Chapter 31 - Problem

When the gears descended from the sky a heavy silence fell over the group of Invited. Their eyes lingered on the gleaming armor and shimmering weapons, their hearts torn between desire and revulsion.

Ryan's smiled as he stared at the gear before him. He need this powerful Gears to aid him in his next quest.

The cost didn't weighed much on his conscience. He could justify the bloodshed required to claim such treasures. After all, he is from the elites. And its normal for the elites to stomp on those above him.

Ethan's gaze flickered between the gear and the faces of his companions, a cold smile appeared in his face.

After receiving the Gears, Ethan, Irene, and Ryan exchanged glances, their expressions devoid of any hint of remorse or conflict.

Silent understanding passed between them, a silent acknowledgment of the sacrifices they had made and would continue to make.

They now prepared for the next ahead.

After crossing the bridge, they all walked through the forest and set up a small camp. The area shrouded in thick fog had now dissipated, allowing them to see the artificial sky above them again. As night fell, they decided to rest once more. The weight of what the Invited had endured during the day left them feeling depressed.

Late into the night, Ethan said to Irene that he would sneak off to Claudia's place. He told her that she didn't need to accompany him because it would be too suspicious if they both disappeared. Irene complied with his request.

When Ryan noticed Ethan had suddenly gone, he approached Irene. "Hey," Ryan said, sitting beside her. "Where did Ethan go?"

Irene shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe he needed to relieve himself."

"Oh, I see," Ryan nodded, as if understanding.

Irene turned to look at Ryan, knowing that the man wasn't just approaching her for small talk. "What do you want?" Irene asked bluntly.

"Well, I just thought that as partners, we should know each other," Ryan said with a smile.

Irene simply stared at him without saying anything, indicating that she didn't want to hear any more of his nonsense.

"Alright, alright. I just want to know his Talent, that's it," Ryan said.

"I don't know his Talent," Irene replied.

"Come on. Tell me," Ryan urged, looking at Irene with eyes that showed he wasn't used to being rejected.

But Irene was accustomed to it. And she hated the feeling of being pressured. "What if I don't want to tell you?" Irene countered, her eyes staring back coldly. "Are you going to kill me?"

Ryan let out a laugh as if what Irene said was something amusing. "Of course not. It's okay if you don't want to tell me anything. I trust you."

Then Ryan went back to his previous spot and lay down.

---

Ethan entered Claudia's apartment. She regarded him with a steely gaze, her expression unreadable.

"Ethan, now is the time for the one final test you must pass before you can proceed to the Second Floor."

Ethan sat on the couch and looked at her. "What kind of test?" he asked.

"You have to face me. If you manage to defeat me, then you can pass to the Second Floor," Claudia explained.

"Then that's easy enough," Ethan said, giving her a cold smile.

Claudia sighed helplessly. "There is another problem."

Ethan frowned. "What is it?"

"There is a higher Guardian," she said, her voice low with caution, "From now on, they will see most of what happens within this Floor."

Ethan's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the higher Guardian, a sense of unease settling in the pit of his stomach. He knew that crossing paths with such a powerful entity could spell trouble for him.

"If they were to discover our collaboration," Claudia continued, her tone grave, "we would both be in grave danger."

Ethan nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation. The thought of facing the wrath of the higher Guardian filled him with a sense of trepidation, but he knew that he had come too far to turn back now. Yet, he also knew that he was not strong enough to face them just yet.

"What is your suggestion?" Ethan asked.

"We should not meet each other again. After all, you almost passed to the Second Floor so you should no longer need my help."

"So I can just kill you right now?" Ethan suggested.

At those words, Claudia tensed. But she soon regained her composure not long after.

"That could be bad for you. They will know that you can enslave me and consider you too dangerous to be left alone. And they will come and kill you themselves."

Ethan fell silent after hearing that. His Soul Sense told him that what Claudia said was honest.

He thought for a moment before saying, "Alright. From now on, we will not have any further contact. But I will not let you go."

"But why?! You won't need me anymore once you're on the Second Floor!" Claudia protested.

"I don't know that," Ethan said, standing up. "Are there no more treasures left for me to take on this Floor?"

"No. You have obtained them all."

Again, Ethan sensed her honesty. After that, Ethan walked away from her apartment, leaving Claudia slumped on her couch, depressed.

But then, an idea crossed her mind. "If I can't free myself from him, maybe I should use him to rise to the higher Floor."

---

Ethan starting to go exploring alone in the forest. He found himself face to face with a diverse array of monsters.

With a determined expression, he focused his Soul Manipulation and abosorbing their Souls. If he already used all of his change on using the Soul Manipulation, Ethan just killed them all.

With each encounter, he drawing upon their Atributes to his body.

From towering behemoths to swift and agile predators, he faced them all and overpowering them all.

With each soul he encountered, Ethan grew stronger. He looked at his Rune and grinned.

Name: Ethan Holmes

Rank: Initiate

Title: Aspirant

[Talent]

Talent Name: Soulweaver (Mythical-grade)

Talent Ability: Soul Manipulation, Soul Sense, Stealth

Talent Stage: 1

Soul Essence: 1,230/5000

[Attributes]

- Strength: 97

- Agility: 88

- Energy: 80/80

- Charisma: 22

[Gear]

- Aetherbow.

- Blood Cloak.

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