Just one of those claws is the end.

The deck of the ship where I once stood is shredded. Had my body been in that spot, there would have been nothing left.

This thing is monstrous. It can't be allowed to leave here, even without considering our main objective. There mere sight of such a war machine would abruptly shift the purpose of any mission to bring it down or find some sort of countermeasure, as swiftly as possible.

It just so happens that our objective aligned with such a goal from the very start.

Dust rises from beneath my feet as I skid to a halt, duck low and tilting my body forward. I'm a smaller, more difficult target this way. It's harder to pinpoint my position, and I'm ready to move immediately.

Air fills my lungs as I suck in a deep breath.

Caradoc-san is right.

Judging him to be a poor tactician merely due to his Edreni nature would be foolish.

But a single explosive, or even a few---

I'm not sure it it would be able to break through this abominable thing's armor as swiftly as we need to.

No, that's probably not enough.

My hand reaches the pouch on my hip.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight---

Will even that be enough?

I have to guarantee the armor breaks. I have to ensure the leg goes down. I have to shatter the monstrous weapon's mobility as swiftly as possible.

This is no time for half-measures. This is no time to conserve resources.

I can make more.

I draw a kunai, flipping it around in my hand so that the blade faces the rope on my explosives pouch. The edge slices neatly through it in a single stroke, allowing me to slide it from my shoulder in a single motion without having to alter my stance.

I have to make this count.

I won't allow this Valheimr monstrosity to leave this battle.

Tying the explosives pouch shut, I raise it back over my shoulder, taking aim at the weapon's right leg.

Preferably a joint, but the power of the blast should do enough damage to disrupt its ability to move no matter where it strikes.

There's no time for hesitation, or trying to think of another plan of attack.

I'll shatter its armor, and bring it down in two moves!

I spin the bomb pouch once over my shoulder, then let it loose to send it hurtling towards the abominable weapon. It cuts though the air, black form growing nearer and nearer to its destination.

With my other hand, I draw back the kunai, sending heat surging through it as swiftly as possible using my materia. The flames surge down my arm and poor into its edge, igniting the blade and turning the metal white.

I can feel the warmth against my face, the flames leaping from its edge as I draw it back. My arm tenses. I need to do this perfectly, or else my target may realize what I'm attempting to do. I don't know if I'll have a second chance, but operating as if I will is the path of a fool.

So, I'll simply succeed in a single throw.

There's no questioning.

There's no doubt.

This is simply what I must due to ensure our objective is completed.

My arm snaps forwards. The kunai leaves my hand, a streaking trail of red and white through the cool wind.

My aim has to be perfect, so I can't have any doubt.

The burning steel hurtles through the air towards the pouch of explosives, and---