The ambush from the last floor was felt throughout the crowd.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkJ1NlB22Y
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefwltwyL8g
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOpVuhaDdh
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG6loZewds
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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNvMIw5YkC
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMgqgyHAMj
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**263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtmXMceFtm
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSpoAtT2IK
"Ack!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKRe6IgHFB
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzIo1iZxm0
I wasn't prepared for the strength I slapped myself with. My muscles were incredibly tense, and I hadn't even realized.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzAYFgSW9k
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwGECwOp6Y
"No use in thinking about it. No use in thinking about it! Come on!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvaBO1hcA8
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNw4AVibfQd
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dkiYZ97yd
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafWwsVAjcM
"...Useless–!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwoQZbQHdo
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlrO7EKMBr
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–263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnoDrNKkn7
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnlBM1B9Vi
Suddenly, I noticed something. Though I naturally hadn't been paying much attention to her, the person beside her had changed.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKv11d2zxaM
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZCoxYsJjH
And it was someone I recognized263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmiYGMkmv3
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6shPnfbr7X
–
–
–
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4cmpgSRrp
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSoXl25lrD
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lgHXriZlc
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAfuivov7F
Especially now that her surrogate partner was a completely new face.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjm5MJbuMc
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ498VnCTydo
"Hi."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAprtLNnML
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MhSXTjy1b
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe1X38UhYo
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDdSAtScea
"What!?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmh3sJoW84
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HbJQbrMH3
Though, perhaps, she should've spared an extra second checking her tone.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFboZgcve9z
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2dclxIbEZ
"S-Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am! I just thought we'd familiarize ourselves."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMCV8Supo5
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrDqQTuqRi
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6SLejqPUL
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p9bMS99UJ
"I'm Nigel. You're the volunteer, aren't you?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bXdWK3Q2R
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASmdYhJ7Fc
"Volunteer makes it sound lame! I'm Rover! L-Let's work well together, alright!?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4blRze7i6t
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYQ2Aq5JAi
Nigel's tense expression eased a little. He worried about a sudden reassignment just as much as Rover did.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVPTmEX0iI
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oxGDQz08L
"I know this is a bit impromptu, but my partner perished on the floor below. Thank you for bearing with me."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAybaxvxy3
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vMXRcjPES
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjRvUt6Sr7
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPuvH980Zs
"That... that's really bad. I'm sorry for–"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqqOLEU3Wp
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDxKpw6Smw
"Don't worry about it. You've suffered a similar fate, haven't you? We're in the same boat."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBqexPpT1Y
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFfOC8adOO
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp67ylH6O1s
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIw5IqDJpV
And then, finally, they hit a flat surface.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTTIempMhv
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12eWxTknZN
"The next room's up ahead!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54Bk1I45m9
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1elM5PmU8k
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHe3EE1Sub
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gl7YLsbpH
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–263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB1z9wRF6o
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKo3yxdVft
"Holy shit! Are ya a titan!?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKhbBgHptu
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHw5HWw2Up
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvEr4G1ahl
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4T1K7nSXe
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqekdjgPjbB
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnocOsxCYr
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuZz8tZQpc
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkytIeYUyp3
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImt2Kdu7tP
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZZvmtW5ti
"This is where your advance ends– huh?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOO1JpumE8
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztMp6xdw8G
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–263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOf4BOBa147
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAXzj3tL6E
**THUD**263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3AMG0GLFC
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmia0WI4m6a
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuxHgK6K2F
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mt0v9U74S
"...Same tricks as always."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5bO2ltteR
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTM3qnLln1g
Though her snide remark was entirely unperturbed, the rest of the room stared with mouths agape, as if they had just witnessed alien life.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNuVb5orpB
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3Hga1a4VA
"Hoh– it is you. You!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnxhdUNdQK
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Nr6m9nfbC
Because, the once hulking, monster of a man, was now suddenly the size of a teenage boy.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4ohRVcaeX
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9g8AKW0N7
"I never expected to run into you today, Rover! Hahaha!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoay2mReIO
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRAxAiDkWJ
The crowd was stunned. Only one member moved through the shock, and everyone stared to find it was Nigel.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1weoU85MhF
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S3hpiiiCa
"Everyone," he shouted. "Move on, we'll take care of things here!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tXwEkonBD
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNw37sbQnz
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPaa2pc0UV
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73XQw771XM
"Nigel."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQdajmFBrj
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gPCpvLBYD
"Yes?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCFtQyIrh6
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz9jlURAOD
"Leave. I'm fighting this one alone."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OcnEeeyvZ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHCsDYTKyy
"...You're kidding me, certainly."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpKSEY7YKd
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1CQYJMTvM
Rover shook her head back and forth.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuvpWKc0r6
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUxmmChexp
"Do you honestly think you can take him alone? You saw what he did, didn't you?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq9QsDOT1S
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGEQc3R4mC
"Of course I did. And I know how it works."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4fVDzcEyt
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdk82w3Flv
"You fought him before, then?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHfnZMRSch
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2KEONnyBb
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbBEuoJ1rH
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILiMCsMyAV
"Aren't you and I a team? Are you absolutely certain?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCVOdxkgYC
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7dhvdr2AN
Operating on instinct, Rover nodded, but then his opening question computed with her, and her eyes suddenly constricted.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVh5nhbP18S
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQk7XAsi8S
"Very well! Don't die on me!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPICaZ4TyCW
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQU8ePzfWl
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxAGbOO1dX
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhe1fodKvZ
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbo8bxeJ25
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojRRDxOMkh
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifBEbG3FwC
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRyJu0usM9
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHj4vw7BmE
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6epcqoBexG
"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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk6n19MHg4
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVuxlOl1tJ
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh8JeVgGYd
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbho9N9ETkq
"..."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnN1bOayl7K
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGrP2Mhkbz
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzbV53defH
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrDING2nlK
And so, she communicated with a stern nod, and Kenny's biting mouth chipped his nail.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvjUuAafSa
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXTehwXu2c
"Fine. Good luck!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmNL2kwiMD
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3Rsp38pWr
And then, he was off. His bidding of good fortune completely stunned her. However, she quickly recovered–263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPtyCG7U6o
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAXWVHJRRR
**THUD**263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO3WZVeXRL
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdnvBTPN3u
"Sharp as always! I'm a fool to think that would work!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wN9tcs6mo
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtFbWcvJU9
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOMHEJNifM
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9i9zAL9AW6
"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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm7DaC5FK7
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6GwxqW1tG
She tried to ignore the uncertain, guilty way her stomach formed a pit.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp1Ry0wOpp
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYN1z0EOOj
"Come at me, Boris!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsKpruEo4g
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbr1ha6KT1
–263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmAzNYq4lE
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3x96KrJYY
–263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwQg1bJbCR
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlTH9g9lKN
–263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZgMzNFeoB
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9bHYUBilu
Right before she charged forth, her stalled thoughts sprung into action.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw6PU2Oneh
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrboWxn49vk
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoM7Or22Ak
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmg0jrCkdG
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yy01AtOio
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KBJI0YESW
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZy7ach0yG
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWpOjdUCDS
"Huh!?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNCPDsd8vN
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOlkETbzUe
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNF7LQmqMyI
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KXhxh80yd
"Hah!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMbxxfUWVw
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h3o2GSk54
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1XceKksDI
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIPR2SCd0s
But she didn't let up, because she knew that if she waited any longer–263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kKyXG3yB7
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4k8xE3NY4
"Here!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMImqQ1Ssq
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQiMBCFyMZ
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxVOxZJDrm
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FRMybIeer
"Good thing that dagger's so thin. Otherwise, this wound wouldn't be so easy to heal."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgMzx5D0GX
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXaVmtmE6c
"Tch."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWzVj8s2bk
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtxxgzBz3L
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQxrEMmDQ7
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gUwiCk67N
**CLANG**263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitWwWroLD3
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzksom2uF0P
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKSFKMsSfV
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHI0MHZgsAT
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6ahrEpawM
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxVNUG5QGI
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdAlC7G9gQ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8r6qXvMti
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–263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY9JTlZLSH
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0RZP2X8iv
**SMASH**263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd8dBxzNhp
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZavMDnJlFY
–shook the room as it ruined the wall.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfARe3Ypmhv
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ne1reU4hr
"Ack. Shit!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8CcO3rdFz
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkRfrg2TcR
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U2I6T8vAp
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxF8T9BNGH
"These tactics don't work how they used to. You've grown. Haha, you've truly grown!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBS4jCsgQE
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8mSJskDTh
Boris deflated his comical size, returning to a more reasonable stature.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv99jIleFPp
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zoLqn2dT3
"But not enough."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoOTkgQCGv
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWidr9k8HQY
"--!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5ZPa1SXWV
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dOHytu3IJ
Those words, unlike anything prior, brewed steam within her head.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNjnhurRjI
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxdQ4FR22C
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm kicking your ass!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4imWl29TvZ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliXhtqYGfI
He wiped some dirt off his shoulder.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPOS5g0foK
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pqXbHEvG3
"Your intellect hasn't improved one bit, has it? Can't you tell I'm still toying with you?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfscYbexTPL
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5j64MXS6t8
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKTzp8qbKI
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMOUfjELji
"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 "263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyftUuoMNOk
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eqt5gLYnY
"...So what? What are you getting at, shitface?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw41rjRvh9V
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVzEiT7Vfi
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3hbyR7y9r
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUApnnWhxyS
But, as she was proven yet again, keeping expectations like that was for fools.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmU9RlH3ms
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE38Uf9m6nN
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFuwL2IQkD
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKTqFpEsss
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7hoC2wCYa
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBC5XMdP9Bv
From the back of his shoulders, a new pair of arms found home, and they pointed their fingers with snappy girth.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKw86IeRL0
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSKy3mjmbL
"Hahaha! Come! Show me that this time, you'll do just that"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUNaZ4INT4
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSzMFmsX9y
"--Fine!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNqYP7pZcz
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTzKjuGzU2
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bE7YrnDCL
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawj3rKEwNB
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcvYFUxGKu
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60edYERSgg
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclhWlMUnKJ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIfHrVk9bK
"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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ePMHpV4tY
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2qAfHDquc
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBRnsk8S2P
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgBSF0Xtyc
"Completely still. But, of course, you lost your only way to kill me. Will you give up?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NoZAFPDjI
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWJAVlKXUY
"...You're counting me out already. It's pissing me off!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqA6qUhLAu
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECv2aycWn9
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGj2Fih9Vh
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9876rDDsE
"You've learned nothing, you overgrown oaf!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmVyLksasK
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrj3qQmCuH
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VkjaGQB4J
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ399KATDRZu
"...I see. Hahaha, I see! And what kind of exotic mana does that hold?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbdEWXoX98
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyqjrWqkPD
"Come and find out!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH9zsM8Jnm
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74jLz9sEeM
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCs5zT4OFfv
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLUOkVIqLZ
Fortunately, she was always a better runner than Boris.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhpN6C7xFC
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUhOeGMhHZ
"Get back here! Come on you coward!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O5xlcGWRL
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6P7uYPiBE
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MLSosVA3Q
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76brtU929O
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUFDlOzUOv
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXRTnNAAQ3
"Finally!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMz3ncPost
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvT5iAJjAz
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOQ0nPKAVh
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBMgQwhFZs
"--Ack! Shit!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukTk1eS8Xk
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKz2DKMPcWw
The parrying dagger slid smooth like silk out of the wound. Rover dashed back immediately, anticipating some kind of reaction.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqCJVvrIt2
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwudD7fKGw
"...My fingers are broken. Just what is that dagger made of?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbQtwizElV
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGW9yAUK59
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IT7P4CwSl
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EnpSZMszP
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–263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUhO7FS1gF
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAPOO4cB54
"...!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJfLotoQWx
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1lS3RDLgc
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–263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PwuX0MR1g
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimRJ0HD3Bh
"Ah-ha!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PpbJaDf0X
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yNurNCawk
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXGP2oB7c1
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71AybmsFaB
The gesture alone confused Boris for a moment, just enough to stun him for what happened next.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpsUJDrEly
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyorg6zsCz
**THUD**263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFj1OKan3U
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FR4rDrYtT
"Urk!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrEXfVqd8J
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnTmvwjbyl
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6IXOJOquQ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX8XhZHxP5
Now at a distance, Rover observed the magic. But no magic came.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdczDbC1nf
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3Pj58sCt3
"Huh?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPrZuFs43E
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmUCNll3RK
There was a fluttering cloud of orange dust before Boris, permeating through the room like any ordinary gas would.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbi12WqSdM
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzbO9zmwQO
"Haha! What was I afraid of!?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK0xa7KRrw
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUT2vl56Uz
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yVVtZT1T0
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnN9iqfTjQ
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF25Xod8Vf
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6In9EP4Mj
"What's this? Doesn't smell like anything. You crack me up. At least you put on a good show!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARU0X73nJx
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yTOe609z7
Boris threw his arms wide.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTXrBLgc9g
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCE0FS8tS0
"But I like fights more than performances. I'll do both of us a favor and end this–"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJAdQHPRcq
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeev5Et14tR
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoNpho4hVR
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CsR2hJxvn
And then the magic happened.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyg6p09GQF
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb958QJJEl
**BOOM**263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7RqtFBSbF
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVudVKYEMR
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzr2voTcD6
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArd4N1exfG
"Heh. And I even figured out your actual size."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKt5ERwILz
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx75Jz9fBS
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.
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJavO1yoKrY
"Hmmm? This is taking a while–"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtZQTT1DDP
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCib4esloX
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIg1RTISj4
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91QoFnnNo6
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyNbb7JHOA
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a1ERYxBtL
Then, it shrunk.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuGs5lpq96
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpAMdWFmP0
"Oh ho ho, you marvelous beast."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHymLrXFWS
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVl5XswzC0
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKnMkLMIZW
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHpADdG3vZ
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2BtFGTYwC
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxhgJliUJE
"I can see it in your face. Your disgust. But I know that there's awe in those eyes. How couldn't there be?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfEmolSsvL
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI995qXUob
Rover snapped out of her trance and brandished her dagger.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAPwE2GMSn
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMITI1DoNRA
"What you're seeing is my Endowment. Many have called it a curse, but I'm not so ungrateful to insult it like that."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveQZ2ik4dy
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzL8v2MLPu
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwloi0RPa7h
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfb1ZzM5AT
And then, a few seconds later, another brick spat out a different hole.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OLsmLjGJa
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1seJIAOSup
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe56JkT0Erg
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91ipOqljgY
Another brick spewed out. It came from his shoulder.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBbHa5kZNx
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwQdqqsS3b
"Well, you've certainly made a mess of my face. But I don't need good looks anyway."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSSQ43awQI
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWR3083WOj
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGFmxTYR90
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbj2sN8nQJm
"You're not done fighting, are you? Come on."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqs10Bw5zpu
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lp1xtxZc9
"...Freak."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Lptkl9oOT
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL8184yCAZ
"Oh yeah. You loved calling me that before, didn't you?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1nUNxYZQz
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiAtu58VBi
"And just look at how right I was."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjbKCHBI5W
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3OK3bXLyN
A hearty chuckle came from him.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4ZWRLQJtE
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS4SykZcg7
"Well, that won't do you any good."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2Ce6fHIgW
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEj7JTbobH
Boris entered a stance, taunting Rover yet again.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd46zJpo3W
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVZcqAlvQA
"Come on. My legs are scorched. Your marvelous plan gave you this opportunity."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A9VwhAiLc
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYONMNAFDc
She put one leg forward.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedfkjNc4p1
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WvYhi1Sxl
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnrNLred57
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX8fM4s5HD
Then another. Boris' grin grew wider.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQQkUWo8uG
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4UoFe5twl
"A helpless dog like you shouldn't loiter around! Come on, Rover! Don't you have something to prove!?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2ITuYz9Xf
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTumytunjj
And even through his manic glare, Rover sprinted. She sprinted with energy to finish, the will to see that monster put down.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE4IDluQbq
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ojUykpjzC
–
–
–263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFerwyZuOv
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55UYZhn8HF
–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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFRAVb8yhm
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCwtGeZrt6
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdbCQQUU24
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBXNyA7dj6
–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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJoMuTXmlH
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbOFlbRBbK
–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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zVk95AakB
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8Nt5frNbE
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUI59p9ICI
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TOM9iht7M
–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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJhHB2hlwZ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKq2bIrsHt
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1PH5c85iy
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzn0bFku6N
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**263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQstdj3eDqB
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBjrcNdwV3
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETsNe2LxBB
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf0ZAgLoPD
–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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzR3TtNqh1
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx630sHlkQ
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGPqD7NXIV
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyHpOZWIIt
"You have gotten smarter. Or maybe I've just gotten dumber."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5CHstX8JS
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvevPedfz0
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF3HwC4xwM
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1JzqysdkR
"What a shame. For you, of course. This is the closest you've ever gotten, but you didn't have that extra push."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV5IG9MmeH
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFXaGCIKU9
Rover balled his hands into a fist, scowling at Boris with daggers for eyes.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBioVSp9kv
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0zI9QhSQC
"Relax, now. Twisting your face won't kill me. Might as well save the energy."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4tUG1EjvC
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAgiRcrRO7
"You... ass."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLup6F0jHf
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8T3bS0vhb
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImUUFqc6TP
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDv7ChsIZ0
"You're not crawling away?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqzrDAgBb4
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUP99e5OnQ
"...I'm not a damn worm."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxSBKG6TEf
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkPZfdqKag
"Right. You never were the type to do that. But your insults are missing. Well, not that it matters."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0bsip3xZ5
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlW002dkM6
Boris crouched down and gazed at her legs. A shiver crawled up Rover's spine, one that left tingling dread in its wake.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVetRnfd5u
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFq6D2YVfN
"I'm spent, but I can't let you run around either. So how about I do, this?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucnaXaCQCp
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY8qVhXWiD
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqWerXXFL4
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeZifDm5n7
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5tKoxcytb
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3qaZDibsm
And she couldn't do a thing.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9DpaFEIyH
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vw3ml5C2g
–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:263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXqVmNZiNI
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLh8ABeiBw
Sorry, mom–263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOBMv0r199
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm3KvZmqn8
**CRACK**263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUsXVrDALH
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6bUFkBFAU
"AG– AAAAAAAAAAHCK!"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aCf3zl40X
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1CCGZByci
Her nearly six years of combat experience couldn't have prepared her for this.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA5j3UB29X
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIemYJdFjvU
"And there goes your leg."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFcEmcCDlw
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aNNh4XIew
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyv5WxiBTr
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPowpcWUOr6
"It's funny. If it hadn't only been you, I'd probably be dead."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP39GyVetU
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR0MtXS0EC
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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2xYbW5Ipg
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc4ARX5Xxd
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRFY8Ufwas
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ1EIQQWJi
But those words of his stole it away.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KHN6dTnBB
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zpEsYKmaL
"Raw strength wins yet again. You got close, but I am still undefeated. Until we meet again, Rover."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM8OPVMeuW
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ruqYwodPt
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGJ4haSi3s
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHfV3XqPzL
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5KAYvBzZQ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXTftfyd7W
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.
