Adrian shot toward the warship carrying the second-in-commands of the six major organizations like a cannonball.Panic swept the deck. Orders rang out.“What are you waiting for? Damn it, fire! Fire!”Screams mingled with a barrage of gunfire. Bullets rained down on Adrian, but he didn’t slow. He raised a shield and kept charging.The men of the six organizations soon realized, to their horror, that they were facing a monster. Their bullets, which had never failed them before, couldn’t even break his shield.Before anyone could think of another way to stop him, Adrian was hovering over the warship. Blinding golden light lit up the surrounding sea.He threw a punch.Nine golden dragons appeared once more. With a deafening roar, they slammed into the ship.Explosions tore through the vessel, leaving it riddled with holes. The quickest among those aboard rushed to jump into the sea, but before they could, the entire warship exploded.Another warship had been destroyed by Adrian.Nearly a

The tribunal was the assassin world’s means of punishment. It had been established alongside the peace treaty more than a decade ago, and ever since, it had hung over every organization, keeping them in check.Loisa understood their fear. Assassin organizations brought before the tribunal rarely fared well. Some had met terrible ends.“The twelve major organizations attacked us first. Even if this goes to trial, we’re not the ones at fault. We’ve been in this business for years. If we let them come after us and do nothing, we’ll never have a day of peace again.”Kro nodded. “Loisa’s right. If someone hits us once, we hit back twice as hard. That’s how you survive in the assassin world. If you’re afraid, back out now. Loisa and I will make the twelve major organizations pay in blood ourselves!”That settled it.“Count me in! I shouldn’t have brought it up. This drink’s on me. Let’s make them pay together!”“Damn right. Let’s do it!”Soon, the leaders of all eight organizations had reac

Octavia rolled her eyes. “You can forget about doing that in this lifetime. Unless you strike out on your own. Leave Adrian, and maybe you could become a power in your own right.”Emptiness shook his head at once. “No way. We all know the three of us will go further if we stick with Adrian. One day, we’ll stand at the top together. Then it’ll be my turn to show off!”Everyone rolled their eyes at him.Still, Adrian’s display had done more to intimidate the newcomers than killing any of them would have. The assassins who had been wavering gave up the idea of resisting. All twenty thousand surrendered.With that settled, Loisa led everyone straight to their next destination.Over the next three days, word spread through the assassin world that the Peak of Death and its allies were sweeping through the twelve major organizations. The news left everyone on edge.“Did you hear? In just three days, Hall Master Loisa and her allies wiped out twelve organizations! That’s ruthless.”“You don’t

Everyone agreed at once.“Perfect!” Kro said with a grin. “We don’t get chances like this often. Adrian, we have to spar again later. Give me a few pointers, will you?”The other leaders looked at Adrian expectantly. They wanted the same thing, but they weren’t close enough to him to ask.Adrian agreed. He could use a few days to unwind.Over the next few days, they drank, talked, and sparred. Each person had different strengths and talents, and Adrian gave them advice suited to their abilities. By the end of a single day, they had all made remarkable progress.Their admiration for him only grew....Skyline City, that evening.Daisy sat in the living room, wearing glasses as she worked through some business matters.A sharp shout from outside broke the silence.“Who are you? This is a private residence. You can’t just barge in!”Daisy got up and headed outside. Before she reached the door, she heard a groan of pain.Under the streetlights stood more than a dozen men with ancient swor

The three women struggled to move farther back, desperate for some sense of safety.The disciples rose with leering smiles and started toward them. Just then, a disciple on guard hurried in."Elder, a lot of cars have arrived at the foot of the mountain. There are too many to count. We don't know who they are."Elder Greatsword opened his eyes. "Could it be Adrian? Let's take a look."The disciples were reluctant to leave, but they had no choice but to follow him. One of them turned back at the door."Don't even think about running. That useless Adrian can't save you. You might as well let us enjoy ourselves before you die."Once they were gone, Daisy looked anxiously at the other two. "What do we do? Adrian's overseas. Can he make it back in time?"Serena Hill was frightened too, but she had been through more than the others. She forced herself to stay calm. "Don't be afraid. Adrian will come back for us."Elder Greatsword stood with his disciples on the mountainside, watching a mass