"Shura, congratulations. You achieved the highest evaluation again."
Fenric waved it off with a faint smile. "Between us, there's no need for such formality."
Aurora's lips curved in a gentle smile. "Tell me, Shura—are you planning to continue clearing dungeons tonight?"
"Yes," Fenric answered with a firm nod.
"Then be cautious," she said seriously. "If I recall correctly, the sixteenth-floor dungeon is a large-scale world—Justice League. There's a man named Clark there, known as Superman. He's extremely powerful, easily S-rank in overall strength.
Remember the Golden Sage King of the Willowland Republic? He only possessed a weakened Superman bloodline."
Fenric's expression turned solemn. He knew well how terrifying the real Superman was.
As for the Golden Sage King… with Fenric's current strength, he barely spared him a thought. With his Indestructible Demon Body activated, a single punch would likely obliterate him. The weakened bloodline couldn't compare to the genuine one.
Aurora's smile returned. "But Shura, I believe your true power already rivals Superman himself. This dungeon won't stop you. You'll earn the highest evaluation again."
Her gaze lingered on Fenric for a moment, admiration flickering in her eyes.
This young man… his foundation, his progress, his strength—everything was accelerating at a pace that even veteran powerhouses like her couldn't ignore.
In Samsara Tower, strength meant opportunity. And for Fenric, his strength had already entered a virtuous cycle: the stronger he grew, the easier it became to take on greater challenges.
Pursuing the highest evaluations, however—that was another matter entirely.
Fenric chuckled. "Aurora, did you come just to shower me with praise?"
"There is something else," she said, her tone shifting. "Shura, tonight the price of dungeon cooldown-refresh cards has dropped sharply."
"Oh?" Fenric raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
Aurora's lips curved faintly. "Word is, Adam himself ordered the targeting against you to be lifted. With no one hoarding cooldown-refresh cards, the market is flooded. Naturally, the price fell."
"Adam?" Fenric's eyes narrowed. "Isn't that bastard always trying to kill me?"
"Perhaps he finally realized he can't stop you," Aurora replied with a small laugh. "This could be his way of offering peace—turning blades into silk."
Fenric's eyes glinted with disdain. Suppress me when you want, reconcile when you please? Does he think I'm clay to be molded? Even a clay figure has its limits!
Aurora added thoughtfully, "I suspect Adam is preparing to move against Uvall. He likely fears you'll join me to intervene, so he wants to stabilize you first. If you hadn't put 'ignored strangers calls', I imagine Adam himself would have contacted you."
What Aurora didn't say aloud was the full truth: Adam had also sensed her rising strength, her own leap to S-rank. His decision was as much about isolating her as it was about appeasing Fenric. But some things were better left unsaid.
—---
"Heh."
Fenric let out a faint laugh, his eyes sharp. "So Adam is that invested in this plan? Then all the more reason I won't let him succeed."
Reconciliation with Adam was impossible.
Even setting aside their personal enmity, the battle for the authority of the Thirty-Third Floor would inevitably force them into a fight to the death.
Knowing the nature of the Cindralock samsaras, Fenric had no doubt—once Adam seized that authority, he would immediately turn on him and eliminate every potential threat.
Fenric was no fool. He wasn't some sycophant who admired foreigners. How could he fall for such a shallow ploy?
Aurora smiled knowingly at his words.
"Adam has his eyes on Uvall's reward," she explained. "A million Samsara points would boost his strength considerably. With that, he'll have the confidence to storm the tower early and claim the Thirty-Third Floor's authority.
That's why, Shura, this ambush is critical. If Adam succeeds, the balance of power in the entire world may shift."
Fenric nodded slightly. "Do you know when he intends to make his move?"
"It's not certain," Aurora admitted, her gaze steady on him. "But I doubt Adam will delay. Shura, your dungeon-clearing speed and rapid growth have already put him under tremendous pressure. The longer he waits, the worse it is for him."
Fenric smirked. "If you hear anything, contact me immediately. You have my number."
Aurora inclined her head. "Of course. But Shura, there's something else. Do you remember One Leaf Knows Autumn?"
"One Leaf Knows Autumn?" Fenric's brow furrowed, then he nodded. "Of course. What about him?"
How could he forget? That man had once issued a bounty against him, calling on others to hunt him down.
Aurora's expression softened. "He reached out to me. He wants to make peace with you—through me. He even suggested a dinner, to apologize to you face-to-face."
Fenric's lips curled into a cold sneer.
So, One Leaf Knows Autumn had finally realized he was growing too fast, becoming too strong. Fearing revenge, he now lowered his head, pretending humility, hoping to curry favor.
Did he expect him to show mercy?
Impossible.
Although the bounty hadn't caused Fenric too much trouble, it wasn't something he intended to forgive.
He wouldn't go out of his way to hunt One Leaf Knows Autumn right now. But the moment that man fell into his hands, Fenric would kill him without hesitation.
And with his current strength, eliminating One Leaf Knows Autumn would be effortless.
"Aurora," Fenric asked suddenly, "are you here tonight as his lobbyist?"
He needed to know her stance.
Aurora sighed softly. "I have no interest in meddling with such matters. It's just… One Leaf Knows Autumn is in the same department as me. His father asked my father as a favor, and my father couldn't refuse. So I agreed to pass along his message.
Shura, I'm only a messenger. I've said what I needed to say. Consider it an explanation to his family. As for me? You don't need to factor in my opinion. Do what you feel is right—I won't interfere."
Her words were tactful, her position clear.
Fenric couldn't help but admire her response.
This woman truly had both wisdom and emotional intelligence. She knew that reconciliation in such matters wasn't realistic, and she wisely distanced herself from it.
Aurora's current status wasn't built on strength alone—it was built on judgment.
"That's good."
Fenric smiled faintly, his thoughts aligning. Aurora was indeed smart and sensible.
Had she truly tried to pressure him into forgiving One Leaf Knows Autumn, Fenric might have relented—for her sake. But their friendly ties would have ended there.