The creature lay crumpled against the wall of roots, its chest heaving, black ichor dripping from its broken fingers. Its white eyes darted between Jason and the gap in the vines.
Jason could have killed it.
One more punch, one more blast of mana, nne more squeeze of its throat to snap its neck. The creature was weak, wounded, and utterly defenseless. It would take less than a second to end its miserable existence.
That was if Jason chose to kill it like a senseless being.
But Jason lowered his hands. His barrier flickered and faded. He stepped back.
Ylva stared at him. Her ears were flat, her claws still extended, her body coiled like a spring ready to snap.
"Why did you let it go?" she demanded.
Jason didn't answer immediately. He had watched the creature scramble through the gap in the roots, disappearing into the darkness beyond. Its footsteps faded. A few minutes later, the vines began to close behind it, sealing the passage.
"Use your nose," Jason said finally.
