The hands beside the elf's ears stopped moving, and the ticking above the clock dial vanished. Only the golden second hand within the navy-blue clock dial beneath their feet kept turning.
During the first minute of Zhuri's closed-eyed contemplation, Yu Xunge waited patiently.
During the second minute of Zhuri's closed-eyed contemplation, Yu Xunge frowned up at the sky, tapping her toe against the ground with a hint of irritation.
During the third minute of Zhuri's closed-eyed contemplation, Yu Xunge clasped her hands behind her back and turned in place a few times, wondering whether Zhuri was fooling her... but then she thought that this was Zhuri, after all. Surely she wouldn't.
During the fourth minute of Zhuri's closed-eyed contemplation, seeing that the effect of her [Never Change] skill was about to end, Yu Xunge couldn't help whispering very quietly to Zhuri, "Zhuri, wake up. It's morning."
But only silence answered her.
Perhaps Zhuri really was gaining an insight. True, a word she had thought could sum up her life had suddenly stopped working. That could indeed move her.
Yu Xunge's expression grew serious, and she settled down quietly again. She did want to win, but compared with Zhuri comprehending her Deity Talent Word, the outcome of a match didn't seem quite so important.
Besides, only if Zhuri lit up her Deity Talent Word again and used her ability on her would she have a chance to activate [Wildfire Rekindled] and enter her second phase.
Five minutes passed, and [Never Change] ended.
With her hands behind her back, Yu Xunge sighed silently. Almost simultaneously, Zhuri opened her eyes across from her.
The elf pressed the corners of her eyes and complained, "Why didn't you wake me?"
Yu Xunge said, "...You've got to be kidding."
The dagger in her hand spun in