Merisia Island, Republic of Medes

High above the island's sky, a small spatial rift suddenly opened, and a handsome, well-built figure stepped out. The young man wore a black mask on his face, glanced down, and seemed to be searching for someone.

After a few moments, he vanished from his spot and reappeared right beside a purple portal, where officials, reporters, guards, and others were standing, all frowning at the portal.

With the sudden appearance of a stranger, their alertness skyrocketed. The moment they saw that he was even wearing a mask, their guard instantly went up.

"Who are you? This is a restricted entry zone!" one of the guards released his aura and demanded with a hostile tone.

The other guards immediately drew their weapons and prepared for combat, their auras flaring up.

But before they could act, one of the guild leaders, a rank S, stepped forward.

"No need to worry, he's with us," Varnos spoke calmly to the guards, asking them to let him through.

Seeing a well-known figure like the guild master of Everlight Moon step forward, the guards nodded and moved aside.

The eyes of the other guild members, especially the rank S leaders, all turned toward the masked man. Everyone stared at him with confusion, feeling like he was oddly familiar.

"Why does this guy feel so familiar? Have I seen him before?"

"You're right, I feel the same way. I've definitely seen him somewhere."

"Idiots, that man is The Fallen! The number one trending name on C-Tube!"

Suddenly the crowd erupted in noise, and all the reporters stared at the masked man with shock and excitement, as if they couldn't believe what they were seeing.

But Varnos and the masked man ignored them and walked toward Lana.

"Sorry I'm late," Daniel said apologetically, looking at the girl in front of him.

"There's no need to apologize. The fact that you managed to reach rank A is far more important," Lana answered with a smile. She didn't seem worried at all anymore, as if the problem had already been settled in her mind.

"Good. So what exactly happened?" he asked seriously. When she called him, she had said that there was a problem and he needed to come to the island immediately.

He had quickly glanced at the news and noticed that every channel in the country was focused on a disaster at Merisia Island, with reports saying that many rank A and even rank S Awakened might have been killed.

"We're not sure either. Last night we suddenly lost all contact with the raid team," Varnos explained, then quickly gave Daniel a rundown of the situation.

Everything from the lost communication, to the ideas for a rescue, to the Federation government's stubbornness. The more Daniel listened, the deeper his frown became.

"Is the government stupid?" He couldn't understand why they were doing something so reckless.

This wasn't something that could just be called foolish. Even if there was a treasure or important item inside, it could never outweigh the lives of the people trapped in there.

A large number of the country's most promising rank A Awakened from top guilds had entered. If he wasn't mistaken, two of the nation's greatest prodigies were inside as well.

William Rigar, eldest son of Kaelos and current leader of Sairon Blade, and Diana, ranked as the number one prodigy in the nation.

If people like them were to die, it would deal a massive blow to the country, maybe even drag down its regional standing in the near future.

'Could it be that this isn't about an item or treasure at all…?' The thought flashed in his mind, but he didn't have enough evidence to be sure.

"I'm going in," he said firmly, glancing at the two in front of him.

"In fact, all our hopes are on you. You're probably the only one who can save them. But you also need to keep in mind, this could be extremely dangerous," Varnos warned.

"That's right. We want them saved, but that doesn't mean we're willing to lose another prodigy in the process," Lana added.

"Don't worry. With my current abilities, as long as a rank S threat doesn't appear, everything will be fine. And even if one does, I still have ways to escape," Daniel reassured them, understanding their concern.

"Good. I'll go inform the others and get your entry permits ready. I'll also bring you a stronger communication talisman," Varnos nodded and headed toward the guild leaders and Federation officials.

"Congratulations on reaching rank A," Lana said with a smile after her father left.

"Thanks."

"When you go in, just focus on saving them and figuring out the situation. If they were dumb enough to head into the core layer, then forget about them and come out."

"You think they went into the core layer?" Daniel asked with a frown.

As far as he knew, the dungeon had two layers: the outer layer and the core. The outer layer was somewhat safe, with the highest threats being peak rank A.

But the core layer was extremely dangerous. The highest threat there was peak rank S, creatures capable of fighting on equal footing with national-level Awakened.

"There's a good chance."

"I see. Also, are you sure you want people to see that The Fallen has ties to Everlight Moon?"

They were supposed to keep this hidden for now, but she had told him to come here with his The Fallen identity.

"Don't worry. I've already thought of an excuse. Just don't refuse if anyone tries to recruit you, say you'll think about it. Leave the rest to me. And right now, don't reject anything I say," Lana replied without a care.

Her plan was to say that The Fallen owed them a favor, and they had asked him to come help in return. To sell it, she wanted to present him as a mercenary available for hire.

That way, not only could they make some profit, but in the future, his The Fallen identity might even let them pry into the secrets of some guilds.

She explained her plan to Daniel, and hearing it, he smiled. This girl was even greedier than him—but it wasn't a bad idea.

Before long, Varnos returned, and behind him came all the guild leaders present, along with several Federation officials.

Lana and Daniel exchanged a glance, both of them smirking inwardly.

It was time to start the plan

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