I awoke to the stone-cold ground and a repugnant, musty odor. I struggled to move or see at first, but after a few seconds, I was able to get into a sitting position. The room was dim. There was a large wooden door with metal outlines. It had a barred circular hole, and faint orange light was emanating from it.
"...Where am I--cah!"
I suddenly broke into a coughing fit. The air in this room was nigh unbreathable. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a rusty metal bed frame and moss and other greenery growing in the corners.
I was in a ramshackle prison cell.
"They could've at least put me on the bed frame."
I stood up and rubbed my head, wondering how it is that I even got into this mess. Then I remembered the beast, and the haze, and how Kim passed out in battle. The same must've happened to me.
But that raises the question: where is everyone else?
I walked up to the door and squished my face against the opening.
"Hello! Anyone there?"
I waited a minute. No response. Crap.
My first instinct was to bust this door down, but I stopped myself. If I were to make a ruckus, then that guy with the monster would come down and corner me. I couldn't escape the place by breaking through a wall either, since I was likely underground. If I were to escape, then I'd need to do it quietly. With that in mind, I let out the tendril and grew a miniature Dragon-Maw.
"Alright Dragon-Maw, serve me well."
Dragon-Maw Jr. did as he was told. He immediately shredded through the bars and then went for the wood next. Three minutes later, only the edges of the door remained. I stepped over the little piece at the bottom.
Where did all the wood and metal Dragon-Maw ate go? I didn't care. I was now in a narrow hallway with similar doors. I checked them one by one through the hole, and only when I reached the third one did I see somebody.
It was Victoria. She was lying on the ground, likely knocked out. Crap, that means the haze got to her. And Flinty.
Wait, where is Flinty?
I checked the other doors. Flinty and Kim were here. They were unconscious too, but I was relieved to see them. I let Dragon-Maw Jr. shred the door to Flinty's room and ran in.
"Hey. Hey, wake up."
I gently shook her. She moaned as she opened her eyes and let out a big yawn.
"Huh... Kenny? Where are–"
Suddenly, she broke into a coughing fit. I patted her on the back a few times.
"We're in some type of prison. Vikky and Kim are nearby, let's go get them."
"P-Prison?"
I released and woke up Victoria and Kim. They were disordered, and they also had coughing fits, but a few minutes later they were up and healthy. Kim was missing her sword, but otherwise, we had all our belongings.
"What do we do?" Flinty asked.
"I think we should assess the situation before we leave here," Kim said.
"Do we even know how to get out? And what about that m-monster, how do we take care of that?" Victoria asked.
"We'll find an escape route after the assessment."
They were taking being locked in an underground cellar surprisingly well. No, only Kim was. Victoria was chewing on her nails and Flinty looked distressed. Victoria walked up to me and put her hands on my shoulders.
"W-Woah."
"Kenny. You're a mage, right? You have those weird plants, right?"
I nodded.
"Please, bust us out of here. The air is one thing, but that monster..."
She began to shudder.
"I'd happily bust us out, but–"
"Then do it! DO IT!"
She started to shake me. I had to put my hands on her shoulders to get her to stop.
"Hold on, Victoria. If we do anything rash, then we'll make a lot of noise."
"I don't care! I want to get out of this forest, and I want to do it fast! I mean, Kenny, you saw that thing, right? Right?"
Indeed I did. The creature was the stuff of nightmares, I couldn't deny that.
"It's because of that creature that I want to be quiet!"
I raised my voice and Victoria stopped shaking. She slowly let go of me and slapped her cheeks.
"Sorry. I was freaking out."
"It's fine. Let's just find the exit."
She nodded. Victoria looked at Flinty and apologized to her. Flinty could barely get a response out, but she still had that determined look on her face.
With that, our investigation commenced. The first order of business was to find escape routes. We found one almost immediately. It was a metal door with a keyhole but no knob. I put my ear against it and knocked on it, and I could tell that it was dense.
Busting through this thing would require a considerable amount of firepower. I could penetrate it with my earth magic, or freeze it and try to break it that way. Kim also proposes melting it, but thirty seconds of keeping up fire magic gave us the impression that it was burn-proof. Considering how both actions I could take were noisy, we held off on escaping through the metal door and searched for alternatives.
Looking through the remaining cells revealed virtually nothing to us. There were a few metal poles inside one of the doors. I proposed the idea of lockpicking with it, but that obviously couldn't work.
Flinty suggested drilling ourselves a hole to escape via earth magic. I tried it, and though it was working, it was obvious that we would die before ever reaching the surface.
We were in a deadlock. We waited beside the metal door in silence until Flinty spoke up.
"I think... we should try breaking the door down."
"What?" I replied, "But then the guy and the monster's just gonna run down here!"
"I'm with Flinty," Kim said, "it's either we bust it down and get out or wait for someone to open it on the other side. The latter is unlikely to happen."
I wanted to continue my rebuttal, but I sighed instead. Victoria took their side as well, and now the three of them were looking at me with anticipation.
"Can we... compromise?"
"Compromise!?" Victoria said, "What compromise? Let's just get out of here!"
"I-I get what you're saying, but maybe just wait another half hour and see if someone shows up? I could also keep... fine, I'll do it."
I couldn't keep talking under the pressure of their glares. As much as I didn't want to do this, I didn't have much of a choice. I stood before the door and cracked my knuckles, then stretched my fingers for good measure, and began mana expulsion. And then, something made me stop.
I heard rattling from the other side of the door. Someone was mumbling to himself. I heard a click, and then the slow metallic creak of the door being opened.
I walked back. I was beside the others, channeling my spell with bated breath. I stared at the door as it slowly opened. A shoe appeared from the little opening, and following a grunt, the whole door swung open.
I was just about ready to shoot, but Victoria of all people put a hand on my arm. The man who opened the door was panting. He didn't notice us yet.
"Alright, is anyone... awake?"
His eyes were wide open and his mouth stood agape. He stuttered as Victoria walked over to him. And then, in a flash, Victoria punched the man in the gut, turned around, wrapped her arms around his neck, and flung him over her shoulder.
The man hit the ground with an echoing slam. He groaned and whispered "sorry" over and over. Victoria's mouth made a V-shaped frown. She brushed her hands together. As she walked towards us, she kicked the man in the shin and muttered "freak" as his groaning grew louder.
I skidded a few steps away from Victoria.
"So, what do we do now?" She asked.
Kim stepped up to the man and crouched beside him. She dangled a bottle of green elixir over his head: a healing potion.
I started to feel bad for that man.
"If you talk and get us out, I'll happily make your pain go away. Otherwise, she'll keep doing that until you bleed."
The man lifted his head and gazed at Victoria. She punched her open palm.
"A-Alright, I'll talk."
–
–
–
I took no part in the interrogation. Neither did Flinty. She seemed to be just as intimidated by our teammates as I was. At least they were on our side, right?
The man had no hesitation in complying with our demands. In fact, he apologized for putting us in the cells.
"I-I thought that, should you recover, then I'd be arrested and e-executed."
It was an exaggerated fear, but I couldn't help but understand it. After the interrogations were over, he agreed to escort us out of here, but under obvious conditions.
"First," Kim started, "you need to vow to never participate in monster-creation magic and abandon the forest. Second, you must either learn to control or eliminate the beasts you've created. And third, you must disclose all your research to the Kingdom of Zariel."
The man nodded to all conditions, but he still had a nervous expression.
"I-I'd happily comply, but there is one slight problem."
"What is it?"
"I'm not doing this alone, and my partner is... a bit difficult."
I understood immediately. We have a psychopath on our hands, don't we?
"Then, how do we deal with him?"
For some reason, his face relaxed when he was asked.
"Oh, you four are my heroes. But, be warned, he is a dangerous individual."
"So how do we deal with him?"
"Well..."
–
–
–
We finally made it out of the underground cellar. A spiral staircase greeted us. I was walking at the very back behind Flinty.
According to the man– whose name was Ng, spelled exactly like that –we were in a structure akin to a compound, just much wider in scale. His partner, whom he refused to name, was currently on the highest floor of the building.
The mission was simple: get to the top, get the man, and have him arrested. Ng would be exempt from any punishment.
Of course, I claimed it was simple, but there were too many hidden factors that worried me. For starters, Ng agreed to cooperate far too quickly. He gave this whole story about how terrible his partner is and whatnot, and though he sounded distressed, it was still suspicious. Secondly, Ng made little mention of the monsters, claiming he would simply "handle them."
I wasn't alone in my doubts. Kim was practically breathing down Ng's neck the whole way up the stairs. She seemed like a capable fighter, so some of my stress was alleviated.
Now that I mention it, I was acting far too calm in this situation, wasn't I? Well, that was thanks to Flinty.
She was gripping one of my hands as we ascended the stairs. It was cute, sure, but she had a very assuring grip. Though I'm sure she was doing it more for herself than me.
"We made it to the top," Ng said.
We were on a flat surface. Ng took out a keychain and opened the door. Exiting the staircase, I found myself on a grassy field surrounded by trees. Just how deep underground were we?
"Alright, just follow me now. Be wary of any stray beasts, they've been escaping more and more frequently."
We traveled down a path and arrived at a fence. There was an imposing gate before us. Ng advised us to hug the walls and we did. He loudly knocked on the gate.
"This is Ng! I'm returning from prisoner inspection!"
Silence ensued. Ng was impatiently tapping his feet on the ground, which I thought was a strange gesture considering his situation. But, on second thought, he might be trying to come off more naturally.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNchnF0VKw6
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Kim, Flinty, and Victoria leaned over to watch the scene. Ng, sensing no response, knocked on the door again.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9c2OHGHUW
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"HEY! OPEN UP!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfB3dFUyTK
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He was acting quite bossy for someone so afraid of his associate. My trifling suspicions were turning into full-fledged doubts.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76ttixIxtu
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"Something about this is fishy."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbltUi5zXn
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I looked at the other three. They nodded in agreement.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBUdS5qoCN
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"What should we do then?" Flinty asked.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLlNaU6CT6
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"Kenny," Kim started, "take out your tendril. Prepare for anything unexpected."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHvT22czoA
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I did just as I was told. I eyed Ng intently. He started rubbing his forehead and then looked at us. Right as he opened his mouth, the earth shook below our feet.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh2rj8Fx9i
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It happened again. And again. I realized quickly that it wasn't an explosion or something else, but rather, something big was walking. The image of the monster from before entered my mind.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRW9U163ds
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"Oh, that's Jeremiah. Jeremiah! Open the door!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZhuBQgLQh
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Jeremiah? Naming something like that, is that some type of sick joke? I would've cackled if it wasn't for me trying to be stealthy. The walls were tall enough to where I couldn't see what was on the other side, but I could already imagine. The gates slowly opened, and Ng fixed his posture and had his hands behind his back.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FYESMT0Ve
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And then.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ujq0TK7Z5
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**SMASH**182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87p80k6Ii0
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The gates burst open. Dust and debris scattered throughout the field I was thrown into an intense coughing fit. I couldn't see anything concrete, but I could see silhouettes, and I saw the figure of Ng being grabbed and pulled.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAFM2FoSQq
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"AH! WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU– NO, HELP! HEEELP!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJBTLYHGKP
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His wails ceased upon a distant slam. Looks like he made it into the compound.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58S96nd1Kx
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"..."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQpeJoj7H0
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What just happened? I looked at the others, and it was clear from their faces that they didn't have any answers.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9evw1FfL1
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When the dust cleared, I took a deep breath and crept to the busted gates, then leaned over the edge of the wall. All I saw was the building, standing three stories tall. Nothing was unusual about it. But then, the front door sprung open, and a four-legged beast resembling a wolf sprinted across the field. I quickly hid behind the wall, almost tripping despite barely moving, and I saw the wolf dash past me and run into the woods, howling more like a twisted man than an animal. And then, there was silence.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVUDwXhLd4
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"..."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBMvX1FqeW
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I looked at the other three. I struggled to keep a clear line of sight; my body was practically convulsing. I eventually noticed the looks on their face. All but Kim's, of course. If I had a mirror, I'm sure mine would've matched theirs.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjCYgFFxab
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I looked into the woods. Dozens of trunks were separated from their trees. The wolf beast was gone, but the destruction it brought to the forest made his presence known.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDmcBZrC1T
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I took a deep breath. With the wall as support, I got back on my feet.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljRvyhU9e2
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"We're getting the hell out of this forest."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7LYWaWnEL
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I walked back to the group. Flinty was shaking on the ground. Victoria was surprisingly standing. Kim was the same.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUdOrNCK4f
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"We need to leave. This is– whatever just happened, it's out of our league."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWfbxOgKWP
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Victoria nodded with me. Kim looked at me and began to speak.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqbkilz3By
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"Before anything, let's get away from the compound and formulate a plan."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDStEkaEQm
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For once, I heard a little fragility in her voice. Victoria picked Flinty up and hung her on her shoulder. Kim led us to the nearby trees. We walked for about five minutes before Kim stopped us. We settled down, taking off our bags. I turned my head around just to make sure the wolf beast wasn't nearby, and sat down, rubbing my face.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4nxlU7yHo
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Shit. This was too much. Nothing could've prepared me for this. So many thoughts were racing through my mind– where was the wolf? How do we leave? Was Ng's partner a maniac? How much danger were we in? I couldn't pause to even ponder the questions. My mind was in a numbing haze, and all I could do was stare at the grass as I breathed.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KWDORhAn0
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"-enny. Kenny. Kenny!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXQViAiQfw
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"Huh?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvetzj9dWUQ
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Kim was calling my name. It brought me back down to Earth.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGOcMqYmqj
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"What is it?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nFdGIcw30
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"You're the one who has the most firepower out of us. I know what you're thinking, you want to get out of here, don't you?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4TeGUrxWP
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"O-Of course. Not just for my sake, but because Flinty shouldn't be here anymore."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nN7rH3LkY
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Kim nodded. Victoria budged in.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69R91GZkjQ
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"I-I agree with Kenny. I thought we were just finding and arresting some crook, but it's a group we're dealing with, a-and the monsters..."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH8mRGvzxX
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She stopped talking and looked at the floor, clenching her fist.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI7XtFlCaq
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"I understand your concerns," Kim said, "and I agree, from what we've seen, this is probably too much for Flinty. And Victoria, you're good in hand-to-hand combat, but these monsters are inhuman. They aren't your specialty."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqnJgRbjVx
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"Never in my sixteen years did I see something like that," she replied, "I don't even know how to start fighting it."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgCu8CQ7z5
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Kim nodded. She sat criss-cross and put a hand to her chin.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbEidVhx5X
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"I know you two will disagree with this, but I think we should still try an infiltration."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRSjPxnlbx
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"W-What?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nJIVQPqPU
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"Are you crazy!?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoxlOVz4Ex
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We both yelled. Victoria continued.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8NrnWn7So
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"I'm not going inside a foreign building where that giant and god-knows-what else is calling home! I-I mean, even if we do, what are we going to do about Flinty? I'm completely against it, we need to get out of this forest and get reinforcements."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcdOF5Ot1J
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I nodded to her reasoning. The idea was absurd. But Kim immediately started her rebuttal.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUvG8MbxXH
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"Getting out of this forest might be more dangerous than getting in the building. Whatever that wolf monster was is in the woods, and outside of the compound. Just judging from the destruction, it's a much more difficult threat to handle than Jeremiah."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFduaHuMUZS
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God, Kim, why were you calling that thing by its name?182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBvVzlyNQT
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"The two men responsible for these creatures are weak themselves. Maybe Ng's partner is a bit more formidable, but considering how rampant the beasts are, he shouldn't be strong enough to sedate them, let alone control them."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQBCs52flV
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"Are you saying we really have a fighting chance?" I asked.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbYzxQ8rrR
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"I'm saying we have much more than a fighting chance. We could obliterate the compound right now if we use your power, Kenny."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFwjtfwHFe
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"I think you're severely overestimating me. I have nothing in my arsenal that can level a building that sturdy."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkwNQb7nvd
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"Maybe not level it, but you have something that'll encase it, don't you?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOysxYJ2prM
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I tilted my head in confusion.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GBtmLhVGW
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"Your ice. I'm sure if you tried, you could cover the whole thing in ice. Alternatively, we can use it to get straight to the third floor, where Ng's partner is supposedly hiding."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjAt625XYY
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Nothing about this was sitting right with me.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRH7dLnUB8
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"W-Wait, Kim, we don't even know if Ng was telling the truth! For all we know, that whole thing was just an act set up by Ng to get him back in the base!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahJtcZRYdY
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"Do you really think Ng has any ill will towards us?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIoHwZmB1u
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"Of course I do!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT74pfOrwB
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"You're wrong. When he went down to the shelter, he didn't bring anything with him. No weapon, no potion, no wand, no monster, nothing. Either he's a complete moron or someone who truly felt sorry about what he's done. And I've dealt with enough morons to distinguish the two."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgwZg3F12z
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"Y-You... Victoria, back me up here!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsSZAjA8CI
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"Right! Even if Kenny could destroy the building, or get us to the third floor or whatever, what about the monster? You two tried killing it and passed out entirely!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1YkIzTFNy
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"But Kenny didn't use his ice. That was because of me, right Kenny? That was because I was in your line of fire."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj7PqTt9Bs
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I didn't respond, just averted my eyes.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSuYdOdj21
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"B-But why don't we just leave the forest, huh!? And what about Flinty?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcnimA8aqS
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"If we leave the forest now, then we deal with the wolf, and we risk the chance of more dangerous monsters festering. It's best if we strike now and capture and eliminate what we can. As for Flinty, I believe she's been on my side since the beginning."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyk3HCvZB0
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"Huh?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE97RQFZuX
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I turned my head to her. She was still shaking, and yet, her eyes. Her eyes were the same as before. She raised her head and looked at me. No response, just a singular, stern nod.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWa3PkDqCj
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"Flinty? Are you serious?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23WREdgfJK
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"I-I know I won't be very helpful, so I'll try to stay out of fighting. But, at the very least, I want to support you all."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8B0iZZ5DQ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnrXwxDFgs
She stood up and slammed her chest a few times.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZdMoNR3oE
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"Leave me in charge of our stuff. I'll defend it, I promise. A-And if anything goes wrong, then I'll just yell really really loudly."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTisKlQI52
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mIcvxthfs
She stopped shaking. Sweat was running down her forehead, but her words were earnest. I couldn't even believe it. Who did this? What happened to Flinty?182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulN54SfIIv
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3D6wcOtcV
"B-But, Flinty... what if... what if..."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNlEHGoHy4
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Victoria couldn't voice any rebuttal. Flinty was the final nail in the coffin.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnp4t5zGQyL
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I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. It was Kim.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfcYS0hHtZ
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"Kenny, all of this hinges on you. I know you're inexperienced, and I know you're frightened, but success can only be achieved with you. Please."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjCcyITXTc
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hln2LxxiG
Adding pressure to this already stressful circumstance wasn't what I needed. All of this hinged on me, huh? Something about that thought brought back ugly memories. Regardless, I nodded.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7iijXvlSn
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"You and your words... I was right about being suspicious of you."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkGISUHGva
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbhoU5jBHJ
"I'm sorry. I promise you'll be compensated for your efforts."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27z4eLbrLn
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1U5h66TvA
"...With money?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HmyCQ2BqG
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUXt6UyAnF
"With money."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnauVZ98LYD
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkNVMILvgL
"...I can't say no to money."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4RLScCE9e
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For a second, I caught a smile from under her cloak. She offered me a hand and helped me stand up.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkIaquNlDj
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"Then that's settled. What about you, Victoria?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYdpEtrbLZ
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She was still on the floor, giving us a pensive look.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiuPJuqaR6
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENokP4HUE2
"...If we're doing this, then I'll fight anything that isn't the blob."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYhNrZZzYg
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"Alright. Then Kenny and I will help."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwao72DOfUi
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Kim helped Victoria to her feet. I felt something touch my back. It was Flinty, she slapped my shoulder.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6y1jF9k66
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"Let's do our best okay?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53vYhHQ3Gg
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"..."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jm2ut1nZF
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I still had one more concern.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZLzDedpBW
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"Flinty, if the wolf gets to you while we're inside, what will you do then?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwVmFTWySO
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She averted her gaze.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhdqZDl8xy
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"I'll... if I need to, then I'll use the fireball. I'll use one like the one at Mister Freed's shop."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcpkMqJv1B
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"I see."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxvCyE88NS
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I unbuttoned my coat, took it off, and offered it to her. She looked it with apprehension, awkwardly raising a hand to her mouth.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOaneKtjon
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"K-Kenny? Are you sure?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWQ03MsEwr
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"Uh..."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFITENbNWl3
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Crap. My cheeks were tinted rose.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMxR7GPvnV
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"I-If you're going to use fire magic, then take this, since it's fire-proof. Cover your head with the hood when you do. I don't think your fireball would be strong enough to blow any limbs away, but I think it's fine if you just lose your legs."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHzfsHw9hL
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She nodded and accepted my coat. It was a size too large for her, so a lot of excess cloth covered her legs. Perfect.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrph7wLPaq9
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"This is really cozy, no wonder why you always wear it."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2GT7pVi0E
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAKv5ln4iv
"Heh. Anabelle is a good weaver, isn't she?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYZuZfCMYh
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She nodded. I felt slightly naked now, but I still had long sleeves covering my arms. I would be fine.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxth2ebOmeR
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"Alright," Kim said, "are we ready to form a plan?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw1zbSni9K
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–
–
–182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze3kqY0OWp
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Stationed behind a tree, on the left side of the compound. I had a clear line of sight on the third floor. There was a large opening before the balcony, likely there due to carelessly leaving the door open. Victoria was behind me and was carrying a healing potion in the breast pocket of her dress. Flinty was ten meters behind us, guarding our supplies as she said she would. I've been in this position for ten minutes. Kim just returned to our position.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaXIOZ0Ien
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"How does it look like?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2lLR9RRfM
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"Clear. I heard some ruckus coming from the building. They're likely occupied with whatever that is."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzjltijfaM
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY0ej3P6R3
Ideal conditions have been met. I took in a breath and released the tendril. A Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip.
"Are we ready?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9uQqFmZkk
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqh7fwihl5
"We're ready."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiFVUaTz9r
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I never imagined myself taking part in a siege mission. I would make peace with it later.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEK6xrhQhd
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkKhW4DhM2
The first order of business: infiltrating the third floor. I carefully started making a ramp of ice but got smacked in the head before it got a meter tall.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ48f5KZAFX
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"How are we supposed to scale a ramp of ice!?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9tUgjl6b3
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She had a good point. I was a bit flustered.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYMyPNdcno
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"Then what do you propose I do!?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSB2UOxGYL
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I could see Victoria's brain at work. I racked my mind for a solution.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakSQUkJ0jW
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYBUAIP5wP
"Just make little steps," Kim interjected, "and as we hop on them, make the next one bigger."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFmSlHI3Xy
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1woCpbbKD3
Genius! I did just as I was told, and though it took a long time, we eventually made a bloated staircase to the top. We hopped over the balcony. I was ready to rush in but was stopped before walking through the doorway.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCsjV3TLHR
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"Before we enter, let me inspect how it is inside."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjITEyZ0auZ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkv1wUtiXv
Kim leaned over the edge. She motioned us to move in and went inside. Of course, I made sure not to be too loud. The room we found ourselves in was spacious. The floor was surprisingly made of wood, and there were a couple of blankets and pillows, but otherwise, the room was empty.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FCehNOJ1E
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They slept in conditions like this? They didn't even have a mattress. I almost felt bad.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcETgtEUBP
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzkt9Cgui3
Since the room was clear, our infiltration continued. We found a door and went through it. The room was large and coated in sunlight. One look at the left told us why; up a wide set of steps, a giant oval window was right before a flat surface. Standing beside it were two men. One was kneeling, and the other was standing in front of him. Immediately recognizing who they were, we went low and closed in.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwJ4ug5e8b
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"Ng, come on. I know you know better."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIoalbZAnM
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxa6cmS01wE
The guy in front of Ng had a raspy voice. He sounded old, and he also sounded like a drunkard, but that was neither here nor there.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkG37YRpHc
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"Y-Yeah. I know."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyVWCPovfT
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmbmLmFoay
I was in range. I stuck my hand out and began expelling mana. A stone formed in front of my palm. I aimed it at the head of the guy.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTtMcNRZdJ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQUJPyB8rc
"Then why did you let the prisoners out? We can't have our location disclosed to–"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTtJbMOUn0
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRnvzNbexG
**SHATTER**182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMJ7fC3BMW
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I fired the stone. I made sure to put enough power to where it wouldn't kill the man, but at least incapacitate him.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0vX2yNQYF
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I missed and hit the window, shattering it completely.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKgsfb7hOF
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIS2kB2Dox
Ng and the man turned to us. I didn't have anything to say, I simply returned eye contact.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuau5QtdMQY
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"Now!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ944V4c2czk
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Kim and Victoria rushed ahead. The two men didn't fight back, they started running away. I knew Ng was in on this!182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TqvoGYPRm
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The two of them were racing down a wide staircase. Kim stopped at the top, took a wand out, and began creating fireballs while Victoria kept rushing at them. I followed Victoria, creating another stone bullet to fire as we made it to the second floor. Kim reached it and fired her fireball, but The two men split up and entered opposite doors. Victoria followed the man, but I was stuck at the crossroads. Kim stopped right before me.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0haTVzzJvE
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"What are you waiting for?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjbGIbyFHk
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsHsKNmn9S
"I still don't trust Ng."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1Di69XrEB
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"Fine, then go after him!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO11CDUTWN
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I nodded and rushed through the other door. I saw another set of stairs and Ng was already making his way down them.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEta8UOhuBV
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"Stop moving!" I yelled. He didn't comply. I ran down the stairs myself. Now on the first floor, Ng was running to the front door. I shot my bullet before he made it. I missed it again, but when he noticed it whizzing by him, he stopped in his tracks and turned to me.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgG2oC6mlA
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"O-Okay, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just don't hurt me!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzNwCEjsnk
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2zQ93g1Wy
He was already down on the ground with his head glued to the floor. I rushed towards him. Ng was... crying?182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK10e465Dgy
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"Are you seriously crying?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcScvFU2kF
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"Huh?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QSKUhLhJs
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He tilted his head up to me.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtE1JnUrLx
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"N-No, I'm not crying. Aren't you going to kill me?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtnej8eINr
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJP1HhrQOw
"K-Kill? I wouldn't go that far... Geez, get up already."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX4D4M0gPz
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He did as he was told. He had a look of sincere confusion on his face. I didn't let that fool me, though.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HDzmNaa2D
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"You, are you really on our side?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuSbjcp1cW
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"Of course I am! If my words aren't enough, then I'll happily take an official oath!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVW47KbODW
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"Nobody's here to witness it, you moron! Nevermind this, just take me to your teammate already!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSEKBcFXu6
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"Yes sir!"
Ng took me back up the stairs. Before entering the main room on the second floor, Ng nudged the door open and scanned the room.
"What are you being so careful for? I thought you could control the beasts."
"Control? Oh no, I can't control them at all. It would be better to say that I just make suggestions."
I nodded. Apparently, the coast was clear, so we entered the room. We were walking to the opposite door until it suddenly flung open.
"Ha! Ah, Kenny, so you caught that guy too!"
Carrying the man on the side of her stomach was Victoria. The man looked to be on the brink of unconsciousness, but when he saw Ng, his whole demeanor shifted.
"Huh? Ng, what are you doing!?"
"...I'm sorry, Panz, but I can't keep going like this. Especially when unrelated people are getting caught up in this mess."
"Unrelated!? But they're from the Zariel kingdom! They're all– ack!"
Victoria struck Panz in the neck, and his rant was over. Kim appeared from behind Victoria.
"I'm sorry, but if children are involved, then we've gone too far."
Ng crossed his arms and blew through his nose. Despite his awkward bowl cut, he looked cool. I need to say something like that in the future.
"So, is that it?" Victoria asked.
"Let's leave quickly," Kim said. I nodded at her suggestion. We walked up the stairs. Before returning to the first room we infiltrated, I spared a glance at the window I broke. I didn't think my accuracy was that bad. I blamed it on the pressure of the situation and gave myself a satisfied nod.
"What are you doing, Kenny?"
"Sorry, I was just thinking."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X0UviMzsR
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV3j5iiztp
I rushed back to the others. We all stood before the door, but only Kim moved to open it. That is, until Ng put a hand on her shoulder.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRp9x9WVuM
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"Miss... I advise you to not open that door. It's best if we step away."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGdw9icNnS
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFYCR0aZsv
No questions were asked. I felt as if we all knew what he meant by that. Suddenly, a giant thud resounded from behind the door.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUC7ymhF17
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Dku4WdjzJ
"Panz! You, what do you think you're doing!?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtOGVLR0sy
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglp0X8BUiQ
Panz, who was apparently still awake, feebly lifted his head and cackled.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUN9GH8UeJ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qcm7lReKQ
"As if I'd let you betray me like this so easily! I'll make you pay, Ng– ack!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNIdyct8NE
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9TbFQoinh
Panz was struck again, and it looked like he was finally out cold. With him out of the picture, I eyed the door as the thuds shook the building.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFBVHh22aH
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jMDCKS61y
There was a pause. It wasn't silent though; there was foul snarling on the other side of the wall. I tightened my fist and grew a Sunlight-Blossom and loaded a seed.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBkC8aJaxL
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And then, suddenly–182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujsZ2d0uB7
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**SMASH**182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwACzw6kJ5
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A beast nearly twice my height burst through the wall with an overgrown leg. The creature, of gray fur, had a head in the shape of a deer skull.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz2Dm27PgJ
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By all accounts, it was a demon. Immediately, I shot the sunlight blossom at the creature's head. Half of its face was blown away but the screeching didn't stop. The creature stomped the ground with its oversized legs, and I noticed a crack forming in the stone floor.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysbpphKUBW
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"Crap! Everyone, be careful!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC4RLzF94h
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Kim rushed in and started slicing at the beast. As formidable as its size was it was sluggish, and Kim had exceptional agility. She cut its chest, and the beast swung its arm and missed. And then Kim cut its arm, not quite decapitating it, but inflicting a wound severe enough to where the beast had to console it. And then Kim tried striking at its left leg. Her sword shattered immediately.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyankRS6bUD
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"H-Huh?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ509yz66IWZ
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The beast lifted its leg and tried kicking Kim away. She narrowly avoided the strike. As the beast was about to follow up I struck it with another Sunlight-Blossom seed. I loped its left arm off and eviscerated its shoulder. The beast wailed and struck the floors again. At this rate, the third floor would break apart entirely. Kim noticed this too.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T8a3hkUls
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"Victoria! Kenny! Ng! Head to the second floor!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mys0IXpRG
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We did just that. The beast kept rampaging, and as we made it to the second floor, we heard the sound of the floor giving way. Since the second floor wasn't aligned with the third, the beast didn't fall to us. I quickly ascended the steps to access the beast. He was stuck in a roofless concrete box. The beast looked up, and we made eye contact. I shot another Sunlight-Blossom seed at it but he lifted his leg and blocked the bullet entirely. And then, he crouched. I knew immediately what was going to happen.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRg1BftTTI
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I began to run down the stairs. I felt the beast leap from behind, and the place he landed was just a foot away from where I was. I tumbled down the steps and landed awkwardly– I might have sprained my ankle. I looked up at the beast and Kim had begun flinging fireballs at it. I loaded another seed and began accumulating power.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjl1HYBc7Au
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"Ng!" I yelled, "Can't you control that thing!?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCOPZ9FQsa
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"No! I am unable to resummon the creatures Panz has created, I can only do ones I have!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngUoJTQhkG
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"Like what!?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrGiaLxx9f
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"They died last night!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqDLgdBMPx
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Oh. I knew what he was talking about. This situation was growing dire. The beast slowly descended the steps, seemingly unbothered by the barrage of fire. I shot another seed at it and claimed its left arm Crap, I missed the nick. The beast wailed yet again and jumped in place, destroying the staircase instantly. Our escape route was now blocked off.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCd7PxQoyW
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Wait, escape route, of course!182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx9HhXs6Bh
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I produced a Freeze-Dry from my tendril and began mana spinning. The beast was keeping still from the constant attacks. I let immediately let out as much ice as I could. In a flash, half of the entire second floor was covered in ice, and the beast was immobilized.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuuDmdtpVp
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"...Did I do it?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT39dGDfG9z
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Kim stopped hurling fireballs. The beast stopped moving. Being covered in ice like that shouldn't have killed it. Considering the girth of its legs, it should be able to break out easily. I remained vigilant and eyed the frozen beast, but a nudge from my right broke my focus. It was Victoria.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdxuWvjCKL
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"H-Huh?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl86twiYKM
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She offered me her healing potion.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHsmAoE7AD
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"Here. For your foot."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCUDq736Ad
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"A-Ah, thank you."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdCDNmB7Ln
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I took the glass and gulped it down. It was the most effective intake for injuries like sprains, though the taste admittedly made me want to vomit.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ978wrhr13d
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"Haaa, ugh."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmoNUhEXMj
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I stood up with help from Victoria.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0x3y89Lid
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"Sorry. I didn't do anything."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiqJxJh724
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"Please, don't be. Even I don't feel like I did much."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtt6r6Y1za
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"Haha, you're too humble, Kenny."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHRMiPOvWL
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She was noticeably shaken. Still, she held onto the unconscious Panz like it was nothing. I was beginning to relax.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeKPF6Hz6c
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"Don't let your guard down yet."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WLUr8mHZh
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I looked at Kim who was pointing a large ball of fire at the beast. Looking at the encased monster, I noticed it fidgeting.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLI23wGAzf
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"Crap. Crap!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADztVq2u5F
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The Freeze-Dry was a dud. With the Sunlight-Blossom and Freeze-Dry already used, I switched to the last combat plant I had in my arsenal; Dragon-Maw Jr.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Py93sxRRW
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I didn't wait for the beast to unfreeze. I ran closer and extended my tendril. Dragon-Maw Jr. snapped at the thing's head, but it was too big for him to encompass it. Still, Dragon-Maw Jr. was able to tear off a chunk of the beast's face. The instant he did so, the beast broke out of the ice and screeched. The yell made my ears ring. Dragon-Maw Jr. Bit at its chest and tore off a sizeable chunk from there. The beast, at a speed I didn't think was possible, kicked at Dragon-Maw Jr. A portion of my tendril soared across the room and collided with the wall.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhmlwH42sV
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Even though it was separated from my body, I felt a sudden sting coarse throughout all of it. The tendril retracted immediately and I fell to the ground.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjzrIhfGAz
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"K-Kenny!? Shit!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vmSicRlfh
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Victoria grabbed me by the shirt and hung me over her shoulder. She yelled at Kim, though I struggled to decipher it. My vision was fading in and out.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctC6oYiOX7
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This pain... it was like my own arm was ripped off. I was more shocked than anything. I let out a weak laugh. I had no idea the tendril was this intertwined with my nerves. I felt a liquid permeate my shirt. I reached into it. It was coming from my chest. When I looked at my hand, I didn't see blood as I thought I would, but a deep purple.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEfTlC4v4J
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A sinister curiosity crept within me. It was awfully nostalgic.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0fyWVlfk3
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"Kenny! Kenny, are you awake!?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kDfEC1ogS
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"Huh? Y-Yes!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdPi7lSuIM
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"If you can, support Kim!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh5pp6f7b9
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Victoria dropped me on the ground. I grunted but regained my focus as I saw Kim. She was in an inelegant dance with the beast, dishing blows while narrowly avoiding receiving any, and each subsequent counter-strike from the beast only grew closer and closer to hitting her. I could tell that she couldn't keep up. I began to form a rock in front of me, then made it bigger, and bigger, and then thinned it and turned it into a spear.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp9uhp7A6I
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"W-Woah..."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqvtjiXdfE
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I spun the spear. I could swear I saw smoke emerge from the tip. I didn't think anything of it.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8hBgHaLF7
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"KIM!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEMOpoQzim
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"Right!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY455pKa9Us
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She backed off. The beast was entirely by itself. At this rate, I didn't care about being accurate, because I knew it would be obliterated the moment I hit it.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8e7iATUV8
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And so, I released the spear.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuCbYrVF5S
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**SMASH**182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hmZC2Anao
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The spear traversed the room in a blink of an eye. I struck it square in the chest. A hole formed in its chest, and it grew to such a size that anything from the shoulders up separated from the rest of the body. Then, the wall behind the beast was torn down, almost as if it was blown up.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsGhgTIAdY
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Needless to say, the beast was slain. It faded away a second after. Right, it was made of mana, wasn't it?182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbfaesGPXp
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"...Good job, Kenny," Victoria muttered. Kim ran towards me. I was still wincing, and that purple goop was still being expunged from my chest.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZEtPtGVrM
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"Kenny, out of curiosity, what is your earth magic grade?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I4VGw0jPJ
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Was now seriously the time to answer such a question? She sounded giddy asking me, so I decided to humor her.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvy61fuAr1
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"...Three. But, as I've learned today, my accuracy probably lowers it."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFezoVRUS5u
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"No, what you just did was incredible."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtGX9dmXSS
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"Okay, fine, thank you, geez."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU6QcSe0xR
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I averted my eyes in a pout. Using the tendril for so long, abusing the Freeze-Dry so, and then creating such a powerful earth spear almost drained my supply. At least we were–182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOiYdyjkb3
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"I'm afraid that wasn't the last of them," Ng said.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKV1vYApYK
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"Huh? Are you serious!?" Victoria yelled.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJykZIE951i
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"Unfortunately."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTRYyOeIwv
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I shouldn't have been surprised. But, what did surprise me was the speed at which the next monster struck. Instantly after Ng's utterance, a putrid hand burst through the floor. It slammed its palm on the floor, and it just so happened to hit Kim. The arm wrapped its fingers around her and retracted back into the ground.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBiGJTRNuq
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"Kim!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5Fzdj0rQp
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Victoria dropped Panz and rushed to the hole, but backed away once she looked inside. The arm returned and tried to grab her. I released my tendril and smacked at it. Somehow, it was enough to ward it off.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA62d8nJKD
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The tendril was bleeding purple.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2dikPl24x
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"Kim! Ah, Kenny, we need to–182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaJBv05i3z
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**SMASH**182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82DbgFjgdp
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The hand created another hole, and this time it slammed the ground right beside me. I thought I was lucky to narrowly escape it, but really, it was just grabbing onto Panz.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTAbHyoXZT
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"It's Jeremiah! Kenny, you need to–"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmy7s327Op
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I looked Ng in the eyes. He stopped talking. I still couldn't stand. I could hardly form a spell. I could hardly even keep myself awake. I couldn't even keep the tendril out before I succumbed to an oppressive pain.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeq4taV2iA
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If I had to guess, Ng could make all of that out from my gaze alone. He grabbed a hold of me. I coughed out some of the purple goop. Victoria was standing around, dazed and lost.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV0qnfZ9PP
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"Victoria!" Ng yelled, "We need to escape! We can't fight Jeremiah now!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADBUE59uIa
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Victoria didn't fight. She spared one look at me and nodded. The stairs leading up were broken, so we had to leave by another means.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pu2VeiBbs
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Ng carried me to the room from before. We ran down the stairs. Jeremiah was there with two human-sized arms gripping Kim and Panz respectively. It had no eyes, but I could tell it was looking at us.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNaCyBm0ov
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"...Ngh."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjawqkQCgyT
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It was moving at us. With the last of my mana, I created a ball of fire. It was hardly anything, but I shot it anyway. It was enough to stop the monster in its tracks. Victoria busted down the front door. We ran across the field. Jeremiah slid a few meters out of the entrance but then receded into the compound. Ng and Victoria stopped running. They were panting profusely.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGBziZzsRT
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"Haaa, haaa, shit, shit! Shit!"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1rcMMVgni
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I knew how she felt, that Victoria. I couldn't focus at all, though. I had too many afflictions, I had too much fatigue, it was overbearing, everything was overbearing. I almost began to cry.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YvtwtzaJe
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But, through the stormy mess that was in my mind, one thought came to the forefront.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmFVJJOwZv
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The infiltration was a failure. Our ally was compromised. I failed completely.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yHkyKoby3
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I felt like I was going to die.
