A Silent Protector

Ch 4: The Silent Protectors

Ethan went directly to the Golden Spring Hotel after leaving the Civil Affairs Office. Golden Spring Hotel is the most luxurious hotel in Springfield City. Being the only five-star hotel in the city, it is not your typical hotel and is renowned for its extravagant services and high-class reputation. The building of this hotel towered above the city, with its shiny glass exterior reflecting the sunlight like a jewel.

As soon as Ethan walked into the grand lobby, the hotel attendants spotted him and greeted him warmly. They already seem to know him, and their smiles were very respectful.

"Welcome back Mr. Graves." One of the hotel attendants greeted Ethan while bowing slightly.

Ethan nodded at them but didn't stop or said anything. He made his way to the elevators that was located at the back of the lobby.

He stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the highest floor where his suite was located. The elevator smoothly glided up to the top floor. It was fast and silent.

Ding!

The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, revealing the plush carpeted hallway leading to his suite.

Last night, after being kicked out of the Andersons, Ethan had come to the Golden Spring Hotel and booked the most expensive suite for an entire month. It wasn't cheap. One night in that suite cost over 20,000 dollars.

Although he lived like a frugal these past three years, in truth, money wasn't something Ethan lacked. His past is more mysterious than anyone can even think. The starting point was when he was taught the basics of martial arts by Claire's grandfather, John Anderson.

He stepped into his suite, and the door closed softly behind him. The room was massive, almost the size of a small apartment. The floor-to-ceiling windows were stretched across the entire wall, offering a breathtaking view of the city below.

The living area was furnished with sleek modern furniture. A large comfortable sofa was facing a giant flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. There was a glass coffee table in the center, and beside it was a marble bar with a selection of high-end liquor and wine. The room was decorated with soft and neutral colors, with touches of gold and silver adding a sense of luxury.

To the side, an open door led to the bedroom. The king-sized bed was covered in the finest silk sheets, and the pillows looked soft enough to sink into. A chandelier hung from the ceiling.

Ethan walked over to the windows, staring out at the view. The city below looked peaceful, unaware of the dangers lurking beneath the surface.

He sighed, and then went to the bar, made a drink for himself, and then went back on the sofa to sit and drink slowly.

Ten years ago, when Ethan was 16, he was taught the basics of martial arts by John Anderson who was also a retired lieutenant from the army. John trained Ethan for a full year before they parted ways.

At 18, Ethan enlisted in the army, and with his strong foundation, he quickly stood out as an exceptional soldier. Within two years, he was promoted to the special forces, where he underwent rigorous training and completed several missions. It was during this time that he first encountered the hidden nature of the world.

This world was not as simple as he used to think. Much like in the fantasy novels he used to read, there were hidden layers beyond what normal people could see. Secret forces moved in the shadows, and ancient powers existed that the average person had no knowledge of.

Cursed objects, dark energy, and mysterious beings roamed the world in the shadows. Fortunately, they were kept at bay by individuals who had been trained to protect humanity. Ethan had been drawn into this hidden reality, where the rules of the normal world no longer applied.

At first, Ethan was terrified. He could not believe that the world he lived in was hiding so many dark secrets. The things he saw during his missions; creatures beyond understanding, cursed objects that defied logic, and people with strange abilities, they all shattered his old view of reality.

He suddenly found himself thrown into a world full of supernatural dangers, where his regular training as a soldier and foundation built by basic martial arts was not enough. It was overwhelming, but over time, after facing that supernatural part of the world and losing several of his comrades, his fear slowly turned into determination. He knew he had to adapt to survive in this hidden but dangerous world.

Fortunately, Ethan finally came into contact with real martial arts during his time in the military. These martial arts were not like the basic techniques he had learned before; they were advanced skills, tightly guarded and taught only to those deemed worthy.

These techniques helped him strengthen his body and mind and gave him the ability to face supernatural threats head-on. Slowly over time, he grew stronger. He learned how to channel his energy in ways that regular people could never imagine. This training became his weapon against the hidden dangers of the world.

In just another two years, at 22, he was promoted to the rank of captain. His experiences could be said to be legendary, and his records were encrypted by the higher-ups with SSS-level security.

After his promotion, Ethan decided not to take over an existing Special Force team. Instead, he created his own elite unit. He handpicked skilled individuals and introduced a system of ranks within the team, ensuring a clear hierarchy and structure.

He gave his elite unit the name of Silent Protectors. The ranks he introduced were Guard Recruit, Guardian, Lord Protector, and Supreme.

He was the captain of this unit. According to his introduced ranks, he was the Supreme.

The Silent Protectors slowly became known in this hidden world for their discipline, strength, and ability to handle dangerous missions.

At the same time, the name "Supreme" became known to all the higher-ups of various forces in the hidden side of this world.