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
Dustin kicked the limp body of a man lying beside him. It flew like a bullet and crashed into Mr. Gardner, who was attempting to escape. He screamed in pain and fell to the ground, unable to run any longer. “I’ve warned you not to touch her.” Dustin strolled up to him and hissed murderously, his eyes boring dangerously into Mr. Gardner. “Kid, don't forget you’re in the police station! You can't go too far!” Mr. Gardner backed away on all fours.“Too far? What will you do about it?” Dustin chuckled as he crushed Mr. Gardner’s arm with his foot. The immense pain from his broken arm caused Mr. Gardner to howl in agony. “Dustin! Stop it!” Blood drained from Dahlia’s face. Even though they were innocent, they could be charged with excessive self-defense if they fought back against the police. It would only complicate the situation! “Come back to your senses, kid! Confess and turn yourself in so that you still have a chance to save yourself. If not, there will be no mercy!”
“Stop this right now!” A loud voice rang out. A group of men in suits and armed to the teeth filed into the room. “Who are you? How dare you enter the interrogation room without permission! Are you starting a riot?” Mr. Gardner screamed in fury. At this moment, he was stewing with rage. The only thought in his mind was to rip Dustin up into pieces, and anybody who stood in his path would be his mortal enemy as well!“Mr. Gardner, what an honor to see you!” The crowd of people parted like the Red Sea as a gorgeous, alluring woman stalked into the room in her high heels. “Natasha?” When Mr. Gardner saw who it was, the expression on his face fell as the burning rage in his eyes died down. “You’re lucky, Dustin. Your girlfriend is here to save you.” Dahlia said sarcastically when she saw Natasha arrive. She felt a little frustrated. Although she was relieved at the thought of being rescued, she felt a twinge of annoyance at receiving Natasha’s help. As she was Dustin’s
Hunter pulled the trigger immediately after his countdown. With a loud bang, a bullet went through Mr. Gardner’s ear. He let out a bone-chilling cry and hold on to his bleeding ear, staggering backward. “Are you crazy? How dare you shoot me!” Mr. Gardner shouted hysterically. He thought Hunter was just all talk. Who knew that Hunter would really pull the trigger? “The next time, I won’t miss my aim.” Hunter cocked the gun and aimed it toward Mr. Gardner’s face.“I’ll ask again. Will you release Dustin, or will I?” Mr. Gardner shivered in fright. At this rate, it was highly possible that Hunter would go crazy and murder him in cold blood. As Mr. Gardner was stuck in a dilemma, a ruckus was heard at the door of the interrogation room again. An elderly man with snowy white hair rushed in with his men. “Mr. Granville?” At his arrival, the whole interrogation room went silent. The elderly man standing before them was the mayor of Swinton, the highest-ranking official
“We are finished!” When Draco saw that Mr. Gardner had been apprehended, his face paled in shock. From Mr. Granville’s appearance until the arrest of Mr. Gardner, Draco couldn’t make sense of what was going on as everything had happened in a flash. The only thing he could be sure of was that Mr. Granville did not let his son-in-law off the hook. This meant that he was going to be in trouble as well. Draco thought that Mr. Granville was their savior. Who knew that he was here to bring them to justice?This world could be so unpredictable! Draco turned back and glanced at Dustin, who had remained silent all this while. He had an expression of indifference on his face, as if he had known this would happen all along. Who was this man, and why was Mr. Granville treating him with such respect? Why would Lord Asmon have a grudge against such a monster? “Arrest all the other men as well!” Mr. Granville barked an order. Draco and Mr. Gardner’s men were all apprehended. Mr. G
"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