"Sigh!"
A sigh came from behind her.
It was filled with helplessness.
And a hint of weariness.
"You really don't have to do this. Aeolia was a bastard, but you're a good girl."
The slightly aged voice carried a hint of pleading.
Mimi smiled instead.
"That's right. I know I'm a good girl, so I have to clean up Aeolia's mess-that arrogant bastard was always trying to surpass the 'Ten Steps to Godhood.'
And yes, he did it!
But did that bastard think everyone was as talented as he was?
The 'Ten Steps to Godhood' were already hard enough.
The Seventeenth Rank, beyond the 'Ten Steps to Godhood'...
Could anyone possibly set foot on it?"
Mimi stroked her beloved pipe, murmuring softly.
"He did create the Seventeenth Rank.
But it only means something if someone can climb it!
So I have to make sure someone can climb these seventeen steps!"
With that, Mimi hurled her pipe away.
The food qi within it erupted like a tsunami.
Mimi took a deep breath.
Like a whale sucking in water, she drew all that food qi into her belly.
Immediately, a layer of force-field protection formed over her [Physique].
Then Mimi slapped her belly.
The food stored in her stomach began burning rapidly.
At once, Mimi's aura began to surge.
She advanced through the layers of Entry Rank, one after another, until-
Ascension Rank!
Ascending the Seventeenth Rank!
Mimi stepped upward, and when she set foot on the first step...
Cough!
A soft cough escaped her.
Blood spilled from her mouth.
"You bastard, is this something any normal person could climb?
This backlash-you really went too far!"
As she spoke, Mimi slapped her lower belly again. The food in the other four stomachs hidden inside her began burning rapidly.
Immediately, Mimi's aura rose