Chapter 100: Gold Rank

With one tier 2 herb remaining and the precious tier 3 Flame Rose held in reserve, Ethan felt it.

The dam cracked.

Not the gradual erosion he’d expected, but an immediate eruption as accumulated pressure found its breaking point. Power erupted through his system like a river freed from constraint.

This is it.

The familiar sensation of rank advancement was magnified beyond previous experience. Every cell in his body resonated with transformation, barriers dissolving to allow new configurations of power.

<Ding! Your Vitality has advanced to Low-Gold Rank>

I’ve reached gold rank. Finally.

The notification blazed across his awareness as Ethan’s eyes brightened with triumph.

He stored both remaining herbs back in his storage ring, their power held in reserve for future necessity.

Then he felt it.

The world spirit.

Presence descended upon his consciousness like warm light.

[Congratulations on reaching Gold-Rank!]

The words materialized in his awareness, not heard but understood at a fundamental level that transcended language.

[You have qualified to enter the First Sanctuary as a Junior City Lord. Upon entering, you will be granted a Territory Crystal and the opportunity to establish your domain within the Sanctuary realm.]

[As a Junior City Lord, you will compete against other Lords for resources, advancement opportunities, and ultimate transcendence to higher realms. Victory brings power beyond mortal comprehension. Failure brings death.]

[The First Sanctuary contains infinite possibilities — Powerful artefacts, legendary beasts, cultivation resources, forgotten techniques, and pathways to realms beyond Gold-rank!]

[Fight to your heart’s content! Conquer or be conquered!]

[Do you accept the transformation to Junior City Lord status?]

[Warning: This choice is irreversible and can only be made once. Refusal eliminates all future opportunities for Sanctuary access.]

The choice. Ezekiel mentioned this.

The memory surfaced.

’If you refuse, you remain human. Powerful, yes, but ultimately limited. No access to the Sanctuary.’

“No second chances…huh?”

Refusing meant staying in this world—safer, perhaps, but ultimately stagnant. Accepting meant stepping into realms where death waited around every corner.

I can’t get stronger by staying safe.

“Yes.”

[Choice confirmed. Transformation to Junior City Lord status initiated.]

[Prepare for transportation to the First Sanctuary.]

[Timer: 5… 4… 3… 2… 1…]

Reality dissolved around him. Everything turned black for a moment before light returned with jarring suddenness.

Ethan’s eyes snapped open to reveal an endless expanse of golden sand stretching toward horizons that shimmered with heat.

“…”

“A desert? Really?”

The sun blazed overhead with intensity that suggested that it was noon.

’Or the star is stronger than any star I’ve seen in my life.’

“A desert starting position? It’s undoubtedly a bad start. Especially for a new territory that requires all the resources it needs.”

[Junior City Lord!]

[As a Junior Lord, you will have seven days of Protection!]

[During these seven days, your territory will be covered with a Junior Lord Protection Barrier to protect your territory from the invasion of the other Lords and monsters nearby]

As the world spirit finished its sentence, a light blue light covered him and his territory.

’That’s the protection barrier.’

[Junior Lord. Please work hard to develop your territory in these seven days, as nearby monsters will invade your territory as part of the Junior Lord Test.]

[We wish you would try your hardest to pass the Junior Lord Test. Otherwise, both you and your territory will be destroyed!]

“This shield can only protect me for seven days before I am once again faced with another monster horde.”

“In these seven days, I must develop my territory and my strength to the point that i can defend myself.”

His expression was grave. He couldn’t see any of the so-called monsters. He didn’t know what ranks those monsters were.

What if the monsters were all in the gold rank and above?

The thought sent ice through his veins despite the blazing heat. He’d just reached Low-Gold. Against established Gold-ranks or higher, survival would be difficult.

“Let’s see what this territory needs to develop first. Then I can plan out my next steps. I can’t act before making a careful plan.”

Ethan turned toward the small wooden structure that had appeared behind him. Basic construction, functional but hardly impressive—yet somehow it radiated significance beyond its humble appearance.

“Let’s see what this territory needs to develop first. Then I can plan my next steps. I can’t act before making a careful plan.”

He approached the building, knowledge flooding his awareness as he focused on it.

[Town Hall]

[Territory Tier: 1]

[Town Hall Effects: Currently, the Lord’s residence. Has no buffs.]

[Territory’s Buildings: Town Hall (Tier 1), Summoning Gate (Tier 1)]

Two buildings. That’s it?

After reading through the information, Ethan walked to the second structure, a circular stone archway, and white light swirled within its frame.

[Building Name: Gate of Summoning]

[Building Tier: 1]

[Building Effect: Every day, five natives of the First Sanctuary can be summoned to become subjects of the Lord. There is a chance to summon professionals.]

[Construction Upgrade: 100 units of wood, 100 units of sand, 100 units of stone, 50 Bronze-Tier Monster Cores!]

[Do you want to summon?] [Yes| No]

“Yes!”

The Gate blazed with white radiance, light intensifying.

Five figures materialized within the archway.

“Greetings, my Lord!”

They immediately knelt upon seeing him.

They are already loyal? Instant Allegiance, huh? That’s quite convenient.

“Rise.”

“Thank you, my Lord!”

Ethan studied his new subjects as they stood.

Four men and one woman.

They were all wearing simple clothing suited to desert travel.

Information flowed into his awareness as he focused on them.

[Subject: Marcus]

[Profession: Head Archer]

[Rank: High-Bronze]

[Talent: Archery(E)]

[Loyalty: 68]

[Subject: Elena]

[Profession: Archer]

[Rank: Low-Bronze]

[Talent: Archery(E-)]

[Loyalty: 71]

The whole crew were archers, surprisingly, he had summoned a whole archery squad.

’Not a great start. I don’t have a single utility-based summon.’ He thought internally, but did not show.

Looking at the loyalty bar, Ethan also realised that their loyalty wasn’t eternally his.

’This means that I can upset them. The way I treat them has an effect on their loyalty, most likely. Which means that I need to be careful, I can’t overwork them, or starve them, otherwise they might try to escape or even overthrow me by betraying me to nearby Lords, perhaps.’

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