An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2411

Chapter 2411As the fire spread across Sacred Wyrm Summit, Dustin received his orders to begin the attack.

Without delay, he led his team toward the forbidden area, following the original plan. The large-scale invasion orchestrated by the Pantheon had thrown the summit into chaos, with disciples frantically battling fires and protecting their stronghold.

This confusion left the back mountain’s defenses severely weakened. Most of the guards had been reassigned to other areas, leaving the forbidden zone eerily vulnerable.

Still, Dustin remained cautious. He knew that Sacred Wyrm Summit was renowned for its mastery of formations—breaking into the forbidden area wouldn’t be as simple as it seemed.

By the time Dustin’s team arrived at the back mountain, two other teams had already gathered. Both groups were mercenaries hired by the Pantheon, comprised mainly of rogue cultivators and demonic warriors. While their loyalty was questionable, their strength was undeniable.

To maintain anonymity, all operatives wore masks: Dustin’s team donned red ghost-face masks, while the other two teams wore black and white masks. Each member also carried a special badge identifying them as Pantheon allies.

The leader of the black-masked team was a towering man with a menacing aura. A pair of massive purple-gold hammers hung at his sides, emphasizing his brute strength.

In contrast, the white-masked team’s leader was an elderly, hunched man with weathered hands and a raspy cough. Despite his frail appearance, the reverence his team showed him hinted at his formidable status.

“There’s another team arriving. Why not let them lead the way?” the black-masked leader muttered to his white-masked counterpart.

The older man smirked and nodded. “Let them test the waters. If they survive, we’ll follow.”

As they debated, Dustin and his team approached. The black-masked leader quickly shifted his tone, greeting Dustin with feigned enthusiasm.

“Brother, there you are! We’ve been waiting for you!” he called out, grinning like an old friend.

“Waiting for me?” Dustin replied coolly, his eyes scanning the area.

“Of course! Our mission is to assist you in exploring the forbidden area. Time is of the essence—why don’t you lead the way? We’ll support you from behind.”

Dustin nodded slightly, his expression unreadable. “Very well. Follow closely, and don’t fall behind.”

“Gladly!” the black-masked leader replied, concealing a smirk. Inwardly, he was certain Dustin was naive enough to act as their pawn in this dangerous terrain.

But Dustin wasn’t fooled. He saw through their intentions immediately—they wanted him to trigger any hidden traps or formations. Still, he played along, confident in his own skills and his understanding of Sacred Wyrm Summit’s defenses.

As Dustin led his team into the forbidden area, a dense fog suddenly enveloped the mountain.

The fog was unnaturally thick, impossible to dissipate even with powerful gusts of palm wind. It obscured the surrounding landscape entirely, limiting visibility to a mere three meters.

Even worse, the fog suppressed perception, muffling sounds and dulling senses. Voices barely carried beyond a short distance, making communication nearly impossible.

“This fog is unnatural—it must be part of a formation,” one of Dustin’s team members muttered nervously.

“We can’t tell where we’re going. Are we trapped?” another asked, panic creeping into his voice.

“Stay focused!” Dustin ordered sharply. “The forbidden area is dangerous, but if we stick together, we’ll find a way through. Don’t fall behind!”

Behind them, the black- and white-masked teams hesitated before entering the fog. Their plan to use Dustin as bait quickly backfired when they, too, became ensnared by the formation.

“What’s going on?” the black-masked leader growled. “I thought we’d let them clear the path!”

The white-masked elder coughed harshly, his voice tense. “This fog is a maze. We’ve lost track of them entirely.”

Unbeknownst to them, Dustin’s team had already moved deeper into the formation, leaving their so-called allies disoriented and far behind. The two rival teams were now trapped, struggling to navigate the suffocating fog with no clear way forward.

Their clever plan to let Dustin bear the brunt of the danger had now turned into their own worst nightmare.