An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

The poisoned needles zipped through the air with blinding speed. They were impossible to avoid, and each was aimed directly at vital points. One hit meant certain death.

“Hmph! What a simple parlor trick.” The gray-robed elder, Aven Foyer, stood motionless.

A sudden burst of golden light flared around him. The needles struck the light but bounced away, which left him completely unharmed.

“Glow Incantation?” Marcell seemed to have expected this. He smirked but didn’t stop attacking.

With a quick motion, his hands moved in rapid succession. A new wave of poison needles poured out like a torrential storm and swept toward Aven.

“Get him!” Marcell shouted as he signaled his men to attack.

He knew well that the guardian of Sacred Wyrm Summit’s forbidden ground wasn’t someone he could take down alone. So, he had no choice but to overwhelm Aven with numbers.

“Kill him!”

Without hesitation, the two groups of men drew their weapons and charged toward Aven in a coordinated assault. Poisonous insects, deadly toxins, throwing darts, and hidden weapons rained down on him.

They weren’t just after the money they wanted the rare treasures hidden in the Forbidden Ground. Rumor had it that finding those treasures would set them up for life. They would never have to worry about food or money for generations.

Blinded by greed, these desperados threw caution to the wind. To achieve their goal, they were willing to use any means necessary.

he watched the assassins

thrust both palms forward. Two bolts of purple

even grislier fate than Danny. Their skin was charred black, and their flesh was mangled beyond recognition. By the time their bodies hit the ground, they

a level far beyond Oron’s. It was something no ordinary martial artist

of lightning struck the attackers in rapid succession. The

or divine artifacts-were effective against Aven’s Stormcraft. Anyone hit by the lightning was as good as dead. Their

at the entrance to the Forbidden Ground like

would be

wiped out. Their charred bodies littered the ground, and the stench

remaining assassins were paralyzed with fear and were too terrified to advance. Aven’s strength was far beyond anything they could have imagined. Their weapons and techniques were useless against him, while every strike of

they hesitated, their greed replaced by fear. Though they craved

of victory. But in this situation, with no

in the group,

everyone waiting for? All of you-charge together! He’s almost out of energy. If we hold on a

group exchanged uncertain glances and looked

finish this mission, we’ll die.” With a menacing look, Marcell growled, “Do you want to die like cowards from the poison, or will you

special poison from the Hall of Gods. Only by completing their mission

their lives was better than dying without a fight. At least if they died, their families would be taken care