Chapter 4
The world wasn't just divided by borders or political ideologies.
No, power—true power—was defined by something far more structured: the strength of its Hidden Cities.
For centuries, nations had relied on their own militarized Empire forces to maintain control.
But when diplomacy failed, when rulers needed an edge beyond what their official armies could provide, they turned to the real enforcers—the Hidden Cities.
Unlike ordinary soldiers, Elite Cultivators didn't fight for national pride alone.
Each Hidden Cities operated as an independent entity, loyal first and foremost to its own survival.
They were Elites of fortune, blades for hire, bound by no country, no cause but their own.
From the shadows of bustling capitals to the most remote borderlands, their influence was undeniable.
Every Hidden City functioned as a self-sustaining war machine, with its own economy, infrastructure, and ranking system—one that didn't measure warriors by status or lineage, but by skill, mission success, and sheer ability to outmatch their enemies.
Even the most powerful Emperors feared them.
Each a formidable entity operating as a powerful military force within its territory.
Hidden Cities were each vying for control, respect, and dominance in a world where strength alone defined power.
Their Ranking and Mana Core Stage
Copper Stage (1-star to 3-star) – Fresh recruits, often cannon fodder, whose presence rarely leaves an impression. These Elites are like the young boys, still untested, their skills not yet honed in the heat of real combat.
Bronze Stage (3-star to 4-star) – The disposable grunts. Stronger, but still considered expendable in major engagements.
Iron Stage (5-star to 6-star) – A real step up. Elite in this rank are capable of handling multiple opponents.
Silver Stage (7-star to 8-star) – At this stage, Elite are able to take on small squads solo and are often assigned leadership roles.
Gold Stage (9-star) – The Elite, capable of altering small battles single-handedly. These are the legends of the battlefield, comparable to the rarest and most dangerous Elites. The presence of a 9 Star can change the outcome of a mission before it even begins.
Diamond Stage (Moon Class) – These are the legendary figures, the ones whose names are whispered in fear. Their bounty is enough to make entire kingdoms hesitate.
Platinum Stage (Saint Class) – Almost mythical. These Elite could shift the tide of entire wars with their power. Their appearance on a battlefield might cause entire cities to consider surrendering without a fight.
Hidden Cities were Elites for hire, and they operated like well-oiled businesses.
Each Hidden City maintained a headquarters a central hub where missions were distributed, training was conducted, and debts were settled usually in blood.
The structure was simple: missions came in, contracts were signed, and blood was spilled.
But beyond that, each Hidden City functioned much like hidden factions operating in the underbelly of society ruthless and driven by the need to survive.
Tier 1 Hidden Cities: These hold a near-monopoly over the art of war.
They are the elite organizations, led by a Saint Class Elites (a Platinum stage figure) who operates as a neutral force, able to tip the scales of any battle.
The most powerful Hidden Kings unmatched in their strength and influence.
Lower Tier Factions: Beneath the elite mercenary empires, smaller, less powerful factions struggle to gain reputation or survive.
These Hidden Cities often find themselves in constant conflict with one another, vying for scraps of power and influence. The weak are consumed; the strong thrive.
The goal for many aspiring Elites is simple: rise through the ranks, gain recognition, and one day join the ranks of the feared and revered Hidden Cities.
Mission Rankings
Hidden Cities missions were ranked by their level of difficulty:
E-Rank Missions: Simple tasks, like escorting nobles or guarding shipments—safe, but low-paying.
D-Rank Missions: Small tasks that involved a bit more danger—clearing out bandit groups or tracking missing persons.
C-Rank Missions: True combat assignments, such as suppressing uprisings or assassinating minor officials.
B-Rank Missions: High-risk tasks, like infiltrating enemy camps or executing war criminals.
A-Rank Missions: Missions that could change the political landscape—assassinating key figures, battlefield sabotage, or large-scale warfare.
S-Rank Missions: The impossible ones. These missions were so dangerous that only the most legendary dared take them.
Taking down entire battalions or dismantling underground organizations—missions that could only be completed by those with enough power to face down entire armies.
Failure was not tolerated. Success was rewarded in blood and riches.
Deep within the dim corridors of his family's ancestral vault, Lucas ran his fingers over the spines of dust-covered tomes.
His Clan had always emphasized physical training, which never really did focus on spells?
That was a path long abandoned in their bloodline for not having an element affinity.
Lucas had no intention of using them, because his Mana Control had reached such a high level that casting mana spells was as easy as breathing
His eyes scanned the spell titles:
Phantom – A spell that hides the user's presence entirely.
Searing Lance – A lance formed purely of mana, striking its target unerringly by locking onto their energy signature.
Flash Step – A technique that drastically increases speed at the cost of mana.
Astral Chains – A binding spell that restricts an enemy from using mana.
Regeneration – A technique that consumes the user's life force to heal injuries.
Then his fingers stopped on one particular scroll. Its title was barely legible, written in an ancient script.
But he could still make it out:
Sanguine.
A power that merged mana with life essence, pushing the body to its limits for overwhelming bursts of strength.
A technique so powerful, it was considered too dangerous to practice.
With a smirk, he unrolled the scroll, feeling its dark allure. "Well, it's time for me to start," he muttered.
Outside, the world continued its endless cycle of chaos and order.
Elite Cultivators marched under the banners of Hidden Cities, rulers played their games of power, and war never ceased.
And in the midst of it all, Lucas took his first step into the abyss, where power and madness intertwined.