Gordon staggered backward, his eyes wide with fear as he gasped out, "Why don't we just end this here? Let's call it even. If you push me too far, I'll fight to the death—and I guarantee you won't walk away unscathed."

He was retreating frantically now, his voice trembling beneath the bravado. Survival, not pride, was his priority. Facing Aspen's disappointment was one thing—but losing his life was another matter entirely.

More than that, Gordon was struggling to process the reality in front of him. Jayrodale was supposed to be a stagnant backwater town. How had a terrifying powerhouse like Andrew emerged from this place?

He thought returning from Bridgefields after years in hiding would allow him to dominate this city easily. Instead, he had stumbled into a nightmare—a young monster who dismantled him with brutal efficiency.

The realization gnawed at his sanity. His entire worldview, built on decades of superiority, was collapsing.

Andrew's voice cut through the tension, col