At exactly midnight, Fenric appeared in the Samsara Space.
He didn't rush straight to the Samsara Tower. Instead, he headed toward the bar, planning to relax before the trials ahead. Tonight, he intended to challenge the fifteenth-floor assessment dungeon—X-Men: Days of Future Past—and he already had a bold plan in mind.
If the plan succeeded, it would guarantee him a Super God Evaluation.
But if it failed…
Fenric pushed the thought aside as he stepped into the lively bar. Using the 3D projection menu, he ordered a cocktail and took a seat.
Ever since meeting Aurora, he had been drinking mostly tea. Tonight, however, he wanted a change of pace.
The bar was bustling. Samsaras of all kinds filled the space, the music was loud and infectious, and the energy was no different from a real-world nightclub. The cocktails, however, were something else entirely.
Fenric sipped, and immediately felt a strange rush of pleasure ripple through him.
Clearly, the drinks here weren't ordinary. Like drugs, they stimulated the nervous system and triggered the brain to release dopamine, creating a sense of euphoria.
No wonder this place is always packed. Low prices aside, the drinks themselves are addictive enough to draw the crowd.
He let the buzz linger as the minutes ticked by. The dungeon challenge wouldn't begin until one in the morning, so there was no need to hurry.
Just then, at the table beside him, a startled shout rang out.
"F**k!!"
The expletive startled his companions.
"What's wrong? Why are you yelling?" one of them asked.
The man's hands trembled as he checked his interface. "Something big! Just now, the global master list updated—there's a new change!"
"What change?"
"It's Aurora Morwyn! Our country's number one master just reached S-rank! She's still behind Adam in the standings, but… this is S-rank!"
"You serious?!"
"Really! A friend told me, but I'll check it myself."
"I'm coming too!"
"Don't leave me behind!"
Their conversation was loud enough that many others overheard. Gasps and murmurs spread. In moments, curious Samsaras abandoned their drinks and began heading toward the Samsara Tower to confirm the news.
Fenric, sitting in his booth, raised an eyebrow. A faint smile touched his lips.
So, she's done it.
Finishing his cocktail in one swallow, he stood and walked calmly to the Tower.
By the time he arrived at the leaderboard, a massive crowd had already gathered. Streams of Samsaras continued to teleport in, all eager to witness the change.
Fenric's gaze moved to the glowing panel. His eyes caught the name in third place—Aurora Morwyn—now marked with a dazzling red "S."
A quiet gleam lit his expression. He immediately understood. Aurora must have used the Devil Fruit Purifying Water he had given her, then consumed a new Devil Fruit.
Her previous fruit had been a poor one, suppressing her potential. With it gone and a powerful new fruit replacing it, her strength had skyrocketed.
I wonder… what fruit did she obtain this time?
The discussions around him grew louder:
"Holy sh*t, it's true! She's S-rank!"
"Unbelievable! Jadeveil Nation finally has an S-level powerhouse!"
"Miss Aurora is incredible!"
"Strange, though. No news of her clearing a dungeon… why the sudden jump in power?"
"Yeah, when she logged off last night, her evaluation was still A-rank. How did it spike to S in just one night?"
"Don't tell me she had a personal dungeon card?"
"Idiot! Even if she did, the timing doesn't add up. Dungeons take at least an hour. Everyone just logged in—where would she find the time?"
Speculations swirled, confusion spreading through the crowd.
Fenric, however, already knew the truth.
Leaving the area, he found a quiet corner and initiated a video call.
The connection opened almost immediately, and Aurora Morwyn's radiant face appeared on the screen.
"Shura, good evening!" she greeted, her cheeks flushed with excitement and joy.
Fenric's lips curved. "Aurora, congratulations on reaching S-rank."
Aurora's expression softened. "Thank you, Shura. If not for the Purifying Water you gave me, I never would've achieved it."
"So my guess was right." Fenric chuckled, then leaned forward with interest. "Your previous Devil Fruit wasn't ideal, and you didn't wish to speak of it. But now… what new fruit did you obtain? Can you tell me?"
Aurora laughed lightly. "Of course I can. It's the Hana Hana no Mi—the Flower-Flower Fruit."
Fenric's eyes flickered with surprise.
If memory served, that was the fruit wielded by Nico Robin in One Piece.
The Flower-Flower Fruit, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, allowed the user to sprout parts of their body from any surface, as though blooming like flowers.
Its raw attack power wasn't overwhelming, but its versatility made it a terrifying ability in the hands of someone powerful.
Robin's modest combat effectiveness had made the fruit seem unimpressive in the original story. But if someone like Garp wielded it, the results would be devastating.
Aurora's eyes shone with enthusiasm. "It's more useful than I ever imagined. I can grow limbs from any tangible surface, attack or restrain enemies from unexpected angles. Truly, its potential is vast. Of course, compared to your Tremor Fruit, it doesn't seem worth mentioning."
Fenric shook his head with a faint sigh. "You're too modest. Used properly, that fruit is an extraordinary weapon."