Dustin had just issued a direct challenge to Victor, Lannopolis's strongest fighter. None of the elite martial artists present could match Dustin's strength; only Victor stood a chance. "Mr. Cam, please step forward to teach him a lesson!" Bianca said, bowing deeply. With all the other fighters defeated, Victor was the only one left who could subdue Dustin.
Bianca had unwavering faith in this towering figure of Lannopolis's martial arts world and was confident he could defeat Dustin. The elite martial artists, sprawled on the ground, cried out, "Mr. Cain, we are no match for him! You are Lannopolis's last hope! Step forward and show this bastard the true strength of Lannopolis's legend!" Victor could no longer remain idle.
The strongest fighter in Lannopolis rose slowly, like a slumbering lion. His imposing aura commanded reverence. "So young, and so gifted," he said, his gaze fixed on Dustin. "It's a shame to see talent like yours wasted." With unshakeable dignity, he added, "I will take you down and deliver you to the Martial League for punishment!"
Even before he moved, Victor's presence filled the air with a suffocating pressure, awing the crowd. They anticipated an epic showdown. Dustin's sharp instincts flared; he whipped around. Simultaneously, Victor tensed, his pupils shrinking as he looked in the same direction. Only the strongest could sense it: a terrifyingly powerful presence was rapidly approaching, swift and unstoppable, like an approaching storm. Even Lannopolis's strongest fighter paled, a flicker of fear crossing his face. For the first time, Dustin's expression grew serious. This was a power demanding his full attention—a foe unlike any he'd faced before, perhaps even more daunting than Lord Barbenheim.
The crowd, oblivious to the danger, mistook the tension for a clash of auras between the two fighters.
Boom! The gates of the Cain family villa shattered, and a figure shot in like a cannonball, landing in the courtyard with unrelenting force. As the intruder stood opposite Dustin, Victor's demeanor shifted. It was Metal Mask; his presence radiated overwhelming danger. The aura of malice was almost tangible, visibly shaking Victor. He carefully considered his next move. Though he had held the title of Lannopolis's strongest fighter for years, his heart raced as it hadn't in ages. Metal Mask hadn't even moved, yet cold sweat trickled down Victor's back.
Dustin's gaze was fixed on Metal Mask; his face was grim. The oppressive aura was clearly directed at him. "Who are you?" Dustin asked. "I'm here to kill you," Metal Mask replied curtly.
Without warning, Metal Mask unleashed a devastating punch. The force sent a whirlwind toward Dustin, billowing his hair and robes. Dustin narrowed his eyes, launching a counter-punch. Boom! Their fists collided with a thunderous impact that shook the ground. The clash drained the color from the other elite martial artists' faces; terrified, they scrambled away. Even Victor was left pale and shaken.
What level of power was this?
For the first time in years, Victor felt cold sweat drip down his face. Thud! Thud! Thud! After the clash, both Dustin and Metal Mask took several steps back, seemingly evenly matched. Surprise flickered across Dustin's face. It was rare to find someone who could match him so evenly. Sovereign-grade fighters had fallen before him with ease, yet here stood a foe who could fight him to a stalemate.
(The final "X" and "Today's Bonus Offer" appear to be unrelated and have been omitted.)