Shiloh tasted the metallic taste in her mouth as she slowly loosened her jaw. She said coldly, "Let me go."
Andrew shook his head. "No."
Shiloh gave a sharp, humorless laugh. "You don't seriously think you've won, do you? Andrew, once my energy recovers, killing you won't be hard at all."
Andrew sighed and finally released her. "Then tell me, what will it take for you to let this go? I really am sorry about what happened."
He had no excuse left. Somehow, without realizing it, he had forced himself on her, and the thought alone made him feel both sick and absurd.
Back then, when Shiloh's memories were incomplete, she would often speak and act like a mischievous child. He had never once thought of her that way. But now, she was different. She was colder, darker, and strikingly beautiful.
She had become like a goddess of the night, mysterious and untouchable. Still, he never intended to claim her.
This whole mess felt like a cruel twist of fate.
Shiloh bit down on her lip hard. "You think one apology is enough to fix this? Andrew, you're dead. I'll make sure of it."
Andrew looked down at the greatsword lying beside him. Then, he picked it up and handed it to her. "Fine. Then kill me. I won't fight back."
However, Shiloh did not take it. Her eyes narrowed in surprise instead.
He waited for a while, confused when she did not move. "What's wrong?"
She reached out to touch the sword, but the moment her fingers brushed against the metal, she hissed and pulled back. "It's burning hot! Don't tell me this sword has chosen you as its master?"
Her tone was a mix of frustration and disbelief.
Andrew froze for a moment before realizing what she meant. "I-I don't know. Wait… Could this be the same rusted sword from before?"
Shiloh stayed silent for a while, staring blankly at it. When she finally spoke, her voice was filled with irritation. "Damn it. After all that, I got nothing out of this. Andrew, we're not done. I'll settle this with you next time."
With that, she turned and dove into the lake, vanishing beneath the surface in an instant.
Andrew did not chase after her. Even if he did, with the way Shiloh was right now, she would not listen anyway. He exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples.
Had he really just lost control like that?

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