With a mere snap of his fingers, Howard unleashed a swift breeze that knocked the hairpin from Macie's grasp, sending it clattering to the floor."Master Howard?" Through her tears, Macie looked up at Howard, her eyes filled with a mix of hope and despair.Ashwin hurried over, bowing deeply before Howard, blood trickling from his lips in a dark crimson stream."Master Howard, I'm ashamed that the Sabine family has produced someone like Travis...""My only request is for you to spare Macie and the rest of the Sabine family..."This... This has nothing to do with Macie. She was just another pawn of the sect. Please, Master Howard, spare her life..."Thump! Thump! Thump!Howard's hand flicked out, sending three bursts of force into Ashwin's body, perfectly measured in their intensity.Ugh!Ashwin rolled across the ground and ended up slumped, coughing up a gush of bright blood."No, please..." Macie's voice broke through her sobs. "Dad...""Your father's been poisoned, and it's
In Mareno City, the influential Sabine family was just a front for the Fragmented Horizon sect. The family's major moves were orchestrated by the Fragmented Horizon sect's commands.Ashwin had laid it all out. The Mareno City's elite families banded together to form a chamber of commerce, and their subsequent takedown of the Oceania Group was orchestrated by the Fragmented Horizon sect. The Sabine family? They were just the ones putting the plan into action.Even today's crisis was a page from the Fragmented Horizon sect's playbook. Ashwin had been against it from the get-go, earning him a stern warning from the sect. They threatened to dethrone him as the family patriarch.That was when they turned to Travis, Sabine's deputy head honcho, to pull the strings. He even had a hand in planning Ashwin's birthday bash.Why the Fragmented Horizon sect had it out for Howard was beyond Ashwin. He had his hunches, though, probably someone else's dirty work."The Judge, stand by for orders!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!Heads flew, and except for the leader of the Fragmented Horizon sect, no one was spared. They all dropped like flies.In a desperate attempt to dodge, the leader's arm was severed, sent spinning into the air as blood gushed forth."Who... who are you? Why are you hell-bent on destroying my Fragmented Horizon sect?" He managed to regain his balance, staring at the man in the green shirt, his face etched with terror.He was a legendary fighter, just a step away from being a martial emperor, yet he could not withstand a single move from this fearsome foe."Ancient warrior sects are forbidden from meddling in the affairs of the common world. Did your Fragmented Horizon sect think it was above the law?" the man in the green said icily."And on top of that, you dared to plot the assassination of our nation's guardian, Master Howard. Tell me, who emboldened your Fragmented Horizon sect to such audacity?""Are you with Master Howard?" The head of the Fragmented Horizon
Her admiration for their individual prowess and their unity as a team was undeniable. She was certain that with such a formidable group holding the fort, Rakshasa's rise to the top of the Dark World was imminent.Sabertooth let out a sly chuckle. "So what? They're all going down just the same!" With a commanding gesture, he bellowed, "Blood Shadow Troops, charge!""Charge!" echoed the voices of a hundred elite warriors, leading a thousand more into battle.In an instant, they surged into the estate with unstoppable force, like a tidal wave crashing over everything in its path."Damn you, who dares to court death at the Demon Palace!" In no time, a horde of two to three thousand menacing figures swarmed out from the palaces.They were greeted by a dance of deadly blades, slicing through the air. Heads flew as the front line collapsed under the swift onslaught.A furious bellow shook the air, and a towering brute of a man, wielding a massive sword as tall as himself, charged out fr
Meanwhile, Qemal's Forbidden Army was making mincemeat out of their enemies. They had those martial god-level fighters on the ropes, and in under ten minutes, a handful of them were down for the count. Even a newbie martial knight did not stand a chance against Qemal and his deputies. The rest of the Demon Palace crew? They were outclassed by the Blood Shadow Elegant Uniformed Troops. In less than half an hour, two-thirds of their three thousand disciples were wiped out. The survivors lost their nerve and scattered. The Blood Shadow troops did not bother chasing them down, as they just wanted the Demon Palace wiped off the map of the Dark World, not to wipe them out entirely. "Sir, are you good? No serious damage?" Blood Rakshasa hurried over to Sabertooth after the dust settled, eyeing the slashes on him with a worried frown."Sabertooth chuckled. "This scratch? It's nothing. Back when I was fighting alongside the boss, we'd shrug off injuries like this without a second thought."
"That's great!" Howard nodded before asking, "Any news from Citrakuta lately?""Our contacts there say there's been a split in opinion since the last incident. Some want to keep things calm, while others are pushing to send a delegation to Rackaham," Yoel said, setting down his cup."Looks like the push for negotiation is gaining traction. We might see their envoys in Rackaham before long.""Really?" Howard's gaze sharpened. "Well, we'll be ready for them.""Speaking of which, Mr. Louis and I heard in Ciolara that you're pretty much set to replace Mr. Racino. The official word should come through any day now. What's your take on it?" Dragon inquired, looking at Howard."It's not time for Ciolara just yet," Howard replied with a slight shake of his head."And if the appointment comes and you turn it down?" Dragon asked with a hint of surprise in his voice."We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Howard said.Then, turning back to Yoel with a grin, he added, "Heard about yo
Howard was not too fond of Yaretzi. She was a bit too smart for her own good.He did not care to entangle himself with such a woman.Still, the Coles were by and large straight shooters, and involving them in the Sabine's business dealings was a chance worth giving."Got it!" Kenny called out."Alright, let's wrap this up!" Howard said, setting down his teacup."Yoel, you're off to your date, Dragon's back to your station, the Judge is digging into the Sabine's people, Mystical Chubby and I are heading to Mendorra!""Oh, and Yoel, pass a message to Yuffie. If she's over that internship, she can jump ship to Oceania Group.""Sure thing," Yoel muttered, his lips twitching.He could not shake the feeling that his boss was playing matchmaker.Truth be told, he thought highly of Yuffie; her looks were top-notch, and her personality was right up his alley.However, romance was the last thing on his mind right then.Plus, he had some personal stuff that made it tough to dive headfi
"Would you have kept it a secret if she hadn't?" Talia teased with a playful smirk."I just hadn't gotten around to telling you!" Howard defended himself. "She's just a restaurant owner who I asked for a little help, that's all.""Is that so? However, I've heard she's quite the top socialite of Mareno City. She must be quite the charmer, huh?" Talia teased him again."Anyway, how's work been for you? Everything on track?" Howard quickly tried to steer the conversation elsewhere."Acting like you have a guilty conscience, I don't have time for your nonsense!" Talia gave him another eye roll.She then glanced at the wall clock and suggested, "Hey, it's the weekend, and the weather's perfect. How about we take Riley out to the countryside for a bit?""That sounds fantastic! A little fresh air in the countryside would do us all some good," Howard agreed with a cheerful smile."Come on, get up! We've got a full day ahead. Let's eat and hit the road," Talia said, kissing Howard's chee
"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