Chapter 160: Blood Monarch

After finishing the second wave, the dimensional rifts began closing with crystalline chimes that echoed across the battlefield.

Ethan stood among the scattered remains of hundreds of territorial challenge entities, his Platinum-rank capabilities having turned what should have been desperate defense into systematic elimination. His subjects had performed admirably, but the bulk of enemy forces had fallen to individual transcendence rather than organized resistance.

The silence that followed carried weight beyond simple combat completion. Reality itself seemed to pause as invisible forces assessed their defensive performance against predetermined criteria.

Then the messages began.

[TERRITORIAL DEFENSE COMPLETED]

[FIRST SANCTUARY DEFENSE RECORD BROKEN]

[Previous Record: 20 minutes, 45 seconds]

[New Record: 2 minutes, 4 seconds]

[Record Holder: Lord Ethan Brandon]

Ethan’s eyebrows rose slightly as he processed the implications. Previous territorial lords had required nearly twenty minutes to complete similar defensive trials, while his combined forces had achieved victory in approximately One-tenth that time.

“Record-breaking performance,” Vance observed with shock and happiness. After all, such a powerful thing had happened to the territory he was now part of. Suddenly, he realised that he was truly foolish to go against Ethan.

He had seen the way he treated his subordinates in the past few days, and to say that he didn’t regret sending his subjects to death for his own selfish reasons was a lie. He had grown to regret his past, but it wasn’t to the point that it was breaking him; the seed of regret was sprouting.

[CONTRIBUTION ASSESSMENT COMPLETE]

[REWARDS DISTRIBUTED BY INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION]

The magical notifications continued cascading through everyone’s consciousness as the realm’s systems calculated each participant’s specific contribution to the defensive victory.

[LORD ETHAN BRANDON – CONTRIBUTION: 95.2%]

[PERFORMANCE RATING: SSS-RANK]

[VICE-LORD VANCE – CONTRIBUTION: 0.4%]

[PERFORMANCE RATING: B-RANK]

[MARCUS – CONTRIBUTION: 0.1%]

[PERFORMANCE RATING: C-RANK]

The contribution percentages continued downward through his entire population, but Ethan’s dominance was overwhelming. Nearly the whole defensive victory had been achieved through his personal capability. After all, he was the leader; he had killed the most monsters, helped save most subordinates, conquered Vance’s territory, and everything that led to his victory was accounted for.

“Ninety-five per cent contribution,” Elena said with awe as she processed her own B-rank rating. “You eliminated almost all of the attacking forces personally.”

“Platinum rank versus silver rank monsters, it was inevitable that they would all die under my area of attack skills, it’s not something that should be celebrated,” Ethan replied with casual explanation.

But the realm wasn’t finished with its assessments.

[SSS-RANK ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED]

[FIRST SANCTUARY RECORD BREAKER]

[MYTHICAL REWARD GRANTED]

[You have been awarded SSS-rank Pet: Blood Dragon]

The notification carried weight beyond simple text. SSS-rank rewards represented legendary achievement recognition—items and entities that transcended anything. SSS-rank was a rank that he didn’t even dare look at. Such a powerful reward was simply insane.

Suddenly, reality warped above the territorial centre as dimensional space tore open with controlled precision. Something massive was being transported through magical frameworks that operated on principles beyond teleportation.

A crystalline egg materialized in the air above Ethan’s position, its surface gleaming with internal radiance that spoke of contained life force of unprecedented potency. The egg descended slowly while magical energies swirled around its faceted shell.

The egg was enormous—nearly two meters in height and proportionally wide. Its crystalline surface showed veins of crimson energy that pulsed with heartbeat rhythm, while ambient temperature rose several degrees from radiated power.

[Blood Dragon Egg Detected]

[Would you like to hatch?]

“Yes,” Ethan replied without hesitation.

The response was immediate and spectacular. Crystalline shell began fracturing along geometric lines while internal radiance intensified beyond comfortable observation levels. His subjects stepped backwards as magical discharge made the air itself dangerous to breathe.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

Fracture lines spread across the egg’s surface while crimson energy blazed through widening gaps. The contained life force was awakening with power levels that challenged reality’s stability around the hatching point.

CRASH!

The shell exploded outward in brilliant crystalline fragments while a small form emerged from the radiant interior. What appeared wasn’t the massive dragon everyone had expected, but something far more remarkable.

A small red dragon, roughly the size of a large housecat, perched among the cooling shell fragments. Its scales gleamed like liquid rubies while intelligent eyes studied its surroundings with predatory assessment that spoke of wisdom contained within juvenile form.

<Pet: Blood Dragon>

<Rank: Peak-Platinum>

<Blood Monarch Talent: SSS-Rank>

The creature’s small size was deceptive. Peak-Platinum rank in juvenile form suggested growth potential that could approach legendary status, while SSS-rank talent transcended normal capability classifications entirely.

“Magnificent,” Thomas breathed, his enhanced perception detecting power signatures that surpassed Ethan’s own capabilities. “Peak-Platinum rank in hatchling form?”

The Blood Dragon spread wings that seemed too large for its compact body while testing flight capabilities with instinctive precision. Each movement radiated controlled power that made nearby subjects uncomfortable despite the creature’s diminutive appearance.

But Ethan felt something deeper—a mental connection forming between his consciousness and the dragon’s ancient intelligence. The pet bond was establishing itself through magical frameworks that linked their life forces permanently.

Loyalty. Power. Partnership.

“Welcome to the family,” Ethan said conversationally as the Blood Dragon alighted on his extended arm. Its weight was negligible despite Peak-Platinum density, magical enhancement eliminating normal physical limitations.

The creature studied him with eyes that held intelligence beyond normal animal cognition. This wasn’t a simple pet—it was a partner whose capabilities would complement his own transcendent power.

Meanwhile, his subjects were receiving their own reward notifications as contribution-based distribution continued throughout the population.

The rewards materialised through dimensional transport as magical frameworks delivered enhancement materials based on individual performance during the defensive trial.

Marcus’s new longbow gleamed with enhancement enchantments that would multiply his archery effectiveness by orders of magnitude. The weapon’s string hummed with contained energy while targeting arrays provided magical assistance for long-range precision.

“Tier 5 enhancement,” Marcus said with obvious satisfaction as he tested the weapon’s draw weight.

Elena’s elemental arrows carried magical charges that would provide explosive, freezing, or piercing effects based on tactical requirements. Each projectile represented specialised ammunition that could challenge Gold-rank targets.

Thomas received alchemical equipment that would revolutionise potion production, while Jacoub’s construction tools enabled architectural projects that previously required months of manual labour.

“Contribution-based rewards,” Vance observed as he examined his own B-rank prize—a Tier 5 sword that would enhance his power immensely. “Performance directly translates to advancement opportunity.”

Even the lowest-contributing subjects received Tier 3 equipment upgrades that represented substantial improvement over their previous capabilities. Silver-rank fighters found themselves wielding weapons that had previously been beyond their operational reach.

“Everyone benefits from territorial success,” Ethan noted with satisfaction as he watched his subjects examine their new equipment.

The Blood Dragon on his arm nodded with what might have been agreement, its intelligence already processing the tactical implications of their partnership. SSS-rank talent suggested capabilities that would complement Platinum-rank power in ways that redefined combat effectiveness.

“What does Blood Monarch talent actually do?” Elena asked with curiosity as she watched the small dragon demonstrate flight manoeuvres.

The creature’s response provided immediate demonstration. Crimson energy flowed from its compact form while the scattered blood of territorial challenge entities began dissolving into red mist that flowed toward the dragon like living smoke.

“Life force absorption alongside the ability to control blood, forming it into weapons, and various other things,” Ethan said with growing appreciation. “Combat effectiveness increases with every defeated enemy.”

The implications were staggering. A pet whose power grew through sustained combat while providing partnership bonuses that multiplied individual capability. The SSS-rank reward had provided more than simple equipment—it had granted a companion whose potential approached his own potential.

“First territorial defence completed with record-breaking performance,” he announced to his assembled subjects. “This represents a successful transition from survival mode to expansion phase.”

His enhanced population now possessed equipment and capabilities that rivaled established territorial powers while maintaining the advantages of individual transcendence and systematic advancement.

“Territorial conquest becomes viable when organizational strength combines with individual supremacy,” Vance added with tactical assessment. “The realm’s challenges have provided tools for regional dominance.”

The Blood Dragon spread its wings wider while crimson energy continued flowing from absorbed life force. Its small form was already showing signs of growth acceleration as SSS-rank talent processed the substantial essence collection.

“Time to plan our next expansion,” Ethan said with predatory satisfaction.

…

With that, a few days passed in preparation and territorial consolidation.

Ethan had established clear administrative protocols before departing on his next advancement phase. Vance received temporary leadership authority over both territorial domains, but with explicit warnings about maintaining established policies.

“You understand the consequences of reverting to previous management styles,” Ethan had said with casual authority that carried weight beyond words. “I’ve given you temporary leadership Vance, and I will return. If you dare do something that will upset me, you can only blame yourself…I’ve given you a chance before; I won’t give you another this time.”

Vance nodded with genuine understanding. “As your subjects, we have achieved remarkable development through advancement. I’ll maintain those protocols exactly. I will not change a single thing.”

“Good,”

The herb distribution had been strategically calculated to maximise organisational benefit while preserving the highest-tier materials for Ethan’s own personal advancement. Tier 4 through Tier 6 specimens went to his subjects, providing enhancement opportunities that would elevate the entire population.

The herbs available should help everyone reach the Gold rank within reasonable timeframes.

Thomas received substantial alchemical materials for potion production while Marcus and Elena gained access to enhancement herbs that would push their capabilities toward Gold-rank thresholds. Even Silver-rank subjects received advancement opportunities that had previously been beyond their reach.

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