An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys)

The whole arena suddenly fell dead silent. Everyone stared blankly, and not a soul dared to breathe.

Alloy shot to his feet in the main spectator seats, and his face was tense with worry. Yet, he didn’t dare make a sound. He feared it might startle Glenn into making a mistake that could cost Fenley’s life.

After all, Fenley represented the future of the Celestial Alliance. Alloy had invested all his effort into Fenley, and he provided him with endless resources. If Fenley were to die in the match, it would deal a devastating blow to the entire guild.

While Alloy was gripped with worry, Cyrus and Penelope cheered silently. They secretly hoped Glenn’s sword would strike Fenley. If that happened, the Celestial Alliance would take at least a decade to regain its former glory.

Fenley’s body stiffened as he stared at the Fang Master hovering inches from him. A shiver ran through his spine as goosebumps prickled his skin. Sweat trickled down his face, and each drop hit the ground with a soft drip.

He knew he had already lost.

If Glenn wanted it, Fenley would be dead in an instant.

“Return to the case.”

After a few tense seconds, Glenn decided against delivering the final blow. With a flick of his sword finger, the Fang Master veered off, spinning once before returning to the sword case. The other eight divine swords followed suit and returned in unison.

In the blink of an eye, the battle ring, once charged with lethal intensity, sank into an eerie calm.

“You pushed me to use the Fang Master, so I’ll consider you a decent opponent. I hope you get stronger.” With that, Glenn turned and left the battle ring.

Fenley’s performance had exceeded his expectations. He thought three swords would be enough to decide the outcome. Instead, Fenley had held his ground through the seventh swords before finally succumbing. That kind of resilience had earned him a measure of respect from Glenn.

“Just a decent opponent?” Fenley stared at Glenn’s retreating figure. His body slumped in defeat as a bitter smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

the critical moment, pushing himself to the edge and risking everything in one desperate gamble. He thought he could defeat Glenn,

have to show for it? He hadn’t even come close to

time. He won the match with

them wasn’t small-

a cut above the rest. But standing before Glenn, that confidence crumbled.

he understood that no matter how far he pushed

a long pause, Fenley dejectedly walked off the battle ring and left the venue in a daze. He

there would only

place meant nothing to him now. If he couldn’t get first place, nothing else

on

erupted into thunderous

They knew Fenley had given everything he had into the fight

was simply too wide. Though it stung, losing to Glenn felt

you have to say now?”

Alloy.

a bet. Now that Cyrus had

took a deep breath. ” A bet is a bet. I’ll keep my word on

turned and left. Fenley had been defeated, so Alloy

thank you.” Cyrus smiled triumphantly. After all those years of

one hour of break, the second

and announced, ” The second match will begin

and contestant number three,

ring.”