100\% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full? Chapter 566 - Steal

Little by little, the remaining holders began to waver. The old argument that surrendering a fragment meant weakness became harder to maintain. If weakness produced that many benefits, then many began wondering whether pride was simply an expensive disease.

Then one morning, the next visitor surprised Lucien. Not because another Origin Core fragment was offered. But because of who offered it. The Duovari Race.

The moment their envoy entered Grand Confluence, the branch stirred. Even before they introduced themselves, people recognized them. The Duovari were not numerous compared to the great races of the world, but their name carried weight. They were the ambidextrous race. The finest dual wielders in old history.

During the Millennia War, they had been monsters on the battlefield. A true Duovari warrior with two blades could turn a battle line into a massacre. There were records of Duovari war captains splitting monster waves with paired sword arcs so clean that entire formations collapsed before understanding where the attack had begun.

Then the world changed. Peace, or something close to it, came. The Duovari did not vanish. They adapted. And in one of history’s stranger jokes, the greatest dual wielders of the old battlefield became the greatest cooks of the new age.

Their two-handed genius entered the kitchen. Knife and ladle. Flame and broth. Blade and seasoning. Mortar and pan. They chopped, stirred, carved, infused, folded, and plated with a rhythm no ordinary cook could imitate. Their battlefield instinct became culinary precision. Their sense for timing turned into perfect heat control. Their ability to read motion became an art of texture, aroma, and spiritual flow.

The result changed food culture across the Big World. Duovari cuisine was not merely delicious. It was functional. Some dishes restored fatigue better than medicine. Some strengthened blood and muscle. Some sharpened spiritual perception for hours. Some helped stabilize breakthroughs. Some tonics could cleanse old internal strain. A few rare recipes were said to grant permanent improvements if prepared by a master.

Food on the level of elixirs. Sometimes better. Because pills often forced change into the body. Duovari food persuaded the body to accept it.

When Lucien heard they had arrived, he straightened at once. He had wanted to meet them for a long time.

...

The Duovari delegation was brought into the floating city within Grand Confluence. At their head stood an older Duovari woman with silver-black hair tied neatly behind her back. Two short knives rested at her waist like ceremonial blades. She bowed. "Representative Luc."

Lucien smiled and returned the greeting. "Welcome to Grand Confluence." Her gaze lingered on him for a breath. Like many others, she seemed to think he was only a representative. Lucien did not correct her.

"I am Ilyara of the Duovari Hearth-Clan," she said. "We have come to offer an Origin Core fragment." Even though Lucien had expected the topic eventually, hearing it from them still made the room quieter.

"And what does the Duovari Hearth-Clan want in return?" Lucien asked. Ilyara looked directly at him. "Citizenship."

That surprised him. For a moment, Lucien did not answer. Citizenship was not the usual request. Lucien’s interest sharpened. "Citizenship for how many?"

"Tens of thousands for now," Ilyara said. "More may follow if the first migration settles well." That was not small. Lucien leaned back slightly. "Why?"

Ilyara’s expression did not change, but something behind her eyes grew heavier. "The world is changing again." She placed both hands neatly over her lap. "The Duovari have survived by adapting. We became cooks when swords no longer needed to speak every day. We became healers through food, strengtheners through meals, and merchants through cuisine. But our old instincts have not vanished."

Lucien listened. Ilyara continued, "Your territory is not simply selling convenience. It is preparing for something. We do not know what. But our elders agree that the air before the storm has changed."

Lucien’s eyes deepened. The Duovaris were very perceptive. "That is a serious decision," Lucien said. "Citizenship is not the same as alliance. If you enter Lootwell, you follow Lootwell’s laws."

"We understand." "You will be protected, but you will also be bound by conduct." "We understand." "You may keep your traditions, cuisine, arts, and clan structure, so long as they do not contradict Lootwell’s rules." "We expected that."

Lucien studied her for a moment. Then said, "There will be assessment." Ilyara nodded. "Of course." Lucien liked her more.

The procedures began. And the Duovari passed. Their colors under Divine Sense were good. They would fit.

After the initial acceptance procedures were successfully concluded, Lucien turned his gaze back to Ilyara. "There is one more request I have," he stated.Her eyebrows arched slightly. "We are already providing you with a fragment.""This request is not part of the payment," Lucien clarified. "It is something I personally desire."This declaration piqued her interest considerably.A faint smile touched Lucien's lips."I would like some of your people to instruct our disciples."The Duovari delegation grew absolutely still.Lucien elaborated, "It's not solely for cooking, though I certainly desire that as well. I wish for your dual-wielding techniques to be taught to those who possess the aptitude for them."Ilyara gazed at him, her expression unreadable for a moment.Then, her smile gradually began to widen."You remember what we once were.""I have never forgotten the true capabilities of your race," Lucien affirmed.The atmosphere in the room perceptibly shifted.The Duovari standing behind Ilyara straightened their postures.For a race whose modern renown was centered around its exquisite cuisine, being remembered for their martial prowess was a matter of significant importance.Ilyara regarded Lucien with a newfound sense of approval."So, you desire our blades as much as our kitchens.""Precisely," Lucien confirmed."Excellent," she declared.Without any further hesitation, she gave a decisive nod."We accept."Lucien felt an urge to laugh out loud.The negotiation had concluded far more swiftly than most discussions regarding the trade of mere salted herbs.And with that single agreement, Lootwell welcomed tens of thousands of Duovari into its fold.The Origin Core fragment would be duly handed over.The Duovari would be initially settled in Grand Confluence, with subsequent arrangements made for approved districts within the main territory and its branching sectors.Their culinary masters would commence their duties within Lootwell’s esteemed gastronomic halls.Simultaneously, their combat instructors would begin the process of selecting suitable candidates for their tutelage.Lucien's thoughts immediately went to Ronan. He possessed the bloodline of the Duovari.Finally, there would be someone capable of genuinely pushing his dual-wielding skills to their limits.Anya and Sinep would also benefit greatly from this arrangement.Their culinary talents stood to be immensely enhanced through Duovari instruction.Lucien could already vividly picture the forthcoming transformations.The integration of the Duovari would undoubtedly reshape Lootwell once more.Just as every valuable addition had done in the past.• • •The Duovari's decision sent ripples through the surrounding communities.An entire race, not merely a subordinate faction, had opted to embrace citizenship.As this news disseminated, numerous clans began to re-evaluate their own stances.Some expressed a desire to join Grand Confluence directly.Others sought enhanced benefits in return for their Origin Core fragments.Lucien addressed each of them with the same unwavering fairness.The established terms would not be altered simply because a greater number of parties began to voice their demands more assertively.Origin Core fragments would continue to be valued appropriately.Deep alliances were forged based on established standards.Citizenship, too, had its own set of requirements.And Lootwell would not permit anyone to purchase its trust by flaunting treasures while concealing nefarious intentions.Several groups attempted to negotiate for additional privileges, citing their lineage, historical significance, or accumulated wealth.Lucien firmly rejected all such attempts.One clan elder cautiously inquired, "The Duovari were granted citizenship.""That is because they successfully passed our rigorous evaluation," Lucien responded."We also possess an Origin Core fragment.""That can be exchanged for benefits related to alliance, not citizenship."The elder's brow furrowed."Then citizenship is not guaranteed even with a fragment?""Correct," Lucien confirmed.A profound silence descended upon the hall.Lucien met the elder's gaze with a calm demeanor."Lootwell is not a mere holding place that indiscriminately accepts anyone willing to pay a fee. If you aspire to citizenship, your people must meet our established standards."The elder's expression hardened noticeably.Eirene, positioned nearby, added with gentle firmness, "You are welcome to submit an application for consideration."Some yielded to the terms.Others withdrew their requests.A few became overtly offended.And some feigned offense while secretly preparing to submit more compelling applications.Lucien found this perfectly acceptable.He possessed the patience to wait.The pressure was already proving effective.Those who initially refused would likely return at a later juncture.On Lootwell’s stipulated terms.Not because Lucien compelled them into submission.But because the surrounding world would continue its evolution, rendering a position outside the established system progressively less comfortable than integration into it.This was the essence of patience.And when coupled with overwhelming advantages, patience transformed into one of the most benevolent forms of eventual conquest.• • •Subsequently, a report arrived from the Shadow Information Network.The peculiar classification of the message compelled Lucien to open it without delay.[Origin Core Fragment Acquired.]Lucien paused, his attention fixed.He then noted the sender's name.Robin. The Phantom Thief.Lucien stared at the message, momentarily stunned.Following this, he opened the comprehensive report.The report detailed how Robin had infiltrated one of the malevolent sects believed to be in possession of an Origin Core fragment.His original mission had involved reconnaissance, internal mapping of the premises, verification of the vault's contents, and identification of exploitable vulnerabilities.Evidently, Robin had interpreted the directive of identifying "useful weaknesses" with remarkable, perhaps excessive, zeal.He had not only located the fragment but had also proceeded to steal it.All of this had been accomplished without leaving any trace of his presence.Lucien slowly leaned back in his chair.Elias, who was standing nearby, observed his expression."What has transpired, Young Lord?" he inquired.Lucien handed the report to Elias.Elias read through it, his face remaining impassive.Then, he spoke, his voice low. "Robin has become exceedingly reckless... and astonishingly effective."Lucien murmured, "That is certainly one way to describe utter insanity."According to the report, Robin had gained entry by posing as a servant within the sect's logistical supply routes. From that advantageous position, he meticulously mapped the internal passageways, pinpointed the exact location of the vault, and successfully breached it during a scheduled incense purification ritual.

Then, he swapped the Origin Core fragment with a cunningly crafted replica, imbued with a charm designed for delayed disorientation.

This deception didn't need to fool the sect indefinitely.

Its purpose was merely to buy Robin enough time to escape.

The ruse held for three full days.

It wasn't until an elder decided to personally inspect the vault that the sect discovered the fragment's theft.

By that point, Robin had already vanished without a trace.

Lucien reread this particular passage, his brow furrowed.

Then, a single laugh escaped him.

The sect plunged into utter disarray.

No one could fathom that Robin was the culprit.

This, Lucien mused, was the most preposterous aspect.

Not a single soul suspected an external party.

Instead, accusations began flying within the sect itself.

And Robin, apparently unwilling to let such chaos go unexploited, had subtly steered the narrative before his departure.

A seed of rumor had been sown.

Whispers began that an elder had absconded with the Origin Core fragment, intending to present it to Grand Confluence as a plea for protection and favor.

The timing lent credence to this rumor, as several elders had indeed departed the sect’s premises shortly before the theft came to light.

Those departing elders were, in all likelihood, not involved.

Probably.

However, the sect remained oblivious to this fact.

Internal panic flared.

The sect master, in a bid to quell the unrest, ordered the halls sealed and attempted to suppress the spreading rumors.

Unfortunately for him, communication devices were now a reality.

A disciple murmured into one such device.

A servant overheard and perpetuated the tale.

A junior elder discreetly sent a warning to a relative in another faction.

A merchant affiliated with the sect caught wind of enough gossip to pass it along.

Within a single day, the rumor had breached the sect’s boundaries.

Within two, it had surfaced on the rumor boards of communication devices.

By the third day, multiple discussion channels were openly speculating if the sect's own elders were defecting to Lootwell with valuable fragments.

The sect's standing began to crumble.

Laughter erupted.

Followed by wild conjecture.

And then, a question far more damaging was posed.

If the rogue elders of this supposedly 'evil' sect believed the fragment held more value when offered to Lootwell, what did that truly say about the sect itself?

Reports claimed the sect master was so incensed that he destroyed half of his council chamber.

Lucien finished reading the summary and let out a sigh, shaking his head.

"That is utterly ruthless," he murmured.

•••

The incident rapidly became infamous.

Strangely, Grand Confluence was not implicated in any blame.

This, Lucien felt, revealed more than the rumor itself.

The prevailing sentiment was that Lootwell possessed no need to resort to petty theft from an 'evil' sect.

Grand Confluence's reputation had grown too formidable for such accusations to gain easy traction.

The very notion of Grand Confluence dispatching a thief seemed almost insulting to its current prestigious image.

That, Lucien considered with amusement, was both a pragmatic outcome and a humorous one.

Naturally, the Shadow Information Network intervened, carefully managing the dangerous trajectories the rumor could have taken.

They didn't erase the story wholesale.

Instead, they skillfully guided its narrative.

The tale coalesced into a simple, digestible form.

A corrupt sect, buckling under internal disloyalty, due to the irresistible allure of Grand Confluence's benefits.

Whether factually accurate or not, it possessed an air of believability.

And because it sounded plausible, it became strategically advantageous.

The enemies of the 'evil' sect seized upon it, launching waves of mockery.

Neutral factions began to question its stability.

Those secretly holding fragments grew increasingly uneasy.

Simultaneously, several other factions initiated formal discussions with Grand Confluence, as if suddenly apprehensive about their own elders succumbing to opportunistic ambitions.

Lucien gazed at the unfolding political ramifications and let out another sigh.

"Robin inadvertently generated significant pressure," he stated.

Eirene responded, her voice calm, "It might not have been entirely accidental."

Lucien paused, considering her words.

Then, a soft chuckle escaped him.

Perhaps indeed, it was not.

•••

Five days later, Robin materialized at one of Grand Confluence's smaller branch locations.

As Lucien entered, Robin descended gracefully from a perch, landing softly on the floor.

He had undergone a transformation.

The boy who had once pilfered from his Uncle Edric was still present, a faint echo.

But he was no longer solely defined by that past persona.

He stood with a newfound stature.

His smile retained its playful mischief, yet it was now underscored by a palpable confidence. His eyes gleamed with a sharper, steadier light. His aura, once perhaps heavy, now felt remarkably light – so light, in fact, that it could easily escape notice.

Robin extended a sealed container towards Lucien.

"A delivery for you, Young Lord," he announced.

Lucien looked from Robin to the container.

Elias, standing diligently beside Lucien, closed his eyes for a brief moment.

Lucien accepted the container and carefully opened it.

Within lay the pilfered fragment.

"How did you manage to evade detection for three whole days?" Lucien inquired.

Robin's smile broadened.

"I didn't evade detection for three days."

Lucien's eyes narrowed in curiosity.

Robin elaborated, "I evaded detection permanently. They only detected the fragment's absence."

Lucien stared, momentarily speechless.

Then, despite himself, he burst into laughter.

Lucien's gaze returned to the fragment.

Truthfully, he held no desire for alliances with 'evil' sects.

Not those whose foundations were cemented in cruelty, forbidden corpse arts, ritual sacrifice, the subjugation of others, or pervasive corruption. If such sects genuinely sought reform and surrendered their illicit gains, that would be a different matter entirely. However, to forge partnerships with them in their current state would inevitably tarnish Lootwell’s own principles.

Robin’s act of theft had, serendipitously, resolved this dilemma.

Nevertheless, Lucien recognized the need to temper recklessness that lacked any semblance of restraint.

"You performed admirably," Lucien stated, offering a nod of approval.

Robin's eyes flickered with a subtle, pleased light.