Amin's POV:
- What the hell is that thing?
A giant arm emerges from beneath the ground. The wet giant tears apart the ground beneath it as it emerges like some kind of doll. Despite its clumsy movements, its size and strength are nothing like anything I've seen before.
"Amin, those things are definitely the work of a witch... But I'm not sure if it's part of the storm's power."
As Nere said that, the giant manages to pull its entire torso out of the ground. Before I know it, screams can be heard from other parts of the city. The stationed soldiers seem to have another problem on their hands.
- DAMN IT!
I launch myself at the giant who hasn't yet emerged from the ground with my water-covered scimitar. With a single swing, I perfectly slice through the head and shoulders of the giant, who was trying to climb out of the hole. I glare defiantly at the witch while concentrating on forming water around my feet to launch myself at her.
- You'll need more than that if you think you can beat me.
A swift movement propels me upward. My speed explodes as I launch myself at the witch and slash her with my scimitar before she could even react... or so it should have been.
- ...Huh?
I can't help but let a silly voice escape my throat before I realize I'm hurtling toward the ground. Like a wind-up toy, my momentum is completely halted before I crash face first into the ground. The impact shatters a section of the street, forming a small crater in the ground.
- What?
I look up at the sky where the witch gives me a look of pity. My bruised and battered face can't help but show surprise at the incomprehensible situation.
"Amin, your foot!"
Nere's scream brings me back to reality. I turn quickly to see something like a rope tied to it. Following the rope, I see it's coming from the giant I was supposed to have cut. Even though his head and shoulders had been perfectly severed, something resembling vines rapidly regenerated his head, while his arm regenerated from the rope holding me by the foot.
- Shit-
Before I could react, the giant raises his arm and spins me around like a coin on a string. He slams me against multiple structures and the plaza floor. Even though I manage to lift my water barrier, the impacts are so powerful that they shake my body violently as more and more bruises appear. My ribs soon break from the pressure.
- Ghuuu
I finally manage to cut the rope with the help of the water that formed my barrier, but I'm sent flying into one of the few houses that had remained intact. I abruptly enter through the first-floor wall with such force that the house soon collapses on top of me. With all the water left around me, I manage to avoid dying in the collapse. Somehow, I manage to make a water drill and use it to climb out of the ruins of the house.
- Damn...
With unsteady steps, I leave the ruins while staring at the witch. A deep hatred wells up in me. If these giants are coming out from somewhere other than here, this will definitely be troublesome. Forget about defending the structures; the soldiers positioned to strike at the witch won't survive this step.
"Amin..."
Although Nere's voice echoes in my head, the various screams overwhelm me. My impulse is to go help them, but the witch in front of me won't let me do that. Not counting the giant in front of me, there's no way the witch will just sit there while I go take on the other giants. For starters, I don't know if I can stand up to them. My aching limbs creak in pain just by moving. That contradiction renders me immobile as the sounds of cracking echo throughout the city. The mere thought of these things flooding the palace is strong enough to make me want to throw myself in, but I can't move. The witch's piercing gaze freezes me. A deep, sinister terror grips me as my mind is in turmoil. Before I know it, the giant who had appeared in front of me is completely lifted from the ground as he unsteadily raises his arm. The arm, over 2 meters long, swings slowly, threatening to crush me.
"Amin! Be careful"
Despite everything, I'm unable to move. Before I know it, a powerful gust rises in front of me. I stare in disbelief at the remains of the giant in front of me, not fully understanding what had happened.
- React now, hero of the water. This isn't the time to take in the scenery.
His reaction shakes me. The giant in front of me had been practically charred, but my previous experience forces me to raise my guard against the remains of that thing.
- Don't worry, it won't get up. I've already tested it against two other giants that appeared near me, and I've engaged in combat against them. These things are weak to fire.
Staring in disbelief, I watch as the fire hero confronts the witch without a trace of fear. He and the witch engage in a brief staring contest, while I can't help but stare at the fire hero in astonishment.
- ...Aren't you afraid?
- ...Of course I am. I also have something I must protect at all costs.
Without turning his gaze, he tightens his grip on his axe, which is pointed at the witch. Despite his words, his gaze doesn't waver in the slightest.
- Honestly, I want to run to her side right now, but I know I can't leave you in the state you're in right now. That's why I'm still here. Even if I'm a fraud as a hero, I promised myself that I would approach that ideal with all my might.
Just by seeing his gaze, I can understand our differences. The determination in his eyes is clearly beyond my current self. I can't help but sigh exaggeratedly at the sight of something so brilliant in front of me.
"Amin, don't let yourself get down, brother. There's no one stronger in the city of water than you."
I smiled wryly at that comment before patting my cheeks.
- ...it hurts.
The bruises on my face make my battered face ache even more. Despite everything, that pain gave me back something I'd lost at the beginning of the fight. I quickly reach out to touch the fire hero's shoulder.
- Thanks, but I don't need a babysitter.
Without taking his eyes off the witch, he frowns, not understanding my words.
- You're right that I can't deal with those things properly, but you can. So don't waste your time babysitting such a pathetic guy and go save the soldiers from the giants.
I stike my hands each other, sending the blood on my body spurting out in all directions.
- Let me take care of the Storm Witch. I entrust the safety of my citizens to you.
Still not looking at me, he smiles before lowering his battle axe and turning to me.
- All right, I'll entrust the Storm Witch to you.
Without another word, he speeds off in the direction where the archer squads were stationed. I sigh as I watch him depart before looking back at the witch.
- Thank you for waiting. You have my gratitude for waiting patiently for me to finish our conversation.
The witch, still looking at me with pity, laughs as she plays with a piece of pottery caught in a small whirlpool in her hand.
- Don't even mention it! After all, my revenge would be pointless if you weren't in tip-top shape. I want to crush you with all your power. I want to see you shed tears of frustration as you helplessly watch your entire homeland being razed by my lightning. Otherwise, I wouldn't feel satisfied.
- Wow, I didn't expect you to be so passionate. For someone your age, you're more energetic than I expected.
- Sure, go ahead. Keep talking nonsense. It'll be more fun ripping your lips off later.
A silent staring war erupted between us before a massive bolt of lightning struck between us. As if on cue, we resumed our fight.