Chapter 403: A Worthy Pawn

A Worthy Pawn

Without the slightest hesitation, tears streamed down his face.

Ignoring the filth beneath him, he dropped to his knees and repeatedly struck his forehead against the ground.

"Young Master Julian, I’m willing to be your dog. As long as you give this waste a chance for revenge, I’ll do anything."

His voice cracked with emotion.

Every word came from the depths of his heart.

After shouting this, the suffocating darkness that had weighed upon him for days seemed to lift.

His previously gloomy mood suddenly brightened.

The moment he decided to follow Julian...

The world suddenly seemed vast and open once again.

Julian looked at the kneeling man with mild surprise.

Lucas’s eagerness exceeded even his expectations.

It seemed the resentment in this man’s heart had grown far deeper than anyone could have imagined.

After a brief silence, Julian smiled.

"Alright, but how can I ensure your loyalty?"

Lucas immediately raised his head.

There wasn’t even the slightest hesitation.

"Young Master Julian, you can control me with poison or whatever. I’ll kill the bastards of the Obsidian Wing organization to show my loyalty. That’s my sincerity."

After saying that, Lucas twisted his body with considerable effort.

Because both his hands and feet were still tied, every movement looked awkward.

Slowly, he managed to remove the Black Dragon Gem hanging around his neck.

His breathing became heavier from the effort.

Everything he possessed today...

Everything he had learned...

Had originated from the inheritance sealed within the Black Dragon Gem.

To him, this treasure represented his greatest secret.

Now he willingly offered it.

Unable to use his hands, he carefully tossed it toward Julian with his mouth.

Julian calmly extended two fingers and caught the Black Dragon Gem in midair.

Mainly because it was also smeared with pig manure, grabbing it directly with his hand was a bit dirty.

He was just about to take out a tissue to wipe it clean when something unexpected happened.

The Black Dragon Gem suddenly transformed into a streak of light.

Before Julian could react, it disappeared into his body.

His expression froze for a split second.

What...

Just happened?

Instinctively, he glanced toward Lina and Liza.

Neither woman’s expression suggested they had noticed anything unusual.

Both remained quietly watching Lucas.

Julian suppressed his curiosity.

Whatever had happened could wait.

The priority now was dealing with Lucas.

He looked back toward the former operative and nodded.

"Alright, I understand your sincerity."

With a flick of his wrist, Julian produced two small blades.

His fingers snapped forward.

The blades flashed through the moonlight before slicing cleanly through the ropes binding Lucas’s hands and feet.

The restraints fell apart instantly.

Lucas stared blankly at his freed wrists.

For several long seconds, he simply remained kneeling.

Then...

Like a child who had finally escaped an endless nightmare, he broke down completely.

He cried without restraint.

Years of pressure, humiliation, betrayal, and despair all erupted at once.

He was finally free.

After coming out of the pigpen, he washed away the filth covering his body with a nearby hose.

Cold water poured over him, carrying away layers of mud and grime.

He then changed into the clothes of the unconscious guard Julian had subdued earlier.

At this moment, his nervous system was completely severed, and he hadn’t eaten properly for days.

In terms of strength, he was weaker than an ordinary person.

After changing into the guard’s clothes, he quickly devoured the food left inside the room.

Every bite restored a little color to his pale face.

When he finally finished eating, Lucas slowly stood up.

His gaze settled on the unconscious guard.

Without hesitation, he picked up a knife.

Since this person was a lackey of the Obsidian Wing organization, he had to eliminate him.

Afterward, Lucas turned toward Julian and respectfully bowed.

"Young Master Julian, from today on, I’m your dog. I know I haven’t earned your trust yet, so please give me poison."

Julian nodded calmly.

Without another word, he took out a small bottle containing poison and tossed it toward Lucas.

In urban feel-good novels, this was the classic way to control someone.

Lucas caught the small bottle with both hands as though it were the most precious treasure in the world.

He didn’t hesitate.

There wasn’t the slightest flicker of doubt in his eyes.

He uncorked the bottle, tilted his head back, and decisively swallowed the poison in one gulp.

Not even a trace remained.

After swallowing it, he lowered the empty bottle and looked at Julian with a helpless yet relieved smile.

"Young Master Julian, I’m now half a cripple and can only do my best to provide you with information about the Obsidian Wing organization."

His voice was calm, but beneath that calmness lay deep self-mockery.

Once, he had been an elite operative feared by countless enemies.

Now...

He couldn’t even defeat an ordinary man.

The gap between his past and present was enough to crush anyone’s spirit.

Julian quietly studied him before slowly shaking his head.

"If all you can offer is information, you’re not of much use to me."

The words were calm.

Matter-of-fact.

There wasn’t a hint of ridicule in Julian’s tone, yet they struck Lucas harder than any insult ever could.

Lucas’s expression stiffened.

His newly rekindled hope seemed to freeze instantly.

It felt as though he had fallen into an endless ice cave.

His fingers trembled unconsciously.

So...

Even after betraying the organization...

Even after offering everything he possessed...

Was he still worthless?

A useless dog...

What value could a master possibly find in a dog that served no purpose?

His breathing grew heavier as despair once again crept into his heart.

Julian watched the change in his expression without interrupting.

Only after several moments did he continue.

"But I can help you recover, even advance your strength further, provided you can endure it."

His calm voice echoed through the silent room.

The sentence wasn’t loud.

Yet to Lucas...

It sounded like heavenly thunder.

His head snapped upward.

His blue eyes widened in disbelief.