The realization struck the crowd like thunder.“Julian is down!”"Julian Viking just lost!"Barbara exhaled shakily, gripping her dress as a whirlwind of emotions overtook her. Disbelief. Shock. Relief.Zach stood over Julian, his gaze steady, unreadable. He wasn’t out of breath. He wasn’t sweating. He hadn’t even broken a real fight stance.He tilted his head slightly and muttered, “Want to go another round?”Julian didn’t move.For a moment, there was silence. Then—“Zach! Zach! Zach!”The hall erupted. Cheers, whistles, and shouts of triumph shook the walls. People clapped, some even stomping their feet in excitement.“That was insane!”“Julian Viking got wrecked!”“Did you see that punch? I swear, I saw his soul leave his body!”The announcer’s voice rang through the microphone. “And the winner of this match and this year's great competition… Zach!”The crowd surged in noise again as the coordinator approached, carrying a glass case. Inside was the Heart of Solis, an ancient relic

The moment Zach revealed the Supreme Black Card, a hush fell over the onlookers. Murmurs spread like wildfire.“Is that... the Supreme Black Card?” one man whispered, eyes wide.“Impossible. Only the wealthiest have that,” another replied, skepticism lacing his tone.A woman gasped, “Who is he to possess such a card?”Zach remained composed amidst the growing whispers. He met the restaurant owner's gaze and said firmly, “I’ll be purchasing the restaurant using this card. Please retrieve your point-of-sale terminal.”The woman eyed him from head to toe, then let out a derisive laugh. “You? With a Supreme Black Card? You don’t even look like someone who’d be allowed near the First Star Bank in Yorktown City. How did you come by such a card?”Zach’s voice was steady. “It’s mine.”She cackled, shaking her head. “Liar. You must’ve stolen it from one of the bank’s top clients and come all the way to Belmont to splurge before you’re caught.”The crowd’s murmurs grew louder.“He’s a fraud,”

Julian turned around, his bruised body still sore but his fury overriding the pain. His jaw clenched as he turned to Lambo, his voice low and dangerous."Where is the doctor?"Lambo bowed slightly, hesitant. “I’ll get him now, sir.”Moments later, the door creaked open as Lambo dragged in the frail man in a dirtied white coat. His eyes widened in horror at the sight of Julian. Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees, shaking.“Master Julian… you’re awake. Please… my wife. You promised—”Julian’s eyes darkened as he swung his legs off the bed. He stood, staggered slightly, then grabbed the man by the collar and yanked him up with a snarl.“She’s still in my custody. And she won’t be seeing daylight any time soon.”The man’s lips trembled. “Please, Master Julian. It’s been months. I’ve done everything you asked.”Julian growled, his grip tightening. “Everything? You call that pathetic fortification everything? I was humiliated! Beaten by a damn stranger in front of everyone!”The do

The room was cloaked in a low, reddish glow—like embers from a dying fire, flickering against the wet stone walls. Mist swirled above a pool of sizzling water that bubbled softly, releasing faint trails of steam into the air. The sharp scent of burning herbs and incense hung heavy, weaving through the silence like a slow-moving serpent.Julian sat in the middle of the heated pool, his muscular torso exposed, glistening with sweat and droplets from the steam. Scars—old and new—marked his chest like forgotten maps of battles past. His dark dreads clung to his forehead, and his eyes, as sharp as razors, locked on the figure kneeling beside the pool.The doctor—looking terrified now dressed in ceremonial black—held out both hands, palms glowing faintly with a strange silver light. His mouth moved in quick rhythm, chanting in an ancient tongue that seemed to vibrate against the walls."Ilumare koten... sa jorah! Rise the blood... claim the power… Kharum set alai!"His voice rose with each

Back in the seaport warehouse, the cold wind whistled through cracks in the wooden panels, echoing the tension that hung heavy in the air. Barbara sat slumped on the hard floor, blood crusted at the corner of her mouth, her body aching and weak. But her eyes… her eyes still burned with defiance.Julian, still crouching before her, his shadow looming, eyes feasting on her with a dangerous hunger. He reached out and gently touched her bruised face, tracing her cheek like she belonged to him.She slapped his hand away with the little strength she could summon, her breath ragged. “Let my father go, Julian,” she hissed.He chuckled softly, shaking his head, amusement laced with venom. “You’re still demanding, even now? Despite being in no position to save yourself, my love?”Barbara scoffed, biting down the sharp pain in her ribs. “You're disgusting.”His expression shifted, darkening. “I might consider your request for two reasons,” he began calmly. “One—because frankly, I don’t care ab