The cold iron barrel of the loaded pistol pressed hard against Clara’s soft temple. The mercenary captain gasped for air, his bloody chest rising and falling rapidly under his dark tactical vest.His fingers were shaking violently against the trigger mechanism, his entire body drenched in cold sweat. He had spent his whole life executing targets for the underground capital lords, but he had never felt a terror as deep and suffocating as the one standing right in front of him.Do not move a single inch, the mercenary captain screamed, his voice cracking into a high, pathetic squeak. I swear I will blow her brains out right now. Back away from the vehicle. Tell your shadow forces to drop their weapons, or this pretty little slum girl dies with me tonight.Clara kept her eyes shut tight, hot tears pouring down her pale cheeks. She did not scream or struggle. She trusted her kitchen helper with her entire soul, even while the cold steel of a gun dug into her skin. In the back of the van,

Clara’s small hands tightened around the premium silk fabric of Christian’s jacket. Her body went entirely stiff, and her breath came out in a short, terrified gasp.Christian felt the sudden change in her instantly. He looked down into her wide, pale eyes, his brow furrowing with a protective concern.Marcus, look, Clara whispered, her voice trembling as she pointed a shaking finger at the dead mercenary captain lying on the wet asphalt. Look at his right shoulder.Christian turned his sharp head slowly. Under the flickering pink neon light of the family diner, the captain’s torn black shirt exposed a massive, ink black tattoo.The tattoo was a highly detailed image of a bleeding dagger wrapped inside a pair of dark angel wings. It was not a common street gang symbol. It was the legendary mark of the Capital City’s Shadow Guild.Christian’s icy blue eyes narrowed into two freezing slits of pure steel. A cold breeze swept through the narrow alleyway, carrying the sharp scent of smoke

The entire hundred member local business alliance stayed down on both of their knees in the cold, wet mud of the slum street. These were the most arrogant multi millionaires, the highest property lords, and the top corporate judges who used to rule the entire district with an iron fist.They had spent years looking down on the poor people of this city like dirty ants. Now, their expensive tailored pants were soaked in dirty ditch water, and their bodies were shaking violently with an intense, profound fear.Please, Supreme Master Christian, have mercy on us, the old leader of the alliance cried out, slamming his wrinkled forehead directly against the hard asphalt road.He was a billionaire property tycoon who owned half the skyscrapers in the downtown sector, but right now, he looked like a terrified beggar. We were completely blind. We did not know that Thomas and Evelyn were using our joint alliance funds to target your majestic presence.We want to submit to you completely.Christi

The heavy purple gold military medallion gleamed brilliantly in Christian’s large hand, cutting right through the blinding glare of the giant searchlights.The ancient emblem showed a roaring golden dragon wrapping its claws around a heavy iron sword. It was not a common badge that an ordinary officer could buy with money.It was the singular, legendary token of the Supreme Commander of the National Armed Forces, the ultimate war hero who held total power over every single soldier, truck, and weapon in the country.General Marcus froze mid laugh, his megaphone slipping from his fingers and hitting the cold concrete with a loud, ringing bang.The wicked, arrogant grin on his face disappeared instantly, replaced by a sudden wave of absolute, bone chilling terror. His skin turned from a healthy red into a completely bloodless, ghostly white in less than a second.As a high ranking general, he knew the laws of the military better than his own name. This specific purple gold medal was only

The grand banquet hall of the Capital Hospitality Summit was completely covered in shimmering gold decorations and expensive crystal chandeliers.Over three hundred wealthy young lords, high class hotel owners, and greedy corporate tycoons walked around the floor, sipping premium champagne and laughing loudly. They all wore silk suits that cost more than a slum worker could earn in five whole years.Old Peter stood near a long table covered in luxury food, his old hands adjusting the collar of his new black suit. He felt incredibly small under the bright lights, but his chest was still full of an immense, innocent pride.He truly believed he was here because his forty years of hard kitchen work had finally been recognized by the highest commercial sector of the country.Clara stood right beside him, her beautiful eyes scanning the large crowd with a deep, silent worry. She wore a simple but elegant blue dress, looking like a pure diamond surrounded by greedy wolves.Her heart kept bea