In the silence of that area, Rena and Claire were still staring at Anna's corpse.
The midday wind blew gently.
Carrying the smell of earth, dust, and the lingering scent of the half-monster males still left in that place.
No one spoke.
Both were lost in their own thoughts.
Then—
the sound of something hitting the ground came from behind.
Brakk!!!
Soft,
but clear enough in the silence.
Rena and Claire turned almost simultaneously, both muttering at the same time.
Hmmm???!!
There,
Tina was already lying on the ground.
Her body tilted, weak.
The magic book that usually floated near her chest was now slowly vanishing, its light dimming until nearly extinguished.
Her legs, which had been trying to support her body, finally gave out.
Her hands lay limp at her sides.
Her breathing was heavy and irregular.
Seeing that, Rena and Claire exchanged glances, then both nodded at the same time.
Then quickly, they both stepped toward Hero Tina.
In between their steps, both had arched brows, and both remained silent.
Finally, they arrived right at the spot where Tina lay.
Quickly, Rena reacted first, her eyes teary.
Hero Tina!!!
Damn!!!!
Briefly, Rena looked back at Anna's corpse lying there first, then shifted her gaze back to Tina.
Hikss!!!
Now Rena's eyes were shedding tears.
Forgive me!!!!
I went too far!!!
Meanwhile, Hero Claire now looked around Tina, surrounded by the dirt and dust covering her body.
Hmm…
No signs of an enemy attack…
Briefly, as Rena looked at Tina, both Rena's and Claire's eyes met.
Rena deliberately turned her back toward Claire, while Claire was analyzing the surroundings…
Finally, Claire startled, her lips slightly parted. She muttered.
So it's true… this isn't due to external factors…
Then Claire closed her eyes, sighed, and muttered.
Hufftt…
This is internal!!!
Both of them knew what the other was thinking.
They realized
that Tina had been forcing herself to stay standing.
To keep explaining.
To keep remembering, even though she herself wasn't truly capable.
At least, that's what Rena and Claire felt as they saw Tina lying unconscious.
Under the midday light that was beginning to feel warm,
Tina finally collapsed under a burden she could no longer bear alone.
And not far from her,
Anna's corpse lay in silence.