Chapter 76: Silver vs Silver

The wall loomed ahead, soldiers rushing to defensive positions as Ethan approached.

He moved with purpose, silver aura dampened to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. No need to announce his presence before assessing the situation.

Atop the battlements, the two generals from the Panther encounter stood in grim consultation, their silver energies flickering like beacons against the darkening sky. They turned at Ethan’s approach, surprise briefly crossing their features before settling into guarded acknowledgment.

“Brandon.” The Mid-Silver general nodded once.

Ethan joined them at the wall’s edge, enhanced vision scanning the gathering horde beyond the city’s boundaries. What he saw confirmed his suspicions.

Hundreds—no, thousands—of monsters congregated in the growing darkness. Not random beasts, but organized formations. Bronze-ranks comprised the front lines, with stronger specimens positioned strategically behind.

They’re done with the survivors in the Third District.

Thousands of lives sacrificed, abandoned to monsters by the city’s leadership. A tough pill to swallow, but the strategic reality couldn’t be denied.

If the whole city had given up on protecting the Third District, he couldn’t risk everything on a futile rescue attempt. Even with his newly elevated strength, a solo mission would be suicide against such numbers.

Because something stronger, something calculating, stood behind this attack.

“Assessment?” the Low-Silver general asked, correctly reading Ethan’s focused evaluation.

“Coordinated.” Ethan kept his response minimal. “Someone’s directing them.”

The senior general’s jaw tightened before he nodded. “Our conclusion as well. But who—or what—could control monsters on this scale?”

Ethan didn’t answer, his mind piecing together the city’s power structure. Six generals protected the city under normal circumstances. Two stood beside him now. Feng lay dead, reportedly killed by a Silver-rank beast during a convenient dust storm.

That left three unaccounted for, including General Han.

Too many coincidences. The northern wall shouldn’t have fallen so quickly. Something must’ve gone wrong.

The monsters surged forward in the distance, the first wave beginning its advance toward the battered walls.

“Sound the alarm,” the Mid-Silver general ordered, his silver aura flaring in preparation. “All defenders to positions!”

Horns echoed across the battlements, the haunting notes carrying urgency to every corner of the city.

Soldiers rushed to their assigned stations, weapons clattering in the gathering twilight. Nervous whispers rippled through the ranks as men took positions along the battlements.

Ethan stood motionless at the wall’s edge, enhanced vision cutting through the gathering darkness.

The monster horde stretched beyond ordinary sight, a seething mass of claws and teeth awaiting the signal to charge.

Then he saw it.

A silver aura flickered against the night sky, unmistakable to those sensitive to such energies.

Its wings were spread wide, the Harpy circled above the assembled monsters—the same creature reportedly responsible for General Feng’s death.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed.

It shouldn’t be attacking alone.

Not against a city with multiple Silver-rank defenders. No monster, however powerful, would risk such unfavorable odds without purpose.

Something’s wrong.

Either additional Silver-ranks lurked unseen, or a more powerful entity directed this assault from the shadows.

Neither possibility boded well for the city’s defenders.

Before Ethan could probe deeper, his instincts screamed danger.

A silver-tinged pressure slammed against his awareness—killing intent directed squarely at his back.

He activated Crystal Hardening without conscious thought, skin transforming to crystalline armor as he pivoted to face the threat.

Steel met crystal with a sound like shattering glass. Sparks erupted where blade scraped against his hardened forearm, the attack deflected millimeters from his throat.

Ethan stared into the cold eyes of his attacker, confirmation arriving simultaneously.

General Han.

“Traitor!”

The Low-Silver general’s shout cut through the sudden silence as defenders froze in shocked tableau.

Han maintained pressure against Ethan’s crystallized forearm, blade seeking purchase against the impenetrable defense.

“Traitor?” Han scoffed, silver aura flaring around his imposing frame.

“Obviously not. This… creature killed my only son, Han Wei. And he stands alive and well while my boy lies as ashes in the ground.”

Understanding rippled through the assembled troops.

Han Wei—the general’s pampered heir, known throughout the the higher districts for his excesses.

Dead, apparently at Ethan’s hand.

Ethan met Han’s rage-filled gaze without flinching. “Your son burned down an orphanage. Twenty-six children died screaming.”

“Lies!” Han disengaged, blade sweeping in a silver-wreathed arc toward Ethan’s neck.

The attack never connected.

Another silver aura intercepted the strike, steel ringing against steel as General Ruan stepped between them.

“Enough!” Ruan’s said, blocking tha attack. “The monsters are at our gates. Silver fighting Silver will tear this city apart!”

Han’s face contorted with fury, teeth bared in a snarl that stripped away aristocratic pretense to reveal the predator beneath.

“You protect my son’s murderer?” Rage saturated each syllable. “You stand against justice?”

“I stand against suicide,” Ruan countered, maintaining his defensive position between the two. “Look around you, Han! Thousands of civilians depend on our unity. We can settle personal grievances after we secure the walls.”

Soldiers watched the confrontation with wide eyes, weapons forgotten as the three Silver-ranks faced off on the battlements.

The air itself seemed to thicken.

“Your son ordered the orphanage burned,” Ethan stated flatly, addressing both Han and the watching soldiers. “He confessed before he died. Ask yourself why a general’s son would target orphans, and who gave him authority to command such actions.”

Doubt flickered across several faces in the gathered crowd, uncertainty replacing blind faith.

Han’s expression darkened further. “Silence, murderer! You’ll pay for these slanders with your life!”

He launched himself forward, silver aura compressed around his blade to enhance its cutting power. Ruan intercepted again, their weapons meeting with force that sent shockwaves across the battlements.

“Stand down, Han!” Ruan commanded. “That’s an order!”

“You don’t command me,” Han hissed, disengaging to circle for a better angle.

Ethan moved with fluid grace, positioning himself to keep both Han and the distant Harpy in view. The timing of this confrontation seemed too convenient—a distraction while monsters gathered for their assault.

Han abandoned pretense, his next attack targeted not at Ethan but at General Ruan. The blade swept in a vicious arc designed to disembowel.

“Han!” The Low-Silver general advanced, his own weapon raised. “This is treason!”

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