Dustin expertly countered every strike from Jeremiah while launching his attacks in the battle ring. However, despite landing punches and kicks, his efforts only inflicted minor injuries on Jeremiah.The red scales covering Jeremiah were several times tougher than the previous black ones. Combined with his monstrous physique, he almost seemed to embody an Adamantine body.When Dustin's fists and feet struck the scales, the loud thuds echoed. Aside from the noise, it was nearly impossible to inflict any damage.Even when Dustin targeted Jeremiah's weak spots and managed to shatter a few scales, he still couldn't gain the upper hand. Jeremiah's regenerative abilities were astonishing. Even with a hole pierced through his chest, he could fully heal in just a few breaths. To him, minor wounds were hardly a concern. He was indeed an indestructible beast with such formidable defense and incredible recovery.Dustin realized that continuing down this path would spell his downfall. If he
As Jeremiah dove downward, Dustin smoothly assumed a sword-holding stance. Instantly, he swung the weapon with blinding speed.A black sword aura shot forth as it sliced through the air with the power to tear the very sky apart. It carried an overwhelming momentum that crashed toward Jeremiah."What?" Jeremiah's expression changed as an instinctual sense of danger sent shivers down his spine.The sword appeared ordinary, but with his heightened perception, he sensed the destructive energy contained within. He understood that if this attack struck his vital point, it would likely be fatal.Jeremiah quickly abandoned his offense and flapped his wings to dodge in midair. His reflexes were quick, but the black sword aura was even faster.Just as he sidestepped, the sword aura passed through him. Blood sprayed out and painted half the sky crimson."Ah!" Jeremiah let out a horrified scream.The sword aura had torn half of his shoulder, along with his arm and wing, and blood poured dow
"Interesting. It looks like this match won't be boring after all." From his seat at the Sword Union, Glenn narrowed his eyes. A rare spark of interest broke through his indifferent demeanor. As a swordsman, he thrived on the challenge of facing strong opponents. The more formidable his rival, the more it ignited his excitement. Watching an elite swordsman in action only intensified his desire to fight.Of course, ordinary fighters wouldn't capture his attention. But Dustin's earlier performance had drawn him in. Those two quick, fierce strikes showcased a sharpness of sword aura that was truly impressive. Glenn realized that an elite like Dustin would be an excellent sharpening stone for his skills.Glenn wasn't the only one who noticed. Dustin's impressive win over Jeremiah had left everyone in awe, and they began to see him as a dark horse in the tournament.While most might not consider him a contender for the championship, they recognized he had the strength to break into th
"According to the investigation, Dusk Titan was killed by the Grand Sorceress of the Mystic Arts Order, while the Shadow Prince and The Dust of Angel were taken down by someone named Dustin Rhys." Hank didn't mince words as he detailed the entire incident.Losing those three elite fighters was a serious blow to the Hall of Gods. They had planned a two-pronged attack.To claim the championship title in the Combat Tournament and shatter the spirit of Dragonmarsh's martial artists while secretly raiding their treasures to block their fortunes.But before they could even get started, Plan A was already a bust. They had lost their top elites and suffered a major hit to their reputation."I know about the Grand Sorceress of the Mystic Arts Order, but where did this Dustin Rhys come from?" Bailey's expression darkened as he spoke.He had researched Abigail, the second-ranked master on Dragonmarsh's Legendary List. It wasn't surprising that George had died in her hand.But Bailey had nev
"Dustin, I didn't realize you had such hidden talent. It's surprising that you could defeat our elites." Hank studied Dustin for a moment before breaking into a smile. He continued, "But I can't blame you. The fault lies with Bill and Jeremiah for not being strong enough. As the saying goes, the victor takes all. It's only natural they met such an end due to their lack of skill. I'm not here tonight to point fingers or hold you accountable.""Well, that's reassuring." Dustin breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "Since you're not here to cause trouble, what's this visit about?""Honestly, your performance has caught the attention of the God King. He wants to formally invite you to join the Hall of Gods and help us accomplish our grand vision." Hank smiled as he extended the invitation."Join the Hall of Gods?" Dustin was taken aback. He said hesitatingly, "Mr. Styles, that doesn't seem right. I'm just a nobody from the mountains. How could I possibly be worthy of joining the Hall
"Dustin, I understand your concerns," Hank said with a smile."But I can promise you, as long as you stay loyal and don't betray the Hall of Gods, you won't be in danger. We highly value talent like yours. Honestly, the poison is just a safeguard to keep our secrets safe. I'm sure you understand."Without taking the poison, there was no way to exert control, which meant trust would always be in question. This wasn't much of an issue with disposable operatives, but loyalty had to be guaranteed when the Hall of Gods counted on someone for critical positions."Mr. Styles, I understand what you're saying, and the Hall of Gods sounds intriguing. But we've just met, and it's hard for me to put my complete trust in you right now." Dustin shook his head again.He thought, "Do they really think they can make demands without offering anything in return? Do they take me for a fool?""Trust can be built. Just take a look at this…" Hank reached into his coat and pulled out a small, ornate box.
Dustin glanced at the vial of poison. He hesitated briefly before nodding. "Since Mr. Styles thinks highly of me, I should show my commitment."He picked up the vial, twisted off the cap, and downed the poison in one go without leaving a drop behind. To make sure Hank could see clearly, Dustin tipped the bottle upside down to show it was empty.Dustin's body was immune to most toxins, so this tiny dose didn't concern him.Hank laughed heartily at the sight. "You're really bold!" Drinking the poison would prove Dustin's commitment to joining the Hall of Gods, and it was the only way to earn their trust. No matter how convincing his words were, they would mean nothing without that act of loyalty.While the Hall of Gods valued talent, loyalty was their top priority. Only those who proved their unwavering commitment would be granted special training.Hence, the most effective way was to put one's life in their hands. This was a reality that everyone faced, including Hank. When a mis
Dustin carefully examined the box and ensured there were no unusual markings before turning to Grace. He asked blankly, "Did you actually guess, or can you see what is inside?""Of course, I guessed it. I don't have X-ray vision, so how could I see it?" She rolled her eyes."Amazing. I'm impressed." He gave her a thumbs-up. Just from a guess, she was able to piece everything together. He couldn't help but feel a bit outmatched by her sharp wit."So, is it really the enhanced serum in there?" Grace raised an eyebrow. She was surprised that her casual guess was accurate."See for yourself." Dustin didn't bother explaining further. He opened the box to show her the two red and blue vials inside."Oh? This is an S-class serum from the Hall of Gods. They certainly hold you in high regard." Grace leaned in for a closer look, and she was genuinely surprised.The Hall of Gods' enhanced serums were ranked in five tiers—D, C, B, A, and the highest, S. Each level brought a tenfold increase
Dustin had boarded the plane back to Oakvale. His trip to Sacred Wrym Summit had been full of ups and downs. From the Combat Tournament to the invasion of the Hall of Gods, his journey had been perilous. Thankfully, the outcome was favorable. He had won the championship at the tournament, acquired three Dracan essences, and ultimately foiled the Hall of Gods' plan. In every way, the mission had been nearly flawless.After bidding farewell to his newfound allies, Dustin joined Grace on the return flight. Four of the five Dracan essences had already been gathered, leaving only one remaining. According to Grace, the last essence had been located, and the person holding it was in Oakvale. Though their identity was still unknown, she suspected it was most likely one of the three princes.With the position of heir to the throne still uncertain, the three princes were all eager to secure their power. Whoever obtained the Dracan essence would be blessed with fortune and have a higher c
The chaos of the night quickly settled.By morning, as the first light of dawn broke across the horizon, Sacred Wrym Summit had regained its usual tranquility. Yet, the bloodstains across the ground and the wreckage of buildings stood as grim reminders of the previous night's violence.The military forces summoned by Grace had already taken the Hall of Gods' prisoners into custody.Rumors spread like wildfire, fueling gossip throughout the martial world as all the major guilds watched with keen interest. After all, very few in history had ever dared to challenge Sacred Wrym Summit, and a bold invasion aimed at destroying it was nothing short of unprecedented.The outcome was clear to all who bore witness. After many years, the world had come to recognize the true terror of Arion. He was no mere mortal—he was almost a godlike figure.…Inside the Hall of Gods' headquarters in Streuqua, the core members were gathered, seated in two rows on either side of the grand hall.On the thr
After dealing with the Hall of Gods' elite fighters, Arion disappeared in a blur. When he reappeared, he was hovering above the forbidden ground of Sacred Wrym Summit.The scene at the entrance to the forbidden ground was one of utter carnage. Bodies lay strewn across the ground, and rivers of blood flowed freely. All members of the Hall of Gods, including Hank, lay motionless on the ground.Dustin and Willard, both covered in blood and exuding killing intent, had fought fiercely. After a long, grueling fight, they succeeded in defending the forbidden ground of Sacred Wrym Summit. They had thwarted the Hall of Gods' plan to destroy the Dracan force.At that instant, Dustin seemed to sense something and suddenly looked up. Through the mist and darkness, he pinpointed Arion's figure hovering above. Arion smiled faintly and nodded at Dustin before disappearing again.Crossing several mountains in mere seconds, Arion arrived above the Sacred Wrym Summit's grand hall. Below, the discipl
When the dust finally settled, Arion was the only one left standing.Bailey, Willem, Anthony, Batuul, the three elite assassins from Eskus, and several gods from the Hall of Gods were either dead or gravely injured.Willem's body had been blasted into countless pieces. Each fragment wriggled on the ground as it struggled to piece together. Batuul fared even worse. He was utterly obliterated, leaving no trace behind, not even ashes. On the contrary, Bailey and the three Eskus assassins had both their arms severed and were gravely wounded. Though Anthony's limbs were still intact, his crushed internal organs left him coughing up blood. The backlash from the demonic blade had also taken a devastating toll on his body. He now appeared decades older, his face gaunt and hollow, his hair gray. His frail frame made him look like a man standing at death's door."H-How is this possible? No… this can't be happening!" Bailey's expression was a mixture of shock and disbelief as he stared a
Arion's sudden appearance caught everyone off guard. They stared, wide-eyed and slack-jawed. What was going on? Wasn't Arion already dead? How could he be standing there in front of them? Could it be a ghost?They exchanged baffled looks, and their faces were filled with disbelief. They couldn't make sense of it. How could Arion possibly be alive? It was beyond their comprehension."You… you're not dead?" No one was more shocked than Willem. After all his effort, he had finally found the chance to bite into Arion's neck and drain every drop of his blood.He was certain Arion had died—there was no way he could have survived. But if Arion was dead, who was this person standing before them?"Everyone, calm down!" Bailey spoke up. "Arion's body is still over there. This person must be an imposter."At his words, everyone turned to look at the corpse lying nearby.Bailey was right. The body was still there, and there was no way Arion could still be alive. So, the person in front o
As the Snow Maiden attacked, Batuul's illusory Elephantine stirred into action. With a mighty roar, it charged forward and slammed into Arion. Its tusks, sharp as spears, aimed directly at his chest.Caught in the swirling snow, Arion couldn't avoid the attack and quickly invoked the Glow Incantation to shield himself. The tusks collided with the barrier in a deafening crash. The impact sent Arion flying, and the golden light surrounding him shattered like glass. Clearly, the illusory Elephantine's strength had far exceeded the Glow Incantation's limits.As Arion was tossed into the air, the three-headed, six-armed Chimera Wrath seized its moment. With six different weapons in hand, it launched a relentless assault.Arion swung his sword to block but was driven further back with each blow. With no solid footing in midair, his agility was useless against the onslaught.After several exchanges, one of the Chimera's weapons struck Arion squarely in the chest, sending him crashing to
After a prolonged battle, Anthony and the others finally realized the gravity of the situation.Arion wasn't just a sword master but also had unpredictable agility. No matter how they attacked, they couldn't even land a single hit. On top of that, his sword was a constant threat.If this deadlock continued, the situation would only worsen. So, when Bailey spoke, they knew it was time for decisive action, and there was no turning back. It was either kill or be killed.At that moment, Anthony, who had been holding back, finally decided to use his ultimate technique. He bit his finger and smeared the blood across his blade. His lips moved quickly as if whispering an incantation."Snow Maiden, arise!" As soon as the words left his mouth, he swung his sword. A white figure shot out and hovered in the air. It was a woman with fair skin and mesmerizing beauty. Her long hair cascaded like a waterfall, her dress was as white as snow, and her eyes had a sinister gleam.The moment she appe
"How many tricks does this old geezer have?"The impact of the divine talisman explosion left everyone both shocked and enraged. No one had expected that Arion would still manage to unleash such a powerful supreme divine power even after the Glow Incantation was broken and the lightning strikes failed to cause any harm.The impact of the thousands of divine talismans exploding at once was terrifying. Only the strongest fighters—Willem, Bailey, and Batuul—could withstand it. The rest of the group was severely injured. At that moment, they finally realized the terrifying strength of Dragonmarsh's strongest man."Impressive," Willem said, landing smoothly after being thrown back. His withered skin was now covered in cracks, and blood oozed from it.Most of the shockwave from the explosion had hit him directly. Despite his impressive defense, he still took some damage. However, these injuries were nothing to him. His wounds had already healed within a few seconds, as if nothing had hap
Willem's wings, black as night with a metallic sheen, erupted from his back. Fully extended, they stretched over 30 feet. With a gentle flap, a storm of wind and eerie howls swept through the air. The sheer force was intimidating to behold.His appearance had also undergone a drastic transformation. Willem's once-handsome face was now gaunt, his skin wrinkled, and his cheekbones jutted out. Fangs protruded from his mouth, and two sharp horns sprouted from his head. He had grown taller, but his body was unnaturally thin, with his ribs and sternum visible beneath his skin. From a distance, he looked like a towering, monstrous skeleton. It was an unsettling sight that sent a chill down anyone's spine.This was Willem's ultimate form. After the transformation, his speed, strength, defense, and reflexes were greatly enhanced. His thirst for blood grew even more intense, turning him into a bloodthirsty demon.The gods, who had expressed dissatisfaction moments ago, now stood paralyzed