Dustin didn't dodge when the three assassins attacked him. He simply lifted his foot and lightly stomped the ground.A dull thud resounded as his foot left a deep imprint in the ground.At the same time, a surge of powerful energy burst forth from his body, and it quickly formed a translucent protective shield in front of him.The three assassins swung their swords, but they struck the shield instead. A low hum filled the air, accompanied by a deep rumble.Despite their relentless efforts, the assassins couldn't breach the shield. All they managed to do was push it back by a mere three inches.Dustin's protective shield was as strong as steel wire mesh. Even when swords pierced and bent it, it remained intact."What?" The man in black's face went white when he saw his attacks weren't working.After taking a miracle cure earlier, he reached the level of grandmaster. Armed with a shadowsteel sword, he was accompanied by two elites halfway to becoming grandmasters.The man in bl
"Oh yeah? Let's wait and see who wins in the end." Dustin smiled faintly, but his eyes conveyed a chilling indifference.Though he didn't know the identity of these assassins, he could tell they were Dragonmarsh's enemies."Hmph! Kid, I hope you don't regret this!" The man in black sneered at Dustin. His expression suggested that Dustin's days were numbered.To him, Dustin was the epitome of ignorance and arrogance. He was overly dependent on his skills and prone to reckless behavior. The man in black was convinced that Dustin was unaware that there were always stronger individuals out there. After all, there was always a bigger fish in the sea. Moreover, Dustin was just a young man in his 20s. So, no matter how talented he was, the man in black knew Dustin couldn't be compared to the renowned Old Beast."Whether I regret it or not, you'll find out soon enough. But before that happens, I must deal with the three of you." Dustin slowly approached the three assassins."You… What
"Dustin, we don't know how many people there are in this assassin organization. Isn't this too risky?" Quincy appeared hesitant.Before laying the ambush, he thought there was just one assassin. Now, however, he realized there was a whole group.Handling a lone assassin was manageable since they could kill him with their numbers. But facing a group of assassins was an entirely different scenario.After all, these assassins were extremely strong, well beyond the caliber of ordinary martial artists. Moreover, as a temporary team, they had a significant skill gap.Engaging in direct combat might not tip the scales in their favor. Even if they emerged victorious, the casualties would likely be significant.So, Quincy wasn't sure whether to engage in a life-or-death struggle with this group of desperados."Elder Douglas, tonight is our best chance to uproot this assassin organization. If we miss it, it'll be hard to catch them next time," Dustin said solemnly.The assassins' strength
"They're here!" Crystal said, and soon, black figures emerged around the tavern.These figures were scattered in pairs or small groups. Some perched on rooftops, some lurked at street corners, others hid among the trees, and a few even stood on lampposts.Their movements were as quiet and nimble as stealthy cats. At the same time, their precise positioning effectively sealed off all entrances and exits.From an aerial perspective, they had inadvertently formed a large circle surrounding Dustin and the others.After all, these black figures were skilled assassins who had promptly reacted to the distress signal. In just two minutes after their arrival, they formed the encirclement. It showcased their exceptional training."Damn it! So many assassins showed up. Looks like we're in for a tough fight tonight."Miles slowly drew his sword and vigilantly looked at the surrounding black figures. Over a dozen assassins were out in the open, and he suspected more were hiding in the shado
Upon hearing the command, over a dozen assassins immediately charged forward with their swords drawn.These assassins were swift and incredibly agile. They darted and weaved in unpredictable patterns, making it difficult to track their movements.Their unpredictable footwork was honed through hellish training. It was specifically designed to counter long-range attacks and had become almost instinctual for them."Everyone! Attack!"As the assassins launched their assault, martial artists in the vicinity drew their weapons and charged into the battle."Let's take them on!" Dalen shouted, charging forward with a bladed folding fan.Crystal and the others followed closely behind. They quickly formed a flying wedge to create a simple offensive formation.The sudden ambush briefly threw the assassins into chaos, but they quickly regained control. Swiftly, they divided into two groups to attack the enemies from front and rear. The clash erupted instantly as both sides engaged in comb
Predator had reached the late-stage grandmaster. So, his strength was comparable to that of the guildmasters of major guilds in Dragonmarsh. With a single swing of his sword, the power and destructive force were so terrifying that it sent shivers down the spines of Dalen and the others.Their greatest concern was the possibility that Dustin might not be able to withstand Predator's onslaught and end up being killed.Seeing the giant sword aura descending toward him, Dustin acted without hesitation. He swiftly raised his hand and countered with an upward strike.A thick white sword aura appeared, clashing with the red sword aura.Dustin's white sword aura spanned a mere three feet, dwarfed by the Predator's red sword aura, which stretched over 30 feet.The odds seemed overwhelmingly against him, like an ant challenging an elephant.However, Dustin's white sword aura effortlessly shattered the Predator's red sword aura upon collision.A deafening blast followed as the white swor
At that moment, Predator transformed into a terrifying bladestorm with his giant sword. Wherever the storm swept, man or object would be torn to shreds without mercy.The two warring parties, previously locked in fierce combat, were scattered and forced to stop fighting in the face of the relentless onslaught.This indiscriminate attack showed no mercy, sparing neither friend nor foe. Anyone caught in its path was doomed to certain death, a fate everyone desperately avoided.With each passing moment, the bladestorm intensified, growing larger and swirling faster as it approached Dustin."Hmm?" Dustin's eyebrow arched in surprise. Predator's move unleashed devastation that surpassed Dustin's cultivation. If used on the battlefield, it would be a deadly weapon capable of wreaking havoc.Even in one-on-one combat among the grandmasters, only a few could withstand such an attack. Dustin couldn't help but admit that Predator was indeed skilled."Cross Slash!" Dustin immediately rais
Suddenly, Predator let out a thunderous roar that echoed throughout the entire battleground. But what was truly unsettling was that it sounded more like a beast's growl than a human.Then, a shocking scene unfolded before everyone's eyes.Predator's body began to bulk up. His muscles bulged and tore through his ragged clothes and shoes.With another deafening roar, he propped his limbs on the ground and arched his back high. Thick, coarse black fur sprouted from his skin and soon covered his entire body.At first glance, Predator resembled a giant black bear but there was more to his transformation.As the black fur continued to grow, his facial features underwent a drastic change. The area below his eyes rapidly protruded while his teeth sharpened into pointed fangs. His hands and feet morphed into claw-like appendages that completed his terrifying transformation.When Predator roared for the third time, he had fully transformed into a ferocious beast.This beast defied classif
"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