“I see, you wish to fight me even though I am providing you safe passage?” Sora asked as he noticed four of the five explorers withdrawing their weapons. Only Crayford was lost in thoughts somewhere.

“Shall we get started then?” Sora spoke in Japanese as got up and picked up his massive ice sword.

The last line muttered by Sora overlapped with the lines of the masked ‘Teacher’ in Crayford’s memories. In fact, Sora said it in the same style that for a moment Crayford saw the shadow of his great ‘Teacher’ in the skeleton.

Crayford assumed he must have been dreaming with his eyes open since the skeleton spoke ‘those lines’ in Japanese. Skeletons cannot speak in Japanese so it must be the case, he was dreaming – Crayford concluded.

After all there was no possibility of his masked ‘Teacher’ also ending up in this world.

Crayford brushed away needless worries of dreaming with his eyes open for two reasons. Firstly, all memories relating to his ‘Teacher’ had left a strong impression on Crayford. Second, there was a Skeleton boss they needed to take care off.

But then before Crayford could do anything else, he saw another ridiculous event unfolding in front of him; his three disciples were struggling to land a single hit on the boss. Albeit, they were only using 50% of their true power but for a fifth floor boss that should be more than enough. Especially, since it was a three on one.

But just to be sure that he wasn’t still dreaming this ridiculous event….Crayford rubbed his eyes and then pinched himself– surely he had to be imagining these things. Unfortunately, the parasol was still, as was the beach chair and the skeleton was indeed owning his disciples.

“Stand still!” Tulda roared as he swung his axe wildly.

However, the skeleton Gatekeeper was simply too quick…or slow?

Sora’s movements baffled the three warriors. He was only dodging their attacks by the length of a cat’s whisker. Sora would dodge in the nick of time, just barely making but always making it. This fast yet slow but very precise manner of dodging was something the warriors could not comprehend.

Being martial artists, they were able to grasp the essence of Sora’s dodging ability – he was anticipating their every move. It was almost as though he could read their minds or see the future. However, they believed in neither of those options – their minds were like fortresses and seeing into the future is impossible. The only explanation would be that the skeleton was most likely an extremely skilled martial artist.

Crayford watched the disciples struggle to land a single hit. More than the shock of their incompetence, it was the skills that the skeleton employed which sent shivers down Crayford’s back. How could he ever forget that style of fighting? He too had been victim of that style.

It can’t be him! This makes no sense! This is another world! If he is here, then Oneechan has to be here too! Don’t tell me, she tracked me to another world! If Oneechan is really here…argh I don’t even want to imagine it!

Claire would have helped out the three warriors however Crayford’s sudden change in demeanour for the worse had her worried. His skin was pale and forehead was drenched in cold sweat. Crayford wasn’t even responding to her voice as he watched the skeleton and his disciples fight.

It can’t be him! It can’t be him! It can’t be him! It can’t be him! It absolutely cannot be him!

Crayford was now white as a sheet as a multitude of thoughts exploded in his head. His body was growing colder and colder.

“HEY!” Claire shouted into Crayford’s ear as she shook him hard. She grew worried seeing Crayford in such a condition, the last time she saw him like this was when they failed to destroy Feladonia.

Crayford was completely disoriented as he stared at Claire. He could see her, but his brain was unable to register / recognize her. He couldn’t even hear her words; he simply watched her lips moving up and down.

Just then Tulda and Hem were sent flying off. The two of them crashed beside Crayford. Boze was panting heavily as he maintained a ten feet gap between himself and then skeleton warrior. A faint red drop of blood trickled from his forehead.

At the sight of danger, Crayford was now 100% in the present. He quickly came to terms with their situation – this was a skeleton warrior not his ‘Teacher’. Crayford realized, he needed to let go of his past and focus on his present. If he didn’t act quickly, this training could end badly.

“Dammit. Since when has the fifth floor Gatekeeper been this strong?” Tulda groaned as he got up.

Claire was about to smack Tulda for not noticing Crayford’s situation. However, she refrained from doing so, seeing colour returning to Crayford’s face. Crayford held his arm in front of Tulda preventing him from rushing back into the battle.

“Boze, step back.” Crayord shouted out. Crayford slowly pulled out a long black sword from ‘thin air’.

Seeing Crayford readying for battle, the skeleton began emitting a powerfully fiendish blood thirst. This monster clearly was not any ordinary Gatekeeper.

“I did offer you free passage.” Sora muttered as he took a more defensive stance. As per the regular battle reports he had been receiving – this thin framed man was the leader and the strongest combatant of the group.

The two circle each other slowly as the four disciples quietly watched on. They (disciples) were all confused why their Master desired to fight this low level skeleton boss. However, no one raised any objections as they rarely got to see their Master fight seriously. Right now, Crayford had released 100% of his power. He was going all out.

“Are we just going to keep going on in circles or are we even going to fight?” Sora asked as he lowered his guard slightly.

Crayford took the opportunity and rushed in.

Rule One Activated.

It all happened in a split second. Sora barely managed to dodge. However, even though he struggled to dodge, he also managed to land a non-fatal blow.

“What the f*ck was that?” Sora angrily asked Crayford after they crossed each other. “Why did you slow down? I know you saw through my skill! Are you mocking…..”

Sora stopped speaking, the young man whom he had just crossed blades was bowing to him. It wasn’t just any bow – the young man was kneeling on the ground with his forehead touching the ground.

Sora and the four disciples were too stunned to speak.

This was rather awkward.

“Please forgive me Sensei for failing to recognize you!” Crayford finally spoke whilst still not looking up at Sora.

This was more awkward.