Following the emergency news broadcast, Evren acted without a single moment of delay.

To legally enter an official Rift zone in Veridia Metropolis, the Guild Bureau required every Awakener to either hold an official Guild License or belong to a registered raid team. Otherwise, armed military checkpoints at the outer perimeter would deny entry on the spot.

The next morning, Evren met with VIP Wealth Manager Mikay at the Central Avenue financial district.

Together, they visited The Horizon Plaza, a prestigious fifty-story glass commercial tower in the heart of the business district.

Evren inspected the 40th floor; it was a sprawling executive suite featuring polished marble floors, private strategy rooms, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking the metropolis.

"Chairman Evren," Mikay presented the official commercial acquisition contract. "This executive suite satisfies all Metropolis Guild Bureau regulations for a licensed Guild Headquarters."

Evren signed the document cleanly with his digital pen. "Transfer one million dollars cash to finalize the lease immediately."

Transaction Confirmed: $1,000,000.00 transferred for Horizon Plaza Suite 400.

Remaining Balance: $23,950,042.50.

Within two hours, Mikay fast-tracked the registration paperwork directly through the Guild Bureau’s priority VIP channel. A glossy golden badge embossed with ancient crests arrived at the desk, accompanied by an official digital Guildmaster certificate:

[APEX GUILD OFFICIALLY LICENSED — GUILDMASTER: EVREN]

Later that afternoon, Evren returned to the Crown Penthouse to prepare for his solo raid into the sub-zero B-Rank Frost Rift.

Because Sector 4 dropped to extreme temperatures below minus forty degrees Celsius, Evren prioritized Amber’s safety and comfort before leaving. He knew Prescott Guild might try more underhanded tactics while he was away from the building.

So he contacted Apex Security’s specialized rune division and ordered an S-Rank Penthouse Mana Barrier Array installed around the entire Penthouse perimeter, along with four stationed Awakener security guards at the private elevator doors.

The defense array cost five hundred thousand dollars cash, creating an invisible, impenetrable mana shield over the Penthouse that could easily withstand direct heavy attacks from A-Rank Awakeners.

As the rune technicians completed the installation, the now familiar translucent golden system screen flared brightly before Evren’s eyes:

[DING! Heroine Safety & Defense Investment Completed!]

[Care Expenditure: $500,000.00 (S-Rank Home Barrier Array & Security Fleet)]

[100x System Rebate Triggered!]

[Cash Reward Deposited: +$50,000,000.00]

[Current Bank Balance: $73,950,042.50]

Evren smiled faintly at the massive deposit notification.

He then spent another five hundred thousand dollars equipping himself with a dark, insulated S-Rank Frost Combat Suit and a heavy Glacial Trench Blade crafted specifically for sub-zero Rift environments.

Bank Balance Updated: $73,450,042.50

Evren walked into the master bedroom where Amber was resting comfortably on the king-sized bed. He sat beside her on the edge of the mattress, gently taking her small hand in his.

"Amber, I’m heading out for a short business trip," Evren said softly, looking into her eyes. "I’ll only be gone for a day or two at most. I’ve installed an S-Rank defense barrier over the penthouse and stationed four Awakener security guards outside."

Amber looked at him, her dark eyes filled with gentle concern. "Where are you going, Evren?"

"Just handling some expansion business for Apex Guild," Evren replied with a warm, reassuring smile. "I’ve also hired a top private nurse from Veridia Medical to assist you with your mobility and physical therapy while I’m away. And remember, you can order anything you want from the penthouse room service terminal anytime."

Amber squeezed his hand tightly, her heart full of warmth and trust. "Be careful, Evren... please come back safely."

"I promise," Evren murmured, kissing her forehead gently before standing up to leave.

Forty-eight hours passed in a flash.

At Sector 4 on the northern outskirts of Veridia Metropolis, a massive tear in space hovered twenty feet above the frozen ground.

The B-Rank Frost Rift swirled with violent blue energy, howling with freezing Arctic winds that coated the surrounding valley in thick snow.

Heavy steel barricades encircled the entire five-hundred-yard perimeter. Over fifty heavily armed raiders from Prescott Guild lined the defense perimeter, wielding spears, heavy shields, and bows to block independent Awakeners from approaching the gate.

At the central checkpoint stood Prescott, wearing heavy A-Rank dragon-scale plate armor with a glowing broadsword strapped to his back.

Beside him stood several low-ranking guild officers, laughing arrogantly as they turned away frustrated independent raiders.

"Clear out, trash!" Prescott sneered loudly at a group of D-Rank Awakeners. "Prescott Guild has sole clearing rights to this Frost Rift! Anyone who takes one step past these steel barricades will be executed on the spot!"

The independent Awakeners grumbled in deep frustration, but nobody dared challenge a major guild’s fifty-man heavily armed raid force.

Suddenly, a black armored luxury SUV pulled up near the outer perimeter snowfield.

The security driver stepped out and opened the rear door. Evren stepped onto the snow-covered ground, wearing his dark insulated combat suit beneath a heavy black fur-lined coat. His posture was relaxed, and his dark eyes glowed slightly with golden mana.

Prescott turned his head toward the noise, spotting the luxury vehicle. When he recognized Evren, a look of utter shock crossed his face, quickly turning into a manic, arrogant laugh.

"Evren?!" Prescott shouted across the snow, walking up to the steel barricade, flanked by his heavy raiders. "What the hell are you doing here?! Just because you have a few stolen cash you’re throwing money around the city, you think that makes you a real Awakener?!"

Prescott rested his gauntleted hand on his sword hilt, glaring at Evren with bloodshot eyes.

"You might have five million dollars to buy my delivery company and lease a penthouse, but this is an official B-Rank Rift zone!" Prescott sneered. "Money can’t buy you combat rank! An F-Rank weakling like you will freeze into solid ice the second you step foot near a B-Rank monster!"

Evren didn’t flinch. He reached into his coat pocket, pulled out his golden Guildmaster License, and held it up clearly.

The golden badge flashed brilliantly in the pale winter sunlight.

"I am the Guildmaster of Apex Guild," Evren said calmly but loud enough to be heard across the snowfield. "I am entering the Frost Rift."

Prescott froze for a second, then roared with mocking laughter. "Apex Guild?! You registered a fake one-man guild to try to get past my checkpoint?! Do you have any idea where you are?!"

Prescott gestured arrogantly to his fifty heavily armed raiders lining the barricade.

"My guild has fifty raiders here!" Prescott snarled, his face twisting in rage and arrogance. "My men will chop you into meat before you take a single step past this barricade!"

Evren stepped forward, his eyes glowing with intense, golden S-Rank mana. "Try it."

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