Ino was about to finish Hook when
BOOM!
A powerful dark beam shot toward them.
Ino dodged, but one blast hit his arm—burning it.
He clenched his teeth in pain. "This… hurts…"
Munfa grabbed Ino, pulling him behind cover. They hid behind a large rock.
Footsteps. Heavy. Powerful.
Den arrived, standing tall, holding a black sword that radiated pure darkness.
Munfa's eyes widened. "That sword… It's real… The Sword of Oblivion… The Spirit Eater."
Den grinned. "Where are you, maggots? Come out."
Hook stood beside Den, smirking.
Ino and Munfa knew they were outmatched, but they had no choice. They stepped out from their hiding place.
Munfa whispered, "We need to tell Luz about this. He has to stop Den before he gets even stronger."
But looking at their situation… there was no escape.
The exit was blocked by dark soldiers.
Ino clenched his fists. A bright idea was needed.
He turned to Munfa, his face serious. "Listen… I need you to escape. I'll buy you some time."
Munfa frowned. "No, Ino. We leave together."
"No." Ino's voice was firm. "You must tell Luz. This is my fight. GO!"
Before Munfa could argue, Ino punched the wall with all his strength—creating a new path to escape.
The dark army charged at Ino.
He fought them off.
Munfa hesitated, feeling guilty. But he knew what he had to do.
He ran.
Den watched Munfa escape but didn't care. His focus was on Ino.
Den smirked. "That's all you got, Ino?"
Den punched Ino—sending him flying.
He walked toward him slowly.
"You're so weak. Even back in the academy, you were the most useless person I ever knew.
And now, your sacrifice is pointless.
Because after I kill you…
I'll take your power.
And become even stronger."
Dark soldiers surrounded Ino.
They rushed him—but Ino fought back.
His combat skills were too advanced. He took down every soldier that got close.
But—
Hook lifted his hand.
Rocks floated into the air.
Then—they all slammed into Ino, pinning his body.
Hook smirked. "You're strong, but this is your end."
Den walked forward, raising the Sword of Oblivion.
"You fight for the weak… like Luz."
SWOOSH.
Den swung the sword.
Ino's body fell lifeless.
His spirit was absorbed.
Den gasped, feeling a surge of power.
"YES! SO MUCH POWER! I LOVE IT!"
Hook grinned. "Heh… One less problem."
—
Meanwhile, Munfa was escaping.
But—dark soldiers chased him.
He had to think fast.
Munfa created clones—sending them in different directions.
The soldiers were confused.
He got away.
—
Munfa finally reached Biringan.
He ran into Luz and Elena.
Elena asked, "Where's Ino?"
Munfa didn't answer.
But Luz and Elena already knew.
The silence said everything.
Munfa clenched his fists. "He sacrificed himself… so I could escape."
Luz's heart sank.
A big loss.
But Munfa continued. "Luz, we have a problem. Den has the Sword of Oblivion."
Luz's eyes widened. "The what!?"
Munfa nodded. "The legend is true.
And I'm sure… they took Ino's power after killing him."
Luz felt his hands shaking.
He knew Den was already strong.
Now… with that sword… and Ino's power…
He was unstoppable.
Luz walked away, entering his office.
He sat in silence.
Tears fell from his eyes.
He thought about Ino. His friend. His comrade.
Gone.
He clenched his fists.
"Your sacrifice won't be forgotten, my friend."
"We will avenge you."
Luz wiped his tears.
Then—he stood up.
His face full of determination.