William's [Tower of Flame] scorched all the lizardmen that was the most satisfying thing he ever saw.

Dustin canceled his Arts. Everyone is still stiff, but when they realized that they win the fight, they took a deep breath, and shouted:

"Wohooooooooo!"

"Yeaaaaaaaahhh!"

"We win!"

Dustin quite can't believe it. He thought at least he will let his one hand or feet to lost to protect the apprentices. But the surprising thing was, the apprentices actually helped him, and they won the battle together as a party.

"Wooooo!"

"?"

Suddenly, Harry slaps his shoulder unconsciously in excitedly. Then the young man realized, that he was just doing something rude to an older person.

"I-I am sorry, Sir Dustin!"

When the young man afraid that Dustin would avenge him, Dustin gives him a better treat. 

"Come here!"

Dustin embraced the two apprentices in joy and proud. 

On the other side, Aiden is still doesn't believe that they win the fight. He still activated [Sword Wall], and had yet to lower his guard.

"What are you doing?"

William is waiting for him in the back, waiting for him to cancel [Sword Wall].

Aiden immediately canceled [Sword Wall], then William walked passed him with his two subordinates following.

William joined the Platinum Hunter, then got hugged forcefully.

"You are great with your support! And you two..."

William's two subordinates didn't do anything. 

"You are great too!"

But at least they give Dustin a mental support by watching him with full hope. 

"What are you doing, Aiden?"

While his party member celebrates their victory, Aiden is still standing silently. 

'Did we really win that easily?'

He didn't know why he asked that. But his instinct told him that the fight is still not over. 

Yes, deep down in the labyrinth, the main party was probably still fighting the lizardmen just like they did.

But, why, Aiden's hand doesn't want to let go his swords. 

"Yeah-yeah, that was a nice fight! Nice teamwork! Congratulation! 

Suddenly, someone talked to them, and at the same time - 

"But have you ever--?"

One dark mana ball fired at Dustin's group. 

Dustin had released his shield and sword. The dark mana ball went so fast, he wouldn't have time to take one of his weapons.

That is why. "[Strengthen Muscle]!" He sacrificed his left hand to block the dark mana ball.

Boom!

"Dustin Sir!"

That one dark mana ball was bigger and stronger than the lizardmen caster's. Aiden didn't even believe in himself. With just three wooden swords, he could withstand the attack. Let Dustin used his left hand to block and protect all of them.

"Have you ever expected, that when you feel that you already winning, there is still one stronger enemy that attacks you in your blind spot!?"

The voice gets out from the darkness and shows himself. 

One man, wearing a black robe, his hands are covered by pitch black reptile skin; like charred. Then his face, a man who is crazy is the most appropriate term to call him.

A Black Hunter. Aiden will not get it wrong. It was the first time Aiden met one, but with an appearance like that, of course, all Hunters could immediately realize that he is a Black Hunter.

He most likely is the one behind the ambush of the previous lizardmen. But throughout the fight he only watched and attacked when they caught their guard.

"Hmm?" the Black Hunter wondered. "That attack, not enough to kill you?"

When all the smoke clears, it shows the condition of Dustin's group. All church apprentices are fine, except for Dustin.

"Sir Dustin!"

Dustin has lost almost all of his left hand. 

"I see you are still a Platinum after all."

Even when he had lost his left hand, Dustin is still upright even though he is kneeling on one leg.

"You two! Heal him!"

William order his two subordinates to heal Dustin; they finally useful. 

While being healed, Dustin gives the Black Hunter a question: "Are you the one behind the disappearance of all lizards?"

The Black Hunter grinning for some reason. "It's not you! It was us!"

With that little statement, the Black Hunter exposes that he is not alone in the current crime. 

Just like Black Hunter should be, he must be in a large group. He most likely one of a higher up in his group. The lizardmen ambush might be his plan alone because he confidently appeared alone. 

"Why, are you afraid?"

The Black Hunters look through the faces of the apprentices, that they are scared.

"You afraid that this uncle will kill all of you?"

His threat is real, and he wasn't kidding about intending to kill all of them.

"I won't let that happen."

Despite the pain, Dustin stood tall.

"Oh, you want to still fight even with that condition?"

Dustin asked Kane to get his [Golem Core +4]. Holding his pride shield in his right hand, Dustin is ready to fight.

"Let me show you, a determination of a knight!"

Dustin stood still as if nothing could knock him down. Behind him, the apprentices know what they should. 

'Those of you who can run away, run away! If you can't run, stay behind me until help comes!'

William and his two subordinates are ready with their staff to support Dustin. Kane and Henry would immediately run to reduce the people Dustin must protect behind his back. 

"Oh, is that so?"

The Black Hunter lifts his two hands. Then creates two dark mana balls in a short amount of time.

That was unbelievably fast. Compared to the previous lizardmen caster, he is like Platinum rank of Black Hunters. 

"Die then. Yeeehaaaaa!"

The Black Hunter starts bombarding Dustin.

"[Ulterior Phantasm – Golem Spirit Wall]!"

Dustin thoughtlessly activated his ultimate Ulterior Phantasm.

"Take this! Take this! Take this! Muahahaha!"

Unbelievable, the Black Hunter bombarded Dustin with endless dark mana balls.

"Take thiiiiiiiss!"

He not only targeted Dustin's shield but also into the surrounding area, not letting anyone escape.

Even William couldn't find an opening to strike back.

When his party member getting attack by a madman, Aiden could do nothing but standing there, in fear.

Despite his craziness, the Black Hunter is madly strong. He can keep fired dark mana balls like he has an unlimited source of mana. 

Without realizing it, Dustin's [Spirit Wall] began to fade away.

"Starting to lose steam?! Let me warm you!"

The Black Hunter gave no mercy. He is really going to kill all of his party member. 

Aiden started shaking erratically. He is going to lose his friends, a rival, a schoolmate, one kind guardian. He needs to do something. But what a mere student like him can do?

"Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!"

"Stooopp!"

Boom! Boom!

Unconsciously, Aiden fired two wooden swords to the Black Hunter. 

The Black Hunter parry Aiden's attack with just his right hand, barehanded, and didn't get hurt at all. 

The Black Hunter seems surprised a little, but felt proud afterwards. 

I thought you would just stand there watching your friends die."

Aiden didn't even know why, but his hands fired those two attacks without his concern. Now he only has one sword, a wooden one. Compared to Dustin, his weaponry is really poor. 

After their bombardment's attack was stopped, Dustin took his time to breathe.

"So, just that? You are not going to fire your last sword?"

That was just a provocation. The Black Hunter knew that Aiden's sword is also his shield, so if Aiden lost all of his swords, Aiden would be unarmed and would not be able to protect himself.

The Black Hunter realized Aiden's fear. "Don't worry, I won't kill you after that. That is because I fascinated with the way you use your sword. It was like I'm looking at a copy of that Sword Saint guy."

It is said, the Sword Saint uses his sword to become spears, arrows, shields, bombs, and many other skills. And Sword Caster-ing looks like the ability to imitate the abilities of the Sword Saint itself.

"It was the good old day, when I first felt an attack from that hella strong guy. And you, and your sword, remain me of him."

The Black Hunter stretched out his arms, looking like he wouldn't give up anymore attack.

"That is why, attack me. Hit me."

He is mad, definitely crazy. But, even if he said that, Aiden wouldn't just believe it. But, if Aiden didn't take the chance, he definitely will going to kill them. But, even he took the chance and attack the madman, with just a wooden sword, Aiden wouldn't be able to defeat him. 

"Aiden!"

Dustin called him. 

"If you are going to finish him, use my sword!"

Dustin's sword is a high class. Not like Dustin's cheap wooden sword.

"Yeah! Use his sword! If that can kill me, then do it!"

All of that is crazy. The Black Hunter is crazy. The situation is crazy. And Aiden himself was crazy to accept the offer from that crazy man.

"You can do it."

Aiden now holds a high-class sword. 

It was the first time he had wielded a real sword and is fighting one on one with a real opponent who could kill him easily.

However, if he didn't take the chance, they would be killed without giving a fight. So he threw away the moral boundary in his head and took the opportunity to attack an enemy for free.

"Do it!"

That is the cue.

"Hhhhaaaa – "

Just when Aiden wants to perform his strongest attack, one certain feeling stopped him. 

~~~~~~~~~~~

What are you doing? Don't be in a hurry. Don't be triggered by enemy provocation. 

Catch your breath first.

Focus your strength in your right hand. 

Feel the mana flowing through your body, and flow it to your sword.

Good. After that, target to your enemy's body that can finish him off in one hit.

After that, let out your strongest emotion and kill him.

"[SUPER STRONG SWORD-shot]!"

"YEAH!"