Chapter 22

The Blackwoods weren't one of the seven elites, but their name still held weight. Especially in Ravenmoor, where Clara's grandfather had influence in places most feared to step.

She'd waited, watching, hoping Jaden would resolve the tension. He had power, that much was clear-

but strength without Sense was a blade without a handle. Dangerous to everyone.

This had gone past fists. Now it was politics, reputation... survival.

Kane chuckled darkly as he stepped forward, his boots grinding on loose gravel. "The Blackwood's little flower has thorns, huh? Your grandfather used to bow his head when I walked past. And you think I'll take Clara didn't blink. "Julie is my student. You're not laying a finger on her."

Jaden's brow lifted slightly. A smirk tugged at his lips as he watched Clara step up.

"She's braver than she looks," he murmured under his breath.

He stepped beside her, voice calm. "Thanks, Ms. Clara. I'll handle this now."

Clara spun toward him, angry fire in her eyes. "Handle? You made it worse! Kane's here because of you! You're reckless-

and you can't even protect yourself properly!"

Kane stretched his neck, muscles tense like coiled rope. "Two!" he roared, voice booming.

Jaden didn't flinch. "Three," he said casually, finishing the count, eyes

locked on Kane like a man staring at prey.

Kane snapped.

He lunged forward with heavy steps, ready to crush Jaden under sheer brute force.

But halfway through his charge-he stopped.

Frozen.

His face twisted, not in anger... but fear. Confusion.

He recognized who he was up against.

"That face..." Kane whispered, stumbling one step back. "No... It can't be. You're-"

He trailed off. The cigarette slipped from his lips, bouncing off his boot.

Bob blinked in disbelief. "Hah! Look at brother Kane trembling in rage! You messed with the wrong guy now, kid. He's about to explode!"

A thug nearby cackled, walking over with a dirty cup filled with foul-

smelling gutter water. "Here's your tea, tough guy. Don't say we ain't polite."

He shoved the cup toward Jaden mockingly.

Then it happened fast.

CRACK!

Kane's hand shot out like a whip.

The man flew sideways, crashing into a stall, cup shattering beside him.

ét

"IDIOT!" Kane roared. He stormed over, snatched the broken cup, and splashed the sewage water intox

thugs The rightful source is FindN0vel.net

Who told you to touch

him?!"

Bob staggered. "B-Brother Kane... he's just some guy-

SMACK!

The slap came fast. Bob's head whipped to the side.

SMACK!

Another one. Then a third. Loud and sharp.

Kane didn't stop.

SMACK. SMACK. SMACK.

Bob was staggering, arms raised uselessly as Kane kept hitting him. The crowd fell silent, stunned.

"You insulted the King!" Kane

shouted, voice hoarse. "You fools

think this is a game? If you're eager to die, how dare your drag

this?!"

into

"The... King?" Bob choked, wiping blood from his nose. "Who-?"

THUD!

Kane swept his legs, sending him crashing down.

Another man backed away quickly, hands raised. "I'm just an informant! Please-

I didn't know-"

Kane lunged, grabbed his collar, and slammed him down. "Trying to run after offending the King?!"

BOOM!

A punch straight to the jaw knocked the man out cold.

Then, silence.

Kane turned, chest heaving, and slowly dropped to his knees.

His head bowed.

"Forgive me," he said to Jaden, voice shaking. "I didn't know I didn't tecognize you, King Please 1beg for mercy."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"The Crusher... is kneeling?"

"What's going on...?"

"Who the hell is that guy?"