Chapter 226: Chapter 226 - Fast But Calculated
The main objective for coming to this island was complete, at least for Atlas. The rest of his subordinates had already broken off to begin their own hunting operations, so for now, Atlas decided to remain at their temporary post beneath the massive tree they had chosen as their rest zone.
The area had already been set up: lounge chairs, a table, and a temporary tent if he chose to rest properly. But for the moment, he simply sat at the base of the great tree, Lyrassa quietly settling beside him.
From the twenty monsters he, Lyrassa, and Zefyros had taken down, Atlas had gained only four levels. It was expected at this point. Still, he was inching ever closer to level 100, slowly but steadily. If his momentum held, he was getting close.
He still had fifteen explosive devices in reserve, enough to plan another high-yield session of monster extermination. With a bit of luck and the right setup, he might be able to push to level 90 within the next week... or, if things went exceptionally well, even hit 100.
But of course, that raised another issue. His subordinates were beginning to fall behind.
It was an expected outcome, but one he couldn’t ignore.
Still, Atlas had options.
He could ask Baldric to continue producing explosive devices for broader use. With the right strategy, other teams could use the same tactics he had to quickly farm experience and close the gap.
And even though hunting monsters with such high level disparity was risky, if done properly—with the right skills, precise execution, and careful control—it could lead to massive EXP gains.
Imagine it: a single party of five managing to take down just five monsters at level 120 in a day. That alone would cause a significant jump in their progress.
For the elite subordinates, this wouldn’t be a problem. They had the skills, the coordination, and the resilience.
But when it came to the larger forces of Gacha Haven... It was a different story.
Not everyone could handle that level of intensity.
Thankfully, Edrik had already come to Atlas with a proposal. A new strategy to manage the issue of EXP distribution across the forces.
Atlas had entrusted it to him completely. Because if there was one person who could handle logistics and training at scale, it was his most trusted The Golden Steward.
[Name: Atlas Blackthorn]
[Level: 78]
[Strength: 250 | Agility: 200 | Intelligence: 200 | Constitution: 180 | Stamina: 200]
[Available Stat Points: 5]
[Job: The Lord]
[Class: Tempest Warden]
[Ironblood Will (SS) - Tactical Awareness (A) - Instinctual Command (A) - Elemental Spear Mastery (S) - Elemental Dominion (S) - Commanding Presence (S) - Enduring Adaptation (S)]
Atlas had already allocated the stat points he’d gained, and now, most of his base stats had reached the 200 mark. Only Constitution stat was lagging slightly behind—but even that was close. Just a few more points, and it would catch up with the rest.
Still, there was something nagging at him.
It had been a long time since he’d unlocked or upgraded any talents. If he remembered correctly, the last one had been Enduring Adaptation. And while it was a solid trait, he knew he hadn’t made enough time to push his talents further.
He needed more focused effort.
More pressure. More growth.
A tougher training regimen was definitely in order.
And beyond that, there was still the lingering issue of his class quest. The final portion of it remained unfinished. He hoped to complete it before triggering the next advancement quest.
So much left to do. So many threads still hanging.
Was the list truly this long? Or was he simply pushing himself too hard, too fast?
Then again... his progress so far had been nothing short of remarkable.
But Atlas reminded himself: he couldn’t afford to slow down. Not even for a moment.
Rapid growth was good, but reckless growth? That was another matter entirely.
Still, that stubborn part of him believed in one thing:
Fast, if calculated well... is always worth the risk.
In less than two weeks, the new Lord Battle season would begin.
And Atlas would officially be placed in Division 5, carrying 240 Rank Points. That meant, just one more victory, and he’d qualify to ascend to Rank-2.
He sat still, silent, the weight of that realization settling heavily in his chest.
The implications were massive.
If he hit level 100 before reaching the point threshold, the system would immediately elevate him to Rank-2. A clear win.
But if his average team level still fell significantly below 100... then that promotion could turn into a dangerous liability.
At Rank-2, any enemies who came to attack his island would be lords also at level 100, with elite forces just as powerful. Both the lords and their armies would be at full strength. There would be no room for weakness.
Atlas couldn’t stop his mind from circling back to that possibility.
He leaned back against the base of the great tree, eyes distant, thoughts racing.
As he did, his shoulder brushed gently against Lyrassa’s, who sat quietly at his left side.
"Thinking about too many things again, my Lord?" she asked softly.
Then, without hesitation, her right hand found him. Lightly touching it in a way that was already familiar.
And just like that, Atlas felt it.
That quiet, steadying presence.
Like a mental anchor that pulled the weight from his thoughts, just enough to breathe.
It wasn’t the first time this had happened.
"What makes all of this feel so much heavier," Atlas said quietly, "is that what’s at stake here... is the lives of so many people."
He exhaled slowly.
"It’s something every lord must have thought about, when they’re forced into a situation like this. Fight, defeat, or be defeated."
In that moment, Atlas gently tightened his grip around Lyrassa’s hand. The touch steadied him.
But then, just as he was starting to find a rare moment of stillness—a thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.
A random, absurd, completely out-of-nowhere thought.
Serenith’s question.
That ridiculous question she had blurted out without warning:
Had Atlas already gotten Lyrassa pregnant?
Damn it! Why was that popping into his head now?
Of course, since becoming a Lord, the only person he’d been physically involved with, in the traditional sense, was Morganna.
But...
There was that one time.
Something called sharing vitality, a ritual Edrik had once explained. It had happened between him and Lyrassa. And during that process, Atlas had felt... something. Something even more intimate than physical closeness.
How was he supposed to describe it?
He turned his head toward Lyrassa, and at that exact moment, she turned to look at him. Her expression as calm and serene as always.
"Do you have a question for me, my Lord?" she asked softly.
"Yes," Atlas replied.
Of course she knew. She always did.
"Is it possible that you..." he began, choosing his words carefully.
But just as he was about to continue, something shifted in the air.
He felt a presence. Fast, approaching.
Atlas snapped his gaze toward the treeline.
Kurogasa.
The Ninja was sprinting toward him, his movements sharp, urgent.
Atlas rose to his feet at once, releasing Lyrassa’s hand. She stood beside him in the same motion.
From another direction, Serenith flew in quickly, her expression uncharacteristically serious. Edrik and Kazan were also rushing in, closing in from opposite sides.
And just as Kurogasa reached him. "My Lord. We need to leave this place. Now."