Once I uttered that connection, my brain fused into one, and then I caught what the woman had just said. I was struck with even more disbelief, and looking at my teammate, she had an extreme reaction.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡif2ZkfI115
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"Did she just say Hard-Bringer?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUJNokZyBZ
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Confusion, rage, and fervor overtook her whole being. Even I had a similar reaction, though on a smaller scale. I could tell that she wanted to jump out, but I wrapped her around her arms.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb6UnQ9bUj
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"What are you doing!?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgOrAGC4IJ
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwhORTme2z
"Don't go making a scene! They could just be lunatics, and even if they aren't–"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagTV2W8xAV
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLYiNVA94h
**BOOM**214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EYOEzlthK
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My hopes of this being a farce were instantly shattered. To our right, the top of a building blew up and caught on fire, and then an adjacent one followed suit. The crowd panicked and a cacophony of voices blasted my ears, deafening me. But it didn't paralyze me, and the same went for Rover. My meager grip couldn't hold her back, but I wouldn't let her face this chaos alone, so I followed her into the plaza. The people dispersed like a flock of frightened chickens, trampling over any unfortunate souls who had tripped. Eventually, the wave of people came to me. I lost sight of Rover and the speed of my chase slowed down considerably. It took my whole being just to not be knocked over, let alone move forward. I was shorter than everyone in the crowd as well, so I was unsure if I was even facing the same direction.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRXixue9M2
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"Ngh, damn it!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ0Y2od9UV
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Eventually, the wave of people thinned, and I could finally see what was happening in the environs. Buildings were still being destroyed. Some citizens fled from the plaza successfully while others were trapped by the plummeting debris. I spotted Rover in the distance fighting Hard-Bringer lackeys. The woman was still on the sage, and beside her were three other figures of varying heights and builds.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATreFmwtHS
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrKHGDp6Na
I began mana expulsion, creating a spear of stone and gradually amplifying it in rotation speed and size. Before I even threw it, the woman hurriedly ran from the stage, and the other three dispersed in different directions.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuxURIiARi
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"How did they– ack! Nevermind!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBoUk25JDE
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With their clothes, it was impossible to tell who those four were apart from the rest of the lackeys. All, aside from the woman. She ignored all other combatants and rushed toward Rover. I raised my hand, trying to align my spell with her. It was difficult with all the shaking and sudden surge of nerves, so I just simply shot it out, closing my eyes as I did. When I opened them, I saw the woman stock still, waiting for my spell to pass.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz41hs0DAL
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It was like she knew I was going to fire it.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25VymhvmYs
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"--Damn it! Rover!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5DRQGdw9c
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I took out my tendril and was about to rush forward until I felt someone grab my shoulder. I turned around half in fright, but a warm feeling permeated through my chest when I met eyes with the person.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpmJKnbFeF
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"What the hell are ya doing here, kid!?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ996U9wRRsa
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Juke, carrying his helmet in one hand, was standing there with a frantic expression.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8doJfvWkh
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"I could ask you the same thing! Forget about it now, we need to help Rover!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPePT6Wb2i
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr1RdcHfib
"Gah, everything's out of order! Ya strong folks are crazy!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCnywVXLKr
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Despite his complaints, he put on his helmet and drew his broadsword. We zigzagged through the crowd of combatants and lackeys easily, but by the time we reached Rover, she was being beaten down by the woman.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJbU87XhAT
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5ktZa4llb
"Ack, you– how the hell are you doing that!?" She yelled. The woman didn't answer her, but simply stood idly by, allowing for Juke and I to get by Rover's side easily.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzjRs5WgKX
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdODZ6Shun
"Huh? Juke? What are you–"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2hgUbZlr1
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasUtrm0M9B
"Can ya drop it? Aren't ya fighting someone right now?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp3mSi1vU6
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mxbGlh3Wk
Reading between the lines, Rover faced the woman yet again. The woman took out a short sword and spun it haphazardly, looking at us with what I could only describe as disgust.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPFfKQ30U0
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"Ah, so you do have allies. Tell me, are they as trashy as you are, girl? Or are you just using them as tools for your survival?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmi6EgxiBV
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyIGGnK1H3
"The hell is that woman rambling on about!?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCryVR4Y9El
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBav6vEFlLL
Juke yelled, and Rover rushed forward. After her first couple of steps, the woman kicked the air in front of her, and Rover flew to the side. I widened my eyes. Juke and I both stood there, shocked. Rover struggled to rise to her feet, rubbing her face and panting vehemently.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYVV1LUoyW
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdcdEoy1FF
"How the hell... are you doing that?" She hissed, her voice gradually growing weaker.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqNFidarCe
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"Like I'd reveal my secrets to you, fool. You two, isn't she an ally? Won't you approach me too?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxENNa1l6l
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MSI8MS5aS
Her taunting words invigorated something in me. I began mana expulsion, creating a ball of fire and splitting it into four smaller orbs. She didn't look intimidated. Rather, she was amused. I ignored her expression and flung the orbs in a scattered pattern. She dodged three and cut the fourth one with her sword. I didn't let up, producing a Freeze-Dry from my tendril. She widened her eyes and backed away before I even aimed it, a slab of fire forming at her free hand. I didn't mind it, shooting and encasing the area in front of me in a giant block of ice. However, only one-half of what I intended had formed. The other was liquid and vapor.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMld5C4vnh
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I adopted Rover's question into one of my own, repeatedly asking myself how it was that she was doing that.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpxy5iSqvC
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"Hey, Kenny!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXguq6ffp6x
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Juke suddenly called to me. He was carrying Rover over his shoulder.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnMp9uY3N6
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"I-Is she okay?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZmTNaaBlT
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"She passed out. Let's get the hell outta here! That woman is a Harbinger, didn't you hear?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyY1Pk4r3I
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"I don't know what that is!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL75RGBcfgT
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWhMR6Ck9m
"It doesn't fuckin' matter! Start running!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn8ZmOAB9H
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHawFYMLyUF
Truthfully, I agreed with him, so I had no qualms with turning the other way and running. It was a nightmare navigating past all the lackeys, combatants, and confused people, but Juke ran confidently.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rDpEWAUOK
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Though, that did raise the question–214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMiAQgZUwu
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"Do you know where you're going!?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTshYjWCHl
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"'Course I do! We're going back to our lodging!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8gBhVvFnL
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"Ah– where is Dennis?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdt5h2H45F
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"Hell if I know! I lost him in the crowd!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI5ECtenKn
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That declaration made my heart sink. I almost froze in place there, but Juke narrowly avoided a stray fire spell, so I set the thought aside and kept moving. We made it to an alleyway, running through it without much hassle until–214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun7vMCTjK3
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"Shit."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyyNSVgoSB
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Juke ceased his escape and so did I. The end of the alleyway was blocked by a robed figure. I recognized him to be one of the ones on the stage. He took his hood off, and there stood a man with terribly fuzzy and unkempt hair.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaind8BCOo
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIoB4yXQLy
"I have a question for you two," he spoke in a raspy voice. I readied myself to perform mana expulsion, but Juke put his arm before me, signaling me not to. He stood in front of me, blocking my view of the man.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaii2gNVlg
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"Kenny, stand there, alright? I'm the guy with a helmet here."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpjROwvpto
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"...Alright."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lEp1zG5zi
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I didn't understand what he was insinuating, but I had faith in him and allowed him to take control of the conversation.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡympWfzbr49
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"Alright, I'll take yer question."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsjQFFvSOC
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"Are you two Zarielites? Better yet, are you two the ones who are delivering a letter addressed to the Eastern Country?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0Y4YKXYLi
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydk93yyark
I froze. My face must've contorted unimaginably. In a moment of understanding, I thanked Juke for his quick thinking.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO31MUNxWxQ
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"Nah, these kids and I are just passing adventurers."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHTmCDSyh0
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"...Passing adventurers? That explains the attire, at least."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCydZTlZv5
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The man stopped speaking.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxlTd7nuOL
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"Alright, carry on, then."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBTXcOiuz0
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"...Eh?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB83AafkV25
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I shared in his confusion.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VJY7ctIlS
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"I believe you, so carry on. Don't test my judgment, please."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbPJI3gXXL
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"I-If ya say so!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGRC7jgUwU
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Juke and I hurriedly scampered by the man. I tried my best to avoid eye contact with him until we made it out of the alleyway–214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguB0OyJhMX
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"On second thought, I need to ask that kid one more question."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Yv9yEHdPC
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And then, I froze. I didn't turn my head to face him, but I had my ears open and my mouth ready to run.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT6tXdaqIB
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"Your visage resembles a description we got of an outstanding Zarielite. Tell me, kid, does the name 'Bison Frost' ring any bells for you?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo52Hj3cyq
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In that instant, I felt as if the pace of the world slowed to a crawl. My mouth was ajar, it produced a sound, but not one of coherency.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMInDFpjQw
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I didn't say anything. I didn't even show him my expression. I didn't have to. I was stuttering and gibbering for far too long. My eyes met with the man's; his pupils had contracted and his calm mein mutated into a face of rancor.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDXkPSn9xL
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I had spilled it in such an unfair way.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCSXGbjNWR
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"Damn it, kid!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5koznQL3w
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Juke's vexed yell brought me back to the present. He shoved me aside and sent me plummeting to the ground, and he narrowly evaded a ball of fire flung from the man's palm. I unfroze, drew my tendril, and swiped it at the man. He blocked the strike with his arms but crashed into the alleyway wall, forcing the air out of his lungs. With the man dazed, I got up and joined Juke, and then the both of us turned around and sprinted in the other direction, casting occasional ganders by looking behind me. The man recovered quickly and broke into pursuit, chasing us into the populated and rowdy street.
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I noticed the man performing mana expulsion, and from the lack of any tangible objects, it had to be a wind spell. As they were quick, dodging wouldn't be possible. So, producing a Valencia-Bloom, I skidded to a stop and veered to face him.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9utM4GR4a1
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**SMASH**214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vVxYE6zsZ
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I blocked the spell successfully, but though I avoided being damaged, the force of it sent me to the floor, and at a tremendous distance. I discarded the Valencia-Bloom and produced a Blover, aiming it at the man, but I didn't utilize it. That was because he was engaging with Juke.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JzlvwgxMf
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"Ah, gonna have to forgive me, girl!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliTCKCXz6q
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Juke carelessly threw Rover my way and pulled out his Broadsword, gripping it in his left hand. The man reached into his robe as he ran and pulled out a dual set of curved swords. Even under his helmet, I could see Juke's lips shrink and his eyes enlarge. I ran to the unconscious Rover, throwing her arm around my shoulders and struggling to lift her. Then, I eyed Juke's bout with the man, waiting for an opportunity to interfere.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VfSqNDtBn
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The man raised his two swords and leaped at Juke, bringing them both down like they were hammers. Juke blocked the strike easily. It was obvious from their builds alone that Juke was physically stronger, but the man had a freakish dexterity. He retracted his blades and swung them, spinning around as if he was dancing. No, he was dancing. It was at a level of elegance unexpected of a man as shabby as he. The flurry of strikes quickly overwhelmed Juke– but, he didn't get hit. Though his sword dance was trouncing and enchanting, his speed suffered considerably, so Juke quit his parrying and ran backward, flipping the man off.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByGH2BcN9e
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At that moment, I began mana expulsion, conjuring up a dense rock the size of my head and throwing it as the man reapproached Juke. However, the man managed to jump over it. I bit on my molars and tried again, but his battle had resumed, making it impossible to safely shoot another one.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmKHiN0YJF
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"You've impressed me," the man yelled, "I suppose you aren't a combatant for nothing!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOd0tC9lWE
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The man sliced and hacked at Juke, each swing of his either being blocked or narrowly avoided. It was clear that Juke couldn't keep up with the man's speed. Sweat ran down my brow, and at that point, I started to believe that just throwing something out would be better than waiting.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK96bjP9Ys
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Then, I had an epiphany. I removed the Blover and produced Dragon-Maw Jr., extending the tendril to the two.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHgRjrNWsS
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"Bite at the homeless-looking one!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WEQLtjpme
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Dragon-Maw Jr. followed my command perfectly, snapping his jaw at the man. Though he wasn't struck, the man was forced to evade Dragon-Maw Jr.'s attack and gave Juke air to breathe.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvfoLoD8eu
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yZLgwcBog
"Thanks, Kenny! I got a word I wanna say to this lunatic!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJhwyz25e6
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Juke pointed his sword at the man, straightening his posture.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkJq2nD956
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuc7WQGyuj
"Don't get the wrong idea, I'm a pretty weak guy. Frankly, I ain't got a clue as to why I'm the one fighting, but I've accepted that these kids just operate like that."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNV0GSDXta
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTfU9Oa8J5
"...What are you saying?" The man replied. I had to confess that I was similarly confused.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6b6V8dtEP
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"Bleh, ya just don't get it, do ya!?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnwy0zLj17
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzgRoIvpaf
Juke altered his line of action and rushed at the man. He swung at him, which the man blocked with one sword, and as he went to counterattack with his free sword, Dragon-Maw Jr. nipped at him. He backed away and clicked his tongue.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEGpBavmjH
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"That kid is a real problem, isn't he?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZjgbOL0f3
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His smile grew sinister. I immediately knew the devious action he was about to take.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMNypPNkaM
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"Like I'll let ya do that!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPZQysO6b4
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But Juke interjected, throwing a soft wind spell at the man and making him lose his balance. Dragon-Maw Jr. took advantage of his disorientation and nipped at him, this time, successfully tearing a piece of off his robe.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflnmRFTwh0
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"--It's not the kid, it's that freak of nature!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpBFU947VW
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR25wLH4eKK
Offended at his insult, I let go of Rover's arm and began mana expulsion with my newly freed hand. Juke and Dragon-Maw Jr. changed turns attacking the man, and though it was assuring to see him on the defensive, progress to our victory wasn't being made. Thus, I created a spell of water. Instead of amplifying it and shooting it at the man, I spread it across the ground.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMJSnRM812
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"Eh? The hell are ya thinking, Kenny!?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTPLTW31lV
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHP1ZQ9JjS
I didn't respond to Juke's complaint, but I understood why he made it. The newfound slippery ground didn't just affect the man, but Juke, too. The two were disengaged but Dragon-Maw Jr. had free reign to wail at the man. And, indeed, wail it did. The man couldn't back away from the plant, meaning he had to challenge every crunch. I smirked at the development, sure that man would be done in.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxWT2ts4ec
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XmrzKO8v6
But, that hadn't happened at all. The plant clasped onto one of his swords and the man used his free one to cut it off.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3NdNOi8ix
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Its head descended like a leaf in the wind. I watched, powerless to remedy it.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCX6alsakL
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"--Hrk!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyH7iB9PSQ
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Then, a sharp, overbearing pain permeated through my body– but I could immediately judge that this was nothing like my time fighting the beast, meaning that, even though I was still grasping at my chest, feeling the purple fluid leak, my tendril remained.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanCFrlcwKI
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With the man free of any pressure, he took his shoes off and dispelled wind from his feet, blowing away all the water and dousing the surroundings.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SnR33Xx0b
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ29M6pX7MI
"Shit! Kenny, are ya alright!?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImIb6WZskC
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wqhrPb3h7
"Y-Yes! Sorry, I couldn't get him!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gmhE7Dv19
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFiaiDNfjj
"Whatever!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMOjtwHjHl
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZkedFKrUZ
The man pounced at Juke, who barely blocked his attack. They returned to square one, Juke and the man engaged in a lopsided dance of swords.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SB3UwTj7E
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dCoJFyJPQ
I began mana expulsion– but the creation of my spell ceased. As I watched them battle, Juke progressively getting weaker and weaker, my body froze.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehdwEDFSRU
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ail7waw9l
I recognized this sensation. It was stark and familiar.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZKkbgDRTt
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Dread, worry, guilt–214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9kUL6gROZ
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"Kid, back me up here! I ain't strong enough to handle this maniac alone!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rKiFY9t8D
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IB2bzOGMa
"...R-Right!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsfmW5w8Lr
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVHifyRBmr
Juke's frantic yells yanked me out before I sank too deep. I shook my head and thought calmly about the situation, taking deep breaths. It wasn't over yet. Besides, if something did go awry here, it wouldn't– it wouldn't really be my fault.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRzWNuBuvk
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrDmtAprcp
With that assertion, I resumed the creation of my spell: a sizeable chunk of water–
"I got you!"
As I was forming the spell, the man had finally bested Juke's defenses. He broke his stance, and Juke momentarily lost control of his arms. That moment was all the man needed. He spun a full circle, slicing into Juke with both of his blades.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbCPYtoGOX
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEpJC3eCCK
**SLAM**214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU8X3qx5nt
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That was what should have happened, at least– no, saying that wasn't accurate. Indeed, the man's blades sliced into his body, but Juke's skin was not cut, and the noise produced wasn't appropriate for an object hitting flesh.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdyX8BZXIZ
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdy00LW5uK
The man looked just as perplexed as I was, stock still as his mind processed what had just occurred. Juke directed us to a conclusion by raising his right hand and tapping on his helmet twice. Our eyes directed themselves to his metallic apparel, and I noticed the two narrow dents at the side.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXf1akw2VF
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdtDbRKuAg
"How did–" the man began, but Juke raised his sword before he could eke out his sentence. The man noticed the action and backed away, but he was too slow.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyEUPMzbwO
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"--Ugh!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7jwLCvS1f
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His arm was rendered a bird by the speed it flew off. Blood splattered and gushed onto the pavement. The man clutched his missing limb, gripping the air twice before connecting with his body.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3T3gBgvtJ
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoNa3X4rT2
I felt the bile rise to my throat, but I couldn't afford to let this moment pass. I aimed my palm at the man and shot the ball.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpRnw29Yc0
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvy074ijTf
**SMASH**214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUo8Xb6utw3
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzUWjAYSpH
The man collided with a building. Juke ran up to me and took Rover out of my hands and ran away, but I didn't immediately follow. I stared at the cloud of dust and debris, waiting to see what would appear once it cleared.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVjZXyvQAB
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I knew it was idiotic, but I couldn't look away.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QAteTOFF1
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"Kenny! Kid, ya must've lost yer mind!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIjKdvGb5s
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"Ah! Sorry!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNFSGWFCns
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Then, I turned around and joined Juke in our escape. The chaos on the street had cleared, and judging from the lack of noise, the one just a block away was dying down, too. But, I knew that didn't mean that the situation was over. That would be just plain stupid.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3qTvwUddx
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu7wUexrjt
"Ha, hell yeah, we're still kicking!"
Though I shared in his enthusiasm, I struggled to even nod along.
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtVMbMfhIH
"Ah crap, are ya alright? Don't tell me yer bleeding somewhere."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDQp6tChLb
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUZyxP9tvy
"N-No, that's not it."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiypP0RxYaX
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KJS00OT3O
Admittedly, I felt queasy. It must've shown on my face. In fact, thinking about it, my hands covered my mouth instinctively. I was able to suppress myself, however.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzDzYOhNRN
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"...I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing that much blood."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAp8HOdRgB
214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zwPip5JiC
Burying the resurfacing memories, I followed Juke back to our abode, leaving the pandemonium behind.
