The heavy dark velvet curtains rustled once more, falling heavily to the cold stone floor with a dull thud.Stepping out from the shadows was a giant figure wrapped entirely in a long, pure black cloak that seemed to swallow the dim golden light of the subterranean vault.Every single movement he made was completely silent, like a wild phantom stalking its prey through a dark forest.A suffocating, ice cold aura of pure killing intent exploded from his body, filling the closed room so violently that Victor Sterling dropped straight onto his knees in pure, breathless terror.Victor looked up from the cold floor, his grease-stained face twisting into a crazy, hopeful grin through his cold sweat. Kill him, Nightshade, Victor shrieked frantically, pointing his shaking finger at Christian’s tall figure.Cut his throat into pieces. The Underworld Overlord promised me that you would erase anyone who tries to take back the Sovereign Jade Box.The cloaked giant did not say a single word. His f

The thick iron shaft of the heavy steel crossbow bolt kept vibrating against the reinforced stone wall, making a high pitched humming sound that echoed through the quiet marble vault.The fine stone dust fell slowly from the fresh hole in the wall, settling onto the cold floor tiles. The shot had missed Christian’s head by less than two inches, but his tall body had not flinched, moved, or ducked even a single millimeter.Christian stood perfectly straight, his broad shoulders relaxed under his midnight black silk suit. His face remained smooth and completely unreadable, his icy blue eyes staring at the dark doorway leading out into the hallway.The anonymous shooter had already vanished back into the dark ventilation shafts, leaving behind only the cold wind blowing through the broken iron gates.On the floor, Victor stopped weeping for a second, looking up at the vibrating steel bolt with a sudden, crazed spark of hope in his bloodshot eyes.He wiped the cold sweat and gray vault du

The rusted iron doors creaked loudly as Christian looked back down into Clara’s tear-filled eyes. Her small fingers clutched his palm so tightly that her knuckles were completely white under the dim yellow streetlights.Her body trembled against the cold night wind, her soft voice shaking with a deep, emotional fear that made Christian’s chest feel surprisingly warm.Please come back to me, Clara whispered softly, her eyes shining with hot tears as she squeezed his fingers one last time. Promise me you will come back alive.I promise, Christian answered gently, his deep voice carrying a smooth, steady warmth that instantly calmed her trembling heart. Wait inside the armored truck with Director Vance. Before the night ends, this dark pit will be gone forever.He gently pulled his hand away and turned around with a majestic grace. With a slow, powerful push of his broad shoulders, he shoved the heavy rusted doors open and stepped straight into the dark, stone stairwell leading deep bene

The heavy metal links clinked together in the dim torchlight as the second pit champion moved across the dark red dirt.He was known in the criminal underworld as the Chain Master, a ruthless killer who had spent fifteen years slicing men into pieces using two long, razor sharp steel chains.The edges of the iron links were sharpened like tiny daggers, made to rip through human skin and break bones with a single fast flick of his thin wrist.The thousands of street thugs in the high grandstands began to cheer again, trying to wipe away the absolute shock of seeing their first giant champion knocked out with a single punch.They banged their heavy wooden clubs against the iron railings, shouting at the top of their lungs as the metal links spun faster and faster in the air.Slice his face open, the thugs roared from the stone steps. Show the rich man what real blood looks like in the pit.Up on his dark iron throne, the Overlord wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve, his small yell

The wind inside the underground colosseum blew dark red dust into the air as Marcus threw his heavy right punch straight toward Christian’s face.To the thousands of roaring gang members standing in the high grandstands, it looked like a deadly blow meant to crush a man’s skull. The corrupt elites in the glass VIP booths held their breath, waiting for the floor to be covered in blood.Christian did not back away. His icy blue eyes locked onto Marcus’s shoulder, reading the exact speed and power behind the strike.With a movement so smooth it looked like a shadow gliding across water, Christian ducked underneath Marcus’s swinging arm.He stepped directly into his old comrade’s chest, placing his right palm softly against the side of Marcus’s neck.He did not form an iron fist, and he did not throw a bone breaking punch. Instead, he used two fingers to strike the precise pressure point right below the jaw line.The strike was completely invisible to the shouting crowd above. To the enti