"Are you out of your fucking mind, you bastard?!" Sir Victor shouted.
I was startled by his harsh words, but there was a bigger problem at hand.
Where had the dire wolf gone? Anxiety engulfed me. We made a few successful attacks, but it hadn’t been enough to subdue the beast. After all, it was a powerful monster that could only be handled with a group of first-class swordsmen. Fearful, everyone waited with bated breath.
Mikhail approached Beatrice.
"Your Highness, are you all right?" he asked.
I briefly wondered if she had grown fond of Mikhail, but then I saw her stormy expression.
"This isn’t the time to care about me, is it? Instead, I want you to know that what you just did put us all in danger."
Disappointed, Mikhail nodded. "Understood, Your Highness. This place is dangerous, so you must—"
Bang!
Before Mikhail could finish speaking, the ceiling of the stadium broke. The beast quickly fell in and swung its claws at us.
Mikhail hastily blocked its attack with a grunt, but he was injured in the process. Blood dripped from one of his arms as he held his shield up against its claws. Then, it swung its large tail and threw him.
Bang!
Sir Victor stood in front of us and swung his blade. However, the beast tossed him back too.
"Damn it! Run!" he shouted, but the beast was already standing in front of Beatrice. It licked its lips as if ready to savor a luxurious meal. Even if Bea ran away, it was obvious she would be caught quickly.
If she used magic... No, there was no sign she could use magic. I tried to think of a way out of this crisis.
"I'm scared," she wept. That was all she could say. After all, she was just an ordinary girl my age.
The beast took its forefoot off the ground and leaped forward.
What I had read was a novel, but the place I lived in now… This was reality. A miraculous plot twist wasn’t going to happen. Realizing this, I did my best to push Bea away. The impact rolled her to the side and she gaped at me in surprise.
I looked into her guilt-ridden eyes.
"It’s not your fault,” I said.
As soon as I finished speaking, a giant set of paws knocked me down. The dire wolf’s menacing golden eyes stared down at me and I suddenly became painfully aware that the death I so desperately wished to avoid was now imminent.
Max left the basement and headed toward the stadium as quickly as possible. Because of the fleeing crowd, however, he couldn’t get to the arena as fast as he wanted to. He hurriedly scanned the large stadium once he entered.
Where was Jubelian? Frustration enveloped him for a moment before he felt a strong presence and turned his head. Was it over there? Impatient, he ran with all his might toward the direction the energy was coming from. Once he grew close, he finally spotted the one face he had longed to see.
You're safe,” his relieved mind chanted.
Just then, the ceiling broke and the beast appeared. After pushing Mikhail and Victor out of its way, the beast slowly approached Beatrice.
That damned animal! Max started sprinting. However, it was clear that he wouldn’t be able to stop the beast at this rate.
Damn it, Beatrice, he cursed silently. Why are you standing still?
Although he was irritated, he was hoping that his sister would be safe from the beast's attack.
Please! Move!
At that moment, someone pushed Beatrice away just as Max had wished. However, the very same person that had helped her had now taken her place as the beast’s prey. Once he realized who it was, Max's eyes trembled violently.
No! his mind screamed. Why are you...?!
As he watched Jubelian stand before the beast on his sister’s behalf, Max’s blood ran cold. She had requested that he pretend not to know her during the competition, but now that he was in this situation, he saw no reason to keep the oath. Wrought with desperation, he cried out her name.
"Jubelian!"
Hurriedly, he drew his sword and charged with all his might. However, the beast had already pinned her to the ground. Its enormous front paws weighed down upon her slender body.
Ten steps. He was ten mere steps away.
It was a short distance but the distance between Jubelian and the beast’s mouth was infinitely closer. Feeling hopeless, Max stretched out his hand as far as he could. He thought he could snatch her away, but he was just out of reach.
Please, please...!
It didn't matter if it was to a god in heaven or hell—if either of them could help save her, Max was ready to give up his soul. Just a moment is fine, so please protect her, he prayed silently.
However, the deities betrayed his earnest wish, and the beast shoved its jaw forward.
A single tear fell from Max's eye.
"No!"
Just then, something exploded inside of him. His blocked senses suddenly opened, and everything began to flow slowly.
I thought the beast only responded to Bea, but now it was looking down at me. I was pinned to the ground by its feet. Judging by the saliva dripping from his mouth, it was going to eat me alive.
I couldn't believe I was going to die such a horrible death. I was glad I saved Bea from the monster, but it broke my heart to think about Max grieving for me. I had taught him about worldly affairs... What if he started doing whatever he wanted again?
My heart sank deeper the more I thought about him. Realizing I was going to die soon, I decided to be honest about my feelings. In the end, I wanted to live happily ever after with Max and Dad…
As if to trample on my wish, the giant wolf opened its mouth and lunged for me. Unable to stand the terrible sight, I closed my eyes.
"No!"
I heard Max’s voice as soon as I clenched my eyes shut, but I decided I was just hearing things because I was close to death.
I prayed for this to be over as quickly as possible, bracing myself for the pain
Bang!
Out of nowhere, there came a loud noise, and the heaviness that weighed on me disappeared. A warmth suddenly surrounded my body.
"Jubelian."
Was I dreaming? Concerned, I slowly opened my eyes, discovering that the one I had longed for was now looking at me with moist eyes.
"Max,” I said, and he hugged me. His teardrops dripped onto my face.