The reward notification glowed brightly in Ethan's mind.
[Congratulations! You have instilled fear into your subjects' hearts by punishing a traitor.]
[You have received the epic rare grade reward: Heart Communication.]
[Heart Communication]
You and your subjects can communicate with one another, anywhere in the world, through traceless telepathic communication.
The moment the reward settled deep within him, Ethan activated it.
His voice echoed directly inside every mind around him.
He explained the importance of the gift with simple, steady words.
The revelation left his subjects stunned.
Their eyes widened in the flickering torchlight, mouths parting in silent awe.
No longer would they need to possess the expensive communication devices that drained coin.
Awe and quiet excitement rippled through the small crowd.
Just as Ethan turned to head toward his private chambers for some much-needed rest, a sharp, piercing bird cry sliced through the evening air.
The sound rang out across the entire crimson castle, echoing off cold stone walls and distant towers like a cruel alarm.
Every face, including Ethan's, darkened at once.
Shadows seemed to deepen around them as the last light of day faded.
"Damn," Sean muttered, his voice heavy with disappointment that matched the sudden weight in the air.
"It seems our one month of rest has finally ended."
[The monster wave is about to begin!]
[Main Quest 1: Protect your castle to receive a reward.]
[The state of the castle after the wave determines the quality of your reward.]
[Main Quest 2: Be in the forefront, fighting against the monsters. Your contribution determines the quality of your reward.]
[Sub quest will be provided while the main quest goes on.]
Ethan's earlier thoughts had been confirmed by the system.
The time had finally arrived, the very reason the crimson castle bore its bloody name.
Monster waves.
The crimson castle was a fortress under constant monster attack.
They only had one month of peace every year, when the creatures slipped into hibernation.
Or so the inhabitants believed.
That fragile grace period had now ended, and the familiar tension returned like an old, unwelcome shadow.
"Inform every able fighter!" Ethan ordered immediately, his voice cutting sharp through the growing unease.
"The monster wave is about to start. It is time to prepare!"
He had no choice but to change his plans.
Rest would have to wait.
He could not afford even a moment of stillness with the threat already stirring beyond the walls.
Monster waves always began with that same shriek from the warning bird, followed soon by the heavy, thunderous marching of hordes of monsters.
The ground itself would tremble soon enough.
Ethan climbed to the top of the castle wall with Nicholas following closely behind him.
The stone steps felt cold and solid beneath their boots, the night wind tugging at their cloaks with icy fingers.
"My lord," the watchman at the top greeted, bowing low in quick respect. His breath misted in the chill air.
"What is the update?" Ethan asked, his gaze steady on the darkening horizon.
"The monsters are already approaching the castle wall," the watchman reported, voice tight.
"It is a Beta Two grade monster wave."
"I see," Ethan replied calmly. "Nicholas, take command."
"What of you, my lord?" Nicholas asked, surprise flashing across his face in the torchlight.
"I will be at the forefront, protecting my people," Ethan informed him, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
"This time there will be no casualties. I will fend them off untouched or unscratched."
He passed through the gate without another word and ran straight toward the approaching hordes.
In a Beta Two wave, the highest-ranking monsters were only two-star threats.
They could not cause him any real damage, and that knowledge filled him with quiet confidence.
His bold move would deepen the citizens' trust in him.
At the same time, it kept Nicholas safely behind the walls, ensuring the system rewards could be maximized.
Ethan soon stood alone before the oncoming monsters, no backup in sight yet as the others still prepared.
To the watchmen high above, their lord looked like a suicidal figure marching toward certain death.
The open ground stretched wide and frozen under the moonlight, the air thick with the scent of snow and coming violence.
Goblins reached him first, their small, twisted bodies scrambling forward with hungry cries.
With a single clean slice, Ethan cut the throat of the nearest one.
Warm blood sprayed across the frost-covered ground.
Spinning around without pause, he activated Backstab and drove the blade into the neck of another goblin.
The creature crumpled instantly.
[Congratulations! You have slain a goblin and devoured its bloodline.]
[You have awakened the trait, Cunning Mind.]
I want something new and better, Ethan thought to himself. Goblin traits were useless to him now.
"There."
He spotted dire wolves approaching behind the goblin pack, their eyes glowing with feral hunger.
Using Shadow Hop, he vanished and reappeared silently behind the lead dire wolf. He activated Backstab once more, striking clean through the neck.
The beast fell without a sound.
[Congratulations! You have slain a dire wolf and devoured its bloodline.]
[You have awakened the trait, Nimble Steps.]
Nimble Steps improved Ethan's movement speed by twenty percent.
It was a good, solid bonus that made his steps feel lighter on the frozen earth.