Ethan zipped up his black bag and looked around his room. It had been a week since he came back to his family mansion, but he felt like he didn’t belong here.

He had spent most of his time playing with his little brother, who was fascinated by his stories of his and his team adventures in dungeons and visited his father in the hospital, who was nearly recovered from his disease. He had also explored the city, looking for some dungeons to enter, but he didn’t find any that matched his level. He was itching to go back to his own place, where he could train and hunt as he pleased.

He heard a knock on the door and saw the butler enter. “Young master, are you sure you want to go back so soon?” the butler asked with a worried expression.

Ethan nodded and lifted his bag. “Yes, Bennet. I have to. I can’t stay here any longer.”

“But you should wait for a few more days. Master will be discharged by then. He would like to see you off.” Bennet suggested.

“It’s okay, Bennet. I’ve checked that he is alright. He knows I have to go.” Ethan said.

“As you wish, young master. Let me bring the driver.” Bennet said, bowing slightly.

“No, it’s okay. I’ll go by myself.” Ethan said, wanting to avoid any more fuss.

“What? But… at least let me escort you.” Bennet insisted.

“Okay, fine. But hurry up. I don’t want to miss my flight.” Ethan said, walking out of the room.

Soon, they entered the black car. Ethan sat in the back and Bennet on the driver seat. He started the engine and drove away from the mansion. Ethan looked out of the window and saw the familiar sights of the city. He felt a pang of nostalgia but also a sense of relief.

They left the city and arrived on the deserted road. The area was in ruin because of a gate break, which had occurred many years ago. Bennet remembered the day when the monsters poured out of the gate and wreaked havoc on the nearby towns and villages. He was one of the survivors who managed to escape with his daughter and wife due to his master’s help. He is still grateful to his master for that day and wanted to help him reconcile with his son.

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He stole a quick glance at Ethan through the rearview mirror and spoke in a trembling voice.

"...Young master, I still think you should stay here for a few more days." He hesitated, searching for the right words that would not offend Ethan. "I know it is not my place to say this, but I think Master and Madam has realized their mistakes and they want to reconcile with you so I think you should also try to give them a chance."

Bennet did not hear any response from Ethan, so he looked back only to find him looking out of the window uninterested in the conversation.

Bennet sighed, feeling the tension in the air and increased the speed of the car.

"I know,” Ethan finally said after a few moments of silence. He sounded weary and resigned.

“I know they want to reconcile and have realized their mistakes. And it’s not like I don’t understand them. It’s just that I still feel uncomfortable in that city, among those people.”

"And I also..." He paused as if he wanted to say something more, but before he could continue, he was interrupted by a sudden killing intent.

He immediately ordered the butler.

"Bennet use mana shield."

'Boom'

A barrage of fireballs rained down from the sky, hitting the car with explosive force. The car spun out of control, flipping over several times before crashing into a demolished building.

---------

[Griffin Guild]

Griffin Guild was one of the seven great guilds in the world. They had a fierce rivalry with Phoenix guild for the control of Gradion City. So when they heard that Norman, the leader of Phoenix guild, had been poisoned by mana, they were overjoyed. All of them, except for their guildmaster, Stephen.

"Guildmaster, why did you call us here?" A young man with brown hair and a slender body asked respectfully. He was Brock, the leader of one of the rising teams of Griffin Guild.

"I have a mission for you and your team, Brock." Stephen said, handing him a photograph.

"What is it, sir?" Hans looked at the photograph and gasped. "Sir, isn't this Ethan Ryoko?"

"Yes, it is. He is leaving Gradion City tomorrow and heading back to his base. You have to ambush him on the way and kill him."

"But sir, won't this cause trouble with the Echleon?" Brock asked nervously. He knew that Ethan Ryoko was a team leader of one of the teams of Echelon organization.

"No, it won't. As long as you make sure there are no witnesses or traces left behind." Stephen said coldly.

"But sir, why do we have to kill him? He is just an awakened, right? He hasn't even registered as a player yet. What threat does he pose to us?" A member of Brock's team asked curiously.

"That's exactly why we have to kill him. Because he is not a player yet." Stephen said, narrowing his eyes.

"Why?" Brock asked, feeling a chill in his spine.

"Do you know why everyone in Gradion City avoids him?" Stephen asked.

"Isn't it because he is a ruthless and arrogant bastard who does whatever he wants?" Brock said, recalling the rumors he had heard about Ethan Ryoko.

"No, that's not the main reason. There is something else, something that only a few people have seen with their own eyes." Stephen said, lowering his voice. "Something that makes him more dangerous than any player in the world."

"... what is it , sir?" Brock noticed a subtle fear in Stephen's eyes and asked nervously.

"It's nothing. All you have to do is kill him as soon as possible." Stephen instructed them.

"Okay, sir." Brock understood his intentions and did not ask anything more.

After discussing a plan with Stephen, he took his team and left to find Ethan.