"Ah!" A bloodcurdling scream reverberated through the dimly lit villa, sending shivers down Dutton Payne's spine.
He stirred from his unconscious state, his eyes struggling to open, but only managing to crack open slightly.
What he beheld was a scene of utter chaos.
The lifeless body of a woman lay beside him, while a man, clutching his bleeding neck, cowered in terror nearby, staining the ground with crimson.
The weight of death hung heavily in the air, making every breath a struggle.
In the midst of the turmoil stood a woman with flowing hair, trembling with fear and anger as she glared at the ruthless assailant before her.
Dutton found himself taken aback by the scene, wondering, "Where am I? Didn't I already die?"
Suddenly, a wave of unfamiliar memories flooded his mind.
Dutton, the so-called 'Immortal Healer,' was 24 years old.
Two years ago, he had suffered a severe injury while trying to save someone.
Though his physical wounds had healed, his mind had been affected, leaving him a complete simpleton.
The coexistence of a man on death's doorstep and a simpleton was a peculiar twist of fate indeed.
And yet, Dutton couldn't help but smile inwardly as he observed the woman before him, Victoria Scott.
She had willingly become his wife, despite his transformation into a fool, as a way to repay him for saving her life.
For two years, Victoria had cared for him with unwavering dedication, never losing her patience despite his foolish antics.
Encountering a woman like her in his simpleton state was a stroke of luck.
Grateful for her presence, Dutton realized he needed to regain his strength.
He couldn't sit idly by and watch his beloved wife meet her demise.
The assassin, sensing Victoria's defiance, taunted her with lecherous intent, unaware of the change occurring within Dutton.
"Do you think so little of me that you'd dare to mess with my woman right before me?" Dutton's voice, faint yet resolute, echoed behind Victoria, leaving her shocked and elated.
She turned to gaze at Dutton, her face a mix of disbelief and hope.
It seemed he had regained his wits.
The assassin, too, was taken aback by the transformation.
He had dealt with the fool before, even rendering him unconscious earlier.
But now, there was no trace of foolishness in Dutton's eyes.
It was as if a dramatic twist from a television drama had unfolded before them.
With newfound confidence, Dutton wiped the blood from his forehead and stepped forward, shielding Victoria from harm.
"I'm fine now.
Leave the rest to me," he assured her.
Victoria couldn't help but question, "Leave it to you? Even if you're no longer a simpleton, what can you do against me?"
Dutton snorted, his combat skills intact despite the absence of inner power.
"It's more than enough for me to deal with you!"
The assassin laughed mockingly, underestimating Dutton's abilities.
But Dutton's determination remained unwavering.
He wouldn't allow anyone to harm his wife.
As the assassin lunged at him with a dagger, Dutton calmly pushed Victoria back and faced the attack head-on.
With precise movements, he allowed the blade to pierce his shoulder, unfazed.
Then, summoning his strength, he delivered a powerful blow to the assassin's chest, momentarily stopping his heart.
The assassin's body stiffened, and his screams of agony filled the room.
Dutton, undeterred, pulled the dagger from his shoulder and expertly incapacitated the assassin, severing tendons and veins with swift precision.
Victoria watched in awe, her disbelief replaced with astonishment.
Her simpleton husband had not only recovered but had become a force to be reckoned with.
The realization that even her highly trained bodyguard couldn't match Dutton's prowess left her dumbfounded.
Dutton, with a wicked grin, silenced the agonized screams of the assassin and vowed to deliver an even more exhilarating fate.
He grabbed a nearby cloth, stuffing it into the assassin's mouth, sparing them from further torment.
