Mystic Calling：Stone of Glory-Chapter 117: Yeah… it’s really that simple

"Do you know exactly what it’s about?" Ethan asked.

"I heard it’s something to do with Global Battlefield." Isabella paused for a moment before continuing. "Looks like they’re not feeling too confident. And from what I heard, they originally wanted to borrow that Tier 11 unicorn you gave Emmie. But they were a little too late—she’s off in Dunmire, the capital of the Unicorn Duchy, finishing a quest. No one’s been able to reach her."

"Borrow?" Ethan let out a short laugh, shaking his head before nodding slightly. "Alright, fine. I’ll meet with them."

"Really?" Isabella blinked in surprise, looking at Ethan cautiously. "Honey, you’re not mad at me, are you?"

"Why would I be mad about this?"

Ethan ruffled Isabella’s hair with a smile. "They haven’t done anything wrong. Besides, whether I help or not is another matter, but refusing to even meet them would just be rude."

"Then I’ll call General Grant up." Isabella let out a small sigh of relief and pulled out her phone.

After a brief conversation, an imposing older man with silver-streaked hair appeared before Ethan.

This was none other than Nathaniel Grant—the powerhouse of North America.

Behind him stood two or three middle-aged men, their postures straight and their presence commanding. Just one look was enough to tell they were top-tier experts, exuding an overwhelming aura.

"Ethan, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Nathaniel Grant," the older man said warmly, extending his hand.

"General Grant, nice to meet you."

No reason to be rude when someone greets you with a smile.

Nathaniel’s demeanor was friendly, and Ethan saw no need to put on airs. He smiled and shook the man’s hand.

Before their hands met, Nathaniel gave a slight nod of apology. "Sorry to interrupt your meal."

"General Grant, no need for formalities. Just get straight to the point—what do you need?" Ethan said casually, smiling.

Nathaniel hesitated for a moment before chuckling. "Alright, I’ll be direct. I’m here on behalf of the top ten guilds and the government to ask for your help."

"What kind of help?" Ethan asked. novelbuddy.cσ๓

"The matchups for Global Battlefield have been decided. First, the continental battles, then the global finals."

"In about a month, the strongest players from each country will gather to compete for rankings. Since North America has now unified into a single nation—Greater America—and our overall strength isn’t exactly top-tier, we’ve been placed in the same group as Asia. In Asia, the strongest contenders are Japan, Korea, China, and India... and then there’s us, Greater America." Nathaniel sighed.

"You probably already know this, Ethan, but in the Asian gaming scene, Korea is the strongest, followed by China. We in Greater America are about on par with Japan and India... but there are only three spots for advancement."

Nathaniel’s expression turned bitter.

"So the chances of qualifying are slim?" Ethan frowned.

"We were confident at first... but then we got some news from Japan. Their number one guild, Shrine of Amaterasu, just completed an A-rank quest and got a Tier 11 unit as a reward."

"At the same time, India’s top player—Vishnu—somehow got his hands on a Tier 11 Naga Siren. And both of these happened almost simultaneously." Nathaniel’s voice carried a hint of frustration.

"Someone’s pulling strings?" Ethan narrowed his eyes.

"Could be Europe, the Middle East, Russia... hell, maybe all of them," Nathaniel said uncertainly. "Ever since Greater America weakened, Japan has been getting closer to Russia. And Vishnu, India’s top player, has strong ties with Europe’s elite players. As for the Middle East... well, let’s just say they haven’t exactly forgiven us for past wars."

Nathaniel paused, then looked at Ethan carefully. "To be honest, our strongest player, Caesar, is on par with Vishnu in terms of skill. But the difference of a single Tier 11 unit? That could be fatal."

"In a competition like this, where a single player’s strength can determine the outcome, there’s no second chance. It’s all or nothing."

Ethan was silent for a moment before asking, "What’s the format?"

"Arena battles. Each player can bring up to five unit types. Strategic Artifacts are unrestricted. The last one standing wins." Nathaniel answered without hesitation.

"This simple?" Ethan was momentarily stunned.

"Yeah... it’s really that simple," Nathaniel said with a bitter smile, shaking his head. "But that’s exactly why no one can afford to lose."

"And where’s it being held?" Ethan asked.

"This time, it’s in the capital of the Unicorn Duchy—Dunmire."

At those words, Ethan’s eyes flickered with interest. He nodded. "How about this—let Caesar sit this one out. I’ll go instead."

He had to visit Dunmire anyway for his Light Alliance promotion to Earl. The promotion could only be completed in the capital of any Light Alliance territory.

Since both things were happening in Dunmire, and Emily was there too, it was all conveniently on the way. He might as well go.

Consider it a little break—some stress relief before the upcoming faction wars.

"You’ll go?" Nathaniel was taken aback.

"What? You don’t think I’m strong enough?" Ethan asked.

"No, no, that’s not it... I just didn’t expect you to be interested in this," Nathaniel said, shaking his head in disbelief. Then, as realization dawned, his face lit up with excitement. "But if you’re willing to go yourself, then I can finally relax! With your strength—"

Before he could finish, a sudden explosion rocked the air!

From the northeast, outside the window, a deafening boom echoed across the sky!

A massive spatial rift tore open, and from within, a towering, blood-red giant emerged into reality!

"Inferno Pit Fiend?"

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. That enormous, crimson-skinned giant was unmistakably a Tier 9 Inferno Pit Fiend—a high-ranking unit from the Inferno faction in Glory Lords X!

"Shit! It actually appeared in the real world... in the middle of the city!"

Nathaniel’s face darkened instantly.

Without hesitation, he spun around and barked orders at the three middle-aged men behind him. "What are you waiting for?! Stop it! We can’t let it go on a rampage!"

At the same time, chaos erupted in the city center!

"Holy shit! A Tier 9 Inferno Pit Fiend?! And it just happens to show up here?! We’re screwed! We’re all gonna die!"

"Somebody help! I don’t wanna die!"

"Please! Somebody save us!"

Panic spread like wildfire. People screamed, shoved, and ran for their lives.

This was reality.

And this was the city center—packed with people.

Most of them weren’t even Common-tier heroes in the game. They were just ordinary civilians. Against a Tier 9 Inferno Pit Fiend, they were nothing more than insects.

That thing could crush dozens—hundreds—with a single swipe of its hand.

"ROOOOAAARR!"

The Inferno Pit Fiend let out a deafening roar, its massive body tensing as it prepared to unleash destruction.

But before it could make a move—

Snap!

Ethan flicked his fingers.

Whoosh!

A streak of white flame shot through the air!

BOOOOM!

A blinding inferno erupted, engulfing everything in its path. The white flames roared to life, consuming the Inferno Pit Fiend in an instant.

The towering, blood-red giant barely had time to react before the fire swallowed it whole.

In mere seconds—

The Tier 9 Inferno Pit Fiend was reduced to nothing. Not even ashes remained.

Silence.

Absolute, stunned silence.

Nathaniel and the three elite warriors behind him stood frozen, mouths agape, their bodies stiff as statues—like they’d been turned to stone by Medusa herself.

As for the panicked crowd?

They were completely dumbfounded.

The entire city center fell into a deathly stillness.

You could hear a pin drop.

...