“...”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEOfDTL5wI
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“...”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVn0FHwYpn
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0l7Fi0siSA
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDtpukz4GA
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHblY4YDYE
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“I have a feeling–”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdw3PyO6TH
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogjbxBcgRD
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSlQgTdSnn
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“Do you also have that feeling?”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhCTBGhJHR
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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.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmJB0pnHH4
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NmFhRUGGU
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6uxhDgsOL
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOnyf4iDYc
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasCSuavhPY
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gopG3OuTL
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCF2Bn4C5f
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“Y-You!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3uAJq1u1w
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3DMvSdYPi
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yXM8vwVqd
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“A-Alright!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e8XfN4mKa
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCPq9jMog6
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTCPKdGqyq
“Hey! Juke, what are–”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErA3m3FCoW
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTBGKFP89a
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tZC1DvAlA
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQYIR62MVU
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MBisf6b2a
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2D9ednUNcU
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71R5ljFE91
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwYR3MYnz7
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BHKBtyVl6
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“He’s alive!?”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ4eYsC1bo
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVRRBfgGgr
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aG1wfjH1J
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogbzpDOflI
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplYSU8rTCY
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJbNDh3ezV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSa7fj76b7
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuaFhsMlkJ
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjETpeQAdW2
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡampisD8Hzf
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgaqfv99zb
“...Well, not exactly.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fORzijjor
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTXyWLAxsk
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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.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw5sEzye8Y
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“Tell me, won’t ya?”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH678IQBK3
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9zJRglb42
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81q8aRBkmz
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJPLkSOFer
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZbaQ9WyvW
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrioA8un3UU
“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN83oCru1s
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqXKhtnjsG
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNejAAkrmzC
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIYAPpcYrv
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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!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYe5rDkdYX
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He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmFJSH5iCH
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9bpQlWC8m
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4flYUleiJy
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2C83jzXEW
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMLkf3wlKU
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YcKIwA2JN
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgeQhciQcM
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLGRCvs6qP
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnQ1lXtlqX
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLuDJuORzf
–
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–
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–237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJMzJyuB8j
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47rRxJBGfb
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgcNUyl3fk
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ofoEwwyEz
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXoAiIvxRC
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8xjwO6tGN
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7sx1kmVl5
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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!"
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOzhJdh7Ay
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?
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKfHzSYGXi
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!"
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzcA9WzvCd
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeufW2yi0G5
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojYpeYxwmR
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBph4SXvxTJ
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3u2mO1O9h
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszhE0gI6Pq
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOshnh5hQl
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUs9ve42Gn
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKvgluVlNg
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0DjQujTSC
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTH4PNVEXP
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“Crap!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxmQnwrJI4
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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–237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ866dvUrnCY
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**CRUNCH**237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD7K9wHqC6
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikqf9UIZBJ
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNz0qCLiph
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSplSEBRfY8
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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–237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZNYgJRbOZ
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“Child! Child, please!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8NGSPBND8
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“W-What!?”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM1R4TVDVp
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7kSIULCn8
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUglaaVNaUD
“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK7pHsZyWC
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO16jmSSjWA
“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynUCG3E9VD
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“...”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvf9cAuXoC
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sMtphWigV
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TIZu27TfP
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8N7djBoWh
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNJ2Bf3qe7
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZj4DgHikc
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–237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZImeC0NOAW
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKzH39Q3RP
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwggGqSao3R
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6YmOdINoY
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMBl4is7r0
“Kid! Watch out!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZBYK16Wr8
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5dTkh1flw
“--Huh?”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdWUvBhIYF
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZm4Fj1HXC
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDPoW3ktmH
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9MIQcCn2y
“S-S-Shit!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFI4f9xtj8
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbXovU0yF5
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUEAtyRYST
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡno7GEV2IwM
**SQUELCH**237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJFmuv4dYW
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPMIR96JZi
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSdM18O7To
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlyM5Lk14z
“--H-Hrk!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG1ICMcOhv
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnpfz0BafO
“Oh?”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeq621c7K2
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xitBzUQZC
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXHmeLa5IB
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ4f4AuBKs
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs2ccisivk
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tifaOelUs
“Ark… W-Why?”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix3lQuU1Ps
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzbUu9EoCL
“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?”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyjXl6tPwb
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXDIpCwA9B
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJktKwob5H
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5xgBOrbDu
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNis5HQBvv0
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VCvqx5AMn
“A– y-you monster!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMTN9qrWcC
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUomXmg6jj
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS57HiufGbD
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBzd1ot5au
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIJARxP8X6
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI3uh3o9Mk
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3spB7b5hs
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzxYvBRGop
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw6Drc0uWX
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54eefTDZdg
“A-Afraid?”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI7PYkLel2
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoQlvkBj2k
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVuzXDs2CA
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T7xDJQi13
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2Co6d6pIE
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4kTH9aXpm
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGb8g7Fqmss
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95kWKcJqMR
“Damn it. Damn it!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtSEQd5kFJ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveVwTWqc56
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVAwA44npW
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYlhiHBRSN
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjr3JAtmsQL
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HLjHWMw15
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06BA8DG0zO
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg95snPAr8e
“T-Thank you.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKkYrfvUTV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcGlvvb6Vf
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡim0jIu6eJ6
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AX8emJurt
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6Wd6hWArb
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEsQ1qi31X
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxk0mdzcHPp
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEm49mgNOS
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn2a4ePeW0
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59C2ffSEOw
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw0Oww8yUi
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukxJ7ybOdF
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxmIfKExQk
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43ZY764XNe
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKbTTun8co
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFZdVprcPp
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqMccqEVAc
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6ZLZnG4Kq
“Juke!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCKOuSHUzM
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL34vNappA3
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmcHAxrj1Y
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiegzkexWV
“That kid is such a nuisance!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaWj7Ptpo1
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflzj2KvVK8
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qZlMAcEUq
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hJvNQeO1q
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZSge4JlNR
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnbPmNXeBN
“Ahck!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbWGn8xxCE
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjekbQu86p1
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh405woH3wx
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74JlkEtBLM
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQxcrHsrqU
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcudsjVpryH
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjlPxI9NNB
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKJiCNrRm5
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKTIDOYTug
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydkfV08h8G
But, that did not happen.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY05REyetov
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oExDScxwh
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 Bringer237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyD2oa1W4OQ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbrUYS138l
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SwOKEQi8h
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOUQKVi5YJ
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqUVgQR2KD
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbi760cJb7T
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8zIDB3mQB
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EsZUgtHWb
And he let it rip just a moment later.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIBGUzfQND
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4WX1O9JIs
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XE9tcWzZr
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ndfbrCwyq
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrLtnb7vZ5
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff0BTVVthw
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NE0xLyg5c
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYF7VpH3HB
“...!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfD8tWLMTP
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8KTfbtgOy
None so fierce to kill my plant.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGgheFmq5Z
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NZrx3PWil
“M-My arm!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUVFA7i9oS
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOypB9M9RFK
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyVcKJqMww
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMhhSrQEBl
“Juke!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfHudFhexZ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6I4mLnudO
“Gotcha, kid!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsalYxpnwtd
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfigeQw5rQ
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajVgjpLbyH
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4NimNJ4Po
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxlagXHbNb
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BrgaEWUuF
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKYC2h9Jzz
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1STvYMlavM
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkauLjNVGt
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90EaLuqeAz
“Hrk!”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR85qqbCCP2
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkNAgo9i4V
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWXwJgzeoF
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRreed5kAmy
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfoYA8zJt7
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Zvsgcw6XQ
“...”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYK2pqhjFo
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoEm5irIJB
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUVwWcYbUo
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AN51wVmda
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JCX7D65ge
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2RHoaYOj9
“Curse…”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFFG93XKrn
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeytJmlz6v
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0THGJZDqf
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vG1DmQFuk
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRgkGe9uT4
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjFZgaF0fp
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Gzdf2A4mD
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzzcSSYzLz
“May they, be few.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPUsHGah8D
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXQW1Y5tVC
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTE5aBKZuc
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBsXYiVei4
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpfK7QB5Xf
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSowQ6Vovp
“That was… sad.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dAYjzRDAV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7ovzJZj4C
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKwX8K3Z7J
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4A38xSyb7
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEfiCIeOHM
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtkESSsfdW
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08o4TQZDJ4
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIYIWQ2PN5
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMBP4Irin7
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bQRww2e0T
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgs8H7eNdJ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBBmXhCVhc
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjolQXvD7vu
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNWWleacNf
“Don’t continue.”237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GwnHHxGHo
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaruDzuWVd
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpLva7afhL
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4B0gW2NTHy
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMeAnrpDlB
