In Oakvale, there were eight big families, and the Swanson family was one of them. They had been around for a hundred years and were influential in Oakvale, especially in South City. They were like the kings of South City.The Welsh family was another powerful family in the city. The Ostrower family may be respected, but they weren't on the same level.When Cody heard about the Swanson family, his confidence turned into worry and seriousness."Mr. Ostrower, I know you come from a good family," Ziggy said. "But there are some things you better not mess with, especially when it involves the Swanson family. "I suggest you think twice before getting involved, or things could turn ugly." He grinned, looking confident. He had looked into Harmony Healers' background and knew they didn't have strong backing.Cody replied, "Ziggy, don't act like you have connections to the Swanson family. You're not fooling anyone."Ziggy responded, "The Swanson family is known for their good name.
Cody explained, "Mr. Swanson, I didn't mean to disrespect the Swanson family. "But these ruffians caused a scene at Harmony Healers; I had to step in."Despite being just a butler for the Swanson family, Zion had the support of Ezra Swanson, the family's scion. Cody wouldn't dare to go against Ezra unless it was necessary."Causing a scene? But I heard that your Harmony Healers are mistreating patients," Zion remarked casually."Ziggy told me that your quack doctor failed to treat his condition and made it worse. He came here seeking justice, and I find that reasonable.""That's right ..." Ziggy nodded, expressing his grievances. "Mr. Swanson, Harmony Healers are so unreasonable. Their treatment worsened my injuries, and I was close to death. "Not only did they refuse to admit it, but they also accused me of causing trouble. Please, be fair and help me!""Nonsense! He's just lying!" Harper couldn't contain her anger.She had never met such a shameless person before. Ziggy t
"What?"Dustin's sudden words grabbed everyone's attention."Where did you come from, kid? Do you even have a say here?" Ziggy didn't seem pleased."I'm a new doctor from Harmony Healers," Dustin calmly explained. "You just said if I heal your injury, you won't ask for compensation. So, I want to give it a try.""Give it a try? You?" Ziggy laughed, thinking that Dustin was rather foolish. He thought, "This guy doesn't even know what he's getting into.""Hey! It's not up to you. My grandpa hasn't made a decision yet. You can't decide for him!" Harper's expression hardened, venting her frustrations on Dustin."If you don't want to settle it through Harmony Healers, then the only option is to treat the injury. There's no other choice," Dustin said calmly."Who do you think you are? You think you can heal it just by saying so?" Harper was displeased by a country doctor acting arrogant at Harmony Healers."Kid, you're new here and inexperienced. It's not as simple as you think.
"It's over! Dr. Busch is placing trust in this scoundrel!" Chaos ensued among the Harmony Healers. No one expected that Brooke would entrust the fate of Harmony Healers to a stranger."Haha! Impressive!" After a brief pause, Ziggy burst into laughter. "Dr. Busch has some guts. Let's go with that!"Ziggy had worked tirelessly to reach this point. Now, they had fallen into his trap."Interesting ... very interesting," Zion said with a sly smile. Dealing with Harmony Healers seemed easier than he had anticipated."Stay calm; I trust Dustin's medical skills. He won't let us down," Brooke said seriously.Harper, feeling restless, exclaimed, "But we still don't trust him!""Master Brooke, there's no need to take this risk. With me here, they won't dare to cause trouble at Harmony Healers," Cody tried to convince him."I've made up my mind. No need for more talk," Brooke was determined."Grandpa!" Harper was so frustrated that she stomped her foot. Helpless, she turned toward Du
Under the watchful gaze of everyone, Ziggy tore off the bandage. It revealed the dark and foul-smelling ointment covering his wound. It looked rather unpleasant."Hey, fetch me a basin of water to clean this wound!" Ziggy pointed at a doctor, who happened to be Caldwell, lurking in the corner."M—me?" Caldwell was startled and pointed at himself. He had been observing from the sidelines, hoping to avoid trouble. In the end, he was still called out."Hurry up! Do you expect me to do it myself?" Ziggy glared at him."Oh, okay." Caldwell nodded. He dared not to say much and quickly brought a basin of water and a towel."Why are you standing there? Clean the wound for me; be gentle. If you hurt me, I'll break your leg!" Ziggy threatened.Being a ruffian, Ziggy could spot a pushover from a mile away.Caldwell was nervous as he wet the towel, carefully wiping the wound. Ziggy smiled mockingly. "Dr. Busch, hurry and prepare the transfer contract.""Grandpa, you shouldn't have tr
Cody was equally surprised, finding it difficult to believe. Everyone had assumed Dustin was trying to brag and lacked real skills. But, he had completely turned things around and resolved the crisis at Harmony Healers with his ointment. Dustin's performance was truly remarkable."Wow ... Dustin, you did a great job!" After recovering from his astonishment, Brooke clapped and laughed joyfully. He was prepared for failure, but Dustin had worked a miracle. It took him by surprise."What on earth! What happened to my wound? Why is it gone?" Ziggy kept touching his abdomen, looking concerned. He had put in a lot of effort to stage a deceitful act. If it failed this time, he would face the consequences."I never thought there was such a miraculous medicine in the world. If we can get our hands on it, we'll make a ton of money." Zion squinted his eyes, deep in thought.As the Swanson family butler, he possessed a sharp mind. Despite the annoyance over their failed plan, he swiftl
"Five million dollars? The Swanson family is sure generous," the crowd whispered.Zion's offer got everyone excited. Whether it was Ziggy's henchmen or the Harmony Healers' apprentices, five million dollars was a big deal for them."Mr. Swanson, this is a family secret formula. It's not for sale, so I'm afraid you'll be disappointed," Dustin replied calmly.He saw through Zion's intentions. Such an ancient formula was worth more than five million dollars.Still smiling, Zion persisted, "It looks like Mr. Rhys isn't satisfied. "Well, it seems like the stars had brought us together today. I'll double the offer to ten million dollars.""Wow! It just jumped to ten million dollars! Mr. Swanson is being generous!" The crowd whispered excitedly. This amount was more than they could ever dream of earning.Even Ziggy was jealous at that moment. He had taken the job and risked his life for just one million dollars. While Dustin's formula was being offered for a handsome ten million d
"Mr. Swanson, I don't like being threatened. "Let me give you some advice: don't mess with me, or your Swanson family will regret it," Dustin said casually."You're quite bold, aren't you?" Zion sneered. "Alright, if you're that confident, we'll wait and see." With that, he left. The Swanson family wouldn't want a public confrontation. He would find another way to get the formula later."Kid, you're in trouble now for crossing Mr. Swanson!" Ziggy sneered as he gathered his crew and left.Even though Ziggy's plan failed today, he didn't leave empty-handed. The Swanson family had their eyes on the Dew Balm formula Dustin had. Ziggy believed that getting it would bring them great rewards."Mr. Rhys, we're thankful for your help today. Harmony Healers would've been in a tight spot without you," Brooke expressed his gratitude genuinely."Dr. Busch, it was nothing much. Just helping out," Dustin replied humbly with a smile."You're a talented young person with amazing skills. I
"Oh? Are we going all out now?" Dustin smirked, with a hint of amusement in his eyes.Mulder, who had advanced to become a grandmaster martial artist through drugs, had a weak foundation. Even after taking the enhanced serum, he still posed no threat to Dustin. If Mulder were a hundred times stronger, he might just barely be able to fight Dustin.As the serum's effects pushed his body to the limit, Mulder suddenly let out a furious roar. His muscles swelled rapidly, and his bones cracked as they expanded. His body grew larger at an alarming rate, and his clothes tore apart under the strain.His six-foot frame stretched to nearly seven feet in mere moments as his body swelled to monstrous proportions. His face twisted fiercely, and his skin darkened as black scales surfaced.With another guttural growl, his roar turned beastlike. He grabbed his shredded shirt and ripped it away, exposing his broad chest covered in dark scales. A faint, eerie sheen flickered across their surface."D
Dustin's words made Mulder frown.Mulder knew all too well that Warrick was the kind of man who had no sense of loyalty or honor. If Warrick could kill his own personal guards without hesitation, what would stop him from killing a stranger? Mulder was certain that the moment things went south, Warrick would be the first to flee. Given the choice, he'd never willingly risk his life as Warrick's sacrificial pawn. But now, there was no turning back.With his undercover identity exposed and him helping Warrick escape, Mulder became a sworn enemy of West Lucozia. His name was now on the most-wanted list.Tonight was their best chance to escape. If they missed it, finding another way out would be nearly impossible.There was only one path left for him—kill whoever stood in his way and make it onto that escape boat."Enough talk, punk. Let's see what you're really made of," Mulder said.After weighing his options, he gritted his teeth and finally decided to draw his longsword. His fig
"You had your chance. Don't blame me for what happens next," Dustin said.With a slight squeeze of his fingers, the steel blades clamped between them shattered with a sharp clang.Before the two Hall of Gods members could even react, Dustin waved his hand.The two men were sent flying as if they'd been hit by a truck, hurtling over 30 feet through the air. Blood sprayed from their mouths and noses before they hit the ground. They were critically injured and on the verge of death.Dustin slowly turned his head and looked at the man who had just tried to ambush him.The man glanced at the broken sword in his hand, then at Dustin, who looked utterly unfazed. He hesitated for a split second—then bolted.With a powerful leap, he dove straight for the sea. He knew Dustin's strength was on a completely different level. There was no chance of outrunning him on land, so the only hope was to disappear into the water.It might have worked—if not for what happened next.Just before he hit
"You're not a fisherman? Who the hell are you?"Mulder's guard shot up the moment he got a clear look at the young man's face.Fishermen who spent their days at sea were usually tanned from the sun, but this one had a fair complexion. It felt a little strangeNoticing something was off, the men behind Mulder drew their blades and fixed their sharp gazes on the fisherman.The so-called fisherman standing guard wasn't just anyone—it was Dustin, who had been waiting for them all along.Since his plan was set in motion, he'd been stationed there from morning until midnight. After what felt like an eternity, his targets had finally arrived."Isn't it obvious? I'm here to capture you."Dustin rose from the deck and rolled his shoulders before speaking in an even tone. "If you don't want to die, surrender now. Otherwise, it'll be too late.""Watch out! It could be an ambush." Mulder swiftly pulled out his dagger. His sharp gaze scanned the surroundings for any sign of hidden troops.
As night fell, Warrick sat motionless in his room as he tried to calm his mind through meditation. He had always been able to clear his mind with ease. But tonight, no matter how hard he tried, focus eluded him. A restless unease settled over him and refused to let him relax.Nearly two hours passed before Mulder's scouts finally returned. This time, they brought good news.The smuggling route they had scouted was completely safe, with no signs of an ambush. The West Lucozia army had yet to discover this potential escape route.Once everything was confirmed, Mulder let out a breath of relief. Warrick, too, finally felt the weight lift from his chest."Since the route is safe, we should set out immediately to avoid any unexpected complications." Warrick said. He had no intention of waiting any longer. He was a wanted man, and every moment in West Lucozia increased his chances of capture. There was no telling when the army might surround him. Only by escaping to Thaloria would he
After a hearty meal, the burly Warrick sprawled lazily onto the bed and dozed off. He slept soundly till dusk, lost in a deep dream. When the sky was painted in brilliant hues of the setting sun, only then did he wake up leisurely.The exhaustion from the previous day seemed to have melted away. He felt invigorated, refreshed, and in high spirits.At that moment, Leigh had already set the table in the hall with quiet efficiency. Compared to the first meal, this spread was far more lavish.At the center of the table sat a whole roasted pig. Its golden-brown skin glistened with a rich, crispy sheen. The mouthwatering aroma filled the room, making it impossible not to crave a bite.Warrick had never been one for formalities. The moment he saw the feast, he didn't hesitate. He strode over, took a seat, and started digging in. He ate with zero restraint without sparing a single thought for Mulder, who was still out gathering intel.After a while, half of the roast pig was gone. His fac
"Who is it?" Warrick's grip tightened around the hilt of his steel blade. His eyes, sharp and alert, were like those of a startled predator—full of caution and menace.For the past few days, he had been on edge, like a cornered animal. He barely slept and was constantly on high alert, fearing danger would strike at any moment.The door slowly creaked open. An elderly man with gray hair stepped inside with a tray of fruit and pastries in both hands.Before he could even register what was happening, a flash of cold steel appeared, and Warrick's blade was at the elderly man's throat.The elderly man trembled with fear. The tray slipped from his grasp, and fruit and pastries scattered on the floor."Easy, Sir Prescott. He's one of us." Mulder stepped forward and pressed down on the flat of Warrick's blade with a finger. He smiled and explained, "His name's Leigh Houston. He's mute and has served the Hall of Gods for years. He keeps watch over this tunnel entrance and has never slipp
"Here's the problem—even if we know Warrick's intentions, how do we stop him?" Austin asked.Right now, Warrick had already disappeared without a trace. Austin's team hadn't even come close enough to get a hold of him, so there was no way to track him down.West Lucozia's vast territory and resources made it impossible to seal off every exit route completely. While it might be manageable in the short term, prolonging such an operation would significantly impact West Lucozia's economy. Wasting resources on a single fugitive wasn't a wise move."Warrick is a wanted man across the entire city. There's no way he's leaving through official channels. He'll have to sneak his way out," Dustin analyzed. He continued, "According to the maritime charts, if he's traveling from West Lucozia to Artea, he'll have to go through Thaloria. That's our lead. Get someone on it immediately—find out how many smuggling routes there are from West Lucozia to Thaloria.""Got it. I'll get it done right away
"Damn you, Mulder! You've really screwed me over this time." Axel gnashed his teeth as rage boiled inside him. Mulder's betrayal hadn't just implicated Axel's sister, but it had also dragged Axel himself into the mess.Mulder had climbed the ranks to assistant chief of the City Defenders in just a few years, and Axel had played a major role in backing him.Now that this mess had blown up, Axel was right in the middle of it. No matter how he tried to explain, he was going to take the fall for it."Everyone, follow me! Let's capture that traitor."After learning Mulder's escape route, Axel waved his hand and led his enforcement team out at full speed.He had already messed up by failing to capture Warrick, which was a serious lapse in duty. Now, with his brother-in-law openly rebelling against them, things had only gotten worse.If Axel didn't turn this situation around and bring those traitors to justice, his days as an enforcement team captain were numbered.After a thorough s