"Ugh…" Torrent exhaled sharply as he watched the Velkin clone's body unravel.
It wasn't a clean disappearance.
The cursed limbs rotted into black dust first then the corrupted mana evaporated like steam, and then what was left… a limbless, scar-covered woman, collapsed toward the ground.
Torrent moved without thinking and caught her before she hit the rubble.
Her skin was still discolored with patches of corruption scattered across it, but the natural warmth of human complexion was returning rapidly.
The curse inside her was fading.
Her breaths were short and uneven with each one weaker than the last.
She stared up at Torrent with a mixture of exhaustion and clarity, as if remembering something important at the edge of her fading consciousness.
"Damn that bully…" she whispered hoarsely. "I'm about to die."
Torrent opened his mouth, but no words came.
He held her a little tighter, lowering her gently onto his lap.
