The Last Human Returns.
Chapter 25 - Carmila and Gordon.

Early July, at the Trouble Base Guild, two Hunters belonging to the ranks of the Strongest Hunters, came for a visit. This makes many people curious about its purpose.

"Welcome, Gordon, Carmila." Ethan, who was still wearing a stick to help him stand up, greeted the two who had just gotten off their helicopter.

Carmila looks confused when she sees Ethan. He doesn't know Ethan is part of the Trouble Guild.

Meanwhile, Gordon smiles widely and walks up to Ethan.

"During did not meet! Didn't you invite me too long? I thought you didn't have good skills and didn't become a Hunter!" Gordon hits Ethan on the shoulder and laughs loudly.

Carmila was getting confused. It's the first time Carmila has seen Gordon act familiar to someone.

Ethan brushes off Gordon's hand lightly and greets the confused Carmila. "This is the first time we've met, Lady Carmila. I'm Ethan Austin, Guild Master Trouble Guild."

"A– You're Ethan Austin!?" Carmila was surprised by the unexpected name that appeared.

Ethan Austin's. His existence is still a rumor. When the initial 10 Strongest Hunters appeared, many people disagreed with Ethan being ranked 1. The reason was simple, as his strength was unknown. However, when another Hunter finally ascended to the 2nd Floor and did the exam. No one can even break through round ten. Because of this, opinions about Ethan are getting wildly positive.

Ethan chuckled at Carmila's extremely surprised response. It was very different from the response of the people around him when he found out Ethan passed the 2nd Floor.

"It seems you already know me, huh?"

"of course! There is no human on Earth who does not know your name!" Carmila spoke with sparkling eyes like a fan meeting her idol.

Gordon and the other Trouble Guild members looked at each other in surprise. The image of the Valkyrie from Amsterdam that they knew was completely gone by now.

Ethan is also a little surprised by Carmila's feisty reply. Ethan tries his best not to laugh and maintain a smile.

"So .. let's continue the conversation after you rest first."

Carmila who was probably aware of her childish behavior, nodded with her cheeks dyed in blushing red.

Gordon and Carmila are ushered into the Trouble Guild and given their own rooms.

***

At night, the entire Trouble Guild members dined with Gordon and Carmila.

"So .. The Blacksmith of Nemea, also came from the Trouble Guild?" Carmila was again surprised by another important figure that appeared.

It was common knowledge that a good weapon would be an extra life for the Hunters. The best weapon on the market for now was, a weapon made by the Nemean Iron Clever Master. Many large Guilds attempted to recruit Nemea and ended up fruitless.

Leo who got a look of admiration from Carmila, scratched his neck timidly. "I'm not that good. I just did according to the book that Guild Master gave me, hehehe."

Hearing that, Gordon and Carmila's gazes were once again aimed at Ethan. Ethan tried to hold his poker face.

"You even know about the Blacksmith Technique?"

"... What exactly can you not?"

"Sister it's not a human~ we all can't even beat him in sparing despite attacking simultaneously." Nina adds another piece of crap, making Carmila and Gordon feel weird and scared instead of amazed.

"Can you stop making someone inhuman? There are some things I can't do in this world."

"Oh? What'sthat?"

Everyone looked at Ethan curiously. So far, they've never seen Ethan who can't do anything.

"I can never lose."

The atmosphere became silent for a moment. Everyone's expressions looked very disappointed.

"so."

"Well, of course. It's my fault I expect a lot."

Everyone went back to eating as if they had heard nothing. Their response leaves Ethan psychologically damaged.

"... I'll never joke again."

"... Maybe, actually what you can't do is, make a joke."

***

The next morning, Ethan and the others gathered at the newly completed training ground. Trouble Guild members sit on the fringes watching the sparring between Ethan and Gordon.

"!" Gordon launched three lucky punches in no time.

Ethan casually shifted only a few parts of his body without getting out of place. It was a show that could upset people.

Gordon is no exception. He's the one who's upset trying to attack Ethan with all his might. Each of his attacks was filled with an incredible amount of power. His voice as it cut through the air rang out loud in the ears of everyone who was in that place.

Ethan, who keeps dodging, suddenly strikes back into Gordon's right shoulder. Gordon's lucky Ethan didn't use a real sword. Otherwise, he would have already lost one of his hands.

Gordon tried to improve his posture. However, before he is ready, Ethan kicks Gordon's right foot and makes him lose his balance and fall to his knees.

Carmila's surprised. He could not believe Gordon would be defeated so easily like a child.

"Oh. I feel sorry for him."

"That reminds me of hell training first."

"It really broke my mentality."

The Trouble Guild members muttered things that Carmila could not understand. He felt strange when he gathered with all of them.

However, of all the people, Gordon was, to the most surprise. He was silent with his head bowed trying to understand what was really going on.

"Go get Erica to take care of you." Ethan pulls Gordon back from his reverie.

Gordon looked at Ethan who looked very tall right now. That was, the second time Gordon felt it. The same feeling as 5 years ago when Ethan came carrying a copy of the first VR machine in the World.

"... Can you tell me the reason why I could lose so easily?"

"You have no basis. A solid baseless building is easy to destroy."

"Cannot be. After Raid Stampede, I continued to practice the basics every day!" Gordon became emotional hearing words that sounded like he was rejecting all of his efforts.

"It was only two months. In addition, maybe what you trained was wrong from the beginning. About the basics I mean, not just swinging a gun. You have to swing with speed, strength, and time. That's what's gonna be the basis."

Ethan's words are like a bolt of lightning in broad daylight for Gordon. He did not expect the foundation he was trying to build was, a mistake.

"I understand. Thanks for the advice." Gordon got up and went to the edge of the practice field to get treatment.

Carmila replaces Gordon. He carried a shield and his sword stood at a slightly closer distance than Gordon had before.

Before starting the game, Carmila talks to Ethan. "You're really amazing, Mr. Ethan. Played Gordon like a kid."

Ethan only retorted with a slight shrug of Carmila's praise. "There haven't been seven months Gordon's been holding a gun. So, in my eyes, Gordon does look like a kid."

"Indeed. As you say." Carmila nodded and said nothing more.

After there is nothing more to talk about, Ethan and Carmila begin to take a fighting stance.

Carmila was just waiting. In any case, he subconsciously lost to Ethan in terms of technique. So, Carmila plans to do a counter when Ethan is off guard.

Realizing Carmila's plan, Ethan without warning kicks the ground and approaches very quickly making Carmila's response look slow.

Tang!

A loud voice echoed as the iron sword and shield clashed against each other.

"Ughhh!?" Carmila is shocked by Ethan's powers. His hands were numb with just one strike.

"Just because the opponent is fast, doesn't mean they are weak." Ethan gives advice and disappears from Carmila's sight.

Carmila was shocked and felt a great crisis from her right side. He reflexively shifted his body and shield towards the incoming danger.

Tang!

"Thanks!" Carmila was once again pushed and this time much further made her posture waver.

Ethan did not stop. This time Ethan attacked from the front very quickly.

Carmila desperately tried to withstand a barrage of storm-like attacks. His shoulders and thighs ached as Ethan charged towards him.

Just then, Carmila saw a crack. He quickly used his skill. "!"

Carmila's shield is shrouded in a blue aura just before Ethan's sword touches her. A skill that made one's attack turn around. Carmila is already waiting for the best time to use Counter when Ethan will launch an attack strong enough to make himself hurt.

"Not bad." Ethan's sword stopped within a few millimeters of the shield. "However, you shouldn't stop because you're sure everything will go according to plan."

"Ouch!" Carmila holds her knee that Ethan kicked.

Carmila who fell to her knees could not possibly hold on anymore. Ethan's sword was already stuck to his neck. That was, Carmila's total defeat.

"... I lost." Carmila in a weak voice admitted her defeat.

Carmila did not expect to win. However, it is surprising that he cannot hold Ethan for more than five minutes.

"Begging Erica to heal and for the next three days, do match practice with the other Trouble Guild members. I think it'll be useful before you guys do a Raid on the 3rd Floor."

"good. Thanks for the guidance."