CHAPTER 95: CH 95: TEST BEFORE THE TOWER- PART 2

Fenrir stepped through the reinforced glass doors of Fredric’s headquarters, the polished floors echoing his steps with an eerie calm.

The building was quieter than usual, no doubt because of the emergency the system had just declared.

Legion’s staff, though competent, were visibly on edge. After all, the Tower had returned.

He didn’t need directions to find his brother. He knew Fredric would be in his office—he always was when things spiraled out of control.

When Fenrir entered the room, Fredric didn’t even look up from the screen filled with reports and system alerts.

His usually sharp expression was darkened by stress, eyes sunken slightly from lack of rest.

"Did you do this? The Tower. Its awakening."

Fredric asked without a hint of preamble. His voice was low, tight.

Fenrir crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, nodding once.

"Yeah. That was me."

Fredric let out a deep, exhausted sigh and leaned back in his chair, finally looking his younger brother in the eye.

"Why? Why would you drag this world into that nightmare again?"

"Because, I need to climb it. That’s the whole reason I began this mess."

Fenrir said simply.

"That’s not a reason! You’re not ready. You’re strong, yes, but the Tower isn’t just some overgrown dungeon! It’s chaos. Monsters. Things you can’t punch your way through."

Fredric snapped, standing up abruptly.

Rick, who had been standing silently near the office window, finally spoke up.

"Fredric, maybe it’s time we stop trying to control him. He’s proven himself. The fact that he found the final fragment and triggered the Tower’s return proves he’s on a completely different level."

Fredric turned toward Rick, his expression torn between frustration and concern.

"I promised our parents I’d keep him out of trouble. That I wouldn’t let him be dragged into that hellhole."

Fenrir chuckled, a dry, almost mocking sound.

"You’re worried about me being in danger? You’ve got it backwards. The ones who are going to suffer... are the ones foolish enough to stand in my way."

Fredric looked at his brother with a frown but said nothing. He could see the resolve in Fenrir’s eyes.

It was the same cold, fierce determination their father once had before he disappeared into the depths of the Tower.

"I’m not going to sit back. If you want to stop me, you’ll have to beat me. Or test me. I don’t care. Just don’t think I’ll change my mind."

Fenrir added.

Fredric rubbed his forehead and sat back down with a groan.

"Fine. One chance. I’ll give you a trial."

Fenrir raised an eyebrow.

"What kind of trial?"

Fredric met his gaze with a grim look.

"You defeat Kevin Jenner."

Rick straightened in surprise, but said nothing. The name alone was heavy enough.

"The #1 Hunter?"

Fenrir repeated.

"Yes. If you can beat Kevin, I’ll acknowledge your strength. You’ll have earned your place as a Tower Climber. But if you can’t... I’ll use every resource I have to make sure you stay grounded until you come back to your senses."

Fredric said.

Fenrir’s lips twitched into a small smirk.

"Sounds like fun."

"Don’t treat this lightly. Kevin isn’t someone you can just overpower. He’s tactical, experienced, and deadly. Even the top hunters don’t like going up against him."

Fredric warned.

"I’m not the top hunters. I’m me."

Fenrir replied.

Rick stepped forward, half-amused, half-worried.

"I assume Kevin has agreed to this?"

"He will. He’s never turned down a challenge before. Especially not one with high stakes."

Fredric said.

Rick gave a short nod.

"Then let’s get it scheduled."

Fenrir was already turning to leave, excitement brewing in his chest.

He had no personal grudge against Kevin Jenner, but the challenge would serve perfectly. Not only to prove himself to Fredric—but to everyone watching.

After all, the Tower had returned.

And so had Fenrir.

______

Kevin Jenner stood at the center of the training arena, arms folded across his chest, a flicker of disbelief on his face.

His sharp eyes scanned the young man in front of him. This was the infamous "little brother" Fredric had always been so secretive about?

"You’re serious? This isn’t some kind of joke?"

Kevin finally said, turning to face Rick and Fredric, who stood watching from the observation deck above.

"No joke."

Rick replied evenly.

Fredric nodded.

"Fenrir agreed to the match. If he wins, I won’t stop him from entering the Tower."

Kevin let out a long, weary sigh, and turned back to face Fenrir.

"You sure about this, kid? You only get one chance to boast. You better be able to back it up."

Fenrir didn’t answer. Instead, he reached behind his back and drew his weapon—a gleaming short sword etched with intricate runes that shimmered faintly with power.

Kevin’s eyes narrowed the moment the blade was drawn.

"That weapon...That’s no ordinary piece of metal.""

Kevin muttered, the edge of his voice tinged with surprise as he took a quick step back. Fenrir gave him a lazy smile.

"It’s mine. Forged it myself."

"You’re saying you’re Mr. X? Or did Fredric gave it to you?"

Kevin asked incredulously, eyes flickering toward Fredric as if to confirm.

"Don’t get it twisted. Fredric didn’t give it to me. I made it. And I won’t hold back using it."

Fenrir said coldly.

Kevin barely had time to brace himself when Fenrir dashed forward, the blade flashing in the artificial lighting of the arena.

The impact forced Kevin back, his boots skidding across the floor.

A sharp pain ran along his arm where the edge had grazed his defense—despite the barriers he’d thrown up in time, the weapon had cut through with ease.

Kevin grimaced.

"Damn. That thing hits harder than anything in the guild storage."

He tried to retaliate, sending a volley of ice shards in Fenrir’s direction, but the younger man dodged effortlessly, weaving through the attacks with uncanny agility.

Every step Fenrir took brought him closer, and every slash pushed Kevin further on the defensive.

The shock of his opponent’s speed and weaponry lingered too long.

Kevin found himself backed into a corner, his movements sluggish under pressure, his mind still caught on the realization that this was Mr. X.

That the boy standing in front of him was not just some promising rookie, but a hidden monster Fredric had kept under wraps.

"Kevin! Stop slacking!"

redric’s voice boomed through the arena.

The sharp command jolted Kevin out of his haze.

"Tch. Alright. You’ve made your point. Time to make mine."

He clicked his tongue and shook off his surprise.

He raised his hands, calling forth a dense wave of mana.

The temperature in the arena plummeted as freezing winds swirled around him, forming massive spires of ice.

With a shout, Kevin launched a concentrated blast of cold, aiming to entrap Fenrir entirely.

"I’m sorry for this, Fenrir. But I’ll unfreeze you once Fredric is satisfied."

Kevin said as the storm roared.

The wave of frost consumed the space Fenrir had been standing in, forming a jagged crystal prison that sparkled under the arena lights.

Kevin lowered his arms and let out a breath, frost curling from his lips.

"That should—"

A glint of metal sliced through the cold air.

Kevin blinked.

The prison cracked—and then shattered.

Fenrir stood to the side, untouched, completely unscathed.

Kevin’s eyes widened.

"He dodged it?"

Fenrir stepped forward, brushing a bit of frost from his shoulder, his expression calm.

"You’ll need to do better than that."