The ambush from the last floor was felt throughout the crowd.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4HUMzCvCb
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbRdGqr8tb
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z5nCuqSwJ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GDCR2wLDZ
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."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnOj14Vciq
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGXk788Eox
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**226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjVuMzUnWP
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw85Zs3ykSi
"Ack!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ494WxYqH0g
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdKLSYBsx4
I wasn't prepared for the strength I slapped myself with. My muscles were incredibly tense, and I hadn't even realized.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0ECoqfQMz
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OhGKElZaV
"No use in thinking about it. No use in thinking about it! Come on!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqoAgKikWA
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVEkvPDgcp
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLr8Wv82a4J
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OG0BCAhAU
"...Useless–!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wbxvi6mRR
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYtCt8oICz
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–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMx4h2u9st
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wnjjk7AcB
Suddenly, I noticed something. Though I naturally hadn't been paying much attention to her, the person beside her had changed.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZiAyrQhN7
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe2xxSuQAB
And it was someone I recognized226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLCwRNJUme
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNMikN2Ahm
–
–
–
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lv8QPCjNA
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkBrzBWfvE
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKd4aR1Jlf8
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6TbP3GjN6
Especially now that her surrogate partner was a completely new face.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc5aEO6yy6
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33qEeC31tx
"Hi."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd6FyRKwsH
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWQR2qlXkR
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OaL3b6RSn
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tYEDh5HkZ
"What!?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1gGtsF6TR
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoZhu6t4Tk
Though, perhaps, she should've spared an extra second checking her tone.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3h1CTFsZ2
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jDZpOByLF
"S-Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am! I just thought we'd familiarize ourselves."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWKoKhLqTw
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ371Ha7jAF0
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jzhdbqoGT
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOmPC71zHK
"I'm Nigel. You're the volunteer, aren't you?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmWOBjSSdE
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygcVsBfW1N
"Volunteer makes it sound lame! I'm Rover! L-Let's work well together, alright!?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3piwFHje7o
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo3hmeocai
Nigel's tense expression eased a little. He worried about a sudden reassignment just as much as Rover did.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJzVEgqFd7
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgNB6qYeFZ
"I know this is a bit impromptu, but my partner perished on the floor below. Thank you for bearing with me."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHOmfSL7up
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukmC54gHWP
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5wSqB4e60
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypveONnKS4
"That... that's really bad. I'm sorry for–"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9LNDyN1hZ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETIj1Ffclb
"Don't worry about it. You've suffered a similar fate, haven't you? We're in the same boat."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCXa1aPVrg
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlel1Kg7e8m
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuqLtFw9KL
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco23bUnY16
And then, finally, they hit a flat surface.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPgC9wAJw3
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDJyyzqrBb
"The next room's up ahead!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4GMqKdyWi
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4I88ehJwH
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXE61NJeDD
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA64O1JC5L
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–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAgEyXFaFz
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV60gXiMwqF
"Holy shit! Are ya a titan!?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN20D4N1e14
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfiWQMMXRt
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bXxUqdFYj
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd7XUkKGha
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnf8SnpUWYB
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36FoikUoEP
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU1Qw8uXxs
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJtNydJALB
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsYI70feFx
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxbB9LOiLb
"This is where your advance ends– huh?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTn8EiD36X
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx34Ey8qGH
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–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOXNMkl1e3
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdDZaTE6Lo
**THUD**226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mSEERy5Uo
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaKbg4Pj63
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvHZnS625x
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4j3Nzr1aIM
"...Same tricks as always."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYIUQ6gyiz
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡit0Dg3Smiq
Though her snide remark was entirely unperturbed, the rest of the room stared with mouths agape, as if they had just witnessed alien life.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIysHVCIQ2
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTpMcBhD2e
"Hoh– it is you. You!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U05fDw3sE
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8M1Ro7K40
Because, the once hulking, monster of a man, was now suddenly the size of a teenage boy.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEG44VFNuHS
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGc7H4m0Mj
"I never expected to run into you today, Rover! Hahaha!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMrf3TORC9
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ396EamcpcK
The crowd was stunned. Only one member moved through the shock, and everyone stared to find it was Nigel.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP85T0bIU0H
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl42nvP0d9g
"Everyone," he shouted. "Move on, we'll take care of things here!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G9tiopyKF
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE5pXXGVI2
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV14vpSgOp
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yNdZP5N8a
"Nigel."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkOx3bFvf0
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMzfSXlTOc
"Yes?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn59WeDQ4vE
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJyP2yaWDz
"Leave. I'm fighting this one alone."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkbXwndg8A
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRY7ikMk4Z
"...You're kidding me, certainly."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFGmSwV0bm
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpj9xHg0Bs
Rover shook her head back and forth.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55ghB51VAi
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdhnatrUeE
"Do you honestly think you can take him alone? You saw what he did, didn't you?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gMZbavMjC
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHc6s1QO5b
"Of course I did. And I know how it works."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQZGA46YTC
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AxjXn5rLW
"You fought him before, then?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O80HPWxmZ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxpHRhdnol
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybM1D4abkF
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN38ke6X09b
"Aren't you and I a team? Are you absolutely certain?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yt3ZVSLKy
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJs3OEwWiC
Operating on instinct, Rover nodded, but then his opening question computed with her, and her eyes suddenly constricted.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAAN7IKEOv
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nFl1o4FqW
"Very well! Don't die on me!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uhwJU7EV6
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjErQVa7at2
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4JO4obprs
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY96TD7hVVF
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycO9gBg305
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtZFw4c1Tv
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD2qIXSuax
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqS0ZPMjqi
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSAUW6SO1G
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UYzJEOshN
"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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0elIEepg9g
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYahqpovvMw
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0cyVbtcbi
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3awsgtYJps
"..."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiO3sAHZTnE
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fCRkdi5s7
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1QPab0xr7
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAFzzgotpM
And so, she communicated with a stern nod, and Kenny's biting mouth chipped his nail.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCreZSmKq8
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyrWUJ6HRg
"Fine. Good luck!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Mv4fM4fx1
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtCAGRLMEL
And then, he was off. His bidding of good fortune completely stunned her. However, she quickly recovered–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyerVV1eY9W
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRLhhzRqDy
**THUD**226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALlDqbq08P
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkJEqDdIWS
"Sharp as always! I'm a fool to think that would work!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9eRnzEDtP
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNnjItu7DO
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShFo8udQqL
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBvK0wJnHn
"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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgLQkuBngT
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CpcxX9JCW
She tried to ignore the uncertain, guilty way her stomach formed a pit.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6sYrEVrwT
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Qnobx8O1Y
"Come at me, Boris!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5J4rgqUwX
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI4lkwhtHC
–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C5uTplOrB
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsm3jnvRVC
–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN20MX6Ab3
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4r4uEOXVOa
–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCKHyqHqO9
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p6CEOktM2
Right before she charged forth, her stalled thoughts sprung into action.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqKiMZslvf
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3OpCI75Og
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpZsOWLH6w
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmjI0GejlD
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyQdLnVhqo
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡke4OMd0fzZ
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqlJJxCPYm
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhjKUgy9zC
"Huh!?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20OtVdXaQE
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnXIb0eysA
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEILeH4kBli
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kH1uf3w3s
"Hah!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSH5gVZuUEx
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BMtD6hmh5
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ551QIsuJgy
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9kZiPnYQd
But she didn't let up, because she knew that if she waited any longer–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxJthkfMwT
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4DGMaN2Cv
"Here!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG6bTx1UYQ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4Nhhg9oRP
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlu0D5Hp59
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEBEyBOaZ0
"Good thing that dagger's so thin. Otherwise, this wound wouldn't be so easy to heal."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBDqxvqxPB
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUQiG8FP7r
"Tch."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UOcFzD9oP
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs7TYhw2mI
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7rnNoMt4h
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D8d76KwR3
**CLANG**226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QQZg8EWoj
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mpdlJXxmW
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw7a3Uu3YW
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeVb6XXZmj
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq4UbtsTr7
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhuIlm7C3v
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3c9ushCwb
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hq2B4WGUv
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–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yiiYmFK7K
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GjOj3rQG1
**SMASH**226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraG9qc2Yvi
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEkcwiBajZ
–shook the room as it ruined the wall.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMEAzTcYc8
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9VN8mA0n8
"Ack. Shit!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJcHvytK3c
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMooYJMi5z6
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToNfKF4tcr
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbX6hbjzYT9
"These tactics don't work how they used to. You've grown. Haha, you've truly grown!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8FFzobaXp
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UCL2RzxZb
Boris deflated his comical size, returning to a more reasonable stature.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBarFKwNai
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5etTOSBVN
"But not enough."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCZrer9esN
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZAgUY7ZlV
"--!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF94Eqi4VZH
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHoUSCLjNs
Those words, unlike anything prior, brewed steam within her head.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8KIilItUS
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3HPLJIdO4
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm kicking your ass!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42L8vqGv8x
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WdxKVLjNS
He wiped some dirt off his shoulder.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrURxQGSYS
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9d9wk2ELsm
"Your intellect hasn't improved one bit, has it? Can't you tell I'm still toying with you?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZB9hbmmfR
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCzDMkI9Ew
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoj3WexCkgb
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzRzvYKEIL
"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 "226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9f4Ny6SB9K
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftRFkZ7kg0
"...So what? What are you getting at, shitface?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPAYR19Wq6
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFkF63q68j
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR7C6NwPIE
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQz4EkRh49
But, as she was proven yet again, keeping expectations like that was for fools.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQmkgPPxhP
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2IVre82iD
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHILGMWKJB8
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMUr8OAcIB
"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."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOvFGGi0qQ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYGB0FWrXC
From the back of his shoulders, a new pair of arms found home, and they pointed their fingers with snappy girth.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXPhSbWfoT
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMiO7QsH4X
"Hahaha! Come! Show me that this time, you'll do just that"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIUBSlDa7H
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiJjcm0DlD
"--Fine!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljJOmY40Kw
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9ZPilZHyd
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzq4rX3ctm
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RupZD8ZuK
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHrgN2H1B4
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjyOdnbiNw
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYr80JeDGG
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtE3EbQN3zK
"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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtARM3Jage
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H0RkGC3RS
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbx6Ti7fULT
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZmI3s46Zw
"Completely still. But, of course, you lost your only way to kill me. Will you give up?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzn6InFsQQ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGKAIUtrLe
"...You're counting me out already. It's pissing me off!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm3BcPA9CM
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDS0imRssD9
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJVVKmWXT9
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0sNsbd22d
"You've learned nothing, you overgrown oaf!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYJYIKU120
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs5hpGDsIx
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5Xhmu8vje
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC2FSL4hBp
"...I see. Hahaha, I see! And what kind of exotic mana does that hold?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDs4EUwhYar
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdF7efZXlb
"Come and find out!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscrzmTD9QM
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm4JYhU0WA
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo76Cw3Sdzg
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL6x1ZIja2
Fortunately, she was always a better runner than Boris.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZAtHcenN1
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSnTbdN23L
"Get back here! Come on you coward!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATZz9G9jYi
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkzTdDc5uD
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeE8z5DQku
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G5IwIH9k2
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymDEQcuBtn
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaSjhxASE3
"Finally!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXMWGaLjqt
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrqc6bJ5Al
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W9GYde2Gn
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEF3r2dSJO
"--Ack! Shit!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaulR3vJio
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62kr7fMgrB
The parrying dagger slid smooth like silk out of the wound. Rover dashed back immediately, anticipating some kind of reaction.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUfGzpGCkk
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCMATgAUEE
"...My fingers are broken. Just what is that dagger made of?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0SUl3Ixe2
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Pd21PV742
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNrrCN4MFG
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxD1EtoLgI
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–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriftdUTIS5
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvg4OtxniZa
"...!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieUoiq9Zqm
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQGMQZ5SXA
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–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsX34rVbca
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJD2Z8FkxI
"Ah-ha!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQYvbhTWRA
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEct0oWIRS0
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQKlG71fP1
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYppL3jVCE8
The gesture alone confused Boris for a moment, just enough to stun him for what happened next.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6yCtNF62y
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy90qMLJGy5
**THUD**226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pN3x3ssLY
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMB21mj4vWV
"Urk!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JjWsGWMzA
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2nCHscmX0
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ8VE8IsCE
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyuFPqTV6H
Now at a distance, Rover observed the magic. But no magic came.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2xB8o8QYL
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOfHd6iOV3
"Huh?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDN36d5WH4
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjJPVC0xii
There was a fluttering cloud of orange dust before Boris, permeating through the room like any ordinary gas would.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXCAUWxHRZ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0U5VC5c0u
"Haha! What was I afraid of!?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWy2xhbaED
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY0ds34mEo
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicjZvp1rRX
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUdQV12zE1
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1txXV8cACm
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpfUsLVwVB
"What's this? Doesn't smell like anything. You crack me up. At least you put on a good show!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeK6HuVHidS
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoQSicI1ai
Boris threw his arms wide.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69PccFbgDW
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqSuCWcdOU
"But I like fights more than performances. I'll do both of us a favor and end this–"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Pl96C1rIt
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDVTCH40ap
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLUZoomhNu
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDGam2ciOR
And then the magic happened.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbr71KzbFL
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JDhHvIqjl
**BOOM**226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxyxiQqVqO
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UtO2KubAD
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqt9jquG37b
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLB1wlT0OoZ
"Heh. And I even figured out your actual size."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTx7gJy2fk
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonfpw8HCqw
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.
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"Hmmm? This is taking a while–"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznbXgX2OVW
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvbDWz7lgb
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7ij8rgA4p
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMk6yPxqa7z
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQNw4NeBQh
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdRp8pqYUk
Then, it shrunk.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HCk62vUTc
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATf6vNJlnG
"Oh ho ho, you marvelous beast."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgIQQ9ZTN9
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscdgPumC28
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9phRrFa4a
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VnrJM947E
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnguOLa2Mmz
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuPyE5Cojx
"I can see it in your face. Your disgust. But I know that there's awe in those eyes. How couldn't there be?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopOgXR04oV
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOHifqBg6b
Rover snapped out of her trance and brandished her dagger.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPZjhuXyJB
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAtyOGSWse
"What you're seeing is my Endowment. Many have called it a curse, but I'm not so ungrateful to insult it like that."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKTsFA5I9c
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwJFrdijix
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbufOtYug5l
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj7YlcUjQ6
And then, a few seconds later, another brick spat out a different hole.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6znI2yS8c
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV049Foaew
"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."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAilX15JwI2
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kG8wp5S3p
Another brick spewed out. It came from his shoulder.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgDHXYJHms
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Uv57M2pEO
"Well, you've certainly made a mess of my face. But I don't need good looks anyway."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlky4wSuaG
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbURnzOl1nq
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSTiqGADCk
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqU7kVsHt8
"You're not done fighting, are you? Come on."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7EVmWGYwm
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVACMxlJQBc
"...Freak."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KziooGAsJ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2injpxIjs
"Oh yeah. You loved calling me that before, didn't you?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1KOelFMG8
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhq5i8bQ6t
"And just look at how right I was."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW06qjYIh7
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIMzUOP6D1
A hearty chuckle came from him.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiYVaH9iXf
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SbQOyv3SP
"Well, that won't do you any good."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPqMUCuM42
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGArmahbav
Boris entered a stance, taunting Rover yet again.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxC8dAtHbP
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaAOIza0e4
"Come on. My legs are scorched. Your marvelous plan gave you this opportunity."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsKnCQEdYa
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRxnXwdAj3
She put one leg forward.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVCWO75Ft3
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmIXn2AFdk
"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."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ5oKevg30
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Then another. Boris' grin grew wider.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurusmJrpsL
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"A helpless dog like you shouldn't loiter around! Come on, Rover! Don't you have something to prove!?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMwQvtTb1a
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnsehnafMQ
And even through his manic glare, Rover sprinted. She sprinted with energy to finish, the will to see that monster put down.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRMy2sWgrH
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–
–
–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSKFpqDILz
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–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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YeVeAFCgB
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeWkuSR2Af
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj3ZYIcWWB
–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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOSqMepQmR
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8F6wyHLEH
–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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUqC6wPNM5
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bA48N3Yxr
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–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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PLJMfAagO
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJP5SCUIMF
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0tJ8Q1T8J
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMAU1LTlw5
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**226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEuLTFcA0R
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKdsXyCOCI
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgcQF2c7yM
–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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3jCiklfA5
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qWoZ3fzgU
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"You have gotten smarter. Or maybe I've just gotten dumber."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPC1X12V0N
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFtj1IUpTX
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FMteggjUM
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"What a shame. For you, of course. This is the closest you've ever gotten, but you didn't have that extra push."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWL9YJrGQA
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hpJUqPcRD
Rover balled his hands into a fist, scowling at Boris with daggers for eyes.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5LjPMt4mO
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IijBWHJT6
"Relax, now. Twisting your face won't kill me. Might as well save the energy."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaLwliJvZg
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKZ1209f6l
"You... ass."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gY9JpKZ5Q
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQweg3i1uhM
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhtbclc3tZ
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"You're not crawling away?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76C5OiCpXN
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"...I'm not a damn worm."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWd9N49cR7j
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"Right. You never were the type to do that. But your insults are missing. Well, not that it matters."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAnXumoym7
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Boris crouched down and gazed at her legs. A shiver crawled up Rover's spine, one that left tingling dread in its wake.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HdXRWNU3K
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"I'm spent, but I can't let you run around either. So how about I do, this?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86ylQlnrc7
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SurGU6l8J
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlM1mjErDg
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LdkXTzzPh
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBJeSvVXNT
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And she couldn't do a thing.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJW9oLUWLi3
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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:226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgY6Aybt29
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBprGsNB8ha
Sorry, mom–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ503DclYYsp
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**CRACK**226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A9sAnXTtK
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"AG– AAAAAAAAAAHCK!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TfJUHeNNt
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Her nearly six years of combat experience couldn't have prepared her for this.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGm0E9PgtoM
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"And there goes your leg."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBztxN4Dk0
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHFDU4SXFo
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSqX4H1kwQ
"It's funny. If it hadn't only been you, I'd probably be dead."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5T96i4f40
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO64IRP2xX
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."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvNDNjphSF
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0mKjRjVqQ
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamasI7pyTE
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But those words of his stole it away.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQlSeYtaLM
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"Raw strength wins yet again. You got close, but I am still undefeated. Until we meet again, Rover."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG6w86nHjN
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYfo30buVX
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6NxWpGrRu
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhgV0ISRNV
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yKfEvRBhk
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.
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