Prologue

‎The warehouse smelled of blood and smoke.

‎

‎Rain pounded relentlessly against the rusted roof, drowning out the distant wail of sirens.

‎

‎A man stumbled through the darkness, clutching the bullet wound in his side.

‎

‎Every step left a trail of crimson on the cold concrete floor.

‎

‎Olis.

‎

‎Leader of the Black Vipers.

‎

‎His breathing grew heavier as he leaned against a stack of abandoned cargo containers.

‎

‎Around him...

‎

‎Bodies lay motionless.

‎

‎The men who had sworn loyalty to him only hours earlier were now dead.

‎

‎Or worse...

‎

‎Some had betrayed him.

‎

‎Footsteps echoed through the warehouse.

‎

‎Slow.

‎

‎Steady.

‎

‎Confident.

‎

‎Olis gritted his teeth and raised his pistol.

‎

‎The figure stopped just beyond the shadows.

‎

‎Its face remained hidden.

‎

‎"You..." Olis rasped.

‎

‎"So it was you."

‎

‎The stranger said nothing.

‎

‎A single gunshot shattered the silence.

‎

‎The bullet tore through Olis's shoulder, forcing him to one knee.

‎

‎His pistol slipped from his hand and clattered across the floor.

‎

‎Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

‎

‎Another pair of footsteps rushed toward him.

‎

‎"Boss!"

‎

‎Dominic dropped to his knees beside him.

‎

‎His hands trembled as he tried to stop the bleeding.

‎

‎"We have to get you out of here!"

‎

‎Olis weakly grabbed Dominic's wrist.

‎

‎"No..."

‎

‎"There isn't enough time."

‎

‎"Boss, don't say that."

‎

‎Olis reached into his coat and pulled out a silver ring.

‎

‎It was engraved with two simple words.

‎

‎Stand Tall.

‎

‎"Give this to Amara."

‎

‎Dominic's eyes filled with tears.

‎

‎"I will."

‎

‎"Tell her..."

‎

‎Olis coughed violently.

‎

‎Blood stained his lips.

‎

‎"Tell her...

‎

‎Before he could finish...

‎

‎Another gunshot rang through the warehouse.

‎

‎Dominic instinctively shielded Olis.

‎

‎When the smoke cleared...

‎

‎The mysterious figure was gone.

‎

‎Olis's breathing became shallow.

‎

‎His gaze drifted toward the broken skylight above.

‎

‎Rainwater fell onto his face.

‎

‎For a brief moment...

‎

‎He smiled.

‎

‎"My little warrior..."

‎

‎"I know you'll finish what I couldn't."

‎

‎"Tell her to find victor......and..

‎

‎before he could finish.

‎

‎His hand slowly fell to the floor.

‎

‎Silence.

‎

‎The feared leader of the Black Vipers was dead.

‎

‎Dominic lowered his head.

‎

‎His voice cracked as he whispered,

‎

‎"I swear..."

‎

‎"Your death will not be in vain."

‎

‎Far away...

‎

‎Unaware that her world had just fade...

‎

‎A young woman stood before a punching bag.

‎

‎Each strike echoed with controlled power.

‎

‎She had no idea...

‎

‎That before the sun rose...

‎

‎She would become the most feared woman in the underworld.

‎

‎And she would make a promise...

‎

‎One that would change her life forever.

‎

‎She would destroy the man she believed was responsible.

‎

‎Even if it cost her heart.

‎

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***