Chapter 33

Dustin smiled and said, "Yes, I did it."

The Hell Messenger narrowed his eyes; Bella's face stiffened. They hadn't expected such a ready admission.

"How did you do it?" the Hell Messenger asked.

"Simple. I killed them and sank their ship," Dustin replied, his relaxed smile as casual as if discussing the weather.

The Hell Messenger narrowed his eyes. "There were over two hundred people on that ship, and you killed them all? Who do you think you are, a superhero?" Bella scoffed. In the Wyatt family's eyes, Dustin was talentless trash. How could he accomplish something so astounding? Disdain filled Bella's face.

"How did you kill them and sink the ship?" the Hell Messenger demanded, his face dark.

"Ask them yourself," Dustin said coldly.

The Hell Messenger's face hardened. "Dustin, how dare you be so rude to the Hell Messenger?!" Bella shouted.

"Quiet!" the Hell Messenger snapped.

Bella fell silent, instantly cowed.

"I'll give you another chance," the Hell Messenger said, staring at Dustin. "Tell me the truth, and I'll only take you back to the Verdant Gang for punishment." Bella reveled in Dustin's grim fate. No one had ever survived the Verdant Gang's terrifying, hellish punishment.

Dustin chuckled. "I'll go to the Verdant Gang, but not with you."

The Hell Messenger frowned. "You're not in a position to decide that!"

Whoosh!

Dustin vanished. The Hell Messenger's alarm bells rang. How was he so fast? He'd never seen such speed. Usually, people encountering a Hell Messenger were terrified; only a few dared to attack.

The Hell Messenger's face grew grim as he searched for Dustin. Seconds later, he sneered, "Found you!" But his eyes widened in shock. Dustin stood before him, a hand around his neck.

The Hell Messenger's face paled. He tried to kick Dustin. Bam! Dustin's elbow struck his leg; it went limp, broken. Dustin lifted the Hell Messenger into the air.

"How could this be?" Bella gasped, eyes wide with disbelief. Hell Messengers were powerful killers, yet this one was defeated in a single strike! Was he a fake?

"Dustin, do you want to die?! Consider the Langley family!" Bella cried. "The Verdant Gang's punishment will kill you!" Dustin ignored her, tightening his grip.

Snap!

The Hell Messenger's neck broke; he died. Bella was stunned. Her perception of Dustin as useless trash shattered. He'd killed a Hell Messenger so easily—his power and decisiveness were shocking.

Dustin tossed the corpse at Bella's feet. She screamed.

"Bella, you want me punished by the Verdant Gang? I'll take you with me."