***

Five days later.

As scheduled, the first Raid Tower expedition team of LionArk Guild finally returned to Mavelard.

They were the first among all expedition teams to arrive back in the city, and their return immediately drew attention.

Preparations had already been made in advance, and a proper reception was arranged to welcome them, especially at LionArk headquarters, where their achievements would be formally acknowledged.

The front courtyard of LionArk headquarters was already filled with people. Officers stood in orderly lines, members gathered at a respectful distance, and banners bearing the emblem of LionArk fluttered quietly in the air.

Ashley stood at the forefront beside Ethan, accompanied by several high ranking officers.

Their expressions were calm, but there was a faint sense of anticipation in the atmosphere.

The first expedition team had produced results that exceeded expectations.

Since the early days of their departure, their achievements inside the Raid Tower had significantly boosted LionArk's Contribution Points.

Reports sent back during their journey had already hinted at their success, but seeing the team return in person carried a different weight.

Soon, the sound of footsteps echoed across the courtyard.

The leader of the first expedition team walked forward, his armor worn and scarred, yet meticulously maintained.

His eyes showed exhaustion, but beneath it was a quiet pride. He stopped in front of Ashley and Ethan, then lowered his head deeply before dropping to one knee in a formal kneel of loyalty and respect.

"For two months," he said, his voice steady despite his fatigue, "we explored the tower without pause. We fulfilled our objective. We reached the fortieth floor."

A murmur spread quietly through the crowd.

Ashley felt genuinely impressed. The changes in the returning members were unmistakable. Their appearances had grown rougher, their physiques more defined, and their movements sharper.

Some bore fresh scars, others carried weapons that radiated faint power. Even their expressions had changed.

They no longer looked like ordinary guild members. They looked like veterans.

Their abilities had clearly improved as well. Ashley could sense it even without checking their status directly. Experience gained through life and death battles could not be faked.

Seeing them like this, Ashley became even more confident about the second expedition team. Jill was capable, disciplined, and decisive.

If the first team could achieve this level of success, then the second team's results would likely be just as impressive, if not better.

More than one hundred members returned safely. However, success had not come without cost.

The expedition leader continued his report, his voice lowering slightly.

"We lost twenty three members during the expedition," he said. "Some of them were brought back. Others… we could not recover."

He explained that several bodies had been retrieved and carried back to headquarters. However, those who died during battles against floor bosses were often impossible to retrieve.

The tower did not grant mercy to the dead.

Ashley listened without interrupting. When he finished, she nodded once.

"Every struggle demands sacrifice equal to its scale," Ashley said calmly.

"We will bury them in LionArk's cemetery."

She turned her head slightly toward Ethan, silently seeking his agreement.

Ethan met her gaze and nodded once. He did not speak, but his expression showed that he accepted the responsibility.

Without further delay, Ethan stepped forward. He gestured, and members carrying stretchers began moving with him toward the eastern cemetery.

Only those directly involved in carrying the fallen followed. The rest of the expedition members were instructed to rest and recover.

Ethan would personally lead the burial ceremony for the fallen.

The eastern cemetery lay quiet, surrounded by rows of stone markers bearing the names of guild members who had died in past conflicts.

NPC gravediggers were already present, awaiting instructions. They were tasked with digging a mass grave large enough to accommodate the fallen members.

Once the payment of fifty thousand gold was made, the gravediggers worked quickly and efficiently. Their movements were precise, as if they had performed this task countless times before.

When the grave was ready, members of the expedition team stepped forward one by one. They gently lowered the bodies of their comrades into the earth.

Some clenched their fists. Others lowered their heads in silence. No one cried out loud, but the heaviness in the air was unmistakable.

Seventeen bodies were placed into the grave.

The gravediggers immediately began covering the grave with soil, each shovel of dirt sealing another chapter of sacrifice.

Ethan stood at the front, his posture straight, his expression solemn.

He spoke words of remembrance and farewell, acknowledging their contribution and ensuring that their souls would find peace beyond this world.

When the ceremony ended, silence lingered for a long moment.

Ethan turned and walked away without looking back. He returned to LionArk headquarters, his steps measured and calm.

His next destination was Ashley's office. He wanted to check the status of LionArk's Contribution Points.

When he accessed the system, the result was unchanged.

There were no reflective points yet. The progress remained frozen, awaiting the official guild assessment.

Today was the scheduled day. Once the assessment appeared, rankings would shift, and guild ranks would be reevaluated.

Ethan made his way to the third floor and entered Ashley's office.

Ashley immediately paused her work when she saw him. She set aside the documents in her hands and looked up, studying his expression carefully.

"I already contacted Jill," Ashley said. "They are currently on the thirty eighth floor."

"Just a little more until the fortieth," Ethan replied.

"They did not have as much time as the first expedition team," Ashley said after a moment of thought. "But even so, their achievement is still remarkable."

"She and the others should return today," Ashley continued. "They are already on their way."

"How many casualties?" Ethan asked.

Ashley shook her head. "She has not replied yet."

Ethan nodded. There was nothing more to be done until they arrived.

After a brief silence, Ashley leaned back slightly in her chair.

"Do you think we will reach Rank S?" she asked.

Ethan walked closer and sat down in the chair across from her desk. He summoned a bottle of wine from his inventory and took a slow sip.

Ashley continued working, her fingers moving steadily.

"I believe our rank will rise to Rank S in this assessment," Ethan said. "As for our exact placement, I cannot be sure."

"What makes you so confident?" Ashley asked.

"For the past six months," Ethan replied, "I have been exploring Raid Tower floors almost constantly. I killed many legendary monsters during that time."

He set the bottle down briefly.

"The contribution points from legendary monsters are substantial. They have helped LionArk more than most people realize."

He took another sip.

"We will definitely reach Rank S," he said calmly. "Whether we enter the top three is still uncertain."

Ethan's words eased Ashley's tension.

The previous assessment period had been disastrous for LionArk. Their rank had fallen to Rank A, a blow that nearly shattered the guild's reputation.

Members left in droves. Some refused to cooperate. Others turned to corruption, draining resources and undermining the guild from within.

It had been the darkest period LionArk had ever endured.

Everything changed when Ethan joined.

The true turning point came when Ethan single handedly seized Mavelard through a direct invasion from Silver Star. That moment reshaped the Eastern Plains.

Hope returned.

People began seeing LionArk not as a failing guild, but as a force capable of leading others forward. Members who had left returned.

New recruits joined willingly. They fought together, cooperated, and even sacrificed their lives.

Slowly, LionArk reclaimed its position as a guild respected throughout the Eastern Plains.

Ethan was the difference.

He was a new light for the Eastern Plains.

They talked for quite some time, discussing future plans, guild management, and regional stability. Eventually, a knock sounded at the door.

A receptionist staff member entered Ashley's office and bowed politely.

"The second expedition team led by Jill has arrived," she reported. "They appeared at the northern teleportation crystal gate."

"They arrived faster than I expected," Ethan said.

"You were right," Ashley replied.

"We should go welcome them."

Ashley stood up and motioned for Ethan to follow. Together, they descended from the third floor to the front courtyard. Notifications were sent out, summoning the other officers.

Hanss, Darcy, and Natasha joined them as they waited.

Before long, the LionArk banner appeared along the eastern road. Jill, Leon, and Sherly walked at the front of the formation, followed by the remaining expedition members.

Ashley stepped forward. She embraced Jill warmly, like an older sister greeting family after a long absence.

"I am proud of you," Ashley said. "Reaching the thirty eighth floor in just two weeks is no small feat."

"We used every moment we were given, Miss Ashley," Jill replied. "But… we lost many members."

Behind them, thirty bodies lay on stretchers.

The number was higher than the first expedition team.

"Sacrifice is necessary in any great struggle," Ashley said firmly. "Their deaths will have meaning when LionArk rises to Rank S."

"I hope so," Jill said quietly.

Ashley ordered the survivors to rest. Once again, Ethan took charge of the burial ceremony. Sherly chose to accompany him.

As the graves were prepared, Ethan and Sherly stood side by side, gazing at the open ground.

"They were massacred by a powerful party," Sherly said.

"Massacred?" Ethan asked sharply.

"It is a long story," Sherly replied. "I will explain it in your office."

"Who did it?" Ethan asked, his voice firm.

Sherly hesitated. She inhaled deeply, then slowly exhaled.

"They were a party from Redemption Sword."

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.