100% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full? - Chapter 211

Chapter 211: Chapter 211 – Compete
Eirene’s expression was cold enough to frost steel. Her voice sliced through the tension like a blade.

“Obsidian Collegium,” she said sharply. “You’ve been here for less than a day and already you’re acting as though the Meridian Gate belongs to you. Are you declaring hostilities under the Concordium’s sky?”

A faint ripple of fragrance passed through the robed figures.

The eldest lowered his raised hand. Not out of fear but out of discipline.

His tone was controlled, measured, and sharp.

“Floran Lady, we have no intention of disrespecting the Concordium.

But our ancestral divinations sensed an anomaly within the West Continent. There is an existence that may disrupt the world’s balance. And we… seem to have found that said anomaly. Our duty requires that we act.”

His logic was sound… but dangerous.

They were scholars, not brutes. They followed prophecy, not impulse.

A Celestial Proxy stepped forward. His voice resonated like a temple bell.

“Then you should have reported it through proper channels.

You will not act without sanction in this city.”

Another Celestial Proxy approached Lucien gently. Her aura was soft and almost nostalgic.

“Are you unharmed?”

Lucien blinked. The two Celestials radiated a serene warmth that reminded him of Virel and Aniel.

The woman continued with a faint smile.

“Our ancestors were saved by Wolf Beastmen during the Millennia War.

I do not believe one of their bloodline would harbor ill intent.”

Before Lucien could respond, the youngest of the Obsidian Collegium snapped.

“You are being deceived! He is not a wolf beastman. His form is disguised.

His soul is twisted. He may be a monster wearing a beastman’s skin!”

The eldest gave a solemn nod.

“Celestial friends, we respect your judgment. But we follow the Path of Equilibrium.

If we hesitate now, we may allow a disaster to bloom. If you continue blocking us…

we may accidentally offend you, even if we do not wish to.”

His aura surged. Not a threat, but a declaration of resolve.

The tension skyrocketed.

But then—

A voice swept across the entire Meridian Gate like a sun bursting over the horizon.

[Who dares cause trouble in my domain?]

The air trembled.

Stone vibrated.

The laws themselves bent.

It was the voice of an Eternal Realm Sovereign. It was the Solar Concordium himself.

Even Celestial experts straightened.

The five white-robed scholars immediately bowed deeply.

“Senior,” the eldest said. His voice was respectful but urgent.

“My junior saw it. This man dares to disguise himself in your city.

We fear he is an anomaly… possibly a monster from the Black Mass.”

A wave of gasps rippled through the crowd.

“A monster?”

“From the Black Mass?!”

“That’s… that’s impossible, right?”

Everyone held their breath.

The Solar Concordium’s reply was calm but sharp enough to cut fate.

[I have decreed that all are welcome within my city.

Every dispute shall be settled by contest—

and those who win, prevail.]

Silence.

[If he were truly a creature of the Black Mass…

do you believe he could slip past my senses?

No… the only ones erring here are you.

I have seen everything.

You attacked without issuing a challenge—

and forced pressure upon a junior.]

His voice hardened.

[In my city, do you know what I call such behavior?

Cowardice.]

The plaza erupted in whispers.

“Cowards?!”

“Senior Solar Concordium called the Collegium cowards?!”

“Haha! Even the Obsidian Scholars must bow today…”

The other four robed scholars seethed in humiliation but none dared answer an Eternal.

Yet their leader remained composed. His bow deepened.

“Senior… in respect for our ancestors, allow me to explain. This time, our ancestors have allowed us to bring our junior brother to find out about the anomaly in the West Continent.

My junior brother possesses a rare constitution… one that sees through form, truth, and even fragmented futures.

He has never once erred in his readings.

Thus, we feared this man may indeed bring calamity.”

A smart justification. Calm, logical and rooted in duty.

But the Eternal’s aura thickened.

The pressure slammed down on them like a falling sun.

All five scholars were forced to their knees instantly.

[A bold claim.

Very well—

I shall verify it myself.]

Lucien’s heart tightened. For the first time in a long while, he felt genuine pressure.

‘If my identity slips… this could be catastrophic.’

He glanced at the Celestial Proxies. The calm on their faces steadied his nerves.

‘Right. They protect humans… then, even if my identity is exposed, there shouldn’t be any problem.’

Still… he put his important items into his Inventory.

Lucien inhaled once, then lowered his guard.

“Senior, please go ahead.”

A spiritual sense swept through him. Cold. Bright. Absolute.

It pierced on his forehead. It moved to every layer, every strand and laid open his spirit.

Lucien’s pulse quickened. The good thing is that the Eternal didn’t probe inside him…

only his spirit. His divine energy core is safe.

And the Solar Concordium had seen his true form.

Lucien braced himself.

And then—

A deep, thunderous laugh filled the entire city.

[HAHAHAHA!

Interesting. Truly interesting!

Never wrong, you say? Then he is certainly wrong this time.]

Everyone froze.

[This one is no monster.

He is indeed not a wolf beastman, but something greater.

He is just barely half a century old, judging by his spirit.

No wonder he hides his identity.

With such talent, his future would draw assassins like flies.]

The plaza erupted in murmurs.

“That young?”

“Just below fifty years old and already in the Transcendent Realm?!”

“So he is not a monster. It’s his talent that is monstrous!”

The youngest Obsidian scholar trembled.

“T-then what is his true form?! How —how could I misread—”

The Eternal’s voice sharpened like a blade.

[Are you questioning me?]

A crushing force aimed straight at the youth—

—but the eldest moved instantly, shielding him.

The eldest was hit squarely and he even coughed blood.

“Forgive him, Senior.

It is his first time stepping into the world.

We have likely made an error.”

A dangerous silence lingered before the Eternal snorted softly.

[…Remember your place.

If anyone here is fated to cause chaos… it is far more likely your junior than this one.

As for this youth’s identity…

…you may ask him yourselves.

But remember the law of this city:

If you want something, then compete for it.]

A final warning, bright as a miniature sun:

[Act arrogantly again…

and I will erase you without hesitation.]

The pressure vanished.

Everyone gasped for air.

Eirene stepped forward smoothly, tone crisp.

“Let this be a reminder.

In the Meridian Gate, contest… not coercion… is the only law.”

The Celestial Proxies nodded and the crowd slowly dispersed though whispers swirled like smoke.

Lucien exhaled into his palm.

“That could’ve gone worse.”

Marie crossed her arms.

“You call that ‘not worse’?”

Eirene allowed a restrained smile.

“Welcome to the Meridian Gate.

Where insult, truth, and survival are all settled by competition.”

Soon…

A figure approached.

The youngest robed scholar.

His third eye was half-lidded but burning.

“I do not believe I am wrong,” he said calmly. “You. Compete with me now.”

Lucien stared at him.

“…You again? Your eye is uglier up close.”

Gasps erupted.

Eirene and several others choked.

Marie didn’t hold back her laughter.

The scholar trembled with fury.

“You dare mock me in public?!”

Lucien shrugged.

“You were just openly doubting the Solar Concordium’s words.

Also, trying to kill me a minute ago tends to make me less polite.”

The youth stepped forward.

“Are you accepting, or not?”

Eirene leaned in, whispering…

“Brother Luc… refusing a duel here is the greatest disgrace. But don’t worry, even if you fall into disgrace, my merchant association will fully accept you.”

Her whisper was like that of a devil’s.

Lucien blinked. ‘Why do I feel like she wants me to decline and fall into disgrace?’

He then smirked.

“Ha! An Ascendant challenging a Transcendent?

Never seen that before. You must be jealous that someone under fifty years old already scares you.”

A wave of laughter swept through the crowd.

Lucien raised both hands dramatically.

“If you want to fight, go fight with your Celestial grandpas.

Maybe they’ll make it fair.”

The scholar’s face reddened.

“Who said we will fight with our bodies?”

His voice turned razor-sharp.

“Let us battle with the mind.

A game of chess.

And place a wager.”

Lucien’s eyes gleamed.

‘Chess? That’s… a bad move.’

He smiled thinly.

“Alright. What’s your bet?”

“Your truth,” the youth said. “Tell me your true identity if you lose.”

Lucien nodded casually.

“And if I win? Your storage ring.”

A ripple swept through the plaza.

Eirene whispered urgently,

“Brother Luc! This is a trap. They’re scholars. Chess is their battlefield. They’ve perfected it. You cannot win.”

Marie leaned beside her, whispering back with a grin.

“Sister Eirene… do you really think this crafty man would agree without a plan?

Ha. Let them suffer.”

The young scholar raised a hand.

A chessboard materialized between them.

The pieces gleamed like stars.

The crowd formed a wide circle.

The Trial of Minds—

—began.