Chapter 514: The Top of the Soul Tower

While the group was resting in the exit chamber of the third floor, Leon pulled out the [Soul Fragment] and an [Supreme Strength Enhancement (S+-Level)] sub-talent scroll from his [Storage Space].

"Here."

He handed the [Soul Fragment] to Celeste and the sub-talent scroll to Violet, whose current strength enhancement sub-talent was only S-Level.

"What’s the difference between this one and the other?" Violet asked skeptically, looking at the scroll. "Or do you want me to fuse it?"

"No." Leon shook his head. "There’s a ’+’ next to the S, which means it’s slightly better than the regular S-Level version."

"Oh...!" Violet examined the scroll again, finally noticing the difference. "That’s sneaky."

She immediately poured her mana into it, allowing the knowledge contained within to enter her mind.

A moment later, the scroll dissolved into light, and she felt her strength increase as the new sub-talent took effect.

[Supreme Strength Enhancement (S+-Level): Permanently increases strength by 250%.]

Her previous S-Level sub-talent increased her Strength by 200%, meaning this new version provided an additional 50 percentage points.

Since it was only a half-rank improvement rather than a complete advancement, the difference wasn’t as substantial as it could have been, but it was still an excellent upgrade.

Violet relied heavily on her physical strength and spirit, so improving one of those attribute would directly increase her combat effectiveness.

Even a relatively small improvement could make a difference when facing enemies as powerful as those waiting at the top of the tower.

"That’s much better," she said, flexing her fingers as she adjusted to her enhanced strength.

Leon nodded before turning his attention to Celeste, who was holding the [Soul Fragment] he had given her.

Celeste had already experienced its effects once, so she didn’t hesitate.

She consumed the fragment, and a faint light surrounded her body before gradually disappearing.

Fwoosh! Ding!

[Your soul grows slightly stronger.]

The improvement wasn’t particularly noticeable, but every increase in soul strength was valuable, especially when they were about to face the Lord of Souls.

Their enemies on the previous floors had already demonstrated how dangerous soul-related abilities could be, and the tower boss would undoubtedly possess even more powerful techniques.

"If I had to guess, three Soul Fragments are equal to one Soul Shard," Leon explained. "That means if we find another one, it’ll be like you’ve consumed a Soul Shard as well."

Celeste nodded, looking extremely excited at the possibility.

However, she soon noticed something else: the energy she had spent using her Darkness Embers had been completely restored.

After consuming the fragment, all her powers had returned, allowing her to use her abilities at full strength once again.

"That’s convenient," Leon remarked when she mentioned it, "Means we can ascend faster now."

Celeste agreed, although she was still pleased with the unexpected benefit.

Leon then reached into his inventory and took out a [Healing Potion], handing it to Violet.

"Here. Drink this before we leave."

"Thanks."

Violet accepted the potion and drank it, feeling its effects spread through her body almost immediately.

The wound on her shoulder began to close, and the pain gradually faded until she could move her arm freely again.

The potion had come from the Divine Academy students they had fought a few hours ago, and Leon was glad he had kept it.

With Violet’s injury healed and her strength improved, the group was finally ready to proceed.

Once everyone had finished their preparations, Leon looked at the three girls, his expression becoming serious.

"Once we reach the top, stay far away from the Lord of Souls until the battle actually begins and we know what we’re dealing with."

The girls turned toward him, understanding that he wasn’t making an ordinary suggestion.

"Even I have no idea what kind of tricks he might have," Leon continued. "A single attack from him could be enough to kill us instantly, so don’t approach him carelessly."

Each of them possessed at least an A-Level or S-Level soul-related talent.

However, that didn’t guarantee they could withstand the Lord of Souls’ attacks.

That entity had controlled souls within the tower for centuries, and whatever abilities it had developed during that time could be far more dangerous than anything they had encountered so far.

Leon himself couldn’t be certain how their soul-related defenses would perform against someone like him, so he wanted everyone to keep their distance until they understood the situation.

The girls nodded, taking his warning seriously.

With their preparations complete, the four of them passed through the final gate and stepped into the darkness beyond.

Fwoosh! Ding!

A few seconds later, they emerged somewhere else.

Unlike their previous transitions between floors, all four of them appeared together, allowing them to immediately assess their surroundings.

Ding!

[You have achieved something only a few souls managed to accomplish!]

[Unfortunately, that is where all their stories ended, and so will yours.]

Before them stretched an enormous throne hall, with a massive path running through its center toward a distant throne.

The floor was made of dark stone, and the sheer size of the chamber made the four newcomers appear insignificant as they stood near its entrance.

On both sides of the path, numerous humanoid figures clad in armor were kneeling.

Their heads remained lowered, and their weapons rested against the ground as though they were waiting for their master’s command.

None of them moved when Leon and the girls appeared, leaving the entire chamber strangely silent.

The throne stood at the far end of the hall, elevated above the surrounding floor and positioned where everyone entering the chamber would have a clear view of its occupant.

Above them, the ceiling was completely open, revealing the vast expanse of space beyond the tower.

They stood far above the clouds, with countless stars shining overhead and several planets visible in the distance, some appearing surprisingly close.

Even Leon couldn’t help admiring the scenery for a moment.

’Beautiful.’ He tightened his grip on his sword before shifting his attention toward the throne, ’I need to kill that thing.’

Indeed, the Lord of Souls, the target of his first hunt, was right there.