For a moment, Alice's eyes widened, and her heart quickened.
A flood of emotions washed over her—relief, gratitude, and something else she couldn't quite define.
But the moment passed as she realized she felt safe with him standing protectively before her.
"You..." Louise snarled, pushing himself off the wall, his face contorted in rage.
"I wanted to eliminate her first... but since you're here now... I'll beat the living shit out of you, four-eyes!"
Rel stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he met Louise's gaze.
"I won't let you hurt any of my teammates," he declared, his voice firm and resolute.
With a swift motion, he unslung his bow from his back, the weapon feeling like an extension of his own body.
He tugged the bowstring and an arrow appeared through thin air.
"I'll be your opponent, Louise," Rel said.
Louise burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the ruined hallway.
