Level 1 to Infinity: My Bloodline Is the Ultimate Cheat!

"Melee fighters, fall back!"

A crisp, commanding voice rang out near Ethan's hiding spot. He turned toward the source and spotted a female player from Whispering Bamboo issuing orders.

From his position, he could only see her in profile. Was she the guild leader? Or maybe a high-ranking officer?

Either way, calling for melee fighters to retreat was the smart move. Unfortunately, not everyone shared that level of awareness.

"It's on the ground! Shield Tanks, get up there and hold the line!" Marcus Skeiner's voice thundered across the battlefield.

Right now, Blade Syndicate had the largest presence in Duskridge—over eight thousand members had answered the call. Marcus had practically mobilized his entire guild.

"Boss… it's level 99…" A hesitant Shield Tank barely got the words out before the Evolved Ancient Riftwalker stomped him into paste.

He wasn't the only one. More than a hundred melee players, nearly all from Blade Syndicate were crushed in an instant.

Marcus cursed. "I don't care—keep attacking! All ranged classes, hit it with everything you've got!"

His mind wasn't on the casualties. A level 99 Demigod-tier boss? If it dropped even a Dark Gold item, the rewards would be more than worth the losses.

Blade Syndicate members, however, had no real strategy, just a mindless charge. Every time the Riftwalker even twitched, someone got sent flying.

Then, suddenly, a squad of NPC soldiers emerged. Twenty of them. All level 200 Elite NPCs.

Normally, a level 200 fighter against a level 99 monster would mean an easy victory. But in Ethereal, level wasn't everything.

A monster's tier mattered far more.

The Elite Town Guards rushed in, forming a tight perimeter around the Riftwalker. Their shields and weapons struck like relentless rain, locking the massive creature in place. For a moment, they actually managed to hold it down.

"Kraaahhh!"

The Riftwalker suddenly erupted in black fire, its burning claws swiping through the ranks.

Each strike sent a level 200 guard flying.

The soldiers crashed into buildings, flames consuming their bodies. Structures collapsed, the streets turning to scorched ruin.

Then—

"Soulrend Piercing Bolt!"

A cold, commanding voice echoed through Duskridge. A wave of deathly energy surged across the battlefield, sending chills down Ethan's spine.

He turned toward the voice.

Roland Carter, Captain of Duskridge's First Guard Squadron, stood atop the watchtower.

In his hands was a massive crossbow, nearly five feet long. It looked… plain. No excessive decorations, just a simple, well-crafted weapon.

But, It gleamed with seven-colored light.

Ethan's eyes narrowed. What tier of weapon was that?

Something else struck him as odd.

Every time he'd seen Roland, the man had a sheathed longsword at his waist and a shield on his back. Ethan had assumed he was a Shield Tank.

But now? A crossbow user?

Shield on his back, sword at his side—was that supposed to look cool?

The Riftwalker, still controlled by the Crowling God, must have sensed the danger. It struggled violently, trying to break free.

But with thousands of Shield Tanks and a squad of elite NPC defenders pinning it down, it couldn't move.

A Demigod-tier boss… but still only level 99. For the first time in this fight—it was vulnerable.

Despite the Riftwalker's overwhelming power, the relentless attacks had slowed it down considerably.

Whoosh—BOOM!

Roland Carter finally fired. The Soulrend Piercing Bolt tore through the air with a deafening sonic boom. And went straight through the Riftwalker's skull.

The entire bolt sank into its body. Yet, strangely, it dealt no damage. For a brief moment, the Riftwalker's body stiffened. Then, thick black mist burst from its eyes, nostrils, and mouth, spiraling into the air with an agonized shriek.

"Damn you humans! That wretched Soulbreaker Crossbow… You've wounded my very soul! I will never forgive this!"

The voice of the Crowling God, Anzu echoed within the dissipating darkness, its presence slowly fading from the battlefield.

Ethan narrowed his eyes. It worked.

The Riftwalker's obsidian-black eyes turned blood-red. Anzu's control had been shattered.

But, Its evolved form didn't revert. Its power remained the same. Only now, it had lost all rationality.

It rampaged blindly, attacking everything in sight.

Ethan glanced back at Roland's weapon. That crossbow… it was specialized for soul-based attacks. So that's why it was glowing with seven-colored light.

Ethan suddenly felt a lot less interested in this fight. With Anzu gone, the Riftwalker was no longer a major threat.

Time to leave.

He checked the battlefield. Everyone was too focused on the chaos to notice him slipping away. Ethan took the opportunity to sneak toward the northern gate.

Just as he reached it, a massive army of over eight thousand players charged toward the town.

Leading the front was Skyblade, Slashblade, and SeraphWarrior. Behind them, Lyla accompanied by her pet. And behind her, the rest of the eight-thousand-strong force.

Right at the town's entrance, Ethan and the advancing guild locked eyes.

Skyblade, Slashblade, and SeraphWarrior stopped in their tracks upon recognizing him.

"Boss!"

Ethan blinked. 'Huh?'

"Wait, what are you guys doing here?"

Skyblade stepped forward. "Boss, the system broadcasted your coordinates inside Duskridge. We thought you were trapped—so we came to rescue you!"

Lyla approached as well, concern in her eyes. "Are you okay?"

Ethan looked at his guildmates, his heart warming at their loyalty. These guys… really came all this way just to save him?

"I'm fine," he said, smiling. "Thanks, everyone."

Skyblade turned back to the guild.

"Boss is safe! Charge into the city and loot the boss!"

Ethan's warm feelings instantly evaporated. Something felt… off.

His expression darkened.

Lifting his foot, he kicked Skyblade square in the chest.

"You bastard! You used me as an excuse to gather everyone just so you could farm loot, didn't you?!"

Skyblade, still recovering from the kick, stammered awkwardly. "N-no, of course not! We were already here… figured we might as well, y'know, make the most of it…"

Ethan massaged his temples.

"…Forget it."

He took a deep breath and issued orders.

"Pull back. That boss isn't dropping anything useful. Instead, split into teams and start securing territory."

Skyblade looked disappointed. "We're not taking Duskridge?"

Ethan glanced around at the wrecked town. Taking it over now would mean massive repair costs.

Even if they fully rebuilt it, taxed it at 5%, and managed a steady income, It would still take at least six months to break even.

This wasn't an investment. It was a financial sinkhole.

He wasn't taking the bait. Whoever was dumb enough to claim Duskridge right now could have it.

And if Ethan had to bet, that fool was probably Marcus Skeiner.