The news about the Black Grizzy Gang's doom spread quickly throughout the slum. The gangs who initially had set Dustin as their target avoided him like the plague.The Black Grizzly Gang was one of the major gangs in the slum. No one expected them, especially their elite fighters, to be killed in the blink of an eye. Those who knew what was good for them wouldn't dare to mess with Dustin.With Lana by his side, Dustin drove out of the slum without any trouble. The story of the mighty warrior began to spread in the slum.After half an hour, they arrived at the entrance of Lana's private mansion."Hey, Handsome, do you want to come in for a while?" As Lana got out of the car, she invited Dustin in with a smile. Her dress was torn. Her tattered clothes revealed her fair legs and sexy body."Thanks, but no thanks. It's already late. You should get some rest." Dustin rejected politely."Handsome, I'm a little scared to be alone now. How about you stay here with me for tonight? If
"You look pretty even when you were young." Dustin praised politely. Even though Lana captured everyone's attention now, she was obviously eye-catching since she was young."Well, the past is the past." Lana opened her fridge, turned around to look at Dustin, and asked, "Hey, Handsome, what do you want to drink?""I'm good with anything," Dustin replied."Alright then." Lana took out a dozen cans of beer and put them on the coffee table. She also put some snacks on the table to go with the beer."Here's to us!" Lana opened two cans of chilled beer and gave one to Dustin. After they chinked cans, they started drinking happily."This feels great!" Lana downed half a can of beer in one go. She smiled happily as her eyes crinkled in joy. The pleasure of having chilled beer on a hot summer's evening was beyond description."Hey, Handsome, what do you think of me?" Lana drank and asked with a smile."A kind beauty." Dustin gave her a simple answer. They had worked together seamles
While listening to Lana's story, Dustin couldn't help but be astonished. Despite their privileged lives, some daughters of wealthy families still had to contribute value to their families. Either they excelled in business, continuously earning profits for the family, or were strikingly beautiful, securing benefits through an arranged marriage. Women like Lana, both beautiful and outstanding, were crucial pawns for their families to climb the social ladder. Therefore, she couldn't decide her marriage on her own. After all, the Camron family relied on her, and she carried the weight of the entire family.Dustin finally understood why Lana was willing to endure gossip and tarnish her reputation. Ultimately, she had no choice, being forced into a situation beyond her control."Here, cheers," Dustin said, raising his can."Cheers!" Lana smiled, clinked their beer cans, and finished the remaining beer. She then opened two more cans, handing one to Dustin."I consider myself lucky t
As if it was a fairy tail, Natasha turned out to be the granddaughter of the Duke of Lachshire. Her newfound identity commanded respect, as Natasha effortlessly overshadowed Lana. For a moment, Lana couldn't shake the feeling of inferiority. However, realizing that such an outstanding woman had chosen Dustin, Lana felt reassured in her judgment."Honestly, it caught me off guard because I didn't know she was the Duke of Lachshire's granddaughter when I first met her," Dustin shrugged."So, you lucked out big time?" Lana teased."Something along those lines." Dustin chuckled without explicitly confirming or denying it."Cheers to you two and a whole life of happiness!" Lana raised her beer, clinked it with Dustin's, and then downed it in one go. The two continued their conversation over drinks, feeling even more at ease without the complexities of a romantic relationship.Lana had tucked away her feelings for Dustin deep in her heart. In the grand scheme of life, regrets were i
"Ms. Camron, don't move a muscle. You should be careful; bullets don't care who they hit." A chilling voice came from behind Lana.Lana turned around to the ominous sight of a gun barrel and a menacing face."Who are you? You think you can just waltz in here and stir up trouble in the Camron family?" Lana demanded, her tone firm."Ms. Camron, no need to get all riled up. We're just following orders," the gunman replied with indifference."Orders? Whose orders?" Lana pressed."Clearly, they're my orders."At that moment, a slim man in a suit, wearing a stern expression, entered the meeting room. It was Scott from the Mosey family."You?" Seeing Scott, Lana's expression shifted immediately. She had just escaped from the trouble at the slums. She didn't expect Scott to track her down so quickly."Ms. Camron, we will meet again." Scott grinned as he approached, lifting Lana's chin with his finger. "Quite the looker. I can't help but be a little intrigued.""Mr. Mosey, we haven't
Despite his smile, Scott looked far from trustworthy."What does Mr. Mosey want me to do?" Lana suddenly felt uneasy."Simple. Tomorrow, find an excuse to invite Dustin for dinner. Slip this bottle of Tranqurin into his drink. "Once it kicks in, you can bail, and I'll handle the rest," Scott explained, putting a black medicine bottle on the table containing Tranqurin. It was a drug designed to take down martial artist masters."Mr. Mosey, please think this through. Is it necessary to go this far?" Lana's face soured.Anyone could figure out what Scott was scheming. If she drugged Dustin, she'd be part of the scheme."Far?" Scott Mosey laughed, a mocking grin on his face. "Ms. Camron, this is just the tip of the iceberg. I made many other more ruthless plans; interested to hear them? "Like bankrupting your Camron family or framing you all and tossing you into prison. How about that?""Mr. Mosey, you're pushing it! Oakvale isn't a lawless place!" Lana was growing furious.
The Camron family instantly panicked as soon as Scott said those words. They had done nothing wrong but found themselves victims of this mess."Mr. Mosey! Mr. Mosey, please have mercy!" Corey pleaded, dropping to his knees in fear. "The Camron family has always followed the law. You can't just harm innocent lives!""Mr. Mosey! You're a person of great standing. Please spare us!" The Camron family members panicked and pleaded.However, Scott remained unmoved. He casually remarked, "Your pleas won't work on me. If you want mercy, ask Ms. Camron. Your fate rests in her hands.""Lana! What are you waiting for? Just agree!" Corey shouted in desperation, "Are you going to stand there and watch your loved ones die?""Uncle Corey! Dustin saved my life; I can't betray him!" Lana frowned deeply."Oh, screw that!" Corey erupted, "Our survival is more important! Dustin's life can't compare to the lives of your entire family!""Uncle Corey, our family is not insignificant. I refuse to believ
Another gunshot shattered the room, and another member of the Camron family fell to the ground.There was a growing pool of blood marking the tragic scene. The meeting hall exploded in shock, cries, and pleas for mercy. It became a chaotic mix of sobs, shouts, and desperate appeals."You heartless monster! I'll take you down!"Lana's eyes blazed with anger as she seized a knife from the floor and charged forward. Yet, Scott's bodyguards ruthlessly kicked her back down before she could rise."Ms. Camron, it seems these ordinary family members don't hold much weight for you compared to Dustin," remarked Scott, clapping his hands. Soon, two burly bodyguards dragged in a middle-aged man. It was Matteo, Lana's father."Dad!" Lana's expression instantly shifted when she was her father; fear etched all over her face. She didn't expect her father to be held hostage. It was a distressing turn of events."Ms. Camron, I'll give you credit for bravery, but if it comes down to choosing be
"Mr. Rhys, you're so generous," Felicia said. "I don't know how to repay you."She lightly ran her fingers over the smooth surface of the ornate box. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she looked up at Dustin gratefully."It was nothing, Ms. Thorns. Don't mention it," he replied with an indifferent smile. "Besides, this Dracan essence was always destined for Prince Nathaniel. I'm merely delivering it."Felicia smiled earnestly. "What do you want in return? If it's within my power, I'll gladly help."Dustin replied, "I'm not asking for anything. I only hope that if I ever find myself in trouble, Prince Nathaniel will be willing to help me.""I get it now." Felicia nodded.Dustin wasn't asking for treasure, but rather seeking a favor from Nathaniel. With Nathaniel's current status, his favor was more valuable than any treasure.If he ascended the throne and became king, the value of that favor would increase exponentially. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that, even if D
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