***
Five days later.
The central region of the forest.
Ethan and Luna walked together, leaving the western part of the forest. Now, they had arrived at the central region.
Besides the digital map that showed it, Ethan could tell the difference in monster levels and how active the players were.
The central area was closer to both the southern and northern regions, making it a busy zone for players who lived in the two nearby cities.
To travel east or west, a guild team needed a lot of supplies. It cost gold, ti, and could even risk their lives.
That was why Ethan didn’t run into a single player in the far west—everyone was too focused on the central zone.
Ethan stopped moving when he faintly heard the sound of tal clashing and magic explosions. He quickly hid behind a tree and spotted a group of guild players fighting a Star Essence monster.
He could see them clearly, especially the blue sword-shaped badges they wore.
It seed like they were players from Arkan City.
"What should we do?" Luna asked nervously.
"We won’t attack them. We’re heading north."
Luna nodded. Her hand was still tightly held by Ethan’s. Ethan had already promised not to kill players from the southern region.
His goal had changed—he would go north to hunt Star Essences until he reached Uruk City.
If Leni’s information about the Northern Guild Alliance was true, then Uruk City was where they had set up their base and planned their strategies.
Ethan moved quickly, with Luna following behind.
They were entering another area, one controlled by different players.
Ethan had to stay alert, making sure not to get into a fight too early.
He needed to get into Uruk City and observe the situation there himself. Only then could he decide what strategy to use against them.
They traveled from the central region until they reached an open field, where a round altar stood in the middle—like a place for worship.
From that altar, Ethan faintly saw golden light orbs gathering around it.
There were so many that he couldn’t tell what they ant.
Curious, Ethan stepped closer to the altar. The mont he did, a blue panel suddenly appeared in front of him.
[Welco to the Divine Altar]
[Rest and relax. It can restore HP and MP]
[No fighting allowed in this area!]
Not only did his sword vanish, but his servant disappeared as well.
Ethan ca in unard, and Luna followed beside him.
It seed that many people from Uruk City already knew about this place.
Ethan turned his head and saw many players sitting and relaxing near the divine altar.
The recovery of HP and MP worked by receiving the golden orbs that floated toward them.
Just by staying still and not moving, a person could absorb those golden orbs.
Ethan let out a small laugh. He had thought the divine altar was so kind of sacred place with great power, but it was just another recovery base—similar to a base tower in tournants.
It was useless for him anyway, since both his HP and MP were already full and hadn’t gone down at all.
He and Luna decided to leave the place, even though Ethan hadn’t sat down for more than five minutes.
Among the many players there, a woman kept watching him.
Ethan’s appearance—black hooded cloak and white mask—easily caught her attention.
"EthanArk? I think I’ve heard that na before," she murmured.
Ethan and Luna walked away from the Divine Altar, and though the woman went in a different direction, she was determined to find out who he was.
She wouldn’t return to the city until she learned the truth about EthanArk.
Inside the forest, Ethan suddenly stopped, realizing that soone was following him.
He turned around and looked back. There was nothing but trees in sight, but he was certain soone was tailing him.
"Who’s there?" Ethan asked firmly.
His sharp tone scared Luna, who imdiately hid behind him. He stretched his left arm to the side to shield her.
There was no reply. Ethan narrowed his eyes. Sothing felt off about this forest.
"Hissy."
Hissy slithered out from Ethan’s sleeve. He whispered a command, and the snake obeyed instantly, crawling along the ground to search for whoever was following them.
"Having a Viper pet with a high rank... you’re not an ordinary man, Mr. EthanArk."
Ethan flinched in surprise. He gripped his sword and swung it hard behind him, keeping Luna safe.
Right in front of him stood a woman wearing a tight white-and-gold mage gown.
For a split second, Ethan’s eyes were distracted by her chest before he quickly refocused.
"You—?"
The abbreviation displayed on her title was SCH, with a familiar emblem. It was from the Sacred Hall Guild.
"Sacred Hall? The mage guild," Ethan said flatly.
He pushed the black-haired woman back hard, and she gasped—realizing Ethan’s strength was far beyond what she expected.
"You seem to know us, Ethan," she said.
"Of course. Every mage dreams of joining Sacred Hall."
"Unfortunately, I’m not a mage," Ethan replied.
"So, what do you want from ?"
The woman smiled, dismissing her staff, and tried to act friendly.
Seeing that, Ethan lowered his sword and allowed Hissy to return to his arm.
"I’ve seen your na on the mission bulletin," she said.
"You’re always on the red notice list."
"Thanks for noticing. Should I feel touched or sad about that?" Ethan asked.
"Haha! You should be proud," she replied.
"And after learning I’m a PK, what will you do?"
"Oh, wait a minute... are you planning to plant a Heaven Detection spell on my body?" Ethan asked, guessing.
The woman froze in shock. She hadn’t expected Ethan to see through her plan.
Heaven Detection magic could activate even on projected bodies and stay linked to the original caster.
With that spell, Ethan’s movents would be easily tracked by her and Sacred Hall.
"You’re a warrior... how do you even know about that?" she asked.
"You think I’m a rookie?"
"Who are you really, sir?" the woman asked.
Ethan smiled slightly, his face hidden behind the white mask. He glanced at Luna, silently signaling her to close her eyes and ears, not to see or hear anything.
She understood completely, stepping near a tree trunk and covering her face with her hands.
Ethan turned forward—and in a flash of red, he moved right in front of the Sacred Hall mage.
The woman was shocked, completely caught off guard by his speed.
She quickly summoned her staff, but Ethan drew his Bloodblade Ashura.
Before she could finish chanting a spell, Ethan swung sideways—cutting off her right hand.
"AAHHH!" she scread in pain.
Ethan grabbed her staff with his left hand. Without it, a mage or priest was nearly powerless.
"G-Give that back—"
PUNCH!
Ethan dashed forward, punching her stomach and face before slamming her hard onto the ground. She groaned in pain.
Standing above her, Ethan stared down through his white mask.
Slowly, he pressed his blade into her abdon, making her whimper.
He covered her mouth with his left hand, signaling her to stay quiet.
"I won’t kill you if you co with . How about it?" Ethan asked.
The woman had lost all hope. She quickly nodded, agreeing to follow him wherever he went.
In the end, she beca Ethan’s prisoner.
Ethan pulled out his sword and sheathed it, then helped her stand.
"Luna."
Luna opened her eyes and saw the woman beaten and badly hurt.
"Take that magic staff and get rid of her hand," Ethan ordered.
The girl turned toward the golden staff lying on the ground. Though a little frightened, she obeyed.
"Now, you’re coming with , mage."
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