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."

Perhaps you simply have a soft spot for beauty?" Dalen

for Melissa's plea and her willingness to give up her life to protect him, Krel

who had been lagging behind, suddenly

tag and passed it to Dustin, saying, "Dustin, this is the ID tag for Group A contestants.

received the tag

Wrym Summit's mark, while the back was engraved with a bold "18". That meant that Dustin was the 18th contestant in Group A,

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

a grandmaster was merely the basic requirement. There could even be a few ultimate grandmasters among

the Combat Tournament would be particularly intense. Standing out and emerging victorious wasn't going

won't need to participate in the preliminary trials ahead. It'll save you a lot of trouble. Now, all you need

to join in the fun and see where I stand," Dustin replied with a

you don't encounter those monsters on the