Hostage

"Boom!!!"

Sheris narrowly dodged the strike. Ul stomped down on the ground beneath her, and the stone pavement instantly split into several cracks.

With physical attributes nearly twice that of an ordinary person, combined with the special force techniques of Guga Combat Arts, Ul could unleash astonishing power.

Ul acted decisively. He knew exactly what his advantage was.

The first strike missed.

He immediately launched the next wave of offense.

Ul braced one hand on the ground, twisting his entire body into an unnatural posture, and spun around to kick Sheris in the abdomen.

"Pfft!"

Two consecutive blows struck Sheris's already severely wounded body, and she spat out a mouthful of blood.

Ul's close-combat skills weren't strong—in fact, they could be called very weak.

Because his training time had been far too short. He had only learned the rough framework of many techniques in Guga Combat Arts. Such crude skills were riddled with openings in the eyes of any close-combat expert.

But... Sheris was no close-combat expert.

Not only that.

Sheris hadn't even studied close combat at all, and on top of that, she was still gravely injured.

So, facing Ul's current assault, she found herself utterly unable to find any way to counterattack.

Ul dared not give Sheris even the slightest chance.

His only advantage now was this crude close-combat skill and his undamaged body. He had to maximize the use of this edge.

After all, purely in terms of physical attributes, Sheris might not necessarily lose to Ul.

Ul pressed close to Sheris, giving her no opportunity to cast any magic.

Every time Sheris tried to focus her mind to construct a Magic Circle, Ul would slam a heavy blow into her, forcing her to interrupt the process.

Sheris fought with immense frustration.

In her entire life, she had probably never experienced such a stifling battle.

As a Mage with rich combat experience, she usually had a set of unique techniques to deal with close-combat experts. But now, her injuries were too severe. No matter how skilled her techniques, she could hardly execute them.

What's more.

Although the young man's close-combat skills were unrefined, they were exceptionally vicious and ruthless. Almost every move targeted her vital points, and several times, it made her break out in a cold sweat.

"Bastard!!!"

After who knows how long.

Sheris could no longer endure Ul's relentless assault. She cursed angrily and prepared to force out a spell.

But before she could act, a sharp gleam flashed in Ul's eyes. He seized an opening Sheris had exposed and punched her squarely in the ribs...

"Crack!"

The crisp sound of bone breaking rang out.

Sheris's face instantly turned pale. She clutched her abdomen in pain, stumbling backward several steps...

The color drained from Sheris's face in an instant.

That blow was too heavy.

Feeling her body growing weaker, a wave of panic rose in Sheris's heart.

Because she suddenly realized that if she didn't find a way to deal with this detestable brat today, she might very well end up falling here.

Watching Ul charge toward her, Sheris's gaze flickered with panic as she quickly scanned her surroundings...

Suddenly!

Sheris spotted a shadow, and a gleam of light flashed in her eyes.

"Whoosh!"

A gust of wind rushed past her ear.

Sheris gritted her teeth, her bloodshot eyes wide open. She shot Ul a hateful glare, then actively thrust out her chest to take his blow head-on. Using the force, she sent herself flying backward.

But before she had flown far, she suddenly scrambled to her feet and quickly cast a basic acceleration spell, darting toward a certain direction on the battlefield...

Sheris's sudden, abnormal move made Ul pause in surprise.

Seeing Sheris's actions.

Ul's first thought was, "This woman is trying to run."

But soon, Jelka's startled cry dispelled that notion.

"No good, stop her!"

As Sheris's "old rival," Jelka understood her far better than Ul did. The moment Sheris moved, Jelka had already guessed her intent.

After her cry, Jelka dragged her exhausted body and charged toward Sheris first, but unfortunately, she had overused her Magic Power, leaving no strength left in her body. Before she could take more than a few steps, she collapsed to the ground.

Taking this opportunity, Sheris also reached her destination.

Under Ul's gaze, Sheris suddenly grabbed the unconscious Jeris and lifted him up, her eyes cold as she looked at Ul and spoke: "Stop right there. If you don't want your companion to die, halt immediately and don't move."

"Stop!"

Before Ul could speak, the girl Jelka shouted at Sheris with a face full of anger: "This is a grudge between the two of us. Don't drag others into it."

"Ridiculous. I've said it before—since 'Fairy Tail' dared to meddle, they should be prepared for our retaliation."

"Don't you think this is despicable?"

"Hahaha... What does that matter? Blame that brat for sticking his nose where it doesn't belong. If he had just let me kill him outright, none of this would have happened. Now that it's come to this, he brought it entirely on himself..." Sheris laughed, her face twisting with glee, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.

"Kid, do you want to save your companion? If you do, then trade your life for his!" Sheris gripped Jeris's neck, a cruel smile curling at the corner of her mouth.

"Let him go... This has nothing to do with him. If you absolutely must trade a life for a life, then take mine..."

"Shut up, you bitch. I'm not interested in your life right now. I only want this brat's life." After shouting at Jelka, Sheris turned back to Ul with a vicious grin: "Well, kid? What's your decision? Time's running out, you know?"

The smile on Sheris's lips was twisted. She reveled in the feeling of holding others' lives in her hands, especially when she saw so-called companions foolishly sacrificing themselves for each other—it brought her almost to a peak of ecstasy.

Ul: "..."

Ever since Jeris was caught by Sheris, he had been silent.

To Sheris and Jelka, this silence seemed like "inner conflict," but only Ul himself knew that he was simply at a loss for words.

To be honest!

When Ul heard that Jelka was willing to give her life for Jeris, he was genuinely moved...

Compared to his past life.

The bonds of the people around him in this life were clearly richer and more sincere.

But!

As for Jelka's "foolish notion," Ul had to politely decline.

After all, others might not know, but how could Ul possibly sacrifice his life for Jeris? Don't forget—the wounds on Jeris's body were inflicted by Ul himself!

However!

After Sheris grabbed Jeris, a thought suddenly popped into Ul's mind.

And once that thought appeared, he couldn't suppress it anymore.

So!

Facing the frantic Jelka and the arrogant Sheris.

Ul quickly constructed a Magic Circle. In an instant, an earthen-colored Magic Circle coalesced before him, and then a spear entirely condensed from rock suddenly flew out from within, shooting swiftly toward Sheris.

Low-rank spell—Rock Spear!

This Rock Spear appeared abruptly. Neither Jelka nor Sheris had anticipated Ul's actions.

In just an instant.

Only a "pierce" sound was heard.

The nearly two-meter-long Rock Spear instantly pierced through two figures, bringing with it a spray of blood...