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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlpojg9kcI
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Kim, Flinty, and Victoria leaned over to watch the scene. Ng, sensing no response, knocked on the door again.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlssBA1WgER
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"HEY! OPEN UP!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjOuh68ly5
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQt1dXeGIf
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"Something about this is fishy."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBQjBzVjG6
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I looked at the other three. They nodded in agreement.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeA3dATUqB
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"What should we do then?" Flinty asked.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFH8GA627R
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"Kenny," Kim started, "take out your tendril. Prepare for anything unexpected."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RjgaAi6PZ
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecobYynSkb
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmhOaiSsVV
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"Oh, that's Jeremiah. Jeremiah! Open the door!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kx8ujqDDx
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICMwidRB2I
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And then.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w8cByvKkU
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**SMASH**152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn2FnYrYXG
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY5JoHBHtW
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"AH! WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU– NO, HELP! HEEELP!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIUHzwNNWW
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His wails ceased upon a distant slam. Looks like he made it into the compound.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIVGrHuwpu
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"..."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF9sh2DF4u
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LeNQGuh3x
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17zrdMwkAx
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"..."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN67DwwXUa
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTfOw7wzvw
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtmtIMMOc2
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I took a deep breath. With the wall as support, I got back on my feet.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0swg62uaK7
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"We're getting the hell out of this forest."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36BwDTjHze
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I walked back to the group. Flinty was shaking on the ground. Victoria was surprisingly standing. Kim was the same.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnyxeSaP5K
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"We need to leave. This is– whatever just happened, it's out of our league."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7f1hXV9l3
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Victoria nodded with me. Kim looked at me and began to speak.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMhDPORsWW
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"Before anything, let's get away from the compound and formulate a plan."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRw9ijw3RP
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2D7MQSVOT
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqGyIYQssa
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"-enny. Kenny. Kenny!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuklBUqumus
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"Huh?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTxouq5GFx
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Kim was calling my name. It brought me back down to Earth.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vI1B1mi3r
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"What is it?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5E9A1d6KL
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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?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l5hJafHEk
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"O-Of course. Not just for my sake, but because Flinty shouldn't be here anymore."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcQbYaYxAL
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Kim nodded. Victoria budged in.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsPJSKyHhM
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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..."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpYv4C7WKd
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She stopped talking and looked at the floor, clenching her fist.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnf3wTceco
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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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyVxiuzJd4
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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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcn63evUJa
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Kim nodded. She sat criss-cross and put a hand to her chin.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShu1vDcdv9
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"I know you two will disagree with this, but I think we should still try an infiltration."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrTIroPTxi
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"W-What?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx3LvYizfz
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"Are you crazy!?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uDU7unRJU
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We both yelled. Victoria continued.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5EA0Wyi5d
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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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG8NfYTUUn
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I nodded to her reasoning. The idea was absurd. But Kim immediately started her rebuttal.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0CuFA6rLE
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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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1btCYoVtw
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God, Kim, why were you calling that thing by its name?152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEeFg5a3Im
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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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxTyxLn6hX
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"Are you saying we really have a fighting chance?" I asked.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77yEp9evDT
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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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0vmQNEPVC
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"I think you're severely overestimating me. I have nothing in my arsenal that can level a building that sturdy."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKbtvL8P7S
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"Maybe not level it, but you have something that'll encase it, don't you?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCGmYpiQu2
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I tilted my head in confusion.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzM1EErseA
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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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9W8my1pm5
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Nothing about this was sitting right with me.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrP2xnvE6X
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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!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoi6nfVZg8
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"Do you really think Ng has any ill will towards us?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4X91tLj3B3
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"Of course I do!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArumibpLfr
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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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1xWcnaC47
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"Y-You... Victoria, back me up here!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjDwk05t5P
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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!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmlGMpcYXI
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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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClCMSoFuKO
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I didn't respond, just averted my eyes.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjXOcCTdMS
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"B-But why don't we just leave the forest, huh!? And what about Flinty?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxy7EdgW5d
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK7dCaSxhd
"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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5x5q5q5Pt
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxhCCKZg5W
"Huh?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dfKP10Od7
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPLZN8sbGc
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAih1ejy0Pm
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaNXrkXhGf
"Flinty? Are you serious?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU32OIRrLzP
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLFSTpVoUP
"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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡka9EtHeflr
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5BPGwNQOi
She stood up and slammed her chest a few times.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc6s5atgEr
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN8SIbh4T3
"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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrc2GygI6C
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTW3iRRH717
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?152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mEEv6bJ9r
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzmgj6e3eX
"B-But, Flinty... what if... what if..."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAfpOSYUhT
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8Ptllxh5K
Victoria couldn't voice any rebuttal. Flinty was the final nail in the coffin.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4OY65vcjI
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YfnyyrWmC
I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. It was Kim.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozYHju9uQm
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBBHHpM8bv
"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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNjh7c4QAQ
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WkN3GaS04
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JHDubh9dV
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TtLzFbgE9
"You and your words... I was right about being suspicious of you."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB43XSdYCnB
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqww0L6uRIq
"I'm sorry. I promise you'll be compensated for your efforts."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhNI51pWn9
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxw6hvk8WY
"...With money?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN5BOzlbn8
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrteuUW3tQ
"With money."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2iStCjMmT
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmGOOu3SDR
"...I can't say no to money."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJofFhqoQ9
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2VItXvOy4
For a second, I caught a smile from under her cloak. She offered me a hand and helped me stand up.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1ENvF2CC0
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkVQyE1Rji
"Then that's settled. What about you, Victoria?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK3txsVKEn
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfta4VJBiG
She was still on the floor, giving us a pensive look.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSScyNR18ld
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnUXEdXuKC
"...If we're doing this, then I'll fight anything that isn't the blob."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkJgWSwic8
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGQ8VAO5Y2
"Alright. Then Kenny and I will help."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9wj1BR0xx
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5zWRfrTGR
Kim helped Victoria to her feet. I felt something touch my back. It was Flinty, she slapped my shoulder.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0jOGi238q
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR98EVC9WpD
"Let's do our best okay?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluco9InXyD
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kQkwcCA3t
"..."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnB495OIZG
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I still had one more concern.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwTVNHi8J4
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgufm5xYRGI
"Flinty, if the wolf gets to you while we're inside, what will you do then?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkFiS6nODG
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjkrSFTWac
She averted her gaze.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlkdtYbEUd
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw726SLd3Ya
"I'll... if I need to, then I'll use the fireball. I'll use one like the one at Mister Freed's shop."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvxGMrhlYi
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG2wV9uVse
"I see."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nZNTPsEfv
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANbv8MMh8H
I unbuttoned my coat, took it off, and offered it to her. She looked it with apprehension, awkwardly raising a hand to her mouth.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZMKmUEyRl
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6CWjQ6vgf
"K-Kenny? Are you sure?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhUmv7Hu2J
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhMshCOszq
"Uh..."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRqpFbImBF
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Crap. My cheeks were tinted rose.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMW0JRaXVu
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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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FunCSbLoF
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk1OuQyTCy
She nodded and accepted my coat. It was a size too large for her, so a lot of excess cloth covered her legs. Perfect.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGISsnSO0Mj
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqXNKSJHDD
"This is really cozy, no wonder why you always wear it."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmV1r1cLo9
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7NOrCTWc4
"Heh. Anabelle is a good weaver, isn't she?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBnYDHYQG7
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4xovidpwC
She nodded. I felt slightly naked now, but I still had long sleeves covering my arms. I would be fine.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPttQMP7BFj
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ9ztm3pTh
"Alright," Kim said, "are we ready to form a plan?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr84US0FpDv
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–
–
–152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOWpc2oqRp
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvGh1vIWTn
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFBspwLmHd
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZX8hRwUEEX
"How does it look like?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsLEDhpPTQ
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiLYvJG5Bp
"Clear. I heard some ruckus coming from the building. They're likely occupied with whatever that is."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2n3GWlkcX1
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBURUFHCm0
Ideal conditions have been met. I took in a breath and released the tendril. A Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip.
"Are we ready?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxBveTqA0f
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3431LT33Lr
"We're ready."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIeT7lFEfJ
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40se3vaaxk
I never imagined myself taking part in a siege mission. I would make peace with it later.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1vIx9fIoL
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYUQD5MUHp
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo942z3JxCI
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQHx8KmNiR
"How are we supposed to scale a ramp of ice!?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKoQ6OjUiB
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRsmcHMbHc
She had a good point. I was a bit flustered.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobXUvll6rJ
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbFnJCrIyC
"Then what do you propose I do!?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYOLP6HQVw
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVTUHfLaab
I could see Victoria's brain at work. I racked my mind for a solution.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD524jnTAl
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoNJCoEIcJ
"Just make little steps," Kim interjected, "and as we hop on them, make the next one bigger."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1308XDv8c
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvJ8mIA2nM
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IssrRsEDN
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNUWwVjy7J
"Before we enter, let me inspect how it is inside."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAolHan2MW5
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjMP1RlebC
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoSrDHKjE4
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjAx0zogTT
They slept in conditions like this? They didn't even have a mattress. I almost felt bad.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboW8kGra9s
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL3P5h7xy1
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9i7mfgTN1a
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYnmjy4qPG
"Ng, come on. I know you know better."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXRGPJrcBi
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yOIVGlE4I
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfqn3sW3tn
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUpiJTj9vg
"Y-Yeah. I know."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjGdKyLVFX
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEi87c12gO2
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAPHPv87Ev
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo76ecN56H
"Then why did you let the prisoners out? We can't have our location disclosed to–"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpEFxhZJgS
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVycdgj64L
**SHATTER**152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmiRuPN5k9
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yFflzvBlv
I fired the stone. I made sure to put enough power to where it wouldn't kill the man, but at least incapacitate him.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZY8LwXhraR
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM9EWdUG42
I missed and hit the window, shattering it completely.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTljQzD2Cue
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTanrxSAo3W
Ng and the man turned to us. I didn't have anything to say, I simply returned eye contact.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9iNTUeAfl
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"Now!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B8DH48tpi
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCHb7wfmVY
Kim and Victoria rushed ahead. The two men didn't fight back, they started running away. I knew Ng was in on this!152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXebfM9ufN
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg9Y8HeR0d
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M9nr8MDCf
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyCjDp2nv7
"What are you waiting for?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0dWy0QDv4
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLZVKf4XIi
"I still don't trust Ng."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWg0b5JjWM
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UZsJY2FMj
"Fine, then go after him!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4VL3mUPPt
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yvBdp38xV
I nodded and rushed through the other door. I saw another set of stairs and Ng was already making his way down them.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuQdq9XkZZ
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWeOaDUkyw
"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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR1JevQdWH
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4ZThCn7Pz
"O-Okay, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just don't hurt me!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt25oZrlgUH
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQSz9TBMJk
He was already down on the ground with his head glued to the floor. I rushed towards him. Ng was... crying?152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCRWjVAuF8
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6hHoOrnrI
"Are you seriously crying?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm45KtYJ11w
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvvjCVGb2z
"Huh?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcHfdktpyE
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqzbHOpE7e
He tilted his head up to me.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzOVidcr8f
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IppLgmvHs
"N-No, I'm not crying. Aren't you going to kill me?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggEBgKNCkh
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpwVXhwkyH
"K-Kill? I wouldn't go that far... Geez, get up already."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrof6nAxBu
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdMTEhwOXN
He did as he was told. He had a look of sincere confusion on his face. I didn't let that fool me, though.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMPh24aDoG
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEwcPeP7iw
"You, are you really on our side?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2exKCXLTfF
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoF3uQbjp2T
"Of course I am! If my words aren't enough, then I'll happily take an official oath!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYTJIwEYD5
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtplfsr1cG
"Nobody's here to witness it, you moron! Nevermind this, just take me to your teammate already!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMpWRLGrkA
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ538Cqc4iNv
"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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDg2gqglamD
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTIE4fZ1ma
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqT29mGLmv
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCHSKRNMz6
"Miss... I advise you to not open that door. It's best if we step away."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZajRIhkWJ
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZNUdJxRmf
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO0H4lkpCB
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE5KmVWvXH
"Panz! You, what do you think you're doing!?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDrLmCNhNg
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupTFiLjmzT
Panz, who was apparently still awake, feebly lifted his head and cackled.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GIq8yqs1r
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO0BRwwijk
"As if I'd let you betray me like this so easily! I'll make you pay, Ng– ack!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHL80BkmCs
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56YfAlOc9m
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUsPaFu6uE
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf7zLOYxQf
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTByU0nkUN
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKndX0drcM
And then, suddenly–152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQCzfHDL8b
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMept0BNhM
**SMASH**152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsEfyrXgV9
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwFXkPTHUu
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkemMEpBeq8
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQf6U0R2xd
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0795FGC97
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"Crap! Everyone, be careful!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgHAuTUZ65
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuh2nkj6zWv
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xZ30TXJGg
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"H-Huh?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjwJ65YlQH
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZf3TML6mJ
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"Victoria! Kenny! Ng! Head to the second floor!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3R2BoQZe9
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzlpgMFU20
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqXqvNyXXI
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rkLVhoIki
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"Ng!" I yelled, "Can't you control that thing!?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOZ4bp4Vtd
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUVEjpn7qf
"No! I am unable to resummon the creatures Panz has created, I can only do ones I have!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi8c5P5ubv
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwViDBAvNrs
"Like what!?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4E2fJnOjh
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"They died last night!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M5s1a22Tr
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF55oobhky
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Wait, escape route, of course!152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuvZgftiie
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz6DAfPqSb
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"...Did I do it?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRgT1zgoKK
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzq6Xtj1DA
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VCAn3YDi7
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"H-Huh?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxI7jeBtvPn
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She offered me her healing potion.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdwPDssaXw
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"Here. For your foot."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNftBTBqTeS
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"A-Ah, thank you."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLSrZdKsK0
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1a1HzjT94
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"Haaa, ugh."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONiu8nTAxJ
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I stood up with help from Victoria.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKCZzt1YD6
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"Sorry. I didn't do anything."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCbcuPuLBp
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCHVZ8D6fp
"Please, don't be. Even I don't feel like I did much."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM4EloB4dh
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKC0F1RTP4
"Haha, you're too humble, Kenny."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f9a4t7EiY
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz8ohxusdU
She was noticeably shaken. Still, she held onto the unconscious Panz like it was nothing. I was beginning to relax.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdS5q6L4SgK
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"Don't let your guard down yet."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrzQdSCGyb
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32YdEHiUXn
I looked at Kim who was pointing a large ball of fire at the beast. Looking at the encased monster, I noticed it fidgeting.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwQvN6mtSi
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"Crap. Crap!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JMiorNsi2
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cb4c85dtR
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYWMxat04m
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFijolvMlVa
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMsii1TcYa
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"K-Kenny!? Shit!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfvhipJ9z7
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpMHM5qkxx
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQc1kCcGyk
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A sinister curiosity crept within me. It was awfully nostalgic.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYfpDEq9G2
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"Kenny! Kenny, are you awake!?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hhvkey4dW
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"Huh? Y-Yes!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugxLhj2SLO
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"If you can, support Kim!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW08TRtL4O
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AcHBbfvs5
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"W-Woah..."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbESZq8F1Rg
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSdCYhbZR5
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"KIM!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A3yP4P3im
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"Right!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeH37sgCuz
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iYzJNlyw3
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And so, I released the spear.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyeOyOQKWq
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**SMASH**152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMVcsIsTQa
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOeFfOKhJs
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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?152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQMoA3wtAf
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjff5h2azy
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"Kenny, out of curiosity, what is your earth magic grade?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUlpbUMG3n
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dKFyvZoxM
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"...Three. But, as I've learned today, my accuracy probably lowers it."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKRdy2XlzC
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"No, what you just did was incredible."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKuzMemuJF
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"Okay, fine, thank you, geez."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyPpRJmIv1
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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–152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUTYRxzBSw
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"I'm afraid that wasn't the last of them," Ng said.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WxAQ6EVme
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"Huh? Are you serious!?" Victoria yelled.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXvrogCbve
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"Unfortunately."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDbQsqEe6z
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18MmdDAoQf
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"Kim!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZY9wTWvWqj
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRaYMLRTrd
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The tendril was bleeding purple.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHjpnJ9cm0
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"Kim! Ah, Kenny, we need to–152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnT3qje8nr
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**SMASH**152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmLMOwYUqy
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4EdcZmVOD
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"It's Jeremiah! Kenny, you need to–"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvseYK8YjB
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ98cgWeB4z
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VwaxG9IOp
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"Victoria!" Ng yelled, "We need to escape! We can't fight Jeremiah now!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLJvIFncPq
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLjGILoxU2
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlfmi6Tk0k
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"...Ngh."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1vvjUfmeV
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC5BvoSaLt
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"Haaa, haaa, shit, shit! Shit!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsyIWQkT4u
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTkuXeGkUu
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjjPP1v6fB
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But, through the stormy mess that was in my mind, one thought came to the forefront.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjpomjeXOL
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The infiltration was a failure. Our ally was compromised. I failed completely.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Gw7jz0Nb4
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I felt like I was going to die.
