The room fell into a sudden hush like time had frozen. Everyone's eyes widened in disbelief at the sight before them.First, they glanced at Lucian, who was seriously injured and spewing blood. Then, their attention shifted to the drunken man swaying unsteadily.Confusion clouded their minds. They had witnessed Lucian delivering a decisive blow directly to the drunkard's face.Yet, why was the drunkard unharmed while Lucian suffered serious injuries?"What the heck just happened? How did Lucian get tossed like that?""It... it must be the drunkard's protective armor energy! Thunderbolt Fist's punch went smack into that armor!""Protection armor energy? Wait, could this beggar be a grandmaster martial artist?"After a brief moment of silence, the room exploded into chaos.No one could have predicted that this disheveled, stinking drunkard would be a formidable adversary.Lucian, alias Thunderbolt Fist, was a legend in the martial world. He was renowned for his bone-crushing blo
"Who the hell are you? Tell us your name!" Garrett's face tensed as he frowned.Despite his attack, the beggar remained unruffled and composed. Not only did the beggar's counterattack neutralize Garrett's strike, but it also sent him stumbling back.Garrett realized the beggar's skill surpassed his. It was hard for him to fathom how someone so unassuming could wield such power."Ah… excellent wine!" The drunkard remained indifferent to Garrett's question and fully engrossed in his drink.Sensing Garrett's mounting frustration, Hank stepped in. "Let's not get worked up, gentlemen."He stood between the two parties with a smile. "You know what they say about a friendly spar can break the ice. After our little tussle earlier, I bet we all better understand each other now. Allow me to make the introductions."With a gesture toward the drunkard, he said, "This gentleman here is the esteemed Mr. Willard Lent. He is also known as the Wein Sage. I'm sure many of you are familiar with his
Hank remained unperturbed when confronted with everyone's apprehension. It was as if he had foreseen their anxieties.Despite his affiliation with the Hall of Gods, his upbringing in Dragonmarsh had endowed him with a profound understanding of the strength of Sacred Wrym Summit.Even the most renowned elites wouldn't dare to challenge the Sacred Wrym Summit.Hank reassured, "Fear not, everyone." Then, he gestured for silence and waited until the room fell quiet before continuing, "I understand your worries. But rest assured, we won't send you into danger unprepared. "Even if we venture into the forbidden ground of Sacred Wrym Summit, we'll take all necessary precautions to minimize risks.""Mr. Styles, what's the Hall of Gods' plan? It's better to be straight with us so we know where we stand," Garrett asked."Yeah, let's have some transparency here. We need to know what we're getting into," the others chimed in.They weren't eager to be sacrificial lambs and charged mindless
"Elder Mason, what do you think?" Hank turned to Garrett as the tension eased."If the Hall of Gods is extending such sincerity, it would be impolite of us to refuse," Garrett replied with a smile.With all these rare treasures being presented, they couldn't possibly refuse such an offer. They knew completing the mission would set them up for a comfortable retirement.Though risky, the potential rewards made it a gamble worth taking. Besides, they would be an unstoppable force with the Cosmos Demons on their side.After all, they never backed down from danger, even when faced with the toughest challenges."Elder Mason, your decisiveness is admirable." Hank smiled and turned to Willard. "Mr. Lent, what about you?""As long as there's good booze, then we've got a deal," Willard slurred with drunken cheer."Perfect! Then, it's settled." Hank perked up with a bright smile."Wait! I've got a question." Dustin, who had been observing quietly, spoke up."Oh? What's on your mind?" Ha
"I'm sorry. I can't answer that question because I don't know, either." Hank shook his head. He was already breaking the rules by telling them about the God King's involvement. Furthermore, disclosing the God King's identity or whereabouts was out of the question. In Dragonmarsh, even someone as powerful as the God King had to tread carefully. Any hint of their whereabouts, followed by an ambush from elites, would spell disaster."No problem. It's just a random question out of curiosity." Dustin simply shrugged it off with a faint smile."If there aren't any questions, how about we break for lunch? I've arranged a feast, and we can continue our conversation over food." Hank extended an invitation with a neutral expression."Sure." Dustin nodded."Let's go, everyone!" Hank called out before leading the group to the dining hall.Everyone was famished after waiting all morning. They immediately indulged in the feast laid out before them. Once they were full, Hank organized vari
"Sure. I'll go along with your plan." Dustin nodded.The rare treasures hidden in the forbidden ground of Sacred Wrym Summit were likely the Dracan essence.A treasure linked to the fate of the nation should never fall into the hands of the Hall of Gods. Who knew what kind of trouble that might cause?Dustin had initially braced himself to tackle this challenge alone. But now, he felt much more confident about taking on the Hall of Gods with Grace by his side.As a representative of Dragonmarsh royalty, she had the influence to rally allies and back them up.Grace said, "Okay, enough about the Hall of Gods. You need to stay focused on bringing your best at the Combat Tournament." She added, "And remember, Sacred Wrym Summit wouldn't organize something meaningless. The top three competitors are in for some serious perks and rewards.""I've already registered. I'm fully committed to giving it my all. You can count on that," Dustin replied with a smile.In fact, he was excited ab
Grace and Dustin followed a middle-aged woman into the villa.In the bedroom, a woman of striking beauty and regal presence lay unconscious on the bed. She was in her early 20s, with flawless skin and captivating features, even in her unconscious state. Her name was Alicia Marshall, and she held the fifth spot on the Beauty Ranking list.Each of the top ten women on the Beauty Ranking had a unique appeal. Alicia's beauty was like a rare alpine flower, pure and captivating, even without makeup.Aside from the unconscious Alicia, there was also a man and a young woman standing in the room.The man, around 30, dressed sharply in a suit. He was tall and handsome with a piercing gaze.The young woman, about 17 or 18, bore a strong resemblance to Alicia. She was equally beautiful and exuded a youthful energy. She was Alicia's younger sister, Aurora Marshall."Brian, Alicia's condition is worsening by the minute. When will that renowned miracle doctor you call arrive?" Aurora asked. "
"Are you telling us to leave?" Grace asked.She narrowed her eyes and added, "We're here to save Alicia, yet you're trying to drive us away. What's the matter? Don't you want her to wake up?""Ridiculous!" Brian scowled. "I'm her senior. Of course, I want her to wake up.""Then, why are you stopping us from treating her?" she countered."Because I don't trust you!" he asserted. "Who knows what your intentions are? What if you make her condition worse?""If I'm not confident, I won't do it," Dustin chimed in abruptly."Do you hear that? Regardless, let us diagnose Alicia first," Grace insisted."No! The miracle doctor I've called will be here soon. Your help isn't necessary!" Brian rejected them firmly."Aurora, what do you think?" Grace stopped arguing with Brian and turned toward Aurora instead. As Alicia's younger sister, Aurora had absolute authority in this situation. If she agreed, Grace would take action and disregard Brian's objections."How about… we let Dr. Rhys tre
"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