The ambush from the last floor was felt throughout the crowd.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2UgTVs7e1
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx2TDAjY0x
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUozFnaPTi
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0ZafXwHlP
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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxR50US8JZ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w0INEngAM
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**242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC5U5FJvMU
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhrbil6UGZ
"Ack!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Be5El1xPg
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqysMJtdiwn
I wasn't prepared for the strength I slapped myself with. My muscles were incredibly tense, and I hadn't even realized.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWhCbWj0n9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFnW8QEFL1
"No use in thinking about it. No use in thinking about it! Come on!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUxUBAuCeT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0J9XtakKT
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5Q8GZdIux
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDDJCOR2v7
"...Useless–!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e9y5MIBxh
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IOaKY12BJ
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–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFA7r695Ho
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dKaNKTK4c
Suddenly, I noticed something. Though I naturally hadn't been paying much attention to her, the person beside her had changed.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF01bznDmOx
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATATjj8AxH
And it was someone I recognized242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWABSww5GNT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytYmX97Q3z
–
–
–
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EhsGHGRQG
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSgpLbNNav
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNLfc9ARqr
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8U6gvIKmvX
Especially now that her surrogate partner was a completely new face.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6JDxmcX6U
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIGfm2tNoN
"Hi."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXhLr0ExYp
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkxYVCjXNA
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnQ0xZPMR2
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ091auN59v
"What!?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2fODZAVAH
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH5UD99MIv
Though, perhaps, she should've spared an extra second checking her tone.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ0SqHmBr6
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK9YTMRjNO
"S-Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am! I just thought we'd familiarize ourselves."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJB6vRAWVX
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2mCy8DGjT
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXf37CFCR0
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpzdNqjmA0
"I'm Nigel. You're the volunteer, aren't you?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVHC9nG1zo
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTAdnNAOMA
"Volunteer makes it sound lame! I'm Rover! L-Let's work well together, alright!?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIXmLC3Kte
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy21JOi4r3J
Nigel's tense expression eased a little. He worried about a sudden reassignment just as much as Rover did.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZId7FU55wA
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwScbCRraJ
"I know this is a bit impromptu, but my partner perished on the floor below. Thank you for bearing with me."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvkf4V70VV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2cbl3n38j
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt06yQ7BZv
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLXny5CJlW
"That... that's really bad. I'm sorry for–"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe1XjIlguI
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7RlQEPPS9
"Don't worry about it. You've suffered a similar fate, haven't you? We're in the same boat."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8llnrf52IA
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96wmDbRD70
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVcEfHRkpf
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3vPob0i8z
And then, finally, they hit a flat surface.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyvT0SRvak
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuz53ww5nh
"The next room's up ahead!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMaqnzBt7C
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIl3DBsaFl
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgxp7LK3Xh
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnggTFdDch
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–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXKRBGbE1H
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatBbrV1xdS
"Holy shit! Are ya a titan!?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a04k7MocG
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJPhwcByjE
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZx94R9m0TE
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwR6OLRRc4
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEpscUVLaF
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU8tKTipiM
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwSI2WeMHS
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokXDS6DYO6
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS922YdlmkX
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8l1tLhMsM
"This is where your advance ends– huh?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKpikrvUjd
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLLHhH0ERH
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–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6zMY0J5N5
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy7UFNrcGT
**THUD**242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS49yXBgs2
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx0XlhB9w3
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgxjuMu8j7
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgM7ZwPLzN
"...Same tricks as always."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMipfpi2IKa
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln4q2gPouu
Though her snide remark was entirely unperturbed, the rest of the room stared with mouths agape, as if they had just witnessed alien life.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKMAFIX2lJ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dab0OWGXe
"Hoh– it is you. You!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8wVObvnzS
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjUVccAB4H
Because, the once hulking, monster of a man, was now suddenly the size of a teenage boy.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvbmtlXtPQ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NMEBUAD48
"I never expected to run into you today, Rover! Hahaha!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmw3g2lDgb
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2ZwCEOBBq
The crowd was stunned. Only one member moved through the shock, and everyone stared to find it was Nigel.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu6lWmuDWC
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4idApyZzO
"Everyone," he shouted. "Move on, we'll take care of things here!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0b5ILZvRj
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ3Kubkpcc
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVY8lHKGT3
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9buyL0yzH
"Nigel."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJepZA0gC9D
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA4Vakpgau
"Yes?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGEfb3t3A0
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL6o8TsIm6
"Leave. I'm fighting this one alone."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfk1ZOSJp2
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJP345hJuy
"...You're kidding me, certainly."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF4ox7AdLO
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iVeMAyACY
Rover shook her head back and forth.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTW5tn9IP7
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakwBCbYvif
"Do you honestly think you can take him alone? You saw what he did, didn't you?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9hirGYUmL
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7lqnCFLFt
"Of course I did. And I know how it works."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdARQGWoFUh
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAIxg5fIoW
"You fought him before, then?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewKjxeZn2A
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsullQkmjmY
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26InFEFkS9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyPsswXPqg
"Aren't you and I a team? Are you absolutely certain?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zmHxMnyDD
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyYFctwwkH
Operating on instinct, Rover nodded, but then his opening question computed with her, and her eyes suddenly constricted.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE6RMJOb8a
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8rmTCUv8Z
"Very well! Don't die on me!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQGa9J7vKS
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXRMR0ne59
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuNkXTFclr
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexXqvtOvpi
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRCBlCyMFS
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQRlLE55vT
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe10rcYkNiC
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h8oNQeI1k
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgU6R6e65S
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6GwErPQQZ
"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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoFAFvdkHk
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyHbM2sRzW
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uAM8FR7ma
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8d71AanQ5L
"..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUiJYU3QkH
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNZVcJKokC
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwHGnLac8D
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsczsnq5LOC
And so, she communicated with a stern nod, and Kenny's biting mouth chipped his nail.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08FSLFCtkt
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNv4Q42E4X
"Fine. Good luck!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWKFy6t9ey
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNwoGwJX9n
And then, he was off. His bidding of good fortune completely stunned her. However, she quickly recovered–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRllYq0uA9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYhstQGEvl
**THUD**242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopdjW5oUf9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqpeAUliNS
"Sharp as always! I'm a fool to think that would work!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiKx74MGgD
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuHTer5Hzl
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaw3qhFxF3
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRP5MMf0aC
"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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uRAwYMBBL
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq9FzSZoC5
She tried to ignore the uncertain, guilty way her stomach formed a pit.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYwvo5GZdY
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH5irvgboT
"Come at me, Boris!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8T5kIUy3N
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0eL6Yloel
–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzU7rPZew7
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu1672FZLI
–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nKlf1JNey
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbLhezFgNx
–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIe1a2r6gM
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFhydBNyYS
Right before she charged forth, her stalled thoughts sprung into action.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgAWzFh1e1
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDbsPHBdlE
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4oKLJ9zDV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuEJirwpP8
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5RmTs5r5N
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJRP5oCtyU
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEBFZTFkkA
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6co0imySDq
"Huh!?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPqaZu9QHS
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGuSDRlIzt
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ4BVL47X2
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50zRL0l4wh
"Hah!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtK0kAECcZ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKUjnKA6M0
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg1W512aIP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYOjuEiNzo
But she didn't let up, because she knew that if she waited any longer–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwkrD1ZVlW
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsGPLdEk28
"Here!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2kg0SX0YF
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnWikVvh91
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cgLBwMf8M
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62vlLJhgBm
"Good thing that dagger's so thin. Otherwise, this wound wouldn't be so easy to heal."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lasrFjqAK
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6fBV5Shwy
"Tch."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5gywyU90D
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCWpV7V7es
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7D71BEyWo
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu65kcZUhWA
**CLANG**242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0WzTJ2Esd
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0sRwv27zZ
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GI7VMZ8vE
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhYfjbEszA
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs3D6AbU7C
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuKmvUQ7fH
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjwRElAkGP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnow0vrDUPZ
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–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHA2R8A1yf
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFZhEsC1m0
**SMASH**242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBfU9fdaYb
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjMf342l76
–shook the room as it ruined the wall.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EoNpGJhpc
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQFVEAS6I7
"Ack. Shit!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4rOdyAtET
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJae3qrex3
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGHdVGq0m8
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zz4m4yoEM
"These tactics don't work how they used to. You've grown. Haha, you've truly grown!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUShXAwHF6y
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwHfvRseM5
Boris deflated his comical size, returning to a more reasonable stature.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1UZyNqaEf
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QrIEUL6Iv
"But not enough."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxNyUxMJ8b
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5DWnoipv2
"--!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5Z0Qi7HrK
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts3TMcbxrq
Those words, unlike anything prior, brewed steam within her head.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9B4z3Q3Bo
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dWy1eV3oI
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm kicking your ass!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX21kenKXAG
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxvxdh8tLC
He wiped some dirt off his shoulder.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N5ysHZVv9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU43sYtqUwL
"Your intellect hasn't improved one bit, has it? Can't you tell I'm still toying with you?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ROCEHXu6y
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAiRuzk28X
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJd0xg2q0YE
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEe76GAkEZ
"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 "242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1CSLrYCm6
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8sfP3jXFL
"...So what? What are you getting at, shitface?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ3Yk4J4gc
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGKoMttxxe
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPlyoNVHEq
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrRCgP3LA5
But, as she was proven yet again, keeping expectations like that was for fools.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyt65iXnso
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWsLjVokO7
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYahXgz2JH
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYlqPfLU5E
"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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEbUBxF1qz
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyiMuyUICZ
From the back of his shoulders, a new pair of arms found home, and they pointed their fingers with snappy girth.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jgciSwt3R
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0k5PITTND
"Hahaha! Come! Show me that this time, you'll do just that"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdBm53qMMA
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH7zqQ1vwp
"--Fine!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6aMb0fr35
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPabH259XTt
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLysJlXmJas
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwQnmIw9dd
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoVZemeAlW
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5rhL5jGNN
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9jDsfq7VN
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx7ZLESmpf
"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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe5qwsdl09
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQGPcNYh9s
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx9pf22F7k
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U8Fpl53tS
"Completely still. But, of course, you lost your only way to kill me. Will you give up?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYnxQWKsW9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MVyPB733r
"...You're counting me out already. It's pissing me off!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQPaf1B4I7
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIoveNPpIa
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOV5FQKjvW
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HHimhn6J3
"You've learned nothing, you overgrown oaf!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUHrX4uqG1
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBUrVPmZUe
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejCef0hAp7
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qieGIvzti
"...I see. Hahaha, I see! And what kind of exotic mana does that hold?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XRH1CXqU5
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGZdtVCCG0
"Come and find out!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeLiIHncbZ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg3pUdviQv
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6QoWpD34c
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0FfaJVzu6
Fortunately, she was always a better runner than Boris.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bHnBqptHV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4UY2KQrx6
"Get back here! Come on you coward!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzwizSOk4W
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG50YifWT8
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT7s6pfP82
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCO3DHCDQd
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZpjWfgNvZ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDSPNb9fd3
"Finally!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr5Q5SNhFB
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWtLsZEvqO
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7kUFNYCg5
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzSyonvpfI
"--Ack! Shit!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEynoa0ZYR
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdtqY4Nzc6
The parrying dagger slid smooth like silk out of the wound. Rover dashed back immediately, anticipating some kind of reaction.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNaEiLpgxS
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc5512S7gH
"...My fingers are broken. Just what is that dagger made of?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnRXLxvLlu
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavwSoCyA1I
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRFpKTNG4z
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEwPxmGDQm
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–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzPuhrfFCT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡex7kfOhoeh
"...!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBnqNki6Ml
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9cidtzOKb
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–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4E01RA274
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnJqvy8qSE
"Ah-ha!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7GpJYe8rl
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNaXHMcIgJ
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDRMOU1yiT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtg2pPptxC
The gesture alone confused Boris for a moment, just enough to stun him for what happened next.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocYWP0WS7C
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXj7trEiloI
**THUD**242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJhFBDC7Kk
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhILUxzJkL
"Urk!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXQTa7Zbsq
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhOvH8Ndhp
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH1VaWNnLq
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG4OYH62K8
Now at a distance, Rover observed the magic. But no magic came.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf45BkxYaQf
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz5JJFDTQC
"Huh?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciFHFK5IQQ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphiHQmiMTh
There was a fluttering cloud of orange dust before Boris, permeating through the room like any ordinary gas would.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3376kJLZw9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwk6rc1pp8
"Haha! What was I afraid of!?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡno02wzRarn
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oPyVFGZn1
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwXiVvJ7MR
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsEFm5xvhu
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKqWMITqKB
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1I9I2slPK
"What's this? Doesn't smell like anything. You crack me up. At least you put on a good show!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb48uEB9IM
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lpw50PInZ
Boris threw his arms wide.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HiRfEp2Bq
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwtmhy7QOf
"But I like fights more than performances. I'll do both of us a favor and end this–"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrztAQcZhm3
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWmJIdX9NO
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerifqAdrJE
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNmPzgyMe4
And then the magic happened.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhs87mZrwfN
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WT5ZSOvca
**BOOM**242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajHrgzA40n
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUyBxZK4FQ
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr41kk4mTB
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYVc0uvKyE
"Heh. And I even figured out your actual size."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArXh0m45Cg
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZtW2wYIZE
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.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJqb8by9XR
"Hmmm? This is taking a while–"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEwI0BYb8g
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVY4vnpqeV
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmdnV2rG3e
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Llm1AxTOA
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCHYKs30Uy
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQnKVRf36b
Then, it shrunk.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVNFS55NWh
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIF5oLIJBM
"Oh ho ho, you marvelous beast."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UZkvbz2R3
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeVsHvhLyL
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2kc64xc9x
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWh4ewOXdt
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhVdgM8AsY
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJGprO7q0M
"I can see it in your face. Your disgust. But I know that there's awe in those eyes. How couldn't there be?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZn5kAcfeu
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPlQotZ5UG
Rover snapped out of her trance and brandished her dagger.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm9dhqRdj6
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux1gI7Xqbn
"What you're seeing is my Endowment. Many have called it a curse, but I'm not so ungrateful to insult it like that."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXDXvqN64P
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6owjnhrWJ
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj1EamEIEI
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9p1xe0qdj
And then, a few seconds later, another brick spat out a different hole.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nndBLrFye
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfqXByyT8v
"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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPelFIBaLv
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZypoM7Y16x
Another brick spewed out. It came from his shoulder.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6G67GY8aq
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUCkbaIh99
"Well, you've certainly made a mess of my face. But I don't need good looks anyway."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQSJMKUF5r
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpuyNHhYMO
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU63LekFUhV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa22mT3mTkR
"You're not done fighting, are you? Come on."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl04yEz01QC
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGvik09vBR
"...Freak."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVOVUGmrgP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z4sEsokru
"Oh yeah. You loved calling me that before, didn't you?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnwCpMLLVT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e0SWxLwJf
"And just look at how right I was."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjwiUDY61L
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jQifDqy58
A hearty chuckle came from him.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRoTute494
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagWqSrL09C
"Well, that won't do you any good."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBe9OSFp4m
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjJgCuxryR
Boris entered a stance, taunting Rover yet again.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLn6NzyFLS
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4bBogFbdK
"Come on. My legs are scorched. Your marvelous plan gave you this opportunity."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwALdfqsNqC
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G7ak8hP5r
She put one leg forward.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYhQH5qJT1
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oTyumWR5i
"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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTb1qZPVUu
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzPAjrBhhp
Then another. Boris' grin grew wider.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa2romELvZ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug8Kfw5W7k
"A helpless dog like you shouldn't loiter around! Come on, Rover! Don't you have something to prove!?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EwfQamZWC
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQe418qUxnB
And even through his manic glare, Rover sprinted. She sprinted with energy to finish, the will to see that monster put down.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh9lNYYhTO
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZAl4Tpbw2
–
–
–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP1VDoxdYd
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53R7EiVAr2
–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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmoUyX1aVa
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB67cH9BvBp
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4TqQ0fWhI
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRZPyozeKz
–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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq9jcbywXR
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a8Ykkbeg1
–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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1obmTFTvUl
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kMJs3MJ7l
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4sitFltcc
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQftafNEVBS
–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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPOBvec8G9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjvTX71tXt
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf4xt7vZIi
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNIooLAmpD
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**242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5ZANXzUUq
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZEaItrzdq
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrHEhKoVx5
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BYlKxd8sB
–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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrbJUMI25H
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPW8F0Be1X
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9UGUFYhKu
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PbgckRjBH
"You have gotten smarter. Or maybe I've just gotten dumber."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvoc4MiaRl
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lAi0tgTTU
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u5jMSoLgK
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDUKgDXJUS
"What a shame. For you, of course. This is the closest you've ever gotten, but you didn't have that extra push."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP6q1qrIWs
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7wSKRADyj
Rover balled his hands into a fist, scowling at Boris with daggers for eyes.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwEH97SREE
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjDi0c2XWL
"Relax, now. Twisting your face won't kill me. Might as well save the energy."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8s8JiOalj
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z61X6JOPi
"You... ass."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI6LqPUcnF
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK7UJF3tmd
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ4NxAaL8e
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTALN6eiaF
"You're not crawling away?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU6jt5Pp9c
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIoxtOySZ0
"...I'm not a damn worm."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4R7hEgnp1
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5j39eNn83y
"Right. You never were the type to do that. But your insults are missing. Well, not that it matters."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz32oDF6rzl
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiH2Bgn65J
Boris crouched down and gazed at her legs. A shiver crawled up Rover's spine, one that left tingling dread in its wake.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaLFQ22l0x
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0opcIUf3FG
"I'm spent, but I can't let you run around either. So how about I do, this?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQL04JAsx2
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhlM5Hw437
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun9X6KhbRo
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAZse7YvLD
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV0MlcKw6H
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXjx1ifRWt
And she couldn't do a thing.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxJMoqV2bT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVhXDSHLaY
–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:242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4QsKcN9Of
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdEodnGQx2
Sorry, mom–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTK5DcAFFo
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU3gYOiejb
**CRACK**242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7D0jeVmy0o
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOxlfyCJlF
"AG– AAAAAAAAAAHCK!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFv9X4kb9k
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaMncliIAH
Her nearly six years of combat experience couldn't have prepared her for this.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7tAwafcRx
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRP4D2Z2Pi
"And there goes your leg."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo52ZdIUIWD
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj800vnom1q
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZFRXrqYNA
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7YHNll8YU
"It's funny. If it hadn't only been you, I'd probably be dead."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4ujpzgDYx
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXtX8UK4OE
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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eHsjsmJOQ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kBS49yhyC
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXxmuhYeUm
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DsntDALH2
But those words of his stole it away.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxT6LEPPbo
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVX8GMNIYm
"Raw strength wins yet again. You got close, but I am still undefeated. Until we meet again, Rover."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx1bPvY2bz
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FxpZroUfu
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa8bUirrlr
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9GBgv1IVc
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCU7vAsi1l
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVDnUZs3Qg
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.
