Black Viper's sudden tongue attack did catch Andrew off guard for a split second. In that fleeting moment, a stray thought even crossed his mind.

'If I sold this guy to Teialan to work as a sex worker, with a tongue like that, he'd probably leave a trail of exotic clients moaning for more…'

Nonetheless, while Andrew's mind wandered for half a beat, his hands never missed a step. Just as he shattered Black Viper's ribs, he snatched the dagger clean from the man's grip.

With a smooth upward slash, the blade cut through Black Viper's extended tongue like slicing through licorice. A scream tore from his throat as mind-splitting pain surged into his skull, and blood gushed from his mouth as he stumbled, clutching his face in a frenzy.

Andrew approached without a hint of emotion and, with one clean twist, snapped Black Viper's neck. Thus ended the lives of Grand Viper's two prized killers: White Viper and Black Viper. One male, one female—both now rotting six feet under.

Aspen gaze