A suave voice resounded throughout the region. All of the crown holders were given a personal, medieval-style castle to rest for a month.

The resting areas were big enough to accommodate thousands of people. Facilities that could help them train and learn were free of charge, not to mention they could eat and drink all they wanted. After toiling in the first ring the second perk was much more appealing.

There was only one issue: they couldn’t leave the castle. Despite the comfortable stay many players were unable to relax as they felt like they were trapped. Their stay in the sanctuary had changed their mentality.

[I know many of you are confused about the current scenario. But worry not, dear players, for I, Anansi will explain everything to you]

A lanky man wearing a black tuxedo manifested in the sky above the players. Regardless of who or where they were, all of the players were observing the new administrator.

‘Showoff, I bet my tail he just wants to kick out the players so he could laze around.’

Zyrus scoffed at the projection of Anansi. Still, he had to admit that the second administrator was doing his job properly unlike some pipsqueak.

[First of all, let me introduce this place to you. This is the one and only sacred ground in the Sanctuary, The Temple of Order]

Anansi waved his hand and gray mana surged from his white gloves. He was wearing all black except for his white gloves and fedora. The contrasting colors deftly showcased his moves.

“The barrier is gone!”

“Is that a-”

“Yes, that’s a mountain,” Zyrus nonchalantly replied to dumbfounded Shi kun. His bedroom was located at the highest place, so they were able to see far ahead with their enhanced vision. It was a sight they would never forget.

[Although you have passed the first ring, that only gives you the qualification to stay at the foot of this mountain]

Well, it would be a bit of a stretch to call it a mountain.

“Just how big is it?” Ria stared at the 'mountain' with wide eyes. The rocky surface of the mountain was rising across the horizon with no end in sight.

“Big enough to contain a world,” Zyrus replied in a nostalgic voice. He was also just as awed by the sight when he came here. A fact that didn’t change despite his regression.

‘Is my castle still up there?’

As the one who stood at the peak of the sanctuary, Zyrus was qualified to have a personal resting place on this mountain. It was a true castle unlike the shabby one they were resting at.

[Rejoice! Or perhaps not, as your stay at this place has ended, right at this moment]

“Get ready,”

“Wha-”

It was a bombshell announcement to players who were busy getting up from their sleep. But whether they were eating, sleeping, or dressing up, Anansi didn’t care.

The players were, once again, teleported to a new location.

…

[Apart from the rest area, there are five peaks on this Befehl Mountain]

Anansi continued in a solemn tone without waiting for the players to adjust to the new environment.

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[You are currently on the Square of Adura]

A refreshing breeze passed through the crowd under the clear skies. Although it was called a peak, it was as wide as a mega city. Zyrus observed the sea of people around him. Players from the first sanctuary weren’t the only ones on this peak.

‘Even I don’t know how many are here…’

Zyrus scratched his chin and looked at the center. Anansi was standing there in his physical form. Even the administrators weren’t arrogant enough to cast their projections on this sky.

However, neither Zyrus nor anyone else was interested in him at the moment. Their eyes were fixed on a gigantic statue at the center.

[I, Anansi, in the authority of the second administrator, command you to pay respects to the Keeper of Order]

A thundering voice struck the heart of the players. Natives in the second ring had expected as such, but the monsters and the players who ascended from the first ring were caught off guard by the sudden command.

Nonetheless, they all bowed their heads in unison. It didn’t matter what they were thinking or what their beliefs were. Every creature in this place had no choice but to bow towards the statue. Almost as if it was a natural law.

‘What a strong power of origin.’

Zyrus thought in awe as he bowed as well. If this had happened somewhere else then he would have been infuriated by such a thing, but that thought didn’t occur to him at the moment.

His respects were sincere. The being in front of him was someone who maintained the balance of the sanctuary. His conflict with the Eternals and even the system was a different matter. He wasn’t an ingrate who didn’t acknowledge someone who protected the sanctuary for eons.

[From today onwards, I’ll be in charge of the second ring of the sanctuary]

The people felt the invisible pressure lift from their shoulders. But even so, no one dared to speak. Anansi didn’t speak anything further and gave them the time to collect their thoughts. What happened thus far was just the formality; and he didn’t dare rush the next part.

Zyrus took this chance and activated the eye of annihilation. Players were teleported based on their strength and authority, so he was separated from his subordinates.

He was closest to the towering statue that resembled a praying maiden. He knew that with his current level there was no point in observing it. Even at his peak he could barely make out the statue’s distinct features, much less now.

Apart from him and the other crown holders, there were nearly a hundred players circled around this area. Zyrus saw the golden threads that connected with all the players. He wasn’t in his soul form, but the concentration of origin was potent enough to be visible in his eyes.

Some curious among the group of 100 were also throwing a curious glance at Zyrus. They were either descendants of those living in the higher rings or geniuses born in the second ring. There was no way they wouldn’t notice Zyrus’s mana fluctuation.

[Why are you arcanists always so curious?]

‘What else is there to do besides observing how her statue works?’ Zyrus replied to the telepathic voice in his head.

Since Aurora knew about his regression, it wasn’t surprising that other administrators did so as well. He didn’t have many interactions with Anansi, but they could be considered acquaintances.

[Is that so…Since you don’t need to hear me blabber on, would you like to proceed with class awakening?]

‘How generous of you, but no.’

[Tch…as expected]

Zyrus snorted at Anansi and continued observing. This was such a golden opportunity to observe the origin and piss off his competitors, why would he waste it?

Of course, he wasn’t so immature as to do that for no reason. He only needed a glance to gauge their strength and check if there were any variables because of his interference.

‘I don’t see any new faces.’

Spirits, elves, minotaurs, and many such native races had sent their young ones to this ‘ceremony.’ Zyrus was familiar with most of them before his regression. The butterfly effects caused by Aiden’s death wouldn’t be small by any means. Though it looked like it was too early for that.

On the other side, Anansi started explaining about the changes in the system. Unlike the players who ascended from the first ring, the natives already knew about such things from their schools. The sole exception were those who were following Zyrus. Be it Lauren and Kyle whom he met early on or Ria’s group that joined him in the crown hunt, he had taught them what to expect in the second ring.

Class selection and bloodline evolution would be available after that. How to get a class? Which class was suitable? What were the advantages and disadvantages of bloodlines? Questions like these would be the new pursuit of the players. Zyrus didn’t tell his subordinates what was good or bad. What he gave them was knowledge and the right direction.

Anansi’s speech kept going on and on. New stats like MP and Stamina were introduced along with elemental affinity and resistances. Those present had at least the bare minimum stats in intelligence to understand and remember all of the information.

[And last but not least, your achievements will be used to improve your league of existence]

It was the finale of a short lesson. Players murmured amongst one another, which felt like a swarm of bees was passing by since there were millions of them.

[Why don’t I give your people a special seat?]

‘What’s the catch?’

[Stop using that skill!]

‘Since you’re asking so nicely, I suppose I can agree.’

Anansi didn’t even waste a second and teleported Zyrus’s troops to a concealed area. Many were surprised by the sudden move, but it didn’t cause any commotion in the group of millions.