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."

beg to differ. Perhaps you simply have

been for Melissa's plea and her willingness to give up her life to protect him, Krel would have met his demise

behind, suddenly quickened his pace

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

I almost forgot." Dustin received the tag with

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

grandmaster could join Group A. In other words, this meant there were

basic requirement. There could

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

in the preliminary trials ahead. It'll save you a lot of trouble. Now, all you need

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

don't encounter those monsters on the Legendary List, you'll