CHAPTER 91: STARRY SNOWFIELD

If what that man said was true, then there was a chance the Star Essence of the top ten guilds was stored in Uruk City, well guarded inside its strong defenses.

In this situation, Ethan had to act fast and make the right choice. He had to do two things —save Leni and Luna from Arkan City, then head north toward Uruk City.

Ethan went silent for a moment, taking slow breaths in and out. His mind was running wild, unsure what he should do first.

"Al right. I guess I don’t have any other choice," Ethan muttered.

"Seraphelis."

[Mode Aggressive Soul Servant Activated]

[Seraphelis (Lv.500) || SSSR Rank || Passive → Aggressive || 10,000 MP]

A chibi form of Seraphelis floated before him. Ethan squinted his eyes as a bright golden light shone from her small body.

The light slowly faded, revealing Seraphelis in her adult form. Her eyes opened wide, glowing gold.

"Hello, Ethan."

"Sera... I need your help."

Ethan told Seraphelis everything. She listened carefully, nodded, then cleared her throat softly.

She said she could fly across the forest skies, which would make her travel from the central area to the southern forest much faster — around five or six hours.

Seraphelis clearly understood Ethan’s command. He told her to go to Arkan City and save Leni, Luna, and Hissy.

Everyone from the Northern Guild Alliance would attack the city and slaughter every player there just to find EthanArk and Sword Liberation.

If every member of LionArk died, they would surely fail, and Mavelard City would fall into Silver Star’s hands.

But if even one member survived, LionArk wouldn’t be considered a total failure.

That was why Ethan sent Seraphelis south to rescue Leni, Luna, and Hissy. Leni had to be saved —she was strong, the leader of LionArk, and the holder of their Star Essence.

Everything Ethan remembered, Sera remembered too, because she was bound to him as her master. That made it easier for Ethan to coordinate with her.

Before she left, Ethan asked Seraphelis to take Leni and the others to a small cave in the eastern forest, just before Uruk City.

It would be a safe hiding place for them until Ethan could gather all the Star Essence.

Seraphelis understood her mission well. She said goodbye and rose into the air. In an instant, a golden flash shot across the forest sky toward the south.

Ethan nodded quietly and turned his body north, ready to begin his final mission —to strike Uruk City and take all the Star Essence there.

Seraphelis and Ethan went in opposite directions, but they would meet again in the eastern forest cave, just as Ethan planned.

He leaped from branch to branch, moving swiftly through the forest. The travel felt fast and fluid.

He didn’t encounter many players on his way, only a few monsters wandering about.

It wasn’t surprising —most players were likely focusing their attacks to the south, toward Arkan City.

Ethan stopped atop one of the tallest trees. In the distance, he could see a Divine Altar, but not Uruk City itself.

It looks like the trip to Uruk will take longer than I thought. I’ll have to give up resting if I want to make it there in time.

Taking a deep breath, Ethan jumped forward again, continuing from branch to branch.

He saw a few Star Essence monsters along the way, but he ignored them.

Fighting would only waste MP and time —both things he couldn’t afford to lose right now.

He spent the rest of the day moving through the forest, staying alert as the sun began to fade.

***

Six Days Before the Event Ends.

Northern Forest Region.

Ethan stopped when he reached the northernmost line of trees, where snow piled thick on every branch. The northern region was locked in winter, unlike the warmer south.

But why would they choose the north? That was something Ethan couldn’t understand.

Ahead of him, he saw Uruk City surrounded by tall stone walls. Players were guarding the southern gate and several soldiers stood watch on top of the walls.

If the Star Essence was really here, then it must be hidden somewhere secret.

Ethan took a slow breath and exhaled deeply. He dropped down from the tree, landing heavily on the snow-covered ground.

The sound echoed in the still air, catching the guards’ attention.

They turned their eyes toward him and froze —a man stepped out of the forest alone, wearing a black cloak and mask.

The name floating above his head made everyone tense up. They knew exactly who he was.

"That’s... EthanArk!"

"EthanArk?! Wait, how is he here?" one of the players shouted in panic.

Ethan kept walking through the snow, holding Bloodblade Ashura firmly in his right hand.

His focus was locked straight ahead, watching two players tremble in fear as they faced him.

"W-What... do you want?" one of the gate guards asked.

Ethan stopped. The silence around them grew heavy. His hood fluttered in the cold wind as snowflakes landed on his shoulders and head.

"I came... to take the Star Essence."

Both guards tightened their grips on their swords, hands shaking as they pointed them at Ethan.

The event didn’t allow direct communication between guild members, which meant they had no choice but to fight Ethan or flee and die trying.

Without another word, Ethan swung his sword sideways. A wave of force exploded, throwing both guards aside with deep wounds.

They groaned in pain, trying to stand, but the damage was fatal. Ethan stood still, tilting his head slightly as he watched them.

"I’ll let you live... if you tell me where the Star Essence is."

"We won’t. Better to die than betray our guild," one of them said.

Ethan smirked, then struck them down. He killed both without hesitation.

Their bodies vanished, leaving behind no Star Essence. That confused Ethan for a moment.

But there were more players from different guilds inside the city. He stepped toward the gates and slowly pushed them open.

The southern gates creaked as the man in black entered, surrounded by a crimson aura that felt heavy and terrifying.

Players all around the city froze. They never imagined Ethan would appear in Uruk City —to them, he should have been fighting in the south with his team.

Ethan stopped in the middle of the main street, glancing around. Dozens of players surrounded him from all directions.

They were afraid, but they had no choice. If they ran, Ethan would kill them and take their Star Essence anyway.

If they fought, they would die all the same. It was a no-win situation.

"So," Ethan said, his voice firm, "will you stand there doing nothing, or will we fight?"

Amid the tense silence, a woman stepped forward. She wore white-gray robes, graceful and stunning.

She walked up to Ethan, holding her guild’s Star Essence. She was from the White Snow Guild.

"If I give you this Star Essence," she asked, "will you let me go?"

Ethan didn’t speak — he only nodded. The woman hesitated, but finally handed it over.

[Event of a Thousand Stars]

[Team Name: Sword Liberation]

[Rank: 1]

[Star Essence: 260,021]

[Congratulations, you’ve reached first place in the Event of a Thousand Stars]

Ethan looked at the numbers rising fast, surpassing Redemption Sword’s total. But it felt too easy —as if there was another reason behind her surrender.

"Congratulations, EthanArk."

"Now everyone knows you’re in Uruk City," the woman said.

"Activate the teleportation spell!" she shouted.

Ethan froze, narrowing his eyes as bright pillars of light began to appear all over the city.

This is bad! Are they summoning everyone here?!

The light grew stronger, forming magic circles across Uruk City. One by one, the leaders of the top ten guilds appeared —Gilgamesh, Alan, Kevin, and the rest.

Their goal was clear: to kill EthanArk.

Ethan’s eyes widened. He tried to leap back and escape, but Alan and Kevin moved fast, blocking the southern gate.

"I’m impressed," Gilgamesh said, clapping slowly, "I knew I had to make this plan —because you’re too clever for your own good."

Can I contact Sera? Can I call her here?

I should be able to... we’re connected by the Soul Servant bond. She’ll hear me if I call.

"All right," Ethan said quietly, "What do you want from me?"

"Bloodblade Ashura," Gilgamesh said with a cold smile, "and every Star Essence you own."