"W-What? S-She killed Patrick?!"
A man stammers, his voice cracking, his trembling hand struggling to grip the hilt of his sword. His wide, bloodshot eyes dart frantically between Eris and the corpse of their comrade, sprawled lifelessly on the ground.
"But… but he's a D-rank adventurer! That's… IMPOSSIBLE!"
The others exchange frantic glances, their faces pale, glistening with sweat.
Fear takes root.
Doubt seeps in.
Then—
"D-Don't just stand there!"
The bearded leader bellows, spittle flies from his mouth, though the shake in his voice betrays his growing panic.
"She's just ONE woman! GET HER!!!"
But—
Eris doesn't wait.
She acts.
An explosion of speed, a streak of black.
The first man doesn't even have time to scream.
Her blade arcs through the air with haunting elegance, slicing cleanly through his neck. The sharp, wet sound of flesh and bone splitting apart fills the night.
SHLICK.
Blood erupts in a thick, crimson arc.
Splattering the ground.
Staining the trees.
