An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori (official version)

On the camp's outskirts, two elite squads stood watch with their eyes fixed on the darkness ahead.

The distant roars of approaching creatures echoed, accompanied by the rumble of their thunderous run.

Everyone in the camp had assembled, prepared to face the unknown threat.

“Protect Ms. Linsor!” The captain of the royal guard quickly assembled his men when he saw Grace step forward.

They formed a protective circle around her as a precaution.

“Draw your swords!” Excitement and nervous anticipation mixed within Jackson as he directed the disciples of

the Embersteel Order to form a defensive stance.

While sparring in the martial world was familiar, facing a creature was entirely new and anxiety-inducing.

“Stay sharp and adapt to the situation, “Garrett urged.

The Black Scorpion Squad took a strategic position at the back. Despite their diverse skills, their combat strength

fell short compared to the Embersteel Order disciples.

“Making a fuss over nothing.” Aidan leaned casually against a tree, jug of warm wine in hand, appearing

indifferent.

Despite his status as a grandmaster martial artist, he radiated pride and paid little attention to common

creatures. Yet, he couldn't help but be curious about the peculiar beings hidden in the mysterious oasis.

Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed through the air, and a strange creature, neither deer nor horse, emerged

from the shadows.

It had two horns, scales that adorned its body, a tail resembling a steel whip, and razor-sharp teeth, creating an

intimidating spectacle.

“Set the fire ablaze!” the captain of the royal guard commanded. The outer perimeter’s kerosene was

immediately ignited. The camp's surroundings cto life, casting away the earlier chill and enveloping the

area in comforting warmth.

The deer-horse-like creature emitted a startled neigh in front of the wall of fire. It paused in its advance and lifted

its front hooves in fear. After all, nearly all creatures displayed an instinctual aversion to fire.

“Hah! That really got me! | thought this creature was spowerhouse, but no, just this scaredy-cat!”

“This creature seems menacing, but it couldn't even handle a wall of fire. Classic case of appearances being

deceiving.”

“This creature’s definitely one of a kind. Imagine if we manage to capture it alive! It could fetch a hefty sum in

the market, don’t you think?”

“Yes! Let's catch it alive and cash in big time!”

Excitement bubbled within the group as discussions erupted. The realization that the rare creature before them

could fetch a substantial sum at auction heightened the anticipation, surpassing the value of most treasures.

Amidst their discussion, a sudden movement emerged from the darkness. The creature resembled a panther but

was notably larger. Its black fur shimmered like a coat of armor in the flickering firelight.

The black panther swiftly lunged at the deer-horse-like creature, clamping its jaws onto its neck.

Overwhelming in size and strength, the panther tore into its prey, and the cries of the deer-horse-like creature

weakened with each passing moment.

As the struggle wore on, the deer-horse -like creature's attempts to break free proved futile against the

relentless assault of the black panther.

The vast difference in size allowed the panther to immobilize the deer-horse- like creature easily with a single

swipe, keeping it pressed to the ground.

As the deer-horse-like creature let out a final wail, its struggles stopped, leaving its blood to stain the ground.

Unperturbed, the black panther continued to feed on its prey, the pungent smell of blood rapidly permeating the

surroundings.

“What ... What in the world is this?”

“Damn! This creature looks seriously tough!”

The group's eyes widened in a mix of astonishment and dread as they observed the ferocious black panther.

Its sheer size, towering over a tiger, exuded an intimidating presence that held them in awe. The aggressive

attack added to the spectacle as it pounced with lightning speed, catching everyone off guard.

The black panther’s razor-sharp claws and fangs effortlessly pierced through the scales of the deer-horse-like

creature.

In the blink of an eye, it demonstrated a lethal prowess that, if directed at a human, could lead to immediate

dismemberment with a single swipe.

Initially, they assumed the intruder in the camp was a deer-horse-like creature. However, they soon realized it

was the prey being pursued by an even more ferocious creature.

“Ms. Linsor, what should we do? Should we try to capture it alive or take it down?” The captain of the royal guard

asked cautiously.

The creature, resembling a black panther, could have been a captivating sight for Oakvale had they succeeded

in capturing it.

Nevertheless, its fierce temperament and formidable strength presented a considerable challenge.

Although killing it appeared to be the simpler choice, trying to capture it entailed the potential harm to their

team.

“Let it be. If it finishes its meal and moves on, just act like nothing happened,” Grace replied calmly. Initially

alarmed by the possibility of a camp attack, she soon recognized the situation as a predator simply hunting for

its prey.

Understanding that such events were part of the oasis ecosystem, she chose to refrain from interference as long

as there was no imminent threat.

Laughter echoed through the air, and Aidan, holding his wine jug, approached with a spark of excitement. “This

creature is extraordinary. | want to make this creature my mount.”

His eyes glittered with enthusiasm, clearly fascinated by the black panther creature.

“Mr. Ridge, this creature is quite fierce. Are you sure about this?” Jackson inquired cautiously.

“What? Are you doubting my ability to tit?” Aidan raised an eyebrow, a hint of displeasure crossing his face.

“No.” Jackson shook his head decisively.

He added, “Mr. Ridge’s strength is unparalleled. Taming a creature like this would be a breeze. My only worry is

that taking such a wild creature out of the oasis might lead to stroubles.”

“Cut the nonsense! | couldn't care less about trouble. This creature is mine, and nobody is taking it away from

me!” Aidan declared with authority.

In his eyes, having such a majestic creature as his mount meant the n“Sandscale” would echo far and wide.