Chapter 426: System's Final Boss - 10

"Risky dynamic," Zahyla commented while moving at high speed to cover herself. "How much longer can you maintain this impossible balance, Elio? How long before a single error forces you to choose between saving yourself or saving her?"

As if to emphasize her point, she launched a series of attacks specifically designed to separate Lila from Elio's protection. 

Each movement was a trap, each attack a forced choice between offense and defense. Her dual-voiced taunts carried an edge of scientific curiosity, as if she were conducting an experiment in human behavior.

Lila's perception fluctuated again, mental exhaustion beginning to show. The strain of maintaining heightened awareness was taking its toll, making each movement more dangerous than the last.

Elio could see the numbers: they would need dozens more hits to have a chance, and each passing second made it harder to maintain the delicate choreography keeping them alive.