An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

“H-Hey?” the man stammered. His jaw dropped as he watched the man in yellow getting skewered by those vines. In a daze, he stood frozen, unable to grasp the sudden death of someone lively who was just talking moments ago.

Rhythmic drips filled the air as the vines hoisted the lifeless body, letting fresh blood spill out and eagerly devour the body.

Before their eyes, the once withered vines transformed into a more nourished and glossy look with a faint crimson hue accentuating its surface.

As the vines greedily absorbed the fresh blood, the man in yellow underwent a swift and noticeable transformation. His once vital body rapidly withered, leaving behind nothing but a desiccated corpse.

“Help! Somebody, help! Monsters!”

Finally, the other man snapped out of his stupor. He started yelling and desperately tried to escape, not even caring about the weapon he had dropped.

As he turned to run, a vine shot up from the ground.

Swift as lightning, it speared through the man’s head like a javelin, entering from the back and exiting through his mouth. It immediately pinned him to the ground.

eyes widened in terror, face contorted with fear as he met his demise with open eyes. If he had known the danger, he wouldn’t have come in search of treasure. Sadly, regret struck him too

“Attack!”

disciples spurred everyone around into action.

vines remained unsatisfied. A dozen thick vines,

octopus, swiftly launched

Enraged by the demise of his companions,

he roared, swinging his large blade

effortlessly slicing the two nearest vines into segments. His swordsmanship,

dodged the retaliatory strikes, defending himself with finesse. As the two vines were severed, the

powerful in their attacks, they were inherently

power in a sneak attack, confronting a martial artist master head-on left them vulnerable to

of him. With each swing, he sliced through

“Impressive swordsmanship!”