100\% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full? Chapter 534 - Changes

Time marched onward.

The inaugural satellite branch of Lootwell truly lived up to its designation.

Cecil had truly excelled. His performance was outstanding.

Lucien pored over the compiled data more than once, feeling an increasing sense of pride in what the young man had meticulously established there, a testament to his discipline rather than sheer aptitude.

He operated with clear objectives, actively listened before making determinations, and never treated his significant responsibilities as mere ornamental perks.

The personnel selected for the rotational shifts also complemented the established framework effectively. They grasped that this branch wasn't a lesser echo of Lootwell, but rather a genuine extension of its grander design. Consequently, they upheld the same rigorous standards externally, even if the localized regulations were more lenient than those governing the central hub.

The majority of the communication apparatuses retailed at this location were standard civilian models.

This branch was strategically established not solely for the generation of revenue, but to broaden the overall reach and accessibility of Lootwell's services, catering to individuals unable to make the journey to the main territory.

Superior-tier devices were, naturally, available, albeit in carefully controlled quantities.

Their distribution remained deliberately restricted.

The integrated repair facilities functioned with precisely the efficacy Lucien had envisioned.

Once the populace recognized that the cost of repairing a malfunctioning unit was substantially less than purchasing a new one outright, a profound sense of confidence blossomed nearly instantaneously. Individuals ceased viewing the devices as delicate luxuries and began to perceive them as dependable instruments integrated into a larger, interconnected system. This fundamental shift in perspective held more weight than many merchants comprehended.

It signified that the network was progressively becoming ingrained in daily life.

...

Security protocols also remained steadfast.

Lilith and Anvil-Horn had executed their duties exceptionally well.

Those who arrived harboring the misguided conviction that the satellite branch would inevitably be less stringent than the main city quickly learned the error of their assumptions.

One faction foolishly attempted to tamper with the branch's protective field. Another endeavored to smuggle disruptive contraband past the initial inspection. A third, overly reliant on a concealment technique likely acquired at considerable expense, tested the perceived leniency of the branch's surveillance protocols in comparison to Lootwell's main scrutiny.

All three groups were summarily ejected.

Each of the three groups subsequently found themselves placed on a permanent blacklist.

The unequivocal message disseminated rapidly throughout the populace.

A satellite branch of Lootwell was, in essence, still Lootwell.

Following these incidents, disruptive elements exhibited considerably less ingenuity in their attempts.

...

With the primary satellite branch firmly established and operating smoothly, discussions regarding the establishment of further branches naturally arose.

Kael’s workload escalated substantially, even more so than in previous periods.

He was now collaborating closely with Shadow, an arrangement that proved mutually beneficial. Kael possessed an innate understanding of commercial dynamics, logistical flow, consumer demand, market visibility, and the art of subtly igniting desire before the audience even recognized their own need. Shadow, conversely, had an intimate knowledge of various regions, their inherent risks, porous borders, clandestine trade routes, local cultural nuances, and the territories merely feigning a facade of stability.

In tandem, they began identifying the next most promising strategic locations.

Lucien entrusted this critical undertaking entirely to their expertise.

This delegation represented another significant indicator of Lootwell's transformative evolution. Not every nascent initiative now necessitated his direct intervention from its inception. Certain strategic decisions now matured more effectively when delegated to capable individuals, allowing them to refine their plans through practical application and real-world feedback.

He found this development immensely gratifying.

•••

Concurrently, the clandestine intelligence network continued its steady expansion.

Reaper and Eldran's specialized units had already concluded the comprehensive charting of the entire Sareth region.

Lucien subsequently instructed them to pinpoint optimal sites for the future installation of instantaneous teleportation arrays and crucial route anchors.

Their efforts, however, extended far beyond mere location identification. They meticulously constructed intricate models of hidden transit pathways connecting these designated points, meticulously overlaying them with detailed strategic annotations, contingency corridors, assessments of logistical feasibility, and comprehensive threat evaluations. The result was no longer simply a map; it had become a foundational blueprint for future strategic maneuverability.

This intricate planning greatly pleased Lucien.

What brought him even greater satisfaction was the fact that they had already initiated the rigorous training of new recruits, preparing them to become the next generation of operatives within the shadow network.

Robin was among these promising candidates.

Upon reviewing the pertinent reports, Lucien allowed himself a knowing smile. One of the former Beacons of Light had embarked on a trajectory far divergent from conventional expectations. Under Sebas's tutelage, Robin’s inherent talents had not been suppressed; rather, they had been masterfully honed and refined. The individual who was once a precocious Phantom Thief, possessing a fundamentally good heart but an excess of youthful impetuosity, had evolved into something far more subtle, composed, and elegantly precise.

Sebas had indeed performed admirably.

Robin was no longer a mere youth merely posturing as exceptionally clever. He was steadily transforming into the kind of individual who could infiltrate a setting, subtly acquire critical information, and depart leaving behind such a profound state of bewilderment that observers would then engage in protracted debates regarding whether the original objective had ever truly existed.

Lucien readily approved of his development.

Reaper shared this positive assessment.

Robin, to his credit, responded to the commendations with nothing more than a quiet smile and a respectful bow.

Lucien, upon receiving the subsequent debriefing, concluded that the training regimen was progressing exceptionally well and would, therefore, require absolutely no external interference.

•••

During this same period, Lucien dedicated a portion of his time to investigating another critical matter.

The subject of these investigations were the legendary Law Cores of mythical rarity.

He had personally witnessed their remarkable effects firsthand.

His current objective was to ascertain whether these potent effects could be seamlessly transferred to other individuals and, crucially, whether the resulting enhancements would remain stable and consistent when influenced by the recipient’s unique cultivation path, inherent constitution, and current cultivation realm.

Consequently, he commenced a series of meticulous experiments.

Rurik was selected as one of the initial test subjects.

Rurik, in his own developing capacity, also cultivated the Law of Creation, and possessed a sharp intellect that precluded the squandering of such a rare Law Core through foolish misapplication.

Upon Rurik's activation of the Law Core provided by Lucien, the effect manifested instantaneously, inducing a deeply resonant and profoundly beneficial sense of unease.

A new lawful structure entered his consciousness, and his entire comprehension of forging, material causality, and the possibility of constructs shifted within minutes. Rurik remained in stunned silence for such a prolonged period that Lucien almost checked if the core had simply shattered his mind. Subsequently, Rurik looked up, his eyes blazing, and uttered the most Rurik-like statement imaginable: "I can bestow distinct law-attacks upon the automatons."

Lucien chuckled. Naturally, that was his immediate thought. Weaponized engineering – precisely why Lucien found him so appealing.

Rurik swiftly located Seren and commissioned another series of automatons, meticulously refined for variable lawful integration. This development alone was a significant achievement. However, Lucien’s ambitions extended further; he craved a more rigorous trial. Therefore, he selected an individual at the apex of the Metamorphosis stage, someone who had yet to integrate with any law. If the law cores could directly facilitate such a transition, the consequences would be nothing short of extraordinary.

A practitioner from the desert tribes was chosen. Lucien presented him with a Core of Erosion, an item obtained from one of the goblins he and Seran had battled in the void. The man then proceeded to crush it, and in that instant, everything transformed. He fell into an almost immediate coma. For several days, his body lay inert while the law permeated him seamlessly and completely. The desert folk’s intricate tattoo patterns darkened, shifted, and reformed. Markings resembling sand hues grew sharper, more severe, and flowed with a fluidity that seemed to imprint the very essence of gradual attrition onto his skin.

Upon awakening, he hadn’t merely acquired knowledge of erosion; he had internalized it. His cultivation realm had dramatically ascended, reaching the pinnacle of Ascendant. Lucien experienced genuine satisfaction. The outcome was so astounding that he ordered the records to be re-examined twice, ensuring no one had succumbed to madness during the process. Yet, the results remained consistent: sixty percent comprehension. This was the effectiveness attributed to the mythical cores, translating to the peak of the Ascendant Realm, provided the recipient’s foundation did not reject the law and their body endured the transition.

Lucien contemplated the report for an extended period. It wasn't merely impressive; it was perilous. With the right individuals, meticulous selection, and a sufficient supply of mythical law-cores, he could assemble a formidable army in an astonishingly short timeframe. The desert practitioner, once he fully understood what had transpired, regarded Lucien with the awe one might show a deity who had personally granted him a second existence. He subsequently treated Lucien as a god.

Lucien offered no specific comment on this, beyond the increasingly pertinent observation that while worship might be socially awkward, it appeared to function exceptionally well as a source of power. This became more evident with each passing week. Increasingly, individuals within Lootwell began actively channeling their reverence. The profound loyalty of the citizens, the burgeoning devotion of the newly accepted, the faith of those elevated beyond their former lives, the gratitude of those healed, strengthened, protected, or transformed under Lootwell's aegis… all of it coalesced and flowed.

The chapel emerged as the most direct conduit. Within its sacred space, divine energy condensed and surged towards Lucien with alarming density. The greater the populace's belief in his creation and what he symbolized to them, the more his Divine Energy Core responded. Its capacity continued to expand, its internal dimension broadened. The nascent Tree of Creation stood at the heart of an ever-expanding domain, and the entirety of his inner world grew in ways that could no longer be easily described as metaphorical. Lucien had ceased remarking upon it; it had evolved into one of those truths best understood through direct experience rather than philosophical discourse. Lootwell was reshaping him, and in turn, he was reshaping Lootwell. This reciprocal cycle had become too profound to ignore.

Then came Vivian’s birthday – her twenty-eighth. Lucien stood at the periphery of the Stillness Palace, observing her from a distance before speaking. Initially, she was unaware of his presence. She stood near an open terrace, gazing towards the horizon with a stillness that conveyed not peace, but a profound sadness, old enough that she could no longer completely conceal it, even from herself. Lucien recognized that expression, having seen it before, not only in her but in others who had long endured absence and learned to bear it silently to avoid burdening those around them.

Lucien let out a sigh. Seran had mentioned that the Celestial Race domain remained sealed. Lucien had deliberately avoided this matter for compelling reasons. He had not always possessed sufficient power to traverse the Void Disc safely. The world still did not remember him. He was uncertain how the Celestials would react to a sudden appearance. And deeper than all these concerns lay a private dread he seldom dared to voice: Were their parents truly present? Or were they mere phantoms, reflections, or perhaps something more sinister – memories imbued with form? He had hesitated for far too long.

But seeing Vivian in her current state, the hesitation that had plagued him began to wither away within him.

He could endure it no longer.

Certain matters held greater significance than patiently waiting for the unknown to reveal itself with politeness.

Thus, his decision was made.

Later that same day, he located her within a more secluded chamber and stated plainly, "I have a birthday present for you."

Vivian's gaze lifted.

"A gift?"

Lucien offered a nod.

Then, recognizing the absence of any elegant approach to broach the subject, he continued, "I am taking you to the Celestial Race's domain."

For a fleeting moment, she remained motionless, her expression unreadable.

Subsequently, her eyes widened in astonishment.

Lucien moved nearer, speaking before she could articulate a response.

"I apologize that it has taken so long, sis."

That simple declaration was sufficient.

Vivian finally broke down.

She surged forward, collapsing into his embrace, weeping against him in a manner that simultaneously tightened Lucien's chest with guilt and filled it with relief.

More than anyone, she yearned to see their parents.

Lucien held her gently, allowing her sorrow to flow.

This, he reflected, was the gift that truly mattered.

It offered a path toward that part of her heart which had never fully mended.

Once her breathing had somewhat stabilized, Lucien lightly rested his cheek against her hair and softly declared, "We will go together."

Vivian clutched him more tightly.

He offered no guarantees of safety.

He did not pledge that the outcome would be gentle.

He only pledged the single certainty he could provide.

She would not have to confront it alone.

And for that instant, it was enough.