Understanding the Valemonts was an understanding of a family constructed on mountains of dead bodies, blood contracts dating back generations, and an unfaltering, ruthless determination for power. Throughout centuries, the name Valemont became the pinnacle of existence within the empire. Feared and revered, the family was the apex predator of nobility, ruling over all, from the imperial palace down to underground syndicates.Lord Bryan Valemont stood at the top of this terrifying family tree as the Patriarch.Bryan was an abomination wrapped in human skin. The Level 9 Grandmaster was an unparalleled transcendent existence within the entire empire. His legendary greatsword had taken the lives of thousands, and his view on life was limited to the survival of the fittest. Weakness was a sin worthy of death according to him, and blood ties meant nothing if there was no power within them. He was an absolutely heartless and cold-blooded dictator, able to enjoy his wine inside his study whil

Back in the residential wing of the inner estate, Caleb rushed in, slamming the heavy door shut behind him as he stumbled into his room. His chest raced heavily with his face pale, and his right hand throbbed with sickening pain because of the knuckles Yasha had almost crushed.He could rush to alert the guards, nor could he even yell for help as it will only reduce his standing in the family. He couldn't afford falling lower than the lowest — yasha. The sheer terror Caleb had experienced in the hallway because of Yasha's overwhelming bloodthirsty presence had robbed him of his voice and arrogance entirely. Instead, he rushed straight to his mother, Lady Ruth's private parlor.Ruth, one of the Patriarch's favorite wives, who ruled the inner household with an iron fist below the mother of the first son, the absolute Ruler. She paced across her Persian rug. Upon noticing her son trembling, her frown turned into a scowl."What is wrong with you, Caleb? You look like you've seen a ghost,

Yasha's spatial pressure literally compressed the air out of the first assassin's lungs, while Stella's two blades were hovering barely millimeters away from the jugular veins of his subordinates. The Shadowfang Syndicate's assassins were top-notch killers, but they were practical as well. They wouldn't take on jobs and end in complete failure; rather, they would retreat and restrategize. Survival mattered more in the underworld than any syndicate rules."Well, I... We... accept," the first assassin gasped, wide-eyed with terror as he looked up at Yasha.Yasha released enough pressure for the man to take a breath. With a casual motion of his hand, he picked up the heavy, velvet-stitched bag that was stuffed with a great amount of gold coins, easily backed by his immense point reserve through the system, then threw the bag right in front of the assassin."Consider it the payment," Yasha said calmly, his voice lowering to a chilling tone. "This is what you need to do. First of all, you

The massive double doors of the Grand Hall opened, and Yasha stepped inside with his calm, unhurried steps.There was already a thick atmosphere of sorrow hanging inside the room, brought about by the tragic death of a family member that had happened only the previous night. Sitting around the side tables, the council of the family's elders whispered anxiously among themselves, and there was no one more distraught than the Fourth Elder. The bloodshot, empty eyes of the old man shone with profound sorrow and burning rage after the cruel assassination of his daughter, Lady Ruth, that had happened the previous night.Seated at the head of the room, Lord Bryan Valemont occupied his obsidian throne. With his cold, piercing gaze, he fixed his eyes directly on Yasha as he came closer to the dais.Stopping at a respectful distance from the Patriarch, Yasha gave a slight bow before meeting the cold eyes of Lord Bryan."Patriarch," Yasha's voice echoed throughout the hall. "I am here today to d

The air within the Crimson Veil Wilderness was thick with the smells of decaying leaves, wet soil, and blood. Julian's boots hit the muddy terrain repeatedly and without relent. But suddenly, as though out of nowhere, the underbrush tore to the sides, revealing three separate beasts in front of him: the Iron-Hide Boar charging from the left side, the venomous Viper-Cat swooping down from above, and the Dire Wolf leaping right at him. This was not a pretty battle. The Viper-Cat leaped from above, swiping its sharp claws across Julian's left shoulder before he could backhand it away with a burst of Qi. At the same time, the Iron-Hide Boar rammed into him, knocking him backward. The Dire Wolf leaped at his throat, but Julian quickly twisted around and put all of his remaining strength into driving his sword into the wolf's head. He spun around and parried the vicious boar's snap kick before completing a perfect execution of the family's Flowing Water Slash, slicing the beast's thick