"This is all my fault, please... I beg the King of the West to...spare my Waker family..."He had no will to live left; his only wish was to save some of his kin."Off with his head!" Howard cut him off with a decisive command and turned away."Master Howard... Please, have mercy on my Waker family..." Kevin cried out in despair."That's enough. Silence!" Hacks said sharply. "The Shadow Sect's blade does not strike the innocent."With those words, the blade fell.In his final moment, Kevin's face showed a flicker of hope.The Shadow Sect's blade spared the innocent, which meant the Waker family might yet survive.In that tragedy, it was the smallest of blessings."Master... Master Howard!"Howard had barely taken a few steps when Charlie, flanked by a squad of the Special Patrol, came forward, his body quivering ever so slightly."Still here, I see," Howard remarked with a subdued chuckle."I... I couldn't..." Charlie stammered, shaking his head vigorously."Master Howard,
Shylah let out a suppressed giggle. "Sir, if Sabertooth heard you talking like that, he'd be on your case.""Dragon, why don't you give Sabertooth a ring? Find out what he's been up to," Howard suggested with a smile."You got it!" Dragon agreed and whipped out his phone, dialing Sabertooth's number and hitting the speaker button."Dragon, what's going on?" Sabertooth's voice came after a single ring."Hope I'm not interrupting anything with your sweetheart," Dragon teased.Yoel and the others could not help but cough at the insinuation."Dragon, you're really asking for it, aren't you?" Sabertooth's voice had an edge to it."Sir's orders. He wants an update on your love life with Blood Rakshasa. Consider it a direct command," Dragon said with a hint of mischief.There was a cough from Sabertooth, then a brief silence. "You're with Sir right now?""Cut the chatter and give me the update. How's it going with you two?" Dragon asked with a no-nonsense tone.Shylah struggled to s
'What's this about her staying at my place? I just gave up my dorm room for Yuffie to use, that's all!' A thought crossed Yoel's mind."Mr. Louis, you're moving way too fast. Yuffie's still finishing up school!" Hacks could not resist another jab."Buzz off!" Yoel snapped, feeling a stern glare from Howard, and quickly tried to set the record straight."Sir, Yuffie stormed off to the Eastern defense, dead set on me teaching her some moves. I let her crash in my room for the night and bunked with Dragon," Yoel explained."You gave her lessons?" Howard asked, a wry smile playing on his lips. He did not buy for a second that Yoel and Yuffie had hit it off that fast.Again, if they had, it would not be the worst thing."She wouldn't take no for an answer, so I showed her a few of the basics, just to get her started," Yoel said."Next time you head back to Mendorra, make sure she visits home too," Howard suggested after a pause."Sir, what do you mean?" Yoel's eyes lit up."Talia's
"She's fine with it. She's looked up to soldiers since she was a little girl and seems pretty happy with me," Dragon said, with a hint of pride."We should set up a time for me to come with you when you pop the question," Howard chimed in."Huh?" Dragon blinked in surprise. "Sir, let's not make a fuss. If they said no, they said no. It's not worth your time for something so small.""Who said it's small?" Howard's voice took on a weighty tone. "This is a big deal! Pick a time this month, and I'll be there to back you up when you propose!""Thanks a ton, Sir!" Dragon's face lit up with gratitude.Having the boss by his side for a proposal was a huge deal.Just then, Shylah's phone started to ring."Selena, what's going on?" Shylah asked as she picked up.Whatever Selena said on the other end, Shylah wrapped it up with. "I'm at the Shadow Sect base. Come on over."After the call, Shylah glanced at Howard."Sir, Selena's on her way to say thanks in person. I bet she's heard about
The Fabish family was ready to step in, but they needed the green light from Master Howard. Without his say-so, they would not dare make a move."Ms. Fabish, you're too kind. It was nothing, really!" Howard said with a chuckle before getting to the point. "You've heard about the Waker family's predicament, haven't you?"He was sharp enough to know exactly why Selena was there.Truth be told, he had already planned to drop by the Fabish estate in a couple of days. Someone had to sort out the mess the Wakers left behind.He had a decent opinion of the Fabish family. Yash was a man of substance, and Howard felt confident Quintilian would be in good hands with them."I've just caught wind of it myself!" Selena admitted with a nod.After a brief hesitation, she spoke again. "Master Howard, I won't beat around the bush—I'm here about that very issue."She knew all too well that with someone as esteemed as Master Howard, it was best to be straightforward. Anything less would likely bac
Pfft!Selena's lips curled into a suppressed smile before she turned to Phoenix."Phoenix, the Fabish family runs a restaurant that's all about Quintilian's local flavors. If you're up for it, I'd love to take you there.""Hey, why don't you join me?" Phoenix scratched his head, then turned to Howard with a hopeful look. "Don't worry about the bill, my treat!"He echoed Yoel's exact words from before, down to the intonation."I've got to patch up Black Blade later, so I got no time for food runs," Howard said with a stern glance."Mr. Louis, maybe..." Phoenix tried again, turning to Yoel."Count me out, I've got a training session with Dragon," Yoel cut him off sharply."Sir, how's Black Blade doing? Where is he? I want to check on him," Hacks said, standing up before Phoenix could even get a word in.Phoenix shot him a fierce look, then glanced at Lukas and Shylah. He opened his mouth to speak, but their expressions made him think better of it. He shut it again.Selena, watc
The Shadow Sect's hunt for the Dark Shady Cartel's main camp was a bust when they went straight for the name, coming up empty-handed."Italo says today's the day the north district boss' son is celebrating his new concubine. Alkaid's grabbing the Canfield family's secret formula as a gift for the occasion," Kaison went on."They're wiping out a whole family just to suck up to the heir apparent?" Phoenix's brow furrowed. "The Cartel's bunch deserves a fate worse than death.""Well then, let's prepare a 'gift' of our own," Howard said, a glint of ice in his gaze."Roger that!" came the unified cry.Italo pointed the investigators to a spot on the map where the North and Eastern Districts met. Nestled at the base of undulating hills was a small town, home to roughly 300000 souls.The Wagg family was the town's cornerstone, their wealth and influence extending to over half the town's enterprises.Icarus Wagg, the family patriarch, was renowned for his generosity. Each year, the Wagg
"Die!" Dragon's brow furrowed, and his curved blade danced, casting a chilling light.In a flash, seven or eight men hit the ground, convulsing briefly before lying still.Those thugs from the Dark Shady Cartel had the blood of too many innocents on their hands. Even dying ten times would not be enough to atone for their sins.A collective gasp rippled through the onlookers standing a good distance away.The woman who had been gaping earlier was then slack-jawed, her eyes wide as she watched the two young men walk away. Who would have thought those scholarly-looking guys were so tough?Minutes later, Howard and his friend reached a part of the Wagg family's sprawling estate and saw a crowd up ahead. Scattered around the edges were the bodies of the estate's guards, at least half a dozen lifeless."The head of the Wagg family, this is your final warning. Bring out your daughter, or I'll wipe out your whole clan!" a man's voice boomed."You... You monsters..." The patriarch of the
"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