Strong winds lifted clouds of dust, bing the barren nd. It was a desert enviro, with heat so inte seemed to scorch everything it touched.

  A magic circle formed on the desert floor, barely visible through the swirling dust. Then something appeared—a floating ptform carrying several figures, each dressed in white robes adorned with intricate blue patterns along the edges.

  Ats and his subordinates nded right in the middle of the desert, fag the worst possible ditions they could have expected. The fierce winds whipped up sand into blinding clouds, pletely obsg their view.

  Thankfully, everyone wore special, uniform outfits sturdy enough to shield them from the sandstorm. And with each person equipped with a Fming Colr—ahey’d acquired from their previous hunts—the seari heat remaiolerable.

  Ats sat on his throne, with Manna perched on the armrest as usual, leaning against his shoulder.

  Karian stood behind him, gripping his Greatsword firmly oform. Edrik sat up front with Lyrassa, while Mira, as before, kept watch acha Haven.

  They nded directly below their Floating Isnd. Not that they could actually see it from here—the isnd was too small and impossibly high up, invisible from the ground.

  The floating ptform surged forward, its speed surprisingly swift—though Ats couldn’t quite tell just how fast they were actually moving. Still, in this harsh enviro, it was more than enough.

  Without the powerful magid the dome-like barrier eng the floating throhis journey would have been far mrueling.

  Their goal today was the city, estimated to be about a two-hour journey, acc to the System’s calcutions.

  Every awakener in the lower nds carried a unique ID in the form of a card. But this wasn’t just any ordinary card—it was a slim device with a s, designed for unication and various other funs, and it held access to their personal data.

  Infused with a Mana Core, this special device responded only to the registered user, funing as a personal status viewer that dispyed their level, talents, and other stats. Additionally, it served as a ve paymehod.

  Unfortunately, Ats had lost all his belongings when he ushed into the abyss, right before he was officially “secured” by the Lord notification. So, the first thing he po do upon reag the city was to reacquire a new Awakener Device for himself.

  His goal? To stay ected with the lower nds, making it easier to handle whatever needs might arise.

  And no, the city they were headed to wasn’t his home. He didn’t e from this ti at all; his ins y on another ti, specifically Pangaea Nova.

  Long ago, Saharasia and Pangaea Nova had once been united, f a single ti known as Asia. Today, Saharasia was widely known as the Desert ti, a name earned from its vast, arid, and barren ndscape.

  His main priorities were clear. First, he o secure some awakeo bee his troops, along with a few workers. Ideally, he’d find people willing to join him permaly on his Floating Isnd. This would save him the time and hassle of repeatedly ing down to the lower nds for new recruits.

  , he needed specific materials, especially World Shards. The Gateway Altar depended on these, though he was certain they would be expensive. He could only hope he had enough to secure them and, even more hopefully, that he’d find someone willing to sell them.

  Finally, he po pick up supplies: tools fardening, ing equipment, food provisions, fruit—anything necessary for surviving on the Floating Isnd while it still cked the facilities to sustain their basieeds.

  The journey was actually incredibly quiet—or so Ats thought at first. It wasn’t true silence, but the roar of the sandstorm was so loud it drowned out everything else, making versation nearly impossible. The speed of the floating throne only added to the challenge of unig.

  What should he focus on now?

  He still had 100 Elite Exp Orbs, a surprising gift from his ued beor. With each ranting 4,000 Exp, he’d have a total of 400,000 Exp at his disposal.

  Should he apply them now?

  He po tinue hunting over the few days, so he’d naturally gain levels. But he was being aware of holy the Exp requirements increased with each level.

  [Level 39]

  [Exp: 44,771/45,581]

  Seeing how much Exp he needed even at level 39, he wondered if this massive supply of Exp Orbs would even be enough to help him reach level 45.

  Without hesitation, Ats began using the Exp Orbs in quick succession.

  [You used ae Exp Orb and gained 4,000 XP!]

  [You used ae Exp Orb and gained 4,000 XP!]

  [You have leveled up]

  [You have leveled up]

  [You have ...]

  [Level 44]

  [Exp: 105,568/113,424]

  Ats exhaled after applying all 100 Elite Exp Orbs. He had gained 5 levels—a huge leap. Just imagining the grind he would’ve had to endure for those levels made him grateful.

  Five levels were no small feat, especially given how quickly the Exp requirements rose above the level 30s.

  He received 50 stat points and quickly distributed them evenly across his basic stats.

  [s Bckthorn]

  [Level: 44]

  [Strength: 170 | Agility: 74 | Intelligence: 59 | stitution: 78 | Stamina: 75]

  Ats smiled, pleased to see his stats looking more refined. He might sider pushing his Strength even further ter on, but for now, bang his other stats felt like the smarter choice.

  What should he do while waiting? Maybe pull some Gacha?

  “Jackpot, what happens if I throw the Gacha tickets here on the floating throne?”

  [o worry, Host. The tickets will follow the throne, so there’s no risk of them bei behind.]

  Good—just what he o hear.

  So far, he’d only used 10 exclusive tickets on the Exclusive Character Banner, 20 on the Exclusive on Banner, and 40 oandard Banner. He had secured Manna as an Exclusive Character, along with her Signature on, and from the Standard Banner, he’d pulled a Rank-S character—Lyrassa.

  Still, he hadn’t yet secured signature ons for Edrik, Mira, or Lyrassa, and he definitely needed a higher-quality spear. A Rank-S on would be ideal, a Legendary-grade on. He gri the thought.

  Pulling out 10 Standard tickets, he noticed everyone’s eyes on him. Smiling, he tossed the tickets into the air.

  [You have obtained 6 Rank-B items and 4 Rank-A items!]

  Not a bad pull at all! Now to see if he’d snagged any iing items—maybe a character, a on, or some useful tool?