The announcement of the first test took the Petrovich brothers by surprise. They had anticipated a rivalry amongst themselves, not a direct confrontation with Edward, at all.Ivan's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, and he exchanged puzzled glances with Alexei and Mikhail. The sudden shift in the assessment caught them off guard, questioning Ivy's intentions and the reasoning behind this unexpected turn of events.Mikhail mustered the courage to voice his confusion. "Wait, we thought we would be competing against each other, not... not against someone from your family."Alexei and Ivan nodded in agreement, their curiosity and concern evident in their expressions.Ivy met their gazes with understanding, her warm smile remaining intact. She then clarified, "I understand your surprise, but this assessment serves a purpose. By testing your skills against Edward, you will have the opportunity to gauge your strengths and weaknesses in a real-life scenario."Ivy's explanation resonated with th
Ivan burst into boisterous laughter, his initial surprise quickly giving way to genuine amusement. He hadn't expected Edward to be a man who held love and devotion in such high regard, and it brought a strange sense of joy to Ivan's heart. Without hesitation, he agreed to Edward's proposition. "You've surprised me, Edward. Alright then, I accept your offer. A fight to the death it shall be. But before we proceed, I want everyone here to bear witness: this is Edward's initiative, and my Petrovich family will not be held responsible for whatever happens to him in this fight."With the terms set and the agreement witnessed by all, the room settled into a heavy silence. The other Petrovich brothers nodded solemnly, acknowledging the weight of Ivan's statement. They were convinced that Ivan, in terms of physical strength and close-quarters combat, was unbeatable among his peers.At the same time, Brenda's anxiety deepened as she listened to the escalating stakes of the fight. She knew that
A hushed stillness settled upon the room, enveloping the atmosphere like a thick fog, as the weight of Edward's words reverberated through the air. The Petrovich brothers, known for their unshakeable confidence, shared a fleeting yet telling glance, their eyebrows slightly raised and their mouths slightly agape. They had expected Edward to taunt them further or ridicule their abilities, but his proposition caught them off guard.However, Mikhail smirked, his eyes glinting with determination. "You think we would team up against you? We may be brothers, but we fight our own battles. We don't need anyone's help, especially not yours."Alexei, the tactical expert, nodded in agreement. "Mikhail is right. We'll compete against you individually. I don't need my brothers to fight my battles."Edward grinned, seemingly unaffected by their refusal to team up. "Very well, if that's your choice. But remember, you'll have to land a hit on me to earn those 100 points. And believe me, it won't be ea
Alexei's face twisted in a mask of unbearable anguish as he sank to his knees beside Ivan's lifeless form. With trembling hands, he clutched desperately at Ivan's cold body, his fingertips searching in vain for any lingering signs of life. A desperate prayer echoed silently within him, yearning for a flicker of movement or the faintest whisper of a heartbeat."No..." Alexei's voice quivered, choked with sorrow. "It can't be true. It just can't..."But the undeniable truth loomed over him like a shadow. Ivan, once full of vitality and strength, had met a tragic end. He had become a casualty of the overwhelming power that Edward possessed.Brenda stood frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief. She could hardly comprehend the sight before her—the lifeless body of Ivan Petrovich, a man whose physical prowess had seemed impenetrable. Her hand instinctively flew to her mouth, her fingers pressing firmly against her lips as if to suppress the gasp that threatened to escape.Next to her, Ivy stoo
As the tension continued to mount, a familiar figure approached the trio. It was Ivy, her presence a calming influence in the midst of the brewing storm. "Mikhail, are you sure about this?" Ivy asked, her voice steady. She had never questioned Edward's skill, so she wanted to make sure Mikhail was fully aware of what he was getting himself into.Mikhail nodded firmly, confirming her determination to face Edward in a pistol duel. Ivy understood that Mikhail's desire was for revenge, but she also knew that Edward had extraordinary abilities that he had yet to reveal.Without hesitation, Ivy reached into a concealed compartment and retrieved two Magnum 357. She handed one to Edward and the other to Mikhail. The Magnum 357, a powerful and iconic handgun, was known for its accuracy and stopping power. Its weight and firm grip provided stability for precise shots."Good luck to you both," Ivy stated, her voice carrying a mix of solemnity and caution. "But remember, the outcome of this duel
In that fraction of a second, the atmosphere shattered. The crack of the pistols split the air, the distinct sound of the Magnum 357 reverberating through the room. It was a thunderous explosion of power, a symphony of raw force unleashed.Edward and Mikhail remained locked in their stances, their eyes unblinking, their fingers squeezing the triggers. For them, it felt as if the world had momentarily frozen. And then, in an instant, the exchange of gunfire ceased. The room fell silent once more, and the echo of the Magnum 357 faded away, though the haze of gun smoke still lingered.At last, the outcome had been decided, and the consequences etched themselves into the bodies of the duelists. Edward's left shoulder bore the mark of the bullet's impact. Blood seeped from the wound, staining his shirt crimson. The pain throbbed through his body, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to let it consume him.On the other side of the room, Mikhail's hand trembled, the once steady grip on his Ma
Ivy's eyes narrowed, realizing the importance of the information she was about to reveal. She took a deep breath, composing herself before speaking. "The Virgo Files have unique powers, Ed. The one who possess the Virgo File gain incredible healing abilities and immunity to all forms of poisons and toxins. Throughout history, the heads of the Virgo Family are known to be the longest-lived, with life spans between 100 to 125 years."Edward's eyebrows shot up in surprise. The implications of such abilities were astounding."But that's not all," Ivy continued, her voice growing more fervent. "The Virgo Family, being focused on healing, has a long-standing pact with all the Zodiac Families. They have aided and healed members of every Zodiac Family at some point, creating a debt of gratitude among all the families."Edward realized something. "Supposedly, none of the Zodiac Families dare to disturb or challenge the Virgo Family. They owe their well-being to the healing power of the Virgo F
Edward's hand reached out to a nearby wall, where an array of weapons were displayed. Among them, a gleaming silver dagger caught his attention. With a firm grip, he carefully pulled it off the wall, holding it up for everyone to see. "This might surprise you a little," he said.In one swift motion, Edward swiftly stabbed the dagger into his left shoulder, causing gasps of shock and disbelief to fill the air. Before anyone could react, he swiftly twisted the blade and pulled it out, causing a loud clatter as a bullet embedded in his shoulder dropped to the floor.Brenda and the Windsor family stood frozen, their minds struggling to process the sight before them. Edward's expression remained unnervingly calm and composed, devoid of any signs of pain or discomfort. Brenda, unable to contain her concern any longer, rushed forward to Edward's side. "What have you done? Are you hurt? Why aren't you reacting to the pain?"Edward turned to face Brenda, his eyes meeting hers with an intensi