An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

“You’re not a fisherman? Who the hell are you?”

Mulder’s guard shot up the moment he got a clear look at the young man’s face.

Fishermen who spent their days at sea were usually tanned from the sun, but this one had a fair complexion. It felt a little strange

Noticing something was off, the men behind Mulder drew their blades and fixed their sharp gazes on the fisherman.

The so-called fisherman standing guard wasn’t just anyone-it was Dustin, who had been waiting for them all along.

Since his plan was set in motion, he’d been stationed there from morning until midnight. After what felt like an eternity, his targets had finally arrived.

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m here to capture you.”

Dustin rose from the deck and rolled his shoulders before speaking in an even tone. “If you don’t want to die, surrender now. Otherwise, it’ll be too late.”

“Watch out! It could be an ambush.”

Mulder swiftly pulled out his dagger. His sharp gaze scanned the surroundings for any sign of hidden troops.

His subordinates instinctively formed a defensive circle as they braced for an attack from the shadows. But despite their heightened vigilance, the area remained eerily calm.

They were specially trained with razor-sharp perception. Under normal circumstances, if there were an ambush nearby, there was no way they wouldn’t have noticed.

“Don’t bother looking. It’s just me here.” Dustin said flatly, “I don’t need an army to deal with the likes of you.”

a little too full

alone and hardly looked like a threat. Forget stopping them. He’d be lucky to walk away in

He’s just stalling for time. Kill him and take the boat -we’re getting out of here.” Warrick, standing at the

man on the fishing boat felt familiar, but Warrick couldn’t quite place him. Still, the other party’s confidence was unsettling. Either

you all standing around for? Get him.” Mulder wasted no time in giving

one hand, he worried Dustin was just buying time, and on

“Attack!”

exchanged glances before raising their blades and

they were strong enough to take on a hundred enemies individually. When fighting together, their strength multiplied. This made them an unstoppable force against anyone

at their opponent, who seemed only in his early 20s, they

first subordinate lunged forward and swung his blade down with

blurred and vanished without

attack struck nothing but air. Before he could even process what had

landed on his abdomen. His body flew backward like a broken kite, crashed into a rock, and curled up in

time, two more attackers closed in from either side. Their swords flashed toward Dustin’s throat in a synchronized strike. There was

Dustin casually raised a hand and caught the edges

“What?”

attackers’ faces changed as disbelief flashed in

stopped their sword with his bare hands! A scene like this was only possible when there was an overwhelming

it was as if an

“Time to die!”

seized the opportunity and darted behind Dustin, gripping his broadsword with both hands. He raised it high and brought it down in a powerful overhead slash. The sword descended like a

him.” Mulder’s eyes lit up at the