“...”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oI8tHX3We
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“...”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXGyoyGLtw
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkLB03FJcj
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlC7KRE41Je
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWaZzuToak
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“I have a feeling–”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0pIwhLLQT
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddzYnWIRmS
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR2Z42TmqS
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“Do you also have that feeling?”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwyVSpHHW0
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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.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzVCjutLUP
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“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjND8Gs11tp
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoleEVuNfdJ
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cKpwqVX8L
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“Y-You!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0YqyFFu3u
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjBqEIa4Bm
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEitgzbc06v
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“A-Alright!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBp416NxdU
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi2ORkkRm8
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiHs3uXRbi
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lAgu88nkg
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jPT9Dn2Li
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“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAzenzj5NM
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1P3wdWPXvB
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“He’s alive!?”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdcn6IazGc
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1z49ciNNE
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“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioVfuHBewE
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“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVdg3sYvRW
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30kVYWhLPD
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMwMRNHXVB
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHJk5BfIMl
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“...Well, not exactly.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pAVaPJGus
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPs8vX3ss8
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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.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZRm808xzj
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“Tell me, won’t ya?”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQAEF9zS99
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“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIIQIzwq3K
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“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dwccMmdl3
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“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMGlBUCGlK
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“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNniLjxKQLh
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBclpnaEdCC
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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!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmw9WEgBey
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He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MxrioPULE
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3aUjmmy3Q
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkZLYCJP31
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC59L1uqsB
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUINM668bU
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCjdRyL1mA
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjyJd5GiAy
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV1hGcWsyO
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65khAj4DWL
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–
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–
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–201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bOclxsHJK
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUiETM97R8
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Zp9jDRgXF
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltR2LONI5V
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6eitUn7Df
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedpCpb6flJ
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVKN6z2hn5
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2hnDFdM1P
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXJTfSZWeq
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqgWC1TWYh
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NG9QcMkZp
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP1SBGV3Wm
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdiJTA18wg
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU9pkZDErV
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCDAeS16ii
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“Crap!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSBqDtlC1e
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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–201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYaiuFspAM
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**CRUNCH**201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSzIOdMRxC
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIaxwh8BtR
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITsUzJepUH
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs0QU8ZtDz
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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–201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyrcRj9FwD
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“Child! Child, please!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH79oDbOY7
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“W-What!?”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpAm86FQoW
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRHgiqJwdY
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t43lIFkKL
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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!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWWWfkEZ2z
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“...”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69OWdaQ2WN
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwIDDWteTt
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoTgb4lEfF
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxn4oFg0Zgv
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwTvJBbHqs
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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–201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsE6IJCHjl
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4sLugiFkN
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How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcIIG8g1RP
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FfeYbCL7a
“Kid! Watch out!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PuPduNcgZ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR3DfVgrwr
“--Huh?”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSywtuN78dK
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVMjugppUw
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2vUjvYejS
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUoslohA1P
“S-S-Shit!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n4fygz7RR
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiiaQpBxt8
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92EqZBGW9C
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4GyvwRvcd
**SQUELCH**201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2Be4FdPfq
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TXTYJ7Ymk
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClCGuVGQZH
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthCykhzfgx
“--H-Hrk!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx5OZOE3Tn
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGZimGjcWq
“Oh?”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeijjq7VrxY
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeSxVRGN9v
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5OwDlSpUI
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTarFFlq3TJ
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGWrN8Fk3C
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpVUmWI8AW
“Ark… W-Why?”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtm6ZxwRyS
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dZfU9WLi4
“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?”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOaUMXiD9V
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQraQp81G3
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl95Kg0q7YC
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vyQVA9YKK
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ060VgpgEIT
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgurxkpKmh
“A– y-you monster!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhGvCPeOme
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznqWKb6PEb
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZuJzlF7cj
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlCtDEIiW4
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyltOhe4QbR
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tRfZM5y1j
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8zbYOgPOT
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8YRapvXd3
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFphRm4foBo
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEb5ZEk15c
“A-Afraid?”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6el1YSj7uV
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7CDVREp6S
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqRVyoQEsE
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5zj3wUQgg
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSvMfeFkL0
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXbeVQ7y6x
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlui90qvyC
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UqjVg14JI
“Damn it. Damn it!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57XhW3meIy
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgNmbUOYHS
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2dhdrO5I3
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98y1kZggDF
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSRKmr6GKq
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAvzoZUsVH
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdvPg4eOpN
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQABe6zoy8
“T-Thank you.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEgvTROw16
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9oL5vYYUt
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet1YmwMiVr
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekYgV2sXgh
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi9bu8Gaiq
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43ccv3Kvkm
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaldKDxmxuM
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqnpHS6ZJA
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYISgm3XiS9
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT5PtZpp5J
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VcsqzQJU8
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo7lK5hRtt
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivJvE4pDuZ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz2KIQaIGD
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Gr9nszZZD
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv032rCGX4
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO2lZYOKmp
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95lIV2sk6H
“Juke!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eaK6AX8y3
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QzWUwa1E3
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu5Rfz9pTD
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhufcGotZz
“That kid is such a nuisance!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuOCvhYTlG
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8QDQxXWx1
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr8vSKOx30
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPDPhyQTVs
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZjsvLDvRB
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsQTepSyQK
“Ahck!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgpshWFigT
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqxguukC8v
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyrXnmO2FR
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp28Lb7vF5f
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoD7TDDdoN
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4vI4mwOGB
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLkZdKsrrV
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxJz0x5d9c
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eXV7hxpD9
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeojtEMIRcy
But, that did not happen.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wkEmki4FF
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RcK0CKnwO
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 Bringer201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNA3OLosim
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g2GxdgXXH
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId8k1qby7X
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6uyUrWlTP
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKmSAeAxPG
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxkEFCiXob
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EFQ2BQ7dc
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdStU3SaXJ
And he let it rip just a moment later.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgtUyeoqMq
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRG0zujwjH
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEhtz7SJ3q
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTY9xt1pcZ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKSbOQDGG5
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPrMjGo5pn
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Qq5V0nzQX
“...!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm7zsbCekb
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLV8atUF6b
None so fierce to kill my plant.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoZ8Ybg8Df
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcqJ1UIdWC
“M-My arm!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWggUIZRVEu
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPOs0IRX7b
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrmh5O9wc6
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIgldVqhOc
“Juke!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rOJSVh8NU
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09RMjRqXWW
“Gotcha, kid!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSqIUH5kBG
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uSyVDhltU
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoNxWLxk8J
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEYqWYyIC7
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrh9bDBc4t
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzZCJ6VWmj
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmsiNlTmod
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvRsLikcmB
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pVEAepLrd
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA1lCnkxTe
“Hrk!”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TMTtJujlI
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9tz7PPZBV
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U0iThXQLM
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYaliJngRK
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVeiiGlkWj
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQSa9deBAH
“...”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCA29cKaJY
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cOXoS0NWz
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetM6cDUIuM
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyioB2pBGW
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSjt82hi0Y
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvN11qDkb5
“Curse…”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcGffNAhVJ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaDy3oDzUu
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHrW5NIio7
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhGuf7ucld
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpVXcx9SqN
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBq59CAXtz
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyInr1ET3jg
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsUTGW0C9j
“May they, be few.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio7l4lDoaV
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYmpseJZKm
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpJZoCj6Zn
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfdzujrEYS
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNu0qBxmtKK
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9fkHs9oEf
“That was… sad.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRvaRqHIw3
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7uE5y58dC
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqK7qOZJAn
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUnPAn774T
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5MsxSapzS
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1OEDVQkY8
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZGbfKc0uy
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ljigw6irr
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMyarCUOND
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6GyC03dTw
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfSgNVQM4q
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ7jHvWtlC
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlxHo1Z32P
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaX0Pmy3uR
“Don’t continue.”201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI49MZyHn7U
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NefgWHkPd
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o5DR85ZHU
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYuh9DoBaB
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJEcXOYays
