Online Game: I Started with Max Charisma and Caught the Goddess's Eye

Feeling the provocation in Luca's gaze, the burly man's anger surged, his aura growing more intense by the second. Yet, no matter how oppressive his presence became, Luca stood unmoving, as unyielding as a rock battered by the sea. The little girl, on the other hand, shrank back in fear, hiding behind Luca and not daring to show herself.

Clap! Clap! Clap! Just as the veins on the burly man's forehead bulged, ready to make his move, applause suddenly rang out from behind him. Moments later, a strong, clear voice of a middle-aged man echoed across the scene.

"Haha! As expected of the great hero who saved a hundred thousand lives from the monster horde. Truly remarkable!"

Luca turned his gaze toward the sound and saw the luxury car's door open. Three elegantly dressed men stepped out, causing Luca's eyes to narrow. The last man to step out was none other than Celephais, someone he recognized all too well.

"So, it's the James Family, huh? It's been a while," Luca said with a half-smile, realizing the situation.

A mocking smile crept onto his face as he continued, "What's this? I haven't even come to settle the score with you yet, and you've come to me? What's the matter, you come here to die?"

"Luca, don't get too cocky!" Celephais' face darkened with anger, his fists clenching with an audible crack. He almost wanted to have his bodyguards break Luca's legs right then and there. But in the end, he restrained himself.

If it had been up to him, he definitely wouldn't have chosen this moment to confront Luca. He had watched Luca rise from the ashes in Riverfall City, step by step, until he became a name that shook the entire Eternal Continent. Celephais, more than anyone, knew exactly what kind of person Luca was. Even after encountering so many people, he had never come across someone as difficult to deal with as Luca.

But the problem was, this time, he had no choice.

"You must be Luca, right?" A silver-haired elder standing in front of Celephais smiled warmly. "I am Northwood James, the former head of the James Family. This is my son, Southwind James, and I'm sure you know Celephais."

"We came today to discuss something with you, and we hope, Mr. Luca, that you might grant us a favor."

Northwood James's tone was unbelievably polite. For someone of his status, even in the Imperial Capital, there were few people who could make him lower his guard and speak so courteously to a junior. If anyone who knew him saw this, they would likely be left speechless in shock.

At the beginning, Southwind James, who had been the one clapping, added with a warm smile: "Mr. James need not worry. I understand that there may have been some conflict between you and Celephais. But those are mere childish matters. The James Family holds no ill will toward you. We brought Celephais here specifically for him to apologize to you."
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After speaking, the middle-aged man glanced at Celephais behind him and coldly said, "What are you standing there for? Go ahead and apologize to Mr. Luca immediately. Have you forgotten what I told you before?"

Celephais' breath became noticeably heavier, yet he somehow managed to keep his composure and not snap.

He took a deep breath and, with a blank expression, stepped up to Luca. Stiffly, he said, "I apologize for my previous offenses. I came here specifically to apologize, and I hope you can forgive my previous rudeness."

The way this man spoke was robotic, devoid of any emotional inflection. But Luca could still see the deep humiliation in his eyes.

This only added to Luca's confusion. What exactly was the James Family plotting? How could they have forced Celephais—the very same man who had shown him nothing but contempt—to swallow his pride and come apologize?

"You can get to the point, James Family. I need to get some rest, and I don't have time to waste here with you," Luca said, his tone sharp despite the lowered posture of the James Family.

Even though they were making a major concession, Luca wasn't about to show them any respect. He knew exactly what this family had done in the past, especially during the apocalypse. He could have killed them all on the spot, but refrained, not wanting to cause trouble for Drumph in this volatile time.

Moreover, the James Family wasn't just made up of Northwood James and Southwind James—there were plenty of others. Killing one or two wouldn't do much. In fact, if Luca were to strike, he'd have to take them all out. There was no point in leaving the roots of the problem intact.

Upon hearing Luca's words, both Southwind James and Northwood James's expressions darkened.

Celephais, however, revealed a cold smile.

This guy... still as reckless as ever.

Northwood James managed to suppress his irritation and said, "Mr. Luca, please don't rush. We're here mainly to discuss a business proposal."

With that, he unconsciously glanced at the little girl behind Luca. "This girl... I wonder if you could hand her over to us for handling?"

At these words, the little girl's face showed clear signs of fear as she completely hid behind Luca.

"So, it's her you're after," Luca said, finally understanding the true reason the James Family had come. "I suppose the people who targeted her in Leaf City were also sent by you?" He sneered, realizing their true intentions. "You so-called noble families are really something else. Each one more shameless than the last."

To come all the way here, with three generations of their family, just to have a junior apologize for something… Setting aside the moral and ethical aspects, just the sheer audacity of it, it's hard to believe anyone could manage such a feat.

Southwind James seemed to have not noticed the hidden meaning behind Luca's words and continued, "As long as you agree, I can guarantee that you and your family will live a life free of worries in this chaotic world. I doubt anyone else in the world could make such a promise."

"We've come with sincere intentions. Mr. Luca, are you sure you won't reconsider?" Northwood James said, frowning.

However, Southwind James's smile had completely faded. He spoke coolly, "Mr. Luca, offending the James Family is not a wise decision. I'm sure you understand this principle."

"I have nothing to discuss with your James Family," Luca replied, not even bothering to look at him. After speaking, he shoved aside the bodyguards in front of him and pulled the little girl, heading straight toward the villa.

Seeing that Luca wasn't even willing to show them the slightest respect, both Southwind James and Northwood James lost interest in continuing the charade.

"Stop him," Southwind James coldly ordered the bodyguards nearby.

The bodyguard with high-level abilities had been itching to act for some time. Upon hearing Southwind James's order, he didn't hesitate for even a moment. In a flash, he appeared behind Luca. His massive hands, like eagle claws, reached for his shoulders.

"You're too arrogant, kid!" The bodyguard sneered, using his blood energy in the strike. He was confident that even if a high-level player came, if they were caught in his grasp, their shoulder bones would be shattered instantly.

But what happened next shocked everyone. Just as the bodyguard's hands were about to grab Luca, a silver flash of light streaked by, and both Luca and the little girl vanished from the spot.

"Looking for death, are we?" A cold voice sounded behind the bodyguard. By the time he reacted, a hand, as strong as steel, had already gripped his neck.

Then came a sickening crack, the sound of bones snapping.

The towering bodyguard's eyes bulged, and with a thud, he collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

At the sight, both Southwind James and Northwood James froze, their minds momentarily failing to process what they had just seen.

A high-level professional… was instantly killed?

Although they had learned some of Luca's strength from Celephais, they had assumed he was only at the high-level tier. Yet, they had seen a high-level martial artist bodyguard, known for his strength, being taken down in a single blow without even landing a strike.

It wasn't just the two of them; even Celephais felt a chill run down his spine.

This guy's strength is truly becoming more terrifying by the minute.

The three members of the James Family stood frozen in place, not daring to move, but that didn't mean Luca was going to let them off so easily. For those who harbored ill will toward him, Luca always liked to show them just how far his patience would go.

"You don't think I'm not taking action because I'm afraid to kill you, do you?" Luca said calmly, one hand covering the little girl's eyes while the other began to radiate a surge of thick, crimson energy.

Crimson Mage skill—Blood Manipulation!

In an instant, everyone in the vicinity, except for the little girl and the soldiers, felt as though their blood was boiling. It began to surge violently through their bodies, causing the veins under their skin to bulge out visibly.

Aahhh!! The intense pain made everyone, including the three members of the James Family, scream in agony, as though their bodies were about to tear apart.

As the crimson light in Luca's hand grew even stronger, streams of blood began to pour from the pores of the bodyguards. Within just a few breaths, they were transformed into blood-drenched figures, their bodies rapidly losing vitality in a visible manner.

The scent of blood filled the air, and their life force faded at a terrifying speed.

Celephais and his companions fared better than the bodyguards, but even they were not unscathed. Blood trickled from their nostrils, and the veins beneath their skin were clearly visible, as if they could burst at any moment.

Feeling the terrifying grip of death and excruciating pain, the three members of the James Family were now in a panic. But they didn't give in—if anything, they understood that surrendering at this point was the most useless thing they could do.

Northwood James, his face flushed, shouted at Luca, "Luca! If you kill us, the James Family will not spare you! The entire 102 Shelter will be dragged down with us!"

Southwind James gritted his teeth and said, "Try it! See if we won't do it! See if we don't have the power to make it happen!"

Celephais, meanwhile, was writhing on the ground, rolling back and forth in agony, his voice reduced to incoherent cries. He couldn't speak anymore.

Hearing their words, the soldiers nearby seemed unsure of what to do.

The squad leader couldn't help but advise, "Mr. Luca, should we consult Lord Drumph? If you kill them, the consequences..."

Luca responded flatly, "The consequences are mine to bear."