Chapter 20 (+25 BONUS)
Shadow One's fist was less than an inch from Dustin's head, but it stopped short. He couldn't move any further. Dustin had seized Shadow One's wrist in an iron grip, holding it so tightly that Shadow One was completely immobilized. With great effort, Shadow One finally broke free and retreated a few paces.
"It seems the Wyatt family underestimated you, Dustin," Shadow One said solemnly, admitting Dustin's skills were formidable, perhaps even a match for him. Yet, the Wyatt family considered Dustin useless.
"It's late. I haven't time for games," Dustin said, frowning. He turned to another man, saying, "Drake, handle him. If it takes more than three moves, don't bother reporting back."
As Dustin started to leave, Shadow One stepped forward to stop him, but another figure appeared, blocking his path.
"Who are you?" Shadow One asked, his face hardening. He sensed the man's immense power.
"I am My Liege's servant," Drake replied indifferently.
Shadow One was incredulous. Such a powerful individual calling himself a servant? The Shadows served Lydia for specific reasons, but they still held considerable influence.
"My Liege granted me three moves, but I'll finish this with one," Drake said impassively.
"Your arrogance is appalling!" Shadow One attacked, enraged. He wanted to dispatch Drake quickly and pursue Dustin.
"Die!" Drake spat, delivering an explosive kick. Shadow One's face contorted in shock and fear. He tried to block, but Drake was too fast. The kick landed squarely on his abdomen, sending him flying backward over twenty feet. He spat out blood, barely clinging to life. Drake's single kick had critically injured Shadow One's insides; he wouldn't survive. Drake's power was terrifying.
Shadow One smiled bitterly. He'd assumed a simple mission; it would be his death. Drake approached, a satisfied look flashing across his face. It had taken only one strike. He could report to Dustin with ease.
"You're a sovereign-grade fighter would you serve that trash?" Shadow One asked, bewildered. There were few sovereign-grade fighters in the world—highly respected individuals with significant privileges. Why would one serve someone like Dustin, a nobody expelled from the Wyatt family for his perceived worthlessness?
"My Liege's abilities surpass mine a hundredfold," Drake said indifferently.
Shadow One's eyes widened in disbelief. Dustin was a hundred times more skilled than a sovereign-grade fighter? The revelation was unbelievable. His eyes glazed over, and he died.
In the Wyatt family villa's living room, Lydia waited for Shadow One's report, but he didn't return. Half an hour passed, then an hour, then two. The Wyatt sisters' legs had gone numb from waiting, yet still no Shadow One.
"Mother, something must have happened," Amara ventured.
Lydia's expression shifted from cool indifference to impatience, then grim determination. Two hours was far too long. Something had clearly gone wrong.
"The Shadows are elites Father trained, even stronger than the Williams family's Blackguard. Shadow One couldn't possibly have failed against Dustin," Delia said incredulously. The sisters were baffled. Wasn't Dustin just a worthless nobody?
Lydia chuckled. "Do you truly believe Dustin learned nothing from years of serving your father?"
Chapter 20
"I owe the Wyatt family nothing." With that, Dustin boldly walked out of the villa, closing the chapter on his past. The future would unfold as it may.
Lydia watched him leave in silence.
"Mother, Dustin's become too arrogant! We can't let him go!"
"That's right! Eli's still suffering, and only Dustin can treat him!"
"We should lock him up and torture him!"
The Wyatt sisters protested after Dustin's departure.
"Are you instructing me on how to make decisions?" Lydia asked coldly.
The sisters fell silent. Lydia clapped once. A black shadow materialized with a whoosh of air, kneeling before her.
"Shadow One, awaiting orders!" the man said respectfully.
"Shadow!" The Wyatt sisters were shocked; this was a secret they'd only heard about. The Shadows were the Wyatt family's secret force, unseen until now. It seemed Lydia controlled them after their father's death.
"Shadow One, break Dustin's legs, ensure he can no longer fight, and bring him back," Lydia instructed slowly, sipping her tea. "Understood!" Shadow One bowed and vanished.
Dustin wandered the dark night. He stopped abruptly, his face hardening.
"Come out!" he shouted.
"Impressive! You detected my presence through my breathing," a calm voice replied.
A figure emerged from the shadows. Dustin raised an eyebrow at the person's attire.
Chapter 20 (+25 BONUS)
"Lydia must think highly of me to send one of the Shadows," he murmured to himself. Having spent years with his adoptive father, he knew the Shadows' capabilities. His adoptive father had intended for Dustin to lead them after his death, but Dustin had never encountered them until now, learning only later that they were under Lydia's control and had defied his adoptive father's wishes. Lydia was clearly cunning.
"Which Shadow are you?" Dustin asked.
"Shadow One," the man replied casually. There were nine Shadows in total, elites personally trained by Dustin's adoptive father, ranked numerically by strength. Those ranked above six were world-class fighters. Dustin feared no one below rank six, but he didn't know if those above six were also under Lydia's influence.
"Impressed by my rank?" Shadow One taunted.
Dustin's face grew serious. "No."
Shadow One stiffened. "Very well. You've lived up to your reputation as the patriarch's top student," he said menacingly. "But my mistress ordered me to break your legs, ensuring you can never fight again. I might accidentally break all your limbs!"
Shadow One attacked, a spirit of the night, moving silently. His skills far surpassed any ordinary person, exceeding even the Williams family's Blackguard. They were nearly a match for Dustin's Shadow Guard.
Shadow One punched Dustin; the force ruffled his hair. There was a loud explosion. Under his mask, Shadow One was astounded.
Chapter 20 (+25 BONUS)
His fist was less than an inch from Dustin's head, but it stopped short. He couldn't move any further. Dustin had seized Shadow One's wrist in an iron grip, holding him completely immobile. With great effort, Shadow One finally broke free and retreated.