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A thunderous explosion erupted, igniting concentrated flames that illuminated the world with a blinding flash.

The massive blast engulfed both allies and foes alike, forcing our side to catch their breath for just a moment. The enemies, on the other hand, had no choice but to focus entirely on defense to avoid being burned.

I wasted no time and hurriedly retreated, not wanting to squander the time Tania had bought me.

The explosion created a crater, with thick clouds of dust obscuring my vision. Sticking to my body was the residue of Tania’s last bombardment. I steeled myself, watching the half-demon desperately trying to douse the blue flames with magic, realizing that now was the time to act.

What I needed to do first was assess my remaining mana.

That was my lifeline. How much mana did I have left?

Feeling the heartbeat of my mana, I let out a sigh as I realized there was barely any left.

“Really, there’s hardly any left. But… thanks to Tania’s considerable care, at least I have this much.”

Yet, the fact that I still had this little mana after such a spectacular attack meant one thing: Tania’s efforts were monumental.

She likely took on most of the burden that should have fallen on me during the incantation, instinctively understanding to shoulder it all on her own to ensure I could remain in this world.

She had harnessed the mana keeping her corporeal form intact, pulling power from her spirit form stuck in the spirit world and even drawing upon the immense mana she couldn’t normally gather.

The blue flames that engulfed the forest were voracious, but they weren’t harming the forest’s foliage—only consuming the magic-infused beings like a minefield scattered across the battlefield.

“… She must be groaning away in the spirit world.”

Just picturing that scene tired me out. Tania, back there, would be whining while receiving care from Changsik, exhausted after her efforts.

She’s done well, and next time I meet a High Elf, I should ask for a Spirit Stone as a gift for Tania.

I measured how many times I could engage the half-demon without losing the upper hand against the fallout from Tania’s flames.

“With this amount of mana…”

Five assaults with equal power, two at slightly superior strength.

Even if I moved late on this chance, I couldn’t afford to miss.

I slung my bow over my shoulder.

“Orna, prepare again. Focus solely on movement assistance and obstructing their view.”

—Kuhng!

The half-demon slammed her fiery body against my magic to block it, advancing and raising her sword. She charged at me, intent on killing me to escape the flames.

Steel would soon touch my neck. Shooting an arrow at this distance would mean hitting my own head rather than that damned heart.

First strike.

Swish—!

I dodged a swift attack aimed at my neck with a draw of my sword.

Thud…!

Was that an attack infused with sheer desperation? The sickening sound from my wrist, and the overwhelming power forced my relaxed wrist out of alignment.

“You bastard!”

“Gah…!”

I took a deep breath, channeling energy into my core to prepare for the next move.

Second strike.

Fighting to keep my broken wrist from feeling weak, I forcibly twirled it.

With my right hand just tightly enough to guide the sword, I pushed the strong energy from my still-functioning left arm downwards.

With the determined sensation of slashing through, I pressed the blade down forcefully.

Diagonally from northeast to southwest, my sword’s path crossed the half-demon’s neck and heart.

In the fleeting moment before the strike…

“…!”

The half-demon’s sword flicked unnaturally. A feat unthinkable from someone missing an arm.

Having missed her thrust, she swiftly twisted, dodging my blade to stab my right leg instead.

‘Damn it, shit…!’

Driven through, my balance collapsed, causing my momentum to weaken.

Swish—!

The sensation of the sword scraping against skin; Orna’s assistance hastened my strike, but it wasn’t deep enough. I failed to slice through in a single stroke.

Yanking out the sword from my thigh, I aimed for her neck once more.

At that moment, our gazes met.

I surrendered the remaining three strikes, pouring all my energy into one single strike. I was confident my sword could reach her first.

The potion prepared nearby was top quality, sufficient for stitching up a hole in my abdomen.

With that, thinking it better to take a stab at her neck after making a hole in my abdomen, I focused solely on one point.

Third strike.

The sword packed with the last remnants of my mana shot forth.

As the killing intent infused sword surged menacingly, I snapped back to my senses, refusing to lose my sharpness in a haze of bloodlust.

It came into view.

“…!”

The path of the half-demon’s sword aimed at my stomach, rising dangerously close.

I had to figure out how to strike and incapacitate her remaining right arm.

And so, I twisted.

My attack sliced sharply upwards, but time felt too short—I had to act.

—Kuhng!

Orna’s magic enveloped my sword.

The speed soared with my sword racing swiftly downward.

“Ugh…!”

In the end, I heard the half-demon’s panicked groan.

She lunged in to drive her sword deeper into me, but alas, she no longer had an arm capable of wielding it.

Using my left foot to brace myself and shifting my stance to evade the falling blade made this too tight a circumstance to swing anything.

Last strike.

Without hesitation, I released my sword.

Now, I forced what little strength remained into my feeble arm as I assumed a familiar posture.

From the quiver on my back, I smoothly drew an arrow.

I had dealt ongoing damage due to Tania’s flames; the half-demon writhed to suppress her injuries.

In the ebbing chaos of magic, the moment appeared at her neck.

“Gah, guh….”

My arrow brought an end to the battle.

She glared at me with eyes full of resentment before ultimately crumbling to the ground.

What a strong little brat—such a wretched spawn of a half-demon. Surviving against her was commendable enough, but the fatigue outweighed any sense of victory I could feel.

“No, damn it…”

With the blood of a demon diluted over a millennium, what are the chances that this is how a half-demon’s blood would appear?

I tossed her aside, dragging my nearly spent body away; lying in a pool of blood wasn’t the best plan.

I made it to a spot a bit further away—the shattered remnants of a stone pillar, leaning against it for a brief rest.

“… I think I’m done for.”

—Myaaa…

Cotton Puff nestled in my arms, worry etched in her eyes as she rubbed against me. Yet, regretfully, I had neither the strength to pet her nor lift a finger.

My body reeked of utter weakness and despair; even my right leg had a massive hole, bleeding profusely.

Was it because the blade had been drenched in magic? It felt like more blood was gushing out than normal. I only felt frustrated as I observed my leg.

‘What a mess.’

My left wrist hung broken and swollen, my armor was full of scratches, and beneath the leather, areas of my skin were exposed.

My body testified to how fierce the battle had been.

“Phew….”

My eyelids slowly grew heavy.

Having just been caught in Tania’s explosion, I sensed no lurking demons nearby. Yet, losing consciousness here would surely lead to my demise.

I focused all my remaining strength into propping my eyelids open, assessing the current situation.

I managed to ascertain the whereabouts of the primary figures remaining.

‘Airine, and—’

The first to appear was Airine.

As the dust of battle cleared, I saw her with plenty of wounds but not a single grave one.

She had also taken down a half-demon, while another half-demon chose to retreat.

And then I saw…

“… Friel?”

Her golden hair gleamed, losing its original luster.

Contrary to Airine, Friel Arielte lay motionless on the cold ground, an omen of misfortune.

 

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