“...”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKawuTxQEq
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“...”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNsYUtTZsa
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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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Z7luYr59G
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6zonB3rto
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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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoj99Bji2R
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“I have a feeling–”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqxIN2vWpY
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbzhwfOJ7m
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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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgE2QuGCE0
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“Do you also have that feeling?”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlidthDuk8
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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.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1m4ztrU0O
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpuF9lmjC4
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWWJQY2ijk
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYRVdRVvXb
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBQkwqoLu9
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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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB20oTaHGBv
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“Y-You!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZTkCEkld9
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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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0xGposlfD
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD3ulr1EqI
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“A-Alright!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sacRLXUNh
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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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mXLTg4vB4
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwqywRuAkZ
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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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22M5sKQGYA
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNEryT4jb6
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohCHd3bqYA
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8esMLyxP0
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboKUJtWAJQ
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoxi8HV3vD
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRqVVelQQW
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“He’s alive!?”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfUOI4RFWG
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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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEWrToBspv
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd3n7THTwF
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXymgMB7sr
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXM1DduInJ
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhymfKP3yId
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnZsG1jWFF
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6ZlCVSGs4
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7sliK6BJY
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JdNBbsna8
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“...Well, not exactly.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9HySVSjzE
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzNqKsDLwT
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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.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6S3NUCcjN
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“Tell me, won’t ya?”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgwozoxtCZ
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4WNd9mySR
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRNyKgzOsp
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHTe2UohJz
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTjRmdsvfx
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VZKYpWtnA
“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFRtUL2GDb
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFfkDkCzK0
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM5DkblRCp
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiadE3sbt9
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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!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYFJcrXthN
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy06T3iUVa
He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtiz9fuwls
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBHlTIra2c
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp7I0KzEki
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqLAONoIhQ
“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJCOPg9AgF
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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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCQ5xqjCJT
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPdY31KSd6
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpO9N9AUIR
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPlwLHMWFg
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR88Sexwwdv
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJvkBNj3Vs
–
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–
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm1wMAG9FX
–335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjQtch7JiV
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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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYY08qxI0N
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNU4M8NUg8U
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6XwnqBFno
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yAXJWSGcn
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHQgCrX2YE
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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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQt5AMe0ork
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMaSICAEjX
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mvsbz41dc
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA38OP1mYel
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!"
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFnwhef88S
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?
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBdvYcd4no
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–
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfWKaOUOdk
"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyVOWQ663Z
"...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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1BgsRit5x
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKZm0jSH5D
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY96M70mPMb
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYsfqeHVUN
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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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNiY4JInFb
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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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzJ8LMuJM1
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv0DD6Br5X
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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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNKUq51Bqm
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgua2hyZ3rW
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“Crap!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJp1BmZRMB
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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–335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKrdw7KETH
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a0EL32XVL
**CRUNCH**335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZO7DXZu6V
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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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkb4tkUuLO
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyGwirHIXT
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAhkUQNHvs
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPNwPT91fW
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU6AD8Ae8V
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–335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1uDnwbrXQ
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“Child! Child, please!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSTrE5hW6R
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“W-What!?”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi61LI8VhuY
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVomP0uCHkn
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCNUaT5iK5
“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj3b5FWo7W
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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!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIRfM7DMSV
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“...”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo44ZqJfwv
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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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReOqq61mac
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGC4NpVAuS
With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVahx0w1Ey
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr61SbYSte
“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITNslJB1Xj
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OPxhGEloz
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJ6msZu3jF
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–335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dyS4Skkaz
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrPcVA0vmL
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDULaejkyk
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7f3jfwCkL
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgx9TrME9n
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXB8FxC5kC2
“Kid! Watch out!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4rwp79MqZ
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyJPyhWhx5
“--Huh?”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYpCMzxXcU
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtawbz97F83
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsEVeH0J9S
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQPq4pi0ay
“S-S-Shit!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD0HtsQYhu
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNgggSetYT
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BOyqz3cFq
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYFqvIhWVD
**SQUELCH**335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4EeLGY0Ue
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrzqiwuni6
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PSrfyvzYO
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccZotlou24
“--H-Hrk!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquYrfPwJ7c
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKf6Nwwx45
“Oh?”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJjBEPF3yI
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYpdNdlGKt
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCQGr67Y0x
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC7sEYveGE
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLBl6cjOcP
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VI7taKhOo
“Ark… W-Why?”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4xTb2x1UF
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC2HMOQcpM
“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?”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNcNEOEvk9
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2F2R0oKr9
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkLlSEREWt
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwLwxaWjRq
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MYE2UFdVq
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBcHCXSeNs
“A– y-you monster!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbUL5DDR6U
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfgKnxxGf9
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNkARhl6UF
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgECdhEekui
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VFVFjpcEM
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0dmMtbgDn
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFLQUI1djK
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnARDVp8Kq
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXUxN8aKJZ
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYYoz0ZmL9
“A-Afraid?”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1Ct0wr5Wm
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kwGuRWkcL
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfSj3E0YDM
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDFSmFXp8n
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxVT0aZ1N7
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk8QJoRt2u
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2g1uJeGAPQ
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zSXlm0NvR
“Damn it. Damn it!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBlqwV0SJv
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtjTA86O4M
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGelUAqOCEH
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2Y0MXXSFY
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEnnHJE7db
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagUDFbeFMu
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjAp9FihWT
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCtHs8wzTk
“T-Thank you.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg2ij7Fa49
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCfuczp7V3
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhusC0NMVH
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8AkpylTU6
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKIYsies94
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MW0PqcF7P
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUxwmGlIVP
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpuXBewtQa
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG1U9xIfnB
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM71bvnNro
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0YPlbNqH3
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2Mdctvvru
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxetMNSWrm
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxXSTBjDd1
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5PXSFNpUH
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA3DXsDZ5J
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJedgmCyuNN
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7ugX8CpHS
“Juke!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjVo8bnwAF
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01HlTWlo3K
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMlkm2Nix9
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86y2ta6qTN
“That kid is such a nuisance!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlZr4W9S29
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn8KN7Ug6B
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5RTtN3CGP
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZn92r8fov
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnLNoAQ6ur
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpl7gfZhpX
“Ahck!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZYqskOaL5
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM2ovfDbmU
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjZsFhF9bm
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ResZPWc1A
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp9GQB6CIF
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhnNQoaFh2
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviBIqFUm0T
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKxyBZOy8M
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKw9NicXE4
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU38Fdifls
But, that did not happen.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFTWT4VaQs
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuteqiSMrqI
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 Bringer335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXcmrcaxYu
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnG0O5At8P
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrRgBrsY5t
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUTkjL6pGz
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H21bIGsof
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgaUEPZolu
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCzdYeAIxz
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgym7gjMgW
And he let it rip just a moment later.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCHssxYQxo
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR0dggRMXd
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0f6afmmP6
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP70VbkiEN
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9b2zk5cxF
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnbyu9BidB
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDR5zW8pL6
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLEX0zOHXs
“...!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLL3dfO2Yz
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18sYcqNLY5
None so fierce to kill my plant.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99TFsM1Bd1
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLGVBUY9P3
“M-My arm!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkf1V30FPlv
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmBlntCbmV
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3xIgjcTiY
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡip1yqrlfvM
“Juke!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkArvy9uZ3
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLx2VGBJMEI
“Gotcha, kid!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavdNH3Iz3p
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohYsvQVN9T
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir9pqq7y3O
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczJ2ceTGQj
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxFTuCOfLJ
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUpGNt33bL
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b5bQ6IRWi
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkPvSWK0cg
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheTkL0dUXX
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9rRfBfTPG
“Hrk!”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl5MF0NiIG
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8Qmcxthch
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLjLzGYmIk
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjzAalFBnw
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqgfbQBDzm
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzLOpOXe6P
“...”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjzoYYLQDB
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFcTlgNf9Q
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAIH96aaMg
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW6WNb6g7A
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaQEMbz810
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuqUjoNYjQ
“Curse…”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhHJCUqRGq
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5TACIiqKw
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRMppnKBvi
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplp5KF3lTC
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlwFrAwr4T
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpy5719FYN
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvocgFvteLj
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZO8zkrRtC
“May they, be few.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DOJt66Res
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqPETIog8u
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmX0am6IRt
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vcClO12sr
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9LSJnuc3O
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUtLO1zPBz
“That was… sad.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwOJV9Y41k
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NdvAWuTqk
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInx4Puyjgj
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfINlvNBeV
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyLw5rOkGw
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNKn7JJNxi
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBhrj8FsUt
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdXT7v8l0E
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJEDvQCFuJ
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1twwdy5qL
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Q92ebVvjI
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbHkXq0co6
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3YmqEAJgH
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48wYUdCf0V
“Don’t continue.”335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAnGoHRjaT
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6Kxa3MzP0
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.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8FmUC4iv7
335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQKHIV3ok0
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ561Za7EFvA
