V3: Chapter 46: Their Growth
This was Gladys's subtle control over the passage of time through magic. Her voice, like a bell in the morning light, was clear, firm, and full of power.
Seizing the opportunity, she launched her final attack—her hands clasped together, her entire body radiating a dazzling light, a condensation of all her magic and will, like a falling star. The light erupted instantly, transforming into a powerful shockwave that struck the tentacle monster's heart. The immense force sent the monster flying several meters away, crashing heavily to the ground, lifeless.
The battle ended, moonlight once again bathed the earth, and the dilapidated village returned to its former tranquility. Gladys stood amidst the ruins, weary yet resolute, knowing that her courage and wisdom had triumphed over the darkness. Her heart was filled with peace and relief, as if, in this moment, all fear and pain had turned to dust and dissipated into the night sky.
Gladys stood there, still panting, but her eyes were filled with the joy and pride of victory, and a deep sense of exhaustion from the end of the battle.
Thump!
She plopped down on the ground, oblivious to the dust, the sound of which was clearly audible. She didn't even know if her bottom hurt.
"Waaaaah..."
It was truly terrifying; she almost thought she was going to die here. Although she had fought and defeated tentacle monsters before, having a group of people around was always safer than fighting alone.
It was too scary, absolutely too scary.
Once Gladys had rested enough, she remembered that Laura was still behind her. She hadn't uttered a sound for so long; she wondered if Laura had fainted from fright or if her mind was blank from being scared.
"Laura?"
Gladys called out to Laura, but there was no response.
So she turned around, but the night was too dark to see Laura's face clearly. So she called out again, albeit tentatively.
“Laura?”
Still no response.
Gladys stood up, staggering, and walked towards Laura.
“Alright, don’t be afraid anymore, it’s all over. I’ve killed the monster, completely dead, you know. I’m very powerful.”
Gladys was showing off now, patting her chest, completely unlike her cowardly state when she fled earlier.
But Laura still didn’t respond.
So, Gladys bent down, wanting to see what was wrong with Laura.
“.....”
Good heavens.
She had fainted again.
“Wake up, wake up, Laura, you can wake up now. I’ve killed the monster, don’t worry, we’re safe now.”
Gladys anxiously patted Laura’s shoulder, trying to rouse her from her dazed state. After some effort, Laura finally slowly woke up.
She opened her blurry eyes, instantly feeling an invisible fear wash over her. All around was darkness, as if even the air itself had solidified. The menacing, twitching tentacle monster from moments before had vanished, leaving only the deep night and the unease in her heart.
"Where's the monster? Where did it go? Where are we now? Have we escaped?"
Laura's voice trembled, the immense panic making it almost impossible for her to think. She gripped Gladys's arm tightly, as if trying to steady herself.
At that moment, time seemed to stand still. Gladys's heart sank with Laura's fear; she knew this experience would leave a shadow on her friend's heart. She tried to convey her confidence to Laura, though her own heart was trembling slightly.
"The monster is gone, I promise," Gladys said firmly, her eyes shining with conviction. She wanted to reassure Laura, even though she herself was still shaken by the battle.
“I… can I trust you?” Laura’s voice still trembled, her fingers gripping Gladys’s sleeve tightly, as if grasping at a straw.
Gladys gently took Laura’s hand, offering her warmth and strength. “Of course! I swear, that guy will never bother us again.” She shrugged slightly, trying to ease the tense atmosphere with a lighthearted tone.
Then, Gladys proudly puffed out her chest, a smug smile playing on her lips. “I’ve wiped them all out! I finished the fight incredibly quickly, I just can’t help it, I’m just too strong!”
Before she finished speaking, she tossed her golden hair, giving a charming smile that was both playful and somewhat comical. Although her boasting was a bit arrogant, it did ease Laura’s tension somewhat.
Hearing Gladys’s words, Laura finally breathed a sigh of relief. As the adrenaline subsided, her body went limp again onto the ground, completely unconcerned about the dirt and dampness beneath her.
“Phew…phew…! It’s finally over, that was terrifying…” She patted her chest heavily, letting out a long breath, the fear gradually replaced by relief.
“You know, I was actually very scared at first too,” Gladys suddenly whispered, her eyes softening. She leaned closer to Laura, as if to share a secret, “But I knew we had to rely on each other. With you by my side, I had courage.”
Laura was stunned, never expecting Gladys to have such a vulnerable side. This honesty made her feel incredibly close to her, and it made her realize that courage isn’t the absence of fear, but choosing to move forward despite fear.
“Thank you, Gladys,” Laura whispered, a warm feeling welling up inside her. She reached out and stroked Gladys's hair, as if comforting a child. "With you here, I really feel much better."
"Haha, don't mention it! It's what I should do as your friend," Gladys replied with a laugh, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But remember, next time we encounter a monster, I'll be counting on you to fight alongside me!"
Laura couldn't argue, only managing a weak smile, silently admitting that she truly felt that way. Whenever and wherever she encountered something terrifying, she would always faint from shock, until someone patted her face to wake her.
"If it weren't for you, I might still be hiding there."
Laura muttered softly, grateful for Gladys's courage, yet knowing she had once again endured a test of her will.
"It's alright, we both survived."
Gladys patted her shoulder, her tone softening. "From now on, we'll face any challenge together, whatever it may be."
Author's Note
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