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 of yourself. Do you think you can stop us all by yourself?

army lying in wait, they’d be as good as dead. But he was alone and hardly looked like a threat. Forget stopping them. He’d be lucky to walk away in

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

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

him.” Mulder wasted no time in

Dustin was just buying time, and on the other, something

“Attack!”

exchanged glances before

on a hundred enemies individually. When fighting together, their strength

opponent, who seemed only in his early 20s,

swung

Dustin’s figure blurred and vanished without a

Before

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

the same time, two more attackers closed in from either side. Their swords flashed toward Dustin’s throat in

to strike his vital points, Dustin casually raised a hand and caught the edges of both swords

“What?”

attackers’ faces changed as disbelief flashed in their

stopped their sword with his bare hands! A scene like this was only possible

swords, but it was as if an iron vice had locked them in place and wouldn’t

“Time to die!”

behind Dustin, gripping his broadsword with both hands. He raised it high and brought

Mulder’s eyes lit up at