Ethan couldn't shake the anticipation buzzing in his veins as he navigated the bustling corridors of the guild. After weeks of interaining, he was eager to get bato a, to put his skills to the test against the Bck Sun Syndicate that loomed like a dark cloud over Kynara. The guild, a nexus of meraries and information brokers, was a hub of activity, with various members strategizing, debriefing, and preparing for their missions. The chatter of seasoned warriors mixed with the ctter of gear being assembled created a symphony of determination.

  As he approached the mission board, Ethan's heart raced at the prospect of seleg a new challenge. His ret success against Raeth, a high-ranking officer of the syndicate, had garnered him some respect among the ranks. The intel he'd gathered about the mind-trolling alloy, an experimental substahe Bck Sun had been using to bolster their influence, had proven invaluable. It had not only shed light on the syndicate's operations but also positioned him as a key pyer in their ongoing flict.

  "Ethan!" A familiar voice called, pulling him from his thoughts. It was Kael, the guild's secretary, who kept everything anized with a sharp mind and a keen eye. His demeanor was typically calm, but today, there ark en his voice. "We o talk."

  "About what?" Ethan replied, trying to keep his tone casual, though he felt a swell of curiosity.

  "There's a new mission briefing. It's not just any mission, it's high-stakes, and I think you'll want in," Kael said, leading him towards a secluded room where they could speak without the distra of the guild's bustle.

  Ethan followed, his i piqued. They entered a small chamber lined with monitors dispying various feeds from around Kynara. Maps of differeories flickered on the ss, highlighting areas under syndicate trol.

  Kael gestured towards one of the maps, where a red-marked territory caught Ethan's eye. "This is Xelthar's domain. He's one of the four bandit warlords trolling differeors for the Bck Suhar is supposed to be the weakest of the bunch, but he's still a signifit threat, especially with his es."

  Ethan leaned in closer, studying the details. "What's so special about him?"

  "Despite his reduced threat level, he has a fortified pound in the rugged outskirts of the desert, and he's been terrorizing the local outposts," Kael expined, his fingers dang over the keyboard as he pulled up more information. "Xelthar has been smuggling resources and intel directly to the Bck Sun, and we o cut that supply line."

  "Sounds like a straightforward missiohan said, attempting to keep his excitement in check. "What's the catch?"

  "The catch is that it's sidered a D-Rank mission, which is above your current E-Rank status. However, given your ret performand the intel you've provided on the mind-trolling alloy, the higher-ups are willing to make an exception," Kael replied, his eyes narrowing slightly as if assessihan's rea.

  Etha a rush of pride at the aowledgment. He had worked hard to prove himself, and this mission was a ce to solidify his pce within the guild. "I'm in. What do I o know?"

  Kael nodded, pulling up a detailed briefing on the s. "Xelthar's pound is heavily guarded, with enforcers and traps set to deter intruders. We need someone who think on their feet and adapt quickly. You'll be paired with a D-Rank merary to increase your ces of success."

  "A partner? Who?" Ethan asked, intrigued.

  "Lyra. She's got a solid reputation and experien dealing with bandit territories," Kael said, ahan could see a hint of respe his eyes. "Her bat skills plement your tactical knowledge. You'll be heading out together in a hover truorrow m."

  "Lyra…" Ethaed, trying to recall any information about her. He had heard whispers about a fierce merary known for her skills ih and reaissance, but he had never had the eet her. "What's her background?"

  Kael leaned back, folding his arms. "She's been in the game for a while. A former member of the syndicate who turned against them. She knows their tactics, which is why we believe she'll be an asset. Plus, she has a knack fetting in and out of tight spots without drawing attention."

  The thought of w alongside someoh inside knowledge excited Ethan. It also made him wary; would she be trustworthy? He pushed the thought aside. "When do I meet her?"

  "Tonight, before you head out. I'll arrange for you two to get acquainted and discuss strategy," Kael replied, tapping a few keys on his sole. "Make sure to gather year. You'll need everything at your disposal for this mission."

  Ethan nodded, feeling the weight of the uping challetle on his shoulders. As he left the briefing room, he couldn't help but repy the details in his mind. The thought of eliminatihar and disrupting the Bck Sun's operatio a thrill through him. It was a ake a real impact, to show the guild and himself that he belonged among the ranks of seasoned meraries.

  As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the guild, Ethan made his way to his ship to prepare. He meticulously checked his equipment: his armor, dual ser pistols, psma dagger, smoke and psma grenades, EMP devices, and a few gadgets he had developed during his training. Each item felt like a piece of a puzzle that would help him frohar and navigate the perilous mission ahead.

  Later that eveniha Lyra in a small tihe guild. The atmosphere was lively, filled with meraries sharing stories of their exploits s of ale. When he spotted her, he reized her instantly from the descriptions he had heard. Lyra was tall, with a lithe frame and sharp features that hi her determination. Her hair was a wild tangle of dark curls, and her eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and iy.

  "Ethan, right?" she said, her voice fident as she approached him, her expression revealing nothing of what she might think about her new partner. "Kael said you've been making waves tely."

  "Just trying to keep up," Ethan replied, extending a hand. "I've heard a lot about you."

  "Good things, I hope," she smirked, shaking his hand firmly. "I don't mind a challenge. I've been following the syndicate for a while, and I know how they operate. We'll o be smart about this."

  As they settled into a er booth, Ethan expihe missioails, sharing what he knew about Xelthar and the pound. Lyra listened ily, occasionally nodding and asking questions that showcased her tactical insight. Their versation flowed easily, as if they were old rades rather than new partners.

  "Xelthar won't go down without a fight, and we o capitalize on his weaknesses," Lyra stated, her tourning serious. "If he's fortified himself, we o draw him out. Create a distra that pulls his guards away from the mairance."

  "Good idea," Ethan replied. "We use the terrain to our advahere are rocky outcrops and dunes nearby; we set traps to slow down any reinforts."

  "Exactly," Lyra said, a glint of excitement in her eyes. "And once we're inside, we o find out where he's st his supplies. If we cut off his access to the alloy, we'll hit the syndicate where it hurts."

  They spent the rest of the evening plotting and sharing their experiences, a bond f between them as they discussed strategies and potential pitfalls. As the tina bustled around them, Etha a sense of purpose solidify within him. Tomorrow would be the start of a neter in his journey, a ce to fight back against the darkhat threatened Kynara and te his path alongside a partner who uood the stakes.

  As they fiheir drinks, Etha a renewed sense of determination. He was ready for the challenge ahead aing his newly gairength.

  It was time to rid this p from the filth that was Xelthar and his outws.