An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Dustin left.

Leaving behind the massive cauldron, he casually walked away. His enigmatic silhouette faded into the distance.

It left the crowd wondering if Krel and Melissa got lucky, or if Dustin had done it intentionally.

The crowd leaned toward the latter. After all, how could someone capable of lifting a 100-thousand- pound cauldron make such a rookie mistake?

"Thank you, Mr. Rhys!" Melissa was both moved and delighted as she watched Dustin's retreating figure. She knew that Krel had been spared.

"Dustin, are you really going to just let him off the hook?" Dalen asked as he caught up with Dustin.

"A frightened coward is no longer a threat," Dustin said with a faint smile. "Besides, he's still a Boulderthorn disciple. Killing him would only bring trouble, and I hate trouble."

have a soft spot for beauty?"

and her willingness to give up

Miles, who had been lagging behind, suddenly quickened his pace and caught up

number tag and passed it to Dustin, saying, "Dustin, this is the ID tag for Group A contestants. The judge asked me to pass it to

almost forgot." Dustin received the tag

while the back was engraved with a bold "18".

at the level of a grandmaster could join Group A. In other words, this meant there were 17 other highly skilled grandmasters ahead

a grandmaster was merely the basic requirement. There could

particularly intense. Standing out and

preliminary trials ahead. It'll save you a lot of trouble. Now, all you need to do is conserve your strength and make a

brought a lot of skilled fighters together. I'm just here to join in the fun and

humble. As long as you don't encounter those monsters on the Legendary