"Village Chief," Etor rumbled respectfully as he stopped before the largest figure among them. He inclined his massive head in deference. "This is one of the three humans who arrived in our settlement this time."

The figure that turned to face Max was older than the others, his presence heavier and more commanding. His hair was long, white as polished bone, and his beard flowed down to his chest, braided with rings of dull silver. His frame was immense even by the standards of his kind, though he carried himself with a solemn dignity rather than brute strength. By human reckoning, his face resembled a man in his sixties, yet his eyes betrayed an age that stretched far beyond.

Those eyes locked onto Max, and the weight of the gaze was immediate. It felt sharper than the pressure of the cave, piercing through his defenses as though every secret of his body lay bare. Max's heart tightened, and for the first time since entering the wasteland, a chill ran down his spine.

The village chief's voice came low and calm, but it carried an authority that silenced even the murmuring giants around him. "A dragon bloodline," he said after a moment, his gaze unmoving. "A divine bloodline of elves. And within you, a mass of energy as dark and violent as the devils themselves."

He straightened slowly, his expression unreadable as his words settled over the gathering. "Not bad," he continued, his tone unchanging. "You are barely qualified enough for this trial."

Max felt his breath quicken at the words of the old giant. Every secret he had buried within himself had been spoken aloud as if they were nothing more than open pages in a book. His dragon bloodline, the divine bloodline of elves, and the infernal energy—none of it had remained hidden.

For the first time since stepping into the Heavenly Lord Secret Domain, he felt a subtle edge of fear. The village chief was not like the others. His presence was not only heavier but sharper, more dangerous. He was a being who could see through the deepest layers of another's existence.

"What is your name, human?" the old giant asked at last, his voice rumbling like stone grinding against stone. His tone was calm, but it carried an authority that left no space for hesitation. "You may call me Chief Igris."

"I am Max," he replied simply, his voice steady though his chest still carried the weight of unease.

"Max, hmm," Chief Igris murmured, as though rolling the name across his thoughts. He gave a single slow nod before turning toward the other giant dwarves gathered around the fire. His deep voice carried across the courtyard with effortless command. "Bring out some meat. Give our guest Max more to eat."

At once, one of the giants moved toward the fire pit. He carried a ladle larger than a human's torso and dipped it into the boiling cauldron at the center. Steam rose in heavy waves, carrying with it the same intoxicating aroma that Max had smelled earlier.

With practiced movements, the giant pulled out a thick slab of meat, dripping with juices that hissed as they met the cooler air. He placed it carefully onto a stone plate and carried it toward Max, the ground quaking faintly with each of his strides.

The slab was set down before Max with deliberate care, the rich scent filling the air between them. It radiated warmth and energy, far stronger than the piece he had eaten earlier. Max could feel it even without touching it, a pulse of life and power that seeped into the surroundings like waves rippling across water.

"Eat," Chief Igris said, his eyes fixed on Max. "Let your body accept our land fully. Only then will you be prepared for what is to come."

Max looked down at the steaming meat, then back up at the old chief. He gave a short nod. He understood well enough—this was no act of kindness. This was part of the trial, another step forward, and he had no choice but to accept it.

And with that, Max lowered his head slightly and began to eat the slab of meat that had been placed before him. The taste was rich and heavy, the texture soft yet brimming with strange energy.

The moment it entered his body, he felt as though every vein and muscle was being filled with endless strength. It surged through him like a river breaking through a dam, boundless in its flow, spreading to every corner of his being. The oppressive weight pressing down on him weakened once again, fading away with every bite he took.

When the last of the meat was gone, Max sat silently for a moment, sensing the changes. His body pulsed with power, and he realized something startling. He no longer needed the golden glow of his Dragon Scales Transformation or the force of his one thousand Draconic Essences to hold himself steady.

He released them both, allowing their power to retreat into his core. The glow dimmed, the crackling aura stilled.

But the moment he let them go, his knee hit the ground. One leg bent under the pressure, pressing him into a half-kneeling position. His breath quickened, and he understood instantly. His body had adapted further, yes, but not fully. He needed more of this meat to completely withstand the crushing environment of the village.

"Eat some more," Chief Igris said. A faint smile tugged at the old giant's lips as he motioned with one hand. The same dwarf who had served him earlier stepped forward, carrying another slab of steaming meat. The aroma filled the air once again as it was placed before Max.

Without hesitation, Max picked it up and bit down, swallowing large pieces with sharp, deliberate motions. He wasted no time chewing slowly or questioning the act. The energy within the meat flowed into him like molten fire, spreading deeper than before, fusing with his bones and marrow. His shoulders straightened, his legs steadied, and the weight that had bent him moments ago slipped away like mist under sunlight.

When he finished, he exhaled slowly. For the first time since he had stepped foot into the violet wasteland, he felt truly free. The invisible shackles that had held him down since entering this part of the trial were gone. His body felt unrestrained, as though he were standing back on his own world with nothing binding him.

He stretched his arms once, the movements smooth and unhindered, and the relief was almost overwhelming.

His eyes lifted to meet Chief Igris's gaze. "About the trial," Max said at last, his voice steady. "What is this trial?"

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