An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

“Interesting. It looks like this match won’t be boring after all.” From his seat at the Sword Union, Glenn narrowed his eyes. A rare spark of interest broke through his indifferent demeanor.

As a swordsman, he thrived on the challenge of facing strong opponents. The more formidable his rival, the more it ignited his excitement. Watching an elite swordsman in action only intensified his desire to fight.

Of course, ordinary fighters wouldn’t capture his attention. But Dustin’s earlier performance had drawn him in.

Those two quick, fierce strikes showcased a sharpness of sword aura that was truly impressive. Glenn realized that an elite like Dustin would be an excellent sharpening stone for his skills.

Glenn wasn’t the only one who noticed. Dustin’s impressive win over Jeremiah had left everyone in awe, and they began to see him as a dark horse in the tournament.

While most might not consider him a contender for the championship, they recognized he had the strength to break into the top three. His value skyrocketed as major guilds were willing to invest heavily in Dustin while extending lucrative offers to him.

After all, a talent like his could become a dominant force with just a little guidance and potentially lead their guild to greatness. However, attracting such talent was one thing; successfully nurturing it was another challenge entirely.

The search for the top eight concluded with Dustin’s victory in the eighth round. All three foreign challengers were eliminated, with none surviving.

This match was a true rollercoaster, as it was filled with breathtaking moments. Until the very last second, no one could predict the outcome, given the numerous twists and turns.

Whether it was Caleb defeating Kendricks, Dalen overcoming Jude, or Dustin clinching the final victory, all three emerged as dark horses. Initially overlooked, they ended up winning spectacularly.

dark horses, the other contestants also delivered commendable performances

rounds. One of them would

merely gauged a martial artist’s strength based on various factors. It lacked

an accurate measure of power. Strength and weakness, victory and

would determine who would claim the title

to a serene calm as night descended. The eight finalists either rested to regain their strength

attention of all guilds. Securing a

world, and the pressure

into the top three would bring significant rewards from Sacred Wrym Summit, elevate

it was a matter of survival for entire guilds. There was no room for

to their disciples. They hoped for standout performances that could

a secluded mountain manor about 20 miles from Sacred Wrym Summit, Bailey sat at the long dining table eating large chunks of meat and washed them down with gulps of ale. Grease dripped from

imaginable. Dozens of dishes stretched across its surface, and no vegetable was in

god of the Hall of Gods, burst through the door

up as he devoured his meal

elites we sent to challenge the Dragonmarsh

his head. “Are you sure