An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori (official version)

After Brian stepped back, Dustin stepped forward to start treating Alicia. Because of Kenan's misdiagnosis and treatment, the voodoo had spread throughout her body.

The tablet Dustin had just crafted wasn't enough to remove the voodoo. He also needed to use silver needles to draw it out first.

However, the voodoo was like a spirit and would evade detection, making it challenging to extract with needles alone.

The best plan was for Dustin to use himself as bait. He had to absorb the voodoo from Alicia's body into his own. It was risky, but there was no other choice. To save her, he had to give it a shot.

He told Grace, "I'll use silver needles to gather the voodoo energy in one spot on Alicia's body later.

"Then, I'll use my hands to draw most of it into my own body. The whole process has to go perfectly, so I need you to watch overand make sure nobody interrupts." He looked back at Grace to stress how serious he was. Among everyone there, she was the only one he truly trusted.

The process was dangerous. While he could handle it because of his strong foundation, Alicia couldn't. If something went wrong and the voodoo turned against them, it could kill her instantly.

She was worried and asked, "You've already used up a lot of energy crafting the tablet. Are you sure you can handle this?" She knew that he had already used up most of his mystical pure energy earlier to speed up making the tablet. Now, he was about to tire himself out even more by drawing out the voodoo, which wasn't an easy task.

"Don't worry. I know my limit. Just keep an eye out for me," he said calmly.

"Okay." Grace nodded earnestly. Anyone who dared interrupt Dustin while he was saving lives would have to deal with her.

"Ms. Marshall, help your sister up," he instructed Aurora with a glance. She quickly complied and helped the unconscious Alicia sit up.

He took a deep breath. Then, with a swift motion of his hand, a row of silver needles shot out from his sleeve. Five silver needles struck Alicia's left leg in a straight line. Then, Dustin waved his hand again, and another five needles hit her right leg.

Next, it was her left arm, right arm, and finally her chest. With each wave of his hand, he released five silver needles. Soon, her body was covered in silver needles.

The voodoo within Alicia had spread extensively, so Dustin needed to use the needles to seal off specific points and draw out the voodoo.

Once all the needles were in place, he sat cross-legged behind her and placed his palms gently on her back.

A low hum filled the air as Alicia's body began to tremble slightly. Wisps of black mist slowly seeped from her skin.

Dustin kept his eyes closed and breathed steadily. Using his mystical pure energy, he was gradually absorbing the voodoo from her body.

His vital energy was much stronger than her. Hence, it made him an irresistible feast for the voodoo since he had let down his defenses.

To avoid alarming the voodoo, he drew it out slowly, using his life force as bait. He proceeded cautiously to avoid rushing things.

Tpassed, and the black mist seeping from Alicia's body grew thicker and denser. Her face turned as pale as paper, and she sweated profusely.

Her previously blank expression showed pain. She had been unconscious, but now she showed signs of reaction.

On the contrary, Dustin's condition also deteriorated. He frowned as sweat dripped down his cheeks and seeped into his clothes.

He had to draw out the voodoo while also using his true energy to protect her pulse. Juggling these tasks was draining his mental and physical strength, as well as his true energy.

But for now, he could only grit his teeth and keep going.

"Dr. Quake, is this kid for real? He seems pretty mystical," Brian whispered to Kenan as they watched.

Initially doubtful of Dustin's medical skills, Brian's skepticism began to fade when he observed the black mist seeping from Alicia's skin. He found Dustin's medical skills to be increasingly convincing. "It doesn't look good." Kenan shook his head and sighed.

He said softly, "Ms. Marshall doesn't have much tleft. That brief improvement was just a terminal lucidity. Even if I put in my best effort, it wouldn't help. There's no way that this nobody can succeed where I can't." "Is this kid just putting on an act?" Brian scratched his chin with a skeptical look.

"I've seen plenty of con artists in the martial world," Kenan said disdainfully.

He added, "Their usual trick is to bluff as much as they can. If that doesn't work, they just claim they did their best and collect smoney for their 'efforts.' "Don't be fooled by his performance now, as his true intentions will becapparent soon." He thought that if he couldn't cure the illness, why should they trust syoung man in his 20s? He believed Dustin was probably just trying to make a quick buck.

But then again, this might turn out well for Kenan. If Alicia died, he could easily shift all the blonto Dustin and avoid any repercussions.

With that realization, he sensed that this turn of events might actually work in his favor.