The sun had almost completely set. Victory felt further away than ever. Daike couldn’t figure out how to win, and Otto had reached a stalemate with the spearman.

  A strike came down from above. Otto caught it with the haft of his axe.

  Good. Looks like he thinks we’re evenly matched.

  He steadied himself after the block and charged straight in.

  The spearman slipped aside with ease.

  The man had been reinforcing his entire body with tarmo throughout the fight. Otto, on the other hand, had barely used any. The spearman didn’t realize it—Otto had been deliberately leaking his tarmo inefficiently, making it look like he was running dry.

  I think it’s time…

  Otto focused. As he dodged the next thrust, he poured tarmo into his legs and arms. He moved at almost inhuman speed, cracks splitting the ground beneath his feet as he swung the handle of his axe straight for his opponent’s face.

  Got him.

  He didn’t.

  The spearman blocked instantly and, in the same breath, slashed Otto’s leg with the blade of his spear. Otto dropped to one knee. Blood spilled onto the dirt.

  Shit. I can’t keep this up. What do I do? If I can’t treat this wound, I’ll pass out. And that’s the exam over for us.

  “I’m surprised you thought that little trick would work,” the spearman said, pointing his weapon at him. “You do know you’re not the only one who can fake being low on tarmo, right?”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Throw the axe. Far.”

  Otto obeyed. He didn’t have a better option.

  “Hands on your head. I’ll check for extra weapons—or the crystal ball.”

  The spearman stepped closer and began patting him down.

  Otto clenched his teeth, frustration burning in his chest. But he was out of moves.

  If he doesn’t have the ball, I’ll have to go after his partner. I hope Pi’s holding him off.

  “Looks like you don’t have it,” the spearman muttered, preparing to knock him out and secure the elimination.

  At that exact moment, as Otto’s defeat seemed certain, Daike finalized his plan.

  I’m about to catch him.

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  He closed in on Pi, weaving through arrows. Tarmo surged through his arms and legs. In a blink, he was in front of him. Without hesitation, he smashed the bow and sliced Pi’s forearm with his sword.

  “You’ve got the ball, right?” Daike asked, blade leveled at him.

  “Y-Yes,” Pi stammered.

  He fumbled inside his clothes and pulled out the crystal ball.

  Before he could try anything, Daike boosted himself again and snatched it away.

  More composed now, he activated his tarmo detection to check on Otto.

  Something was wrong.

  Without even bothering to knock Pi out, Daike bolted toward his partner.

  What the hell? They were even. Otto wasn’t even using his tarmo yet.

  Behind him, Pi stood frozen. In close combat, Daike had completely overwhelmed him. The humiliation and helplessness left him unable to move.

  Faster. Damn it. If they knock Otto out, I’m done. I can’t lose. I won’t lose.

  Daike pushed harder. His breathing turned ragged. His heart pounded in his ears. He had no idea what he’d do when he got there—but he didn’t slow down.

  His tarmo’s still active. We’re not out yet. But he’s about to fall. They’re going to knock him out. And that guy’s probably losing focus on the fight by now. He’ll sense me soon.

  Daike was exhausted from the sprint. Using tarmo to move faster only made it worse.

  I’ve got a plan. We can get out of this. I see them now. He should hear me from here. I can’t risk getting closer.

  He took a breath, nerves tight in his chest, and shouted:

  “HEY! You, spear guy! Don’t knock out my partner! I’ve got two crystal balls. If you eliminate us, I’ll smash them!”

  What’s he on about? And why is he yelling so loud? Other participants definitely heard that.

  Rebuilding the balls would take time. Others would swarm in. And if Pi’s not with him, he’s probably defenseless. I should be close to him.

  Damn it. Why did I team up with that useless piece of trash? He lost the ball the moment I left him alone.

  The spearman shifted his stance, ready to run.

  Whatever. I’ll close the distance, knock him out, and take the balls.

  Otto lay bleeding on the ground. The spearman didn’t look tired at all.

  He’s faster and stronger than me, Daike realized.

  In an instant, the spearman was halfway there.

  Daike hurled one of the crystal balls behind him with all his strength.

  The spearman appeared in front of him, swinging the shaft of his spear to knock him out.

  Daike threw a dagger, deflecting the blow, then sprinted toward Otto.

  The spearman caught the crystal ball. He pivoted to chase again.

  Daike spun and hurled the second ball straight at his face—then kept running.

  The spearman caught that one too. He was ready to pursue and finish them off once and for all.

  But he’d overlooked something.

  He thought Daike only wanted to run. It never crossed his mind that Daike would attack him. He was certain the boy had sensed the difference in strength and would be terrified.

  Arrogance.

  Right behind the second crystal ball, Daike had thrown another dagger. The spearman didn’t see it until he grabbed the ball—when it was already too late.

  The blade slammed into his abdomen.

  Blood spread across his clothes. Pain flared. The urge to chase vanished.

  Damn insect. I walked right into it. At least I got his ball back—and recovered ours. But I couldn’t eliminate them.

  I’d better regroup with Pi and get out of this area. Shit. I need to treat this wound, too.

  Daike exhaled shakily.

  I pulled it off. Now I just need to patch up Otto and get us out of here fast.

  And we still have to prepare for the night.

  What a mess.