“No.”

I shook off his hand just as the word “purification” began to escape his lips.

“Shihu, you’ll die.”

Your body’s already weak. If you force something like that, it’ll be disastrous.

“You can’t die.”

I know you’re already pushing yourself too hard. You’re too kind. Even after everything, you’re still trying to save me. But what’s the point if you die in the process?

“...And yet, you’re the one always ready to die so easily.”

Shihu’s voice was quiet, but I could sense the anger in it.

“I-I don’t want to die either. But things keep getting worse. At …