THE UNDERESTIMATED WAR GOD

Under the cold, strong, relentless wind of the night, a young man in a worn, faded brown long trench coat stood before a towering stone memorial overlooking the lights of the city of Dervadia.

His name was Ethan Voss.

Tall and muscular, with a broad, well-trained frame, Ethan carried the quiet strength of someone who had endured years of hardship and brutal training. His sharp features and dark eyes remained calm, but beneath that composure was a wound that time had never been able to heal.

He approached the memorial with a single white flower in his hand, his steps slowing as he reached the stone. His eyes settled on the name engraved at its center.

Jason Voss.

Ethan stood silently before it, remembering the man who had been far more than a father to him. Jason had been the person he could always depend on, the man who protected him, raised him, and stayed by his side through everything. He had been his father, protector, and greatest source of strength until the day he was taken away from him.

He slowly lowered himself onto both knees and placed the flower beneath the memorial. His trembling fingers rested against the cold stone, and tears slowly filled his eyes as he continued staring at his father's name.

“I’m back, Dad.”

His voice was low as a tear slipped down his cheek, and after wiping it away, he took a slow breath.

“I really missed you. When Mom left for another man, you were all I had. You were my father, my protector, and the mother figure I needed. You stayed with me and protected me when I was too young to protect myself.”

His fingers tightened against the stone as the memories became harder to hold back.

“I never got the chance to say goodbye. I wanted more time with you, Dad. I wanted more days with you, more memories, more moments together. I just wasn’t ready for you to leave me.”

His eyes remained fixed on the memorial, and an old memory suddenly returned to him.

Twelve years ago...

He was only a child then, standing helplessly as his father was taken away from him. Jason had looked at him one last time, trying to hide his own pain while telling his son to stay strong.

“Dad, don't leave me!”

Little Ethan had cried as he reached for him, but he had been too powerless to do anything. He could only watch as the person he depended on completely disappeared from his life.

“I'll come back, Ethan.”

Those had been the last words his father had given him.

Then an unknown man immediately grabbed him from behind and pressed a handkerchief over his nose and mouth as he struggled for a moment before his body became weak and his consciousness faded.

That was all he could remember as his eyes slowly opened, bringing him back to the present. He then tightened his fingers against the cold stone and shook his head.

“You never came back, Dad.”

He remained on both knees, his grief still present but his expression firm. His hand moved to the Dragon Sword at his side as he looked at his father’s name.

“I came back because I gave you my word, Dad. I’ll fulfill the marriage contract you signed for me, and I’ll keep that promise.”

He then turned his gaze toward the lights of Dervadia, his eyes becoming colder as his grip tightened around the sword.

“But I didn’t come back only for that. I’ll find the people who took your life, and I’ll avenge you.”

He looked back at the memorial, his voice carrying quiet determination.

“You fought for Dervadia when I was powerless. You defended it when no one else could. Now I’m strong enough to continue where you stopped. I’ll carry your legacy, and I’ll finish what you started.”

He remained on both knees for a moment, silently staring at his father’s name before slowly rising to his feet and giving the memorial one last look. Without saying another word, he turned and walked away as the cold wind blew against his long coat, carrying him into the night and leaving the memorial behind.

Minutes later, Ethan began walking along the road. He had decided to continue the rest of the journey by vehicle because he wanted to observe the city.

A black taxi stopped nearby, and the driver lowered the window.

“Where are you going?”

Ethan opened the rear door.

“The Alexander Corporation.”

The driver nodded.

“Get in.”

Ethan entered the taxi, and the driver pulled away as they moved through the city. He watched everything through the window, taking in the city he had left behind as a child. It was far wealthier than he had imagined. Luxury stores lined the streets, expensive vehicles moved through the traffic, and massive corporate buildings rose above the city.

But beneath all the wealth, Ethan noticed something else.

There was tension everywhere.

People were talking in small groups, police vehicles were visible on several streets, and security personnel stood outside certain buildings. Ethan narrowed his eyes as he studied the streets.

Something was wrong.

The driver noticed his expression and glanced at him through the rearview mirror.

“You're new here, aren't you?”

Ethan remained calm, keeping his expression neutral. He had no intention of revealing that he had lived in Dervadia during his childhood or allowing anyone to connect him to his past again.

“Yes,” he simply replied.

“You picked an interesting time to arrive,” the driver said.

Ethan turned toward him.

“Why?”

The driver hesitated before answering.

“There have been several incidents recently. Robberies, attacks, kidnappings. Some people believe powerful families are being targeted.”

Ethan's expression became serious.

“Which families?”

The driver hesitated again.

“People are talking about several wealthy and influential names. The Alexanders are one of them.”

Ethan's eyes sharpened.

The Alexanders. Ethan remembered what he had been told the previous night. So, it was true after all. Before he could ask another question, the driver suddenly slammed on the brakes.

SCREEECH!

The taxi stopped violently, causing Ethan's body to move forward slightly before he steadied himself.

“What happened?”

The driver pointed ahead.

Two vehicles had collided at an intersection. One was a dark SUV, while the other was a large black sedan. Broken glass covered the road, and several people stood around the accident while two security guards attempted to control the growing crowd.

Then Ethan noticed movement.

A black van had stopped behind the vehicles.

Five masked kidnappers jumped out, each carrying a weapon.

The driver's face immediately turned pale.

“Sir, stay inside.”

Ethan stared through the window as the armed kidnappers moved quickly toward the black sedan.

One of them pulled open the rear door and dragged out a woman with auburn hair. Blood ran down the side of her forehead as she struggled violently against the kidnappers.

“Let me go!” Sonia cried.

One of the kidnappers grabbed her arm.

“Stop resisting, Sonia.”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed as he remembered another reason that had brought him back—to continue the work his late father had left behind by fighting for the people of his hometown, Dervadia.

The woman's fear was obvious, but she continued fighting.

“Do you know who my grandfather is?”

The leader laughed. “That is exactly why we're taking you.”

He motioned toward the van.

“Mr. Desmond will pay whatever we demand for his granddaughter.”

Sonia kicked one of the kidnappers in the leg, causing him to stumble backward.

“Get her into the van!” the leader commanded.

Ethan opened the taxi door.

The driver immediately turned toward him.

“Sir, what are you doing?”

Ethan stepped onto the road.

“Stay here.”

“But those men have guns!” the driver shouted.

Ethan closed the taxi door and began walking toward the kidnappers.

His pace was calm and unhurried.

The leader noticed him and turned, pointing his weapon directly at Ethan.

“Stop right there!”

Ethan continued walking.

The kidnapper raised his weapon higher.

“I said stop!”

Ethan finally stopped several feet away. His eyes remained fixed on the kidnapper.

“Let her go.”

The leader stared at him for several seconds before laughing.

“You must be out of your mind.”

Ethan's expression did not change.

“Last warning.”

The leader's smile disappeared as he immediately raised his weapon toward Ethan.

“SHOOT HIM!” he roared.