An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2403

Chapter 2403

“Draw?”

The announcement set the audience into an uproar.

Many hadn’t expected this outcome.

In martial arts, there’s always supposed to be a winner. Especially in such a highly anticipated championship match, a definitive result seemed essential.

Otherwise, what had all this been for?

Plus, with no clear winner, how would their bets be settled? Would the house take everything?

“Yes! A draw is perfect!” Abigail cheered, nearly jumping with excitement. She had only expected to take a small cut from the fees, just enough to cover her food and drink. Now, it looked like fate had smiled on her!

“I wonder if both contestants are satisfied with this arrangement,” Katy Foster asked, turning to Dustin and Glenn.

Both men had reached their limits, physically and mentally. They were almost entirely spent.

The ring was in ruins, the protective barrier shattered, and there wasn’t an immediate way to secure a safe space for them to continue.

A draw seemed like the most reasonable solution.

“Do you still have the strength for one last move?” Glenn asked Dustin, his eyes locked on his opponent.

“I can manage one more,” Dustin admitted.

His last strike had depleted nearly all his energy, leaving him with just enough strength for a single move.

“Same here.” Glenn wiped blood from the corner of his mouth. “I’d hate to leave it undecided. We’ve come this far—let’s settle it with pure swordsmanship. No mystical energy, just skill. Let’s see who’s better.”

“Agreed,” Dustin replied.

Without the protective ring and formation, another full battle could harm bystanders. But a contest of pure swordsmanship wouldn’t pose the same risk.

“We’ll settle this with swordsmanship alone,” Glenn announced to the audience.

“Swordsmanship?” Katy raised an eyebrow, glancing at the leaders of the three major sects. Seeing no objections, he replied, “A good choice. Let’s proceed.”

The crowd breathed a collective sigh of relief. A draw would have left them unsatisfied, and many could have lost their bets. Given the situation, a swordsmanship duel was the best solution.

“Get ready—I’m drawing my sword!” Glenn called, grabbing the Huangquan Sword and pointing it at Dustin.

Dustin didn’t respond verbally. Instead, he raised his Dragon Sparrow Sword.

The two faced each other, motionless for a moment, before launching into their final attack.

Relying purely on physical strength, without any mystical energy, their speed was astonishing.

They became two blurs, clashing in the rubble.

“Clang, clang, clang…”

The sound of metal on metal echoed as sparks flew from their swords.

Their movements were so fast and intense that it was impossible to tell them apart.

Even without mystical power, the sheer force of their strikes created ripples like strong winds, spreading outward.

The spectators watched from a distance, sensing that even a step closer would put them at risk.

After a few intense moments, the two figures suddenly stopped.

Glenn’s sword had pierced Dustin’s shoulder, drawing blood.

“Victory?”

From behind Glenn, the audience saw Dustin’s shoulder wound and assumed Glenn had won, prompting cheers and sighs of relief from those who had bet on him.

But those behind Dustin saw a different story.

Despite his shoulder injury, Dustin’s sword was embedded in Glenn’s chest.

One slight push, and he could end the match decisively.

This group knew it wasn’t Glenn who had won—it was Dustin.

In swordsmanship, Dustin had proven superior.

Glenn looked down at the blade in his chest, his expression conflicted.

He had always prided himself on his unmatched swordsmanship, but now he had been bested by Dustin.

They were both skilled, but in the end, Dustin’s technique proved superior.

It seemed Glenn had more to work on.

“Thank you for sparing me. I concede defeat,” Glenn said, retracting the Huangquan Sword and offering Dustin a respectful bow.

Glenn wasn’t one to cling to false pride. The title of champion wasn’t his true pursuit.

His goal was to master the art of the sword.

If he hadn’t won, it simply meant he had more to learn and more to strive for.

“Thank you,” Dustin replied, bowing in return to show his respect.

This victory had been hard-won, fraught with danger and challenge.

Glenn was an exceptionally formidable opponent.

Controlling nine flying swords with flawless precision, Glenn’s skills were unmatched by anyone else Dustin had ever faced.

If they hadn’t agreed to decide the match through pure swordsmanship, the result might have been very different.

“We were close… just one step behind,” Cyrus muttered with a sigh. When he’d heard they would settle it with swordsmanship alone, he’d been uneasy.

Glenn’s sword skills were good, but they hadn’t reached the pinnacle.

Against most opponents, he held the advantage, but against someone as talented as Dustin, he fell short.

But it was done, and there was no point in dwelling on it.

Fortunately, Glenn wasn’t disheartened. Instead, an intense resolve burned in his eyes.

This defeat would only drive Glenn forward.

Sometimes, losing isn’t a setback but a push to reach new heights.