The ambush from the last floor was felt throughout the crowd.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld5cF0EM2G
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuoFkwtIEe
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0ovUPE3eE
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fOjW74bIW
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."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXziRuPO7FY
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBEQIbyTbq
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**126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb8mj8PZHo
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbFocvlMRf
"Ack!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzSsQDDkaa
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1IfvjGp1P
I wasn't prepared for the strength I slapped myself with. My muscles were incredibly tense, and I hadn't even realized.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4HeUAviw9
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYnyQ9XQvX
"No use in thinking about it. No use in thinking about it! Come on!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwXYHiDPsY
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp90gEocmE
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIrGV1mi9s
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBTUlkIVRZ
"...Useless–!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiWijzNbq4
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3cISgQ8Gp
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–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8NVKSP8NW
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QKcQ9V6Dn
Suddenly, I noticed something. Though I naturally hadn't been paying much attention to her, the person beside her had changed.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ui6pWVENk
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHhsQyvXiM
And it was someone I recognized126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5z9fGlEUq
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkVYrWImdc
–
–
–
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmBSHLvbim
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8dpegcUtP
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPsRn7VAXg
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGr4sRPmaU
Especially now that her surrogate partner was a completely new face.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIw9RVxHes
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxw3DyRqKV
"Hi."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgw8lndM6dc
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVlUrzX25O
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7DyDgf2m7
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBWuipJD4E
"What!?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2WCEuKEtf
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAYI3dDpSv
Though, perhaps, she should've spared an extra second checking her tone.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1z76Yu7rFK
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMG3wMfrUA
"S-Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am! I just thought we'd familiarize ourselves."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UbSG0rpdJ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVqdKMaVSw
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTPYP9aEj8
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn5KYhhwT0
"I'm Nigel. You're the volunteer, aren't you?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsTHwt9Jem
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaBOQi2zBZ
"Volunteer makes it sound lame! I'm Rover! L-Let's work well together, alright!?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KhjaLGtjE
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNueWTbnMhh
Nigel's tense expression eased a little. He worried about a sudden reassignment just as much as Rover did.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJCkw9vRZ9
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3YbDmDaZ3
"I know this is a bit impromptu, but my partner perished on the floor below. Thank you for bearing with me."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEFuVcEUL9
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFl4WbC5XFT
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZPOOS3bzl
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj7rjy1QWv
"That... that's really bad. I'm sorry for–"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1f2Vk7eWu
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEWlWJw4Wj
"Don't worry about it. You've suffered a similar fate, haven't you? We're in the same boat."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY4SGwI5UE
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJkbJTuyUI
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSelMwO0LJW
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiI7Uf39BGN
And then, finally, they hit a flat surface.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyXDgDNX0D
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcC5i7SHfw
"The next room's up ahead!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S6GE3Urur
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡof9hjfKkjN
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Q2JzmlLPt
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0gb3vjblo
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–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlYanPUKE0
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS5b2iV3H3
"Holy shit! Are ya a titan!?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRL554OM5U
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMg9peDOW3
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgDrJ9Lh6R
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB1l0Zyrbe
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDmJ9IO0iO
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZohk5eghE
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1x0tYPYpuz
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8zjTEs7l0
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWTq73gSyg
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gcDTlXZLV
"This is where your advance ends– huh?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpsrK8KEDF
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0znNmYe4QQ
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–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5mNB5KXWS
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFRMP3Wzu5
**THUD**126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZI7FuxkNR
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHVi43wPAx
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB04L9ftKD
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV5L3o8XiS
"...Same tricks as always."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtupYx5j1o
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHhfM2F8bK
Though her snide remark was entirely unperturbed, the rest of the room stared with mouths agape, as if they had just witnessed alien life.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISa2LAXNPV
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavMBi8jO15
"Hoh– it is you. You!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XbP5MGgjZ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRKDkVdSX7
Because, the once hulking, monster of a man, was now suddenly the size of a teenage boy.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdkyiE0fnc
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wvYGPWn57
"I never expected to run into you today, Rover! Hahaha!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2OfAP4SYR
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAFze3kyx2
The crowd was stunned. Only one member moved through the shock, and everyone stared to find it was Nigel.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxQFgL39G1
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvBVRrW2cx
"Everyone," he shouted. "Move on, we'll take care of things here!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lDT8Ab6Rq
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByzgBWDvrL
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7tcKPqfdb
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6v13TAiAds
"Nigel."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2ua0Oh6ZY
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5LQ4URO2v
"Yes?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCobVAxH6wl
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfs36cNZz0
"Leave. I'm fighting this one alone."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtiO2xtkyB
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSTMTV7W2W
"...You're kidding me, certainly."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt9vSsoPyB
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2h8tpoXea
Rover shook her head back and forth.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGupAHQrlKC
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhK5cFWoMx
"Do you honestly think you can take him alone? You saw what he did, didn't you?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lc66lry3z
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5QrMxB018
"Of course I did. And I know how it works."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nsoja2uHU
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw21UISXQM
"You fought him before, then?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9Cc4q4jt5
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aL8zMAGEY
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbUFtVsTWL
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPt806C0nv
"Aren't you and I a team? Are you absolutely certain?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuwyjOpBh8
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfJfODdMhg
Operating on instinct, Rover nodded, but then his opening question computed with her, and her eyes suddenly constricted.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjVl0Wb5la
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAqOSMM18B
"Very well! Don't die on me!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGGdqYKR7s
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZrene3aDd
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjSFN1R529
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgFR91Leg8
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt967OFvLP
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzSMKhed6T
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQBHSvf5hX
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOVQA4t1Uf
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqFCgTas1h
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5DNjw0UKb
"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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mpikoHNvi
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALJI2zFgVr
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0cqHLY8YW
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYNQqF7VBs
"..."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqjiHvmBJi
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7LgjTb8YU
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XULODxy0q
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxV6uYSVU3
And so, she communicated with a stern nod, and Kenny's biting mouth chipped his nail.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIvUfdzIhT
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFkHRkPDmz
"Fine. Good luck!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUUQB9lIBi
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyPOeCnGpT
And then, he was off. His bidding of good fortune completely stunned her. However, she quickly recovered–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQr9Pt6THPp
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE5DCjWIcj
**THUD**126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sD7nNJ76C
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSu2RHllO9
"Sharp as always! I'm a fool to think that would work!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClXoWTKvI7
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfDUKXb1Nr
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwKDLFcLJW
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0Nd8sPtB5
"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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPCh7XLPQX
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu1dYWcq2V
She tried to ignore the uncertain, guilty way her stomach formed a pit.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAuCIhPf35
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6vF3OI0KT
"Come at me, Boris!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp1zSAVNKk
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9c4W3QrQN
–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTCuePcaKB
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdgbGFKtFm
–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOx6PUDTPH
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWJEzuz66S
–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuKSIFJUx4
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsW51XEUkX
Right before she charged forth, her stalled thoughts sprung into action.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrKzUGbtxK
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXygBezQjl9
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuofdC8ZyEZ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2DBFHBAUJ
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYgN9bq9Th
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAohNkkmgo
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40M0nDAdCU
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhT27OrnhA
"Huh!?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmQHvmnG2N
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzE9TruZwS
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzIfvE0X1m
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky1e2Fqi0K
"Hah!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtVgST6ojB
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mwuGE0k6M
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7Gwu7Ohxh
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi7UCAyNoU
But she didn't let up, because she knew that if she waited any longer–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqKsrnKYFE
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoxDrGD78u
"Here!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i9XWYKNfX
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG73fpDFg6
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrOY1qbaKF
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qnOFZ1j8X
"Good thing that dagger's so thin. Otherwise, this wound wouldn't be so easy to heal."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLHRsSMOj8
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhRPi8Xe9q
"Tch."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqhRzH5QDT
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZlzcqreGT
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX60JcapFkm
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDjoP0YQeJ
**CLANG**126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkx7aW7U7A
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQbLRNA9SE
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRYXrn8hOA
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7J8Y91fPK
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpnnmYPS6I
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡod4kikS0Jb
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H9Imyfrho
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz60eWL3Xnh
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–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGmO6IGbFp
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw98wfNvub
**SMASH**126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvJ5CxOlg9
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0MVFuk0Q1
–shook the room as it ruined the wall.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaNrkdwVC7
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttVoOkKslE
"Ack. Shit!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuMbrAS1C7
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MfBHw1qO2
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm7obwjzcP
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rJe2yU2bD
"These tactics don't work how they used to. You've grown. Haha, you've truly grown!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtjEoreHtQ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoxtXEILHW
Boris deflated his comical size, returning to a more reasonable stature.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzpwgNW2dc
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQytnGEcmtD
"But not enough."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVmhJVdlUy
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzktQgg7SUw
"--!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvjSddXYcJ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4srKohQ0O
Those words, unlike anything prior, brewed steam within her head.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn9c75mf8Q
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI20naUNjvm
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm kicking your ass!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06alPYNfUm
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtseB8oI4a
He wiped some dirt off his shoulder.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkL8CLN15Uj
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTaADPPrDV
"Your intellect hasn't improved one bit, has it? Can't you tell I'm still toying with you?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uAfqHYLq4
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSRU1yu0R0
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KBfnFaVJG
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEbUqb5ilL
"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 "126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBXDbVJ7xK
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FZEPqR4cj
"...So what? What are you getting at, shitface?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeI1EP30b3
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xOGwAsg0l
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwmBiworvg
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jxb0tULuR
But, as she was proven yet again, keeping expectations like that was for fools.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjsZvkZKaC
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9fi45LslX
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeMn8m6gr6
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYQvbroA97
"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."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUFPLPABxp
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmXuX4z3st
From the back of his shoulders, a new pair of arms found home, and they pointed their fingers with snappy girth.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9PHdoDQhG
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrUgnHvO3a
"Hahaha! Come! Show me that this time, you'll do just that"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN61p4aSID
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz8J2olDfT
"--Fine!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucCrFQVzy4
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLmUEIzbfg
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQqwbfenat
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDrqvfk1tC
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIXkus6CEw
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2axZfFeJt
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG33eLGQNHi
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwErrZ7r5L
"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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJq0HF5xXtp
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuJ9OjbfWJ
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkue5Se0DRs
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N9IzxP0RQ
"Completely still. But, of course, you lost your only way to kill me. Will you give up?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCv23zHske
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciNJuTbGPC
"...You're counting me out already. It's pissing me off!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UHG8kMyJc
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuutXpm7xM
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxXrhGIxaO
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdDGomQ3dc
"You've learned nothing, you overgrown oaf!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyhP8UDw70
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcIx0pvaij
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhglvdilyI
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ98WVIVuz2
"...I see. Hahaha, I see! And what kind of exotic mana does that hold?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRz57QmPhg
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6Uh77Uf7p
"Come and find out!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CzymeKuCr
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctjzTEW3VB
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXJR5OArnm
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHqLJA5cJC
Fortunately, she was always a better runner than Boris.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyqAzI6tvF
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL6iqR0QH3
"Get back here! Come on you coward!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjnhR3EHPk
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwXKtY4QOZ
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EKXnDPZLZ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4ENW9hhsm
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjCEKIPWw4
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r00EuJYJi
"Finally!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqqIhez92Q
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMDltdbkeh
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTN3cyt4zJ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO3yBHggRJ
"--Ack! Shit!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBoHZBHoXG
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYikCtYaO5
The parrying dagger slid smooth like silk out of the wound. Rover dashed back immediately, anticipating some kind of reaction.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcINJkm1Wfm
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l5idbkC1x
"...My fingers are broken. Just what is that dagger made of?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmcI88Tu3B
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLCxooOg5w
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KByZsciQ3
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNhfl3ZJDs
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–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaByh8TAA3r
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesesTA02wW
"...!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98Tchkc6PX
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR7ykl1hTV
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–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUfAhspJEO
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYHwfyMUzF
"Ah-ha!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VuVsVthuz
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyxyfM2ciK
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsw7sNFIr1
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo37jYtqcIz
The gesture alone confused Boris for a moment, just enough to stun him for what happened next.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWGVhXDByl
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GoRKxK5Yb
**THUD**126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFyKZQdrag
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxmeiPCkfR
"Urk!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlANYxi3Jo
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIZpm1WOgp
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gA1CyMCrl
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQe5TFF49uq
Now at a distance, Rover observed the magic. But no magic came.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Nv8HAH176
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJddbjPhvOM
"Huh?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3e99QYtZo
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqnlYncfjC
There was a fluttering cloud of orange dust before Boris, permeating through the room like any ordinary gas would.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtHDYYZqXS
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcoTP85oI0
"Haha! What was I afraid of!?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoWxwusP7z
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGYLa0dXcY
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQwZ300Lrr
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQvz8NNnW2
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGW4NVGvJP
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw491h3AYE3
"What's this? Doesn't smell like anything. You crack me up. At least you put on a good show!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIm4xdAc4Lt
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEgXqj0PSA
Boris threw his arms wide.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fM6M5UxUa
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wPKe0QrMA
"But I like fights more than performances. I'll do both of us a favor and end this–"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOeQ9Vsf1D
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwUKSTrB3Z
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRgtCuERhT
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXj1ggMJi1e
And then the magic happened.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKNCa9IFNe
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qaiRUCQwa
**BOOM**126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhnpNvgcKp
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLsnJrRiC9
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtYgKyxv0x
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Azi0JV9xs
"Heh. And I even figured out your actual size."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzweegjaPW
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77eD7F8e7A
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.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqPmighaiC
"Hmmm? This is taking a while–"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1AEgHAIS3
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgdihZFtAw
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jWeMDtrfq
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINKBE9xF6N
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd38xxDNgci
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhYz5heOWx
Then, it shrunk.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtjNrsRdFE
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HTaIYa3WK
"Oh ho ho, you marvelous beast."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHeCSQ92Yg
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDlxOtB7Zf
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkXoXgf07D
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdH6lQxtlY
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNG6JG0KAz
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4HeRNiMi8
"I can see it in your face. Your disgust. But I know that there's awe in those eyes. How couldn't there be?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlkq6F8R7c
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWKwX0XFd3
Rover snapped out of her trance and brandished her dagger.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPKMDWTbuB
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBHCyZydve
"What you're seeing is my Endowment. Many have called it a curse, but I'm not so ungrateful to insult it like that."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz422RHhQQ0
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdtoPV6s13
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSvNir0CIg
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZj47pbtHN4
And then, a few seconds later, another brick spat out a different hole.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLWNIvdc5R
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoYG7eBHAh
"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."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsSW9mCCL2
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFlr8SNVKe
Another brick spewed out. It came from his shoulder.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGOgE59a5i
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8Dqhouqxi
"Well, you've certainly made a mess of my face. But I don't need good looks anyway."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQC1GrJNLy
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcktA2XC31q
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrH2Qs3YrUm
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8DlW0NRUe
"You're not done fighting, are you? Come on."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFkpdeoF6b
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSshvjaEiE
"...Freak."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwQjLlwGbP
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46wWjAUgSq
"Oh yeah. You loved calling me that before, didn't you?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1IBQhDhab
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE42l6XJ7b
"And just look at how right I was."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMniy1K9QrS
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJz5Njrgr0
A hearty chuckle came from him.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65XpRAyorm
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpexJykT3Yd
"Well, that won't do you any good."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8eiU5MMvK
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZoBCDVGeV
Boris entered a stance, taunting Rover yet again.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvDjxWZ29J
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ274W0PKJS7
"Come on. My legs are scorched. Your marvelous plan gave you this opportunity."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheaCjjOHh1
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgsttA1CL9
She put one leg forward.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj3nUgUSu7
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAytWJgW1iH
"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."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjkf1vzDE5
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Then another. Boris' grin grew wider.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyCkdlWjSD
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKIPnCuzHo
"A helpless dog like you shouldn't loiter around! Come on, Rover! Don't you have something to prove!?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUX2SNythPe
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShMPUelTq1
And even through his manic glare, Rover sprinted. She sprinted with energy to finish, the will to see that monster put down.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mLfVYMZgp
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–
–
–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hDo4pIGZo
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDM74q0Zbd
–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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgdtCXXZ4i
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJnauhP7Gu
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZPPm0PuKe
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV0ISQJjfz
–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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHlYPlciND
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WhnmzSG8R
–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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR09DvPLcgg
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd96jUhLV7
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJHXUeuyKv
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wYkaUPQ0R
–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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7G015dmC2
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lrj9FaBll
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa97mMIWBx1
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnOMAuwfKK
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**126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdor46BXWd
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiQxcZivEA
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Pz6G7hpx5
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJChJyC14l
–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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YdxMA0uUr
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXxDYPTWoS
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZGS4RPu73
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHksTsDXoyE
"You have gotten smarter. Or maybe I've just gotten dumber."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPpJeEIaMO
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAB1jjZFA6
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzsYHgbhPY
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xg5D2KELW
"What a shame. For you, of course. This is the closest you've ever gotten, but you didn't have that extra push."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAofjseBt0W
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1rovLXB7J
Rover balled his hands into a fist, scowling at Boris with daggers for eyes.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPuS7rVoDA
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpn4yFGeFAg
"Relax, now. Twisting your face won't kill me. Might as well save the energy."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JlKu2ISXt
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDetsabT5a
"You... ass."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjtYnQuPws
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkizJ602rW
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvjFWhwQnY
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"You're not crawling away?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG0EzA2UkL
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlVvIna0g1
"...I'm not a damn worm."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBuXiEmN5T
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAauN2eblER
"Right. You never were the type to do that. But your insults are missing. Well, not that it matters."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz5WD0pWUQ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqH3t4kBcx
Boris crouched down and gazed at her legs. A shiver crawled up Rover's spine, one that left tingling dread in its wake.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLMH4tamfe
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmmJoMANaZ
"I'm spent, but I can't let you run around either. So how about I do, this?"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKvh6J3cXf
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjZ16abFab
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWAZbxTpL3
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNp407M1rk
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwBOnn1Pzz
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And she couldn't do a thing.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCGDORU96W
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–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:126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIP1NO5eW63
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTYUuI6a2R
Sorry, mom–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkU62mMtHe
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ088a2jZSle
**CRACK**126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbnU9CeATE
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"AG– AAAAAAAAAAHCK!"126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq6mLzSvFG
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Her nearly six years of combat experience couldn't have prepared her for this.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrKg64e38D
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"And there goes your leg."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblZkkK8rme
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInOtCPOhLM
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZV54rHAiM
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpz1XBEyYi
"It's funny. If it hadn't only been you, I'd probably be dead."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aGDMI9p46
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCHhRhfrq5
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."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhyoQ8hiu6
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNnjT5npfZ
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIDNJF7nw4
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But those words of his stole it away.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhbeWINEBx
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9De68dl8Q
"Raw strength wins yet again. You got close, but I am still undefeated. Until we meet again, Rover."126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNO74D9WYuc
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dZukLiV4g
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Yg9ZsamKH
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcXiz0ujKp
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjeGJDWzX9
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI57pYSMkU
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.
