"It was just like any other day. Young master was coming home from school but on his way few people abducted him." Butler said.

"Wait a minute. You mean boss was kidnapped once?" Leo exclaimed, his eyes wide with shock.

Butler nodded in silence, unable to speak more.

"But wouldn't he have bodyguards?" Hector asked, frowning.

"He found it irritating when people constantly monitored him. So he didn't always take them with him." Norman intervened, his tone apologetic.

"What happened after that? How did you all manage to save Leader?" Mia butted in, her voice full of curiosity and concern.

"When young master didn't reach home on time, Madam quickly contacted Master and went out to search for him. She was frantic with worry, calling everyone she knew for help." Butler said.

"I tried my best to find him, but we didn't get any clue. So I went to Hans for help." Norman said, his face grim.

"When Norman and Wanda came to the association, I quickly instructed my members to find Ethan. Luckily, at that time, Gorgon and Stephen were also there. Stephen used the Griffin influence and found the location of Ethan's kidnappers." Hans said.

Stolen novel; please report.

"So Griffin's guildmaster had once helped you?" Leo asked, his eyebrows raised.

"Yes, although the situation was different then. We weren't on that much enmity and he didn't consider us a big threat." Norman said, his voice bitter.

"What happened then? Did you find boss?" Leo asked, his voice eager.

"Yes. We did. We reached the given location, but what we saw there I still can't forget it." Hans said, his voice low and shaky.

"It was a gruesome sight. When we arrived, Ethan was surrounded by the lifeless bodies of his kidnappers. His eyes glowed with an eerie intensity, and his young face was smeared with blood. His clothes were torn, and his small hands were stained red. He looked like a demon." Norman recounted, his voice tinged with both regret and concern.

"I still remember how he tried to call me with innocent and tearful eyes as he approached me. But instead of rushing at him and consoling him, I...l. instinctively stepped back, scared of his bizarre look." Norman said. His eyes were downcast and filled with guilt.

"After that incident, young master became completely cold. He must've also noticed the fear in everyone's eyes as they looked at him," Butler added, his gaze filled with sadness.

The group sat in thoughtful silence, processing the harrowing events that unfolded in Ethan's life.

"Few days went on, Commander Gorgon came and offered Ethan to join Echleon." Norman said.

"Why did you recruit captain to Echleon sir?" Hector asked Gorgon.

"Yes. I also want to ask the same thing. Why did you recruit him when he was just a child?" Hans added.

"Because if I hadn't then he would have never been able to live a proper life." Gorgan answered.

"What do you mean, sir?" Leo asked.

"Because wherever Ethan went in the city he would meet with the same scared eyes and even staying with us sometimes would have reminded him of that incident and our cowardice." Norman explained.

"Now I think I should continue the rest of the story." Gorgan said.

"Are there more incidents in boss's life?" Leo asked.

"No, but you should also listen to how he overcame everything and became what he is today." Gorgan said.

"Okay. Please continue." Leo asked.

Gorgan cleared his throat and continued.

"First let me tell you what could've happened there. The kidnappers must've tried to force Ethan but he was not someone to backdown easily and would've tried to fight back. He must've awakened his abilities in the conflict and fought them off."

"What I found there was neither a demon nor a potential player but just a child struggling with himself. And I decided to help him." Gorgan said.

He started telling them the rest of the story with calm voice and nostalgic tone.