Previously on Awakening The Only SSS-Rank Class! Now Even Dragons Obey Me...
Three months after the war, Daniel visits Varnos, who has lost his powers and status but has accepted his fate. Varnos plans to seek recovery in the Celestial Domain, while Daniel intends to ascend the Tower and head to the Central Continent. Naya reveals her own A-Rank advancement and a contract with the Queen of Spirits, alongside three new spirit companions.
Upon opening the door, Daniel was immediately enveloped by a warmth that resonated from within, transcending mere temperature or weather.
A gentle yellow luminescence bathed the living room, mingling with the aroma of freshly prepared food. The soft murmur of Alice and Tiana’s conversation drifted through the walls.
For a fleeting instant, Daniel paused, not from fatigue, but from the profound sense of peace this sanctuary offered—a space devoid of conflict.
He reflected on the past three months. While a semblance of calm had been present, it paled in comparison to this overwhelming tranquility. It felt as though, after enduring so much hardship, his family could finally find respite, however brief.
This serene state, where worries ceased and vigilance was unnecessary, had been long forgotten.
He stepped inside.
"You're back early," Liana remarked from the table, where she was arranging something, without turning around.
It was evident she had anticipated his usual late return, but tonight, it seemed, they would finally be reunited after an extended period apart.
"My work is concluded," Daniel stated, closing the door behind him.
"Thinking back, our experience on the first floor felt significantly more arduous than yours," Alice commented, lifting her head from the couch. Her eyes retained their characteristic spark, yet a veiled exhaustion lay beneath.
"Ours was by no means easy, yet he contended with a B-rank threat," Tiana muttered, reclining on the sofa.
Daniel settled near them, his attention shifting between the sisters. He observed the discernible transformations in them, not just in their cultivated power but also in the depth of their gazes. Both girls had clearly evolved since conquering the first floor.
Their combat prowess had undoubtedly surged, bolstered by the tower’s boons. Their abilities had amplified beyond previous expectations.
However, the changes ran deeper than mere power; their self-assurance had grown immeasurably, tempered by the trials they had faced, which had instilled a commendable restraint in their pride.
"Your level? I doubt it. If you had endured what I did, survival would have been questionable," Daniel responded with a touch of sarcasm.
The sisters met his remark with amused, almost predatory glances. Alice even playfully stuck out her tongue, clearly unconvinced by his words.
In their minds, nothing could possibly rival the harrowing ordeal of their first floor. Even with their augmented strength, they had teetered on the brink of death.
They were certain their brother was merely attempting to downplay their achievements.
"Nevertheless, were you frightened?" Daniel shifted the topic as he perceived his words were not landing as intended.
"Yes," Alice replied after a moment of introspection, her gaze drifting to an unseen point. She inhaled sharply.
This marked their inaugural foray into the tower, their first true combat experience. Though the knowledge that death within the tower was not permanent offered a psychological safety net, it couldn't entirely negate the palpable terror.
They had faced genuine life-or-death struggles.
"But we didn't flee," she added, a smile gracing her lips.
Daniel remained silent, but his mind conjured vivid imagery.
Darkness, the unsettling rustle of unseen creatures, dwindling provisions, eyelids too heavy to dare close.
Their assigned floor had been a brutal test of endurance, a nocturnal gauntlet through a shadowed forest where each passing night escalated the peril. This relentless adversity was particularly daunting for them, given their lack of prior experience with such extreme conditions.
"On the first day, we believed our task was merely to vanquish monsters..." Tiana interjected.
More significantly, it was the first time they had been compelled to kill beings other than mere monsters.
"We were mistaken," she confessed with a wry smile.
"The objective was straightforward: survive ten nights and locate the forest's energy nexus to pass," Alice explained.
The primary challenge lay in discovering this energy source, a point from which potent mana emanated. Unlike ambient mana, this was a concentrated source that required them to actively seek it out.
This endeavor was far from simple. Each night demanded their utmost to survive the onslaught of corrupted beasts, and this struggle was compounded by confrontations with other participants.
Compounding their difficulties, they also battled several indigenous inhabitants of that floor, leading to forced confrontations and fatalities. Alice assimilated this harsh reality with relative ease.
However, for Tiana, the experience proved considerably more taxing.
"Enough now. Let's eat," Liana announced, emerging from the kitchen with plates, which she placed on the table.
The family convened around the table.
Daniel quietly began his meal, his attention, however, fixated more on his companions than on his food.
Liana regarded her daughters with a discerning eye, her gaze unable to fully shake off a lingering unease.
"Did you make any acquaintances?" she inquired, a smile touching her lips as a thought occurred to her.
"A few. Another team offered their assistance," Alice replied with a shrug.
"If they hadn’t been there, we might have failed," Tiana stated.
"So, there are still kind people in this world," Liana offered a gentle smile.
"Or maybe they simply didn't wish to perish alone," Alice chuckled, lightening the mood.
The atmosphere subtly shifted, becoming less tense.
Tiana recounted a tale of a past blunder, how instead of staying hidden, they had inadvertently made noise, attracting a significant portion of the forest's inhabitants toward them.
Alice interjected, offering a correction to the narrative.
Liana listened, a smile gracing her lips.
Daniel, meanwhile, simply observed the exchange.
"This... is good," a silent thought echoed in his mind. Yet, beneath that sentiment lay something he himself hadn't fully acknowledged.
These tranquil moments were fleeting, and who knew when they might experience another peaceful night together.
"What's the next objective?" Daniel inquired.
"The second floor," Alice replied instantly.
"But not just yet. We need to prepare further," Tiana quickly added.
"An excellent objective. However, avoid rushing. Reflect on your experiences from the first floor and strive to reach at least the peak of C-rank, or very close to it," Daniel advised, nodding.
The two young women nodded in agreement. These words mirrored the counsel they had received from their instructors and guild leader.
Time drifted by peacefully. The light within the dwelling gradually faded.
Tiana was the first to succumb to sleep. Soon after, Alice grew quiet, her eyelids grew heavy, and she too drifted into a peaceful slumber.
Daniel and Liana observed this scene in quiet contemplation.
"I must depart now."
"Take care of yourself, my child," Liana said, embracing her son.
Daniel remained silent, cherishing his mother's embrace for a moment. Then, bidding farewell, he left the house.
The night air felt refreshingly cool.
Though the city still bore its wounds, under the soft glow of the moonlight, everything appeared more serene. He vanished from his spot, only to reappear before the towering structure.
From a distance, it loomed like an immense shadow against the night sky.
Daniel began walking towards it. Upon reaching the entrance, he paused for several seconds. He then reached into his inventory, retrieving several items.
Keys.
This decision wasn't made spontaneously. He had already resolved to visit the tower and had meticulously prepared these keys over the preceding three months.
His gaze lingered on the tower's imposing gate for a moment before he stepped forward and entered.
