The Fastest Evolution of the Unrivaled Slime: My Rejected Skill was a Cheat for Super Efficient Leveling, So I Trained 100 Times Faster to Become the World’s Strongest

145. Pinch And Reunion

Ten minutes since the operation started. The sound of metal echoed across the field. A tension that felt like it controlled the whole area. The situation wasn’t looking good.

“Please, Laura! Stop this already!!”

Once again, I deflected Laura’s slash and shouted. Instead of calming down, her ferocity grew with each wound. She was like a wild beast.

With the effect of , the longer the fight went on, the better I moved. By now, I could predict her attacks, and if I really wanted to, I could finish her off. But—I couldn’t do that.

After all, it’s Laura. If I attacked carelessly, her life would be in danger. But if I let her be, the others could get hurt. That must be avoided. I can’t let my comrades, or Laura, get hurt. The best I can do right now is defend and create an opening.

But this won’t solve anything!

“Damn it!”

I countered her sweeping slash with a reverse spin strike. The force was about the same, but her lack of hesitation made her next attack faster. And if I tried to respond a beat too late—

In a split second, Laura’s blade grazed my shoulder. The cold of metal, like ice, pierced through me, and I grimaced in pain. At the same time, I felt the blood drain from my face. At that moment, I had dropped my sword, Hika.

This is bad! I can’t block her next attack like this! I need to grab my sword first—!

“Arx! Get back!”

Suddenly, I noticed a shadow stepping in front of me. It was Rurika, holding a dagger. She yanked me back and, in one swift motion, cut Laura’s white arm with her blade.

“I coated this dagger with poison for monsters! This should paralyze her for a while—”

A split-second attack. But Rurika was kicked away by Laura and sent flying.

“We’re going in too!”

Right after Rurika, the vanguard squad charged in. They must’ve rushed forward after seeing me pause.

“Uwaaaaaaaah!! Aaaaaaahhhh!!”

Whether it was Rurika’s poison taking effect or not, Laura let out an animalistic scream, wildly swinging her sword. Each time she finished a swing, a member of the vanguard was sent flying.

“Laura! Please, come back to us!”

“Have you forgotten about us!?”

Laura groaned in pain, different from before. It was the same look she had when I kicked her earlier. Laura was fighting, too. But she couldn’t break free from the item’s curse.

Isn’t there anything I can do…? A way to save Laura—

“Al!”

Suddenly, I heard a voice from behind. A familiar voice calling my name, cutting through the rear guard and rushing towards me.

“Sierra-san!? And Fran too!”

It was Laura’s sisters. Both of them were out of breath, as if they had rushed here.

“Ar-kun, leave the rest to me. I’ll handle this.”

“You can’t go now! At least wait until Laura’s movements slow down more…”

“I’m sorry. I know it’s selfish—but please, let me do this.”

Sierra-san’s eyes were more determined than I’d ever seen. She was a completely different person from the one who had been downcast before. Maybe it was her sheer willpower, but I truly believed Sierra-san could handle this. That brief moment was enough for me to feel that way.

“Sierra-san, use this.”

I activated and pulled out three swords. They were the magic swords I got from Irena. With these, Sierra-san could fight.

“Thank you. I’m going in.”

Sierra-san strapped two swords to her waist, holding one in her hand, and started walking forward.

Meanwhile, Laura continued to sweep away the vanguard members ahead. But the poison seemed to be taking effect—her movements were much slower now.

After the last person was flung away, only Sierra-san stood in front of Laura.

Sierra-san faced Laura. Their eyes locked, and though the energy behind them was opposite, I could tell both were burning with resolve. A different kind of tension now ran through the field.

“I’m sorry, Laura. For always running away… It must have been painful.”

Sierra-san took a deep breath, tightly gripped the hilt of her sword, and pointed the tip at Laura.

“—I won’t run anymore.”