Chapter 13: The Sniper

Words : 1695 Updated : Dec 17th, 2025

"Who the hell are you people?" Zayden Lyson asked, his voice low. "Dad." Louie Lyson's eyes widened. "I remember! Longevity Hall! The Hoez family! Shao Qiu was killed by them!" Hudson Lyson and Zayden Lyson both stiffened as the memory clicked. "I don't recall the Lyson family offending any of you," Zayden said with a frown. "You indeed haven't offended us," Nier replied with a faint smile, "but your Lyson family offended our Young Master." Zayden's brow knit tighter. "May I ask who this 'Young Master' is? Where is he? Have him come out so I can meet him. If there's been a misunderstanding, we can talk it out." "Our Young Master is an old acquaintance of everyone present," Nier said, suddenly teasing. "An old acquaintance? Who-" Zayden began. "You'll know in a moment," Nier cut him off. "As for why I'm here today, it's simple. I'm just delivering a gift. Nothing else. Please don't misunderstand, Old Master Lyson. Carry on." "Bullshit!" Louie snapped. "It's my dad's sixtieth birthday, and you bring a bell, then tell us not to misunderstand? You're clearly here to make trouble! Dad, don't bother talking to them. Just kill them. Everyone's watching. We can't lose face!" Smack! In the next heartbeat, a figure blurred into place right in front of Louie, ghostlike. A palm flashed, and Louie went flying. "When adults are speaking, children shouldn't interrupt." When they saw the newcomer's face, Hudson Lyson, Zayden Lyson, and many of the guests went slack-jawed with shock. "Young Master!" Nier and the others bowed at once. The courtyard fell silent as dozens of men in black dropped to one knee before a teenage boy. Gasps rippled through the crowd. "The 'Young Master' you were talking about is you?" Zayden said, brows drawn tight as he stared at Jaden Waller. Jaden met his gaze. "And if it is?" "I didn't expect it," Zayden said. "In just five years, you've gathered your own forces. No wonder you dared show up in Jenos and kill with impunity. But do you really think a few men are enough to challenge the Lyson family?" He suddenly laughed. "You're underestimating the foundation of the Four Great Families." "Don't give me that 'heritage' crap." Jaden's tone stayed flat. "I came here for two things: first, to bring you a bell; second, to ring your death knell." "The first part is done. Now for the second." He stepped out once and arrived before Zayden in a blur. His speed left only afterimages in the air. Hudson moved first, planting himself in front of Zayden. "Big Brother, you don't need to lift a finger. Let me deal with this punk. Die!" He drove a fist straight at Jaden's face. Thunk! Expressionless, Jaden snatched a chopstick from the table and, like a thunderbolt, rammed it into Hudson's throat. Blood sprayed, then gushed. Hudson's eyes bulged. He toppled into a spreading pool of red. Zayden's face drained of color. Louie stood stunned, trembling. He had never seen anyone killed like that. "Second Uncle!" he cried. "Dad! Second Uncle's dead!" He didn't dare step closer. "Men!" Zayden roared. "Kill him! Avenge Second Master!" Dozens of Lyson family guards surged in from all sides, weapons drawn, and charged Jaden. Jaden didn't move. "Young Master, leave it to me," Nier said with a smile. He strode forward like a god of slaughter. In a flurry of motion, Lyson guards dropped one after another, each felled with a single blow. Some exploded into bloody mist under a punch. Others had their necks twisted with a crack. "With this rabble, you think you can get within reach of our Young Master? Know your place," Nier said, returning to Jaden's side, respectful as ever. All around, people sucked in sharp breaths. "Such ruthless methods." "What terrifying killing skills." "No one masters that without hundreds of life-and-death fights." Jaden looked at Zayden. "You're head of the Lyson family, yet you don't even have the courage to make a move? You keep sending your men to die. Do you deserve that seat?" The words shoved Zayden to the edge. If he didn't act, the shame would be unbearable. "Kid from the Waller family," Zayden said. "I admit you're strong. Much stronger than five years ago. But this is where it ends." He clapped his hands. On the roof, a man appeared with a sniper rifle, prone and aiming down at Jaden. "You might be tough," Zayden said with a smile, "but can you stop a bullet? Are you faster than a sniper round?" "A sniper?" Voices rose in the crowd. "How is there a sniper in the courtyard?" "Zayden had one positioned ahead of time!" "Even a top War God Level Martial Artist can't dodge a sniper's scope, let alone a Barrett-faster, farther, more accurate, more powerful." "Looks like the farce ends here." "In the end, Zayden planned ahead." "Fire. Kill him!" Zayden ordered. Bang! The sniper on the roof squeezed the trigger. The bullet screamed toward Jaden. Nier started forward, but Jaden lifted a hand to stop him. He slowly raised two fingers. A heartbeat later, the bullet reached the gap between Jaden's fingers-and went no farther. It slowed, then halted, pinched between them. Jaden flicked it back. Pop! The round punched through the sniper's skull. A bloody hole opened in the man's forehead. The guests fell into dead silence, a collective hiss of breath running through them. "Catching a bullet barehanded… how is that possible?" "Is he an Innate Martial Artist?!" "He has to be. Otherwise no one could catch a sniper round with two fingers, especially from a Barrett."

Chapter 13: The Sniper

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