Elana unleashed her full magic on Loop.
I searched for Elana in the scorched plains. Had she been caught up in it? Surely not. She must have protected herself. That’s right, at that moment, I was the one who had evacuated to a safe place. Then, perhaps behind a rock or up a tree. Just then, a shadowy figure emerged from the still-smoldering smoke. Elana seemed to be safe.
“Are you alright? Can you run? Now’s our chance to escape!”
“Escape to where?”
A deep male voice, could it be… The wind blew, scattering the smoke. Standing there was none other than Loop. I froze. Why? How could he survive that inferno? He should have taken the direct hit.
“Elana! Elana!”
I desperately shouted her name. This was absurd! Why was he alive and Elana gone? As expected, he was the boss who commanded such a large flock. Though he couldn’t use magic, his power was extraordinary.
“I am here.”
Turning toward the voice I had longed to hear, I saw a tattered Elana. Her beautiful coat was scorched black, and her hair had been burned. Still, the fact that she was alive brought tears to my eyes. However, she seemed to have taken considerable damage, as her limbs were trembling.
“That was an incredible attack, I’ve never seen anything like it. What a terrifying woman.”
“And you, to be alive. I’m impressed.”
Despite such a fierce attack, Loop seemed unfazed. Had he dodged it all?
“Your magic is strong, but your movements are predictable. Are you still going to fight? It’s over. I don’t like laying hands on women.”
Elana swallowed her words as Loop spoke with such composure. She realized she couldn’t win, whether in close combat or at range. There was no point in fighting any further. It couldn’t be helped; now that the Robis Omen were retreating, this was our chance. We had to run. I signaled Elana. But she turned her gaze back to the enemy in front of her once more.
“If you’re running, it will be just you both. I’m staying here.”
“What are you talking about? You can’t possibly do that. I’ll call everyone now.”
Loop laughed at her words.
“Is that so? You’ve finally decided to acknowledge me. Women are attracted to strong men. It’s the law of nature, that’s how they’re made.”
“I’m telling you, I don’t like your attitude!”
A bestial roar echoed across the scorched plains. For a moment, I heard ringing in my ears. Elana’s intelligent eyes and elegant demeanor lost their composure, transforming her into a wild beast. Her fur bristled, her teeth bared as she lunged at the enemy. I couldn’t stop her, even though I thought it was reckless. The sheer force of it made the opponent tense up for a brief moment.
She didn’t miss that opening. She passed me at an incredible speed and latched onto the enemy’s throat.
