While Ethan focused on himself - on the Tower, on his beasts, on the steady climb toward power - the world beyond him was shifting in ways far greater than he could currently see.
Gates were appearing more frequently.
Not just in remote locations or controlled zones, but in cities, suburbs, and industrial districts. Reports flooded in daily, each more concerning than the last.
Some gates remained stable, manageable.
Others… weren't.
Gate breaks were becoming more common, violent, and unpredictable. And with that came an obvious consequence: the demand for Titled skyrocketed.
Associations across the world responded quickly. Recruitment drives intensified, benefits improved, and payouts increased dramatically. What had once been a dangerous profession with modest compensation was becoming one of the most lucrative paths a person could take, even for lower ranks.
That was if they survived.
Ethan had noticed small signs of this shift.
