Nicholas gasped. He never expected Ethan to propose something like that. The demand that Nicholas hand over the City Authority Token was not a simple request.
Nicholas understood better than anyone what that token represented. It was not just an item or a symbol of control.
It was the very heart of Silver Town, the proof of ownership, authority, and legitimacy over everything within the city's borders.
For a brief moment, Nicholas felt his thoughts spiral.
He turned his head slowly and looked behind him, carefully observing his remaining members. Their conditions were clear even without status panels or system notifications.
They were exhausted. Many were injured, their armor cracked or stained with blood. Their faces were pale, their breathing uneven.
More than their physical wounds, their mental and psychological states were far worse. Fear, despair, and trauma were written plainly in their eyes.
It was obvious they could no longer continue fighting Ethan.
