"But no matter what, you took the brunt of that force. It hurts, doesn't it?"As if to confirm Kendrick's words, Frederick paled and coughed up a mouthful of blood.His expertise as a miracle doctor allowed him to instantly assess the severe internal damage he had sustained.Vivianne witnessed Frederick's unwavering stance and felt tears welling up in her eyes. She realized he had taken the brunt of the attack to protect her and her father. She wanted to check on him, but the pain from even the residual force of the blow left her unable to move.Kendrick glanced at the clock on the cruise ship, then addressed Frederick with a hint of urgency."Young man, I acknowledge your youth and dedication to your training. Retreat now, and I'll spare your life."Having noticed Kendrick's subtle glance, Frederick quickly deduced the reason behind his sudden offer.He wiped the blood from his lips with his sleeve. "You want me to step aside because you fear I'll delay you, correct? This sec
Kendrick scoffed at Vivianne's threat, a hearty laugh escaping his lips. In his two decades in the city, his parasitic poison had claimed countless lives. He mused, if ghosts truly sought revenge, would it be Vivianne's turn? Kendrick retorted, "I eagerly await your vengeful spirit." As he prepared to deliver the final blow, a hand clamped down on his shoulder. Surprised, he turned to find Frederick, face bloodied but standing tall. Kendrick was stunned as he wondered how his previous attack hadn't been fatal. Before Kendrick could react, Frederick unleashed three powerful punches to his face. Caught off guard by the unexpected strength and ferocity of the attack, Kendrick reeled from the pain. Despite forcefully ascending to the rank of Post-Advanced Martial Artist, the blows from Frederick struck him hard.Kendrick clutched his face and howled in pain.He realized that Frederick's strength rivaled or even surpassed Tyger's.His vision blurred as he saw double images
With a burst of energy, Scarlett lunged to rescue Frederick,However, Scarlett was no match against Kendrick. Kendrick effortlessly swatted her aside with a backhand strike. Scarlett crumpled to the ground, a dark bruise blossoming on her face.Seeing that every troublemaker was now incapacitated, Kendrick turned his attention back to Vivianne.Frederick was lying on the ground and glanced at the battered Scarlett nearby. Then, seeing Kendrick approaching Vivianne, he used his broken limbs to inch toward her, leaving a trail of blood.However, he was no match for Kendrick's speed. As Frederick felt his strength waning and his eyelids growing heavy, his vision darkened. He slowly closed his eyes.Isabella hadn't expected such chaos at the auction. The crowd felt pity for Frederick."Alas, wealth and talent mean nothing in the face of brute force.""He's finally dead, no more suffering.""What a shame, such a vibrant flower-like Vivianne will wither too."In the darkness,
Theodore felt a pang of guilt and despair after witnessing the escalating violence.Mustering his remaining strength, he rose to shield Vivianne. "Take me instead. Spare Vivianne, and I'll give you everything I own in Jenaire City." Kendrick scoffed, "Do you think money can buy me off? You're a fool, Theodore. You have no idea who you married." Although confused by Kendrick's reference to a "Goddess", Theodore understood he was talking about his wife."Tell me where my wife is," he begged.Kendrick's patience wore thin."You'll never understand the kind of woman you had," he sneered, raising his hand to strike. Vivianne threw herself in front of her father in a desperate act of love. Both struggled to protect the other, their futile efforts eliciting a cruel laugh from Kendrick. As his lethal blow descended, a figure suddenly intercepted it. Kendrick's strike landed squarely on a man's chest. The crowd gasped in astonishment.It was Frederick!Kendrick looked up, startl
Seeing Kendrick finally defeated, Vivianne excitedly patted Frederick's shoulder."You were incredible! You saved us!"But as Frederick turned, his eyes were dark and menacing.A chill ran down Vivianne's spine. This was not the Frederick she knew."Frederick, what's wrong? Don't scare me," she asked.Tears streamed down her face as she reached out to touch him. His skin was icy cold. As her tears fell on his face, his eyes softened, their usual warmth returning.Frederick whispered, "Vivianne, are you alright?"As Frederick's eyes cleared, Vivianne wiped away her tears, a smile returning to her face. "I'm alright, Frederick. Thanks to you."Frederick managed a weak smile before his eyes fluttered closed, and he slumped to the ground.Panic-stricken, Vivianne knelt beside him, shaking him and calling his name. Suddenly, the sound of approaching speedboats cut through the tension. A group of men boarded the ship, their leader a young man who surveyed the chaotic scene with wi
Hearing Baxter's accusatory tone and recalling Albert's claim of bidding on behalf of the York family, Isabella's face hardened. "He was bidding maliciously at the Smith family auction, claiming to be acting under the York family's orders. That's why I broke his legs."Baxter's expression changed. It was indeed about the ring."Albert was bidding maliciously?"Isabella scoffed, "Six billion dollars. Does that not sound malicious to you? Or perhaps the York family can foot the bill?"Baxter was dumbfounded. Six billion dollars? Where could he possibly find that kind of money?"Where is the ring now?" he asked, his voice strained.Isabella shrugged. "The Smith family's policy is to protect the privacy of our clients. We cannot disclose information about the buyer."Baxter glared at her, but he didn't dare offend a fellow member of the Ten Titans. Just then, Albert was wheeled out. He pointed at Frederick who was lying on the ground."Mr. Baxter, I know where the ring is. He b
"Absorb it all! I shall devour you when you are full," the sinister voice whispered within Frederick's mind.Having wiped the blood from Frederick's hands, Baxter once again reached for Frederick's ring. But the moment he touched it, a searing pain shot through his hand, forcing him to recoil."Damn it!" he cursed, shaking his hand in pain. "This thing is cursed!"His frustration turned into rage. Baxter drew a knife with a menacing grin. "I'll just take the hand with it!"Vivianne witnessed this brutality and jumped to her feet.Her voice filled with righteous fury as she spoke, "Damn you! You can't just rob him like this!"Baxter scoffed and his eyes filled with disdain. "I can do whatever I please. Who's going to stop me in this insignificant town?" A voice cut through the tension. "I will." Baxter turned to see Isabella standing tall on the stage, her eyes narrowed in defiance.She said coldly, "You are well aware of the Smith family's auction rules. This ring was purc
Baxter felt no pity at the scene.His mind raced, focused on obtaining the ring before his uncle's arrival, a deed that would surely earn him a favor.But just as Baxter's blade was about to fall upon Vivianne, he was abruptly ensnared by a chilling force that rendered him immobile. Glancing down, he froze in horror. A massive python had wrapped itself around him.A python? On a cruise ship? It was as if the creature had appeared out of nowhere!From behind Baxter emerged a group of peculiar figures dressed in vibrant, exotic garments. Leading them was an elderly man with white hair, his eyes filled with concern as he gazed at the prone Vivianne.Only after confirming her safety did he turn his hardened gaze toward Baxter. "How dare you harm the Goddess of the Venomveil Tribe? Such an offense is unforgivable!"With those words, he raised his snake-headed staff, causing the python to bare its fangs, ready to devour Baxter whole.Baxter was paralyzed with fear. He pleaded, "Spar