The enormous hall remained deathly still. No one dared breathe too loudly. Especially not after Sir Kennedy’s command. THUD. The sound of Magnus’s feet hitting the floor alone made the marble beneath it crack., leaving shallow footprints in the marble. A massive figure detached himself from behind Sir Kennedy. Thud. Thud. Thud. Iron fist Magnus, the undefeated giant. Standing nearly seven feet tall, his body looked less like flesh and more like a fortress carved from iron. He rolled his shoulders and his neck, and his bones cracked like breaking timber. Then, he laughed. His laughter was deep and booming that it echoed through the ruined hall while he walked forward slowly. “So,” his eyes swept over Chay. “…You’re the little insect that caused all this trouble.”Hearing Magnus’ words and seeing his confidence, the audience immediately relaxed. “Magnus hasn’t lost in fifteen years.”“Those fists once shattered the Black Fortress gate.”“I heard he once defeated twelve martial

A collective gasp swept through the hall.“What?”“Don’t tell me the youngest elder… just knelt before him?”Everyone blinked repeatedly, convinced their eyes had deceived them. The youngest elder of the imperial martial table, a man whose mere title could make governors stand in respect… was kneeling before a young man they had never heard of.Orion lowered his head slowly. His voice carried no fear, only reverence as he spoke, “Forgive me.”“I cannot fight you.”The hall exploded.“What?!”“Has he lost his mind?”“He surrendered? He hasn't even exchanged one move!”Serena staggered backward in disbelief. “No way on earth this is happening…”At this point, some guests instinctively began inching away from Sir Kennedy’s side. Some looked toward Chay instead and their expressions began to change. It was no longer hatred, or mockery that filled their eyes, but disbelief.Who exactly is this young man?He defeated Magnus, he killed Kieran, ended Hugo with a single knife, and now, the y

Suddenly she remembered Dominic and reached for her phone to send more multiple messages. Chay was clearly not ready for her. Chay looked toward Molly. Her swollen eyes still carrried traces of tears. He crouched beside her. “It’s over now,” he said, gently placing a hand on her hand. “Corey,” he called and the latter stepped forward. “Clean her up, get her anything she wants to eat and whichever clothes she wants. Nothing but luxury,” he firmly stated. Corey saluted. “Yes, sir.”Chay looked at her. “Go with him, don’t worry, you’re safe with him.”She hesitated. “Won’t you come with us?”Chay wasn’t done. He still had business to take care of in that hall.He smiled reassuringly. “I just need to finish what I came here to do. I’ll be with you soon.”“Okay,” she nodded. Corey gently helped her up and they proceeded to leave. They had barely taken three steps when a loud sound started ringing from outside the hall. It sounded like hundreds of combat boots thundering across the

The hall had finally fallen quiet. No more screams. Only shattered glass, broken marble, and the scent of blood lingering in the air. This room that had once entertained monsters had become their own graveyard. Sir Kennedy still laid crippled on the floor with every breath he took sending unbearable agony through his shattered body. Magnus’ corpse remained where it had fallen. Kieran’s poisoned body also still laid across the banquet table. And Hugo stared blankly toward the ceiling, the smile that had never left his face now gone forever. Orion on the other hand, remained kneeling exactly where he had surrendered, his head lowered in silent acceptance. The host whimpered faintly from across the hall with his twisted limbs lying at impossible angles, while the whip master was yet to regain consciousness.Chay slowly looked around the enormous chamber. His expression remained unreadable. One would think satisfaction and triumph would have filled his heart, but nothing but disap

Claire’s eyes widened. “What?! As if!” Disgust flashed across her face. “I wouskbt waste a thought on that useless man. Haha how could I miss him? I was only thinking aloud, she folded her arms tightly. “I must be letting the situation get into my head ‘cause I’m stressed!” John didn’t bother to join the argument. Instead, he asked, “Is the old woman still alive?” He asked, referring to Nana. “I can’t say…” Felix was about to answer when Jordan cut him. “Mother,” his eyes met his father’s. “Is mother aware of this?” “Well she has also been unreachable,” Felix replied, his frustration very evident. “I’ve been calling and messaging for the past hour but I haven’t heard back from her. At that exact moment, Tiny footsteps echoed from the staircase. “Mama!” A little girl of about ten years old came running into the room wearing a white short and a cute top. Her silky hair bounced with every step. And she threw herself into Claire's arms. Claire's tense face imm