"Ugh... haa... haa..."
Right after using my ability, my body is hit with an overwhelming sense of heaviness.
(This... is so exhausting...)
"Hey, what are you doing, Gib? Shion-san's getting super pissed—hurry up and kill them already!"
The woman who had been watching our fight from the sidelines raises her voice.
"I'm not particularly pissed. But I am wondering why it's taking so long."
The woman in the robe also chimes in.
"Tch, I'll kill them right now—just wait! ...I played around a bit too much. Next time, you're definitely dead."
An intense pressure radiates from the man.
(!? Scary... But compared to the black dragon's pressure...!)
If I hadn't experienced the black dragon's aura, I might have lost all will to fight right here.
"Sophie, unleash every attack magic you've got! It's fine if you hit me too!"
I construct five spell formulas at the same time...
(Huh? Why!? —No, never mind that!)
"—!"
Three [Thunder Arrow] and two [Rock Needle] activate simultaneously.
Log is also attacking with a spear made from [Earth Weapon], thrusting just like before.
But that's not all—he's even activating beginner magics like [Thunder Shock].
...Just like Orun-san.
Yet against the big man, whose movements have grown even sharper, none of it lands.
◇
(Stop!)
"Tch, again!?"
This is already the umpteenth exchange.
Fatigue keeps building up, but I ignore it—using my ability to forcibly stop the big man's movements and reset the situation.
While disrupting his attacks with my ability, Log and I somehow manage to keep fighting through our coordination.
But I know we're just slowly losing ground.
Even if we somehow defeat this big man, three more remain.
And I don't even know how much longer I can keep using my ability.
—And finally, I reach my limit.
"...Ugh..."
"Gwaa...!"
Log is sent flying hard.
My ability couldn't fully stop the big man's movements anymore, and Log finally takes damage.
Fortunately, it doesn't look like a serious injury... but next time...
"Finally, huh? Well, for brats, you held out pretty well. I'll kill you now and put you out of your misery."
I don't even have the strength to move—kneeling in place, frozen—as the big man walks toward me.
Scary...
No...
I don't want to die...
Big sis...
Orun...san...
"Stop iiiit!!!"
Ignoring Log's scream, the big man raises his sword.
Right after, a massive explosion-like sound erupts from behind.
"...Huh?"
The moment the big man's attention turns that way, a gust of wind rushes past my side.
"—Dry!"
"Guaah!?"
The big man's surprised voice echoes, then grows distant—followed by another huge impact.
"Sorry I'm late."
While I'm still confused about what just happened, I hear the voice I wanted to hear most right now.
When I look up, Orun-san's back is right there in front of me.
"Orun...san..."
Orun-san came.
The relief makes all the tears I'd been holding back spill out.
"Yeah, I'm here. You did great. Good job. It's okay now—don't worry. I'll take it from here."