Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

It was too late for Ellis. Before he knew it, Andrew's Dragon Claw Strike clamped down on his shoulder with crushing precision.

Ellis let out a blood-curdling scream, his voice thick with agony. His shoulder twisted violently as he attempted to spin through the air—a full 360-degree motion meant to break free using a technique known as Dragon Molting.

Even while airborne, he gritted his teeth and launched a vicious counter-kick toward Andrew's abdomen.

Yet, Andrew did not even flinch. With a cold, soundless smirk, he snapped his knee upward, effortlessly intercepting the incoming strike.

Ellis's foot missed entirely, and the impact shredded ligaments along the way.

At the same time, Andrew's grip shifted, his Dragon Claw morphing fluidly as it locked onto Ellis's elbow joint.

A loud crack echoed, and the sound was sharp enough to make onlookers wince.

Ellis threw his head back and let out a tortured scream. "My arm! You bastard, I'll kill you—"

But it was too late. One of his arms had just been brutally dislocated-ripped from its socket like it was nothing more than a doll's limb.

No matter how much rage he summoned, no matter how much bloodlust filled his chest, Ellis was powerless. In Andrew's hands, he was nothing but a ragdoll.

Andrew grabbed the back of Ellis' neck and swung his body like a wrecking ball, smashing his face-first into the wall. Then, under the horrified gaze of everyone present, he kept going.

Dragging Ellis like a battering ram, Andrew plowed through over 30 feet of the building's wooden outer wall, reducing the iconic facade to splinters and dust.

The entire front of Genesis Dispensary collapsed into chaos-timber, smoke, and debris flying everywhere.

Ellis lay face down, twitching on the floor, his eyes bloodshot and bulging. He looked like a half-dead animal, wheezing through a mouth full of blood.

Old Hayface nearly choked on his own spit, trembling as he stuttered, "Y-You... you actually killed Ellis... M-Mr. Lake will never let you walk away from this..."

Andrew gave him a smile, but to Old Hayface, there was nothing warm in it-only an unearthly chill that sank into his bones.

Then, Andrew brought his foot down on Ellis's remaining arm. The sickening snap rang out like a gunshot, and just like that, Ellis was done. Both arms were shattered beyond repair.

A thick stream of blood poured from his mouth as his eyes locked onto Andrew's. There was no more anger in them-only a wild, desperate question.

'Who the hell are you? You're not some no-name punk from Jayrodale... You used Silverthorn's deadliest techniques like they were second nature... Could it be... Could you already be a martial king?'

Ellis's entire body trembled violently before freezing completely.

The answer had dawned on him. This man, this terrifying figure

front of him-Andrewmet

the

king.

power of a full-fledged

A one-man army, a walking calamity.

Yet, he could no longer speak. His body would not move, not even his tongue. He was finished.noveldrama

"Janice, we're leaving."

Andrew did not give Old Hayface or the remaining apprentices a single glance.

He simply walked to the Ferrari, opened the door for Janice, and drove off,

smooth and unbothered, as if he'd never been there.

He came in with thunder and left with calm.

And Genesis Dispensary-once the

worldBlumedale's elite

-did not even have the

strength to lift a finger to stop him.

The crowd exploded with noise the moment the Ferrari roared away. People were buzzing, faces alight with awe.

"Holy crap, that was insane!"

"Ellis was a beast—the guy's been behind more deaths than anyone in the local underworld. And this.dude turned him into pulp like he was nothing!" Śwnovel

"That's real martial arts, man—true Eastern technique! Not some flashy

showboating crap. That was kill-or-be-killed fighting!"

"I totally misjudged him... Genesis Dispensary's been untouchable for years.

Anyone who tried got buried six feet under!"

"But today? Karma finally hit. Damn, that felt good."

Those who had bet against Andrew were now frozen in disbelief, looking like they had just swallowed nails.

They called him a dead man walking, but anyone capable of demolishing Ellis like that was no ordinary man.

That was a legend in the making.

And though most in Blumedale hadn't heard of him before, after today, no one would forget the name Andrew Lloyd.