CHAPTER 174: CONDITION TO ENTER THE TOWER OF FATE, FORM A SEVEN AWAKENER GROUP

[Name: Zarion Grimscale]

[Rank: Immortal]

[Level: 1]

[Class: ???]

[Skills: Dragon Form, Dragon Breath, Power Scales...]

[Dragon Form: Allows the user to transform into their draconic or humanoid forms.]

[Dragon Breath: Allows the user to launch powerful fire from their mouth, the fire completely depends on the dragon, and differs both in shape and power.]

[Power Scales: Uses the dragon’s scales to strengthen its body and increase its attack and defense.]

[Hell-Mode Analysis: At least he’ll be useful to us =)]

---

Sam’s eyes narrowed slightly as he read the glowing window in front of him.

Just as he had expected, the status window of an awakener held far more detail than anything he had seen before.

The difference was all thanks to his [Skills Viewer] class skill, which granted him the ability to peer into the abilities of others.

It wasn’t only their raw statistics or vague descriptions.

Instead, it revealed the top three skills a person or monster relied on the most, showing them clearly for him to study.

For Zarion Grimscale, the three most commonly used abilities were [Dragon Form], [Dragon Breath], and [Power Scales].

Each one appeared with a short description, enough to let him understand their purpose without wasting time.

Sam leaned back slightly and let out a slow breath.

’Perfect,’ he thought, his lips curling into a faint grin.

’With this, I’ll be able to learn about my opponents before they even realize what I know.’

The usefulness was undeniable, but Sam wasn’t foolish enough to think it flawless.

From the very beginning, he had noticed the skill carried a built-in limitation.

It was not hidden, nor was it something complicated.

The weakness was written in plain words within the description itself.

---

[Skills Viewer]

[This skill allows you to add the "Skill" category to the status panel of awakeners/monsters you face, allowing you to see the top three skills they use the most.]

[You will be able to check out the name, rank, and full description of the skill, allowing you to peer into their combat style.]

---

Sam had not yet tested the full extent of this ability.

He knew he could select one of the listed skills to view a more detailed description, including its rank and deeper effects.

That function, however, wasn’t necessary at the moment.

The brief summaries displayed in the panel were enough to serve as quick reference points, even usable in the middle of battle.

But none of that was the detail that drew his attention now.

What mattered most was the phrasing.

’Allowing you to see the top three skills they use the most,’ Sam repeated in his head, ’Which means... it doesn’t necessarily show me their strongest abilities. Only the ones they rely on most often.’

In Zarion’s case, the panel revealed a simple truth.

The three skills Sam could see were not guaranteed to be his most dangerous.

They were merely the abilities he used frequently.

Yes, it was valuable knowledge to know at least three of a foe’s techniques.

But if those three turned out to be basic passives or everyday abilities, then the information could become nearly useless.

Sam recognized this flaw, yet he was not discouraged.

A weapon with limitations was still a weapon.

And knowledge, however incomplete, was power in itself.

The moment his train of thought ended, movement pulled him back to reality.

Fwish! CRACK!

A harsh sound snapped through the air.

"What are you spacing out for?" Zarion’s voice carried a cruel edge as his sharp teeth showed in a smile.

During the ongoing handshake, the dragon suddenly tightened his grip around Sam’s hand.

His golden eyes gleamed with malice.

"We’re companions now!"

"...Hm."

Sam didn’t flinch.

Despite Zarion’s effort, the crushing strength in his grip barely registered against Sam’s body.

His strength stat already surpassed that of the dragon in front of him, so the attempt at intimidation fell flat.

Still, Zarion seemed satisfied after a few seconds and finally released his grip.

Sam straightened his wrist calmly, his expression unmoved.

He didn’t know what awaited him inside the tower, but he had already decided one thing.

He would enter no matter what.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward to join the others.

The group he had fallen into consisted of seven individuals in total, including him.

Zarion was one of three dragons.

Two angels stood among them, as well as a celestial.

And then there was Sam, the lone human.

Anyone who looked at the composition would make the same assumption.

The human would be nothing more than a disposable pawn.

"Ha! Look at that. They’re going to use him as a sacrifice!"

"Figures. No one takes a human seriously unless it’s for something like this."

"Maybe that’s the trick then. I should grab a human too if they’re good for throwing away."

The voices of onlookers drifted across the air.

Sam heard every word, but not a single one left a mark on his mind.

Their opinions held no weight to him.

[To begin with, we aren’t completely human, are we?]

’Hm.’

Sam’s gaze shifted toward his temporary allies.

There were three men and three women among them.

Zarion himself was male, as was another dragon, while the third was female.

Of the two angels, one was male and the other female.

The celestial in the group was also a woman.

Each of their gazes was cold, sharp, and dismissive when directed at him.

To them, he was nothing but dead weight.

Sam’s eyes didn’t waver. He had no interest in their approval.

"Hello."

A voice suddenly called out from behind him.

Turning slightly, Sam saw the sole dragon girl approaching.

She wore a pleasant smile as she extended a greeting.

"My name is Belle," she said clearly, "I hope we can get along, and I hope all of us can make it out of this place alive."

[Void Watcher: She wants to win and get stronger no matter what, though she hates the attitude of the others.]

Among dragons, strength was the sole measure of worth.

Gender, bloodline, or appearance meant little.

Only power determined respect.

Sam’s lips curved faintly as his eyes sharpened.

"I appreciate the thought," he replied evenly, "But I don’t believe all of us will live through this."

Belle froze for a fraction of a second as their eyes met.

For reasons she couldn’t explain, she felt a chill spread across her spine.

’What... was that?’

Her heart quickened.

The others hadn’t even paid attention to their exchange, yet she felt as if she were staring at something far beyond her.

’Am I... afraid of this human? That doesn’t make sense...’

She quickly looked away, unsettled.

The rest of the group ignored the interaction, finding the idea of befriending a human beneath their notice.

Even if Belle’s words had been an attempt to manipulate Sam, it wouldn’t have mattered.

They were certain of their superiority.

Sam didn’t bother to read their skill windows either.

He would wait until it was necessary.

"=)"

"Alright!" Zarion suddenly spoke with a loud, cheerful tone, trying to sound as welcoming as possible.

"Let’s head inside then!"

The others nodded in agreement, though Sam noticed Belle glaring at Zarion for reasons of her own.

He didn’t care enough to dwell on it.

"Wow, look at that group."

"Three dragons, two angels, a celestial... and a human?"

Mocking laughter rose once again from the surrounding crowd.

Sam’s expression never shifted from neutrality.

After a short walk, the group reached the gate of the [Tower of Fate].

Unlike before, there was no demand for additional numbers.

Ding!

[Seven awakeners detected. You may enter the "Tower of Fate."]

The great doors rumbled open, and the seven stepped forward.

One by one, the first five entered.

Sam and Belle remained at the rear.

As Sam took his step, Belle’s voice stopped him.

"Be careful."

Her hands shimmered faintly as blue and red scales reflected the light.

"These people... they’re not good."

"I know that already," Sam answered without pausing his stride, "But I won’t die."

For some reason, Belle believed him.

His tone wasn’t boastful. It was simply truth.

She followed behind him quietly.

Strength had always been the center of her world, and she would pursue it without hesitation.

Yet she hated the cruelty of her kin and the expectations forced upon her.

Memories echoed in her mind.

"Only the strongest in existence may marry my daughter!" her father, the Dragon King, had once declared, "You must get through me first!"

That voice had haunted her for years.

But now, in the [Upper Realm], where even her father and the other powerhouses walked, she finally felt like she could make her own choices.

For the first time, she felt the faint taste of freedom.

With that, she stepped through the gate as well.

Ding!

A panel flashed before Sam’s eyes the moment he crossed the threshold.

[You have entered the "Tower of Fate." May the gods be with you.]

[We hope that you can climb to the top and defy your fates!]