SSS Ranked Awakening: All My Skills Are at Level 100 - Chapter 270

Chapter 270: Unexpected Success at the First Dungeon
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The massive blue portal at the second dungeon site swirled with its characteristic intensity, the energy rippling across its surface like waves on an otherworldly ocean. The clearing was empty – no survivors waiting, no signs of emergence, just the portal and its massive shadows growing longer across the ground.

They’re still inside, Leon realized, a knot of worry forming in his chest. The third dungeon group emerged half an hour ago with significant casualties. These people entered even earlier…

The math wasn’t encouraging. The longer an awakening took, the more dangerous it was. Groups that stayed inside for extended periods often suffered the highest casualty rates, worn down by extended combat and depleting resources.

Seraphine voiced his concern. “Should we wait? If they’re taking this long…”

“Let’s check the first dungeon,” Leon decided, choosing optimism over dwelling on potential tragedy. “No point standing here imagining the worst.”

Besides, he thought as he lifted Seraphine into the familiar carry, the first group had the most talented people. If anyone could handle an extended dungeon run, it would be them.

The journey blurred past in the now-familiar rush of speed and wind. Trees became green streams, the ground exploded in their wake, and within minutes, they arrived at the first dungeon site.

Leon set Seraphine down gently, but his attention was already fixed on the scene before them. The contrast to the third dungeon’s aftermath was immediate and striking.

They’re all out. And they’re… celebrating?

The atmosphere here wasn’t one of grief or trauma but triumph. Groups of people clustered around fires, animated conversations filling the air. Laughter – actual laughter – rang out from multiple directions. The smell of cooking meat drifted on the evening breeze, someone having decided a feast was in order.

Leon’s eyes swept across the gathering, his mind automatically counting. Ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine… one hundred… one hundred and forty.

He counted again, just to be sure.

Every single one of them. They all survived.

The disbelief must have shown on his face because Seraphine grabbed his arm. “Leon? What is it?”

“They’re all here,” he said quietly. “One hundred and forty people entered. One hundred and forty people returned. Zero casualties.”

It was unprecedented in his experience. Even successful awakening runs typically lost someone to bad luck, poor decisions, or simply overwhelming force. But complete survival? Especially with a group that included elderly participants?

Leon couldn’t help himself. His voice carried across the site, enhanced slightly to reach everyone. “Incredible work, all of you! A perfect run – every single person surviving their awakening. This is extraordinary!”

Heads turned toward him, faces lighting up with pride at the recognition. But Leon’s attention was drawn to specific individuals who seemed to be the centers of attention.

Max stood near the largest fire, and the way people looked at him had completely changed. Where before there had been respect for his skill, now there was something approaching reverence. Warriors who’d dismissed him as young and untested now gave him space, their body language deferential. Whatever had happened in that dungeon, Max had proven himself beyond question.

Rudy had his own circle of admirers, though his seemed more grateful than awed. People kept approaching him, shaking his hand, some with tears in their eyes. The young man looked embarrassed by the attention but pleased, his usual nervous energy replaced by quiet confidence.

They were the difference, Leon understood. These two specifically.

Old Will sat apart from the main celebrations, his ancient hands wrapped around a cup of something steaming. But his eyes were sharp, watching everything with the satisfaction of someone whose faith had been validated. Near him, the perverted granny was regaling a group with what was undoubtedly an inappropriate story, her cackles punctuating whatever tale she spun.

Lisa and Mia were deep in conversation with other warriors, their hands moving as they apparently discussed combat techniques discovered during the awakening. Both women looked exhausted but exhilarated, the kind of tired that came from pushing past limits and succeeding.

Leon focused his detection ability on Max first, the golden screen materializing before his eyes:

[Name: Max ]

[Race: Human]

[Class: Twilight Arbiter – (Unique) (A-Rank)]

[Affinity: Light (Rank 5)Dark (Rank 5)]

[Level: 7]

[Special Traits: Duality Resonance, Light/Dark Synthesis]

Unique A-Rank class? Leon’s eyebrows rose. And that name – Twilight Arbiter. A class that balances light and dark…

For someone to receive a unique class meant the system itself recognized them as exceptional. The rarity combined with the high rank spoke to Max’s potential. And he’d already reached level 8, higher than most people managed in their first awakening.

With his Rank 5 affinity in both elements, I expected good results, but this exceeds even my optimistic projections.

He shifted his focus to Rudy:

[Name: Rudy]

[Race: Human]

[Class: Flame Guardian – (Epic) (B-Rank)]

[Affinity: Fire(Rank 4)]

[Level: 6]

[Special Trait: Flame healing, Flame Guardians’ Protection]

An Epic class, Leon noted with satisfaction. B-Rank is still exceptional, especially for a single rank 4 affinity individual. And ‘Flame Guardian’ – he must have been keeping people alive throughout the dungeon, his special trait is Flame healing, which honestly surprised me a lot.

The picture became clearer. Max had likely been their primary offensive force, his unique balance of light and dark allowing him to adapt to any enemy. Rudy had been the lifeline, injuries before they became fatal, keeping the entire group functional through what must have been grueling trials.

Fire and healing were not the terms he had thought he would hear together, but Rudy had proved him wrong and showed him something exceptional.

Together, they’d created a synergy that allowed perfect survival.

“Max! Rudy!” Leon called out, gesturing them over.

Both young men approached, Max with confident strides, Rudy with slightly more hesitation despite his newfound confidence. Up close, Leon could see the changes the awakening had wrought. Both seemed taller somehow, or perhaps just carried themselves with more presence. Their eyes held depth that hadn’t been there before – the look of those who’d faced death and emerged victorious.

“A perfect run,” Leon said, genuine pride in his voice. “What happened in there?”

Max and Rudy exchanged glances, an entire conversation in that look.

“It was close several times,” Max admitted. “The final boss, especially, was a creature of pure shadow that seemed immune to normal attacks. But between my light abilities and Rudy keeping everyone standing…”

“Max saved us,” Rudy interrupted, unusual assertiveness in his voice. “His new abilities, the way light and dark work together – I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“You’re the reason we had zero casualties,” Max countered. “Every time someone went down, you brought them back. That massive healing wave during the boss fight…”

They’re both right, Leon thought, watching their interaction. Neither could have achieved this alone. The synergy was essential.

The evening air was cooling now, the first stars appearing in the darkening sky. The smoke from cooking fires rose straight up in the still air, carrying the sounds of celebration with it. This was what victory looked like – not just survival, but triumph complete enough that people could laugh about what they’d endured.

“A unique class and Epic class, great both of you,” Leon said, watching their reactions. “The system recognizes you as exceptional.”

Both young men straightened at that, pride evident despite attempts at humility.

These two will be pillars of their group strength going forward, Leon realized. Max, especially, with that A-Rank unique class. Properly trained, he could become a force that even Middle Domain warriors would respect.