CHAPTER 96: CH 96: TEST BEFORE THE TOWER- PART 3

Kevin’s eyes were still wide in disbelief from watching Fenrir dodge his freezing assault, but he didn’t have time to recover.

The moment of distraction was all Fenrir needed.

With fluid motion, Fenrir sheathed his short sword and summoned a long, sleek spear into his hands.

The air around the weapon shimmered faintly, betraying its strength. In a single, practiced motion, he launched forward, his footfalls silent and fast.

Kevin only noticed the shift when it was too late. The tip of the spear sliced into his side, bypassing his protective wards and light armor with ease.

He let out a sharp gasp and staggered back, clutching his bleeding ribs.

"Not fair. You’re way too much of a cheat..."

Kevin muttered, his voice strained as he caught himself.

Fenrir didn’t even look winded. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes were cool and calculating.

"You’re level 55, right? A little higher than me. But these levels don’t matter yet."

He asked casually, lowering the spear but not dismissing it.

Kevin looked up in surprise.

"At this stage, it’s all about equipment and technique. And I made sure both of mine are better than yours."

Fenrir continued.

It wasn’t arrogance. It was fact.

Kevin gritted his teeth.

"Damn... I see why they keep your name quiet."

Fenrir finally dismissed his weapon and turned away, the fight clearly over.

Kevin didn’t try to stop him. With the pain flaring at his side and the sting of defeat weighing on him, he knew he’d been outmatched.

Not by strength alone—but by preparation, experience, and precision.

Fenrir looked up at the viewing deck, where Fredric and Rick still stood watching.

"Was that enough?"

He called up to his brother.

Rick was the first to react. He clapped his hands, his grin broad.

"Damn, little bro! If I knew you’d gotten this good, I would’ve recruited you myself ages ago. You could be leading your own division by now!"

But Fredric remained silent, his arms crossed tightly, his face still clouded in concern. Fenrir narrowed his eyes slightly.

"You’re still not convinced?"

He asked.

Fredric let out a breath and shook his head.

"No. You’re strong. I admit that. But that doesn’t mean I want to throw you into a place no one fully understands."

"I understand it."

Fenrir said calmly.

Fredric flinched.

"You know what I mean."

"I do. And I’m still going. You can either accept that, or try to stop me again. But I won’t let anyone cage me."

Fenrir replied, voice firmer now.

Fredric didn’t speak. He knew threats wouldn’t work—not against someone like Fenrir.

And he hated the thought that his little brother was walking willingly into the same chaos their parents had tried to shield him from.

Seeing Fredric’s silence, Fenrir sighed and spoke again, this time softer but with no less weight.

"If we don’t go to the Tower, the Tower will come to us. The people inside will start conquering this world the moment they decide it’s worth taking."

Fredric frowned.

"You don’t know that for sure."

"I do. Because I remember what they’re like. The Tower doesn’t forgive weakness. And humans—humanity—they’ll either climb or be crushed. There’s no middle ground."

Fenrir said.

Rick’s expression sobered at that.

"He’s not wrong, Fredric. We’ve already seen what the Tower’s return is doing to the system. It’s reclassifying everything. Shifting balance. Who knows how long until it starts affecting the world in other ways?"

Fredric ran a hand through his hair, clearly torn.

"I just don’t want to lose him."

"You won’t. I’m not throwing myself at the unknown. I know what’s in there. That’s the difference."

Fenrir said.

Rick nodded.

"And maybe he’s our best shot at navigating it. Whether we like it or not, the Tower’s here. If Fenrir’s willing to climb it, he might be the only one who can make it to the top."

Fredric was silent for a long while. Finally, he looked down at Fenrir, tired but resolute.

"You win. But you go in with support. No solo hero act."

Fenrir gave a ghost of a smile.

"Deal."

Fredric’s office was unusually quiet after the spar.

Tension still hung in the air, but it was no longer sharp—more like a weary acceptance.

Fredric sat behind his desk, rubbing his temples while Rick leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, watching Fenrir with an unreadable look.

After a long moment, Fredric sighed.

"Fine. It’s not like I have a choice in this, do I?"

He muttered, looking up at his younger brother.

Fenrir gave a small, knowing smirk but said nothing.

Fredric exhaled again, slower this time, and stood up.

"You can go into the Tower. But I want updates—regular ones. I need to know what’s happening in there. Not just for your sake but for ours too. If things get out of control..."

"I’ll keep you updated."

Fenrir cut in quickly. He didn’t particularly care about Fredric’s lectures, but he needed him—for now.

Of course, Fenrir wasn’t doing this out of brotherly affection. He understood the value of maintaining this connection.

Fredric and Legion were powerful, organized, and resourceful.

Once the Tower opened in full, and once Fenrir began to claim territory within it, he would need that kind of support to handle logistics, materials, and long-term planning.

External power and internal strength—that was the formula for domination. He wasn’t about to burn his bridge just yet.

But none of that showed on his face. Instead, Fenrir simply nodded and said.

"I’ll check in when I can."

Fredric didn’t look entirely satisfied, but he seemed willing to settle for that.

"Good. Just... don’t get killed."

Fenrir turned to leave.

"That was never the plan."

He had barely stepped out of the office when a familiar voice called out.

"Hold it right there!"

Kevin Jenner appeared beside him in a flash, wrapping one arm around Fenrir’s shoulders in a way that made the younger man frown immediately.

"What is it?"

Fenrir asked dryly, not bothering to hide his irritation.

Kevin grinned.

"I need a favor. Just a little something..."

"You want a weapon."

Fenrir didn’t even let him finish.

Kevin blinked in surprise.

"I mean... yeah. How’d you guess?"

Fenrir shrugged.

"It’s always about weapons."

Kevin scratched the back of his head.

"You’re not wrong. But if it’s too much to ask—"

"I’ll make one for you. Get me what I need, and I’ll craft it."

Fenrir interrupted again, already pulling out a small notebook to jot down materials.

Kevin stared at him, genuinely taken aback.

"That easy? Just like that?"

"I’ve seen you fight. You’re not bad. And we’re going to need people like you in the Tower. Especially once things start escalating."

Fenrir said, his tone cool and detached.

Kevin blinked, clearly surprised at the rare praise.

"Thanks... I’ll do my best not to disappoint."

He gave Fenrir a smile that was equal parts grateful and proud before jogging off, already talking to himself about materials and monster cores.

As soon as Kevin was gone, Fenrir let out a soft scoff, watching his retreating figure.

"Naive idiot."

He muttered.

The truth was, he didn’t make that offer out of kindness or belief in Kevin’s potential.

He had seen through the man’s strength and, more importantly, through his weaknesses.

Kevin was a fighter with a loud name and lots of attention—exactly the kind of distraction Fenrir would need when navigating the Tower’s more political floors.

While others focused on Kevin and his flashy battles, Fenrir would slip through the shadows, gathering strength, resources, and influence.

He’d ascend before anyone realized just how high he’d climbed.

Kevin was just a pawn. A loud one. A bright flare that would keep enemies and allies looking the wrong way.

"Let them chase him. I’ll be where it matters before they even realize I’ve passed them."

Fenrir said to himself as he walked off, his cloak fluttering behind him.

The Tower had opened.

Now it was time to take it.