Joel and Andrew stood in disbelief, their eyes fixed on the figure crouched beneath them. How was it possible for someone to be hiding under the floorboards of their own home? Joel's face was flushed with anger, his fists clenched at his sides as he struggled to control his powerful aura.
"Bastard! What is the meaning of this?" Joel roared, the air around him crackling with energy. The furniture in the room trembled and began to break apart from the sheer force of his rage. Andrew quickly summoned his own aura, using its protective powers to shield himself and minimize the damage to the room.
Meanwhile, Kayden stood by Phoebe's side, using his own aura to create a barrier of protection around them both. "This is all just a misunderstanding," he pleaded with Joel, trying to calm him down. But it was clear that Joel was not in the right frame of mind.
As Joel's grandmaster power continued to escalate, Kayden could feel the pressure building more and more. He knew he had to act quickly and split his aura into two, focusing one part on protecting himself while using the other to contain Joel's immense energy.
Phoebe's voice trembled as she spoke, her eyes cast down in guilt. "Kayden, you should leave me here. It's my fault," she said softly.
But Kayden would not hear of it. His eyes were full of admiration as he replied, "I have to say, your techniques are truly amazing. Why should I leave such a beautiful girl like you behind? Don't worry."
Joel seethed with anger. He had not expected such a scene and the presence of a stunningly beautiful girl only fueled his lust further.
"Mr. Joel, please calm down!" Andrew pleaded, but Joel paid him no mind as his arrogance took over.
Kayden let out a deep sigh as he remarked, "It seems like the Santiago family is too proud and stubborn for their own good."
But Joel had reached his limit. With a roar of fury, he launched himself at Kayden, determined to strike him down in one swift move. However, Kayden was prepared. With Phoebe held securely in his left arm, he used his right arm to meet Joel's attack head-on.
"You won't get away with this," Joel sneered, believing that things would go according to his plan. But when his fist connected with Kayden's, it felt as though he had punched a solid wall and he was sent flying back.
Andrew stood in shock at the display of strength and skill before him. The Santiago family had met their match in Kayden and it was clear that he would not back down without a fight.
Kayden's smile spread across his face, pleased with the effects of the strengthening pill. "This pill is truly remarkable, my strength can now rival even low stage veterans," he boasted to Joel, who had underestimated him.
But Joel's response was far from impressed. As Kayden's words hit him like a physical blow, he coughed up blood and his anger surged to a whole new level. "You brat! I will kill you and take that woman for myself. I'll fuck her until she drops dead and then send her to my brothers," he laughed sadistically.
Phoebe's expression darkened, expecting this man to be just as lustful as the others she had encountered. But she soon realized he was on a whole new level of depravity.
Kayden remained outwardly calm, but inside his anger reached a boiling point. "Andrew, it seems this meeting will not end well. This man has offended a friend of mine and he must die."
But Andrew, trying to diffuse the situation, cautioned Kayden. "Calm down, if you kill him, the Santiago family will not let you go unpunished."
Kayden chuckled darkly, his anger barely contained. "If not for your kind intervention, I would consider wiping out the entire Santiago family. But now, all I need is his life."
Joel laughed mockingly. "Fool, you are no match for me!"
Kayden's lips curved up into a smug smile as he looked at Joel, who was arrogantly grinning in response to his words. "Congratulations, master," Kayden said with a hint of sarcasm, "you have achieved yet another breakthrough by relieving yourself with yet another woman." He gestured towards Phoebe, who was still blushing in his arms. "The system has identified her as another S rank."
As he spoke, Kayden's status appeared before him, showcasing his level 31/100 and impressive stats: strength - 33, dexterity - 32, intelligence - 30, health - 3100, and speed - 32. He also had two rewards available to claim: 5 exp cards and a Tier 4 mithril armor which could protect him from any realm below the Lord realm when equipped.
Kayden wasted no time in claiming his rewards and using an exp card, instantly boosting his level to 33/100 and improving his stats to strength - 34, dexterity - 33, intelligence - 31, health - 3200, and speed - 33. He also equipped his new mithril armor which didn't show any noticeable change on his appearance but activated a powerful buff.
With newfound confidence and power, Kayden turned back to face Joel. "I'll give you a chance to kneel and break your rod," he said calmly. "Or I will kill you in five seconds." Joel scoffed at him, refusing to back down. "Fool," he retorted. "Let's see who will kill who."
Kayden let out a sigh and glanced at Andrew who seemed worried about the impending confrontation. He then looked at Phoebe who was still held tightly against him, her cheeks now flushed with embarrassment and her eyes avoiding his gaze. Despite the tense situation, Kayden couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness towards her.
"Phoebe, I'll place you down. I need to finish this man first and make him ask for your forgiveness," Kayden said with determination in his voice. Phoebe smiled warmly at him, her eyes reflecting admiration and love.
Kayden then turned his gaze towards Joel, who was marching towards him with a look of intense concentration. Kayden stood still, wanting to test the strength of his armor against Joel's attacks.
"Arrogant," Joel sneered as he launched a fist towards Kayden's chest. But as their fists collided, Joel felt a powerful force repelling him backward.
With a sense of disbelief, Joel was sent flying through the air once again, his hand now fractured from the impact. Andrew, who had been watching the fight closely, spoke up in shock.
"What just happened? Has Kayden reached the lord realm?" he exclaimed, realizing that Kayden's power had surpassed even his own expectations.
Andrew's heart raced as he watched Kayden stand confidently, facing off against their enemy Joel. The tension in the air was thick, and Andrew knew that only a miracle could save Kayden now.
But to his surprise, Kayden seemed unfazed by the impending danger. "Amazing stuff," he said nonchalantly.
With a swift move, Kayden landed near Joel and lifted him up with ease, despite the injuries that had weakened his body to almost human levels.
"You should have listened and kneeled when I gave you the chance," Kayden spoke calmly, though there was a dangerous glint in his eye. "Now, it seems I will have to kill you."
Andrew couldn't help but plead with Kayden. "Kayden, please forgive him!"
Joel let out a mocking laugh. "Haha, you fool! Go ahead and try to kill me if you can."
In that moment, Andrew couldn't contain his anger towards Joel. He cursed at him under his breath.
Meanwhile, Kayden simply smiled before unleashing a powerful blast that obliterated Joel's head into nothingness. A lifeless corpse now lay on the ground where their enemy had once stood.
Silence hung heavy in the air as Andrew and Kayden stood there in shock. Finally, Andrew managed to speak up.
"I...I can't believe you actually did it," he stuttered.
Kayden turned to face him, his expression serious. "I killed him. If your Santiago family wants revenge, they can come and bring it to me."
Without another word, Kayden grabbed Phoebe and left the area, leaving behind a tense and uncertain atmosphere between the remaining allies.