So... putting together the cover and what just happened. The father is nearly dead from that attack and there is a hole blown through the arts. MC gets the sword beats the bad guy. I hope that is not the upcoming plot.
I turned off my brain when I saw that pellet go through THICK, Folded steel like Dasmascus.
I hope to see something super stupid next chapter. Amp it up.
I get why she cant muster the resolve to say, "You don't exist."
But, in another way what is currently happening now is reality. This couldve been a nice rising action arc, but back to the plateau