With a sideways sword swing, a crimson slash shot forward and struck the man. He didn't have time to dodge, his speed dropped, and he had no good defense skill.

BLAST!

The explosion happened again, blowing the man's body into small pieces that scattered everywhere.

Risa, who was outside the black castle, saw the crimson smoke and heard the explosion coming from inside.

The girl started to worry about Ethan's safety and hoped he would be alright.

Lyodra and Neryss were still standing in front of Risa. In an instant, red and blue light shined from them.

They returned to their chibi forms and flew away, leaving Risa alone. Risa was shocked and tried to chase them.

When she reached the stone bridge, she froze the moment she saw Ethan walking out of the castle in good condition.

His clothes were stained with blood, but he didn't look weak or hurt.

The expression on Ethan's face was a wide smile.

"Sorry for making you wait, Risa," Ethan said.

"Ethan?"

Risa ran across the stone bridge and hugged Ethan, pressing her worried face into his chest.

Ethan smiled and raised his hand, gently stroking Risa's hair to calm her as he explained everything.

"I'm fine. They were never a match for me," Ethan said.

"I know. You're strong, but I still worry."

She stayed quiet, then released her hug and wiped her tears. Ethan held both her shoulders, clearly telling her he would be fine.

"Thank you. Sorry for making you worry," Ethan said.

"I understand your situation, Ethan. You don't need to apologize."

After calming Risa's worry, the two of them walked away from the place together.

They entered the black castle and stepped across the cold black tile floor until they stopped in front of a three-meter stone door.

Behind that door was the floor 46 boss. From the small monsters in the forest, Ethan already knew the boss type would be a black web spider.

After the party challenged verification, the stone door slowly opened on its own.

Ethan took a deep breath and stepped inside with Risa following beside him.

The boss room was filled with black spider webs. Ethan had expected it, knowing the monster would be the same type as before.

The difference between the two monsters was their levels. A three-meter black web spider dropped from the ceiling and landed hard in the center of the room.

Risa was no longer afraid. She was used to forest monsters and floor bosses.

With Ethan near her, she didn't need to be scared of anything anymore.

"As always, don't join this fight, Risa!" Ethan said firmly.

The girl understood. It was the same order Ethan always gave when he focused on a boss battle, even though she didn't know the exact reason behind it.

"Alright. I'll take care of myself," she said. Ethan nodded.

He dashed forward with a flash of red lightning and began his battle with the floor 46 boss.

***

One week later.

Seacrest City.

"The total number of active members who refused to leave is about 780, Miss Ashley," Jill said. Ashley let out a slow breath.

She didn't expect LionArk to suffer a second downfall after the first one four months ago. Even so, Ashley noticed LionArk's Contribution Points always increased every hour, above 1000.

Jill noticed it too, even though Ashley had clearly ordered all LionArk members to pull out from the Raid Tower.

Only one member remained inside the Tower, and that was Ethan.

"Even if our members decrease, our contribution points keep rising," Jill said.

"Ethan is still doing the Raid Tower. Judging from LionArk's point increase every hour, he should be on floors 40 to 50," Ashley said.

"That's amazing. He might be the only player in this game who can reach floor 50 alone," Jill replied. Ashley breathed out and stood from her wooden desk chair.

She walked toward the glass wall, looking at the backyard of Trident Sea's guild base.

"We're lucky Trident Sea accepted us. If not, I don't know where we would stay," Ashley said quietly.

"I should have forced Ethan to join the City Authority Challenge. With his strength, we might have kept Mavelard," she whispered. Jill fell silent.

She understood how deep Ashley's regret was. Ashley always said the same thing whenever Jill came and mentioned Ethan's progress in the Raid Tower.

In Jill's view, Ashley probably felt awkward and embarrassed to show her face to Ethan.

After all, she had disappointed him even though she knew Ethan was the former leader of LionArk.

"Should we call Ethan to come back?" Jill asked.

"No need. Let him focus on the Raid Tower," Ashley said.

Ashley turned her head, her eyes watery as she faced Jill standing across her desk.

"We lost many members, but our contribution points keep rising. When the guild assessment comes in two months, we'll still be rank A," Ashley said.

"That's… at least comforting for us." Jill took a deep breath and stepped closer until she stood beside Ashley.

"Have you thought about the offer from the Scavenger Guild Leader?" Jill asked. Ashley stayed quiet, then turned and smiled at Jill while gently tapping her shoulder.

She had heard the offer, one that would completely destroy LionArk.

"No matter how hard they push, I'll keep LionArk alive. I won't disband this guild," Ashley said.

"If Ethan were here, I'm sure he would make the same choice as me."

While they were talking, a knocking sound came from the door. Ashley told the person to enter, and a Trident Sea member stepped inside to inform her of something.

"Miss Ashley. Leader Noah wants you in the guild hall," the man said. Jill narrowed her eyes.

Ashley sighed, then agreed to Noah's request. With Jill beside her, they left the office and headed to the guild hall.

Not long after, they arrived in the hall, which wasn't bigger than LionArk's old hall in Mavelard.

Ashley understood it was normal because Trident Sea had stayed a rank A guild for years and never rose to rank S.

LionArk had once been ranked S, but things were different now. Their condition was the same as the Trident Sea, maybe even worse.

"Hello, Ashley," Noah greeted, a 30-year-old man with short black hair.

Five guild elders stood with him, all giving Jill sharp looks.

"How's your day, Ashley?" Noah asked.

"I'm fine. Why did you call me here?" Ashley asked.

"I just wanted to check on Ethan. Where is he? Has he not returned?" Noah asked.

Ashley and Jill looked at each other before Ashley answered. She explained Ethan was still inside the Tower.

"I already told him to come back, but he didn't answer my message."

"But he's still online?" Noah asked. Ashley nodded.

"That's good." Noah sighed in relief.

"I just needed to make sure Ethan is still alive. You may return to your room, Miss Ashley," Noah said.

Ashley narrowed her eyes before turning to leave with Jill. Jill felt confused because Noah only called Ashley just to ask that one thing.

But Ashley understood the political situation between guilds. Noah, being close to Ethan, needed to make sure Ethan lived.

It was to protect his own position later, because he knew how strong and experienced Ethan was. If Ethan died, Noah had no reason to keep LionArk in their base.

"You should go back to your room. I need some time alone, Jill." Jill stiffened, then cleared her throat and agreed.

Ashley walked to her desk and looked through the glass wall again.

When will you come home, Ethan?

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.