There were thousands of civilizations represented in this layer alone. Surely some powerful races had already developed methods allowing their people to gather together after entry.
Now that Universal Cornerstones had been openly revealed, that cooperation would become even more important.
Michael looked again at the empty rankings beneath his name. He doubted they would remain empty for long.
Strong races possessed too many advantages. Perhaps within days, more names would begin appearing beneath the Eternal Crown.
Michael wouldn't even be surprised if some territories rose frighteningly quickly once an entire civilization began supporting them.
However, the opposite was equally true. Not every race was powerful, and not every realm possessed dozens or hundreds of exceptional Awakeners.
There could easily be small realms where only two Rank Four Awakeners had qualified for the Fourth Layer. Perhaps those two weren't merely the strongest Awakeners from their realm participating in the Origin Battlefield. Perhaps they were two of the only Rank Four beings their entire realm possessed.
The difference between civilizations could be absurd.
For weaker realms like that, common sense should tell them not to provoke Michael Norman.
Unfortunately, Michael no longer trusted common sense nearly as much as before. The assassins in Aurora had taught him that lesson quite clearly. Greed could make people reckless. And ignorance could make someone suicidal without them ever realizing it.
Michael couldn't simply assume weaker forces would leave him alone because attacking him was stupid. Neither could he dismiss the powerful ones.
Perhaps a major civilization would decide obtaining Michael's already developed cornerstone was easier than searching for one themselves. Perhaps they would simply want the ranking position. The new rules had already stated that rankings could be seized through conflict between territories.
That alone guaranteed future wars.
Michael looked toward the three enormous walls surrounding his territory again. For the first time, they no longer seemed excessively cautious. If anything, they might not be enough.
Michael exhaled slowly.
There was still far too much to do before he could genuinely feel at ease.
"However, putting everything aside, the Origin Battlefield truly is a place created for Awakeners."
Whether it was the Universal Cornerstone Store or the Dungeon System, one thing was certain. The future was sure to be exciting.
Michael had just closed his panel when another one appeared before him. This time, it was a familiar one.
[Challenge Request]
Three of them, arriving at once.
To think the ranking system had only just opened, and people were already lining up to challenge him.
Michael smiled.
Before, he hadn't been entirely sure how he wanted to approach the rankings. Drawing more attention than necessary had never sounded appealing. But he'd already made his decision.
It was time to climb.
He was, for all intents and purposes, a naked man standing in the middle of the universe already. Worrying about a little more attention wasn't going to change much at this point.
Michael dismissed the three incoming challenges without a second thought and opened the rankings himself instead, searching for the name sitting ten spots above his own.
His gaze stopped.
It was a familiar name. The first necromancer he had ever fought. The one from whom he had stolen the skeletal dragon and wyvern.
Michael's smile widened. He didn't hesitate. He selected the name and sent the challenge request.
Elsewhere, deep within the Fourth Layer, sprawled across a stretch of frost-blasted highlands, Varek stood at the center of it, atop a raised dais of bone and frozen earth, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the floating panel in front of him.
A single name currently occupied the very top of a list, sitting alone above a long stretch of empty space.
The Eternal Crown (Michael Norman)
Varek exhaled slowly through his nose.
"…As expected. That boy is no ordinary individual. So young, and causing so much commotion on such a grand scale. Perhaps only a god can match this excitement."
Varek shook his head.
It was probably better to stay away from him. Some pride wasn't worth making an enemy out of this person.
Varek had only just closed the panel when a new one materialized in front of him.
[Ranking Challenge Pending]
Challenger: Rank 198
Decision Time Remaining: 04:58
[Challenge Information]
Refusing this challenge will consume one refusal against this challenger.
Remaining Refusals Against This Challenger: 3/3
Remaining Universal Challenge Refusals This Month: 3/3
If all refusals against this challenger are exhausted, any further refusal will be treated as a forfeit.
Upon forfeiture, both participants will immediately exchange ranking positions.
Varek leisurely went to check who was Rank 198. For some reason, the name gave him a sense of déjà vu.
It was only when he saw the name of the person in Rank 198 that he realized why he felt something in the first place.
Michael had already returned to the ground.
He rolled his shoulders, twisted his neck from side to side, and stretched both arms behind his back. Ten challenges. That was enough to make a considerable jump if things went smoothly.
Michael was curious where he would end up after using all ten. There were several factors to consider. Opponents could refuse. Some might already be challenging others.
Still, starting from Rank 198, he expected to climb quite a bit.
Michael had just finished stretching when a panel appeared.
[Ranking Challenge Result]
[Your opponent has forfeited.]
[Challenge resolved without combat.]
[Ranking positions have been exchanged.]
[Previous Rank: 198]
[Current Rank: 188]
[Ranking Updated Successfully]
"Tsk. What a shame. Would have loved to chat with an old friend at least."
Michael wasted no time. He opened the rankings again and selected another name ten positions above him.
[Challenge Request Sent.]
This time, there was no immediate response.
Michael waited patiently, flexing his fingers while watching the timer decrease.
Nearly a minute passed.
Then the panel suddenly changed.
[Challenge Accepted.]
[Preparing Battlefield.]
Michael smiled.
"Good."
At least this one had some courage.
A faint spatial distortion immediately began forming around him as the Origin Battlefield prepared to transfer both participants into the designated arena.
"Ohhh. This is new. No portals again?"
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter