Chapter 13: Unstoppable

"You're Elysium Conner, the eldest son of the Conner family, right?" Fanix asked, his eyes narrowing as he sized up the newcomer. He already had a good idea of what was going on.

Elysium lifted his chin arrogantly, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Since you know who I am, you should show me some respect. After all, I have connections with Carl. Apologize and leave now, and I might choose not to make a big deal out of this."

"Oh?" Fanix's expression remained calm, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Do you think you're better than the Dyson family, or are you just looking to help them out?"

Before returning to Norston, Fanix had done his homework. He knew all the key players and the forces at work in the city.

The Conner family, in terms of economic power, was indeed stronger than the Dysons.

They controlled many business markets in Norston, and countless companies relied on their network to operate. Naturally, the Dyson family had dealings with and even some dependence on the Conners.

Elysium snorted, his irritation clear. "Don't get ahead of yourself. Who do you think you are? A mere ex-con, thinking you can turn Norston upside down? How naïve."

Seeing Elysium on his side, Carl felt a glimmer of hope, grasping at straws in his desperate situation.

He crawled over and clung to Elysium's leg. "Mr. Conner, please help me! I will repay you doubly in the future. The entire Dyson family will follow the Conner family's commands."

"Carl, how can you be so spineless? It's just one man with some martial skills; there's nothing to fear. Since you've asked, I won't stand by and watch." Elysium helped Carl to his feet, his tone dismissive.

Carl, trembling with a mix of fear and excitement, stammered, "Thank you, Mr. Conner. I will never forget your kindness. Please, avenge us."

"Oh, don't mention it. Now, go over there, slap Fanix a few times, and kick him to vent your anger. I've already called for backup, so there's nothing to be afraid of. I'm here."

Elysium gave Carl a push, and Carl staggered towards Fanix. But as soon as he met Fanix's gaze, it was like staring into the eyes of a predator. The sheer intensity of it pierced Carl's heart, making it hard to breathe. He quickly retreated a few steps, fear gripping him.

"Carl, this is pathetic. If word gets out, how will people look at us? We're supposed to be the elite of Norston. People will only laugh. Looks like I'll have to take matters into my own hands." Elysium rolled up his sleeves and swaggered over to Fanix, pointing a finger at his nose.

"You really don't know when to quit, do you? You should cut off your own hand as an apology. Otherwise, when my people get here, we'll peel your skin off."

Fanix remained unfazed. "I'm curious—where do you get your confidence from? Who exactly did you call?"

Elysium scoffed. "Who? Of course, I called the police to arrest you, and I also called some people from the Conner family who can beat you to a pulp."

He was full of confidence, expecting Fanix to cower, to beg for mercy.

But Fanix was about to disappoint him.

"I don't like arrogant people, especially those who meddle in things they shouldn't. It's even more irritating. You can leave now," Fanix said, slowly standing up, a murderous aura radiating from him.

"Leave? How laughable. Where do you expect me to go…"

"Shut up."

A dull thud echoed through the room as a flash of lightning streaked across the night sky. After a rumble of thunder, Elysium began to bleed profusely, his head drooping as he collapsed to the ground.

No one had seen exactly what Fanix did. They only saw the result.

Chaos erupted as the crowd struggled to comprehend the horror unfolding before them. Whether Elysium was dead or alive was uncertain. By the looks of it, even if he wasn't dead, he was surely incapacitated.

Elysium was the only son of the Conner family, someone even Norston officials respected. People went out of their way to avoid crossing him. But Fanix had dared to kill him?

Including Vikram, the second son of the Dyson family, this was the second life Fanix had taken in just a few minutes.

Two people dead in such a short time, with Thalira severely injured and disfigured—this was beyond anything they had ever encountered. Fanix was like a demon, a madman, a beast unleashed.

Fear gripped everyone. It was no longer safe to stay here. Many started rushing toward the exits.

"Stop right there! No one is allowed to leave until I've finished speaking." Fanix's voice was soft, yet it seemed louder than the thunder, piercing through everyone's nerves.

Everyone froze. Those who had been trying to flee were now too terrified to move.

Fanix calmly placed a napkin at his collar, tapped the table, and surveyed the room, his eyes locking onto Carl.

"You… What more do you want? Just kill me already. I can't take this anymore." Carl was in a state of utter despair, unable to bear the pain and torment any longer. Even his last hope, Elysium, had been shattered.

Fanix, still smiling, responded, "Why should I kill you? I'm suddenly feeling a bit hungry. Since you've prepared such a splendid feast, it would be a shame to waste it. Bring me the main course; I'd like to try it, especially the longevity noodles."

Fanix spoke as if he were just another guest at the banquet, as if nothing had happened.

What kind of person was this? He had just killed two people and was now calmly asking for food? The crowd could only conclude that Fanix was insane. Who would behave like this if they were in their right mind?

Carl, shaking uncontrollably, served the noodles and dishes to Fanix, who began eating.

"I used to love this when I was young. Back when I worked for the Edwards family, I once forgot my own birthday because I was so focused on work. But my wife made me a bowl of longevity noodles. It was really delicious." Fanix reminisced as he took a few bites, nodding in approval. "This is quite good. Do you have soy sauce and vinegar? Though, I must say, the main dish is a bit undercooked. And this roast lamb—it's a little tough, don't you think?"

Fanix seemed to be chatting casually, as if he were just talking to an old friend, all the while enjoying his meal.

The more he appeared calm and indifferent, the more terrifying he became. Carl dropped to his knees, and no one else dared to make a sound.

They feared that at any moment, this madman might suddenly snap and take another life.

The rain outside gradually lightened, and the thunder receded, leaving only occasional flashes of lightning that made everyone's faces appear even paler.

"I'm full. The taste was passable." Fanix gently wiped his mouth, took a sip of water, and looked over at the group by the door, who were staring at him in shock.

"You haven't left yet? I almost forgot."

Leave? Who would dare to leave now? Even a slight cough was suppressed, and no one dared to move a muscle.

"All of you, except for those from the Dyson, Chase, Knapp, and Doyle families, can leave. It's getting late. Of course, if anyone still wants to stay and continue eating, feel free."

He gestured as if he were categorizing items. "Those who want to eat, go over there. Dyson, Chase, Knapp, and Doyle family members, stay here."

Immediately, those who were fortunate enough to be exempted from Fanix's wrath breathed a sigh of relief and fled as fast as they could.

Suddenly, Fanix's gaze turned icy. He moved swiftly, grabbing a man from the fleeing crowd and throwing him back into the room. The man rolled on the ground, crying out in panic and distress.

The crowd froze in terror, no one daring to move.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're from the Chase family, right? Trying to slip away unnoticed—so this is what the Chase family is capable of? Why did they want to harm me back then?" Fanix advanced step by step, his murderous intent palpable.

The man curled up in fear, his eyes wide with terror. "Don't—don't come closer! I'm just a lowly lackey for the Chase family. You must have mistaken me for someone else. Please don't drag me into this, don't kill me!"

"A lackey of the Chase family? You've been with them for seven or eight years, haven't you?" Fanix asked calmly.

The man was drenched in cold sweat, feeling as though Fanix could see right through him.

"Yes, yes. I'm just here on behalf of the Chase family. The real family members had other matters today. Please, spare me."

Fanix nodded and lifted him up, adjusting his clothes. To seek revenge, Fanix had thoroughly studied all the relationships and matters involving the Dyson, Chase, Knapp, and Doyle families, and he recognized this steward.

"Go back and tell the Chase family that they must personally come to my adoptive parents' house to apologize within three days. Today

, they're lucky. Otherwise, they would end up like this." As Fanix spoke, he struck down with his hand, shattering a nearby table into pieces with a loud crash.

"Yes, I understand! Thank you for sparing me!" The steward scrambled away, shouting in fear as he fled.

The rest of the room fell into a deathly silence, no one daring to move.

Those from the Knapp and Doyle families who had hoped to blend in and escape now stood obediently in place.

"The few of you, come forward and state your names. Then, repeat what I just told the Chase family's steward," Fanix commanded as he poured himself a cup of tea, sipping it slowly.

The men exchanged uneasy glances, their hearts filled with resentment. The Dyson, Chase, Knapp, and Doyle families were the four major families in Norston, accustomed to wielding their power with impunity. Yet now, in front of Fanix, they were forced to be humble and fearful—an unthinkable situation.

"Do you even know who I am? Have you really thought this through? Aren't you afraid of death?" Zephyr Doyle, the youngest and most favored son of the Doyle family, finally spoke up.

He had been sent to attend the banquet on behalf of his family.

The Doyle family was the most powerful of the four, and Zephyr had intended to endure the humiliation and later return with reinforcements to deal with Fanix properly.

But now, Fanix wasn't showing him the slightest bit of respect, and Zephyr could no longer bear it.

Suddenly, with a swish, Fanix flicked a fork into the air.

Not far away, someone let out a blood-curdling scream. The fork had pierced through both of the person's hands, pinning them together and causing blood to drip to the floor. A phone fell from his grasp.

Fanix picked up the phone and handed it to Zephyr.

"Is this man one of your Doyle family members? If you want to call for reinforcements, go ahead, do it now, right in front of me. I don't like sneaky people who try to pull tricks behind my back."

Zephyr's face turned pale, his lips trembling as he struggled to find the words to respond.