“...”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qqux18cS7
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“...”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxyShUMdy8
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I couldn’t explain how it wound up this way. Maybe it was how I always lagged behind, or that other members were simply more courageous than Juke and I. Maybe it was bad fortune becoming of me, an ugly trait that reared its head in inconvenient times. Pondering an explanation was a useless endeavor anyhow. At this point, I realized it just wasn’t always needed.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhknSa8Qpk
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnwDm1gRKz
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I didn’t have any evidence, but my gut screamed at me that the final floor would be the most challenging to combat. I readily acknowledged that the Harbinger was on a lower floor, but all the suspense that had been accumulating in my body informed me that wasn’t the worst of it. Perhaps it was a superstition– no, it absolutely was –but I was still compelled to tell Juke of my hypothesis.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2Tdk6lg4i
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“I have a feeling–”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWUdRRkBle
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuqwR2YVt6
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I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NJAi0rFzA
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“Do you also have that feeling?”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH1cnp4wjI
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“Nothin’ like it. I could just tell by the look on yer face. Either way, I don’t think we’re gonna deal with somethin’ so meddlesome.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLpM8tGozw
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“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpOWPkd0ts
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His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoavbJZNg8y
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But, ultimately, I reminded myself yet again that that hardly mattered. Now that we’d arrived on a flat surface, there was nothing to do but to walk through that door and eliminate whoever was behind it. So we made sure to make a loud entrance. As I was able to match his pace, the both of us busted the door down. We ran into the master’s room, a spacious office stacked with papers. It was different, and far, far messier than the Foreign Pillar’s.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5PcLCT2rD
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“Y-You!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1plRP7EwqT
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I was shocked by a sudden voice from my left. I turned my head and saw a skinny gentleman, one I could only assume was the Pillar’s Dean.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz1AYvw4dk
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2QNjSfoY9
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“A-Alright!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2pOFySCP8
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Whether his words or his pathetic visage swayed me, I ran to untie him all the same. But I was stopped in my tracks by a hand grabbing my shoulder.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpEVtO05bT
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y40mBhaTr
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My question was cut short the moment I looked at where he was point. Now, I was looking at the reason behind the different papers, the reason why the dean was tied in rope.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN7nSMS74V
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPQD7rbZQt
A man stood on the desk. A man with a robe I knew all too well, but more importantly, with a style of hair that I recognized. He turned his head towards us as he put a paper down, and frowned.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCPzaWZmDY
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“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08pFoJpFce
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With almond-shaped eyes and a jagged, unusual hairstyle that screamed “punk,” the Bringer in the streets of this city right as this mess began glared at us with the sheen of his blade.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8Mc3yAl9d
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“He’s alive!?”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq2alXdO1J
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The shock of it all was one thing, as the last time I saw him, I was sure he was pulverized and left to bleed out. But what truly made me yell in such volume was that he still had both of his arms.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EQu7rEb3a
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“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqV6Xd3uBD
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“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YR8JxpLcW
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He said it matter-of-factly, as if none of it should be a surprise. Missing limbs weren’t impossible to restore with highly potent, albeit rare and extremely expensive potions, but processes like that took months, often years to complete. And they would only proceed smoothly with frequent tending and doctoral observation.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmXC3zoEj2
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlP7AkQPjn
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxLsBTOhMH
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“...Well, not exactly.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtWaC5fnNv
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWsv3FExJY
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“Restoring limbs isn’t impossible; I tried and failed to make a few like that myself. But to be able to do it that fast, there’s only one explanation.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDKIac966Z
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“Tell me, won’t ya?”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBJBEZnJy8
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“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2NF8SMDzk
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvwi8nfiDu
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldCoBhr7u0
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“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO91bbv7iDL
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“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmxUALeHqo
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN89MbzV8B
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“There’s someone among our ranks who’s a world-class healer. It’s phenomenal to see her work, really. I was out like a light, but by the time I woke up, I was better than new!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3biTrbDphC
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He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84c7jDusDp
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TpinEvpQb
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR15JrDrnP6
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozHXRP9XMH
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The Bringer hopped off the desk and reached for the other scabbard on his belt. Wielding two curved blades yet again, he stared at us with crazed, narrowed eyes.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsCRkGVQE7
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv0nVYdgJr
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHab6b4glEK
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeKxG8pIAn
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lQHyHCm8c
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–
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–
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–180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T3nClJuFC
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The Bringer’s immediate dash complicated this whole mess. It might’ve been my fault for not taking Juke aside and speaking of a plan, but there was nothing I could do now. I didn’t have time to speak with him about our battle strategy. It helped not that the Bringer’s gesture was so sudden. It stunned me for a moment and forced me to think of a counterattack. But Juke thankfully had a quick, simple proposal:: he just drew his sword and matched the Bringer.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz19w1J3Gx5
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The first collision of the battle followed right after. Juke blocked a double swipe with his single sword, and immediately I noted that Juke had more physical strength than the Bringer, as he was able to keep him in a lock. The Bringer dashed away shortly after, glaring at us while humming curiously. I was oddly disturbed by that gesture, but I had no time to contemplate. I drew my tendril and sprouted the perfect plant for the occasion: the Thistle-Bloom. One of the first plants I ever copied from Prince’s garden, Its spikey bulb protruded from the tip of the tendril. I squelched its root as if I was choking it.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1OojqISwR
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbi8NRcxUTc
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao57pbtKTq
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He nodded right after, boldly charging at the still-humming Bringer. I put one knee down and bent the Thistle-Bloom, aiming it directly at the two fighters.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aP4CzIG6p
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It was impossible to safely shoot while the two were in close combat, but that bothered me barely. Juke’s endowment gave him a defensive edge, and with the constant threat of his sword and wind magic, the Bringer would be forced to back away eventually. I just had to wait for that moment, and as I did, I keenly watched the battle unfold.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0HBtQPk63
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Juke played the offensive role spectacularly. I wasn't sure if the Bringer was hesitating from past experience or gauging him in some fashion, but the end result was that swings were being thrown his way. None of Juke's swings connected, however, and the Bringer kept too small a distance for me to shoot.
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Eventually, the Bringer retaliated. He swung his swords across and Juke blocked them at the center. From that position though, Juke was forced to back away. Almost losing his sword, he awkwardly stepped a few paces back while swinging his arms to keep from falling. In that moment, the Bringer dashed and thrust his weapons.
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**CLANG**
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"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
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The tip of his blades practically bounced off Juke's skin, and from the looks of it, made only a scratch on his helmet. Juke looked relieved, and the Bringer looked annoyed, and though I was distracted by relief of not seeing my friend be penetrated, I surged mana through the tendril.
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"It's a weird ability you have there. Fortunately–"
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All of a sudden, right before the thorns of the bulb spew like the water of a dam, the Bringer flung one of his blades my way.
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"I can just chip away."
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I tripped over myself trying to dodge it, and though all but a clip of my hair avoided it, it managed to glide through elsewhere.
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My body reacted immediately.
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"Urg--Glurrgh!"
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The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
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"Kid! Ah, shit!"
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I collapsed to the ground, limp and lethargic in my lazy legs. I mustered the strength to tilt my head up and look at the fight. Juke kept the Bringer occupied, but everything about the sight was wrong. That Bringer was missing a sword, so why was Juke forced to block every attack? Why did his posture falter while the Bringer's only strengthened?
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Familiar shivers ran through my spine. My limbs denied my commands, and even my eyes forced themselves blind to the scene. Then the word "run" entered my head. And then I–
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"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
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"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
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A rush of adrenaline helped me endure the pain of forming the Dragon-Maw, but with my other hand, I quickly created a ball of fire and lobbed it at the two fighters. I didn't hit anyone, but the blaze separated them, giving Juke crucial time to breathe. He shot me a thumbs up while brandishing his weapon, threatening the Bringer just enough for him to back off.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWL2bgnhi9M
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The Dragon-Maw snapped at the Bringer, knowing by instinct who the opponent was. But to my surprise, it didn’t uncontrollably charge.. Rather, it retracted, hissing at the adversary as if he encroached on its territory.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmrmrKBjB8
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcg199PLoO
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After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b3SuUUZCz
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Though carrying such a dislodged, extended mass was difficult on my tiny body, I put no energy into making attacks. Dragon-Maw complimented Juke’s fighting patterns superbly, striking at times when Juke reeled from swinging his sword. The Bringer was put on the backfoot almost instantly, and the pressure was obvious from his drenched face. Despite our suffocating offense, we never managed to break the guard of his blistering blade.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8THSqKFiMy
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosH5eFsAS0
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Though my arm strained and heaved, I kept the tendril out. The Bringer carried Juke and Dragon-Maw around the room, lining its edges and narrowly missing the paper piles. At some point, though, I noticed that the Bringer had to block less and less. I thought for a moment that exhaustion from Juke or I was to blame, but as I narrowed my eyes, I noticed his feet moving further and further back.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzWf9S3pUT
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRGLdIVt8o
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“Crap!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LdAWdTgon
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I stopped supporting my right arm with my left and quickly began mana expulsion. I didn’t have the time to make anything dangerous, so I conjured a messy ball of water and flung it at the Bringer. But I didn’t put enough for or mana for it to be meaningfully threatening. It merely splashed his face, not enough to stop him from picking up his other sword. But that brief moment of blindness afforded me a–180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAcAjq95kF
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**CRUNCH**180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsXlZ7dABy
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The Dragon-Maw managed to clamp the Bringer at his side. It didn’t bite anything off, but from the grunts of the Bringer and the new hues of red, it was clear that the wound was deep.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDfPR57212
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQua9TxJCIu
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Like it was a basic reflex, the Bringer swung his sword and cut the head of Dragon-Maw off. I clicked my tongue and closed my eyes, bracing myself for the ensuing, and brutally-arriving pain. My preparation suppressed it adequately. I was still on my legs, after all. But it was offset by my dwindling willingness to use the tendril, and by the way its brown roots shed its sheen, I figured it felt the same. I had to ask it for one more favor, though.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK1y2X07Da
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I realized it was reckless, especially with how small the room was, but I didn’t want this fight to drag on any longer than it already had. Thus, I procured a–180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34XJvGckso
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“Child! Child, please!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEozqqpL5Z2
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“W-What!?”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7IJFnx6g7
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKz7ZzDhW9R
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxXhut4SXC
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“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5rrQ83utt
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“...”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLeJrmiS8W
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I had this sick feeling that the Dean was far sleazier than I initially thought, but under this kind of situation, I could hardly blame him. I didn’t turn to save him, however. As a Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip of my tendril, I stared with sweaty palms at the dueling two. Juke matched the Bringer far more comfortably now, even with him having two swords, as that injury was unignorable.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxmmzULwd1
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzwKkRBPxU
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPbBdIyRxG
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3Tvmr0b9f
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Even though it would just take making a small dagger out of earth, sinking that time to free him felt like a terrible idea. I knew it was possible, I knew Juke could last long enough for me to do so, and yet– and yet–180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhXJsj94va
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And yet, the option caused my arms to shiver. To be responsible for his freedom, would just mean I was responsible for everything that followed.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf18cjsJg92
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fTVSLPN7Y
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFqwCKcEcZ
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBYjkxob7W
“Kid! Watch out!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc0LgmnZgK
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaK6ihSczI
“--Huh?”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0FXhwIyKQ
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeQjP2rwQr
I was swept from my trance by Juke’s loud, worried call. My vision registered with me then, and I realized that the Bringer was charging directly at me.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGevGGNdWs
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGUFJkWUvA
“S-S-Shit!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xqWwgvRbz
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvVghF2Kzp
I did the first thing that came to mind: I conjured a hasty spell, shot it, and jumped to the side, causing me to land on my hip. Only, it didn’t go so smoothly. The spell I created wasn’t one of earth or fire, as trying to rush those would erase nearly half of my mana supply. So I created a large wave of water before moving. It blinded the bringer sufficiently, just enough for his thrust to miss me.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dEEcCwyTo
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdyKs96RCc
**SQUELCH**180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Btp1lD2Gp
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVP7nqIksD
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSD2ffMilR
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdnsJgf1nj
“--H-Hrk!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh01XwLrQhO
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWovjDAlcbK
“Oh?”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07nqVtWLVB
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw3SX11f8X
The Bringer rubbed the water out of his eyes and looked at where his sword had been lodged. He wasn’t happy or upset, nor did he look amused or angered. He had the look of someone who made a simple slip-up, like a man putting a box in the wrong place and merely shrugging his shoulders at the sight.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAHN1qf3OC
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCf6OvQXnq
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaDy0mKtdO
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM1jOnBxuN
“Ark… W-Why?”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwedRuVBuu
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnqErFmOrB
“I don’t have a reason. It was an accident, relax. Goodness, just relax! It’s not as if I hit your lungs, did I?”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ0VYt5ABC
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMRwVfco8K
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ef57AYdWm
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE0dy8rw6n
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG02KlQOAJk
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfnUrmq80n
“A– y-you monster!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlUTCLOX4Y
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlLaEoam3p
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRGuIOWjx3
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KHb3OVnlG
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAuvaBZsSC
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhYoDAIxnp
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SiSAZhH3Q
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWYFLVPxVn
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7aCE4j9bO
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9leDphDXBn
“A-Afraid?”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fFiTFziXw
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MFpFIAvwt
I was stunned, undeniably, but it wasn’t paralysis. That wasn’t the case, because I saw the Dean right there, writhing but breathing, trying what he could to cover his wound. But to call myself afraid wasn’t incorrect. I could hardly keep myself from melting.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqdgV2bzHs
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJM6597xru
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypVhXlsYmf
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonaidntPL3
But then Juke’s words resounded from my side, and the sight of the Dean became enough for me to move. Though, I didn’t do so before giving myself a necessary rebuke.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqFOUjIBLv
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTlfBVzMMk
“Damn it. Damn it!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnogrj2vVv
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9N2vUvvb27
I aimed the Freezey-Dry at the bringer and let it work. The Bringer stepped to the side, avoiding the wall of ice that formed until the end of the room. I didn’t have to face any counterattack either, as Juke kept the Bringer occupied while I ran to the Dean, forming an earthly knife.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1guQyOEpyM
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQhzl8FLre
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lfbXPYFke
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWPj3tvyfb
I hurriedly cut the ropes, slicing one of my own fingers in the process, but still managing to free the Dean. He grasped his shoulder and got on his legs.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ2kFIog4Y
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqMe96Z8lG
“T-Thank you.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW52gN8xxgB
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjCL8fkEpj
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5oC1jtWro
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9C60ghnsF
The Dean meekly nodded, which made me greatly relieved. I conjured up a quick earth spell and shot it through the ice wall, creating an opening.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh6theWLgF
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcYlAM8uxm
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPCQaZNqNV
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh5tLTJGTn
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMHJ4a4ksp
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpONhcaHm5G
Though his run was gaunt, he managed to leave the parameter without being stopped. I walked around the ice wall to make sure of it, seeing him go through the entrance, and then I returned my attention to the Bringer.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfpP0Gw26Y
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjlvjzfjB4
He and Juke were still fighting. The Bringer landed stray hits far too often for comfort, but I saw a window when the two clashed their swords and stared.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3S56LDNXS
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0Taia7aoA
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB4eGEVy1L
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHZNUxFBlq
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryk9hUFDpG
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQtq5lPPbc
“Juke!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGP2l0wcvmA
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWjtXZRvS9
I interjected as quickly as I could. I formed a ball of earth and shot it at the Bringer. He moved to dodge it, but his toilsome wound forced him to hiss and I managed to nip his shoulder. Juke took advantage of the generated momentum, swinging his sword barbarically but only scratching the Bringer’s cloth as he dodged. The Bringer clicked his tongue and massaged his shoulder. Though it was a reach of a call to make, I felt confident that his shoulder was dislocated.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaC6SyUiJTi
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk360BWMHZi
“That kid is such a nuisance!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmr4eA59tJ2
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHjQJGfuEY
He yelled an enraged sentence, jerking his head to me and glaring with dagger-like eyes. I brought my tendril out in front of me as a kind of shield, though with the ferocity of which he sprinted, it clearly wouldn’t do anything.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEipMbzTvmy
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uXmw2NJ1U
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVEOpQTw7Z
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvSYS4lueO
“Ahck!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfBM5LBAT1
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL56AtckGoM
A gust of wind came from my right, slamming the Bringer hard enough for him to tumble to the floor. Juke followed his spell by charging with his sword raised. He swung down and collided with a shielding scimitar, unable to break its barricade. But as they struggled, I made my move.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGH1Svv4mB
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5IDDhS0WE
A spell wouldn’t do me good, and this wilting Freeze-Dry wouldn’t fare any better. My other offensive flower had been pierced and shredded, so I only had one thing at my disposal.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JEibApYR5
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqio6b2B5r
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUc4b7VtdUu
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTCP2ktmru
Juke moved his sword in the nick of time. The tendril caught the flat side of his scimitar– to my great relief –and crashed directly into his stomach. The air escaped from his lungs, and remnants of his meals flew out of his orifice. The blow stunned him well, and I retracted my tendril so Juke could quickly finish the job.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgJo17ktQL
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLTcqOIJfw
But, that did not happen.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKwAfDWMR8
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW2uTeHb64
With gritted teeth the bringer kicked himself from the floor to his feet, keeping Juke and I at a distance while pointing his swords. In the midst of it, I prepared a spell with my left hand: the embryonic stage of a geyser that would hose him to the wall. Preparing it took a while, however, and it was within that window of time that the Bringer180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMZQxLRGXT
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKlsOsNdDM
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvGVrnNBb3
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5PvmhSJwW
He twirled his core along with his blades, swindling himself like a leadenknob. His arm covered every feature of his face but his eyes, and he glared at us with the eyes of a feline.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rt4xh94Ji
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUq9H1gEJa
From his body language, posture, and exasperated voice, it was clear to me what was coming: that bizarre technique that troubled Juke and I when we first fought.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpDzCIUjqh
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKYKjnnpmy
And he let it rip just a moment later.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0Hnw4Vzhj
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeOkgS4uel
His speed was unprecedented, his rotation made him blurry, and his rapid blades howled in the wind it sliced. Though he spun in a rocky direction, it was just accurate enough to gain ground on Juke and I. And I knew that helmet of his wouldn’t last under such a flurry.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPoAJ0DLMe
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyu2qwWwTZ
But true as that might’ve been, it wasn’t his helmet that would be put to the test. The Bringer veered from Juke right into me, approaching at a speed I could hardly react to. React I did, however. I produced a flower from my tendril and injected mana into it as fast as I could, and before his flurry of blades came, I had something to guard myself.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWZVL7NLLJ
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEE8xY2GdH
The beige and jagged texture of the Valencia-Bloom’s shield defended me. Small enough for me to carry, but large enough to stop speedy metal from sneaking past. It kept up with the flurry miraculously, as every cut it received closed immediately. Dozens and dozens of cuts, and none strong enough to pierce through.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eaa3ViqLr
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwENib465Jh
“...!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Iwx44xVbq
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfna3WhuHeP
None so fierce to kill my plant.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1U9Dsrox8
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhCTUqveKF
“M-My arm!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cPcwcRiVg
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsnORP3ib2
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCJe13ziG8
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4op51v66je
“Juke!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s1h81FrEb
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWOtgnIPIP
“Gotcha, kid!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dyLEnQpMX
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDsTR16JiD
The barrage had no effect on the shield, but my puny arm couldn’t stand against such pressure. It was impossible to keep it up. I could already feel the fear seep into me; flashing images of what would become of me should those spinning blades connect.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG3GHprJjh
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxFsyKFGVa
But something unusual happened in light of that. An action I didn’t know I had the capacity for, but was driven by nothing but my own will.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4eMtCViWm
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOEnvs6RaE
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMTbNpmbCc
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryVXU6oKmH
It wasn’t a clean hit– the complete opposite. I couldn’t aim my palm in any useful direction, but the force of the spell was so great it still adjacently struck the Bringer. As I didn’t have time to plant myself firmly, I was sent flying as well, colliding into the wall to my right and across the room.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNagZAmI8uZ
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4hxBTivTR
“Hrk!”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0l7gSG4WB
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRq1nDS75Y
The slam was ugly, and I slid to the floor like mushy food. I didn’t let myself rest then, however, because that Bringer was still alive. I stood up and peered over the Dean’s desk, at the Bringer.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFuWhm0qGq
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJQ3O2XF5N
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2S0LU1H7h
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD3FZDNbpx
“...”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeUNVNHTeJ
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtbr9ufsNR
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1wwnfcoGL
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVVUbHBAd6
I didn’t respond to Juke’s praise. All my attention tunneled to the Bringer. His gaping mouth, his constricting eyes, the fading strength as his staunchblades slipped from his grip. He finally turned his eyes to me, then to the man who left him in such a state.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZZA1YG1y6
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeNfiJ4GVI
“Curse…”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i7Otuf8YK
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh9pVMVSZc
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFISHfgmyDI
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbEVg4jsmy
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOmgHUU5Nt
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZa9AtnGFV
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjNgmfR5ld
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhzWcRTwJi
“May they, be few.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYidfoHZZzC
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQaI3ZO9n9
Another fit of coughing followed. It was intense and abrasive, ripping at his throat with each installment. Their strength eventually dwindled. His noisy coughs turned to raspy whispers, ejecting all the piling blood that clogged itself in his throat, lower and lower volumes as it progressed.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvkJSmcsEY
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBup1M1icf
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ993Grmah3x
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GTeJsg31E
“That was… sad.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFeWKvOqMq
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAVrjivaKB
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvsNpbgsNV
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeweLYAnvFE
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkmEqFwDCR
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4vXn6pwKu
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchoAjJraDh
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82xfSiWU5Z
I chuckled at his assessment. He had a point. I should’ve just been glad to be alive, shouldn’t I? I showed my gratitude by taking a few steps over to Juke, raising my palm with as sweet a smile I could make. He matched my gesture, and we high-fived.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lUYE3WcdN
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY9Ft6NCKa
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozZP4zpdXj
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBCfWuqtPm
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUX1p6K46s
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEZX33Kom7
“Don’t continue.”180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP49dO7llU
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mLxlgtuPg
I looked at the Bringer’s corpse. In a twisted way, it was a trophy. A tangible token that indicated our success, our reclaiming of the Central Pillar. If the lower floors have succeeded, that is. I didn’t want to think like that now, however.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPV72GvG3s
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UuVBw5RLp
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCILx6fdwU
