Chapter 937 (2/2)

But Donny agreed with Mrs. Hamilton on this count. Having the kids gain experience wouldn’t make a difference either way. Besides, Mrs. Hamilton didn’t currently have a Fate, and yet no one dared to voice opposition to her inclusion.

“...anyways,” Stan drew a shaky breath. “While most everyone will surround Randidly and work together to whittle away his Attributes, Alana, Dozer, and the two Cortez siblings will work on suppressing Helen.”

Alana’s gaze tightened, but she said nothing. She simply looked at the stone ground. That caused Donny to blink in surprise.

She’s getting better at hiding her displeasure. Is it because she understands that Helen is the weak point we need to manipulate, or does she think it won’t matter, in the end…? But to think she isn’t going to say a word as the rest of us hog the dubious pleasure of slowing down Randidly Ghosthound...

“If we can force Helen into desperate straits and eliminate her, then Randidly will be entirely surrounded.” Mrs. Hamilton finished. “Without overwhelming power, Randidly Ghosthound will fall before our combined attacks.”

A logical statement generally, Donny allowed. Yet none of the evidence we have witnessed today seems to support it… It will be a long fight, either way.

Everyone nodded sharply as an air of determination spread over the gathering. The easy sense of what she was saying was enough to guide most away from their earlier worries. In its place, a steely fortitude settled over the group.

...and then was promptly destroyed as Annie stretched and yawned. “Hopefully, this at least last long enough for that dumb kid to fall asleep. Then I’ll get a night alone in our bed…!”

“And I?” Dozer rumbled.

Annie shooed him away. “We have a couch, don’t we? Do you know how fucking long it’s been since I’ve been able to chug a barrel of wine and just burp without worrying that little terror would start mimicking my gas for the next week? So stressful. It’s very possible I might fall prey to wrinkles soon...”

As Annie and Dozer continued their strange version of flirting and walked out onto the arena, most of the other assembled people followed. Then, all it took was a sharp gesture from Mrs. Hamilton for Stan to hurry away and she and Donny were alone.

“Are you prepared?” She asked shortly.

Donny just nodded.

She tapped her cheek with her long fingers, considering him. “And the time limit…?”

“We tested it up to thirty minutes, and there were no… permanent side effects.” Donny grunted. Then he scratched the back of his neck. Although he suspected it wasn’t a comfortable thing at all to endure for the other party.

“Good. Then I have no doubt we will win. Donnyton will remain as the unshakable power on Earth, despite Randidly’s best efforts.”

Donny looked at Mrs. Hamilton. He supposed that she was trying to sound encouraging, but she just sounded tired. At that moment, she looked how Donny felt. That made him grimace. The weight the two of them had borne together for so long was finally starting to take its toll on both of them. Yet he had no small amount of sympathy for Mrs. Hamilton.

Donny supposed that the antics of Stan had hit her harder than he had expected.

It was good to know that sometimes, Mrs. Hamilton was just as shocked by some things as the rest of them were.

“Paolo and Kayle’s healing took much longer than anticipated,” Donny said lightly to change the subject. “Regina informed me that some strange energy was present in their wounds… it took a repeated Revitalizes in order to remove the lingering damage, and only after that energy was gone would the healing begin.”

Mrs. Hamilton just twisted her lips. The two looked out at the arena. All of Donnyton’s strength was gathered here. This was the best they had. Both understood that the last rung would be pointless. They would either win here or lose.

“Did you see it?” Donny asked simply.

Nodding, Mrs. Hamilton seemed someone helpless. “The most powerful Raid Boss that the Earth has ever faced…”

“And it's the man that saved all our lives,” Donny murmured.

Both looked over at the sitting form of Randidly. Neither spoke for several seconds.

“Let’s have fun,” Donny said as he looked out toward the unadorned silhouette of Randidly.

“You sound like Alana,” Mrs. Hamilton replied, her lips curling upward. ”Today, let’s just avoid the loss, shall we?”