"Thanks a bunch, Sir!" Yoel called out with a grin.After a quick wave to Mystical Chubby and Riley, he spun on his heel and took off."Hey Sir, when are you gonna show me the ropes so I can level up and join the big leagues?" asked Mystical Chubby as they strolled home."Your body's a bit unique, Chub. It's not gonna be a walk in the park for you," Howard replied."But don't sweat it. You'll do just as well as Yoel, if not better. If you're itching for a quick boost, head back to the sect. Mysterious Elder's got a trick or two that could skyrocket you to the top.""Nah, I'll pass. Who knows if I'd ever get out once I'm back there! I'm still having too much fun out here!""You're grown up. You can't just play all the time, you gotta buckle down," Riley chided, sounding wise beyond her years."Cough!" Mystical Chubby's lips quirked in a half-smile. "Loud and clear, Princess!"Riley's laughter peeled like bells in the air.It was about 5 p.m. when Howard's phone rang."Hey, lov
"Thanks, Mystical Chubby, but we'll pass for now. Maybe another time," Nance replied, her mouth twitching in a forced smile."Come on, my skincare is top-notch, you..." Mystical Chubby tried again."Mystical Chubby, why don't you head over to the food section and wait for us there?" Howard suggested, barely concealing his irritation.That guy always stops dead in his tracks at the sight of a pretty face!"Fine!" Mystical Chubby sulked and turned toward the buffet."Nance, this place is packed. And they're not all from our company, are they?" Talia inquired, puzzled."Take a closer look, Ms. Jenkins. Besides our own people, there are a few faces you might recognize," Yancy hinted."What do you mean?" Talia asked, scanning the crowd.Her eyes widened in surprise. "What's the Mendorra Rackaham investment team doing here?"Having worked closely with Mendorra as the marketing director for Swanson Group, she was well-acquainted with them."Ms. Jenkins, we're just as clueless. It's
"You should leave now, or else..." Nance warned, her brow furrowed.Smack!Montez's hand flew, cutting her off with a slap that left a red mark on her face.He had been itching for a fight, and Nance had just become his target."Ah!" Nance gasped.Howard, taken aback by the sudden violence, radiated a chilling fury."How dare you hit someone!?" Talia sat bolt upright, her voice filled with outrage. "You're such a jerk!""People need to learn their place," Montez retorted icily."Apologize," Howard's voice was a low growl."Look at the big shot here!" Montez scoffed with disdain. "What's that? Say it one more time—"Wham!Sent flying with a swift kick, Montez crashed to the ground, a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth."Seems you've got a death wish, talking trash in front of the big man. You must be sick of living!" Mystical Chubby said, nonchalantly munching on a slice of cake."Better crawl over here and say you're sorry if you want to keep breathing."Nance an
"Going to crawl over here and say you're sorry?" Mystical Chubby said, eyeing Montez as he licked the last crumbs from his fingers."You... Have you any idea who my uncle is? I promise you, you're not leaving here on your own two feet today!" Montez spat back, his pride wounded but not his resolve.He had a sneaking suspicion that Mystical Chubby's abilities surpassed those of a martial general, but he had his own ace up his sleeve. He was not intimidated by some martial general wannabe."Oh, you have a powerful uncle, do you? Well, enlighten me. Maybe your story will scare me," Mystical Chubby taunted with a smirk."My uncle is the district governor for the Special Patrol's Eastern District!" he proclaimed, scrambling to his feet and snatching a pile of napkins to dab away the blood on his forehead.His voice hardened as he continued, "Just because you've got a smattering of martial arts moves, don't get cocky thinking you're top dog. My uncle could squash you like a bug without
"Are my words not clear? I want you on your knees, now!"Kenny's voice was firm and commanding. He strode over to Howard and gave a respectful bow. "Master Howard, my apologies for the delay. I was caught up in a meeting. I hope you can forgive my lateness, Master Howard."The crowd gasped.Who was that man that commanded such deference from Mr. Carter? Even the elite few did not get such a reception!Nance and Yancy, standing off to the side, were utterly stunned.They knew Howard was no ordinary man when they met him before, but they never expected he would be so influential that even Mendorra's top dog would bow to him.It was beyond belief!"M—Mr. Carter, who... Who is this guy?" Montez's anxiety was mounting."Still haven't come to terms with it, huh?" Kenny's voice was laden with gravity."Didn't you say you were going to call your uncle? Go ahead, tell him you want Master Howard's wife to dance with you. I'd love to hear what he thinks about that!"Oh, and make sure yo
"Go ahead, you have things to handle," Howard said, casting a casual glance at Kenny.To Howard, the recent commotion was not about putting Montez in his place. He considered Montez too trivial to bother with a scolding.If Montez had been just another spoiled rich kid, Howard would have had Mystical Chubby toss him out on his ear without a second thought.However, Howard had a point to make to the audience. After that night, the Swanson Group would take over all of Oceania Group's Mendorra division, with Talia stepping in as the new president.With a company that size, and thousands of employees, Talia was bound to face some pushback. No doubt, there would be a few ruffled feathers.Hence, Howard seized the moment to show his support for Talia, giving everyone a heads-up. It was a move that would surely smooth the way for her down the line."Got it!" Kenny nodded and made his way to the stage.Mystical Chubby ambled back to the buffet—he was not done with his feast."Mr. Linco
"Am I losing it, or did I just hear that right?" Nance blurted out."Easy there, Nance, you're giving me a heart attack!" Yancy chided, pressing a hand to her heart."This is huge, right? How much is our company going to balloon after this?" Nance pressed on."We're even taking over the Mendorra Building. That has to shoot us up to the top five in Mendorra, doesn't it?""Let's not jump the gun, Nance. It's still up in the air if this is a win or a flop," Yancy said, cracking a smile before turning to Talia. "Ms. Jenkins, what's your take?""I'm just as surprised. Who knew Swanson Group was actually part of Oceania Group, and now this whirlwind of change?" Talia mused."This means a major shake-up for the company—mergers, layoffs. Whether it's a blessing or a curse for us, only time will tell.""Ms. Jenkins, do you think you'll be shuffled around too?" Nance asked, her voice tinged with concern."Doesn't matter to me. I'm sticking with you, come what may. That is, unless I get t
Silence swept over the crowd like a sudden gust of wind as heads turned toward Howard and his group, eyes wide with shock."What!?" Nance and Yancy were momentarily taken aback before they burst into excitement, leaping to their feet.Talia, meanwhile, felt her mind go blank, struggling to grasp the reality of the moment."It's amazing, absolutely amazing!" Nance managed to compose themselves and turned to Talia with a beaming smile. "Way to go, Ms. Jenkins!""Congrats, honey!" Howard chimed in with a warm smile. "Honey, you can breathe easy now—no more worrying about a demotion.""What, me? No way, Mr. Carter must be mistaken!" Talia finally snapped out of her daze, her head shaking in disbelief. "They wouldn't let me run such a huge company. It's just not possible, no way!""Ms. Jenkins, Mr. Carter wouldn't get something this big wrong—it has to be you!" Nance was still riding the wave of excitement.Yancy, too, was all smiles, nodding."Honey, Nance is right. There's no way
"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