Ethan walked closer to them, clearly seeing Luca healing Lara and Nuwa with one of the default priest-class skills.

Ethan and Celica stood a bit farther away, watching carefully and staying alert.

"If it weren't for you, Sword Liberation might've failed right from the start," Celica said.

"Anyway, we're just a tier-D guild. There's no way we can compete with higher-ranked guilds," she added.

"I noticed only Sword Liberation was willing to follow my plan. As long as we make it into the top ten in this event, our guild rank will rise fast."

"What rank do you think we'll reach?"

"Assuming most C- and B-ranked guilds don't gain many contribution points, we could reach at least rank C, maybe even B," Ethan replied.

"After that, a lot of players will join us. They'll leave their weak guilds to join Sword Liberation," Ethan said.

Celica was impressed. She'd never thought about contribution points or how guild ranks could rise like that.

Ethan could read and understand the situation sharply, like a veteran player who had spent years inside Tower of Ascension.

"Luscho's lucky to have you join," Celica said.

"I don't know if he's lucky or not. I think the real problem will appear at the end of the event."

"At the end? What do you mean?"

Ethan went silent, then gave a small smile and turned his head.

He patted Celica's shoulder lightly, signaling her not to worry about it. Either way, they couldn't lose focus now.

Celica nodded. She already thought Ethan was the best leader for their team.

Even Lara—known for her temper and rough personality—listened and obeyed only him.

Ethan's ability was on a whole different level compared to Sword Liberation's members.

Celica believed he should've joined a bigger guild so his potential could grow.

But Ethan had other plans—plans he didn't want to share with anyone.

To him, the time would come when he would take over this event.

"All done," Luca said.

Ethan and Celica turned around. They saw that Lara and Nuwa's HP had fully recovered.

The two women stood up and shouted that they were ready to move again.

"Good. Glad you're healed," Ethan said.

"Where's Arkan City, Ethan?" Lara asked.

He opened the digital map and pointed at a red dot in the south—the location he believed to be Arkan City.

Ethan felt confident about it because two people had mentioned the same place before: Cersei, and a priest from the Destroyer Guild.

"Here," Ethan said firmly, pointing at the red dot.

"Then let's go now," Lara said, but Ethan stopped her.

"Wait. I need to come up with a plan," Ethan said.

Lara and the others looked confused—they had no idea what kind of plan Ethan wanted to share.

But since he was the team leader, they were obligated to listen.

"News about me taking weapons and Star Essence might've spread among the players in the city," Ethan began.

"That's dangerous, because a lot of players in Arkan City might be stronger—especially those from the big three guilds."

"So, what's our plan?" Lara asked.

Still looking at the digital map, Ethan pointed toward the southern area.

He clearly explained that Lara and the other four women would enter the city without him, to avoid suspicion.

"Don't do anything. Don't cause trouble. They only know my name—not Sword Liberation."

"Find an inn and hide there. I'll come at night when the city gets quiet," Ethan said firmly.

"But while we're on the way south, all of you are my responsibility."

"Got it?"

Lara nodded, and so did the others. Once the plan was clear, Ethan told them to form up in an ideal formation.

Lara and Celica would protect Luca—since priests were vital to the team.

Nuwa, with her agility, would scout ahead, but Ethan reminded her not to engage in combat if she saw enemies.

Ethan himself would take points and protect them from the front.

If they ran into enemies, the top priority was to defend Luca.

Lara and Nuwa would attack, Celica would cover them with long-range shots, while Ethan guarded Celica and Luca.

If the situation got worse, Ethan would replace Lara and Nuwa's position, while they focused on protecting Luca.

Damn! Where did Luscho even find a guy like him? It feels like I'm being led by a high-ranking guild master!

What Ethan said filled Lara, Celica, and Luca with admiration and respect.

Even Nuwa just smiled silently—happy that she was the first among them to know what Ethan was really capable of.

After finishing their tactical discussion, Ethan and the others started moving out.

He told Nuwa to inform him immediately if she spotted anything. Their main target was Star Essence monsters since they were easier to kill than players from other guilds.

After about half an hour of walking, Ethan raised his hand, signaling them to stop.

Nuwa jumped down from a tree branch and landed in front of him.

"There's another guild team southwest of here fighting a bull-type monster with Star Essence."

"What's their abbreviation?" Ethan asked.

"SS."

SS? Could it be a Silver Star?

"What do we do?" Nuwa asked.

"What's their average level?" Ethan asked again.

"There are seven people in that team. I think their levels are around... 50-52."

No doubt—it's Silver Star.

"What do we do?" Nuwa repeated.

Ethan stayed silent, glancing back at Lara and the others. They were watching him closely, waiting for his decision.

Silver Star was one of the big three guilds. They must have a ton of Star Essence—and probably weapons ranked Rare or higher.

Defeating them would give my team a huge advantage. But... it could also bring trouble for the guild.

What should I do?

"Are we going to fight them?" Lara asked.

No! Fighting them now is suicide. I could take them out myself—but I can't risk my team. Their levels are too low.

Better to wait until their Star Essence count grows... then I'll crush them all.

"No," Ethan said firmly.

"No?"

"They're Silver Star—one of the big three. With our current power, we can't beat them."

"There'll be a time when I'll take their Star Essence—but not now."

Once I get the Ashura Blood Sword, I'll defeat them with ease.

Lara and the others listened quietly. They knew he was right.

It was impossible for a rank-D guild team to defeat an S-rank guild like Silver Star.

Trying would only end in death and failure. Even Lara agreed—Ethan's decision was the right call.

"Let's keep moving."

Lara and the others nodded, following Ethan while Nuwa went back to scouting.

As long as Silver Star stayed in the southwest and Ethan's team moved south, they'd be fine.

After several minutes, Nuwa returned with important news. Ethan listened carefully.

"There's a Star Essence monster to the southeast—no one's fighting it yet."

"Good."

"We'll kill it and take the Star Essence," Ethan said.

"Nuwa. Lara. Get ready," he ordered.

Lara grinned—she'd been itching for a fight since hearing about the monster.

Ethan and the rest entered the southeastern forest and saw the monsters: a group of kobolds, about human-sized.

Not just one—five of them, each glowing faintly with Star Essence beneath the red cursor above their heads.

"Stay alert. Don't get careless," Ethan commanded.

Lara and Nuwa nodded, then charged straight toward the kobolds to claim their Star Essence.

Celica supported from afar, firing her endless arrows at the monsters. Ethan stayed nearby, watching the battle closely.

Lara managed to kill one kobold after several skill attacks. Nuwa weakened another, and Lara finished it off easily.

Now, only three kobolds remain.

"Luca?" Ethan called. Luca came closer.

"Can you give them an ATK buff?" Ethan asked.

"I can," Luca replied.

She raised her priest staff and summoned a glowing golden circle beneath Lara and Nuwa.

Red energy shone around their bodies, showing the ATK Rise status effect. The buff was enough to make their attacks much more effective.

POFF!

Ethan narrowed his eyes as an arrow from another direction hit the ground near the fight.

When it landed, purple smoke burst out and spread fast. Lara and Nuwa panicked.

"What's happening?!" Lara shouted.

"It's poison. Get out of there!" Ethan ordered.

Too late—Lara and Nuwa had already inhaled too much. Their bodies went weak before they could escape.

"Damn it!" Ethan cursed.

The purple smoke spread farther, reaching Celica and Luca.

Just like Lara and Nuwa, their bodies weakened, and they collapsed unconscious.

"Who's there?!" Ethan shouted angrily.

"You're hunting in our territory. That's rude," a voice replied.

Ethan rushed forward, pulling Lara and Nuwa away to safety, then carried them beside Luca and Celica.

"There's no rule saying this area belongs to you," Ethan snapped back, standing up and turning toward the voice.

All three kobolds were dead. The purple smoke still hung in the air, but Ethan wasn't affected—thanks to his toxic resistance buff.

"Oh, so you've got impressive poison resistance," said a man's voice behind the smoke.

Ethan swung his sword, clearing the air. Seven players in silver uniforms appeared before him.

He looked at their status abbreviations—it read SS.

"Silver Star," Ethan muttered.

"A player with PK status, huh? That just makes me more excited to kill you," the man said.

The other team was supposed to be southwest. How are they here in the southeast?

There's only one answer—Silver Star sent more than one team.

"Tch."

"You really think you can beat me?" Ethan asked, challenging him.

"Of course. You're alone, and there are seven of us. Our levels aren't that far apart!" the man said confidently.

Ethan smiled. Until now, he had only fought players from small and mid-tier guilds. He'd never had a chance to face a top guild before.

Now, with his team unconscious, he felt more determined than ever to take them down.

This is the perfect moment to test the power of Soul Servant Seraphelis.

"Level doesn't mean power—it's skill."

"Come on. Show me what you've got."

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