Once I uttered that connection, my brain fused into one, and then I caught what the woman had just said. I was struck with even more disbelief, and looking at my teammate, she had an extreme reaction.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJgw64p0GK
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"Did she just say Hard-Bringer?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZTRQUIT33
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Confusion, rage, and fervor overtook her whole being. Even I had a similar reaction, though on a smaller scale. I could tell that she wanted to jump out, but I wrapped her around her arms.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgm3eYYKAZS
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCm8neYJWO
"What are you doing!?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JRsYlDpcR
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5d3QWlIhZ
"Don't go making a scene! They could just be lunatics, and even if they aren't–"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6ItTSzgEX
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgwafINmmF
**BOOM**90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicWWZ2PPvd
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnmsqqszmQ
My hopes of this being a farce were instantly shattered. To our right, the top of a building blew up and caught on fire, and then an adjacent one followed suit. The crowd panicked and a cacophony of voices blasted my ears, deafening me. But it didn't paralyze me, and the same went for Rover. My meager grip couldn't hold her back, but I wouldn't let her face this chaos alone, so I followed her into the plaza. The people dispersed like a flock of frightened chickens, trampling over any unfortunate souls who had tripped. Eventually, the wave of people came to me. I lost sight of Rover and the speed of my chase slowed down considerably. It took my whole being just to not be knocked over, let alone move forward. I was shorter than everyone in the crowd as well, so I was unsure if I was even facing the same direction.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmseQXgSVN
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"Ngh, damn it!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83uq9eYwbo
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Eventually, the wave of people thinned, and I could finally see what was happening in the environs. Buildings were still being destroyed. Some citizens fled from the plaza successfully while others were trapped by the plummeting debris. I spotted Rover in the distance fighting Hard-Bringer lackeys. The woman was still on the sage, and beside her were three other figures of varying heights and builds.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvYYG1JRVA
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjKB2lLA42
I began mana expulsion, creating a spear of stone and gradually amplifying it in rotation speed and size. Before I even threw it, the woman hurriedly ran from the stage, and the other three dispersed in different directions.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYUHnArT2w
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfzcGMTURy
"How did they– ack! Nevermind!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gFbu9rowQ
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuAoLGJr5c
With their clothes, it was impossible to tell who those four were apart from the rest of the lackeys. All, aside from the woman. She ignored all other combatants and rushed toward Rover. I raised my hand, trying to align my spell with her. It was difficult with all the shaking and sudden surge of nerves, so I just simply shot it out, closing my eyes as I did. When I opened them, I saw the woman stock still, waiting for my spell to pass.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzO6bnVr39
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLfNAnyq6S
It was like she knew I was going to fire it.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbynUHSwUh
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"--Damn it! Rover!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVB0qmRmyQq
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I took out my tendril and was about to rush forward until I felt someone grab my shoulder. I turned around half in fright, but a warm feeling permeated through my chest when I met eyes with the person.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyyxeOd6mn
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUrWnIAUUX
"What the hell are ya doing here, kid!?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6Sor6aFTz
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVOSWwsLUv
Juke, carrying his helmet in one hand, was standing there with a frantic expression.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8TUtaF3Ee
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k56l0yWGi
"I could ask you the same thing! Forget about it now, we need to help Rover!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzOe3TBCZj
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1Cb4ftaFL
"Gah, everything's out of order! Ya strong folks are crazy!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiptrcmNABb
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK6Sq5bERU
Despite his complaints, he put on his helmet and drew his broadsword. We zigzagged through the crowd of combatants and lackeys easily, but by the time we reached Rover, she was being beaten down by the woman.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3e7JBKYvi
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFG4n8BO7F
"Ack, you– how the hell are you doing that!?" She yelled. The woman didn't answer her, but simply stood idly by, allowing for Juke and I to get by Rover's side easily.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxElobXLXQm
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOoZVoa5Ym
"Huh? Juke? What are you–"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvrfHxKmBG
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rPXzxtCFc
"Can ya drop it? Aren't ya fighting someone right now?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOAONaEURz
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGnk1uBddZ
Reading between the lines, Rover faced the woman yet again. The woman took out a short sword and spun it haphazardly, looking at us with what I could only describe as disgust.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJhM2sne5R
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"Ah, so you do have allies. Tell me, are they as trashy as you are, girl? Or are you just using them as tools for your survival?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpWtOVU8bA
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6w5tlXpZp
"The hell is that woman rambling on about!?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubyJ3FXIVK
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65sVB0JnRF
Juke yelled, and Rover rushed forward. After her first couple of steps, the woman kicked the air in front of her, and Rover flew to the side. I widened my eyes. Juke and I both stood there, shocked. Rover struggled to rise to her feet, rubbing her face and panting vehemently.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DJ9Z2cinL
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKbULrykaa
"How the hell... are you doing that?" She hissed, her voice gradually growing weaker.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJwBETWak3
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPD42EDo3Qi
"Like I'd reveal my secrets to you, fool. You two, isn't she an ally? Won't you approach me too?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYC9qxj7rP
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROCvTo1LoI
Her taunting words invigorated something in me. I began mana expulsion, creating a ball of fire and splitting it into four smaller orbs. She didn't look intimidated. Rather, she was amused. I ignored her expression and flung the orbs in a scattered pattern. She dodged three and cut the fourth one with her sword. I didn't let up, producing a Freeze-Dry from my tendril. She widened her eyes and backed away before I even aimed it, a slab of fire forming at her free hand. I didn't mind it, shooting and encasing the area in front of me in a giant block of ice. However, only one-half of what I intended had formed. The other was liquid and vapor.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xOMkTq5VF
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCal4G9MBs
I adopted Rover's question into one of my own, repeatedly asking myself how it was that she was doing that.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1pEU9pQpo
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"Hey, Kenny!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujrftsn4n9
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Juke suddenly called to me. He was carrying Rover over his shoulder.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZXqF0TtQC
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"I-Is she okay?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvtK0iyp0s
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqv1nVSTDf
"She passed out. Let's get the hell outta here! That woman is a Harbinger, didn't you hear?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlkSgSO8fK
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkz6uPFcVN
"I don't know what that is!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGMW9eWRfd
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIocN7xP2R
"It doesn't fuckin' matter! Start running!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGdjXmHkfB
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJURSAiyaIY
Truthfully, I agreed with him, so I had no qualms with turning the other way and running. It was a nightmare navigating past all the lackeys, combatants, and confused people, but Juke ran confidently.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98uItGqwo8
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Though, that did raise the question–90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZxGbQd8tZ
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"Do you know where you're going!?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fnuUGY6nf
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuivlfKhbt
"'Course I do! We're going back to our lodging!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksrSRKDa5R
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWisSJRNajy
"Ah– where is Dennis?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkc69zYHAP
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yPlOWxBpr
"Hell if I know! I lost him in the crowd!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3TXr6vfBk
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpFHy8L3No
That declaration made my heart sink. I almost froze in place there, but Juke narrowly avoided a stray fire spell, so I set the thought aside and kept moving. We made it to an alleyway, running through it without much hassle until–90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtX6FUyp6Y
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"Shit."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzcHYluERu
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Juke ceased his escape and so did I. The end of the alleyway was blocked by a robed figure. I recognized him to be one of the ones on the stage. He took his hood off, and there stood a man with terribly fuzzy and unkempt hair.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kdLdNGtCu
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjtVDEkgWE
"I have a question for you two," he spoke in a raspy voice. I readied myself to perform mana expulsion, but Juke put his arm before me, signaling me not to. He stood in front of me, blocking my view of the man.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCb6bFtBxx
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"Kenny, stand there, alright? I'm the guy with a helmet here."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI16LY3XSV8
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ552DMzha9C
"...Alright."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1T3C9XA0n
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I didn't understand what he was insinuating, but I had faith in him and allowed him to take control of the conversation.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2hqaSAIjx
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"Alright, I'll take yer question."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLezZFkNuAN
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo31rveAMwr
"Are you two Zarielites? Better yet, are you two the ones who are delivering a letter addressed to the Eastern Country?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldkM7Drx3Q
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqfaamvBLX
I froze. My face must've contorted unimaginably. In a moment of understanding, I thanked Juke for his quick thinking.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMBHJlLzZl
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"Nah, these kids and I are just passing adventurers."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbueNHxAWab
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYCS5jcjoa
"...Passing adventurers? That explains the attire, at least."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJmxNSURIO
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The man stopped speaking.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPZsWnk6jL
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"Alright, carry on, then."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzsmMTSOPd
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"...Eh?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWf614kcJpm
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I shared in his confusion.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6uSh7mgY9
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"I believe you, so carry on. Don't test my judgment, please."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWUkRdux3s
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvJ88MSXju
"I-If ya say so!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsnm4AcFKI
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Juke and I hurriedly scampered by the man. I tried my best to avoid eye contact with him until we made it out of the alleyway–90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyDdoQk5OY
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"On second thought, I need to ask that kid one more question."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH7df8yeSf
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And then, I froze. I didn't turn my head to face him, but I had my ears open and my mouth ready to run.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv1BTxfdYw
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YALLW7x8J
"Your visage resembles a description we got of an outstanding Zarielite. Tell me, kid, does the name 'Bison Frost' ring any bells for you?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve4IqY9hGP
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq10Ez2WKDh
In that instant, I felt as if the pace of the world slowed to a crawl. My mouth was ajar, it produced a sound, but not one of coherency.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LaTsBSD0S
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyGLWMmAdK
I didn't say anything. I didn't even show him my expression. I didn't have to. I was stuttering and gibbering for far too long. My eyes met with the man's; his pupils had contracted and his calm mein mutated into a face of rancor.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEPoJhTDGV
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I had spilled it in such an unfair way.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQQ5A10naq
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"Damn it, kid!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4arT3YO3x
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuDdARNoTI
Juke's vexed yell brought me back to the present. He shoved me aside and sent me plummeting to the ground, and he narrowly evaded a ball of fire flung from the man's palm. I unfroze, drew my tendril, and swiped it at the man. He blocked the strike with his arms but crashed into the alleyway wall, forcing the air out of his lungs. With the man dazed, I got up and joined Juke, and then the both of us turned around and sprinted in the other direction, casting occasional ganders by looking behind me. The man recovered quickly and broke into pursuit, chasing us into the populated and rowdy street.
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuDRKTBmj2
I noticed the man performing mana expulsion, and from the lack of any tangible objects, it had to be a wind spell. As they were quick, dodging wouldn't be possible. So, producing a Valencia-Bloom, I skidded to a stop and veered to face him.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK7qmyAoaW
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**SMASH**90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8RxAQay28
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAJRMTxo4h
I blocked the spell successfully, but though I avoided being damaged, the force of it sent me to the floor, and at a tremendous distance. I discarded the Valencia-Bloom and produced a Blover, aiming it at the man, but I didn't utilize it. That was because he was engaging with Juke.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPV0CdhrK9
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"Ah, gonna have to forgive me, girl!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeV1oefpRo
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXiCcCeBfp
Juke carelessly threw Rover my way and pulled out his Broadsword, gripping it in his left hand. The man reached into his robe as he ran and pulled out a dual set of curved swords. Even under his helmet, I could see Juke's lips shrink and his eyes enlarge. I ran to the unconscious Rover, throwing her arm around my shoulders and struggling to lift her. Then, I eyed Juke's bout with the man, waiting for an opportunity to interfere.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9haGuOk3j
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6iXP5oHnL
The man raised his two swords and leaped at Juke, bringing them both down like they were hammers. Juke blocked the strike easily. It was obvious from their builds alone that Juke was physically stronger, but the man had a freakish dexterity. He retracted his blades and swung them, spinning around as if he was dancing. No, he was dancing. It was at a level of elegance unexpected of a man as shabby as he. The flurry of strikes quickly overwhelmed Juke– but, he didn't get hit. Though his sword dance was trouncing and enchanting, his speed suffered considerably, so Juke quit his parrying and ran backward, flipping the man off.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnrlEwmvtS
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdax5d3TDHi
At that moment, I began mana expulsion, conjuring up a dense rock the size of my head and throwing it as the man reapproached Juke. However, the man managed to jump over it. I bit on my molars and tried again, but his battle had resumed, making it impossible to safely shoot another one.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLlrqvuen8
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkbhUGUDrM
"You've impressed me," the man yelled, "I suppose you aren't a combatant for nothing!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqDAX2gweq
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIe0FSJfv4
The man sliced and hacked at Juke, each swing of his either being blocked or narrowly avoided. It was clear that Juke couldn't keep up with the man's speed. Sweat ran down my brow, and at that point, I started to believe that just throwing something out would be better than waiting.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjearL8RScR
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Then, I had an epiphany. I removed the Blover and produced Dragon-Maw Jr., extending the tendril to the two.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45CRuCXpi2
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gtn6Kgx5G
"Bite at the homeless-looking one!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfkrzL2Tdb
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewQiSkRF2Y
Dragon-Maw Jr. followed my command perfectly, snapping his jaw at the man. Though he wasn't struck, the man was forced to evade Dragon-Maw Jr.'s attack and gave Juke air to breathe.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicNOPyZkQU
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"Thanks, Kenny! I got a word I wanna say to this lunatic!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAk8NEDI8r
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gi5yAQ0Ka
Juke pointed his sword at the man, straightening his posture.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkL69fLaw8s
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"Don't get the wrong idea, I'm a pretty weak guy. Frankly, I ain't got a clue as to why I'm the one fighting, but I've accepted that these kids just operate like that."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjULOrbkZ7
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8mqKtjbfh
"...What are you saying?" The man replied. I had to confess that I was similarly confused.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInP3ohQbvX
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF4NXUHTVM
"Bleh, ya just don't get it, do ya!?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVjO3BRLyO
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEtqkpvpzh
Juke altered his line of action and rushed at the man. He swung at him, which the man blocked with one sword, and as he went to counterattack with his free sword, Dragon-Maw Jr. nipped at him. He backed away and clicked his tongue.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ9UzNr8XV
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHuaLpjjPg
"That kid is a real problem, isn't he?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bmOmlVmTl
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His smile grew sinister. I immediately knew the devious action he was about to take.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrCc31ozCB
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSCiTxayJa
"Like I'll let ya do that!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPLyLp8yfl
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But Juke interjected, throwing a soft wind spell at the man and making him lose his balance. Dragon-Maw Jr. took advantage of his disorientation and nipped at him, this time, successfully tearing a piece of off his robe.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QCGS4tyOl
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTusjo5XtX
"--It's not the kid, it's that freak of nature!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnizteqg8a
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55odkwfccg
Offended at his insult, I let go of Rover's arm and began mana expulsion with my newly freed hand. Juke and Dragon-Maw Jr. changed turns attacking the man, and though it was assuring to see him on the defensive, progress to our victory wasn't being made. Thus, I created a spell of water. Instead of amplifying it and shooting it at the man, I spread it across the ground.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspKOyd1hIW
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YwSHbgBuo
"Eh? The hell are ya thinking, Kenny!?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnGsAol3Gj
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6j8PTgBbhv
I didn't respond to Juke's complaint, but I understood why he made it. The newfound slippery ground didn't just affect the man, but Juke, too. The two were disengaged but Dragon-Maw Jr. had free reign to wail at the man. And, indeed, wail it did. The man couldn't back away from the plant, meaning he had to challenge every crunch. I smirked at the development, sure that man would be done in.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtiyl7VMXr
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW82qV1fWJ
But, that hadn't happened at all. The plant clasped onto one of his swords and the man used his free one to cut it off.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSa6rXOYBe
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQiLg0zBen
Its head descended like a leaf in the wind. I watched, powerless to remedy it.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdWJJoGvLO
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5v39PXJGSA
"--Hrk!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nIAHnGe2u
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6b2rmWFM1
Then, a sharp, overbearing pain permeated through my body– but I could immediately judge that this was nothing like my time fighting the beast, meaning that, even though I was still grasping at my chest, feeling the purple fluid leak, my tendril remained.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmgdezyOgN
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSCZlgSlgV
With the man free of any pressure, he took his shoes off and dispelled wind from his feet, blowing away all the water and dousing the surroundings.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUZKhHODBN
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKHyjph2gj
"Shit! Kenny, are ya alright!?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8i92HwaWnc
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxbF6cwPLS
"Y-Yes! Sorry, I couldn't get him!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnfraXsjU7
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNaouaMcH3
"Whatever!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvpkftuLSt
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnwWzRiR2J
The man pounced at Juke, who barely blocked his attack. They returned to square one, Juke and the man engaged in a lopsided dance of swords.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtjdv5hNzk
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfMUnSCOJK
I began mana expulsion– but the creation of my spell ceased. As I watched them battle, Juke progressively getting weaker and weaker, my body froze.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOodU9K9rVy
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIqrrvlUqN
I recognized this sensation. It was stark and familiar.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG432RMZH1
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Dread, worry, guilt–90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmcZbjyiBO
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXClSjOKMm
"Kid, back me up here! I ain't strong enough to handle this maniac alone!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeDVkhj0gt
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxTHhcm3lz
"...R-Right!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMQKdIKIR4
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp3x8MKA7r
Juke's frantic yells yanked me out before I sank too deep. I shook my head and thought calmly about the situation, taking deep breaths. It wasn't over yet. Besides, if something did go awry here, it wouldn't– it wouldn't really be my fault.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXneVbwNG4
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu6mon3LgQ
With that assertion, I resumed the creation of my spell: a sizeable chunk of water–
"I got you!"
As I was forming the spell, the man had finally bested Juke's defenses. He broke his stance, and Juke momentarily lost control of his arms. That moment was all the man needed. He spun a full circle, slicing into Juke with both of his blades.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8QmRluAK4
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL0P2FTwGA
**SLAM**90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQLlEYxlL4
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That was what should have happened, at least– no, saying that wasn't accurate. Indeed, the man's blades sliced into his body, but Juke's skin was not cut, and the noise produced wasn't appropriate for an object hitting flesh.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFgHwvHAdB
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXhAbuy9rr
The man looked just as perplexed as I was, stock still as his mind processed what had just occurred. Juke directed us to a conclusion by raising his right hand and tapping on his helmet twice. Our eyes directed themselves to his metallic apparel, and I noticed the two narrow dents at the side.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadgMwH7djG
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPKuvI2dbt
"How did–" the man began, but Juke raised his sword before he could eke out his sentence. The man noticed the action and backed away, but he was too slow.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4DvRfy1UA
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV631kJpOA
"--Ugh!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1SW00AtGe
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWteYt26lw
His arm was rendered a bird by the speed it flew off. Blood splattered and gushed onto the pavement. The man clutched his missing limb, gripping the air twice before connecting with his body.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTpD6M0OsD
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrt6WXBbEsK
I felt the bile rise to my throat, but I couldn't afford to let this moment pass. I aimed my palm at the man and shot the ball.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK195gdPgx
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DzL6Lel5Y
**SMASH**90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLQZBQLGJG
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloORXPT1FY
The man collided with a building. Juke ran up to me and took Rover out of my hands and ran away, but I didn't immediately follow. I stared at the cloud of dust and debris, waiting to see what would appear once it cleared.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJcqc6sBF1
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6uU99hlCO
I knew it was idiotic, but I couldn't look away.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHHrf6TAnH
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLvoyg4aHt
"Kenny! Kid, ya must've lost yer mind!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0SAKDjGca
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1pj2mzNgs
"Ah! Sorry!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY6JfkugLU
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2a2apk7jf
Then, I turned around and joined Juke in our escape. The chaos on the street had cleared, and judging from the lack of noise, the one just a block away was dying down, too. But, I knew that didn't mean that the situation was over. That would be just plain stupid.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFuTQyd99O
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Qn0020fu0
"Ha, hell yeah, we're still kicking!"
Though I shared in his enthusiasm, I struggled to even nod along.
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14gLbuhMIq
"Ah crap, are ya alright? Don't tell me yer bleeding somewhere."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07MJex4zZT
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9O1Xjez47
"N-No, that's not it."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD7AXGDwJJ
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFIK1X6LJM
Admittedly, I felt queasy. It must've shown on my face. In fact, thinking about it, my hands covered my mouth instinctively. I was able to suppress myself, however.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc5ABdXSoS
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyx3BPOerj
"...I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing that much blood."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR9rttFs15
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8Ed19VwzG
Burying the resurfacing memories, I followed Juke back to our abode, leaving the pandemonium behind.
