The ground still trembled from Adelia slamming Lynira down.

Dust drifted like smoke across the clearing. But there was no time for Amon to look back.

Because the masked man in front of them. The one facing Amon, Arnold, and Aisha was already moving.

He tightened his grip on his sword, the blade humming with cold killing intent.

The man's stance was perfect. His posture balanced. His movements impossibly sharp.

This one… is different. Not as strong as Lynira. But stronger than the other enemies he fought. Amon felt it instantly.

He wasn't like those other masked attackers. This one was a true killer. A monster in human shape.

---

Aisha snarled first, lightning crackling around her arms.

"Come on then!"

She dashed forward. Her footwork quick, wild, full of fury. She never felt fear toward someone stronger than her.

The masked man simply stepped aside. Aisha's eyes widened.

SHHHK!

Then he made his move.

A thin line of red opened across her arm.

"Ghh—!"

She stumbled back. She hadn't even seen him move. Blood seeped from the small cut on her arm.

Arnold stepped in immediately.

"Cover!"

His sword bright silver, clean, sharp. Clashed with the assassin's. Arnold had used his full strength, not holding anything back.

CLAAAANG!!

The masked man didn't budge. Arnold, even with his strength, was pushed back two steps.

Amon, behind them, felt the force from where he stood.

"His strength… is insane," he muttered.

Aisha wiped the blood from her arm, lightning sparking anew. "We can still take him!"

The masked man tilted his head.

He said nothing. His eyes were cold. As if there was only one thing on his mind: to kill them.

His killing intent rose like a blade pressed against their throats.

He moved fast. Blindingly fast.

Amon barely saw him.

One moment the masked man was standing still.

The next, he vanished. Then he was in front of Arnold.

SHING!

The assassin's sword slashed at Arnold's throat.

Arnold barely brought his blade up.

CLAAAANG!!

Sparks exploded.

The masked man shifted instantly. A second strike.

A third.

A fourth.

A rain of steel fell on Arnold.

CLANG!

CLANG!

CLANG!

CLANG!

Hot sparks flew as steel met steel.

Arnold's arms shook violently as he blocked, teeth gritted.

"Tch—!!"

He was a sword specialist. Strong. Fast.

But this man.

This man was overwhelming him. He was stronger than Arnold had initially thought. His strength was similar to that of Master rank.

From other side Amon dashed in. His eyes serious.

Shadow wrapped around both blades. In right hand. It was his sword while in left it was his hatchet.

His left hand shot toward the enemy.

Swing!

Swiissshh!

The dark hatchet cut through the air in a black trajectory, straight toward the masked man.

At the same time,

Dark shadow tendrils shot toward the masked man's legs.

[Shadow Clutch]

But the assassin reacted instantly.

In one smooth motion.

He flipped backward, slicing through the shadows as if they were air, while dodging the incoming hatchet.

Amon's eyes widened.

'He cut my spell…? Even avoided an attack midair. Dammit.'

Aisha didn't give him time.

Blue mana exploded around her legs.

She leapt high—then dove down with a spinning heel kick.

BOOOOM!!

The ground blasted apart.

But the masked man.

Wasn't there.

He was behind Aisha, his sword aiming at her spine.

Amon shouted,

"Aisha!! Behind—!"

Too late.

SHIIIING—!

Arnold appeared between them.

Sparks erupted as he parried the blow, both hands gripping his sword.

Their faces were inches apart.

Arnold growled, veins bulging on his arms. "Try getting through me."

The masked man didn't react.

He simply shifted his weight.

Then kicked Arnold in the stomach.

BAM!!!

Arnold flew back five meters, rolling on the ground.

"A-Arnold!" Amon called out.

Arnold spat blood but stood. "I'm fine… Just focus!"

Amon inhaled deeply.

He could feel his mana swirling violently inside him.

He gripped his sword.

'We have to hit him together… That's the only way.'

He looked at Aisha. She nodded fiercely. Arnold cracked his neck.

"Let's go."

They moved at the same time.

Aisha unleashed a streak of lightning spells.

Amon aimed his shadow spell. [Eclipse Bolt] and a [Mana Bullet] at the same time.

Arnold dashed forward, sword ready.

The masked man glanced at all three.

Then moved.

Like a phantom.

Aisha's lightning cut the air. He ducked under it. Amon's shadow erupted from the ground.

He jumped over it.

Arnold's sword aimed for his ribs. The masked man parried with one hand and countered.

SHING!

Arnold lost his balance.

The assassin moved in,

Amon appeared behind him, trying to stab.

The masked man twisted smoothly. Caught Amon's wrist. And flung him like a rag doll.

"Agh!!"

Amon crashed into a tree, coughing.

But Aisha was already there.

Mana wrapped around her arms. Lightning spells already conjured above her. Blue lightning spears and lightning spheres.

She punched. A streak of blue light exploding. At the same time, lightning spells collided.

BOOOOM!!

This time, the masked man slid back slightly.

Aisha smirked. "Got you."

But the masked man simply raised his sword—

And swung horizontally.

A wave of invisible force cut through the air.

Aisha's expression froze. "What—!"

BAM!!!

She was blasted sideways, skidding across the dirt.

"Aisha!!" Amon yelled, struggling to stand.

Meanwhile Arnold used the opening.

He charged, sword glowing faintly. He slashed downward with full force, the sword leaving a trail of beautiful starlight.

The masked man blocked with one hand.

"Kids, you're not that bad."

Arnold roared and pressed harder.

For the first time.

The masked man's feet sank into the dirt. Arnold pushed more.

Their blades locked.

Their mana clashed.

Arnold shouted through gritted teeth—

"I won't let you kill… ANYONE HERE!"

The masked man lifted his head slightly.

His eyes. Cold above the half mask.

Then.

He moved his free hand. It was a palm strike. He hit straight into Arnold's chest.

BAM!!!

Arnold coughed blood and staggered. But before he could fall

Amon's shadow tendrils wrapped around the masked man's ankle.

"Got you…! Don't be ignorant! You bastard!"

For a split second.

The assassin's movement paused.

Arnold roared. And slashed with everything he had.

CLAAAAANG!!

The masked man was forced backward.

Amon and Arnold both panted, exhausted.

Aisha dragged herself up, lightning flickering weakly.

"Ha… we're not done…"

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