100\% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full? Chapter 549 - Manipulations
Previously on 100\% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full?...
The Shadow Information Network's expansion was swifter than anticipated.
Reaper and Eldran had excelled in their roles.
Truly excelled.
By this point, the network encompassed millions, stratified by their varied levels of utility.
Collectively, they formed a formidable entity.
A continent-spanning nexus of awareness.
The swift establishment of Lootwell's branches streamlined operations. Each branch served a dual purpose: a public facade and a clandestine hub.
Beyond the official premises, each branch incorporated hidden passages, tranquil chambers, emergency escape routes, concealed courtyards, shadow conduits, and observation posts integrated with the broader network.
Reaper and Eldran meticulously selected their operatives.
Subsequently, they underwent training.
Brief training, by Reaper’s exacting standards.
Terrifyingly brief, by any other measure.
A nascent branch scout, after enduring Reaper’s “brief training,” emerged with ashen lips and a vacant stare. When questioned about his ordeal, he simply uttered, "I've come to realize that remaining motionless can itself be conspicuous."
Eldran, standing nearby, offered a single nod.
"Excellent. He has grasped the lesson."
Lucien opted against seeking further clarification.
The achievements were undeniable.
Within mere months, the thorough mapping of the West Continent was finalized.
Elias then elevated this accomplishment.
He personally scrutinized every charted route.
He meticulously reviewed intelligence reports, cross-referenced them with archival records, interrogated shadow operatives, and applied the methodologies he had acquired from Dawnbinder.
Pathfinding mastery.
Subsequently, Elias integrated these refined routes into the Lootwell tokens.
The outcome was subtle yet transformative.
A Lootwell citizen, by possessing a token and activating the updated navigation feature, could discern secure pathways, branch-connected thoroughfares, clandestine emergency routes, and access-restricted passages commensurate with their authority level.
These covert routes remained concealed from external entities.
Yet, for individuals affiliated with Lootwell, they became readily apparent.
One evening, within the central command office, Lucien examined the completed cartographic data.
A projection of the West Continent materialized before him, delineated by innumerable layered lines.
Public thoroughfares illuminated in gold.
Commerce routes depicted in blue.
Shadow pathways represented in gray.
Zones of significant peril highlighted in red.
Connections to branches indicated in white.
Potential teleportation sites marked in violet.
He gazed upon the display for an extended period.
Finally, he declared, "It is possible we now possess the most precise map of the West Continent."
Elias responded with measured calm, "Not possible, Young Lord."
Lucien turned his attention to Elias.
Elias delicately adjusted a single marker.
"We do."
Lucien offered a smile.
Such conviction was well-earned.
•••
However, the cartographic endeavor represented merely the initial triumph.
The Shadow Information Network was tasked with another critical objective.
Infiltrating the various factions identified as holders of Origin Core fragments.
The objective was not acquisition.
Rather, it was persuasion.
The appropriate individuals were selected for this delicate mission.
They gained entry into sects, clans, academies, merchant guilds, and ancient factions through conventional means.
Once embedded, their work commenced.
Not through overt declarations.
Such pronouncements often aroused suspicion.
Instead, they employed the subtle power of deprivation… and comparison.
This was their true stratagem.
Within one particular sect, a newly initiated outer disciple posed a pointed question during a communal meal, "Is it fact that the Scarlet Sect has produced more Ascendants in the past six months than our own sect has in the preceding fifty years?"
An elder disciple scoffed. "Mere gossip."
The outer disciple offered a dismissive shrug. "Perhaps. Yet, my cousin engages in trade in Maereth. He mentioned that their elders no longer carry themselves with the apprehension of dying within the same cultivation realm."
That conversation began to circulate.
In another faction, a designated "scribe" intentionally left a duplicated market analysis where three ambitious stewards could easily discover it.
The report detailed the growth trajectory of sects that had formally allied with Lootwell.
It made no direct reference to the Origin Core fragment.
Such a direct mention was unnecessary.
The individuals involved possessed sufficient intellect to complete the thought, especially when bolstered by pride and envy influencing their perspectives.
Elsewhere, an "aged retainer," while engaged in sweeping the grounds outside a prominent hall, remarked aloud.
"The younger members of the Scarlet Sect exhibit a distinct demeanor now. Their gazes hold a sense of purpose. I’ve heard such clarity of vision stems from studying Law Books."
A junior elder positioned nearby feigned a lack of interest.
He then inquired, "Who conveyed this information to you?"
The retainer immediately bowed his head. "This humble servant overhears the discourse of many youths, esteemed elder. Please forgive my intrusion."
The elder waved him away dismissively.
That very night, the elder posed a question to three trusted disciples, seeking any reliable intelligence regarding Lootwell’s Grand Archives.
The carefully planted seed began to take root.
The operatives did not overtly state, "Your Origin Core fragment is of no use in your current possession."
Such an approach would have been far too unsubtle.
They orchestrated a more effective outcome.
They prompted others to voice this sentiment first.
"What tangible benefits has the fragment bestowed upon us?"
This single question marked the genesis of mounting pressure.
For the majority within these factions, the Origin Core fragment was nothing more than an inaccessible ancestral relic, safeguarded by leaders who invariably invoked heritage whenever practical advantages were discussed.
It was not truly without utility.
Lucien possessed this understanding more profoundly than perhaps anyone else.
The sect leaders were aware, or at least apprehensive of the potential loss. Ancient texts detailing the true worth of Origin Core fragments had been deliberately obscured across generations to prevent widespread conflict. However, this knowledge was not shared with ordinary disciples. Many elders also lacked sufficient understanding. For them, the fragment represented prestige, a symbol. Symbols, however, only hold sway when they can be backed by tangible results. As the Scarlet Sect grew in power, the symbol started to appear costly. When the Solar Concordium gained unrestricted access to the Ascension Spire after contributing their fragment, the symbol began to seem negotiable. When other factions that traded fragments received fortified alliances, preferential equipment, superior medicine, and guided access to Law Books, the symbol began to resemble an antique jewel locked away while the surrounding structure faced imminent collapse from unrealized potential. The manipulation wasn't a fabrication; this made it more potent. Lootwell genuinely did reward those who submitted fragments. The Scarlet Sect indeed achieved advancements. The Grand Archives genuinely possessed the capability to alter a faction's future. The Ascension Spire truly offered opportunities unattainable by ordinary sects. The only action taken by the covert network was ensuring the right questions were posed in the appropriate forums. What is the value of pride if it results in the entire sect being weakened? ••• The pressure mounted gradually at first, then accelerated. Elders commenced disputes. One sect leader struck a table, exclaiming, "Do you believe surrendering our Origin Core fragment is wise?" A younger elder retorted, "I believe observing our rivals strengthen while we merely polish a sealed relic is foolish." The hall fell silent thereafter. In another faction, the disciples became the catalysts for change. They didn't possess the complete picture, nor was it necessary. They were acutely aware that their counterparts in allied sects were achieving breakthroughs, acquiring superior gear, gaining access to better training grounds, and receiving opportunities they could only dream of. Ambition fulfilled the rest. A sect might disregard external pressures, but it was considerably more challenging to ignore its own younger generation questioning why the leadership valued a locked treasure over its living members. Lucien reviewed the recorder summaries with quiet contentment. The preliminary groundwork was laid; soon, the fruits of their labor would ripen on their own. ••• The Shadow Information Network's reach extended beyond Origin Core fragments, a point Lucien made explicit. Schemes weren't solely executed through communication devices. While recorders captured a significant amount, they couldn't capture everything. Certain plans remained confidences whispered in secluded chambers, some agreements forged during private feasts, and a number of alliances cemented through marital arrangements, hostage exchanges, past favors, solemn blood pacts, or quiet, shared resentments. Lucien desired foreknowledge of any brewing trouble before it reached his doorstep. Consequently, Reaper and Eldran expanded their network's depth. By the onset of the following season, Lootwell had established at least one embedded shadow operative or trusted informant within every significant sect across the West Continent. Reaper delivered the report with evident pride. "We haven't infiltrated everywhere yet, but we're sufficiently close that anyone planning ostentatiously deserves whatever befalls them next." Eldran added, with a focus on practicality, "The critical factor is the speed of our response. We might not intercept every thought, but we will detect every movement." Lucien nodded. "That is sufficient." Information didn't need to be flawless; it merely required timely delivery before a crisis fully developed. Now, if any entity on the West Continent harbored intentions of causing significant disruption, there was a high probability that Lucien would hear the initial tremor before the structure collapsed. This fundamental shift altered the very nature of power. Previously, Lootwell had been formidable; now, it possessed crucial intelligence. This presented a far more daunting prospect for its adversaries. ••• Time marched onward. Subsequently, the first faction capitulated. Lucien received the delegation in a formal chamber. Their leader presented the sealed Origin Core fragment with both hands. "Our faction has acknowledged the evolving landscape," the man stated. "We believe collaborating with Lootwell will better secure our future than maintaining isolated preservation." Lucien almost smiled at the chosen wording. Isolated preservation. It was an elegant euphemism for their growing fear of becoming obsolete. He accepted the fragment with solemnity. "You have made a wise decision." The man visibly relaxed. Following this, the terms of agreement were established. Lootwell's support, restricted access to the Grand Archives, preferential treatment at branch locations, communication enhancements, training privileges, and automaton assistance, all bound by a soul contract. The faction departed with faces pale but eyes gleaming. They had relinquished an ancient symbol and, in return, received a tangible future. Thereafter, others followed suit. Some moved swiftly, eager not to be left behind. Others delayed, only to act when their rivals gained a substantial advantage. A few attempted overly aggressive negotiations and were politely reminded that Lootwell was not in a position of need. Some inquired about the possibility of temporary custodianship. Lucien smiled at this."No."
That was the end of that matter.
Not every faction yielded.
However, a sufficient number did.
One by one, fragments were incorporated into Lootwell.
The Origin Core Shrine underwent another transformation.
With the addition of sixty fragments, the merged body grew.
When the sixtieth fragment was integrated, the shrine began to tremble violently.
It was as if something immense had drawn a deeper breath from beneath the world.
The fragment-body had increased in size.
Despite this, it still lacked any definable shape.
Lucien gazed at it for an extended period.
Then, a realization dawned on him: "This is still not even a tenth of the true Origin Core."
Sixty fragments in total.
Enough power to exert influence across continents.
And yet, it remained a minuscule portion.
The sheer magnitude of the original Origin Core became increasingly daunting with each fragment he collected.
Nevertheless, progress was undeniable.
With these sixty fragments secured, expanding into the next continent was now a viable possibility.
•••
Lucien did not hasten his actions.
He convened his key associates first.
The meeting spanned three full days.
This duration was not due to pointless arguments, but rather their thorough deliberations.
The next continent presented a far more complex challenge than merely another region within the West. It involved entirely different powers, distinct cultures, unique customs, varied anxieties, separate rulers, and divergent assumptions regarding communication, commerce, security, and external influences.
Detailed supply projections were necessary.
Most crucially, an adequate number of devices were required to establish a foundational presence on the new continent, rather than treating it as a mere curiosity.
This necessitated a significant increase in production.
A comprehensive production schedule was established.
The process was projected to take several months.
This timeline was acceptable.
Lucien was determined to have all preparations complete before venturing into the next continent.
They would execute this expansion with meticulous planning.
Lootwell had evolved to a scale where relying solely on improvisation was no longer a viable strategy for success.
•••
Beyond the confines of the meeting chambers, the West Continent continued its dynamic evolution.
The Sareth Region experienced a remarkable period of prosperity.
An increasing number of people desired to reside in close proximity to Lootwell.
This development served as perhaps the most definitive indicator of all.
A location that exclusively offered extraordinary goods naturally drew customers.
A place that held out the promise of a prosperous future began to attract settlers.
The queues outside Lootwell persisted unabated.
Even after the implementation of quotas, branch systems, appointment scheduling, and distributed access points, the throngs of people remained.
The branch locations offered little respite.
While smaller in scale, and certainly less overwhelming, they were still invariably crowded.
Each branch, wherever it was established, rapidly became a focal point of local commerce and activity.
Consequently, every corner of the West Continent now resonated with discussions of Lootwell.
No one remained oblivious to its current status and influence.
Some voiced admiration for it.
Others harbored apprehension.
Envy was also a common sentiment.
Accusations arose, suggesting ambition too vast for a single territory.
While some publicly expressed skepticism, others quietly dispatched representatives.
Lucien remained unfazed by these reactions.
The West Continent had effectively synchronized with Lootwell's unique rhythm.
This outcome was entirely sufficient for his purposes.