In the profound darkness suffused with chaotic spatial currents, beneath the massive incomplete-circle cross symbol, a figure knelt on one knee.
Gilan, having taken Blind General's terrifying slash, discovered that he had not died. His face was filled with shock.
He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
Lowering his gaze, he saw a palm-sized incomplete-circle cross brand on the left side of his chest, gleaming brightly as black light radiated intense fluctuations from it.
Realizing something, Gilan abruptly looked up.
"Tolina, it was you..."
Behind and above his head, a huge yet slender phantom had appeared at some unknown point—
The girl wore a plain brown dress, her waterfall-like black hair draped over her shoulders. Her hands were clasped together in prayer.
Her skirt and hair fluttered gently. Her eyes were closed on that holy, serene face, her lips pressed together, yet a trace of pain showed through.
Then, two streams of scarlet bloody tears slowly ran from the corners of Tolina's eyes!
Crack!
A long, narrow crack appeared on the girl's smooth, porcelain-like cheek, extending all the way down to her chest and abdomen. It was a horrifying sight.
The brand Tolina had kept deepening on my chest was never an anchor meant to lock onto my location...
Gilan's pupils contracted sharply.
It was a medium for taking fatal damage in my place!
Just like now—She blocked Blind General's strike for me and was severely injured as a result...
Seeing the bloody tears and cracks on Tolina's face, Gilan's heart hurt as though it had been torn apart.
He stared blankly at the girl's phantom. Though he had no idea where she was at that moment, she must have been in unbearable pain.
Even Crippled King would not dare take Blind General's full-force strike head-on, let alone