The noise made everyone turn to look. A man dressed in mourning attire walked in, surrounded by a murderous air. His expression was so cold it sent shivers up people's spines. "Dustin? What's he doing here?" Florence frowned. She was sure she didn't invite him, so he'd better not be here for the free food."He must be crazy. How could he wear mourning clothes at a birthday banquet? Ugh!" Victoria and Julie were disgusted at Dustin's choice of attire."Speak of the devil. I guess he does have a death wish." Gavin smirked coldly. He initially planned to take care of Dustin a few days later, but Dustin had approached him first. "Dustin?" Dahlia lit up and rushed over to greet him. She'd been worried that he was too angry at her to show up, so she was happy to see him. It proved that she was important to him. "I knew you'd come, Dustin. I …" Dahlia's words faltered when she met Dustin's cold glare. She was instantly rooted to the spot. She had never seen Dustin with such a
Florence registered what happened and roared, "Hey, grab that asshole!" Soon, dozens of security guards charged into the hall and surrounded Dustin, holding stun batons. "Get him!"The guards rushed toward Dustin, who sent needles flying with a flick of his wrist. Immediately, the guards fell to the floor before they reached him. They held their stomachs as their faces concerted in pain. The terrifying sight made the guests shrink back in fear. Even Florence kept silent. It was easy to see that Dustin was no longer the same person they knew. "You're going to die today, Gavin. And no one can save you." Dustin turned, and his deadly stare fell on Gavin. "Insolent brat!" The long-haired man jumped up, meeting Dustin's glare with a defiant one. "And who are you?" Dustin narrowed his eyes. "I'm the Gloomster, Spike Floyd!" the long-haired man announced, causing an uproar. "Oh, my God! Spike Floyd the Gloomster? What's he doing here?""Who's Spike Floyd? Is he powerful?
Everyone was shocked to see Spike hanging from the ceiling. Their jaws dropped in disbelief. None of them expected things to turn out like this. After all, Dustin's opponent was Spike the Gloomster!Shouldn't such a powerful individual have easily won? So why was he defeated with a single punch? Why was he stuck in the ceiling, unable to escape?This Spike must be an imposter, or there'd have been no way he'd lose like that. "Is this for real? S—Spike Floyd was defeated?""Holy shit! Who the hell is he? Even the Gloomer was no match for him!""That's impossible!"The whole hall erupted into a frenzy after a silent pause. Everyone looked at Dustin like he was a monster. "I—impossible! There's no way Spike would lose!" Gavin's smile disappeared. He looked stunned. He knew how strong Spike was. Spike had even used his signature move, so Dustin should be dead by now. Why did things turn out like this?What on earth just happened?"He knocked Spike out with a single pun
"Stop!" Suddenly, Dahlia rushed over and put herself in front of Dustin. She yelled, "What are you doing, Dustin? It's my mom's birthday today! How could you just start beating people up? You're disrespecting me!""This is a private matter between me and Gavin. It has nothing to do with you," Dustin responded coldly. "What do you mean it has nothing to do with me? You hit my mom and caused a scene! That's not okay!" Dahlia snapped. She couldn't believe that Dustin caused so much trouble the moment he entered. Things would become much worse if this continued. "Dahlia Nicholson, we'll talk about our issue later. For now, please step aside!" Dustin's tone was stern, revealing his annoyance. "What if I refuse? Will you hit me too?" Dahlia demanded."Don't push me!" Dustin frowned."When did you become like this, Dustin? Are you even the man I know?" Dahlia's eyes widened disbelievingly. She never expected him to reply so coldly and ruthlessly. "I've always been like this.
"Hurry up! He's going to catch up to us soon!" In a black Mercedes-Benz, Gavin urged his driver and kept looking back anxiously. It hadn't been long since he managed to escape, but he realized he was being followed.No matter what they tried, the cars tagging him refused to let up. So, he could only order his driver to drive faster. He knew that if Dustin caught him, his life would be in trouble. "That fucking retard! Why would he even chase me for killing a stupid guy? "Just wait till I'm back in Oakvale. I'll order the military to destroy that fucking gang of his!" Gavin cursed despite the cold sweat dotting his forehead. He'd never been so humiliated in his life. To think that a direct descent of the Killian family and a major general of Dragonmarsh was being chased. The worst part was he had no other option than to run since his personal guards had been killed. Even Spike, his strongest bodyguard, was still hanging on the ceiling. Now, his only choice was to flee.
Gavin was about to erupt in anger.He would die if they ran out of gas in this situation. "What should we do now, Sir?" The driver broke out in cold sweat as he glanced at the blinking gas tank indicator. There was nowhere they could hide in this desolate place. "Just hang on. Help is coming!" Gavin gritted his teeth and prayed that their backup would arrive soon. Or else, they'd be doomed. After ten minutes, the black Mercedes slowed down and gradually came to a stop by the roadside. Instantly, dozens of sedans swarmed the black car and blocked off all exits. Many Kirin Gang members rushed over with weapons in their hands. Dustin took the sword Cornelius was holding and slowly approached the Mercedes-Benz, his icy glare fixed on Gavin. "Get out. It's time for you to die.""Y—you better not mess around. My reinforcement will be here soon! Your men will all die if you hurt me!" Gavin snarled. "Burn their car," Dustin ordered."Burn it!" Cornelius waved his hand, and
"Oh, so you're apologizing now? Why didn't you think of the consequences before hurting others?" Dustin's murderous intent didn't lessen despite how much Gavin begged. "I—I got careless! I'm so sorry! Please let me go! I swear, I'll turn over a new leaf!" Gavin begged timidly.He had lost all his pride, and all he cared about was staying alive. "What makes you think you still have a chance to turn over a new leaf?" Dustin asked harshly. "I—I—I've got money. And connections! I'll do anything you want if you let me live!" Gavin tried to bargain with Dustin."I don't need anything besides your death," Dustin answered uncaringly. "D—Don't kill me! Please spare my life! I'll be very useful! I can help you obtain your goals and live a lavish life!" Gavin begged frantically, all trace of his arrogance earlier gone. "That doesn't interest me." Dustin swung his sword again, leaving a long, ragged gash on Gavin's back. Dustin wasn't in a hurry to kill the other man. Instead, he wan
A cluster of laser sights gathered on Dustin's body. "Three …"Derek raised his arm and began to count. Despite counting down slowly, there was intense pressure that followed his words. This tension was worse with the presence of all the armed soldiers. "Haha! You still didn't kill me, you bastard! As long as I'm alive, I'll be as good as new with my family's help. "But what about you? You're like a fish on the chopping board that I get to slice up however I like!" Gavin sneered. "Do you know why? Well, it's because you're nothing but a commoner! "That fact won't change no matter how much you struggle. Commoners like you should know their place. How dare you challenge someone as superior as me!" Gavin grinned madly. He regained his confidence now that Derek was here to support him. "There's some truth to what you said, but there was one thing you're mistaken," Dustin suddenly said. "What is it?" Gavin was puzzled. "I'm the one who will decide your fate."With tha
After leaving Dash Corporation, Dustin and Natasha headed to the mall, where they picked out gifts for every member of the Ballard family. From the eldest to the youngest toddlers, no one was left out. Later, they stopped by an antique shop and chose a beautiful calligraphy painting as a special gift for Simon.By evening, Dustin had everything ready for his first visit to the Ballard estate, located in the heart of Oakvale's city center. The estate was a sprawling courtyard mansion built on a large plot of land.Simon, the Duke of Lachshire, had three sons and a daughter. His eldest son, Jonathan Ballard, was a third-ranked official in the government. The second son, Jensen Ballard, was a successful entrepreneur in the pharmaceutical industry in Oakvale, with billions in assets. Meanwhile, the youngest son, Jovian Ballard, had made a name for himself in the military and was now a third-ranked general.Simon's youngest daughter, Jessica—Natasha's mother—was highly favored with
While Dustin was away, Natasha couldn't help but worry about him. She would always keep an eye out for any news about him. But no matter how much she missed him, she wouldn't call him. She didn't want to distract or cause him to lose focus on the important matters concerning the nation's affairs. Understanding how busy he was, she kept her feelings in check and buried herself in work to keep her mind occupied.But when Natasha finally saw Dustin again, all the emotions she had bottled up came rushing out. Months of longing turned into overwhelming affection, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.Her assistant, Tanya, watched in shock. She had no idea Natasha—typically the poised, decisive, and commanding chairwoman—was in a relationship. What surprised her even more was how different Natasha seemed around Dustin. The usually unshakable "queen" now appeared soft and tender in his presence.Tanya couldn't help but watch Dustin more closely. His looks and charisma were u
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