Chapter 3 Dead In One Punch

• Dead silence fell upon the auction hall…
• A somber figure moved through the crowd. His footsteps echoed like a death knell to each attendee; their hearts pounded, and breathing became difficult. All eyes remained fixed on him.
• "Who is that? Is he trying to get himself killed? Everyone knows Elia Skarsdale is the last surviving member of the Skarsdale family; anyone who defends her will end up dead…"
• "He's a reckless young man! He's doomed! The Four Great Clans are not to be trifled with…"
• "Wait…did he say the Skarsdale girl is his sister? Could that be…Gabriel Skarsdale?"
• "That scoundrel! It's him!"
• "He almost went to jail a few years ago after being framed, and now he has the audacity to return? The Four Great Clans will destroy him!"
• Discussion spread among the people present, filled with disdain and contempt.
• Herman immediately stopped what he was doing and turned to glare at Gabriel. "How dare you show your face in Claritas, you rapist?"
• Gabriel remained silent, but the aura of menace surrounding him grew stronger.
• "Mr. Blaine! Be careful!" The old auctioneer on stage was the first to step forward, shouting a warning in alarm.
• Herman's expression was filled with scorn as he burst into maniacal laughter. "He's just a worthless piece of trash! Do you think he would dare to touch me? I will teach him a lesson he will never forget! Once I crush his face under my foot, he will call me Daddy! Who's your daddy, punk?"
• Upon seeing Gabriel, Elia's entire body trembled as she sobbed, "Gabe!"
• Tears welled up in Gabriel's eyes. The tragic fate of his parents already weighed heavily on his mind, and now guilt overwhelmed him as he witnessed his sister's plight. "I'm so sorry, Ellie…I came back too late."
• Herman sneered, "Since you're back, Gabriel, you already know that the Four Great Clans have eliminated your parents! Even they couldn't withstand us; what can you, a useless cur, do? How about this; kneel down and lick my boots! Maybe then I will consider asking the Clans to go easy on you. As for your sister, she's mine. When I'm tired of her, I'll…"
• Gabriel looked up at Herman with icy indifference. It was as if he were staring at a dead man. He snarled, "Since you dared to touch Ellie, I will send you straight to hell!" His fist shot out like lightning, striking Herman's body.
• "Augh!" An anguished scream echoed through the auction hall. Herman was sent flying off the stage, a large, bloody hole punched through his chest cavity. He was dead as soon as he hit the floor.
• A collective gasp filled the air, followed by dead silence.
• Gabriel Skarsdale had disposed of Herman Blaine without hesitation! And yet, Herman was a member of the Four Great Clans!
• "Phoenix, clear the hall," Gabriel coldly ordered. "Listen up, all of you. You have 30 seconds to make your way through that door. If not, you will share this scumbag's fate!"
• His words sent shivers down the spines of everyone present.
• Phoenix walked through the door and addressed the terrified attendees in a chilling voice. "This is your last chance to leave here alive. Go!"
• Terrified by what had transpired, everyone made a frantic rush for the exit…
• In no time at all, the only ones left in the hall were the auction organizers and employees. They glared angrily at Gabriel and Elia.
• "Great, just great!" The elderly auctioneer gritted his teeth and snarled, "Gabriel Skarsdale, you have some nerve. Do you know who owns this place? You will pay for causing trouble here!"
• Gabriel completely ignored him. He strode up to the iron cage and forcefully opened the door, embracing Elia! "Ellie…I'm so, so sorry. It's my fault; I came back too late to save them…" Tears glistened in his fierce eyes as his emotions momentarily overwhelmed him.
• "Gabe, it's not your fault. If you want to blame anyone, blame those bastards…they need to die, all of them!" Elia clung to Gabriel, her heart aching as she looked up at him, knowing that his anguish far surpassed her own pain…
• "I will seek revenge for Mom and Dad. The Four Great Clans and everyone involved…they will all pay for this! I will make them suffer!" Gabriel's voice was filled with intense, murderous rage.
• "You presumptuous little punk!" The auctioneer was infuriated by Gabriel's complete disregard and shouted, "Bring everyone out here! Kill him!"
• "Yes, Boss!"
• People flooded into the hall from all corners of the auction house. First ten, then twenty, then thirty…in no time at all, there were over a hundred people! They continued pouring in until the place was packed, brandishing blades and wooden staves. They formed a bloodthirsty pack, surrounding Gabriel, Elia, and Phoenix…
• "Gabe…" Elia's voice trembled, her lips pale.
• "Don't worry." Gabriel placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Your brother is here. I won't let anyone harm you!"
• "Hey, punk! You're done for. You killed Herman Blaine, and on the Dragon Lord's territory. You're as good as dead!" The auctioneer shrieked, grinding his teeth in rage.
• "I don't care about the Dragon Lord or anyone else. You and this damned auction house dared to try and sell my sister as a slave...you're the ones who are as good as dead!"
• The auctioneer sneered contemptuously, "I'm not afraid of you! No matter how skilled you are, you can't defeat over a hundred people! Any one of them could kill you with a single blow! However, I won't let you die so easily…I will break your legs and deliver you to the Dragon Lord so he can dispose of you himself! Charge!" He snapped his fingers.
• In an instant, the entire mob armed with weapons closed in on Gabriel, Elia, and Phoenix, their eyes gleaming with bloodlust…