Chapter 56

Dustin sprang forward, leaping into the air with lightning speed. Edward reacted instantly.

"Quick! Kill him!" he yelled, tensing as Dustin moved.

But before the armed elites could respond, Dustin had already launched a devastating attack. He kicked one elite, sending him flying like a discarded scrap of paper. A hole ripped through the elite's bulletproof vest; his bones were shattered.

Before landing, Dustin spun, delivering a neck kick to another elite. He continued his relentless assault, destroying everything in his path. No one could withstand his fury. The elites couldn't react to his speed and strength; they fell one after another. Their guns remained holstered; not a single shot was fired. Throughout the fight, Dustin had been holding Dahlia while attacking solely with his feet.

Edward watched in stunned disbelief, his face pale with shock. These were battle-hardened elites, heavily armed. Defeating them should have been effortless for Dustin. Yet, they were completely overwhelmed.

"Is he a martial arts expert? No wonder he's so arrogant!" Travis exclaimed, narrowing his eyes in surprise. He, too, was highly skilled in martial arts, and his position hadn't been easily earned. All army elites receive martial arts training; outside of intelligence agencies, martial arts proficiency heavily influences military rank. Dustin's skill easily qualified him for a high-ranking officer position.

"General, this man is incredibly powerful. Should we retreat?" the adjutant whispered.

"No need," Travis said, loosening his muscles. "It's rare to encounter such an expert. I want to fight him personally!" His powerful frame held the coiled strength of a panther.

When the last elite fell, Dustin's gaze returned to Edward.

"Uncle Travis! Save me!" Edward cried, stumbling backward in terror.

"No one can save you today!" Dustin stepped toward him.

"Your opponent is me!" Travis roared, leaping forward and throwing a punch.

Dustin didn't even glance at him before severing Travis's leg. As Edward continued to scream for help, Travis landed a fist on Dustin's back. A loud explosion echoed. Dustin remained unmoved, though his clothes tore, revealing his muscular physique. Travis, however, staggered back, spitting blood.

"General!" The adjutant rushed to his aid, overcome with worry.

Travis coughed violently, feeling a surge of blood. His fist trembled uncontrollably, numbed by the impact.

"This is impossible!" Travis stared at his shaking arms, his eyes wide with shock. He never imagined Dustin's body could be so impenetrable. His full force hadn't even scratched his opponent, yet he himself had sustained multiple internal injuries. Dustin was a beast! Who was this man?

Confusion clouded Travis's face. Then, he saw it – a large tattoo on Dustin's sturdy body. It depicted a creature with a dragon's head, an ox's tail, a tiger's back, a bear's waist, and a snake's scales: a black beast. The tattoo was so realistic it seemed to breathe and move. Majestic, ferocious, and utterly daunting.

"A kirin tattoo?" Travis gasped, a sudden recognition dawning on him. Terror filled his eyes. A Rhys, with a black beast tattoo, who knew the commanding general… Could this be the Rhys family's Kirin?! No! That couldn't be possible! Why was the man who had shaken Chouxe and disappeared for ten years here?

"Are you of Chouxe descent?" Travis asked hesitantly, his voice trembling.

"Oh? You finally figured it out?" Dustin slowly turned, his expression blank. There was no harm in revealing his identity; he was going to die anyway.

"It's you. Why are you here?" Travis broke into a cold sweat, his earlier confidence completely gone, replaced by sheer terror. No wonder he knew Adam Spanner. He was the legendary Kirin! Travis was finished. He had angered someone who even Sergeant Adam feared.

"General? What's wrong?" The adjutant was horrified. He had never seen Travis so terrified. He had always remained calm under pressure, fearless in the face of danger. What had happened?

Who was this man, Dustin?

"We're done for," Travis slumped to the ground, dejected. He knew he would die today; the only question was how.

"General! I've called for backup! They'll be here soon! Hold on!" the adjutant tried to reassure him.

"It's no use," Travis shook his head, utterly drained.

"General, what's wrong?" The adjutant panicked.

Travis trembled, pointing at Dustin and stammering, "He's the Rhys family's Kirin, Logan Rhys!"

The adjutant froze. His face turned ashen. They were finished. The dead had returned.