Chapter 7: The Summit of Fate
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1. The Summit Invitation
Three days later, Ethan stood in his massive office at the Blackwood estate, staring at the official golden invitation.
"International Martial Summit – Location: Valeria Capital – Attendance Mandatory for the Blackwood Heir."
His hands trembled as he set it down.
"Mandatory? Great. They might as well write 'Come and Die' on it."
The International Martial Summit wasn't a simple gathering. It was the most dangerous event in the world. Martial clans, political leaders, elite assassins, and warriors from every continent came together.
And Ethan – who just wanted to survive quietly – was now required to attend as the face of the Blackwood family.
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2. System's Warning
The system's voice cut through his thoughts.
"Host, understand this clearly. Someone at the Summit will change the course of your fate permanently."
Ethan froze. "Change my fate? Does that mean I could actually be safe? Or does it mean I'm going to die for real?!"
System:
> "That depends on your choices. Failure to prevent the assassination target's death will result in immediate termination."
"Of course. Death penalty as always," Ethan muttered bitterly.
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3. Preparing for the Summit
Damien entered the room with a stack of documents.
"Sir, I've compiled the profiles of all the key attendees," Damien said. "Some of the most powerful names in the world will be there – including Lucas Veylan."
Ethan groaned. "Lucas again?! His suspicion meter is still at 55%! If I slip even once…"
Damien hesitated. "There's more, sir. The heroines will also be attending."
Ethan's head snapped up. "All of them?!"
"Yes. Sophia Hartley, Claire Vale, and even Lady Aria (Heroine A) – they're all on the guest list."
Ethan could feel a headache forming. "This Summit is going to be the death of me."
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4. The Suspicious Heroines
The day before the Summit, the heroines confronted Ethan in the Blackwood mansion.
Sophia stepped forward, her voice soft but firm. "Ethan, we're worried about you. You keep disappearing. You're hiding something."
The Heroines' Suspicion Meter appeared in his vision.
Sophia: 30%
Claire: 25%
Aria: 20%
"Oh no, even they have suspicion meters now?!" Ethan thought miserably.
"I'm fine," Ethan lied. "I just have… family matters to handle."
Sophia didn't look convinced, but she didn't press further.
The meters ticked down slightly.
Sophia: 28%
Claire: 23%
Aria: 19%
"Okay… crisis averted for now."
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5. The Summit Begins
The Valeria Capital was a sprawling city of glass towers and ancient fortresses. Security at the Summit venue was insane – armored guards, biometric scanners, and cultivators capable of sensing even the faintest killing intent.
Ethan walked into the grand hall wearing the Blackwood family's ceremonial suit, flanked by Damien and two guards. He felt every eye turn toward him.
"They're all looking at me like I'm either a threat or a prize… I hate this."
And then he saw him.
Lucas Veylan.
The hero stood across the room, talking to several clan leaders. But his piercing eyes flicked toward Ethan for a brief second – and the Suspicion Meter ticked.
55%… 57%…
"Please, Lucas, just ignore me this time!"
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6. Meeting the Power Players
Damien quietly pointed out the key attendees:
Lord Ren Arclight, leader of the Arclight Martial Clan – a man whose cultivation was said to rival gods.
Lady Selene Frost, a political mastermind who controlled entire nations through alliances.
Draven Kael, the shadowy head of the international assassin network Umbra.
Ethan gulped. "All of these people could kill me with a finger."
And then Damien whispered the worst news.
"Sir… the Shadow Syndicate has infiltrated the Summit. They're after a high-profile assassination target."
Ethan's blood ran cold. "Who's the target?!"
Damien shook his head. "We don't know yet."
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7. The Assassination Attempt
The Summit's first day ended without incident, but Ethan couldn't relax.
On the second night, during the gala dinner, it happened.
A disguised assassin slipped through the crowd and aimed a poisoned blade at Lord Ren Arclight's heart.
Ethan saw it at the last second.
"If he dies, I die too!"
Without thinking, Ethan tackled Lord Ren out of the way. The blade grazed his arm, searing his flesh with poison.
Chaos erupted in the hall as guards clashed with assassins.
The Suspicion Meter for Lucas ticked down.
57%… 52%…
Lucas saw Ethan bleeding and realized he had saved Ren.
But the Hero's eyes narrowed. "Why would Blackwood risk his life for someone else?"
52%… 54%…
"Oh come on!"
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8. The Poison and the Deal
Ethan's vision blurred from the poison.
The system's voice rang.
"Host, you must survive the next 24 hours. Antidote required. Failure = Death."
Ethan gritted his teeth. "Where do I get the antidote?!"
System:
> "Only Draven Kael, the head of Umbra, possesses it."
"The assassin network's leader?! That guy will kill me before helping me!"
But Ethan had no choice.
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9. Draven Kael
Later that night, Ethan slipped away from the Summit and entered the dark alleyways of Valeria Capital, following a lead on Draven Kael's location.
He finally found him in a hidden underground chamber – a tall, pale man dressed in black, his eyes cold and calculating.
"You've been poisoned," Draven said calmly, as if he already knew everything.
Ethan clenched his fists. "I need the antidote. Name your price."
Draven smirked. "Simple. Kill Lucas Veylan for me, and I'll give it to you."
Ethan's blood ran cold.
"Kill… the hero?!"
The system's voice thundered in his mind:
Ethan's heart pounded.
"If I refuse, I die of poison. If I accept, Lucas will kill me the moment I try…"
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10. Cliffhanger
Ethan stood frozen in front of Draven, sweat dripping down his face.
"I can't kill Lucas. But if I don't… I die anyway."
Draven leaned closer, his voice a whisper.
"Decide, Blackwood. Your life… or the hero's."
The Suspicion Meter pulsed violently.
54%… 60%… 65%…
Ethan clenched his fists.
"There has to be another way… but I only have 12 hours left."
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Chapter 7 End (Suspense)