100% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full?

Lucien and the others decided it was best to keep a low profile for now,

No sudden moves, no unnecessary attention.

Before long, they reached the Silvermine Estate.

The moment they stepped inside and removed the Mask of a Thousand Faces, the weight of the day finally caught up to them.

Exhaustion hit hard.

They were finally home.

After nearly a day of nonstop action.

They were exhausted… and starving.

Edric's stomach rumbled loud enough to make them chuckle.

Lucien's expression suddenly brightened as though he'd just remembered something.

A craving.

"Uncle Ed, Uncle Max, Aunt Ellen… do you eat monster meat?"

Edric's eyes lit up instantly.

"Of course! We live along the Southwest borders and we fight monsters all the time. Monster meat is delicious and full of flavor. Nephew, do you have some on hand?"

His mouth was already watering at the thought.

Lucien nodded and excitement flickered in everyone's eyes.

Maxim and Ellen exchanged a glance. Neither seemed to have the slightest problem with the idea.

Lucien reached into his INVENTORY and pulled out several cuts of Great Boar meat. They were drops from the first level of the Apex Dungeon.

The slabs were thick. The deep crimson flesh were marbled with glossy streaks of golden fat.

Just the sight of them promised a meal worth remembering and it was enough to make everyone swallow in anticipation.

Edric didn't waste a second.

He called for the estate's head chef who arrived with a curious glint in his eyes.

The moment the chef saw the meat, his expression shifted to admiration.

"Exquisite… This is quality meat," he murmured.

Then with a confident grin, he said...

"I'll prepare a feast that will satisfy everyone."

Without another word, he hurried to the kitchen.

Before long, the scent of sizzling meat and fresh herbs began to drift through the estate.

Rich.

Smoky.

Mouthwatering.

The aroma only sharpened their hunger.

Lucien's eyes lit up. He couldn't wait to taste it.

When the doors finally opened, the dishes came one after another.

Lucien took it all in.

Perfectly seared steaks.

Hearty stews.

Tender chops.

And more...

With a nod from Edric, they all reached for their plates.

Lucien reached for the steak first.

The thick Great Boar cut was perfectly seared. Its surface glistened with juices and infused with the fragrant touch of Sunleaf Herb.

The herb's bright, citrusy aroma mingled with the meat's earthy richness, making his mouth water before the fork even touched his lips.

He took a bite.

The flavor exploded instantly.

Juicy and robust with a smoky depth that lingered on the tongue.

The Sunleaf Herb added a refreshing lift. A crisp, citrus-kissed finish that made every mouthful addictive.

It was like tasting heaven itself.

But as he savored each bite, something else began to stir within him.

His divine energy pulsed, circulating faster and more intensely through his body.

Strength flowed into his muscles. It was a subtle but undeniable reinforcement.

He recognized it immediately... the effect of the meat drop.

Each type of meat drops from the Apex Dungeon monsters carried its own unique property.

Great Boar meat, for instance, slightly increased one's physique.

Dire Wolf sharpened sight slightly.

Sabertusk Panther lent a burst of speed.

Fang Bear granted a great boost in stamina.

Etc.

Every effect tied directly to the traits of the beast it came from.

And this one… felt incredible.

It didn't just taste divine. It made his physique stronger.

Edric, Maxim and Ellen felt it too.

Their eyes widened mid-bite as the subtle surge of energy spread through them.

They maintained their usual elegance and manners at the table but the pace of their eating quickened all the same.

The flavor was irresistible and the sensation of their bodies growing stronger... even just a little... was addictive.

Every mouthful felt like power being poured into their veins.

"Good stuff, good stuff," Edric muttered between generous bites of steak, clearly enjoying himself.

Maxim was even more surprised.

His senses were sharper than most and he could feel the physical changes more distinctly.

The effects weren't insignificant. They were real tangible improvements.

Ellen was also eating faster than Lucien had ever seen.

They didn't know exactly what kind of meat Lucien had served them… but it was unlike anything they'd experienced before.

Before long, the plates were picked clean, leaving behind only the warm satisfaction of a great meal.

"Nephew… I'll be damned," Edric said, leaning back and rubbing his full stomach. "I've tasted plenty of monster meat in my time but nothing like this. I feel like I could knock the Golddust Estate down with a single punch."

Lucien chuckled at the boast and they lingered at the table.

They talked idly for a while before going their separate ways.

One by one, the others left the dining hall to train.

Each was determined to grow stronger especially with Malrik now in the capital.

Lucien lingered a little longer before heading to his room.

Once inside, he opened his INVENTORY and his eyes immediately lit up.

Over four thousand high-grade mana cores.

He never expected even half that.

'Well… it's honest work,' he thought with a faint smirk. 'Earned a fortune and maybe saved the world in the process.'

His gaze shifted to something else.

Goblin figurines.

They were different.

Nothing like the Ancient Goblin Figurines they'd confiscated from the Silvermine traitors.

He compared the two.

The Ancient Goblin Figurines had been carved in the image of what seemed like Goblin Elders.

But these new items were something else entirely.

These new figurines were shaped like Goblin Sorcerers.

Their forms were etched in unnerving detail, cloaked in flowing robes.

It was cloaked in jet-black aura that seemed to drink in the light.

He now has over sixty of them.

He read its description.

***

<Goblin Magus Figurine>

Description: A finely carved idol of a cunning goblin sorcerer.

Use: Serves as a focal point for amplifying large-scale magical arrays.

Effect: Expands the range and potency of magic circles, affecting a wider area with greater intensity.

***

Lucien gulped at the description.

'That… sounds dangerous.'

He didn't dare take it out of his iNVENTORY.

If Malrik could sense it... and he probably could... then waving it around was like painting a target on his back.

So instead, Lucien sat cross-legged, shutting out the world.

He concentrated and reached out to his Split Body.

Click.

His consciousness shifted, slipping seamlessly into his mini self stationed in Lootwell territory.

•••

The scene shifted.

Lucien found himself perched on Sebas's shoulder.

The hum of the marketplace filled his ears.

Sebas glanced at him, instantly recognizing the change.

"Welcome home, Young Lord."

Lucien's lips curved into a faint smile.

"I'm home."

It was a simple exchange yet it warmed him. No matter how far he roamed, there would always be someone waiting to greet him.

He took in the surroundings.

Lootwell was no longer the quiet place he remembered.

The streets bustled with unfamiliar faces and the air was thick with chatter and the scent of trade.

"Young Lord," Sebas explained, "many of these people are from outside Lootwell. Some are merchants from nearby territories, others came after hearing news of our unique produce."

As they walked, Sebas gave a concise report of what had transpired in Lucien's absence.

Lucien listened, nodding in approval.

His territory was thriving even without his direct oversight.

A rare satisfaction tugged at him and he allowed himself a genuine smile.

But then, he fell silent.

After his trip to the capital, his entire perception had shifted.

Compared to the grandeur and bustle of the capital, his territory still had a long way to go.

He sighed.

The old idea of keeping outsiders away no longer appealed to him.

What he needed now were more people.

Loyal people.

With Clara around, he could trust her to sift the worthy from the unworthy.

He shared this plan with Sebas who readily agreed.

Their population barely exceeded two hundred. It was painfully understaffed.

The territory was expanding at a pace their current manpower could not match and the people had little time left for proper training.

Together, Lucien and Sebas began to map out ways to recruit and perhaps even cultivate more loyal hands to strengthen Lootwell's future.

Just then…

Lucien noticed something unusual.

A group of people were riding bikes.

It took him a moment to remember.

It was the recipe he'd bought earlier and handed to Sebas just the other day. He hadn't expected the Crafting Division to mass-produce them so quickly, let alone have them already on sale.

With the mountain of materials he'd provided, they clearly hadn't been lacking in resources.

Sebas explained that the bikes had been a hit.

Travel from Lootwell to the nearby Hornvale territory now took less than an hour and for those with strong legs... even less.

Pedaling faster gave a surprising speed boost.

Lucien was amused.

These weren't like the bikes from his previous life.

As a system recipe, they were made from superior materials.

Far more durable and perfect for a world where people had inhuman strength.

He couldn't help but smile as he watched.

Children from the Spiritual Division raced each other around the streets with laughter trailing behind them.

Even the elderly pedaled with ease.

Then again, there wasn't really such a thing as an "ordinary" person in Lootwell anymore.

Lucien was lost in thought.

Now that he had a surplus of mana cores, the possibilities were endless.

Automatons, for instance.

They could be a huge help while the territory was still understaffed.

Still, first things first. He needed to do what he came here for.

He asked Sebas to escort him to the dungeon.

Once there, Lucien could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

He then summoned a Goblin Magus Figurine.

The jet-black figure appeared, shrouded in an oppressive aura that seemed to whisper of dread.

Without hesitation, Lucien brought out the Essence of Purity.

Pressing the crystal to the figurine, he began the process.

The change was immediate.

A piercing screech tore through as the miasma trapped within was burned away by the crystal's cleansing power

The black sheen bled away, layer by layer.

Its surface brightened, shifting to a vibrant hue as if life had returned to it.

Lucien's lips curved into a satisfied smile.

Then came the next step in his plan.

They left the dungeon's shadowed halls and stepped into the open air.

And soon, Lucien heard it...

[Ting!]

[A fitting sacrifice has been detected]

<Sacrifice Goblin Magus Figurine?>

<Yes / No>

"Yes..."

The figurine in his grasp floated upward, trembling as if resisting its fate.

Light wrapped around it.

Fine cracks spiderwebbed across its surface, racing like lightning through stone.

With a sharp crack, the shell broke apart.

From within, a single droplet of glowing black dew emerged.

Dense.

Heavy.

Alive with power.

It pulsed once as if taking a breath… then shot straight into Lucien's forehead.

[Ting!]

<Skill: Dominion Circle Acquired>

Without hesitation, Lucien summoned SKILLPEDIA.

***

Skill (Active): ★★★★★

Illustration: A goblin sorcerer flicking its clawed fingers through the air, weaving a glowing magic circle before him.

Name: Dominion Circle

Description:

• Active – Allows the user to conjure magic circles in mid-air without preparation, provided they are familiar with the circle's design and function.

***

Lucien's eyes gleamed.

These goblin skills were no joke.

The first one was about runes. Now, magic circles.

If there's a next… what could it be?

He still had no idea where these figurines came from but that mystery could wait until the right time.

Sebas glanced at the miniature Lucien grinning to himself and couldn't help but smile.

Lucien hadn't changed one bit even after coming to the capital.

Soon after, Lucien returned to the manor.

Or rather, what used to be the manor.

Calling it that now would be an understatement.

It stood tall and imposing.

More like a castle than a Manor.

Its walls were crafted from Slime Cement. And a few faint magic circles were drawn on its surface.

The Construction Division had outdone themselves, pouring meticulous attention into every detail.

The result? The most magnificent structure in all of Lootwell territory.

Lucien's lips curved into a satisfied smile.

Vivian was going to love this.

Lucien nodded and headed to his room.

Inside, the cube drops were stacked in neat yet towering piles. It's like treasures hoarded by an obsessive dragon. It's more than enough to fill the floor.

He summoned his pets who arrived carrying even more loot.

Auto-Collect activated...

One by one, the items vanished into his INVENTORY.

It didn't take long before the system chimed.

His INVENTORY was full.

Lucien glanced at the remaining pile. It was still a small mountain.

"…Of course."

With practiced efficiency, he sorted the items into Spatial Bags... freeing space then repeated the process.

He'd already cleared most of his old stocks by donating to the academy but now… he was drowning in them once again.

With a satisfied sigh, he leaned back.

Success… even if it came in the form of an overwhelming surplus.