“...”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG579tckrPU
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“...”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KDMR4miPL
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ8mMnkFBp
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8lunjCRqj
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5wdNeXBFm
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“I have a feeling–”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdim62cOQe
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIS1lK4x6F
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOLP11ZWbB
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“Do you also have that feeling?”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVL371AGyV
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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.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIwK0nSieP
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“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyO1Rg2pVGo
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANwulRUR9F
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKbuzsOvZq
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“Y-You!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl18EgSHPPg
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmr10LPPux
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlEVVrInqf
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“A-Alright!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrTxF6OuEQ
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1pjpl2pkX
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjt9k89FHu
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCAZnEMDog
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6GjZJcvrq
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“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LCCbSabFC
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxLVttuBrL
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“He’s alive!?”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz6gIO1vF7
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDijo5k9IHU
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“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF6ucHIQ1j
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“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMBmzlFtf8
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxII6M7r81w
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba8io0vtHL
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII0VAMwwNI
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“...Well, not exactly.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0hD1rWVNd
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ9v5pXJU0
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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.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwb8hLuNo5b
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“Tell me, won’t ya?”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmRI19Bazd
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“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CA8jGOkBg
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dMkkeJO6z
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dnG7rVifd
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“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYG9RDBVoEE
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“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJylemlNHDV
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNokix4EJT
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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!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm90jyXZIn
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He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdyB8vo2ut
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiKhnshYdR
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2KgunRyUd
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTxLNrfvkj
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdSDhIjkDU
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdoJqlkj7b
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmMm3UMFDj
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBblVK8fpc
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZLFCi9SP2
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–
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–
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–313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl8hmC4n6M
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZaKWPFsY2
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QUE5oWO4E
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKeZRa267M
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnPb9NuRO7
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEDmM78Gjt
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB0sP1Mgzr
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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?
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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!"
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"...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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3EjaGiPlB
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpFYvRRKFY
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy4WvlKXaL
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Z7cwDI00i
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YtpRoeCzp
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsX5qHjVR4
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm6Y8cZvIv
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHsiIBzX34
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“Crap!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPmY4u0868
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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–313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltpoZMQsCZ
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**CRUNCH**313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9dJ2yHhh3
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI8aODf4jq
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBbrsYqEB9
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaz3gNNPZP
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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–313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59nc5uwHt4
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“Child! Child, please!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sSZraygst
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“W-What!?”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUETvxwiZsD
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gyL2PIzXy
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2BTG0BD0C
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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!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZGnRxe0AW
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“...”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cIBz04r30
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ112eUwgn8R
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1ygRBfzDd
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWtpn7InTd
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYE0o5ljEL4
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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–313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYqMS036fi
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDC3P0sibf
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprYglPfOYG
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYGXB6pRHj
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmVNSmEOpr
“Kid! Watch out!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xb0X90R2T
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMu2we59So
“--Huh?”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxikHERua1J
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvFPIEkZhg
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi78gjAVi5k
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb7qAU1PRY
“S-S-Shit!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgbrMFNsQV
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6VRVqina3
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUQOJeVrn3
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**SQUELCH**313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHriLKD4r7Z
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But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXc9ZxdjG1r
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“--H-Hrk!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVWHWMBnYf
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsnpwe2dRu
“Oh?”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91xjM14wMj
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz0FBwsgLM
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N5ADPuSyz
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkBeLa628P
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdn7WUcvwi
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasUtkayw2W
“Ark… W-Why?”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0w9SQ88pYF
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbXngaa0U0
“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?”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZBtQwguPQ
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltPAGNBODV
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbFBs0Lh1P
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO42qxKiJu
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd2LmKiVxR
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6hQz2rfHb
“A– y-you monster!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABOIxPxkQJ
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD93FylZ6Cy
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi6cgzDo1w
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaY5fJSFL5
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvFLbeKH4y
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyFnyiWKQz
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemeEEJssAE
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5Wc43RgOP
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqN0UpkisEf
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHLvurDxAJ
“A-Afraid?”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtem9YHN3Tc
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxwLy8CNtb
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tkqtePCCZ
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKz7Q4DZml
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyBcatAua3
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CfRsnbTLn
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NHtsaLPAO
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNEbXFpgHS
“Damn it. Damn it!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIe37zw1FMC
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCND3uZHQCN
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZvFaXxU60
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnNuHT8NHp
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPxMpw73WE
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4J8LjwVAC
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5hOA75jOi
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASBE6aRAuj
“T-Thank you.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aLdlWkYu6
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPNkyvy3P7
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpkl7f6BtU
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjr1H30ANo
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwro0eMt30
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW6OsInnfR
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOhBF1Qq8Z
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoucIQWUiE7
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApF36z8cNB
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HOoxZfvNr
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8w547vF5s
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41BYyieIej
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnvbuLItbP
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAE9Oe2bEb
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMImetfHi9k
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdchzvgRCEB
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC8YCOTf8l
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡontPavCTkx
“Juke!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStMAqVVQef
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYkmeVkfMV
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImp2Aiz7Ml
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSUlOwgEVR
“That kid is such a nuisance!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDleHiUrRz
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFFQS3qKEO
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHmgGF4Jk3
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Fortunately, it didn’t have to.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoW5A5uBnj
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkWNkvBqJK
“Ahck!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhrpBtFrV9
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4zI76jKWF
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTPfiBR70f
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9MCa1TnWE
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjPYNK2OIn
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0qUD02Qa9
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdEeSOcAfo
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsB3KQIFlbR
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2590wB8kU
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But, that did not happen.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqDFQ7ODLg
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpebpyUZzYY
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 Bringer313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYcA6wJ6wJ
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmzHZCcwtn
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyYoHwssv5
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5LTKSFGkJ
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7xhr7cKvG
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4fn0zDnM9
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxw5asWQFE
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And he let it rip just a moment later.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDfQL07jpq
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspxXv8cNSL
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKtDv8CdWy
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALPG8CeEMB
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9924qeIZz
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZWIxYtdYn
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“...!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gcG2SXxA3
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None so fierce to kill my plant.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7GJdVjspA
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“M-My arm!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfIHzVGu7I
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAmuHw2kgh
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINahnBe6tO
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoVCFVlZVo
“Juke!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhQzSMgPoR
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64EorjYAqH
“Gotcha, kid!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKa9jkyfPu
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkECuP4Btom
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSJULLKogM
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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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKTjwKKbrP
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqTqAfr1Ym
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtI5sU7rZyV
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8lR3A3kxY
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3h8cmADbcD
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K57yPa90X
“Hrk!”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8OsKQRa9d
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMu16DxXbD
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokDcqIJCz6
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NY5MnuRri
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL5RDgk74J
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“...”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwyEdWN0ED
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“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27UvyXvjGy
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZegQmbreW8
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCYscg8WlY
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“Curse…”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIidbwGdab
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3JCSGgxuP
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyAjCWgEYa
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtn8KyG6aSN
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLapuRB9ZA
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVOIZo1Tkf
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMDYk3EnpQ
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aW93sakgR
“May they, be few.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRuapxk1BR
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajsb4zHQuE
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAoBDtFSFU
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9CGxcywf6
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1ewJUlqgl
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOml8kVf4l
“That was… sad.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq04jdR8pi
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2l3TveUwF
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5xOO6oq1L
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PAgaDmf2u
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mdqv9e5hX
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwKTYeHFrp
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlJi1h3giR
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9GZcuNHOj
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERKMAqRRFr
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7Wv6JQmmk
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZvCevUwQm
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9czO75Vt4z
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KFr1RfINK
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ141TasdL65
“Don’t continue.”313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVqheSM8Ho
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfWP0JlXnP
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.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHimiPYEmmW
313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFbpH7fS9R
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14LTetFt89
