Chapter 281: Battle of the Desert Canyon

Ethan felt that he had seen enough.

The canyon stretching out before him was the true key to everything.

Its steep cliffs, narrow pathways, and natural choke points made it an ideal defensive position—but also a perfect target.

If he wanted to strike decisively, reckless action was not an option. Before any real assault, he needed information.

Scouting was essential.

In this event, scouting served one primary purpose: detecting how many enemies occupied a location and how they were positioned.

And right now, Ethan’s target was clear—the canyon controlled by Desert Eagle.

“Lyodra,” Ethan called calmly.

A familiar system notification appeared before his eyes.

[Mode Aggressive Soul Servant:]

[3. Lyodra Vulkanis || Lv. 10 || S-Rank || Passive → Aggressive || 2500 MP]

In front of him, chibi Lyodra fluttered forward, her tiny body glowing with a bright crimson light that reflected her fire element.

Slowly, her form expanded and transformed. The childish proportions vanished, replaced by the figure of an adult woman floating in the air, clad in a flowing gown made of living flames.

In her hand, a sword formed—its blade burning, crackling with raw fire energy.

“Go there and scout the area,” Ethan ordered.

“Avoid conflict if possible.”

Lyodra nodded once, her expression serious. Without hesitation, she soared forward, leaving the northern gate of Lotus City behind as she flew toward the canyon.

Kai watched silently from the side, his eyes fixed on Lyodra’s figure as it disappeared into the distance.

The use of soul servants during this event truly changed everything.

Scouting became safer and more efficient—after all, soul servants could not truly die. At worst, they would enter a cooldown.

Ethan focused, sharing vision through the servant-master link.

Lyodra ascended higher, positioning herself above the canyon. From there, she began mapping the area, identifying movement, heat signatures, and system markers.

Then, unexpectedly—

A hostile soul servant emerged and charged at her from below.

Lyodra gasped and twisted her body midair, narrowly avoiding the attack. She retreated in a wide arc, clearly trying to avoid engagement, just as Ethan had instructed.

But Ethan could already tell.

That servant is weaker.

“Lyodra!” Ethan called sharply.

“You’re authorized to attack.”

Lyodra didn’t hesitate this time. She turned mid-flight, her sword blazing brighter as she launched herself toward the enemy servant. The clash happened in the sky, fire against dull energy.

The result was immediate.

Lyodra’s overwhelming power crushed the opposing soul servant, forcing it into cooldown and reverting it back into its harmless chibi form as it fell away.

Ethan didn’t stop there.

“Attack the enemies hiding in the canyon,” he commanded.

Lyodra descended rapidly. She swung her flaming blade downward, the arc of her strike tearing through trees and rock alike.

Explosions erupted along the canyon walls as fire spread violently, scorching the terrain and sending shockwaves echoing through the ravine.

Chaos erupted.

Enemy players scattered in panic. Some attempted to counterattack, launching skills upward, but none of their efforts reached Lyodra effectively.

Still, Ethan knew better than to push his luck.

He recalled her before she could sustain unnecessary damage or trigger a longer cooldown, returning her to passive mode.

Information flooded into his mind through the system’s shared data link.

Ten enemies. Five injured by Lyodra’s attack. Five unharmed but shaken.

Ethan smiled faintly.

This won’t be difficult.

“Impressive,” Kai said honestly. “One servant caused that much damage.”

Ethan shook his head slightly. “It’s not enough.”

He turned around and began walking back toward the city, away from the northern gate.

Every member of Red Javelin nearby watched him closely, curiosity burning in their eyes.

“I’ll explain the larger plan,” Ethan said without turning back.

“It involves taking the canyon—and then destroying their city.”

“Come closer,” he added. “And stay quiet.”

Ethan picked up a stick and began sketching directly onto the ground. Rough lines formed the outline of Lotus City, the surrounding terrain, and the canyon’s position.

He marked enemy locations based on Lyodra’s scouting data.

“The canyon must be taken first,” Ethan explained. “Only then do we proceed with the final phase—the destruction of the enemy city.”

He straightened and looked at the group.

“Who has water-element servants?”

Two women raised their hands.

“Fire element?”

Three men responded.

Ethan nodded, gesturing for them to step forward. Using the map drawn on the ground, he assigned positions, carefully placing each servant’s role within the plan.

“My servant will strike first and create chaos,” Ethan said. “That earlier attack already forced them to increase their numbers.”

He tapped the canyon drawing.

“It’ll be messy. But if we control this canyon, the city beyond the hills will fall quickly.”

The water- and fire-element users nodded in understanding. Their role was crucial—limiting visibility and sowing confusion.

Ethan pointed toward the canyon’s flanks. “Everyone else takes the high ground on both sides. Eliminate targets there.”

Lyodra’s initial strike would shock the enemy. Combined with a midnight assault, panic was inevitable.

Everyone understood their roles.

Preparations began immediately. Some sharpened weapons. Others reviewed cooldown timers. No one relaxed.

There was still time before midnight—and Ethan had no intention of giving the enemy a moment of peace.

He and Kai returned to the northern gate, standing atop it and looking out toward the canyon.

The flames left behind by Lyodra’s earlier attack were already fading, revealing figures moving cautiously in brown uniforms.

“This will be Red Javelin’s first war in this event,” Kai said quietly.

“It’s unfortunate Lyra won’t be here to see your first victory,” Ethan replied.

Kai exhaled. “An agreement is an agreement. We’ll honor it.”

Ethan nodded.

Time passed steadily. Out of the twenty-two players in Lotus City, eight remained behind to guard the gates. The rest prepared to march.

The sun finally vanished beyond the horizon, replaced by the moon. Fortunately, its light was dim—perfect for a stealth assault.

At Kai’s hand signal, four players with water- and fire-element servants moved into position.

They buried themselves beneath sand and debris, waiting patiently for Lyodra’s signal.

Ten others stood ready nearby, including Ethan and Kai.

Lyodra’s cooldown ended. Ethan raised his hand.

“Lyodra.”

[Mode Aggressive Soul Servant:]

[3. Lyodra Vulkanis || Lv. 10 || S-Rank || Passive → Aggressive || 2500 MP]

Chibi Lyodra transformed once more into her full adult form, her crimson gown illuminating the darkness. She hovered beside Ethan, sword blazing.

“Lyodra,” Ethan commanded, his voice cold and decisive.

“Attack the canyon with full power.”

Lyodra nodded.

She surged forward, fire gathering around her blade. With a single massive swing, she unleashed an explosion at the center of the canyon.

The night shattered.

Enemies screamed as the ground erupted beneath them. In response, the four hidden players summoned their servants simultaneously, unleashing torrents of water and bursts of flame toward the same location.

Steam exploded outward.

A thick fog formed instantly, limiting visibility and plunging the canyon into confusion.

Ethan moved.

He extended his hand, summoning his weapon. Bloodblade Ashura materialized instantly.

[Mode Ashura Activated]

Ethan’s appearance changed as power surged through him. Without hesitation, he sprinted straight into the canyon.

“Attack!” he shouted.

Battle erupted.

Ethan cut through enemy lines, his blade flashing crimson as it tore through defenses. One by one, enemies fell under his strikes.

Seeing Ethan fighting alongside Red Javelin shattered Desert Eagle’s morale completely.

Panic spread. That panic gave Red Javelin total control.

The fight was short—no more than fifteen minutes.

But the result was decisive.

Red Javelin stood victorious.

Cheers erupted. Kai shouted in triumph, and others joined in, their voices echoing through the canyon.

Ethan stood silently, blood evaporating from his blade as he looked northward.

“Now,” he said calmly, “We target their city.”

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