An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys)

“Open up!” Danny roared as he slammed his fist into the bronze door.

A surge of internal energy exploded from his body.

The door shook with a deafening boom, and dust scattered, but nothing unusual happened. The symbols on its surface flickered briefly before fading.

“Hmm?” Danny froze as he stared at the undamaged door in disbelief.

With his natural strength and the power his techniques granted him, he had expected the bronze door to shatter easily. But what he saw before him completely defied his expectations.

The murmurs behind him only added to his unease. He had boasted so confidently about smashing the door open, yet it hadn’t budged an inch. His face flushed with embarrassment.

“I don’t believe it!” Danny took a deep breath and channeled all his internal energy into his fists before striking the bronze door again.

Another loud crash echoed as the bronze door trembled, and the dust fell off. The mysterious symbols on the door glowed once more. Like before, the door remained intact, but his fist was numb from the impact.

Marcell frowned at the sight. He had expected Danny to be a formidable ally, but now it seemed he couldn’t even break a door.

“What’s wrong with Mr. Gallagher? Did he forget to eat? His punch was weak.”

“They say Danny’s got godlike strength, but from what I’m seeing, it doesn’t look so impressive.”

The two teams started murmuring among themselves and questioned Danny’s abilities. In their line of work, strength was everything.

leader of this mission for the Hall of Gods had been a vote of confidence in his abilities. But now, with two failed attempts at breaking the

I’m going to break this door

bronze door still hadn’t moved, Danny’s rage boiled over, and his fists began to rain down like a storm. With every punch,

his internal energy in a raw show

sweat, Danny’s frustration reached a boiling point. How could he ever

book. He had given it his all, and now he was out of options. It

give up, the door suddenly trembled. The mysterious symbols on it lit up and swirled like tadpoles

a loud rumble, the heavy bronze door slowly opened and

into a wide grin. Turning to the group

crap! Mr.

with excitement

smile. It seemed Danny wasn’t entirely useless after all. It had

be indestructible. Guess I proved them wrong,

before he could bask in his victory, something unexpected happened. A bolt of purple lightning shot out from behind the

like an explosion. Danny was flung backward as if hit by a freight train. He tumbled over ten yards before

stood frozen and was stunned by the sudden turn

they saw his body scorched black. His chest was a gruesome mess of burned

as his

man dressed in tattered gray robes stepped out. His disheveled hair and gaunt, skeletal frame gave