"Looks like the game's on," Ashton said again, pausing in his tracks. He also reached out to Borra, who seemed lost, standing beside him. Her head peeked out shyly as her eyes darted around the deserted port.It was unsettlingly quiet.It was far too quiet. When Borra left for Quindlen, she remembered Sanchez Port as a hive of activity. It was always teeming with life, even in the slowest seasons, as Alara's busiest southwestern port. It was built for the hustle of international trade. However, it was deserted at the moment, with not a single fish in sight."Mister Levin, we have been looking forward to your arrival. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lindorm Land's renowned martial arts expert."A man in a military uniform emerged from a nearby building. He was smiling, one hand resting on his waist where a loaded pistol was holstered."Do you know me?" Ashton asked."Not personally," the man replied with stark honesty. His only mission was to stop Ashton immediately, to ensure he di

Gabriel Rogers, the fresh-faced Sword Saint and prized pupil of the legendary Yermolai, stood amid the chaos.A Sword Saint in Alara meant more than just being able to swing a blade; it meant he was a weapon master, a true combat virtuoso. A Sword Saint was someone who had stepped into the divine, a force of nature in human form. It was the highest honor bestowed upon Alara's warriors. Each disciple who earned the title was a titan, with a name that rang across lands and a power that dwarfed even the vaunted Shadow-class warriors."You, a renowned Eastern warrior, have dared to come to my Alara and slaughter innocents mercilessly. You have brought shame to your homeland of Lindorm Land and its proud martial arts community," Gabriel shouted from the top of the stairs. His gaze was drawn to Ashton in the distance, then to the military base, littered with bodies and the injured. The sight broke his heart.That was a calculated strike to annihilate the Dark Dragon Society's branch. The

A deadly whirlwind severed Marciano's head, and his head rolled away. His eyes were wide as he tumbled, face up to the sky, eyes fixed on Borra.However, Borra was not scared. She smiled—a chilling, devilish grin. Only Borra knew it was the smile of vengeance. Turning into a monster was not the horror; it was feeling helpless while her family suffered that truly terrified her. Then, thanks to Mister Levin, she had her chance."Anyone else?" Ashton approached her.Borra shook her head gently. "The rest are the Dark Dragon Society's ordinary members. Mister Levin, you've already taken care of them."Ashton acknowledged her with a nod. "You are now free to leave. If you are worried, you are welcome to stay with me. Your sister did me a favor once, and I owe you the opportunity to choose."Borra's face was tinged with sadness when she thought of her sister. She quickly sniffed back her tears and smiled brightly. "I would like to stay with you, Mister Levin."Ashton nodded again, his

The person locked eyes with Ashton, their bored expression instantly giving way to excitement as they bounded over."Ashton, what are the odds!" Chrissy exclaimed, her previous outfit replaced by a pristine white dress that gave her an air of timeless grace reminiscent of the fabled beauties from Lindorm Land.Ashton was surprised to see Chrissy in that location. Pailedo was a sprawling city with many entertainment options, and he had expected her to gravitate toward the glitz of bars and neon-lit streets.Chrissy had it all mapped out—Citrupa Shrine was her first destination. She rose at dawn to scale the mountain as the sun crept above the horizon to get enveloped by a raw, natural tranquility that the city's chaos could never offer."What a coincidence, huh? Is it any good here?" Ashton asked offhandedly.Chrissy's lips twisted into a pout. "Good? It's a total bust."I heard all these stories about how amazing Citrupa Shrine was, and I wanted to pay my respects to the Citrupa

"You are a pitiful bunch, obsessed with petty formalities and blind to true honor. You speak of respect for Lindorm Land's titans, but your eyes betray you—they are filled with contempt, disgrace, and greed," Ashton said.Ephraim's laughter echoed through the air, a taunting cackle. "So what if you die here today? In your own Lindorm Land terms, the victor writes history. You're the real villain here—the despicable one who deserves to die!" His triumphant grin was as wide as the chasm between them. "Being upfront is the best way to deal with you Lindorm Land folks. You're all so full of yourselves. It's laughable!"Ashton could not help but smirk at the provocation."Being upfront, and yet I showed up as promised. It makes you wonder, who's the real fool here?""You think a Luminara, a shadow ninja, some low-tier ninjas, and a cursed idol can guarantee your victory over me? You don't know the first thing about me."He stepped forward, closing the distance between them.Ephraim st