Chapter 292.3

Chapter 292.3. In Those Eyes

-??? Tamamo’s POV-

“That’s it! You’re just causing trouble. A stray fox, huh? If you hand it over, I’ll spare your life.”

“…Who’s begging for their life? I’m going to kill you right here! My name is Aburage Tamamo. I’m here to avenge my parents and my brother!”

Anger and hatred surged through my body like flames. I had been waiting for this moment, and the joy made her tremble.

“Kya-! Mii-chan is Takano Miu! Take that, Bear-san! Mii-chan’s gonna defeat you!”

Takano Miu happily introduced herself while waving a tree branch, but I ignored her. There was no time for that now.

“Take this!”

[Fox Fire]

I created several small fireballs in my palm and unleashed them towards Frungnir. The fireballs hit Hrungnir’s body at arrow-like speed.

However, a magic barrier appeared on the surface of his magic armor, and the fireballs disappeared effortlessly. As the flames vanished, there was just one scorch mark left on Hrungnir’s body.

“Hah, you think such a weak attack will work on my magical armor?” n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

He laughed mockingly, not even bothering to take a defensive stance. He was clearly underestimating me. And rightfully so. I wasn’t wearing magical armor, and never received any formal magic training.

But that’s what she had been counting on.

“Kuh, one more time!”

[Spectral Blaze Leaves]

I created flames identical to the ones I had used earlier and fired them at Hrungnir.

“Come on, that’s useless! Trash magic.”

Hrungnir mocked her, but this time the flames didn’t disappear. They swayed in front of Hrungnir like a mirage.

I silently soared through the air without making a sound. This was what I had been aiming for.

Hrungnir should be seeing an illusion right now, an illusion of me firing useless flames. Illusions were not affected by magical barriers.

I soared over Hrungnir’s head and landed behind him, channeling all my mana into her palm.

It was a spell I had crafted to defeat the enemies who had taken my parents and brother from her.

[Spectral Blade]

The magic blade, thinner than paper and sharper than a razor, capable of piercing magical barriers, approached Hrungnir’s throat without a trace.

Unbeknownst to him, the deathly blade closed in on Hrungnir’s neck.

“Die!”

I swung it horizontally, with a grin that resembled madness, aiming to decapitate him.

“Chink!”

But it was deflected with a sound, shattering like glass and dissolving into nothingness.

“Huh?”

The lethal magic I had practiced so diligently was reduced to shards, vanishing into thin air.

Staring in disbelief, she stood motionless. Slowly turning around, Hrungnir wore a gleeful smirk on his face.

“Too bad. I have 10 layers of magic barriers. Well then, goodbye.”

[Strong Fist]

Hrungnir crouched, pulled his fist back, then unleashed a punch at lightning speed. It was a simple yet powerful strike that pierced my body.

The force exploded within me, sending my torso flying.

“Guuh… It can’t end like this…”

I had sacrificed everything for revenge, and now it was ending so easily.

Tears flowed down my cheeks as she coughed up fresh blood. My body grew colder, and death approached.

“Hey, hey, is this the end? Are you done?”

“E… escape…”

In front of me, Takano Miu sat and asked casually. She seemed completely oblivious to the danger.

She needed to escape quickly, or she would die. He was merciless. My comrades would surely meet the same fate.

“Hey, is the play over? If the stuffed animal play is over, Mii-chan is going home. Mama’s hamburg steak is waiting!”

“What do you mean play?!”

Furious, I stood up and shouted in anger. This girl was really pushing it… Huh?

Why was I able to stand up despite my fatal injuries? Perplexed, I found myself lifted by the small girl.

“Everyone, are you coming to Mii-chan’s house? Can I take you home?”

Why was I being carried like this?

What was going on? Looking around, I realized that despite the open space I was in earlier, now there was only darkness. Several stuffed animals were standing. From their heads, Golden Threads extended toward the sky.

What’s happening? Staring into the abyss of the girl’s eyes, which held an impossibly deep light, the fox plushie halted, ceasing all movement.