The atmosphere inside the Fcon Hotel was thick with the scent of an ancient battlefield. That deafening chorus of unified shouts-like the roar of a thousand war drums-could only belong to a scene straight out of a war zone.
The pretender posing as the Defender felt his resolve crumble with each echoing chant.
His escape routes? Sealed. The hotel was surrounded, packed with forces so numerous that even the thought of running seemed laughable. All he could do now was pray, pray that his organization wouldn’t abandon him to his fate.
Kayden Scott strode toward the entrance of the hotel amidst the thunderous roars of the soldiers. Alone, yet it felt like an entire army was paving his way. His presence, larger than life, carried the gravity of a deity descending upon mortal soil. His intent was clear-this wasn’t merely about punishing these pawns. No, this was a declaration of war, a direct challenge to the organization lurking in the shadows.
His steps were steady, deliberate, and unhurried. Eyes cast forward, Kayden didn’t spare anyone a glance. Yet, no one dared to see this as indifference. To those watching, this aloofness screamed dominance-the kind that didn’t need acknowledgment to be felt.
As soon as he stepped into the hotel lobby, Georgia Adams caught sight of him. Her eyes, already stained with tears, overflowed uncontrollably. Every ounce of fear, humiliation, and despair she had endured surged forth in that moment, manifested in unrelenting sobs.
“Kayden!” she cried out, her voice trembling with a mix of anguish and relief. She bolted toward him, unmindful of the tears blurring her vision, her only thought to find solace in his arms.
She reached him in mere moments, throwing herself at him and clinging tightly, as if he were her lifeline. Tears streamed like a torrential downpour, soaking into his chest. All the terror, the injustice-it all poured out in his embrace.
No matter how composed Georgia might appear to the world, at this moment, she was just a woman who needed to feel safe. And standing before her was the only man who could provide that.
Kayden’s strong hand came to rest gently on her back. His voice was low but steady as he reassured her, “I’m here now. It’s over.”
Lifting her from his chest, Kayden wiped the tears from her cheeks. His gaze softened as he met her eyes, though it didn’t waver in its resolve.
Georgia’s focus shifted to the lifeless body of Beckett Robinson lying not far away. Her voice quivered as she attempted to speak. “He… he…”
Kayden interrupted softly yet firmly, “I know. I’ll make them pay for this.” He turned his piercing gaze toward the imposter, now frozen in place. “No one harms what’s mine. No one dies in vain.”
The pretender felt those words like daggers in his chest. Kayden’s question came swiftly. “Why did you do this?”
The imposter shivered under Kayden’s penetrating stare, his confidence wavering. That icy gaze felt like it was peeling away layers of his soul. For a moment, the imposter managed to meet Kayden’s eyes, but he saw only a void-emotionless, implacable, and terrifyingly calm.
The more this was the case, the more he felt terrified!
There was a time when he was absolutely sure he could mimic the Defender perfectly.
Now he could see how absurd his idea was.
All along, he had been looking at the Defender’s photos, and repeatedly telling himself he was the real Defender.
He thought he had been good enough and even believed he could replace the Defender. But when he saw the Defender in person, he realized how naive he was. Such a demeanor and such a presence could not be imitated by anyone. The Defender was a living god; how could he possibly replace a god?
However, he wouldn’t bow down and admit defeat immediately. If he were to admit defeat at the sight of the Defender, he would be completely finished.
Finally, he spoke, forcing defiance into his voice. “I don’t owe you an explanation.”
Kayden’s lips curled into a chilling smile. “Your imitation is… amusing,” he said, his tone laced with mockery.
Before the imposter could retort, one of his lackeys stepped forward. “It’s you who’s the fake! Pretending to be the Defender? Ha! What a joke!”
Kayden didn’t flinch. His reply was cold and final. “You’re already dead.”
The words barely left his mouth before the lackey’s head snapped back, a small, bloody hole appearing in his forehead. He crumpled to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut, lifeless.
The room fell into a stunned silence. The death had been instantaneous, executed with such precision and speed that no one even saw the shot coming. Whispers of a hidden sniper rippled through the crowd, but no one dared utter a word aloud.
Kayden didn’t spare a glance for the fallen man. His voice was calm, yet it resonated with authority. “When I speak, I expect silence.”
Turning back to the imposter, Kayden’s tone grew sharper. “Now, once again-why? Who ordered you to do this?”
The imposter clenched his jaw, swallowing hard against the lump of fear rising in his throat. For a moment, he hesitated, but his pride-or perhaps his desperation-pushed him forward. “Interfering with my plans was your first mistake! People like you… don’t deserve to ask questions!”
Kayden’s eyes narrowed, and his voice dropped to an almost whisper. “You think someone’s coming to save you?”
The imposter faltered but remained silent. Another henchman, emboldened by misplaced loyalty, stepped forward to shield him. “Protect the Defender!” he declared.
The group quickly surrounded the man, and the burly man said, “Who are you? How dare you attempt to assassinate the Defender, this is a capital offense. Boy, do you know you are going to die?”
Kayden’s gaze became colder. “Turns out you know it’s a capital offense. Since you know it, I don’t need to elaborate on your fate, do I? Now, I’ll give you one more chance. Tell me, was this Hellblazer’s doing?”
The name sent a ripple of unease through the room. The imposter’s defiance faltered, but he forced a smile, his bravado now a desperate act. “What do you want to do?”
“Kill you all.”
The young man took a step forward as if a heavy burden had been lifted from him, and he burst into laughter.
People present exchanged glances. They had no idea what the young man was laughing about.
Finally, he raised his head and said, “Yes, I am impersonating you! Not only that, but I also want to replace you. Also, I believe I’m qualified to replace you.”