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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqo5wXHSEW
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Kim, Flinty, and Victoria leaned over to watch the scene. Ng, sensing no response, knocked on the door again.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0agKUqklB
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"HEY! OPEN UP!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEkZg91L3y
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2lBh2P4q0
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"Something about this is fishy."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaMF2KMYMX
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I looked at the other three. They nodded in agreement.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkkr5FH5yk
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"What should we do then?" Flinty asked.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnntyfIXZxP
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"Kenny," Kim started, "take out your tendril. Prepare for anything unexpected."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ERIG2OJbY
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TTDMv1qGs
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7e731QDyZ
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"Oh, that's Jeremiah. Jeremiah! Open the door!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AYDixIcL5
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZM21jPB7J
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And then.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYag6tkYLF
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**SMASH**229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3hN0tWbyI
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P2rSVvkvE
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"AH! WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU– NO, HELP! HEEELP!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49s0H99guT
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His wails ceased upon a distant slam. Looks like he made it into the compound.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YHCazqdrE
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"..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfKVaUyKoN
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bdsWnsVVc
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmXMD0BDiN
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"..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WQuRXR6VM
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo24d8SK3xT
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfdW9jp80J
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I took a deep breath. With the wall as support, I got back on my feet.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNli6nJuRZU
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"We're getting the hell out of this forest."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEP2oHUe9s
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I walked back to the group. Flinty was shaking on the ground. Victoria was surprisingly standing. Kim was the same.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUmXl9mM0H
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"We need to leave. This is– whatever just happened, it's out of our league."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0Yo0LyJXC
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Victoria nodded with me. Kim looked at me and began to speak.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6Nmhqri66
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"Before anything, let's get away from the compound and formulate a plan."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTtBbGovl9
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4svBKNc1o
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLytTXCPtbG
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"-enny. Kenny. Kenny!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSbyFX5lAi
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"Huh?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI6RwbcGLf
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Kim was calling my name. It brought me back down to Earth.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwYWYlCQTE
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"What is it?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr6W06u7QD
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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?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlEEKiKk1a
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"O-Of course. Not just for my sake, but because Flinty shouldn't be here anymore."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAPWA4z6Kl
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Kim nodded. Victoria budged in.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZydPaLpdB
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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..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLImgvIDvI
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She stopped talking and looked at the floor, clenching her fist.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl8mxR3D0i
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAi7QDlPqe
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2edaijBLqI
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Kim nodded. She sat criss-cross and put a hand to her chin.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9fqMM7SmV
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"I know you two will disagree with this, but I think we should still try an infiltration."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY6sG6u0MQ
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"W-What?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxwkwq0hYk
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"Are you crazy!?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LtGMbfQ1Q
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We both yelled. Victoria continued.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX6Ed94EWo
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbl8aVcRx5
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I nodded to her reasoning. The idea was absurd. But Kim immediately started her rebuttal.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuv3apfZe6
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7I3C6utFoH
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God, Kim, why were you calling that thing by its name?229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WKuPIsIaj
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29cRy07lcx
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"Are you saying we really have a fighting chance?" I asked.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDZsIawr83
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhji218QoX5
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"I think you're severely overestimating me. I have nothing in my arsenal that can level a building that sturdy."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNOjmwi4Gc
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"Maybe not level it, but you have something that'll encase it, don't you?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTsC2yBPC9
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I tilted my head in confusion.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jSsVeAFE8
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkscOrQi2g1
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Nothing about this was sitting right with me.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaBJkNLCRC
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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!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqc7VJmcQY6
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"Do you really think Ng has any ill will towards us?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjimBbbffF7
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"Of course I do!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY0RLq291N
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OR6TrykNY
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"Y-You... Victoria, back me up here!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenTF3gnQcd
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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!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9Prb3ZvZP
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy8ar146Iw
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I didn't respond, just averted my eyes.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP22jspC3t4
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"B-But why don't we just leave the forest, huh!? And what about Flinty?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhedsn4EEF
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzdPzxIZBl
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"Huh?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakYKAoQJeX
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVM05kg8Hf
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"Flinty? Are you serious?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc01feVVrcD
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUqYalV670
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She stood up and slammed her chest a few times.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4KF83rlYB
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiICRf3YhT
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwrSMSmhUO
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?229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpYsnbn9Ky
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR2pVAtTer
"B-But, Flinty... what if... what if..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifmWBklNcs
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Victoria couldn't voice any rebuttal. Flinty was the final nail in the coffin.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIeHtIdrPG
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAioajIheFH
I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. It was Kim.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOh1bLNVF6
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFotORKxsL
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG32qRgw7Oh
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMNkT009iF
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"You and your words... I was right about being suspicious of you."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90naYZE76e
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"I'm sorry. I promise you'll be compensated for your efforts."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4skFCleROE
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU85vAlTKTu
"...With money?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftocO6C08D
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtAzwKtwbr
"With money."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDlqqv1Zbm
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDn7QY46kA
"...I can't say no to money."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQ5fFtYCzY
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyYmvVXuUT
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"Then that's settled. What about you, Victoria?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUK6jIz9W7u
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She was still on the floor, giving us a pensive look.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDKKU2fuMC
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"...If we're doing this, then I'll fight anything that isn't the blob."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2FiVzNFEq
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"Alright. Then Kenny and I will help."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQeS00vTuL
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Kim helped Victoria to her feet. I felt something touch my back. It was Flinty, she slapped my shoulder.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVqAet8TxX
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"Let's do our best okay?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo6u3FB5Ge
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlS0zjBo58
"..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisKSXeJRR6
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I still had one more concern.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ205TprltN1
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"Flinty, if the wolf gets to you while we're inside, what will you do then?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJouWKCZNB0
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She averted her gaze.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfdE6dFmke
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7rImK7lGy
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"I see."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzZU60F3k2
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX3xz67eHQ
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"K-Kenny? Are you sure?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2ZXcsGb54
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"Uh..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSICciwcI3v
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Crap. My cheeks were tinted rose.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5ot7d8dww
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMsz7JmZuO
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOoJmyLDrP
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMlL1SV2VD
"This is really cozy, no wonder why you always wear it."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenfaozhQeZ
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"Heh. Anabelle is a good weaver, isn't she?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlS7EE4e23
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She nodded. I felt slightly naked now, but I still had long sleeves covering my arms. I would be fine.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomVtXMmQx6
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"Alright," Kim said, "are we ready to form a plan?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaD8dLTp2b
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–
–
–229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQHKssmWUA
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeKwfzvLHY
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"How does it look like?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2I12NpdxI
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"Clear. I heard some ruckus coming from the building. They're likely occupied with whatever that is."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S9lfbTMWS
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBceR2SuWK
Ideal conditions have been met. I took in a breath and released the tendril. A Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip.
"Are we ready?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Lq1vJ32BL
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADelsqZWzF
"We're ready."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQI9lRxIkn
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I never imagined myself taking part in a siege mission. I would make peace with it later.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWNrWY4mI0
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ny7W3igzt
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡex1zAdK1eO
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftt88TvkaD
"How are we supposed to scale a ramp of ice!?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnVaGikAUO
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She had a good point. I was a bit flustered.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KoVLoulFa
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"Then what do you propose I do!?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksAGQE51cy
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I could see Victoria's brain at work. I racked my mind for a solution.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZaiGvjM8r
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj9tv8ROOe
"Just make little steps," Kim interjected, "and as we hop on them, make the next one bigger."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAc6uMWR0k
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBcykc8EuJ
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xx8OySpBR
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"Before we enter, let me inspect how it is inside."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpHjSsIOIE
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxed11vTZrT
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They slept in conditions like this? They didn't even have a mattress. I almost felt bad.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlIO2oYu8l
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40XAu4l47p
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TlTb4GHgn
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"Ng, come on. I know you know better."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB243wCNE1
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHIzp8qqT3
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"Y-Yeah. I know."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ5JK5mPSq
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zN15iWfhc
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"Then why did you let the prisoners out? We can't have our location disclosed to–"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOMyayQVs1
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRCpMpzPtz
**SHATTER**229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozG0mJ6Wgs
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKX2RlfwXc
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I missed and hit the window, shattering it completely.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yIhnOPU2g
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Ng and the man turned to us. I didn't have anything to say, I simply returned eye contact.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA6yNMLsEn
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"Now!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzookFexg6c
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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!229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxn5x9PmZwu
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnanMRx8liY
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"What are you waiting for?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEVvURiZq0
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"I still don't trust Ng."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vssbRBgxB
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"Fine, then go after him!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EzvIOdIPz
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSig1UEOAy
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT6xaC6qLN
"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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm0lYl1Bot
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"O-Okay, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just don't hurt me!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqKTp6P1ML
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PzCNqBliD
He was already down on the ground with his head glued to the floor. I rushed towards him. Ng was... crying?229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDNAb6gPDo
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"Are you seriously crying?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyTIfLgVm3
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"Huh?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vvQZDzY8y
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He tilted his head up to me.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tPRmZHhx8
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"N-No, I'm not crying. Aren't you going to kill me?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWqejFt0CP
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxLaTf8Zv0
"K-Kill? I wouldn't go that far... Geez, get up already."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw2lskJrDn
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEmg0WtgQp
He did as he was told. He had a look of sincere confusion on his face. I didn't let that fool me, though.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoD4gvym50
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"You, are you really on our side?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj5L2Nv09p
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqzlDY5VEx
"Of course I am! If my words aren't enough, then I'll happily take an official oath!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2pKLQScGB
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5UfjHOGex
"Nobody's here to witness it, you moron! Nevermind this, just take me to your teammate already!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCxaXY49Dy
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCInl6fS8K
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlOLqR2Uh4
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpf7zQS9SF
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AKcvuHtTU
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"Miss... I advise you to not open that door. It's best if we step away."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiZHEkbS48
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1ayOGJEcn
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7h0jnYFIy
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb0wVLHnxO
"Panz! You, what do you think you're doing!?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKLE4GN8FO
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdijMYtwK1
Panz, who was apparently still awake, feebly lifted his head and cackled.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD15bgro4B
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYKBXKe6Ky
"As if I'd let you betray me like this so easily! I'll make you pay, Ng– ack!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0FDJ92Y7F
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ94o6Uamu
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nPthn8Evy
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOA2leH2es
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvv8wSWQ8D
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And then, suddenly–229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4vSxNgq0B
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**SMASH**229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXk18dbwjd
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRzJOo33j8
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzuWtkytpe
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMp9lAuMbN
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"Crap! Everyone, be careful!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Q8kPzeM5j
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqeUrMWEOO
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"H-Huh?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonX1lqeAWm
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJNruqaQ4L
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"Victoria! Kenny! Ng! Head to the second floor!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOD6yLPKC6
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9Sapw8Nyd
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs19D0uCsL2
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"Ng!" I yelled, "Can't you control that thing!?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiUwIyPhk2
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"No! I am unable to resummon the creatures Panz has created, I can only do ones I have!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLV84hj2Hh
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"Like what!?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxFqHBFm85
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"They died last night!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5AJNdMZeL
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQuzZ8yQzV
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Wait, escape route, of course!229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnwEWUcwlq
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvac8vcNdbc
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"...Did I do it?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJTHeQY5dh
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC9PPrfLJd
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"H-Huh?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKraXGv7Wkr
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She offered me her healing potion.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qEuuQ1Rp2
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"Here. For your foot."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFItG2OvmK
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"A-Ah, thank you."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX8fOiqtDR
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKR44EcB8c
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"Haaa, ugh."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuikfRbCoWX
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I stood up with help from Victoria.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusK9e0Lj6x
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"Sorry. I didn't do anything."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxkPiWogMr
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"Please, don't be. Even I don't feel like I did much."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfekwjnfS6y
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"Haha, you're too humble, Kenny."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUNEplEe9e
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She was noticeably shaken. Still, she held onto the unconscious Panz like it was nothing. I was beginning to relax.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEFZv6gP4y
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"Don't let your guard down yet."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2hgFnoyWl
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHqoZYRjNT
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"Crap. Crap!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTM3isOqSke
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncngnVbQ7T
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4pN8oZI4n
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLBjkx9AVj
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"K-Kenny!? Shit!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEiUMOgjnf
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHLma8Ca3T
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1Azv8gexm
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A sinister curiosity crept within me. It was awfully nostalgic.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8ZbLsGYb6
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"Kenny! Kenny, are you awake!?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe00Ffm2o7c
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"Huh? Y-Yes!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxopudKlP0
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"If you can, support Kim!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaHBfxmgnl
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kKJt19NfM
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"W-Woah..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2SqtXdYqX
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV6gj0dLEJ
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"KIM!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylGD85rwww
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"Right!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2vSVLuZC0
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mGyzRd9Nb
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And so, I released the spear.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8moBXB5Qd
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**SMASH**229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSdwhDLNNA
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAueNZZdej
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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?229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C1VqS19XG
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBw48AU3H89
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"Kenny, out of curiosity, what is your earth magic grade?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPxij1tQQV
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ARGHTlBfX
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"...Three. But, as I've learned today, my accuracy probably lowers it."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicdMGMQjuP
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"No, what you just did was incredible."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW49CqXbmZ
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"Okay, fine, thank you, geez."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4FoxMDwKY
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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–229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsJUht9aSJ
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"I'm afraid that wasn't the last of them," Ng said.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxyjHvlmoz
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"Huh? Are you serious!?" Victoria yelled.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzxJluNqrU
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"Unfortunately."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqG6D0uRXA
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZHAxlYXC2
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"Kim!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP4Dp7m0jB
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AG3JY6iIJ
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The tendril was bleeding purple.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRalGmqE8IX
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"Kim! Ah, Kenny, we need to–229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoIylGpmNi
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**SMASH**229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJITVKzeVfP
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8G6WRFvhK
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"It's Jeremiah! Kenny, you need to–"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Zb8WSsIl9
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2huTJGOpGj
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD0X4hlbZb
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"Victoria!" Ng yelled, "We need to escape! We can't fight Jeremiah now!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiTEGAUbZM
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYfRX0bgdt
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqMaTVxAn4
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"...Ngh."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlJawU4pz7
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKCVvzgOXe
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"Haaa, haaa, shit, shit! Shit!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Np2lQ3X8U
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoS8UlGj59
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But, through the stormy mess that was in my mind, one thought came to the forefront.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmjbC6DihC
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The infiltration was a failure. Our ally was compromised. I failed completely.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayMOPI2DLK
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I felt like I was going to die.
