Scott watched as Rhuz descended to the ground, his expression impassive. To outsiders, the lizardman’s surrender might have seemed rash, even foolish—especially with no guarantees that Scott would keep his word. But Scott alone understood the magnitude of the gamble Rhuz had taken.

His gaze flicked briefly to the chaotic skies, where the all-seeing eye loomed, unblinking and omnipresent.

Rhuz landed with a heavy thud, his trident still fastened securely in his grasp. He cast a wary glance at Vulluin and the other elves before turning his full attention back to Scott. Without hesitation, he summoned a system window, and a notification promptly appeared before Scott.

The Territorial Lord of the Go Mountains has relinquished their territory to you! Current number of territories in your control: 25!

Congratulations! Your ranking has improved! Current Rank: 900th!

Congratulations! You have attained the right to remotely adapt your territories! Do you wish to commence transformation? Yes! No!

Scott scanned the notifications, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He’s quick. I suppose I should hold up my end of the bargain.

Summoning his own system window, Scott navigated to a specific option.

You have requested to share your authority with a Territorial Lord! Are you certain you wish to share your authority? Yes! No!

Without hesitation, he selected [Yes], and a new notification appeared.

Congratulations! Your authority has been shared with another Territorial Lord!

That’s strange, Scott’s brows shot up as he read the notification. Despite transferring the authority of his territory towards me, the system still recognizes him as a territorial lord.

Scott’s sigil, glowing and spectral, emerged from the darkness like a living entity. It shot forward at blinding speed, slamming into Rhuz’s form before the lizardman could even react. The illusionary symbol melded into him seamlessly, leaving no visible trace.

Scott observed as a system notification appeared in front of Rhuz, who stood motionless as he read the message.

A champion has been bonded with your sigil!

Scott ignored the lingering notifications and focused on Rhuz, whose expression was a mix of uncertainty and subdued relief.

“I believe my business here is done,” Scott said. His tone was calm, almost dismissive. “Good luck in your future endeavors.”

Scott turned toward Siora, who continued to hover midair, singing his praises with fervent devotion.

“Please wait,” Rhuz called out suddenly.

Scott stopped and turned his gaze back to the lizardman. His tone grew impatient. “Yes?”

“Is that it?” Rhuz asked, his voice tinged with doubt.

Scott chuckled softly, shaking his head. “I told you—I wanted the territory. Nothing more. Whatever you choose to do now is your decision. I really couldn’t care less.”

Rhuz’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing as Scott continued.

“Should invaders come, I’ll leave the defense of this territory to you. Prove yourself incapable, and I’ll send someone who can,” Scott added, his tone curt.

With that, Scott approached Siora. Her floating form descended gently, as though answering a silent command. He stopped just a few feet away and extended his hand.

“In the presence of thee who will sit upon the throne,” Siora whispered, tears streaming down her face. “I am not worthy. I am not worthy.”

Scott ignored her words. Placing his index and middle finger on her forehead, he murmured, “Your torment has lasted longer than I intended. You will suffer no more.”

Blackened, almost ethereal tendrils emerged from Siora’s forehead, dissolving into nothingness. Her eyes glazed over, and she collapsed to the ground, unconscious but at peace.

Scott turned once more toward Rhuz and the elves, his expression unreadable. Without a word, a nihilistic portal appeared beneath his feet.

Before he could submerge, however, a new system notification suddenly materialized.

You have been invited to the next conference between lords!

Scott froze, his brows furrowing as he read the message. What?

He turned back toward Rhuz, intending to question him, but the lizardman, the elves, and the serene sanctuary had all vanished. In their place stood a gigantic, intricately designed door at the end of a long hallway, its surface adorned with golden engravings and shifting runes.

Lining the hallway were numerous figures clad in black suits, each with a distinct style. Though their postures were neutral, their presence radiated authority.

Examiners, Scott realized, recognition flashing across his face. They’re all wearing suits like Toi’s.

His gaze swept the assembled figures, but Toi was nowhere to be found. The sheer number of examiners present exceeded what Scott could count. They lined both sides of the hallway, stretching into the distance, their faces unreadable.

Scott’s mind raced. How did I get here? And why are so many examiners gathered in one place?

The fact that he’d been transported against his will, even with his authority fully active, only deepened his caution. The implications were troubling. To be forced into this situation meant he was in the presence of a power far greater than his own.

Amid his guarded thoughts, another system notification appeared.

Welcome! Please make your way into the conference room at the appointed time!

Scott glanced at the notification, but his feet remained firmly planted. His gaze shifted to the examiners, who stood motionless, their eyes fixed ahead. None of them acknowledged his presence, their silence unnerving.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

Scott approached one of the examiners, his steps measured, his gaze piercing. The figure remained still, as did all their colleagues, showing no reaction to his presence. On his fifth step, an invisible barrier halted his advance.

Scott extended his hand, pressing gently against the imperceptible wall. A familiar, distinct echo reverberated through the space, and this time, the examiners stirred.

Heads turned toward the origin of the sound; their movements synchronized like clockwork. Yet, none left their assigned positions.

Oh? Could it be they’re unable to see me? Scott mused, the possibility flickering in his mind.

Unbothered, he moved to another examiner. Again, the barrier remained, unwavering in its defiance. Scott rapped his knuckles against it, the echo ringing out once more. The examiners’ heads turned in perfect unison, their expressions ranging from stern to visibly displeased. Yet, neither of them seemed to acknowledge Scott’s presence.

“Toi, can you hear me?” Scott called out, his tone calm but commanding. “I need to speak with you.”

Almost immediately, a system notification materialized before him.

Examiners are barred from interacting with Territorial Lords before, during, and after a conference!

Scott’s brows rose slightly as he read the message. His gaze wandered back to the gigantic door at the far end of the hallway. “Orion, can you hear me?” he tried mentally through the party channel, but the only response was static.

He nodded slowly, subtly cracking his neck. It seems this conference is taking place in a unique space. This isn’t the Endless Bridge.

For the first time since arriving, he noticed the absence of his connection to his territories and the shadows of others. A faint frown crossed his face. Even my authority feels... dampened. I wonder who created this place?

The answer flashed across his mind instantly, but he didn’t linger on it. There was no one in the Tower of Champions with unfiltered access to all its domains except the Administrator.

Shaking off the thought, Scott refocused on the wooden door. He approached it in steady, deliberate strides, his eyes locked on its intricate design. How many territorial lords will be in attendance? he wondered. And how would a conference between so many power-hungry champions even play out?

His thoughts churned as his feet carried him forward. Within moments, he stood before the massive door. A new system notification appeared.

Do you wish to enter the conference room? Warning! You will be barred from exiting the conference room until the conference is officially declared over! Yes! No!

Scott’s brows furrowed faintly as he studied the message. I don’t have a good feeling about this.

He hesitated, his finger hovering over [No!]. His instincts warned him of the potential complications. I’d rather not waste my time here, especially with the forces of those bastards preparing to descend on the Endless Bridge.

But another thought surfaced, interrupting his hesitation. Would I regret not attending this conference? Would they even let me leave if I refused?

Letting out a deep sigh, Scott dismissed his doubts. If I was invited, it’s likely every lord has been summoned as well. The system probably has measures in place to prevent territories from being invaded during this period. Even if there’s an invasion, they’d still need to eliminate me to claim my territories.

Resolving himself, Scott clicked [Yes!], and a new notification appeared.

You have confirmed your participation in the conference! The conference has yet to begin; the doors will open automatically at the appointed time! Based on your current territorial ranking, you have been designated The Ascendant Tier!

Congratulations! You have earned a new title! Title: Ascendant!

Would you like to see all the ranks available? Yes! No!

Scott wasted no time selecting [Yes!], and a list of ranks materialized before him.

Territorial Lord Rankings The Unclaimed Thrones (Ranks 1-10) Title: None (Vacant Thrones). The Apex Circle (Ranks 11-50) Title: Apex Champions. The Vanguard (Ranks 51-200) Title: Vanguard Lords. The Dominion Class (Ranks 201-500) Title: Dominion Overseers. The Ascendant Tier (Ranks 501-1000) Title: Ascendants. The Challenger League (Ranks 1001-1500) Title: Challengers. The Initiate Class (Ranks 1501-2000) Title: Initiates.

Scott’s eyes scanned the list, his frown deepening with every line. So, there’s something like this…

Toi’s evasive nature crossed his mind. That slacker left out a lot from his explanation.

The first tier—the Unclaimed Thrones—was unsurprising. No champion had risen to claim those exalted ranks yet. But Scott couldn’t help but wonder about the Apex Circle.

While rankings don’t necessarily determine power, there’s no way ordinary champions could rise that high without unparalleled strength. Whoever occupies those ranks must be truly monstrous.

Scott clicked on his newly earned title, Ascendant, hoping for additional details. Nothing happened. The system offered no perks, descriptions, or explanations.

He closed the notification with a sigh and turned his attention back to the sealed door.

How long am I supposed to wait? he thought, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned back slightly. The examiners remained unmoving; their silent vigilance unbroken.

Should I use this time to go over the inheritance I received earlier? The thought crept into Scott’s mind, unbidden. He frowned, shaking his head almost immediately. His gaze flickered to the motionless examiners standing guard along the hallway.

They may seem unaware of my presence, but there’s no telling who—or what—can see me.

Unwilling to draw unnecessary attention, Scott dismissed the idea, content to leave the details of the inheritance untouched for now. He leaned slightly against the invisible barrier, his arms crossed over his chest, his focus returning to the massive, sealed doors before him.

Seconds trickled by, stretching into long, uneventful moments as Scott stared at the imposing wooden entrance. The air was thick with stillness, broken only by the faint hum of unseen energy pulsing through the hallway.

Then, without warning, a distinct chime filled the space, clear and resonant.

Scott straightened, his eyes narrowing slightly as a slab of silver materialized before him, floating weightlessly in the air.

At first glance, it appeared smooth and featureless, but as Scott watched, ghostly etchings began to take form across its surface. With meticulous precision, the shimmering engravings stitched his sigil into the slab, carving out the excess silver with an otherworldly finesse.

Within seconds, the process was complete. A miniature depiction of Scott’s sigil hovered in the air, glowing faintly. It floated toward him, its movements deliberate.

Scott didn’t flinch. He stood perfectly still, his eyes following the sigil’s approach. It attached itself neatly to his collar with a faint click, like a badge being affixed to a uniform.

The moment the sigil settled, the massive doors leading to the conference room groaned loudly, their hinges creaking as they slowly swung open.

A new system notification manifested in front of Scott, crisp and unmistakable.

The conference room is now open! Please go in!

Scott’s gaze shifted from the notification to the now-revealed entrance. Beyond the threshold, faint, shifting lights spilled out into the hallway, casting enigmatic shadows across the polished floor.

He lingered for a moment, taking in the sight, before stepping forward without hesitation.

Let’s see what this so-called conference has to offer, he thought as he passed through the doorway, the sigil on his collar gleaming faintly in the dim light.