"Mom..."

  "I'm..."

  "Sorry."

  The words barely leave my lips as the wolf looms over me, its fangs bared, ready to tear into my throat.

  I want to cry. I want to scream.

  But—

  Sniff.

  No.

  Not yet!

  "Shield me, ward off harm! Aegis Minor!"

  The last of my mana surges out. A bright glow erupts from my body, and light begins to swirl around me, forming a barrier.

  This spell isn’t meant for me. Aegis Minor is a high-tier defensive spell cast on frontline warriors, giving them a few seconds of invincibility. It doesn’t last long, even on tanks. But on me?

  I only have ten seconds.

  Ten seconds where I can be reckless.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Ten seconds to win.

  10 seconds.

  I push forward, ignoring the stabbing pain in my leg. My body is already at its limit, but I don’t care. The wolf snarls, its golden eyes locked onto me.

  It lunges, jaws wide, aiming for my throat.

  9 seconds.

  I don’t dodge.

  8 seconds.

  Its massive fangs slam into my barrier—

  And break.

  A sickening crack echoes through the room as one of its teeth snaps off.

  7 seconds.

  "This is it!"

  I duck low, reaching for the broken fang before it even hits the floor.

  6 seconds.

  My fingers wrap around the sharp tooth, still warm from the wolf’s mouth.

  I rip it free, twisting my body as the wolf prepares another attack.

  5 seconds.

  It vanishes from my sight—

  Then, before I can react, a blur of gray slams into my side.

  4 seconds.

  The impact knocks the air out of my lungs. My barrier absorbs the hit, but I lose my grip on the tooth.

  No!

  I throw myself forward, sliding across the wooden floor.

  3 seconds.

  I grab the tooth again, my fingers tightening around it like a lifeline.

  The wolf growls low, backing up.

  It’s preparing something.

  2 seconds.

  It dashes to the far side of the room, lowering its body.

  My stomach clenches.

  It’s going to charge.

  Full speed.

  A final attack.

  1 second.

  My last second of protection.

  The wolf leaps, soaring through the air. Its fangs glisten, its claws stretch toward me.

  I shut my eyes, grip the tooth with both hands, and thrust upward.

  A sharp, sickening tear.

  Silence.

  I open my eyes.

  The golden glow of my barrier fades away—

  And the massive wolf collapses, unmoving.

  I gasp for air, my body trembling. My hands are slick with blood, but I’m alive.

  That was too close.

  That was too hard.

  But it’s too late to turn back now.