The World Is Mine For The Taking

Chapter 71 - Let The Party Begins, Part 2 (8)

A traitor. That had to be it. There was no way anyone could've known about my connection to Master, let alone Master's nickname, and then linked it to me. Someone must've tipped her off. And whoever that was, they must've gotten their info from someone else. Somewhere in the chain, there was a traitor.

"Hm? Did you have some sort of epiphany?" Sara's voice cut through my thoughts, a mocking lilt in her tone as I froze.

"I've just come to a realization," I said.

"Oh, is that so? Well, good for you!" she shot back with a wicked grin, before lunging at me again. Her dagger flashed as she moved, slicing through the air with a deadly gleam. It wasn't long, so she had to throw her whole body forward just to reach me. But she was

fast

, her movements a blur, and I had to react in a split second.

In an instant, I wrapped my body in the energy of my Guardian, feeling the familiar rush of power envelop me. I braced myself as she came at me, her blade carving through the protective barrier with a sharp crack, shattering it like glass. The impact sent a jolt through my limbs, but I grit my teeth and swung back, my fist glowing with Guardian energy as I aimed straight for her.

She darted away, just out of reach, her speed almost dizzying. My fist smashed into the ground, the force sending a shockwave through the earth and leaving a small crater where she had been standing just moments before. The ground trembled underfoot as I pulled my hand back, sweat starting to bead on my brow.

"Such a shame, really. I was hoping we could play a little longer," she taunted, voice dripping with mockery as she lunged toward me with predatory precision.

In a desperate move, I shut down the failing dome, pooling the last shreds of energy into a barrier directly in front of me. It shimmered briefly, a thin shield against her strike—but it wasn't enough. Her dagger cleaved through it with a sharp, satisfying crack, the force of her swing sending a jolt through her arm, but it barely slowed her down.

Her blade tore into my stomach, a searing line of pain slicing through my skin. It wasn't deep, but the shock of it rattled through me. Warm blood spilled from the cut, wetting my hands as I clutched the wound, trying to hold myself together.

"Kuh..." I grunted, the sound rough and desperate, as I staggered back, my vision blurring around the edges.

"Hahaha! Finally, you're at your limit! That's more like it!" she cackled, her laughter ringing out like a twisted symphony. "I was wondering when your stupid ass barrier would give out, but I didn't think it'd be this soon!"

I'd made a critical error, misjudged my own endurance. I should've known that the Guardian wasn't limitless, but I'd been too confident, too sure it wouldn't break no matter what.

But I couldn't afford to die here. Not like this, not in this miserable, blood-soaked place. I still had unfinished business, a future I wasn't ready to give up. I still dreamed of having children with Master, of a life beyond this battle. This was not my end, no matter how bleak it seemed.

Pain throbbed through my wound, but I gritted my teeth and forced myself back into a fighting stance.