CHAPTER 175: CHAPTER175-THE FRUSTRATED HUMAN EMPEROR

Had the level cap of the human race really been shattered just like that?!

When the humans received the system notification, their expressions all froze in stunned disbelief. It was hard to process.

In a single day, they had gone through more changes than the entire human race had experienced in the past several thousand years.

And all of these sweeping transformations weren’t due to the efforts of the Human Emperor—they were thanks to Daniel!

This "chosen one" from the Crossbridge Kingdom had awakened just one day ago, yet his presence had already reshaped the fate of the human race.

Even His Majesty the Human Emperor couldn’t compare.

Now, people didn’t even wait for official announcements anymore. The moment anything monumental occurred, they immediately assumed:

This must be Daniel’s doing.

On the communications network, a new wave of excitement was surging like wildfire.

"Lord Daniel is amazing—he actually unlocked the human race’s level cap!"

"I bet Lord Daniel is the one chosen by the gods! Just look at how generous the buffs from the Infinite Divine Temple are compared to other gods!"

"All I have to say is—Daniel is an absolute legend!!"

The Human Emperor had just received Daniel’s latest message and was preparing to issue an official announcement when he caught a glimpse of the exploding discussion online.

Reading those comments, the corner of the Emperor’s mouth twitched slightly.

So... was there even any need for him to post an announcement anymore?

Apparently now, every major achievement made by the human race would just be credited directly to Daniel?

But... the first half of the Rank-Up Quest had been his doing!

For a brief moment, a trace of bitterness rose in the Human Emperor’s heart. But it quickly faded.

After all, Daniel’s contributions were clear as day. Without him, the second half of the quest never would have been completed.

Still... it seemed like he no longer needed to pave the way for Daniel.

The Emperor had originally planned to gradually build Daniel’s reputation, let him win over the people’s hearts, and only after he was universally accepted would he pass on the throne.

But now?

That plan seemed unnecessary.

The people were practically begging to hand the Human Emperor’s title over to Daniel.

As for himself... did anyone even remember him anymore?

Just then, the Emperor noticed something that made his face darken further: the communications network was now filled with comparisons between himself and Daniel.

"Who has contributed more to humanity: The Human Emperor or Daniel?"

"Daniel’s Rise: 20 Questions You Must Ask About the Human Emperor’s Attitude."

"Youthful Human Emperor vs. Daniel: A Power Breakdown."

...

Reading this endless stream of articles and debates, the Human Emperor’s face turned as dark as a burnt pot.

"I mean... yes, I agree Daniel’s amazing. But are you guys seriously painting me like some washed-up nobody?!"

"I’m still the second-most gifted individual in a thousand years!"

"Don’t I deserve any recognition?"

He sighed lightly, but deep down, he had to admit... they weren’t entirely wrong.

Even though he had once dominated his generation and was hailed as a peerless prodigy, compared to Daniel, his brilliance really did seem a bit dim.

In truth, these discussions did make sense.

The Emperor let out a long sigh, murmuring to himself:

"Kid, when will you reach Tier 20?"

"The future of the human race... really should be handed over to you."

...

Of course, it wasn’t just the human race that had advanced. The elves had also undergone a massive surge in strength.

And this, too, was thanks to the Infinite Divine Temple.

As the collective power of the elven race increased, Daniel’s status among them rose as well—reaching an unprecedented height.

Even Alice, the elven saintess, was no longer as popular as Daniel.

To put it simply: Daniel was now the most respected figure in the entire elven race—second only to the Elven Queen herself.

In fact, the Elven Queen was even considering adding a new king to the royal line.

She’d noticed that Alice didn’t seem to dislike Daniel... Perhaps there was an opportunity here to strengthen the bond between them?

But the Queen thought even further than that.

Why exactly could this so-called Lord Crossbridge, from the Infinite Divine Temple, provide such extraordinary buffs to his followers?

Was it possible that... his power far surpassed that of all other gods?

That thought alone made the Elven Queen’s expression grow solemn like never before.

...

Meanwhile, at the Star Upgrade Hall, a massive crowd of fully-leveled awakeners had gathered.

Their faces were filled with emotion. Their eyes, locked onto the hall, gleamed with a reverence that bordered on religious.

They had waited for this day for what felt like an eternity.

These Tier 20 awakeners were among the elites of the human race.

And yet, they had long been stranded at the pinnacle of their power, unable to break through.

But now, because of Daniel, their dreams had finally become reality.

The 5-star adventurer class was no longer the end—they could now push forward toward 6 stars!

"Thank you, Lord Daniel. If not for you, us old fogeys would have been stuck at a dead end forever."

"Indeed. Daniel is the true hope of our race. I nominate him as Heir to the Human Throne!"

"Heir? Why not go all the way and have His Majesty abdicate right now?!"

"That’s right! Under Lord Daniel’s leadership, humanity will surely flourish!"

Truthfully, there had never been a hero with such incredible achievements in the entire history of the human race.

That was why, despite their loyalty to the Emperor, even the most established awakeners here were pushing to elevate Daniel—a mere newcomer.

Because his very presence... felt like destiny.

However, after the surge of excitement faded, a shared gloom settled on the crowd.

The human race’s tier breakthrough was undoubtedly uplifting—but it also came with a fatal downside:

Time was running out.

The Millennial Apocalypse was already beginning. The human race needed combat power—and needed it now.

No one had the luxury to undertake long, personal Star Upgrade Quests.

"Sigh..."

A collective sigh echoed through the hall as the 5-star awakeners silently grappled with the reality.

But just then, a deafening BOOM erupted from the direction of the Northern Frontier.

BOOM... RUMBLE...!

"What was that?!"

Hundreds of awakeners immediately turned toward the north, their instincts sharp as blades.

With the apocalypse looming so near, every single person was on edge.

And then they saw it.

Suspended in the skies over the northern frontier, a massive city had appeared out of thin air.

Its structure was deep red, as if forged from blood and clay, oozing with a chilling aura.

The moment it emerged, every person who gazed upon it felt an unmistakable presence descend upon the world—

An aura that did not belong to the living.

"Can someone tell me what that thing is?!"

"Why do I feel... this soul-deep fear crawling through my bones?!"