Chapter 166

Dustin approached the sovereign-grade fighter and removed his mask. His face darkened instantly. The fighter's face was completely corroded; the poison hadn't just killed him, but rapidly ravaged his features. Dustin recognized the poison from his medical texts—a favored tool of assassination organizations for silencing targets. The body would soon dissolve into a pool of blood, leaving no clues, a sobering realization for Dustin. The organization that trained such assassins was clearly a formidable force.

A Hell Guard arrived, reporting, "My Liege, Blake and Jennifer were ambushed." Dustin ignored the details and rushed to the Torells. Blake and Jennifer were pale but unharmed; Drake, however, looked battered.

"My Liege," Drake said grimly, "a sovereign-grade fighter ambushed us. He was incredibly powerful. We were both severely injured…"

The assassin's skill was evident in Drake's admission.

"I failed to capture him," Drake apologized, shame evident. "Please punish me as you see fit."

Dustin waved him off. "He was a top assassin from a global organization. It's not your fault."

"But I've never encountered such an assassin," Drake replied, voicing Dustin's own concern. The mastermind's methods were too cunning, leaving no trace.

Blake pleaded, "Mr. Fox, please keep us safe! I'll hand over leadership of the Panther Gang if you protect us!"

Dustin remained silent, instructing Drake to protect Blake and Jennifer constantly. He hoped the assassin would strike again, increasing the chance of finding clues. "Inform Hell Hall headquarters to monitor all global assassination organizations. Report any findings immediately."

Chapter 166 (Continued)

While Dustin's subordinates searched for the fleeing assassin, he had already escaped Panther Gang territory. He dragged his injured body to a secluded area, remaining motionless for hours. Several search parties passed without finding him. At dawn, he emerged, shed his disguise, and melted into the crowd, virtually untraceable.

He reached a bustling Somerton arcade with a private communications area. There, he contacted a masked individual via screen. The masked figure, codenamed Metal Mask, looked shocked at the assassin's appearance.

"How did the mission go?" Metal Mask asked.

"I failed…" the assassin whispered.

Metal Mask was stunned. The Aquila family, though prominent in Lannopolis, was only second-rate in Lovellia. Two sovereign-grade fighters should have been enough to eliminate them. The quick failure was inexplicable.

"Why did you fail?" Metal Mask demanded.

"Blake and Jennifer Torell had a sovereign-grade protector," the assassin explained, sweating profusely. "We were both severely injured, but I couldn't kill them."

Somerton lacked sovereign-grade fighters; this was unheard of.

"Do you know their protector's identity?" Metal Mask asked.

"I don't believe he's listed in the Divine Hall's registry," the assassin replied uncertainly.

Metal Mask frowned.

"Assassin E3 committed suicide," the assassin added, his voice trembling.

Metal Mask was dumbfounded. A sovereign-grade fighter driven to suicide? The protector's power was staggering.

"Who is he?" Metal Mask demanded.

"A twenty-five-year-old from the Wyatt family of Lannopolis, Rivenesco. Dustin Fox. The sole student of Lucas Wyatt, the former patriarch."

Metal Mask's face fell. "Lucas Wyatt's student… a Fox… Could he be a surviving descendant of the Fox family?!"

"That's my assessment," the assassin confirmed.

Metal Mask's frown deepened. "Lucas, you bastard…" he muttered darkly. "He secretly trained a Fox descendant to such power! Driving a Divine Hall assassin to suicide… at such a young age!"

"Sir, should we report this to the Divine Altar and request authorization to eliminate the Fox family?" the assassin asked grimly. "His continued growth threatens our foundation. Besides, he may possess what we need…"

Metal Mask pondered this. Finally, he declared firmly, "The Divine Hall has reigned supreme for generations. Even the last surviving Fox is insignificant. A hundred like him are mere ants against a giant! We destroyed the Fox family once; why bother with one survivor? We won't report this. I'll meet this Dustin Fox and assess his strength personally." The assassin nodded.

Metal Mask, the Order's Master, would confront Dustin. Despite his strength, Dustin's youth limited him. Metal Mask was confident in his victory.