The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low

"Then you should’ve just said so earlier. Why drag it out?"

"Well, I’ve still got a conscience, you know. I mean, asking you to fight when you’re all torn up like that feels kinda~ wrong."

"Cut the crap and move!"

Honeybee hesitated for a moment, lowering the hand that had been supporting him. She asked with concern.

"J, are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

A lie. It hurt. The monster's thoughts kept pouring in, driving him to the brink of madness. Pain. Uijae shook his head in frustration and shouted.

"…Shut up!"

Gasp—Uijae jerked his head up. Pain. The two of them stared at him in alarm. Pain. Goddamn it. Uijae bit down on his lip and bowed his head.

"…I’m sorry."

Gyugyu rubbed his chin.

"Okay, so you’re not fine at all, huh?"

"See? You’re taking responsibility."

"Can I just trap him inside the barrier~?"

"Do whatever you want! It’s about to break. One, two…"

Crash—!!

The transparent wall shattered into pieces. As Gyugyu pulled Uijae back,

Clang!

A piercing clash of metal rang out right by his ear. Honeybee had blocked a razor-sharp blade with her slender rapier. Screeech—sword against sword, grinding and sparking like they were locked in a deadly tug of war. Her thin blade moved with a dancer’s grace, deflecting the monster’s vicious strikes. Honeybee shouted.