100\% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full? Chapter 546 - Accelerate

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Previously on 100\% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full?...
Lucien awakens from a vision, deeply disturbed by what he saw regarding the Origin Core and the Primordial Entities' motives. Alanthuriel appears, revealing that he surrendered a key to Oblivion but modified it to buy time. Alanthuriel explains that direct interference from the Abyss would have been worse, and encourages Lucien, stating he is on the right path by fostering growth and change within his territory, Lootwell, rather than accumulating power alone. Alanthuriel decides to stay and observe, confirming that Lucien's approach is indeed the way to potentially shift the universe's fate.
Lootwell’s reach expanded, with new branches established across the Western Continent, plunging everyone back into activity. But this time, the busyness felt different. Instead of the pressure of survival, it was fueled by momentum. People acted with clear objectives. Representatives from various divisions coordinated seamlessly, without requiring Lucien’s constant oversight. Eirene, Vivian, Elias, Kael, Cecil, Clara, Lilith, Rurik, and the others were no longer waiting for directives on every matter. They had internalized Lucien’s strategic thinking. More importantly, Lucien had empowered them to trust their own judgment, a change that revolutionized operations. A leader who answers every question inevitably becomes the primary bottleneck in their own organization. Lucien had no desire to be Lootwell’s biggest obstacle, simply because people relied on him too heavily to make decisions independently. Thus, he delegated authority. Lucien still reviewed significant strategic movements, but the territory no longer stagnated in his absence. This demonstrated growth, enabling the branches to flourish. The world observed this expansion and labeled Lootwell as ambitious. Lucien, upon hearing these reports, offered a faint smile. Their assessment wasn't incorrect, they simply lacked understanding of the true purpose behind this ambition. He kept the full scope of his vision hidden from everyone. The reality was too immense and too harsh. Lucien had no intention of casting a shadow of cosmic judgment over every meal, every joyous moment, every child’s training, every worker’s respite, every celebration, and every ordinary morning. He wanted his people to live freely, to grow, and to savor the world they were actively building. If a single person had to bear the weight of the harshest truth, let it be him. Lucien had endured greater burdens before, or at least, he convinced himself of this until the self-deception became a useful tool. ••• Despite his efforts, Seran perceived the shift. One evening, as Lucien was reviewing branch approvals in his office, the communication artifact pulsed. "You are accelerating your pace." Lucien read the message, then let out a soft laugh. "A sharp one, you are." He responded, "Am I?" Seran’s reply arrived almost instantly. "The rhythm has changed. You seem to be in a hurry now." Lucien’s smile faltered slightly. He remained silent for several breaths, contemplating how much to reveal. He could share some of it, though perhaps not the most critical aspects, but enough to guide Seran. Finally, he sent back: "The world is too fragile." Seran didn’t reply immediately. Lucien continued, "The Liberators must also strengthen. Utilize the connection to Lootwell. Bring your people through the array. I will grant you access to the Law Books." This time, Seran’s response was delayed. "Full access?" "Controlled full access." Then, "Something has occurred." Lucien simply looked at the message without responding. Seran sent another: "You do not need to tell me now." Lucien closed his eyes briefly before answering, "When it becomes essential, I will tell you." "Sufficient." The Liberator Headquarters was already linked to Lootwell via the instant teleportation array, simplifying the next phase. The world required more than just Lootwell; it needed capable individuals everywhere, and the Liberators had always been adept at handling perilous tasks. They simply needed enhanced weaponry, superior knowledge, and fewer reasons to remain unprepared for the impending scale of challenges. ••• Concurrently, Lucien redirected the recorders’ focus towards Origin Core fragments. Within weeks, the resulting reports became alarming. The recorders amassed comprehensive data: identifying factions that reacted excessively to mentions of the Scarlet Sect, discerning which elders avoided discussions about Origin Core fragments, pinpointing sects that dispatched envoys to sealed vaults upon hearing Lootwell’s deep alliance proposal, tracing merchant houses with historical records of fragment transportation, and uncovering hidden factions that spoke cryptically of "ancestral light," "first inheritance," "core seal," or "world-origin token." One night, Lucien sat with Elias and several recorder captains, observing a projected list populate with name after name: Known holders. Probable holders. Hidden holders. Lucien offered a slow smile. "Excellent." Elias glanced at him. "Shall we act?" "No," Lucien replied, folding his hands. "Pressuring them too soon will drive them further into hiding. Threatening them could forge coalitions. Stealing the fragments would position us as the villains they caution each other against." Elias nodded, comprehending the strategy. "So, we entice them." "Precisely." Lucien re-examined the list. "Allow them to observe the Scarlet Sect. Let them witness how every faction that relinquished a fragment subsequently grew stronger. Encourage them to compare their symbolic treasures against tangible advantages until their pride becomes too costly to maintain." He tapped a name on the list. "Then, they will approach us." A recorder captain inquired cautiously, "And for those who still refuse?" Lucien smiled. "Then we discover what they value more than their prestige." This marked the commencement of a subtler conflict.

Lucien didn't necessarily have to tear every Origin Core fragment from the world by force. His goal was to transform Lootwell into a nexus where ancient treasures blossomed into even greater futures.

Having assimilated nearly fifty fragments, the signal from Lootwell was already disseminating across neighboring continents.

Yet, he deliberately held back from accelerating public expansion beyond the Western Continent.

The West had to achieve complete stability first. The devices needed to permeate every single corner.

Only when the Western Continent was fully saturated, with no significant voids remaining, would Lootwell earnestly advance into adjacent continents.

Hasty expansion leads to a diluted presence.

Solid expansion requires deep roots first.

Lucien was committed to establishing those roots.

•••

His personal cultivation was not neglected either.

In fact, his training regimen became more rigorous than before.

The young Tree of Creation continued to passively imbue him with comprehension, and this influence increasingly benefited those in his close proximity. When Lucien meditated alongside his friends, the effects were quite apparent.

Their comprehension flowed more smoothly.

...

The operational schedules within Lootwell were also meticulously reorganized.

Lucien mandated structural changes to ensure citizens were allocated protected periods for meditation.

Their work was important.

Their growth was equally vital.

This new policy dramatically boosted morale, exceeding expectations.

Lootwell began to flourish in two concurrent directions.

Expanding externally.

Fortifying internally.

...

Lucien also dedicated substantial time to refining the Law Books.

He undertook this task in collaboration with others.

The Grand Archives experienced significant expansion.

Numerous Law Books were now capable of guiding comprehension all the way to the Celestial Realm.

•••

His vocational skills also underwent transformations.

This aspect demanded considerable experimentation and unwavering patience.

Cram Session was the initial focus.

Originally, it permitted Lucien to temporarily lend skills in a limited capacity, proving useful but restricted.

He decided to enhance it.

Modifications were made to Cram Session, enabling it to lend selected skills to a multitude of individuals simultaneously.

Hundreds, if the need arose.

...

Next was Scam the System.

He had previously extended its daily activation duration to five seconds. Exceeding this limit risked attracting the attention of causality.

Now, he had pushed this boundary even further.

Ten seconds.

Naturally, these ten seconds did not necessitate being used consecutively. He retained the flexibility to divide them across various moments throughout the day, activating the skill whenever required until the cumulative duration was depleted.

However, should he breach this amplified limit…

Causality would invariably intervene to enforce correction.

...

Following that came Procrastinate.

He had achieved the capability to induce a targeted sequence of existence to delay for a fleeting second.

In the heat of battle, a single second holds considerable weight.

...

Extra Credit remained the most subtly terrifying of his abilities.

Through Symbiotic Fusion, those linked to Lucien continuously channeled comprehension to him. The influence of distance diminished considerably. If a host entity advanced, understood, refined their techniques, or underwent training, Lucien consequently benefited as well.

Owing to Extra Credit, several of his integrated laws had advanced so rapidly that some now surpassed his Law of Creation in terms of sheer comprehension.

...

The operational range of Auto-collect had also been expanded to an extraordinary degree.

Lucien surmised that as long as his spiritual senses could detect an object, Auto-collect possessed the capability to reach it.

Only he truly grasped the sheer absurdity of this development.

•••

Lucien had amassed an overwhelming quantity of skill cards, far too many to personally learn. A significant portion were redundant, while some overlapped with skills he already mastered.

Consequently, he ceased hoarding them pointlessly.

He meticulously cataloged them and distributed them with careful consideration.

Assigning the right skill to the right individual had the power to transform lives.

Spell cards also entered the circulation.

The versions available on the open market were intentionally restricted.

The internal versions, however, were demonstrably superior.

This principle remained a core tenet of Lootwell's policy.

Always provide the world with sufficient reason to cherish you.

Never offer them enough to consider you replaceable.

•••

Then, Seran finally identified another potential world inhabited by goblins.

The message reached Lucien late in the evening.

[Coordinates acquired.]

Lucien's gaze immediately intensified.

[When can we depart?]

[Within the month. I am still in the process of surveying the world; the goblins have become more cautious.]

Lucien's expression grew more resolute.

Nevertheless, the timing was acceptable.

He needed to consolidate Lootwell's accelerated development before venturing into the unknown void once more. A dominion expanding too rapidly risked fracturing if its leader mistook sheer momentum for genuine strength.

Thus, he chose to wait.

Yet, the prospect of another raid lingered within him, a persistent, sharp anticipation.

The Tree of Creation seemed to subtly stir whenever this potentiality crossed his mind.

As if seized by hunger.

As if possessed of awareness.

•••

And then there was the matter of Alanthuriel.

This situation had evolved into its own peculiar form of impossible normalcy.

Alanthuriel frequented open, natural spaces with remarkable frequency.

He appeared to be sleeping.

Or at least, that was the visual impression he gave.

Lucien remained uncertain whether an Abyssal Arch-Lord required actual rest. He suspected not, but Alanthuriel seemed entirely content to recline beneath the open sky in locations where verdant grass swayed gently around him, and clouds drifted idly, blissfully unaware they were being observed by an entity predating most forms of cosmic horror.

The slimes invariably gravitated towards him.

Skittles approached on the very first day Alanthuriel took up his repose near one of the expansive fields.

Lucien observed the scene from a distance using his Jade Tablet.

Skittles bounced with curiosity closer.

Alanthuriel slowly opened one eye.

A silent standoff ensued between the two. Or more precisely, between Alanthuriel’s gaze and Skittles’s authoritative, blind stare. A moment later, Skittles gave a single bounce, prompting Alanthuriel to close his eye once more. This, apparently, signified acceptance.

By the third day, a small contingent of slimes had once again congregated around him. By the seventh, several Nihility Slimes were observed sitting in his vicinity, their unsettling silence seemingly absorbing something from his presence. By the time two weeks had passed, Alanthuriel found himself imparting knowledge to them.

The Nihility Slimes began exhibiting altered movement patterns, their auras becoming purer. It shifted from an impression of accidental void to one of intentional negation. Skittles observed these developments with the solemn pride of a commanding officer witnessing their troops acquire a formidable guest instructor.

One afternoon, Lucien stood alongside Vivian, his attention drawn to Alanthuriel reclining in the field. Tens of thousands of slimes arranged themselves around him, resembling a subdued, colorful army engaged in profound indolence.

···

Concurrently, the slimes' renown experienced a significant elevation. Initially, many had perceived them as merely cute creatures, possibly dangerous, but cute nonetheless. This perception underwent a transformation over time.

Recollections of past events resurfaced, prompting old scholars to delve into ancient texts. Whispers began to circulate, suggesting that slimes were once numbered among the paramount terrors and marvels of the Millennia War.

Now, they traversed Lootwell in orderly formations, safeguarding children, patrolling fields, assisting with peculiar tasks, training, advancing, and occasionally asserting their dominance over visitors who neglected to observe proper slime etiquette.

An outsider once let out a chuckle observing a small slime near the marketplace. The slime turned its attention towards him, and the outsider abruptly ceased his laughter. Though the exact events transpiring during those three silent breaths remained unknown, the man subsequently bowed respectfully to every slime he encountered for the remainder of his stay.

Upon hearing this account, Lucien concluded it was best not to investigate further, deeming some mysteries beneficial for public order.

···

Lucien once again positioned himself at the periphery of the Stillness Palace, gazing upon the extraordinary civilization unfolding below. A subtle smile graced his lips. He acknowledged his lingering fear, recognizing that any lesser reaction would have been foolish. However, fear no longer impeded his progress; instead, it imbued his actions with a sense of urgency. And urgency, when properly channeled, invariably led to advancement.