This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist

"Additionally, the so-called 'tower blessing' granted upon ascending isn't just a power boost. It's the symbolic gesture of the Oak Owl spirit closest to the climber offering their wings as a gift. The temptation of power, coupled with 300 years of shared experiences, makes it nearly impossible for most to refuse such a gift.

"Beyond that, climbing the tower comes with immense benefits. Inside, you can partake in countless battles, and even if you die, as long as your spirit remains intact and the tower doesn't eject you, you'll assume a new identity and keep fighting. While physical strength doesn't improve, you'll gain vast amounts of knowledge and skills.

"These experiences are treasures beyond imagination. Within the tower, you may encounter living legends, fight under their command, and, with luck, even learn techniques long thought lost.

"The Oak Owls used this tower to their advantage, tying climbers to their race through its gifts. Once a mere 12th Holy Race, they leveraged this strategy to quickly rise in prominence.

"If you and Nivalis want to enter the world battlefield, you must first pass through the tower. Whether or not you accept the wings is secondary.

"You could skip the tower entirely and go straight to the battlefield, but Nivalis—if you return as a dragon egg and hatch again, I'll rename you 'Ye Xiu'."

Ye Xiu? Isn't that a kind of laxative fruit?

Nivalis fumed silently. You wait—I'll go tell Holy Cup!

Rita interrupted, "If it's consciousness entering the tower, does that mean soul-bound equipment can enter too?"

Snow Pile replied, "Yes."

Hearing this, Rita felt reassured. As long as she could bring the pocket watch, she'd be fine. While her consciousness would assume the role of an Oak Owl, who knew if vital information like her Divine Gift would remain hidden?

Trusting Snow Pile's pragmatic nature, she directly asked, "Elder, if someone wanted to devour my Divine Gift to upgrade their own, is there a way I could turn the tables and take theirs instead?"

Snow Pile answered without judgment or delay. "One way is to possess a skill capable of reversal, but such skills are exceedingly rare—an almost mythical SSS-level ability. I've only ever heard of one Flood Dragon in the City of Eternal Day having it. Another option is to possess a Fate Coin."

Flood Dragon? City of Eternal Day? Could it be Black Jade?

Thinking about her past dealings in the black market, Rita inquired, "Could I use a dark trade to strip them of their Divine Gift? If we share the same gift, could I then use it to upgrade mine?"

"No," Snow Pile said flatly. "That would merely give you two identical gifts. The process of devouring and evolving a Divine Gift requires highly advanced knowledge."

"What's a Fate Coin?"

"To create a Fate Coin, you must identify two individuals capable of shaping a world's destiny—two children of fate. Manipulate their lives so that each triumphs over the other once, and ensure they both die at your hands. This will forge a Fate Coin, with their souls forming its two sides.

"Each time you're dissatisfied with fate, flip the coin into the air. In the moment it spins, you become the master of destiny. All logic, rules, and schemes will bend to the path you carve."

Rita felt a growing weight. The questions she'd brought to Dragon Island seemed to multiply by the time she left.

Though Snow Pile's eyes remained closed as he spoke about the Fate Coin, the detailed explanation made it clear this was no idle mention. The implications were significant enough for Rita to take them seriously.

Her thoughts immediately turned to herself and Rick, and to Jameson's words: "You two are the opposite sides of fate."

Was her life nothing more than raw material for a tool in the hands of the strong?

Nivalis, sensing Rita's spiraling emotions, encased her in an icy sphere and spun her in the air with a playful 360-degree twirl.

The sudden motion snapped Rita out of her reverie. She gave a light pat to Nivalis's head. "I'm fine."

Nivalis quipped, "If you're going to flip a coin, you better catch it."

Rita sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You're right."

First, she needed to deal with the tasks at hand.

Back on Nivalis's back, Rita sent the newly acquired tower information to Shadow.Q.

[Shadow.Q]: Let's climb the tower together. Once inside, you can move independently, but we should establish a code for regrouping if necessary. It'll help us stay grounded.

[Rita]: Agreed. That's my plan too.

[Shadow.Q]: Are you back on Blue Star?

[Rita]: Almost. Should be home by the evening of the 3rd.

[Shadow.Q]: Zoey's concert is conveniently in S City on the 3rd. Heading to the Northwest on the 4th.

[Rita]: I'll be there!
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Rita and Nivalis rushed home at full speed. Landing at Ton Ton Mountain, she sprayed herself with Gold-Class Assassin perfume. She hated to waste it, but the 36 main cities were currently on high alert for anyone with a charm stat of 10. Not just local guards—almost all races were involved in the hunt.

Even if her charm wasn't exactly 10, her captivating presence and lack of a solid identity could still get her detained. Blood Elves and Moonfoxes had it the worst. In the short time she'd been standing there, Rita had already learned how to say "It's not me!" in both Blood Elf and Moonfox languages.

Captured individuals who were determined not to be the target received compensation, so some high-charm folks didn't even mind getting caught.

The Moonfox City faction offered 500 gold coins for confirmed charm 10 individuals after verification by the Fogtail clan. However, the Oak Owls from the City of Eternal Day had raised their offer to 600 coins, prompting the Moonfoxes to retaliate with a bid of 666 coins.

Waiting in line at the teleportation array, Rita overheard passersby discussing a Blood Elf ascending at the Eternal Night Fortress. When it was her turn, she immediately changed her destination to the Eternal Night Fortress.

Upon arrival, an immense oppressive force surrounded her. Looking up, she saw the sky swarming with Oak Owls, their sheer number blotting out the moonlight. At that moment, the fortress seemed to plunge into true darkness.

The Oak Owls were all silently watching the high tower. There, bathed in moonlight, stood a Blood Elf. Light feathers gathered around him, forming nascent wings. However, the right wing's tip was missing a piece, as though it had been bitten off by a beast.

The silver moon of the Eternal Night Fortress hung behind him. In front of him stood a towering figure with massive black wings—the Owl Emperor—smiling faintly as he watched the elf.

Above the Blood Elf's head, a line of striking red text glowed:

[Peach Crown · Level 125 · 100%┃100%]

The usually bustling fortress was utterly silent.

Though Rita had arrived late, the ritual continued for another half hour. When it finally concluded, every Oak Owl unfurled their wings in unison with a resounding whoosh. They began singing a powerful, unfamiliar melody, each emphatic beat accompanied by a synchronized spread of wings, like swords being unsheathed—a majestic war anthem rather than a song of celebration.