Ma's breathing had steadied, but her face was still pale.
She was resting against the rough bark, pain heavy in her expression.
Her cloak was damp with blood, the deep punctures left by the spikes now half-healed from the potion, but I could still see the pain flickering in her eyes.
And it was my fault.
The realization sat in my chest like a stone.
I swallowed hard, my fists clenching at my sides.
If I had been stronger—if I hadn't needed her to protect me—she wouldn't be in this state.
She had taken those hits because of me.
And the worst part?
Her mana core was still sealed.
She had fought, ran, and endured everything without magic.
A normal person wouldn't have lasted half a minute against that Tier 1 spider. Hell, even seasoned adventurers struggled against creatures of that level.
Yet she had kept up with me.
Matched my pace.
Protected me.
