Chương 49: A simple request

Ethan walked back toward the gates of Highrocks, the weight of the snake slung over his shoulders and dragging behind him in a long, bloody trail. The guards spotted him well before he reached them, and by the time he stepped up to the entrance, one of them was already moving forward. It was the guard leader—Ann. She crossed her arms and looked him up and down, then at the corpse trailing behind him.

"And where do you think you're dragging that thing?" she asked flatly. Ethan paused, shifting the weight slightly.

"I was going to sell it." Ann raised a brow.

"Not through the middle of the settlement, you're not." Ethan glanced past her toward the interior of Highrocks, then back at the snake. Fair. She jerked her head toward a designated area off to the side.

"Leave it there. Broken Dawns will take care of it. Unless you want someone else to take it?" Ethan nodded without argument.

"Works good for me." It was easier this way anyway. He had already been selling most of his materials directly to them. It was faster even if it meant losing out on a better price. He didn't mind. He never found the need for coins, they would come and go, Potential was all that mattered. He dragged the body over and dropped it where instructed.

"I need the venom from it though. Everything else is yours."

"Deal, I'll have someone bring it to you along with ten copper."

"Appreciate it," Ethan replied, dusting his hands off before stepping through the gates. Ethan made his way back to the guild housing and pushed open the door to his room. It was empty. Leah wasn't there. He didn't dwell on it. She had likely gone for dinner already. Instead, he began stripping out of his armor, piece by piece, setting it aside carefully. The relief was immediate as the weight came off. He followed it up by removing the underlayer, letting out a quiet sigh as the cooler air hit his skin.

As much as he loved his armor, it was always so satisfying taking it off. After a moment, he pulled on a set of robes, they were simple, and something most people had taken up wearing on the first level. Most of his original clothing was beyond saving at this point. So sadly, he had to say goodbye to them once more and move on. Ethan's stomach grumbled. Indicating it was dinner time. The day had slipped away on him. What was meant to be a rest day had turned into anything but.

Between picking up the armor and testing it, he had ended up just as busy as any other day. Ethan gave the room a quick once-over, making sure everything was where it should be, then turned and headed to the main foyer. It was packed. Voices filled the space, bodies packed tightly together as people queued for food or found places to sit. It was exactly why Ethan and Leah had started eating at Mark and Sarah's instead. That thought lingered for a moment. He should probably apologise.

He hadn't treated them right when he had discovered who their children were. Shaking it off for now, Ethan joined the line and waited his turn. Eventually, a young woman ladled a thick, meaty soup into his bowl. He took it with a nod and turned, scanning for a place to sit. He spotted a seat near the edge of the room and started toward it.

"Ethan!" He paused, glancing around until he spotted Nivia waving him over. Changing direction, he made his way through the crowd and dropped into the seat beside her.

"You're back! How was your mission?" he asked. She shifted slightly, giving him room.

"Went well enough. I'm sure you'll hear more in a moment." Ethan raised a brow.

"Cryptic much?" Nivia smiled faintly.

"Maybe if you joined the guild, I'd tell you." There was humor in her tone, but there was something else beneath it too. Ethan snorted.

"Maybe when you beat me in a spar, I'll consider it." She huffed out a laugh.

"I'll get there. So you better keep your word."

"Sure," he replied before taking a spoonful of the soup. It was salty, but the meat was decent.

"Anyway, have you seen Leah?" Nivia shook her head.

"Just got back myself. Then I've been with Alex the whole time. Why?" Ethan shrugged.

"No reason." They fell into idle conversation as he ate, the background noise of the hall filling in the gaps. By the time his bowl was empty, Ethan was ready to leave. He had things to prepare for—body cultivation being at the top of the list. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. He pushed himself up slightly.

"Just wait a moment," Nivia said. Ethan paused, glancing at her.

"Why—" The doors burst open. The noise cut through the hall, drawing attention as Alex strode in. Thane walked beside him, the large mage's presence just as noticeable. Conversations didn't stop immediately, but those who saw them quietened quickly, the shift spreading through the room in waves. Ethan leaned back slightly, watching. He looked like he was on a mission. Alex moved straight to the center of the hall and stepped up onto a table, his presence commanding enough that more and more people fell silent.

"Everybody listen up!" he called. Ethan glanced at Nivia again, but she just gave him a small smile. Alex waited until he had everyone's attention before continuing.

"I've got information on what's been happening," he said.

"Why people have been going missing. Why I called everyone back to Highrocks." He paused for a moment, letting everyone digest his words.

"The Valkyries have started a war. They're marching toward us as we speak," Alex continued.

"They believe they should be the ones in control of level one. And they're willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen." Murmurs broke out across the hall, tension rising instantly. Even Ethan let out a defeated sigh.

"There is a divide among them," he added.

"Their guild leader is absent, and the group is fractured. They're not operating at full strength. But that doesn't make them any less dangerous. They still crave power. They still believe we're weak." Alex's voice hardened.

"They're wrong."

"While the rest of the world struggles to survive, while people flood into this level with nothing, they've chosen to chase power instead of stability. That makes them a threat—not just to us, but to everyone here."

"They need to be stopped." Silence filled the hall now. Everyone was listening.

"If you're willing to fight," Alex continued, "give your name to the guild register. We'll provide details from there. It's not mandatory but it is something that needs to happen." Then his expression shifted slightly, something sharper showing through.

"And for those of you wondering…" he said, "I'm not worried." A faint smile touched his lips.

"The Valkyries are nothing more than an ant needing to be squashed." Alex stepped down from the table as the noise of the hall swelled behind him. People were already talking, voices rising with a mix of tension and excitement. He didn't acknowledge any of it. Instead, he turned and began walking, Thane falling into step beside him. The two moved through the crowd with purpose, parting it without effort as they headed straight toward Ethan and Nivia. Ethan straightened slightly as they approached.

"Good speech," he said. Thane gave him a short nod of acknowledgment, while Alex didn't waste time on pleasantries.

"I need to speak with you," Alex said.

"Alright." Alex jerked his head toward the exit.

"Come on." The four of them left the hall behind, the noise fading as the doors shut. The corridors of the guild were quieter, though the tension from the announcement still lingered in the air. They didn't speak as they walked, heading straight for the guildmaster's office. Once inside, Alex moved to the chair and sat heavily, letting out a long breath. Thane remained standing, leaning slightly against the wall with his arms crossed. Ethan stayed near the center of the room, watching, with Nivia by his side.

"There's no choice," Alex said.

"We have to meet them head on." Ethan frowned slightly.

"You don't want to draw them into Highrocks?" Alex shook his head.

"Not with things the way they are. Too many people arriving every day. Too many who can't defend themselves. If the fight reaches the settlement…" He trailed off, then shook his head again.

"I'm not risking it." Ethan crossed his arms.

"Does it really have to be a war?" Alex's jaw tightened.

"Yes." He leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the desk.

"Armon's gone," he continued.

"Left for the second level. But not before he tore into Desmond in front of half the guild. Stripped him down, made it clear he wasn't fit to lead." Ethan exhaled slowly.

"That would do it." Alex nodded.

"Now Desmond's trying to prove himself. He's got half the Valkyries behind him, and from what I can tell, he's not thinking clearly anymore." Alex continued, his tone lowering.

"I think he's being helped by the same group as the necromancer."

"Makes sense. But still, if their numbers are diminished, then you should be more than capable to handle it." Alex nodded.

"What I said in the hall isn't a bluff. I know they don't stand a chance, unless other guilds join them, but I'm not too worried about that." Ethan ran a hand through his hair.

"How long?"

"About a week." Ethan paced once across the room, then turned back.

"Then we use Highrocks. It's the best defensive position on the level. High ground, walls, controlled access. We hold here." Alex shook his head immediately.

"No." Ethan frowned.

"It's the smartest move."

"It's the safest move for us," Alex corrected.

"Not for everyone else." He gestured vaguely toward the outside.

"People are still arriving every day. If we shut the gates and prepare for a siege, we leave them out there. Hundreds will die before they even get close." Ethan opened his mouth to argue, but Alex continued.

"And if the fight reaches inside?" Alex added.

"With this many people packed in? It'll be a massacre." Ethan still pushed.

"That can be managed. Rotate teams. Keep bringing people in." Alex shook his head again, more firmly this time.

"I've already made my decision." Ethan's expression tightened, but he didn't push any further. He didn't really have any say, hell, he wasn't too sure why Alex had even told him. While they were on good terms, Alex didn't confide in him or anything. He still didn't have the man's trust and he didn't expect he would until the guildmaster woke.

"Thane's leading the force," he said.

"We move out, hit them before they're ready, and end it quickly. The Valkyries are fractured. If we strike first, we can finish this before it spirals." Ethan glanced at Thane, who gave a small nod. Then Alex looked back at him.

"I want you to join him." Ethan blinked and furrowed his brows.

"Why me?" Alex held his gaze.

"Because you don't want this war to happen. You've made that pretty clear. This is the fastest way to stop it before it gets worse. Besides, don't think I haven't noticed you've awakened your core. I wouldn't be surprised if you're one of the strongest fighters here." Ethan didn't answer immediately. He looked away for a moment, weighing it. Nivia gave him a nod.

"I'll also be going."

"I'll think about it," Ethan finally answered.

"That's all I can ask," he said.

"We leave in two days." That was that. Ethan turned and left the room.

"And Ethan, I know it might be asking too much of you and you have my word, I'll do whatever I can to help you, if you decide to join. But I really do need your help once more." Ethan let out a breath and nodded. He exited the room as his thoughts churned over the conversation. He made his way back to his room and pushed the door open. Leah was inside. Ethan stepped in, closed the door behind him, and dropped straight onto his bed. The mattress creaked under the weight as he stared up at the ceiling.

A long, defeated sigh left him.

"You alright?" Leah questioned. Ethan looked at her. She was resting on the bed, reading the journal he had given her.

"I'm good. Just coming to terms with something I need to do."

"And what would that be, my brooding little brother?"

"I think I need to go and stop this stupid war."