chapter 40 warning from frost eye

Dark Solution's Rapid Ascent

A few hours after Stormhowl's fall, the effects of Sophie's campaign became undeniable. Dark Solution was no longer a struggling, hunted guild. The absorption of multiple tier-three guilds had swelled their ranks, bringing in fresh blood, skilled fighters, and invaluable resources.

The game's guild rankings reflected this transformation. Dark Solution surged past the remnants of third-rate guilds, securing its place as the dominant force in the lower rankings. They had yet to reach true second-rate status, but among average-tier guilds, they were now unmatched.

Sophie leaned back in her chair within Dark Solution's new headquarters—a former Stormhowl fortress now repurposed as her command center. The stone walls bore the scars of past battles, yet they now served as the heart of her growing empire. Her eyes flicked over the glowing interface of the guild management screen, where recruitment requests piled up, their power rating soared, and reports from various strongholds flooded in.

Vance's smirk deepened as he studied the numbers on the screen. His posture shifted slightly, his fingers drumming against the table in approval. "That's some jump. We were just barely surviving a few hours ago, and now we're leading the entire third-rate bracket." A trace of amusement flickered in his gaze. "Think we'll hit second-rate soon?"

Sophie's fingers tapped rhythmically against the wooden armrest as her expression turned contemplative. "We're not second-rate yet." A pause. Her gaze sharpened, scanning the room. Their numbers had increased, and their influence was growing, but power wasn't just about numbers. To reach true second-rate status, they needed more than just recruits and looted resources.

They needed dominance.

Her shoulders squared as she turned to her officers, each seated around the war table, their attentions locked onto her. "We control multiple territories now, but that's not enough. Second-rate guilds have infrastructure, supply chains, stable economies. We need to consolidate our power."

Vance's head tilted slightly, his brow raising in consideration. "So, what's next?"

Sophie's lips curled into a sharp smile. "We take control of the market."

A subtle shift passed through the gathered officers—postures straightening, gazes narrowing in anticipation. The weight of her words settled over them.

With the Spirit Flowers and Healing Herbs they had looted, Dark Solution could flood the game's economy with alchemy potions. Health potions, stamina restoratives, and poison antidotes were all high-demand commodities. If she controlled the supply, she controlled who lived and who died in battle.

And if the second-rate guilds wanted those resources?

They would have to come to her.

But there was a problem.

The most valuable alchemy blueprint—the one that allowed for mass production of high-grade potions—was still missing. Rumors swirled about its existence, but no one knew who had obtained it.

Sophie's fingers tightened against the table. "The potion blueprint exists. That much we know."

Vance exhaled sharply. "And no one's claimed it?"

"No one trustworthy," Sophie muttered. "If a guild had it, they would have leveraged it by now. That means it's either lost, hidden, or in the hands of someone smart enough to keep quiet."

Her eyes flickered toward the dungeon reports.

The only confirmed drop of the alchemy blueprint was from a Level 3 Dungeon – Hell Level.

Sophie's gaze darkened. "Find out who cleared that dungeon."

Vance pushed off the table, rolling his shoulders. "I'll put the scouts on it."

Sophie exhaled slowly. Someone had the key to their future.

And she would find them—no matter what it took.

The Hunt Begins

Dark Solution's war room remained tense as officers exchanged reports. The air buzzed with quiet urgency—everyone knew the stakes. If Sophie could secure the alchemy blueprint, Dark Solution wouldn't just dominate the market; they'd control the very foundation of warfare in Mortal Online.

Vance rubbed his jaw as he reviewed the latest system data. "We've gone through all dungeon activity. No one has even started raiding a Level 3 Hell-Difficulty Dungeon."

Sophie's eyes narrowed. "Not even second-rate guilds?"

Vance shook his head. "Most players are still too weak. Forty percent of players are Level 2, and the rest are still Level 1. Even the top groups are focusing on farming safe zones instead of diving into something that could wipe them."

Sophie leaned back, her fingers tapping against the table. If no one had attempted the dungeon, then the alchemy blueprint was still inside, untouched. That was both an opportunity and a problem.

Lysander, their rogue specialist, crossed his arms. "We know where it is, but clearing a Level 3 Hell Dungeon right now isn't feasible. The mobs inside will shred any team that goes in underprepared."

Sophie's lips curled into a smirk. "Then we need to be the first ones prepared."

She brought up the map, marking key grinding spots. "We power level our elites. If no one else can reach Level 3, we'll be the first."

Vance exhaled, a grin forming. "So we're going all-in on a dungeon rush?"

Sophie's gaze darkened with determination. "We're not just rushing it." Her fingers tightened on the table.

"We're claiming it before anyone else even dares to step inside."

Raven's Reaction

Perched on a crumbling rooftop in Viles Town, Raven overlooked the chaos unfolding below. Fires flickered in the distance, scattered remnants of battles fought and lost. Dark Solution's banners now hung where Stormhowl's insignia once stood. Sophie had moved fast—too fast.

His eyes narrowed as he read the latest system announcement.

> System Alert: Dark Solution has annexed Stormhowl, Black Claw, and Iron Fangs.

Dark Solution's power ranking has surged.

Raven let out a slow breath, his fingers tapping against the hilt of his dagger.

"So, you're already making moves, Sophie."

He had expected her to grow Dark Solution, but using K as her weapon? That was unexpected.

His lips curled into a smirk. "Smart."

K's warpath had thrown Viles Town into turmoil, making it easy for Sophie to swoop in and absorb three struggling guilds. She hadn't lifted a finger—just redirected someone else's destruction to suit her needs.

Raven admired the efficiency. But that didn't mean he liked it.

"She's building her empire on chaos," he muttered.

It was the same method Dark Solution had used in his past life. Gain power through destruction, through deception, through manipulation.

His grip on his dagger tightened.

"But you don't even know the real threat, Sophie."

K wasn't hunting Stormhowl or the other tier-three guilds. He was after Dark Solution itself.

And Sophie had just painted a massive target on her back.

Raven exhaled, standing up. "This just got interesting."

If Sophie thought she was the predator, she was in for a rude awakening.

Because K was still out there. And he wasn't finished yet.

Sophie stood on the balcony of Dark Solution's newly acquired fortress, watching as hundreds of new recruits trained below. Stormhowl, Black Claw, Iron Fangs—gone, absorbed into Dark Solution. Their ranks had swelled overnight, but she knew that sheer numbers weren't enough. Control was everything.

Vance approached, his posture relaxed but his voice carried a hint of caution. "We're stabilizing fast. The tier-three guilds are adjusting, and our numbers are solid."

Sophie gave a slight nod, her eyes still locked on the training grounds. "And K?"

Vance smirked. "Still hunting. He's tearing through our old enemies like a mad dog."

"Perfect." Sophie's lips curled. "As long as he stays busy, we stay ahead."

Frost eye]:"Don't get too comfortable, Sophie.Enjoy your stolen throne while you can.I will destroy you. Haha."Sophie's grip on the railing tightened, her nails digging into the wood.For the first time since taking over Dark Solution—she felt a chill creep down her spine.

Bounty Updated: Frost Eye – 100,000 Credits

Reason: High Treason Against Dark Solution

A ripple of shock spread through Dark Solution's officers. Vance raised an eyebrow. "You're putting a hundred grand on his head? That's more than some second-rate guild leaders."

Log Out

Raven leaned back in his chair, stretching as the glow of his monitor reflected in his eyes. Sophie had taken the bait.

A bounty of 100,000 credits on Frost Eye? Predictable. She was ruthless, but she still thought like a queen sitting on a throne—striking down threats instead of questioning the game board itself.

He exhaled, shutting the game interface. As the world of Mortal Online faded to black, the familiar log-out screen appeared.

> [Logging out…]

[Session ended.]

The game vanished, replaced by the dim glow of his desktop.

Raven smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Enjoy your throne, Sophie."

His chair creaked as he stood, stretching. He had time. Let her bask in her moment of glory.

Because when he returned…

He wouldn't just take Dark Solution down. He'd burn it to the ground.