The ambush from the last floor was felt throughout the crowd.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2Jqg7FSuQ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FTjsJntvm
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtEfxGeIng
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5KRatlqnV
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."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UgXs6KdXv
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJaHl2icbz
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**198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBd2vAzzB2
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSQcDmXEta
"Ack!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsyDxXYSTM
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNBQmWPLam
I wasn't prepared for the strength I slapped myself with. My muscles were incredibly tense, and I hadn't even realized.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzNzOhTNwG
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL4EpAf4vP
"No use in thinking about it. No use in thinking about it! Come on!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9iPnrufTs
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmY0E17rYNN
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwRABFmLb6
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9ctJRoC9f
"...Useless–!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxILFvo1o6X
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLW334SEcwS
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–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlPNGOIj94
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2OQ15buIn
Suddenly, I noticed something. Though I naturally hadn't been paying much attention to her, the person beside her had changed.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw550Z0NEas
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eQypvO7Yx
And it was someone I recognized198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2i8hkAgfm
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Wvz37tQlV
–
–
–
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdk0wAx0SO
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRTPy6Gdut
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5fn9DNPkX
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrdxwEbbmt
Especially now that her surrogate partner was a completely new face.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH494DI7Br
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFMh8RNpPE
"Hi."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIK6LYCYKk
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XwEXuDCzr
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK6xuytvMF
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIpK5NvBgr
"What!?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhG8wgu3BP
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2K1FsFnnd
Though, perhaps, she should've spared an extra second checking her tone.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe92kMv2EJ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVl609QrOqj
"S-Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am! I just thought we'd familiarize ourselves."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHVtTtszMO
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87mD3LUuRl
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWHgxQWvOd
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUVEPMS7fa
"I'm Nigel. You're the volunteer, aren't you?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrWJXVaFOB
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6ry48F2GE
"Volunteer makes it sound lame! I'm Rover! L-Let's work well together, alright!?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTvOQn3HNw
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl1z9Fkb21
Nigel's tense expression eased a little. He worried about a sudden reassignment just as much as Rover did.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6bJRh6boK
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2nSnD8QEo
"I know this is a bit impromptu, but my partner perished on the floor below. Thank you for bearing with me."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQcOD7pau4
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBPIY0YcRO
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNEGaPzaBP
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8BGAYIaQZ
"That... that's really bad. I'm sorry for–"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAus3BoCl0U
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE7b1VPVcz
"Don't worry about it. You've suffered a similar fate, haven't you? We're in the same boat."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0hXQG60wb
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZr5KWd4BlR
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDZdxyjwKg
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WGl1kmywj
And then, finally, they hit a flat surface.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡep4pyn01CS
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2FG0sBYnP
"The next room's up ahead!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPGo5v0vpd
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtePf4cYJi
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLgRtccTk6
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF9DE9G67R
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–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIYVNH3EgQ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVrxC4nWCM
"Holy shit! Are ya a titan!?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKGB8OAlM3
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9tBiLpfKF
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi8UkYn1wo
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPCFCtq2K0
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YUtvZG56W
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynLRElQf4o
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSoxsbjuz7
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi5KNftKIb
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMDxwzu6rg
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWZdeiyw6w
"This is where your advance ends– huh?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NesOamqPd
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fdvrYE0X5
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–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3n27F65bJ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6HDdLKZ5Q
**THUD**198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUiEH0o1Jj
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5t2ogDtI8
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdXQzDekwC
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAVWgPVLQU
"...Same tricks as always."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDowehM9gG
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn5CSJdUJe
Though her snide remark was entirely unperturbed, the rest of the room stared with mouths agape, as if they had just witnessed alien life.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWqT8F9sxX
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIgvCZCcAA
"Hoh– it is you. You!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyXxDnUymf
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTNKNMZfXH
Because, the once hulking, monster of a man, was now suddenly the size of a teenage boy.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJ7J9OnozL
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24uPRzlBtL
"I never expected to run into you today, Rover! Hahaha!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprP8yQKpeT
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIVDxWXULu
The crowd was stunned. Only one member moved through the shock, and everyone stared to find it was Nigel.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gHcxT5XCX
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA30GEbluH8
"Everyone," he shouted. "Move on, we'll take care of things here!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK6kBCslIS
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9evUkVBCZo
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7gzD1mxE4
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD3qOSkNuK
"Nigel."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJYW52NKxT
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDpE6jvn74
"Yes?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanYHYwnP5z
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm1uljvFhP
"Leave. I'm fighting this one alone."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZD7E8fBuIv
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLns6hbxNL
"...You're kidding me, certainly."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTYBWMBQ6U
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFV2OAPiS5
Rover shook her head back and forth.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDml3JIb5AG
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK97rtRPQoH
"Do you honestly think you can take him alone? You saw what he did, didn't you?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM61eJRIEr
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0QvyvRbdF
"Of course I did. And I know how it works."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjD2er53q9
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLngl51pMA
"You fought him before, then?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l6RDxmChK
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY1p82GXFM
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpQJjy3ZeD
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgc7g7SKrJ
"Aren't you and I a team? Are you absolutely certain?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QcRGh8zf6
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHr9E915jQ
Operating on instinct, Rover nodded, but then his opening question computed with her, and her eyes suddenly constricted.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58Y28YVqsW
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2z92Zm81s
"Very well! Don't die on me!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9uNyyrcOW
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKtdjTC0Hs
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbj9uMIlWAq
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhplayG9h8T
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8YL9eLvJg
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKHxJyVxyl
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GN25B0wUq
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tbtvOrqj1
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5GamFQ3SJ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgi6lwhSthd
"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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqeQCv5Nxm
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kitURamt2
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CveGyZUp8
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc6RmDsQBI
"..."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrIZ454N6x
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lUIgzWbTw
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESOZGqJcBY
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8fHYbMva7
And so, she communicated with a stern nod, and Kenny's biting mouth chipped his nail.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FyZFSSlNH
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSsulfLCUD
"Fine. Good luck!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQyM6FN41Z
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUJsoN2P47
And then, he was off. His bidding of good fortune completely stunned her. However, she quickly recovered–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXjTKuIKYR
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqp2KXTqoFU
**THUD**198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd2j6Rf7VC
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaQCeD2lXj
"Sharp as always! I'm a fool to think that would work!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzI4rMZITB
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhcUYqtuQU
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E3CMokFU1
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKexYwALD18
"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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThsBN40eZ6
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcnASCyiW1
She tried to ignore the uncertain, guilty way her stomach formed a pit.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8VhZnworB
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxVYedAbmW
"Come at me, Boris!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudZgGqlinh
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHA1lnlEDq
–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRe0Psy8f3
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40YBel9Epa
–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpw5isDbMp
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiMsAoTsXv
–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4ioUgs2FK
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXUeLsAUvA
Right before she charged forth, her stalled thoughts sprung into action.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchpUTHdCbI
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69JwaDCF9i
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYie9E0ENyU
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLnOrgOD56
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaJUq77LME
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5sShDUVXP
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpfZPWZTWg
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB5t9AS2o5
"Huh!?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFxi9t6D5D
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfU1VyhY5f
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fmvvFwuJa
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc6SrNvLBo
"Hah!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGac1pWicS
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRATwnlflEm
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcQ8sacfEl
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCak2i6Voke
But she didn't let up, because she knew that if she waited any longer–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY5ciyqAyU
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKqd0OeWI9
"Here!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E91WPZLo9
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuHQmlMZ8C
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcQJUmoP5f
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeShbQoz7dr
"Good thing that dagger's so thin. Otherwise, this wound wouldn't be so easy to heal."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4JKXxytUW
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLjZnIL8Dx
"Tch."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosW6lHvIjx
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwkAktwk4n
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZiYIgXM87
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhfFdtUdZ4
**CLANG**198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6ees9nXVb
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlWgvb46oV
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaGChItdS0
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpkHYT9KXL
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChROxZFiVj
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46wCbxbgmK
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeSUVsfcXB
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWOR7YPQoZ
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–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQD55yFZwb
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO9pd8zUwi
**SMASH**198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2MuCcK3n1
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3yYmeyGKv
–shook the room as it ruined the wall.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4go8nPM6ay
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoGgA35XL2
"Ack. Shit!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQpACoQKHn
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92PJD8KHYk
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpNFs9xQCf
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRHUuH4has
"These tactics don't work how they used to. You've grown. Haha, you've truly grown!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOgoGQtuIk
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTi6XAPvEO
Boris deflated his comical size, returning to a more reasonable stature.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF6d91ipOE
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAYvGj5lfq
"But not enough."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvCEVFXJko
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiggUbCbXz0
"--!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMgHTWgDAe
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwzng55BdF
Those words, unlike anything prior, brewed steam within her head.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLVupFklRE
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsksGHHiuo
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm kicking your ass!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS9EJsVfn9
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp2ajUe4DP
He wiped some dirt off his shoulder.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZLtgd2yZY
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSa2TqoyLwI
"Your intellect hasn't improved one bit, has it? Can't you tell I'm still toying with you?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW324LWwLT
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JBjmSZVOy
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMi7wWbD3H
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBzPBozj8z
"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 "198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oGbGJ9zZ9
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRlNd2CDXF
"...So what? What are you getting at, shitface?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOb6wn6hx3
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YV5zQHKNZ
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8P12jI2WD
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaESsGFkVOM
But, as she was proven yet again, keeping expectations like that was for fools.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje83oSLcSi
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRgxEhXWhi
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtfUsDWQhZ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OT3JAIKaO
"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."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV8jZpjqrt
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRQijHCy2M
From the back of his shoulders, a new pair of arms found home, and they pointed their fingers with snappy girth.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIV4Q0W8Wh
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTWrSJRT2M
"Hahaha! Come! Show me that this time, you'll do just that"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6fOHOojlA
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUV33Evqtja
"--Fine!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pv3woscLZ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOf6PvYkG9
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6RHOmgYLz
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rqbp1Zf0e
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUmxkwQ1Dr
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXL6Py97JX
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UQ1mTKZYj
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUX36CndtXb
"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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV13LlJhqFr
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMdGDtzpLb
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbZXrN07np
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cD5OuL7dD
"Completely still. But, of course, you lost your only way to kill me. Will you give up?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVRHQR0lWD
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ869VfBz2Zc
"...You're counting me out already. It's pissing me off!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJJXcylc0W
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHChWeDhd8u
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWE6G82YQA
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg1B2yKAeT
"You've learned nothing, you overgrown oaf!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzF6TEV2fH
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1PT2s5THR
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZD0GcPwAaB
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPnfInbd9t
"...I see. Hahaha, I see! And what kind of exotic mana does that hold?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt4jrqOk7b
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ944xRRK31o
"Come and find out!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboqBstxlQX
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNYAmtvivs
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H4DMBmpLg
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4degU4aXUN
Fortunately, she was always a better runner than Boris.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZqIEawIVL
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DQFl4VtiH
"Get back here! Come on you coward!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdkZ7wMRKp
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB4p2EAjf3
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMtgFn4LVg
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzSuRZiLFE
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmCUA9OiRj
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oCE6b3gPc
"Finally!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoq8WCaGH9
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXiDWO3IYP
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mChwHnL2i
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ9nIxJUGz
"--Ack! Shit!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNoaOdGAjA
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndoxZgL8rn
The parrying dagger slid smooth like silk out of the wound. Rover dashed back immediately, anticipating some kind of reaction.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxARoCMDVU
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUAABPuqB7
"...My fingers are broken. Just what is that dagger made of?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqx0ZVxcxM
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgFqtgbBAP
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhDbsr6scF
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyOIjF5baU
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–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfeoIhm7uE
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzV7ot6CL3
"...!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEk7gbwELf
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJTPfmxG4w
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–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuwbmOsAgt
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzADzYA6nH
"Ah-ha!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQL4JhHuQy
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHPdfzv2Rq
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EWloc6nUA
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAopUYjAOJ
The gesture alone confused Boris for a moment, just enough to stun him for what happened next.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSgOL3bDe0
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlRPaJw069
**THUD**198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXC7tdrq4g
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2MVTbzhLg
"Urk!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzJKmMEBoG
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvX60OOTrg
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDmd3dZeFd
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCglTrBSNTF
Now at a distance, Rover observed the magic. But no magic came.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiHKKDnnzy
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9QJKmcmeo
"Huh?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAEJK0v5gf
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEqEi1988i
There was a fluttering cloud of orange dust before Boris, permeating through the room like any ordinary gas would.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mSeU0zpEr
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhKdpgxUip
"Haha! What was I afraid of!?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dRe6WUYaE
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhfE1h6RlQ
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnx4e43Kci
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIO9NFshSRQ
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd52YmKvAhZ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZuTndJbRL
"What's this? Doesn't smell like anything. You crack me up. At least you put on a good show!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMqwJhne1M
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6JTuisBgT
Boris threw his arms wide.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXL9QMcFbx
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz79nzR7SHT
"But I like fights more than performances. I'll do both of us a favor and end this–"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79otUiEuVJ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImVXYSEdDu
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKV3UWHWJ0J
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNxBTeHtD7
And then the magic happened.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ527sv1TAFq
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ydVwhFu1d
**BOOM**198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZQSOQDhO6
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcbaFc83Kn
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtm7iq7UmT
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuyf6HxwqK
"Heh. And I even figured out your actual size."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNzKtcAtrK
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgUDF90hPA
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.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKUzgxGfeC
"Hmmm? This is taking a while–"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJAALCbC5T
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PJ4VeORpX
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU0gp1N39D
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0EoS4O6pN
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTQEg08kuM
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvD6NSoJCg
Then, it shrunk.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCJaXgagOt
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbj450Mu6A
"Oh ho ho, you marvelous beast."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCbMEueL8P
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQcC2qF5ci
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDB15QmIVS
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJmyXUPD68
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uDgjFcZZc
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRwJRPTeZA
"I can see it in your face. Your disgust. But I know that there's awe in those eyes. How couldn't there be?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcmjTEfbA7
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMml3XtjWF2
Rover snapped out of her trance and brandished her dagger.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHoUNYgjn8
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJlP5hrIC4
"What you're seeing is my Endowment. Many have called it a curse, but I'm not so ungrateful to insult it like that."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBiBBYZ4jc
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cwiSBeZxk
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuTqlrjWgp
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIT20DFnSu
And then, a few seconds later, another brick spat out a different hole.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5c8c0ALeU
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdBjDduun8
"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."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt79K5YtXo
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkZrsynHhf
Another brick spewed out. It came from his shoulder.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7qNqeWXdd
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUvw3pDeWP
"Well, you've certainly made a mess of my face. But I don't need good looks anyway."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvNQM9F9Qm
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jam3mWIwm
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqas7kL4cm
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuUsNx9PYS
"You're not done fighting, are you? Come on."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCuO1SBr9x
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqEmOELePa
"...Freak."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwppMLwlDi
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3HBtIf26p
"Oh yeah. You loved calling me that before, didn't you?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtd1ZidUZc
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv41yXvp5sk
"And just look at how right I was."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroYhmNuf5h
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iJ1vAQvHe
A hearty chuckle came from him.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZuufmw4VG
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp7yMpyyx3
"Well, that won't do you any good."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlV1gTzZAM
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLLdNJxQtE
Boris entered a stance, taunting Rover yet again.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTSkohXTzn
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvDbSMWyuE
"Come on. My legs are scorched. Your marvelous plan gave you this opportunity."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWSM5AMZTH
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtUSGnvQOx
She put one leg forward.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0qDcVmFZS
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKQeYpzc0h
"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."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpHYexqkhp
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GX9WtHuCz
Then another. Boris' grin grew wider.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBql852FOZ8
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGT6Debu1M
"A helpless dog like you shouldn't loiter around! Come on, Rover! Don't you have something to prove!?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94savfbqqc
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpglBos2uX
And even through his manic glare, Rover sprinted. She sprinted with energy to finish, the will to see that monster put down.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sKUwC46NW
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mqf1mgjrx
–
–
–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpUyzDFzex
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgu1MdjdWQ
–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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyjSBgl1Y0
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BNbHhAftd
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUUJXeCBkA
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7v5Zpci7L
–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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywgbfkogva
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cl5ptPgEx
–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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvM1zWoJfF
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQNjL8bBM2
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YxAUUg1Zk
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANfTaOXpkP
–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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7nbFxnGCg
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWcRfNfts7
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv5ZZe30CC
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrv5AZ9Lio
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**198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsW5ra5hBa
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVKfY9LeX8
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyZL6VJv4C
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H7B27kDJ1
–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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3Js6ZPi8i
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0vx4xUdE9
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sglApM2u0
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ8FMg76yN
"You have gotten smarter. Or maybe I've just gotten dumber."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVd1nymOfLs
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclDSzDb4Sg
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEXub94agJ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazslJmo1tl
"What a shame. For you, of course. This is the closest you've ever gotten, but you didn't have that extra push."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrMGiac5lD
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkezbOJpyu
Rover balled his hands into a fist, scowling at Boris with daggers for eyes.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHLbap0EA7
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8cWHcx92O
"Relax, now. Twisting your face won't kill me. Might as well save the energy."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVXqoXS1Oc
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHZkBFQ7Bp
"You... ass."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFthTq4g93Y
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsJSO6IKJN
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKtCOFGNtl
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGhidh1242
"You're not crawling away?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyVA4cKdhy
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUFqPlw4dG
"...I'm not a damn worm."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScyr6oUaNW
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcS3YNnJnw
"Right. You never were the type to do that. But your insults are missing. Well, not that it matters."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWaFB877OU
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0FTu90TK9
Boris crouched down and gazed at her legs. A shiver crawled up Rover's spine, one that left tingling dread in its wake.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZT4txi0g1
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPnNNQhwjX
"I'm spent, but I can't let you run around either. So how about I do, this?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZx16sTZjVb
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztO2L3k7wk
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lJZ5oHHU6
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA78tzUUHCC
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9y1JTE8IZ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKAM67v6W8
And she couldn't do a thing.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbJPvgMtLv
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV3CO3RVxS
–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:198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwK6k0Z4JD4
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTptJmGQtEg
Sorry, mom–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyZx07MfbA
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuhflxELBV
**CRACK**198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7Q62vHNGw
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHAFuoffaz
"AG– AAAAAAAAAAHCK!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLSposruwu
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypaQTCp4Ow
Her nearly six years of combat experience couldn't have prepared her for this.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIwk2FH1Sy
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLihc18B3M
"And there goes your leg."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmlKB2ruzq
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQCbjBXbZM
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvp59DgFZX
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXVH1AxvFA
"It's funny. If it hadn't only been you, I'd probably be dead."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0q4g61EKi
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOz4MxdU4p
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."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0UrKC7JNU
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebbROvGnTb
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpeEjFnLYG
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXhlIRJWDi
But those words of his stole it away.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxydxSzKr6i
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4jMlIWtxm
"Raw strength wins yet again. You got close, but I am still undefeated. Until we meet again, Rover."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrSTwLrpJw
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPOPvcnIeT
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy62D32lWK7
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUetHKvgYgN
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqviUo98XU
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy10MWQu0W7
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.
