The King Of War Returns (Jaden Rift) novel Chapter 108

"Huh?" The man’s head snapped back at the sound of Jaden’s voice, eyes narrowing in irritation. His filthy body still hovered over the trembling woman, one hand clamped tightly over her mouth as she whimpered beneath him.

"Who the hell are you supposed to be?" the man barked, glaring at Jaden like an animal caught mid-hunt.

Jaden’s expression was calm. Cold. His eyes, sharp as glass, scanned the scene with a flicker of disgust.

"You’re awfully impatient for a dog," Jaden remarked, his tone low, edged with venom. "If you’re going to assault someone, at least find a place where you won’t be interrupted."

The man scowled, confused for a beat. "What the hell are you saying?"

"I’m saying…" Jaden stepped closer, boots crushing the soft marsh grass beneath him. His voice dipped lower, like steel wrapped in silk. "If you’d picked a better spot, maybe you’d have stood a chance to leave here alive."

The man’s eyes widened for a second before twisting with rage. "You little bastard—are you threatening to kill me?"

Jaden’s lips curled into a half-smile. "What if I am?"

The predator growled deep in his throat, shoving off the woman and lunging at Jaden with a heavy, practiced punch—a straight shot aimed to take his head off.

But Jaden moved with unnatural ease.

Smack!

His hand shot up, catching the man’s fist in mid-air, stopping the strike dead.

For a heartbeat, everything froze.

Jaden’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "Decent power… you're the first martial artist I’ve stumbled on in a while." His grip tightened around the man’s fist like a vice.

The predator’s expression twisted with shock. "You—!"

"But…" Jaden tilted his head, voice laced with disappointment, "if that’s all you’ve got? Pathetic."

Slash!

In a blur, Jaden’s other hand lashed out—precise, surgical, almost too fast to track.

The man's body convulsed as sharp pain ripped through him—veins, tendons, and joints along his arms and legs shredded with pinpoint strikes.

The predator staggered, limbs trembling, eyes wide with horror.

"What… what did you—?"

Before he could finish, Jaden’s foot snapped upward.

Jaden turned his gaze back to the woman. She sat trembling by the fallen log, wiping tears from her face, her clothes tattered, her body marked by bruises—but alive.

He knelt beside her, cutting the rough bindings on her wrists.

"You okay?" His voice softened slightly, concern flickering beneath his otherwise unreadable expression.

She nodded shakily, wiping her eyes. "Thank you… brother… if you hadn’t shown up, I—" Her voice broke, the trauma still raw in her throat. "I don’t even want to imagine…"

Jaden helped her to her feet, steadying her. "It’s alright. You’re safe now… Do you want me to contact your family?"

She hesitated, then shook her head firmly.

"No. Just… take me to the Gravesend Group."

Jaden’s eyes narrowed, suspicion sparking behind his calm exterior.

Gravesend? His mind instantly scanned possibilities. That name wasn’t one you threw around lightly.

The girl’s tear-stained face shifted, a subtle gleam of calculation behind the fear.

She’s good… real good, Jaden thought, eyes briefly narrowing. But Gravesend? Why?