Chapter 344 Deciding Match 6 (2/2)
”Don't overestimate yourself!”
Rosen stood firmly and swung his right shield to sweep Anne's attack away.
Clang!
His shield smashed into her where she shrieked and flew off upon impact like a rag doll that landed heavily on the ground.
Anne struggled to lift her head while Rosen leapt up and his shadow enveloped her entirely.
”Go to hell!”
Rosen swung his shield down. This time, he was determined because Anne was a Shield Warrior like him and neither a Cleric nor nimble mouse like a Ranger or Thief. This boosted his confidence.
She must die. She definitely and absolutely must die—that kid must pay a price for taunting me!
It was obvious who was about to win this match.
But Anne didn't dodge.
”Anne will never admit defeat!”
Anne snarled, lifted her shield, and activated the mechanism in her left hand.
Kacha.
Her shield expanded abruptly and almost doubled in size. At this moment, Rosen's shields landed!
Bam!
Anne withstood his menacing attack and the ground beneath her feet sunk as though she stood in a sandbox. A whirlwind rose from level ground and engulfed both of them entirely.
”Heyahh!”
Rosen's veins swelled while Anne gritted her teeth and revealed a malevolent expression. She pushed her shield with both hands and resisted the powerful whirlwind simultaneously. Her arms trembled and her muscles ruptured. The ghastly scars from her palms to elbows ripped through her flesh. Fresh blood spewed and stained her leather armor.
”Anne… Anne… is not afraaaaaaid!”
She abruptly lifted her head and a green radiance flickered in her eyes.
”Hmm?”
Rosen sensed a powerful resistance as though a ferocious beast was about to devour him.
”Hmph!”
He withdrew his shields, protected himself, and rolled to dodge the backlash of this force. Meanwhile, the whirlwind that shrouded them lost its energy source and dispersed instantly.
”Hu… Hu…”
Anne stood up slowly with lacerations on her arms. Half of her pretty face was smeared with fresh blood and not only that, her legs were also trembling. If it weren't for the half-beast bloodline in her and the alchemist potion, perhaps she would have been shredded into pieces.
”… It seems like Leader's potion was effective. But… it didn't work as well as I thought it would.”
Anne grumbled and wiped the bloodstains on her cheeks. At this moment, she heard a whistle.
That's the sign to back off.
”Now?”
Anne turned her head dubiously to Rhode.
So fast—and I'm going down? I just started not long ago. What's the point of everything if I retreat now?
Anne shifted her gaze from the unconscious Randolf to Joey who was accepting treatment from Lize.
Everyone worked so hard, so it should be fine if Anne works a little harder… right? But if I don't obey Leader's orders… Leader will be angry… When that happens…
Suddenly, a dark figure flitted by.
A pitch-black shield missed Anne and smashed into the wall behind her. Screams were heard from behind.
Anne subconsciously turned around and was startled.
The wall crumbled to the pitch-black shield and revealed the bewildering faces of Shauna and the others who sat there.
”Where do you think you're going, little girl?”
Rosen pulled his shield back and pointed it at Anne.
”You should know those people behind you… If you wish to leave, then I will not miss the next strike.”
”Hmph!”
Anne gritted her teeth.
”It's Anne's duty to protect everyone and Anne has never thought of backing off. Never!”
”Hmph!”
Rosen revealed a sinister smile and swung his arm violently. Once again, the shield in his hand shot out towards Anne like a meteor hammer.
Clang!
Although Anne lifted her shield on time to defend the attack, her injuries restricted her movements. As a result, she shrieked, flew off upon impact, and rolled miserably on the ground before coming to a halt.
”Argh… This old man is indeed powerful…”
Anne gritted her teeth and mumbled under her breath.
”Sorry, Leader, Anne will work harder to protect everyone. Anne will work harder… Sorry Leader…”
She reached out for a hidden slot in her shield and retrieved a bottle of red potion. Then, she consumed it in a single gulp.
She stood up slowly.
At this moment, Rosen's ice-cold shield crushed her chest.