Laughter surged up through his veins, almost tugging at the corners of his mouth.
He abruptly lowered his eyes, quietly digging his fingertips into his palm. He used the dull pain to suppress his rising lips, lightly clenched his back teeth, and repeatedly warned himself:
No, I can't laugh yet.
He deliberately stepped forward, turned sideways to dodge a sweeping mud arm, and casually punched the Mud Clone charging toward him.
He put no strength into it at all. His fist struck the muddy body and only knocked loose a few flecks of mud, making it look as though he couldn't break through its defenses even with everything he had.
"This is a little troublesome. Its roots go too deep. Even if we smash the mud body, it can replenish itself."
His brows knitted tightly, his tone as grave as if he really had encountered a tough opponent.
The act needs time to unfold. Rush it, and it won't look convincing!
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Yu Haibara had gone pale with anxiety.
He still had to keep the rest of the "show" going a little longer.
He lowered his head and raised a hand, pretending to wipe mud off his face. In truth, he was hiding his uncontrollably twitching cheeks, his peripheral vision fixed firmly on Yu Haibara's movements.
Haibara was circling the cursed spirit, trying to lay his anchors again, but earth spikes forced him back repeatedly. He was clearly nearing his limit.
The laughter building in his chest was about to burst, and even his shoulders began to tremble slightly.
He hurriedly sidestepped an earth spike, using the evasive movement to regulate his breathing and turn the trembling into "strained panting."
No, I can't laugh yet. Hold it in!
Yu Haibara had