*Chapter 17: Uniting Against the Monstrosity*
With her emotions back in check, Charlotte began slapping and kicking Kagami for his earlier actions, demanding that he release her. After a brief struggle and Kagami calling her an idiot and telling her to stop kicking and slapping him, He finally dropped Charlotte to the ground. The monster's gaze remained fixed on Kagami. As if he stole something from It.
"Sigh, you idiot, did you come here to help or to die?" Kagami asked Charlotte, then continued, "This oversized bastard could probably crush an army, but two people working together are better than one, don't you think?"
Charlotte took a second, but then quickly understood Kagami's point and, after some initial cheeky complaints, she agreed that collaboration would greatly enhance their chances of survival and it would be beneficial for her. As long as he doesn't hold her back she's open to cooperate.
"I'll take those odds, from a zero to a 0.1," Charlotte said confidently, and Kagami mirrored her determination ready to go all out. But then, a thought struck her. "Why don't we try talking to it? It seems like it wanted to talk," she suggested.
Kagami glanced at the monster and remarked, "Just look at it. Does it look like it's willing to have a friendly chat with us?" The darkness that surrounded the creature oozed with malevolence, The bones of monsters and different creatures combined with the dim light and the suffocating smell, made any thought of negotiation appear foolish.
(It looked like a boss fight, a really scary one)
Charlotte quickly realized the futility of such an idea. "Oh, I see, I guess my mind is still playing tricks, on me." she said, dropping the notion of reasoning with this dark and predatory force.
"Good, now then, first things first," Kagami said, beginning to run toward the monster. Charlotte followed suit. "This is a battle for survival, our goal isn't to win—it's to stay alive!"
The monster unleashed its attacks on them, but working together, they were able to evade most of them. With Charlotte focusing on defensive techniques to protect both of them and counterattacking when possible, while Kagami blocked and cut as he could, they surprisingly worked together almost seamlessly, they didn't receive any direct hits.
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Meanwhile, Astaria watched from the sidelines and couldn't help but comment, "And here I thought they'd found a way to win." Her complaint was met with swift rebuke as Kagami and Charlotte both snapped at her to shut up and focus on her task or they will come and kick her ass.
The battle raged on for a while, with the two fighters barely holding their own.
The monster vitals was impossible to reach, and the monster itself although seemed weakened for some reason, it still was way above their league. Kagami was breathing heavily and he looked like he could pass out any minute, Charlotte was taking a harder beating than him, but her determination and seeing Kagami not giving up kept her going.
"Hey, do you think we'll actually make it?" Charlotte asked Kagami with a sad smile, struggling to catch her breath.
"I don't know, I will, for sure. But you two... Who knows." Kagami's response was unexpectedly blunt, causing Charlotte to laugh.
"Having an attitude and being an asshole in a time like this... it's not bad, I guess," she said, reminded of something that gave her courage. Kagami turned back to the monster.
"Hey, big, scary-looking creature, do you think we have a chance?"
[...No, I will definitely eat you,] the monster's voice echoed, its intentions crystal clear as they all stood looking at one another.
"I see. Thank you for being honest; it's honestly refreshing to hear the truth," Kagami shouted, almost nonchalant. Charlotte, however, jumped and kicked him in the face.
"The heck is wrong with you? You broken or something?" she asked Kagami thinking he may have lost hope after she pointed out the obvious.
"No, I just..." Kagami attempted to explain but quickly pushed Charlotte away, narrowly avoiding another attack from the monster.
"Sigh, can't you read the room?" Kagami muttered in disappointment to the monster, while Charlotte realized something after Kagami saved her for the second time—this guy might actually be useful.
Kagami launched another attack on the monster out of being pissed, and while he was preoccupied, Charlotte shouted at him while she moved her hand quickly around her beaten up body and motioned toward Astaria. Kagami swiftly understood and gave her the OK signal as he tried to completely get the monster's attention.
Charlotte grinned, and then quickly sprinted toward Astaria, who couldn't comprehend what was happening and began to scream for her to stay away. Thinking she was coming to beat her up for what she said earlier. Charlotte reached out and grabbed Astaria's hands.
"Heal me, now!" Charlotte demanded. Astaria was startled but replied, "Ah, sure."
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As always, Thank you for reading!