Maiken turned—just in time to see the gleaming blade arc toward him.
His lips parted in a desperate attempt to speak, but only gurgling, blood-choked gasps escaped.
Crimson poured from the deep gash in his throat, cascading down his chest like a waterfall. His body trembled, staggering as his eyes locked onto Hutson—shielded from head to toe, an impenetrable fortress of magic.
Why…?
That was the last thought in Maiken's fading consciousness before he collapsed, his lifeless eyes still filled with confusion.
"Remaining mana: 3%."
AI chip's voice rang in Hutson's mind, a cold, analytical warning.
Hutson exhaled, his head heavy with exhaustion.
"Blink drains too much mana… One cast alone burned through 49%."
It had been the key to his victory.
The moment Maiken's Ice Spear launched toward him, Hutson had activated Blink—instantaneously teleporting behind his foe. With a single, decisive strike, he had ended the fight.