Chapter 108: The Hammer of Crimson Vengeance

Julien had no idea that someone was watching him from behind.

His attention was entirely focused on the destruction site ahead. Despite his trembling hands, he struggled to keep his mobile phone steady, recording everything happening around Daemon and his wives.

Buildings had been reduced to rubble. Steel beams lay twisted across the ground, and enormous cracks stretched through the surrounding structures. The devastation was beyond anything an ordinary person could have caused.

Yet Julien refused to believe that Daemon possessed enough strength to create such destruction.

His initial report had identified the incident as an SS-Rank-level battle involving Roxanna and several werewolves atop Winston Tower. He had assumed the werewolves were responsible for the destruction.

Daemon was now helping the injured Roxanna, giving Julien the perfect opportunity to carry out his plan.

He zoomed in with his mobile phone, carefully recording Daemon as he carried her through the destruction.

Perfect. I’ll use this footage to make the entire incident Daemon’s fault.

Julien had already recorded the moment Daemon’s body erupted in flames and Roxanna was injured by that terrifying power. He intended to use that footage to convince the public that Daemon was responsible for her injuries.

Now, with the surrounding buildings reduced to rubble, he saw an even greater opportunity. He would twist the entire incident, presenting Daemon as the source of the destruction and blaming him for everything that had happened.

He was so consumed by his hatred that he failed to notice the figure hovering silently behind him.

A woman with flowing crimson hair watched him from above.

Victoria Hale.

Her expression was cold, her eyes fixed on the man who continued to target her husband even after everything that had happened.

Blood-red feathers spread from her back, each one shimmering with an ominous crimson glow. They extended outward like the wings of a magnificent, bloodstained bird, holding her effortlessly in the air.

Her fingers curled into a tight fist.

You still haven’t learned your lesson, have you?

Victoria had initially intended to break his legs and ribs. Perhaps then he would finally understand the consequences of provoking her family.

Julien was still looking for ways to ruin her husband’s reputation.

Her patience had reached its limit.

"You’re really determined to keep spreading your unreasonable hatred toward my husband, aren’t you?" she murmured.

Her eyes began to glow blood-red.

"I helped you awaken your power. I gave you the opportunity to enjoy the fame and recognition you have today."

Her voice grew colder with every word.

"And this is how you repay me?"

The crimson feathers behind her fluttered as blood-colored energy gathered around her clenched hand.

A moment later, the energy condensed into a massive hammer.

Its circular head was reinforced with several vicious, pointed projections. Dark crimson patterns ran along its surface, and the weapon’s weight would have been impossible for an ordinary person to lift.

Victoria rested it against her shoulder.

Her gaze never left Julien.

"Your little celebrity ride ends today."

She tilted her head slightly.

"Now you’re going to suffer the consequences of your own actions."

Then she moved.

Victoria shot downward.

The crimson feathers behind her folded close to her body, streamlining her descent. The air howled around her as she accelerated, her hammer trailing a dark red streak through the sky.

Julien continued recording.

His eyes remained fixed on Daemon.

He didn’t notice the approaching shadow.

He didn’t hear the rushing air.

He didn’t sense the overwhelming presence descending upon him.

Then—

A sharp whistle cut through the noise.

Fweeeeeet!

Julien frowned.

"Huh?"

He instinctively turned his head toward the sound.

For one brief instant, his eyes caught sight of a crimson-haired woman descending from above.

His expression changed.

"Vic—"

He never finished saying her name.

BOOM!

The hammer struck his face.

Time seemed to slow.

Julien’s eyes widened as the enormous weapon filled his vision. He had no opportunity to raise his arms, activate his abilities, or even understand what was happening.

The hammer connected with a sickening impact.

CRACK!

A brutal, bone-crushing sound rang through the ruined site.

The force of the blow snapped Julien’s head violently to the side. Blood burst across the air, spattering Victoria’s face and the front of her clothes.

His mobile phone slipped from his fingers.

For a fraction of a second, it hung in the air beside him, still recording.

Then Julien’s entire body lifted off the ground.

The impact sent him flying backward as though he weighed nothing. His feet left the ground, his arms flailed uselessly, and his body spun through the air.

The mobile phone tumbled separately, its screen flashing as it struck a broken piece of concrete.

Julien crashed into a steel pillar.

CRAAASH!

The pillar shuddered beneath the impact. Dust and fragments of concrete scattered around him as his body crumpled against the damaged structure before dropping to the ground.

For several seconds, the only sound was the faint clatter of falling debris.

Julien lay motionless.

Then his body twitched.

Blood trickled from his injuries, spreading across the dusty ground beneath him.

He had never even seen the attack coming.

And he certainly hadn’t expected the woman he had once considered a master, to be the one who delivered the blow.

Victoria hovered above the ground, holding the hammer loosely at her side.

Her crimson feathers spread behind her once more.

She breathed in.

Then out.

Her chest rose and fell as she tried to calm herself, but the anger burning in her eyes showed no sign of fading.

"looser," she muttered.

She looked down at Julien with undisguised contempt.

A short distance away, Cole had witnessed the entire incident.

He stood among the ruins, his own body covered in injuries. He had barely recovered from the destruction around him, and watching Victoria descend with that hammer had done nothing to improve his condition.

His face had gone pale.

Holy shit.

He knew Victoria’s strength.

He had worked alongside her and had once been a member of her elite team. He understood better than most people what she was capable of when she became serious.

But seeing her strike Julien with such terrifying force was still a different experience.

Cole swallowed.

Then, very slowly, he raised both hands.

"I didn’t see anything!"

Victoria turned her head toward him.

Cole immediately corrected himself.

"I didn’t see anything, and I won’t tell a soul! Just pretend I wasn’t even here!

Sweat ran down his forehead.

Please don’t look at me like that. I still want to live.

Victoria’s expression remained unchanged.

"I don’t care what you saw."

She lowered the hammer slightly.

"But listen carefully, Cole."

Her eyes glowed with a dangerous crimson light.

"Don’t involve my husband’s name in any of this.

Cole nodded so quickly that his neck nearly hurt.

"Of course! Absolutely! I won’t say a word!"

She dismissed the hammer, and its crimson energy dissolved into drifting particles.

Then her blood-red feathers spread wide.

With a powerful beat, she rose into the air and flew toward Daemon.

Cole remained exactly where he was.

He didn’t move until Victoria had disappeared from his immediate vicinity.

Only then did he release the breath he had been holding.

Meanwhile, Daemon was carrying Roxanna away from the destruction site.

Her condition had stabilized, but she remained unconscious. Her breathing was faint yet steady, and her body showed the lingering effects of the terrible injuries she had suffered.

He had barely begun walking when a crimson shadow descended beside him.

Victoria landed softly.

The moment her feet touched the ground, her eyes went straight to Daemon.

She examined him from head to toe, searching for injuries.

His body was already completely healed, and the only clothing he wore was a torn pair of shorts. The rest had been destroyed during the earlier confrontation.

Victoria’s expression tightened.

At least he’s not injured anymore.

She wanted to ask what had happened. She wanted to know why he had been involved in such a dangerous confrontation and what had happened to Roxanna.

But one look at his face told her that this wasn’t the right moment.

Daemon was carrying roxanna who needed immediate care.

Whatever questions she had could wait.

"Victoria," Daemon said quietly. "Take Roxanna back to our home. She’s stable, but she needs proper rest."

Victoria nodded.

"All right."

She stepped forward and carefully took Roxanna into her arms, supporting her weight so that the injured woman wouldn’t be disturbed.

Daemon watched to ensure she had a secure hold.

Then he turned away.

Victoria immediately noticed.

"Daemon."

He paused.

She hesitated before speaking again.

"Where are you going?"

"There’s something I need to take care of."

His answer was brief, but she could hear the determination in his voice.

Victoria’s fingers tightened slightly around Roxanna.

"Please don’t do anything reckless again."

She lowered her voice.

"If you want, I can come with you. Or take Sana. You don’t have to handle everything alone."

Daemon looked at her.

he noticed the worry in her eyes.

Daemon’s expression softened.

"Victoria..."

He paused, searching for the right words.

"I’m sorry."

Her eyes widened slightly.

"I made you worry about me. I didn’t mean to."

Victoria said nothing, but the tension in her shoulders eased a little.

Daemon continued.

"I know you’re worried. But I need to handle this myself. I’ll come home as soon as I can."

He gave her a reassuring look.

Then she spread her crimson feathers.

With Roxanna held securely in her arms, she rose into the air and began her journey toward the Hale Estate.

Daemon waited until Victoria and sana had disappeared into the distance.

His expression changed.

He raised his hand.

A dark, solitary gate materialized before him, its surface radiating an eerie, otherworldly energy.

Daemon stepped toward it without hesitation.

Then he crossed the threshold.

The gate swallowed him.

And a moment later, it vanished, leaving nothing behind but the silence of the ruined site.