Chapter 12: Ice Ability User (2/2)

[PAUSE!]

He again paused the air behind himself, but the Ice lance continued to pierce.

It began slowly freezing the air around the paused cuboid. Despite having no success, the ice lance was still trying to pierce through.

”This isn't good… At this rate…”

Gray glanced over at the girl and gave her a cold look before speaking. ”You'll die.”

It was true. She seemed completely inexperienced with using her power. She wasted her stamina as she threw everything she had at him.

Despite its strength, the ability was double-edged. Her own body was being frozen by the second, but she didn't care.

She was purposely harming herself, but then again, what did it have to do with him?

”Everyone's dead.” She murmured, her eyes hollow, the darkness emitted by her cold words sending chills down Gray's spine.

At that moment, she raised her arm again, and Gray again felt it.

Another attack was on its way. It was possible she would die if she continued and she knew it, almost as if she was looking for that outcome. Even the words which she spoke resounded in the back of his mind.

Memories of how he had literally attempted suicide the week prior began flooding through his mind.

It was the first time, that he had encountered another suicidal person. Whether it was on a whim, the fact that he sympathised with her or the fact that he could feel a sense of familiarity from her, he didn't know, but even if it was just for now, he wanted to help her.

'I must still be in a good mood from getting that message from my sister...' He concluded.

[Unpause]

The pause timer on the paused cuboid ran out. With nothing to stop the lance, it was suddenly launched at Gray. Meanwhile, a spike of ice erupted out of the ground and headed straight for his heart.

Gray tilted his body as far back as he could in that moment. The way he bent it made him feel as if it would snap at any moment.

However, he was able to avoid it because of it.

His new shirt was almost torn as the spike passed right by his chest. He remained leaned back as he watched the Ice lance pass right by his eyes.

Gray was about to sigh in relief when he noticed that the Ice lance hadn't stopped. On the contrary, it seemed to have headed straight for the girl.

With his last remaining strength, Gray glanced over at the lance, praying that his skill would be able to reach it.

”Pause!” He finally called out.

It was at that moment that the ice lance stopped right in front of the girl's eyes.

In disbelief she trembled and her legs seemed to give out before she suddenly collapsed.

”You're welcome.” He said, struggling to stand back up straight.

While Gray had expected that she would unfreeze him as a thank you for saving him, he was instead forced to wait for the ice to cool down due to her suddenly collapsing.

Tears could be seen flowing down her eyes as she mumbled a few words quietly before fainting onto the cold ice.

”Why the hell did we even…”

Upon realizing what he was doing, Gray shut up. Why the hell was he being so talkative? Was he simply in a good mood because there was a chance Ria was still alive? It was unlike him, so he decided to remain quiet.

As he made this decision, his eyes caught sight of the entrance to the previous section on the other side of the room.

His eyes widened when he did.

'Oh for fuck sakes…'

They were rushing in, the group of zombies from earlier. The fight had caused an excessive amount of noise.