[You have broken through to gold-rank]

[You have upgraded/unlocked the following]

[Your talent: Infinite Reward Multiplier has been upgraded to stage 3. Current multiplier: 100x]

Floki’s eyes widened slightly, as he had been expecting 75x, not a full and overwhelming 100x. Yet his attention was quickly drawn back to the preceding notification.

[Shop has been upgraded. You can find Rare-grade items more easily, and there is a slight possibility of finding Epic-grade items]

’Rare and Epic-grade items. T-this is amazing,’ he celebrated inwardly.

[You’ve unlocked a random path: Tamer]

’A new and unique path.’

Another benefit from reaching Gold-rank. A unique advantage that only he currently possessed as others could possess a single path throughout their lifetime.

Aside from those rewards, he felt immensely stronger than he had ever been before, as though his attributes had not merely increased, but had undergone a form of evolution.

Even his senses had evolved. His vision was now so sharp and clear that he felt he might still be able to see clearly even at the darkest hour of the night.

Yet with all of this, something within him was not completely satisfied. It still was not enough. He wanted more.

"System, how many experience points do I need to break through to the next rank?" he asked curiously.

[ The next rank, Platinum, requires you to reach level 80. This will cost close to two million experience points, which you currently possess. Unfortunately, you cannot break through again today. Otherwise, you would be violating a law that would cost your life. ]

"Hmm..."

Floki muttered softly.

Are they seriously nerfing him?

"How about tomorrow?"

[Possible. But the risk is still present, only reduced.]

"This is definitely a nerf. How come I do not get the limitless cheats like other transmigrators?" Floki complained.

Yet the response the system gave him completely caught him off guard, as it was entirely unexpected.

[Get your mind out of the gutter, host. You are the luckiest among your two friends. Your talent is one in a hundred billion. Be appreciative.]

Floki frowned slightly at the first part.

He recalled Magnus and Noah, along with the horrifying image of Noah consuming zombie corpses.

"System, do you know the whereabouts of my friends?"

He asked, though he expected silence once again as usual.

[Positive.]

But the system responded. Positively even.

"You knew all this time and you never informed me?" he barked at the system.

[You never truly asked. Even if you had, I can only confirm that I know of their whereabouts, not disclose their actual locations. You need to reach a certain authority level with the system and the creator to access that information. In fact, at that level, you may even meet your friends if you wish.]

"Meet my friends? How long would that take? With how you described me as lucky, and considering I am battling a hell-level mission, then the fate of my friends must be far worse. They could be dead before I even reach that level," Floki complained.

[Then grow stronger faster. Complete your mission. You have three wishes, remember. Those wishes can break even the laws of time, space, and existence itself. The time you spend complaining could be directed into more productive actions.]

Floki remained silent for a moment. What exactly had he been expecting?

Still, a thought lingered in his mind. When the time came, would he still care enough about his friends to use one of such powerful wishes for them?

Knowing himself, he understood that sooner or later, his emotional ties to them might be overshadowed by something more immediate and important.

For example, he had already pushed thoughts of them aside within just a few days because of the village.

’Sigh, enough pointless thinking,’ he muttered inwardly as he lightly slapped his cheek, forcing himself to refocus on the task at hand.

He brought out one of the skill scrolls, and this time, a new prompt was triggered.

[Would you like to learn this skill instantly? Cost: 700 skill points. Time required: seven minutes. During this process, you will experience immense pain due to the disparity between the skill quality and your current power level.]

"It has improved," he noted to himself.

Unimaginable pain had been reduced to immense pain, which, while still severe, was comparatively better. Additionally, the skill point cost and the time required had both been reduced by thirty percent.

Without wasting any time, he initiated the process, and the required skill points were withdrawn immediately.

Instantly, immense pain swept through his body, beginning from his feet and rapidly spreading throughout his entire body in a flash.

His eyes rolled back as his vision darkened completely.

His body locked, not stiff, but completely seized beyond his control, as though something had taken over from within.

A low, broken groan escaped his lips, yet it was quickly swallowed by the overwhelming surge of pain that followed immediately after.

It struck all at once in an indescribable wave, filling every inch of his body with a violent and unbearable sensation that caused his mind to blank out for a brief moment.

[Skill integration in progress...]

[00:06:59]

The system panel flickered before his fading vision, its calm display standing in stark contrast to the chaos raging within him.

Floki’s veins bulged instantly, rising against his skin like writhing cords as foreign power forced its way through his bloodstream, while a stream of unfamiliar knowledge transferred into his mind in aching waves.

The pain intensified further, growing overwhelming, though fortunately, it was not permanent.

Clinging to what remained of his awareness, Floki used every ounce of his willpower to prevent himself from losing his sanity.

If his mind had been capable of functioning properly at that moment, he would have been cursing himself for attempting to merge with such a high-level skill that far exceeded his current power level.

The process continued relentlessly until the countdown reached zero.

The moment it did, the pain vanished completely. His sanity and vision returned to him just as suddenly as the pain had arrived.

Within the perfumed bath, he gasped heavily for breath, one hand clutching his head, which still ached faintly even after the rest of the pain had disappeared.

’So this is what it feels like to learn a high-level skill at a low level?’ he thought in stunned realization, silently promising himself to be more cautious next time.

’Was the pain worth it?’

It was time to find out.

[You’ve learnt skill: Lord of Growth (S-rank)]

╔════════════════════╗

Lord of Growth (S-rank)

A true lord does not rise alone—he elevates all who stand beneath his banner. This skill passively accelerates the growth of all loyal subordinates, increasing their development speed, mastery, and strength accumulation by 1000%. Under your rule, what would take years to achieve can be accomplished in mere fractions of time.

This is not simple enhancement, but enforced evolution. Those bound by loyalty to you will find their potential drawn out rapidly, their limits pushed further with each passing moment. The stronger their allegiance, the greater the effect, allowing your forces to grow at a pace that defies natural order.

╚════════════════════╝

"1000 times worth it!"

Floki barked with excitement as he read through the skill details.

"I do not care if the pain lasts for thirty minutes. As long as it produces this kind of effect, count me in!"

He was so excited that he stood up inside the bath.

He nearly slipped, but his enhanced stamina allowed him to maintain his balance.

Without wasting any time, he opened the system again and brought out the second skill scroll.

The same notification appeared, and without wasting even a single second, he accepted the conditions.

====

Meanwhile.

At the training ground.

The scorching afternoon sun beat down heavily on the three hundred and thirty recruits.

Garrick had deliberately divided them into five different groups, with seventy members in each group.

One group was currently jogging around the field.

Another group was engaged in sparring, swinging makeshift wooden swords at one another.

A third group was practicing thrusting motions with makeshift spears.

Another group trained using only their bodies, focusing entirely on martial arts.

While the final group sat in a meditative position.

Seated in front of them was Breeze, as he taught them a special technique to maintain calmness under pressure.

Garrick stood at the center of the training field, observing them with a firm and critical expression on his face.

’It is going to take at least two weeks before they master even the basics. Their potential does not lie in combat. I will inform Master when I see him.’

He noted to himself as he watched a group of men stumble and fall while jogging.

The ones sparring were no better. Their techniques, stances, and overall execution were all lacking.

He even began to regret agreeing to train them. Given the choice, he would rather remain by his master’s side than oversee this.

Nonetheless, something unexpected began to unfold right before his eyes.

The group that had been jogging suddenly displayed improved stamina and enhanced agility.

Those swinging their swords weakly began to move with growing strength and precision.

The martial artists started executing flexible and fluid movements that he had not yet taught them.

Even those practicing meditation achieved something extraordinary, as they began to perceive mana.

"W-what?"

Garrick was completely at a loss for words.