The blade throbbed with branch energy like it wanted blood.
Caleb lifted it with both hands, staggering slightly from his injuries, but driven by pure hate.
West was still on one knee breathing heavily.
Caleb’s lips curled.
"Die," he hissed and he thrust the glowing violet sword forward—
Straight toward West’s back.
CLANG.
The sound rang out like metal striking an immovable mountain.
The glowing violet sword had stopped.
Not because Caleb lacked strength...
Not because West moved...
But because something had appeared between them.
It was Gor’thala.
She stood tall and immovable with her massive ten-foot frame blocking the blade completely. The violet sword had managed to puncture her skin but only barely. The tip sank in less than half an inch, drawing a faint line of green blood that glowed softly before sealing almost immediately.
Her golden eyes turned downward slowly and what filled them was not pain...
It was wrath.
Caleb’s eyes widened in disbelief.
"What... what the hell—"
He never finished.
Gor’thala’s arm moved, sending a simple backhand slap forward...
But the force behind it—
BOOM.
The sound alone made the crowd flinch.
Caleb’s entire body left the ground instantly, spinning uncontrollably through the air like discarded trash. His transformation flickered and collapsed mid-flight as his seven-foot monstrous form shrunk rapidly back to his normal human size.
His consciousness abandoned him completely as his body flew over forty feet.
And then—
CRASH.
He smashed straight through the wall of a nearby structure, embedding halfway into it like a broken decoration.
Dust exploded outward as the concrete cracked around his limp frame and Caleb did not move again.
Not even a twitch.
The surroundings fell silent...
Phones that had been recording trembled in people’s hands.
Someone whispered weakly, "She... she just..."
"...slapped him..."
"...through a wall..."
Gor’thala stepped forward calmly, pulling the violet sword from her skin as if it were nothing more than a splinter. The wound had already closed completely.
Her staff materialized in her hand instantly and then morphed, transforming into a massive, elegant sword that buzzed with ancient magic.
She raised it.
"I am here," she voiced with a calm and absolute tone, "to vanquish the enemies of my master."
Her gaze locked onto Caleb’s unconscious body embedded in the wall.
"None shall survive."
She began walking toward him.
Each step carried the quiet inevitability of execution.
The crowd felt it.
That this wasn’t intimidation.
This wasn’t posturing.
This was real.
She would kill him.
Without hesitation.
Without remorse.
She raised the sword.
And swung but a loud voice rang out before she could strike.
"Stop."
West’s voice cut through the air.
The blade froze inches from Caleb’s neck.
Gor’thala turned her head slightly with her golden eyes settling on West.
"Master?" she asked.
West had pushed himself fully to his feet now. His body still ached, bruised, scorched, and battered but his eyes remained calm.
He walked toward her slowly.
"In as much as I wouldn’t mind Caleb being wiped out of existence," West said calmly, "I can’t allow it."
Gor’thala blinked once as a rare expression of confusion flickered across her face.
"Master... wants his enemies to live?"
West exhaled.
"This isn’t about mercy," he said. "It’s about consequences."
He glanced around at the broken courtyard. The destroyed pillar. The cracked wall. The unconscious bodies.
"Killing him would bring gang issues I’m not ready to deal with right now."
Gor’thala studied him and then lowered her sword.
"As you command."
She returned to his side instantly.
The crowd erupted into whispers.
"He just stopped her..."
"She listens to him..."
"Is that his summon?! He’s a summoner?"
"Bro... West is actually insane..."
A slow clap suddenly echoed from ahead.
"You won’t need to worry about consequences," a voice said calmly, "if you join Iron Chain."
Everyone turned and spotted three figures approaching.
At their center was Raze Calder.
His blazing iron chain tattoo burned faintly against his neck, glowing beneath his collar like a brand of ownership.
Two other Iron Chain members walked beside him, both Tier 1 awakened judging by the faint branch energy radiating from their bodies.
Raze surveyed the battlefield calmly.
His eyes took in everything.
The unconscious gang members.
The destroyed surroundings and finally...
Gor’thala.
"...Impressive," he said quietly.
The crowd murmured louder.
"That’s Iron Chain..."
"They’re actually here..."
"Not for Caleb this time for sure..."
West stared at him flatly.
"Why is Iron Chain here?" West asked.
Raze smiled faintly.
"You know why."
He stepped closer.
"Do you have an answer now?"
The meaning was clear.
Join them.
West opened his mouth to reply but another voice interrupted.
"So you’re a summoner..."
The voice was smooth, confident and powerful.
"...figures."
Everyone turned again and the moment they saw her—
The air itself seemed to grow heavier.
She walked forward with an authoritative bearing and her long dark hair flowing freely behind her. Her face was uncovered now...
She wasn’t wearing any mask or concealment and her beauty struck like a weapon.
She was cold, bossy and perfect... many male students in the background visibly gushed.
"It’s Miss Zu Li!"
"Leader of the Dragon Fang Gang."
"Oh my gosh, she is so hot I’d let her use me as a welcome mat!"
"Get in line buddy..."
Voices rang out from the background.
Being one of the most powerful gangs in the city, Miss Zu Li’s presence raised things to a whole new level.
Behind her stood several gang members and the familiar suited assistant.
The moment the Iron Chain members saw her, they faltered.
Even Raze’s expression tightened.
"...Dragon Fang," one of the iron chain gang members whispered.
"What is she doing here..."
Zu Li stopped several meters away from West and her eyes swept over him... then Gor’thala.
Then the unconscious awakened around him.
Her lips curved slightly.
"I was already interested in you," she voiced with sharpened gaze.
"But seeing you defeat four Tier 1 awakened without using your summon..."
Her smile deepened.
"...confirms it."
The crowd held its breath as Zu Li spoke clearly.
"I will make you my apprentice."
The words exploded through the surroundings like a bomb.
"WHAT?!"
"Apprentice?!"
"DRAGON FANG?!"
"That’s insane!"