An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2417

Chapter 2417

“This man is the guardian of the forbidden land. We must kill him to claim the treasure,” the hunchbacked old man explained, his voice strained. Although surprised, he kept his tone patient. Gravely injured, he now depended on Dustin to eliminate the gray-clothed guardian, so he tried to coax him into cooperation.

“We’ll discuss the treasure later. Right now, we need to settle an old score,” Dustin replied coolly. He reached down, picked up the long sword on the ground, and let it spring into his palm with a swift motion.

“Settle an old score? What are you talking about?” The hunchbacked old man froze, his face filled with confusion.

But when he saw Dustin gripping the sword, unease crept into his heart.

“You and that brute schemed to use me as a pawn to clear your path. Did you really think I didn’t overhear your plan?” Dustin’s voice was calm yet laced with menace. “Since you’ve plotted against me, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

“You… What are you going to do?” Panic flashed across the old man’s face. “We both serve the Pantheon! Why must we fight each other? If we fail this mission, we’ll both face death. Think carefully before you act!”

“Who told you I work for the Pantheon?” Dustin raised an eyebrow, his tone mocking.

“If you’re not one of their operatives, why do you bear the symbol of the Pantheon?” the hunchbacked man demanded.

“You want to know? Ask the King of Hell,” Dustin retorted, wasting no more time. Without hesitation, he raised the sword and swung it with deadly precision.

To Dustin, killing someone who betrayed him was no moral dilemma.

“Then I’ll fight you!” the hunchbacked old man roared, desperation fueling his actions. Despite his injuries, he recklessly activated the Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art once more. Black gas erupted from his body like writhing tentacles, surging toward Dustin with ferocity.

Without the protection of a golden light spell, Dustin knew that the black gas could sap his life force in moments and simultaneously replenish his enemy’s vitality. However, if the old man failed, the backlash from using the Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art would be catastrophic—likely fatal.

“Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art? Just a cheap trick,” Dustin scoffed. Without flinching, he swung his sword, unleashing a brilliant arc of light that sliced through the oncoming black gas with devastating force.

Slash!

The first strike obliterated the black gas, scattering it into nothingness.

Slash!

The second strike followed immediately, incinerating the remaining wisps of malevolent energy.

Dustin’s mystical pure energy was a natural counter to the evil aura. Combined with his superior cultivation, the hunchbacked old man’s techniques stood no chance.

As the black gas dissipated, the hunchbacked old man was reduced to nothing but a skeleton. His flesh and blood had completely vanished, leaving him utterly destroyed.

Such was the price of the Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art—an all-consuming backlash that left no trace of the user’s body if they failed.

“Still trying to escape? Die!” Dustin muttered coldly. With a decisive swing of his sword, he shattered the remaining bones into fine powder.

Boom!

The remains exploded, releasing a faint, agonized scream.

Unknown to most, the Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art allowed its user to leave behind a sliver of their soul in their bones, making resurrection through body possession possible. But Dustin had studied this technique in ancient texts and knew its secrets. He wasn’t about to leave the old man a path to return.

After ensuring the threat was eliminated, Dustin turned his gaze to the gray-clothed guardian, whose vitality had been severely drained by the Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art.

“Senior, you’re gravely injured,” Dustin remarked calmly. The guardian’s breathing was shallow, his strength depleted. Without a restorative elixir, he was unlikely to survive much longer.

“Who are you?” the gray-clothed old man demanded, his wary expression betraying his mistrust.

“Relax, Senior. I mean you no harm,” Dustin assured him. He retrieved a pill from his pouch and tossed it over. “Take this to recover your strength. I’ll take over the task of guarding the forbidden land.”

Dustin knew the forbidden land concealed a dragon vein, and as someone from Dragonmarsh, he couldn’t allow the Pantheon to claim it. With the guardian injured and reinforcements from Sacred Wyrm Summit delayed, he had no choice but to step in.

The gray-clothed old man frowned as he inspected the pill. Uncertain of Dustin’s motives, he hesitated.

“Senior, don’t worry. The pill isn’t poisoned,” Dustin reassured him. “You’re in no condition to resist. If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn’t need trickery. Take it and heal—there’s no time to waste.”

After a moment’s hesitation, the old man swallowed the pill. He had no choice; if Dustin intended harm, resistance was futile.

“Senior, someone’s coming. Be alert,” Dustin said suddenly, his sharp senses picking up movement ahead.

He turned his gaze toward the mist as a group of figures emerged, their approach cloaked in an air of menace.