CHAPTER 301: ARES DUNHOLD

The reporter’s voice shook a little as she spoke, but she still tried to keep it professional.

"That... hold on— isn’t that Olympus’ guild leader... Ares Durnhold?"

Once she said it, the entire crowd reacted at the same time.

"What?!"

"Ares?!"

"No way— he actually came in person?!"

In an instant, the atmosphere changed. Players instinctively moved back, creating a natural gap under the darkened sky. The Association guards didn’t even have to push people away; the crowd made space on their own. Camera drones turned as one, redirecting from the portal to the descending figure.

He didn’t rush down like a meteor. Ares descended calmly, as if simply walking down invisible steps in the air. The golden spear rested on his shoulder, and his white-and-gold armor reflected what little light still pressed through the half-covered sun. His expression remained indifferent, but the pressure surrounding him made it hard for anyone below a certain rank to breathe properly.

Reporters adjusted their mics and jackets hurriedly.

"Keep it stable, keep it stable—" one muttered to his cameraman.

Even high-ranked players from other guilds subconsciously shifted their posture. No one wanted to look shabby in front of someone like him.

He landed lightly just outside the red keep-off tape.

The tape didn’t even sway.

For a moment, nobody dared to speak.

Finally, an Association official in a formal coat hurried over, bowing slightly as he approached.

"Guildmaster Ares," he said respectfully. "This... is quite the surprise. May I ask what brings you here personally today?"

The nearest reporters leaned in, trying to catch every word.

His golden eyes didn’t waver. He looked at the portal first, then at the Tower above, and only then did he answer.

"I heard there was a rumor," he said calmly. "That I intended to let only my subordinates enter while I stayed behind."

The official swallowed. "Ah... yes. That has been going around."

"That rumor is false," Ares replied with a single nod. "I came because I plan to enter the Tower myself."

The reporters, who had overheard, went crazy internally but kept their faces controlled.

"So it was true... he really wants to go in personally..."

"I thought that was just forum bait."

"No, it’s him saying it now. On record."

The camera drones zoomed in, capturing his face and the Tower behind him in the same frame.

Doodle Brambleton’s live show immediately dragged the feed onto their main screen.

In the real-world studio, Doodle almost jumped out of his chair.

"OHHHH— WAIT A SECOND!" he shouted. "We have confirmation, live, right now! Ares Durnhold, Guildmaster of Olympus, top guild in the Valerian sector, just arrived personally at the Blood Tower entrance! And he just declared he wants to enter the Tower himself!"

His cohost looked equally stunned. "We... we knew there were rumors, but I thought he’d stay behind to command and let his elites climb."

"Same!" Doodle slapped the desk. "But look at that! He’s fully geared, spear in hand— and that’s his combat set. This isn’t some PR appearance."

Back at the Tower entrance, the official hesitated, but upon seeing Ares already walking forward, he quickly stepped aside.

The crowd parted further. Even members of rival guilds held their breath.

Ares approached the portal with steady steps.

Each one made the air feel heavier, as if the Tower itself was watching him.

All cameras turned to him—SBN, NewsHub, independent streamers, even personal travel logs. Everyone was filming the same scene.

"This is insane..." a random player whispered. "Olympus is already leading the floors, and now the guild leader himself joins the climb...?"

"If he joins them, no one’s catching up."

"Bro, this Tower is over if he goes all out."

All those thoughts swirled around as he reached the edge of the portal.

He paused for a heartbeat—

Then took a step forward.

And just like with Bryce Park before him—

The portal rejected him.

A soft, invisible force pushed him back.

It wasn’t violent, but it was absolute. His foot couldn’t pass through the threshold. The surface of the crimson energy rippled like disturbed water, then smoothed back as if nothing had happened.

A system message popped up, visible only to him.

[ENTRY DENIED]

Nothing more.

The crowd froze.

They had been expecting a grand entrance—lightning and thunder, Olympus’ guild leader walking straight into the Tower like a final boss. Instead, the Tower quietly said "no."

His brows drew together slightly.

He tried again.

Ares stepped toward the portal, this time with more force.

The same thing happened.

The moment he touched the red surface, he was pushed back—gently, yet firmly.

A low murmur spread across the plaza.

"...again?"

"Is it— is it the same as Bryce?"

"It can’t be. This is Ares Durnhold."

Even the reporters openly gaped.

The official looked stunned. "Guildmaster...?"

Ares stared at the portal for several seconds, then slowly stepped back. His expression didn’t twist with anger, but his eyes went cold.

He turned slightly, gazing over the crowd, then back up at the Tower.

In the studio, Doodle jumped to his feet.

"NO WAY. NO WAY. CHAT, are you seeing this?! The Tower just rejected Ares Durnhold from entering! He tried again and still got bounced!"

His cohost pushed up his glasses, genuinely rattled. "This confirms something huge. It’s not just Bryce Park— that case wasn’t a bug or isolated punishment. The Tower is deliberately blocking certain guild leaders."

Doodle spoke quickly, words tumbling out.

"We have two data points now: Bryce Park of White Flame and Ares Durnhold of Olympus. Both Champion Rank, both top of their factions, and both denied entry."

His cohost added, "The leading theory on the official forums is that the Tower has an upper limit on allowed power level for direct entry. Another theory suggests the Tower flagged certain individuals as ’scenario anchors’ who must remain outside."

Doodle made a face. "There’s also the dramatic theory: the Tower doesn’t want command-type entities inside because they break the challenge difficulty."

The cohost nodded. "Or, in simple terms, they’re too strong and would trivialize the trial."

Immediately, the official RealmHub forums exploded.

[BLOOD TOWER MEGATHREAD #4 – GUILD LEADERS BLOCKED??]

DarkTank99: So it wasn’t a rumor. Ares just got denied LIVE.

TowerTheorist: This confirms it’s not about guild, it’s about individual.

FaithlessPaladin: Theory: The Tower blacklists extremely high-threat figures tied to world stability.

BytePriest: Or maybe they’re tagged as ’raid bosses’ from (???).

ChaosWatcher: If they can’t enter—doesn’t that mean more spotlight for other rankers??

DivineSalt: Bro forget that, imagine being told by a dungeon that you’re too OP to play.

Another thread opened instantly.

[IS THE TOWER AFRAID OF GUILD LEADERS?]

HolySpark: Bryce and Ares both denied. Both are without a doubt powerhouses in the Vermilion Kingdom.

CrimsonRogue: But Crimson Star’s guild leader passed earlier.

Endgame: I think it’s because Crimson Star’s Lilith isn’t that powerful compared to the other two.

HolySpark: What if the restriction isn’t "strong people"? Maybe it’s related to their TYPE.

SystemLeak: Dark equilibrium condition. I’m telling you. The Tower wants a balance of light, dark, blood, and chaos.

Back at the Tower entrance, speculation wasn’t just online.

With the earlier tension gone, some people whispered openly now.

"First Bryce, now Ares..."

"Maybe the Tower wants the ’game board’ dominated by mid to high rankers, not absolute monsters."

Up on a raised balcony near the plaza, Bryce Park watched everything unfold.

He was dressed in white armor and a golden cloak as usual, but this time, there was a small, satisfied smile on his face.

One of his officers glanced at him nervously. "Guildmaster...?"

Bryce folded his arms across his chest, eyes locked on Ares. "If I’m not allowed entry due to whatever twisted logic this Tower has, then it’s better no other top guild leader walks inside either."

The officer hesitated. "So you’re... pleased?"

"I wouldn’t say pleased," Bryce replied calmly. "But I will say this— it would be far more frustrating to watch Olympus’ guild leader storm through the floors while I stand outside. This makes the field... fairer."

He looked at the crimson portal again, then at the dark sky.

"...the Tower does not want us inside," he said quietly. "Interesting."

Down below, reporters finally regained their voices.

"This is Lian from SBN— we have just witnessed the Tower rejecting Ares Durnhold, guild leader of Olympus, from entering! This is the second confirmed entry denial for a top guild leader, following White Flame’s Bryce Park!"

"Experts will definitely be scrambling for explanations," another reporter from NewsHub added. "For now, we can only speculate— but the pattern suggests the Tower is selectively controlling who can participate at the highest level."

In the studio, Doodle leaned toward the camera.

"Here’s the scary part," he said. "If the top guild leaders aren’t allowed in... then who is the Tower expecting to reach the top this time? Mid-level officers? Independent parties? Or..."

His cohost finished the thought. "...or outliers like Sir Broken."

Meanwhile... inside the Tower.

...

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