An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Laurel's and Willow's eyes lit up when the handsome young man appeared.

Even though they had gone through professional training and wouldn't be seduced easily, they had to

admit that this young man standing before them was too handsome.

He was so good-looking that they were ashamed of themselves. If he was a woman, he'd rank among

the top few in the Beauty Ranking.

"Who are you?" Dustin asked coldly after a quick observation.

The Sacred Wrym Summit was different from other places. Here, there were many hidden talents and

skilled martial artists. They had to be very careful whenever they were approached by strangers.

"I'm Dalen Shade from Arque Stream. I came here to join in the fun because I heard about the Combat

Tournament happening at the Sacred Wrym Summit." Dalen flashed an irresistible smile.

Most of the customers, irrespective of their genders, dining at the tables around them turned around to

look at them.

Dalen was extremely gorgeous, and so were Dustin, Laurel, and Willow. They were all good-looking

people. Needless to say, these beautiful people caught everyone's attention.

"Arque Stream? Dalen Shade?" Dustin raised his eyebrows slightly and asked inquisitively, "Are you a

member of the Shadow Citadel?"

"Oh? How did you know?" Dalen was somewhat surprised.

"Mr. Rhys is a very intelligent man. It's no surprise that he knows who you are," Laurel said proudly.

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"Shadow Citadel is a very powerful association in Arque Stream. They have branches all over the

globe.

"Besides, those who decided to join the association must change their last name to 'Shade.' It's enough

for us to surmise just from those two facts alone."

"I understand now." Dalen nodded his head in surprise and smiled as he said, "You're a very

knowledgeable man with a keen eye for details. I admire your abilities."

"It's nothing. I just saw your badge by coincidence," Dustin said suddenly.

"What?" Dalen was a little stunned and he looked down subconsciously to check. He immediately

realized that his badge had fallen out of his pocket.

His last name, Shade, was displayed boldly on the front of the badge. It was the Shadow Citadel

membership badge!

Dalen coughed to ease his embarrassment. "You're such a candid and honest person. I have more

respect for you now!"

Dalen quickly kept his badge as a fleeting moment of embarrassment flashed across his face.

"Save the small talk. Tell me why are you here," Dustin asked frankly.

"Nothing much. I just think that we'll get along just fine." Dalen laughed lightly and continued, "We all

know that friends and family are important wherever we go.

"If it's alright with you, I'd like to befriend the three of you and we can all have lunch together."

"Thanks, but no thanks." Dustin refused right away.

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In these few years, the Shadow Citadel had become a very influential association and it was growing

very fast.

Its ranking was just below the Mystic Arts Order, the Sword Union, and the Celestial Alliance. It was

especially powerful in Arque Stream.

Even though the Shadow Citadel was a powerful association, it had a questionable reputation. Dustin

wasn't interested in getting involved with them.

"You don't have to worry. I come in peace. On the contrary, I can help you achieve your goal," Dalen

said with an ambiguous smile.

"Help me?" Dustin said with a cold expression, "All the martial artists who gathered at the Sacred Wrym

Summit are here for the Combat Tournament.

"It's the only reason why you and I are here. In other words, we're competitors. How will you help me?"

"I just said it. I came here for fun and to make new friends. I'm not interested in the prize. If you're

joining the competition, I'll do my best to support you!" Dalen said seriously.

"Is that so?" Dustin smiled thoughtfully. "You and I are strangers. Why would you help me? How would

helping me benefit you?" He was not a greenhorn and he wouldn't trust anyone easily.

"It's fate that brought us together. It's fated that we should be friends. Do I need any reason to help a

friend out?" Dalen explained altruistically.

"Friends?" Dustin found it a little funny. "You don't even know who I am and you want to be my friend?"

"All men are kin and friends don't care about each other's past!" Dalen replied quickly as he turned to

look at Dustin with a slight bow and asked, "May I have your good name, sir?"

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"I'm Dustin and my last name's Rhys," Dustin answered truthfully.

"Nice to meet you, Dustin." Dalen flashed a smile.

"Dustin, you look like a dignified and intelligent man. You must be someone special. I'm very fortunate

to have met you today. Cheers!" As he said that, Dalen quickly poured himself a glass of wine and

gulped it down in one go before Dustin could react.

"Hey! You—" Laurel was about to say something but Dustin lifted his hand to stop her. He had no idea

if Dalen was playing or being serious. Since he had time to kill, he'd play Dalen's little games to find out

what he was getting at.

"Waiter! Please serve me the best dishes and wine this restaurant has to offer. Dustin and I aren't going

home until we're drunk!" Dalen shouted and ordered a few extra dishes to their table.

With his enthusiasm, others would think that they were long-lost best friends.

"Mr. Rhys, please be careful as we know nothing about him." Willow reminded Dustin in a low voice

when Dustin was gulping down a glass of wine.

It's alright. I know what I'm doing." Dustin smiled casually.

They still had three days before the Combat Tournament. He could actually use Dalen's unconcealed

style of communication to his advantage and glean some information about the tournament from him.

"Sir! Sir!" When Dalen was eating happily, five men and women dressed in black, each with a different

appearance, rushed in violently.

One appeared very sturdy, one was as round as a ball, one was lanky, one was pretty, and there was

an ugly one. Their appearance attracted the attention of all the customers at the restaurant.

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The facial expressions of some very experienced martial artists darkened as soon as they saw the

group of five. They didn't dare to stay any longer and ran away before finishing their food.

From the looks of it, it was as if they had seen a ghost.

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