After his victory against Brutus (Rank C), Grande knew he couldn't return to the Junk Arena for a while. His movements were now under surveillance. High Ranks, especially those with military responsibilities, would surely question how a Rank F Custodian could defeat a Rank C Stone Breaker.
Therefore, Grande shifted entirely to silent training and logistical information gathering.
Silent Testing Underground
Grande needed a location to test the limits of his Custodian Snap Technique without attracting attention. He returned to the Subterranean Archive beneath the Fire Dragon Restaurant, but this time he ventured deeper.
He found the remnants of an old tunnel blocked by large stones. This was the perfect spot for his test.
His first test object was a granite stone block used for the foundation of Stone City, believed to have high Rank B durability.
"The System allows one Rank D snap, recognized as 'efficient cleaning'," Grande whispered to himself. "Let's see if the system will allow a second snap, if I declare it as 'Cleaning Extremely Stubborn Residue'."
He took a deep breath, absorbing the residual Echo Energy he had collected from the Commander Quarters that morning.
He swung the Rank F Broom, using the Residue Snap motion.
SNAP!
The first snap, equivalent to a Rank D blow, hit the granite block. The sound was loud and sharp. A small crack appeared on the stone surface.
Grande didn't stop. He immediately swung the broom for a second Snap, subtly changing his hand mechanics to make it look like he was scraping the residue left from the first Snap.
SNAP!
The second snap hit the same spot. The Rank D strength was activated again, thanks to the newly invented Role Skill deception.
The granite stone block shuddered, and the crack widened.
Grande smirked. "Two Rank D strikes, and the System still recognizes it as Cleaning. It only sees the role title, not the result."
He continued this destruction training for several weeks. He learned to integrate the Snap with his dodging and spinning movements. He could now perform three to four consecutive Rank D Snaps, as long as he maintained the mechanical movements that could be classified as scraping, snapping, or sweeping.
His Custodian strength was now at a terrifying level - he could break a Rank B stone wall in a short time. But most importantly, he was training himself to think like the System - seeking role-based keywords to trigger power.
The Gate Secret: The Escape Plan
Grande's ultimate goal was to get out of Stone City, as he knew the Fate Rank System there was the most rigid.
While performing his duties outside the city fortress, he had to clear old construction debris at the North Gate, a gate rarely used because it faced the monster-ridden Wastelands.
He recalled Commander Sirus's notes on Reverse Mana Flow - the defense mechanism that was the Gigantes' weakness.
The North Gate was protected by an impenetrable Rank S Mana shield. The gate was constantly guarded by Rank B guards.
However, because he was allowed to be there as a Custodian, Grande observed logistical details.
* Logistical Detail: The Rank B guards changed shifts at midnight. During that time, there was a thirty-second delay between the main Mana Core reconnecting Energy to the new guards.
* Hidden Information: Beneath the ground near the guard post, there was an ancient Mana shield valve. This valve was secured by a mechanical lock (not magical) that had long been neglected, as no one expected a Low Rank to know about it.
Grande realized that the mechanical lock was very similar to the padlock he had opened at the Subterranean Archive.
That night, he returned to the Archive and searched for scrolls related to ancient defense valves.
He found a scroll that explained: "The Underground Valve functions as the transmitter and receiver of Reverse Mana Energy to the Gate. If the valve is opened and then quickly closed, it will create a brief interruption in the Mana shield. This interruption is enough to disrupt the Reverse Mana Flow powering the gate shield."
This was critical military intelligence. If the Reverse Mana Flow was disrupted, the Rank S shield would fall, but only for a few seconds.
The Rank F Infiltration Plan:
* Time: Midnight (Guard shift change, 30-second delay).
* Route: Through a hidden custodian drainage near the North Gate guard post.
* Action 1: Using a Custodian wire to pick the ancient mechanical valve lock.
* Action 2: Using the Custodian Snap Technique to close the valve quickly (the Snap will provide immediate strength for the movement).
* Result: A 30-second disruption of the Rank S Mana Shield at the North Gate.
* Action 3: Escaping through the North Gate before the shield reactivates.
Everything he needed for this Escape Plan was Custodian tools and the Role Skills he had created himself. None of the items were classified as Rank C or above, so the System could not stop him.
Grande felt genuine excitement. He wasn't fighting the System with a sword; he was fighting it with wit and a broom.
He went to find Lekir.
"Lekir," he said. "I need a shift change. I want the North Gate cleaning duty tomorrow night."
Lekir, still slightly bewildered by Grande's recent efficiency and strength, merely nodded. "You're the best Custodian I've ever had. But why that stinking place? That's the Wastelands, Grande."
"I think it's time for me to clean up the foul residue of our past, Lekir," Grande replied with hidden meaning.
He had only one night to prepare - to train his Rank D Snap until it was flawless, and to absorb the maximum amount of Echo Energy he could from the Rank A Commander Quarters.
He wouldn't be using his Rank F broom to sweep trash anymore. He would be using it to open the door to his future.