An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

"Huh?" Dustin was taken aback by the sudden outburst and felt a bit bewildered.

He glanced around the living room and noticed the intense glare from the burly man, Donny Zedd. Then, he asked tentatively, "Are you talking to me?"

"Who else would I be talking to?" Donny shot back.

He glared at Dustin and shouted, "Don't you have any manners? You waltz in here without so much as a 'hello' and plop yourself down like you own the place. Do you have no respect for us?"

"Manners?" Dustin arched an eyebrow skeptically.

He replied icily, "Do we even know each other? Why should I bother with pleasantries? And even if I don't hold you in high regard, what's it to you?"

"Hey! Are you looking for trouble, kid?" Donny bristled with anger, ready to throw a punch, but was intercepted by a man in white, Lucian Whitman, with a sly grin.

"Easy there, don't get all worked up. This kid just seems clueless about etiquette. Let's show him the ropes. No need for violence, especially with the host around. We wouldn't want to cause any awkwardness."

Lucian motioned for Donny to take a seat, then turned his gaze to Dustin with a friendly smile." You must be new around here. Let me fill you in on the customs.

"You know, in these circles, it's customary to show a little respect to your elders. A nod, a greeting, nothing too demanding, right?"

Dustin responded calmly, "If you truly are martial world veterans, a simple greeting would suffice. But your actions lack the dignity one would expect. The way you intimidate others, one might mistake you for bandits."

Lucian's smile faltered at Dustin's words, and a glint of annoyance flickered in his eyes.

his hand on the table. He rose to his feet and roared,

to show some basic respect, then you're on your own." Lucian shook

chuckled, and they

cocky arrogance. However, in the end, he was unceremoniously dragged

tread carefully.

keep a low profile and observe if there were any conspiracies within the Hall of

six feet under!" Donny sneered, wasting no time as he lunged

furious,

incoming fist just before it could make contact with his

he hadn't gone all out just now, he had still put

martial artists. Yet,

such limited skill, you're still bold enough to be so cocky. You

of his fingers, he twisted Donny's fist, and all his bones

a blood-curdling scream that pierced

Dustin shouted and

flying several yards. He crashed into the wall, coughing up blood and wailing in

"What?"

as they

Dustin to be so formidable that he could send Donny flying with

was worth noting that Donny was at the advanced-level divine martial artist stage, which made him quite a prominent figure in the martial

act so recklessly! Who gave you the courage to