Chapter 2509
An Understated Dominance
Mulderâs body trembled, and he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. His energy drained, and his entire being seemed to collapse.
Dustinâs finger flick had not only shattered his sword but also injured his internal organs. With the effects of the enhanced serum wearing off, Mulder was now back to his original state and completely spent.
His once-powerful frame now shrank like a punctured balloon. He looked as if he had aged ten years in an instant.
Mulder could no longer fight. Even standing up was a challenge.
âHeâs finished,â Dustin said coolly, then looked at Warrick. âNow itâs your turn.â
âHmm?â Warrick frowned, and his expression turned serious.
Dustinâs display of strength earlier had made him feel a sense of crisis. If they fought head-on, there was no telling who would come out on top.
But Warrick was just one step away from escaping West Lucozia, bound for Artea and a life of freedom and luxury. He had no intention of risking his life in battle unless he absolutely had to.
Desperation could drive a man to fight with everything he had, but the moment survival seemed possible, hesitation crept in.
âYoung man, thereâs no grudge between us. We donât have to fight since neither of us stands to gain. I say we talk this through -itâll be better for both of us.â Warrick narrowed his eyes.
âOh?â Dustin smirked. âAnd what exactly do you want to talk about?â
âLetâs be honest-youâre just doing this for money. And I happen to have more money than I know what to do with.â Warrickâs tone turned persuasive.
He continued, âIf you walk away now, Iâll tell you where my treasure is hidden. Thereâs enough gold and jewels in there to last you a lifetime.â
âSounds tempting, but how do I know youâre not lying?â Dustin raised an eyebrow.
âIâm a man of my word. My reputation in West Lucozia speaks for itself. Why would I need to lie?â Warrick said earnestly.
He went on, âBesides, Iâm leaving West Lucozia for good and never coming back. Iâve got no use for all that gold and silver might as well give it to you as a favor. What do you think?â
âLet me think about itâ¦â Dustin stroked his chin, feigning deep thought.
Seeing this, Warrick felt a spark of hope and continued to persuade, âChances like this donât come often. This is your shot at instant wealth. With that treasure, you could live a life of luxury anywhere. You donât need to risk your life working for others anymore.â
âYou make a good point.â Dustin nodded. â So, whereâs the treasure?â
âWe have a deal?â Warrickâs eyes lit up.
âOf course. Only a fool would say no to that, âDustin replied without hesitation.
âGood! You really are a smart one!â
Warrick finally smiled, then pulled a parchment from his coat and tossed it toward Dustin. âThis is a treasure map I drew myself. With it, youâll have no trouble finding the treasure.â
Dustin unfolded the parchment. Sure enough, it was a treasure map. The location was marked in detail-hidden within Vastreach Peak in West Lucozia.
âWise choice in hiding the treasure in the mountains.â Dustin tucked the parchment away.
Those treasures had been stolen from the people. Now, they were all his to take back.
âNo choice. Just playing it safe.â Warrick chuckled..
Someone in his position knew better than to put everything in one place. While he had valuables hidden at home, most of his wealth was buried in Vastreach Peak.
This was his reserve and his means of making a comeback. Once things settled down, he planned to retrieve it bit by bit.
But now, for his safety, he had no choice but to give it up. Compared to his life, money was just money. If he stayed alive, he could always make more.
âOkay. Since youâve been so generous, Iâll give you a chance⦠to surrender,â Dustin said with a smile.
âHuh?â Warrick frowned. âYoung man, didnât you agree earlier? I give you the map, and you let us leave. Are you going back on your word?â
âAgree? When did I say that? Why donât I remember it?â Dustin spread his hands innocently.
âPunk! Donât push me!â Warrickâs face hardened. âI gave you the treasure map not out of fear but because I donât want unnecessary trouble. If you keep pushing, donât expect me to hold back.â
He had already shown enough sincerity, but he didnât expect Dustin to be so ungrateful. If pushed too far, he wouldnât mind going down with Dustin.