Slowly, Xeno died with his body torn apart in a brutal and pitiful state.

Blood pooled across the ground beneath him, thick and dark, spreading into the cracks of the ruined battlefield.

The light in his eyes faded little by little, until nothing remained but a hollow stare that reflected no will, no anger, no ambition.

He was dead.

Ethan turned around, his boots scraping lightly against the bloodstained earth.

Behind him, many members of the Scavenger team had already dropped their weapons.

The moment Xeno was killed by Ethan’s hand, their fighting spirit collapsed.

Some fell to their knees. Others raised their hands in surrender.

A few simply stood frozen, unable to process what had just happened.

But Ethan’s orders were absolute and unquestionable.

He raised his hand and gave a single command to the Eastern Alliance forces.

"Execute them. Leave no one alive."

There was no hesitation.

They understood what was at stake. They nodded firmly and carried out the order without protest.

One by one, the remaining members of Scavenger were killed in cold, systematic executions.

Blades fell. Skills flashed. Cries echoed briefly before fading into silence.

None of them would return to the game world alive.

They died here, inside the event world, ensuring that no future threat would rise from Scavenger’s remnants.

When it was over, silence fell across the battlefield.

A Core Crystal slipped from the shattered remains of Scavenger’s city nexus and dropped onto the ground with a faint chime. Ethan walked forward and picked it up without ceremony.

The system panel appeared before him.

[Congratulations, you have obtained a Core Crystal!]

[Total Core Crystals: 352] [+112]

[City Ranking: 1st]

One hundred and twelve Core Crystals.

They had gained a large amount from invading other cities, including the city belonging to the Star Shield Guild. The numbers were overwhelming.

Ethan immediately informed Leny about the updated total. She listened carefully, recording every detail so the distribution could be handled fairly later.

Victory was no longer uncertain.

Celebrations erupted across the city and the two allied territories.

In the desert region, Nathan announced to everyone that the war had ended. LionArk and the Eastern Alliance had defeated the forces of Redemption Sword.

The soldiers who had marched from the northern part of the island began returning south in triumph.

Peter enthusiastically invited everyone to join a grand victory feast in the city. Food and drinks would be provided without limit.

But Ethan chose differently.

He invited Arthur to leave the city with him.

They did not travel on foot. Instead, they boarded a sailing ship and set off across the water.

Luna and Sera had already been deactivated. Their cooldown would end when the event itself concluded.

"In the end... the Eastern Alliance won this event," Arthur said quietly as the wind brushed against his hair.

"It would have ended differently if you had cooperated with the archipelago region to attack the desert," Ethan replied calmly.

Arthur let out a short breath. "Xeno... he was always instigating me. Always pushing for escalation. But you made sure he’s dead, right?"

Ethan nodded.

He described what he had seen with his own eyes. Xeno dying miserably in his hands. His throat was crushed. His body split open. Blood pouring out uncontrollably.

That image alone was enough to convince Ethan that Xeno was truly gone.

"Alright," Arthur said at last. "I believe you. Besides, you have no reason to lie to me, Ethan."

Ethan glanced at him, then gently patted Arthur on the shoulder and smiled faintly.

Yuna stepped closer and informed Ethan that the coastal territory was now within sight.

Arthur and Ethan walked toward the bow of the ship.

In the distance, the Redemption Sword encampment still stood along the shoreline, waiting for Ethan to fulfill his promise and return their leader.

When the members of Redemption Sword noticed a sailing ship approaching the coast, they immediately moved into defensive positions.

Weapons were drawn. Eyes sharpened.

But the moment Arthur appeared at the front of the vessel and raised his hand, their vigilance melted into visible relief.

"Leader Arthur?"

They hurried toward the dock, waiting for the ship to anchor.

Arthur stepped off the vessel and stood before his team, unharmed and uninjured.

"Thank goodness you’re safe, Arthur."

"Ethan kept his word. He treated me well," Arthur said firmly.

Ethan and Arthur stood face to face, their gazes serious and steady.

Arthur extended his hand.

"Thank you for helping me, Ethan."

Ethan accepted the handshake.

The agreement between them was complete.

Arthur had been returned to his team. In exchange, Redemption Sword was required to surrender all of the Core Crystals they had collected.

Arthur’s female aide stepped forward and handed over the Core Crystals. Ethan received them without hesitation.

At that moment, Arthur and every member of Redemption Sword were instantly teleported out of the event world.

Their Core Crystals had changed ownership.

In simple terms, it was a complete failure for them.

The system panel appeared again before Ethan.

[Congratulations, you have obtained a Core Crystal!]

[Total Core Crystals: 537] [+185]

[City Ranking: 1st]

One hundred and eighty-five additional Core Crystals.

The gap had widened dramatically.

Ethan once again instructed Leny to record the updated total. She nodded, fully understanding her responsibility.

With Redemption Sword dealt with, Yuna suddenly extended her hand toward Ethan, catching him slightly off guard.

"Here. You haven’t taken my Core Crystal yet."

"No, Yuna. You and Sacred Hall should remain until—"

"I can’t," Yuna interrupted softly. "Even though I helped you, my status is still that of a former enemy."

Ethan fell silent.

He inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly.

If calculated through equal distribution, LionArk would still secure first place without Sacred Hall’s crystals.

But if he accepted them, his victory would become absolute and undeniable.

"I’ll do it... later. Let’s return to Aqua City first."

Yuna nodded.

Together, they sailed north toward Aqua City.

By the time they arrived, the victory celebration was in full swing. The entire city was alive with noise and laughter.

Tables overflowed with food. Barrels of wine were opened freely. Music echoed through the streets.

When Ethan stepped into Aqua City, the crowd grew even louder.

Peter pulled Ethan toward the central plaza and stood beside him. He raised Ethan’s hand high into the air.

"This victory would never have happened without Ethan defeating Redemption Sword and Scavenger!"

"This victory is Ethan’s gift to us!" Peter declared loudly.

"A toast to EthanArk and LionArk!"

Glasses of wine were lifted in unison. Cheers roared through the night.

Ethan smiled faintly, raised his glass, and drank the wine provided by the city.

He lowered the glass and looked at the countless faces before him.

"The war is over. Victory belongs to the archipelago region and the desert region."

"Let us remain at peace until the event ends."

The crowd erupted again in joyful applause.

The celebration continued deep into the night. Some members of the alliance began forming romantic connections amid laughter and alcohol.

Others sang loudly. Some simply lay on the grass, exhausted but content.

Ethan quietly left the noise behind and walked toward the edge of the dock.

He sat down near the water, watching the waves roll gently under the moonlight.

The ocean was calm.

The sound of water striking wood was soothing.

Yuna noticed him sitting alone.

She smiled faintly and walked toward him. When Ethan realized she was standing beside him, he returned the smile.

"You’re not resting?" he asked.

Yuna shook her head.

"There’s too much noise. I prefer somewhere quiet like this."

She looked out at the dark sea.

"I can breathe better here."

Ethan nodded slightly.

"You won this war," Yuna said softly. "What will you do next?"

"Return to the desert region and rest there. After the Core Crystals are distributed," Ethan answered.

Yuna nodded.

"When that happens... I can hand Sacred Hall’s Core Crystal to you, right?"

Ethan let out a faint sigh.

"You’re really persistent, huh?"

"You spared my life. Maybe the only way I can help you is by giving you this Core Crystal."

Ethan stared at the water for a moment.

She still carries that burden.

He took a slow breath.

If this was truly what Yuna wanted, he would not stop her.

But once they returned to the game world, he would personally recommend Sacred Hall as a new member of the Eastern Alliance.

He would repay her loyalty in his own way.

"Alright," Ethan said at last. "Since I hate hearing you force the issue, I’ll accept it."

Yuna smiled faintly, her expression finally at ease.

The waves continued to roll under the quiet moonlight.

The war was over.

Everyone rejoiced, sorrow vanished, and their struggles were not in vain.

Ethan could feel it all. The moment when he gambled everything for the future of the alliance.

Redemption Sword lost its popularity, Scavenger fell into ruin, and not a single one of them could stand against the power of the Eastern Alliance.

They would have no chance to resist, and when that moment arrived, a new future would be waiting for them.