SSS Ranked Awakening: All My Skills Are at Level 100 - Chapter 272

Chapter 272: Second Dungeon still closed
Leon surveyed the celebrating survivors with a calculating eye. Under different circumstances, he would have preferred to let them gain more experience in normal dungeons throughout the Lower Domain, allowing them to level up gradually and build combat experience through repeated trials.

But that’s not realistic here, he acknowledged with frustration. Dungeons are too scarce in the Lower Domain. We’d spend more time searching for them than actually growing stronger.

The limitations of their cage were becoming increasingly apparent. In the Middle Domain, from what he understood, dungeons were more common, opportunities for growth more abundant. But here, they had to make do with what little was available.

They have materials to work with in the dimensional space, he reasoned. Last time I checked, they’d only built a few wooden houses. There’s so much more they could be doing with what I’ve provided. And now they have the Sky Breaker Draw technique to practice. That alone could keep them busy for years.

His decision made, Leon began channeling mana for the dimensional portal. The silver-white energy gathered in his hands, far more intense than usual, as he pushed for a faster manifestation. The portal tore into existence in mere seconds rather than the usual careful construction, the sheer volume of mana he expended causing the air itself to ripple and distort.

Gasps arose from the crowd. Now that they were connected to mana themselves, awakened to its flow and presence, they could truly sense what their god was doing. The amount of energy required to create this portal so quickly was monstrous, beyond what most of them could generate in a month of continuous effort.

Their god, indeed, someone whispered, and Leon could feel their reverence spike even higher. Fear mixed with awe – the natural reaction to witnessing power that dwarfed their new abilities so completely.

“Everyone through,” Leon commanded, his voice carrying absolute authority. “Return to your home. Practice the technique I’ve given you. Build with the materials available. Grow stronger.”

They began filing through, many bowing as they passed. James approached with a pleading expression, clearly wanting to stay, to continue adventuring in the real world. Leon didn’t even acknowledge the look.

“You too, James. Practice the technique. Master it.”

The young man’s shoulders slumped, but he obeyed, disappearing into the silver portal with apparent reluctance.

Leon handed the Spoon of Infinite Soup to Old Will as the elderly man approached. He looks younger, Leon noted with interest. The awakening has reversed some of his aging. Not dramatically, but noticeably.

“Same as before,” Leon instructed. “Ensure everyone is fed.”

“Of course,” Old Will replied, accepting the artifact with steady hands that no longer trembled with age.

Once the first dungeon survivors had all passed through, Leon closed the portal temporarily. Seraphine remained beside him, understanding without words that they still had work to do.

They traveled to the third dungeon site next, where the survivors with significant casualties waited. Leon opened another portal – this time taking slightly longer, conserving energy rather than making another display of power. These traumatized survivors didn’t need to be awed; they needed safety and time to recover.

He created thirty more copies of the Sky Breaker Draw technique. He distributed them among the survivors, along with brief instructions. Then came the most important command of the evening.

“Garrett,” Leon called, and the giant man approached with mechanical steps. “You’re taking on a new role. With all these newly awakened people in one space, conflicts could escalate into deadly situations. Normal arguments could become lethal with elemental powers involved.”

Garrett’s dead eyes focused on Leon, waiting.

“You will maintain order in the dimensional space. Prevent conflicts from escalating. Ensure no one is seriously harmed through accident or intent. Your strength and your…” Leon paused, choosing his words carefully, “A unique perspective makes you ideal for this role.”

And with the slave mark, I can trust him completely, Leon added silently. He’ll follow these orders without deviation, without favoritism, without emotion clouding his judgment.

“Understood,” Garrett replied in his toneless voice. “Order will be maintained.”

The blue-haired girl bounced over to Garrett’s side, clearly excited about returning to the dimensional space. She waved cheerfully at Leon and Seraphine before following her father through the portal.

With the third dungeon group sent through, Leon and Seraphine returned once more to the second dungeon site. The portal still swirled with unbroken intensity, sealed from within.

Still no emergence, Leon noted with growing concern. It’s been far too long now. Either something exceptional is happening, or…

He didn’t finish the thought.

“We wait?” Seraphine asked.

“We train while we wait,” Leon corrected. “No point in wasting time.”

With focused intent, he began shaping the earth around them. Not rough, functional structures like before, but something artistic, something inspired. His mind reached back to his previous life, to the martial arts manga he’d loved reading, particularly the tournament arenas that had captured his imagination.

The ground rose and flattened into a perfect circle, fifty meters in diameter. The edges lifted to form walls that curved inward slightly, containing the space while remaining open to the sky. Steps emerged from the earth, creating tiered seating around the arena. Pillars rose at the cardinal points, each one carved with flowing designs that suggest movement and combat.

The floor of the arena itself was special – compressed earth that had the hardness of stone but enough give to prevent injuries from falls. Lines were traced across it in geometric patterns, creating zones and boundaries that could be used for different training exercises.

“This is beautiful,” Seraphine said, genuine appreciation in her voice. “It looks like something from a legend, a place where heroes would train.”

“Nothing special, I was trying to see my control,” Leon replied with satisfaction, while rubbing his nose with pride.

They moved to the center of the arena and sat cross-legged on the ground, facing each other. The evening air was cool against their skin, the last rays of sunlight painting the arena in shades of gold and orange.

“Ready?” Leon asked.

Seraphine nodded, closing her eyes.

Leon followed suit, and both of them let their consciousness sink inward, then outward, reaching for that familiar space that existed between dimensions.

The transition was smooth now, practiced. One moment, they were sitting in the physical arena; the next, their consciousness materialized in the dimensional realm, standing atop the mountain that had become their regular training ground.

The eternal twilight of the dimensional space greeted them, that perpetual golden hour that never quite gave way to night.

Up on this mountain peak above the clouds, it was just the two of them and the endless possibility of growth.

“Today,” Leon said with a faint grin, “we train. No more waiting around. The second dungeon group is taking far longer than expected. We might be here a while.” His gaze flicked toward Seraphine, amusement glinting in his eyes. “And next time we step into the Forbidden Mist, I’m expecting you to kill the big white monster yourself.”

It was just meant to be a joke to get her worked up, and it worked like a charm, seeing her determined with clenched fist and fierce expression on her face, he couldn’t help but find her cute.

Leon’s gaze lingered on the swirling energy on this hand before settling on a decision. The light element—he’d witnessed its power countless times, seen it illuminate battlefields and pierce through darkness with devastating precision. It made perfect sense. He already possessed techniques and skills aligned with this radiant force, knowledge that had been dormant, waiting for the right moment to flourish.

But there was another reason, one that brought a slight smile to his lips. Max. His little talent also wielded the light element with natural affinity. Learning to manipulate this energy wouldn’t just benefit him—it would create a bridge between their fighting styles, allowing him to share insights with the boy and help him grow stronger. Two birds with one stone, as the saying goes.

Before committing to this path, however, Leon turned toward Seraphina. His mystical eyes—those ancient orbs that could peer beyond the veil of ordinary sight—locked onto her amethyst gaze. The purple depths seemed to shimmer with curiosity as he stepped closer, the air between them charged with unspoken intention.

“Seraphina,” he said softly, his voice carrying a weight that commanded attention. “Before we continue, I have a special gift for you.”