It worked.

Not cleanly, but our efforts haven't been in vain. The monster's armor has cracked. A gap has been opened. Not a perfect gap, but a gap nonetheless through which we can strike.

It is that which I center on immediately. The shouted order from Mathiassen-san is only a confirmation of the course of action I must take.

From here, it won't be easy to reach it with my blade. Certainly, it may not be impossible, but to rely on such a chance would be foolish. And my kunai simply won't do enough damage to secure victory as swiftly as possible.

Therefore, there is truthfully only one option left.

I skid backwards across the ground as I put distance between myself and our foe, my left hand reaching into the pouch on my hip. I have the space now, and a clear target.

All I have to do is aim and throw.

The black shape of the explosive is exposed to the air for only a moment, magical energy surging, directed by my materia to set the wick ablaze.

I step back and raise my arm back. My heart stills.

I can't miss this shot, after all.

I hurl the bomb towards my target, and---