Newbie's Quest: Awaiting Challenge
Chapter 52: The Accomplice Arrives

In the bustling virtual world of Emerald Tempest Guild's live stream, a mixture of shock and excitement echoed through the chat room. "Ethan Walker, in the flesh!" a voice exclaimed with a blend of surprise and admiration. "Ethan Walker facing off against Felix Rayburn? This is the showdown of the century!" another fan commented, the anticipation palpable in their words.

Laughter and jest filled the stream. "Ethan proving rumors true by embodying them? That's our Ethan - a true maverick!" chuckled a third admirer.

Amidst the lighthearted banter, Ethan himself threw in a playful yet defiant remark, "Ethan - not one to suppress new talents, but rather here to stir the pot and challenge everyone."

The atmosphere in Ethan's stream was lively and filled with humor, a stark contrast to the tense and anxious mood permeating Felix Rayburn's stream.

"Felix, please reconsider! Ethan is cunning and unpredictable, he's definitely plotting something!" a concerned viewer typed, their words a reflection of the collective unease.

"Maybe it's time for a strategic retreat, Felix? There are countless other missions to choose from," suggested another, their concern evident.

"What's this hesitation? The battle hasn't even begun! Stand strong, Felix, show no fear!" encouraged a third, their comment attempting to inject courage into the stream. "Ethan's fans, witness your own disarray," a viewer taunted, as an Ethan fan joined the chat, adding to the mix of emotions.

Felix pieced together the unfolding events through the lens of his audience's comments. Realization dawned on him that Ethan had indeed arrived in person, a development that sent ripples of surprise and concern through his mind. Felix's knowledge of Ethan's formidable skills was not merely hearsay; they had clashed before, with Ethan's unpredictable combat style and superior physical prowess leaving a lasting impression. Ethan's presence in the game was akin to unleashing a tempestuous force, his next move as unpredictable as the wind.

Outside the virtual landscape, laws and regulations provided a safety net, a semblance of order. But within the confines of the game, it was a wild dance with fate, where every move could be the last. This realization caused Felix to hesitate, his mind a battleground of conflicting thoughts.

He found himself at the grand entrance of the White Tower, a symbolic threshold between two worlds. Inside, Ethan lounged with an air of nonchalance, as if he were merely waiting for an old friend rather than an adversary. The situation had an almost poetic irony, reminiscent of the saying, "the greatest distance in the world."

Inside the tower, Ethan, out of sheer boredom, yawned and casually pulled out a blue ball from his virtual inventory. Red Hood and Jane, who had been bickering just moments before, suddenly became transfixed by the object, their eyes following Ethan's movements with the eagerness of well-trained pets.

With a nonchalant flick of his wrist, Ethan sent the ball flying. Red Hood and Jane sprang into action, their forms blurring into red and white streaks as they chased after the ball. Red Hood remained silent, a sentinel in red, while Jane barked with timely enthusiasm, eliciting a wave of laughter from the audience.

"How does one turn fearsome subordinates into adorable pets?" someone in the chat mused humorously.

"I need a tutorial! To have a White Tower exclusive pet would be a dream," another viewer expressed, their envy clear.

"Ball's ready, where do we sign up for pet adoption?" joked a third, the mood in the chat room light and playful.

Meanwhile, outside the tower, Felix's patience was wearing thin. He felt as though he was caught in an inferno of indecision, unable to advance or retreat. Stepping through the tower's door meant confronting Ethan, a man whose strength and eccentricity were legendary. Yet, retreating would mean the collapse of the persona he had so carefully crafted, giving Ethan's fans the perfect opportunity to ridicule him as a coward.

After a moment of internal struggle, Felix steeled his resolve and pushed open the doors of the White Tower.

As if guided by fate, Ethan's casually thrown ball rolled towards the door. Red Hood and Jane, his loyal subordinates, charged towards the opening, their focus solely on the target. Felix, caught off guard, stumbled back with a startled exclamation.

Ethan, noticing the chaos, whistled sharply, bringing his subordinates to a swift halt. They obediently returned to his side, showcasing Ethan's remarkable control over them.

Felix, despite his internal turmoil and frustration, couldn't afford to lose his composure in front of the camera and the audience.

"Mr. Walker, we meet again," he said, maintaining a veneer of politeness.

"Indeed, what a coincidence," Ethan replied with a sly smile, as if the words about 'proving rumors true' had come from someone else.

The viewership in both livestreams skyrocketed as the online world buzzed with excitement. Felix's much-sought-after traffic had finally arrived, thanks to Ethan's unpredictable antics. Ethan, seemingly oblivious to the growing audience, approached the mission's initiation button. "Alright, everyone's here. Let's start the mission," he declared casually. "Wait," Felix interjected hastily, "Mr. Walker-"

"Call me Ethan," Ethan interjected with a casual air.

"Alright, Ethan. Aren't you waiting for more players? We need at least three to start the mission, right?"

"Who made that rule?" Ethan asked, raising an eyebrow in mock surprise. "I usually go solo."

"But we already have four here," Ethan pointed out, counting his two subordinates in the tally.

"Don't worry, they're more reliable than humans in crucial moments," Ethan said with a relaxed tone, further unsettling Felix.

Felix's worries were not just about the mission's boss; it was Ethan himself that concerned him. With no other witnesses around, what if Ethan resorted to underhanded tactics and targeted him?

As Ethan's hand hovered over the button once more, Felix's anxiety reached a peak, yet he found himself at a loss for words to stop him.

At that critical moment, the door of the White Tower opened again. A tall young man stepped through the entrance, surveying the scene with a keen eye.

"Hey, got a companion? Two, even? Nice," he remarked, acknowledging Felix with a nod before his gaze settled on Ethan.

"Wow, Ethan? It's really you? Long time no see!" he exclaimed, recognition lighting up his face.

Ethan turned at the sound, a smile of recognition spreading across his face at the sight of the familiar figure.

Felix's heart sank further as the realization hit him.

They were allies.