Dave sat in silence, his mind still reeling from the encounter with the God of Death. His eyes lingered on the spot where the god had disappeared, and the weight of the situation pressed down on him. The existence of gods—true, living gods—was far beyond anything he had ever imagined.
'If there are gods...' Dave thought, his brow furrowing, 'then where do I stand in all of this? How do I compare? Can I even reach their level?'
The thought gnawed at him, and he knew he needed answers. Turning his focus inward, he activated the system in his mind. It responded immediately, as always, waiting for his command.
"System," Dave said, his voice steady despite the storm of questions swirling in his mind. "Do you know anything about gods? The one I just encountered—do you know who or what they are?"
For a moment, there was silence. Then, the familiar mechanical voice of the system chimed in.
"The existence of gods is acknowledged. They are beings of immense power, far beyond the comprehension of most mortals. Their presence has been recorded across various realms and dimensions."
Dave's heart quickened. "So they do exist… but how many are there? Are they all as powerful as the one I saw? Can they be categorized or ranked?"
The system responded with its usual lack of emotion, the voice as neutral as ever. "Gods are not uniform in power. They vary in strength, authority, and domains they control. There are tiers among gods, but your current level of power is insufficient to access detailed information regarding them."
Dave clenched his fists. He expected that kind of answer, but it still stung. "Tiers... So, there's a hierarchy. Where do I stand in comparison? What rank do I need to reach before I can learn more about these gods?"
There was a slight pause, and when the system spoke again, its words cut through Dave like a cold wind. "You are far too weak. Your current strength is insignificant when compared to even the lowest-tier gods. You are a long way from even approaching the level of a demi-god."
The bluntness of the system's response stung, but it didn't surprise Dave. He had felt the overwhelming difference in power the moment the God of Death appeared. But hearing it spelled out so plainly was sobering.
"How far am I, exactly?" Dave asked, trying to get a more concrete understanding of his situation. "How many more ranks would I need to ascend to reach demi-god status, let alone godhood?"
Again, the system answered without hesitation. "You are far from reaching such a state. The gap between your current power and that of a demi-god is vast. It would require immense growth across multiple ranks and an understanding of powers that are currently beyond your reach."
Dave exhaled slowly. The weight of the answer wasn't unexpected, but it was still hard to hear. He had gained so much power already, but compared to the gods, he was still just a speck. It was frustrating to realize how far he had to go, especially after everything he had been through.
Still, Dave wasn't one to back down from a challenge. If there were levels of power beyond his current understanding, he would climb them. No matter how long it took.
"What can I do, then?" Dave asked, his voice calm, but with a fierce determination burning behind it. "What do I need to do to increase my power to the next rank? I want to move forward. What's my next step?"
The system processed his request for a moment before giving its response. "To increase your power and ascend to the next rank, you must continue to strengthen your stats and skills. You will need to acquire more experience through combat, exploration, and training. Additionally, seeking out higher-tier skills and artifacts that align with your unique system will be necessary for further advancement."
It was the answer Dave had expected. There were no shortcuts, no easy way forward. It was just like before—he would have to train, fight, and push himself to the limit to grow stronger. But at least now, he had a clearer goal in mind.
"Anything else?" Dave asked, pushing for more. "Is there something specific I can do that would boost me faster?"
The system paused for a moment longer this time, as if considering his request. "The path to greater power will require more than just raw strength. To advance further, you must learn to understand the nature of power itself. Mastery of your abilities, along with the acquisition of unique skills or relics tied to the gods, will accelerate your growth. However, such items are rare and not easily found within your current reach."
Dave nodded, absorbing the information. It was clear that the road ahead was long and dangerous, but that didn't deter him. If anything, it excited him. He had always thrived under pressure, and now he had a target—godhood itself.
The system remained silent after that, and Dave stood in the dimly lit room, his thoughts racing. He had learned a lot in the last few hours, but it was just the beginning. The journey to becoming a god—or at least, reaching the level of a demi-god—was going to be long, but he was determined to succeed.
His gaze shifted out to the horizon. There were still enemies to face, obstacles to overcome. He would need to be relentless, unstoppable. And when the time came, he would confront the gods themselves.