Realizing that no one in the entire Heaven Palace guild could match Ethan's overwhelming strength made many members finally lose whatever courage they had left.

Their confidence, once loud and bold, collapsed the moment they saw how easily Ethan cut down their comrades.

Their friends, who had stepped forward earlier with determination, now lay scattered across the ground—some motionless, others groaning in pain—while their dropped weapons clattered uselessly beside them.

The metallic scent of blood thickened the air, making the entire battlefield feel colder and heavier with every breath.

The most frightening part was how obvious it had become that Ethan was not even using his strongest skills.

Everything he had unleashed so far was just Skill 1 or Skill 2. Even while holding back, Ethan's strikes were sharp enough to break advanced defenses and deadly enough to kill without giving them time to react.

They remembered vividly how Issac— their guild leader, feared by many—had been blown out of his own office after losing a direct fight against Ethan. And if Issac couldn't survive long against him, none of them stood a chance.

One by one, Heaven Palace members made the only rational decision left. Their trembling hands loosened.

Their weapons clanged onto the ground. Several dropped to their knees first, then more followed, until the entire front line began lowering their heads in surrender.

The rumors about Ethan's terrifying power were no longer rumors. They were standing in the middle of it. If Ethan alone had once invaded a city and killed thousands, then crippling Heaven Palace would be incredibly easy for him.

"What are you doing?! Get up and protect Leader Issac!" one of the officers shouted in fury, his voice cracking from fear and anger.

"It's useless," one member muttered while staring at the ground, defeated. "Fighting Ethan is the same as asking to die."

He wasn't the only one. Others nodded in agreement, their bodies slumped in exhaustion and terror.

Their surrender only made the remaining officers furious. Their faces twisted with rage as they raised their weapons and leaped toward Ethan.

Ethan narrowed his eyes, instantly reading their movements. He stepped back, shifting his weight, then swung his sword upward.

A violent burst of energy erupted from the blade, forming Ashura Rift—three massive claw-like slashes tearing through the ground as they raced toward the officers.

The officers reacted quickly. They activated their combined defensive mechanism, a joint skill created by the five of them. Crimson and gold energy wrapped around them like a shield.

The collision was explosive. Ethan's Ashura Rift shattered on impact, breaking apart in a violent burst of mana that recoiled back toward him.

The failed skill hit Ethan with backlash, forcing him to stagger a step. He clutched his chest, gasping as he tried to regulate his breathing.

"Ha! You'll never beat the five of us!" the officers shouted triumphantly.

Ethan slowly lifted his head. Instead of fear, there was excitement in his eyes—like someone who had finally found a challenge. Their insults only fueled the fire inside him.

Good. I don't need to hold back anymore.

"Ethan! You'll die by our hands!" one of the officers roared.

Ethan grinned. He raised Bloodblade Ashura, stabbing the blade into the ground. The moment the weapon touched the earth, a deep tremor spread outward.

The sky above them darkened and shifted into a heavy crimson hue, while the ground beneath their feet liquefied into a pool of rippling blood.

Bloodflare Cataclysm activated. Ethan's STR and AGI surged, rising by 125% for twenty long seconds. At the same time, the officers and every Heaven Palace member within range felt their strength and agility violently ripped away by the same amount.

The sudden wave of pressure crushed them instantly. The five officers dropped to their knees, gripping their chests as if their lungs were collapsing under the oppressive magic. Their energy drained so fast that even breathing felt like a burden.

The range of the ultimate skill was massive. It spread across the entire back area of the Heaven Palace base. Even Issac, barely standing, felt the crushing debuff weighing down on his injured body.

"H-He's going to kill all of us!" someone shouted in panic.

"This is bad… this is his ultimate skill," another whispered with trembling lips.

Issac clicked his tongue in frustration. His body was already weakened, his stamina drained to dangerous levels.

He looked around and saw many of his guild members suffering under Ethan's power. Their fear, their pain, their collapse—it all stemmed from his arrogance.

Slowly, regret began to build inside Issac. He had been foolish. He had truly believed he could kill Ethan.

He had convinced himself he was strong enough. And now his guild was on the verge of destruction because of his pride.

Ethan pulled his sword out of the ground. His eyes glowed with wild energy as he charged forward in a berserk rush. He didn't waste time.

He unleashed a storm of basic attacks and skill strikes, all amplified by the monstrous power of his ultimate mode.

The officers desperately tried to defend themselves, activating every technique they had, but nothing worked.

Their stamina drained so quickly they could barely lift their weapons. Their vision blurred, their minds became chaotic, and their bodies felt as if they were being crushed from the inside.

Weak bodies. Empty strength. Clouded thoughts.

That was the prolonged effect of Bloodflare Cataclysm.

"AAHHH!"

Ethan released Ashura Rift again, the three crimson claw slashes tearing through the air with brutal force. Thanks to cooldown reduction, he could use the skill twice during the ultimate mode.

Two of the officers didn't even have time to scream. The slashes ripped through their bodies, tearing them apart instantly. Their corpses fell lifelessly to the blood-soaked ground.

After twenty seconds, the crimson sky faded into normal daylight and the ground returned to solid soil. The overwhelming tension lifted, but its effects were carved deeply into the battlefield.

The three remaining officers stared at Ethan with hollow eyes. They stepped back weakly, clutching their bleeding wounds.

"You clearly aren't my match," Ethan said in a calm, cold tone.

Before he could continue, a familiar voice echoed behind him.

"Ethan?"

Ethan turned. Ashley had arrived—with Jill, Sherly, Hanss, Darcy, and hundreds of LionArk members.

Their eyes widened when they saw Ethan standing amid a field of corpses and torn limbs, with blood spread across the ground like a gruesome painting.

"You're here already," Ethan said.

Ashley nodded once, though her eyes remained on the destruction around him. She quickly ordered the LionArk members to arrest anyone who had been protecting Issac.

The Heaven Palace members were powerless. Their weapons were confiscated and magic cuffs—glowing with sealing runes—were locked onto their wrists to disable their abilities.

Hanss approached Issac. The beaten guild leader forced a mocking smile.

"So, tell me, is my prison cell comfortable?" Issac asked bitterly.

"Comfortable enough that you might regret your crimes," Hanss replied.

LionArk members confiscated Issac's inventory weapons and locked cuffs on his wrists. Even at level seventy-seven, he was helpless now.

The battlefield slowly stabilized as more officers and members of Heaven Palace were arrested.

Crowds gathered outside the guild base. The security team had to form a barrier to keep people from rushing in.

Inside the base, Ethan and Ashley faced the five officers who had chosen to surrender earlier.

Many other Heaven Palace members were spared. They weren't directly involved in the fight, and Ethan's purpose was not to destroy the guild—only to arrest Issac.

"Issac has been arrested. There's a chance he'll face a heavy punishment," Ethan said.

"You five are the remaining officers. With the members you have left, rebuild this guild. Earn people's trust again."

One of the officers nodded, clearing his throat. He understood the responsibility placed on him.

Ethan was satisfied with their quick understanding.

With their task done, Ethan and Ashley walked along the paved walkway in front of the guild base. They headed toward the gate, where a crowd still watched anxiously.

Many people felt relieved. With Issac and the corrupt officers arrested, there would be no more guild acting above the law. As long as Ethan remained in Mavelard, the rules applied to everyone equally.

"Darcy will handle them. The workload for the Law Authority is getting bigger," Ashley joked lightly.

"Yes. We need to increase their members and their budget. Same for the security team," Ethan said.

"I'll arrange the budget plan," Ashley replied.

"Thank you, Ashley. Let's go back."

Ashley agreed, and the two of them walked out of the Heaven Palace Guild Headquarters together. They went down the city's main street, which was filled with people gathering around. They had come to see Ethan.

Ethan had upheld justice and given the people a breath of fresh air. The Heaven Palace Guild had gone too far lately, but they were grateful that someone strong like Ethan could keep the city stable.

They couldn't imagine what would have happened if Ethan had been weaker than Issac. Maybe the whole city would have fallen under Issac's influence. That clearly wouldn't have been good for LionArk.

I am the ruler of this city. No one is allowed to be more superior than me.

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