Chapter 144: Heading to the gold-rank spawn point.

The clearing erupted into violence as desperate courage met implacable power.

Morrison’s sword sang through the air while Harris coordinated flanking manoeuvres with the remaining Peak-Silver soldiers. Their military training represented years of professional development—tactics that had served them well against equal opponents.

’Admirable coordination. Completely irrelevant.’

Ethan’s response demonstrated the gulf between coordinated Mid-Gold capabilities and overwhelming High-Gold superiority. His Enhanced Speed made their attacks appear sluggish while his diverse talents created tactical options they couldn’t counter.

Fire magic consumed Morrison’s defensive stance, D-rank flames overwhelming her Mid-Gold protection through sheer thermal intensity. Her scream echoed through ancient trees as superheated energy cooked her inside her own armor, metal plates conducting heat directly into flesh.

’One down.’

Harris’s charge met crystal-hardened defenses in a collision that shattered his weapon and several ribs simultaneously. The impact sent him flying backward into a tree trunk with bone-breaking force, his military career ending in a wet crunch of compressed vertebrae.

’Two down.’

The Peak-Silver soldiers died with ease—wind blades finding vital points while water manipulation created pressure waves that pulverized internal organs. Eight lives ended in as many seconds, their enhanced capabilities useless against overwhelming individual superiority.

’Ten down total.’

Captain Torrino found himself alone among the corpses of his command, his maimed hand clutching a weapon that trembled with shock and recognition of hopeless mathematics.

“Still feeling honorable?” Ethan asked conversationally, stepping over Morrison’s smoking remains.

Torrino’s military bearing crumbled as he processed the systematic destruction of his entire force. Professional assessment warred with survival instinct while tactical mathematics painted increasingly bleak pictures.

’He’s calculating odds. Smart man.’

“You… you’re a monster,” Torrino whispered, his voice carrying the weight of witnessed atrocity.

’Monster? I’m someone who takes subordinate deaths personally.’

“I’m someone who values loyalty from his subjects. Your organization eliminated three of mine.” Fire danced around his position as he approached with predatory patience. “But you’re useful alive. The others were expendable.”

Torrino’s weapon clattered to the ground as shock overcame military training. “What do you want?”

“Cooperation. Intelligence. Guidance to that Gold spawning point.” Crystal hardening manifested around his hands as visible reminder of what resistance had achieved. “Very simple requirements.”

’Simple for me. Less simple for him.’

The surviving captain’s tactical mind struggled with survival calculations that offered no acceptable outcomes. Cooperation meant betraying everything he’d sworn to protect. Resistance meant joining the corpses of his colleagues.

’Survival or ideology. Time to see which wins.’

“I… I’ll cooperate,” Torrino managed through gritted teeth. “Information in exchange for my life.”

“Deal.”

Ethan began systematically looting the battlefield, professional efficiency guiding his resource collection. Each corpse carried storage rings containing advancement materials.

’Let’s see what they were hoarding.’

The storage rings yielded substantial treasure—golden cores, silver cores, materials, and personal equipment that spoke of successful territorial conquest. Morrison’s ring alone contained four golden cores while Harris had hoarded three.

’Professional soldiers with access to organizational resources.’

But it was their talents that disappointed him most. Each corpse represented potential advancement through devouring, but his enhanced analysis revealed incompatible ability structures across the board.

’They don’t have any talents that I already possess. Talents that don’t match my collection are currently useless for advancement.’

’No devouring opportunities. Just resource collection.’

Still, the material wealth was substantial. Ten golden cores total—enough advancement potential to push him significantly closer to Peak-Gold rank. Plus dozens of silver cores and hundreds of bronze cores that could enhance his subjects’ capabilities.

’Compensation for murdered subordinates. Justice through resource redistribution.’

Torrino watched the systematic looting with expressions mixing horror and professional assessment. His tactical mind couldn’t help calculating the wealth his dead colleagues had accumulated through years of territorial conquest.

’He understands the implications. Good.’

“Impressive collection,” Ethan observed, hefting Morrison’s storage ring. “Your organization has been quite successful.”

“We… we’ve worked hard for those resources,” Torrino replied carefully.

’Worked hard. Interesting euphemism for territorial conquest.’

“I’m sure you have. Now they’ll serve better purposes.” The golden cores pulsed with contained energy as he examined their quality. “Ready for the journey back?”

’Time to return to base. Harvest awaits.’

The return journey proceeded with Torrino’s reluctant cooperation, his survival instinct overriding loyalty considerations that no longer offered practical benefits. Professional soldiers understood tactical mathematics even when emotion demanded different choices.

’Broken but functional. Perfect for information extraction.’

His territory’s protective barrier welcomed them back with familiar blue radiance, the sight of home filling Ethan with satisfaction that had nothing to do with captured enemies. His subjects had continued their duties with disciplined efficiency during his absence

The herb gardens showed signs of successful harvest completion—mature specimens had been collected while new plantings showed healthy growth patterns.

Thomas approached with obvious enthusiasm, but Ethan raised a hand to halt his report.

“I’ll handle the harvest personally,” Ethan announced, approaching the nearest garden bed. “This requires direct oversight.”

’Too important to delegate. Every detail matters.’

The mature specimens radiated power that made the air itself shimmer with contained energy. Many Tier 5 herbs and Tier 6 specimens of unprecedented quality—advancement materials that represented days of careful cultivation and devouring.

He harvested each specimen with surgical precision.

He consumed the first Tier 5 herb.

<Herb tier evolved: Tier 5 → Tier 6>

This continued several more times.

<Herb tier evolved: Tier 6 → Tier 7>

<Herb tier evolved: Tier 7 → Tier 8>

Ethan immediately replanted the new high tier plants and took the ones that he could devour to gain attributes from the last batch.

He consumed the golden cores next, ten specimens representing substantial accumulated wealth from his enemy’s storage rings. Power flowed through his enhanced physiology as raw attributes integrated into his existing framework.

<+9 Strength> <+8 Agility> <+9 Intelligence> <+10 Vitality>

<+8 Strength> <+9 Agility> <+8 Intelligence> <+9 Vitality>

<+7 Vitality> <+7 Vitality>

His current status was the following:

<Human: Ethan Brandon>

<Rank: High-Gold>

<Talents: Fire (D), Water(D-), Crystal Manipulation (D), Speed (E+), Wind(D-), Protective Shield (F+), Accuracy Enhancement (F+), Regeneration (F+), Dagger Wield (F-), Mental Enhancement (F)>

<Transformations: Apex Mane(Mid-Gold), Crystal Butterfly(Low-Gold), Lazy Monkey(Peak-Silver), Tunneler Behemoth(High-Silver), Crystal Ape (Mid-Silver), Panther (Mid-Silver), Silver Serpent (Mid-Silver), Harpy(Mid-Silver)>

<Level 9>

<Health Points: 3880> <Mana Points: 3620>

<Strength: 377> <Agility: 367> <Intelligence: 362> <Vitality: 388>

<Free Attributes: 25>

<Skills: Basic Footwork (Apprentice- 1%), Swordsmanship (Novice – 70%), Mana control (Novice – 98%)>

After that, Ethan headed to the summoning gate. He needed to use the next summoning opportunity.

’Another workforce expansion. Let Marcus handle integration.’

Marcus approached the new arrivals, his experience integrating previous summons making the process routine rather than chaotic. Professional soldiers recognized competent leadership regardless of original circumstances.

“Marcus,” Ethan called out, his attention still focused on Torrino. “Handle the new subjects. Combat assignments for the warriors, specialised roles for the professionals.”

“Understood, my Lord. Standard integration procedures?”

“Standard procedures. But ensure they understand operational security requirements.”

…

Ethan looked at Torrino, then said, “Lead the way. I want you to take me to your spawn point. Do yourself a favour and don’t do anything stupid. I know where your base is, so don’t try to act smart. Because even if you did, you’ll die before you accomplish anything.”

Torrino’s face went pale as the implications hit him. His tactical mind processed the threat assessment—trapped between cooperation and certain death if he attempted betrayal.

“You’re serious about this,” he said quietly. “You actually intend to assault a Gold-rank spawning point.”

’As serious as systematic advancement requires.’

“Value your life, and I’ll let you go afterward,” Ethan continued, his tone carrying the weight of absolute authority. “Guide me there, provide tactical intelligence, and you walk away alive. Simple transaction.”

’Survival motivation. More reliable than ideology.’

Torrino studied his captor’s expression, searching for deception or hidden agendas. What he found was even more unsettling—genuine confidence that suggested this wasn’t desperate gamble but calculated strategy.

“The spawning point is heavily defended,” he warned, perhaps hoping to dissuade the apparent madness. “Gold-rank creatures don’t spawn in isolation. There are guardians, territorial defenders, natural hazards.”

’Environmental challenges. Expected complications.’

“I appreciate the warning. Your knowledge of those defenses will prove invaluable.” Fire danced around Ethan’s fingertips as casual reminder of power disparities. “Unless you’re reconsidering our arrangement?”

“No,” Torrino replied quickly. “I’ll guide you. Professional courtesy between military officers.”

’Professional courtesy. Whatever helps him rationalise survival.’

Marcus approached with his integration report, the new subjects organised into efficient operational units. “My Lord, fifteen new subjects successfully integrated. Three professionals assigned to specialised roles.”

“Excellent. Maintain standard operations during my absence.” Ethan’s attention remained focused on his prisoner. “Estimated timeline for the expedition?”

’Planning horizon. Always important for territorial management.’

“It will take a day to reach the spawning point, assuming optimal travel conditions,” Torrino replied reluctantly. “Additional time depends on… activity levels.”

“Understood. Marcus, you have operational authority until my return. Standard defensive protocols, continued herb cultivation, routine subject advancement.”

’Delegation of authority. Trust earned through demonstrated competence.’

Marcus nodded with professional acceptance. “Yes, my lord.”

“Then we depart immediately,” Ethan said to Torrino, who nodded.

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