Quick answer
The story stops at set Adventurer Ranks through the quest “Get Stronger, Adventurer”, including AR 17, 22, 27, 30 and 32. EXP sources run out each day until the 5 AM server reset, so being stuck for a while is normal. Do daily requests first, for up to 3,600 EXP.
On this page
"Walled off at 29" and "stuck on research points" come up again and again in player comments. If that's you, your game probably isn't broken. The game limits how fast you can level. This page collects what published guides say, and points out where they disagree. We haven't tested these numbers ourselves.
Want it worked out for your rank? Use the rank planner.
Why you're stuck
There are usually three separate limits at work.
- A story gate. The quest "Get Stronger, Adventurer" appears several times and won't let the story continue until you reach a set rank.
- The daily limit on EXP. Game8 notes that once the other sources are used up, you have to wait for the reset at 5 AM server time.
- Ecological Rank. Some story steps also need a set Ecological Rank, and raising it has its own requirements.
Every story gate
| Story step | Adventurer Rank needed | Also needed |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 1, step 5 | 4 | |
| Chapter 1, step 6 | 5 | |
| Chapter 2, step 5 | 17 | Ecological Rank 2 |
| Chapter 3, step 4 | 22 | Trusted Leader II, Ecological Rank 3 |
| Chapter 4, step 3 | 27 | Seasoned Explorer II, 3,600 Adventurer Power, Ecological Rank 4 |
| Chapter 4, step 9 | 30 | 5,220 Adventurer Power and Seasoned Explorer IV at step 4 |
| Chapter 5, step 8 | 32 |
Source: Game8's story walkthrough, updated November 2.
Where Adventurer EXP comes from
| Source | EXP | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Adventure Requests | Up to 3,600 | Daily, at 120 Activity |
| Hunt Requests using Energy | 200 each | 20 Energy each |
| Free Hunt monster research | 300 per monster | Once all that monster's research is done |
| Story quests | Varies, one Chapter 2 quest gives 1,400 | One time |
| Ascension Challenges | Not listed | One time |
The amounts come from GameWith. Daily requests are by far the biggest repeatable source, so finish those first. Then spend your Energy.
Should you buy Energy with Rutacoin?
You can buy up to five refills a day. Each gives 40 Energy, which is two Hunt Requests or 400 EXP.
| Refill | Cost in Rutacoin | Running total |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 50 | 50 |
| 2nd | 100 | 150 |
| 3rd | 200 | 350 |
| 4th | 200 | 550 |
| 5th | 300 | 850 |
The first one is cheap. By the fifth, the same 400 EXP costs two contracts' worth of Rutacoin. If you're saving for a banner, this is where your savings can quietly go. It's your call, but make it on purpose.
How to raise Ecological Rank
You can raise it at Adventurer Rank 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55, according to gacha.gg and GameWith. Each step also asks for a Proof of Mastery level, the Training Ground, and usually an Ascension Challenge. Ecological Rank raises your Keepsake and Buddy level caps and your monster star limit, and opens higher-difficulty Hunt Requests.
The guides disagree here
GameWith lists Ecological Rank 4 at Adventurer Rank 30. gacha.gg lists it at 25. Game8 asks for it at the AR 27 story gate. Check the Rank-up Guide tab in your Adventurer Rank window before you plan around any of these.
Stuck on Research Points?
Research Points come from Free Hunt monster research objectives, and higher difficulties unlock more objectives. Defeating a new monster adds it to Free Hunt, so progressing the story opens more research to do. Game8 also explains a common mix-up: there are two kinds. Green points come from requests, Research Studies, captures and melding, and they buy shop items. Yellow points come from gaining Research Levels and Proof of Mastery, and they unlock the research trees. If you're "stuck on research points", check which color you're short of. We haven't seen a reliable ranking of which research to take first.
What to do when you're walled
- Finish daily requests up to 120 Activity.
- Spend your Energy on Hunt Requests.
- Finish research on each Free Hunt monster you've unlocked.
- Check whether the block is Adventurer Power, not rank. If so, raise your gear and characters.
- If everything is done, you've hit the daily limit. Come back after 5 AM server time.
Sources
- Research Points guide — Game8, 2026-11-03
- How to Increase Adventure Rank — Game8, 2026-10-31
- Story Walkthrough and Progression Guide — Game8, 2026-11-02
- How to Raise Adventurer Rank — GameWith, 2026-10-30
- Ecological Ranks and unlocks — gacha.gg
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