The Return of the God-Slayer

er and laughter. Among the first to leave was Ryan. Without sparing a single glance behind him, he picked up his bag and das

furrowed. "Emily, do you think Ryan's in such

ious. She and Ryan were tied by that ridiculous marriage contract from childhood. Though they had met only twice before, those meetings had left an impress

t

ng, he had only offered her a brief, polite nod and a barel

nge. Unsett

apping her chin playfully. "You know, that wh

hould his change matter to me?" she snapped, but her gaze betrayed her w

es, he pulled out his phone and opened an app that looked like nothing more than a calculator to the untrained eye. But after typing i

ons, and monitored underground activities. The encryption was unbreakable, and the entrance tightly restricted to those with clearance. Ryan k

ake long. A venue called Cloud Summit Club popped up - a known front for illegal black boxing managed by a man named Mr. Jac

ze money wa

taxi and set t

isty hills of Mistwood Province, an upscale villa

dy, bowing slightly as he approached a

account has resurfaced. It just logge

arp and predatory. "Track the

s,

egan the trace, his fingers moving with pre

line again. It logged out

f silenc

toring it. I want to know the moment it logs in again. That

erst

etly between skyscrapers. The Cloud Summit Club looked more like an exclusive lounge than a fight

entrance with qu

d forward, sizing him up with a frown.

feet away, unfazed.

und. "Box? You don't even look like you

lly amused. "He probably got l

ention. A tall, elegant woman approached, her black dress hugging her figure with tailored precis

e bouncer said,

mix of amusement and intrigue. "You

. "That's w

tly. "Do you even k

calmly. "It's about survival - abou

. This boy wasn't just bluffing. He carried himself with

don't look like a fighter. Mor

to a faint smile. "Lo

o the bouncer.

entrance snapped into action. Years of combat training kicked in - the

rson would

imply step

lmost condescendingly, like a tea

he

oo

urred. In a split second, fists flew, feet sw

ang! Ba

pain, their limbs twisted in unnatural angles. T

ll over th

wly, turning to

the qualifi

fighters - but by the ease with which he had done it. No wasted movement. No hesita

ser, studying him.

ya

you're interested. But understand this - once you step into the ring,

aze, unwaverin

hing didn't sit right. Ryan's sudden appearance, his silence, the way he

m?" Lily asked with a gr

owled. "

raised a

lly. "He's probably just trying to act cool.

er arm around Emily's. "Or ma

maze of velvet-lined corridors and dim lighting. The

ow what the

hing for certain

for

for

e of the woman