[Player Association–President's cabin]

Player examination, regulation of dungeons, keeping the great guilds in check—these are a few of the many problems that the Player Association has to deal with. But right now, there is an even bigger problem than those things.

President Hans, an old man in a suit, slammed a document on the table and glared at the man sitting across from him.

"What’s the meaning of this, Lucien?" he asked, his voice cold and stern.

Lucien, a young man with blond hair and blue eyes, smiled craftily and leaned back on his chair. He was wearing an orange leather jacket and jeans, giving him a casual look that contrasted with the formal atmosphere of the office.

"It's as written in the document, President Hans," he replied, unfazed by the president's anger. "I want you to allow Ethan to take the player test."

Hans frowned and shook his head. "I'm sorry, but that is not possible," he said firmly.

"Why not?" Lucien asked, pretending to be innocent.

"Because we can't allow a member of Echleon to take the player test," Hans said firmly.

Lucien chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. "No, no, you must have missed the important part. Ethan is not a member of Echleon anymore. He left it yesterday."

Hans looked at Lucien with disbelief. He knew that Lucien was cunning. He also knew that Lucien was not here to make a simple request. He was here to make a deal.

"I'm sorry, but even if he left the guild, we still can't allow him to take the examination," Hans said, trying to sound reasonable. "If we do, it will give a valid reason for Echleon to act, and I can't let that happen."

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Lucien nodded and sighed. "Okay, fine, I understand," he said, making Hans think that he had given up.

But then he added, "However, have you heard that recently, the Griffin League attacked Ethan? And that this can also be a valid reason for us to act?"

Hans felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that Lucien was not bluffing. He remembered why he was once one of the most wanted S-rank players in the world. He had the power and was cunning enough to start a war between the great guilds.

"If it is about that incident, then we will punish the Griffin League properly. There is no need for Echleon to act," Hans said in a serious tone, hoping to appease Lucien.

"You are taking too much time to get to the main point," Lucien heard an aloof voice and turned his head to the side.

There, sitting on a couch, was a young man with black hair and red eyes. He was wearing a hooded cloak that covered most of his body, but his aura was unmistakable. He was Ethan, the former Echleon member and the target of the Griffin League.

Ethan looked at Lucien with boredom and said bluntly, "Just tell him the truth."

Lucien nodded and turned his head back to Hans. He looked at him with serious eyes and said, "Do you want to bring the great guilds down?"

Hans felt a surge of fear and confusion. He didn't understand what Lucien was talking about.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

Lucien leaned forward and lowered his voice.

"It's just as I said. If you let Ethan take the player examination, he will help you in bringing them to their end?"

Hans swallowed hard and thought to himself. He has heard about Ethan’s achievements and also believed that he was capable of doing so, but still, there, one question remains.

"Why would he do so?" Hans asked.

“Do you know about Mark’s condition?” Lucien asked, his voice full of concern.

“Yes, I know.” Hans replied, his brow furrowing. “Isn’t his health unusually bad, and he can’t stay outside for long?”

“That’s right. Do you think it’s natural?” Lucien pressed, his eyes narrowing.

“What? What do you mean?” Hans asked, feeling confused.

Lucien glanced at Ethan before continuing the explanation. “We found some special herbs in a dungeon, and when we researched about them, we discovered that they would increase the players’ mana but weaken their body. And we wondered what their effect on a normal human would be and eventually reached the conclusion that Mark’s disease is not natural.”

He paused and looked at Hans with a serious expression. “How can you be so sure?” Hans asked, his voice trembling.

"Mark's body started showing such symptoms after his 6th birthday," Ethan said, his voice filled with pain and anger. "and on his 6th birthday, a party was held where members of other guilds also came."

"We have started to prepare the cure for him and will be done by next year. But since they tried to harm a family member of our team, we decided to take action against them. However, Ethan wants to deal with them himself," Lucien added.

"Originally I had no intention of getting involved in this as I was sure that Commander would heal my brother and make them pay for their deeds but since they tried to attack me, since they dared to hurt my little brother they should be prepared to get destroyed."

Ethan raised his head and looked at Hans with a cold and ruthless expression.

"Now, whether they get wiped out slowly by a player or face direct annihilation at the hands of the Team Zero's leader is up to you."

Hans swallowed hard as he looked at his eyes filled with bloodlust. He understood his words. If he did not allow him to take the test, then Echleon would take action.

"Okay, I will allow you to take the test," Hans said even though he knew that a big change is about to come.