Guro stood at the edge of the pool, grinning as she watched me struggle.
I ignored her and activated Particle Absorption.
The heat around me surged into my body. I needed more Essence, more fuel to push my body past its limits. I was planning to break this demon and drag her around just like she did to me.
I locked eyes with her.
She tapped her foot against the ground a couple of times, then leaned forward slightly, like a predator getting ready to pounce.
And then she moved.
Her figure blurred, the space between us vanishing in an instant.
I barely caught the movement of her right hand, flashing toward my face like a claw.
Instinct took over.
I raised my arms in front of me to block—
But she disappeared.
A sudden, searing pain tore through my back.
I staggered, breath hitching as I felt blood trickling down my skin.
She had slashed me.
I gritted my teeth, forcing down a groan.
