With an improvement like this, Ethan felt confident in the future of the LionArk guild. It was no longer just a matter of other guilds treating LionArk with caution or respect.

From now on, they would be forced to seriously consider LionArk's strength and position, especially when the time came for the next guild war.

LionArk was no longer a rising name whispered in passing. It had become a concrete presence, a force that could no longer be ignored or underestimated.

Around them, several people had already finished checking the status of their own guilds. Conversations slowly shifted toward a single topic.

The S rank guilds. More specifically, the fall of Silver Star and the sudden rise of LionArk.

The names were spoken repeatedly, sometimes in disbelief, sometimes with clear admiration. Some spoke in low voices, as if afraid the truth might break apart if said too loudly.

Most of them had already expected Silver Star to collapse sooner or later.

After all, the guild had taken too many losses, and its control over its territory had weakened over time.

However, no one had ever imagined that LionArk would rise so quickly, climbing straight into the top ten while holding the status of an S rank guild.

The speed of that growth was beyond what anyone had predicted.

That reality stirred something inside many of the people present. Interest began to bloom.

Some of them started openly talking about leaving their old guilds and attempting to join LionArk instead, especially those whose own guilds had suffered rank drops or internal problems.

For them, LionArk now represented opportunity, stability, and power.

Ethan faintly caught fragments of those conversations. He did not turn his head, but he heard enough to understand their meaning.

He gave a small nod to himself, acknowledging the situation.

If people already thought that way, then he could no longer maintain LionArk's old standards for recruitment.

Things had changed. The guild had changed.

Ashley turned her head and noticed the serious expression on Ethan's face. She studied him for a moment before speaking.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"The rank and status of LionArk have increased," Ethan replied calmly.

"I'm sure many people want to join now."

Ashley blinked, then smiled faintly, "Isn't that a good thing? The more members we have, the stronger the guild becomes."

Ethan shook his head slightly.

"Yes, but it also depends on our budget. The more members we recruit, the more facilities we need to upgrade. Training areas, supplies, housing, support. All of that costs resources."

He paused briefly, then continued, his tone serious.

"We also cannot recruit carelessly by accepting everyone. There has to be a limit to guild membership."

Ashley fully understood Ethan's concern. She stepped closer to him and looked down from their elevated position.

Below them, several people were still gathered, some of them even waving enthusiastically toward Ethan and Ashley when they noticed them.

"In that case, we need to raise the requirements for new members," Ashley said.

Ethan responded with a quiet cough, a short sound that served as agreement. What Ashley said was right.

Increasing the requirements would naturally filter applicants. Only those who were capable, disciplined, and truly valuable would pass the selection.

Only those who deserved it would earn the right to join LionArk.

"We'll discuss this with the other officers," Ethan said.

Ashley nodded in agreement.

After finishing their business in the city center, Ethan held Ashley's hand and led her away from the area.

Their destination was the LionArk headquarters. They needed to inform everyone there about the results and what this meant for the guild.

What greeted them was nothing short of shocking. The members had already checked their respective guild panels.

Cheers and laughter filled the headquarters as joy spread uncontrollably. The moment they saw their guild's rank skyrocket, excitement erupted.

The atmosphere at LionArk's headquarters was just as lively as the city center, if not more so.

When Ethan and Ashley arrived, they were momentarily stunned by the sight of their members rushing forward to welcome them with open celebration.

"We really made it to S rank!"

"Our efforts weren't wasted. Our friends' sacrifices were worth it!"

"We have to celebrate. Yes, we have to throw a party!"

Voices overlapped, emotions overflowing without restraint. In the middle of the celebration, Hanss arrived together with Sherly. The two of them walked straight toward Ethan and Ashley.

"Congratulations to both of you," Hanss said sincerely.

"Without you, LionArk would have sunk even deeper."

Ethan fell silent. Then he raised his hand and clenched his fist tightly, signaling everyone to quiet down. The noise slowly faded as the members turned their attention toward him.

"This achievement does not belong to me alone," Ethan said firmly.

"LionArk reached this point because of every single member here. I am deeply moved and proud to have guild members like you."

A roar of cheers exploded in response.

"We need to celebrate this with the entire city," Ethan continued.

"This marks the turning point of the eastern guilds' rise in power."

Ashley nodded. She explained that the guild still had reserve funds available. She and the finance staff would arrange the budget properly to hold a celebration worthy of LionArk's success.

Everyone looked excited and happy. Ashley announced that the party would be held tomorrow at the city center, and that everyone was welcome to join the celebration.

The announcement spread like wildfire. Guild members immediately shared the news with their friends.

People in the city center passed the message along without hesitation, and the atmosphere grew even louder.

"LionArk is throwing a party? That's going to be amazing."

"I can't wait to join them someday."

"You're not the only one. I want to be part of them too."

Ethan then invited Ashley back into the headquarters building. He told everyone to relax and enjoy themselves.

Alcohol from the cafeteria was provided freely, with all expenses covered by Ethan himself.

Afternoon slowly turned into night. The celebration continued until many people were drunk.

The front yard of the headquarters was filled with guild members sitting at long tables, drinking wine and enjoying snacks from the cafeteria. Laughter echoed endlessly.

Ethan eventually arrived at Ashley's office. There, they celebrated together with Sherly, Jill, Leon, Hanss, Darcy, and Natasha.

The other officers chose to celebrate outside with their respective members.

"We don't need to fear Silver Star anymore," Leon said.

"Our strength is on the same level as theirs now."

"Silver Star is experiencing its worst moment," Darcy replied.

"Their city was destroyed, many members were killed, and their credibility has dropped sharply."

"This is not the end," Hanss added calmly.

"It is the beginning of their destruction."

"Does this mean we can act confidently during the guild war event?" Sherly asked.

"That depends," Ethan answered.

He turned his body after looking out toward the back area of the LionArk headquarters.

Everyone's attention focused on him as he stepped forward toward Ashley's desk, holding a glass of wine in his right hand.

"There are many things we need to prepare before facing a guild war," Ethan said. "Both in terms of ability and equipment."

"There's still no sign of when the guild war event will be held," he continued. "Now that we've reached S rank, that event becomes our closest major goal."

"With our current status, I'm sure many guilds will want to cooperate with us," Jill said.

Ethan nodded in response. That was something he hoped would happen before the guild war event took place. Alliances would matter. But that was a discussion for another time.

"Forget about the guild war for now," Ethan said. "Enjoy the party."

He raised his glass in a toast. Ashley and the others followed, raising their glasses and clinking them together.

That night, they celebrated their success until they were thoroughly drunk.

One by one, people either returned to their rooms or fell asleep where they sat. Among all of them, only Ethan remained awake.

In the quiet of the night, Ethan was startled by a mysterious message that appeared in his direct messages.

The sender's username was AllMighty01.

[AllMighty01: Congratulations on the rise of Guild LionArk]

[AllMighty01: Are you interested in knowing information about Mr. X?]

Wait. How does he know that I am chasing Mr. X?

[AllMighty01: You seem to have been very busy with the Shadow Guild lately]

[AllMighty01: Let's meet and talk about a deal]

Is this a trap?

However, if he was telling the truth and really knew something about Mr. X, then LionArk and the entire eastern guild alliance could benefit greatly.

I need to be careful about this.

[EthanArk: Okay]

[EthanArk: Where should we meet?]

AllMighty01 didn't reply, and Ethan had been waiting for more than 10 minutes. At first, Ethan thought it was just a prank message, but he replied to the message Ethan sent.

It wasn't a live location, but a description of a building in Mavelard. Ethan was a bit shocked by this, his curiosity growing because this person was in the same city as Ethan.

The meeting location was in West District Ring 3, specifically at a small, secluded coffee shop. Ethan wasn't afraid at all.

[EthanArk: I'll be there]

[AllMight01: Alone]

[AllMight01: You have to come alone]

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