Shinsu dropped to her knees, panting. Her arms held her high like she was trying not to give up. Each breath cost her more energy, but she kept on trying, that is, to stand up and continue the battle.

  I am useless without Wind Dive! She thought while sweat dripped from her cheek to the ground. Vapours engulfed her body, trying to heal all the bruises. Her brain showed her the bloody vision, trying to wake the dead adrenaline in her body. But it was in vain. So…this is how it happens… Her body gave up.

  Hojoi’s expression remained unchanged. He looked to his side, meeting the scenery of the nightmare lying on the ground. Dunn didn’t pass out, but his mana reserves did deplete fast in this battle.

  All the warriors rushed to the scene. Some picked up the unconscious Shinsu and supported her onto the wall, while the others kept themselves busy trying to pin Dunn to the floor.

  Hojoi, without hesitation, started to march towards Aldred. He hadn’t forgotten his main goal.

  This is it! We succeeded! He said to himself, still trying his best not to show any type of emotion.

  Aldred looked at Hojoi, took a fork with his left hand, and charged at him with full speed without any fear. Kyra screamed at him with her full might, trying to keep Aldred away from the danger, that is, Hojoi. He lifted his left hand, trying to fork his enemy, but then suddenly, his left hand was pinned in the middle of the air. The fork fell, as Hojoi twisted Aldred’s hand. Aldred, while suffering in pain, used his right hand to punch Hojoi’s arm to free himself.

  Hojoi keenly gaped at the young boy before kicking him on the stomach. Aldred spat out blood, but kept on punching, trying not to give up.

  Hojoi’s brows were raised with the surprising resolve of this young mind. He understood the reason why he had managed to kill Hilol, his disciple.

  Hojoi jolted his arm down, causing Aldred to crash on the floor. He went immobilised.

  “ You should give up and come with us,” Hojoi said with a slight emotion. “ You’re hurting yours-” He was caught off guard as Aldred wrapped his right palm around Hojoi’s ripped arm.

  “ Give up?” A slight grunt was released with an exhale,“ That’s the one word I hate!” The silhouette of a middle-aged man, with a sharp jaw, covered Aldred’s body while smiling at Hojoi. He stopped imagining as the silhouette disappeared. He gave a slight smirk before kicking Aldred again, and again.

  “ Suit yourself!”

  Kyra’s body jolted with the kick. She started to rush forward while screaming, readying her fist to punch. Suddenly, a wave of Mana surged forward, crossing her speed. Kyra couldn’t see it, but was able to sense it.

  As Hojoi raised his feet to kick again, a surging chunk of energy covered his vision. The red energy slowly took its shape with after-images to form a whole body.

  The Red Mana turned to Derrick, fully healed. His right fist was covered in Mana with a black lightning-like projection casing it.

  The attack was so sudden that it didn’t give Hojoi time to react. The punch landed in his chest as Black lightning and Mana burst out of Derrick’s fist, sending Hojoi flying back.

  Quickly, Hojoi formed his Wind-Dive sword and drove it into the ground to control his speed. His feet landed on the floor as his speed decreased.

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  Sometimes, in the presence of high adrenaline, both Human and Nature Mana combine to form a Hybrid, which is generated as black lightning sparks around the Human Mana, which was left out in the reaction. A person cannot generate Hybrid Mana by will, instead it is a pure gamble of luck. Any technique can be used in the presence of Hybrid Mana to increase the damage by 10 times. In that moment, Derrick’s adrenaline rushed so high that Hybrid Mana covered his entire body.

  Black lightning burst out of his body like a tempered volcano.

  He raised his right hand to the side, formed his sword, and rushed at Hojoi with full speed, with an explosion uplifting dust behind his feet.

  Hojoi raised his hand to cover his face from Derrick’s attacks.

  Derrick slashed his sword continuously. The speed of these attacks had increased exponentially, enough to cut through Hojoi’s left ear. Vapours emerged from the wound as it slowly closed, forming a new ear.

  Hojoi side-flipped while dodging and rushed his sword forward. Both of their Mana swords clashed with each other, producing a shockwave with enough intensity to blow their hair back.

  A huge explosion surrounded both of them in dust and smoke. The shockwave caused Derrick to fall back. He slashed his sword on the floor, stopping himself. He raised his head to reveal his Mana Vision covered in black lightning.

  Three green-grey coloured bombs made of wind burst out of the cluster made of dust.

  Derrick lifted his sword, slashed once, and cut through all of them, diverting their path to blast on the ground, ceiling, and a wall.

  The ceiling fan wiggled, the lights on the ceiling flickered, and the roof started to show signs of cracking. Rubble started to fall on the ground from the ceiling as the lights turned off.

  Hojoi appeared in front of Derrick with his sword forward.

  Derrick slashed his sword front.

  Both of their swords clashed as a huge portion of the ceiling fell on the ground, with the corpse of a ceiling fan blocking Aldred’s view.

  Aldred and Kyra covered their faces to block themselves from the dust and destruction.

  What was that attack! Mr Derrick is sure stro-

  Suddenly, the sound of gasping echoed in the cafe. Derrick came out flying from the dust cloud while covered in Mana. The black lightning disappeared with him on the ground.

  Hojoi walked out of the dust, unfazed.

  Aldred looked to his side at Derrick's body.

  Well, what was I hoping!? Derrick questioned himself while lying on the ground. His Blood covered the floor beneath him.

  Hojoi tightened his fist on Aldred’s arm as he dragged him across the cafe.

  Derrick! Al..dred! Dunn saw the destruction while pinned against the floor.

  Kyra picked up a fork. But before she could do anything, Hojoi kicked her stomach. Blood pumped out of her mouth like a fountain.

  Between all the dust and rubble, the seven pillars of God Armour remained the same. One page opened, the last page, showing the picture of the author.

  So…this is where I fai-

  “ NEVER GIVE UP!!!” Aldred shouted while being in the grasp of Hojoi.

  Hojoi gave a side eye before stopping.

  “ Kill or be Killed! That's the rule of this world!” He swallowed his saliva before continuing,“ Ke-ep…Fighting! Until you breathe… your last breath!” His words screeched Derricks ears.

  That’s right! Why did I give up so easily? Was all of that vowing in vain? Or am I just a coward? The picture of a lady sitting beside him, giggling, appeared.

  His fingers twitched. That’s right! Sorry…Sister…I will never give up again! He remembered the time he had fun playing with his elder sister. The never-ending game of chess and the game of hide and seek in green, bushy hiding spots.

  Hojoi’s eyes widened as he saw Derrick’s body standing up while quivering.

  “ Sorry, Aldred! Sorry for showing you my pathetic side! Are you disappointed? Don’t worry! I will prove it to you!” He said, while his words trembled.

  His sword took its form in his palm again as vapours healed his body.

  “ I will show my courage by showing him DESPAIR!” Derrick screamed with his full energy.