The crowd had never seen such a bold move. In broad daylight, Dustin daringly stormed into the Grant mansion and captured Vlad. It was a risky move, like walking a tightrope without a safety net.Vlad sneered, "Hey, brat! Can you see that? You're surrounded. My family's soldiers are standing all around. What makes you think you can take me on?"He continued to taunt, "If you want to live, let go and surrender. Kneel and beg for mercy. Maybe then, I'll spare you.""You want trouble?" Dustin grabbed Vlad by the neck and slowly lifted him with a chilling glare."What, you dare touch me?" Vlad sneered.He remained fearless and taunted, "If you touch me, you'll die, and your family and friends will suffer the same fate."He continued, "Oh, and your woman, she's in my basement. If anything happens to me, my men will rape her. Come on! Test me. Let's see if you can handle the consequences."Vlad laughed arrogantly. He seemed confident that personal courage could do nothing against ov
A sharp knife pierced through Hector's body, with its tip protruding from his chest. It caused the blood to flow along its edge."Ugh …"Hector trembled, and his face froze as he instinctively looked down. He watched as blood slowly oozed from the knife lodged in his chest."Huh?"This sudden turn of events shocked everyone. No one had expected Vlad to launch such a sudden and deadly attack. Onlookers had expected a stalemate, but now it was clear that Vlad had gone too far."Mr. Harmon?" Even Dustin was surprised. He had not expected Vlad to stab Hector. Just moments earlier, the man was held hostage. "Dus … Dustin … Take care … my daughter … from now on …" Hector struggled to say the words before his head sank down, and he took his last breath."His suffering has come to an end," Kate said coldly, showing no emotion."Hector …"In the crowd, Trent wore a pained expression. They were brothers who grew up together and carried on the family legacy regardless of the situation
Vlad was shocked and hastily backed away.Suddenly, shots rang out, but they missed Dustin and only hit his afterimage."Stop him, quick!" Vlad turned pale and tried to run. He couldn't believe that this lunatic wasn't even afraid of bullets."What are you waiting for? Go help him!" Kate quickly instructed a group of guards to move in."Get back here!" Dustin dashed forward. He grabbed Vlad's head and slammed his head on the ground.The gunshots stopped immediately, for fear they might accidentally hit Vlad. Even the strong guards hesitated, not wanting to act impulsively."Dustin, I warn you not to do anything reckless. If you hurt Vlad, there will be serious consequences!" Kate shouted firmly."Bastard! Stop this now!" the Grant family members and relatives shouted angrily.At that moment, they all sensed that Dustin was desperate to do something. But they held back because they were afraid of causing unwanted harm."Hey, brat, be careful. If you hurt me, your whole family w
"Dead ... Vlad is dead?" Kate's eyes widened in disbelief as she gasped. She never expected Dustin to murder Vlad in public. She could not help thinking that Dustin was really wicked!"Oh no! Now, even Natasha and the others will suffer!" Trent muttered, shaking his head. His younger brother's death was a great shock, and if his nieces were now in danger, it would make everything worse. Although he was striving for power, he didn't want to harm his family."Unbelievable!""So brazen!""Bastard! You crossed the line!"After recovering from their shock, the Grant family members erupted in anger. No one had ever dared to challenge the authority of the Grant family in Millsburg, let alone commit such a brutal murder right before their eyes. This behavior was incredibly bold!"Dustin, you challenged our authority. No one can save you today," Tyler declared sternly.Vlad's death hadn't shaken him too much. Still, Dustin, the murderer, had openly challenged the Grant family
What was happening? Dustin, a brave but reckless man, had openly defied the Grant family's authority. Not only that, he had also brought a gang with him to cause chaos and lawlessness in the Grant mansion."Listen up, Grants! Let Ms. Harmon go immediately, or we'll fight fiercely today!" Cornelius led a group of Kirin gang members and bravely confronted the Grant family's forces."Fight fiercely? Are you even up to the task?" Tyler looked at him disdainfully. To him, the Kirin gang was just a bunch of nobodies. Once his men got there, they could take them down easily."Dustin, you're too idealistic. Do you think you can challenge us with these petty gangsters? That's just wishful thinking!" Kate scoffed.The Kirin gang was impressive. Still, compared to the Grant family, they were insignificant and would easily crumble."If the Kirin gang can't handle this, what about teaming up with the Stoneray Order?"Suddenly, a loud voice echoed at the entrance.Then, a dignified elderl
"Oh, my goodness! Is that Lord Xenos? What is he doing here?""Look at his entourage. It doesn't seem like they're here for the engagement party.""Exactly! Who brings that many guards to a banquet? It's pretty clear that trouble's brewing."George's arrival immediately caused a stir. Even the members of the Grant family couldn't hide their uneasiness.After all, George was a viceroy. He held a great deal of power throughout the Southern province, both military and political. He was a high-ranking official, a truly influential figure.In the presence of such an important person, even Tyler, a powerful general, had to exercise restraint."Dustin, are you all right?" George asked as he came in."I'm fine, thank you, Lord Xenos," Dustin replied politely."That's good." George smiled. Then, he turned to Tyler. His expression suddenly turned stern. "Tyler, you have abused your authority as a third-ranking official. Do you think no one can keep you in check?"George's words were
An elderly man, who radiated authority and seriousness, arrived, causing a sudden tension in the atmosphere."It's General Murray! General Murray is here!""What's going on today? Why is General Murray coming here? He usually keeps a low profile.""Oh dear, it seems trouble has found its way to the Grant family!"George's arrival was already quite surprising, but Christopher's appearance was even more astonishing. Christopher was a highly respected Grand General and protector of the kingdom. He had achieved remarkable feats and held a revered position. With his life devoted to warfare, his many followers, and his unmatched power, connections, and influence, he stood as the foremost figure in Balerno. He even cast a shadow over George, the viceroy of the Southern province."Kid, I'm here to support you today. Let's see who dares to act recklessly!" Christopher wasted no time and openly declared his support for Dustin.This unexpected move stunned everyone. Whispers filled th
"General Murray, our families never crossed paths before. Why did you have to come all the way here today to cause trouble?" Tyler frowned.With his current power, he couldn't directly confront these two powerful forces. But that didn't mean he had to give in. As one of the Tremendous Three, the Grant family had the influence and strength to match them. If they really fought, the result would be uncertain."Why am I here?" Christopher chuckled."If your family didn't cause trouble, why would I be here? Are you saying your family can do whatever you want, but we can't? "Today is Dustin's birthday, and as his elder, I originally planned to attend the celebration at Zephyr Lodge. But as soon as I heard about the situation, I rushed here with my men."Tyler, if you don't want this to get out of hand, release the hostage immediately, or you will suffer the consequences!" George threatened sternly."Ty, maybe ... we should think about it?" Kate hesitated and said it softly. "It's
When Dustin heard Felicia's word, his hand briefly hesitated before he placed the chess piece. He smiled and said, "I thought you came to learn chess, but I didn't expect you to be here as a messenger."Felicia gave a light, teasing laugh. "With a mind like yours, how could you not know why I'm here?"She added candidly, "Prince Nathaniel saved my life and welcomed me as an honored guest. It's only right that I repay the favor by helping solve his troubles. I hope that it doesn't bother you.""You're frank and gracious, Ms. Thorns. Why would I take offense?" Dustin replied with a faint smile.He had expected her to start with pleasantries or try to butter him up. So, her bluntness actually caught him off guard."To be honest, Prince Nathaniel has never taken this kind of interest in anyone before," Felicia said as she placed another chess piece on the board. She smiled and continued, "I can tell he truly wants you on his side. And as someone close to him, I'd like to help make
Nathaniel's mansion was huge. It was more like a maze than a home. Even with a detailed layout, Dustin had to stay sharp as he moved through the grounds. After all, blueprints never quite captured the twists and turns of the actual place.Led by a maid, he followed a winding path through the corridors for nearly ten minutes before finally arriving at a guesthouse with a garden.The place was spacious and quiet, filled with birdsong and blooming flowers. It was a secluded spot that was ideal for privacy."Mr. Rhys, you can stay here. If you need anything, just let me know," the maid said. Her gaze was warm with a hint of admiration. She had watched Dustin's performance in the training ground earlier and knew he was an important guest brought in by Nathaniel. If she could catch his attention, it could completely turn her life around.He waved her off and said, "Okay. You can go now. I don't need anyone to attend to me." "Uh… but…" The maid hesitated."Don't worry. I'll explain
The crowd murmured among themselves as they looked at the broken broadsword and the stunned expression on Lycas' face."That strike was insanely fast and dead-on too," someone commented."I never expected General Derin's secret move to be defeated like that. It's unbelievable," another said."I thought General Derin could turn things around for us, but he still lost," a third added.Everyone knew how strong Lycas was. As a fully developed grandmaster with a broadsword, he was supposed to be unstoppable. However, at the critical moment, Dustin's strike shattered his broadsword.Lycas' loss was sudden and almost unbelievable. Some blamed bad luck and thought he could have won if things had gone differently. But those who truly understood what happened knew better.Even with Dustin's movement restricted and Lycas unleashing his strongest technique, he still pierced through the opening with near-impossible timing. That strike wasn't just lucky but masterful. It was a brutal display
Lycas gripped his broadsword with both hands and roared. The sound cracked through the air like a thunderclap.He sidestepped sharply and charged straight at Dustin like a raging bull.The heavy broadsword moved like it weighed nothing in his hands. He swung it with brutal speed. Each arc cut through the air with a sharp, whistling howl, as if it could slice through anything in its path.The broadsword came crashing down on Dustin with bone-crushing force, like a mountain falling from the sky.Lycas threw his full weight into the swing. As the sword descended, the force of the strike stirred up dust from the ground. It sent plumes of dirt in every direction.He knew Dustin was no ordinary opponent. If he wanted a chance to win, he had to make the first move and seize the initiative."Nice form," Dustin said.As Lycas launched a powerful, aggressive attack, Dustin remained calm and unruffled. With effortless grace, he sidestepped without the slightest rush. The broadsword whizz
Bryce knew Dustin was strong, but this was beyond anything he anticipated. Though he had gained the upper hand early on, Bryce still believed his skills matched Dustin's.From his observation, Dustin relied on martial arts techniques and hit-and-run tactics. Plus, he didn't dare to confront Bryce head-on.He had assumed that as long as he found an opening, he could exploit Dustin's weaknesses and defeat him. But when Dustin finally stopped holding back, Bryce realized how wrong he'd been.It turned out Dustin wasn't just playing hit-and-run tactics. Instead, he'd held back the entire time to spare Bryce from an embarrassing defeat.The moment Dustin stopped holding back, Bryce didn't stand a chance. Even without special techniques, Dustin's raw power, speed, and reflexes were enough to crush him.The difference in their abilities was staggering, so much so that no amount of skill could close the gap.And it wasn't just Bryce who was shocked. Except for Nathaniel, who had already
Bryce's request for a fight heated up the atmosphere.Soldiers around the training ground started murmuring among themselves."Lieutenant General Gantz is a legend in our ranks. His combat skills are no joke—he's taken down countless enemies on the battlefield. I haven't seen him in action in years," one young soldier said with awe."Yeah," a veteran agreed. "Lieutenant General Gantz has been through countless battles, and his strength is unmatched. If he steps in, Mr. Rhys might be in for a rough time."After the fight earlier, the soldiers knew firsthand that Dustin was no slouch. Otherwise, he wouldn't have easily defeated the five elite soldiers.But in their minds, no matter how skilled Dustin was, he stood no chance against Bryce.Bryce was a grandmaster not just in rank but in skill, physical strength, and battlefield experience. He was stronger than any expert from the martial world.Nathaniel had once recruited several grandmaster martial artists to spar with them, but
"Your Highness, the soldiers under me are trained solely in killing techniques. If they hurt your guest, things could get ugly," Lycas said.He didn't say it outright, but the message was clear. If Dustin wasn't strong enough, he'd better stay out of the way, or he was just asking for trouble.Bryce didn't say anything, but the look he gave Dustin was full of contempt. How could a pampered young man like Dustin measure up to soldiers who've been through the grind? He figured Dustin was probably some heir from a prominent family who knew Nathaniel and was trying to assert his relevance."You guys are blind to greatness when it's standing right in front of you." Nathaniel chuckled and shook his head. He added, "If any of you manage to land a hit on Mr. Rhys, I'll pay out a thousand gold. But honestly, I doubt any of you have what it takes."At the mention of rewards, the soldiers perked up. Their eyes lit up with excitement. They were practically itching to charge at Dustin and g
During the meal, Nathaniel arranged for two women to accompany Dustin.Throughout history, even the greatest heroes couldn't resist the allure of beautiful women. Sometimes, a woman of extraordinary beauty could be far more enticing than rare treasures or high status.Dustin remained composed. He neither showed any enthusiasm nor did he deliberately reject it.As for the women seated on either side of him, he treated them with polite respect. He enjoyed a drink and the easy conversation with them, but nothing beyond that.However, Nathaniel saw it differently. To him, it seemed that Dustin was unimpressed by the women at his side.Considering Dustin's background, it made sense. A woman of ordinary beauty would never catch his attention. Nathaniel realized he would need to pull out all the stops. Perhaps, it was time to bring out his most prized companion and see how Dustin responded.After the meal, he led Dustin to his mansion's training ground.The midday sun blazed overhead
"This…" Dustin began.He hesitated on purpose and didn't give an immediate answer.Upon seeing him deep in thought, Nathaniel was convinced that Dustin was weighing the pros and cons. He leaned in slightly, his smile widening with anticipation. "You should know how much the Dracan essence means to me," he said. "If I can gather all the essences, it’d be like fate is on my side. My path to the throne would be unstoppable—and when that time comes, your reward will be waiting."As he spoke, his gaze stayed on Dustin as he searched for any sign of hesitation in his expression.Dustin looked up and met his eyes. For a moment, something unreadable flickered in his gaze.He pressed his lips together and spoke slowly. "You're right, Your Highness. But it wasn't easy to find the Dracan essence. I went through quite a few twists and turns. Besides, if I give it to you, it might put me at odds with the other two princes."He paused deliberately and left the rest unsaid. Still, the concern