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.

to his feet and roared, "You disrespectful bastard! Time to learn some manners

you don't know how to show some basic respect, then you're on your

and they were

past, a rookie had swaggered in, exuding the same cocky arrogance.

carefully. Otherwise, you'll regret it,"

if there were any conspiracies within the Hall of Gods. But as soon as he walked in, he

bet you won't change your tune until you're six feet under!" Donny sneered, wasting no time as he lunged forward with a punch aimed straight

and furious, and the air whistled with

easily caught the incoming fist

just now,

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

you're still bold enough to be so cocky. You

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

Donny froze momentarily before releasing a blood-curdling scream that pierced the

Dustin shouted and

crashed into the wall, coughing up blood

"What?"

changed as they witnessed

so formidable that he could send Donny

martial artist stage, which made him quite a prominent figure in the

Who gave you the courage to