The King Of War Returns (Jaden Rift) novel Chapter 153

The moment Lucian Thornfell stepped into the arena, the air shifted.

Heavy. Suffocating. The kind of weight that made grown men forget how to breathe.

Then came the announcement, echoing through the Bloodborne Colosseum like a gunshot.

“Next bout… Lucian Thornfell of the Thornfell Dynasty… versus Kingpin of the Rivers Family!”

A beat of silence.

Then the crowd erupted in disbelief.

“Wait—Lucian?!”

“That’s a damn joke!”

“Kingpin’s done for! They’re feeding him to the wolves!”

Chairs scraped the floor as spectators stood, craning their necks to get a clearer view of the arena. Some people laughed, others covered their mouths in shock. More than a few just sat there stunned, blinking like they’d misheard.

In the VIP lounge, Victor Rivers froze. The name Lucian had dropped into his ears like acid.

He didn’t say anything at first. Just clenched his fists.

Then, through gritted teeth, he muttered, “Why him… why now…”

The advisor beside him swallowed hard. “We’ve drawn the short straw, sir.”

Victor's face twitched. “No. We’ve drawn a damn sword to the throat.”

Meanwhile, Kingpin stood at the center of the arena. Alone.

Lucian entered like he owned the floor—slow steps, loose shoulders, head high. Calm. Calculated. Killer.

He didn’t even look at Kingpin. Just walked past him like the man was background furniture.

Kingpin’s stomach churned.

This wasn’t just a fight. This was a funeral.

His.

The crowd grew louder, the noise like a wall closing in. Some shouted encouragement. Others laughed mockingly.

“I hope Kingpin wrote a will.”

“He should’ve stayed home.”

“Lucian’s the kind of guy who breaks your spine and then your legacy.”

Kingpin turned to face Lucian, who now stood casually at the far end of the arena, arms folded, eyes barely open.

There was no aura of aggression.

No stance.

Just pure, indifferent dominance.

Kingpin’s legs trembled.

He took a breath, but it didn’t settle his nerves.

He stepped forward.

Hands together.

Bowed low.

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