Chapter 98: Entering the First Sanctuary.

<Human: Ethan Brandon>

<Rank: Peak-Silver>

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

<Transformations: Lazy Monkey(Peak-Silver), Tunneler Behemoth(High-Silver), Crystal Ape (Mid-Silver), Panther (Mid-Silver), Silver Serpent (Mid-Silver), Harpy(Mid-Silver), Shadowfang Wolf (Peak-Bronze), Razorback Boar (Peak-Bronze), Black Beetle (High-Bronze), Brown Bear (Peak-Bronze),>

<Level 5>

<Health Points:2400> <Mana Points: 2400>

<Strength: 240> <Agility: 240> <Intelligence: 240> <Vitality: 240>

<Free Attributes: 5>

<Skills: Basic Footwork (Novice – 80%), Swordsmanship (Novice – 60%), Mana control (Novice – 68%)>

—

Two weeks of relentless training had pushed Ethan’s capabilities to new heights. His new status reflected countless hours spent hunting beasts in the wilderness beyond the city walls, each kill refining his techniques and strengthening his talents.

I’m still happy with my improvements so far.

Most of his lower-ranked talents had risen to F+ grade after devouring beasts with the same talents.

The progression felt natural, inevitable—power accumulating like water behind a dam.

His skills teetered on the edge of advancement. Basic Footwork approached the eighty percent threshold where mastery would evolve from novice to apprentice. Swordsmanship and Mana Control followed close behind, refined through training.

I don’t think I can break through before…

After rebuilding Uncle Lin’s restaurant in an estate inside the second district, he invited them weekly.

Today marked another weekly gathering—a tradition that had emerged naturally after the disaster. Uncle Lin never charged Ethan, Tiana, or Hong Wei for their meals, waving away payment with gruff insistence that family didn’t pay family.

Family. Strange how quickly that formed.

The five of them sat around a familiar table, steam rising from dishes that filled the air with savory aromas. Uncle Lin had outdone himself—Lamb shank that fell apart at the touch of chopsticks, vegetables still crisp with colour, rice that held just the right texture.

Comfort food. Exactly what the soul needs.

Conversation flowed around ordinary topics. Uncle Lin grumbled cheerfully about supply chain disruptions that made certain ingredients impossible to find.

Normal life, precious in its mundane simplicity.

Then Lin’s chopsticks paused halfway to her mouth. “What are your next plans?”

An inevitable question. I can’t avoid it forever. I guess it’s good that she asked.

Ethan finished his bite, considering his response. The herbs Ezekiel had provided waited in his storage ring, and he planned to use them tonight.

“I’m planning on entering the First Sanctuary.”

The words dropped into conversation like stones into still water. Ripples spread outward, touching everyone at the table with varying degrees of understanding and alarm.

Tiana’s grip on her spoon tightened until her knuckles showed white beneath pale skin.

She’d tried everything over the past week. Logic, emotion, desperate pleading—nothing had swayed his determination. The monkey’s dying words about his mother echoed through her thoughts like a curse.

Someone stronger than Ethan. Someone who might kill him on sight.

Hong Wei’s face scrunched in confusion. “What’s the First Sanctuary?”

“A place where advanced awakeners go to grow stronger.” Ethan’s voice remained steady. “It’s dangerous, but necessary upon reaching Gold-rank.”

“How dangerous?” Lin asked quietly.

The question hung in the air like smoke, acrid and impossible to ignore. Ethan met her concerned gaze directly.

“Very. Many who enter don’t return.”

Truth. They deserve nothing less.

“Then why—” Lin’s voice cracked slightly. “Why go at all?”

Because staying weak means dying without being able to protect myself or anyone I care about eventually.

“Because something stronger than the beast tide is coming. The monkey spoke about real war—powers I can’t imagine yet.” His chopsticks traced patterns on his plate. “I need to be ready.”

Silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken fears. Lin’s eyes glistened with unshed tears.

They’re afraid of losing me. Can’t blame them for that.

“There has to be another way,” Tiana said finally. Her mind rejected solutions that involved such extreme risk. “More training here, working with the City Lord, building defenses—”

“Won’t be enough.” Ethan’s interrupted gently. “Peak-Silver might seem impressive in this city, but it’s nothing compared to what’s coming.”

The monkey’s laughter still echoes in my dreams. Amusement at our insignificance. Despite its death.

“How long?” Uncle Lin asked.

“The advancement process takes time. If successful, training in the Sanctuary could last months or years.” Ethan met each pair of eyes in turn. “I don’t know when I’ll return.”

Tears finally spilt down Lin’s cheeks, though she tried to hide them behind her hair.

“We understand,” Uncle Lin said, though his voice carried the weight of a man accepting inevitable loss. “You’ve given us more than we had any right to ask for.”

“I can tell that words won’t change your mind, Ethan. But do know that we care about you. Take care of yourself out there, and make sure you come back.”

Ethan nodded.

Tiana stood abruptly, her chair scraping against wooden floors. “I need some air.”

’She’s known him the longest. The bond runs deepest there.’ Uncle Lin thought.

“She’ll be alright,” Hong Wei said quietly. “Tiana’s strong.”

Ethan rose to follow her, but Uncle Lin’s hand touched his arm.

“Give her a moment. Sometimes pain needs space before it accepts comfort.”

Ethan looked at the old man and sat back down. He listened to him because he had come to learn more about the old man in the past two weeks.

Wisdom from experience.

When Tiana finally returned, her eyes held the redness of recent tears. She took her seat without explanation, picking up her chopsticks as if nothing had happened.

…

On the way back to their mansion in the first district, Tiana broke the silence between them.

“When?” she asked simply.

“Soon. Probably today, if nothing goes wrong.” Ethan’s honesty felt like knives thrown at people he cared about.

Soon. Too soon.

Above, stars emerged one by one in the deepening sky.

Arriving back at their mansion, they wished each other good night before each returned to his own room.

Inside his room, Ethan sat on his bed and placed all the herbs that he had gotten from Ezekiel.

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