349: Remaining Participants
“ABRAHAM!!” Uma cried out for her pet when Number Seven drove his cleaver through the head of the downed bison. Instead of blood, glowing white liquid formed under the bison’s pierced head. Within seconds the summon grew brighter and started glowing as it melted and disappeared in an ever-brighter light.
“Any other pets?” Number seven asked while holding the handle of The Cleaver, revealed to be thrust deep into the rocks now that the bison was gone without a trace.
Number Seven then pulled The Cleaver out of the ground, it turned out that it was now much shorter than before: cracked and broken, the rectangular blade was missing several feet in length compared to its original, unreasonable proportions.
The man himself was beaten and bloodied, showing signs of a formidable battle, but at least he was still standing on his two feet, capable of holding a weapon, compared to Uma who could no longer even stand, despite showing no outwardly visible wounds.
With Abraham gone, and her eagle, Washington, no where in sight, the gory-haired girl now appeared defenseless against her larger-than-life opponent, only some distance away that the giant man could easily cover in a couple second sprint.
“I guess not,” Number seven lifted his weapon and put it over his shoulder. “At least you’ve finally quieted down.”
The girl in the white and blue uniform did indeed remain quiet and serious. But after Number Seven took a step toward the girl, she finally spoke, “And after me? You’ll kill the others too?”
“The remaining participants, you mean. Yes,” Number Seven nodded. “And the rebels too, if any are still left by then.”
“Scum to the end!”
Number Seven shrugged off the insults and asked, “What do you think would happen to them, even if they won? Just the assault on the princess is enough to have them hunted by every soldier in the city! And they will be hunted down, even if some of them manage to escape this. I prefer the type of killing that does not turn me into the most wanted man alive.”
“What a brave little warrior you are,” Uma said sarcastically.
“Do not confuse bravery with stupidity,” Number Seven said and took another step closer to Uma.
“I also do not confuse it with a back-stabbing coward!” Uma shouted. “If you like killing so much, you would’ve been among the men who fought the Demon Legions! But that requires true courage. You’re much more suited to getting your rocks off on fighting men and women half your size!”
“Do not talk as if you know me, clueless brat!” Number Seven snapped at Uma. “You’re perfectly happy sitting behind this city’s walls, lecturing others on their morals! It’s almost impressive how oblivious you are! Reflect on your actions in the afterlife.”
“You’re stupid to think you’ll live through this!” Uma shouted back at the mountain of muscle that approached her. “In case you haven’t noticed, the enforcers are losing!”
“Then I better finish this fast and help them turn the tide of battle,” Number Seven said and walked forward, still holding his broken blade over his shoulder.
Uma did not attempt to flee. She remained in place, watching the giant’s approach—
“D-d-d-d-deeeeeeeeeeeeemonliiiiiiiiiiiiing!!!” a horrified cry from deep in the dark arena reached both Uma’s and Number Seven’s ears.
“What!? Here?” Number Seven turned around, trying to confirm with his own eyes if such a monster did in fact appear. He could not spot it anywhere in his vicinity. If the demon had appeared on the other side of the arena, or somewhere among the viewers, he had little hope of spotting it until the demonlings multiplied in number, for they seldom roamed alone—
“GHUAAAH!!” Number seven grunted in pain when he was struck from behind with a mighty force and thrown forward.
The man tried to recover and get back on his feet as fast as he could, but even for him it took a moment to rise even on one knee. The cumulative damage had started taking a toll on his body, but at least he got his eyes back on his opponent.
“Conniving bitch!” Number Seven cursed Uma’s opportunism, frustrated with his own momentary inattentiveness. He knew it was coming! He should have been prepared! To think that he’d get distracted… Who wouldn’t? Apparently, that girl wouldn’t.
Uma was grinning victoriously, riding atop a great moose with wide antlers, nearly six feet in length.
“‘Conniving’?” Uma asked, her grin growing even wider. “I thought you liked attacks from behind. Now who’s the hypocrite?”
“Are you that clueless to not understand what it means if even a single demonling has appeared here?” Number Seven asked as he rose up to both feet.
“Trouble,” Uma answered. “Which is why I better kill you before you decide siding with them too!”