[h2]Mihama Nanako[/h2]

Even in an ideal situation, Nanako's ability as a magus could only go so far, especially on a simple single-action spell. Her wind barrier was failing already, the crossbow bolts were going to pierce it within seconds...!

But then the bulk of the shadow monster suddenly went hurtling into their path. Immediately, Nanako cancelled the spell, the mana ceasing to blaze through her limbs as she fell backwards onto her rear end. She could hear the bolts penetrating the beastly creature's back, sending it to the ground with a thud. It seemed as if the Archer at least recognized that killing their ally, even if it was such a horrible creature, was unwise.

For a few moments, the horrible monster simply laid there. Even in her current sleep-derived state, Nanako had enough awareness(possibly due to the adrenaline) to shuffle backwards as quickly as she could and get out of the beast's immediate reach. For even now, the awful wound on its head was still healing, and while the crossbow bolts seemed to have disabled it, it certainly wasn't yet dead!

[@PKMNB0Y]