The ambush from the last floor was felt throughout the crowd.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaJrV2EvBz
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTllDFor64q
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjL34SsSoT
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaxthFFwuH
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."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxxqqpxvF3
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7ZTqb1eHd
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**261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1SiPwBYWM
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47gnocfkvk
"Ack!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6jwkonS8D
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9Kw6QbbnD
I wasn't prepared for the strength I slapped myself with. My muscles were incredibly tense, and I hadn't even realized.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrEUVr9woM
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJenqc54T5
"No use in thinking about it. No use in thinking about it! Come on!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GTVZvpW2W
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Enbry3gbq
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iOKobPYuP
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9BWpEM2ZD
"...Useless–!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsDgAhatRe
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqwBveAIAE
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–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0GMv4ET39
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OpFpxGwt7
Suddenly, I noticed something. Though I naturally hadn't been paying much attention to her, the person beside her had changed.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDSuAtrWUB
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbFQin6OZ7
And it was someone I recognized261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeGdZzNrfQ
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTK9EIwdRt
–
–
–
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxfhPgmBd3
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BmXLHk5iD
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPc33wMRdy
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxd1uIpRasQ
Especially now that her surrogate partner was a completely new face.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPukosFgWG
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKV2NzWTHF
"Hi."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCoAkMNNCo
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniNkZARtD5
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP66fqhpOSz
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uRt2XC8b9
"What!?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwZWw4OQ2O
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzZUGP1HRb
Though, perhaps, she should've spared an extra second checking her tone.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCJxl63Q9r
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrN9FsOjft
"S-Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am! I just thought we'd familiarize ourselves."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctiPanTFUd
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe5WExzvIR
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4SjUlXcIJ
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKkXpllImP
"I'm Nigel. You're the volunteer, aren't you?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvoKKVn18m
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTpxvya3wR
"Volunteer makes it sound lame! I'm Rover! L-Let's work well together, alright!?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM3qHzx6M1
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFUvL5sEh6
Nigel's tense expression eased a little. He worried about a sudden reassignment just as much as Rover did.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKPry4RCVh
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8Dh92mENj
"I know this is a bit impromptu, but my partner perished on the floor below. Thank you for bearing with me."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITiH3rQJFZ
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkRLCbnxwE
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3u5rNfZou
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5aPFdTBWd
"That... that's really bad. I'm sorry for–"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxul6TYED5W
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi5zmlusFm
"Don't worry about it. You've suffered a similar fate, haven't you? We're in the same boat."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTt77Ug5EE
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZZ4Y0vATV
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUX1MldZiB
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8XkHNdzhz
And then, finally, they hit a flat surface.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C4fzS83Rb
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jDckFYtEu
"The next room's up ahead!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHNDq08Id8
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxRjB3XV1k
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyfklEvMAj
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesKZRgrovV
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–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfPJkv66NB
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3efiTd62v5
"Holy shit! Are ya a titan!?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Rw4x3gIws
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZoVS7E5jH
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqtfSzXY2Z
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcjOddjk7p
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUc7LrqZ3A
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8bas2o0vI
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQpOdvSGjI
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9VjA4QJEP
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9liFQdZgk
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElVHe8WbqW
"This is where your advance ends– huh?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblEo2sfLxP
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7y4qUsICe
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–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23Au3XNoCn
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnPiA8D06Z
**THUD**261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsGhBnv9WP
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNh0O9DPnNy
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CcaOhaSzv
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTaQxsyA6Q
"...Same tricks as always."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrW4IEa8lV
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5rsvm875i
Though her snide remark was entirely unperturbed, the rest of the room stared with mouths agape, as if they had just witnessed alien life.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rARwwSCly
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYexgTgZGyX
"Hoh– it is you. You!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMw9Pptfrnn
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiymu9s7FA
Because, the once hulking, monster of a man, was now suddenly the size of a teenage boy.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Fm5VF346A
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aSMGaZ8Sw
"I never expected to run into you today, Rover! Hahaha!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU9J7PvyVb
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgZE6UAAhC
The crowd was stunned. Only one member moved through the shock, and everyone stared to find it was Nigel.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCRqrXZBpF
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pGj1cqwBZ
"Everyone," he shouted. "Move on, we'll take care of things here!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3RDDp2XSc
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWo1XeX3pT
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPn1QgD0G4y
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUFnHMnUVg
"Nigel."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GVMM4dFqB
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDnuc1Fsrr
"Yes?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNMYM4Jnht
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMPDQms4U6
"Leave. I'm fighting this one alone."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8mym9zwwu
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3pnz0ibdW
"...You're kidding me, certainly."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiabl5TDSX
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjqD5s5stR
Rover shook her head back and forth.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3U7BZiSiC
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHsaZCfFkW
"Do you honestly think you can take him alone? You saw what he did, didn't you?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QYwFOZM1s
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMTRzErBfI
"Of course I did. And I know how it works."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvz3LxuutK
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlozgvLHeT
"You fought him before, then?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmJZFJtT6E
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2IUbVESZW
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIr36aHS7E
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPUyaFg2fv
"Aren't you and I a team? Are you absolutely certain?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0ljs1Pa9d
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88lpgr0HMP
Operating on instinct, Rover nodded, but then his opening question computed with her, and her eyes suddenly constricted.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtddG27urg
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kpJynpztN
"Very well! Don't die on me!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8A6veXbfb
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgZiHpRSrf
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gydEQKhXR
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG2n9PSVG0
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbBc703ogp
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbA3DrmPtWn
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRCGbwOemq
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoIZ5E7mtT
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr16yomIlI
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaRW0xfvxV
"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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZKrs2lv05
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzekynxnnR
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEndkRdfk8
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DUKxJSXtx
"..."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9lwVcZywI
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIg47BrplF
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYnueTMI4N
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCv95wc1LEN
And so, she communicated with a stern nod, and Kenny's biting mouth chipped his nail.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmYaLBs3zZ
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZhRyVcDRK
"Fine. Good luck!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXBnRnoenU
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTWFLgSQtD
And then, he was off. His bidding of good fortune completely stunned her. However, she quickly recovered–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiXg2BIiY9
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3RCmuQ7Jc
**THUD**261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaKcI7Tj52
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq1CrVHVbY
"Sharp as always! I'm a fool to think that would work!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xwbaFA9Zk
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtlDejTdTK
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS5wvo07kv
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9hmKJMwwO
"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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YhclUnMII
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV4kRc0vVm
She tried to ignore the uncertain, guilty way her stomach formed a pit.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJybI8d7mj
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXDDHjnPK4
"Come at me, Boris!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI63v2xmFC
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmaZOwobND
–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBmAkWksp8
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1zBVHrkSb
–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakUw8czLug
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiTraJAaW5
–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKprsWONfL
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5eNivK9K0
Right before she charged forth, her stalled thoughts sprung into action.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBuCk28l53
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoQjDVqs4P
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qg1PiOhrC
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTcgjVuSA5
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq3KdWC1QQ
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcFzqGjKHe
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlp3SBmzDQm
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHu0U4Prww
"Huh!?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66uopkKWke
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFDZQ1edp3
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6GW6RUv8K
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1r5mEPn4F
"Hah!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRD0vxIp52
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWYfgXUazl
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzM1Bax6Pe2
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxAxCu3GCh
But she didn't let up, because she knew that if she waited any longer–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeOKjvdLs7
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrZ1Htknvm
"Here!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPxaFVAObB
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnH9681EAF
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNCFdZraaX
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8GXaZWvQl
"Good thing that dagger's so thin. Otherwise, this wound wouldn't be so easy to heal."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCETnDg9vK
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfYS8iuJf7
"Tch."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYK6bueuQb
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE0Tc5SYgG
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpY9qtUV6k
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE5ORicgab
**CLANG**261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjyzhP1zFM
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUHPPCTu53
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dFOW5s9E4
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW6rYTKWR3
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjytPy6tFu
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAHJ9mCKSt
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUL3VGUMq6u
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGQCkWYyjh
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–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzwL1NPVou
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36ZIwDdzIz
**SMASH**261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyU5KlsMTTK
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXrtkTXqeI
–shook the room as it ruined the wall.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj0WG5nBUI
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kSTKoegar
"Ack. Shit!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwrMLUSpFq
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70mFDHuO7R
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NwUorY10p
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyoHoRvNz8
"These tactics don't work how they used to. You've grown. Haha, you've truly grown!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7C8wbldQy
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty0xpaCuXo
Boris deflated his comical size, returning to a more reasonable stature.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw4w8PalET
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmFfImu92h
"But not enough."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEr45eaWGI
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoexmKGtdMn
"--!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJD2e7xBpDI
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoAL95Fy1K
Those words, unlike anything prior, brewed steam within her head.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqbsUBfqsT
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ71FiXKtNI
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm kicking your ass!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFTtpgWZWf
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO1oleyvv1
He wiped some dirt off his shoulder.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoE6UH1ZFh
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo0xXDhNp3
"Your intellect hasn't improved one bit, has it? Can't you tell I'm still toying with you?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwlQSo8org
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJKnDFVYCv
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXnMdKT4oj
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1GLfk44Ok
"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 "261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV2p7hebAd
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWO9sq6vESS
"...So what? What are you getting at, shitface?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTO0nONCdD
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPh9wVI5S0
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ312sy0tLpj
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaewccIFvE
But, as she was proven yet again, keeping expectations like that was for fools.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD71tbiRLg
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TrZOy1gbJ
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLU7E93oCO
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrH7fgo9cF
"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."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaKcpxTiNi
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ398TsgzrKZ
From the back of his shoulders, a new pair of arms found home, and they pointed their fingers with snappy girth.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDT3tcyZu9
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxI4JwAyE5E
"Hahaha! Come! Show me that this time, you'll do just that"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RcxxfKT9b
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJj6bT3AaS
"--Fine!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgS1Js8KSpl
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoyZuH65kL
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBh7h5Zb77
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrj2Y093Dd
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0oQFtgPuW
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNEenRwBgy
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd12gykYvb
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbpOS3NoMO
"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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVMbkqDSND
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjVEgQN6Vi
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS6PLF9ebj
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNjpy6Fzkh
"Completely still. But, of course, you lost your only way to kill me. Will you give up?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzKa2quCNe
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4mJJnlnLC
"...You're counting me out already. It's pissing me off!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZzDK1htdK
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWm2C5ShbT
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK79OxnZmDC
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdK9ZjGtmC
"You've learned nothing, you overgrown oaf!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0fFbr9Qnr
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eAwwFVh0K
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDfGPJLbY3
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RoVLa5j34
"...I see. Hahaha, I see! And what kind of exotic mana does that hold?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYy4fVCk3i
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzT3MrOUqE
"Come and find out!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZHMdyTic3
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH3tzf9LeQ
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqbvKZuBtm
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB1VCF8t9b
Fortunately, she was always a better runner than Boris.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzV0RF8jm7
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6Kt4ELjyu
"Get back here! Come on you coward!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm5nXWXeBQ
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlHujL5Pjm
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGcBsJfwKe
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eZx0xun03
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHWzsrGbsL
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRqWgsvXwO
"Finally!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj5ZXRjc5k
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0agSlWhHEv
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMhP1wiufK
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpifYgqk8q
"--Ack! Shit!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul1VuKKHoC
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK09pZfbCd4
The parrying dagger slid smooth like silk out of the wound. Rover dashed back immediately, anticipating some kind of reaction.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRDTdzjAZr
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwSffwyoSq
"...My fingers are broken. Just what is that dagger made of?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpnZmCEOCD
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPZbWw9VGl
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjlTmLvkMH
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpp17L6KBJ
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–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTraMfBjEQs
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUp354VVyA
"...!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GP1CDv3m9
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsJjUIpsbL
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–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGentKW5k7
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhGfvaIloO
"Ah-ha!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2KVgHbAik
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUFwQoc8fm
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDWoqFnZNL
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCBGipWHLT
The gesture alone confused Boris for a moment, just enough to stun him for what happened next.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetSrs60tO8
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr66NCv3Bl0
**THUD**261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtBqgUznPa
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiY26RUvQe
"Urk!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKGhaK6FzO
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQxInyxnX2
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfbn05pmZw
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8EFnfDGNx
Now at a distance, Rover observed the magic. But no magic came.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa2t3MVfEM
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KACFUmx6V
"Huh?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRkU8E7WYD
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM7Qrx14XJ
There was a fluttering cloud of orange dust before Boris, permeating through the room like any ordinary gas would.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dgcb2K7RV
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDV8g47gVE
"Haha! What was I afraid of!?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoJqsfzdvl
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7OzE6IMHw
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHNd9E162N
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkdGJNnF3K
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgIHqL1QZO
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspjLPOhhKj
"What's this? Doesn't smell like anything. You crack me up. At least you put on a good show!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFq9PgUyud
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3hCg9hTy6
Boris threw his arms wide.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKevpWtsuN
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDXscIOowe
"But I like fights more than performances. I'll do both of us a favor and end this–"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7DuILOWug
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAfWaaUm6Y
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqc8u7E8m1q
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9PoTqcBOl
And then the magic happened.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCHtzQCrh0
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTctkh5t1J
**BOOM**261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViNRelMo0G
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxVFaPqS20
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpBl3wx0jT
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdzBTF43gJ
"Heh. And I even figured out your actual size."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUhYegeAmu
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaTLtZoTUF
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.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiPbk7gCeX
"Hmmm? This is taking a while–"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XYt5bLn66
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HLRKoH5LS
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILnpcFqhUm
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0Izgu8Z9S
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKbgK50YqH
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJqOFLqH6H
Then, it shrunk.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHYyHfb4z1
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJfe6lHgEj
"Oh ho ho, you marvelous beast."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDckp1yNR9S
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFCjnZlVRz
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO8TMayKCk
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBo78Jz4mb
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNe71eq9BH
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j7gnqXppx
"I can see it in your face. Your disgust. But I know that there's awe in those eyes. How couldn't there be?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIJtqing0O
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBAff5AAiq
Rover snapped out of her trance and brandished her dagger.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BAorgOZ1p
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzAddasBaV
"What you're seeing is my Endowment. Many have called it a curse, but I'm not so ungrateful to insult it like that."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFlE6zMim1
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWuY4gEC1u
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05TN9Cjstl
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gjuuuDKIM
And then, a few seconds later, another brick spat out a different hole.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBImvAy63G
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV0amLlEC5
"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."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucHVBuETOb
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZ5ZlxL2uX
Another brick spewed out. It came from his shoulder.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaOrPBwbAn
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdOZzz1rpF
"Well, you've certainly made a mess of my face. But I don't need good looks anyway."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuPTXrfUck
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWgvYiwedj
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrg1OuOIL2f
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sDOySYbJT
"You're not done fighting, are you? Come on."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgAM0TkDUs
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFUAL7xMGj
"...Freak."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIxlVZK89c
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1EPx2jOf7
"Oh yeah. You loved calling me that before, didn't you?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nucOzdrRD
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZvF2i2thv
"And just look at how right I was."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ995FViCcL3
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcEPnpQA9a
A hearty chuckle came from him.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhealbudMO
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv1j4GLVra
"Well, that won't do you any good."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSlnVAxnxY
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtdIBcAJOH
Boris entered a stance, taunting Rover yet again.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hFI1lYzoG
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdTlo3g0DX
"Come on. My legs are scorched. Your marvelous plan gave you this opportunity."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqLEc581Yp
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHH0uTQ8jfO
She put one leg forward.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14QK8tCJ5T
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"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."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPJxXp2TYj
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Then another. Boris' grin grew wider.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpulOnLRlZA
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"A helpless dog like you shouldn't loiter around! Come on, Rover! Don't you have something to prove!?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocNbq7UL4V
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DmHEKfk1e
And even through his manic glare, Rover sprinted. She sprinted with energy to finish, the will to see that monster put down.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc1YVY3PHW
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–
–
–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ81K7SQTq
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60dYsrL1Lz
–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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyhPYx5nE5
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq7Q7fZLpO
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBuIkA4Zc8
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk79lAEpRVz
–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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCeJUjSgHq
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp9ZbeC0aN
–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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXukbuBnV2
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsbkxPK40i
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrhzXuFZTK
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7v5DqVkxY
–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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4ai7jBYfF
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAER38yj4jb
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcB898DjgB
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7BZdCTNvZ
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**261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa7xkKzmoF
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmN2Ytzsymd
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15y1coSdPd
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1i7kY76s3
–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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7SJRklaOh
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWPJkY7R08
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp3u4sEkKu
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"You have gotten smarter. Or maybe I've just gotten dumber."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8a8S9y6MT
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEkhc59VZ5
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY0RT1paez
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACkjxlSOpV
"What a shame. For you, of course. This is the closest you've ever gotten, but you didn't have that extra push."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtX3RAEgsBO
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohbxWjZjQp
Rover balled his hands into a fist, scowling at Boris with daggers for eyes.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYv2SVV0Bk
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfzG8RmV6c
"Relax, now. Twisting your face won't kill me. Might as well save the energy."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjFW8FhTsc
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlelc8CqAX
"You... ass."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzWdoxOLR8
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuc8JYhZrM
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfioavlVvSL
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"You're not crawling away?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQpO0vtpBD
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw1cGiVImP
"...I'm not a damn worm."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD6ef4H5Kk
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVWNhD6dOX
"Right. You never were the type to do that. But your insults are missing. Well, not that it matters."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6Vqt7Bgz9
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntC93wuY6r
Boris crouched down and gazed at her legs. A shiver crawled up Rover's spine, one that left tingling dread in its wake.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSTfc3SEHs
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKef7PhwuWL
"I'm spent, but I can't let you run around either. So how about I do, this?"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8rKysH5Fy
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9Xp7GhuGA
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON0D5JF7Ue
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNpFuFyOLe
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgPWZdFrHm
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And she couldn't do a thing.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65d9TgrlWG
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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:261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5dKhTlX93
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Fvj8DkLu2
Sorry, mom–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3kRtcqSvm
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**CRACK**261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqsnN5iv5j
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxZtTve65i
"AG– AAAAAAAAAAHCK!"261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKt6qYqo2G
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Her nearly six years of combat experience couldn't have prepared her for this.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMs5BipO4D
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"And there goes your leg."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj01kmjJ89h
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaYVif9M9x
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WxRmyQeMW
"It's funny. If it hadn't only been you, I'd probably be dead."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQKthN8bBW
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1z5GV6Flb
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."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPLtmoWjid
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvmeWHD1j2
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZoiPjEYNQ
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But those words of his stole it away.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32twFtItL9
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPU4rAJehB
"Raw strength wins yet again. You got close, but I am still undefeated. Until we meet again, Rover."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEL2WtsN0M
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoColXeiET
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQlxev5gIJ
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGJaWHn9xQ
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hKoM81AFt
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc34L6h63du
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.
