Without missing a beat, he strode over to Kase and delivered a swift chop."You..." Kase barely got a word out before his eyes rolled back, and he hit the deck, out cold."Judge, stand by for orders!" Howard rose to his feet."Your orders, marshal?" The Judge bowed, ready to listen."Take out Hawkins, his five goons, and Xerxes," ordered Howard with a steely tone. "Haul Yamil back to the Shadow Sect for a deep dive. If he's gotta go, he's gotta go. If he's gotta be locked up, so be it.""Consider it done!" the Judge responded with a nod."No, please... Have mercy, Marshal..." Yamil and his son pleaded in unison.However, Hawkins and his four cronies were already slumped on the ground, their faces a mask of hopelessness.Zip! Zip!In a flash, six streaks of silver cut through the air. One by one, six bodies dropped."Xerxes!" Yamil crumpled to the ground, his cries piercing the air as tears carved rivers through the wrinkles on his face."Listen up, everyone!" Howard's voice
A minute later, Talia's text lit up Howard's phone screen.Without hesitation, Howard dialed a number saved as 'The Judge'."Sir, what can I do for you?" The call connected after a single ring."It's about Yuffie. There's trouble in Mareno City," Howard said, his tone grave as he relayed Talia's message to The Judge.He paused briefly before giving his next order. "Get someone in Mareno City to reach out to her classmate, and pull the surveillance from the area to see where they took Yuffie. I'm heading there now!""These guys are really asking for trouble!" the Judge snapped back. "I'm on it!"Once they ended the call, Howard texted the Judge with Yuffie's classmate's contact info."Yoel, we're heading to Mareno City!" Howard said, rising and striding toward the door with Yoel at his heels."Master Howard, should I come with you?" Kenny called out eagerly."No need," replied Howard. "I'll call you if we need you."Their voices trailed off as they stepped outside.The phone
"Where's Tate?" Onyx demanded, stepping up to the head security guard.The guard was not about to back down so easily. "Listen, kid, I don't care who you think you are, you..."Snap!Onyx's foot came crashing down before the man could finish his threat, shattering his right ankle.The guard let out a blood-curdling scream."Talk, or the next stomp's for your head!" Onyx's voice was like ice."Tate's... He's..." The fight went right out of the guard."Are you looking for me?" A gruff voice cut through the tension before the guard could say more.A young man with a mean look on his face walked up, flanked by a gang of machete-wielding toughs covered in tattoos."So you're Tate?" Onyx sized him up. "Where did your goons take Ms. Jenkins?"Tate sneered, eyeing Onyx and his crew with a dangerous glint in his eyes. "No one's had the guts to mess with me on my turf for a long time. You know who I am?"He paused, his voice dropping an octave. "Get down on your knees and apologize, t
"Which big shot are you talking about?" Onyx's voice was like gravel."Brown... Arturo, the second in line of the Mareno City Browns!" Tate managed to get out, his voice strained."You'd better not be playing me, or you're in for a world of hurt," Onyx warned, before barking out orders to his crew. "Get on it, people! I want a city-wide manhunt for Arturo, now!""Roger that!" The team responded in unison, phones already in hand, dialing furiously.With that, the Shadow Sect's three thousand strong in Mareno City leaped into action.Howard rolled into town over an hour later, with Yoel flooring the Range Rover the whole way, the speedometer needle glued past 250."Marshal!" Yoel called out as they pulled up to the Shadow Sect's Mareno City HQ. Onyx was there to meet them, flanked by ten of his best."Any luck?" Howard asked, his face grim. He had been briefed by Onyx over the phone during the drive.They had lost Arturo's trail in South Deben, at a spot blind to the city's watch
With a fierce stomp on the gas, Yoel's Range Rover smashed through the entrance gate and rocketed into the estate."Damn!" The security guards, including those in the nearby booth, froze in shock.Someone had the guts to storm into the Brown family's stronghold—it was like they were challenging the gods!"We've got an intruder! Block that car!" a guard yelled into his radio.Thud! Thud! Thud!Dozens of the Brown family's guardians poured out from all corners, racing after the Range Rover.However, the Range Rover did not even hint at stopping and instead barreled toward the heart of the compound.Two minutes later, Yoel hit the brakes hard, halting in the center of the plaza. They both stepped out."You two boys got a death wish? You realize where you are?" The guardians converged on them, gasping for breath."Get your boss out here!" Yoel demanded, his voice like thunder."You fools must be sick of living!" the lead guardian bellowed. "Get them, toss 'em out!"The guardians
"You better talk where Arturo's hiding if you don't want to live with regrets," Yoel chimed in."Don't get cocky just because the Browns have some pull around here. You have no idea how big the world is. You're just a small fish in a big pond!"You think the Browns are untouchable? I'll have you know that to the real power players, you're nothing. Wiping out your clan is as easy as making a call.""Hey, you two nutjobs, where'd you pop out from?" bellowed Everett Brown, the family's hotheaded number two, as he jabbed a finger at them."Get on your knees and apologize, or you're not walking out of here today!""I'm not here to play games. You've got two minutes to cough up Arturo's location, or you're on your own," Howard's voice cut through the air, icy and stern."You're really asking for it!" Everett snapped back, signaling with a flick of his wrist. "Guys, take their legs out first!""Affirmative!" The newly arrived squad of men in black voiced their assent with a grave tone
His comrades, too, summoned their greatest strength and surged forward, the square's center filling with a palpable tension that was almost tangible."Here it comes!" the elder announced, his voice deep and resonant, as he launched a palm strike charged with formidable power at Yoel, the air tearing with the sound."You're in over your head!" Yoel did not budge an inch, countering with a sweeping palm strike of his own.Bang!The wave of energy clash sent the elder and his fellow warriors tumbling back, hitting the ground hard and coughing up blood.The square was filled with the sound of jaws hitting the floor. Rainger and the entire Brown family stood in shock.Their top warrior, a martial general with major mastery, had been flung away by a single blow!What did that mean?"Could it be...a martial god?" the white-haired elder managed between coughs of blood, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and respect."What?!" The Brown family members gasped together.A martial god-level
"I... I really don't know where he is..." Rainger's voice quivered."I needed to see him about something today, but his phone's been off. I... I'll get people on it right away..."He paused briefly before continuing to address Howard."Master... Master Howard, what on earth did my son do?" Rainger asked, looking toward Howard for answers."You've certainly raised quite the son!" Yoel remarked calmly from the side. "He had the nerve to orchestrate a kidnapping of a young woman in plain sight, the audacity!""What!?" Rainger gasped, his whole body shaking even more.However, it was not the act of kidnapping that terrified him.For the Brown family, one of Mareno City's prestigious clans, orchestrating a kidnapping or two was not a grave matter, as long as no one ended up dead.It was clear as day why Master Howard had shown up: the kidnapped victim had to be someone under his protection. No way would he stir up such a storm for anyone else.Realizing this sent shivers down his s
"And look at that bracelet, it's stunning! Oh, and the compact has such a unique charm! Should we get one of each to decorate our homes?""Yuffie, you're still in school. How can you afford all this?" Talia chided gently. "You have a hundred fifty-dollar budget. Spend more, and it's coming out of your allowance.""What? Only a hundred fifty dollars? You're being too tight-fisted, sis!" Yuffie's complaint was lighthearted as she playfully turned to Howard. "Howard...""Don't even think about it. His wallet is in my hands!" Talia cut her off, fully aware of her little sister's ploy."Fine..." Yuffie's pout was all in good fun."Haha! It's not every day we get to do this, honey. If Yuffie finds something she loves, let's get it for her. Who knows if it'll be here next time?" Howard chuckled."Yay! You're the best, bro-in-law!" Yuffie cheered, her face lighting up with joy."You're just making her more spoiled!" Talia gave Howard a playful eye roll and turned her attention away from
Howard's willingness to visit the antique market was not solely to assist the sisters in their quest for a legendary blade. Such weapons were treasures often stumbled upon by chance, rarely found by those who sought them.His real intent was to immerse the sisters in the rich culture of the martial arts clans they were then a part of. More exposure to the ways of the warrior guilds could only benefit them on their chosen path.The following morning, Howard's group of five set off in the direction of Nathanael. Talia and Yuffie buzzed with excitement throughout the journey, their minds alive with wonder.Nathanael, nestled in the mountains to the northeast of Mendorra and a couple hundred kilometers away, awaited them.By 10 a.m., they arrived, parking at the gates of a sprawling estate on the city's outskirts—the site of the famed market.Stepping out, they were greeted by a lively throng at the estate's entrance, many adorned in traditional robes, weapons hanging from their belts
"And that's not all. They might even be a bona fide king-level warrior." Howard's brow furrowed with uncertainty."It looks like The Dark World is a whole lot more tangled than we thought," Yoel mused aloud.Then, turning back to Howard, he inquired, "Sir, did the old man ever share anything with you about The Dark World?""Not a word," Howard replied, shaking his head."Sir, do you think our mystery person could be from one of the elite families or sects, maybe just there on some errand?" Mystical Chubby chimed in.His speculation was not unfounded. Most of the king-level warriors from Rackaham were known to hail from the secretive clans and sects."It's unlikely." Howard dismissed the idea with another shake of his head. "From what Sabertooth described, our guy seems to know The Dark World like the back of his hand.""Who's that supposed to be?" Mystical Chubby scrunched his brow in confusion."Let it go for now. We'll head back to The Dark World in a little while," said Howa
"Um..." Blood Rakshasa nodded, the woman's earlier words still ringing in her head."Sir... Sir, was what you said earlier true?" Blood Rakshasa asked Sabertooth, her voice barely above a whisper."What did I say?" Sabertooth looked puzzled for a moment."You said... You said next time, we'd go back home together to get married..." Blood Rakshasa's cheeks turned a soft pink."Hehe, absolutely," Sabertooth chuckled, his smile warm and genuine. "The boss gave me the order, and I've given my word."Blood Rakshasa's smile was shy but filled with joy.Soon after, Qemal strode in."Sabertooth, I've tracked down the hideout of the Slaying Heaven Palace," Qemal announced upon arrival."Is that so?" Sabertooth's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Tell the crew to take a two-hour breather, then we move out!"The Slaying Heaven Palace's goons had nearly wiped out them today. Payback was due.With the Palace's top fighters gone, the rest were hardly a threat. It was time to cross the Slay
"Shadow Demon Shrine?" The woman's brow creased for a moment, but she quickly dropped the subject.She then turned to Sabertooth and observed, "You and your group have the vibe of soldiers. You're not originally from The Dark World, are you?""Speaking to our savior," Sabertooth gave a respectful nod, "we were part of the Rackaham Western Region's military before we came here."He was open with the woman who had saved over a hundred of his comrades."The Western Region's military?" The woman paused, a hint of recognition in her voice, "You're with the Blood Shadow Force?""That's us," Sabertooth confirmed with another bow."Is your leader the King of the West, Master Howard?" she inquired further."You know my boss?" Sabertooth looked surprised."Not personally, but I've heard the name," the woman replied with a shake of her head. "What's he got you doing in The Dark World?""Over the past couple of years, the world's heavy hitters have been funneling their muscle and resource
"You'll live to regret this, Dark Demon Lord!" Blood Rakshasa declared, locking eyes with her adversary. "Kill us, and Master Howard will avenge us by wiping out every last one of you in your cursed palace...""Ha! That Master Howard of yours better think twice before stepping into The Dark World again, or it'll be his grave!" The Dark Demon Lord mocked with an icy laugh."You're the fool!" Sabertooth growled. "No one in The Dark World has been born who can take down our boss. Your time's coming!""Is that so?" The Dark Demon Lord sneered with disdain. "You're clueless, all of you. You have no idea how powerful the Shadow Demon Shrine truly is!""Enough babbling. Time to end this. I'll send you both to join your boss," he declared, his presence intensifying as he prepared to strike them down."I love you," Blood Rakshasa whispered, her eyes closing."No, don't!" Qemal and others shouted in despair.Then there was a thunderous boom.However, the expected tragedy did not unfold.
Sabertooth sneered, watching the man's futile efforts. "You're such a fool!"He then declared solemnly, "Blood Shadow Technique, second form, Sky Slash!"With those words, he summoned all his strength, his saber carving a fierce arc of light through the air, striking like thunder at his foe.The Blood Shadow Technique was known for turning the tides against stronger adversaries.The white-haired elder's eyes narrowed in alarm. Caught mid-leap, he desperately wanted to dodge but could not. The saber's light bore down on him, a chilling aura of death shrouding him completely.In that instant, a wave of energy crashed through the air like a tidal wave, bringing a howling gale with it.Crash!Suddenly, Sabertooth was hurled away like a shell fired from a gun, blood spraying from his mouth as he flew, before he slammed into the earth, leaving a huge crater and falling silent."Sabertooth!" Blood Rakshasa's shout pierced the chaos as she spun and dashed to his side.She barely made
The man in black was sent hurtling through the air, slamming into the ground with such force that he lay there motionlessly, struggling to rise. A gaping wound, carved by the relentless sword, oozed blood profusely from his abdomen."What in the world is that sword technique?" he gasped after a torturous effort to stand, his face ashen.He had underestimated Blood Rakshasa's swordplay. Since her breakthrough to a higher echelon of mastery, her blade's might had surged, utterly dominating her seasoned adversary."The Sword Without a Name," Blood Rakshasa declared icily.Without wasting another second, she launched another assault. Sabertooth was in dire straits, and she was determined to aid him.Her blade danced again, weaving a web of sword energy that shot toward the white-haired elder, ensnaring him in an instant.The old man's eyes narrowed in a flash of panic, realizing he was trapped with no way out."This is it!" he snarled, brandishing his blade and lunging forward.How
With a thunderous explosion of energy, Blood Rakshasa's power surged, forcing the old man before her to stagger back in disbelief."Impossible! Have you broken through?" he gasped, steadying himself, his face a mask of astonishment."You bet I have!" Blood Rakshasa's face lit up with triumph.She had done it, just as the old man had surmised. Amid her swordplay, she felt a dormant core energy within her erupt, catapulting her to the zenith of martial knight at peak mastery stage.Master Howard's words rang in her head. The core energy left in her by a once-mighty warrior was too much to absorb at once. Back in that cave, she only managed a minor mastery in martial knight. However, Howard had predicted further advancements, and he was right."Let's see if you can handle a few more of my strikes!" Blood Rakshasa challenged, her spirit soaring not just from her newfound strength but also from a deeper connection to her swordsmanship."Bring it on!" the old man bellowed, his blade re