As soon as Toma was distracted and began to calm down, the U.S. hunter moved.
He didn't wait. He didn't warn them. He just launched forward like a striking viper, his blade glowing with power.
The sudden shift from tension to action was so abrupt that even Nina, who had been watching closely, couldn't react in time.
The strike hit Toma dead-on.
The monstrous figure let out a sharp, pained noise. His glowing eyes widened, and he staggered back, the attack slicing through him with brutal efficiency.
Nina's eyes locked with his just as he began to disintegrate.
"Why?"
Toma asked softly, his voice full of hurt and confusion.
Then his body broke apart into smoke, dissipating into the dungeon air.
Nina didn't move.
Her limbs felt numb. Her thoughts were static. All she could do was stare at the empty space where Toma had just been—where his pain, his anger, his grief had taken form.
Now it was gone. Erased.
