Chapter 199: The Foundation of our Power

Brightspire Quarters.

Heart Pulse Lane.

Heart Pulse Lane was the very core of the Brightspire Quarters, a domain reserved exclusively for Awakener families.

It was the true heartbeat of the Suncrest City Base, a place where influence, wealth, and power converged into a silent but overwhelming presence.

Even among those who lived within Brightspire Quarters, very few knew that such a place existed.

It was, in every sense, another world entirely, hidden in plain sight yet inaccessible to the majority.

To enter Heart Pulse Lane, one required an invitation, and even that was not enough.

Only those who held at least Tier-0 Citizenship were permitted to step foot within its boundaries.

Anyone below that rank was simply unqualified, unworthy of crossing into this domain.

Compared to the elegant mansions and luxurious villas scattered throughout the outer Brightspire Quarters, Heart Pulse Lane was eerily quiet.

There was no bustling activity, no unnecessary movement, only silence, dignity, and an invisible pressure that weighed on the surroundings.

Along the wide, pristine roads stretched dense forests that appeared untouched by human hands.

The sounds of small beasts echoed faintly from within rustling leaves, distant growls, and the occasional snapping of twigs.

These were not threats but rather carefully maintained ecosystems, a reminder that even in luxury, power still respected nature… or perhaps controlled it.

Beyond these forests lay sprawling estates, each covering tens of hectares. Every estate stood as a testament to unimaginable wealth and influence.

High walls, intricate designs, and layered defenses spoke volumes about their owners.

More striking, however, was the distance between them.

The closest estates were separated by at least a twenty-minute drive, while the farthest could take over an hour to reach.

Privacy was not just valued here, it was enforced.

And within one of these vast estates now resided Thoren and his family.

Inside the mansion, Elara stood frozen, her jaw hanging open as she stared at the enormous sitting room before her.

The polished floors gleamed like mirrors, reflecting the soft golden light that poured from ornate chandeliers above.

Every surface walls, furniture, decorations spoke of wealth.

It was overwhelming.

“I… I can’t breathe…” she whispered faintly.

Beside her, Ardyn and Serene were no better. Their eyes wandered endlessly, trying and failing to comprehend the scale of what they were seeing.

Such wealth.

Such extravagance.

It was beyond anything they had ever imagined.

Even in their wildest dreams, they had never envisioned a life like this.

Thoren, however, remained composed as he looked around. Though even he felt a flicker of surprise, it was quickly replaced by something else, something colder.

He found it absurd.

With the world teetering on the brink of destruction, humanity still indulged in such excess. Still clung to vanity.

“From today,” he said quietly, “this will be our home.”

“B-Brother…” Elara stammered, her voice trembling. “Please tell me I’m dreaming… someone needs to slap me.”

Pah!

Before she could react, Thoren stepped forward and delivered a clean, resounding slap to her cheek.

“Ouch!” she cried out, clutching her face as it flushed crimson. “Why would you do that?!”

“So you’ll know you’re not dreaming,” Thoren replied with a small chuckle.

Ardyn and Serene exchanged glances, a mixture of disbelief and emotion flickering in their eyes.

Who would have thought…

The son they once believed to be the weakest…

Would become the one to change everything.

He had given them a life they never dared to imagine. Even in dreams, such a reality would have seemed impossible.

“Come,” Thoren said. “Let’s explore the rest of the house.”

He turned and began walking toward the left wing of the mansion.

The estate was massive so large that without guidance, one could easily get lost within it.

Hallways stretched endlessly, rooms connected in intricate layouts, and every section carried its own unique design and purpose.

Bedrooms, lounges, training halls, study rooms, there seemed to be no end.

By the time they finished touring the mansion and returned to the central living room, all three were visibly overwhelmed.

“Isn’t this… too big?” Serene murmured.

“It really is,” Ardyn agreed, shaking his head slightly. “It’s too much.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Thoren said casually.

This was what he had fought for.

And more importantly, he knew it wouldn’t last forever.

They should enjoy it while they could.

He understood something his parents didn’t—not yet. It was only a matter of time before his actions in the Abyss became known on the surface. When that happened… everything would change.

Until then, he would take everything the Federation offered without hesitation.

“Mother! There’s so much food in the fridge!” Elara called out as she emerged from the kitchen, her eyes shining with excitement.

Serene raised an eyebrow before slowly standing up.

“Then what are we waiting for?” she said, a smile spreading across her face. “Let’s cook. I’m starving.”

With renewed energy, she strode toward the kitchen.

For the past three days, she had been treated worse than a slave.

Now… she would live like a queen.

She would cook everything she craved—and more importantly, prepare her family’s favorite meals.

Elara quickly followed behind her, equally eager.

With the two of them gone, the atmosphere in the room shifted.

Ardyn turned to Thoren, his expression becoming serious.

“Son… I’m not comfortable with all this,” he said quietly. “This kind of wealth… it feels like there’s something hidden behind it.”

Thoren looked at his father, genuinely surprised.

He hadn’t expected him to see through the illusion so quickly.

“I know,” he replied calmly. “But you don’t need to worry. I understand what’s going on.”

“With the message I’ve sent, they won’t act recklessly—not for now.”

He paused briefly before continuing.

“Still… this wealth isn’t truly ours.”

His gaze hardened slightly.

“We need something that belongs to us—something they can’t take away.”

Ardyn nodded slowly.

He understood.

Everything given by the Federation could just as easily be taken away.

Depending on it blindly would be foolish.

“Come,” Thoren said, standing up. “Let’s go to another room.”

He led his father into a room on the right wing of the mansion.

Once inside, Thoren raised his hand.

In an instant—

Thousands of weapons appeared, materializing out of thin air and covering the floor in a metallic sea.

Swords. Spears. Axes. Daggers.

Weapons of all kinds, each radiating a faint aura of power.

And that wasn’t all.

Dozens—no, hundreds—of potions followed.

Healing potions.

Blood recovery potions.

Stamina recovery potions.

Strength-enhancing potions.

Endurance potions.

Every type imaginable.

Thoren had emptied entire blacksmith shops and supply stores from the Abyss before returning.

He had originally intended to sell them for gold coins, understanding their value in the Abyss economy.

But now…

That was no longer necessary.

Ardyn stood there, completely stunned.

His mind went blank as he stared at the mountain of weapons and potions before him.

“This…” he whispered, unable to finish his sentence.

“Father,” Thoren said firmly, “this will be the foundation of our power.”

His voice carried certainty.

“I won’t always be here,” he continued. “I have to return to the Abyss.”

He looked directly at his father.

“But before I go… I’ll make sure you and mother have everything you need to survive.”

Strength.

Resources.

Protection.

This was not just wealth.

This was independence.

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