This time, when Shinjiro whipped around, he pulled out a giant axe - and took the blow meant for the girl behind him, rocking with it. He staggered, coughed with a hacking rattle of his lungs. That hurt.

But at least it didn't hurt Gina.

"You bastard," Shinjiro told the Shadow - and then swung forward with everything he had, using his weapon. "Beat it!"

It was violently knocked away with the blow, yet it wasn't instantly defeated this time. Weakened but alive, it crawled toward them again.