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."

air and landed neatly in her hand. Then, she swung it and sliced him cleanly

wrath!" Luke's final words were drowned out

died with his eyes wide open and his face frozen in a grimace of

she could speak, they fell to their knees and begged

Grand Sorceress,

vendetta against the Mystic Arts Order. Please,

their movements were sluggish from

their only chance of survival was to beg for mercy. Otherwise, they could risk facing the

not completely clueless." Abigail nodded in satisfaction. "Now get lost, and don't let me catch you

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

thought they had cheated death, they felt a sudden wind swept

soaring overhead. With

were shocked that the figure in white blocking their

dare you attack the Grand Sorceress? Go to hell!" After the

roar, the guardian's internal energy morphed into a dark phantom, which pounced ferociously toward the group

Sorceress has

and tore them apart with a single ferocious swipe. Limbs were torn asunder,

the entry-level divine martial artists utterly helpless in the face of his powerful

Sorceress, the pests have been dealt with." After taking care of the few remaining

this place gets cleaned up pronto. I

the guardian replied with a

her head to glance at Ruby and the others on the second floor with

to Ruby, that