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."

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

my wrath!"

wide open and his

toward the survivors. Before she could

Grand Sorceress, have

against the Mystic Arts Order. Please, Grand Sorceress,

were battered, and their movements were sluggish from the poisoned

strength left to resist, their only chance of survival was to beg for mercy. Otherwise, they

satisfaction. "Now

They scrambled to their feet and bolted

they had cheated death, they felt a

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

they were shocked that the figure in white blocking

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

into a dark phantom, which pounced ferociously

Sorceress has promised

with a single ferocious swipe. Limbs were torn asunder, scattering across the

a grandmaster, rendering the entry-level divine martial

with." After taking care of the few remaining individuals, he immediately approached Abigail

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

the guardian replied with a

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

that