Ruler's Awakening: Inheritor of the SSS-Rank Dimensional Talent

Chapter 96 Raid Monster on 10th Floor

Aaron turned around and sighed. Sara and Mona were still in his room, their hearts weighed down with confusion. They had clearly seen that the man in front of Arthur was a soul servant.

"You should head back to your room, Mona. I need to talk to Arthur alone," Sara said.

The seriousness in Sara's expression made Mona comply. She left, closing the door behind her. Now, only Sara and Arthur remained in the room.

Sara kept her eyes fixed ahead while Arthur stared at the street outside the inn.

"You don't need to be afraid. No one here will recognize you, except me."

"I've already told you—that's not a soul servant."

"If you're so sure, then let me see your servant panel," Sara demanded.

Arthur clicked his tongue. He had never expected Sara to make such a request. If she found out he had three soul servants, she might uncover his true identity.

'What should I do? Let her find out, or tell her myself?'

Arthur turned away from the window and looked back at Sara. Her face was serious, her expression firm. What she had said reflected exactly what she had been thinking about the strange situation earlier.

"If I tell you everything, will you promise to keep it a secret?!" Arthur asked sharply.

Sara nodded confidently.

Arthur exhaled deeply. He moved away from the window and walked past Sara. He locked the door and leaned against it, his eyes meeting hers.

For a moment, their gazes clashed—Arthur's filled with anxiety, Sara's with curiosity.

"Alright."

He removed the camouflage earring hanging from his ear. A golden light that had been surrounding Arthur dissipated, flowing back into the earring. Now, his true form was revealed, unprotected.

Sara squinted slightly. There was something distinctly different about Arthur now. Shocked, she realized his face and appearance perfectly matched the wanted sketches of Aaron displayed throughout the city.

"A-Aaron?!" Sara exclaimed, wide-eyed.

"I knew you'd recognize me quickly."

"How is this possible? What happened between you and Andrew?"

'Better not tell her about the Banner of Authority. That would endanger my entire mission,' Aaron thought.

Without moving from his spot, Aaron explained everything to Sara. He told her how Andrew had found him and why Aaron had joined Sky Sword. Sara listened, unable to hide her shock at what she was hearing.

"Only Andrew, Silvianna, and you know that Arthur is actually Aaron."

Not wanting to take any more risks, Arthur put the camouflage earring back on, allowing the golden light to cover him again.

Even though Sara now knew the truth, the illusion of Arthur still appeared the same to her.

"We made a deal. He won't kill me as long as I help one of his teams ascend to Lilith City."

"Lilith City? But that's on the 25th floor. Are you saying my team?" Sara asked, surprised.

"Yes. I'll bring Squad 13 to the 25th floor," Arthur replied.

Sara's jaw dropped. She sat down on the edge of Arthur's bed, shaking her head repeatedly and running her hands through her hair.

The complexity of the situation overwhelmed her. Arthur could tell she felt burdened by the thought of ascending all the way to the 25th floor.

"I understand your concerns. I feel the same."

"However, if we work together and avoid reckless decisions, we might reach it more easily," Arthur said.

"You have no idea what you're saying, Arthur. Sky Sword's main raid team has only reached the 16th floor, and Andrew himself only managed the 18th floor."

"No squad from Sky Sword's 10th-floor branch has made it past the 20th floor, let alone to a metropolis like Lilith City," Sara explained, her worries spilling out.

Arthur nodded in agreement. Reaching the 25th floor was indeed a challenge. But Sara had no idea of his true strength, especially his trump card: Dark Azazel.

Even though that power risked taking over his body in the future, Dark Azazel had been a significant help. Without it, defeating Bright would have been nearly impossible.

"Can Squad 13 really reach levels Andrew and the main raid team couldn't?" Sara asked.

Arthur stepped forward, standing directly in front of her with a faint smile. He assured her that he would do whatever it took to get Squad 13 to the 25th floor within a year.

This raid was his mission—and his gamble—even if it meant sacrificing the Flag of Authority.

"Once we clear the 11th floor, I'll assess your squad's capabilities. It's essential for you to increase your combat power to at least 70,000 CP," Arthur explained.

"And what's your CP?" Sara asked curiously.

"274,818 CP."

"Two hundred thousand CP at your age?! How strong are you really?" Sara shouted in disbelief.

"That's not important. What matters is that you keep my identity a secret. I don't mind showing them my strength, but no one can know I'm Aaron."

"Do you understand?" Arthur asked, ensuring her commitment.

Sara paused, her eyes locked on Arthur's determined gaze. Finally, she nodded.

"I understand."

***

The Next Day

Dark Pillar Gate, 10th Floor

After Andrew removed the red title using the authority of the Flag of Authority, Arthur and the other members of Squad 13 began their journey. Squads 21 and 7 joined as reinforcements.

Sara was unusually quiet, occasionally glancing at Arthur's face. Meanwhile, Mona and the others were brimming with excitement to face their first monsters in the Dark Pillar maze.

"Bunch of fools!" mocked a member of Squad 21, loud enough for Morgan to hear.

Sara quickly intervened, urging both Squads 21 and 7 to cooperate. She confidently told them that her group was ready to challenge the floor boss.

"Do whatever you want," replied Leonil, Squad 21's captain, dismissively.

Arthur observed the many teams gathered outside the still-sealed gate of Dark Pillar. He recognized groups like the Night Liberators, distinguished by their banners. However, there was no sign of Dimension Justice, which piqued Arthur's curiosity.

"Listen! Let us handle the monsters. Save your energy for the boss," Leonil said.

"Besides, you wouldn't survive fighting them anyway. Enjoy the boss fight," he added smugly.

The two squads advanced, clearing the path of monsters to ensure Squad 13 could reach the floor boss quickly and safely.

[The Monster Raid in Dark Pillar Tower Tenth Floor has opened.]

[Portal closing countdown:]

[00:11:59:59]

As the notification reached everyone, Sara turned back to her team, smiling.

"I'm counting on you, Arthur."

"Leave it to me."