Marlon's words echoed across the Deadlight District, sparking visible reactions from all who heard them.

Tinubu frowned deeply, the confusion on his face quickly replaced by disappointment.

The Black Brothers reacted similarly, though most of them were still confused as to what could have triggered such a development.

As for the hunters, they had no idea either.

"Come with you to the Hunter Association?"

Draven frowned.

Like everyone else born in the Deadlight District, hatred for the Hunter Association was bred into their hearts from birth.

And Draven was no different.

While growing up, they were taught how big and powerful the association was, how it defended the world from monsters and villains.

They were also taught how that same association had refused to help them, leaving them to rot in the hellhole it had created.

And now those same people, the ones who could have made his life and his sister's better but chose not to, were now commanding him?

"Yes. I am asking peacefully because I do not want to use force."

Marlon responded calmly.

"Force? Do you think they can defeat me even after all you've witnessed?"

"It might take a couple of minutes to get you down, but you're pretty easy to deal with. You're nothing compared to the monsters I've taken down."

Draven's frown only grew deeper as he heard those words.

The respect he once held finally vanished, and at that moment, Marlon became a foe.

He clenched his fists, misty red energy wrapping around them as it buzzed with power.

Marlon remained standing, completely unfazed.

The same could not be said for the hunters and the Black Brothers, who began whispering among themselves.

"You said you have a sister?"

Marlon suddenly asked.

Hearing the question, the energy around Draven's fist flickered violently. His frown deepened, and his eyes radiated a cold, murderous intent.

"If you agree to come with me willingly, you will both be transported safely. If you refuse and I have to beat you and take you back by force, then she will be left alone in this place. I know this is your birthplace, which means you understand just how unsafe a place like this is for someone like her."

As Marlon spoke, he carefully observed the changes in Draven's expression.

He understood the kind of person standing before him.

The kind who felt numb toward others, but whose emotions ran deep for those he held dear.

And that person was his sister.

He gave Draven enough time to process the negotiation, hoping he would accept it.

Marlon was certain he could take him down, though it would be tricky, but he did not want to drag him back through violence.

Something within him did not want to fight Draven.

He could not explain why.

"You're not taking me anywhere."

Draven finally responded after some time.

The energy around his fists surged violently, his eyes emitting an even stronger intent to kill.

And then—

With an explosive sound, dust formed and wind drifted violently as Draven blasted forward.

The distance between them was short, so Marlon reacted immediately. His fist glowed with divine energy as he launched himself toward his opponent.

The collision was massive.

A shockwave erupted and swept across the area, making it impossible for others to remain standing. Some lower-ranked individuals in the gathering were thrown to the ground.

But the two causes of destruction did not stop.

"Do not mention my sister ever again."

Draven gritted his teeth as he clashed once more after their initial exchange.

Marlon did not respond. Divine energy still wrapped around his fist as he countered the incoming punch with ease.

The two of them entered a rapid exchange of blows, sending shockwave after shockwave rippling through the area.

Draven soon grew tired of the purely physical exchange and subtly added magical attacks into the fight.

He made the ground beneath Marlon tremble using earth manipulation, and when Marlon seemed to struggle to regain his footing, Draven closed the distance.

He clawed his hand and lunged it toward Marlon's chest, aiming to end him and consume his heart.

Marlon's eyes turned cold.

At once, he summoned a clone unit that swarmed Draven immediately, without even waiting for his command.

The arrival of the clones was something the devourer had not anticipated, and he was momentarily fazed by their sudden appearance.

His earth manipulation was disrupted, and the ground stopped trembling, giving Marlon the opportunity to recover quickly.

Draven immediately retaliated, launching magical attacks of varying elements, mostly fire and ice, toward the clones.

[ Clone 1 has been killed ]

[ Clone 5 has been killed ]

Marlon ignored the loss of his clones. They were expendable from the start.

He closed the distance while Draven was occupied with combat.

It became clear that Draven lacked any skill that heightened his awareness of danger, and Marlon used this to his advantage.

Draven was unleashing a barrage of fire discs when Marlon appeared behind him and sent him crashing to the ground with a fierce kick.

Draven lost his footing instantly and fell.

He began lifting himself up at once.

But Marlon struck again, sending him flying backward like a ragdoll.

Draven coughed up a mouthful of blood, his vision spinning as pain surged through him.

When he landed amidst the heaps of Leon Brothers he had slain, he immediately activated a self-healing skill while scanning the area, searching for the real Marlon.

But it was already too late.

Before he could fully react, an unexpected strike hit him from behind, sending him crashing forward.

He landed at Marlon's feet.

"Will you back down now?"

Marlon asked calmly.

Back down?

Draven repeated the words in his mind.

He could not.

And so he activated another skill instantly.

Thick rock chains burst from the ground and latched onto the figure in front of him.

Draven leapt back to his feet, flattening his hand as energy buzzed violently around it. He swung it toward Marlon's neck.

But the moment his attack landed, Marlon vanished.

"A clone…"

Draven's eyes widened.

But it was already too late.

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