After their victorious hunt, Clark and his followers returned to the town.
The sun was beginning to rise, its faint rays pushing back the lingering mist as they walked along the paved road leading into town. The thick scent of fresh blood still clung to the air.
"Seraphiel, lead the others. Prepare the meat for preservation and distribute some to the followers."
"Yes, my Lord."
Seraphiel nodded and took command, her voice echoing as she directed the Banished Crusaders to begin roasting and processing the fresh wolf meat. Fires were quickly lit near the central plaza, smoke rising into the early dawn.
Clark quietly broke away from the bustling scene and walked up the stairs of his palace. The doors of the Verdant God's Palace creaked softly as he pushed them open. The air inside was cool and quiet, a stark contrast to the busy activity outside.
He walked straight into his bedroom and sat upon the sturdy, well-crafted wooden chair placed beside his bed.
The fatigue from the battle pulled at him, but his mind remained sharp.
"Let's see how the world is faring."
With a thought, the translucent system interface appeared before him. He tapped open the Global Chat.
[Global Chat Opened]
Heaven's Sword God: Damn it! We have no food left! Where are we supposed to find resources in this cursed fog?
Stone Flame Lord: The wolves keep attacking! We can't even safely leave the barrier. The fog is crawling with monsters.
White Crane Goddess: My followers are starving already. Does anyone have food to trade?
Night Wolf Sovereign: Will trade 10 Divine Crystals for 50 units of food.
Silent Blade Lord: 5 units of food for 1 Divinity. I'm desperate!
Emerald Sea Priestess: Is anyone even able to hunt? This world is brutal...
Skyfire Monarch: The system is insane. 1000 resources weren't nearly enough. We're basically trapped!
Lone Hammer Titan: How the hell did Verdant God build a town? That shouldn't even be possible with beginner resources!
Crimson Dawn Oracle: We all started with the same amount. Something's weird here…
Frostblood Warlord: Verdant God! Show yourself! How are you surviving like this?
Clark leaned back slightly, a faint smile touching his lips as he scrolled through the endless stream of panic, frustration, and despair.
The global situation was clear: most gods were still trapped inside their tiny rank 0 palaces, hiding behind novice barriers, unable to gather resources, hunt, or feed their followers. Many didn't even have proper shelters for their believers yet. Their divine crystals were dwindling as they desperately tried to trade for food or water.
Some had already begun offering divinity itself — the most precious currency — just for a few days' worth of rations.
He shifted his attention and opened the Trade Area interface next.
[Trade Area – Open Market]
Category: Food and Water
1 Unit of Roasted Meat: 2 Divine Crystals (average rate).
10 Units of Clean Water: 5 Divine Crystals.
50 Units of Food: 1 Divinity (some desperate sellers).
Emergency Survival Pack (3 Days): 20 Divine Crystals.
The prices were skyrocketing.
Clark's followers had already processed nearly 200 units of wolf meat just from tonight's battle alone. If he chose to sell, he could easily rake in enormous profits.
But for now, he simply observed.
"The early phase favors those who can fight and gather. Resources are already becoming power."
He exhaled, letting his mind process everything calmly.
Clark closed the trade interface, his expression calm but focused. The panic in the global chat only confirmed what he already understood — while others struggled to survive, he was rapidly pulling ahead.
With a flick of his hand, the Silver Chest materialized before him- The price for being the first to Build a Small Town. The intricate patterns on its surface gleamed under the palace lights.
"Let's see what this one holds."
He placed his hand on the chest, and instantly, a beam of silver light shot up as the system's mechanical voice rang out.
[Silver Chest Opened]
Divinity +10
Hero Recruitment Card (E-Rank) x1
Advanced Warehouse Blueprint x1
Random Village Recruitment: 100 E-Rank Farmers
Tender Meat (Preserved) x50 units
Holy Water (E-Rank) x10 bottles
Clark let out a faint exhale, feeling a wave of mild disappointment.
"Again with E-rank rewards... Not surprising for a silver chest, but still underwhelming."
But just as that thought crossed his mind, a familiar surge of energy rippled through the room.
The air trembled as his Ex Talent: Divine Multiplier (x1000) activated automatically.
"Here we go…"
[ Ex Talent: Divine Multiplier (x1000)]
Divinity : +10,000
Hero Recruitment Card transformed: S-Rank Hero (Fallen Angel: Administrator Class) x1
Advanced Warehouse Blueprint upgraded: Space Pocket Warehouse (Unique)
Random E -rank Village Recruitment upgraded: 300 B-Rank Villagers
Tender Meat transformed: 50,000 Units (Preserved High-Quality Tender Meat)
Holy Water transformed: 10 Bottles of S-Rank Sacred Water
Clark's pupils shrank slightly as he stared at the updated panel.
"This… This is absurd."
He clenched his fists, feeling the incredible power building up again. The x1000 multiplier continued to break all balance.
"A Fallen Angel Administrator…? That's at least an elite management-type hero. Perfect for governing my growing territory."
The Space Pocket Warehouse would be far more efficient than anything others could dream of right now — allowing him to store vast quantities of resources without worrying about physical space.
And then there were the 300 B-Rank Villagers — not simple farmers like before, but skilled workers, artisans, and specialists who could elevate his entire production capacity to a new level.
At that moment, Seraphiel entered the room silently. She paused, sensing the divine fluctuations still lingering in the air.
"My Lord, the followers have finished processing the meat. Everything is under control."
Clark gave a simple nod, his eyes still fixed on the interface. The new information was far more important than small talk. He dismissed the panel with a thought.
"Good. Let everyone rest."
"Yes."
Seraphiel bowed slightly before leaving, her wings folding behind her.
Clark leaned back slightly on his chair. The flickering light from the crystal lamps reflected off the polished wooden floor. Outside the window, faint mists rolled across the edge of his growing territory. The sanctuary walls stood firm against the dark night.