Chapter 2420
An Understated Dominance
The people who emerged from the fog wore masks that hid their faces, but each had the Hall of Gods emblem on their bodies. Among them was a small group led by Dustin.
After sensing a battle nearby, Dustin had deliberately left his team behind to investigate alone. He hadnât expected another group to lead them out of the fog formation.
âWhatâs going on? Why are there so many bodies scattered around?â
âLooks like they ran into a strong enemy. Stay sharp, everyone!â
The sight of scattered corpses put everyone on edge. Their eyes darted between Dustin and Aven.
âDustin, what are you doing here alone? âThe leader of the group recognized him immediately.
The Hall of Gods had recruited several teams, each marked by different colored masks, with team leaders wearing a distinctive emblem.
âHank?â Dustin narrowed his eyes as he recognized the voice.
âWhat happened here?â Hank asked tentatively.
âI donât know. I just stepped out of the fog formation.â Dustin shook his head.
âReally?â Hank eyed him skeptically. â Then, why did you leave your team behind and come here alone?â
âThe formation was confusing, and I got lost,â Dustin explained.
âBut thatâs not what your team said, â Hank countered.
âOh? And what did they say?â Dustin raised an eyebrow.
âThey think you ditched them on purpose and left them trapped in the formation,â Hank said bluntly.
âThatâs just one side of the story.â
Dustin smiled faintly. âIâm sure you donât believe that, right?â
âOf course not. I trust you, Dustin.â
Hankâs tone was warmer, but it quickly shifted to something colder. âBut to clear up any doubts, I think you should prove your loyalty.â
âHow do I prove that?â Dustin asked.
âThat elderly man must be the guardian of the forbidden ground.â
Hank pointed at Aven. âHe looks badly wounded. Why donât you show your loyalty by finishing him off?â He believed actions spoke louder than words.
âIâm a man of mercy, not a killer. Iâll pass,â Dustin replied impassively.
âIf you wonât kill him, how can I trust you?â Hankâs smile faded.
âI canât help it if you donât trust me.â Dustin shrugged.
âLooks like youâre not one of us after all.â Hankâs eyes narrowed, and his right hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword. Bailey had warned him before, but he hadnât taken it seriously. Now, Dustinâs defiance made him start to wonder.
âSince youâve figured it out, thereâs no point hiding it.â Dustin shrugged again. âIâm not with the Hall of Gods. Weâre on opposite sides. Since you plan to invade Sacred Wrmy Summit, Iâm here to stop you.â
Hankâs expression darkened. âDustin, have you forgotten youâve taken my specially crafted poison? Without the antidote, you wonât last three days. Arenât you afraid of dying?â
âOf course I am. But sorry to disappoint, your poison doesnât work on me,â Dustin replied with a smirk.
âYou neutralized my poison? Thatâs impossible!â Hank frowned.
His poison had never failed before, not even to antidote masters. That was why he was so certain Dustin wouldnât betray him.
âIf your poison worked, do you think Iâd still be here talking to you?â Dustin shot back.
Hank fell silent. If Dustin had been poisoned, he wouldnât dare act so boldly against the Hall of Gods. The fact that he stood there, calm and unaffected, meant the poison had failed, and that left Hank baffled.
âSo, youâve decided to oppose us?â
Hankâs eyes flickered with cold fury.
âCut the chatter. If you want to enter the Sacred Wyrm Summit, youâll have to go through me first.â Dustin slowly raised his sword with the tip aimed at Hank.
âFine! Since youâve made your choice, donât expect mercy from me,â Hank growled with a chilling glare. âListen up, everyone! Whoever kills him will get double the reward!â
The crowd behind him murmured excitedly. Knuckles cracked as their eyes gleamed with greedy anticipation. The chance to earn a fortune by killing Dustin was far more appealing than the danger of infiltrating the forbidden grounds of Sacred Wyrm Summit.
âYou dare to oppose the Hall of Gods? Todayâs your last day, punk!â
A burly man with a broadsword couldnât wait any longer. Eager to be the first to claim glory, he charged at Dustin like a predator, and his speed was almost blinding.
âLetâs kill him!â
The others werenât about to be left behind. Everyone drew their weapons and charged forward in a frenzied, unstoppable wave.
After all, these were ruthless assassins. The promise of a double reward made murder an easy choice-be it one man, ten, or even a hundred.