Krelzak's final strike came crashing down like a meteor. His massive body leaped high, claws elongating like stone spears, while whirlwinds slammed in from all directions. Even the air in the arena grew thick and suffocating.
I tightened the energy of **Titan Stench**. One hand was no longer enough.
> "Come on… second hand, now!"
With a mental roar, a second Titan Stench hand burst out from my rotten shell—darker, more unstable, and reeking worse than ever. Both massive shadowy hands blocked Krelzak's mighty blow as it descended like a sledgehammer from the heavens.
**BOOOOOM!!!**
The ground split. Dust and foul wind swept the front rows of the audience, forcing them to step back. The impact was so immense that silence fell over the arena. Seconds felt like minutes.
Then...
Titan Stench's two hands seized Krelzak's arms and spun his body midair.
> "Now!"
With a full swing, I hurled Krelzak into the arena wall.
**CRAAACK!!!**
Cracks spiderwebbed across the thick stone. Krelzak stumbled out of the rubble, bloodied, panting, his knees shaking.
I didn't give him a chance. I rolled at full speed, then launched myself into the air, crashing down with my entire body wrapped in Titan Stench energy.
A combined strike: foul stench, physical pressure, and shadowy force. It was enough to make a stone-skinned monster like Krelzak scream and collapse.
The referee shouted:
> "KRELZAK CANNOT STAND! WINNER: STENCH GOLEM!"
The crowd exploded into a mix of cheers, confusion, disgust, and awe.
> "How can *stench* save your life?!"
> "That's no ordinary golem—that's… something else!"
I stood in the center of the arena, breath ragged. The energy of Titan Stench slowly faded, reabsorbed into my body. But I knew I had pushed my limits further than ever before.
---
Backstage, I nearly collapsed.
The organizers handed me a temporary wooden medal that read *Top 8 Qualifier*—it looked like a toy, but it meant everything. It marked that I'd cleared the early rounds and entered the quarterfinals.
One staff member leaned in and whispered:
> "Tomorrow's a rest day. The day after, your opponents will be veteran finalists. You'll need more than just 'stench' to win."
I just nodded. In my mind, one thing was clear:
> Titan Stench now had two hands. But to survive, I'll need more. Legs, weapons… maybe even a *face*?
---
That night, my children and I returned to our small patch of land on the outskirts of Govart. They greeted me with excited collisions (or more accurately: mini tackles that rolled into my body).
Oyen blinked with a tiny flame on his head.
> "Dad, you were amazing today!"
Putih, always quiet, whispered:
> "But your next enemy… can see energy. Stench won't be enough."
Hitam added:
> "We'll help you train. Starting tomorrow."
I looked up at the night sky over Govart. Titan Stench wasn't enough. This tournament wasn't just a test of survival—it was where I'd shape my very being.
Slowly, I began to understand…
> This is the path of evolution.
> From a rotten egg...
> To a legend.