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.”

you’re getting a little too full of yourself. Do you think

had an army lying in wait, they’d be as good as dead. But he was alone and hardly looked

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

him. Still,

Get him.” Mulder wasted no time

his doubts. On the one hand, he worried Dustin was just buying time, and on the other, something about the whole situation felt

“Attack!”

exchanged glances before raising their blades and

the Hall of Gods elites, they were strong enough to take on a hundred enemies individually. When fighting together, their strength multiplied. This made them an

seemed only in his early 20s, they didn’t believe he could be

swung

Dustin’s figure blurred and vanished without

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

His body flew backward like a broken kite, crashed into a rock,

closed in from either side. Their swords flashed toward Dustin’s throat in a synchronized strike. There was no wasted movement, no unnecessary flair-just pure, ruthless

were about to strike his vital points, Dustin casually raised a hand and caught the

“What?”

changed as

scene like this was only possible when there was an overwhelming

as if an iron vice had locked them

“Time to die!”

his broadsword with both hands. He raised it high and brought it down in a powerful overhead slash.

him.” Mulder’s eyes lit up