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."

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

won't escape my wrath!" Luke's final words were drowned

eyes wide open and his face frozen in a

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

Grand Sorceress,

have no vendetta against the Mystic

survivors' bodies were battered, and their movements were sluggish from the

no strength left to resist, their only chance of survival was to beg for mercy. Otherwise, they could risk

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

They scrambled to their feet and

they thought they had cheated death,

saw a mysterious figure clad in white soaring overhead. With a

were shocked that the figure in white blocking their path was the guardian of the Mystic

After the outburst, the guardian

morphed into a dark phantom, which pounced ferociously toward the group with its teeth

Sorceress has promised to

them apart with a single ferocious swipe. Limbs were torn asunder, scattering across the ground in a gruesome

the might of a grandmaster, rendering the entry-level divine martial artists utterly helpless in the face

been dealt with." After taking care of the few remaining

job." She nodded approvingly. "Make sure this place gets cleaned up pronto. I don't want anything ruining my

guardian

her clothes. With a subtle sense of awareness, she lifted her head to glance at Ruby and the others on

that smile