Ethan’s power

"Ahhh! It's in! The monster's inside!" someone screamed.

The mutated lobster smashed through the banquet doors, sending shards of glass and wood flying. Its massive claws dripped with blood, likely from the poor souls it had already killed. It let out a deep, guttural growl, its eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

The scene was straight out of a nightmare. For most of the students, it felt like staring down death itself. They froze in fear, their faces pale.

"Damn... what do we do?" one student whispered, trembling.

The lobster advanced, each step shaking the floor. With every move, it became clear just how deadly this creature was. A single swipe of its claw could turn a person into pulp.

Lynn quickly took control of the situation. "Non-combat talents, move to the sides. Combat talents, stand behind me!"

Her voice rang out with authority, cutting through the fear. Instantly, the room began to move. Students scrambled to the sides, while those with combat abilities, including Ned, Ged, and a few others, positioned themselves behind her.

Lynn raised her hand, and the temperature in the hall plummeted. Frost spread across the floor toward the advancing lobster. Its feet slipped on the icy surface, slowing its charge. The monster let out an angry roar, struggling to find traction.

"Stick to the plan. We need to keep it contained," Lynn ordered, her breath visible in the freezing air.

"Ethan, are we seriously doing this?" Ned muttered, his voice shaking.

"You've got this, man. You're built for this kind of situation," Ethan replied with a sly grin. "Remember—hard as steel, right?"

"Dude, stop with the jokes. This thing could crush me in one hit," Ned groaned, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Relax. If you die, just make sure your last words are cool," Ethan teased. "Something like 'Tell my story...'"

Ned glared at him. "You're the worst."

While the two exchanged banter, Lynn's power intensified. The entire banquet hall was now covered in ice, and even Ethan began to feel the chill. Students without combat abilities huddled together, shivering uncontrollably.

"This... is insane," Ethan thought as he observed Lynn's power up close. During the previous fight with the mutated lizard, he hadn't realized how powerful she truly was. Now, her control over ice was undeniable—and terrifying.

The lobster roared again, but its front claws were now frozen to the floor. It thrashed wildly, trying to break free.

"I can't hold it for long," Lynn warned. "Hit it while it's immobilized!"

Ned gulped and glanced at Ethan. "You're the expert. What do we do?"

Ethan gave him a playful shove. "What do you think? Attack!"

Ned stumbled forward and nearly tripped. "Alright, alright! I'm going!"

He charged toward the lobster, his right fist glowing with hardened energy. With a deep breath, Ned focused all his strength into one punch and slammed it against the creature's armored shell.

CLANG!

The sound of metal striking metal echoed through the hall. The lobster's shell dented slightly, but it wasn't enough to cause serious damage.

"Damn! What is this thing, a walking tank?" Ned cursed, shaking his hand. The lobster's armor was ridiculously tough.

"Keep going! Don't stop!" Ethan shouted from behind.

Ned clenched his jaw and threw another punch, followed by another and another. Each hit made a loud clang, but the damage was minimal.

"I'm not doing squat!" Ned growled in frustration. "What is this thing, a lobster or a damn battleship?"

"I've seen crabs tougher than this," Ethan teased. "Come on, Ned, make some seafood soup!"

Ged, not wanting to be shown up in front of everyone, shouted, "Move over, Ned! Let a real fighter handle this!"

With a battle cry, Ged launched a barrage of lightning-fast punches at the lobster's shell. His fists blurred as he unleashed dozens of strikes in seconds. The armor cracked slightly, and some greenish blood oozed from the wounds.

"See? That's how it's done!" Ged smirked, puffing out his chest.

But the damage was still superficial. The lobster roared, shaking off its attackers as it tried to wrench free from Lynn's ice.

Ethan observed the fight with sharp eyes. He noticed something crucial—the lobster's weak spot was hidden beneath its body.

"The underside... that's where we need to hit it," Ethan muttered.

"Ethan! It's breaking free!" Lynn shouted. Ice shards exploded as the lobster tore itself loose from her restraints. Its claws were now free and swung wildly, smashing into the floor with a deafening crash.

"Ned, look out!" Ethan yelled.

The lobster's claw came down fast. Ned's eyes widened in terror, and he froze in place.

"Crap, crap, crap—" Ned stammered, unable to move. He shut his eyes, bracing for impact.

"Get it together!" Ethan barked as he dashed forward with inhuman speed. He grabbed Ned by the collar and kicked him out of the danger zone.

Ned tumbled to the floor, landing with a yelp. "Ethan, you saved my ass again!"

"Of course I did. Now stop freezing up!" Ethan retorted.

The lobster's claw slammed into the ground where Ned had been standing moments before, shattering the floor and sending debris flying. Ethan dodged with ease, moving like a shadow.

"Alright, listen up!" Ethan called out. "I'll distract it. You guys go for the weak spot—its abdomen!"

The others hesitated, but Ethan's commanding presence snapped them out of their fear. They nodded and prepared to strike.

Ethan moved swiftly, using the Microscopic Movement Technique to stay one step ahead of the creature. He weaved through its attacks effortlessly, each movement fluid and precise. The lobster roared in frustration, focusing all its aggression on him.

"Let's go! Attack while it's distracted!" Ethan shouted.

Ned, Ged, and the others charged forward. With renewed determination, they aimed for the lobster's underside.

This time, they weren't holding back.