Newbie's Quest: Awaiting Challenge
Chapter 37: On-Site Reporter

In the luminous meeting room, where the silence was almost palpable, Henrik Jensen faced the whiteboard, addressing his team with a sense of urgency. "Tomorrow morning, 8 AM, at the White Tower No. 6 of the 547th marker, we're going in." The team members listened attentively. Sophia Carter, a female member renowned for her composure, expressed her concern with a trace of worry. "Captain, isn't this a bit too rushed? We generally plan for at least three days before descending to the marker."

Brandon Scott, seated across from her, disagreed, "Ethan's already stepping over us. Are we just going to let him pry away all our guild's markers?"

Sophia clarified, "That's not what I meant. I'm saying we shouldn't let Ethan dictate our pace."

"We don't have time to hesitate anymore. If we let him take this one as well, where will the Emerald Tempest Guild's reputation stand?"

As their discussion grew heated, Henrik rapped on the table, signaling for silence.

Isabella Martínez waited until the room quieted down before speaking. "Captain Jensen's decision is sound. Sophia, while thorough preparation is ideal, Ethan is narrow-minded and relentless. He's already targeting our guild." After Isabella's statement, Maxwell Ford, who had been silent and seemingly dozing off, suddenly chuckled. "What's your opinion, Maxwell?" Isabella asked, frowning slightly.

Maxwell, one of the team's most senior members, was known for his laid-back attitude. If not for his disinclination to worry about matters, Isabella wouldn't have been the deputy captain.

Isabella had her reservations about Maxwell, suspecting him of speaking ill of her to Henrik, but without proof, she couldn't express her discontent openly.

"I, of course, will follow the captain and deputy captain's lead," Maxwell drawled, "You both are correct."

Despite smiling, Isabella's dissatisfaction with his noncommittal response was evident. "Maxwell, as a veteran member, your thoughts and opinions are valuable to us."

"Oh, I didn't realize my words were so influential," Maxwell stretched out on the table, feigning surprise, "I thought I was just a spare part here."

Henrik intervened before the argument escalated further. "If Maxwell doesn't want to speak, let's not pressure him."

Henrik's attempt to mediate, though appearing neutral, subtly favored Maxwell. Maxwell's words often carried deeper meanings. He was the only one defending James Mitchell during a past conflict, arguing fiercely with Henrik. "Enough, Maxwell. You can vent here, but once we step outside, we drop this topic," Henrik had said, tired yet compromising to protect the team during a turbulent time in the guild.

The incident ended with James being demoted to the second team, and Maxwell's attitude became even more unpredictable, though he never openly opposed Isabella. The team maintained a surface harmony.

However, recent shifts in the guild's upper echelons had been affecting Isabella's mood. Determined to secure her position, she viewed everyone as potential threats, including James and Ethan from the Avalon Guild.

Henrik's decision regarding the 547th marker was final. The meeting, more an announcement than a discussion, focused on the specifics of their descent. It concluded at 9:30 PM, with Henrik urging everyone to rest early and avoid distractions. As they were leaving, Sophia hesitantly asked, "Captain, Ethan doesn't seem petty. Why is he targeting our guild?"

Sophia, insightful and familiar with Ethan's records, found his behavior uncharacteristic, especially his repeated attempts in one of the markers, risking his life each time.

Swallowing his frustration, Isabella Martínez leaned back in his chair, opting for silence. Each time a dispute arose, Henrik Jensen seemed to mediate on the surface, yet subtly favored Maxwell Ford. Maxwell's words often carried hidden implications. He was the only one defending James Mitchell in a past incident, fiercely arguing with Henrik through the door.

"James is talented, Henrik, are you blind? The markers tackled by Team One are incredibly challenging. A failure could be disastrous. If someone holds us back, it could doom us all. Are you really going to let such a promising talent go to waste?" Maxwell's argument was mostly a one-sided tirade, indicating a close relationship with Henrik.

It was a while before Henrik, sounding weary, responded, "That's enough, Maxwell. You can vent here, but once we leave this room, this topic is off-limits."

Henrik understood the compromise; he was protecting the rest of the team. At that time, the guild's upper echelons were embroiled in fierce internal conflicts, with Isabella backed by one faction. If Henrik had not feigned ignorance, it would have endangered members from not just Team One but also Teams Two and Three.

In the world of the White Tower, making someone disappear without a trace was all too easy. The incident concluded with James being demoted to Team Two, with no objections from Henrik. Meanwhile, Maxwell's unpredictability increased, though he never openly opposed Isabella. Team One maintained an appearance of harmony.

However, recent changes in the guild's leadership had Isabella on edge, related to this past issue. He was determined to prevent any mishaps, whether from James or Ethan Walker from the distant Avalon Guild. Nothing could shake his position.

The plan for the 547th marker was clear. Henrik, a man of his word, rarely changed his mind. His summoning of the team was more of a notification than a discussion. What remained was discussing the specifics and arrangements. The meeting ended at 9:30 PM. Henrik instructed everyone to rest early, avoid mobile phones, and conserve energy. As they were leaving, Sophia Carter hesitantly asked, "Captain, Ethan's personality... he doesn't seem petty. Why is he targeting our guild?"

Sophia, perceptive and knowledgeable about Ethan, had thoroughly studied his marker replays, especially the second one. Ethan's repeated attempts, despite his seemingly detached nature, revealed his underlying determination. She reasoned that if Ethan didn't care about saving others, he wouldn't have risked his life repeatedly.

Hearing her question, Isabella, who was just about to leave, stopped to listen. But before Henrik could respond, Maxwell spoke up, "Ethan? Oh, that rekindles my energy. You're right, Sophia. For someone as indifferent as Ethan to go through such lengths, it seems we at Emerald Tempest must have offended him."

Brandon Scott immediately disagreed, "How is it our fault? He's the one who meddled with our guild's affairs."

"And what of it? We could do the same to him. If you can't handle it, stay quiet."

Before Brandon could respond, he received a slap on the back of his head, leaving him frustrated.

Facing his long-time friend, Henrik's response was less stern. He gave Maxwell a sidelong glance, "He's after James."

"That's non-negotiable," Maxwell said earnestly, "We can't let James go."

His next suggestion was, "But we could let Ethan join."

Sophia couldn't help but laugh, and even Henrik glanced at Maxwell with a hint of resignation, "Wishful thinking. Let him join Team One, and you'll give up your spot?"

"I'll take his spot, and you can hand over the captaincy to me, Henrik."

"You've been plotting this for a while!" exclaimed Brandon, eliciting laughter from everyone, even Henrik.

Isabella, having listened to the entire conversation, left with a heavy heart, silent and brooding.

...

No matter how light-hearted the atmosphere was the night before, as they approached the White Tower, everyone in Team One of the Emerald Tempest Guild-except for Maxwell-was gravely serious. They faced an unknown, possibly highly challenging marker, and were uncertain if Ethan would appear or how he might do so.

The Emerald Tempest Guild's dedicated live streaming room, managed by professional moderators,

had announced the event an hour in advance, attracting two million viewers. As a prestigious guild with a substantial fan base accumulated over the years, their descent into a marker always drew widespread attention. Leading the team into the White Tower, Henrik began arranging their approach to the marker. Floating spherical cameras in the tower circled them, capturing every moment.

The live chat was bustling with comments:

"Emerald Tempest is descending?"

"So sudden!"

"They're usually cautious, planning a week in advance with a three-day notice."

"Must be provoked by Ethan Walker."

"Really? Maybe Ethan just got lucky last time."

"He's not blind. He must have seen the chat. He's just pretending not to notice."

"What's the beef between Emerald Tempest and Ethan?"

"Who knows."

"Ethan probably won't show up this time, right? The Emerald Tempest crew is all here. He can't just barge in."

"He has no shame, after what he did last time."

The chatroom, filled with guild and team supporters, mostly defended their own, with many labeling Ethan a thief. However, the heated discussions didn't affect the players' focus. During a break in Henrik's task assignments, the camera paused on Maxwell's left side. He winked at the camera, eliciting excited reactions:

"Ah, Maxwell!"

"Maxwell, my hero!"

Maxwell, known for his good looks, had a large female following. Brandon, standing beside him, shivered at the thought.

"Don't do that, bro. We don't need this between us."

As Maxwell was about to retort, the White Tower's door was suddenly pushed open, letting in a cold draft.

"Hey there," a familiar voice that made everyone from Emerald Tempest-from the team to the fans-grit their teeth in irritation spoke up, "What a coincidence to see everyone here."

The five inside the tower turned to see Ethan standing in the doorway, backlit by the light.

Brandon, clenching his teeth, asked, "What are you doing here? Here to steal again?"

"Of course not," Ethan shook his head, looking completely harmless.

"Then what are you here for?"

"I'm part of the team," Ethan said, shaking his neck where a press pass hung, labeled "On-Site Reporter." A black and gold spherical camera with the association's emblem flew to his side, "I'm here officially, fair and square."