suppose it’s time to give you what I owe you.”

He reached out his hand, clenched it, then opened it again.

Then a rune resembling the Rune of Giants appeared in his palm.

“It’s the Rune of Titans.”

“The Rune of Titans?”

“There are countless kinds of giants in the world. But among them, those who inherit the primordial bloodline and reach the realm of true giants are no longer called giants. They are called Titans.”

“Because they’re divine beings?”

“Something like that. And only power on the level of a Titan can turn someone who wasn’t born a giant into a true giant.”

The Rune of Titans moved from Hyman’s hand to Su-ho.

“Accept it.”

“......I’m not sure why, but I have a feeling this is going to hurt a lot.”

“Heheh, are you scared?”

“I remember suffering badly when I absorbed the Rune of Giants.”

“Heh heh, don’t worry. Back then, your very foundation had to be changed, so that was unavoidable. This time, at most, it’s only a process of changing the outer shell, so you’ll be fine.”

“Then.......”

Trusting Hyman’s words, Su-ho grasped the Rune of Titans.

[ Absorbing the Rune of Titans. ]

And then.

Thump!

His heart beat.

At the same time, his blood began boiling and terrible pain erupted throughout his entire body.

“Uh...... uh......!”

As Su-ho’s expression grew increasingly serious, Hyman grinned.

“Sorry. Actually, I was joking.”

“You son of a......!”

“Hahahaha! It wouldn’t be any fun if I just gave it to you, would it? I lost both of my hands!”

Thud!

Su-ho dropped to his knees.

Then.

Thud!

He fell again, his body pitching forward.

- Oof.

Jack came over to check on him, then pointed at him and asked.

- Is this okay?

“Of course. You know what kind of guy he is.”

- True.

“Let’s drink.”

- Sounds good.

The two of them headed toward the campfire with broad smiles.

***

How much time had passed?

“Huuuuugh!”

Su-ho got up like someone who had fallen into water and had only barely been pulled out.

Jack and Hyman watched him while chewing on meat, then spoke.

“Hmm, you woke up faster than I expected.”

- See? I told you. Drink up.

“Damn. Can’t be helped.”

Jack snickered while Hyman lifted a large cup of alcohol and gulped it down.

It was a penalty drink.

By then, Su-ho had finally come fully to his senses and frowned.

“What are you two doing?”

- We made a bet. On how many days it would take you to wake up.

“And?”

- I said three days. The old man said four. Whoever was closer to the actual number would win. But thanks to you waking up after two days, I won.

By then, Hyman had emptied his cup. He grimaced and let out a long, “Khh.”

“Geniuses really are different. To think you’d assimilate the Rune of Titans in only two days.”

“Ha...... I thought I was going to die.”

“You don’t die that easily from something like that. Especially now that you’ve obtained the body of a Titan.”

“Phew.”

Su-ho looked around with a tired expression.

But something that should have been visible was nowhere to be seen.

“Huh?”

“What is it?”

“I don’t see a System notification.”

“What, what do you mean?”

“I absorbed the Rune of Titans, but there’s no notification saying I finished absorbing it.”

“Is that important?”

“Of course it is. I’m still under the System’s authority.”

“Actually, I know. But you probably can’t see it right now.”

“Why?”

“Because you still haven’t received full acknowledgment?”