12
In the blink of an eye, the situation inside the crate shifted at a dizzying speed.
Anastasia’s shout spurred Mimi into action. Despite her own wounds, she leaped forward and kicked Razcrew square in the face. But in the very next instant, he retaliated, activating his bracer.
Mimi’s small body trembled violently as excruciating pain coursed through her—but it wasn’t enough to stop her. Because Hetaro was the one taking the brunt of it.
The blessing of thirds, the protective magic shared between Mimi and her siblings, distributed pain among the three of them. Normally, the suffering was divided equally, but they could deliberately shift the burden. Just as Hetaro had done when they engraved the map on his abdomen, he now absorbed the punishment meant for Mimi, taking on virtually all the pain.
“I’m not as strong as my sister…so this is all I can do.”
The fierce determination in Hetaro’s eyes when he had agreed to Anastasia’s plan had been blinding. Even now, weakened by pain and blood loss, he endured the agony to shield his sister.
“Whooo! Cho-yaaah!”
Picking up on her brother’s resolve, Mimi’s attacks became sharper, faster, stronger—far beyond what anyone could have imagined. Razcrew’s entourage stood frozen, stunned by the sight of their leader sprawled on the ground. That hesitation gave Mimi just enough of an opening.
With a short, brutal kick, she sent one of the bodyguards flying into the wall.
These men were Razcrew’s elite, his most trusted enforcers, trained to be ruthless. But against the hyperactive kitten, their so-called strength meant nothing. Mimi’s raw combat ability elevated her above them.
“Yah!”
The second bodyguard snapped back to his senses, drawing his blade—a katana with a gleaming, razor-sharp edge. He swung, his strikes flashing deadly fast.
But Mimi was faster.
“Ay-you-yaaah!”
She bent backward to avoid his slash, twisting to land a tail attack. Then, with a sudden, explosive headbutt to his abdomen, she knocked the wind out of him. As he stumbled, she unleashed a flurry of rapid punches and kicks to his throat. A final slam to the ground left him unconscious.
“There! Did you see that?! Mimi! Flawless victoryyy!”
With Razcrew and his men completely demolished, Mimi cheered, breaking into a cocky victory dance.
Anastasia’s eyes widened. She had only meant to stall for time, yet somehow, Mimi had wiped out Razcrew’s whole escort.
“Well…I guess that’s all taken care of.”
Though still in shock over the unexpectedly perfect outcome, Anastasia wasted no time. She hurried to Razcrew’s unconscious body, prying the bracers off his arms.
Escape would be impossible if they remained shackled. Securing their freedom first was the safest plan. Then they could simply wait for the big scary wolf to come find them.
“Whoo-hoo! Mimi’s collar is off! Hetaro’s collar is off, too!”
“Yes!” Anastasia cheered. “These things come off way easier than I thought. Okay, now…”
Using the bracers as a key, she quickly unlocked all their collars. Then she snapped the shackles back onto Razcrew and his men instead.
A low, gravelly voice interrupted her.
“Insolent…brats…you’re gonna pay for this—! AGHH!”
Anastasia activated the bracer. Razcrew screamed in agony before slumping into unconsciousness again. She had meant to punish only him, but his bodyguards shrieked as well. At least they were safe now.
“Now all we need to do is wait for the old man… I trust you, so don’t let me down…”
As Mimi knelt beside Hetaro, tending to his wounds, Anastasia ran her fingers over the bracers. She murmured a quiet prayer, hoping that the next person to open this crate would be someone familiar.
“AGGGH!”
“Oops. Clumsy me.”
Razcrew’s garbled wail filled the crate because Anastasia had accidentally triggered the bracer again.
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