Questions

When Black Hand appeared Elizabeth and the other mercenaries were eager to attack him immediately but seeing how easily Parish was dealt with they hesitated. They had to reconsider if direct engagement was wise after all it could be said that Parish is one of the strongest in the Silver Eyes group but he was defeated in one move.

Black Hand stood straight, holding the halberd upright and swept his cold gaze at each of the mercenaries. "Anybody else?" He said calmly.

"Don't get conceited Black Hand," Elizabeth replied indifferently. "You are out numbered, and I got hostages... including your son,"

As if annoyed by her threat suddenly Black Hand thrust out his palm again. The dark palm appeared in the air like last time, only this time, before everyone's surprised eyes it shot towards Elizabeth that was standing behind Tila.

Elizabeth was startled because she never expected the man to be this ruthless to attempt to strike her together with her hostage. She quickly released Tila and leapt to the side to avoid the 'Shadow Palm'. Everyone thought the palm would slam into Tila, but the moment it arrived in front of her the alien girl the palm fizzle away. Disintegrating into powder and vanished from sight.

Black Hand took a step and appeared between Yamato and Tila.

"Break," he muttered slapping his hands out. His outstretched hands struck both in the stomach successfully freeing them.

At the other side Elizabeth realized she has been fooled, Black Hand never intended on harming the the alien girl, he just wanted to scare her off. Besides being angry she didn't have any thought about it, even without the hostages she felt she could still deal with this. Teeth gritted Elizabeth glared at Black Hand.

Her Astral weapon, the dagger in her hand, melted to liquid. Growing bigger quickly it oozed down her body like an increasing mass of foam, foam that was silver like. Soon the silver gel like substance covered her from head to toe like a liquid armor. However there were no eye holes or anything, just a smooth sealed armor that covered all her orifice making one to fear shed suffocate. How she can see was also questionable. Though strangely only her silver hair was let free. On the back of her hands two silver blades jutted out.

Black Hand let her gather strength inspecting her curiously. "Unique Astral weapon? Interesting I have never seen someone do it this way,"

"It's gonna get more interesting. Battle formation D," Elizabeth shouted.

The other mercenaries has already prepared for battle their Astral weapons already summoned. Hearing Elizabeth's order they quickly assumed the intended formation. Which was surrounding Black Hand, Yamato and Tila. Putting them in the center with no open path to escape.

Black Hand was as laid back as if he wasn't the one surrounded by so many experts. He smiled as he looked at them and said, "Before we begin can we have a talk now?"

"What's there to talk about?" Luka sneered thinking that Black Hand is at his wit's end and wanted to buy time. "Didn't you say you are gonna kill us? If you are planning on begging better do it well as we must not necessarily show you mercy,"

"Me beg? You guys think too highly of yourselves. Who ever sent you to find me sent you to your death, I just want to know how you found me,"

"Is you that think too highly of yourself," Black Hand's arrogance angered Elizabeth and she couldn't help but say. "I am gonna collect the bounty on your head, it's up to you whether you come alive or dead,"

Black Hand shook his head. "Truly a foolish woman. I had thought you were forced into this and I wanted us to work together, it turned out you came for the money. Good, I shall kill you and deliver your head to your family for free. Just make sure to give me the right address,"

'Work together?' Elizabeth heard something interesting from his words but before she could reply he'd already attacked.

'Wanting to distract me? Too naive!' Elizabeth had been wary of him since so the moment he made a move, she also moved to respond to him.

Black Hand kicked off the ground and shot at her. His spear thrust towards her neck. Elizabeth instinctively stepped back and blocked with the blade that protruded out of her right hand. Sparks flew as the mystical metals clashed against each other.

"Well let's see how good..." Elizabeth wanted to say something but Black Hand only twirled his halberd and swung the axe head down at her. Only a last minute tilt of her head saved her life, the axe flew past inches from her face. Elizabeth felt cold sweat soak her cloths from the dense killing intent.

"Tsk tsk tsk, you are no fun," she muttered.

Good lord, this guy has killed a lot of people! She exclaimed in her mind in admiration. However she felt it was too dangerous and didn't just receive the attacks passively anymore and started attacking too.

As Elizabeth and Black Hand exchanged moves, the other mercenaries weren't standard idle. By some unsaid tact, understanding each other without words, Saldo and Kira stepped forward to flank Black Hand while Luka walked towards Yamato and Tila.

"Should I help you?" Black Hand noticed Luka's movement and shouted to Yamato.

"Don't worry about me," Yamato said confidently.

"Right, but be careful. That spear he is holding is a Star Shard,"

"Sure," Yamato didn't know what a Star Shard is, but he knew how formidable that spear is, being able to contend with Astral weapons it is no joke.

"Don't face it head on unless you absolutely have to," Old Two reminded.

Just as Old Two said that, he had to take his attention back to his front as Saldo and Kira launched an attack from both sides of him in perfect sync while Elizabeth attacked from the front.

The three way attack was vicious, blocking his every escape path except the back. But stepping back will also be bad for him since that's what his opponents were expecting. In a fight if an opponent gives you only one way out then you shouldn't take that way no matter what.

Yes the three way well coordinated attack was formidable however Black Hand resolved it easily. He stepped to the side to avoid Saldo's sword thrust, then twisted his halberd to block Kira's kitana. Finally the Shadow Palm in the form of a giant black fist appeared between him and Elizabeth like a gate, blocking her advance.

After that he quickly counter attacked.

Saldo tried to pull his sword back but Black Hand quickly struck out with a palm. He hit him in the chest sending him flying way then turned halfway and flicked his halberd.

Kira was trying to put some distance between them when Black Hand whipped the butt of his halberd to connect with her abdomen. She was sent flying away too.

Before Black Hand could relax he felt a sharp danger, a sharp killing intent was directed at him. The next moment he reeled surprise as he felt his Shadow Palm he used to hold off Elizabeth being shattered by extreme force.

Elizabeth rushed towards him, swinging down the blades protruding from the back of her hands aiming to take his life. Black Hand barely blocked with his halberd. Still stunned he drew away and looked at her.

"You actually broke my Shadow Palm. They didn't send you just for show but to actually deal with me huh?"

"Hehe hehe are you scared now?" Elizabeth taunted.

"Hmph, little girl that knows not the immensity of heaven and earth, I can crush you like an ant!"

Black Hand kicked off the ground, as he drew closer he lifted his halberd and swept it at her. Elizabeth leaned back low to avoid letting him shoot past her. However Black Hand released the Shadow Hand as he passed.

Elizabeth saw the giant fist shooting at her from above. Still laying perpendicular to the ground she placed her blades in a x then slashed out. Two barely visible sword lines flew upwards, upon contact with the giant hand it cut it into four pieces of large shadows. After being cut the shadow hand frayed and vanished.

"Hidden arts?" Black Hand said. "You are right girl, this is getting more interesting. Since you want to use such techniques I'll reply in kind,"

Black Hand stabbed his halberd on the ground, then held up his hands and made a few finger gesture.

"Mushin Hidden arts!" Saldo seeing that could not help but shout. "Boss we must not let him cast that or else we'll be done for!"

Elizabeth has heard of the Hidden Arts of Mushin which is said to be one of the strongest kind of hidden arts, but has never faced it until now. However Saldo is very experienced so she didn't doubt his words for a moment. She immediately slashed at the air in Black Hand's direction. Even though there's up to seven meters between them the invisible sword lights flew true.

"Smart move!" Black Hand had no choice but to break off his almost completed technique, grab his halberd and block. Sparks flew from the halberd and the sound of metals clashing rang out. At this time Saldo and Kira also returned, outnumbering him again.

He realized that if not for Elizabeth's surprising strength he'd have dealt with all of them. This girl is very powerful!

"Say girlie, who sent you?" Old two couldn't help but ask. Wondering about her background.

"Hmph," Elizabeth just snorted and continued attacking.

At the other side Yamato was in trouble with Luka. Luckily Tila was smart and had gotten out of the way of both of them as soon as the fight was about to start.

Today Luka went all out at the get go. The moment he closed the distance he went all out using 'Mountain Flood', the mystical skill he used to take out Yamato last time.

Yamato didn't need his father's advice to know he absolutely should not fight head on, not power to power. He has to use some agility and cunning here. Thinking of that he casually avoided the spear; dust rose as it blew up a hole on the ground where he had been standing.

He stopped for a moment and invoked the heart flame which he can call feely now with practice then further invoked the concealment art before diving into the dust. Concealed.

Unnoticed Yamato circled and appeared besides Luka. Sticking close, into the mercenary's personal space, he punched out. He'd learned this from Luka the hard way yesterday. Just like Luka did yesterday with his dagger, from this position it is impossible to block with a spear.

Yamato thought this will be a perfect hit but Luka just leaned to the side to avoid his fist, before rotating 180 degree and kicked out with one foot. Startled Yamato lifted his hand to block. While he blocked successfully it didn't benefit him as Luka turned again and brought down his heavy spear.

Ding!

A dull sound rang out as the spear made contact with his Astral gauntlet, Yamato was sent flying away.

However Yamato only flipped thrice in the air before landing back on his feet. He'd learned his lesson from yesterday and knew how to deal with Luka's attacks as far as he reacts fast and doesn't loose focus.

Yesterday he was beaten to the point of needing rescue by this guy. Yamato didn't care if this guy is a professional mercenary or a wildly known expert, in this second round he'd resolve himself to be the winner!