“...”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlzmow9Fek
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“...”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5iw699GJz
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeWwCIpVl7
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaN92rTSag
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJHfkbYzM5
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“I have a feeling–”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnAuYOIyGl
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdMABe5kEz
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMjBMnYOxX
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“Do you also have that feeling?”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtN4aAfdyS
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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.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoXMtUNrNs
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“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAaO3PRkOl
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17C7LXQAhe
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYL2Jhdmd4
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“Y-You!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TVSRARGqK
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpy4XWUhbV
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxMtqkKFES
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“A-Alright!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkoJik5cix
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJGQr5hGV8
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75WRUYxokx
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4G3oMJNLg
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPckJKAco6
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“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFfDCrOBKQ
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb0ataLP6l
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“He’s alive!?”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i4y25UsJ2
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5RmPd9Scl
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“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7831gDm0k
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“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7kbxxb1yf
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH6CNSvRrL
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdKRJakuLE
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF1oaYm6xQ
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“...Well, not exactly.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVMAkd4nYf
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9c8tpBDVQx
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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.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBSddmzxTh
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“Tell me, won’t ya?”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKZltIbtzW
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“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivqZbIdVo5
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“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxsm8Pvlie
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“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT23635GK5
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“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFb4RPbKpc
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrB4ODKmz7z
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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!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9I36DXjM7
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He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8iU1BCopo
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69CdcWK27p
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhISfN2ZPY1
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLocBpkAy3
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWVTG5Nx1X
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkhj5YR4O0
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN6RtIKUgT
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWM8ZU8jrh
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzI6UW7NH2
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–
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–
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–159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5xyNNbNfF
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGoktMerfJ
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJGOyNgNVf
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7F22qjbBw
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09DmP7Kwaq
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLH6dTwJ5K
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQmNJDri18
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlZexcpLNl
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70EWcczgLM
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9zO27bCBX
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9r29wm1PSA
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmmvwCfnzJ
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuTsHkYmvb
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5qixKRf6X
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsazAjfTxgl
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“Crap!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1HfzPEudB
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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–159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDocR0i6aQP
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**CRUNCH**159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZDkRUvDej
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2k3O7NzeO
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DE5GiLC3C
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLsEpgvsp0
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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–159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPTQuZoMow
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“Child! Child, please!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTcagkakdP
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“W-What!?”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUzo3MPFn7
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqIG2fICSx
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYDsC5deXb
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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!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzv4FTXLzJ
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“...”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbJBQOBNki
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cHwq0KNAO
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gzFtxuTQt
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdPgVWD3Tp
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecNeXJcNov
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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–159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdsH9I8q2S
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK45b6HiRTw
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How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9QbKFPK1p
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“Kid! Watch out!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAxsD9KKnq
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWses3qOnfw
“--Huh?”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCny4e6s4uz
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ferryP2uG
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNxSqh0N1F
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEUSm01fEU
“S-S-Shit!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPhh7ZrJ2Y
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vC1KCHMIl
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4xgONcGlq
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**SQUELCH**159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfyBNxInFL
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But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSspdTOnoT
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“--H-Hrk!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa80XrcfiKT
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJDFRr7et3
“Oh?”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pIoBicF7k
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqUFMHVaoC
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNae9bnbhzQ
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9o32gltyD
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEqttlb4Np
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7I1AC4fbYE
“Ark… W-Why?”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9LVwO7dxs
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYSq87dJan
“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?”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4VaMkMOGa
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaA1v1o654
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21RG6n98gq
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlfyBU2A5E
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgNVQRmm07
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3CO8FgMSr
“A– y-you monster!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkoTjQe63a
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnZf8rxrFC
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylQbriT611
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DHnbRlyzT
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu17cnZAQa
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuliTL6rcSu
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi1LRJgILJ
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkP9fAy2Zk
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukqbVjQLcd
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYhMrxxk2d
“A-Afraid?”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyslEJgtgV
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHM41jaf0I
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ3YeAQcQl
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5utX6y00b
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgX5FgJWcyu
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Yno40tyru
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡple30bFRYn
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82wAQ2PeYK
“Damn it. Damn it!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04rXURAEU5
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpV3MFQ3mo
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn7vhWw0Rd
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHXanyUxaO
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48IrimByxj
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zH3ey5aNE
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“T-Thank you.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsoSS8FqQO
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Hz0g686FO
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7XGokU490
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFZNqvvxx7
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDN9gv5O5vb
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFbKn4e8LJ
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNovGk1iwx
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p6IDAw3ug
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFxWIAwXPL
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3w2dUiK0Ws
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRu84ZHyrL
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByWzbuE4f8
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIftzKbAz9
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYrZDpKDVt
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIl1z0wkiwb
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaXwWpSf6H
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9MbVxHbkr
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9chN6TC27
“Juke!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGmcjWKCW3
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVbTLMuKWj
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisl9Hlyi8R
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3zC2tMh23
“That kid is such a nuisance!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWNQFjSatC
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWes7UQneQK
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgSq2AYPj0
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Fortunately, it didn’t have to.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMYmEN9vRo
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRgsvITFFd
“Ahck!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRZ4tJDY0O
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwfKOLVdhA
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibFRnFkOHB
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHv0p0j4Fy
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXCKFPubi4
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXSAmFTWSV
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW0Jc9A2by
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12Q8iglscV
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4OBCFLeUW
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But, that did not happen.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZOnxdCmwy
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRCnpagKqH
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 Bringer159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYGsgOkTab
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VJPyH9TNw
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdWhP65xxP
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkz5k8Coob
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HuqBX1SmT
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhp5xkp8NX
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0GCVvTvQf
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcYeT7mT6J
And he let it rip just a moment later.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hDcOqfmew
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCtGUrRIlB
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyicHvbwyu
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudE4hhjCX1
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt62jLlIFLv
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvekBeChbm4
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“...!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNQFT8xrye
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None so fierce to kill my plant.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl32s5WMSx
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“M-My arm!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqbsMtNUxK
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But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcw9HwiebV
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyaZcxKLW2
“Juke!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBPokIxsvW
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jlXXKjM6K
“Gotcha, kid!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV7IVFVR0g
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxdZkPmzMY
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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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YYeN5ENtp
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tXXaZ24Jr
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5EF530rFq
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRuUB9OSHT
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjEg0qAK5K
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“Hrk!”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzWerEYP7a
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfODEozz3P
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuKA1PStn2
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk0Oj8ZxqI
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0voLtp5yE
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“...”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOM4hEiHbK
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfLF71FMNS
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQP8Qrnj3Y6
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtcIdXTQPH
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn6hdDPoJA
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZEQDESGke
“Curse…”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFVxxh15Im
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNySUVljxHT
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HAJcM7qFq
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ9RJF0XA7
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XQyqsqPXH
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmF0iVvpA0
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMOEfn2KWt
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5DD24J5yr
“May they, be few.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgcI25pgZq
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3gs47PYd7
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8AWDR39Fw
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWHSuHvJDx
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ1OFQmkTF
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDUCLtxj45
“That was… sad.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGSSrB093k
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYj3GFLUwK
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZMjHs64qi
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv57JwxLyf3
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP6Glkai7x
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDsoUpGaN4
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcILWRR13NM
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhetR7asKeO
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSZaxybjd2
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpd3PF9G7n
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXG9rezBzk
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZh93Y2iWd8
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhkJaBDxDw
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbe5vxitJKP
“Don’t continue.”159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuXZWlBNku
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevkHYPI43X
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.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZw2BzSk97
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Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYeDnrQxK5
