One-Eyed Monster

Stan Sol set Hustace down from his shoulder. The opponent’s offensive was so fierce he had to take it seriously.

After his Berserk transformation, Brad’s eyes flashed like lightning, and his punching speed increased. His fists, following his electric gaze, rained down on Stan Sol in a rapid barrage.

Stan Sol knew that continually using his magical robe to parry was not a sustainable solution. His opponent could go Berserk repeatedly, so a protracted defense wasn’t the answer. While a stable defense, waiting for the opponent’s stamina to wane before launching a sneak attack, was a viable counter-strategy, his opponent was clearly aware of this. Brad’s frenzied, swift punches left no openings, and the other man occasionally chimed in with a flying kick.

The best defense is a good offense. Stan Sol once again deeply grasped the meaning of this adage.

So, during a lull when his opponents caught their breath, Stan Sol composed himself. After setting down the still-unconscious Hustace, he removed his robe.

”Are you going to use your Hunter specialty, the Stealth Ability? I’m quite looking forward to it.” Joela also rolled up his sleeves, revealing the Alchemy Elements tattooed on his skin. Every Golden Seat member had their own combat specialty: Brad’s was Berserk, while Joela’s was Hardening. He drew upon the Alchemy Elements on his arm, and his fist instantly began to emit a grinding, hardening sound.

”Stealth Ability... that... is... for... hunting. Useless... in... combat,” Stan Sol replied, word by word. To have the leisure to chat when an attack could come at any moment—Joela and Stan Sol were truly something else.

Never talk during a fight! This was a warning every combat instructor drilled into their students, a lesson every fighter understood deeply.

Baharo, currently entangled with Hector, was learning this lesson the hard way. He’d already taken several lashes from Hector’s whip due to the recent inconsequential chatter. Why does this Alchemist move like a snake? he wondered. Hector slithered around him, making it incredibly difficult to find an opening. The man was astonishingly flexible. On the rare occasion Baharo found a flaw and landed a punch, it felt like striking a sponge—soft, with no feedback of force. The way Hector’s body bent and twisted to dodge attacks was also unnerving. Overall, the man’s body seemed almost boneless.

These Alchemists are truly bizarre!

Countless thoughts churned in Baharo’s mind. He’d certainly experienced his share of highs and lows recently. He’d excitedly accepted the recruitment offer from the head of the Alchemy Workshop, only to be utterly crushed by the Ancient Hunter Stan Sol, losing all will to fight. And now, he was being embarrassingly battered by someone who was supposed to be a future colleague.

Stan Sol paid Baharo no mind. They’d had a small, unspoken understanding earlier: Stan Sol had untied the Binding Beast Rope from him and returned his Spirit Sword. This showed Stan Sol had lowered his guard around Baharo, deeming him harmless. Therefore, if Baharo couldn’t look after himself now, he wasn’t worthy of being one of the Hunters.

Setting Baharo aside, Stan Sol himself had no time for distractions. His two opponents—one with Berserk fists, the other with Hardened fists—were already a handful, enough to make him remove his robe.

That robe was one of Stan Sol’s treasures. More accurately, it wasn’t merely a robe but a special Living Entity. Like the Battle Pet Fiery Blaze Stan Sol had previously summoned, it was another rare marvel captured by the Ancient Hunters from some corner of the continent.

”Phantom!” Stan Sol roared. The robe he was brandishing suddenly began to shift, transforming into a longsword. Gripping the sword, Stan Sol slashed towards Brad.

Quicker than words could tell, Brad, who had been about to retract his arm, reconsidered. After all, while Berserk, his body wasn’t tough enough to block blades with raw flesh, especially not a greatsword that looked as formidable as Stan Sol’s.

CLANG!

Joela flipped sideways, intercepting the blow meant for Brad. Sparks flew!

Stan Sol stared in surprise at Joela. To block that strike with his body... he’s truly remarkable!

”What is that creature of yours? It can devour Spirit Power!” Joela appeared unharmed. As he twisted his neck with a CRACKING sound, the gleaming, transparent substance on his right cheek and neck gradually vanished.

”You... can... summon... Diamond?” Stan Sol was equally astonished.

”For an Alchemist, is making an exchange for Diamond really so strange?” Joela said lightly.

This brief, unexpected turn of events gave the combatants a chance to catch their breath. Even Hector, who had been dominating his fight, ceased his attack and moved to Joela’s side.

”If I’m not mistaken, that creature of yours is called Sharkmon. It excels at transformation and devouring Spirit Power.”

”Correct,” Stan Sol replied, ever succinct.

”Heh. I initially thought you’d wreathe yourself in flames again. But to witness Sharkmon in battle—I consider it an honor. From this point on, we won’t hold back.”

”Likewise!”

”Brad, I’m not your match in offense, but your defense is lacking. You handle the attack, I’ll cover defense. We’ll make this quick, two against one.”

”Yes, Senior!” Brad assented. With a FIZZING sound, he began to go Berserk again. This time, his Berserk state intensified, and his eyes glowed with a blue light.

”Seriously? Aren’t you from the Alchemy Workshop ashamed? Ganging up on him like this...”

”Your opponent is me. Don’t disappoint me,” Hector cut in, attacking before Baharo could finish his taunt. After the brief respite, Hector had somewhat grasped Joela’s intentions.

The five of them clashed once more.

Hector moved like an elusive snake, his patterns unpredictable. Baharo had no choice but to wield his Spirit Sword and fight with all his might.

Meanwhile, the Sharkmon in Stan Sol’s hand constantly shifted: one moment a shield, the next a longsword, then a chain flail. The ever-morphing Sharkmon opened its great maw, attempting to devour Joela’s and Brad’s Spirit Power. However, Joela and Brad coordinated perfectly. When Sharkmon attacked, Joela defended; when Sharkmon retreated, Brad struck. With this seamless offense and defense, Stan Sol couldn’t gain any ground.

However, Joela and Brad couldn’t gain an advantage over Stan Sol either...

In truth, however, both sides had reached a certain tacit understanding during their battle.

From the very first moment they met, Joela knew this entire encounter had been orchestrated by someone behind the scenes.

All of them were trapped within a Maze Array: those trying to ascend the mountain couldn’t, and those trying to descend were also stuck. Thanks to the Alchemy Array set up by the Exchange Beasts, Joela had some awareness of Stan Sol’s group’s movements.

The enemy behind the scenes had deliberately arranged for them to meet in this Maze Array; it was no mere coincidence.

Brad’s belligerent, straightforward attacks also made Stan Sol suspicious. He’d been wandering in circles for so long; how could he suddenly run into a group of Alchemists who had clearly been monitoring him? It was obvious someone had orchestrated this.

Thus, after their initial probing exchanges, a silent understanding had quietly formed between them...