Leo didn't answer. He felt the rising mana too, and he knew what was coming. High above them, the sky flared violently. The light swallowed the pale winter sun entirely as the mountain ridge groaned beneath their boots.
He shifted his stance. He looked down the line at the exhausted faces, then turned his gaze toward Alice. She was already looking toward the gate.
"...Alice," Leo said, his voice cutting through the whistling wind. "You know what's coming out of that Gate right now, right? Surely you don't need me to tell you what to do?"
Alice turned toward him, her amber eyes locking onto his. She gave a sharp, short nod. "...Yeah. I know."
"Good... then," Leo said. He stepped closer and lowered his voice so only she and Roan could hear. "I'm leaving the boss monster to you. Me and the others will clear the remaining monsters coming out of that Gate and make sure nothing else touches your side."
