A headless body stood there, blood gushing out in a violent spray for a full five seconds before it collapsed to the ground with a lifeless thud.
The room fell silent. No one dared to speak. Swallowing hard, they exchanged tense glances, their faces pale with unease.
Most of those present were no strangers to death, but this level of brutality was something none of them had ever witnessed before.
Who was this man? How could someone be so cold-blooded and ruthless?
The question lingered in their minds, but no one dared to voice it aloud.
Kayden’s icy gaze shifted briefly to the decapitated corpse on the floor. “And what about your blood?” he asked coldly.
Of course, the corpse could no longer answer.
Soren Thorne, standing nearby, glanced nervously at his father. His heart raced, his body trembling at the sight of the merciless Kayden.
Jett Thorne, seated on his throne, twitched slightly, his facial muscles betraying a momentary flicker of emotion. But just as quickly, his expression returned to calm. His piercing gaze scanned Kayden from head to toe before he finally spoke.
“Young man, who are you? Why do you carry such heavy resentment? To my knowledge, the Venom Sect has never wronged you.”
Jett’s tone was measured. He was not one to make enemies without cause, especially today-a day he had deemed sacred for his grand ritual, during which the blood of 999 virgins would be spilled.
Kayden did not reply. Instead, a woman’s voice suddenly rang out from the crowd surrounding him.
“Old dog, do you remember me?”
Before anyone could react, a chorus of screams filled the air. A woman armed with a short blade tore through the guards at the entrance, cutting them down without hesitation.
After slicing through the opposition, Wood Faulkner emerged, standing by Kayden’s side. Her crimson eyes locked onto Jett Thorne as she hissed, “Do you remember me, old dog?”
Jett Thorne’s expression shifted the moment he saw her. Recognition dawned in his eyes, and he nodded slowly. “Ah, so it’s you. Hahaha!”
His laughter echoed through the hall, masking the calculations running through his mind.
Three years ago, he had encountered this woman. Back then, he had lured her to the Venom Sect under false pretenses, intending to use her as a test subject for an experimental drug. The formula had been incomplete at the time, requiring countless trials on unwilling participants. She had been one of the few to escape, saved by the Alfredson family.
And now, here she was, back with reinforcements.
What did she want? Revenge?
The thought amused him. Seeking vengeance against the Venom Sect was nothing short of delusional.
However, the man standing beside her was no ordinary ally. Weighing his options carefully, Jett Thorne decided on a different approach.
“What happened three years ago was a misunderstanding,” he said, his tone almost apologetic. “I sincerely apologize. If you seek compensation, name your price. Whatever the Venom Sect can offer, it shall be yours.”
Jett sounded generous, but his motives were far from pure. He wasn’t afraid of Kayden or Wood Faulkner. What he feared was jeopardizing today’s ritual.
This day was too important to waste battling these intruders. If he could resolve the matter peacefully, he would. Once his plans were complete, he could deal with Kayden at his leisure, erasing him from existence.
Jett Thorne was not one to forgive or forget. His vindictive nature had already led him to curse the Rocco family with unspeakable cruelty.
Kayden nodded slightly at the offer of peace, but his voice was unrelenting.
“That’s fine. I saw you poison those girls outside, binding their souls with needles. Undo the poison, kneel before me, and take your own life. Do that, and I’ll let this go. Consider it your final act of redemption. After all, you should know better than anyone that a man like you is destined for hell.”
Jett Thorne’s pupils dilated, his voice sharp as he asked, “Was it you who dealt with the Rocco family?”
Kayden’s reply was blunt. “It was. I was doing you a favor. Your use of dark magic to slaughter the innocent defied the natural order. You’ve already strayed too far.”
Kayden rarely spoke of morality, but the words rolled off his tongue with surprising ease.
Jett Thorne’s face darkened further. His fists clenched tightly, his fury barely contained. Kayden’s actions had already cost him two of his most powerful Grand Lords, crippling his sect’s strength.
This was a grudge he could not ignore.
“Redemption? What a noble sentiment,” Jett sneered through gritted teeth. His voice dripped with venom.
Kayden smirked. “Enough talk. Kill yourself now, and I’ll spare the rest of the Venom Sect. Otherwise, I’ll slaughter every last one of you.”
The room froze. Jett’s followers exchanged uneasy glances, their hearts pounding.
This man was insane. To threaten the entire Venom Sect? Who did he think he was?
Still, none of them spoke. The gruesome fate of Finnian and the Grand Lord lingered fresh in their minds.
“So there’s no room for negotiation, is there?” Jett asked, standing slowly from his throne.
Kayden smiled. “I never intended to negotiate in the first place.”
Jett’s face twisted into a mask of rage. The black mist behind him thickened, swirling ominously. His breathing grew heavier, each exhale a low growl.
“You fool,” he spat. “Just because you killed a few useless pawns, you think you can defy me?”
“I was willing to let you walk away. But since you’ve refused, don’t blame me for what happens next.”
He raised a hand, and two heavy tables floated into the air. With a flick of his wrist, they flew toward Kayden.
Kayden raised his blade, slicing through the air. A flash of light struck the incoming tables, shattering them into splinters with a resounding crash.
Jett laughed. “Impressive. You’ve got some skill, I’ll admit. But not enough to face me.”
He turned to his followers. “Kill him. They’ve already been poisoned with Venomshade. They can’t use their inner strength. Take him down together. Leave the woman alive-she’ll serve our purposes.”
Wood Faulkner’s appearance had not gone unnoticed. Jett had recognized her as a virgin the moment he saw her. She’d be perfect for his ritual. If Kayden had agreed to leave, Wood would have been detained regardless.
But now, there was no need to hide his intentions.
Thirteen figures emerged from the shadows, surrounding Kayden and Wood.
These were Jett’s final line of defense-an assortment of grotesque faces, their features twisted and misshapen. It was almost impressive how the Venom Sect had managed to assemble such a hideous group.