The ambush from the last floor was felt throughout the crowd.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr1FlAJi4G
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVD814sp4j
Even though Juke and I weren't affected, the other's faces were considerably downtrodden. Some members were now left without a partner and had to team up with people they weren't very familiar with. Morale was low, especially since our leaders were missing.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjh3LMYvnHv
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VLnbvs7x9
The remaining group was small, too. Only about eight people were left, meaning that, with the five remaining floors, some were simply required to take them alone. There was chatter of moving as a single unit, taking on each room as a whole rather than having forces split from the group, but others countered that doing so would be abandoning an order and that we had to "trust our other members."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG25MlbXAp
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObBUdEVxYt
As for me, my nerves only spiked. The image of all those fallen bringers was engraved into my mind, and I desperately tried to keep the word "corpse" out of my head. Over and over, telling myself that they were simply unconscious when the right side of my mind constantly told me otherwise–
**SLAP**165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYXi3YbAYl
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfajYad02d
"Ack!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrq6t4zIBu
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkubzXbP8n
I wasn't prepared for the strength I slapped myself with. My muscles were incredibly tense, and I hadn't even realized.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoq16ZpoSCQ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6FLvDxsoD
"No use in thinking about it. No use in thinking about it! Come on!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm2om0HveN
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5juMMCUtEb
I steeled whatever I had left of my resolve and kept trudging through the stairs. I had a complete vision of the crowd, and it made it apparent just how thinned out it had become. To my great dismay, I could even see Rover.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcIeBwGx0t
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7DzlALUgU
"...Useless–!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmY8YKmNB6
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9LIXvAPVj
I tried not to think about anything that. I knew I couldn't suspend it for long, but every second I could force my legs forward was valuable. So I ran and ran and ran and ran and–165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCYA5dLK70
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1uiL0MCE8
Suddenly, I noticed something. Though I naturally hadn't been paying much attention to her, the person beside her had changed.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpejwKuaqGS
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq0UqTJl9G
And it was someone I recognized165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8MjmriWan
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2XjMRcnEh
–
–
–
The most grueling part of this siege hadn't been the laborious running. It hadn't been the various enemies, the threat of death or even seeing allies fall like flies in the previous ambush. No, for Rover, it was restraint.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4raW3Ylsib
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNOQfF01ac
To do nothing in the face of Hard-Bringer gave her near-uncontrollable rage. Those she swore she'd see crumble, running amok and stealing lives as they always have, unable to even point her weapon at them. If it weren't for those looming words by that wimpy child, resting in the corners of her mind like spiders, she would've caved in.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOfLQpkj7Z
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbRAx7xlCh
Especially now that her surrogate partner was a completely new face.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc0icoPd37
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGtqf7bMwK
"Hi."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlZZiZRng0
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FRzj1bqYI
As she raced up the steps, a man in glasses only a little taller announced himself. She could see him facing her in her peripheral, and though her habits urged her not to, she matched his gaze.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj25M1xkQX
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dvv5fLg8Q
"What!?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55DwGZkWw0
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxuk7So0ao
Though, perhaps, she should've spared an extra second checking her tone.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Aqeb5UlYZ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1J1jyveEj3
"S-Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am! I just thought we'd familiarize ourselves."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlC8iLPB1AZ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvwuBalJTc
His nervous expression didn't loosen one bit. When Rover tried a softer face, the sweat on his brow multiplied. Rover gave up appearances, quickly discarding dismissive dialogue before her introduction.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡly2Fq9pAvi
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRTtf4UHRJ
"I'm Nigel. You're the volunteer, aren't you?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuehLcIwN6G
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYSuKX2Hz4
"Volunteer makes it sound lame! I'm Rover! L-Let's work well together, alright!?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYvu7kzdtN
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMkeqzklKJ
Nigel's tense expression eased a little. He worried about a sudden reassignment just as much as Rover did.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTptz4VtXm
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZBkDaHd8n
"I know this is a bit impromptu, but my partner perished on the floor below. Thank you for bearing with me."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdB7W3HlOK
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhPloKZfOz
He raised his right hand, one that clutched a metal collar with a tag. Rover knew immediately who it belonged to, and the unusual idea of consolement entered her mind.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDhHznuruY
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5U5Xujzej
"That... that's really bad. I'm sorry for–"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfGwSp6Gf1
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnN1LMfFPXU
"Don't worry about it. You've suffered a similar fate, haven't you? We're in the same boat."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6I7sV8rnu
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe8sUnWOSK
He kept a smile with those words, but his eyes lacked the light to convince her. He turned his head away, and the two of them kept running up with their usual worries.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9iZmFPZvS
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcc2Lfvny9
And then, finally, they hit a flat surface.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxBBzf16vE
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VgFjZ30VS
"The next room's up ahead!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2CkULiBgN
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe1FveSeSL
She had been in this scene nearly a dozen times already. And each time, she dreaded it. Sprinting to that door, knowing that there would be a monster in man's skin. She swallowed that dread like before, and each time, it poisoned her blood further and further.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdAwSWMdwt
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMLL980w5f
The crowd made it to the room. It was relatively small, but an immediate feature was the giant stained windows, granting a tinted view of the city outside. Rover gave minimum attention to the stature of the room, however, because there, by the exit, sat a man who could only be described as–165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFX8ywrxhw1
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDkqNZkmYL
"Holy shit! Are ya a titan!?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2d0TOv1Wr
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDhYAoHdUr
Rover glanced behind her, realizing that Juke was the one to yell that. She saw Kenny near him, huffing with his hands on his kneecaps.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcgsRRb2p3
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA3Y1jnHn6
A titan. It was a familiar word. She heard it from the stories her mother told her. But, of course, there were no titans in King's Peak, only tales of them.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCeiUIsiSt
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzOJyODY7m
But, even if it was only in name, the titan a man was. A member of Hard-Bringer with such size, and his head nearly reached the ceiling when he stood. Such monstrous height intimidated nearly everyone, but for Rover, it was the opposite.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxhXsNIRnu
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8faTHmVyF
Rover recognized that height. Rover recognized that build, even though it was concealed by robes, and as the man went to pull his hoodie down, the face that appeared only confirmed her intuition.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6w8PktdHC
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVAiMqVUDs
"This is where your advance ends– huh?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNZ3M8ynQJ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjYJ3GnrJ1
The towering man stopped his speech, compelled by the dashing girl with a rapier in hand. She leaped forward and stuck her foot out, but the man blocked the kick by raising his arm. Rover then thrust her blade, and the man narrowly dodged by tilting his head. However, his angled head was grabbed by her free arm, and through a feat unexpected of her size–165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5XK58Bxkx
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1F5SiBVlt
**THUD**165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzxFlReqPu
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUL472SDEX
She shoved the man down to the ground. She immediately followed with a thrust, but she only caught his robe, and the man scurried away.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON9yUT3aZR
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBI3cpgcfI
"...Same tricks as always."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4QoTZpGhk
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTieUenHIO
Though her snide remark was entirely unperturbed, the rest of the room stared with mouths agape, as if they had just witnessed alien life.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebrzOMMzwJ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg1w3L7eHO
"Hoh– it is you. You!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQt5Q5EHos
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj3I97DnSF
Because, the once hulking, monster of a man, was now suddenly the size of a teenage boy.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgUXH5DPeT
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHvIoyrKMI
"I never expected to run into you today, Rover! Hahaha!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWjotZTll3
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFHEeRrPCi
The crowd was stunned. Only one member moved through the shock, and everyone stared to find it was Nigel.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlH0r6yUaI
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxWiWDBoVN
"Everyone," he shouted. "Move on, we'll take care of things here!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1eFBcHT9F
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypjQZKTx38
Rover pointed her weapon at the man, a clear warning to stay in place. The man obliged without much resistance, and Rover turned her head to make sure everyone would leave. But then she noticed how Nigel didn't move one inch to that door, and his use of 'we' only just registered in her mind.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdonMDjFLzm
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TqUqpWjW6
"Nigel."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnGQk8NHke
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qtwsuHUSv
"Yes?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ode89S8Dd
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH02kKBweco
"Leave. I'm fighting this one alone."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojpFwFf3XW
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjO7TMxJBw
"...You're kidding me, certainly."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Dh9oZ7uIF
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTd4bNWLaU
Rover shook her head back and forth.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8b6Rexn2d
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgVWvqOA1G
"Do you honestly think you can take him alone? You saw what he did, didn't you?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUNayQeIXe
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72GfHocXEr
"Of course I did. And I know how it works."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC9WOez1BP
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV3G0gZM2E
"You fought him before, then?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkpz9sEWQ2
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcquKsgYBRE
Rover quickly nodded. Nigel looked at the man with a constrained face, balling his hands into shaking fists. After an irritated, almost hopeless sigh, he complied. But not before one final word.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIYmNDnLUx
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJ6c0ytxI5
"Aren't you and I a team? Are you absolutely certain?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqwgu2sAME
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokK6uM0DIq
Operating on instinct, Rover nodded, but then his opening question computed with her, and her eyes suddenly constricted.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WBGUotDQ4
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIYSvSSqLs
"Very well! Don't die on me!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWb4SIZbe0Y
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJyOn8TMG5
His opening words caught Rover like a chain. It reminded her of that moron's scolding, forced her to consider her vow– her earnest word that she'd cooperate –and inquired why she didn't abide by them. But Rover answered that inquiry easily.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS3qy86KzN
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuMIDDdQlA
This man wasn't just a Bringer. She had a history with him. This man was an enemy. A bipedal wretch, barely human, who boiled her blood and furrowed her brows.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2Adms7jzA
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GMVhHjo3q
No, now she was certain of it. This monster had to fall to her hands; anyone else would just be a hindrance. So she would take him alone, as she always had.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1RQPOQGCy
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKRZf6Ullo
She looked back one last time, making sure that only she and the man were in the room. Nigel was gone, but to her surprise, there was still another member of the crowd there. He drew particular attention. Standing between the exit, not quite leaving it, with clear indecision festering within.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TjRojYMau
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA85XP12ce
"Rover," Kenny suddenly shouted. Her eyes moved to his face, constricted and complicated. She was compelled to call it a scowl, but no scorn was in Kenny's face. Only concern, and disappointment.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKVpH79E7P
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwA6AXhNsx
Even without hearing it, Rover knew his words. It suddenly was difficult, to see his face like that. Now, the embodiment of that vow was staring directly into her. Not just at her eyes, no– she felt the observation of her soul.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT6as4T2Mb
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8bYnsDbIi
"..."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH9uv8phd1
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUCfhHofeR
It was suddenly difficult to do anything. And yet, the feelings that burned within her formed too great an inferno to douse. If that boy took two steps further into this room, or even one, she felt like she would lash out. She felt like– she knew she would yell at him not to butt in, to mind his own business, to go fuck himself, and to leave her alone. Words that she had slung candidly before. Words that she knew better than family.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7rbS6QSvh
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFnWeATaEy
And so, she communicated with a stern nod, and Kenny's biting mouth chipped his nail.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZP964NoYH
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD2EXTPX3T
"Fine. Good luck!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvF9z4vIvft
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs8Eb7VGXc
And then, he was off. His bidding of good fortune completely stunned her. However, she quickly recovered–165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9FKn67Rw2
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhjLiahpP5
**THUD**165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbP5PaMapN
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWAA8swqzm
"Sharp as always! I'm a fool to think that would work!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8S3EFc8sc
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GA2ReQgnP
There came a sudden strike from her front, but it was one that she blocked. She freed her rapier from the struggle and backed away, brandishing her weapon and sliding a leg back into a stance.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SkRiEcx69
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMjJFTFuHe
"Are you ready," the man asked, a boorish smirk on his face. She could almost see the swirls in his eyes, the way they lost any reason, seeing only combat and carnage as they always had.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNDkIZfM4B
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1CuvLGI1x
She tried to ignore the uncertain, guilty way her stomach formed a pit.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJCBeejywr
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kmqiEjiNQ
"Come at me, Boris!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOa42lIrP5
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7A28fcPWh
–165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbXkXXStHy
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKg6ycl33G
–165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wzaKcS0TS
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde5ALTZyxk
–165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPSiw4QW3w
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2iCjZUock
Right before she charged forth, her stalled thoughts sprung into action.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s7OlJhH4K
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cazKjoUE8
Rover knew of their volatile unpredictability. But she was always prepared for it. Even on that street, when they made their audacious announcement, Rover hadn't a shocked bone in her body. But to see Boris utterly defied expectations. She wished she had more time, maybe a moment to sharpen the tip of her rapier, to check the grip on her dagger. But it was too late now, and as she took her first step into battle, she lost all leeway to care.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgNjgYUB8c
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiV1KpwGG1
Boris contested her dash. As he charged forth his smaller stature expanded slightly. He leaped forward, but it wasn't to tackle or to grab. He swung his hips and turned ninety degrees, unbending his legs for a sudden drop kick.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt3npsm3AU
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5VU842Qk4
Rover blocked it with her hands. His increased size made the blow harder to cope with, but she still only slid a foot back. Now on the ground, Rover seized the opportunity to stab at the man. She thrust once, and her sword was met with the sole of his boot.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDeKhWz5eW
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjM5kPlSIQ
"Huh!?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNjZPWBVo1
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscFEW8fhaa
He spun onto his belly, catching himself with his hands, using her rapier as a borrowed axel. He pushed himself off the ground with enough force that, even with his lack of leverage, he flew as a battering ram toward her. Rover's rapier nearly snapped under the pressure, but she moved it away before its steel blade turned into a wobbly tube. She ducked Boris' charge, but he grabbed onto her rapier, swinging back around and destroying Rover's balance. Rover, however, had only one hand on that Rapier.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxrYb0OBZl
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEr3bKZcjt
"Hah!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI1RgoKDXo
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMgjLFwvMG
She used her other to grab her dagger and stabbed at the man. He took the blow unceremoniously, even growing to lessen it, and she was sure it hurt by the subsequent grunt. He flew off her rapier a solid few meters away, taking Rover's dagger with his body.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSsVeIzVYN
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWhtRuI8C0
But she didn't let up, because she knew that if she waited any longer–165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEGUdPOfTl
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseaAh7Y8rO
"Here!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXmtM66Mzk
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqW61O7IGs
Boris dislodged her dagger and he chucked it like a throwing knife. Rover caught it at one of its crossguards, but as she was distracted with doing so, the man performed mana spinning.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC26WfQ47x
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bwHLXABLr
"Good thing that dagger's so thin. Otherwise, this wound wouldn't be so easy to heal."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhg829fOFz
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ05yPUNR8
"Tch."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIA1fcR1HJ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0GhKT3MaJ
Boris returned to his former size. He stroked his chin, tending to his thoughts as he stared down Rover. She afforded him no time and charged forth. She thrust her rapier once, met with a jerk away, and thrust it again. She repeated her thrusts, each of which dodged but less comfortably each subsequent attempt. Rover knew him better, however. She knew that right as she thought she'd get him, he would pull an underhanded trick. So she assumed the eyes of an analyst, narrowing them and gazing at Boris like a hunting cat.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTUN9UE85o
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6M2Q2XtCF
**CLANG**165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYjJMHK0lR
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwETdmPCxC
And that trick came. Boris caught her thin rapier between his hands, clamping it so fiercely that the metal would snap any moment. But Rover's stance suffered no blow, and poised to strike back, she slung her leg from her side. The blow struck Boris right under the rib, and from his obvious wince, the damage wasn't meaningless.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkgqvH6f1y
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWxi6YQjRy
She struck again quickly, sliding her rapier out and using the butt of its hilt like a rock, smacking Boris square in the face. Boris reeled from the blow and took a few steps away, but Rover swung her arm back and straightened her Rapier, honing in for a vicious thrust.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaSy35fVe3
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84HThkDM7a
That thrust, however, had been dodged. And the force Rapier stockpiled only sent her tumbling to the ground. She never landed, though, because a sudden fist to the face replaced her embarrassing fall with a punitive flight. She soared across the room, disoriented, anchoring herself on the floor with her Rapier right before colliding with a wall.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3VgTY7WoE
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1sXgfG0cl
As she gathered her bearings, she saw Boris charging forth with a puffed chest. Only, it wasn't puffed, but swollen to inhuman degrees. The image of a bull came to her mind, and for a moment she was paralyzed. But she shook the intimidation off and stepped away, missing a blow that–165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpluNxHSJ2l
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2kn21knOx
**SMASH**165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVccdO1Kjgj
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGnpLXEfaa
–shook the room as it ruined the wall.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAUmJZg1UY
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr00FOJZXJ
"Ack. Shit!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfiUo73fFH
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecN2g3UZ50
Rover realized his reckless gesture was an attempt at an early victory, but she was too energized to fall prey to it, and now Boris was only more hurt.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8xSixxG4a
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiewIITbph
"These tactics don't work how they used to. You've grown. Haha, you've truly grown!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjWCvL8f1a
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTAs2HA27A
Boris deflated his comical size, returning to a more reasonable stature.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXooliVYqWo
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlu5QNCDPg
"But not enough."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMP0qRP5WS
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V22Zb91O8
"--!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0brMfTKIr
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOGvTZllKj
Those words, unlike anything prior, brewed steam within her head.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBSi7G6Y2y
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N9a15vkrE
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm kicking your ass!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB7159NNUk
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GGJ3rYrSZ
He wiped some dirt off his shoulder.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4FVyXTDx5
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3Rww0Y1v2
"Your intellect hasn't improved one bit, has it? Can't you tell I'm still toying with you?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bWEI6hFlv
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uru3YSKkB
Her jittering mouth couldn't open to respond. So badly did she want to deny it, to call him out for being coy. But to do so, would just be to lie.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcL3jDimva
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarONZa9sFV
"I remember when you and I first met. Back in those ivory fields, when I offered you a home, you scowled at me and called me scum. That a bringer like me ought "165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji4IJ4cLcU
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLUSco6rHF
"...So what? What are you getting at, shitface?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczoWvcQi54
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiKmFnapmF
He smirked. He placed his hands behind his shoulders, closing his eyes. Rover didn't understand what he was doing, and that worried her. That worried her deeply because she thought she knew every trick this monster could pull. She thought she knew every ace up his sleeve, every nook and cranny of his capacity.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJKW1bjofW
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC61BhTGzx
But, as she was proven yet again, keeping expectations like that was for fools.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XXG3qilhi
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPVuyWD0rQ
From the back of his shoulders, cylindrical masses of earth formed, taking shapes and morphing as his hands moved outward. His arms stopped just above his chest, and as he lowered his arms, Rover's eyes blew open, her clenched throat vomiting a gasp.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9c618pstFH
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZkaHFErBS
"You talked so much of this goal of yours. Of how you'd beat me. Of how you'd prove yourself to me and all of my colleagues."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tZpOnDRJZ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNlsZTGiyz
From the back of his shoulders, a new pair of arms found home, and they pointed their fingers with snappy girth.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XkjRmQSxD
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDAnYiNYes
"Hahaha! Come! Show me that this time, you'll do just that"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzgrgiiCvx
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK23j8VHhB1
"--Fine!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKoBpv6wBY
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4IzeKVezk
Though the doubling of his limbs was obviously intimidating, Rover tried not to be dissuaded by his appearance. She charged forth, dagger now firmly in hand. After all, if she fought the new Boris with a stale arsenal, she'd be crushed.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBonS1H8Nk
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8V9PApbDdb
She began with a thrust, and immediately it was caught by one of Boris' earthly arms, not budging an inch. He bent his legs and threw a regular punch at Rover, one she avoided with a backstep. Her rapier was now confiscated, and she watched Boris raise it with his earthen arms.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCNYzEfWum
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4t3pS6dV7
Something inside urged her to scream in defiance. To yell at that man not to do it, but she pushed that unburied temptation down with a commanding glare. Gazing at Boris as he snapped the rapier like a twig.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI6y3Zq9Cc
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIsKHO0vz2
"Well," he asked, "what now?" He threw the split rapier to the side and taunted Rover, daring her to come closer. Rover didn't fall for the taunt, because what she had was not rage– at least, not at the man before her.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJGoEWtnev
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jByVxF19h
Rather, her shaking fists were directed at herself. She raised the dagger and looked at it. Despite its needle-like blade, the curved cross-guards made it a poor tool for thrusting. This was her only weapon. This and her fists, anyway, but if her past had taught her anything, it was that fists were a futile tool against him.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsdZtl75p8
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ127F1Ifvq3
"Completely still. But, of course, you lost your only way to kill me. Will you give up?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLsb5e3u83
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM08GLupfue
"...You're counting me out already. It's pissing me off!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIrZN1lwuj
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65WOBP5dHy
Yes, her remaining weapon was better suited to defense. Yes, she was physically weaker than Boris. But if her kit made it so that she lived and died by the presence of her rapier, she would've gone all those years traveling King's Peak for nothing.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzMbqlD5gr
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3kFzGVf6S
"You've learned nothing, you overgrown oaf!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVaRmCHu6P
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5HaUOrqpl
Her free hand latched onto the strap around her waist, turning it and revealing the satchel that had gone unnoticed by Boris. Unzipping it and reaching for its contents, Rover pulled out an item that made his eyes widen. A thin, elongated, but sturdy vial, one that fits comfortably into Rover's palm.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD81sm8grq
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JlGUFfpYt
"...I see. Hahaha, I see! And what kind of exotic mana does that hold?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQwhi1GsFf
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23LBfnNmaB
"Come and find out!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iPvvfCv5v
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C1tymV4hU
And for the first time in the battle, Boris broke the neutral state, dashing at Rover with arms blazing. A result that came at the worst time possible. Because, although Rover revealed her condition for victory, not a single thought of how to use it came to her mind. And thus, she panicked.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0h5rtuitO
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVdNhbITlj
Fortunately, she was always a better runner than Boris.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOI3zIHAL2
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxGM63OkjC
"Get back here! Come on you coward!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7HFCmKh6g
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjTZ1L3N4H
Rover dismissed those venomous words. Or at the very least, she tried to, but its potent bite was felt throughout her body like the mountains of sweat her brow was producing. She had no idea what to do. For a moment she doubted that she remembered what the vial even contained. But one look at it, at its orange hue that signified distinct divergence, assured Rover that much.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gmNcuC2NH
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi11GTNjmCV
And then, the answer came to her. The wave of panic crashed with the gentle grace of summer water. She stuck the dense vial in her mouth and turned around.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWedH3ETFF
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvMzwYTL4Y
"Finally!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFmOrks05N
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxJRifo0zG
Boris threw his earthen arms directly at her, which Rover dodged. In a bent position, Boris brought both his arms up to uppercut. Rover blocked one fist with her palm and stabbed through the other.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKy1ISGo68
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsey9maqfAZ
"--Ack! Shit!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdc3U0kVxcL
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ6JQ6Vo4s
The parrying dagger slid smooth like silk out of the wound. Rover dashed back immediately, anticipating some kind of reaction.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zd3NK5Zyl
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuKxMaHy0G
"...My fingers are broken. Just what is that dagger made of?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU0hkK78kG
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyltCdWlZ7
And then a profound smile found itself on her face. He backed away to perform mana spinning potent enough only to close his wound. Those broken fingers were just what she needed.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeNvImeBku
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU8v6foxWu
She performed a swift dash, closing the gap between Boris and her. He immediately put his earthen arms up as a guard, disjointed just enough from his body to make an attack impossible. Rover thought this sudden focus on defense as suspicious, even as the mana spinning on his hand gave her a reason, so she dared not approach without caution. After all, with how volatile his size changes were, he could–165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjRkc0hxMz
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2HMPZWOpE
"...!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JzIlR4CZm
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxyHKaWmrl
Her past experience came to the forefront of her mind, and now she observed her reality with a perplexed perspective. He barely altered his size throughout this fight. He stopped only when–165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL1RAV6hwL
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI3kR1Uxv7
"Ah-ha!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRG3a7EWJSQ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gC7qhavRc
Though her profession of understanding was muffled by the glass between her teeth, it made the rise of her confidence no less explosive. She seemingly threw all caution to the wind, charging forth directly into his earthen arms. Boris dashed away, keeping Rover at a distance, but to no avail. Her speedy struts caught up to his back peddling quickly, and instead of attacking, Rover grabbed the earthen hands.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22hgQPLVPn
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjdfsEDc0s
The gesture alone confused Boris for a moment, just enough to stun him for what happened next.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsvVGe78As
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdupCHkeB5H
**THUD**165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbraXAljCq
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYC3MbHknQ
"Urk!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NSAd1d7dc
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgz3Iq63zg
Using those arms like a swing, she propelled her feet into Boris' gut. But she didn't stop there. Because there was no better opportunity to do this than now. She pulled the glass right out of her mouth and popped the lid open, throwing it at Boris as she fell to the floor and rolled away.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3quOfjZVMf
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMVSqbdEKN
Now at a distance, Rover observed the magic. But no magic came.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxawO9OzuE
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNabwQOWtqW
"Huh?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoGMsJ9TF7
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDv1cCnaRB
There was a fluttering cloud of orange dust before Boris, permeating through the room like any ordinary gas would.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcBrcgxoQS
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2j4ZrspSR
"Haha! What was I afraid of!?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmonqcEFufR
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaWPpiW4Xt
Boris broke into a bellowing laughter. He held his gut not only to soothe the pain but to hold back his chuckles. Rover knew he would've pointed at her had one of his arms not suffered damage, and though that made her bitter, she kept herself composed for the moment.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZujG4Y2l9l
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCWSGziTaD
Boris quit his laughter, wiping a few tears out of his eyes. The orange cloud permeated slowly, so it still was rather thick, but that didn't dissuade Boris from sticking his head in and smelling it like morning air.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO0A74df3R
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvteKNrSHs
"What's this? Doesn't smell like anything. You crack me up. At least you put on a good show!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2C0Ti7OSZ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6McVnUSed8
Boris threw his arms wide.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc4zLFjX7n
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgCUgulzCY
"But I like fights more than performances. I'll do both of us a favor and end this–"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKsGpfGUTH
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMcbQLhBO0
In a flash, as he spoke, as the spit flew out of his face, and as the lids of his eyes closed to blink, he raised his leg one step forward. With that leg, his body followed right after, crashing into the dust of orange, spreading it just far enough that it contacted the earthen arms.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k7GDQbqDi
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSvp0Yohg1
And then the magic happened.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqGEvcbbYA
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQY6aGFiMj
**BOOM**165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtWOj9pcFk
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJJpCFhTaN
That cloud of dust erupted with volcanic ferocity, an explosion so small, yet so extreme that Rover struggled to keep her footing. A great cloud of smoke took the place of Boris' body, and Rover looked on with the slimiest grin she had ever worn.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbYODSbr19
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vZTHVo3DE
"Heh. And I even figured out your actual size."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQrvzTS0Kr
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vngtVpb52
She stood up and wiped whatever junk found itself on her shoulder. She approached the site of the explosion, and just like in her memories, it was near heatless. She didn't get too close, however. Just close enough to see Boris' crisps, when that cloud of dust would eventually fade.
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvelUfd8AU
"Hmmm? This is taking a while–"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCzzRuobFH
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgfjJfGUWx
And indeed, that cloud of dust faded. It faded rather fast. But then Rover realized it wasn't that the dust faded. Rather, something had stolen its spot.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcnJ55PO14
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhoflhDDBG
The arm of a titan, reaching out for her, with its open palm like a claw. Rover's instincts forced her body to dash away. Then she stood and watched. Watched as a hulking mass exited the site of the explosion.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Z2b7N0FOy
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgP51hXBBae
Then, it shrunk.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZGA034Oes
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDTgSQAy4D
"Oh ho ho, you marvelous beast."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaHU9I6o9h
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkDQZKe4t5
Boris' robes were gone. Cinders, undeniably. Then was the leather armor Rover knew he always wore. That was gone too. The only article of clothing that remained were his pants, and even they were hardly intact. He was covered in burns blistered the likes of which she'd never seen, and his earthen arms were now missing. By all strings of reasoning, Rover should've dashed in and dealt the final blow. But she couldn't.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPLduu7ZcE
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINbUYTUex3
Come to think of it, it was the first time she'd seen a part of his body aside from his face. And now she felt as if she just discovered a new man. Because all around Boris' torso was a carpet of gaping, sporadic holes.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtQuhuX9A7
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuFNAnHHmX
"I can see it in your face. Your disgust. But I know that there's awe in those eyes. How couldn't there be?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekOO546un3
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y0atcnndo
Rover snapped out of her trance and brandished her dagger.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn1ajZ9y2G
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStlMhNWwaP
"What you're seeing is my Endowment. Many have called it a curse, but I'm not so ungrateful to insult it like that."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYGfhLyovj
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBdGSWlURU
Boris raised his unbroken arm. He began mana spinning, forming a brick of earth in his hand. And then, from the large hole centered at his navel, the very same brick spewed out and plummeted to the ground.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPldGKLhogf
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68iT85zHNv
And then, a few seconds later, another brick spat out a different hole.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbrxSPChfs
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OARdbcBpS
"Those arms I formed made for a dandy shield, wouldn't you say? Though of course, you hit me in the last place it spawned. Lucky you."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mXdNwvdBZ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wQgxV1heC
Another brick spewed out. It came from his shoulder.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pJoyIIsm2
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUsLKXcN90
"Well, you've certainly made a mess of my face. But I don't need good looks anyway."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUZglfXWSG
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd7K60B9Kb
He dropped the brick in his hand right as another spewed out. He wound his arm, as if to stretch it, then gazed at Rover with the eyes of a monster.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsKYTUEoNF
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEaP185v9P
"You're not done fighting, are you? Come on."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl0awTCBZT
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3Izbmtrz4
"...Freak."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pshr0UEPh
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSxapSJeN4
"Oh yeah. You loved calling me that before, didn't you?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml62lhOOeq
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1oaLjgAxQ
"And just look at how right I was."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jRgjyOyiS
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSNQog7q1H
A hearty chuckle came from him.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6xOethy5i
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTapj25Woh
"Well, that won't do you any good."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40FXPYHmo0
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi04Am7bbx
Boris entered a stance, taunting Rover yet again.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9EfaNyeqT
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7O4cJGqdF
"Come on. My legs are scorched. Your marvelous plan gave you this opportunity."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqO2VC0qW2q
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLHWDoO9Sj
She put one leg forward.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lkkBt0a5M
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaxx4xUYuz
"You've got brains since the last time we met. At least, more than I expected. You used them well. You're still worth keeping around."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalYPZK8XQK
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Then another. Boris' grin grew wider.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmYLma9fLF
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK45cx3FUpQ
"A helpless dog like you shouldn't loiter around! Come on, Rover! Don't you have something to prove!?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx406AjdoXg
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48GsSrNbvG
And even through his manic glare, Rover sprinted. She sprinted with energy to finish, the will to see that monster put down.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEwgmJlDF8
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–
–
–165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLXwO1ztrd
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCgiIMBiaP
–From an onlooker's perspective, Rover could see why she'd get concerned stares. Even though her body locomoted tactfully in the fight, the windows to her mind made contorted, bemused shapes. And the removal of her dagger compounded that contortion.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIyVIQdlMb
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrghM3L2rnm
She threw a fist forward. It was slapped away by Boris, and he attempted a counterattack. Rover tucked her head just in time, and with the tiny space between her skull and his arm, she jumped. Boris avoided a dislocation, but Rover kept the assault with a kick from the side. It was blocked by his other hand. She slipped away just before it got caught, and using her right leg like an anchor, delivered a flurry of kicks at Boris, who went to block them.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuHPuc8vrg
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I4TpY7vr7
–Rover's kicks were laced. Whether it hampered or bolstered them wasn't something she knew or cared about. At some point, she forgot all about the process of kicking, her mind wandering to holes in her gut. The oozing pastries behind the glass, unable to snatch that gilded stash.
Boris quit his consecutive parries, realizing that such a task was a fool's game. He backed away, which took a moment to compute with Rover, and Boris used that moment to charge in and deliver a quick blow. Rover fortunately blocked it, and as she didn't slide across the room, she had ample leverage to pull a maneuver. She spread her arms and wrapped them around Boris, turning around and putting it over her shoulder. Boris was bigger than her, but that mattered little with her strength. She threw him onto the ground, and his back's unceremonious clash with the floor made its effects apparent on his face. However, Boris pointed his vacant hand at her and out came a burst of wind. Rover didn't have the reflexes to dodge at such a short range and went flying across the room.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq5xsSfQD3
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW2zfp3cyb
–Those morphing cakes reeked of red. Its verdant smell commanded her to smash the glass, but she was smarter than that. She knew that if she broke the shield, she'd lose on the spot. And that couldn't happen. Her blood boiled to steam. Her teeth ground themselves to powder. It was inevitable, seeing as that's how it always went.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6sBd9D8JQ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQPOqUl6qp
Boris jumped up from the floor right as Rover landed on it. She struggled to get back on her feet, as the blow from his spell sent her head into a frenzy, but she made do with her wobbly knees. Boris charged forth and tackled with his shoulder. Rover tried to block it, and though she avoided any serious damage, she was swept off her feet yet again. Boris followed with a kick, but right as his foot was about to connect, another gust of wind blew from his chest. It saved Rover from a painful blow and sent Boris soaring away, but the edges of the gust still connected, and she was back on the floor.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNO2MdGeBZL
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4hvGNEPTj
–When things get at arm's length, they become untouchable. But the obstacle isn't always a protective pane of glass. Sometimes it's a shelf, one just high enough so it's out of your reach. Rover jumped for years, but every time her legs grew stronger, or her arms grew longer, the shelf grew with her, but always a little more. Eventually, her fiddling fingertips couldn't even brush it.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKEDe9PytU
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1kIX1GuSu
Rover fought yet again to get her feet to the ground. She wiped her mouth with her arm and spat out blood-infused spit. She must've cut her inner cheek.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl8WaSMeIp
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCcdlDJLxz
Boris was far away from her, but charing with full awareness. His pace slugged from before, it was clear to Rover that the explosion still affected him. She used that thought to muster her remaining strength and met Boris' charge head-on. The two entered a series of throwing and avoiding fists, and Rover's superior speed gave her an edge. She landed blows square in the chest, and as she hit his pores, they immediately constricted. Rover cared little as to what that meant and kept bashing, but then Boris landed a fist into her cheek. She rolled with the hit as well as she could before rounding back with her strongest punch yet. It landed right into Boris' palm. He twirled his arm, a clear attempt to break Rover's own, but she had experience with such tricks. She put her free hand onto Boris' and jumped, countering his rotation with her own, and kicking him in the head. But Boris didn't release his grasp, and instead threw Rover up and punted her gut.
–There was almost no doubt in her mind of what would happen. It was inevitable, in spite of her struggle. She was going to lose. Would she die? She knew Boris well enough, and so she knew she wouldn't. But to her, no future existed beyond the time of her loss. No prospects are had at the precipice of failure. It was like the blackness of recollecting one's memory as a fetus. But if these rotten thoughts were all that were within her, then maybe she could've squeezed out a tie.
Rover fell to the ground, wheezing and panting, remnants of her stomach escaping from her mouth. She expected an immediate attack and braced herself, but such an attack never came–
**THUD**165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9IhQYjTcv
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Qu2fTzfSv
Rover ate a kick to the face. She rolled across the ground but stopped herself quickly. Her right eye was covered in red, but she could see Boris even through a blizzard. He stomped to her, but Rover didn't move. She reached into the sheath and grabbed the hilt of her dagger, and right as Boris was in range to attack, she threw the weapon at her.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEygKa36B5
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZvfKu7rcA
–There were chains around her arms, doubts in and out of hiding, pouncing and making escapes with military expertise. There was guilt in her limbs, the ones she used to seal the oath she carelessly shattered. There was anger in her stomach, the one that was always there, residing like a parasite but pulsing now as if it was bound to burst. There was sorrow in her heart, the one she used to fuel words about things she just didn't understand. The one she used to hope. But one affliction was chief among them all.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK76BRbtUxo
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08MMNkbjVY
Boris was caught off guard, but not as much as Rover hoped. He just raised one of his arms and let the dagger pierce right through. Boris' screaming was nearly musical to her. Blood leaked from the edges; it was clear the dagger was like a clog. But even so, Boris pulled the dagger out of his arm and sealed the blood-spewing hole with his fingers, performing mana spinning.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Rp78RkJKB
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxP8vLcHyN
"You have gotten smarter. Or maybe I've just gotten dumber."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkFBeMFNy1
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBQC4IkXkv
Rover tried to get up and attack. After all, he was right in front of her, making himself vulnerable. She tried, and she was able to get her upper body off the floor, but Boris kept her down with another kick to the chin. Any strength to rise departed, and all Rover could do was watch as Boris approached.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfdJxSy7iO
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XOoYaMk8X
"What a shame. For you, of course. This is the closest you've ever gotten, but you didn't have that extra push."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdDNrv84ye
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9wCfZJphl
Rover balled his hands into a fist, scowling at Boris with daggers for eyes.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C1lr2ljPx
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgLkEkfrzJ
"Relax, now. Twisting your face won't kill me. Might as well save the energy."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuHjvoQGLl
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgncF5p5eA
"You... ass."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPE8xJN8lu
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc27162G5w
Boris stopped before her legs, staring at them while pinching his chin. Rover couldn't begin to imagine what was going on in his head. But she kept on scowling, even hissing at him as if the action would deter him at all.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxzqqMywLe
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SA3HV05ib
"You're not crawling away?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLlka1qOXD
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGtl5yWL7a
"...I'm not a damn worm."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXnpb4OemR
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6cXC9HDIS
"Right. You never were the type to do that. But your insults are missing. Well, not that it matters."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiosRO9pg6
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1JGECVM6v
Boris crouched down and gazed at her legs. A shiver crawled up Rover's spine, one that left tingling dread in its wake.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5mxr9wtD7
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7gujrHkAW
"I'm spent, but I can't let you run around either. So how about I do, this?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xCcpU50Fr
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdbo6Yqm2q
He grabbed her left leg by the ankle, and as he did so, he began mana expulsion. He formed a great club of earth in his hand and walked over to her hip. Immediately, Rover knew what was going to happen. She moved her arm in an attempt to slap it away, but her hands couldn't reach him.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeROmd4AGt
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqRfBDifLe
But, she still tried. As Boris raised the club above his head, the corners of her eyes were taken by darkness. More and more area, subjugated by black until only the very center of her pupils had the ability to look. They stared at the club, as it stood motionless above his head, and she knew any second it would come down, and she knew any second she would be made a fool.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgwpfQ4YBt
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ugRQjiqkV
And she couldn't do a thing.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcXEEp56mg
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWU5plKF97
–Frustration. It was her frustration. The object of her long-lived hatred, its ambassador stood right there. But she was being beaten down like a dog. An injured mutt who had to limp on all but one of its legs, even unable to beg. At the edge of achieving her dream, her ultimate goal, she was forced to watch it slip further and further away. And then she realized, she couldn't destroy Hard-Bringer. And then she realized, she couldn't even scratch it. And then she realized, she'd have to wait again, and then train again, and then search again, and then despair again. And as the final blow of the battle came, only two words sprung from her mind:165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNdUVJRw5V
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30BPwt37Se
Sorry, mom–165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQ6YohVTaD
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInnE7ogGS4
**CRACK**165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UG2zx8bnL
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCYOb6FSiA
"AG– AAAAAAAAAAHCK!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQen2vYKgeR
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysJQ4SmucJ
Her nearly six years of combat experience couldn't have prepared her for this.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU8wvnsNKT
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJSrLJQjjF
"And there goes your leg."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4EEgsi3D2
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeYdW4uuY2
She knew of no word to describe the sensation. Seething, writhing, pounding, shocking,
burning, aching, twitching, pulsing, churning– nothing came to her mind to describe it. The shattering of her femur, shooting fragments of bone like shrapnel to the lining of her skin, but not enough to pierce it. As if dozens of bugs drilled through her flesh, as if an entire home landed on her leg– that's what it was like.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO605XGrWQK
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5eSAvm8Xu
"It's funny. If it hadn't only been you, I'd probably be dead."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ha0lIZr7b
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx162hLyuhs
She couldn't even move to clutch her leg, to soothe it in any way. The most she could do was groan and yell and grit her teeth, but none of that was possible at once, and when her focus got captivated by his words the way it did, the pain exponentiated.
"Dogs like you– they like to hunt alone. But the moment they face something threatening, they bite just short of drawing blood. Maybe then, you're a defective wolf."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXlroxikss
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6zlXaZRlR
Boris uncrouched and stepped away as a club of earth spat from a pore. He was clearly haggard, limping as he walked away, hardly able to move one leg before the other. That was the only consolidation Rover was afforded; a tiny solace within the sea of agony.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsVo1Q9jbI
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But those words of his stole it away.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH8uJvJY0g
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOpdXMFfS3
"Raw strength wins yet again. You got close, but I am still undefeated. Until we meet again, Rover."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANA8QwELH7
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyTSrP34Yc
Boris continued limping away until he reached the wall. Then, reeling his fist back, he smashed the glass panes open. He looked down and whistled before turning around and looking at Rover.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW55YvNrON
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJjTVJmxmW
She wanted to scream, but all the efforts of her throat and lungs were channeled to ease her suffering. And oh, how she hated it. How she hated the grin of his face, an arrangement of his teeth and mouth designed for eating feces. He waved her goodbye and jumped off while cackling like a witch.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7D31KikYDx
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhaAobjA8w
No strength to draw, no will to push. All Rover could do was lay there and cope, lamenting her loss and that wretched monster's words.
