The mob rushed the dungeon. Shouting, Fontea turned and charged at Aster.

Aster set Stella down and drew his hammer. “Stella, go inside. I’ll handle this.”

Stella gripped her skirt nervously. She hesitated a moment, but then her eyes flicked to the mob of humans, and she nodded and ran into the darkness.

Fontea drew her sword. “This is the end of your tyranny, Aster Zwei!”

“What tyranny,” Aster said. He leaned forward, then darted at her. Startled, she swung her sword.

Rather than aim at her, Aster aimed at her sword. His hammer smashed into the edge of the blade, and the blade sheered off. It flew away and impaled itself in the earth, inches from the foot of the lead villager.

The villager stumbled back. The rest of the mob slowed to a halt.

Fontea looked at her broken blade, then at Aster. “Wh…what?”

Aster gestured her on. “If you want to enter this dungeon, you’ll have to get by me. Aster Zwei, S-rank solo adventurer, self-proclaimed Dungeon Keeper! I’ll take you on. All of you, if I have to.” He spun the hammer, then slammed it to a halt, head pointing at the mob. “Which one of you has a neck stronger than a sword?”

The mob fell back. They glanced amongst themselves. One raised his pitchfork, but the woman beside him slapped it down.

Fontea scowled. “A-rank, S-rank, what’s the difference?”

Aster glanced at the broken sword and smirked. “I could come up with a thing or two.”

Gritting her teeth, Fontea threw the broken sword aside and drew another sword. “You caught me by surprise. Jaro! Silas!”

“Eh? Why are you bringing me into this? What’s even going on right now?” Silas asked, backing away. Alice retreated behind him, her red eyes narrowed at Fontea.

“Silas, it’s fine. I’ll handle this,” Jaro said. He strode forward, hefting his shield.

“Charge him! Don’t stop. Some of us will get by. He’s only one man!” Fontea snarled, charging at Aster herself.

“But then what?” one of the mob members asked.

“Then… that girl. Get her, and he stops!” Fontea shouted.

Aster scowled. He nodded at the two of them and gestured them on. “Come at me. At the same time, if you must. I won’t let you by. You won’t lay a single hand on Stella.”

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Fontea slashed at him. Aster aimed at her blade again, but this time, Fontea was prepared. She twisted her blade around his hammer. His blow whooshed by her. Her eyes shone, and she slashed at his chest.

Aster turned away, sucking in his stomach. I’ll take a bit of a slash, but I can survive this!

Soft notes strummed forth. A surge of speed and strength burst through Aster’s body. Fontea’s blade slowed, and he stepped back, easily dodging her blow.

Fontea stumbled back. She stared at Silas. “You… what are you doing?”

Aster frowned, too, confused. Why is he helping me? I thought he hated me.

“Why are you attacking the dungeon? I don’t like Aster, but what the hell are you doing, Fontea? This is our livelihood. Our income! Are you really trying to shut it down?” Silas snapped, scowling at her.

Alice hissed at her from over his shoulder.

Ah, right. I forgot. Silas puts money first. No way he’d take Fontea’s side when he has so much money to make from the dungeon! Aster shook his head, but didn’t say anything. I’ll take it. Any port in a storm.

Gritting her teeth, Fontea slashed at him again.

Aster parried, deflecting her blade. He frowned. Didn’t land a clean enough blow to shatter her sword. She’s wary of it now!

Fontea twisted away. Jaro rushed him in her stead, shield held out before him. A wall of a tower shield blasted at Aster.

Aster jumped to the side. He struck at Jaro’s back as the man passed.

“Not so fast!” Fontea shouted, closing the distance. Silver flashed in the corner of Aster’s eye.

Holding the hammer in both hands, he lifted it to block the sword with the shaft.

The second her sword struck the shaft, Jaro spun around, swiping at Aster with his shield.

Aster’s eyes widened. Shit! He threw himself away from the blow, tilting his shaft down and releasing his lower hand. Fontea’s blade slid down the shaft as Jaro’s shield threw him away.

Aster flew back. His whole body struck the stone wall. His head knocked against the wall, and he slumped, stunned. Sparkles floated before his eyes. Shit. Gotta… keep going. Get up!

“Now! He’s just one man, and he’s distracted!” Fontea shouted.

The mob charged toward the dungeon, shouting.

Milo stepped forward. He threw his arms out. “No! Stop!”

Aster pushed away from the wall. He shook his head and glared at Fontea. “Stop it!”

She laughed. “Destroy it! Destroy the dungeon!”

The mob pushed past Milo, shoving him to the ground. With a shout, he vanished under the masses’ feet. Silas backed away, dropping his lute to put his hands out and push Alice back. A few of the mob participants made jabs at Silas as they passed, but Alice furiously hissed and knocked their jabs aside.

Aster ran at them from the side, swinging his hammer. “You won’t get past!”

“I’m your opponent!” Fontea snapped, slashing at him.

Aster grit his teeth and turned, batting her sword away with a backhand. Dammit. I’m a solo adventurer. I’m not used to having to protect people! “Stella, run!”

Milo crawled out from under the mob, reaching a hand up. Silas grabbed him and pulled him free. Milo leaned against the wall and healed himself, while Silas and Alice guarded him. One of the villagers turned to face Alice. Her hand darted out, as fast as shadow. The villager staggered back. Alice hopped after him, wielding his own torch at him.

“There’s no time. We’ll set that dungeon on fire and burn it to the ground!” Fontea snapped. “When we’re done, nothing will live in that hellhole ever again!”

Shouting in frustration, Aster charged at her, swinging wildly. Fontea’s eyes widened. She backed away steadily, unable to hold him back.

Jaro jumped in, knocking Fontea aside. He took Aster’s blow squarely on his shield.

The hammer stuck half into the wood. Aster yanked at it, but it stuck deep. He grit his teeth and raised a foot, kicking at the shield. Even so, the hammer remained stuck.

“Now, Fontea! I have him!” Jaro shouted.

She ran at Aster, sword drawn back. “You die here, Aster Zwei!”