When Sir Anderson showed up, everyone thought Dustin was done for.To their surprise, nothing dramatic happened when Sir Anderson saw Dustin. Instead, they chatted amicably like they were old friends.The Cobra was appalled by this turn of events. Even Florence and the others were stunned."This can't be for real, right? Could he really know Sir Anderson?""My goodness, who is that man? How could he and Sir Anderson be talking like buddies?"The crowd gossiped in hushed voices, obviously taken aback."S—Sir Anderson…you know him?" The Cobra gulped. He was slightly panicked and at a loss."Dustin is Natasha's friend. What gave you the nerve to offend him?" Duane's expression grew colder by the second."Huh? Ms. Harmon's friend?" The Cobra got the fright of his life.Natasha Harmon wasn't just one of Swinton's big guns, she had the support of Millburg's aristocrats. She was as prominent a figure as Sir Anderson himself. What's more, Natasha was a very protective person. Anyone w
“Duane, let's not beat around the bush, shall we?" Dustin sipped his tea and said, “You said you've found the Panax root. Where is it?""Since you're so anxious, I won't tease you any longer." Duane smiled and clapped his hands.A bodyguard entered the room carrying a wooden box. Placing the box on the table between him and Dustin, Duane opened it slowly. A dark yellow root no bigger than a palm sat inside. It was a Panax root with unusually long roots."This really is good stuff!" Dustin exclaimed upon examining the root closely. He looked delighted.A 500-year-old Panax root was an extremely rare treasure! Now that he had another herb, he was another step closer to his goal!"How is it, Dustin? Are you satisfied?" Duane smiled expectantly."Of course, I'm satisfied. Thank you so much." Dustin smiled, reaching out to take the root.Suddenly, the lid of the box snapped shut."Dustin, what's the hurry? Let's talk more," Duane asserted. One hand remained wrapped around the box. E
Duane was still smiling confidently at the start of the battle.But it was not long before he noticed something was very wrong. Dustin was much stronger than he had expected. He could feel terrifying surges of energy rushing at him like waves in the ocean. They made the bones in his hand tremble. They would break any minute!Duane's expression darkened, and he couldn't take it anymore. He threw a hard punch at Dustin, trying to make him fall back. However, Dustin did not dodge and faced it head-on instead.Their fists collided, and Duane's chair was smashed into pieces! The force of the punch shoved Duane backward until he hit the wall to catch his balance.Even so, Dustin remained seated calmly. They both knew who was more powerful!"Damn! I never knew you had tricks up your sleeve. I underestimated you!" Duane's eyes narrowed as a complex mix of expressions clouded his face. With how young Dustin was, Duane had never expected him to be so powerful. Considering how young he was,
“I’m just trying to remind you to think twice before you act. Just because you have support from the higher-ups doesn’t mean you can run amok.” With a solemn look, Dahlia added, “Dustin, you must realize that your worth has to be backed by ability. Currying favors with powerful people can propel you to greater heights, but it won’t last unless you can prove you’re a person of high caliber. So don’t think you’re all high and mighty—consider this a lesson from me.”Dustin snickered upon hearing this. “How can you be sure that I’m currying favors with the powerful?”“Is that not the case? If it weren’t for Ms. Harmon’s reputation, would the Cobra have let you go so easily?” Dahlia didn’t hold back with her remark.“Whatever you say. I know that, whatever I do, I’m nothing but a useless prick in your eyes,” Dustin sneered as he shook his head.First impressions truly were tough to change. Even with the evidence in front of their eyes, some people would simply refuse to believe it. They
Nighttime, in the interrogation room of the police station.Dustin and Dahlia sat with their backs against each other, bound to the chairs in the middle of the room.The air in the room was cool and damp, and darkness shrouded them completely. They could feel an invisible weight on their shoulders.“My bad, I didn’t mean to drag you into this mess,” Dustin spoke first.“They claimed you stole some valuables. Is that true?” Dahlia asked, cutting to the chase.“What do you think?”“You don’t look that bold to me, so my guess is someone is trying to frame you. Does this have anything to do with the Cobra?”“The Cobra is merely a pawn. The mastermind is none other than Duane Welch.”“Duane Welch? Are you talking about Sir Anderson?” Dahlia was dumbstruck. “Weren’t you on fairly good terms with him before? Did you strike a nerve? How?”“I punched him,” Dustin admitted flatly.“What?” Dahlia choked, struggling to keep her calm, “You…You dared hit Sir Anderson! Are you out of your m
The night progressed slowly. Florence, James, and the others waited anxiously outside the police station.Dahlia was the backbone of the Nicholson family. If something were to happen to her, the Nicholsons would undoubtedly fall apart. Therefore, to save themselves, they did everything they could to arrange for her release, which meant pulling every string possible.A policeman appeared out of nowhere.James immediately stepped forward and asked, “Mr. Clarke, how’s it looking? Can you let my sister go?”“James, I dug around and discovered that Gardner is the inspector in charge of this case. A mere policeman like myself won’t be able to do much to help,” the man said with a shake of his head.“What else can we do? Do you have any other ideas?” James lamented with panic.“Mr. Clarke, we would be eternally grateful for whatever you can do to help us!” Florence pleaded.“I’ll try my best, but I can’t promise anything. Plus, don’t forget the sum of money.”“Sir, I’ve just forked ou
As the chaos unfolded in the outside world, nothing but peace and calm hung in the air of the inspector’s office at the police station.“What’s the situation, Mr. Gardner? Has the kid confessed yet?” asked the Cobra impatiently as soon as he sat down.“It doesn’t matter whether he has or not. Any prisoner who falls into my hands is sure to give in eventually.” The fat inspector took another drag of his cigar with a smug expression.“It’s not a problem if you’re on-site, but you can’t guarantee that things won’t take a turn for the worse. I think you ought to get it out of the way while you can,” the Cobra suggested.“Why do you say that? Are you trying to teach me how to do my job?” Gardner cast a cold glare at him.“Of course not. I wouldn’t even dream of it. It’s just that the kid has someone backing him up. If this isn’t resolved soon, trouble may arise,” the Cobra explained with a quick apology.“What trouble could possibly arise? I’m just doing my job. Plus, this is my terri
Back in the interrogation room, Dustin and Dahlia sat with their backs against each other for warmth. Such peaceful moments were rare from the moment they were married until their divorce. No one spoke anything as they remained silent for a while. “Dustin, do you think we will walk out of here alive?” Finally, Dahlia broke the silence. She couldn’t stand the damp and dark surroundings that forced her to think depressive thoughts. Furthermore, Mr. Gardner wasn’t easy to deal with. Her heart thumped with fear at what would happen to them. “Don’t scare yourself. We will definitely leave this place in one piece,” Dustin comforted her. “What if we don’t? Do you have any last wishes?” Dahlia murmured glumly. “There’s no possibility of us dying. Let’s talk after we get out,” Dustin replied. “Not after we have offended Lord Asmon. With his connections and resources, getting rid of us would be as easy as killing a gnat.” Dahlia sighed. Even if she pooled all her resources
Mulder knew Warrick had been on the battlefield for years, and his physical strength was unmatched. On top of that, he was already halfway to becoming an ultimate grandmaster. Even if Warrick couldn't defeat the prodigious Logan, Mulder figured the difference wouldn't be too big. But he never expected Logan to take down Warrick with a single finger, leaving him severely injured and unable to stand. The difference in their strength was far beyond anything Mulder could have imagined.In other words, Logan had been toying with them from the start and didn't take the fight seriously. If he had, they would've all been dead.Warrick clutched his chest and coughed up blood as he staggered to his feet. His chest was a charred ruin, the flesh torn open and slick with blood. It was an awful, gory mess."I didn't expect you to be this strong. I underestimated you," he growled.He slowly raised his head, and his face twisted with a menacing look. "Guess I was just unlucky to fall into your
"Oh? You guessed it?" Dustin smirked. "Now that you know who I am, it's up to you to decide what to do."If Warrick chose to surrender, Dustin would simply seal his pressure points and leave him to Austin's judgment. But if he resisted, Dustin wouldn't hesitate to cripple him."Haven't you given up your title as the prince? Why did you return? Are you going to compete with Austin for the throne?" Warrick asked.Uncertainty flickered across his face before he continued, "If that's your intention, I can help you. Spare me today, and I guarantee you'll become the next Prince of West Lucozia."Power was a tempting beast. History was filled with stories of brothers turning against each other and fathers murdering their sons for it.In Warrick's mind, Logan's quiet return to West Lucozia meant one thing—he was after the throne."Guarantee?" Dustin scoffed. "What guarantee are you offering?" His voice was dripping with disdain. "You're a cornered rat now. You're barely holding on to you
"Warrick's blade technique is terrifying," Mulder mumbled. "This should be the finishing blow, right?"Watching from a distance, he was awestruck by the dazzling blade aura. Only now did he truly grasp the sheer gulf between Warrick and Dustin.Warrick's strike descended with such overwhelming force that it seemed to split the earth and obliterate everything in its path. Even from 300 feet away, the pressure rolling off it sent a chill down Mulder's spine.Under Mulder's stunned gaze, Warrick brought his full weight down, with blade and body merging into a single force that swallowed Dustin whole.The instant they clashed, an incandescent explosion of light erupted. It was so blinding that Mulder couldn't even open his eyes.A split second later, a deafening blast erupted, and a shockwave shot outward like a tidal surge. The force flattened the waves and overturned several fishing boats docked at the pier.Even Mulder, more than 300 feet away, was caught in the blast and tumbled
"So what if I am? And what if I push even further?" Dustin's smile slowly faded. "If you don't like it, do something about it."There was no reasoning with tyrants like Warrick."Punk, are you really willing to risk your life against me? Have you ever considered what happens if you lose?" Warrick's face turned grim as a wave of killing intent spread from him.He had already taken a step back to avoid unnecessary trouble. If Dustin refused to back down, there was no choice but to fight."Cut the crap. You wanna fight, fight." Dustin didn't bother with more words. With a flick of his wrist, a silver needle shot out and aimed toward Warrick's forehead—silent, unassuming, but deadly."Hmm?" Warrick's brow furrowed as he instinctively raised his arm. Sparks flew as the needle deflected off his arm and buried into the ground."Oh? You've mastered the Adamantine Body Technique?" Dustin narrowed his eyes. At that instant, he saw through Warrick's technique. Not only was he halfway
Mulder's body trembled, and he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. His energy drained, and his entire being seemed to collapse.Dustin's finger flick had not only shattered his sword but also injured his internal organs. With the effects of the enhanced serum wearing off, Mulder was now back to his original state and completely spent.His once-powerful frame now shrank like a punctured balloon. He looked as if he had aged ten years in an instant. Mulder could no longer fight. Even standing up was a challenge."He's finished," Dustin said coolly, then looked at Warrick. "Now it's your turn.""Hmm?" Warrick frowned, and his expression turned serious.Dustin's display of strength earlier had made him feel a sense of crisis. If they fought head-on, there was no telling who would come out on top.But Warrick was just one step away from escaping West Lucozia, bound for Artea and a life of freedom and luxury. He had no intention of risking his life in battle unless he absolutely
"This is interesting." Dustin smirked as the dense barrage of swords came slashing down at him. In the blink of an eye, his figure dissolved into a wisp of smoke and vanished.A storm of sword shadows carrying the force that could split rivers and overturn seas crashed down on the fishing boat where he had just been standing. The entire vessel broke apart in an instant—some sinking into the depths while others drifted across the water."What? He dodged it?" Warrick's eyes flickered with surprise.Mulder's attack just now had been a 360-degree attack. Once caught in its range, there was no chance to dodge—only the option to endure. He couldn't understand how Dustin had managed to avoid it. Did he just teleport?"Hiding like a coward? What kind of warrior are you? Come fight me face-to-face."Frustrated after his attack missed again, Mulder grew desperate. His enhanced serum would only last for 15 minutes. If this dragged on, he'd collapse from exhaustion before Dustin even touche
"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