An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Dustin’s words made Mulder frown.

Mulder knew all too well that Warrick was the kind of man who had no sense of loyalty or honor. If Warrick could kill his own personal guards without hesitation, what would stop him from killing a stranger?

Mulder was certain that the moment things went south, Warrick would be the first to flee. Given the choice, he’d never willingly risk his life as Warrick’s sacrificial pawn. But now, there was no turning back.

With his undercover identity exposed and him helping Warrick escape, Mulder became a sworn enemy of West Lúcozia. His name was now on the most-wanted list.

Tonight was their best chance to escape. If they missed it, finding another way out would be nearly impossible.

There was only one path left for him-kill whoever stood in his way and make it onto that escape boat.

“Enough talk, punk. Let’s see what you’re really made of,” Mulder said.

After weighing his options, he gritted his teeth and finally decided to draw his longsword. His figure flickered like a phantom and left only a blur as he closed the distance instantly.

The sword in his hands gleamed coldly as it flashed past like a shooting star. A sharp wind followed its arc, carrying the force to cleave through the air as it aimed straight for Dustin’s throat.

Dustin’s expression remained calm and unfazed. Just as the sword was about to reach him, he shifted slightly. His movement was light and effortless as he narrowly avoided the fatal strike.

fist clenched and drove forward with immense force,

sword across to block. A metallic clang-sharp and resonant-rang out as fist and

spun and used

his foot against the ground and glided back three

striking a nearby boat. A sharp crack echoed through the air. Within moments, the vessel split in two and began

no hesitation after missing his target. His sword moved relentlessly, each slash fierce

break through stone, and the sword’s sharp whistle cut through the air. Sparks flew as the flashing steel carved deadly arcs, threatening to tear through anything in its

weaved through Mulder’s attacks like a wisp of silk in the wind, slipping past each strike with the

seemed weightless, yet each one placed him just out of

his attacks continued to miss. His strikes became more forceful and reckless, and his movements became wide and aggressive as he focused solely on offense. Yet,

unreadable as he

strange,” Warrick murmured, secretly

yet he handled Mulder-a grandmaster martial artist-easily and

his inability to discern

before, but now that he was

you stop? Keep going,” Dustin