I stood in the Lane familypound, watching as ze Lane''s facade ofposure cracked beneath my gaze. The room reeked of fear and broken pride. Behind him, his son Asher groaned weakly among the splintered remains of the antique cab.


    "For thest time," I said, each word precise and cold, "kneel and apologize for the assassination attempt."


    ze''s eyes darted to his whimpering son, then back to me. The arrogance that had defined him was rapidly giving way to desperation.


    "Let''s be reasonable, Knight," he said, forcing a conciliatory smile that didn''t reach his eyes. "Business is business. You''ve made your point. Perhaps we can reach an arrangement that benefits us both."


    I remained silent, watching him squirm.


    "Think about it," ze continued, growing animated as he sensed an opening. "With your talents and my connections, we could dominate this city together. The past is the past—why not look to the future?"


    The pathetic disy almost made meugh. Hours earlier, this man had been plotting my death. Now he offered partnership.


    "Is that all you have to say?" I asked.


    Sweat beaded on ze''s forehead. "I admit we may have acted... hastily. But killing us won''t serve your interests. The Lane family has powerful allies."


    "I didn''t ask for negotiations. I demanded an apology."


    ze''s expression shifted. "Wait. Just wait." He held up his hands. "We should talk more about this. There are things you don''t understand about—"


    I cut him off. "You''re stalling."


    His eyes widened slightly—confirmation enough. I''d seen these tactics before: feign cooperation while waiting for reinforcements. I decided to let his n unfold. It would be educational to see what he considered his trump card.


    "I''m not stalling," ze insisted, even as his eyes kept flicking toward the door. "I''m trying to resolve this situation like civilized men, not animals."


    I settled into a rxed stance. "Then by all means, continue being civilized."


    Confusion flickered across his face at my sudden patience. Before he could respond, heavy footsteps approached from the hallway. The massive double doors swung open, revealing a figure who had to duck to enter the room.


    The man who entered was enormous—easily seven feet tall with shoulders twice the width of an ordinary man''s. His face was weathered, with a jagged scar running from his left temple to his jaw. Despite his bulk, he moved with unsettling grace.


    "You called, Master Lane?" His voice was surprisingly soft for a man his size.


    ze''s expression transformed, confidence returning like a tide. "Aidan. Perfect timing. We have an unwee guest who doesn''t understand his position." <em ss="phantom-imprint">E%nj*oy^ the s#t$o!ry& by rea-d+i$ng on M.|V.|&LE%^M#PYR.</em>


    Aidan Ortega''s eyes found me, measuring me with the clinical detachment of a butcher appraising meat. I returned his gaze steadily.


    "This is him?" Aidan asked. "The one they call the Golden Saint?"


    "The very same," ze replied, smirking now. "Show him why no one threatens the Lane family."


    To my surprise, Aidan didn''t immediately attack. Instead, he approached me slowly, stopping at a respectful distance.


    "I''ve heard stories about you," he said. "They say you defeated the Silver Phantom without breaking a sweat. That you survived the Beast King''s poison and came back stronger."


    I remained silent, watching him carefully.


    "It takes courage to walk into an enemy''s stronghold alone," Aidan continued, a hint of genuine respect in his voice. "For that, I admire you."


    "Yet you''ll still fight me," I observed.


    He nodded solemnly. "I owe the Lane family a blood debt that can only be repaid through service. Nothing personal."


    "I understand obligations," I replied. "But know that standing with them puts you on the wrong side of this conflict."


    A flicker of regret crossed his face before it hardened again. "Perhaps. But my path was chosen long ago."


    Without further warning, his massive fist shot toward my face with blinding speed. I shifted slightly, letting it graze my cheek as I stepped inside his guard. My counter-strike aimed for his sr plexus—a blow that would incapacitate most men.


    My fist connected with what felt like solid stone. Aidan didn''t even flinch.


    "First lesson," he said quietly. "I am not most men."


    His open palm struck my chest, sending me sliding backward several feet. I remained standing, but the impact was undeniable. Few had evernded such a powerful blow against me.


    "Impressed?" ze called from the sidelines, his earlier fear reced by smug satisfaction. "Aidan is a Cross-Training Master—the only one in Veridia City. Hebines the Body Refinement techniques of the northern mountains with the Spirit Enhancement methods of the eastern seas."


    Aidan rolled his shoulders, his expression unreadable. "Master Lane talks too much. But he speaks truth. I''ve spent thirty years perfecting my art."


    He moved again, faster this time. We exchanged a flurry of strikes, mostnding as ncing blows as we tested each other''s defenses. His strength was truly extraordinary, but I was quicker, more fluid in my movements.


    "You''re holding back," Aidan observed during a momentary pause.


    "So are you," I countered.


    A ghost of a smile touched his scarred face. "Then perhaps it''s time we stopped pretending."


    The air around Aidan began to shimmer with heat. His already impressive muscles swelled further, the skin taking on a golden sheen that reminded me of metal being forged in fire. Veins protruded from his neck and arms, pulsing with power.


    "Behold the ultimate physical form!" ze crowed from his position of safety. "Aidan''s body bes living metal—unbreakable, unstoppable!"


    Aidan mmed his fists together, creating a shockwave that rattled the windows. "In this state, no de can cut me, no blow can break me. I am the Colossus."


    To demonstrate, he picked up a decorative sword from the wall and brought it down against his forearm. The de shattered like ss, leaving not even a scratch on his golden skin.


    "Do you see now?" ze called out, emboldened by his champion''s disy. "This is why you will kneel, Knight! This is why your arrogance ends today!"


    I watched Aidan''s transformation with genuine interest. Cross-Training was rare because most practitioners'' bodies couldn''t withstand the conflicting energies. That he had mastered it spoke to extraordinary natural gifts and relentless discipline.


    "Are you frightened yet?" ze taunted when I remained silent. "You should be. Aidan has defeated warriors far more seasoned than you. He''s crushed Martial Counts with his bare hands!"


    I shifted my gaze from Aidan to ze, noting how thetter stayed well back from thebat zone. Always letting others fight his battles, always hiding behind stronger men.


    Aidan advanced toward me, each footstep leaving small cracks in the marble floor. "I take no pleasure in this," he said quietly, "but I will fulfill my duty."


    He lunged forward, moving with shocking speed for someone so massive. His golden fist blurred through the air, aimed directly at my head with enough force to shatter stone.


    I didn''t dodge.


    The impact created a thunderous crash that sent tremors throughout the room. Dust fell from the ceiling. Paintings tumbled from walls. Caspian Miller, who had been cowering silently, yelped in terror.


    When the dust settled, everyone stared in disbelief.


    I stood unmoved, Aidan''s fist caught firmly in my open palm.


    "Impossible," Aidan whispered, genuine shock breaking through his stoic demeanor.


    ze''s triumphant expression melted into confusion, then fear. "What are you waiting for?" he shouted at Aidan. "Finish him!"


    Aidan tried to pull his fist back, but I maintained my grip. His eyes widened as he realized he was trapped.


    "It''s a pity," I said calmly, looking past Aidan to meet ze Lane''s increasingly panicked gaze, "that the Lane Family offended someone they shouldn''t have."