The explosion hurled Rion downward like a meteor. He crashed through the roof of a burning hut, splintering timber and sending up a choking storm of dust and ash that blanketed the entire village. The ground shuddered.
Bren glanced at Mira; the massive fireball had been hers. From a distance their eyes met. She gave a small, solemn nod. Mira answered with the faintest of smiles. No words were needed; years of drilled teamwork spoke for them.
Bren turned to Lira, voice tight with worry.
"Lira, get out of here. Go to Mira. It's too dangerous."
Lira gripped her staff tighter, nodded once, and sprinted toward Mira.
Bren watched her go, exhaling in quiet relief.
S-rank healer… she only joined this low-tier party because of me. She should be somewhere far safer.
From inside the collapsed hut came a roar that shook the entire village.
"HAAO'O'O'O'O'O'O'!!!"
