Chapter 95: Junior City Lord

Ezekiel’s mansion dominated the district’s centre, a large complex of marble that spoke of wealth accumulated over decades, and gardens surrounded the main structure.

Time to discuss the future.

Entering the mansion, the interior rivalled royal palaces back on earth.

“Welcome to my home,” Ezekiel said, his tone carrying no hint of pride.

The demonstration of Ethan’s capabilities had recontextualised his accumulated luxury, revealing it as petty hoarding.

“Impressive,” Ethan replied neutrally.

He wasn’t going to judge Ezekiel for his past right now. Ethan wasn’t some righteous hero who would crusade to return everyone’s stolen opportunities.

If Han hadn’t attacked those close to him, Ethan wouldn’t have acted at all. The city’s political corruption would have remained just another background inconvenience.

But now that he’d claimed the ruling position, everything changed.

Ezekiel is under my wing now. Can’t let him revert to old habits.

The former City Lord needed careful observation. Power corrupted through habit as much as intention—vigilance would prevent backsliding into it.

Ethan took a seat on a comfortable sofa.

“How were you planning to advance to Gold?” he asked. “Do you have access to Gold-rank cores?”

Ezekiel shook his head.

“We don’t have enough firepower to kill Gold-ranks. It’s almost impossible for Peak-Silver to bridge that gap through combat alone.”

Makes sense. The power differential must be enormous for the average person in such ranks.

“However,” Ezekiel continued, moving to a locked cabinet carved from some exotic wood, “I’ve been accumulating rare herbs for decades.”

He withdrew several containers, each holding specimens that seemed to pulse with inner light.

Incredible concentration of power.

Ethan could feel the power inside those herbs, it was enormous.

“Upon consuming all these herbs in one session, you might have a chance of entering Gold-rank. Although it would be difficult without proper focus and preparation.”

Ethan studied the botanical treasures. Each specimen radiated energy signatures that made his silver core resonate sympathetically.

Decades of careful collection. Irreplaceable resources.

“Did the behemoth interrupt your advancement attempt?”

“Yes.” Ezekiel’s expression darkened with remembered frustration. “I had just started the breakthrough process when the attack began. The timing was… unfortunate.”

The monkey’s coordinated assault had demonstrated tactical understanding that went beyond random monster behavior. Interrupting the City Lord’s advancement would cripple the city’s strongest defender.

“If I hadn’t intervened,” Ezekiel continued, “the behemoth would have killed you and Ruan. Once you were both dead, the others would follow. Soon enough, the creature would reach the First District.”

He gestured toward the streets visible through the window. “Even if I killed it afterwards, the cost wouldn’t be worthwhile. It takes decades to cultivate Silver-rank generals—assuming talent exists for replacement.”

“Furthermore, I knew a Peak-Silver waited for me to act. The monkey’s presence was obvious. If I didn’t intervene, I would likely have died regardless of the joint attack of the monsters.”

Ethan nodded, understanding him. “So you sacrificed certain advancement for probable survival.”

“Exactly. Better to live and try again than die before Gold-rank.”

“So you have no chance of entering Gold anymore?”

“I do, but it’s very small. Almost nonexistent.”

Ezekiel’s voice carried disappointment. “The herbs require perfect timing, ideal conditions, months of preparation. I’ve already consumed the preliminary treatments—starting over would take years.”

“What is the world spirit you mentioned earlier?”

Ezekiel’s demeanour changed.

“The world spirit is an entity that contacts you upon reaching Gold-rank. Not immediately—the connection forms gradually as your power stabilises at that threshold.”

An entity?

“What kind of contact?”

“Direct communication. Some describe it as hearing voices, others as accessing universal knowledge.” Ezekiel’s eyes held distant longing. “The exact nature varies, but all Gold-ranks report the experience.”

Communication with something beyond human understanding.

“Once you reach Gold-rank, you qualify to become a junior City Lord.”

The title carried weight beyond simple promotion.

Junior implies hierarchy. That means there is people above junior.

“What’s that?”

Ezekiel moved to a bookshelf lined with leather-bound volumes, selecting one that appeared old.

“A junior City Lord is an opportunity every Gold-rank receives. The world spirit offers a choice—remain human or accept transformation into something greater.”

Transformation. Like my abilities, but probably different.

“What kind of transformation?”

“Enhanced capabilities beyond normal Gold-rank limitations. Access to the First Sanctuary—a realm where advanced beings gather for… purposes I don’t fully understand. Perhaps to evolve, just like us.”

Ezekiel’s voice carried frustration at his incomplete knowledge. “The information comes only to those who achieve the rank.”

Another realm. Higher powers operating beyond this world.

“If you choose to become a junior City Lord, you gain opportunities for evolution and advancement impossible for ordinary beings. Breaking limits that constrain normal cultivation. Access to resources and knowledge that exist nowhere else.”

The real game operates at levels I haven’t even glimpsed.

“And if you refuse?”

“You remain human. Powerful at the gold rank, yes, but ultimately limited to that. No access to the Sanctuary. You will remain until death claims you.”

The choice seemed obvious.

Why would anyone refuse advancement?

Yet Ezekiel’s tone suggested complexities beyond surface appeal. There’s more. Always is.

“What’s the cost?” Ethan asked.

“Danger. Although the sanctuary provides you with resources and opportunities to grow stronger. It also poses with danger that you might not survive. You might appear in the den of a powerful beast that will kill you with ease. It’s all fate.”

“No control over placement?”

“None.”

Ezekiel moved to the window, gazing toward the distant walls where dawn light painted devastation in golden hues. “Some junior City Lords emerge stronger within months. Others die within hours.”

Random placement in hostile territory. Survival of the fittest at its finest.

“How many attempt the transformation versus remaining human?”

“Most choose to remain human, after all. They had sacrificed a lot to reach gold-rank, Once they reach it, they just want to relax and enjoy the rest of their lives before death claims them.” A bitter smile crossed Ezekiel’s features.

Understandable.

The conversation had revealed frameworks beyond his current understanding. Multiple realms, hierarchical powers.

It was all fascinating.

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