100\% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full? Chapter 520 - Announcement

The following day saw Lucien summoning the key figures to convene within the Origin Core Shrine.

A palpable stillness permeated the chamber, unusual given the multitude of individuals present.

This quietude, however, was not one of emptiness.

Rather, it throbbed with a potent sense of anticipation.

The consolidated Origin Core fragment resided within the shrine, emanated like a disciplined celestial body held in check.

Around the chamber, scribes diligently continued their tasks in hushed professionalism. Even at this moment, minor affairs were being channeled through the network without interruption.

Disputes between sects. Collusion among merchants to fix prices. Petty confrontations between rival disciples. And, to Lucien’s unending astonishment, a surprising number of heated arguments conducted entirely through the communication devices.

He had indeed engineered an infrastructure that would alter the world.

Yet, the initial application by many was to accelerate their squabbles.

Lucien had resolved to cease being taken aback by the quirks of civilization.

Today, however, his purpose was not to scrutinize trivialities.

Today, he had arrived with the intention of reshaping the world’s trajectory.

The most recent consignment of communication devices had been entirely depleted, selling out completely.

This time, Kael found no need to journey great distances in pursuit of buyers; the buyers had actively sought him out.

Every entity had grasped the significance of its scarcity.

Delay too long, and the available stock would evaporate. Hesitate excessively, and another faction would seize the advantage. Feign indifference, and your rivals would orchestrate their moves with greater swiftness than yours.

Consequently, by the time the substantial shipment entered the market... sects, merchant guilds, clans, and itinerant cultivators from regions beyond Sareth had already begun congregating near Kael’s anticipated routes, much like predators lying in wait at a watering hole.

Individuals from distant territories had also made their appearance.

This particular development brought Lucien immense satisfaction.

The more regions that were already intertwined with the devices, the more extensive and impactful the subsequent wave of influence would become.

A solitary announcement originating within Sareth might have sparked a mere rumor.

However, a simultaneous announcement broadcast across multiple regions would instigate significant widespread activity.

Lucien desired nothing less than widespread activity.

Once all the prominent figures had convened, he approached the Origin Core fragment itself.

Lucien extended a hand, placing it upon the merged fragment.

The instant his palm made contact, the connection was established.

He perceived it immediately.

The intricate network of threads.

Billions of delicate, lawful filaments extending outward across the globe, each linked to a communication device that had been activated and integrated into the network. The entire construct resembled a vast, sentient web, unified by a singular, controlling consciousness.

Lucien drew a deep breath and allowed his awareness to permeate the structure.

He sensed Sareth first. Then, the more remote territories. Subsequently, the isolated devices held by wary factions situated beyond the region. Following that, the extensive trade routes. Then, the headquarters of various sects. Next, the residences of nobles. Finally, the secluded chambers where powerful individuals kept their recent acquisitions concealed, still uncertain whether to marvel at or harbor apprehension towards their purchase.

He located every single one.

Then, he initiated the broadcast.

Every communication device linked across the network illuminated simultaneously.

Conversations ceased abruptly. Hands froze mid-action. Gazes sharpened. Arguments dissolved before being completed.

Across all regions, the identical message materialized in a luminous, pale script above each active device:

A Public Announcement from Lootwell

In precisely six days, Lootwell shall officially open its borders to the wider world.

The former Karesh Desert, now brought under lawful governance, shall henceforth be known as Lootwell.

The communication devices currently disseminating throughout the various regions were meticulously produced and distributed from Lootwell.

Those who seek commerce, enlightenment, trials, remedies, or legitimate opportunities are hereby invited to attend.

Conversely, individuals harboring intentions of disruption, larceny, espionage, or covert hostility are strongly advised to reconsider their plans.

Lootwell extends hospitality based on established law, not through anarchy. All attendees are expected to prepare themselves accordingly.

Entry to Lootwell will be subject to stringent regulation. Access will be judiciously evaluated. All conduct will be taken into serious consideration.

Attend if you desire to witness the emergence of that which has coalesced behind the veil.

Lootwell commences its operations in six days.

The notification persisted for a few moments.

...

Within the shrine, an immediate silence descended.

Lucien deliberately withdrew his hand.

The message had been dispatched.

The world, in its entirety, would now grapple with the consequences.

Kael emitted a low, impressed whistle.

"That," he stated, "is no ordinary merchant announcement."

Lucien directed a glance towards him.

"It is an invitation."

Elias observed the receding thread-map with an inscrutable calm.

"And a potent warning as well."

Elk broke into a radiant smile.

"Moreover, it's the most impeccable form of advertisement."

Vivian exhaled softly through her nose, her gaze still fixed upon the fragment.

"The world is about to descend into utter chaos."

Eirene’s expression remained almost unchanged.

"A portion of it will indeed panic," she remarked. "The remainder, however, will don their finest attire and refer to their panic as an official delegation."

This observation elicited a burst of laughter from Lucien.

•••

The world's reaction unfolded precisely as anticipated.

Initially, a profound silence enveloped everything.

The specific kind of quiet that descends upon a gathering when an overwhelming number of individuals simultaneously perceive the same improbable event.

Within the halls of Sareth’s sects, all activity ground to a halt.

In a secluded courtyard, an elder, after reading the announcement for the second and then a third time, quietly murmured with absolute conviction, "This is precisely how hidden empires commence their ascent."

His disciple, standing attentively behind him, inquired with careful consideration, "Elder, do hidden empires typically announce their own existence?"

The elder remained silent, offering no reply.

Meanwhile, elsewhere, the reactions were far more pronounced.

Those who had previously harbored suspicions that the devices originated from a larger entity now found their beliefs solidifying all at once.

It was entirely predictable that the initial widespread dissemination would center around Sareth. It made sense that the caravans exhibited such an unusual degree of confidence.

The origin point, it turned out, had been the Karesh Desert all along. Or rather, the transformed state of the Karesh Desert.

Lootwell.

That name immediately began to circulate.

Initially, it was passed in hushed whispers. Then, it became the subject of open conversations. Finally, it spread with the rapid, forceful momentum typical of significant names when associated with power, potential opportunity, and considerable danger.

The Karesh Desert, under its new, concealed sovereign, had already become a locale steeped in rumor.

Now, that sovereign had made their presence known.

What was more concerning was that the announcement was public and delivered with an assurance that suggested no apprehension about potential repercussions.

Such a declaration alone was enough to disturb prudent individuals.

This level of confidence could only stem from one of two possibilities.

Either the clandestine ruler was a complete fool, or Lootwell possessed a more formidable nature than the world had previously perceived.

Given the presence of figures like Morveth, Condoriano, and Saber in Kael's vicinity, the notion of the ruler being a fool was quickly dismissed by anyone who had witnessed them.

In a distant outer territory, a merchant patriarch read the message and let out a single, disbelieving laugh.

"So, the desert was busy establishing a kingdom while we were haggling over trade routes."

His daughter promptly corrected him.

"Not a kingdom."

He glanced at her.

She raised her communication device slightly and stated, "A producer."

That single word silenced him more effectively than any argument could have.

Because she was absolutely correct.

This was not merely the announcement of a hidden city revealing its existence.

This was the very entity that had already reshaped regional communication, prestige, coordination, gossip, trade velocity, and even sect politics without even unveiling its gates.

And now, it extended an invitation for others to enter.

This implied that Lootwell did not require external validation to be significant.

It was already profoundly impactful.

In a different region, a group of junior disciples, who had only recently managed to acquire a shared communication device through collective effort, were astounded when the message materialized.

"Lootwell?"

"The desert is a city now?"

"No, you idiot, it says lawful order. That means it's bigger than a city."

"What does ’access will be judged’ mean?"

"It means we should dress better."

"Why would our attire matter?"

"Because if a hidden civilization scrutinizes me while I appear impoverished, my psyche will never recover."

That particular statement resonated far beyond their sect.

Not due to its profound wisdom, but because its truth was painfully apparent.

...

The ripples of rumor did not stay contained within Sareth.

They surged outwards.

The communication devices had already bridged geographical divides, and now the message traversed these same networks.

The world began to adapt to this new reality instantaneously.

Those who had previously failed to obtain communication devices were now gripped by genuine panic.

This was because the devices were no longer merely convenient tools sold by itinerant merchants.

They were now unequivocally linked to the inaugural public declaration of a concealed territory whose influence had already begun to fundamentally alter the established order of life.

Missing out on acquiring a device had been unfortunate; missing Lootwell's grand opening could prove to be an unforgivable oversight.

Caravans began to alter their intended routes.

Sect envoys commenced finalizing departure rosters even before official sanction had been granted. Merchant guilds dispatched urgent messengers to recall representatives deemed valuable for the impending opening. Ambitious families initiated discussions regarding whether to dispatch sons, daughters, or trusted stewards to conduct initial reconnaissance. Independent adventurers began to hone their weaponry, prepare their travel provisions, and strategize how to appear as if heading towards the former Karesh Desert had been their original intention all along.

Even those individuals who lacked a clear understanding of their motivations found themselves compelled to move.

The immense scale of the unfolding event was already becoming discernible.

A significant power had risen in secrecy.

Merchants foresaw lucrative opportunities. Sects anticipated strategic advantages. Scholars envisioned the recovery of lost knowledge. Deceivers detected avenues for illicit profit. Spies perceived an intriguing challenge. And the more discerning individuals, those whom Lucien admired from afar, sensed the dawn of a new historical epoch.

Such was the true magnitude of this development.

This was not merely the commencement of an event.

It was a phenomenon of such consequence that it could reshape established routes.

The world had undergone a fundamental shift.

To such an extent that individuals who had never once concerned themselves with the desert were now making preparations to journey towards it.

Within the sacred shrine, as a deluge of fresh reports poured in from anxious merchants, eager observers, concerned sects, and ecstatic devotees of chaos, Lucien stood before the Origin Core, attentively listening.

Vivian approached and stood beside him.

"The world is in motion now," she said softly.

Lucien offered a slight nod.

"Indeed."