***
The next day.
LionArk Guild Headquarters.
Ethan felt sore all over when he woke up late in the morning. He opened his eyes and caught the faint scent of the white bedsheets where he had fallen asleep.
His mind was foggy, not quite sure what had happened the night before.
He rembered Ashley sending that pink feather orb toward him and that he had agreed to it.
After that, his mory beca hazy.
He slowly sat up. His athletic body was bare under the white blanket.
Turning his head to the side, he saw sunlight streaming through the window, bright enough to warm the whole room.
Looks like I really did it with Ashley.
Ethan gently patted his face, smiling faintly as he tried to recall last night.
In his mind’s eye, he could still see Ashley’s perfect figure, flawless in every way.
Her skin was pale as snow, soft and warm. Her lips felt tender when they touched his, their eyes eting in an unforgettable mont.
Damn it! Why am I thinking about that first thing in the morning?
Instinct kicked in, and his wild thoughts about last night caused sothing beneath the blanket to stir again.
He glanced down, still keeping the blanket over himself, realizing the ga’s administrators had designed his body in extre detail.
Bunch of perverts.
The door suddenly opened, startling Ethan. He quickly pulled the blanket tighter around him.
The one who entered was Ashley, wearing the official LionArk mage uniform. She looked stunning, and it suited her perfectly.
"A-Ashley?" Ethan stamred, surprised.
Ashley’s eyes moved to the side, catching the strange bulge under the blanket. She laughed softly, her cheeks turning red.
"Why do you look so shy? I’ve already seen every part of you all night," Ashley teased.
"You did?" Ethan asked, and Ashley nodded.
"I have to admit, you look more athletic and handso than before. How long has it been since we last slept together? Four years?"
Ethan nodded. For him, it had only been two years, but for Ashley —who had lived two long years without him— it must have felt like four.
Still, he was glad. Her feelings for him hadn’t changed at all.
"Put your clothes on. Don’t forget why you ca to Mavelard," Ashley reminded him.
She was right. Ethan ca here for one reason —to complete his Class Advancent at the city’s cathedral.
Once he did that, his class would upgrade, and he would no longer be just a warrior.
With Class Advancent, new quests would beco available —more specific missions with better rewards.
Ethan nodded seriously and got out of bed without covering himself. Ashley’s eyes widened, and she quickly turned around, closing her eyes and slamming the door shut in embarrassnt. Ethan stood there, puzzled.
Wasn’t she acting all confident a minute ago? Why is she the one getting embarrassed now?
That woman... she really is sothing.
He got ready, washing up and eating breakfast. His black uniform fit him perfectly, and he threw on his dark cloak as usual.
Since Mavelard was his city, Ethan didn’t feel afraid walking around here.
Out of curiosity, he opened the guild panel. He was still registered as a mber of Sword Liberation.
During the event, Ethan had been grateful to Nuwa, Celica, Luca, and Lara for helping him. But now, he needed to honor the agreent they made before.
Ethan decided to leave Sword Liberation. Staying there would only harm the guild’s reputation —people would know them only for taking in EthanArk, not for their own achievents.
[You have left the Guild Sword Liberation!]
With that, Ethan beca a solo player again —not bound by any party or guild. Every action he took from now on carried only personal consequences.
Once he was ready, Ethan left Ashley’s private room. He opened the door to her office, but she wasn’t there.
A woman wearing the blue-and-white LionArk uniform entered to drop off so docunts.
As she passed by, she accidentally bumped into Ethan, causing the papers to scatter everywhere.
Ethan turned and saw her kneeling on the floor, "Are you okay? I’m sorry,"
"I-I’m fine, thank you, sir," the woman replied nervously.
Ethan felt bad. He crouched down and helped her pick up the scattered docunts. They were all forms waiting for Ashley’s approval as Guild Master of LionArk.
After collecting them, he helped place the stack neatly on Ashley’s desk. The woman turned and thanked him politely.
"Do you know where Ashley is?" Ethan asked.
"Miss Ashley? She’s in the hall with the officers, discussing so matters," the woman replied.
Ethan nodded. Officially, he hadn’t joined LionArk yet and had no plans to, at least not now.
But when the ti ca, he would join Ashley —and together, they would make LionArk the strongest guild in the Tower of Ascension.
Knowing where Ashley was, Ethan headed downstairs to the first floor. There, he found the hall doors closed, guarded by two LionArk mbers.
"No one but the Guild Master and the officers are allowed inside," one of them said firmly.
"You? Aren’t you EthanArk, the one on the red notice?" the other asked.
"That’s . I guess my na sounds scarier than most monsters’," Ethan replied.
"Monsters can be defeated and killed —but you can’t!" the man barked.
Ethan smiled, leaning his back against a pillar and crossing his arms, "I’m flattered to hear that."
After that, none of them spoke again. Ethan waited patiently while the guards continued their duty at the door.
Two hours later, the hall doors opened, and LionArk’s officers ca out, talking among themselves. Their chatter stopped the mont they saw Ethan.
They froze in place, eyes fixed on the red na hovering over his head. EthanArk, wanted on the Red Notice —the bright red userna and PK title were enough to make them sick.
"What’s a criminal like you doing in the honorable LionArk Guild?!" one young man shouted, glaring at him with disgust.
This kid... he’s younger than my little sister. How did he even beco an officer?
Ethan smiled, glancing at the young man’s level. He guessed Ashley must have chosen her officers based on strength, not strategy or experience.
"Level 54. Not bad," Ethan said.
"I don’t need complints from a criminal like you," the young man snapped, looking about seventeen.
"Haha!"
"The Tower of Ascension values strength and ability. No wonder you act so arrogant —your level’s higher than everyone else’s," Ethan said calmly.
"See? I really am—"
"You sure you can beat ?" Ethan interrupted.
He stretched out his hand, summoning his Bloodblade Ashura. The crimson blade struck the guild floor with a heavy impact, making everyone jump back in shock.
The sword radiated a terrifying red aura. Many officers instinctively stepped back, fear written on their faces —even the young man froze.
"W-What sword is that?" the boy stamred.
"Bloodblade Ashura," Ethan answered.
"Bloodblade Ashura? Never heard of it."
"It’s a Legendary Sword," said Ashley as she stepped out, Jill beside her.
The officers quickly bowed their heads, but Ethan remained standing, his hand still gripping the sword.
"He’s my friend," Ashley said calmly, "He ca here to complete his Class Advancent."
"Class Advancent? Wait, that ans he’s level 60?" the young man asked.
"62, actually," Ethan corrected.
"Level 62?!"
Ashley smiled, enjoying the shock on everyone’s faces. She always loved seeing how people reacted when they learned just how powerful Ethan truly was.
She walked up to him and extended her hand. "Let’s go, Ethan."
"Yeah."
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