“...”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkIiIule5P
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“...”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdz7Zd6X2Q8
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I couldn’t explain how it wound up this way. Maybe it was how I always lagged behind, or that other members were simply more courageous than Juke and I. Maybe it was bad fortune becoming of me, an ugly trait that reared its head in inconvenient times. Pondering an explanation was a useless endeavor anyhow. At this point, I realized it just wasn’t always needed.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOKjXozIkU
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzRo7jjpwl
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I didn’t have any evidence, but my gut screamed at me that the final floor would be the most challenging to combat. I readily acknowledged that the Harbinger was on a lower floor, but all the suspense that had been accumulating in my body informed me that wasn’t the worst of it. Perhaps it was a superstition– no, it absolutely was –but I was still compelled to tell Juke of my hypothesis.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluG4uqjmpT
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“I have a feeling–”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRivOruSN4
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlKOTcKs43
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliOdPrG2dh
I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7gi56nFf3
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“Do you also have that feeling?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShH5eiSGyF
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“Nothin’ like it. I could just tell by the look on yer face. Either way, I don’t think we’re gonna deal with somethin’ so meddlesome.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6zYlSN4JQ
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHalIhPZO6
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGlUKMFiQ4
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His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs4D3j2c4r
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But, ultimately, I reminded myself yet again that that hardly mattered. Now that we’d arrived on a flat surface, there was nothing to do but to walk through that door and eliminate whoever was behind it. So we made sure to make a loud entrance. As I was able to match his pace, the both of us busted the door down. We ran into the master’s room, a spacious office stacked with papers. It was different, and far, far messier than the Foreign Pillar’s.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkxOHs8aE3
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“Y-You!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwtlcIeQoe
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I was shocked by a sudden voice from my left. I turned my head and saw a skinny gentleman, one I could only assume was the Pillar’s Dean.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnxGSQkpc2
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP4O7eFiQE
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“A-Alright!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7Mzt80xzZ
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Whether his words or his pathetic visage swayed me, I ran to untie him all the same. But I was stopped in my tracks by a hand grabbing my shoulder.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTj4DPaqXi
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYsplaSagg
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My question was cut short the moment I looked at where he was point. Now, I was looking at the reason behind the different papers, the reason why the dean was tied in rope.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WPvkOnjJJ
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySCbWoIF9b
A man stood on the desk. A man with a robe I knew all too well, but more importantly, with a style of hair that I recognized. He turned his head towards us as he put a paper down, and frowned.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiW8yk3apDx
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPtjzDqxto
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VRfllTUVl
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjLtuJsVbx
With almond-shaped eyes and a jagged, unusual hairstyle that screamed “punk,” the Bringer in the streets of this city right as this mess began glared at us with the sheen of his blade.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGSeVDFzs6
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“He’s alive!?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkkfno8Oc9
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The shock of it all was one thing, as the last time I saw him, I was sure he was pulverized and left to bleed out. But what truly made me yell in such volume was that he still had both of his arms.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2W4ldN2te
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs1UfTRx7V
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXMLZXaF3s
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8fqZJKDHt
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GP5TiJei4
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGWNiGXXXf
He said it matter-of-factly, as if none of it should be a surprise. Missing limbs weren’t impossible to restore with highly potent, albeit rare and extremely expensive potions, but processes like that took months, often years to complete. And they would only proceed smoothly with frequent tending and doctoral observation.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwlHYHhXPe
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnSuOz6zTl
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGd0JrnCtu
“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxXgY7KWD3
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T9EA43POs
“...Well, not exactly.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJF8lbeb3n0
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGat1t3hh9U
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“Restoring limbs isn’t impossible; I tried and failed to make a few like that myself. But to be able to do it that fast, there’s only one explanation.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4fBprkRUS
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPHPPdfEJQ
“Tell me, won’t ya?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7LtaP2CtA
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzOVyjrz3N
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc8PhoBvYC
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4qwjB246o
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGzvcagj4J
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eF6MRFJBL
“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkZlnYcvkg
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFGCyN51SZ
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1DckvHJ6h
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ONCInfD9o
I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp2WwpcA03
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“There’s someone among our ranks who’s a world-class healer. It’s phenomenal to see her work, really. I was out like a light, but by the time I woke up, I was better than new!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiaW7e1BBx
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOmDwiMBlI
He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQksL0w974
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiS4O6rfR4
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb1oxoY6Vt
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjUXmnNuJ7
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWBMUvKSz0
The Bringer hopped off the desk and reached for the other scabbard on his belt. Wielding two curved blades yet again, he stared at us with crazed, narrowed eyes.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ki9vpTRpx
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV6fqvIHLp
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsDJ2RAdpQ
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjiesWmsab
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLo9y9gUb2
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbavcsBXSPf
–
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–
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–284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBEbv538wF
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The Bringer’s immediate dash complicated this whole mess. It might’ve been my fault for not taking Juke aside and speaking of a plan, but there was nothing I could do now. I didn’t have time to speak with him about our battle strategy. It helped not that the Bringer’s gesture was so sudden. It stunned me for a moment and forced me to think of a counterattack. But Juke thankfully had a quick, simple proposal:: he just drew his sword and matched the Bringer.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgdlNfMESs
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlVt5biLCV
The first collision of the battle followed right after. Juke blocked a double swipe with his single sword, and immediately I noted that Juke had more physical strength than the Bringer, as he was able to keep him in a lock. The Bringer dashed away shortly after, glaring at us while humming curiously. I was oddly disturbed by that gesture, but I had no time to contemplate. I drew my tendril and sprouted the perfect plant for the occasion: the Thistle-Bloom. One of the first plants I ever copied from Prince’s garden, Its spikey bulb protruded from the tip of the tendril. I squelched its root as if I was choking it.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0jvfOvdef
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SK78dPpyo
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ372vLky4W1
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He nodded right after, boldly charging at the still-humming Bringer. I put one knee down and bent the Thistle-Bloom, aiming it directly at the two fighters.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tw7KgQ51M
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjb1jX6XJt
It was impossible to safely shoot while the two were in close combat, but that bothered me barely. Juke’s endowment gave him a defensive edge, and with the constant threat of his sword and wind magic, the Bringer would be forced to back away eventually. I just had to wait for that moment, and as I did, I keenly watched the battle unfold.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrqfAWEQ89
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IRHMX4guP
Juke played the offensive role spectacularly. I wasn't sure if the Bringer was hesitating from past experience or gauging him in some fashion, but the end result was that swings were being thrown his way. None of Juke's swings connected, however, and the Bringer kept too small a distance for me to shoot.
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Eventually, the Bringer retaliated. He swung his swords across and Juke blocked them at the center. From that position though, Juke was forced to back away. Almost losing his sword, he awkwardly stepped a few paces back while swinging his arms to keep from falling. In that moment, the Bringer dashed and thrust his weapons.
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**CLANG**
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"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
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The tip of his blades practically bounced off Juke's skin, and from the looks of it, made only a scratch on his helmet. Juke looked relieved, and the Bringer looked annoyed, and though I was distracted by relief of not seeing my friend be penetrated, I surged mana through the tendril.
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"It's a weird ability you have there. Fortunately–"
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All of a sudden, right before the thorns of the bulb spew like the water of a dam, the Bringer flung one of his blades my way.
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"I can just chip away."
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I tripped over myself trying to dodge it, and though all but a clip of my hair avoided it, it managed to glide through elsewhere.
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My body reacted immediately.
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"Urg--Glurrgh!"
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuMmi2326P
The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
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"Kid! Ah, shit!"
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlOoegkTOE
I collapsed to the ground, limp and lethargic in my lazy legs. I mustered the strength to tilt my head up and look at the fight. Juke kept the Bringer occupied, but everything about the sight was wrong. That Bringer was missing a sword, so why was Juke forced to block every attack? Why did his posture falter while the Bringer's only strengthened?
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJetxmlOzFy
Familiar shivers ran through my spine. My limbs denied my commands, and even my eyes forced themselves blind to the scene. Then the word "run" entered my head. And then I–
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"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W9pzknlJy
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡathITIQ6JL
A rush of adrenaline helped me endure the pain of forming the Dragon-Maw, but with my other hand, I quickly created a ball of fire and lobbed it at the two fighters. I didn't hit anyone, but the blaze separated them, giving Juke crucial time to breathe. He shot me a thumbs up while brandishing his weapon, threatening the Bringer just enough for him to back off.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cDEwHXYsN
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVL0jXFl5I
The Dragon-Maw snapped at the Bringer, knowing by instinct who the opponent was. But to my surprise, it didn’t uncontrollably charge.. Rather, it retracted, hissing at the adversary as if he encroached on its territory.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDbMhmiuTK
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7KOro9Urp
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcc8Ph7daI
After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiKJzPBtzr
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzdff2aOqS
Though carrying such a dislodged, extended mass was difficult on my tiny body, I put no energy into making attacks. Dragon-Maw complimented Juke’s fighting patterns superbly, striking at times when Juke reeled from swinging his sword. The Bringer was put on the backfoot almost instantly, and the pressure was obvious from his drenched face. Despite our suffocating offense, we never managed to break the guard of his blistering blade.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYC0d9gehr
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NnmKtYFPq
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Though my arm strained and heaved, I kept the tendril out. The Bringer carried Juke and Dragon-Maw around the room, lining its edges and narrowly missing the paper piles. At some point, though, I noticed that the Bringer had to block less and less. I thought for a moment that exhaustion from Juke or I was to blame, but as I narrowed my eyes, I noticed his feet moving further and further back.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZgKrBR9eW
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M37tkNj3l
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“Crap!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjBGmDc3el
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I stopped supporting my right arm with my left and quickly began mana expulsion. I didn’t have the time to make anything dangerous, so I conjured a messy ball of water and flung it at the Bringer. But I didn’t put enough for or mana for it to be meaningfully threatening. It merely splashed his face, not enough to stop him from picking up his other sword. But that brief moment of blindness afforded me a–284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwy1Us3zfQ
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXeUan77a4
**CRUNCH**284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFasri1ijP
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The Dragon-Maw managed to clamp the Bringer at his side. It didn’t bite anything off, but from the grunts of the Bringer and the new hues of red, it was clear that the wound was deep.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yI0NJxBqN
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1barwJXkP
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Like it was a basic reflex, the Bringer swung his sword and cut the head of Dragon-Maw off. I clicked my tongue and closed my eyes, bracing myself for the ensuing, and brutally-arriving pain. My preparation suppressed it adequately. I was still on my legs, after all. But it was offset by my dwindling willingness to use the tendril, and by the way its brown roots shed its sheen, I figured it felt the same. I had to ask it for one more favor, though.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Hr3lOpkhn
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I realized it was reckless, especially with how small the room was, but I didn’t want this fight to drag on any longer than it already had. Thus, I procured a–284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCrAHdEGF7
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“Child! Child, please!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDtn1d9LZH
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“W-What!?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQZWkJqZGz
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLwpQSQOzN
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6t1HKTyW3
“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4yeryzZiy
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDQNNbyUmR
“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVSCZeQTWH
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“...”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnR6k0CbwV
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I had this sick feeling that the Dean was far sleazier than I initially thought, but under this kind of situation, I could hardly blame him. I didn’t turn to save him, however. As a Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip of my tendril, I stared with sweaty palms at the dueling two. Juke matched the Bringer far more comfortably now, even with him having two swords, as that injury was unignorable.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsmMRNvmMX
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1WpVuaule
With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp6LbOq2M9
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAgDU9ZWCT
“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzy5HYeFoup
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhheen0X1qB
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fmdjXG4lu
Even though it would just take making a small dagger out of earth, sinking that time to free him felt like a terrible idea. I knew it was possible, I knew Juke could last long enough for me to do so, and yet– and yet–284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqmLsj1PDV
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUgXnuTbOM
And yet, the option caused my arms to shiver. To be responsible for his freedom, would just mean I was responsible for everything that followed.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJONxDO8qu
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPDgo7wc86
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t4KA7yLXu
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMieiO36hu
“Kid! Watch out!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BMBDRWF8f
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDDtPyNH7A
“--Huh?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw69Eb2CMr
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjw7PRPKRNb
I was swept from my trance by Juke’s loud, worried call. My vision registered with me then, and I realized that the Bringer was charging directly at me.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQfpOy9cNq
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuDOvPhxuR
“S-S-Shit!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVewN9avtB
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TdjIkKABL
I did the first thing that came to mind: I conjured a hasty spell, shot it, and jumped to the side, causing me to land on my hip. Only, it didn’t go so smoothly. The spell I created wasn’t one of earth or fire, as trying to rush those would erase nearly half of my mana supply. So I created a large wave of water before moving. It blinded the bringer sufficiently, just enough for his thrust to miss me.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrACFzWqLw
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EtO9Ifaup
**SQUELCH**284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3afbHhbLlL
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyHa9uYjop
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa48bm4giS2
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8eWlPs2vW
“--H-Hrk!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs1gKcRMpz
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklJxEDaxOQ
“Oh?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6grVB0lDuT
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYn6T0LqYU
The Bringer rubbed the water out of his eyes and looked at where his sword had been lodged. He wasn’t happy or upset, nor did he look amused or angered. He had the look of someone who made a simple slip-up, like a man putting a box in the wrong place and merely shrugging his shoulders at the sight.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX5piS5sQo
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jf6RbecS8
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFflJrI36F
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDq1KO4E52r
“Ark… W-Why?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxWA1k9yfi
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoe4cNOpay
“I don’t have a reason. It was an accident, relax. Goodness, just relax! It’s not as if I hit your lungs, did I?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SJp6P5HCa
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5xgiQ9lAf
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboBUpfZyx3
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VITaOUUMc
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiXooQ7v25
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O7RwqI94h
“A– y-you monster!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qtZ42zFw5
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdNI7LTK4G
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43Jbm3KwFK
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlO7dsIaHH
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ2yPbgh7D
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRoUMaJ2Do
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc84dWfSSE
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQe0CZej9E
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M6vHkL2pw
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnW5ILYWJ0H
“A-Afraid?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyebPXJCRNu
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OrqVaDAkb
I was stunned, undeniably, but it wasn’t paralysis. That wasn’t the case, because I saw the Dean right there, writhing but breathing, trying what he could to cover his wound. But to call myself afraid wasn’t incorrect. I could hardly keep myself from melting.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jGIdWOoHo
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInHjUFkQRQ
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGln42ewja
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNovCQl1QG
But then Juke’s words resounded from my side, and the sight of the Dean became enough for me to move. Though, I didn’t do so before giving myself a necessary rebuke.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNQlkih1WN
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseb6leyVmb
“Damn it. Damn it!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cqSgKPgPN
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFDtIUmZ7S
I aimed the Freezey-Dry at the bringer and let it work. The Bringer stepped to the side, avoiding the wall of ice that formed until the end of the room. I didn’t have to face any counterattack either, as Juke kept the Bringer occupied while I ran to the Dean, forming an earthly knife.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0CBrur8qa
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2As1Q1rylH
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnfQIzQOay
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq0hXuPGmk
I hurriedly cut the ropes, slicing one of my own fingers in the process, but still managing to free the Dean. He grasped his shoulder and got on his legs.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFwPPEJv4p
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kXC2J0lqL
“T-Thank you.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCxo2PSjyK
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91afWnMEOb
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYpdTSGo2g
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxWyJTlSVT
The Dean meekly nodded, which made me greatly relieved. I conjured up a quick earth spell and shot it through the ice wall, creating an opening.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfUS39iqb8
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeTmdxlLI0
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENU6cVHwav
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprBFoIBr3K
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QfCaQYLvc
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dVjxqZ0S1
Though his run was gaunt, he managed to leave the parameter without being stopped. I walked around the ice wall to make sure of it, seeing him go through the entrance, and then I returned my attention to the Bringer.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOFQEgkYXm
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ7HnP4nPe
He and Juke were still fighting. The Bringer landed stray hits far too often for comfort, but I saw a window when the two clashed their swords and stared.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QujH0zfcR
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWVtO3csfZ
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQzDmJvSuY
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamtIkQoToN
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfezVhwHDF
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBlV70vlTX
“Juke!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRLeiABSsH
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56KI8ZNNj6
I interjected as quickly as I could. I formed a ball of earth and shot it at the Bringer. He moved to dodge it, but his toilsome wound forced him to hiss and I managed to nip his shoulder. Juke took advantage of the generated momentum, swinging his sword barbarically but only scratching the Bringer’s cloth as he dodged. The Bringer clicked his tongue and massaged his shoulder. Though it was a reach of a call to make, I felt confident that his shoulder was dislocated.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxws5ufd6r
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrYLiPOKSO
“That kid is such a nuisance!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb9fNLO6v9
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjmkjHSUkq
He yelled an enraged sentence, jerking his head to me and glaring with dagger-like eyes. I brought my tendril out in front of me as a kind of shield, though with the ferocity of which he sprinted, it clearly wouldn’t do anything.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOuea0cwDU
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVcunJoMRD
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwIGMXBCsC
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZmki86obC
“Ahck!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQ0xU2XrpF
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wNSoLjNKe
A gust of wind came from my right, slamming the Bringer hard enough for him to tumble to the floor. Juke followed his spell by charging with his sword raised. He swung down and collided with a shielding scimitar, unable to break its barricade. But as they struggled, I made my move.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjPbo2cIL1
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvAzQoLfrs
A spell wouldn’t do me good, and this wilting Freeze-Dry wouldn’t fare any better. My other offensive flower had been pierced and shredded, so I only had one thing at my disposal.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppxGt32Lpr
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePPO7cs28u
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyum9bwvHF
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHUxqAVYHa
Juke moved his sword in the nick of time. The tendril caught the flat side of his scimitar– to my great relief –and crashed directly into his stomach. The air escaped from his lungs, and remnants of his meals flew out of his orifice. The blow stunned him well, and I retracted my tendril so Juke could quickly finish the job.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4GEpzaw6B
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9WqGKdIGU
But, that did not happen.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67ZAjHSrIf
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw37MZaMWu
With gritted teeth the bringer kicked himself from the floor to his feet, keeping Juke and I at a distance while pointing his swords. In the midst of it, I prepared a spell with my left hand: the embryonic stage of a geyser that would hose him to the wall. Preparing it took a while, however, and it was within that window of time that the Bringer284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGGMGOK1t1
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CJhpwQOvp
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXWo6PfgPM
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQiWnNJR0m
He twirled his core along with his blades, swindling himself like a leadenknob. His arm covered every feature of his face but his eyes, and he glared at us with the eyes of a feline.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb5HjwTO9I
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX5Dvwn06w
From his body language, posture, and exasperated voice, it was clear to me what was coming: that bizarre technique that troubled Juke and I when we first fought.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9jyGZdP25
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24SPmJe0YV
And he let it rip just a moment later.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5QzEZS0K1
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz6a12FMDF
His speed was unprecedented, his rotation made him blurry, and his rapid blades howled in the wind it sliced. Though he spun in a rocky direction, it was just accurate enough to gain ground on Juke and I. And I knew that helmet of his wouldn’t last under such a flurry.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tFK3OmPDX
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVHkEczjyr
But true as that might’ve been, it wasn’t his helmet that would be put to the test. The Bringer veered from Juke right into me, approaching at a speed I could hardly react to. React I did, however. I produced a flower from my tendril and injected mana into it as fast as I could, and before his flurry of blades came, I had something to guard myself.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZEWtrr70a
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OCjZ8IMyY
The beige and jagged texture of the Valencia-Bloom’s shield defended me. Small enough for me to carry, but large enough to stop speedy metal from sneaking past. It kept up with the flurry miraculously, as every cut it received closed immediately. Dozens and dozens of cuts, and none strong enough to pierce through.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquxQFRIw67
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgluWAW1s5
“...!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKtfd7kw0u
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fVMImF0An
None so fierce to kill my plant.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCZnDYwbSF
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqsRZfUsoP
“M-My arm!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWloHSwjWqR
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuhFtLIL2w
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVoIm0cs5o
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8RqtkiTVV
“Juke!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cUwlXCoaS
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6ZBaXD2z2
“Gotcha, kid!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt1HRgxIZk
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pSIbCxRxI
The barrage had no effect on the shield, but my puny arm couldn’t stand against such pressure. It was impossible to keep it up. I could already feel the fear seep into me; flashing images of what would become of me should those spinning blades connect.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1PNNsyue0
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsZZcoaA3t
But something unusual happened in light of that. An action I didn’t know I had the capacity for, but was driven by nothing but my own will.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4KH26MaD5
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCbpOwtOuz
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh2JLTS9hZ
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIoIBP3h1k
It wasn’t a clean hit– the complete opposite. I couldn’t aim my palm in any useful direction, but the force of the spell was so great it still adjacently struck the Bringer. As I didn’t have time to plant myself firmly, I was sent flying as well, colliding into the wall to my right and across the room.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA98OIkMis
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p7mQEK6QT
“Hrk!”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lPhH5E1b7
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTJ6q8vi6T
The slam was ugly, and I slid to the floor like mushy food. I didn’t let myself rest then, however, because that Bringer was still alive. I stood up and peered over the Dean’s desk, at the Bringer.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aSB9pxmgw
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPtVUouhN8
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4LgrcOWLC
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd07Sy5K3nX
“...”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHzPhpqCk1
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRIqrXYlSx
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwQRB7NDv6
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo2PvN7Xea
I didn’t respond to Juke’s praise. All my attention tunneled to the Bringer. His gaping mouth, his constricting eyes, the fading strength as his staunchblades slipped from his grip. He finally turned his eyes to me, then to the man who left him in such a state.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wNUV4kKKf
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIHPDfrAjm
“Curse…”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrcZC8qJRs
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspI8bRWO5O
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbSqtVEBfo
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWNF1zXSVc
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap071OvBUw
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRfLXZ5Vnl
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMcfEas2c6
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡequxAnZL1H
“May they, be few.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68HQHLJILA
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0H3giKIgC
Another fit of coughing followed. It was intense and abrasive, ripping at his throat with each installment. Their strength eventually dwindled. His noisy coughs turned to raspy whispers, ejecting all the piling blood that clogged itself in his throat, lower and lower volumes as it progressed.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypRIe5327x
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OhgYa4roV
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNGyBmkF2M
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUNoNOU7mV
“That was… sad.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSPlnWzoeT
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LGTxxsnW0
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvbIauXbSn
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8wTWOrl1O
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf7qrJmfu0
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnZiP7UvdT
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16Qe5sl9UM
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CfEnJ0UWY
I chuckled at his assessment. He had a point. I should’ve just been glad to be alive, shouldn’t I? I showed my gratitude by taking a few steps over to Juke, raising my palm with as sweet a smile I could make. He matched my gesture, and we high-fived.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7mEukE32F
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgdRcHt00N
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6EzRbidLB
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUybuZst0G
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6YCh36gA1
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5XbDxE2dL
“Don’t continue.”284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX4lWXwpgo
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLpRp8ajuC
I looked at the Bringer’s corpse. In a twisted way, it was a trophy. A tangible token that indicated our success, our reclaiming of the Central Pillar. If the lower floors have succeeded, that is. I didn’t want to think like that now, however.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOPFhJJ7R1
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpW43dbD2T
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzsFztYe3p
