The door to Ethan's office slowly opened, followed by a polite knock that came a moment too late.

A woman from the reception staff stepped inside, her posture straight and professional, as if aware that she was interrupting something important.

She paused briefly before speaking, making sure she had Ethan's attention.

"Sir Ethan," she said, "I've come with a visitor. There is a woman outside who wishes to meet you."

Ethan lifted his gaze from the documents on his desk.

Five hours had passed since noon, and the sky outside the office windows had begun to take on a warmer, orange tint.

The timing alone made him narrow his eyes slightly.

He had been expecting this. Based on the estimate, the woman who had helped him purchase the Spirit Crystals should have returned by now, whether with good news or bad.

Judging from the receptionist's cautious tone, Ethan already had a feeling which one it was.

"Please let her in," Ethan said calmly.

The receptionist nodded in acknowledgment. She stepped aside but remained near the door, holding it open as another woman entered the room.

The woman who walked in was the same one Ethan had entrusted earlier that day. However, unlike before, she looked nothing like the confident person who had accepted his request.

Her shoulders were slightly slumped, her steps hesitant. She did not smile, nor did she attempt to hide her exhaustion.

Her eyes were lowered, and the expression on her face was dull, almost lifeless, as if she had already resigned herself to whatever judgment awaited her.

The moment Ethan saw her face, he understood.

That look alone was enough to tell him the result.

"You didn't get the items, did you?" Ethan asked.

His voice was calm, not accusing, but firm.

The woman said nothing. She stood there silently, her fingers clenched at her sides.

Her eyes flickered briefly to the side, landing on Sherly, who was watching her closely from behind her desk. Sherly's gaze was sharp and analytical, making the woman even more uneasy.

"Well?" Ethan pressed, his tone still controlled.

"I… I'm sorry, Sir Ethan," the woman finally said, her voice trembling slightly.

She swallowed before continuing.

"We actually managed to buy the Spirit Crystals for you, but…"

She hesitated again, her words trailing off.

"But what?" Ethan asked.

Her hesitation only made his curiosity sharper. Something about the way she stopped mid-sentence suggested that what came next was not a simple excuse.

"The guild from yesterday," the woman said at last. "The raiders. They found me."

Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly.

"And?" he prompted.

"They took the items. The Spirit Crystals you paid for," she said quietly.

For a moment, the room fell silent.

Ethan straightened his posture, placing both feet firmly on the ground as he leaned back slightly in his chair.

His eyes locked onto the woman, studying her carefully, as if trying to see through her words.

"Do you know the name of their guild?" Ethan asked.

"LanceStorm," she replied without hesitation.

Ethan nodded slowly.

"Did you tell them that the items belonged to me?" he asked next.

"Yes," the woman said. "I told them everything. I told them your name."

"And their response?" Ethan asked.

"They said we were liars," she replied bitterly. "They accused us of using your name to scare them."

Ethan let out a quiet breath through his nose.

Again, this kind of trouble never really ends.

Still, he could not act on anger alone. If the woman was lying, and he attacked the wrong guild, the consequences would not only affect him but the reputation of LionArk as well.

"Sherly," Ethan said, turning slightly, "call Darcy. Have him come here."

Sherly immediately understood what he intended to do. She nodded once and stood up, leaving the room without a word.

The woman stiffened.

"W What are you planning to do?" she asked anxiously.

"You don't need to be afraid," Ethan replied. "Darcy has an ability called the Thread of Truth. He can determine whether someone is lying."

The woman clenched her fists.

"So you don't trust me?" she asked.

"Not completely," Ethan answered honestly. "This matter involves a guild. If I make a careless move, LionArk's credibility will suffer. I can't afford that."

The woman fell silent again. She nodded slowly, accepting his reasoning, even if it hurt her pride.

Not long after, Sherly returned, accompanied by a man with calm eyes and an unassuming presence. This was Darcy.

Ethan greeted him with a nod and briefly explained the situation.

Darcy listened attentively, then stepped forward and activated his skill. A faint, invisible pressure filled the room, subtle but unmistakable.

"Please answer his questions again," Darcy said calmly to the woman.

Ethan repeated every question, from how she obtained the crystals to how they were taken from her.

The woman answered each one clearly and smoothly. There was no hesitation, no contradiction.

Throughout the entire process, her expression did not change. She showed no sign of pain, discomfort, or resistance.

That alone told Ethan everything he needed to know.

"That's enough, Darcy," Ethan said.

Darcy deactivated his skill and nodded. Without another word, he excused himself and left the office.

Ethan rose from his chair.

"What are you going to do, Sir Ethan?" Sherly asked, stepping closer.

Ethan turned his head slightly and replied calmly, "I'm not going to do anything."

Sherly blinked. "What?"

Ethan smiled faintly. He turned around and raised his hand slightly.

"Luna," he called.

[Mode Aggressive Soul Servant:]

[3. Lunareth || Lv. 500 || SSS-Rank || Passive → Aggressive || 10,000 MP]

A sudden navy blue glow erupted behind Ethan. The light was intense enough to make both Sherly and the woman instinctively step back.

The small, chibi-like figure floating behind Ethan expanded rapidly. In an instant, Luna's form transformed into that of an adult woman.

She wore a flowing white and blue dress that shimmered faintly, as if woven from light itself. In her hand was a trident staff, radiating an overwhelming aura of power.

The pressure in the room multiplied.

Sherly felt her breath catch.

Luna opened her eyes slowly. This was not her usual awakening. This time, she stood as a soul servant, fully manifested.

She turned toward Ethan and smiled warmly.

"Brother Ethan."

"You look impressive, Luna," Ethan said sincerely.

"Thank you," Luna replied. "I like this form."

"Do you need my help?" she asked.

Ethan nodded and explained the situation in full.

Luna listened quietly, her expression calm. When Ethan finished, she nodded once.

"I understand," she said.

"If LanceStorm attacks, you may destroy them," Ethan added calmly.

Luna accepted the command without hesitation.

"Go with her," Ethan said, gesturing toward the woman. "Call the city security authority. Make sure the perpetrators are apprehended."

"I understand," Luna replied.

She turned to the woman. Her friendly expression vanished, replaced by a cold, commanding gaze.

"Lead the way," Luna said.

The two of them left the LionArk headquarters together.

Sherly approached Ethan afterward, curiosity evident on her face.

"That was Luna?" she asked. "The girl you brought before?"

"Yes," Ethan replied.

"I didn't expect her to be that powerful," Sherly admitted.

"Neither did I," Ethan said quietly.

Sherly did not know Luna's true nature, and Ethan intended to keep it that way.

"Is it really okay to send only her?" Sherly asked. "What if LanceStorm counterattacks?"

Ethan stared at the wall for a moment.

"If that happens," he said slowly, "then let's hope Luna can control herself."

"Should I go too?" Sherly asked. "To handle the arrests?"

Ethan looked at her seriously.

"Are you sure?"

"I am."

"Then go with Hanss," Ethan said. "Secure the area. Arrest the criminals. Announce their punishment."

"There will be no lawlessness in this city," Ethan said firmly.

Sherly nodded. "Understood."

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