PAID

“So, you dodged my attack with nothing but physical skills…

Kid, you’ve got a few tricks up your sleeve, I’ll give you that.”

Adam slowly turned around, his massive war hammer swinging in his hands.

“But it’s all just a futile struggle. The Nine Infernos technique—I’ve heard of it before.

I must say, I’m surprised you’re capable of using it at your age.”

“However, I also know the toll it takes on the body.”

“Especially on a weak little body like yours.”

“Your legs must be trembling by now, aren’t they? Burning, aching?”

Noa turned her head slightly, her eyes calm and unreadable.

Adam couldn’t tell if she was pretending to stay composed or genuinely fearless in the face of danger.

Ignoring his mocking words, Noa turned forward again, clutching Helena tightly,

and dashed at full speed in the direction they had been heading.

“Interesting. Fine, I’ll play with you for a bit longer.”

As he spoke, Adam’s hammer spun on its chain, whistling through the air.

In the harrowing game of cat and mouse, where the difference in power was overwhelming,

Noa gradually shed the fear that had gripped her at the start.

Dodging his earlier lethal strike by the narrowest margin had ignited a spark of confidence within her.

“He’s definitely an odd opponent. But that doesn’t mean escaping him is impossible.”

Her father’s advice echoed in her mind:

*"In battle, if you hold on to even the faintest hope, it could be the key to turning the tides."*

Noa didn’t know what kind of situations someone as powerful as her father would need to “turn the tides,”

but she remembered his words nonetheless.

Noa traded a few more rounds with the hammer-wielding monster,

darting and weaving through the forest with Helena. Finally, they slipped into a spot where the sound of rushing water masked their hurried breaths and concealed their scent.  @@novelbin@@