An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys)

Under the intense gaze of the spectators, Thaddeus’ Voidcleaver clashed with Dalen’s folding fan. To be precise, Dalen’s fan struck Thaddeus’ blade.

A thunderous bang echoed as their weapons collided. It unleashed a powerful energy wave that radiated from the point of impact.

The shockwave swept through the surroundings, sending dust and debris flying. Spectators near the battle ring had to shield their eyes from the whirlwind of grit.

The two men were locked in a standoff on the battle ring. Dalen’s folding fan, like a sword, tapped against Thaddeus’s blade. One was striking downward, the other thrusting upward, creating a deadlock in midair.

The spectators were stunned.

“Whoa! He actually blocked it? What’s going on?”

“Father Savier’s attack had the power of a grandmaster. It was a devastating strike, yet that pretty boy managed to counter it with finesse. Impressive!”

“Damn! How is the boy toy still alive?”

The spectators buzzed with mixed reactions. Some were shocked, some were frustrated, and others were disappointed. Most of them were dissatisfied with the outcome.

Some harbored an unexplained animosity toward Dalen, while others had placed heavy bets on Thaddeus, staunchly believing in him.

end the

attacks, Dalen pinpointed its weaknesses and countered with

Even Alicia and the others couldn’t help but hold him

so much confidence in Dalen. But now they understood that Dustin’s belief in

at Dalen, who stood unharmed despite being so close

below the battle ring, Thaddeus thought he could kill Dalen. Yet, he didn’t expect Dalen to deflect his powerful

of his blade with both hands and

the blue light intensified. At that instant, his blade aimed directly at Dalen’s

strength and inflict severe injury. After all, he was an ascetic priest. His physical strength was

something amiss. Despite his efforts, his blade didn’t move. He noticed he wasn’t up against

greater

eyes narrowed, and he

confident in his strength. Still, he couldn’t understand why he couldn’t gain any advantage over Dalen. He wondered whether Dalen was naturally gifted with

any weaknesses!” Thaddeus was undeterred and spoke through gritted

and slashed horizontally toward Dalen’s neck. The strike lacked overwhelming

His folding

standoff, a potential life- or-death moment. Most would