The ambush from the last floor was felt throughout the crowd.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvVuLn6Omo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwRdOGkvLh
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9DUevt2XS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0Lcmyutdm
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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pL27HUqcL
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsRg8DlMPM
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**166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZsrBTotiO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwq9Dqmmhb
"Ack!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUscyb4hQyi
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3iYVBo384
I wasn't prepared for the strength I slapped myself with. My muscles were incredibly tense, and I hadn't even realized.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDHFaRmprD
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUZrGs3LqH
"No use in thinking about it. No use in thinking about it! Come on!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97XOA6BeIS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WMA1pcEFZ
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70MdwYQUI0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRR2IWh4XJ
"...Useless–!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtevG6scND
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjiZAt9TWX
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–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9kFKF62h4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6rJrv2S5c
Suddenly, I noticed something. Though I naturally hadn't been paying much attention to her, the person beside her had changed.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnri8SJw9U
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB3cOSEtjH
And it was someone I recognized166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UB7hFilnr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSj2ioenoP
–
–
–
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h6j0fV6QK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnezRZmHBW4
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesMoL74VNO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1xULOjiCF
Especially now that her surrogate partner was a completely new face.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUoLgkwOJl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3RNZLxOsh
"Hi."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyT7VUhZF4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqLX7fey7g
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrf4sKg8wB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU74rWjlfEx
"What!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwjMLG7fHL
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5txQxnhhD
Though, perhaps, she should've spared an extra second checking her tone.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlEZqt4rPa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsPHykSFWj
"S-Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am! I just thought we'd familiarize ourselves."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeapawfflTm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODLtPXqVFc
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LZ1zMdD1l
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMZXObBjOD
"I'm Nigel. You're the volunteer, aren't you?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VRk8RXcHA
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWlcMhoBne
"Volunteer makes it sound lame! I'm Rover! L-Let's work well together, alright!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5Mg1wRwnF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZVZJjJt5A
Nigel's tense expression eased a little. He worried about a sudden reassignment just as much as Rover did.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOZB8H0rDM
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmET8iZoq1Z
"I know this is a bit impromptu, but my partner perished on the floor below. Thank you for bearing with me."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzMCqZXBnw
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD00TJwgiT
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Bef2VG0vH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJaRzCRadl
"That... that's really bad. I'm sorry for–"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCiApXlWxn
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtvDE7qbKQ
"Don't worry about it. You've suffered a similar fate, haven't you? We're in the same boat."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ899QaZOHEj
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUz4AbpN8Tt
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9MrUkyi2N
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CAQM1NaAQ
And then, finally, they hit a flat surface.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp9G60IaOo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzkS5bV7tR
"The next room's up ahead!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ue1HC2x6A
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5lNT85fCr
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzg4H5gbQSp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyvhtZRoaS
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–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEjIOOYFwV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kteFQFDVS
"Holy shit! Are ya a titan!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty2zeWNncx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpsb7H1Nov
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvuqWvNIEX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVuWYrGKGW
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZrRDIiXSB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6naJ1MPHI
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwZhlFYzPX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ulxt3zfwH
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Tnw4Awkb2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SRbUZaYzG
"This is where your advance ends– huh?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w7AadrJWh
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0BD9VLtmQ
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–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdCvNJdv8W
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NC41kbkzI
**THUD**166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJxTS9X0Bt
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhJlRfkcbM
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9h8AuISzM
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWjSLEpRYv
"...Same tricks as always."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCqmS1S2id
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMVYn8oCcW
Though her snide remark was entirely unperturbed, the rest of the room stared with mouths agape, as if they had just witnessed alien life.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTajbij6oX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BLPIGuL5n
"Hoh– it is you. You!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmh2JFopVi
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JzKpLAB6b
Because, the once hulking, monster of a man, was now suddenly the size of a teenage boy.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoDnnUx7M0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqzV5Auoof
"I never expected to run into you today, Rover! Hahaha!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeNTn3ucnp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmPNj3hOqk
The crowd was stunned. Only one member moved through the shock, and everyone stared to find it was Nigel.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡma1R6A1ni1
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kNqZrq0e9
"Everyone," he shouted. "Move on, we'll take care of things here!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkuhOebdNR
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbG4qw6tviQ
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJTRNNfj1m
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNQJaJC28N
"Nigel."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQM2Cd5LaC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnaMSK8iid
"Yes?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk37AOY7Ud
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUrcCEo1Yp
"Leave. I'm fighting this one alone."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINTiQ5a0p4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSlOUUpcrz
"...You're kidding me, certainly."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9SgThISxF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8i5wrqlCm
Rover shook her head back and forth.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjjhbsPEsi
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuWRuBOYSN
"Do you honestly think you can take him alone? You saw what he did, didn't you?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bjxnO5MlA
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE8PG1k019
"Of course I did. And I know how it works."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCJvYcRXIz
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cI6WNO7LS
"You fought him before, then?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTv4eUXIK7
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak2mmduGfJ
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GR2v8eGlH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPLjikwETn
"Aren't you and I a team? Are you absolutely certain?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ObBX4p95Q
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLUFjHB2fM
Operating on instinct, Rover nodded, but then his opening question computed with her, and her eyes suddenly constricted.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gUtX2fmlx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVTejtpdfC
"Very well! Don't die on me!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomrru9ZOf2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPyoC0jNkz
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4bAQveGN6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy34O9OvK7y
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLbzModUsb
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQz1msZ1Qj
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjyMLEfDHg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENfnrgDBqx
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZeABuPYhN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVXGKISanZ
"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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMIzFMj3RG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2kq4YpiT1
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk8PrQt9d6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47Ws78Fs8p
"..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIdFOo9q2N
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtoKti7f8r
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBPGU1MYMP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5B1S0pBA0C
And so, she communicated with a stern nod, and Kenny's biting mouth chipped his nail.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEIkPAoWXS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeDEyVYAN0
"Fine. Good luck!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlh78z4GUu
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfLbGERKHH
And then, he was off. His bidding of good fortune completely stunned her. However, she quickly recovered–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG7HA2L5LG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPMO5vcRZZ
**THUD**166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhfId9Rvy8
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3HOhsSZen
"Sharp as always! I'm a fool to think that would work!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIX0UNUSTi
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KIDDBbLcA
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MVydE9z2H
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmbZQA2qyt
"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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPLS4sCggq
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwyA80IeSn
She tried to ignore the uncertain, guilty way her stomach formed a pit.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R8IfqzMLA
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rf4jTgmsx
"Come at me, Boris!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dRbYiB2v9
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10IvbEjV34
–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Xu5o7AN9U
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xW2RzFh7Y
–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJEbmDcJkK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74fZaU1H0W
–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Fpwkrc4HK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuhEPuZ0fP
Right before she charged forth, her stalled thoughts sprung into action.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIeEKpODva
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK4cRq8PNy
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPs0FxYHx3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY67W9alKs
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5gcX87Mpc
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbl0nVq5VN
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpr5mTDSPX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKpvmxDNLo
"Huh!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh6clTLlI8
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTNhnbtDoy
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTA7B4KDEa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIlZcX1BeL
"Hah!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoP4EJDPPU
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX4UHLjY9L
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfGkjfQQUJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOLErvQ5jg
But she didn't let up, because she knew that if she waited any longer–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDBrJERq28
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlhNnlNCEL
"Here!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYBeUNJ6ea
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2SeYOcw96
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyXJjtYSNF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3dqIrVuyH
"Good thing that dagger's so thin. Otherwise, this wound wouldn't be so easy to heal."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuY3UJX2fi
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFKL8iVFRY
"Tch."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CywFdaEaD
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk7Y7XlViB
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSpq6mDEPa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lVD97VgtW
**CLANG**166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFEE2NEfVR
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBarBngkef0
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5CrGaJri2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscFNJwuZAV
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2dwFHFYxD
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUt6KslsWB
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsFydsyakl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyQ1QftMqW
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–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFiHy1oTI5
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOqu2oNOWb
**SMASH**166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8PXywP3Mm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonu7VbaYO1
–shook the room as it ruined the wall.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9StWA0Nkt
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtnFvnQ6vk
"Ack. Shit!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WjNK3Y1lx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAJrIIJT9w
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu2fqHHPCd
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBfSMcIdDr
"These tactics don't work how they used to. You've grown. Haha, you've truly grown!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi2kOVgKuu
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgcaBjfcBt
Boris deflated his comical size, returning to a more reasonable stature.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM5jNe43nU
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPhv3thdOD
"But not enough."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kIlXkyqbx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgitZSRnuV
"--!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiW5GQBsoB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOxlIaklwV
Those words, unlike anything prior, brewed steam within her head.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2cTzhj5cf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTQyE8nUQV
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm kicking your ass!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1Va7umKVk
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9Wntkv21b
He wiped some dirt off his shoulder.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu98oyAQQ2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFReFpAYED
"Your intellect hasn't improved one bit, has it? Can't you tell I'm still toying with you?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYK01nfcLm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxKfitcKjZ
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J0xHpvV1Q
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19NBSju9yq
"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 "166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFx1PAr7F8
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlPpjAAf7e
"...So what? What are you getting at, shitface?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvek8FauTcu
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiciWL6fpW
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QadRDHXCo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadDvxYCdvo
But, as she was proven yet again, keeping expectations like that was for fools.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d5q6AdjYt
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXekbtBkBOE
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBIUe007b0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbATg6Z6Hk
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDgrKBLasv
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3rxlbb4Pi
From the back of his shoulders, a new pair of arms found home, and they pointed their fingers with snappy girth.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2r5Y3TmiZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPkgQSTKWs
"Hahaha! Come! Show me that this time, you'll do just that"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSiR8Jc3vK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZfXsjVo8s
"--Fine!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCGY5QsIqF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLz51nMeXD
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0Pq0LSzaN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvj9uiCkqcs
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDWBBhVpfh
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNIRCiiWOf
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ2QpnKlfG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXF48ErVVL7
"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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmheNBX0NRG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjegNAYkYS
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3iOsjI7km
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BaH5ISeaG
"Completely still. But, of course, you lost your only way to kill me. Will you give up?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo1KvcgAon
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI83m3djBP
"...You're counting me out already. It's pissing me off!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUBnmY0J5w
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uBMlT6EKi
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TybSCu5zf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7bsLV8V0z
"You've learned nothing, you overgrown oaf!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi82LyUzw6Q
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm80UsugLs
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0KRcTICCG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXXkmR3RwW
"...I see. Hahaha, I see! And what kind of exotic mana does that hold?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh0xhwkdhs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttXZmWL8FZ
"Come and find out!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRrHGcextC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBaVJNZfHb
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcrVJ4o8he
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMu0y1WscSc
Fortunately, she was always a better runner than Boris.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNtfWd34T2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVTwlpUfhs
"Get back here! Come on you coward!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF08k8ZGCp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjI5FkHPrk
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMy9BgYCtDi
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRziXPjPMlV
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NOx4OLqwo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDQ85UWfO7
"Finally!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTznrTiPXF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVVY5XbF5G
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7BRPAcf0A
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRJI6cCayR
"--Ack! Shit!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4UyyxELmc
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWK73JglyS
The parrying dagger slid smooth like silk out of the wound. Rover dashed back immediately, anticipating some kind of reaction.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUbksbiaCm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaanuHaO9J
"...My fingers are broken. Just what is that dagger made of?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2GAPs0saX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTjzUdw8ma
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7yVSSVCcd
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMku9edrK2
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–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0FG1fSy8I
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnewRWNbPjf
"...!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO5WMGHY7Y
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP1kOCR7h5
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–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfB7fCHljN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjKSSo41IB
"Ah-ha!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3u2ER7o03
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GJcueTZmz
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7CncbVDwO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobnqmTwoks
The gesture alone confused Boris for a moment, just enough to stun him for what happened next.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHfAhkkMf9
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpqvfy3g4c
**THUD**166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpjv9knmHQ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQqMVzD7Z5
"Urk!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbG2wxmWgq8
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEh7uNrfc4
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOXIVjr4wk
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwbiAKqhLN
Now at a distance, Rover observed the magic. But no magic came.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I81M8RRem
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jYVhKZig8
"Huh?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJsmoASXUX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx8KP95Nfu
There was a fluttering cloud of orange dust before Boris, permeating through the room like any ordinary gas would.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKn4k0rwAU
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEz03nGoNg
"Haha! What was I afraid of!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rbCQWBFj0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRSnRmEGHM
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4U6uLDJ2O
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanQsxO0wQN
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIl2jrA53d
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQphp2Il4r7
"What's this? Doesn't smell like anything. You crack me up. At least you put on a good show!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMWFpt9NBe
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQy0pziLHvv
Boris threw his arms wide.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbukB2Xh8Wg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2AcHzbTFp
"But I like fights more than performances. I'll do both of us a favor and end this–"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19QFJEmMFA
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLTxKycYKm
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOGasr9NVc
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe1Pf3ulJt
And then the magic happened.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirGIVUHh9x
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ieFaQmkFH
**BOOM**166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5PHqNv7K9
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqf0l0TqBx
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qTjN7c5w3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9rHZ11HP1
"Heh. And I even figured out your actual size."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXKh05PKum
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QcksEMUHP
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.
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdrE00nZW2
"Hmmm? This is taking a while–"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagx2b04RjG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AHLTO1TOC
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPftygBOWiK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8eIkSEE61
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EF1grSput
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVEJh6dxyx
Then, it shrunk.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2UzMXFR43
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM8kwPEHGb
"Oh ho ho, you marvelous beast."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKPs8rLr0F
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37ObfE6uFi
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tXpc0zcGM
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36DRRXwSJh
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Iq2qDBSAg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4GhkRAVqc
"I can see it in your face. Your disgust. But I know that there's awe in those eyes. How couldn't there be?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetsaPD9tbE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn72crulSQg
Rover snapped out of her trance and brandished her dagger.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwVQ8OTgAp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HXhcI3Ay9
"What you're seeing is my Endowment. Many have called it a curse, but I'm not so ungrateful to insult it like that."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfwX4XddNf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvep4EJPFwl
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8iIGmsIyr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hYztlE5rS
And then, a few seconds later, another brick spat out a different hole.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTS61bNZ0K
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvIbzuGQEu
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2JGFArFVG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxreVQvV97A
Another brick spewed out. It came from his shoulder.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnQhZ2GaXY
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4hhbdOQoZ
"Well, you've certainly made a mess of my face. But I don't need good looks anyway."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPIGwo6XKz
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdx8zbqhXM
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWi33ebeBp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBNN8KJyc2
"You're not done fighting, are you? Come on."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg2E80Jjk3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILRaMwfk6R
"...Freak."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwL054nJmD
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeODToRc3Ws
"Oh yeah. You loved calling me that before, didn't you?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLZj3VG0CV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUcT4I4qMA
"And just look at how right I was."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN2W6WUGyc
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKV8zbRnVOB
A hearty chuckle came from him.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JxDtRroaZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHSnhwReIy
"Well, that won't do you any good."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA5snYVH07
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9wi5n5WqD
Boris entered a stance, taunting Rover yet again.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjaJrMtB3r
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS66wp1tcK
"Come on. My legs are scorched. Your marvelous plan gave you this opportunity."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFbgaY3njH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwePTALxn4
She put one leg forward.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK0RFzvBYD
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDekVkCFhYA
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlSDfYPF9Q
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wLCRiucsK
Then another. Boris' grin grew wider.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidUPnDTDJX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25vV6irqlr
"A helpless dog like you shouldn't loiter around! Come on, Rover! Don't you have something to prove!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHKY3NJczg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSH6IbHNZfV
And even through his manic glare, Rover sprinted. She sprinted with energy to finish, the will to see that monster put down.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8YivzGfls
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmgwzg6AOo
–
–
–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRuufzUjJo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1Qz7Eo075
–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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZdQRLxyte
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvm9URcd6o
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdWqWT8BZv
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzFa2eJvUB
–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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoLwEpDs75
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH87w1uzoVj
–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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBRXO4JaEF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBjkMuxqGp
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKWRkV9oVK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcNTHGtD2t
–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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhn9aStiQy
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbR5HMYEfu
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8dOZOXGGF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGKKZmkjLq
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**166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpatWl5JJiP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamPrUsutpo
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDNXgbz0FF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbRmWyV4NN
–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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMjgqZgPMm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HJUFlrHxG
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiTJVjyqrY
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f9xtEWLFK
"You have gotten smarter. Or maybe I've just gotten dumber."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkHVV0inMs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuIqEDudot
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1Wyb9KTjS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcdAt7aDMS
"What a shame. For you, of course. This is the closest you've ever gotten, but you didn't have that extra push."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfbkma6JaG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eXufclyl5
Rover balled his hands into a fist, scowling at Boris with daggers for eyes.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAZtth1Nsv
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDmaaOsek2
"Relax, now. Twisting your face won't kill me. Might as well save the energy."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt0QPyQgAf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbVjpyg7Ii
"You... ass."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRty6B3sv8s
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPLCksmpJv
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwidCMN4ffV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR51f6S14Jj
"You're not crawling away?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbQbuTGnr1
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b97Z0kwgX
"...I'm not a damn worm."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiTcjLdvyr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKC1sHR7YI
"Right. You never were the type to do that. But your insults are missing. Well, not that it matters."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P6WiMijrc
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPd6wdavKE
Boris crouched down and gazed at her legs. A shiver crawled up Rover's spine, one that left tingling dread in its wake.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuZaxE7q6K
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKr1ObXdCI
"I'm spent, but I can't let you run around either. So how about I do, this?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pGSQWirZm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TpbJRD1Yk
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihJb8ioeXA
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48WjVAd0Dv
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc9wojX0kH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcwyDRgpfQ
And she couldn't do a thing.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqg9uVQDYs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyGia0MqYX
–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:166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwT6Dn71QJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8qkJqAPMD
Sorry, mom–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVClbKsyGiP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDDJ7cg59P
**CRACK**166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrIYhWaRBt
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iz08v33Xz
"AG– AAAAAAAAAAHCK!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vVGi07Ygu
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARPm5Ntvw0
Her nearly six years of combat experience couldn't have prepared her for this.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB65Jl2U8S
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Kx32ko3pZ
"And there goes your leg."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc1PufxPj6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWtuQMB3lD
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyz0nb7kPV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZaQhYnKRy
"It's funny. If it hadn't only been you, I'd probably be dead."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GslQWZFzy
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeH5rD5hOMN
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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1bgWjEYLf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEK6ck1LyHd
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbscJFATmh
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgxEhvYtae
But those words of his stole it away.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05xL9YQ8da
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIVzD8cm0v
"Raw strength wins yet again. You got close, but I am still undefeated. Until we meet again, Rover."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mY7rTJO6a
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lNziKyGFq
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5K9oce5b0b
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrABwvBYOy
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYsHyeXkjq
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1VK9ya8Ky
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.
