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.

hand on the table. He rose to his feet and roared, "You disrespectful bastard!

some basic respect, then you're on your own." Lucian shook his head

others chuckled, and they

cocky arrogance.

you to tread carefully. Otherwise,

low profile and observe if there were any conspiracies within the Hall of Gods. But as soon as he

under!" Donny sneered, wasting no

came fast and furious, and the air whistled

caught the incoming fist just before it could make contact with

all out just now, he had still put about 70 percent of his

a blow would have seriously injured most ordinary martial artists. Yet, Dustin effortlessly caught his fist, which struck

enough to be so cocky. You really don't know your own limitations."

fingers, he twisted

releasing a blood-curdling

Dustin shouted and kicked him

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

"What?"

as they witnessed this

to be so formidable that he could send Donny flying with

noting that Donny was at the advanced-level divine martial artist stage, which made

act so recklessly! Who gave you the courage to attack