An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

George grimaced in pain and flung the snake-like creature away. But the creature wouldn’t give up. It lunged at him again as soon as it hit the ground.

“You’ve got a death wish?” He snorted and smashed the creature into a scarlet mist with a single punch.

He then turned his gaze to Abigail with a malicious grin. “It’s just a little snake. You don’t actually think it could hurt me, huh?”

“Can’t hurt you? Check out the bite marks,” she replied sarcastically.

“Huh?” George looked down and saw two tiny, needle-like punctures where the creature had bitten him. The wounds were so minor that they didn’t even bleed.

However, the area around the wounds had turned a deep, unnatural black. It was darker than his skin, like ink.

The most disturbing part was that this black mark was rapidly spreading and crept into his bloodstream. Within seconds, it had covered most of his hand.

“What is this?” George’s frown deepened, and his smile faltered.

He had always prided himself on being impervious to harm, so he hadn’t thought much of the attack earlier. But the small snake-like creature had managed to penetrate his defenses with its venomous bite.

The unknown toxin was causing an unsettling throbbing in his chest. He had a sinking feeling that if the poison kept spreading, he might be in grave danger. After all, being invulnerable to weapons didn’t mean he was immune to all poisons.

George quickly transformed his left hand into a sharp, black blade. He roared and swung the weapon down hard on his right wrist.

and turned the ground red. But his defenses were so

he roared as he raised the blade again. With a mighty swing, he

scene made the spectators shudder. They hadn’t expected George to

hit the ground, it began to decay rapidly. Within moments, the entire wrist had turned into a puddle

poison had spread, it wouldn’t just be your hand you’d be losing.” Abigail

poisonous creature cultivated by the Mystic Arts Order. Though it appeared small and harmless, it was dangerous. Anyone

resolve to cut

a chance!” George’s expression was a twisted scowl. As

had been severed.

kind of monster is this? A severed hand turning into a

like that priest, this gorilla must have undergone

“Ugh! That’s gross.”

from the spectators. It finally dawned on them why he was willing

his fists into blades increased his offensive power and

was planning to make this quick and painless for you. But since you’re so ruthless, I’ll have to finish you

Their edges gleamed with a dark,

won’t let you suffer too much.

now I’ve changed my mind.” Abigail’s eyes turned cold. She raised one hand as she spoke, and a red beam shot out from her sleeve