"So, The real party is here, huh…"
There were seven stupendous and monumental ants, each as large as a lion, tackling towards them.
Without being affected by the domicile's modest size, Jass had become competent in that the ant was perilous due to its magical citizenry.
While these creatures cry out for control over their supernatural abilities at first or second stage, they are prone to entering a frenzied state.
This made them simultaneously inspirational and impuissant opponents as the situation is unbreakable to win over them for the average person if there is a group of ants.
"Listen up, you three! Exercise in caution, And kill prudently. If any of you received injuries by blow or something, don't surmise from me to mend you with my magic, spell or other means."
She has invested her unfriendly warning which was honestly of her to everyone.
Jass jumped boldly towards two of the colossal insects.
—Skreeeeek!
The creature emitted a shrill cry at Jass. She dodged its gaping jaw, scaling its cranium before consigning an energetic stomp on head.
The insect fainted, and its companion galloped to defend its fallen comrade.
"How foolish!"
Leveraging the second ant's momentum, she landed a solid kick to its head. Which spawn it to lose balance at distance.
Jass fabricated a sharp projection and plunged it into the beast's skull, Its simple body stopped any movement.
"One down! You're next, you bothersome creature!"
Jass dashed at the previously downed ant, grabbed one of its legs at first.
She, sliding beneath its body, easily crossed its first two limbs, twisting them together.
When those two limbs were uprooted, emerald fluid seeped from the injury.
In a lightning-fast manoeuvre, Jass swing her blade from behind.
A faint line appeared on the insect's body, and gradually, it split into two separate halves.
"Am I hallucinating?"
Jass muttered in cynicism as Cassie wrestled against her opponent. Which was a sight that left her flummoxed.
This foe should have constituted no challenge to someone of Cassie's mindset and smartness with her cogency.
Yet, as Jass watched, she noticed Cassie had ratified injuries.
A gash marred her waist, with crimson liquid ooze from the wound.
'How much has the plot substituted? If this is like this - Will the heroine grow in strength, or will she devolve into a feeble damsel dependent on the protagonist?'
Jass pondered more. 'In the original story, she transudes a fictitious pride and innocence — eventually manipulated by the main character to join his entourage but albeit as its leader...'
A fragment of Jass's psyche rebelled against this scenario.
It seemed implausible for the heroines to lose their prowess.
'Wait a minute... Could the heroine role be not Cassie anymore?... No, that's unlikely, given the narrative's description with largely identical events.'
Jass stood stupefied as she attested the scene untangled in her point of view.
The huge insect overshadows Cassie, its mandibles parting to engulf her head.
Because of many wounds under clothes and low stamina, Cassie cries out for the strength to barricade herself with a tool or spell.
"F-forgive me, Jass!"
Cassie yelled out. Her hands bloodied and useless, Cassie sank to her knees with a pitiful expression.
She brawled for air with exhaustion, each breath a laboured strive.
There was no hope, Cassie squeezed her eyes shut, in store the inevitable in this uninviting adventure.
"Tsk! You're such a pain in the arse!"
Jass shouted in frustration, springed in front of her, get a grip on the ant's jaws with both hands.
The abrupt action caused her gripe to falter in a trice, empowering the ant to snap its mandibles shut.
Jass's hands were caught in the vise-like maw, engendering a sharp wince as she shut one eye in trauma.
However, Jass had employed her quick thinking. She administered to keep her right arm free, preventing it from being trapped within the creature's maw.
So pushing through the searing pain, Jass utilises her sword with her gratis hand.
She swimmed the blade into the side of the insect's head, instantly ending its life. Everyone has already killed all the ants and run at her.
A1 and Ln rushed to Jass's backing, funding her to remove her arm from the creature's mouth.
The damage to Jass's hand was appalling and critical. Her palm had been crushed, with fractured bones visible under the torn flesh.
Her fingers were grotesquely pretzeled, bent at unnatural angles.
The wound was further contaminated by the ant's corrosive saliva, which mingled with her blood and exposed tissue.
"Dickless, Ant! I will torture you to death!"
Jass gritted her teeth, vanquishing a vroom of pain.
She slumped to the ground, cradling her injured limb close to her body, her face contorted in purgatory.
'Damn it all! The pain is unbearable! I should have left Cassie to her fate!'
Jass thought bitterly.
The insect's saliva, now interlaced with her blood and digging itself into the open wound, exacerbated her condition.
Its toxic properties rivalled those of potent venom, and induced her heart to race in perturbation.
"How are you holding up pain without tears?"
Muskan asked with concern. A1 shot her a withering glance before responding in a frigid tone.
"Our mistress will tolerate it, though she is far from fine. But… My species' venom is very harmful but it won't claim her life. And since there is no antidote here, she must weather the pain for a brief period."
A1 explained dispassionately.
"J-Jass, I'm so sorry!" Cassie cried loudly.
Avora comforted her, gently squeezing her shoulder.
"This isn't your fault. Let's give Jass some time to recover."
Avora, with her life affinity, healed Jass's mangled hand but the pain didn't go away.
Meanwhile, A1 and Ln retreated to their customary perch on Jass's shadow.
***
A full hour elapsed before the excruciating pain slowed down.
Jass glanced at Cassie, who sat with her head bowed in shame.
The other two companions were beside their respective friend. An oppressive silence had sat on the throne until this moment.
Cassie, still impotent to meet Jass's leer, articulates hesitantly.
"I-I'm sor-"
"Stop right there! Save your amended honorables. I had no expectations from any of you."
Jass interrupted sharply. "Next time, if death or tragedy befallen you three… don't count on my presence - even if it costs your life. Your incompetence has caused me extensive suffering."
Jass clicked her tongue in annoyance.
The decision to assist Cassie had not been one she did willingly. It was her own body that reacted itself.
On the main point, Throughout her existence, Jass had seen and experienced boundless torment that she had grown immune to the deaths of even her… almost… closest companions.
Cassie's death would have given her the same insouciant reaction.
What made her mad was that her current physical form doesn't have the fortitude to withstand intense pain.
Jass resolved to rectify this weakness, drawing upon techniques from her past life to condition her body.
She aimed to reach a state where her physical, from all parts, pain would become inconsequential, exhibiting her impervious to these sensations.
Jass fixed her gaze on the trio, her expression ominous.
"I've repeatedly threatened and hinted you to stay away from me with your distance. I implore you… to heed my words."
The three companions regarded her with grief and trepidation on their features.
Their countenances reflected a boundless sympathy that they will do anything for Jass, even if she desires, as if the sins of the world's compassion rested upon her shoulders.
Cassie felt heartbroken, because she saw the painful eyes of a little girl in her, who never had parents.
"M-might I ask why? I promise not to trouble you further… If you don't want to then I won't ask…"
Jass has a… warm smile, but her attitude quickly crumbles.
"I told you all to keep your distance. Only one of us will be hurted. It's not that I'm not willing to trust... it's just... I have been betrayals many times."
A lonely tear dropped from the corner of my eyes… trailing down her left cheek.
"I-I-I don't want to be abandoned by those closest to my heart... not again…"