[Meeting Hall]

As Gorgon unveiled the truth about the universe and Ethan, a wave of disbelief swept through the room. Eyes widened in shock, and murmurs of astonishment filled the air. How could Ethan be one of Abbys's egos? The revelation hung heavy in the room, casting doubt and uncertainty over everything they thought they knew.

"Are you alright?" Emily asked softly, her voice filled with concern as she noticed Ethan's pale and shaken expression. It was as if he had just witnessed a ghostly revelation.

"Let's continue watching," Hans suggested, his voice steady despite the shock lingering in the room. He hoped that there might be some clarification, some resolution to this bewildering revelation.

"The dungeon function was a last resort, a desperate measure to counter the threat of Abbys's egos," Gorgon continued solemnly. "It would create dungeons in any world suspected of harboring an ego. These dungeons served a dual purpose: awakening the dormant power within the inhabitants and registering them as potential guardians against the demons. Ultimately, the goal was to empower the inhabitants to confront the demons directly or to detect the presence of the egos themselves."

"The dungeons and the monsters you face are not mere challenges; they are the remnants of worlds destroyed by Abbys and his followers," Gorgon explained gravely. "Their presence may have stirred a sense of familiarity within you, a connection to the darkness that lurks within. And Agroth, the formidable adversary you encountered in the Labyrinth, was merely an avatar—a manifestation of the true Agroth, one of the original Demons created by Abbys himself."

"Now, allow me to shed light on myself, as well as Lucien," Gorgon continued. "Given the system's limitations in detecting the egos, the Gods appointed seven individuals to serve as guardians, tasked with tracking down these elusive entities. I had the honor of being one of those guardians."

"In the beginning, I was a teacher in my original world, content with my role. However, when I was chosen as one of the guardians, my life took a drastic turn. I embarked on a journey, traversing planets and worlds in search of any trace of an ego. It was during one of these journeys that I encountered Lucien on a distant planet. Despite his noble upbringing, he was a rebel at heart, known for his mischievous nature and defiance of authority."

"Upon arriving in your world, I was confronted with the horrors inflicted by the rampaging monsters. Witnessing the devastation and suffering of the people, I felt a surge of compassion and determination. In response, I resolved to establish an organization dedicated to their protection. Thus, Echelon was conceived, with the noble purpose of safeguarding the innocent and combating the forces of darkness."

"One day, I had an urgent matter to discuss with Hans when your father rushed in, pleading for help. Intrigued by the urgency of his plea, I followed him, eager to offer assistance and support in any way I could."

"But when I arrived, my instincts as a guardian immediately sensed that I had found an ego. Yet, my heart as a teacher ached for the lonely and tormented child standing before me."

"And I made a choice to help you. However, in order to do so, I had to sacrifice my powers as a guardian."

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"I had placed a seal on you to shield you from the other guardians and the system’s detection. However, now that I’m gone from this world, that seal will soon fade away. There's a great possibility that he will come for you."

"Zenith, the leader of the guardians, is the pinnacle of magic. He is far stronger than you can imagine. Therefore, I hope you will avoid him."

"In conclusion, aiding you was the most profound choice I've ever made. Therefore, heed my final directive: Live. Regardless of the trials ahead, cling to life with unwavering determination. Let the flame of your existence burn bright, illuminating the path to a future forged in resilience and hope."

As the video concluded, all eyes turned to Ethan, their expressions a mosaic of curiosity, apprehension, and empathy. They hung on his every movement, silently probing for glimpses of his inner turmoil, wondering what thoughts churned behind his mask of composure, and what course of action he would chart in the wake of such profound revelations.

"No matter whether you are related to the Abyss or you are a demon, I know only one thing: you are my son. My son whom I'm very proud of," Norman said, his voice warm and reassuring.

"Don't dwell on it too much. Didn't you hear what Commander Gorgon instructed you to do? Are you going to disobey him?" Emily chimed in, her smile teasing yet supportive.

"They are right. Lucien sacrificed himself to save you, so you must honor his sacrifice by living," Andrew added, his expression serious and resolute.

"Well, I would also suggest the same. Gorgon and Lucien gave their lives for you, so you must live on for them," Hans said, his smile gentle yet earnest.

"Yes, young master," Trevor echoed, his tone solemn, reflecting the gravity of the situation.

"Don't worry, I won't disobey his last command," Ethan replied, taking a deep breath to steady himself.

"Good. Now let's move to our second agenda," Norman said, his voice firm and serious, indicating the shift in focus.

"Yes, we need to discuss how to deal with the Demon Guild, the Beast Guild, and the Mage Tower," Emily added, addressing the pressing matters at hand.

"First, the Mage Tower. Mr. Trevor, you were once one of the heads of it. Can you tell us a little about it?" Ethan asked, turning to Trevor, seeking his expertise on the matter.

"Okay. On the outside, it may look like an education facility for mages, but in reality, all the students and members are brainwashed slowly into blindly following the orders of the Elder Head," Trevor disclosed, shedding light on the sinister workings of the Mage Tower.

“You can leave Mage Tower to us,” Hans reassured, his demeanor exuding confidence and composure, instilling a sense of trust in their capabilities.

"Are you sure?" Emily interjected, her concern palpable. She understood the formidable challenges posed by the heavily guarded and fortified Mage Tower, contemplating the risks involved in such a mission.

"Yes," Hans affirmed, his tone resolute.

"Trust us, we've got this," Andrew chimed in with unwavering confidence.

"Okay then, let's turn our attention to the Beast Guild," Ethan suggested, smoothly transitioning to the next agenda item.

Thud Thud.

Their discussion was abruptly halted by a series of urgent knocks on the door. Emily hurried to answer it, finding a messenger standing outside, clearly distressed. He thrust an envelope into her hand, panting heavily.

"This is for Ethan," he gasped out. "It's from the Beast Guild. It's urgent."

Emily nodded, her heart racing as she took the envelope. She closed the door and quickly tore it open, her eyes scanning the contents with growing concern. What she read filled her with a mixture of shock and anger.

"What is it?" Ethan inquired, noticing the seriousness in Emily's expression.

Emily handed him the envelope and explained, "It's an invitation from the Beast Guild for their upcoming tournament. They're requesting you to attend as their guest of honor. They've also mentioned a special prize awaiting you if you emerge victorious."

Ethan looked at the envelope and saw the logo of the Beast Guild, a roaring lion with a crown. He opened it and read the invitation. It was written in a bold and arrogant style, with a lot of taunts and insults. It said:

Dear Ethan,

We are honored to invite you to our annual tournament, where the finest warriors compete for glory and honor. We have heard a lot about you and your achievements, and we are impressed by your skills and reputation. We respect you as a fellow fighter, and we would like to have you as our guest of honor.

As our guest of honor, you will have the privilege of sitting beside our guildmaster, Raon. He is eager to greet you and share his insights with you. He also has a special gift for you as a token of his appreciation. He will give it to you when you meet him. Trust us, you will be delighted by this gesture.

The tournament will take place in two weeks, at our headquarters in the Beast Mountain. You can bring your friends and family to accompany you and watch the tournament with you. We will provide you with accommodation and entertainment. We will also send you a map and directions to our location.

We hope you accept our invitation and join us for this thrilling event. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Sincerely,

The Beast Guild