An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Acheron was caught off guard by the beastly Predator's sudden attack. Before he could react, he was already thrown to the ground.

After transforming, Predator wielded immense strength. He pressed Acheron down with claws resembling darksteel.

Despite his efforts, Acheron couldn't break free. He had to resort to using his golden broadsword to defend against the beast's claws.

The beastly Predator continued to roar and snarl viciously. Its bloodied jaws dripped a thick green liquid with a foul odor.

As the liquid dripped onto Acheron's face, it sizzled and caused his skin to corrode. "Argh!" He gritted his teeth and cried out in agony.

Yet, Acheron couldn't believe how fast the beastly Predator had recovered after being impaled in the chest earlier. It astounded him that the beast's wound had fully healed within minutes.

Still, he couldn't understand why the beast targeted him.

"Get off me, you damn beast!" he shouted as his hands pushed against the blade with all his might. He tried to shove the beast away, but it was futile.

Following its transformation, Predator had reached an early-stage ultimate grandmaster level and possessed extraordinary strength. In a direct confrontation, Acheron would be outmatched.

The beastly Predator let out a thunderous roar. Its claws pressed down on the golden broadsword as its head edged closer to Acheron's face.

Its menacing teeth loomed nearer, and with a flick of its barbed tongue, it ripped a chunk of flesh from Acheron's cheek.

It was a sight that sent shivers through the onlookers.

"I can't believe that beast ended up saving Dustin," Miles remarked, astonished by the unexpected turn of events.

Dalen narrowed his eyes. "Looks like Acheron's really struggling to keep his ground." Ruby chimed in with a hint of satisfaction, "Well, he's always been the bully. Guess it's catching up to him now." "What a slick move by Mr. Rhys, leading trouble straight to Acheron's doorstep," Crystal said as she observed quietly. There was a touch of admiration in her voice.

While others might have missed it, she could tell that Predator's initial target was Dustin. But he had anticipated the ambush, dodging just in tas the beast lunged toward Acheron.

With both of them now locked in combat, Dustin could easily kill them if he wanted to.

Acheron's fury erupted as he shouted, "Punk! How dare you use this beast against me? Get it offnow!" At that moment, the beastly Predator pinned him down. He couldn't move, no matter how hard he struggled.

With each passing moment, he dreaded becoming the beast's next meal.

"Elder Wood, don't try to blthis on me. Your own actions have caught up with you, and this beast is just the universe balancing things out," Dustin said, standing nearby with a look of amusement.

"Cut the crap! Deal with this beast now, and I'll pretend nothing has happened tonight!" Acheron spat out angrily.

Dustin was unfazed by his anger. "You're strong, so why should | bother? Handle it yourself." Dealing with someone like Acheron, always thirsting for vengeance, required a swift hand. Naturally, Dustin didn't want to get his hands dirty, so he decided to exploit the situation.

With a deafening roar, the beastly Predator's jaws inched closer to Acheron's face.

Acheron's strength faded, and he knew he could no longer aid Quincy. He accepted the inevitable outcof his fate. Faced with imminent death, the once-arrogant Acheron finally relented.

"Dustin, I... | apologize for what | said earlier. Please, kill this beast, and I'll reward you generously!" His tone shifted from authoritative to desperate.

"Are you serious about this?" Dustin arched an eyebrow.

"Yes, | am!" Acheron's face lit up, and he thought Dustin would agree.

So, he hurriedly continued, "Dustin, I'm an elder of the Celestial Alliance, with power, influence, and status. If you save my life, I'll fulfill your request." "Words alone won't cut it. You need to swear on it," Dustin said calmly.

"Okay, okay. | swear, I'll keep my word. If | don't follow through, I'll be damned. Is that good enough?" Acheron's forehead glistened with sweat. His hands trembled, clearly at his breaking point.

"Even with that, I still don't trust you." Dustin shrugged, showing no intention of rescuing him.

"Are you messing with me?" Acheron was so angry he nearly spat blood. In a momentary lapse of concentration, his internal energy becchaotic.

Predator's jaws closed in again, this tbiting off Acheron's nose.

"Aargh!" Acheron screamed, his face covered with blood.

"Feeling the reality sink in yet? Too bad it took you this long." Dustin sneered, his gaze icy with resolve. He knew jerks like Acheron—a tyrant full of arrogance—didn't deserve an ounce of sympathy.

"Argh!" Acheron bellowed, his defiance teetering on the edge of madness. "You punk! I'll rip you apart!" His words had barely left his lips when his strength drained along with his final breath.

Simultaneously, the beastly Predator opened its gaping jaws and swiftly bit down. There was a sickening bone- snapping crunch, and the beast swallowed Acheron's entire head in one gulp.

Blood gushed from the severed neck.

The surroundings suddenly fell quiet. Even Quincy and his group, who had just arrived, involuntarily stopped in their tracks. They stood in shock, unable to comprehend what had just unfolded.

None of them had imagined that Acheron, the esteemed elder of the Celestial Alliance, would meet his end here and die in such a gruesmanner.

His head was devoured by the beast, leaving nothing behind but a headless body.