The ambush from the last floor was felt throughout the crowd.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUUsGgzxoh
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpxUfcKalD
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwU3bK9Oy9
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uY8PEl9nt
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."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4oWx6OS79
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqIaeaRmSe
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**142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YEnmCVb0e
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6yI31eTs6
"Ack!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJWsYTo8kO
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYlnUBnduk
I wasn't prepared for the strength I slapped myself with. My muscles were incredibly tense, and I hadn't even realized.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugGSJua0ml
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCWmMTu3uk
"No use in thinking about it. No use in thinking about it! Come on!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbkHMOsmBV
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlHk81IIcC
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V2waxh9WF
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bwWX0emx1
"...Useless–!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjz4a1rIuD
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwfMZj4Btm
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–142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEbJg5OWOb
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbXqljd0S0
Suddenly, I noticed something. Though I naturally hadn't been paying much attention to her, the person beside her had changed.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTpCIMZ1dP
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MlIidvcQ5
And it was someone I recognized142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS03kRr6udb
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIgytiYpxt
–
–
–
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXU6VpFMZE
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGm37hzPkh
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdZeD7xgzW
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U8tY1sXvL
Especially now that her surrogate partner was a completely new face.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW47ljoJyxE
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPB6IJeNtB
"Hi."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuaZoMHjhx
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQYI8iGqNj
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gINZN3rNQ
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOatEtj2qD
"What!?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq6Oe9qexR
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMljQzdk1z
Though, perhaps, she should've spared an extra second checking her tone.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCmqSa8hlE
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkbbE6Kjsa
"S-Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am! I just thought we'd familiarize ourselves."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEOe1awehV
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMxFmFvUXt
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80Qz5VjW1r
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAVddCcxwU
"I'm Nigel. You're the volunteer, aren't you?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedj4pMbjgX
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERueG63Naf
"Volunteer makes it sound lame! I'm Rover! L-Let's work well together, alright!?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxgir8PMsP
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaop0uUUQ3b
Nigel's tense expression eased a little. He worried about a sudden reassignment just as much as Rover did.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XN3wZlP8e
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bTd0YjOWE
"I know this is a bit impromptu, but my partner perished on the floor below. Thank you for bearing with me."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CBMOmZLha
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOwBPbHzJW
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu86Zy4pLW
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKwExbKwZ3
"That... that's really bad. I'm sorry for–"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEtydHwmUD
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSCQn8mocP
"Don't worry about it. You've suffered a similar fate, haven't you? We're in the same boat."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUnfekyRL8
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi17i3Dz5N3
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1QYYao1mK
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cXPAJz615
And then, finally, they hit a flat surface.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIICGlYIE3
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpPE64wu0f
"The next room's up ahead!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBGMUVcQNV
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoos62ePw56
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrvzso7ERx
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P6XqwzDjX
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–142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKX6hNw6kv
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgwKIMUVWQ
"Holy shit! Are ya a titan!?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LouS7D5Te
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuIIGBG8wn
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iPKScXKqU
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7oz7N2fqv
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem7oDD1w4m
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMWw2109Hu
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9V2xq8KK9
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5UmPKh0Iz
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SlE75kbzj
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4oWQBgujJ
"This is where your advance ends– huh?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AIPr8pz1m
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8TunUnSKe
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–142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZW4ajoTkH
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkG5nF5BOy
**THUD**142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwvopL1760
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fCAnkuQty
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ln8HmdIjt
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lChv2l2Xr
"...Same tricks as always."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUkbf6zDgM
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nyIWWMFpk
Though her snide remark was entirely unperturbed, the rest of the room stared with mouths agape, as if they had just witnessed alien life.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV0zTMUlhP
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBNI1QGXGH
"Hoh– it is you. You!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO5CuOj15T
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTAHxoT6Vv
Because, the once hulking, monster of a man, was now suddenly the size of a teenage boy.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSKs9wPEu2
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FHsRV6YYe
"I never expected to run into you today, Rover! Hahaha!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRfgN97EwZ
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rozhLbPzu
The crowd was stunned. Only one member moved through the shock, and everyone stared to find it was Nigel.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ayKlYy5Jv
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBooFkUwGv
"Everyone," he shouted. "Move on, we'll take care of things here!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBL9TZboxtM
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUPNiPAki6
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1D26Fs493
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KK4gE2gxZ
"Nigel."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOxybl79RQ
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwmeDwlmt5
"Yes?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDog5qEInV
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4oRsEdPAB
"Leave. I'm fighting this one alone."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQP7kG08mzq
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBbeMdri3Z
"...You're kidding me, certainly."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGx0HLNEub
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3J6h7GcwZ
Rover shook her head back and forth.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMcXSyYwOh
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3f3XjKcsU
"Do you honestly think you can take him alone? You saw what he did, didn't you?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPvRQoLcGk
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWDoskSuFS
"Of course I did. And I know how it works."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfctHBsxHz
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9F8na15be
"You fought him before, then?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV0nviVqrR
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lKHjwXoyL
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ179XI55sry
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws7QXrp9ft
"Aren't you and I a team? Are you absolutely certain?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbD36A9YWJ
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVz4cVHg7R
Operating on instinct, Rover nodded, but then his opening question computed with her, and her eyes suddenly constricted.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJS5tgwHinn
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp45z2c1eCL
"Very well! Don't die on me!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDVsjLdfMq
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQFLJiy04X
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZkyEg3zKl
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8rTb0JCL4
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DOIExwcod
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV1D0FwchL
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhNsOBJdDb
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju6sPmIGRP
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfXi8dOQzR
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGeFF6l9ak
"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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeoze6FMd2
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbNCDxkeJt
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlJTe1wKQH
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX8AY0bQcB
"..."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUsZ74I4iV
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQjtBDmrN3
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfQFmedIz3
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgdquSKJhz
And so, she communicated with a stern nod, and Kenny's biting mouth chipped his nail.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXrmblrYle
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX826q0Gibo
"Fine. Good luck!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKV0k3AZSVB
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhx4kQJBren
And then, he was off. His bidding of good fortune completely stunned her. However, she quickly recovered–142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFRzNiQ4dR
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD7Lp26m0g
**THUD**142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjW2vMDBuuy
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPk3ZTBCWY
"Sharp as always! I'm a fool to think that would work!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnBk4tNow7
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIy79ait0n
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao8qFGwJGq
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqejaqSDD4K
"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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe99axU7tFY
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTlvRhiLl1
She tried to ignore the uncertain, guilty way her stomach formed a pit.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwuX5aASrq
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHlR9E68E9
"Come at me, Boris!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9L222XyMAH
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EXiLHflPZ
–142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdG1RdbyoDo
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJK4hsCjnqw
–142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPbvILLj0l
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7dsksNqaI
–142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIK8QliQW4
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLzQ4J5t3l
Right before she charged forth, her stalled thoughts sprung into action.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VbCkWACvH
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRFQ2nnqYr
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnVb1O6px1
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkQxOrEdlo
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh14aK7GcTh
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBExhFlaYRG
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Hk1Xp47pF
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjT8GrP9Ga
"Huh!?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjFchXPoCr
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbF8Ef1Onm
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYGcfe2iqi
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Qe49BtEAK
"Hah!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJWSMz4XcQ
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcOlY1RkZm
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkJIKlSHJr
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5i1JTD31S9
But she didn't let up, because she knew that if she waited any longer–142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtpU60z6OO
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7AAppQquy
"Here!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nVC2ab2Mf
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT9FxfIQAe
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4RymAoV6c
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFavte0dhew
"Good thing that dagger's so thin. Otherwise, this wound wouldn't be so easy to heal."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhHwAAtAQt
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD60soFtK2L
"Tch."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DoOGDk1Bf
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3nGwYcisa
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie4HpkObgW
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdEE9EnYlM
**CLANG**142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCzkCpARQa
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kNxwP61lI
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR9Tz6sogc
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp86IqoXvr9
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxniIKIPyG
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiA1Tnhqgp
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUrK5ZeNMA
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q8lMrXjIy
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–142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs65j684Bns
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHynwr2xj5
**SMASH**142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6v0Bwm7JiZ
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBEosfsCZb
–shook the room as it ruined the wall.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA6I1IGr86
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwpYVMjspH
"Ack. Shit!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxoO9dYHCG
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8h54sls3kR
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WRSWnOSLP
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVlDCmItYY
"These tactics don't work how they used to. You've grown. Haha, you've truly grown!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhudbKEO9R
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifLIOjQG7P
Boris deflated his comical size, returning to a more reasonable stature.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQYfd7aHVu
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdpyRDiqfu
"But not enough."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZad4NXER8
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwSdpAYzVd
"--!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpkv7u2J8j
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZyAQWyvjE
Those words, unlike anything prior, brewed steam within her head.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc9LPQc8rS
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhG2TTcP5T
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm kicking your ass!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NrzuRP3x1
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAMybWKnwu
He wiped some dirt off his shoulder.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69ySt5c42s
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWKL1VBpXl
"Your intellect hasn't improved one bit, has it? Can't you tell I'm still toying with you?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdnz6uQbOd
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqiqEaKXyA
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzFxWGs6g3
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe1sSM5qM3
"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 "142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9Fi2rY8pr
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3Gdhm558a
"...So what? What are you getting at, shitface?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjGiQpNqEX
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIsfFBpzis
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlpOLsS3EC
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7B6IRNeu2
But, as she was proven yet again, keeping expectations like that was for fools.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumzQA0CQIh
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYSs4dOVPf
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBq7auIRoy0
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU4oxXajcG
"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."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8nrkNQyXe
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGZ7srNZfl
From the back of his shoulders, a new pair of arms found home, and they pointed their fingers with snappy girth.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq889yt429H
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv0qUzDSYH
"Hahaha! Come! Show me that this time, you'll do just that"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkc8FuUu9UP
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9tqD8eGgM
"--Fine!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36R2KyB4DY
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXlQ8bWvTC
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcbsxTfPk3
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o1Suo8rKU
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK8f0DIhVP
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssHvZaQx3A
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhDrBCs9Xf
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWzqHpe11u
"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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMNosUP6yJ
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3frsJ1SJfC
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtx5sbLREV
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhh8DMbbvI
"Completely still. But, of course, you lost your only way to kill me. Will you give up?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXafLkCy8ra
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGBONSt4x5
"...You're counting me out already. It's pissing me off!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl3VrpYlOE
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtP2hVkNmw
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG0wJLSI3n
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtuO3Cc9AO
"You've learned nothing, you overgrown oaf!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EYjR1djsv
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxKDfDGhdY
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZksDIR5iK
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUjiVBAr9V
"...I see. Hahaha, I see! And what kind of exotic mana does that hold?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbX3MIEJTX9
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52lVV6jm9x
"Come and find out!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkr6o6Ha2m
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHxQeeNpkK
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjldFOqFWQ
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYYoFQcDG7
Fortunately, she was always a better runner than Boris.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMPXNoCLZb
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBbdnvUAch
"Get back here! Come on you coward!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85XM75G27A
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDe4lNzlXz
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLg3oNc5LNi
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeY1WeBoHg
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoxtfE6ygi
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLtVr1DZgU
"Finally!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxAyYg8Plw
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAEu3NStEG
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajeDswng8Z
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KmmLb94rH
"--Ack! Shit!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWYfO8Bwuu
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPulO0cwQug
The parrying dagger slid smooth like silk out of the wound. Rover dashed back immediately, anticipating some kind of reaction.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ELOdR3ALc
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePtlK1BeAD
"...My fingers are broken. Just what is that dagger made of?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOEJAzNtyg
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCrNCLmbL6
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiXxNZnscV
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtaXHeYVkE
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–142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiMP7ORyt8
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASux27XEjU
"...!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR7nHOeTEC
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMc6iriIjNI
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–142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxlRgbPhkn
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcyUdtvzzc
"Ah-ha!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHwaHLjCOo
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkRaIm0vf3
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyjBOX63aI
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgstWlu8oK
The gesture alone confused Boris for a moment, just enough to stun him for what happened next.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU3sT5MpwJ
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5N1yj135Z
**THUD**142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcAjuZDNxD
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVublGCSEiM
"Urk!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrggsfmE17N
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWYwMBn1lK
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF09QPN5NZO
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa56KFeIS9M
Now at a distance, Rover observed the magic. But no magic came.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OpxOxNkmW
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3FkURZ23I
"Huh?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjn6hFo6X4
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa3WI0ybUq
There was a fluttering cloud of orange dust before Boris, permeating through the room like any ordinary gas would.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEDf4mmGQU
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BwzCn46lD
"Haha! What was I afraid of!?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMyNKlTmE4
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxxJKTPmly
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw8CIRhi5H
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p9IPmUFUl
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qL686pA6p
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn62PWpnWVd
"What's this? Doesn't smell like anything. You crack me up. At least you put on a good show!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw3dN8kjJG
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs7S0OfkS2
Boris threw his arms wide.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDR7eEwNC54
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGm3oMzLMvF
"But I like fights more than performances. I'll do both of us a favor and end this–"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6VkUAyk60
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSgrwD02YX
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eh9DFg09h
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfMpVvYZUV
And then the magic happened.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5wHJq7epU
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXQxh39HxU
**BOOM**142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrsDRhCyx3
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzSkmlV2au
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApusB8eDn0
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3NJCw7Q56
"Heh. And I even figured out your actual size."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvigfxfGx3
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XZXViUDx0
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.
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y447IozbP
"Hmmm? This is taking a while–"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU92SViGTzr
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6TznsVyDS
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCMPjP1ZnU
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiBKpTWugl
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvDkOniATF
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0fqi6IKyh
Then, it shrunk.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoj86UPcV7C
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22eulWu1qm
"Oh ho ho, you marvelous beast."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix2Ojjsw0x
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uYQTXtlx3
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnh3CajKen
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0rjUSuoSe
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEamjburQ9M
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqcuL73tmL
"I can see it in your face. Your disgust. But I know that there's awe in those eyes. How couldn't there be?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnwYi1N3wa
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnI6MI5lVz
Rover snapped out of her trance and brandished her dagger.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wIkPtNha2
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlguocs7nl7
"What you're seeing is my Endowment. Many have called it a curse, but I'm not so ungrateful to insult it like that."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8VINywEBQ
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliwH49IPpm
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR0jLj2xba
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoII0ftaKG
And then, a few seconds later, another brick spat out a different hole.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDeFx67IZ3
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksF6TuwyFv
"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."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2UVMAkmhe
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSHgHtOiIF
Another brick spewed out. It came from his shoulder.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmMXaZA9Pd
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yXKXeo0fk
"Well, you've certainly made a mess of my face. But I don't need good looks anyway."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmWnEKdsc7
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE3her2Kqp
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVintCsSE9
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡednfNbeJKj
"You're not done fighting, are you? Come on."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7DkUWGjbt
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuxcQjGbse
"...Freak."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJMFIAtia3
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKfMWyY4TV
"Oh yeah. You loved calling me that before, didn't you?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqJeggjAIR
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41YRYxjOIg
"And just look at how right I was."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY7oMfrf1L
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MNChTPTsW
A hearty chuckle came from him.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUUjrUiqcQ
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaev5IqLHM
"Well, that won't do you any good."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWZ0fzuvzp
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpFzZFS21z
Boris entered a stance, taunting Rover yet again.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd2TOHo9VH
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo468cqskkn
"Come on. My legs are scorched. Your marvelous plan gave you this opportunity."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW43n3nhy42
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sh9FGIadL
She put one leg forward.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuOIK94Nbg
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeqMWhvhYc
"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."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4zLHV6L2n
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Then another. Boris' grin grew wider.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQV20Mfl1b
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHQ0dWu66U
"A helpless dog like you shouldn't loiter around! Come on, Rover! Don't you have something to prove!?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRk8F2YKan
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NKtu1KrA4
And even through his manic glare, Rover sprinted. She sprinted with energy to finish, the will to see that monster put down.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlUQIVX3yy
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–
–
–142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGsawLMhPp
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rIbUYn3jV
–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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rYT00DDoM
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡascCg0fMJK
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsjjoQZZsF
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5uAJDwHIs
–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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJIPx0pMzE
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKW57kKiHbd
–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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sMbeMNmTg
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKtNOAG9Tm
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetQ1ZWccyn
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OjXa35P6L
–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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNR1VGRa8J1
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF5qcdyIHA
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZW9t1dfKa7
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUUfambuUw
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**142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM2YCenybg
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLaG3EfHVx
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVXZl4YP5M
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9AkuJ84q0
–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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKqhHuLz3f
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBjkBUu3ip
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHPIenfmgT
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQrEucFK1F
"You have gotten smarter. Or maybe I've just gotten dumber."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa74vnPxtmx
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYzJbLtZuV
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5p7DWuE2Y
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqbhNjYFwu
"What a shame. For you, of course. This is the closest you've ever gotten, but you didn't have that extra push."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79Kh1sHNsR
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpZIgsmVDI
Rover balled his hands into a fist, scowling at Boris with daggers for eyes.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrspaflYtk
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqS9SItDJv
"Relax, now. Twisting your face won't kill me. Might as well save the energy."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLgqzb2yag
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6muKgftUr
"You... ass."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXdrVVT8C8
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgP3qywvjfv
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ04sRB8Pj6
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBTB4exDyn
"You're not crawling away?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyXr4mwHBT
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTR16yXMLw
"...I'm not a damn worm."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFThAnuXne
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"Right. You never were the type to do that. But your insults are missing. Well, not that it matters."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjzIBDxE3P
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqfVFgrbho
Boris crouched down and gazed at her legs. A shiver crawled up Rover's spine, one that left tingling dread in its wake.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EC3kDiIv9
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PV7g8EatO
"I'm spent, but I can't let you run around either. So how about I do, this?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IsJdRHD6L
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWnTS7ERGt
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh5NOXo0RM
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBKhz0k9zH
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvIhiJPhUT
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡar1UEhkfTA
And she couldn't do a thing.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4vAByPmW8
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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:142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZQ0TgH4vW
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJpT4JUzqL
Sorry, mom–142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjEHnWEaSd
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDXr7OKQPg
**CRACK**142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYLWU7I1CX
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dfEFoF8dz
"AG– AAAAAAAAAAHCK!"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnEvG5Ufi9
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Her nearly six years of combat experience couldn't have prepared her for this.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV24Op7aMmJ
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITcqsRVw2j
"And there goes your leg."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWopW5iNa6
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrJfDSADgD
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sv57zrJFv
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZAXbtGUEl
"It's funny. If it hadn't only been you, I'd probably be dead."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8sHNXEPBj
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHIw7zEHkx
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."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySOmWMbbOS
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUNCgZYw7F
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnfC2SwNzA
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But those words of his stole it away.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz7a8x9ndY
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2Xe0WHqw3
"Raw strength wins yet again. You got close, but I am still undefeated. Until we meet again, Rover."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfn4OCroQs
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPDpx9LsIL
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0OvfxwRWy
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPtIX8KXmp
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05rWCe06ke
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nimoIMBxd
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.
