The One Above All

C9: Who Let This Fool Loose?

The guards exchanged glances... Then burst into loud laughter.

"Haha, This guy's crazy."

Another guard shook his head in agreement. "Who let this fool loose? He should..."

He never got to finish his sentence because—

SWOOSH!

The figure at the entrance disappeared. And the hefty bodyguard who was the closest to the entrance didn't even have time to react before—

THUD!

His body collapsed heavily, swirling up dust. He dropped to the ground, his throat crushed inward. His eyes bulged. He clawed at the air, but no sound came out.

He convulsed, before his eyes rolled to the back of his head. Finally, he was still.

Silence washed over the warehouse. The laughter vanished instantly. Cold fear spread through the room.

Other guards froze. This guard was the heaviest among them, yet a single blow had snuffed out the life from him easily.

Their eyes trailed from the lifeless body on the ground to the tall, intimidating figure in front of them.

Who the hell is this man?!

"This… what just—"

CRACK!

Veyron's elbow smashed into a shoulder joint and the bone shattered.

Before the guard could scream—

THUD!

His body slammed into the ground.

Seeing this, another guard turned to run... But it was too late. A kick struck his kneecap from the side.

CRUNCH!

The guard's leg twisted at a horrifying angle.

"AAAHHH—!" He collapsed instantly, clutching his broken leg.

Panic erupted in the warehouse as several guards pointed at Veyron.

"Kill him!"

Two men charged forward at once. But Veyron didn't even move. Not until they were close.

He lifted his head abruptly and reached out, grabbing the first guard by the wrist.

SNAP!

The wrist twisted violently, The bone gave way, and his fingers went limp instantly. An agonizing scream tore through the warehouse.

"Hah—!!!"

But it didn't last.

BANG!

Veyron used the broken arm as leverage, smashing the guard's head into the concrete floor.

The man's breath ceased instantly, and blood spread, coating the floor in a bright red color.

The second guard barely raised his weapon before—

THWACK!

A kick landed square in his ribs.

CRACK!

His body flew backward, crashing into stacked crates before dropping lifelessly.

---

Silence filled the warehouse once more. It was heavy and oppressive. The remaining guards backed away in terror, eyes wide, faces drained of color.

"What… What the hell are you?"

Veyron straightened slowly. His cold, unfathomable gaze swept over them.

"You touched the wrong person."

Their eyes shook as realization dawned on them. All this was because of that woman up there?!

One guard's legs gave out. Another turned and ran.

CLANG!

A metal rod cut through the air, striking his ankle mid-step.

CRACK!

He collapsed instantly, screaming as he crawled helplessly across the ground.

"Hngh!"

---

Within seconds, it was over. Every guard lay broken, crawling, unconscious or worse. None could stand nor escape.

Veyron didn't spare them another glance. His gaze shifted to the woman hanging in chains. Her body swaying weakly in the air.

And for the first time since he walked in, his expression changed.

THUD.

THUD.

He crossed the warehouse in long strides, catching her before her body could sway again.

SLASH!

One quick slice and the restraints snapped cleanly. She fell, but he caught her. His brows tightened slightly when he felt how light she was. Even her breathing was barely there.

He pressed two fingers beneath her nose, and felt her faint breath. Good. She was still alive.

His jaw clenched as his eyes trailed over her body. Her skin was cold and bruised. She was covered in whip marks all over.

He removed his coat and wrapped it around her carefully. Then lifted her, effortlessly.

"You're safe," His voice was low.

Whether she heard him or not, it didn't matter. He turned and walked towards the exit. Then suddenly stopped, as if remembering something.

Slowly, he glanced back at the broken men scattered across the floor.

"You're lucky…" his eyes narrowed murderously. "…I'm in a hurry."

Then he left.

---

An hour later, Iris rushed into the hospital. Her steps were unsteady and her usual composure was gone.

"Mom!" She reached the bedside, and froze.

Her mother was lying on the bed, wrapped in bandages. An oxygen mask covered her face. She looked so still and fragile.

Iris' heart clenched painfully.

"What did the doctor say?" she asked quickly, her voice trembling.

"They said she'll recover," Veyron, who was standing beside her, spoke calmly. "She suffered external injuries and exhaustion. But she's stable now."

Relief hit Iris instantly. Her knees weakened slightly.

"Thank you…" Her voice was choked with tears. "Thank you… so much…"

She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes as tears streamed down her face.

This time, she didn't try to stop them from falling. Her mother was everything. The only reason she had endured all these years.

"Miss Blackwell," Veyron spoke again, his voice gentler. "She's safe. Don't be disheartened."

But that was enough. She cried, quietly at first. Then uncontrollably.

All the pain, anger and helplessness pouring out at once.

Veyron stood beside her silently. He didn't interrupt or try to comfort her with empty words.

He simply stayed by her side. Even handing over the tissue box to her one time. And somehow… that was enough.

---

Minutes passed and eventually, Iris' cries slowed, then stopped. By now, her eyes were red and swollen.

"Thank you…" She whispered again. He gave a short nod.

Silence fell between them. She stared into space, lost in her thoughts. Later, her eyes trailed to the man beside her.

A thought snuck into her mind as she watched him. Her eyes widened slightly and she appeared nervous.

As if she was about to say something she shouldn't. Thus, she hesitated to speak.

But when she saw her mother's miserable state, she inhaled deeply and made her decision.

"Mr Blackthorne…" Her voice was steady now as her eyes locked with Veyron's icy green pair. "You said… if I needed help…"

He looked at her and nodded again. "Yes. What do you need me to do?"

She contemplated her decision for a second. Then she clenched her fingers. Her gaze didn't waver.

"...Marry me."