An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Outside the tavern, the martial arts experts led by Luke lay sprawled on the ground. Many were either dead or wounded.

Amidst the aftermath, only Abigail stood unscathed.

The effectiveness of the Phantom Blooms had surpassed her expectations. She even contemplated further trades with the Dawson Clan for additional hidden weapons.

After all, traded weapons often held unexpected surprises.

Luke, sprawling on the ground, struggled to speak. "Troublemaker! You... you're despicable!"

His resilience was remarkable despite being pierced by countless poisoned needles.

"You're still alive?" Abigail raised an eyebrow and was surprised that he survived.

He was just three feet away when the Phantom Blooms unleashed its barrage of poisoned needles. At that range, he should have been gravely injured.

For anyone else, it would have likely been a fatal blow. Yet, despite his severe injuries and immobility, Luke displayed astonishing resilience.

"Without your cowardly ambush with hidden weapons, would you even stand a chance against me?" His tone dripped with bitterness and defiance.

"Even on death's doorstep, your defiance remains. I can't help but wonder what thoughts swirl in your stubborn head." Abigail approached and looked at him condescendingly.

She added coldly, "In the past, you would have met your end by now. But today, I'm feeling generous. I'll offer you a chance. Kneel before me, beg for mercy, and perhaps I'll consider sparing your pathetic life. What do you say?"

Luke spat in response, and the glob landed on her clothes. "Whether you aim to kill or maim, it's your call. But if I hesitate today, they won't see me as their hero anymore!"

Abigail glanced at the spittle staining her clothes. She frowned briefly before regaining her composure. "If death is what you seek, then I'll grant it."

sword on the ground shot up into the air and landed neatly in her hand. Then, she swung it and sliced him cleanly

escape my wrath!" Luke's final words were drowned out as he gasped his last

eyes wide open and his face frozen in a

toward the survivors. Before she could speak, they fell to their knees and begged

Grand Sorceress,

doing it for the money. We have no vendetta against the Mystic Arts Order. Please, Grand

were battered, and their movements were sluggish from the poisoned

of survival was to beg for mercy. Otherwise, they

completely clueless." Abigail nodded in satisfaction. "Now get lost, and

We'll leave now!" They scrambled to their feet

death, they felt

white soaring overhead. With a backflip, the figure landed squarely in

in white blocking their path was the guardian of the

Sorceress? Go to hell!" After the outburst, the guardian in white struck down with a powerful

the guardian's internal energy morphed into a dark phantom, which pounced ferociously toward the group with its teeth and

The Grand Sorceress has

lunged forward and tore them apart with a single ferocious swipe. Limbs were torn asunder, scattering across

Mystic Arts Order's guardian wielded the might of a grandmaster, rendering the entry-level divine martial artists utterly helpless in the face of his powerful

pests have been dealt with." After taking care of the few remaining individuals, he immediately

She nodded approvingly. "Make sure this place gets cleaned

guardian replied with

lifted her head

Ruby, that