"He picked up his moves in the military too," Yoel admitted reluctantly. "I've never gone head-to-head with him, so I can't say for sure who'd win in a fight!""Yoel, level with me, what's the real deal between you and Howard?" Talia asked, taking a deep breath to steady herself."Uh... what are you getting at?" Yoel looked puzzled."I wasn't born yesterday!" Talia's expression tightened. "Ever since you guys showed up in Nimbulus, everything's been falling into place way too easily, like it just doesn't add up!""In Nimbulus, powerhouses like Hurley and the Reynolds family rule the roost, but you two swooped in and saved Riley like it was nothing!""And about this morning with the neighbor—Jayden's a big shot around here in Mendorra, not the biggest, but still a major player!""But he coughed up a ton of cash just to keep the peace. He wouldn't do that unless he was scared of someone, right?""And then there's the Mendorra Tower deal. Howard said he'd have the contract in a day
"Don't worry, Mr. Holden Jenkins, it's all taken care of. A buddy of mine from the station dealt with it," Howard reassured him with a grin."Did you find out why he was after Talia and her sister?" Kaylee's face was etched with worry.She knew all too well the kind of man Lucas was. If he had his sights on them, her family would never be safe again. To her, Lucas's criminal reach was far more terrifying than any high-profile family's influence."They got the wrong girl. Talia just happens to be a dead ringer for some lady who's deep in debt with their loan sharks, so they snatched her by mistake," Howard quickly concocted a story."When my buddy got there, they sorted everything out. Lucas offered me an apology, and I headed home."Howard could tell from Kaylee's question that Yoel must have warned Talia and her sister to keep the details from their parents."They snatched the wrong person?" Kaylee's tension melted away at the news. "Oh, thank goodness, thank goodness..."Talia
"Given the choice, I'd rather head back to Mendorra and start fresh with a new gig at a different company.""Go for it, then! You've got my wholehearted support!" Howard said, nodding with enthusiasm."We'll head over to Nimbulus in a few days, pack up our stuff, and bring it back to Mendorra. Then the job hunt begins.""You're oversimplifying things. You do remember why we all headed to Nimbulus in the first place, don't you?" Talia's face took on a grave expression."I do." Howard acknowledged with a nod. "But that's small potatoes. I promise you, the Blake family won't be giving you any more grief from here on out.""Sure, the Blakes aren't the top dogs in Mendorra, but they've got more clout than the Reynolds of Nimbulus—it's no laughing matter, you..." Talia countered."Talia, believe me. When I say it's all good, it's all good," Howard cut in."Okay, it's a deal. Just loop in your parents when you get a chance, so they're not fretting over anything."Talia let out a sigh,
"Got it!" Yoel nodded, then a thought struck him. "Oh, and sir, I found out about that thing you asked me to dig into.""Turns out, the Rhodes family took care of your foster family's funeral five years ago. They've been maintaining the graves too." Yoel said."Are you certain?" Howard's eyes sparked with intensity.After the Ziegler family tragedy five years back, Talia had saved him, and an elder had whisked him away. He could not do anything for Ziegler's final affairs. He had figured no one would dare touch his foster family's funeral, thinking at best the cops would have done a basic job.However, recently, the Judge let slip that some good Samaritans had seen Ziegler's funeral back then. He had sent the Judge to find out who was behind it, but there had been no leads, those people had vanished from Mendorra. It was a shock to discover that the Rhodes family was behind it all.The Rhodes family, once a prominent second-tier clan in Mendorra, had always been on good terms with
"Ha ha, sure thing!" Xever chuckled. Despite his legs being crippled, Xever's zest for life was unmistakably strong."Grandpa, what did the specialist say after he checked you out yesterday? Is there a chance he can fix you up?" They walked into the courtyard, and Wynie asked with concern."It's been left untreated for too long. He can't do much now," Xever replied, a barely noticeable shadow of gloom flickering in his eyes."Doesn't he even have a solution?" Disappointment tinged Wynie's expression, and she let out a soft sigh."Don't worry about it, Wynie. I've gotten used to it over the years," Xever reassured her with a gentle smile. "Spending my days with a good book and soaking up the sun isn't too bad, you know!""Grandpa, do you ever have any regrets?" Wynie blurted out unexpectedly."Regrets about what?" Xever asked."About five years ago. If our family, the Rhodes, hadn't gotten involved with the Ziegler family's mess, none of this would've happened, and you wouldn't b
"Got it!" A towering man with tattoos called out from behind and strode toward Xever."Back off!" Wynie yelled, stepping in front of Xever to shield him."Move it, kid!" A tattooed brute shoved Wynie aside. He advanced on Xever, hand raised for a strike."What's going on here, stop it!" The commanding voice of a middle-aged man echoed from the courtyard entrance. It was Zaid Rhodes, the current patriarch of the Rhodes family, flanked by his wife and Wynie's third uncle."Enough already! Are you trying to run us into the ground?" Wynie's mother, Melaine Jacome, cried out in fury."Dad, you okay?" Zaid and his brothers rushed to Xever's side."I'm fine," Xever said, his brow furrowed with concern."Grandpa, these jerks have crossed the line. Let's call the cops!" Wynie said, pulling out her phone.Xandros moved swiftly, his slap sending Wynie tumbling to the ground, her phone skittering away, a trickle of blood at her mouth's corner."You're asking for trouble, thinking of calli
"Here's the deal: you get 140 thousand dollars. You sell either way, unless you're ready to say goodbye to the Rhodes family's peace and quiet!""That restaurant is worth no less than 15 million dollars, and they think they can just snatch it for a hundred thousand dollars?" Zaid was seething with rage."What's more, that restaurant is the last asset of the Rhodes family, and they still won't back off. Are they trying to corner us completely?""Enough talk, grab those papers and come with me now!" Xandros bellowed."Tell your cronies that the restaurant is mine until I draw my last breath!" Zaid shot back furiously.Before Zaid could finish, Xandros's boot sent him sprawling to the ground. "You're so eager to meet your maker, I'll oblige!" Xandros declared, then gestured dismissively. "Get to work, don't stop until he caves!""Roger that!" A group of tattooed thugs answered and advanced on Zaid."I'll take you all on!" Melaine screamed, rushing at the thugs."Out of the way!" O
"Mr. Xever Rhodes, pleasure to meet you!" Howard said, approaching Xever with a respectful nod after ending the call."And you are?" Xever finally managed, his mind still reeling from the shock.Howard had utilized his facial disguise skill, so Xever did not recognize him right away. The rest of the Rhodes family looked on, their faces a mix of bewilderment and awe. It had been ages since anyone had taken a stand for the Rhodes family like this."Mr. Xever Rhodes, let's catch up later. I've got some things to take care of at home first," Howard said, offering a slight smile before nodding towards Xandros."I'm guessing these guys were sent by the Francis and Blake families, weren't they?"Xever blinked in surprise. "How did you know?""Well, I've been asked to look into a few things myself, so I'm in the loop," Howard replied. "I'll fill you in later, Mr. Xever Rhodes.""Appreciate the concern, kid!" Xever said, a bit startled, then went on. "Look, kid, you might want to stay ou
"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