100% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full? - Chapter 276

Chapter 276: Chapter 276 – Farewell
Lucien briefed them first.

“To understand what comes next,” he said calmly, “you need to understand the path.”

They sat where he indicated.

“Practicing isn’t just about absorbing energy,” Lucien said. “That’s what mortals think. That’s why most never pass the threshold.”

He tapped the air lightly.

“The Mortal Realm strengthens the body. It tempers endurance, circulation, and raw capacity. But beyond that, brute accumulation stops working.”

He looked directly at them.

“To advance, you must align three things.”

He raised one finger.

“Mind. A clear and stable consciousness. One that can endure pressure, contradiction, and change without fracturing.”

A second finger.

“Body. A vessel capable of withstanding transformation. Not just strength, but adaptability. If your body rejects change, everything ends there.”

A third finger.

“Soul. The record of existence. It’s the self that persists through change, refinement, and rebirth.”

Sahrin swallowed. Khasari clenched his fists unconsciously.

“When these three are aligned,” Lucien continued, “your spirit will overflow. You will need enlightenment to reach a state called Spiritual Saturation.”

He paused to let the words settle.

“At that point, you are full. Not in quantity but in coherence. Any more power without change would tear you apart.”

He lowered his hand.

“That’s when a choice appears.”

Sahrin looked up. “A choice…?”

Lucien nodded.

“To integrate with a Law.”

Their breathing slowed.

“A Law is not something you control,” Lucien said. “It’s something you resonate with. Something your existence can bear without collapsing.”

He met their eyes one by one.

“Only after Spiritual Saturation can you attempt that.”

Silence lingered.

Then Lucien added, evenly—

“Shed your Mortal Husk first. I’ll guide you there. After that… whether you step toward Transcendence will be your decision.”

Sahrin bowed deeply. Khasari followed a heartbeat later.

“Are you ready?” Lucien asked the two.

Sahrin was the first to speak.

“I’m always ready, Benefactor,” her voice was burning with resolve. “I want to be strong enough to protect what matters to me. This time… I won’t be powerless again.”

Khasari swallowed, then straightened his back.

“Benefactor, I’m willing too,” he said quickly. “I want to protect my family. And one day—” he hesitated then pushed on, “—I want to become someone great. Someone who can stand beside you. Your right hand, if you’ll allow it.”

Lucien blinked.

Then he laughed softly.

“You have big dreams, Khasari,” he said, amused rather than dismissive.

His gaze shifted to Sahrin.

“And you,” he added, more seriously, “we share the same reason. To protect what’s important. You’ll need strength for what’s coming. We’ll face enemies far stronger than anything you’ve known.”

They both bowed instinctively.

Lucien nodded once.

Their loyalty was already high, more than 90.

And Lucien could see it clearly. They weren’t grateful because he was powerful. They were loyal because he had helped them when no one else did.

That was enough.

He did not hesitate.

Divine energy surged outward, wrapping around Sahrin and Khasari like a tide that did not resist them.

The world folded.

In the next instant, they vanished from the room, drawn directly into Lucien’s divine energy core.

They reappeared inside a structured space.

A training facility.

The ground was layered with formation lines. The air was dense with controlled pressure. Instructions were already engraved into the environment itself.

Everything here was designed for one purpose.

Efficient growth.

Lucien’s voice echoed once.

“Temper your bodies first. Follow the instructions exactly. Don’t rush.”

And then—

He withdrew.

Lucien returned to the physical world.

The room reassembled around him.

He stared forward—

—and saw Marie directly ahead of him.

She was standing right in front of him, arms crossed, wearing a far too knowing smile.

Lucien froze.

“…You’re done already?” he asked.

Marie grinned.

“Finished. Every last page,” she said proudly. Then she leaned in slightly and added, “Of course, I’m expecting a reward.”

Lucien stared at her for half a second.

Then he smiled and nodded.

“You’ve earned it,” he said.

Lucien was about to hand something to Marie when—

Knock. Knock.

Lucien paused.

Before he could respond, a familiar voice came from outside.

“Wolf junior,” one of the Celestial-Realm seniors called. “The other Solaris Arks have arrived. There will be a formal gathering later.”

A brief pause.

“And… someone has asked to see you.”

Marie’s eyes widened slightly.

“…Wait. Already?” she muttered. “I didn’t realize that much time passed.”

Lucien exhaled softly.

“I’ll go see them first,” he said.

He stepped forward and opened the door.

The Celestial-Realm senior gestured down the corridor.

“If you would follow me.”

Lucien nodded, and Marie fell into step beside him without being asked.

The lobby was already lively when they arrived.

Lucien’s gaze swept the room, and he immediately recognized several familiar figures.

Vorren stood near one of the pillars, arms crossed, posture relaxed but alert. When he saw Lucien, he gave a short nod. It’s more like an acknowledgement than greeting.

Raven was there as well, leaning against her senior sister. The two of them was quietly conversing.

Nearby stood the Sskavyrn duo. They noticed Lucien almost immediately.

And then, Lythrae.

When her eyes met Lucien’s, they lit up. Then dimmed slightly as she glanced past him.

“…Miss Eirene isn’t here,” she said softly.

Lucien met her gaze.

“She stayed behind,” he answered honestly. “She’ll return later.”

Lythrae nodded, but the disappointment was hard to hide.

“I see…” she murmured. “I wanted to thank her properly.”

Before the mood could linger, one of the Celestial-Realm seniors cleared his throat.

“The gathering will begin later,” he announced. “For now, this is an informal exchange. Many wished to greet you before departing.”

One by one, people stepped forward.

Raven offered a casual salute.

“Brother Wolf. We’ll be leaving the Sareth Region and returning to our sect. When you visit, you’ll be received as a special guest… with treatment equal to that of our elders. Our sect lies in the Maereth Region, directly above this one. It’s the central region of the West Continent.”

Her senior sister inclined her head.

“If I recall correctly, the Verdant Veil headquarters is also located in the Maereth Region. It seems we’ll meet again sooner rather than later. Take care of yourself, Brother Wolf. The world will be… louder around you now.”

Next came the Sskavyrn duo.

“We’re continuing our tempering journey,” one of them said simply.

The other grinned. “Try not to leave us too far behind, yeah?”

Lucien nodded to them both.

“Survive first. Power comes after. And if you ever decide to settle down, come find me. I’ll need capable people.”

As he spoke, Lucien handed each of them a Waystone fragment, linking it to his own.

“This will let you know where I am.”

They laughed.

“That day will come.”

“Then we’ll thank you in advance.”

Others followed. Brief farewells, exchanged glances, unspoken acknowledgments forged through shared danger and survival.

Most would return to their sects.

Most would walk separate paths.

Vorren stepped forward last.

“I’ll stay here for now,” he said plainly.

Lucien raised an eyebrow.

Vorren shrugged. “I want to be part of your people too. But I can feel it… this isn’t the right time yet. There’s danger ahead. If we meet again after that…” He chuckled. “Then I’ll serve you.”

Lucien smiled faintly.

“Suit yourself.”

As the group began to disperse, Marie leaned closer and whispered,

“…Luc, are you trying to build a sect?”

Lucien glanced around before replying quietly,

“Not exactly. A nation.” Then he added, “And you’ll be a cofounder.”

Marie straightened proudly, chest high.

“Good. Don’t leave me hanging. Being with you makes me richer.”

•••

Later that day, the Celestial Race proxies came to meet Lucien.

They bowed first.

“Brother,” one of them said calmly. “We have come to speak with you.”

Lucien stepped aside and let them in.

They did not waste time.

“We wish to extend an invitation,” the lead proxy continued. “Come with us to the Middle Continent. To our domain. There are places where your growth would be… accelerated. Where your existence would not be questioned.”

It was not a command. It was an offer.

Lucien listened in silence.

They already knew. His true identity. His nature as a human. His ability to wield divine energy.

‘So the Solar Concordium did tell them,’ he thought, recalling that brief glance into his spirit.

Lucien shook his head.

“I appreciate the offer,” he said simply. “But I must decline.”

The proxies did not frown. They did not press.

“I have something I must accomplish here first,” Lucien continued. “If I leave now, I would be abandoning the future I’m preparing.”

The proxies studied him for a long moment.

Then they smiled.

“A predictable answer,” one of them said gently. “And a respectable one.”

“We will not force you,” the other added. “The Celestial Race respects self-determination. Especially from those capable of bearing it.”

The male proxy raised his hand.

Light condensed in his palm, forming a small crystalline sigil.

“This is a Celestial Token,” he said. “It signifies friendship with our race. It carries no obligation.”

He placed it into Lucien’s hand.

“Wherever you go,” the female proxy continued, “this token will be recognized. Your words will carry weight. Your claims will be believed. And if you ever call upon us… not as a subject, but as an equal… we will answer.”

Lucien looked down at the token.

Then he nodded once.

“…Thank you.”

The proxies bowed again.

“Walk your path well, human brother,” the proxy said. “The stars will remember your choice.”

They turned and departed.

Lucien closed the door behind them and exhaled slowly.

He stared at the token in his palm for a moment longer.

Then he clenched his fist.

“Good,” he murmured.

He had no intention of being carried forward by someone else’s world.

He would build his own.