Honestly, Ethan did not even realize that the weight behind his words was not just authority or reputation, but the quiet pressure of his own Soul Power seeping out without restraint.

"Boss, just tell us what you need."

"Yeah, before we came, the Honorary Leader already told us we'd probably lose a level."

"We're prepared for it."

"Just give the order, boss."

"Seriously, we're already honored just to be part of the Renegade Alliance."

Another voice rose from the crowd, rough and thick with emotion.

"Before this, I was working four jobs a day and it still wasn't enough for my family. Ever since I joined the Alliance, the rewards from guild missions… no other guild even comes close. I quit all my other work. I make more now than I ever did before, my family's situation finally improved, and honestly, even things at home are better. My wife and I don't fight like we used to."

As Ethan listened, a low murmur spread through the gathered players. One voice led to another, then another, agreement rippling outward like waves. Some spoke openly, others shouted from the back, but the meaning was the same. Gratitude. Loyalty. Pride in belonging to the Renegade Alliance.

Ethan raised a hand, cutting through the noise.

"In that case, I won't waste words," he said calmly. "Your mission this time is to die."

The crowd stilled.

"To be killed by him."

With that, Ethan shoved Markham forward.

Markham was not stupid. The moment Ethan gathered this many people, he had already guessed where this was going.

"Heh heh… don't worry, everyone," Markham said, flashing a grin. His name glowed a glaring scarlet above his head, impossible to miss. "I'll be gentle."

The four thousand assembled players had braced themselves mentally for sacrifice, but none of them had expected to be killed by one of their own. Markham was not an original member of the Renegade Alliance. He had only just been brought into the guild by Ethan himself. Confusion flickered across many faces, yet not a single person voiced a complaint.

Ethan noticed the silence and spoke again, his tone steady.

"Don't worry. Fifty silver coins per death."

For a heartbeat, the air froze. Then a collective gasp swept through the crowd.

"Fifty silver for one death?"

Ethan smiled faintly. "Is that too little?"

"No, no, no," someone hurriedly replied. "That's just… way too good."

Shock turned into excitement almost instantly.

Fifty silver was roughly six hundred dollars. Most of them died plenty during missions already, sometimes more than once, grinding for hours just to finish an objective and slowly convert rewards into usable coin. Death was rarely clean or profitable. It was never as simple as offering your neck once and walking away richer.

"Alright," Ethan continued. "You'll form small squads with him here in Springhaven. Your mission is…"

His lips curled upward as he explained the details, his words carrying a faint edge of amusement that made several listeners uneasy.

When he finished, even Markham stood there in silence for a long moment, clearly struggling to process what he had just heard.

Looking over the stunned crowd, Ethan let out a low, satisfied chuckle.

"You four," he said, turning toward Rowan Kane and his companions. "Stick with him as well. Your primary objective is his safety. After today, I'll come find you."

The simple sentence carried an unspoken weight that made their expressions stiffen.

With everything settled, Ethan's wings snapped open. His form shifted midair, feathers and light blurring together as he transformed into a massive eagle and shot toward the sky without hesitation.

The rest was left to Markham.

Ethan had no time to stay. Harmony City awaited, and with it, a battle he could not afford to miss.

Flying high above the land, Ethan could clearly see the situation across the Northern Frontier Region. Fortresses were under attack everywhere, flames and spell light flashing as players clashed below.

The current balance of power was clear. Ethan's Renegade Alliance, holding Harmony City, stood at the top as a Level 7 guild. Beneath them were several Level 6 guilds, most of which had already allied themselves with the Alliance. Meanwhile, Springhaven and Blackridge were almost entirely under the control of the Blade Syndicate, a terrifying Level 8 guild supported by countless alliances of its own.

Soon, Ethan's eagle form crossed into the borderlands between Harmony City and Springhaven.

There, standing directly on the territorial divide, was a massive fortress, half inside Harmony City's influence and half within Springhaven's domain. It was the same fortress that had been mentioned before, the one everyone assumed would be ignored.

"Heh…"

A cold chuckle slipped from Ethan as he gazed down at it.

'They all think I'm heading for the southernmost fortress. They would never guess… that the two of us are taking this one.'

This fortress was the single most important chokepoint in the region. As long as it stood under enemy control, Springhaven could launch a direct invasion into Harmony City territory. If Ethan claimed it, Zachary's path south would be completely sealed.

"Are you two in position?" Ethan opened a small party channel. Only two names were present. Moonbeam, and Tears of the Fallen.

"We're here!" Lyla replied instantly.

Then Celia's voice came through, trembling badly. "Ethan… I'm terrified. I'm only Level 7, and you gave me the authority to transfer the guild headquarters here. If I die… we lose everything."

She was not exaggerating. At this moment, Celia carried the entirety of the Renegade Alliance's assets, including the right to relocate their main stronghold. One mistake, one death, and everything they had built would vanish.

"Don't be scared, Celia! Ethan must have a plan!" Lyla said quickly.

"I know, but I still am!" Celia replied, her voice shaking.

"…Sigh. Actually, me too," Lyla admitted softly.

As she spoke, a dark shadow swept down from the sky. The eagle grew larger and larger until it finally landed before them, wings folding as Ethan touched down.

"Celia, you stay hidden here," Ethan said at once. "Don't come out. No mobs spawn in this area, but we can't risk a player spotting you. At this hour there shouldn't be anyone around… probably. Lyla and I will take the fortress first. Once it's secure, I'll come back for you and move the headquarters in. This will be our new base."

His words came quickly, carrying urgency. He did not even bother returning to his human form. Lyla climbed onto his back without hesitation. Celia watched as the eagle took off again, her hands clenched tight as she crouched low and scanned her surroundings again and again, swallowing nervously. She was genuinely terrified.

Ethan flew high once more, Lyla gripping his back as the fortress loomed below. He knew exactly what kind of defenses it had. Anti-air cannons lined the walls, firing faster than most players could react, each shot strong enough to tear flying units apart in seconds.

He descended slowly, carefully controlling his altitude. Ten meters lower. Then another ten. Finally, he stopped right at the edge of the fortress's defensive range.

"Ready, Lyla?" Ethan asked, staring down at the massive structure beneath them.

"Ethan… can we really do this?" Lyla asked quietly. "Just the two of us?"

Her eyes shone with tension, excitement, and something close to thrill.

"Should be enough," Ethan replied calmly. "You go first. If that doesn't work, I'll take a shot. And if that still doesn't…"

He stopped mid-sentence.

At that moment, a wave of chilling cold rolled off Lyla's body, sharp and heavy, sending a shiver through even Ethan.

He had been about to say that if his first attack failed, he could simply try again. The Twilight War Spear held three Forbidden Spells, all fully recharged. Lyla's weapon only held one.

But Ethan knew better.

Whatever was sealed inside Lyla's weapon was on an entirely different level.

So he changed his mind.

"Go ahead," he said quietly.

He decided to let her take the first shot.

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