It Felt Like I'd Crushed Something

The Little Boy was in Xu Yuan's arms. Seeing how little he seemed to care, and unable to explain, the boy looked ready to burst with frustration.

But they were already inside. There was no other way.

Xu Yuan, however, was thinking about something else.

This is only a Training Match. If things get bad enough, I can spend ten gold coins and get out.

Since I'm here, I might as well be bold and think harder about how to break this deadlock.

"Hey, what's your name?"

Xu Yuan lifted the Little Boy and asked.

"Your brother!" the Little Boy snapped.

"Don't discriminate on the basis of race. Even Blackie would sound better," Xu Yuan chided.

"My skin's this pale! What part of me is black?" The Little Boy craned his neck, looking ready to explode.

"Then—" Xu Yuan began.

A Dragon's roar suddenly rang out from Heaven.

Both of them fell silent.

"Hey, that Dragon's flying around up in Heaven. Is there really nothing we humans can do about it?"

He asked the Little Boy.

"What are you talking about, mister? How would I know?" the Little Boy protested, indignant.

I came in here just to save you, and you call me Blackie.

And you're carrying me!

Forget it.

I'll put you somewhere safe, then leave!

Xu Yuan shook his head and muttered,

"Right. You're only seven or eight. Why am I asking you this?"

"Only just figured that out? You're so dumb!" the Little Boy shot back. She was about to form a Spell Seal when her whole body suddenly went rigid—

She wasn't the only one.

Xu Yuan kept his head still and glanced beyond the Overpass from the corner of his eye. Horror flashed through his gaze.

Across the ground.

Scale-covered arms reached up, palms open,