"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
"Staying in Goldspire was the right choice," Lavinia thought, her mood significantly improving. She even believed Dominic would change his mind in time and agree to help her deal with Tylland. She looked at Reaper's body again, her expression turning cold. "Take photos and send them through Cipher. Let the entire Hitman Guild know that Shadow Ranking's Number Nine, Reaper, has died." "Yes, Ms. Mosley!" her guards immediately complied.Poor Tom was still waiting for good news at his mansion, unaware that Reaper had already crossed to the other side.…Elsewhere, Gideon casually strolled into Snow Corporation, completely unbothered by his earlier encounter. Killing Reaper had been such an insignificant matter to him that he had not given it a second thought."Mr. Snow!" Fred greeted him as soon as he entered the building. Fred, now appointed as the company's CEO by Gideon, wielded considerable power and was immensely grateful for the promotion. The company had been on the brink
"But what?" Gideon implored."Sir, we've discovered a cave dwelling. Based on initial observations, it appears to be an ancient ruin, and there may be more structures like it waiting to be unearthed," Ares explained. "Is that so?" Gideon became interested. Ares took the lead, and the trio, including Gideon, reached their destination. "Sir, take a look." Following Ares' instructions, they all saw it. A lone cavern nestled in the large pit, resembling an aged man who has endured countless struggles, finding peace in quiet solitude. "Cut the flattery." Gideon walked up to the entrance of the cave dwelling. Ronan marveled, "This stone door is made of an exceptional material. It's doubtful even a bomb blast could shatter it open." Winter questioned, "So, we have to rely on brute strength to force the door open? Or is there a hidden mechanism?" Ares shook his head and replied, "No, there's no mechanism. We've had multiple teams scour every inch of it for days, but to no av
The majority of the army, led by Justin and other champions, relied on weapons and equipment purchased from Aetheric Guild. Damon had a particular affinity for this submarine. If he could closely examine it and recreate similar models, it would be an incredible feat. As soon as they left Kitherglen, the communication service was back up and running. Gideon wasted no time in getting in touch with Lysander to inquire about recent events. To his astonishment, not only was Lavinia unharmed and safe at the border, but she also single-handedly defeated a massive army of one million and received the prestigious title of a five-star war hero. Her popularity reached its peak, and the entire nation rallied behind her. Gideon couldn't help but smile to himself as he thought, "Life is full of ironies, huh?"It seemed that Lavinia had managed to pull off a miraculous feat. It was highly unlikely for anyone to successfully wipe out one million of Tylland's soldiers. Such a victory was unheard
"Don't worry, Mr. Foley. I will surely live up to your expectations," Gideon declared."Good!" Ronan was very pleased.That night, neither Ronan nor Gideon could sleep. Ronan took the time to show Gideon how to use the Doombringer Knuckle in the midst of the relentless wind and snow. Meanwhile, Gideon couldn't afford to let his guard down for even a second and was completely absorbed in learning.… The next morning, as the first sunray shone down on them, Gideon opened his eyes and exhaled a mouthful of stale air. The techniques and hidden meanings behind the Doombringer Knuckle, along with memories of Ronan's instruction from the previous night, flooded back into his mind.He began to replicate and execute the moves with precision. The sounds of his punches echoed through the air, growing more intense with each strike."Good boy!" Ronan's eyes widened in surprise. Gideon had only learned the basics, and it had only been one night. Yet, he already seemed to have a grasp on the
The intense battle seemed to drag on indefinitely. Their physical abilities were beyond human. Gideon and Ronan broke apart from each other. Ronan's body shook with power as he prepared to use the Doombringer Knuckle. Gideon refused to be outdone, and his demeanor shifted, shedding some of his usual depth for a sharper focus.In Winter's eyes, Gideon was akin to a massive and weighty greatsword. He exuded a presence of unconquerable power, as if nothing could stand in his way. Ronan's face took on a serious demeanor, yet Gideon's was filled with unbridled enthusiasm. It had been a long time since he had truly exerted himself, and he felt exhilarated by the prospect. It was a rush unlike any other, and he couldn't help but feel excited at the thought of unleashing all of his strength once again.With a fierce determination, Ronan thrust out his fist and bellowed, "Doombringer Knuckle!" At the same time, Gideon also extended his fist, his voice echoing like thunder as he excl
Having a conversation about fighting with a skilled fighter like Ronan was actually beneficial for Gideon, given that he was a master of the sport. In truth, Ronan had not intended to harm the Jaeger royal family. His true motive was to confront Talia head-on. The Jaegers' top fighting technique, the Supreme Celestial Fist, was renowned as one of the most highly skilled and advanced techniques. He was caught off guard by Oscar's presence. Though, in a way, it aligned with his goals to have a fierce battle with him. His custom-made Doombringer Knuckle weapon had been designed for intense battles and could only truly be understood through fighting. As a top-tier expert, it was rare for Ronan to find an opponent who could truly challenge him in battle.Gideon's words had immediately captured Ronan's intense interest. "If you can make this fight entertaining for me, I may consider teaching you the Doombringer Knuckle," he said to Gideon. "What? Are you serious, Mr. Foley?" Gideon
Talia smiled and said, "Annalise is incredibly gifted. She's not going to meet her downfall so easily." "Got it. I'll be the decoy," Oscar replied. "Thanks." Talia nodded at Oscar to show her gratitude. That simple gesture made Oscar really happy. People would probably be blown away if they found out that the duke of the Chapman royal family could get so caught up in admiration and infatuation.…Meanwhile, as Ronan and Oscar went their separate ways, Gideon and Winter also got moving. Gideon wanted to meet Ronan because he was amazed by the latter's self-created Doombringer Knuckle. Compared to Oscar's Thundering Bruiser, his move was even more impressive. It was a seriously powerful fighting style. And Ronan mentioned it was still in its early stages and could improve for the better. Gideon didn't expect Ronan to teach him the Doombringer Knuckle, but he hoped they could chat about it. He figured it would help him a lot. "There he is!" The submarine—now a flying s
The battle between a god and a demon was undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime epic clash.Even Winter's eyes sparkled as she stared intently at the battlefield, afraid to miss a single thrilling moment."Attack!"Gideon clenched his fists. It was happening!Ronan's Doombringer Knuckle and Oscar's Thundering Bruiser were about to collide. Victory or defeat would hinge on this final move.In the distance, it looked as though the sky was being split in two.Their energies had reached an absolute peak. The radiance of their strikes lit up the sky, and energy surged uncontrollably. Snow-capped peaks crumbled one after another.With a boom, the two finally collided.In the next moment, both were blasted back, flying hundreds of yards apart.The aftershock of energy stirred up fierce winds, sweeping away countless layers of snow.Ronan and Oscar stood silently atop the snow-covered peaks, staring at each other from a distance without moving an inch. For a long moment, neither spoke.Th
Winter said, "Let's go. The Jaeger royal family runs deep. You may be powerful, but going into their territory alone is pretty unrealistic.""By the way," she continued, "do you have a grudge against the Jaegers?"Gideon nodded and then shook his head. "To be precise, I have a blood connection to them.""What?""My mother was a princess of the Jaeger royal family."Winter was stunned. She hadn't expected Gideon to have such a connection to the Jaegers."Let's go." He turned around. "I'll come back someday. When that day comes, I'll deal with the Jaeger royal family myself."Before he finished speaking, a thunderous explosion erupted in the distance.Gideon turned back.Far away, in the snowstorm and high above the sky, two figures clashed with each other, engaging in a fierce battle."They're so strong!" Winter was shocked.The terrifying impact of their clash could be felt even from such a distance. Those were unquestionably world-class experts.Gideon watched intently. He
"What's your plan?" Winter asked. "Should we look for Ajax and the others first?""No need." Gideon shook his head. "After so many days, I'm guessing they've already left. Besides, even though I can hold off the frenzy poison for half a month, who knows if it might suddenly act up? I can't risk going to the Jaeger royal family's territory right now."He was filled with regret.The Jaeger royal family was unfathomably powerful, and Oscar was there, too. With his unstable condition and the hidden dangers in his body, heading there rashly could lead to disaster.Moreover, he didn't have time to waste at the Jaeger royal family's grounds. Every moment counted in his search for a cure."Gideon, will you let me leave for a while? Don't worry. Once I've completed my mission, I'll definitely come back to find you. By then, whether you want to kill me or punish me, I'll accept it," Winter said."Are you going to finish your so-called mission?""Yes.""I think it's time for you to be hon