Garrett and his six companions appeared.
Callum’s face changed at the sight. He roared, brandishing a red axe, and charged at them. Midway, he swung the axe down with a thunderous force.
Clearly, he intended to make an example out of someone to intimidate Darnell and the others.
Garrett did not retreat but advanced instead. With a swift step, he raised his fire axe and met Callum’s red axe head-on.
A loud clang echoed as both men were knocked back, each spitting blood from their mouths, nearly falling to the ground.
The wound on Callum’s head split open further from the collision, making it even more gruesome and causing him intense pain. But more than the pain, he was shocked.
He never expected Garrett to be as strong as he was.
Compared to Callum, Garrett was in better shape. After spitting out a mouthful of blood, he twisted his neck and steadied himself again, licking his lips. “Come on.”
Youth and vigor allowed him to recover faster than someone past their prime.
Callum exhaled, feeling stiffness in his hand gripping the axe. He wanted to fight the big man in front of him but had failed in his initial strike.
His attention shifted back to Luca. Nothing was more important than Luca’s safety. He wanted to conserve some strength for a chance to rescue their leader.
As Callum retreated silently with his axe, dozens of the Apex members charged forward with a roar, only to be repelled by Arthur, Vance, and other men wielding axes.
Garrett’s kick sent one person flying into a dozen others, creating chaos. Garrett seized the opportunity to reach Darnell’s side and asked, “Mr. Halford, are you alright?”
Darnell was momentarily stunned. “Garrett, why are you here?”
“We heard the Apex was causing trouble and that you got involved, so we came over,” Garrett said earnestly, standing back-to-back with Darnell. “You’ve helped us so many times. It’s our turn now.”
“But this means going against the Apex,” Darnell said with a gentle smile. “You might end up on the run again.”
“With all the fights and schemes we’ve been through with them, it’s bound to come to this sooner or later,” Garrett replied, gripping his chipped axe and eyeing the restless Apex members. “Might as well get it over with.”
Seeing new allies arrive boosted Leroy and his group’s morale. Though they were few in number, at least they weren’t fighting alone.
“You think you can go against the Apex? Dream on!” Gisselle shouted. “Darnell, release our leader now and we can negotiate. Otherwise, it’ll be mutual destruction.”
Her eyes were sharp. “With over three hundred men, we can easily crush you paupers. If that’s not enough, I’ll call three thousand more.”
The Apex had thousands of members. Gisselle had enough confidence.
Callum and Nick pressed forward with their men. “Release our leader! Release our leader or it’ll be mutual destruction!”
“You really think these weaklings can harm me?” Darnell sneered, “Today, I’ll shatter your pride.”
He pushed Luca toward Garrett. “Watch this old man for me.”
Garrett grabbed the pale Luca and placed an axe at his neck, giving him no chance to resist. “Mr. Halford, what are you going to do?”
“Garrett, keep an eye on him!” Darnell stepped out from Arthur and Vance’s protective circle. “Luca, today, I’ll fight your three hundred men alone.”
“If your men knock me down, I’ll release you immediately.”
“If I win, you’ll be my dog from now on.”
The entire place fell silent at these words. Everyone looked at Darnell in disbelief.
One against three hundred?
Luca was taken aback but then laughed heartily. “Darnell, you’re truly bold. Fine, I accept your challenge.”
“If you defeat Callum and the others, I won’t cause any more trouble in Woodsea and will be your dog from now on. The Apex will follow your orders.”
“You’ll be our king”
“But if you lose, release me and cut off one of your hands. Woodsea will pay tribute of one billion dollars annually.”
This meant Darnell was betting his life and Woodsea’s future on a showdown with the Apex.
Darnell stopped Garrett and Lillian from speaking and then looked at Noemi.
Noemi understood Darnell’s intentions immediately and cursed angrily, “If you want to die, I won’t stop you! One billion it is.”
For Woodsea, there weren’t many options at this moment. If they didn’t take a bold gamble now, the Apex would become a relentless threat in the future.
Lillian cried out, “Darnell, no!”
With Noemi’s approval, Darnell smiled faintly at Luca. “Deal.”
He motioned for Noemi to prepare paper and a pen, so they could write down both parties’ conditions clearly.
After signing the agreement, Darnell stepped forward and smiled at Nick and Callum. “Come on then. This time I won’t hold back.”
Nick laughed angrily, “Darnell, you’ll regret it!”
Callum tightened his grip on his axe.
Luca shouted, “Don’t disappoint me! Attack!”
Lillian called out softly, “Darnell…”
Darnell chuckled, “Lillian, don’t worry. If I win, warm my bed tonight.”
Blushing deeply, Lillian replied softly, “Okay.”
Darnell felt a surge of excitement.
He leaped onto the stage, facing off against hundreds of Apex members who roared furiously.
“Charge! Charge! All together!”
Nick and Gisselle knew Darnell’s strength well, so they ordered their men forward while retreating themselves.
Dozens of Apex members swarmed towards Darnell, who stood alone on stage, wielding wooden sticks, filled with murderous intent, making everyone shiver involuntarily.
Callum stayed close by Nick, fearing he might get captured, then noticed Luca signaling him discreetly. Understanding immediately, he pulled out his phone sending a message to Elliott, their trump card, a killing machine returned from abroad earning millions annually guarding their gang’s honor!
“Kill him!”
As Callum silently sent a text to summon Elliott, a member of the Apex leaped onto the stage, relying on his agility. The moment he landed, he launched a sweeping kick.
He always believed that Darnell’s fighting skills were subpar, attributing his victories to his physical prowess and external advantages. Callum and his group often found themselves at a disadvantage due to unforeseen circumstances.
Thus, he held a dismissive attitude toward Darnell.
When faced with the incoming kick, Darnell let out a cold laugh, lifting his left foot and extending it forward. Their legs collided in mid-air, producing a sharp, piercing sound.
A scream followed as the attacker was sent flying, landing on the ground while clutching his leg and howling in agony. His bone had been shattered, causing excruciating pain.
Without missing a beat, Darnell leaped into the air and delivered another kick, sending another opponent hurtling backward as if struck by a speeding train. The man flew far, spraying blood as he hit the ground.
Darnell stood there, unarmed, a mocking smile playing on his lips, his white teeth gleaming with a savage glint. “Bring it on.”
Nick, furious, shouted, “You bastard, are you tired of living? Brothers, let’s rush him together!”
“I’m curious how he plans to take on three hundred alone. Just a loudmouth!”
Under Nick’s furious command, enemies began to swarm onto the stage.
But for some reason, as they swung their clubs halfway, their shouts still hanging in the air, they froze mid-motion.
At that moment, Darnell shot them a glance, his eyes cold and sharp, exuding a palpable killing intent.
This fierce aura made them hesitate, their courage waning as they stood paralyzed in place.