The battle was over.
Bianca slid the Undying Severance back into its crimson wooden sheath.
The Ancient King—the strongest monster in Skycloud City—stood frozen like a statue. His golden greatsword had long since shattered. The soul fire flickering within his hollow eyes slowly dimmed… until it vanished completely.
Moments later, his massive skeletal body weathered away, collapsing like decayed timber before crumbling into dust.
[Challenge Successful!]
[Secret Realm Evaluation: AA+]
[Reward Obtained: "Ancient King Soul Crystal" ×1]
Bianca's heart surged with excitement.
A Tier 3 Five-Star Soul Crystal was extraordinarily rare.
Each one cost the Lord no less than five thousand Spirit Points to produce.
For the Lord, it was a heavy loss.
For Adventurers, it was an enormous profit.
Skycloud City's soul crystal drop rate had always been low—only one-fifth, or even less, compared to Miracle City. Obtaining a top-tier soul crystal like this was practically harder than ascending to heaven.
Yet Bianca cleared the Ancient King's Tomb in a single run—and obtained the city's most coveted treasure.
It was bound to cause a sensation across Skycloud City… perhaps even make headlines in Blackstone Town.
Yes, luck played a role.
But not a decisive one.
First clears and first kills significantly increased drop rates. Moreover, if a Secret Realm had gone many runs without dropping a specific soul crystal, its probability gradually increased.
Bianca cleared it quickly.
Her evaluation was exceptionally high.
Under such compounded conditions, hitting the jackpot wasn't unreasonable.
---
Shockwaves Across Skycloud City
"Leader Bianca is unbelievable!"
"What is that weapon in your hand? How can it instantly kill the Six Skeleton Generals?"
"This power is insane! Even the Ancient King was cut down in one slash!"
The crowd was stunned.
Whether ordinary Adventurers or the other three leaders of the Netherworld Mercenary Groups, all eyes were locked on the blade in Bianca's hand.
"This is the Undying Severance from Miracle City," Bianca said calmly. "It can directly sever the souls of Dark, Undead, and Demon-type beings."
"Kill souls?!"
"Miracle City can drop something like that?!"
"Across all cities, this is probably the undisputed number one divine weapon!"
"No wonder Leader Bianca has been grinding there lately!"
"First she gets a peerless weapon from Miracle City, then she pulls the Ancient King's Soul Crystal from Skycloud City… Her future is limitless!"
There was no doubt.
Once today's news spread, the Undying Severance alone would draw countless Adventurers to Miracle City.
Bianca didn't mind.
If a single Undying Severance could create such a stir—
What would happen if she contracted Miracle City's true apex souls one day?
The White Serpent God.
Or the legendary Sword Saint.
The reaction would be unimaginable.
In truth, although the Ancient King's Soul Crystal was powerful, its abilities weren't particularly unique. Compared to some of Miracle City's Tier 2 Named Souls, it wasn't necessarily superior.
---
The Lord Arrives
"The Lord is here!"
Ryan Skycloud had been alerted.
Losing a Tier 3 Five-Star Soul Crystal was painful—but his foundation was strong enough to endure it.
"Congratulations, Leader Bianca," Ryan said with a composed smile. "The Ancient King's Soul Crystal is the strongest in Skycloud City. It would make an excellent Tier 3 Life Soul. I can perform a soul exchange for you free of charge."
The crowd stirred again.
If Bianca replaced Mad Butcher General with the Ancient King as her Life Soul, her foundation would skyrocket.
She could easily rise into the top ranks of the four major mercenary leaders.
But Bianca shook her head.
"I haven't decided how to use it yet."
Ryan felt both regret and relief.
If she accepted, she would be signaling continued loyalty to Skycloud City.
Refusal meant she might be considering a shift.
Adventurers were highly mobile. Changing allegiance cost cultivation resources. If someone was willing to bear that cost, it meant the new city held overwhelming appeal.
And Miracle City…
Was beginning to show terrifying potential.
---
Miracle City – A New Beginning
Meanwhile, in Miracle City—
Inside the Lord's Mansion.
Julian Kane was settling the day's accounts.
Dropping the Undying Severance had cost nearly 3,000 Spirit Points.
Yet net profit still exceeded 8,000 Spirit Points.
Already rivaling Tier 2 Lords.
Even better—
Three alien tribes had officially joined Miracle City.
Notifications rang out:
[Crimson Thorn Forest occupied – Chaos Chest (White) ×1]
[Ironhammer Village occupied – Chaos Chest (White) ×1]
[Howling Fang Tribe occupied – Chaos Chest (White) ×1]
3,000 Flower Fairies (production specialists)
2,000 Dwarves (smiths and warriors)
3,500 Kobolds (loyal defenders)
Combined with the 3,000 Gnomes—
Miracle City's population surpassed 10,000.
A critical milestone.
Julian opened the chests.
[Soul Crystal +1500, Mirror Stone ×3]
[Soul Crystal +1000, Blueprint: Barrier Tower ×1]
[Soul Crystal +2000, Blueprint: Hero Hall ×1]
The biggest prize—
Hero Hall Blueprint.
Tier 2 Special Building.
Without hesitation, Julian spent the resources.
The Hero Hall rose beside the Lord's Mansion.
Miracle City could now contract Hero Units.
Two slots total.
But since Gloomhaven City was not yet active, only one hero could be contracted.
Julian already had someone in mind.
---
Nancilia's Awakening
"Nancilia," Julian said calmly, "would you be willing to become Miracle City's hero?"
She froze.
Hero slots were precious beyond measure.
She hesitated briefly.
"Lord… I am an Elf of Holy Tree City. I carry the bloodline of the ancient Elf King. If the Eternal Night Dragon King discovers this—"
"That doesn't matter," Julian interrupted. "Miracle City protects its people. And one day, we will challenge even the Dragon King."
His calm confidence erased her final doubts.
She knelt.
"I pledge my life to Miracle City."
The ceremony began.
[Hero Imprint Cost: 10,000 Spirit Points]
[Confirm?]
"Confirm."
Spiritual power surged like a river, flowing through the Hero Hall and embedding itself deep within her soul.
Nancilia became Miracle City's first Hero Unit.
And Julian—
Finally obtained the World Tree's Blessing.
His Sea of Inspiration gained +1 Awakening Chance.
He immediately activated it.
---
Sea of Inspiration
His consciousness descended into the radiant, boundless sea.
A vortex formed.
Crystals emerged—
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Not bad.
Four new Inspiration Crystals.
He examined them.
[Awakening Successful]
[Inspiration Crystals Obtained:
"TITANFALL"
"CALL OF DUTY"
"STARCRAFT"
"STAR WARS"]
Julian's eyes gleamed.
The next stage of Miracle City's evolution—
Had begun.
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