Escape Through Fire and Dust

Why, after returning to Europe, had things been so unlucky?

The thought echoed again and again in Lucas’s mind, bitter and sharp like broken glass scraping against his pride.

His chest rose violently as he staggered backward, every breath ragged, every heartbeat loud enough to drown out reason.

If he had known... if he had known things would spiral like this—

He should have called in experts from the Obsidian Wing.

Should have brought backup.

Should have crushed this entire situation before it even began.

Regret came too late.

It always did.

Just as he was drowning in resentment, in pain, in fury—

A sudden, deafening horn tore through the air.

BLAARRRRR—!

The sound hit him like a shockwave.

His head snapped toward the road.

A large truck thundered past just beyond the broken boundary wall of the Auction house parking lot, its engine roaring, headlights slicing through the night.

For a split second—

Everything slowed.

His eyes—

Lit up.

An opportunity!

A dangerous one.

A desperate one.

But right now—

It was perfect.

Lucas’s mind sharpened instantly.

He quickly made a plan.

No hesitation.

No doubt.

He deliberately exposed a flaw!

His stance loosened.

His guard dropped—just enough.

Just enough for predators like Julian and Yana to notice.

And they did.

Of course they did.

When Julian D’Aurelius and Yana Tyson simultaneously landed a punch on him—

He didn’t resist.

He embraced it.

Using the force of their attacks, he twisted his body mid-impact, redirecting the momentum.

His body flew backward.

Not uncontrolled—

But guided.

Calculated.

He crashed into the boundary wall.

CRACK—!

The already weakened structure shattered under the impact, fragments of stone and dust exploding outward.

He fell directly onto the roadside.

Gravel bit into his skin.

Pain shot through his spine.

But he didn’t stop.

Didn’t hesitate.

At the same time, the truck just happened to drive past him.

Timing.

Perfect.

Enduring the pain, he quickly burst out from the debris, pushing his battered body to its limit.

His fingers clawed forward—

He leapt—

And grabbed onto the speeding truck.

His grip locked onto the metal edge.

His body swung violently for a moment before stabilizing.

He had done it.

He was out.

He was alive.

Breathing hard, blood still dripping from the corner of his lips, he looked back at them—

And laughed.

Low.

Cold.

Mocking.

"You two fools, this is my escape route, didn’t see that coming, did you?"

His voice carried over the roar of the engine.

Arrogant.

Sharp.

Even now—

Even in this state—

He refused to look weak.

Julian narrowed his eyes slightly, watching the truck pull away.

Yana’s fists clenched.

But Lucas wasn’t done.

Not even close.

After hitching a ride, he leaned against the truck’s side, forcing himself upright despite the pain tearing through his body.

He looked at Julian D’Aurelius and Yana Tyson and shouted arrogantly—

"Did you really think you could kill me that easily? You’re still far too green!"

His laughter followed.

Rough.

Unsteady—

But filled with defiance.

Even in such a life-threatening situation, so what?

He spat blood to the side and sneered.

"As long as I still breathe, I’m not someone you can bury!"

The wind whipped past him, tugging at his clothes, but his eyes burned brighter.

If he wanted to leave, who could stop him?

"Remember this—when I decide to leave, no one here has the right to stop me!"

His voice echoed faintly as the distance widened.

When he recovered next time, the Tyson Family would still bow beneath his feet.

"I’ll return... and when I do, your Tyson Family will kneel one by one before me!"

His gaze shifted to Julian.

Cold.

Killing intent blazing.

And Julian D’Aurelius, after their brief exchange, he was certain that this person was only at the early stage of the Silver Realm.

"You—Julian D’Aurelius—don’t think I didn’t see through you. Early Silver Realm... nothing more!"

The next time they met, it would be his death day!

"Next time we meet, I’ll crush you piece by piece and make you regret ever crossing me!"

The truck sped farther.

His figure blurred into the distance.

But his voice—

Lingered.

Like a curse hanging in the air.

Seeing the rapidly departing truck, Yana Tyson didn’t waste a second.

Her expression tightened.

Her jaw clenched.

She turned sharply and hurried toward her car.

"Damn it... he’s getting away!"

Her heels struck the ground faster now, urgency breaking through her earlier composure.

She reached her car—

Pulled the door open—

Ready to give chase.

But just as she was about to get in—

A hand caught her wrist.

Firm.

Steady.

"Too late, let it go."

Julian’s voice came calm.

Almost... relaxed.

She froze for a second, turning to look at him.

"Are you serious?" she snapped, frustration rising. "He’s right there—we can still catch him!"

Julian shook his head slowly.

His golden eyes remained fixed on the distant road.

"No," he said quietly. "He’s already planning his next move."

Julian—exhaled softly.

The tension in his body eased slightly.

"The other party wouldn’t be foolish enough to keep hanging on the truck to escape; he’ll probably get off and hide at some point."

He glanced at her.

"We chase now; we lose the trail completely."

Yana’s expression tightened.

Her fingers curled against the car door.

"Just let him go like that?"

Her voice dropped.

Not anger now.

Frustration.

Reluctance.

Just a little bit more—

And she could have ended it.

Could have crushed him.

Could have avenged everything.

"Just a little more..." she muttered under her breath, eyes flickering with unwillingness. "I could’ve finished him today."

Julian looked at her for a moment.

Then spoke calmly—

"There will be opportunities. You already know about your father’s situation, right?"

His tone softened slightly.

That shift—

Subtle, but real.

She paused.

Then nodded slowly.

"I know," she said quietly. "And... thank you again, Young Master Julian, for the reminder. The Tyson Family will never forget this kindness."

Her voice carried sincerity.

No hesitation.

No pride.

Just truth.

She stepped back—

Then bowed deeply to Julian.

The movement was clean.

Respectful.

If it weren’t for Julian—

Her family would have already fallen.

If it weren’t for Julian—

She wouldn’t have had the chance to strike back so soon.

Although... Lucas did manage to escape.

That part still burned.

"It’s nothing," Julian said with a faint smile. "I’ll continue to have people look for Lucas’s whereabouts. We’ll deal with him together when the chance arises."

His tone was light.

But his eyes—

Sharp.

Focused.

Such a good opportunity... he wasn’t going to waste it.

The Tyson Family’s support—

That was worth far more than tonight’s fight.

"Of course," Yana replied immediately. "I’ll head home first and have people look into Lucas’s movements."

Her resolve hardened again.

Letting him go—

Was not something she could accept.

Not like this.

"Be careful," Julian added, his voice lowering slightly. "This guy is very cunning... and he can disguise himself."

Yana paused mid-step.

Then glanced back.

A faint smile touched her lips.

"Don’t worry," she said softly. "Next time... I won’t let him escape."

She walked a few steps—

Then stopped.

Turned back again.

There was hesitation now.

A flicker of something softer.

"Young Master Julian... are you free now?" she asked. "If it’s convenient... could you come to my house?"

Julian blinked once.

"To your house?"

He tilted his head slightly, a bit puzzled.

"Yes," she said with a wry smile. "My father already knows about this... and wants to apologize to you in person."

She exhaled softly.

"Also..."

Her voice lowered just a little.

"I remember... you mentioned something earlier... about his condition."

Julian’s eyes flickered.

Understanding.

She had heard.

Or at least... sensed enough.

Since that was the case, she might as well let him take a look.

Julian didn’t hesitate.

"Alright."

Simple.

Direct.

The decision was made.

The two of them got into their cars.

Engines started.

Headlights cut through the night.

And soon—

They drove off toward the Tyson Family estate.