[All Might]

The last time Viktor used the skill was when he fought against the mutated lynx. Since then, he didn't just gain more battle power. His base strength had become much higher as well thanks to the training he went through.

It was clear from the expression shown on his face that Viktor's sudden influx of power surprised Olga. knowing that this wouldn't be easy as he imagined, the bearded man decided to push his whole weight against Viktor in an attempt to dislodge him. However, Viktor knew that at the moment he couldn't afford to play a magical arm wrestling.

He freed one hand from the man's grip, held on the axe with one arm, and quickly waved towards a pile of snow with his free arm.

"What the fu*k are you doing?!" Olga shouted, while he threw a panicked glance towards the snow mound that Viktor beckoned with his hand

The bearded man watched the snow mound start to shake as if something alive was buried there. Then, Viktor's dagger that Olga tossed to the ground before crept out of the mound and started to magically float. In the next moment, it flew towards Viktor's hand at the speed of a bullet.

"Fu*k! Fu*king spirit enhancer!"

Viktor grabbed the dagger with ease and realized how dangerous his opponent is and what kind of personality he has, Viktor knew that he couldn't hesitate anymore. He focused his strength and aimed for a critical blow.

Splattt!!!

With all the strength he could muster, Viktor pierced the man right in his neck. The successful attack made Olga release his grasp on him and quickly put both his hands at the wound. As he struggled to breathe, he dropped to his knees and knelt atop the snow.

The gaze he gave truly conveyed the disbelief he currently felt, as more and more blood continued to splatter on the ground, painting the white snow with bright red.

Viktor's expression looked calm, but his heart was beating more than a mile quickly. It has been a while since the last time he had to kill a person with his own hand, and he could feel his repressed memories surface as he saw life gradually drained off Olga's eyes. Alas, his trauma needed to wait because his companions were still in danger.

Viktor swallowed his own fears and quickly rushed towards the hut. But soon, he discovered that he was too late. The man encased in stone skin was already holding Eva in his embrace, a large knife pointed towards her neck.

From the corner of his eyes, Viktor saw that Barry and the others were all unconscious. Heaving a sigh of relief inwardly when he saw that his companions were at least alive, he returned his gaze back to the man who held Eva captive.

Even though the girl tried to maintain the brave front she put on, Viktor could clearly see that she was really scared by the whole ordeal. Still, it didn't stop her from trying her hardest not to burst into tears.

"You, you killed Olga! Argh, that was so messed up! No! No! Why did you do that?!"

The man holding the knife against Eva's neck seemed to be in shock. He was clearly shaking and trembling while staring at Viktor with a dumbfounded look on his face.

Viktor took a deep breath, in this kind of situation, his [All Might] would not help him at all. That man was currently akin to a bomb that could explode at any moment; one wrong move and he would certainly thrust the knife into Eva's neck in panic.

As if to worsen his situation, a notification appeared in his mind.

[The duration of the Divine Art All Might has run out.]

[You will now experience the drawback of the skill.]

This skill could really be a lifesaver in a pinch, but that 3 minutes time limit was such a bitch!

Before the time limit, Viktor wasn't sure he could defeat the stone skin guy, but now his chances had become even slimmer following its disappearance. This was without taking into account how he took Eva hostage.

The beautiful Swedish princess looked terrified, especially with the drops of blood oozing and trickling from the scratch on her shoulder. Even so, she still remained resolute and tried her best not to cry.

Eva looked at Viktor in the eyes and whispered, "I am sorry… I am sorry…"

What was unfolding in front of him made him feel so troubled.

What was she apologizing for..?

That sight was something Viktor really loathed to see. There is no way he could listen to the cries of a helpless beautiful girl without feeling the pressure of devastation.

Viktor raised both his arms and dropped the knife on his hand to the ground.

"Wait.. wait… don't hurt the girl… hurt me… not the girl." said Viktor to the guy

The man's emotions once again ran wild.

"You!! You will come with me! And.. I will get paid.. a lot… of spirit stones… yes…" He grinned, his eyes had long since lost any traces of sanity in them.

Seeing that, Viktor nodded his head complying with the demand. "Yes.. I will come with you… just please drop the knife…!"

As soon as the man heard Viktor tell him to drop the knife, he turned erratic and unpredictable again.

"Hah! Do you think I am a fool?!"

The knife was lodged into Eva's neck again, a little deeper this time.

The girl immediately gritted her teeth, trying her best to hold the pain and her screams. This action made the fire of anger in Viktor's heart blaze even stronger. However, he knew he must not be rash right now, he needed to seal the matter calmly.

It is time to show off his new skill.

Viktor slowly approached the man with both his arms raised up, showing that he had no weapon and making sure to prevent the man from doing anything impulsive. Then as he walked towards him, as silently and discreetly as he could, he cast it.

[Metal Bending]

First, he focused on the knife that the man was holding.

Even though he knew that with his current power he could not hold it against the man's pure strength, Viktor calculated that it might be enough to delay the stone-skinned man by half a second. Any delay, no matter how short it was, would be useful for what he was about to do next.

Viktor continued to calmly walk closer, with both arms still up in the air. The closer he could get to the metal item, the easier it would be for him to control the metal.

"Man… you don't want to hurt the girl.. you don't.."

The man was actually starting to calm down again, but as Viktor walked closer, the stone skin the man had on his body slowly dissipated, revealing his normal skin underneath.

It appears the man had hit the time limit of his spell, and this once again made him become erratic.

"Don't come any closer! Or.. I… I.."

Not wanting to take any chances, Viktor finally executed his plan.

First, he used his [Metal Bending] to bend the knife, turning the edge away from Eva's neck.

Next, without the man realizing it, Viktor's desert eagle pistol was floating behind his head. With careful control, Viktor used his [metal bending] to pull the trigger. 𝒃𝙚𝙙𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝒍.𝒐𝙧𝒈

Bam!!

A big hole instantly appeared on the man's head, and he slumped to the floor in a pool of blood. Viktor didn't waste any time and caught the trembling Eva. the princess appeared to be afraid, her entire body covered in blood while her head must be spinning from the loud noise and the shock.

After he made sure the girl was alright, Viktor searched around the hut.. Other than Eva's panting breaths, there were no other noises around.