Chapter 31: A Deal with the City Lord

Aria looked at Ethan, her eyes still full of curiosity.

"So, where are we going next?"

Ethan stared at her. "Next?"

"Didn’t you say we were going treasure hunting?"

She said it so casually that Ethan wasn’t sure whether she was joking.

Her father had nearly killed him. Half the people around them were still staring at them.

And she was already thinking about treasure hunting again.

"You still want to go?"

Aria nodded without hesitation. "Of course."

Ethan looked at her for a few seconds. After everything that had just happened, he had expected her to change her mind at least a little. Instead, she seemed just as determined as before.

"You really haven’t changed your mind?"

"Why would I?" Aria asked. "You said you were going treasure hunting. We haven’t even started yet."

Ethan’s lips twitched. It seemed the dungeon lesson had been in vain.

The City Lord, who had turned away, faced them when he heard what Aria said.

"What treasure hunting?"

Aria turned toward her father. "We’re going treasure hunting."

The City Lord stared at her. "You’re going where?"

"Treasure hunting."

He looked at her for a moment, as if waiting for her to realize how ridiculous that sounded. She had just come out of a Hell difficulty dungeon, and now she was already planning to leave again.

"You just came out of a Hell difficulty dungeon, and you want to go treasure hunting?"

"Yes."

"With him?"

"Obviously."

The City Lord’s eyes moved to Ethan. He had already seen what Ethan was capable of, but that didn’t make him any more comfortable with his daughter following him around.

"You’re not going anywhere. You’re coming home."

Aria frowned. "But I already told you I’m going with Ethan."

"And I just told you that you’re coming home."

"I’m not a child."

"I know. That’s why I’m telling you instead of carrying you back."

Aria’s mouth opened, but she stopped herself when she saw her father’s expression.

The City Lord then looked at Ethan.

"You. Come with us."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"We need to talk."

Ethan glanced toward the dungeon entrance. He had planned to leave as soon as they finished here. There were still several things he wanted to do, and visiting the City Lord’s residence hadn’t been part of his plans.

But refusing wasn’t exactly an option.

The man standing in front of him was a Level 40 City Lord. After what had just happened, Ethan had no intention of testing how far he could push him.

"Fine."

Aria immediately smiled. "See? That wasn’t so hard."

Ethan gave her a sideways glance. "You’re the reason I’m going."

"And I’m also the reason you’re still alive."

Ethan paused.

"Fair point."

Aria smiled again.

The City Lord watched the two of them for a moment before shaking his head.

"Let’s go."

He led the way toward the city, with the warriors following behind. Aria walked beside Ethan, while several warriors followed behind them as they left the dungeon entrance.

As they left, a young man standing among the crowd kept his eyes on Ethan’s back. He wore a set of light armor and carried a long spear across his shoulder.

"Someone actually soloed Hell difficulty?"

The young man shook his head. "How is that even possible?"

The people around him exchanged looks. None of them had a good answer.

He glanced in the direction Ethan had gone.

"Looks like we’ll have another serious competitor at the upcoming events."

"I need to report this to the guild."

He turned and left without waiting for a response.

He wasn’t the only one.

The other parties that had witnessed the battle also began making their way back into the city. Some headed toward their guilds, while others went to their families, clans, or other organizations they belonged to.

By the time Ethan and the City Lord reached the City Lord residence, news of what had happened at the dungeon entrance had already begun to spread.

Someone had cleared an Ironfang dungeon on Hell difficulty alone.

And that someone was only Level 8.

Ethan stood across from the City Lord in a quiet room.

"Why did you bring me here?"

The City Lord looked at him.

"Why are you standing like you’re about to fight?"

Ethan glanced at the warhammer resting against the wall.

"Can you blame me?"

The City Lord followed his gaze and snorted.

"If I wanted to kill you, you wouldn’t be standing here."

He walked over to a chair and sat down, leaning back comfortably.

"Relax. Sit."

Ethan remained standing for a moment before taking the chair across from him.

It had taken the City Lord quite some effort to convince Aria to leave them alone. She had wanted to stay and listen, but after a few arguments, she had finally gone with the servants.

"Good" he nodded. "Now, let’s talk."

The City Lord looked at Ethan for a moment before asking, "You’re planning to participate in the academy entrance examination, aren’t you?"

Ethan nodded. "Yes." Going to the academy had been part of his plans from the beginning, and clearing the dungeon, meeting Aria, and everything that had happened afterward hadn’t changed that

The City Lord nodded slightly.

"I thought so."

He leaned back in his chair and rested one arm on the armrest.

"Then you should know something. This year’s entrance examination won’t be as simple as you might think."

Ethan remained quiet.

He already knew what the City Lord was about to say. He had participated in the academy entrance competition in his previous life.

Still, he let the City Lord continue.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"The academy doesn’t only recruit from Blackstone City. Every city in the surrounding region sends candidates."

The City Lord paused before continuing.

"And this year, those cities will be competing against each other."

Ethan nodded slightly.

He already knew that. In his previous life, the academy entrance competition had been one of the biggest events for young professionals in the region.

The City Lord continued, "The strongest candidates from each city will compete for their city. The better they perform, the more attention their city receives from the academy."

Ethan remained silent.

"Blackstone City hasn’t done very well in the last few years," the City Lord said. "We’ve always had candidates make it into the academy, but we haven’t had anyone capable of competing for the top positions."

He looked directly at Ethan.

"That may be different this year."

Ethan looked at him.

"So you want me to compete for Blackstone City?"

The City Lord didn’t answer immediately.

"Would you?"

Ethan leaned back in his chair. "I haven’t decided."

The City Lord raised an eyebrow.

"You’ve already decided to enter the academy."

"Entering the academy and representing Blackstone City are two different things."

The City Lord’s gaze hardened slightly.

"You don’t seem very interested in helping your own city."

Ethan looked at him.

"This isn’t my city."

The City Lord frowned.

"I’ve only been here for a short time. I have no reason to fight for Blackstone City."

He paused before adding, "Especially after what happened outside the dungeon."

The room became quiet.

The City Lord didn’t deny it.

"You pushed my daughter into a Hell difficulty dungeon."

"And she came out alive."

"Because you were strong enough to protect her."

"Exactly."

Ethan looked at him calmly.

"So I don’t think we’re close enough for you to ask me to fight for your city."

The City Lord nodded "Fair."

He didn’t apologize. He simply continued.

"Then I’ll make this simple. I’m not asking you to do it for me. If you want something from Blackstone City, tell me what it is."

Ethan was slightly surprised.

He hadn’t expected the City Lord to make things this simple.

There were several things he wanted from Blackstone City. One of them in particular would be troublesome to obtain on his own, especially with his current strength.

"Anything?"

The City Lord nodded.

"Anything I can give you."

Ethan thought for a moment.

"Fine. I’ll represent Blackstone City."

The City Lord smiled faintly.

"Good."

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"But first..."

"What’s your current Reputation?"