"A misunderstanding, you say?" Gideon repeated with a look of amusement.Tom nodded fervently. "That's right. It really was just a misunderstanding. I have an important meeting at my company, so if there's nothing else, I'll get going now.""Hold it."Two words were enough to make Tom pause in his tracks. He even started shaking."Do you take me for a fool?" Gideon questioned with a snort. "You think you can leave just like that after humiliating my wife?"Chuckling awkwardly, Tom took out a debit card and said, "Yes, of course. I should make it up to you. There's 100 thousand dollars in this bank account, Mr. Snow. Please consider it a token of my apology to Ella. That should be enough, right?""You think I need 100 thousand dollars?""Well…" Tom was furious, but he dared not let it show. He was worried that Gideon would fly off the handle and cripple him, too. That would truly be the worst-case scenario."What do you want, then, Mr. Snow?""It's simple. I believe in giving p
"I have no choice but to let you suffer a little bit. I hope you can understand, Mr. Horne," Nino said.Tom was infuriated, of course. What was he supposed to understand? Running naked to his office? Was it some kind of sick joke? If he did it, it would certainly make the headline news in Goldspire. How was he supposed to show his face in public ever again?"I'm the chairman of Horne Enterprise. You'd better watch it, or else, you can't blame me for not showing any mercy.""Hah! I guess there's nothing more to be said. Sorry about this. Men, undress him.""Yes, boss!"A few burly men subdued Tom and ripped his clothes off. Tom screamed and struggled, to no avail."I'm going to kill you, Nino!" Tom cried out, his eyes bulging out in anger. Alas, this wasn't the worst of it. What came next was the real nightmare, for he saw a massive wolfdog with saliva dripping from its gnashing teeth. Its eyes were ferocious, too.Chuckling, Nino said, "I've raised him for many years now, Mr.
After Gideon left, Marion brought Arnold to Prestige Hospital for treatment. Although he was bleeding profusely, his injuries were mostly superficial, so he was fine. They were most worried about Elara, but despite crying their hearts out, they couldn't do anything."Dad! Mom!"When they abruptly heard the familiar voice calling out to them from the doorway, they looked up and were instantly stupefied.Elara flew into Marion's arms and started wailing.Back at Monarchy Club, she'd been stricken with terror. After managing to escape, she was too panicked to think of anything else. Now that she was at the hospital with her parents, she could finally vent her emotions.Marion was shocked and thrilled. "Ella! I'm so glad you're okay!"Arnold looked a little more alive, too.After a while, Elara finally stopped crying. Only then did Arnold ask, "How did you escape, Ella?""It was because of Gideon."Biting her lip, Elara sighed and said, "I guess you could say he saved me."Marion
The Seymours all sported strange expressions. They didn't know what to say about Matthew, who'd fled off quicker than anyone would've thought. What was he doing here now?Matthew also felt awkward, but he tried to explain himself. "You've misunderstood me, everyone. I only ran off to get help!""To get help?""Of course! How could I have possibly abandoned you guys? If not for the backups I found, Ella wouldn't have been able to return unscathed."Gideon's lips twitched. He couldn't believe how shameless Matthew was. From the looks of it, Matthew was trying to twist things around.However, Marion's eyes lit up as she exclaimed, "It's all thanks to you, then! Here we were thinking it was Gideon who saved Ella."Matthew was secretly pleased. He'd only made it up on a whim to see if he could get lucky. He didn't expect to actually succeed.Was it Gideon who saved Elara? Regardless of whether it was the case, Matthew was certainly going to take the credit for it.He thought, "Oh, G
"I also get a share?" Matthew asked."Of course! If not for you, Ella would've had to suffer, and we wouldn't have gotten five million dollars. You deserve half of it."Matthew was tickled pink. Why would he reject such a windfall? He was getting 2.5 million dollars without having to do anything."Well, in that case, I won't stand on formalities, Mrs. Seymour," Matthew said as he cast a smug look at Gideon.He no longer thought it was Gideon who saved Elara, either. Only a big shot could get Nino to humble himself and hand over five million dollars as a token of his apology. Neither Gideon nor the Snows could do it.Gideon was also thoroughly disappointed with Marion and Elara. Why didn't they use their brains? Did they not stop and consider what kind of family the Carters were? How could they get Nino to back down?"I'm heading home, Dad," Gideon said before leaving the room. He didn't want to waste any more of his breath on them.Marion glared at Arnold and complained, "See th
"I won't take the 2.5 million dollars you're offering me, either. Let's put all five million dollars as an investment in your name. Would that be alright with you, Mr. and Mrs. Seymour?""We couldn't possibly do that, Matthew," Marion said. "It'll be at your expense."Matthew replied, "Ella and I are such good friends. This means nothing to me. It's not like I need the money, either. I'd feel bad about taking 2.5 million dollars from you guys. Let's just invest everything to save you the trouble of having to put the money in the bank."Arnold was a little hesitant. After all, five million dollars was a massive sum of money. He was a bit worried about handing everything over just like that."What's there for you to think about?" Marion questioned. "Matthew is clearly doing us a favor. We should be overjoyed. There's no reason for you to hesitate."While speaking, she passed the box of cash to Matthew."Here. Take it all. We'll invest all five million dollars. I wish you all the be
"Ms. Mosley, I have received an urgent report!" Benny cried out as he came rushing up to Lavinia, who was in the Mayor's Mansion discussing something with Caius Grayson, the mayor of Goldspire.She shot Benny a look and said in displeasure, "Can't you see that I'm talking to Mr. Grayson? What's so important that it can't wait until we're done?"Benny lowered his head before saying, "I'm afraid it's something major, Ms. Mosley."Seeing that, Caius smiled and said, "It's alright. Ms. Mosley. Why don't we hear what it is? I doubt your guard would be impolite enough to interrupt us if it wasn't something serious."Thinking he had a point, Lavinia said, "Go on.""Ms. Mosley, we received an urgent report saying that Reaper, the ninth-ranking hitman on the hitman tier list, has come to Goldspire.""What?" Lavinia exclaimed. She was a little taken aback.Caius' expression stiffened as well. As the mayor of a major city like Goldspire, he was well-informed. The Hitman Guild was a dark do
Meanwhile, Gideon was at the lakefront, looking at the figure in black with keen interest. He chuckled and asked, "You seem strong, but I don't recognize you. Where are you from, or rather, who sent you?" "Tom," the man replied flatly. "Ah, I see. That fat pig's got some nerve to be still causing trouble," Gideon remarked.Reaper's gaze turned ice-cold. He stated, "Tom is my friend. Insulting him is insulting me, and doing so is a death sentence. "Take ten seconds to savor the sun and this world one last time because I'm sending you to meet your maker soon." Gideon laughed, genuinely entertained. "At least tell me who you are, so I don't die clueless.""Reaper—Ninth on the Hitman Guild's Shadow Ranking!""Hitman Guild?" Gideon pondered thoughtfully. He suddenly remembered the self-proclaimed King of Hitmen, Jeremy Boisclair, who ranked first in the Hitman Guild's Shadow Ranking. Jeremy had been caught and brought to Oasis Vale years ago, initially defiant but eventually b
"Is that so? I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully, it won't be as weak and useless as that so-called Decree of Decay!" Gideon remarked.He stood tall within the prison of light, making no moves, simply waiting for the next decree.This was his first clash with a powerhouse from The Light Council. He was eager to see their true abilities.After all, The Light Council was one of the most powerful and mysterious factions in the world. This was exactly the kind of intense battle Gideon craved. Only through such encounters could he push his limits and force himself to grow."You won't be disappointed." Orabella spread her arms wide, chanting once more, as she issued another decree, "Mind Shatter!"In an instant, Gideon's mind reeled as if struck by lightning. A splitting headache tore through his skull. His vision darkened, and his thoughts grew hazy.It didn't stop there."Attack!" The three Cardinals seized the opportunity to launch a relentless, coordinated assault.Gideon snorte
"You have a good physique, but it's still far from enough." Gideon sighed.In an instant, a chill ran down Vicar's spine. The next second, his fist shattered completely.Vicar let out a miserable scream, echoing through the canyon, making everyone's skin crawl.Gideon still hadn't let go.Vicar's expression turned ruthless. He knew if he didn't make a decisive move now, the consequences would be disastrous. He decided to sever his own arm and retreated at full speed."Generalissimo Tancred!" The two dukes rushed forward.At this moment, Vicar scowled. It was not just from the pain but from the overwhelming humiliation. The mighty Vicar had been forced to cut off his own arm, and in front of The Light Council, no less. What a joke!Suddenly, Orabella spoke up, "You're strong."She stepped forward. A faint halo of light surrounded her, making her seem divine and untouchable."But it is unwise to stand against The Light Council.""My apologies, but it was The Light Council who c
Nothing but ants? Vicar and the others froze.They had just been called nothing but ants. It was unbelievable. This was the first time in their lives they had ever heard such an insult. Their fury, especially the Cardinals', erupted like wildfire."How arrogant!""Do you think you're invincible just because you ambushed Leomer?"Gideon had defeated Leomer head-on, yet to them, it was nothing more than a sneak attack.However, Gideon couldn't be bothered to argue. He stepped forward. A divine, overwhelming energy radiated from him, and the surrounding temperature skyrocketed under the sheer heat of his presence."The Light Council? Heh! That's all you amount to. I heard you're backing Tylland, stirring up troubles at Dasovia's borders. You've got some nerve!"At the end of the day, Gideon was still a Dasovian. In foreign lands, protecting his homeland's dignity was not just his duty. It was his responsibility."Who are you?""Gideon Snow."Just two words from him felt thundero
Across The Light Council, aside from the Pope, no one else at his age had mastered the seventh level of the Divine Light Blade. This included the ten Legion Commanders. Even the extraordinarily gifted Orabella hadn't reached this level.Yet, Leomer had succeeded!"The seventh level…" Orabella's gaze flickered as she murmured, "Leomer truly is formidable.""With this skill alone, when Leomer steps down as Legion Commander, he will have a chance to become an Envoy of Light."The Envoy of Light was a special title and position. The Pope personally nominated the candidates, who were then elected through a vote.This role was not bound by The Light Council's regulations. Envoys of Light answered directly to the Pope, who had full authority over them.Though they held no official power within The Light Council, their status was unquestionably high as the Pope's most trusted aides. Some had even gone on to inherit the title of the Pope. Throughout The Light Council's history, many Envoy
The Guardian Legion of The Light Council held immense significance. It was one of the most crucial legions. Its duty was to safeguard The Light Council.However, for Leomer Peele, there was one person he vowed to protect above all else. That person was Orabella.Now that he had her approval, Leomer had no reservations. Gripping his massive sword, he strode onto the battlefield."Divine Light Blade." Leomer's long hair stood on end as his greatsword radiated brilliance.All he did was a simple vertical slash with no elaborate technique. Yet, with this single downward strike, it was as if the world had split apart. A sword energy wave spanning 880 yards materialized out of thin air.In an instant, the combined energy of the champions was severed."Dragon Severance!" Leomer swung his sword again.It was still a simple sword movement, but this time, it was a horizontal slash. The massive energy dragon formed by the champions, already split open, was now completely severed. It collap
At this moment, deep within the Great Rift of Death, in a territory filled with a sinister presence, a group of men and women were trapped. Their bodies bore various degrees of severe injuries."They're attacking again!" Ian gritted his teeth.Seeing another terrifying energy blast descending upon them, the champions once again joined forces to shatter it. However, they were truly reaching their limit.They fled there upon being pursued by Tylland's army and The Light Council's elite forces, only to be found and trapped again.The Light Council had somehow acquired a batch of high-tech weaponry that was capable of firing powerful energy beams, leaving the champions in utter misery.Outside their encampment, a group of figures radiating overwhelming power loomed atop a small hill.There were three Cardinals of The Light Council, two Legion Commanders, Tylland's supreme commander, and two royal dukes of Tylland. It was a total of eight elite powerhouses."The time is about right.
"Eye Technique! Phantom's Serenade!" Martin yelled.The eerie glow bursting from his eyes shot into Humphrey's gaze. Instantly, Humphrey seemed frozen in place, as if bound by an immobilization spell. It was like his very soul had been taken."What?" In the distance, Bertram, who was about to slaughter Martin's subordinates, was filled with disbelief. "The Eye Technique! Good Lord, he actually knows the Eye Technique!"Bertram was shaken. Everyone in the martial world knew that the Eye Technique was incredibly rare and extremely difficult to master.A single misstep, and at best, one could go blind. If things turned for the worse, the backlash could destroy the brain beyond salvation. Even a deity wouldn't be able to save them.Yet, Martin had succeeded in mastering it!"This is bad!" Bertram's expression changed drastically.Sure enough, Martin didn't hesitate. He charged forward with the ferocity of a mountain tiger and the speed of a lightning panther, rushing straight at Hum
"My apologies!"Out of nowhere, two words came from behind Bertram, making his hair stand on end.Martin had somehow appeared behind him.Bertram's face changed drastically, but it was too late. Before the attack even landed, the terrifying force had already torn through his red robe."Judgment Spear! Slash!" At the brink of life and death, a long spear tore through the air, carrying an explosive roar, ferocious beyond measure. It locked onto Martin.A chill ran down Martin's spine. Without a moment's hesitation, he abandoned his strike against Bertram and dodged immediately.With a thud, the spear struck the ground. It landed horizontally in front of Bertram, saving his life. Bertram was completely drained, as if he had just walked out of the gates of hell.Meanwhile, Martin fixed his gaze on the man approaching from the distance. The man was clad in white battle armor and rode a white unicorn.He was like a streak of flowing light. He closed the distance in just a few breat
"Martin, surrender. You can't halt our progression on your own. The Pope and King Franco have commanded the destruction of the 39 cities held by the rebel forces within a single day. "In fact, it won't even take that long. Once we capture you—the key figure of the rebellion—the other cities will fall without resistance. "You are a skilled individual, reaching the pinnacle of the sixth rank in transcendence. Even within The Light Council, you would be significant. If you choose to surrender, I can introduce you to the Council," Bertram spoke with immense arrogance. His tone implied he was offering Martin a favor. Yet, Martin felt nothing but contempt. "The Light Council? Ha! There are only a few members there worth acknowledging. The Pope and the commander of the ten elite legions are among them. But you, Bertram, are the last person I would respect!" "Hmm?" Bertram's expression grew grim. Fury overtook him. "You're so obstinate! It appears you're intent on resisting to the end.