SSS Ranked Awakening: All My Skills Are at Level 100 Chapter 427: Entering the Tower

Leon surveyed the impressive array of newly acquired titles, a genuine sense of accomplishment washing over him despite the considerable hardships and immense sacrifices endured.

He elected not to delve into the specifics of their effects or benefits at this moment, confident that ample time would be available later to meticulously examine each one and fully grasp the advantages they conferred.

What truly ignited his curiosity and held his undivided attention was the tower itself—the very edifice he had paid the ultimate price to awaken.

His enhanced mystical sight zeroed in on the resplendent blue-white portal that now occupied the space where the sealed gate once stood. The vortex of energy exerted an almost magnetic, inescapable pull.

Turning to Seraphine, who had remained a steadfast presence throughout the entire ordeal, Leon inquired,

"Would you care to accompany me inside? We could explore the tower together."

As the newly appointed, low-level administrator of the tower—a title officially bestowed by the system—Leon’s mind had been instantly inundated with fundamental information about the structure the very instant the awakening process concluded successfully.

The tower, he now knew, contained immeasurable treasures and vast riches. It held resources capable of dramatically accelerating cultivation, artifacts of world-altering power, and knowledge lost to the ages.

However, every benefit within was intrinsically linked to corresponding peril. The trials were engineered to push individuals to their absolute breaking point, demanding either transcendence or annihilation.

Within its complete structure, the tower comprised a staggering one thousand floors, according to the administrator’s knowledge now integrated into his mind.

This revelation, however, did not strike him as entirely improbable, considering his augmented intellect. His Dimensional Hourglass, a compact artifact, could house an entire realm spanning countless kilometers. The principles of spatial compression and dimensional folding were evidently commonplace, fundamental techniques in high-level cosmic engineering.

Furthermore, the acquired information illuminated a fascinating aspect of the privilege and authority system: with each successive floor cleared under his administration, his privileges and authority would expand, and his understanding of the tower’s true nature and ultimate cosmic purpose would systematically deepen.

An additional detail sent Leon’s heart racing, a potent mix of exhilaration and apprehension coursing through him.

The basic briefing explicitly stated that thousands upon thousands of these Ascension Towers were strategically dispersed throughout the Solmyra Universe—his universe—and countless others yet unknown. These towers, it revealed, were interconnected within a vast network, serving some overarching, unified purpose that transcended individual worlds and civilizations.

This, he understood, represented the strict informational limit imposed by his current low-level administrator status.

To glean further insights—to truly comprehend the towers’ role in the universe’s grand tapestry—he would need to ascend the tower himself and conquer higher floors, thereby unlocking more profound knowledge.

Yet, one critical piece of information stood out with unparalleled significance:

The 50th floor was designated as the “true beginning” of the tower system. It served as a nexus, a gateway where the diverse worlds, each housing its own Ascension Tower, would converge. This juncture would permit individuals from disparate civilizations and realms to traverse between worlds, interacting directly within the tower and, subsequently, beyond.

This convergence, however, also heralded immense potential for invasion, conflict, and devastation. Upon clearing this pivotal floor, formidable hostile forces from other advanced worlds could potentially infiltrate his dimensional realm through the established tower connection, encountering minimal resistance.

Fortunately, the system incorporated a built-in grace period—a protective buffer designed to avert immediate catastrophe.

Should he fail to clear another floor within a ten-year span after reaching any major milestone, individuals from connected worlds could infiltrate his realm without restriction. However, prior to reaching this critical juncture, and without his explicit consent as the tower’s administrator, no entity could enter his world via his specific tower gateway.

Leon experienced a palpable surge of genuine fear, envisioning the dire consequences of hostile forces from advanced civilizations, whether technological or magical, relentlessly invading his realm, endangering and extinguishing all those he was striving to safeguard.

Yet, surpassing mere fear was an intense, fiery excitement igniting within his chest.

He harbored an unwavering conviction, fueled by his extraordinary talent, his legendary SSS-rank class, the profound advantages of his Divinordial bloodline, and all the compiled abilities and potent cheats he possessed, that he could achieve results swiftly enough to ensure perpetual safety. He believed he could conquer at least one full floor every decade with relative ease, maintaining the protective grace period indefinitely without ever allowing it to perilously expire.

Seraphine’s response to his direct inquiry regarding joining him was immediate and overwhelmingly enthusiastic—almost exhibiting a childlike eagerness.

She repeatedly nodded, akin to an excited puppy, her captivating amethyst eyes radiating with unadulterated anticipation and barely restrained energy.

However, observing her eager, almost childlike affirmation, Leon deliberately extended a hand and gently patted her head with evident tenderness. His expression underwent a dramatic transformation, becoming far more serious—nearly grave with profound concern.

"Listen intently, Seraphine. You must maintain absolute vigilance within the tower at all times. Remain closely by my side throughout every encounter we face, do you understand? Although you possess the Phoenix Feather resurrection treasure as a safety net, I absolutely refuse to court any unnecessary risks concerning your life."

His voice resonated with authentic, deep-seated care and fierce protectiveness.

Seraphine tilted her head slightly, a clear sign of her perplexity, her expression plainly conveying her confusion as to why he was exhibiting such uncharacteristic seriousness and protectiveness regarding this particular trial.

She gestured toward the base of the tower, where Leon had meticulously placed the final acquisition from the cosmic shop.

"But Leon, what about the safety array you explicitly mentioned before? The Covenant of Stabilized Strife that you deployed precisely to shield individuals during the tower challenge? Doesn't that preclude permanent demise within?"

Her voice conveyed genuine curiosity and sound reasoning.

Leon registered her perfectly logical question, and while continuing to stroke her head affectionately with gentle movements, he shook his head, a gesture of genuine, palpable regret.

"That safeguard is ineffective within the tower itself. The array holds no power here."

His voice carried genuine disappointment at this considerable restriction.

Seraphine's demeanor noticeably shifted to one of solemnity and seriousness upon receiving this critical safety intelligence. She nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the situation.

"I comprehend perfectly now. I vow to exercise the utmost caution. I shall refrain from taking undue risks."

Her voice was imbued with sincere commitment.

Leon possessed an instinctive certainty that the safety array would be entirely futile inside the tower—he could discern this simply by observing it with his administrator awareness, as if the tower itself were directly communicating with him through their mystical connection, informing him of its operational capabilities and limitations.

Nevertheless, he remained genuinely uncertain whether his clone would be subject to the tower’s internal regulations and death mechanics in the same manner. This was a matter that would necessitate careful testing and verification at a later juncture, when ample time was available for experimentation, as his intuition offered no guidance on this point.

The clone would continue fulfilling the critical role of safeguarding Ira and all other Pyrrhans within their increasingly precarious realm while his primary form undertook challenges inside the tower. The sudden appearance of two formidable archon-ranked beasts during the recent festival, occurring entirely unexpectedly, struck him as increasingly peculiar and deeply suspicious; even the timing of the dimensional rift's opening deviated significantly and unpredictably from all prior established patterns observed over the years.

He had already observed the subtly veiled concern and anxiety that Archon Vyrra had exhibited, discernible merely by carefully scrutinizing her facial expressions and body language during the festival festivities. It was evident she harbored worries about something significant and perilous that she was not openly disclosing to anyone, himself included.

Even should two Archon-ranked beasts materialize as previously, his clone sufficed to manage one, thus alleviating his concerns.

Now, Leon deliberately reached out and firmly grasped Seraphine’s hand, interlacing their fingers securely to prevent accidental separation during their imminent transition. He offered her a nod, his expression set with determined resolve.

"Ready?"

"Always," she responded, her confident, radiant smile illuminating her entire face.

With a firm grip on her hand, ensuring they wouldn't be separated, they advanced together towards the radiant blue gateway of the Ascension Tower.

SHIMMER! DISSOLVE!

Upon direct physical contact with the portal's vortex of energy, their bodies seemed to dissolve into pure light particles, completely disappearing from the external reality of the dimensional plane.

WHOOSH!

As they transitioned, golden text materialized before them:

[Welcome to the Ascension Tower]