Before Kevin could make any further aggressive moves, a hand came out of nowhere and grabbed Kevin's arm firmly. Startled, Kevin turned around to face the unexpected intruder, only to find himself facing Danial.Lily's surprise mirrored Kevin's as she watched Danial intervene, her initial shock quickly giving way to relief at the sight of someone coming to her aid.Kevin's expression darkened even further at Danial's interference. "Piss off, kid. This is none of your business," he spat, his voice dripping with venom.Danial remained calm and composed, his grip on Kevin's arm firm.Ignoring Kevin's protests, Danial tightened his hold on Kevin's arm and swiftly flung him to the ground, a firm yet controlled maneuver that left Kevin sprawled on the pavement, stunned and disoriented.With Kevin momentarily out of the picture, Danial turned his attention to Lily, concern etched into his features. "Are you alright?" he asked.Lily nodded shyly, her eyes wide with a mixture of gratitude and
As Danial's keen eyes scanned the scene, his heart quickened with alarm as he noticed the metal structure above the stage trembling violently. What started as a subtle vibration quickly escalated into a full-blown tremor, causing the entire stage to shake and sway. The dancers, caught off guard by the sudden disturbance, struggled to maintain their balance as they stumbled and fell amidst the chaos. Panic rippled through the crowd like wildfire, spreading fear and confusion in its wake. The authorities, realizing the imminent danger, rushed to the stage in a desperate attempt to evacuate the performers. However, their efforts were hampered by the surging throng of spectators, who clamored to escape the crumbling stage. Danial's instincts kicked into overdrive as he watched the situation unfold before him. With a swift and decisive motion, he activated the Water Flowing Technique, harnessing its power to propel himself onto the stage with unmatched speed and agility. Lily, standing
As Lily and Danial sat in the back seat, the tension between them hung heavy in the air like a thick fog. Lily's mind buzzed with questions, her curiosity piqued by Danial's cryptic responses and enigmatic demeanor."Why?" The word escaped Lily's lips in a whisper, barely audible above the hum of the car engine. She turned to Danial, her eyes searching his face for answers. "Why for everything? Why are you so strong despite being so young? Why were you hiding your face in the hotel? Why were you involved in the hotel?"Danial's expression remained inscrutable as he listened to Lily's barrage of questions. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, a faint furrow appearing between his brows as he contemplated his response.Danial's mind raced as he struggled to formulate a response. He knew that he couldn't reveal the full extent of his abilities or the reasons behind his actions. He couldn't possibly reveale his identity as a Special Ops member of the Law Enforcement organization nor he co
Danial looked at Barley and was about to ask about the maid when he noticed some movement in the corner of his eye. The maid that was standing suddenly dashed towards Barley. The maid suddenly took out a knife, more like a dagger from her back and aimed it at Barley's neck.As Danial's instincts heightened and his body tensed intensely, he watched in horror as the maid, who had seemed so unassuming just moments before, dashed behind Barley with a small dagger in hand.Time seemed to slow as Danial's mind raced, processing the danger unfolding before him.With lightning speed, Danial's instinct kicked in. He knew he had to act quickly to protect Barley and Lily. Without hesitation, he activated his martial arts technique, channeling the water-flowing movement to propel himself forward with astonishing speed.The maid's eyes widened in shock as Danial closed the distance between them in an instant, with a swift motion, Danial knocked the knife out of the maid's hand, sending it clatteri
James broke down at that moment, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably. He fell to his knees, his sobs racking his body as he finally let out the pain and fear he had been holding inside for so long."Every time something happens, I have to take the blame. Every single time," he choked out between sobs. "He knows I have my wife and two kids, and he constantly threatens their lives. I can't even leave the country because his men are always around my house, watching us, waiting for me to slip up."James's tears flowed freely as his emotions poured out, a torrent of despair and hopelessness. His shoulders heaved with the weight of his burden, and he looked utterly broken.Albert, moved by the sight of his friend in such agony, knelt beside James and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Why didn't you say anything to me, James? Why didn't you tell me?" he asked gently, his voice filled with sorrow and compassion.James looked up at Albert, his eyes red and swollen from crying
Danial sat on his bed, staring at the intricate design of his Jade ring. The soft glow of the moonlight filtered through the window, casting a gentle radiance over the room. His mind was filled with questions, swirling like a storm in his consciousness."Where are you, father?" he muttered softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "And what is going on with me?"He turned the ring over in his hands, feeling its smooth surface against his fingertips. It had been his father's, a cherished memento that held a connection to a past he barely understood. Danial often found himself lost in thought, wondering about the mysteries that surrounded his family and his own destiny.As he pondered, his thoughts gradually faded into the realm of sleep. His eyelids grew heavy, and his breathing slowed as he succumbed to the embrace of slumber.Outside the newfound ruins of Cyrus West, two figures stood amidst the darkness of the night. Grandmaster Quintan stood beside a woman clad in golden armor. Her
Danial stood up, his mind still filled with questions. "I have some questions I hope that you can enlighten me," he said, looking earnestly at the three Masters."Abhaya, with his serene demeanor, put his palms together and said, "We will help you, Amitabha."Danial gathered his thoughts and asked, "Do you know someone by the name of Prince Egon or Cyrus West?"The three masters exchanged puzzled glances before shaking their heads. "No, I haven't heard of anyone by those names," Balthazar admitted, his voice tinged with curiosity. "What happened, Danial?"Danial sighed deeply, recounting the events of the past few days. "There is an opening of ancient ruins, and my friends and I are expected to enter and explore them. These ruins are linked to someone named Cyrus West, and there’s talk of Prince Egon. We’re dealing with an arcane barrier that prevents anyone above the Mortal level of cultivation from entering. We are selected with other individuals whose cultivation is under the Morta
Master Eamon, Leonard, Kuro, Maria, Pavan, and Danial had agreed to meet near the academy, where a sleek, black bus stood waiting. Master Eamon was on a call, his voice low and serious, while Pavan, Maria, and Leonard were engaged in a conversation nearby. Despite the group's overall camaraderie, Maria seemed somewhat distant from Leonard, maintaining a subtle but noticeable gap between them. Kuro, meanwhile, was leaning against the bus, lost in thought.As Danial approached Kuro, he called out, "Hello, Kuro. Earth to Kuro?"Kuro snapped out of his thoughts and looked up, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Hey, Danial. You finally made it."Danial scratched his head sheepishly. "Yeah, I was stuck in traffic."Kuro nodded. "Well, come on. Everyone is waiting for us."Before Kuro could move, Danial noticed the tension in his friend's expression. "You're afraid, aren't you?" he said softly.Kuro froze, a stunned look crossing his face. "Is it something related to your family?" Danial as
Santigo leaned back in his chair, the flickering light casting long shadows across the room. His smile stretched wider, full of mockery and malice, as his gaze shifted lazily between Danial, Pavan, and Crystal. "Took you long enough," he drawled, tapping his fingers on the armrest. "I was almost about to start another session with Kuro, but you arrived on time. Tsk tsk, what a pity."Danial’s eyes darted to Kuro, his chest tightening at the sight of his friend slumped over, bruised and barely conscious. Rage bubbled beneath his calm exterior, his fists clenching so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. He knew what "session" meant—and judging by Kuro’s state, it was far worse than he’d imagined.Gritting his teeth, Danial stepped forward, his fists clenching at his sides. “What do you want from us, Santigo?” His voice was low but edged with anger. “We’ve never crossed paths. We have nothing to do with you. So why drag Kuro into this?”Santigo waved his hand dismissively as if bru
The trio made their way through the desolate industrial district, their steps echoing faintly against the cracked asphalt and rusted pipes that sprawled across the ground. The Lapanzo Foundry loomed in the distance—a massive husk of steel and concrete, its faded name barely visible on the old factory’s rust-eaten board. Broken windows and gaping holes in the walls stared back at them like the hollow eyes of a corpse, and the air was heavy with a metallic tang mixed with an unexplainable decay that clung to their senses.There were no birds, no stray dogs, not even insects. The silence was unnatural, almost suffocating. Each breath they took felt too loud as if the factory itself might hear them.Pavan looked around, his face pale and his voice just above a whisper. "Yeah, this is the place where I’m going to die."Danial shot him a sideways glare. "No one is going to die." His voice was steady, but his jaw was clenched.Ahead, the board with “Lapanzo” scrawled in faded letters jutted
Danial sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers interlocked and his face stoic, though his mind churned with conflicting thoughts. Pavan, pacing back and forth like a caged animal, threw his arms up in frustration. "Danial!" Pavan snapped, his voice rising. "Are you even listening to me? How can you sit there so calmly when Kuro’s life is on the line? And Crystal—she’s a target too!" Danial finally looked up, his eyes sharp and cold. "Calm? Do I look calm to you, Pavan? I’m just not panicking like you are. If we lose focus now, Kuro’s as good as dead. And if Crystal gets caught in this... it’ll be worse." Pavan stopped pacing, running a hand through his hair. "Then tell me, what’s the plan? What are we doing? Because I can’t just stand here waiting for them to kill Kuro." Danial leaned back, exhaling deeply. "We can’t afford to act recklessly. Whoever this is, they’re not some common thug. They know Kuro’s strength, and they still managed to take him down. That tells me this is pers
Santigo paced around Kuro, his leather boots thudding against the cold, damp concrete floor. The dim overhead light flickered sporadically, casting ominous shadows across the room. The sharp edges of Santigo's features seemed exaggerated in the erratic glow, giving him an almost predatory appearance."Ah, cousin," Santigo drawled, his tone mockingly sweet as he circled Kuro. You look so pitifully tied up like this. I must say, it suits you—a star brought down to earth, groveling in the dirt."Kuro's wrists were bound tightly behind his back, and his legs were shackled to the chair he was forced to sit on. His clothes were torn, and his breath was ragged, but his eyes burned with a fiery defiance that refused to be extinguished.Santigo crouched down to meet Kuro’s glare, his grotesque grin widening. "Tell me, cousin," he whispered, his voice laced with venom, "how does it feel to have the tables turned for once? To be... insignificant?"Kuro’s chest heaved, his breath shallow but stead
Pavan’s hands shook uncontrollably as he processed the words he had just heard. His friend’s life was hanging by a thread, and the weight of the situation bore down heavily on him. His normally composed demeanor was in tatters, replaced by fear and anxiety.Danial, though visibly calmer, felt a storm brewing within. His sharp mind worked through the possibilities, piecing together how this could have happened. Kuro is strong, far stronger than most people realize. For someone to have captured him, this isn’t just about strength—it’s planning, manipulation… or something far worse.Pavan’s voice broke through Danial’s thoughts. “D-Danial, we can’t handle this on our own. We need to go to the authorities, to someone who can—”Danial interrupted, his tone firm but low. “We can’t.” His eyes locked onto Pavan’s. “You heard him. If we go to the authorities, Kuro’s life is the first thing he’ll take.”Pavan clenched his fists, frustration, and helplessness written all over his face. “But… wha
The emissaries from Emsgate couldn’t hide their broad smiles as Tanya descended the arena steps. Their demeanor was almost triumphant, as though Tanya’s victory over Viktor was a personal affront to Somerland. Tanya, however, walked with a quiet pride, ignoring the subtle gloating. Behind her, the terrain of the arena shifted and morphed back to its original flat state, the transformation accompanied by a low rumble.Viktor, meanwhile, trudged down the steps on the opposite side, his head hung low. The sting of defeat gnawed at him, and the weight of representing Somerland felt heavier with each step. In his heart, he felt as though he had disgraced his homeland.Waiting for him near the entrance was his master, a tall man with graying hair. The master’s sharp eyes softened as Viktor approached, clearly burdened. Placing a hand on Viktor’s shoulder, he spoke firmly yet kindly:“Viktor, just because you lost does not mean you failed to prove your worth. Your worth is measured by how ha
Elyisa put her hand into the ballot and took out two folded paper slips. She unfolded the slips with an air of authority. “Tanya from Emsgate and Viktor from Somerland,” she announced, her voice echoing throughout the stadium. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the audience as she reached into the twist and terrain ballot. Unfurling the next slip, she declared, “They will be fighting in a mountainous area. They will have to complete the fight in under four minutes, or both participants will be disqualified.”The crowd erupted in a cacophony of cheers and startled whispers.“Four minutes? Is that even enough time for a proper fight in such rugged terrain?” one spectator exclaimed.“And they’ll both be disqualified if no winner emerges? That’s brutal,” another muttered, shaking their head.The tension was palpable as Tanya, seated among the participants, felt a pang of nervousness grip her chest. Her hands balled into fists on her lap as she stared at the giant screen displaying her name
As the first rays of sunlight graced the sprawling Capital, a vibrant energy filled the air. The second day of the Tournament of Sovereign Might had arrived, and the anticipation was palpable. Crowds thronged the streets, surging toward the massive stadium like waves, eager to secure their seats. Yesterday's attendance had been monumental, but today, it seemed to have doubled. Vendors called out, selling snacks and memorabilia, while children tugged at their parents, buzzing with excitement. The tournament fever had gripped the Capital, and all eyes were on the arena.Inside the stadium, the atmosphere was electric. Spectators filled the stands, the din of their chatter building into a crescendo. The VIP sections gleamed with luxury, reserved for the most influential figures in society: the Greatest Families. Clad in their signature styles, representatives from these families arrived in a display of opulence and prestige, each taking their place in the exclusive area.In the Kirk fami
Maria’s fingers gripped the arms of the chair tightly as she stared at her grandfather. Her usual composure wavered, replaced by a mix of shock and unease. It was rare for her to confront Quintan like this, but the stakes had grown too high. She needed clarity, not half-truths or vague reassurances.Quintan tapped his fingers rhythmically against the polished wood of the desk, his expression unreadable as he studied her. Finally, he leaned forward, his gray eyes sharp and piercing.“What questions do you want to ask, Maria?” he asked, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of weariness.Maria didn’t hesitate. She had been holding this in since the mission’s disastrous conclusion. “Grandfather, I want to know what’s going on with the Demonic Cult. Why are we conducting reconnaissance missions on them instead of mobilizing the Gods of War? They would annihilate the cult without a second thought. Why hold back? What is the status of Rowan and Lysandra? And what about Nina?" Her fis