The fight started off with a long range fight as they were firing at each other. Sparks were flying in between the two as it was showing how they were countering each other's attack from long range. Neither side was scathed despite the many projectiles fired at each other. Closing in on each other, the need to dodge became more apparent as the simple gesture to side stepping were growing in size. Yet at the same time the difference in styles were showing as the distance shortened. Menace would side-step left and right every time he needed to dodge and would fire one gun in retaliation while keeping his eyes on the enemy. Joseph was trying to shoot both his guns at the same time. He would rush and shoot both before spinning to the side, putting a constant volley of fire. Hundreds of shots were fired, and not one was making clean hits but this was because both were skilled. Despite having the power to protect themselves from each other's attacks, neither was using it as they wanted to show their skills without it. It became a point that other things were being hit because of the crossfire rather than the two themselves. Closing in on each, it didn’t stop the intensity of the fight as everything was now moving faster than human sight.

  Just as they got closer, both were now arm's length from each other. With that, they were now in close combat. This was the real test of gun fighting as it showed a skill that many who use guns lack. Both wanted a clean shot but when the other got a clear shot the other would use his gun to divert it away. Using their close-combat gun fighting as they were hand fighting and grappling. It eventually came to the point they were trying to see who could outmanoeuvre against the other rather than shoot each other. Surprised by his skills, Joseph couldn’t believe there was a man this skilled in fighting. Menace who was unknown, fought like a seasoned veteran. With a gun barrel pointing at his face, Fausto didn’t panic as he trusted his technique and form to carry him out of any situation. To add on top of that, he never forces anything as he lets opportunities develop. Understanding why Leonardo was defeated, Joseph was glad that Menace was his final opponent. Yet Joseph didn’t realise that under Menace’s mask was a face of dissatisfaction.

  After the stalemate continued for a few minutes, both of them pushed against each other. Which then resulted in gaining separation as they were now shooting at each other from a distance once more. Bam bam the fight was getting more and more intense as they were using more power, causing pithole and damages to the walls. Each time energy was shot, the more danger it was to be even close to the fight. But they didn’t care about anyone else, they cared about winning. Eventually though it became apparent that nothing was progressing as the fight continued to a standstill. Into a standoff, the two pointed their gun right at each other's faces.

  “Hmm so what do you think of my skills? I recently learned it so I’m still trying to get better.” Menace said as he got rid of his weapon to signal the end of this round. Respecting his opponents, so did Joseph as he retracted his gun.

  “Impressive. In all my years of fighting, I have never seen someone so proficient with guns as good as me. Even my brightest student can’t match my level.” Joseph said as he was saying that in admiration from one fighter to another. “To think you did this in a few days. Very impressed.”

  “Thank you. But I have to thank you again, as I never thought how amazing dual-wielding pistols were. It's also quite fun.” Menace complimented as he never would have liked using dual pistols. Eventually, he came around as he played with it the last few days. He soon saw the advantages of using them. He thought maybe once in a while he would fight using this style.

  “I would agree to it. But sadly, I will have to kill you. Please be honoured that you will be killed by me. And I will use everything to defeat you.” Joseph then created full body armor and enhanced his pistols into submachine guns strapped with bayonets. Looking like a knight in shining armor, it gives Joseph a cool appeal. Releasing more divine energy, it can be shown that his power was far stronger than before. Needless to say, the next time he releases an attack it would kill Menace if he wasn't careful. Unfortunately, Menace didn’t seem to be threatened by the new form at all.

  “That is cool. Looks like you were better than the last ones. However, something seems rather off about you Cleansers. Have your skills gotten weaker?” Menace curiously asked. After fighting the few Cleansers he felt like their technique was rather unpolished. But all were similar to Joseph’s.

  “What is that?”

  “How you use energy is bad. Your armor is strong, while your attacks are rather weak. If you focus on every individual shot you will be far stronger along with your armor. Know your strengths and work on them. You are making things too complicated for yourself.”

  “What do you mean?” Joseph questioned as he wondered about that. This again disappointed Menace as he was dropping his shoulders.

  “You guys should really be watching movies. Some of them can teach you some good life lessons.” Menace then created a double-bladed staff along with some shoes but they were very unique as Joseph would soon find out. “Hope you are ready?”

  “Hmph, who do you take me for I’m…” As he was preparing to fire, he wanted to warn Menace. But just as he was about to speak to Menace, the gap was instantly closed. Whoosh

  “Who?” Was the only thing Menace said before slashing at Joseph's unguarded torso. Dodging in time, Joseph was able to avoid the slash but his armor that was supposed to protect him was cut cleanly. If it wasn’t for that armor he might have been split in half. Just as that happened, he thought he had survived but just as he was able to reposition...Menace had already closed the gap with his staff ready to slash him.

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  “How…?” Joseph said as he was able to block the attack. Before making contact, Menace twirled it in an instant as he used the other side of the staff to pierce him again. In the skin of his teeth, he was able to block it.

  “Oh.” Then, as though he was dancing, Menace kept attacking him in a circle. Constantly appearing making sure that Joseph couldn’t get a clear shot. Even if he did, Menace would already be slashing at Joseph before he could make the shot. With constant movement and being able to attack while defending simultaneously, Menace left no room for counterattack. Joseph tried to fight back but the speed was too fast for him. Menace was moving at abnormal speeds while using the dual sword staff to close the distance. And he even increased the blade whenever he needed to close the distance.

  Struggling to keep up, Joseph kept his cool as he was still a veteran in battle. No matter the small chances, he was looking for the right opportunity. Betting on one move, Joseph predicted where Menace was pointing his gun at his blind spot. This caught Menace off guard as the gun was pointed right at his face. Joseph, without hesitation pulled the trigger to attack. Slit, blood was splattered across the floor as the unpredicted happened. In delight, Joseph was smiling as there was blood on Menace's face. Yet his smile soon faded as he collapsed to see the staff pierce through his abdomen. He tried to get rid of the sword but it had already pierced deep into his body. “Ahh!!!” Using his gun, he created an explosion to separate them.

  “Oh….I got dust all over me? Well that is a first.” Menace said as he was brushing them off. Looking at Joseph, Menace looked to see how bad the damage was. Using his armor, Joseph was able to stop the bleeding. But still the pain was still very much there. “Do you want to go check that out? I heard there is a good doctor here?” Menace casually joked. But Joseph then shot a blast at him in rage. Of course, Menace blocked it as it was obvious. “Hey, I’m just looking after you? Don’t need to get all defensive.”

  “Ha...ha...how are you so fast...are you a….shadow dweller?” Joseph questioned as there was no way that Diviners could move that fast in such a short distance.

  “Sorry.” Joseph guessed, only to have Menace shoot a blast of energy towards the gate to show he is very much a diviner. “Though you might have to think twice before you get yourself killed.”

  “Then...why..so fast ha……?” Menace then looked at his feet as he made himself fly up a bit with the light energy.

  “Just like how you use the explosion to push me back, you can also use it to push me forward. Like jet shoes!!” Menace again flew up once more. “Cool right?” Amused, Joseph chuckled a little as for being the forefront of using technology he seemed rather behind with the times. “Using light in a short burst of energy will increase my speed. Allowing me to move faster than normal and close the gap faster.

  “To think that I was that far behind. It seems I should retire…”

  “Isn’t that perfect!! You can relax and enjoy yourself.”

  “No, because I belong to the battlefield...cough...cough.. And I will die on the battlefield…...”

  “Knights…. they can’t go home peacefully.” Menace sighed even though he couldn’t help but agree as he started giving the finishing blow. Bammm!!!! Menace immediately created a shield as a large power attack almost blew him away. “Hmm...reinforcements?”

  “That attack...it can’t be….” Joseph said. Both of them look to see a bunch of diviners approaching at the top of the wall. Immediately, without warning they had already charged their weapons, waiting for the command of one person holding a ceremonial longsword. Looking down, he seemed like he wasn’t concerned with Menace as he was more concerned looking at Joseph. Right away, opening the gate was Gilius along with cleanser and soldiers taking position as well. Within seconds, Menace was surrounded instantly.

  “Surrender at once!!” An old-looking figure soon came amongst them wearing the coat of a minister. Carrying the sword, he then pointed it right at Menace. “I’m Minister Samuel of Ector. if you don’t, we'll show no mercy.” Looking at Menace, he then channeled a large amount of energy to his sword as he was ready to fire at will. Midway of channelling he stopped as he notice a gun pointed at him. Not just anybody; it was Joseph, pointing his gun at Samuel.

  “Stop!!! ...he..is ..mine....” Losing consciousness while slowly breathing, Joseph still wanted to fight at his current state.

  “Joseph, you need treatment. Please rest!!!” Samuel shouted as he was surprised by that reaction from Joseph, who needed to be rescued. To have his own family try to shoot him was strange.

  “No I…..!!!” Joseph said as he then turned to look at Menace, who soon disappeared. Everyone was so bewildered by what just happened that they had completely forgotten about Menace. “How..is..he..so.” Knowing that the fight was over, Joseph's willpower to stay awake was lost as he finally gave in. But how he slept was not the way he wanted, as he slept knowing he had failed.

  Knowing it was safe, Samuel immediately went to Joseph. After all, they were from the same family so helping him out was priority. Leaving everyone to deal with the aftermath, he was relieved that Joseph was still breathing. He then turned to Gilius who was the de facto leader of this mission.

  “Sir I am sorry for our failure. We offer our heads for the shame we brought to the Order.” Gilius then grabbed his gun, along with everyone else as they offered it to Gilius. However, Samuel stopped all of them from doing anything further.

  “No, you are forgiven. If you had not sent out the signal, we would have lost Joseph. He is after all, my uncle. So for saving his life, you have been given a second life.” Despite looking old it's because he had more facial hair than Joseph that showed his age. However, he was much younger than Joseph by a hundred years. Just better observation; without the beard, he would look much younger than Joseph.

  “I will use this life to serve you.” Gilius saluted once more before then walking away to continue to clean up duty.

  “How is he?” Samuel asked as doctors came immediately to treat him. Though it seemed dire, the doctors were rather at ease as they had sigh of relief.

  “Not life-threatening. After treatment, he should be fine.”

  “Good. Continue with your work. I will report this to Arthur.” Samuel said as he then looked at Jesse next to Gilius who then gave a rather silent nod. Simple gesture Gilius knew for sure that he was the spy after all. His second-in-command was reporting it to Ector's family. But Gilius smiled as he already had countermeasures for it. Looking in the ground were the soldiers he wanted dead. Finally, he now has more freedom than before. The operation was a success.