An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori (official version)

"Ah... I..." Jimmy was extremely flustered amidst the clamor of the crowd, sweating profusely as he retreated

nervously.

He had carelessly said those words since he never expected Dustin to lift the 100-thousand-pound cauldron.

That was how he found himself in the current predicament, urged by the crowd to eat the massive cauldron.

It was made of solid bronze! Even if it were made of chocolate, he would end up stuffing himself to death.

"Everyone, what | said earlier was out of line. | spoke words I shouldn't have and have realized my mistake.

Please forgive me," Jimmy said, smiling faintly as he clasped his hands together.

"You've realized your mistakes? A little too late for that now, don't you think?" Miles glowered at him.

"To be honest, | preferred your unruly behavior more. This meekness doesn't suit you," Dalen said as he shook

his head.

They might as well go all out if they were going to humiliate him.

"Hmph! Boulderthorn elites, my ass! You're nothing but a bunch of cowards who bully the weak, hiding behind

empty words!" Ruby mocked mercilessly.

She utterly despised those who abused their power. Those who had no real abilities but constantly flaunted the

nof their guild, using it to terrorize vulnerable people.

They were the scum of the martial world.

Jimmy gritted his teeth at the insults thrown at him, holding back his anger as best he could. However, his face

had contorted into an expression of extrdisgust.

He had never been this humiliated before, but since they had powerful backgrounds, there was nothing he could

do.

Coupled with the fact that it was his own wrongdoing, he could only endure the humiliation.

"Dustin, what about this guy who's been scared shitless? What are you going to do with him?" Right then, Dalen

cast a sidelong glance at Krel, who was slumped on the ground.

Krel had lost his earlier grace and strength. His face was drained of color, and his eyes held a vacant stare.

Tremors occasionally shook his body, evidence of the fear that gripped him.

His disoriented demeanor clearly indicated that he had suffered a huge blow and was struggling to accept reality.

"Dustin, scumbags like him who look down on others deserve a harsh lesson. You've already signed a deadly

duel agreement, anyway. Even if you were to crush him with the cauldron, Boulderthorn wouldn't hold you

accountable," Miles said.

Melissa, who was beside Krel, panicked when she heard him.

"No!" She quickly stepped forward with her arms wide open, shielding Krel.

She begged, "Dus— Mr. Rhys, Krel wasn't thinking straight earlier. | hope you don't take it to heart. Please spare

his life!"

"Spare his life? When he was terrorizing others, did he even think about sparing them?" Miles scoffed.

"That's right!" Ruby chimed in support. "Judging from his arrogant demeanor, it's clear that he's not a good

person. Had his opponent been anyone else, they would have been pushed to their deaths!"

It was fortunate that Dustin was strong enough to defeat Krel easily. Otherwise, who knew how far Dustin would

have been bullied?

Melissa fell to her knees, begging tearfully, "Mr. Rhys, Krel has learned his lesson. He won't make the same

mistake ever again. Please, spare him! I'm begging you!"

Then, she bowed deeply, banging her head so hard on the floor that her head was bleeding within moments.

Her actions touched the hearts of many in the crowd.

"What a compassionate soul. It's a pity she's stuck with that kind of senior."

"Absolutely. Before they signed the deadly duel agreement, she was constantly talking them out of it, trying to

resolve their conflict. Unfortunately, her words fell on deaf ears, and she wasn't taken seriously."

"She's remarkable. If | had a junior like her, I'd heed her words for sure."

The crowd whispered among themselves as they watched Melissa's heartfelt pleas, feeling pity for her. After all,

they had witnessed everything that had happened earlier.

When Dustin and Krel clashed, it was Melissa who tried to mediate between them. Even though she failed to

persuade the stubborn Krel, her kind heart had touched the hearts of many.

"Young lady, | think you'd be better off leaving Boulderthorn soon. Staying with a senior like him would only land

you in trouble one day," Miles advised.

"He's right, and the Sword Union is recruiting too. You seem qualified. Why don't you join our sect?" Ruby chimed

in.

However, Melissa ignored them, continuing to bow and plead. She knew very well that Krel's survival fell on

Dustin's hands.

Despite Krel's excessive behavior, he was still her senior. She couldn't just stand by and watch him die.

"Dustin, what do you say?" Dalen turned back to Dustin.

Dustin remained silent, still lifting the cauldron in his hand. Suddenly, he threw it forward forcefully.

Under everyone's astonished gaze, the heavy bronze cauldron cut through the air, heading straight toward Krel.

"Oh my God! He's going for the kill!"

"That guy is going to turn into a meat patty once the 100-thousand-pound cauldron lands on him!"

"It's over. That Boulderthorn guy is done for!"

The crowd erupted into an uproar as they watched the flying cauldron cut through the air.

Everyone was convinced that Dustin was going all out for the kill.

"No!" Melissa's expression shifted for the worst as she lunged toward Krel, attempting to shield him from harm.

However, it was evident that it was a futile attempt.

The ground began to shake as the heavy bronze cauldron crashed heavily onto the bluestone pavement,

creating a gaping pit. The sound was deafening.

The impact sent debris flying and kicked up a cloud of dust.

Once the dust settled, everyone focused on the scene and were slightly stunned. Contrary to expectations, there

was no bloodshed.

Melissa and Krel were both hunched on the ground, looking disheveled.

The mountain-sized cauldron had landed just an inch away from them. Had the cauldron landed just a bit further,

that would have been the end of them.

Melissa was dumbfounded, her face pale with shock as she struggled to comprehend what had just happened.

Krel, on the other hand, trembled uncontrollably. He had wet his pants, clearly scared out of his wits.

"What a shame. | missed," Dustin lamented, shaking his head.

With that, he turned and left, never looking back. The crowd exchanged perplexed glances in his wake.