A group of more than ten burly men exuded thick murderous intent. When they heard Dominic proim himself to be the second in the army, they exchanged a few nces among each other.


    One of them, who wielded a de, took a step forward.


    Seeing the confidence in Dominic''s expression, the man shook his head. "Your dad is a Brigadier in the military, and your grandpa holds an even higher position, Dominic. But just a heads-up, this isn''t a military sparring match."


    Upon hearing that, Dominic furrowed his brows. Thest thing he wanted was people bringing up his father and grandfather. He had worked hard to get to where he was today.


    However, many folks were convinced that Dominic rode on his father''s and grandfather''s coattails, dismissing his skill and the effort he''d put in.


    Dominic was caught off guard when he saw who it was. "It was you!"


    That burly man was Lester Hudson. Dominic was once his opponent in the military tournament.


    Lester wielded a de in his right hand, his eyes brimming with killing intent. "Yes. It''s me."


    The most distinctive feature of Lester''s de was the deep andrge fullers. In truth, calling it a de wasn''t urate. It closely resembled a triple-edged dagger, with a simr design to bays.


    Typically bays had no fullers, but Lester''s weapon had three. It was typically used post-battle to finish off the surviving enemies and take out the prisoner of war. It was a tool for carnage.


    Lester held his de tightly. The air surrounding him was filled with menace.


    Dominic scoffed. "I know youe from the rural areas in the mountain with no connections, but there''s no need to throw shade at me like that, Lester.


    "When we sparred in the military contest, I took you down in one minute. I won fair and square, not because of Dad or Grandpa. You better get that straight."


    Lester''s expression was filled with murderous intent as he smirked. "My family lives in the mountains, Dominic. My parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents are all farmers. I know that my family can''t hole a candle against yours.


    "I just can''t afford to mess with you. If I defeat you, my future will be bleak. You


    can''t seriously be thinking I can''t beat you, right?"


    Dominic was dumbfounded for a


    moment before bursting intoughter. "I''vee across shameless folks and people who love to glorify themselves, but take it to a whole new level. I defeated you fairly, and now you


    you


    im that you lost on you


    "Come on! Let''s settle this with our weapons."


    As Dominic spoke, he waved his arm, and his curved knife gleamed coldly. The serrations looked like a bloodthirsty beast as he walked toward Lester.


    Lester coldly warned, "You''re not actually nning to fight me, right? Just so you know. This isn''t a military sparring match, and we''re not ying house. It''s a fight to the death.


    "Only one of us is walking away alive. I''d advise you to reconsider."


    Upon hearing that, Dominic red up in anger. "I came in second ce in the military tournament! How dare you call it child''s y? Fine then. We''ll let our weapons do the talking. If youst more than a minute, I''ll count it as my loss."


    After finishing speaking, Dominic tightly held his curved knife and picked up his pace.


    With a vicious grin, Lester flicked his right hand and tossed his de forward. As soon as it started falling, he lunged forward and grabbed the handle of his de.


    He switched from a forward grip to a reverse grip as he charged at Dominic.