“...”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj7bql0bMv
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“...”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzINgJOXR5
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1Xw1Oc2cG
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNh4QZaoWhL
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPwQIQrMUL
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“I have a feeling–”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEvY2HUfmO
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSRAY6QGkl
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I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEBRtKRCOy
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“Do you also have that feeling?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHdtm2F2u0
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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.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4vZFMilZ1
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd4HhXXNUL
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBLGq4Hyez
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5PKTGYNbv
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBFStCiPUY
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“Y-You!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuQB8PkjUx
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0nXt16YQb
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz02KKieBg
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“A-Alright!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjwQc4t41G
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sIe53M6xy
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2zqUr90Tv
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD96dMa31Z
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MgJ4k99Ki
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“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yYAxqxp0M
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhRbXL1wSy
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WHgBDg36Q
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“He’s alive!?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fATZLcAdI
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETjxVc9J0X
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“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuk2SBs5ZR7
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“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuE7qMn4r1u
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpYguuFbZS
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4ltwT2Ob1
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvqxzr9yfR
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“...Well, not exactly.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zX5sBXzqm
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICoPzPsFY8
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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.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1ob1FluqI
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“Tell me, won’t ya?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsKo8PsikS
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“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxbJtN2EtB
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6IHUVfKKE
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigEu5jgX6M
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“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh4JTNp9SU
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“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQqPfUPoWR
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSQlp3Z55c
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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!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSPTjcLtAJ
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He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw46fEUtp6G
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42j629V16f
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2eaU0eP5L
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OIuTpCiwF
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcO9GTAmID5
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6VqNTOWLs
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzmoxIRKAg
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmCUDOG1kY
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RjFgdnONA
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeVHbhL8pM
–
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–
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–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNY5oxv82e
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSRLC49lXE
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iAB9ouHcS
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1wn4EYiBu
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDMhB8cNYJ
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLIP8PSSyQ
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lrOsdnTAC
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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!"
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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!"
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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?
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiXXrVlfEk
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!"
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVxWtikPVn
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPYv9O97wa
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWZaWkvQMF
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOGekJlRlW
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After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR35svtAlB
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ8bvpJ5gz
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5UkOUKLNv
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvy9WIoVcQ
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aLki4ZLSN
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“Crap!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaOQYwAGUC
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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–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8tFemuXav
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**CRUNCH**261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0TN1esbso
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXINNGlISV
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAaRyXtuJv
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rKtiT0afR
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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–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4cyqbj8kx
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“Child! Child, please!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUaPybathk
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“W-What!?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHFgwrJtHs
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKCRHo0OrQ
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4NYO28FkE
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“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkOtqWPOrg
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“...”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ983lOm3Zgt
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bKjZtcpUt
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFrAnQmuvy
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz514omxYE
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MlEQbNg1j
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hK6XR6MBF
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–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgkSrgu3Zn
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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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjovBgGw3tF
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1EEFWy9M5
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6fHKrN0da
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIFWBQdYoq
“Kid! Watch out!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDKSzDPm9y
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpG6AvdXlV
“--Huh?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ln78qkE7B
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcAf842Rhk
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRZhJeR3Mp
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCnGa8VMBi
“S-S-Shit!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECNtRXbxUK
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1wPx5zn1S
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngvMi55xTd
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaTlvUlHn6
**SQUELCH**261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzS0QJ1dbG
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNDp4ZSgdt
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiTzyYTk0D
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3iU3ZPuVc
“--H-Hrk!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTk2OXiBMy
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoQafY7tE8
“Oh?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQE9PmHrgur
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPWnfKUfbh
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgQdlTQ0Fc
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xokn1eDYS
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5vxO2y9cS
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhNdvqClL5
“Ark… W-Why?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP8zy3nwMe
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh76FQsCTbs
“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?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2hopC1k04
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3WAgS887w
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRQdjQCBl6
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzDqK2kmmF
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJi1tdiVtF
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2G04O2IvaK
“A– y-you monster!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jK8sGpzyu
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nOtlwAX3N
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ49TVtelW
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6fU03KMIy
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRByXIyvrwk
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1rMSeId5F
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNwq9PFBmQ
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHqmALKrEF
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwb0Dsbrqua
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzAd0jitHL
“A-Afraid?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRTNWXBGZC
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdk7E3DsAg
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjnQ2pKS5Z
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOOpzUrMIM
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuavRXyXyt
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4O2QjdPW0H
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4Oi6yxojL
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaBYPwTy2D
“Damn it. Damn it!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH1FPYPTvv
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsJESmFR9A
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WoK1Iwb3Z
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6nEGpurB6
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOxdv7rTLR
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwqX1ovotU
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgqgW18TrO
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsbS3qa7Kg
“T-Thank you.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T9ynVonxV
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ta9mVzTBU
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeioVGUmT7C
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzpJIDIgFf
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HcviGpjTK
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcOiwuyIt8
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNwd7xuTup
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27Tl8vW1Km
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8aThNGQR1
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIbb6lbB7n
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4hW55uJpM
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbySjjYzVwT
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwiXw2yHzL
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zspdo4DRA
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SDpa6exQb
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGog0Joo6m
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcuJWpE0lb
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0MSltY18G
“Juke!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHsujSlbhD
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXUkXJ2uvL
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoBAS4ZL0h
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3glTLtfhm
“That kid is such a nuisance!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsflo4rZJAF
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt24Svewhgk
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibrTyERTTt
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYapqlja5da
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJDN2BHXx7
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHuFaCB1pT
“Ahck!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgepPjfq8hu
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4jW8IizHu
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76b2voTX1Q
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsc3xJIpNW
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdYuvIglDK
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4QOHToZZ1
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNhNigwuFk
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrPU6HElt1
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo1UcWa4hW
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3IjnxY9jZ
But, that did not happen.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPt9hwOesB
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPxwMOGTBU
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 Bringer261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmOxr08eDd
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCKkdt8yRP
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyNutx4KRn
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFs3MFc2wg
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlioTs3eyko
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqt9dHMZoo
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHoc7vf2M0
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWuLgxFLd4
And he let it rip just a moment later.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxDJgNkz3i
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQwTOfReDq
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2j66UOC1w
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfP7swp8Ko
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLXR0m7Geg
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTOzY5h71M
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFH7j1KRQOz
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C7ZAOY2MS
“...!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y9j8cCqGO
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdrGiVjsfN
None so fierce to kill my plant.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPVqSvcMps
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2wc6iamH4
“M-My arm!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAB1lQkdzJ
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajU3slQvFl
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GVtJ2xKoK
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBIuYeXqK3
“Juke!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDnLWTwZxF
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeYtHqOA5o
“Gotcha, kid!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00OVRDG4BO
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0xlOumb1F
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ocn9RFUoU
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwls3WGqU0
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSRf5Y2SfU
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9Fsn9KWpv
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsENwrxRitN
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg4Plwmhi5
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5hH0Ws2yZ
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WtvgrYrfX
“Hrk!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYuQso1lFa
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokV8Fkhcut
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jd6pcGvdX
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMcGHK1LvZ
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3l8xMSvKq
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn7Yjo26Q6
“...”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHKPtRYWx7
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu24r4jL8X
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiqzG2XpMs
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtWpb5Ar8P
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvuE87Sx54
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro1M5YHPMK
“Curse…”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSwg3Nmzna
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ58EwuP5rs
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLEBp8eWnV
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2hUjY8nLF
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQzrF8sDx1
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRfrs3Vpfv
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpnlD8rLzw
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggbb7erQIX
“May they, be few.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFKL7l1eV7
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAYWoI91fs
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0ROU2V4CS
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xvsLAJ4N8
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsHbaUIY0T
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSvzk9HMFa
“That was… sad.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDjIpbxhoi
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCdpnPECq0
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcybNwTCxaw
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7ns6pPRDP
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5OlQUm7u0
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupFdYwMBb7
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hNYKKoG86
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjN8IBhIgJR
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEK5hlyywlN
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFfps4fUoC
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh418HwqED
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPrTcnLIUG
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgzKf91nNG
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9qwPjYJbE
“Don’t continue.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIy1wtYFXO
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIG7c9v1x7
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.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cgzIPaXbG
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gpqQQQbCG
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabqdjHPcfG
