“...”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rB4iQ3r1l
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“...”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdOjmMIiI6
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHf7HfcmyQ
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPQw9F1cjO
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL8pAoXmby
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“I have a feeling–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaXZBaf5dM
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUgoV3Gc8j
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RUj9terU8
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“Do you also have that feeling?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGu43GQUR3
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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.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR6Q5p52sr
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aiAtEimOg
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnFyTE5c6h
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oQTNl8adW
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX171NERXm1
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“Y-You!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKe3FWcTHR
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4f9qfYjlv
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlHLhVxMsl
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“A-Alright!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OtFljA874
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2rev6TAJc
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IOkQez3Y6
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gBRu9Sc0j
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1o1FmVmNq
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“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhlZubpGot
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ9w1OSPIz
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“He’s alive!?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGpO3Q3eUm
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzUq5oxgiy
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“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfblj4ArNJ
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“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yEUefwamQ
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiHrggu9Jw
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILSXTpUpun
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vjK3AB0eW
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“...Well, not exactly.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCeCXA8S9X
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUbXfaiKEY
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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.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQTRbh9VUN
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“Tell me, won’t ya?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv1z3k1G5y
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“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYxazPG3vy
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CQwt3hm4e
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFgTWrurOd
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“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRtaFn0oxs
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“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EV4pj0Tq0
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zrXp6OBrM
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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!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ8wbhms2a
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He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oHt6AwCzu
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1DZrHYvW1
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CkjQoxXuy
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6dBBfQMJw
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgqBt3Djju
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO58q3D3yGz
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99SdLNqSfY
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnzbz3mIka
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRHc1a3WjU
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–
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–
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–179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcYEfSIqpl
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqnpTdpOgi
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnwEY8XL4D
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLCH9kOk3A
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL7pY0YhPi
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH4Qj7DGj6
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa1EJS7QtS
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFZA8ZLyhY
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwBlrlBP9s
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRLW1ITh3o
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIsEnH9HYQ
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQfr1DPvEt
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNSayrYUgx
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3VqGCMRmV
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnOIN2OUQy
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“Crap!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEacUs3qELi
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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–179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zFErwKuxT
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**CRUNCH**179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38jRfdA1Fw
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIc0pnMK9O
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU12C5MaPa2
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDJoIJedoa
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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–179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqlngidueO
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“Child! Child, please!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobgDW2f0Xj
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“W-What!?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYBgzEe7ll
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uX4OThnfh
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfVdyUtZvI
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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!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVTOaSKf1q
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“...”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhH7Mz26wU
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtUfkxtxJH
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVnQzj4LTT
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQTriBwbhK
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS01DIDGe4
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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–179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTR6CpH0Ur
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9BIDLQVWF
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTEgjAx0jc
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL6botX9Op
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXMqKLedpr
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtW0fqa0ep6
“Kid! Watch out!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UgHlonURZ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafNc0UAusA
“--Huh?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53pNKr18Nq
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM8O8QkCV5
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFJkxXJ1Uv
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZSKOyM0uj
“S-S-Shit!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMflyDBVOH
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu1LkieTRq
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstHJ0WJ8gL
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1Nr87PXuQ
**SQUELCH**179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVucM9Cd76
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lR6ysBtYC
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpY6QSkmrv
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PiLLp7yCM
“--H-Hrk!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yVTrTHukE
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7jvojcXsl
“Oh?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBFP214bQn
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrbQaB63l4
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4oUE4bpmf
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEKlxtyWfA
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiej6GSYsZI
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFWySmuPgr
“Ark… W-Why?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCURDOwoqkS
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZthJkEUORE
“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?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHmCp0uPsA
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpdCcdpdGR
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7067SywX0
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigKtqayUF6
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhhhz5rAAE
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrjuDVG18k
“A– y-you monster!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC64YQP2loh
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZwJNIjoJe
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvpPq17Neq
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIYqwZDyi5
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtweTBcPtpl
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCNGwjmkj4
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0qatESEdn
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ID2vFA9oC
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H2YgF8Grk
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmc9VIhSPi
“A-Afraid?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf499nUg5F
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt221Geb9l
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpemqE1p5xP
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3Y9CemWvX
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOcQEc5lg1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGEwRhFacU
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOXbDQcbfs
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwzvEzwmtL
“Damn it. Damn it!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXg8W20L7K
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KzjbRNspZ
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ7F4xZF0t
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl1EdO92V1
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tsEPU1bE8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHFJrrS8mV
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TN2wKtUbc
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp777IfOPc
“T-Thank you.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbfnuoSxAH
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXpspXxtyU
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGINOvYBed
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrxynrE4uN
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWlLKiBvd2
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTzz59LRre
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsEUHk44aT
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuqjYVEzXA
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqTrsOOGHK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQyYHlGpvJ
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0ejHOxuHS
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27uqgCxfxE
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0YbzqISGZ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVKtMPR7JA
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLJtFGLld1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNQDaruOVR
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHIy7p0UnR
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeL75bAd7lE
“Juke!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf1z3w7nPb
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h7AL1hzBo
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8unxXcAKU
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveQXCepG1c
“That kid is such a nuisance!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ802IDfbeQq
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q4KeHl1mT
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuojt4lwww6
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt96qfVM9Tn
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHVI03gmM3
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKMPV9vncb
“Ahck!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjYaCJEB14
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgssfCxhdC4
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfW2U2CcPI
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8j82gV1P4
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASroZ4i1RG
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9cvkzB12J
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnYQIQUZXc
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHK6lYbOXY
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd4KOmD7M9
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFqn50LwCw
But, that did not happen.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkkTbtBDO4
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7fIDmW3PZ
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 Bringer179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkygvoTsP3
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWPROURA6B
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nTczOjySa
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb7i5ztsKq
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICkF5qZMIi
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MJyT5Azdh
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTc6BLABEk
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GBOPRGOg7
And he let it rip just a moment later.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBw8CLNIuT
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU8FKNzyQc
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiGznFSYIh
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBz9Ige4Ga1
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7WYvWjpbL
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmZI5yJo6S
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4HRsNiMdU
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8uILqbRc1
“...!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltAO1Qj8TV
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLfwaqjgDg
None so fierce to kill my plant.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WElKe5I4e
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbPAhDhyjc
“M-My arm!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlOy98C1yK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFpyTh37qX
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkTFrAhnGO
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoMQjGxjeJ
“Juke!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGk1W0SJBI
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp15zTyhUs1
“Gotcha, kid!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTCDSMUFkY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fJlpRzUtk
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ657jRJbeBx
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVixSK1gcdY
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhRVcba4Rp
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkDbhgFDIW
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa1s1lbLpe
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAGLhSDYBN
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8Kd41mH7E
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndloFilkgu
“Hrk!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9BMcDfKg8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOJFa60fnD
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsbqyRDruo
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0TTp6U9Dq
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSdMp2XVfQ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fE08pHRSL
“...”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEIpXs3txd
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkH5weWaTF
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt3ri0Fte4
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJd2HLh2T6u
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNu9YrnyKp
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWDWytI6o1
“Curse…”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfBODhLPdR
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfuaiIPUqE
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l4zkuPNcs
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kgob994oj
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tm1aztA7u
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2vCuiRUK1
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxFrz6xa4G
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDOsJFhkud
“May they, be few.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZOEZkc5r3
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkLiAqQeiv
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKboFs4l3Nu
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrvsXKil7o
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCU6ViEhLJ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrtDZHBeQE
“That was… sad.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l5dRQBMb0
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyaRHZMWNj
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3xMUMEu46
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCND4oFmbbF
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqitXxNtVW
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDw4jW3TDtj
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlarxPCKrSZ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx32kusyLyR
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhnIJ43JkC
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRGuxUEzQ6
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26YhuMCu7i
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLYzpJWjTD
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11wqx9k43z
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca3DUSfwYV
“Don’t continue.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLPyhhYPVG
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCDSCaFfz0
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NsKQ1VNDT
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz7qFg6EVA
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCBQ7bwFK3
