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."

long sword on the ground shot up into the air and landed neatly in her hand. Then, she

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

died with his eyes wide open and his

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

Sorceress,

vendetta against the Mystic Arts Order. Please, Grand Sorceress, spare us! We'll never cause

bodies were battered, and their

of survival was to beg for mercy.

Abigail nodded in satisfaction. "Now get lost, and don't let

now!" They scrambled to their feet

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

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

were shocked that the figure in white blocking their path

attack the Grand Sorceress? Go to hell!" After the outburst, the guardian in white struck down

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

has promised to spare

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

might of a grandmaster, rendering the

After taking care of the few remaining

place gets cleaned up pronto. I don't want anything

guardian

dusted off her clothes. With a subtle sense of awareness, she lifted her head to glance at Ruby

that