“...”338Please respect copyright.PENANAEZDtCN376v
338Please respect copyright.PENANAGcAxSHIJnS
“...”338Please respect copyright.PENANAVSU6ZgpXJQ
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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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAZRuuR3o2hs
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.338Please respect copyright.PENANAYI8Tq0clDO
338Please respect copyright.PENANAvyvCOlsAlY
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAHzuqPO5zOr
338Please respect copyright.PENANAlHJI6Xpgdx
“I have a feeling–”338Please respect copyright.PENANA8OZMHqwU4Z
338Please respect copyright.PENANAEkhBy0uJYp
“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”338Please respect copyright.PENANABkMd7gSIHO
338Please respect copyright.PENANAV4j0hBlEVp
I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.338Please respect copyright.PENANAmms7aJXX8g
338Please respect copyright.PENANAbU59a4rbER
“Do you also have that feeling?”338Please respect copyright.PENANAfETaYhBCmC
338Please respect copyright.PENANApHDzWChlbQ
“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.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAoXwhSPAGZl
338Please respect copyright.PENANAxwPdVRix7b
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAqY41wARugg
338Please respect copyright.PENANAPDGTkakBWL
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.338Please respect copyright.PENANAlTT0CDNEiQ
338Please respect copyright.PENANApQOh4qwRua
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAThwu8JAduj
338Please respect copyright.PENANAmErt6Hy0Nz
“Y-You!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAVkM19PSJiA
338Please respect copyright.PENANAw4WkHDkh4l
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAOMZyvwKOJ2
338Please respect copyright.PENANAtEtO4V6LSK
“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAejB6EYlQGw
338Please respect copyright.PENANAxShQirLrQO
“A-Alright!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAgvpNwyCdA6
338Please respect copyright.PENANAiVXgt25ipu
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAiw1sUPzytI
338Please respect copyright.PENANAjtuuzucPXe
“Hey! Juke, what are–”338Please respect copyright.PENANA7lM1DUN50I
338Please respect copyright.PENANAOurVve0VEE
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAmwOYxZ0PwZ
338Please respect copyright.PENANA35x00bp1xl
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANADgj5BC3CTk
338Please respect copyright.PENANAjfVwOvBRRu
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAepd6bUtSYd
338Please respect copyright.PENANAviW5gEtG5H
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANA709tUIUkrJ
338Please respect copyright.PENANABuTTjpbP6V
“He’s alive!?”338Please respect copyright.PENANAxfmXHpSqif
338Please respect copyright.PENANANDDeuDwFJf
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAj0YpV4TAPm
338Please respect copyright.PENANAtejHV6qjct
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”338Please respect copyright.PENANAQmKyXHTQof
338Please respect copyright.PENANAzji3hRMJpn
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAkzd8wg01P8
338Please respect copyright.PENANADF8gmA1FQY
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAsfjsQ6955H
338Please respect copyright.PENANATdahBsyQe0
And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.338Please respect copyright.PENANAwJIc8qDGA4
338Please respect copyright.PENANAf05h7Uy75O
“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”338Please respect copyright.PENANArSxmrMcnue
338Please respect copyright.PENANAgjUE5ikvQN
“...Well, not exactly.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAjCk82ekzHF
338Please respect copyright.PENANAKK3R3pYxEY
I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.338Please respect copyright.PENANA98E8uRkH9C
338Please respect copyright.PENANAXNbq5VWHo5
“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.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAcZhepjwhqH
338Please respect copyright.PENANAe2gScCcNps
“Tell me, won’t ya?”338Please respect copyright.PENANAeMJal0UGQj
338Please respect copyright.PENANAiMKlhs4wqe
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAhNr0k4VtIP
338Please respect copyright.PENANAEv5aBEyUXy
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAZzp8o25SjE
338Please respect copyright.PENANAUAOgTn0mzO
“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAXjNGXZhLGo
338Please respect copyright.PENANAVK7E5mN0oU
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”338Please respect copyright.PENANAUGCJXV8gPz
338Please respect copyright.PENANA5TwckAalO0
I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.338Please respect copyright.PENANAki1umdZAva
338Please respect copyright.PENANAzwDkw0vJNZ
“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!”338Please respect copyright.PENANADoHk1QrsIw
338Please respect copyright.PENANA0astJYGCuw
He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.338Please respect copyright.PENANATv481uNMJ9
338Please respect copyright.PENANAfZY3fPrZtK
“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAS7sezILHfL
338Please respect copyright.PENANAUtI9M6yPb1
The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.338Please respect copyright.PENANAGwicc88FaX
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAL31Qd1pGq5
338Please respect copyright.PENANAkojrbKYTD3
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAVLgmVdOuc5
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAiwHSKrS9V2
338Please respect copyright.PENANAdtcT4WKlKo
He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.338Please respect copyright.PENANAFF0iI8nce6
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAolRQmgqP0l
338Please respect copyright.PENANA5tFMzRNCoo
And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.338Please respect copyright.PENANA7XWIkY6RPC
338Please respect copyright.PENANAcRfSeutg14
–
338Please respect copyright.PENANABgEOEaySxR
–
338Please respect copyright.PENANAYRVvlwqZiF
–338Please respect copyright.PENANAFbqa3qWmag
338Please respect copyright.PENANA7VsGDuzmR2
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANArtPknwxq73
338Please respect copyright.PENANA0SMGOe503f
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANARyReLFGLPM
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.338Please respect copyright.PENANAt2Efi7b3e6
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAGYuRHr6cxE
338Please respect copyright.PENANA0ylzdFDFJF
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAtw1hI8rtL3
338Please respect copyright.PENANAY38Kbyl7t8
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAIGlv130uVM
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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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAohCFRWhFhF
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAu7RFmXHMKS
**CLANG**
338Please respect copyright.PENANA1o9mrVF32J
"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
338Please respect copyright.PENANAZvrYEaGGQB
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–"
338Please respect copyright.PENANAaSrSZRg48f
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."
338Please respect copyright.PENANASPNvZzD2sx
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANA5KRsQB2kbF
"Urg--Glurrgh!"
338Please respect copyright.PENANAau2xmQjW9j
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!"
338Please respect copyright.PENANAYluucuWFH4
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?
338Please respect copyright.PENANAiW1BDRstbF
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–
338Please respect copyright.PENANA6xrev4ZHVn
"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
338Please respect copyright.PENANAFJukhUOMLe
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
338Please respect copyright.PENANArZwiHIfWR2
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAGwAdCa7m8W
338Please respect copyright.PENANAetPHqDVXrZ
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAxARVQQbS3z
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAgQzB3sQyj7
338Please respect copyright.PENANA1RucQBipfH
After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.338Please respect copyright.PENANAVnxVrZk0cp
338Please respect copyright.PENANAPAmNWzBeai
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAfagXBm268I
338Please respect copyright.PENANAfZB1NQvl67
He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.338Please respect copyright.PENANAVzvhV5V1Kn
338Please respect copyright.PENANA5mPtE4LcMF
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAlpX8vtWGoe
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.338Please respect copyright.PENANAj5CXxxu4QI
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“Crap!”338Please respect copyright.PENANA8vop2aotjx
338Please respect copyright.PENANA4aN8HKB5c0
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–338Please respect copyright.PENANAKBMyydQNhc
338Please respect copyright.PENANAy7jbNzH0cX
**CRUNCH**338Please respect copyright.PENANAuBy8t7z1Ic
338Please respect copyright.PENANA7cL3hdbmrD
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAGydXg0tHZH
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.338Please respect copyright.PENANAvjAFxVqj7a
338Please respect copyright.PENANAvBjoNOCiR1
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANArYAp2oRZEf
338Please respect copyright.PENANAKP3qlXkdaN
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–338Please respect copyright.PENANAjDZFdLnCum
338Please respect copyright.PENANAS3kNvXFdWT
“Child! Child, please!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6mRfLuhP4
338Please respect copyright.PENANAmqQ5g16gvY
“W-What!?”338Please respect copyright.PENANAOoHaQuCo05
338Please respect copyright.PENANAzFlMz1lI6P
My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.338Please respect copyright.PENANAXob0hSDrJi
338Please respect copyright.PENANA24Ftod3SSk
“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”338Please respect copyright.PENANApyljnlR5NF
338Please respect copyright.PENANArZgxw3ePvy
“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”338Please respect copyright.PENANA5sE87zL1Hp
338Please respect copyright.PENANAlSVI8M0i8M
“...”338Please respect copyright.PENANAZoiFRe9BEP
338Please respect copyright.PENANAWqHWndijty
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAhTlZG2gqV5
338Please respect copyright.PENANAyJiVFxQSPK
With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.338Please respect copyright.PENANAnDinWvYmSX
338Please respect copyright.PENANAFVc2aPT5hj
“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”338Please respect copyright.PENANALSPbrX9dQW
338Please respect copyright.PENANAMN2UGRjqcb
“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAqo3u6hLTBI
338Please respect copyright.PENANALDCWdwJpWJ
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–338Please respect copyright.PENANAsNN1YEhp93
338Please respect copyright.PENANA9No5cOUJAe
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAdBsEv1SX9U
338Please respect copyright.PENANAB74VyFNU0I
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–338Please respect copyright.PENANA2xJX9n1dsu
338Please respect copyright.PENANAc8fo1fm97a
“Kid! Watch out!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAT393DCUvtd
338Please respect copyright.PENANA28jTlLjFv7
“--Huh?”338Please respect copyright.PENANAUxDkL8zWHe
338Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7nR6b8JDD
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAhYlT2SU7dS
338Please respect copyright.PENANADgdwBacN5J
“S-S-Shit!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAFriMXZxWXY
338Please respect copyright.PENANAyYqoQdodrh
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAfjW9VPxFXJ
338Please respect copyright.PENANATnC7wHf8DA
**SQUELCH**338Please respect copyright.PENANAN6BpIgYdKB
338Please respect copyright.PENANAiMaIzOhPcE
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.338Please respect copyright.PENANAbMUOOxKA1T
338Please respect copyright.PENANAVtUibzeWuR
“--H-Hrk!”338Please respect copyright.PENANA4dNs5ymdN4
338Please respect copyright.PENANA6GSip5Y6V5
“Oh?”338Please respect copyright.PENANASnYhPOOdrY
338Please respect copyright.PENANAJFo3twuNtX
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAC94eCiV4Nc
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But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.338Please respect copyright.PENANATo85trf1lu
338Please respect copyright.PENANAFrm5VNpJpc
“Ark… W-Why?”338Please respect copyright.PENANA8m8V2SyygG
338Please respect copyright.PENANAiStsoUgEfe
“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?”338Please respect copyright.PENANAw751DHVf6f
338Please respect copyright.PENANAgNp5GMZVfJ
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.338Please respect copyright.PENANAR9Ross1ZMl
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“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”338Please respect copyright.PENANA4jy3wJXEMl
338Please respect copyright.PENANAfVOf0jeog8
“A– y-you monster!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAO9kvZ1TFjE
338Please respect copyright.PENANAdDBniWg4rL
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.338Please respect copyright.PENANA212uzoyStx
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“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAo6LD0Dnugx
338Please respect copyright.PENANAFZkRfBkDee
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.338Please respect copyright.PENANAtw5SSWizph
338Please respect copyright.PENANAONk8whx4c8
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”338Please respect copyright.PENANAKPKcKMKLP9
338Please respect copyright.PENANA6bIazMfCgt
“A-Afraid?”338Please respect copyright.PENANAvwnEpZrMZC
338Please respect copyright.PENANADdueGLFvSX
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAHpMHYsZG6t
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“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAzCXfdpEZHU
338Please respect copyright.PENANAh04KFanaHF
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAVbijFgCnKi
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“Damn it. Damn it!”338Please respect copyright.PENANA2H1RpXwqd3
338Please respect copyright.PENANA1hE9QJYMx8
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAWDhfjLunD9
338Please respect copyright.PENANAtQHiEyGx81
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAra4hd290uu
338Please respect copyright.PENANAYg699sIlOa
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANADOI253eEWZ
338Please respect copyright.PENANAk3ohNxdoZq
“T-Thank you.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAmdNPstpIyS
338Please respect copyright.PENANARPf2MsQ2tG
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”338Please respect copyright.PENANAMyGEd0myLb
338Please respect copyright.PENANAz7NYgCIDre
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAZT0UjTgFKk
338Please respect copyright.PENANAhKqaGSs3aT
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAKbGwNXFdaq
338Please respect copyright.PENANAyLlKmcYazz
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAPwwAT1dUyg
338Please respect copyright.PENANARDVqWHrXi5
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAXQ7bFaun6M
338Please respect copyright.PENANA82TxJnEWOe
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAFoyeYknRrr
338Please respect copyright.PENANAQiPGcTHYGZ
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”338Please respect copyright.PENANA3NbAgmh3OC
338Please respect copyright.PENANAUqEPHK6jYt
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”338Please respect copyright.PENANALRQdPC0YIS
338Please respect copyright.PENANAtg7iHWmGB0
“Juke!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAkRo6QLlNrL
338Please respect copyright.PENANAeNiYEQ118G
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANA2lZRHzmCqq
338Please respect copyright.PENANAJYRn2PqSp2
“That kid is such a nuisance!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAh1yiZieagF
338Please respect copyright.PENANAbPeShPJOJk
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANA4dwIzbf3Yy
338Please respect copyright.PENANAcnzQLLNW7L
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.338Please respect copyright.PENANAxes8Wx9KDH
338Please respect copyright.PENANAH6zasyHrbe
“Ahck!”338Please respect copyright.PENANALXtYlRCJnU
338Please respect copyright.PENANA7CTekOnP95
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAYxRPpscmBl
338Please respect copyright.PENANAz1fP3ih23w
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAKhLdPRErms
338Please respect copyright.PENANAHYivi4c5zd
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.338Please respect copyright.PENANAsuyOzdBeIB
338Please respect copyright.PENANAP61bmWJNu6
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAuO8hKLieI0
338Please respect copyright.PENANAPBNFJ3J5hw
But, that did not happen.338Please respect copyright.PENANA1lcN6JkHku
338Please respect copyright.PENANAI5z3OYqayL
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 Bringer338Please respect copyright.PENANAZKrHEkgNqT
338Please respect copyright.PENANAo9thho5CsQ
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”338Please respect copyright.PENANASmOTicjKcz
338Please respect copyright.PENANARjoRHt3dNC
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAxPX1M6CINZ
338Please respect copyright.PENANAlfJcP0T5lv
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAzfKj1phMx5
338Please respect copyright.PENANA0x5Gay5SGv
And he let it rip just a moment later.338Please respect copyright.PENANAf7rgyFr3E2
338Please respect copyright.PENANAQrzXTtCxdD
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAFMXBSOWYc7
338Please respect copyright.PENANAzAArnSuD14
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANA32F0AeU6PC
338Please respect copyright.PENANAuHXG23F1Ig
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANANOneinvbBN
338Please respect copyright.PENANAcSmXC1w6Tx
“...!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAgLeOSAhcqV
338Please respect copyright.PENANABlB0jcWBy0
None so fierce to kill my plant.338Please respect copyright.PENANA3wCzAomq8l
338Please respect copyright.PENANAmaYXc7IfEI
“M-My arm!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAssYXplqQF6
338Please respect copyright.PENANA6rlWz8GOdm
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.338Please respect copyright.PENANAfeQSeWjddI
338Please respect copyright.PENANAw5Yz7alWNa
“Juke!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAian0F7UCkt
338Please respect copyright.PENANAGEXPsW12mF
“Gotcha, kid!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAlxTbHaOGL6
338Please respect copyright.PENANA1GMMHSpbBg
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAD6fFbMxJNO
338Please respect copyright.PENANAkfemEOJIK6
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAeJFY14QkfQ
338Please respect copyright.PENANAymlsmeLMhB
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.338Please respect copyright.PENANAguEc5eJvNs
338Please respect copyright.PENANABuf72WzPaG
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAzuf5azuzxr
338Please respect copyright.PENANAmigR7kSsCa
“Hrk!”338Please respect copyright.PENANAEGPZPVQfaB
338Please respect copyright.PENANAlrbK3tcKwh
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANA275sZHmJWF
338Please respect copyright.PENANAgsCtUy969V
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.338Please respect copyright.PENANAbMDH9ERi1Y
338Please respect copyright.PENANAsqMsoQ8gqC
“...”338Please respect copyright.PENANACI5yoUjLRv
338Please respect copyright.PENANAWrdb24EkAy
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2jcosiU2S
338Please respect copyright.PENANAfFeSGB4Qw2
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5uUSCvjGB
338Please respect copyright.PENANArF0WknwUNV
“Curse…”338Please respect copyright.PENANAXFuECRfn5N
338Please respect copyright.PENANAhktnKgtCCQ
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAmCPrlE6aa7
338Please respect copyright.PENANAsQXfxcF8cN
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”338Please respect copyright.PENANAwBqrlBqrhj
338Please respect copyright.PENANAnpBHQXsgWI
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit338Please respect copyright.PENANAs7u7jjQWxk
338Please respect copyright.PENANAiav8k7rKjP
“May they, be few.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAkVGaZ6DNT1
338Please respect copyright.PENANAMF4sGORNSW
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANA8JQEGqicwj
338Please respect copyright.PENANAEf3zUgV0gW
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.338Please respect copyright.PENANAAY0XNCy0x5
338Please respect copyright.PENANARzcb4Qk3jb
“That was… sad.”338Please respect copyright.PENANA1e7KG6dEq5
338Please respect copyright.PENANAjow0LJk3IK
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”338Please respect copyright.PENANAEwhLald9Xu
338Please respect copyright.PENANAInGDUJ8QCM
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAP60vNUawu9
338Please respect copyright.PENANA64Hm847sr2
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAfaNVCvHO1g
338Please respect copyright.PENANAvf2i9ihDVW
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAWeoUqYbdh9
338Please respect copyright.PENANAsJsgQoh97Z
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”338Please respect copyright.PENANA6G4CBzex7h
338Please respect copyright.PENANAfOdxOOnakY
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”338Please respect copyright.PENANAWDH5832wmE
338Please respect copyright.PENANAjL35A8XOTa
“Don’t continue.”338Please respect copyright.PENANAWVvcg7hfNS
338Please respect copyright.PENANA9HZeleJA6J
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANArOexNMesDt
338Please respect copyright.PENANAaXFaKibNuM
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.338Please respect copyright.PENANAkyQCFmhF8r