***

Six days later.

[Notification!]

[The event will end precisely at 12:00 PM.]

[Current Core Crystal Rankings:]

[1. LionArk || 64 Core Crystals]

[2. Sword Legend || 55 Core Crystals]

[3. Avalon || 35 Core Crystals]

The notification panel did not appear only before Ethan. It appeared before the leaders of every remaining city.

It was 9:00 in the morning.

Three hours remained before the event would officially conclude.

Laura did not receive the notification panel. However, since she was standing close to Ethan, she was able to read the information reflected in his interface.

"Sword Legend is the leader of the Archipelago Alliance. Their Core Crystal count is almost rivaling ours," Laura said firmly.

"Are we going to be alright?"

Ethan turned toward her and offered a reassuring smile. He calmly explained that LionArk would be fine.

When noon arrived, the Core Crystal rankings would not change significantly. That meant LionArk would secure victory.

"Don’t worry. We’ll be fine."

Laura nodded. She had never doubted Ethan’s judgment. If he believed the situation was under control, then she trusted that everything truly was safe.

The two of them were chatting casually in the front courtyard of the Town Center when one of their guild members hurried toward them.

The Town Center gates opened.

Ethan dismissed the notification panel and shifted his attention forward.

"Greetings, Sir Ethan. Ms. Yuna from Sacred Hall has come to visit," the man reported.

She was not alone. Yuna had arrived with her male aide.

Ethan immediately stood up. Laura followed him.

Together, they walked toward the front gate to greet Yuna and her companion.

Initially, Ethan had not expected Yuna to come in order to strengthen his Core Crystal count.

But seeing how close the rankings were, and how easily Sword Legend could overtake them, he could not deny that Sacred Hall’s crystals would guarantee LionArk’s position.

"Hello, Ethan," Yuna greeted softly.

Ethan smiled at her, then acknowledged the male aide standing beside her. After escorting them inside, the guild member returned to his post at the western gate.

"You’ve seen the updated rankings, Ethan?" Yuna asked.

He nodded. "Yes."

"What do you think?"

Ethan glanced at her briefly before looking straight ahead again.

"Everything is fine. I’m confident there won’t be any significant changes."

"No. You’re wrong, Ethan."

Her answer surprised him.

Yuna summoned Sacred Hall’s Core Crystals. Twenty-two of them floated in her grasp, glowing faintly.

"You protected our city. You ensured my safety and the survival of my guild on the game continent. I cannot offer much. But perhaps our Core Crystals can help you," Yuna explained.

Ethan fell silent.

His eyes shifted toward the male aide standing beside her.

Yuna noticed the direction of his gaze and spoke again.

"You don’t need to worry. I’ve already discussed this with them. They all agreed."

"This is the most realistic plan we have to support you," the aide added. "All of us are willing to give up our Core Crystals."

Ethan remained quiet for several seconds, unsure how to respond.

Yet Yuna continued holding out the crystals, her expression steady and resolute.

"You’re... certain?"

"I am. And I believe our Guild Leader will understand our decision," Yuna replied.

Ethan thought carefully.

If he refused, Sword Legend might still close the gap. If he accepted, LionArk’s victory would become absolute.

Friend becomes enemy. Enemy becomes ally.

After a long pause, Ethan finally reached out and accepted the Core Crystals.

The moment ownership transferred, blue light enveloped Yuna and her aide.

Their teleportation had begun.

"Thank you, Yuna," Ethan said sincerely.

Yuna smiled, tears gathering in her eyes.

"Of course. Thank you as well... for many things, Ethan."

"Let’s meet again in—"

Before she could finish her sentence, the teleportation activated fully.

Yuna, her aide, and every member of Sacred Hall were transported out of the event world and returned to the main game continent.

The system panel appeared before Ethan once more.

[Congratulations, you have obtained a Core Crystal!]

[Total Core Crystals: 86] [+22]

[City Ranking: 1st]

Ethan narrowed his eyes slightly, then lifted his head to look at the clear, cloudless sky.

"Friends become enemies. Enemies become friends. This event has taught me many lessons," he said quietly.

Laura listened carefully.

She, too, had never imagined that Sacred Hall would be the one to support LionArk. Once, they had been enemies under Redemption Sword’s alliance.

But everything that happened during this event had gone far beyond Laura’s expectations.

Star Shield had been destroyed.

The Trident Sea had betrayed their allies.

Sacred Hall had joined LionArk.

"Nothing went according to plan. But that’s war. Nothing ever truly goes according to plan," Laura said.

Ethan nodded slowly.

"You’re right, Laura."

They returned to the pavilion in the front courtyard of the Town Center and waited.

Three hours passed without incident.

No unexpected attacks.

No last-minute reversals.

When noon finally arrived, the notification panel appeared again, this time with a different message.

[The event has ended.]

[Congratulations to the top three Core Crystal rankings.]

[1. LionArk || 86 Core Crystals]

[2. Sword Legend || 55 Core Crystals]

[3. Avalon || 35 Core Crystals]

"It’s finally... over," Ethan said, releasing a long breath of relief.

[Congratulations to LionArk as the event champion.]

[Guild LionArk is entitled to receive the following rewards:]

[25 Epic–Legendary Tier Weapon Chests || 25 Epic–Legendary Tier Equipment Set Chests || 25,000 EXP for each team member || 10,000,000 Gold || 500,000 Contribution Points]

Five hundred thousand Contribution Points.

Combined with LionArk’s existing contribution total, they would at least secure a top-three ranking among guilds on the continent.

The reward panel appeared not only before Ethan but before every member of LionArk.

Cheers erupted across the Town Center.

Excitement. Relief. Joy.

Twenty-five thousand EXP alone was significant. But the weapon and equipment chests were even more valuable.

If luck favored them, they might obtain Legendary-tier gear.

"Ethan! Look! I got the chest and the EXP!"

"That’s good," Ethan replied with a faint smile.

He, too, received the same reward chests.

But he was already considering giving his share to someone else.

Blue light began to shine around them.

Within seconds, every remaining participant from LionArk was teleported out of the event world and back to the main game continent.

The event was over.

But Ethan understood something clearly.

A far greater responsibility awaited him.

He would need to prepare himself.

Because next time... he might have to stand against everyone.