100\% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full? Chapter 521 - Grand Opening

With a mere three days left until the grand opening, an palpable sense of anticipation had already permeated every corner of Lootwell.

This eagerness manifested differently across the populace, a unique reflection of each individual's perspective.

Beyond the protective barrier, the world had begun its pilgrimage.

Following Lucien’s directive, the outer barrier, once invisible to common sight, now presented a subtle presence. It was there, yet only just enough to be perceived.

From a considerable distance, observers could detect the faint outline of something immense where the desolate, dead desert should have remained an unbroken expanse.

Yet, regardless of the methods employed, penetrating its veil proved impossible.

This mystery only served to heighten the restlessness of the gathered crowds.

Makeshift encampments had already sprung up outside the perimeter, an organic expansion that showed no signs of stopping.

Were it not for his own observations, Lucien might have suspected some audacious individual had erected a nascent city before Lootwell out of sheer, unadulterated curiosity.

Standing at the precipice of the Stillness Palace, he surveyed the burgeoning sea of temporary settlements and exhaled slowly.

"So many have already arrived," Vivian murmured, her voice a gentle counterpoint to the scene.

Lucien offered a single nod in agreement.

"By tomorrow, their numbers will undoubtedly multiply."

The impending opening had transcended its status as a purely local affair; it had evolved into a significant convergence point.

• • •

Two days hence, the allied factions made their ingress into Lootwell, a process personally overseen by Eirene utilizing the remarkable Void Disc.

The meeting proceeded without a hitch.

Remarkably, they still retained no recollection of Lucien.

Fortunately, the absence of memory proved no impediment to practical arrangements.

An accord was swiftly reached.

The soul contract, meticulously drafted in unambiguous terms, was signed and sealed on the spot.

Moments later, both the Lunareths and Dawnbinder had finalized their respective commitments to the agreement.

The true astonishment of the gathering, however, emerged only afterward.

Lucien had intentionally brought Elias along.

Dawnbinder’s attention was immediately captivated by the young man.

Nay, not merely noticed. He was utterly ensnared.

"This one," Dawnbinder stated with deliberate slowness, his gaze fixed, "is human?"

Elias, now accustomed to the scrutiny of ancient and peculiar beings, maintained his composure.

"Yes."

Dawnbinder studied him intently for another long moment before shaking his head, a gesture that seemed to convey a mild displeasure with the very nature of reality.

"For a human, your Luminarch bloodline is exceptionally potent."

Lucien crossed his arms, his expression unreadable.

"Precisely why I sought an audience with you regarding a certain matter."

Dawnbinder directed a questioning glance towards him.

Wasting no time, Lucien continued, "If it is at all possible, I wish for Elias to learn under your tutelage."

A palpable stillness descended upon the hall for a beat.

Dawnbinder shifted his complete focus back to Elias.

Then, to Lucien's utter surprise, Dawnbinder let out a soft sigh.

"Formally accepting him as a disciple would indeed bring me honor," he stated.

Elias remained perfectly still.

Lucien waited expectantly.

Dawnbinder elaborated, "Which is precisely why I must decline to label it as such."

This unexpected response elicited a flicker of consternation from several individuals present.

"Why is that?" Lucien inquired.

Dawnbinder’s gaze remained fixed on Elias.

"Because he already embodies the nascent stages of his own unique path," Dawnbinder explained. "A mentor can offer assistance, refine his skills, and illuminate obscured avenues, but if I were to force him prematurely into the mold of my own tradition, I might inadvertently diminish his potential."

Finally, Dawnbinder redirected his attention to Lucien.

"I shall instruct him," he declared. "Not with the aim of replication, like a master seeking a successor. Instead, I shall serve as a guide. As a pathfinder ought to."

Lucien felt a subtle relaxation in his posture.

That was sufficient.

However, Dawnbinder was not yet finished.

He turned once more to Elias, his voice resonating with the solemn gravity of an ancient vow invoked before witnesses. "I will aid you in fully awakening your Luminarch heritage. And I shall forge you into a pathfinder superior to what the faded glory of our lineage deserves."

He then appended, "Perhaps even surpassing the greatness of the past itself."

This was a profoundly audacious claim.

Lucien grasped the implication immediately.

This endeavor extended far beyond the mere instruction of Elias.

Dawnbinder harbored a deep desire to see the Luminarch name restored, not through mere reminiscence, but through tangible achievement.

By fostering Elias’s ascent, he believed he could reclaim a fragment of ancient significance, reintroducing it into the current era.

Lucien inclined his head in acknowledgment.

"You have my deepest gratitude."

Dawnbinder offered a smile, though a subtle undercurrent of puzzlement was discernible within it.

"There is no need for thanks," he responded. "Curiously, though this marks our first encounter, a part of me already perceives this as a continuation of a prior discourse."

This peculiar sentiment rendered Lucien momentarily speechless.

Then, he nodded once, softly.

"Yes," he replied quietly. "I comprehend that sensation entirely."

With that understanding, the nascent alliance solidified further.

They remained within Lootwell thereafter, awaiting the grand opening alongside the rest of the inner circle.

• • •

On the eve of the grand opening, the external encampments had transformed into a self-contained world.

By this juncture, even Lucien found himself impressed.

The environs surrounding Lootwell now teemed with such a dense concentration of life that, viewed from above, they resembled vast migrating armies.

The sheer volume of individuals present was staggering.

Yet, he understood this was merely the vanguard. Those who had arrived with such haste were either geographically proximate or possessed the backing of factions with unparalleled methods of conveyance.

After all, only a handful of days had elapsed since the initial announcement was disseminated.

Nevertheless, with so many individuals converging on a single point of interest, disorder became an unavoidable consequence.

Disagreements sparked. Then brief skirmishes erupted. Subsequently, more significant confrontations arose between factions that had self-assuredly decided that a "minor territorial dispute" was distinct from causing trouble.

Lucien observed the unfolding situation for a full quarter of an hour.

Then, with a sigh, he summoned Astraea.

"Sister, please escort the others," he requested. "Remind them to behave, politely."

Astraea offered a smile that transformed the word "politely" into the overture of a stern warning.

The moment she appeared above the encampments, accompanied by the other ancient beasts, the entire atmosphere underwent an immediate transformation.

A dozen Eternals. A formidable presence.

Waves of pure pressure emanated from them, cascading outwards. The assembled outsiders collectively realized the sobering truth: few experiences could be as humbling as discovering that a hidden civilization deemed a dozen Eternal-level beings ordinary enough to deploy for simple crowd management.

The cacophony ceased. Arguments halted mid-sentence, their self-righteous justifications cut short. More than one conceited young master found their bravado faltering as the very heavens seemed poised to personally deliver judgment upon them.

Astraea's voice, unhurried, cascaded over the gathered camps.

"Lootwell has not yet commenced operations," she announced. "Yet, some among you are already testing the limits of our patience."

A profound silence followed. No one dared to respond.

Such discretion was indeed wise.

Her gaze swept across the assembly like an unhurried blade, confident in its own lethality.

"Those who instigate disorder are not welcome here."

The ancient beasts beside her remained motionless, a stillness that somehow amplified the implicit threat. Morveth alone possessed an aura of polite catastrophe that prompted several sect representatives to immediately re-evaluate their own personal conduct.

Astraea continued, her words carrying undeniable weight: "Individuals who disregard Lootwell's regulations will be placed on a blacklist before they even have the chance to pass through the gate. If you are incapable of exercising self-control for a single night, then you forfeit your right to enter tomorrow."

This pronouncement settled the matter.

The camps fell into complete quietude.

Not out of universal agreement.

Rather, from a collective desire to avoid becoming the infamous fool remembered as the first individual barred from Lootwell before its doors had even opened.

Lucien observed the restored order and nodded, a broad smile gracing his features.

•••

Later that same evening, Lucien issued a second proclamation.

He returned to the Origin Core Shrine.

Once more, he placed his hand upon the merged fragment.

Then, he disseminated the rules.

This time, every communication device flared with an intensified light, and the message that materialized was more extensive, colder in tone, and utterly devoid of any pretense of casual courtesy.

***

A Public Notice from Lootwell

All who enter Lootwell do so under Lootwell's established law.

Lootwell exists as a realm of order. Entry is a privilege granted, not an inherent right.

All attendees will require legally recognized access credentials. Any loss, damage, or contravention of the stipulated token conditions will result in immediate expulsion. Particularly egregious violations will incur a permanent blacklist.

Designated restricted zones are non-negotiable. Unauthorized entry, intrusive examination, malicious tampering, acts of theft, covert aggression, concealed hostility, and any interference with the site's operational arrays are strictly prohibited and will be subject to punitive measures.

Within its boundaries, Lootwell recognizes no status above its own codified law. Affluence, sect affiliation, noble standing, ancestral lineage, and place of origin offer no exemptions to any guest.

Commerce is encouraged. Knowledge acquisition is welcomed. Exemplary conduct is mandatory.

Those who arrive with peaceful intentions shall discover ample legitimate opportunities. Conversely, those harboring veiled malevolence will learn that Lootwell possesses no tolerance for ill-considered challenges.

Study these stipulations carefully prior to your entry.

***

The regulations propagated throughout the assembled masses.

As Lucien removed his hand, the ensuing reactions aligned perfectly with his expectations.

Those who approached with genuine intent found the laws to be a source of reassurance. A domain governed by clear statutes was preferable to one subject to arbitrary decisions.

Conversely, those who harbored hopes of exploiting loopholes felt a prickling unease crawl up their spines.

Within the merchant encampments, reputable individuals offered thoughtful nods.

Within certain sect pavilions, less scrupulous individuals abruptly fell silent and began to revise their initial plans for the following day.

One young heir, who had originally intended to "explore privately and uncover hidden valuables," reread the clause concerning concealed aggression three times before hesitantly inquiring of his steward, "Do you believe excessive pride might be construed as covert hostility?"

His steward responded with practical wisdom: "Tomorrow would be an exceptionally ill-advised day to discover the answer."

That particular response likely saved him from a deeply embarrassing expulsion.

Lucien found this outcome satisfactory.

By the time the announcement had concluded its dissemination, the atmosphere within the crowd had shifted perceptibly.

It was now universally understood that Lootwell was not merely opening its gates like a marketplace desperate for attention.

It was, in effect, declaring its sovereign jurisdiction.

This crucial distinction altered everything.

•••

And then, the appointed day finally arrived.

The grand inauguration.

Lucien positioned himself at the precipice of the Stillness Palace, gazing down upon the entire scene.

He had no intention of revealing his presence.

Lootwell did not require its discreet sovereign to stand sentinel at the gate.

A vast receiving line for outer disciples had already coalesced at the grand entrance below.

Vivian maintained a composed demeanor, dressed in formal attire, unfazed by the immense scale of the event unfolding before her. Standing just behind and slightly to her side was Eirene, radiating a calm akin to moonlight, and her presence alone seemed to lend an air of greater dignity to the surroundings, as she made no move to rush.

This observation alone sent ripples of reaction through the assembled powers.

The reason was simple: Eirene was recognized by many.

Those who knew her certainly hadn't anticipated seeing her alongside Lootwell.

Behind their carefully maintained expressions, calculations shifted dramatically. Some immediately considered approaching her to solicit favors, preferential entry, or at the very least, the appearance of conversing with someone of evident importance.

Then, they recalled the established regulations.

More critically, Eirene's expression suggested she would offer no special assistance to anyone facing removal, simply for inadvertently smiling at an inopportune moment.

Thus, they curbed their impulses.

Shortly thereafter, the protective barrier before the assembled crowd began to shimmer. It had not yet fully opened, remaining like a vast, clear refusal awaiting the appropriate conditions to transform into a welcome.

Vivian stepped forward.

Her voice, amplified by the territory's arrays, carried without strain, distortion, or any loss of her characteristic calm, reaching even the furthest rows of the gathered multitude.

A hush fell over everyone.

All eyes turned towards her.

And Vivian, despite feeling the immense pressure of countless gazes and the even greater weight of what stood behind her, did not waver.

She raised her sight above them all and declared with clarity:

"By the decree of Lootwell, and under the jurisdiction of its domain..."

She allowed a brief pause, just long enough for the silence to deepen.

"Lootwell is now officially open to the public."

At her pronouncement, the barrier responded. Ripples of light expanded outwards, reminiscent of a dawn held in check, and for the first time, the world was permitted to truly begin its observation.