CHAPTER 166: A SITUATION...

Ralph stood speechless as Wick’s blunt revelation cut through his carefully cultivated stealth.

’They knew?’ He prided himself as an infiltrator. Dor the fact that they all knew, it stung strangely and hurt his pride.

Sighing, he faced the executives. "I have something to say."

He recounted his clandestine meeting with Mirta, detailing her proposal: the Mistars would join Dawnless if Baines could replicate the dragonic-human hybrid experiment using mist dragon blood.

Vitka’s eyes gleamed with understanding. "That explains why they smell like dragons; they’re hybrids." She stared at the executives, but doubt crept in. "How can dragon blood create hybrids?"

"Blood essence," Wick replied.

"That’s possible?" Vitka’s surprise mirrored Ralph’s initial shock. Then he must have a means of controlling blood, but how? Just who are you, Baines?’ she wondered, shaking off the question. "What do you think?" she asked the executives.

Donto grinned, lightening the mood. "It’ll be nice to have some ladies around." The first and third executives nodded, chuckling. The decision was unanimous: pursue the alliance.

Ralph stepped out to contact Mirta, while Vitka questioned Wick more on the blood essence process used to engrave their bloodline into a human. Eye had ignited her curiosity on countless matters, and she absorbed knowledge like a sponge. Only recently, she’d mastered and completed the internet’s binary code language, before shifting her focus to vessel production.

...

At the Mistars’ headquarters, Mirta sat in her dimly lit office, her thoughts a storm of doubt.

She had explained to her girls about their course of action, and they all agreed wholeheartedly to follow her. Their responses only made her worry all the more.

If something went wrong, it was all on her.

The deal was a fair one on their part. She provided a future for her girls; however, they would no longer be independent.

Should I agree? Is it worth the risk? What would they do to us?

All those thoughts came to her mind.

A guard’s voice snapped her out of her reverie. "Miss," she said, her exasperation clear.

’Him.’ Mirta frowned and sighed, recognizing the visitor. "Let him in."

The guard opened the door, admitting three men in black noble attire. The two flanking the central figure were cloaked head to toe, but the leader didn’t hide himself. His sleek black hair matched his eyes and black noble attire. He radiated the demeanor of an arrogant young master whuch was understandable considering his strength. His demeanor were so elegant; however, they contrasted with Mirta’s visceral disgust for the person.

"It’s been a while, Mirta," He greeted, his smile smug.

"What do you want, Julian?" she asked, her voice flat.

"Let’s not be cold now." He waved a hand, taking a seat uninvited, his guards looming behind. "I’m here about my previous proposal. What do you think?"

"I rejected it," Mirta said, her tone sharp.

Julian shrugged, unfazed. "It’s not wise to keep rejecting me."

"Or else?" Mirta’s grandmaster aura surged, blanketing the room in oppressive mist.

A low hum countered her, Julian’s aura matching hers. "Let’s be civilized, alright?" he said, his eyes glinting with menace.

"If you’re done, leave," Mirta snapped.

"You don’t need to be angry. I brought the matter to the underground King, and he approved," Julian said, his smile widening.

Mirta shot to her feet, slamming her fist on the desk. The wood shattered, splinters flying. "What?" Her glare could’ve bored holes through him, but Julian merely stood, still smiling, and left.

Julian was the leader of the Noble Assassins, a top faction in Marron’s Underground Alliance, and for a while now, Julian had long pushed for a merger with the Mistars, just like the discussion they had with the Dawnless. But that wasn’t what annoyed her the most.

For a long time, he always used Marron’s name as the strongest underground organization to commit his deeds, as he was his relative, and now Marron was the underground king, it was now worse. Basically, he was a parasite.

Julian, exiting her office, spotted a man approaching, his face bright with purpose.

Julian immediately recognized that smile and intercepted the man, his demeanor shifting. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice icy with killing intent.

"Uh, I’m Ralph, nice to meet you," Ralph replied, oblivious to the danger until it was too late.

Pstch.

A dagger plunged into Ralph’s shoulder, blood blooming. He grunted, collapsing to his knees and grabbing his shoulder.

"I said, who are you?" Julian repeated, his aura crushing Ralph against the floor.

Bang!

Ralph couldn’t speak. His bones creaked under pressure, his thoughts only to stop the flow of blood.

Thankfully, the guard behind Mirta’s door sensed the attack and alerted her.

Julian flicked another dagger, pinning Ralph’s leg. Ralph groaned in pain, helpless against the power of a grandmaster.

"I guess you don’t want your life anymore." Julian raised his hand for a final strike, aiming for Ralph’s chest.

"Stop!" Mirta roared, her mist aura exploding as she charged.

Julian’s hand stopped only meters before Ralph’s chest, and looked back only to see an enraged Mirta. From her position, she threw a large kick at Julian, who raised his hands to block but skidded two steps.

Mirta didn’t chase after him and knelt beside Ralph, panic rising. "No, no, no, shit..." She channeled her aura, probing his injuries. "WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?" she shouted at Julian.

Julian frowned, confused by her reaction.

The corridor was suddenly filled with Mistar members, their murmurs rising.

"Oh shit..."

"Fuck..."

"Are we dead?"

They instantly recognized the gravity of the situation.

"What are you all doing? Where’s Lysa?" Mirta barked, and a middle-aged woman stepped forward, kneeling to treat Ralph.

"He’s still alive," Lysa said, stabilizing him with her aura. Mirta’s heart eased, albeit a bit, but her rage didn’t.

She stood, advancing on Julian. His guards moved to intercept, but Mirta’s punches dropped them instantly. "What have you done?" she demanded.

And Julian, having totally misread the situation, smirked. "So that’s why you’re rejecting me."