Chapter 31: Ascension Tower II

Normally, the only way to reach the next floor was to complete the Floor Guardian Challenge.

There was no limit to how many people could participate in the challenge at the same time.

Because of this, most Awakened formed groups of fifty to a hundred people before attempting it. Working together made the challenge much easier and gave everyone a better chance of reaching the next floor.

There was also no permanent death during the challenge.

If someone died inside the challenge, they would simply be returned to the hall after failing.

However, there was a limit.

After failing the Floor Guardian Challenge three times, an Awakened would be banned from attempting that floor again.

Ryan looked toward the large entrance at the end of the hall.

"Okay, I’m ready," he said as he walked toward the reception desk where tickets for the challenge were being handed out.

The receptionist looked up.

"How many people?"

"Only one," Ryan replied.

The receptionist paused.

"Sorry, did you say one?"

Ryan nodded.

"Yes, just one."

The receptionist looked at him strangely.

"Well, you’re free to try."

He handed Ryan a challenge ticket.

Ryan looked at the number printed on it.

His turn would come after sixty groups had challenged the Floor Guardian.

"That’s going to take a while."

Ryan didn’t mind.

He walked toward the waiting area and ordered a drink.

After finding an empty seat, he sat down and opened his status screen.

He had some time to kill anyway.

Ryan Drake — Status

Name: Ryan Drake

Race: Human

Age: 18

Level: 100

Class: S-Rank Death Blade Knight

Titles: The one who reached the limit

Talents

Perfect Loot (SSS)

Totem Creation (A)

Poison Manipulation (A)

Race Traits

Lesser Draconic Physique

Greater Undead Physique

Special Abilities

Perfect Poison Affinity

Dragon’s Vitality

Attributes

Strength: 999 (+400)

Agility: 999

Constitution: 999 (+450)

Intelligence: 999

Stat Points: 200

Health & Mana

Health: 11,988 / 11,988

Mana: 11,988 / 11,988

Class Skills

Death Blade Aura

Death Knight Physique

Death Blade Execution

Skills

Common

Basic Sword Mastery

Basic Shield Mastery

Uncommon

Dark Empowerment

Spirit Sense

Spirit Wolf

Spirit Serpent

Spirit Bear

Ritual of Blessings

Ritual of Purification

Brutal Swing

Black Water Breath

Venom Claw

Wing Gust

Death Slash

Death Step

Death Pressure

King’s Command

Bone Armor

Undead Strengthening

Death Blade Mastery

Death Armor

Bone Spear Storm

Soul Flame

Fallen Blessing

Holy Ruin

Dark Purification

Corrupted Healing

Blood Step

Blood Blade

Blood Drain

Night Vision

Rare

Elemental Communion

Bone Crushing Strike

Passive Skills

Death Resistance

Physical Damage Resistance

Summons

Spirit Wolf — Lv. 100

Spirit Serpent — Lv. 100

Ice Spirit "Blizzy" — Lv. 100

Orc Shaman Chief — Lv. 100

Black Water Wyvern — Lv. 100

Skeleton King — Lv. 100

Death Knight — Lv. 100

Skeleton Great Mage — Lv. 100

Fallen Priest — Lv. 100

Vampire Baroness — Lv. 100

"I really do have a lot of skills," Ryan muttered with a faint smile.

"Though I probably won’t use most of them anyway. If my summons can handle the fighting for me, why would I put myself at risk?"

He closed his status screen and leaned back in his chair.

"It’s going to be a long wait."

With nothing else to do, Ryan pulled out his phone and started browsing through the latest dramas to pass the time.

After a while, someone called out to him.

"Ryan Drake."

"Ryan Drake!"

Ryan looked up from his phone and saw a young woman standing nearby.

He stared at her for a moment as he searched through his memories.

"Reina Stars?"

"At least you remember me."

Reina smiled as she pulled out the chair across from him and sat down.

Ryan looked at her quietly.

A member of the royal family.

He remembered her now.

Reina Stars was one of the princesses of the Divine Stars Empire and a former classmate of his at the academy.

She had long platinum-lavender hair that shimmered almost like silver beneath the lights. Her pale violet eyes were calm and bright, giving her an elegant and refined appearance.

"Are you challenging the Guardian too?" she asked.

Ryan nodded and set his phone aside.

"Hmm? But I don’t see any of your teammates."

Reina glanced around the waiting area.

Ryan was sitting there completely alone.

"I’m challenging it alone," he replied.

Reina stared at him for a moment before letting out a small chuckle.

"You don’t have to be so stubborn. It’s not like I’m going to steal your teammates."

"I’m not joking. I’m really challenging it alone."

The smile on Reina’s face slowly faded.

"Fine. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to."

She paused before looking at him again.

"But how exactly do you plan to pass the challenge with an F-Rank Knight Class?"

She tilted her head slightly, studying him.

"Hmm... Don’t tell me you’re one of those talentless Awakeners who thinks they can somehow climb the Tower all by themselves?"

Ryan let out a quiet scoff.

Her words were filled with such blatant disrespect that he couldn’t help but feel irritated.

"What I choose to do has nothing to do with you," he said coldly.

Reina smiled again.

"I know. But I’m currently missing a teammate. Why don’t you join me? If you do, passing to the next floor should be easy."

She leaned back slightly.

"I know you’re working alone because nobody is willing to take you into their team. So why not work with me instead?"

Ryan stared at her.

’So that’s why she came over.’

It suddenly made sense.

’No wonder this bitch suddenly started running her mouth at me for no reason.’

"Fuck off."

Ryan’s expression remained cold.

"I’m being polite, but I’m not interested."

Reina paused.

Then, instead of getting angry, she suddenly grinned.

"I’ve heard the saying that cornered rats will bite."

Her violet eyes gleamed with amusement.

"But I’ve never actually seen such an example up close."

Ryan frowned.

’What the hell is wrong with her?’

Reina continued speaking as if she hadn’t noticed his expression.

"Normally, people start groveling the moment they learn my surname."

She smiled.

"So this is actually the first time I’ve seen someone openly fight back against me."

Her smile widened.

"Ah... this is refreshing."

Ryan stared at her in disbelief.

’Is she actually crazy?’

The more he watched her, the more certain he became.

’She’s definitely a nutjob.’

Ryan pushed himself to his feet.

"It was nice meeting you, crazy bitch."

He turned around.

"And I hope we never meet again."

Without waiting for a response, Ryan walked away and headed toward another table to continue waiting.

Reina simply watched him leave.

She made no attempt to stop him.

A moment later, her maid suddenly appeared beside her. She glanced in Ryan’s direction with a cold expression.

"Miss, do you want me to teach him a lesson?" she asked.