“...”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZMHfGP6qb
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“...”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTM40N1r55
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO8Xu83ewW
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKZmUpNqEH
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJAKwhhm9y
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“I have a feeling–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEzuFChw9k
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn9FXG5aJA
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeNB9ejSyr
I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJqHzeFHx8
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“Do you also have that feeling?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9diAjPKVLG
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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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22XOeTzSUU
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJcYZ1kDJu
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj01kBOhgR
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsczCN5fxp
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTb1n134OC2
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“Y-You!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCANBwSUUGN
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTUKfcFhfk
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY1hDTCjsk
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“A-Alright!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujBBpsuuwc
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsmx1c7vPx
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREInAomDEO
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeheH5OboyY
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcdz63lsnc
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyv6rDAepv
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnhvMHuCNk
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWCrGq72c3
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2WnOsIzb7
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKn6Eq7yqS
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“He’s alive!?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuawvAwUol
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbEpfsotRu
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“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6TIjswsVI
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUwA6rtJWC
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRWsyOOmuu
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXAZn42fjH
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLOYD0KTHQ
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhBJSAtmRE
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wMjiWCMAG
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“...Well, not exactly.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6egfuPPgM
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrzRP2knVG
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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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCireopYMfn
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“Tell me, won’t ya?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2kHZvfmxH
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYnjNYtwNh
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu4mFrSIzL
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTvoN2o1u1
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0Z7HmaNuw
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“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZb5kSTkzf
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj6H3NTHW0
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6kwNhM0ek
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxlv2HNgSU
I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vl41KQd2e
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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!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTo8a2jYmq
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVus38lLPJI
He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabqP2nvjK1
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxiquW5Dal
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwLX3pU2A0
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hwYOtjC30
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrlvp3p4Y2
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnbdFYRVg3
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6P5rY6m0H
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5lTZgQgKv
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTqPz0l8ST
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–
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–
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–158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJmVpY6ssL
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2b5ZE7dwLL
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAz6TJBoPu
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1E9OHTn8y
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCRcMmDvkA
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsQDGDnC33
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TnHKkkQSQ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRODP9ulxoe
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsSDx4rku3
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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?
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEM3Q0lcTz
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!"
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fenjxTo3Q
"...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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bupfvNCYQ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5kAM6W9t2
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBCwiMfArk
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQIZ39ntNc
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRyYfTwsGT
After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QiuhbxN0v
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdeWEgi8Hg
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOTvId4W0l
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyR6bPOlCE
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSbnl87r8L
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“Crap!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINLeIO9EDh
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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–158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35fLNzitdP
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**CRUNCH**158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IswiNOldc
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbCFvfmBF4
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4p21xZxPq
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv1Q3JnGSY
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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–158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawLcBg9sDE
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“Child! Child, please!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVqAdyQ92R
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“W-What!?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbnZB5AkK8
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CiBF9T4t8
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUryZ7DMAa
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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!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vYO4ZqbGF
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“...”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWLjLXJqZa
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6snRsTy9Sc
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVwb2bNRY5
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVOjV5CTST
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygRROmUD7e
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCRozUY1Cp
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–158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTDHw2vNiW
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVSdhqTu0E
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo6opwCNwo
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJuDuzN0QP
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClxmcOqRU7
“Kid! Watch out!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvINIOI7cFW
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0jjOtifM6
“--Huh?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSBkYkd7kl
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaAV0kn2wK
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4CDa6o0Qt
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p7IziMMmQ
“S-S-Shit!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUtNdmMCiA
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndsSMwxSjj
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ4syrqINA
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2mpwXNHXC
**SQUELCH**158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZsM5C9o44
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJqQ81gm8u
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuEMfZZnlW
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtFJo8kngv
“--H-Hrk!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqJ2gq0CNW
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0FnSi4ZLV
“Oh?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxKOEt3ajv
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYTTgZfbk7
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7poFaGR5OY
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADvpUJZesQ
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPuNxl2Hj0
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlWdlnnBcD
“Ark… W-Why?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqsEiWVkf8
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLa99NnMty
“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?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntgFzhwhXp
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbFXACTsRn
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCabPUKoMdu
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjr6M8hrvJ
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxWqi9KX3x
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXRrQsxocI
“A– y-you monster!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYWoXpE09A
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkjqfDB7i4
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaQjXo2G6c
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRBjXjYpSn
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdBGsXnv1T
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5ocqNm0lt
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1J7StS9AI
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVVdkF9r4t
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxOAeuvkff
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanJgVvZqxQ
“A-Afraid?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigvGDgbgox
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxyUebYK8M
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZal879lhXO
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqcWpWJGor
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSymZrA5sf
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuWMoT39lV
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qm1Ixbdti
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuH3YhfUY1H
“Damn it. Damn it!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0b0LG81cI4
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMWpJSNePw
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg8kkCCxCG
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4njGOa4iDS
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIUVeMZati
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eWEGAj6aE
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhptjELNox
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF36Fy0FtJq
“T-Thank you.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ092tzON7my
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvucC2nSAT
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcMGTqHICO
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbtW6eqqUg
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6g6laKEt15
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQouoNEfZx
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7DUi7MzK6
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbnn06abNZ
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBcuqdeSnE
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefJMRF7FyB
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGakUOxDHTF
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXebyQkZjTh
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvWSSDoVmW
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5IhBTFOfL
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkYXi8cFj7
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGQAIc9MD8
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnlwMTF0Vb
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mjmCk4vdv
“Juke!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBlLbwg6de
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObLLmWmo92
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRowjZdsEjo
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3IjmJg0vg
“That kid is such a nuisance!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHx4D4J96w
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE36w1hJjB
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ375POChXdJ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj1PSwu8J4
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabi0PvuazS
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl58EZO3nN
“Ahck!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHLJS7E5HR
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId8BrlfNpO
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3aAPZwrGy
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPON36KNct
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kxGG93RN0
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BOguZ3lzO
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tCY0E8tLP
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyvITegiJI
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLq2Kd05af
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZpCC75mvD
But, that did not happen.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2naVcj6uF
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3WscJYa1o
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 Bringer158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBE8eqiaY4
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXDrPtJ9Qh
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiia4nf6pNp
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AdlSWcXv6
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KaRestEOj
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGepGb2OeB
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs12DQncUC
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4FzA0zdgW
And he let it rip just a moment later.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWxxHw539k
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRDyWEaLcT
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkSM3MqdHe
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmklnowPnI8
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3ERB6sYNC
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMy8jOHjuH
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1bG7aWIw0
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwquwBgog8a
“...!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWv70eCyA0
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PrgqLgY7q
None so fierce to kill my plant.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqghBfTr0Op
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHxMutxo0G
“M-My arm!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLukJqHDU13
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQdzHm1o7D
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Pb8nmfAqo
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIZbIweqtG
“Juke!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjXJrYjBif
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIGYLyfBxR
“Gotcha, kid!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrpkzu6YbJ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC68nmnmRm
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4gJPbm65z
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZXqNINKOx
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6MTPakiUX
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaoB33WUo6
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXy3QcNyxF
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xejxi7xcb
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBBx8owPMc
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bkjYR8l7R
“Hrk!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqaeGK3R4l
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BEdDIYni6
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7ByiekvJr
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BZmk90EBS
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulMLKIcPEi
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YfgCajOAh
“...”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOH66uaHMN
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bJfWGo9Pj
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyzvEIGM5T
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoe9XWKdGO
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKd8AjjUFTO
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD90RvyOep
“Curse…”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsvVhXR8W4
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9pVuFmMtM
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFXkZKoOKY
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVwtOZyjBb
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4qQp6QytB
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0FTeUY1YR
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRv5WqsvM2
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBN2WheHIw
“May they, be few.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOlyQkEXmJ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyxfo39Lpq
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8QN9DU3s3
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBijngXfMZl
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpb9s96tU9
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDqOBXbauf
“That was… sad.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkkiP7JD2i
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3yJ6mgSPJ
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeGftkhifI
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRfr0hTLWq
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgC4ZyioWs
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR9ledgebs
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQUfUEoKHx
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MgZdaf6ow
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoYJIyhK6R
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rNPsRoX7W
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnfWvTdoYr
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftOUs1Rq9r
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bwbp3vYaL
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXtUpHYrGe
“Don’t continue.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcRWkCZVXx
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSHjqLwF5o
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbvblv8fqK
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeko06QSnV
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAHqMictmb
