CAT WARLOCK: This Darklord Feasts Upon Horror-Chapter 186: Old Friend

At the core was a giant flaming ball. It looked like a miniature sun that exuded heat constantly.

"That thing is the core." Mater meowed.

In front of the core was a man in red clothes. His hair was white and his skin was tanned. The man stood up and observed the group.

"No one had ever made it this far before." The man mumbled.

He stood up. Two short swords materialized in his hands.

"It seems like my fate is deeply entangled with this Von Schattenberg family." Crow stepped up. "Please allow me to settle this alone, Master."

The black cat nodded but the man thought Crow was talking to Selina.

"Master? You’re just a slave like me, huh?" The man smiled.

"It’s been a while, Bee." Crow said. His voice shifted a little to sound more like Aaron Cage.

"You’re... Is that you, Cee?" The white-haired man widened his eyes.

Crow recognized the man in front of him from Aaron Cage’s memory. His name was Benjamin Holcroft. He used to fight alongside Aaron Cage.

"Some of it. Yes. I am Aaron Cage." Crow said.

"Fate really knows how to play with us. We both swear to serve the light. But now we both have our masters." Bee said.

"Maybe. What happened to you, Bee? You were the best of us. You wanted to be a hero of justice."

The man in red chuckled then sighed.

"I was naive. I think I can change the world. But I can’t.

Things change, Cee. I changed."

Benjamin raised his swords. "Just like you."

The Lightning Nether Sword appeared in Crow’s hands. The spider emerged beneath Crow’s feet.

"Maybe. I’ll end your suffering now."

"If you have the power to do so..."

Benjamin rushed at Crow. He was quick as well, extremely quick. He was no slower than Crow in his base form.

But he couldn’t match Crow while he’s wearing the armor. Crow simply stepped to the side and side kicked Benjamin, causing him to stumble backward.

"Damn! You hit hard like always." Benjamin took a breath. He could feel his artificial organs churned within.

"You aren’t a wraith..." Crow mumbled.

"Wraith? Aren’t we all ghosts in some way shape or form?"

Benjamin removed his red shirt, revealing mechanical parts beneath. His entire organs had been replaced, only his brain was left.

There was a clock in the middle of his belly. It went into overdrive mode. Smoke came out of Benjamin’s pores. He had become stronger.

"Even with this. You are just a shadow of your former self." Crow said.

Benjamin wasn’t a Platinum Hunter like Aaron. But he was still a Gold one. A Gold hunter meant he reached Hazard level at least. But now, he barely made it to a Fake Rank 2.

"The same as you, shadow man." Benjamin laughed.

His speed was even quicker. He flipped the sword in his left hand to a reverse grip.

Benjamin was quicker. He turned into a blur and struck at Crow. He spun with his two swords to create a vortex of blades.

Chaos enveloped the swords. It was the same technique Assassin used, Enhancement Augmentation, but with much more finesse and power.

Crow struck at the vortex. His blade was indestructible. He sent the vortex of blade away. Cracks appeared on the two swords of Benjamin.

Another sword appeared in Crow’s hand. He joined them together and formed the Broad Sword again.

"Find an opportunity to root him," Crow communicated telepathically with the spider.

He jumped up and turned into a lightning bolt, striking at Benjamin. His two swords broke immediately.

"Even as a Menace, you’re as impressive as you once were, Cee."

Two new swords appeared in Benjamin’s hands. "I wonder what they put in you. Have you had to endure pain like me?"

They crossed blades again. Benjamin’s blades broke again. They were no match with the Broad Sword.

"I endured a lot of pain, Bee. But it won’t change who I am."

"Well said, Crow." Selina smiled.

They fought from corner to corner of the room. Sounds of blade collision echoed.

Benjamin was able to extend the distance for a moment of peace. He looked at Selina.

"And who’s that? Who is your new master?"

"She’s the daughter of a PHANTOM."

They flew at each other again. Benjamin was sent flying and slammed heavily on a wall.

"Even now you are better than me, Crow. You still stand with the Union...

After knowing what they’ve done."

The Spider shot out Nether Web just as he smacked at the wall and immobilized him. Dark veins appeared on Benjamin’s body.

Benjamin coughed out blue liquid.

"Shit, Cee. I want to defeat you on my own. But it seems that would be difficult. You leave me no choice."

Benjamin raised his hand. The miniature sun reached out a link and connected to the lock on his abdomen.

Lava veins appeared on Benjamin’s body, pushing the Nether out of his system.

A flame wave shot out from him and disintegrated the Nether Web.

"I won’t hold back now."

Benjamin summoned another two swords. He joined them together as their handles extended. The two swords became a two-headed spear.

He dashed at Crow once more, leaving a trail of lava behind him.

Crow chose to meet him straight on, leaving a trail of lightning behind.

They collided in the middle. The ground shook, the wall cracked, and the wind blew.

Selina ducked behind Aurora to avoid the shockwave. Aurora’s dress was blown chaotically.

This time, Crow was the one who was sent flying back. He slammed heavily on the wall. There were cracks on the mechanical armor.

The dust settled and revealed Benjamin. His sword also had veins of lava on it.

"Is that all you got?" Benjamin said.

Aurora frowned. She stepped forward.

Crow raised his hand, "Stop! I need to deal with this alone." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Aurora looked at Mater. After the black cat gave her a nod, she moved back.

"Trying to do everything alone again, huh? You would need their help, Crow. I can sense the immense power inside them. I won’t be able to win if I fight all of you."

"I can finish you by myself. It’s the least I can do for you, Bee."

Crow climbed out of the hole on the wall. Purple Nether Energy leaked out from his mechanical armor and went inside the Broad Sword.

Benjamin felt the threat immediately. He was not going to let Crow finish charging that attack. He dashed at Crow but was blocked by the giant Abyssal Spider.

"This thing again?!"

Benjamin sliced at the spider and the Nether Web it kept shooting.

Crow raised the pulsing Broad Sword full of Nether Energy.