I awoke to the stone-cold ground and a repugnant, musty odor. I struggled to move or see at first, but after a few seconds, I was able to get into a sitting position. The room was dim. There was a large wooden door with metal outlines. It had a barred circular hole, and faint orange light was emanating from it.
"...Where am I--cah!"
I suddenly broke into a coughing fit. The air in this room was nigh unbreathable. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a rusty metal bed frame and moss and other greenery growing in the corners.
I was in a ramshackle prison cell.
"They could've at least put me on the bed frame."
I stood up and rubbed my head, wondering how it is that I even got into this mess. Then I remembered the beast, and the haze, and how Kim passed out in battle. The same must've happened to me.
But that raises the question: where is everyone else?
I walked up to the door and squished my face against the opening.
"Hello! Anyone there?"
I waited a minute. No response. Crap.
My first instinct was to bust this door down, but I stopped myself. If I were to make a ruckus, then that guy with the monster would come down and corner me. I couldn't escape the place by breaking through a wall either, since I was likely underground. If I were to escape, then I'd need to do it quietly. With that in mind, I let out the tendril and grew a miniature Dragon-Maw.
"Alright Dragon-Maw, serve me well."
Dragon-Maw Jr. did as he was told. He immediately shredded through the bars and then went for the wood next. Three minutes later, only the edges of the door remained. I stepped over the little piece at the bottom.
Where did all the wood and metal Dragon-Maw ate go? I didn't care. I was now in a narrow hallway with similar doors. I checked them one by one through the hole, and only when I reached the third one did I see somebody.
It was Victoria. She was lying on the ground, likely knocked out. Crap, that means the haze got to her. And Flinty.
Wait, where is Flinty?
I checked the other doors. Flinty and Kim were here. They were unconscious too, but I was relieved to see them. I let Dragon-Maw Jr. shred the door to Flinty's room and ran in.
"Hey. Hey, wake up."
I gently shook her. She moaned as she opened her eyes and let out a big yawn.
"Huh... Kenny? Where are–"
Suddenly, she broke into a coughing fit. I patted her on the back a few times.
"We're in some type of prison. Vikky and Kim are nearby, let's go get them."
"P-Prison?"
I released and woke up Victoria and Kim. They were disordered, and they also had coughing fits, but a few minutes later they were up and healthy. Kim was missing her sword, but otherwise, we had all our belongings.
"What do we do?" Flinty asked.
"I think we should assess the situation before we leave here," Kim said.
"Do we even know how to get out? And what about that m-monster, how do we take care of that?" Victoria asked.
"We'll find an escape route after the assessment."
They were taking being locked in an underground cellar surprisingly well. No, only Kim was. Victoria was chewing on her nails and Flinty looked distressed. Victoria walked up to me and put her hands on my shoulders.
"W-Woah."
"Kenny. You're a mage, right? You have those weird plants, right?"
I nodded.
"Please, bust us out of here. The air is one thing, but that monster..."
She began to shudder.
"I'd happily bust us out, but–"
"Then do it! DO IT!"
She started to shake me. I had to put my hands on her shoulders to get her to stop.
"Hold on, Victoria. If we do anything rash, then we'll make a lot of noise."
"I don't care! I want to get out of this forest, and I want to do it fast! I mean, Kenny, you saw that thing, right? Right?"
Indeed I did. The creature was the stuff of nightmares, I couldn't deny that.
"It's because of that creature that I want to be quiet!"
I raised my voice and Victoria stopped shaking. She slowly let go of me and slapped her cheeks.
"Sorry. I was freaking out."
"It's fine. Let's just find the exit."
She nodded. Victoria looked at Flinty and apologized to her. Flinty could barely get a response out, but she still had that determined look on her face.
With that, our investigation commenced. The first order of business was to find escape routes. We found one almost immediately. It was a metal door with a keyhole but no knob. I put my ear against it and knocked on it, and I could tell that it was dense.
Busting through this thing would require a considerable amount of firepower. I could penetrate it with my earth magic, or freeze it and try to break it that way. Kim also proposes melting it, but thirty seconds of keeping up fire magic gave us the impression that it was burn-proof. Considering how both actions I could take were noisy, we held off on escaping through the metal door and searched for alternatives.
Looking through the remaining cells revealed virtually nothing to us. There were a few metal poles inside one of the doors. I proposed the idea of lockpicking with it, but that obviously couldn't work.
Flinty suggested drilling ourselves a hole to escape via earth magic. I tried it, and though it was working, it was obvious that we would die before ever reaching the surface.
We were in a deadlock. We waited beside the metal door in silence until Flinty spoke up.
"I think... we should try breaking the door down."
"What?" I replied, "But then the guy and the monster's just gonna run down here!"
"I'm with Flinty," Kim said, "it's either we bust it down and get out or wait for someone to open it on the other side. The latter is unlikely to happen."
I wanted to continue my rebuttal, but I sighed instead. Victoria took their side as well, and now the three of them were looking at me with anticipation.
"Can we... compromise?"
"Compromise!?" Victoria said, "What compromise? Let's just get out of here!"
"I-I get what you're saying, but maybe just wait another half hour and see if someone shows up? I could also keep... fine, I'll do it."
I couldn't keep talking under the pressure of their glares. As much as I didn't want to do this, I didn't have much of a choice. I stood before the door and cracked my knuckles, then stretched my fingers for good measure, and began mana expulsion. And then, something made me stop.
I heard rattling from the other side of the door. Someone was mumbling to himself. I heard a click, and then the slow metallic creak of the door being opened.
I walked back. I was beside the others, channeling my spell with bated breath. I stared at the door as it slowly opened. A shoe appeared from the little opening, and following a grunt, the whole door swung open.
I was just about ready to shoot, but Victoria of all people put a hand on my arm. The man who opened the door was panting. He didn't notice us yet.
"Alright, is anyone... awake?"
His eyes were wide open and his mouth stood agape. He stuttered as Victoria walked over to him. And then, in a flash, Victoria punched the man in the gut, turned around, wrapped her arms around his neck, and flung him over her shoulder.
The man hit the ground with an echoing slam. He groaned and whispered "sorry" over and over. Victoria's mouth made a V-shaped frown. She brushed her hands together. As she walked towards us, she kicked the man in the shin and muttered "freak" as his groaning grew louder.
I skidded a few steps away from Victoria.
"So, what do we do now?" She asked.
Kim stepped up to the man and crouched beside him. She dangled a bottle of green elixir over his head: a healing potion.
I started to feel bad for that man.
"If you talk and get us out, I'll happily make your pain go away. Otherwise, she'll keep doing that until you bleed."
The man lifted his head and gazed at Victoria. She punched her open palm.
"A-Alright, I'll talk."
–
–
–
I took no part in the interrogation. Neither did Flinty. She seemed to be just as intimidated by our teammates as I was. At least they were on our side, right?
The man had no hesitation in complying with our demands. In fact, he apologized for putting us in the cells.
"I-I thought that, should you recover, then I'd be arrested and e-executed."
It was an exaggerated fear, but I couldn't help but understand it. After the interrogations were over, he agreed to escort us out of here, but under obvious conditions.
"First," Kim started, "you need to vow to never participate in monster-creation magic and abandon the forest. Second, you must either learn to control or eliminate the beasts you've created. And third, you must disclose all your research to the Kingdom of Zariel."
The man nodded to all conditions, but he still had a nervous expression.
"I-I'd happily comply, but there is one slight problem."
"What is it?"
"I'm not doing this alone, and my partner is... a bit difficult."
I understood immediately. We have a psychopath on our hands, don't we?
"Then, how do we deal with him?"
For some reason, his face relaxed when he was asked.
"Oh, you four are my heroes. But, be warned, he is a dangerous individual."
"So how do we deal with him?"
"Well..."
–
–
–
We finally made it out of the underground cellar. A spiral staircase greeted us. I was walking at the very back behind Flinty.
According to the man– whose name was Ng, spelled exactly like that –we were in a structure akin to a compound, just much wider in scale. His partner, whom he refused to name, was currently on the highest floor of the building.
The mission was simple: get to the top, get the man, and have him arrested. Ng would be exempt from any punishment.
Of course, I claimed it was simple, but there were too many hidden factors that worried me. For starters, Ng agreed to cooperate far too quickly. He gave this whole story about how terrible his partner is and whatnot, and though he sounded distressed, it was still suspicious. Secondly, Ng made little mention of the monsters, claiming he would simply "handle them."
I wasn't alone in my doubts. Kim was practically breathing down Ng's neck the whole way up the stairs. She seemed like a capable fighter, so some of my stress was alleviated.
Now that I mention it, I was acting far too calm in this situation, wasn't I? Well, that was thanks to Flinty.
She was gripping one of my hands as we ascended the stairs. It was cute, sure, but she had a very assuring grip. Though I'm sure she was doing it more for herself than me.
"We made it to the top," Ng said.
We were on a flat surface. Ng took out a keychain and opened the door. Exiting the staircase, I found myself on a grassy field surrounded by trees. Just how deep underground were we?
"Alright, just follow me now. Be wary of any stray beasts, they've been escaping more and more frequently."
We traveled down a path and arrived at a fence. There was an imposing gate before us. Ng advised us to hug the walls and we did. He loudly knocked on the gate.
"This is Ng! I'm returning from prisoner inspection!"
Silence ensued. Ng was impatiently tapping his feet on the ground, which I thought was a strange gesture considering his situation. But, on second thought, he might be trying to come off more naturally.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxFRwkY8Gz
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Kim, Flinty, and Victoria leaned over to watch the scene. Ng, sensing no response, knocked on the door again.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcgkDWRRd8
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"HEY! OPEN UP!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOJMLQlp3Y
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He was acting quite bossy for someone so afraid of his associate. My trifling suspicions were turning into full-fledged doubts.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20Ufj0mG1U
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"Something about this is fishy."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezbemQDp0S
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I looked at the other three. They nodded in agreement.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6P1jVkQxC
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"What should we do then?" Flinty asked.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP11UyU1AYP
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"Kenny," Kim started, "take out your tendril. Prepare for anything unexpected."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20D1yLN4yE
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I did just as I was told. I eyed Ng intently. He started rubbing his forehead and then looked at us. Right as he opened his mouth, the earth shook below our feet.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevmErSOln2
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It happened again. And again. I realized quickly that it wasn't an explosion or something else, but rather, something big was walking. The image of the monster from before entered my mind.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1w1yCI9hb
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"Oh, that's Jeremiah. Jeremiah! Open the door!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRHUylQ5QV
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWmRquyzz8
Jeremiah? Naming something like that, is that some type of sick joke? I would've cackled if it wasn't for me trying to be stealthy. The walls were tall enough to where I couldn't see what was on the other side, but I could already imagine. The gates slowly opened, and Ng fixed his posture and had his hands behind his back.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd8tvcijhp
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And then.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM00oCAzlW
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**SMASH**86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3FOyYSThj
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The gates burst open. Dust and debris scattered throughout the field I was thrown into an intense coughing fit. I couldn't see anything concrete, but I could see silhouettes, and I saw the figure of Ng being grabbed and pulled.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcIcSThUSm
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"AH! WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU– NO, HELP! HEEELP!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXirCaFk9W
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His wails ceased upon a distant slam. Looks like he made it into the compound.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXrFRKKEnN
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"..."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK1SILiC4s
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What just happened? I looked at the others, and it was clear from their faces that they didn't have any answers.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8o1PCQxktp
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When the dust cleared, I took a deep breath and crept to the busted gates, then leaned over the edge of the wall. All I saw was the building, standing three stories tall. Nothing was unusual about it. But then, the front door sprung open, and a four-legged beast resembling a wolf sprinted across the field. I quickly hid behind the wall, almost tripping despite barely moving, and I saw the wolf dash past me and run into the woods, howling more like a twisted man than an animal. And then, there was silence.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPeBD5NYZk
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"..."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrS2U39xAC
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I looked at the other three. I struggled to keep a clear line of sight; my body was practically convulsing. I eventually noticed the looks on their face. All but Kim's, of course. If I had a mirror, I'm sure mine would've matched theirs.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0PwZhDrkm
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I looked into the woods. Dozens of trunks were separated from their trees. The wolf beast was gone, but the destruction it brought to the forest made his presence known.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfczPwrNjJv
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I took a deep breath. With the wall as support, I got back on my feet.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIObu5d9ub7
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"We're getting the hell out of this forest."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDFSURpS6o
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I walked back to the group. Flinty was shaking on the ground. Victoria was surprisingly standing. Kim was the same.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOOTdZVGbF
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"We need to leave. This is– whatever just happened, it's out of our league."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3Cl0iyTkR
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Victoria nodded with me. Kim looked at me and began to speak.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xeYQ4Fbxu
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"Before anything, let's get away from the compound and formulate a plan."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4foXBsEpAz
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For once, I heard a little fragility in her voice. Victoria picked Flinty up and hung her on her shoulder. Kim led us to the nearby trees. We walked for about five minutes before Kim stopped us. We settled down, taking off our bags. I turned my head around just to make sure the wolf beast wasn't nearby, and sat down, rubbing my face.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfZQ2WqSmt
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Shit. This was too much. Nothing could've prepared me for this. So many thoughts were racing through my mind– where was the wolf? How do we leave? Was Ng's partner a maniac? How much danger were we in? I couldn't pause to even ponder the questions. My mind was in a numbing haze, and all I could do was stare at the grass as I breathed.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8ArI4LIdU
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"-enny. Kenny. Kenny!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxwYXEiMnK
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"Huh?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdums4nubi
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Kim was calling my name. It brought me back down to Earth.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx22tAfNq3
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"What is it?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI84SjIMwr
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"You're the one who has the most firepower out of us. I know what you're thinking, you want to get out of here, don't you?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzULr1Yrad
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"O-Of course. Not just for my sake, but because Flinty shouldn't be here anymore."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jtU6G5Eqn
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Kim nodded. Victoria budged in.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZYLaN1G1W
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"I-I agree with Kenny. I thought we were just finding and arresting some crook, but it's a group we're dealing with, a-and the monsters..."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT2aiU2glg
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She stopped talking and looked at the floor, clenching her fist.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgvB0Fh179
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"I understand your concerns," Kim said, "and I agree, from what we've seen, this is probably too much for Flinty. And Victoria, you're good in hand-to-hand combat, but these monsters are inhuman. They aren't your specialty."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybBcrCAQJp
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"Never in my sixteen years did I see something like that," she replied, "I don't even know how to start fighting it."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bS0ecjR4N
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Kim nodded. She sat criss-cross and put a hand to her chin.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAdGbedza9
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"I know you two will disagree with this, but I think we should still try an infiltration."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmCLx0nwMB
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"W-What?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWXHv0C6lU
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"Are you crazy!?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKAtqfsZtG
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We both yelled. Victoria continued.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBXTYJKJeZ
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"I'm not going inside a foreign building where that giant and god-knows-what else is calling home! I-I mean, even if we do, what are we going to do about Flinty? I'm completely against it, we need to get out of this forest and get reinforcements."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2d0VW0Vpm
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I nodded to her reasoning. The idea was absurd. But Kim immediately started her rebuttal.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrB7j7ve4Tx
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"Getting out of this forest might be more dangerous than getting in the building. Whatever that wolf monster was is in the woods, and outside of the compound. Just judging from the destruction, it's a much more difficult threat to handle than Jeremiah."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrKdluBUHp
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God, Kim, why were you calling that thing by its name?86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdnRHCU9VA
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"The two men responsible for these creatures are weak themselves. Maybe Ng's partner is a bit more formidable, but considering how rampant the beasts are, he shouldn't be strong enough to sedate them, let alone control them."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6QIXOJApF
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"Are you saying we really have a fighting chance?" I asked.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJsjCpuDIq
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"I'm saying we have much more than a fighting chance. We could obliterate the compound right now if we use your power, Kenny."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTyz3gd9xQ
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGVRQpkEUL
"I think you're severely overestimating me. I have nothing in my arsenal that can level a building that sturdy."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5VYbUMexo
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"Maybe not level it, but you have something that'll encase it, don't you?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbISwoMTpkr
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I tilted my head in confusion.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbviD6JBFQN
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"Your ice. I'm sure if you tried, you could cover the whole thing in ice. Alternatively, we can use it to get straight to the third floor, where Ng's partner is supposedly hiding."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCcDoztjt0
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Nothing about this was sitting right with me.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOlhnDf715
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"W-Wait, Kim, we don't even know if Ng was telling the truth! For all we know, that whole thing was just an act set up by Ng to get him back in the base!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk98wjrC37
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraMdoWBTbr
"Do you really think Ng has any ill will towards us?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenoKeLyUPd
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"Of course I do!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fpzobFXFe
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"You're wrong. When he went down to the shelter, he didn't bring anything with him. No weapon, no potion, no wand, no monster, nothing. Either he's a complete moron or someone who truly felt sorry about what he's done. And I've dealt with enough morons to distinguish the two."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDPu22QvMh
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"Y-You... Victoria, back me up here!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ErJnjQsBm
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"Right! Even if Kenny could destroy the building, or get us to the third floor or whatever, what about the monster? You two tried killing it and passed out entirely!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs1S7rKgZ2
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"But Kenny didn't use his ice. That was because of me, right Kenny? That was because I was in your line of fire."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1nNu1DB2Y
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I didn't respond, just averted my eyes.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5qDdscIMd
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iJGGchIH8
"B-But why don't we just leave the forest, huh!? And what about Flinty?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0Z8zkR7F2
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJpKxHiVQ9
"If we leave the forest now, then we deal with the wolf, and we risk the chance of more dangerous monsters festering. It's best if we strike now and capture and eliminate what we can. As for Flinty, I believe she's been on my side since the beginning."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHBnZVqG7e
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIt7E9ReA5A
"Huh?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36qjgWgU04
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMPurd45Mj
I turned my head to her. She was still shaking, and yet, her eyes. Her eyes were the same as before. She raised her head and looked at me. No response, just a singular, stern nod.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG8wo4ycuR
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnJealGLO7
"Flinty? Are you serious?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFenZIOWCK
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekdQPpyxwp
"I-I know I won't be very helpful, so I'll try to stay out of fighting. But, at the very least, I want to support you all."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkYFm3jzTa
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKybE0wAqnG
She stood up and slammed her chest a few times.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhspwJVrGVx
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh9qJymEw1
"Leave me in charge of our stuff. I'll defend it, I promise. A-And if anything goes wrong, then I'll just yell really really loudly."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINsKnuvv4w
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9PJ8YD7Sy
She stopped shaking. Sweat was running down her forehead, but her words were earnest. I couldn't even believe it. Who did this? What happened to Flinty?86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5SF1foaZu
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaMyqh7unZ
"B-But, Flinty... what if... what if..."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKQqjfXT3z
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdwonseQyD
Victoria couldn't voice any rebuttal. Flinty was the final nail in the coffin.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xRP4n1daw
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXflvOsqC7I
I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. It was Kim.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXNPjQvOl0
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiAXIkdY62
"Kenny, all of this hinges on you. I know you're inexperienced, and I know you're frightened, but success can only be achieved with you. Please."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyLDb4WfmH
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosg5rCyh1Y
Adding pressure to this already stressful circumstance wasn't what I needed. All of this hinged on me, huh? Something about that thought brought back ugly memories. Regardless, I nodded.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfYBTCTf6o
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa6zLgE8xI
"You and your words... I was right about being suspicious of you."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawhIqTSVjn
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqMi7FoYQ2
"I'm sorry. I promise you'll be compensated for your efforts."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZZZYCFdvI
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4Vw3mMZEr
"...With money?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkfdZ29ued
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3ghOklore
"With money."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxyI9C7YxK
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3Ri1cfbUR
"...I can't say no to money."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1iU7LSOKg
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IQWjQ0oZJ
For a second, I caught a smile from under her cloak. She offered me a hand and helped me stand up.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpJ20UHQpT
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFavT1eoly
"Then that's settled. What about you, Victoria?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG6RE1yrab
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC6IboVcZZ
She was still on the floor, giving us a pensive look.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqhX4cgWxZ
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQJxeKbgYN
"...If we're doing this, then I'll fight anything that isn't the blob."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiND4F8FBwg
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgW7XUXIJp
"Alright. Then Kenny and I will help."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs6GvjOyPe
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOThYTcu23u
Kim helped Victoria to her feet. I felt something touch my back. It was Flinty, she slapped my shoulder.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNT8n5CAHV
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY22Lhi1pC5
"Let's do our best okay?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKkIEJQRNK
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoZhjWJvZX
"..."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRapEYqE9OM
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieaVd87x2R
I still had one more concern.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmgECtASEX
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3wR1aeWle
"Flinty, if the wolf gets to you while we're inside, what will you do then?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVbemVjQpW
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBrGJBbraP
She averted her gaze.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ff8Z6Zugu
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSZ4L0hk6j
"I'll... if I need to, then I'll use the fireball. I'll use one like the one at Mister Freed's shop."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JkxlPgnUi
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtk0CUdi21J
"I see."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKxyEtjTI7
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxIxoy1PMm
I unbuttoned my coat, took it off, and offered it to her. She looked it with apprehension, awkwardly raising a hand to her mouth.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yWjHJTqjY
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNweQ3WMAe
"K-Kenny? Are you sure?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡll49Eaajmf
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPlDDV63Vk
"Uh..."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiNNaKxWyK
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZuTf4QaEi
Crap. My cheeks were tinted rose.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XTszKhiQ0
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzyhUWpKO6
"I-If you're going to use fire magic, then take this, since it's fire-proof. Cover your head with the hood when you do. I don't think your fireball would be strong enough to blow any limbs away, but I think it's fine if you just lose your legs."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BlKSJYLAf
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTPp88c1aY
She nodded and accepted my coat. It was a size too large for her, so a lot of excess cloth covered her legs. Perfect.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeebpi6VC3
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LwKIhve2P
"This is really cozy, no wonder why you always wear it."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3itdBdHSy
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡED7CE1lMrt
"Heh. Anabelle is a good weaver, isn't she?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdmaitJRor
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCiH2pWkl4
She nodded. I felt slightly naked now, but I still had long sleeves covering my arms. I would be fine.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BJcFOFSav
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEAPTdEiHE
"Alright," Kim said, "are we ready to form a plan?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRFrpLAsTY
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CY7VZ8aAn
–
–
–86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe4OJWTKuX
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY9Rr90Ddm
Stationed behind a tree, on the left side of the compound. I had a clear line of sight on the third floor. There was a large opening before the balcony, likely there due to carelessly leaving the door open. Victoria was behind me and was carrying a healing potion in the breast pocket of her dress. Flinty was ten meters behind us, guarding our supplies as she said she would. I've been in this position for ten minutes. Kim just returned to our position.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTUNbAJqTp
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3pfIaagtN
"How does it look like?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6y382IXQJ
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4CLbWQef0
"Clear. I heard some ruckus coming from the building. They're likely occupied with whatever that is."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4HleRxPKh
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNfnVcCvE2
Ideal conditions have been met. I took in a breath and released the tendril. A Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip.
"Are we ready?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Sg0zwd8gp
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDoPML7YSu
"We're ready."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2ZRODXxrX
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1jfsbtqQF
I never imagined myself taking part in a siege mission. I would make peace with it later.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzsbpzMen2
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnhmzpBdSz
The first order of business: infiltrating the third floor. I carefully started making a ramp of ice but got smacked in the head before it got a meter tall.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVPjX2zvAv
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ152vbGUmog
"How are we supposed to scale a ramp of ice!?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmFewxYJl9
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91599ZQGIQ
She had a good point. I was a bit flustered.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOEHNJt7BM
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCU7ou1wUf
"Then what do you propose I do!?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQiZ0Gt8CA
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOuhG647uR
I could see Victoria's brain at work. I racked my mind for a solution.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhfTldvG0W
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASoUYSdbaJ
"Just make little steps," Kim interjected, "and as we hop on them, make the next one bigger."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncKvHZa8QZ
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocLLSMhaKW
Genius! I did just as I was told, and though it took a long time, we eventually made a bloated staircase to the top. We hopped over the balcony. I was ready to rush in but was stopped before walking through the doorway.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AKkiUKS38
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQoxqxkXKw
"Before we enter, let me inspect how it is inside."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFzWeQp8BS
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNpkSZHfxh
Kim leaned over the edge. She motioned us to move in and went inside. Of course, I made sure not to be too loud. The room we found ourselves in was spacious. The floor was surprisingly made of wood, and there were a couple of blankets and pillows, but otherwise, the room was empty.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vj5L4ILn7
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JFjtKVMYx
They slept in conditions like this? They didn't even have a mattress. I almost felt bad.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BhDlbsiNz
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKNnrCkvzN
Since the room was clear, our infiltration continued. We found a door and went through it. The room was large and coated in sunlight. One look at the left told us why; up a wide set of steps, a giant oval window was right before a flat surface. Standing beside it were two men. One was kneeling, and the other was standing in front of him. Immediately recognizing who they were, we went low and closed in.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xmzkta90m
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoIQbfD2Cv
"Ng, come on. I know you know better."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltWJxZauiJ
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwj32Zpf3Q
The guy in front of Ng had a raspy voice. He sounded old, and he also sounded like a drunkard, but that was neither here nor there.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7Y4i53YAd
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl8l7iCbR0
"Y-Yeah. I know."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3ZclqjY61
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIgdEeOwem
I was in range. I stuck my hand out and began expelling mana. A stone formed in front of my palm. I aimed it at the head of the guy.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JNYFPBhZ8
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMOVVZoUOE
"Then why did you let the prisoners out? We can't have our location disclosed to–"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEYtmfg4D7
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZGWuDigBH
**SHATTER**86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIjDhZw9AL
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM5ZzCvTmo
I fired the stone. I made sure to put enough power to where it wouldn't kill the man, but at least incapacitate him.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVwUQdJVxb
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXxA7oX2C0
I missed and hit the window, shattering it completely.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOvpqiJNyk
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32cWzUYWwk
Ng and the man turned to us. I didn't have anything to say, I simply returned eye contact.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmPkZgHNpA
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gAdkYpIwh
"Now!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6fVXczM4o
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3FqHcp2GU
Kim and Victoria rushed ahead. The two men didn't fight back, they started running away. I knew Ng was in on this!86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVrcnF0Zx2
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu6hJZ4GJL
The two of them were racing down a wide staircase. Kim stopped at the top, took a wand out, and began creating fireballs while Victoria kept rushing at them. I followed Victoria, creating another stone bullet to fire as we made it to the second floor. Kim reached it and fired her fireball, but The two men split up and entered opposite doors. Victoria followed the man, but I was stuck at the crossroads. Kim stopped right before me.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1EEyg0wVu
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6OPdv1z5c
"What are you waiting for?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45ONSYa2EM
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEl6bpFQvN
"I still don't trust Ng."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdnvKYraVD
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5hmaS3Xxx
"Fine, then go after him!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKwMyjflzG
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUqy5gcYaT
I nodded and rushed through the other door. I saw another set of stairs and Ng was already making his way down them.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4XZS0QSzz
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrJLcdC7kq
"Stop moving!" I yelled. He didn't comply. I ran down the stairs myself. Now on the first floor, Ng was running to the front door. I shot my bullet before he made it. I missed it again, but when he noticed it whizzing by him, he stopped in his tracks and turned to me.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdL3eZF9Np
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecvzsFJ40g
"O-Okay, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just don't hurt me!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9Nt0OE9uL
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXw7dTrGle
He was already down on the ground with his head glued to the floor. I rushed towards him. Ng was... crying?86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriw5u0o0NQ
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9jT1ZKmOW
"Are you seriously crying?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGY6243bHB
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3ywZ1JS8R
"Huh?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayuZd6wJ9G
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiroT6Amkih
He tilted his head up to me.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwK8iajMD1B
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnBP23Icfu
"N-No, I'm not crying. Aren't you going to kill me?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibMDouooJm
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2iP27GAIp
"K-Kill? I wouldn't go that far... Geez, get up already."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5oUfxADMh
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nnRxU3IzD
He did as he was told. He had a look of sincere confusion on his face. I didn't let that fool me, though.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NIVVNrtaQ
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bBYhiTXE7
"You, are you really on our side?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsjAFbwZBc
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SvJMpMDDT
"Of course I am! If my words aren't enough, then I'll happily take an official oath!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhzNA78odF
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21xAV2hhKF
"Nobody's here to witness it, you moron! Nevermind this, just take me to your teammate already!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJU76UUxXu
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyDl0M0edn
"Yes sir!"
Ng took me back up the stairs. Before entering the main room on the second floor, Ng nudged the door open and scanned the room.
"What are you being so careful for? I thought you could control the beasts."
"Control? Oh no, I can't control them at all. It would be better to say that I just make suggestions."
I nodded. Apparently, the coast was clear, so we entered the room. We were walking to the opposite door until it suddenly flung open.
"Ha! Ah, Kenny, so you caught that guy too!"
Carrying the man on the side of her stomach was Victoria. The man looked to be on the brink of unconsciousness, but when he saw Ng, his whole demeanor shifted.
"Huh? Ng, what are you doing!?"
"...I'm sorry, Panz, but I can't keep going like this. Especially when unrelated people are getting caught up in this mess."
"Unrelated!? But they're from the Zariel kingdom! They're all– ack!"
Victoria struck Panz in the neck, and his rant was over. Kim appeared from behind Victoria.
"I'm sorry, but if children are involved, then we've gone too far."
Ng crossed his arms and blew through his nose. Despite his awkward bowl cut, he looked cool. I need to say something like that in the future.
"So, is that it?" Victoria asked.
"Let's leave quickly," Kim said. I nodded at her suggestion. We walked up the stairs. Before returning to the first room we infiltrated, I spared a glance at the window I broke. I didn't think my accuracy was that bad. I blamed it on the pressure of the situation and gave myself a satisfied nod.
"What are you doing, Kenny?"
"Sorry, I was just thinking."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAGqYnAOFr
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsmvXN3Y0a
I rushed back to the others. We all stood before the door, but only Kim moved to open it. That is, until Ng put a hand on her shoulder.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08ZRrEtykR
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquuekJs4V7
"Miss... I advise you to not open that door. It's best if we step away."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud561PsB6W
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG06w7KZkiL
No questions were asked. I felt as if we all knew what he meant by that. Suddenly, a giant thud resounded from behind the door.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHqThhwmQW
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQjj7ihgFg
"Panz! You, what do you think you're doing!?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88Ocigj9Bt
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cLWGl82Xx
Panz, who was apparently still awake, feebly lifted his head and cackled.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO8jfMAWk7
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NDS3Q7kwW
"As if I'd let you betray me like this so easily! I'll make you pay, Ng– ack!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6ei2EPcBk
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTYhgoZLid
Panz was struck again, and it looked like he was finally out cold. With him out of the picture, I eyed the door as the thuds shook the building.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzr8YcxQAA
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yXpUZWz0g
There was a pause. It wasn't silent though; there was foul snarling on the other side of the wall. I tightened my fist and grew a Sunlight-Blossom and loaded a seed.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNptFRRS7h
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeXgTvw0dO
And then, suddenly–86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ1Ei4aoi0
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX21G31Nwri
**SMASH**86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdD2p701MbE
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnGfhy62tZ
A beast nearly twice my height burst through the wall with an overgrown leg. The creature, of gray fur, had a head in the shape of a deer skull.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90LdqOjNbD
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsZqdu8m4V
By all accounts, it was a demon. Immediately, I shot the sunlight blossom at the creature's head. Half of its face was blown away but the screeching didn't stop. The creature stomped the ground with its oversized legs, and I noticed a crack forming in the stone floor.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76P6hrgvUa
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib4DvLlLgy
"Crap! Everyone, be careful!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNdo84hqVP
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1WoMOHa3q
Kim rushed in and started slicing at the beast. As formidable as its size was it was sluggish, and Kim had exceptional agility. She cut its chest, and the beast swung its arm and missed. And then Kim cut its arm, not quite decapitating it, but inflicting a wound severe enough to where the beast had to console it. And then Kim tried striking at its left leg. Her sword shattered immediately.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMUm9trGG2
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"H-Huh?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YkKK2G8vG
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The beast lifted its leg and tried kicking Kim away. She narrowly avoided the strike. As the beast was about to follow up I struck it with another Sunlight-Blossom seed. I loped its left arm off and eviscerated its shoulder. The beast wailed and struck the floors again. At this rate, the third floor would break apart entirely. Kim noticed this too.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhx7tOQqNN
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgel2YGj3L
"Victoria! Kenny! Ng! Head to the second floor!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLojOhSomEu
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xAXrbuaNc
We did just that. The beast kept rampaging, and as we made it to the second floor, we heard the sound of the floor giving way. Since the second floor wasn't aligned with the third, the beast didn't fall to us. I quickly ascended the steps to access the beast. He was stuck in a roofless concrete box. The beast looked up, and we made eye contact. I shot another Sunlight-Blossom seed at it but he lifted his leg and blocked the bullet entirely. And then, he crouched. I knew immediately what was going to happen.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVutEyep3fH
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2eaNENNkH
I began to run down the stairs. I felt the beast leap from behind, and the place he landed was just a foot away from where I was. I tumbled down the steps and landed awkwardly– I might have sprained my ankle. I looked up at the beast and Kim had begun flinging fireballs at it. I loaded another seed and began accumulating power.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5bVGKMKxu
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"Ng!" I yelled, "Can't you control that thing!?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dwr9ewdWx
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs4OMqbnHO
"No! I am unable to resummon the creatures Panz has created, I can only do ones I have!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DnrZYwA3U
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlygJQlDNPD
"Like what!?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc8iOtXIQx
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIgYTK2YgL
"They died last night!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopSW1iOoCY
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhovrJOqXVi
Oh. I knew what he was talking about. This situation was growing dire. The beast slowly descended the steps, seemingly unbothered by the barrage of fire. I shot another seed at it and claimed its left arm Crap, I missed the nick. The beast wailed yet again and jumped in place, destroying the staircase instantly. Our escape route was now blocked off.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZb4sXTPlJR
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Wait, escape route, of course!86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFvpaP99HA
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRJNLya0HU
I produced a Freeze-Dry from my tendril and began mana spinning. The beast was keeping still from the constant attacks. I let immediately let out as much ice as I could. In a flash, half of the entire second floor was covered in ice, and the beast was immobilized.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY4xx7ePDH
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"...Did I do it?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja3jCsd7VB
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ22zySz5zb
Kim stopped hurling fireballs. The beast stopped moving. Being covered in ice like that shouldn't have killed it. Considering the girth of its legs, it should be able to break out easily. I remained vigilant and eyed the frozen beast, but a nudge from my right broke my focus. It was Victoria.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hjJKbGUOw
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"H-Huh?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC40iDTXS9I
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She offered me her healing potion.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2vtRVurjC
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"Here. For your foot."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQZR5nzT89
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiOd5QgO7e
"A-Ah, thank you."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DxQA20M89
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA9fpqnfxx
I took the glass and gulped it down. It was the most effective intake for injuries like sprains, though the taste admittedly made me want to vomit.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpexoZPq3tT
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"Haaa, ugh."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk3RLQowTH
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I stood up with help from Victoria.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTYjGj3bu7
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljpXVJNHAz
"Sorry. I didn't do anything."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSgZR6iKpH
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXNHV82JmL
"Please, don't be. Even I don't feel like I did much."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfBd4zNdfC
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYthea9OuVL
"Haha, you're too humble, Kenny."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVxtgJjCRA
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UDxrKC6Pf
She was noticeably shaken. Still, she held onto the unconscious Panz like it was nothing. I was beginning to relax.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVvBPY9zqK
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"Don't let your guard down yet."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOduqjU1uKe
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I looked at Kim who was pointing a large ball of fire at the beast. Looking at the encased monster, I noticed it fidgeting.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Gru4NtmYh
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"Crap. Crap!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd3MqViDwN
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfKaGJJd2c
The Freeze-Dry was a dud. With the Sunlight-Blossom and Freeze-Dry already used, I switched to the last combat plant I had in my arsenal; Dragon-Maw Jr.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzeqFTvXXF
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxi4twfv0c
I didn't wait for the beast to unfreeze. I ran closer and extended my tendril. Dragon-Maw Jr. snapped at the thing's head, but it was too big for him to encompass it. Still, Dragon-Maw Jr. was able to tear off a chunk of the beast's face. The instant he did so, the beast broke out of the ice and screeched. The yell made my ears ring. Dragon-Maw Jr. Bit at its chest and tore off a sizeable chunk from there. The beast, at a speed I didn't think was possible, kicked at Dragon-Maw Jr. A portion of my tendril soared across the room and collided with the wall.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1tTzGDfmo
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiYw8SYRVP
Even though it was separated from my body, I felt a sudden sting coarse throughout all of it. The tendril retracted immediately and I fell to the ground.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKWnI3eNsA
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3isqpbU0it
"K-Kenny!? Shit!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlhHo8NCFF
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh5tpM8SSN
Victoria grabbed me by the shirt and hung me over her shoulder. She yelled at Kim, though I struggled to decipher it. My vision was fading in and out.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWjuPenkhE
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojxqYuaYLs
This pain... it was like my own arm was ripped off. I was more shocked than anything. I let out a weak laugh. I had no idea the tendril was this intertwined with my nerves. I felt a liquid permeate my shirt. I reached into it. It was coming from my chest. When I looked at my hand, I didn't see blood as I thought I would, but a deep purple.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7vdhPDdTT
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A sinister curiosity crept within me. It was awfully nostalgic.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE1r1DrLx0
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8zCwIjHAP
"Kenny! Kenny, are you awake!?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQxov0CIwq
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMeAEsaWxv
"Huh? Y-Yes!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDT7dz4hVu
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"If you can, support Kim!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp82pSlLz3o
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRa4kTXYsXy
Victoria dropped me on the ground. I grunted but regained my focus as I saw Kim. She was in an inelegant dance with the beast, dishing blows while narrowly avoiding receiving any, and each subsequent counter-strike from the beast only grew closer and closer to hitting her. I could tell that she couldn't keep up. I began to form a rock in front of me, then made it bigger, and bigger, and then thinned it and turned it into a spear.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz87NtUPOS
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutEbl06DVt
"W-Woah..."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlPlZ6yfpU
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I spun the spear. I could swear I saw smoke emerge from the tip. I didn't think anything of it.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEYvOKSOCT
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rOrbnv7Va
"KIM!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCQwhYsOAr
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"Right!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNtvT5QQeD
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She backed off. The beast was entirely by itself. At this rate, I didn't care about being accurate, because I knew it would be obliterated the moment I hit it.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuUWbemuqi
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And so, I released the spear.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVstktkl8R
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**SMASH**86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcqImVGYUj
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U3gqzyc1D
The spear traversed the room in a blink of an eye. I struck it square in the chest. A hole formed in its chest, and it grew to such a size that anything from the shoulders up separated from the rest of the body. Then, the wall behind the beast was torn down, almost as if it was blown up.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pBmqQeHSG
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Needless to say, the beast was slain. It faded away a second after. Right, it was made of mana, wasn't it?86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JntFp4S8E
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdROP2qyhaQ
"...Good job, Kenny," Victoria muttered. Kim ran towards me. I was still wincing, and that purple goop was still being expunged from my chest.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRcpl5ZwSy
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWTneqm0rF
"Kenny, out of curiosity, what is your earth magic grade?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2kmxYCEso
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE8xiZgpTl
Was now seriously the time to answer such a question? She sounded giddy asking me, so I decided to humor her.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefgBfeTPsq
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbo66cEZAa
"...Three. But, as I've learned today, my accuracy probably lowers it."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQwURrzrBT
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqz9J0BBgXi
"No, what you just did was incredible."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sM6sI0nDI
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseeHgx9mu1
"Okay, fine, thank you, geez."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TyKMYkBaF
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hT4SnzhxO
I averted my eyes in a pout. Using the tendril for so long, abusing the Freeze-Dry so, and then creating such a powerful earth spear almost drained my supply. At least we were–86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZrnDbFVWt
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnLi7i1SOH
"I'm afraid that wasn't the last of them," Ng said.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CCgjmb1Cm
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1q4mMWMiy
"Huh? Are you serious!?" Victoria yelled.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDskvxZueiP
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡximhOvpWA9
"Unfortunately."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNl3FUWlTe
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCROgX75Zvu
I shouldn't have been surprised. But, what did surprise me was the speed at which the next monster struck. Instantly after Ng's utterance, a putrid hand burst through the floor. It slammed its palm on the floor, and it just so happened to hit Kim. The arm wrapped its fingers around her and retracted back into the ground.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0dQ8l3sE0
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"Kim!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkthQ74Wke
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfH7wxf4Li
Victoria dropped Panz and rushed to the hole, but backed away once she looked inside. The arm returned and tried to grab her. I released my tendril and smacked at it. Somehow, it was enough to ward it off.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdshlSOw8Kd
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The tendril was bleeding purple.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv5yA84VzE
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIufECTE7sv
"Kim! Ah, Kenny, we need to–86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLkuAPpeUa
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**SMASH**86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOmrNXzGb3
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIRVXj9vnv
The hand created another hole, and this time it slammed the ground right beside me. I thought I was lucky to narrowly escape it, but really, it was just grabbing onto Panz.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC9DquSQya
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4QdcM9CM3
"It's Jeremiah! Kenny, you need to–"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynlm01ILgv
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRz0N7qlMW
I looked Ng in the eyes. He stopped talking. I still couldn't stand. I could hardly form a spell. I could hardly even keep myself awake. I couldn't even keep the tendril out before I succumbed to an oppressive pain.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1rXi7DOWh
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU0xYHbWDv
If I had to guess, Ng could make all of that out from my gaze alone. He grabbed a hold of me. I coughed out some of the purple goop. Victoria was standing around, dazed and lost.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsz8zeaEAhd
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBhuPjqGpL
"Victoria!" Ng yelled, "We need to escape! We can't fight Jeremiah now!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPHOTqmi9N
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniKAWci7cE
Victoria didn't fight. She spared one look at me and nodded. The stairs leading up were broken, so we had to leave by another means.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAV5iey1kK
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5ynX1tL1d
Ng carried me to the room from before. We ran down the stairs. Jeremiah was there with two human-sized arms gripping Kim and Panz respectively. It had no eyes, but I could tell it was looking at us.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Sm3TafJsI
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTtDqdNSlq
"...Ngh."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxusU3Cja9
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYt3nZuZOp
It was moving at us. With the last of my mana, I created a ball of fire. It was hardly anything, but I shot it anyway. It was enough to stop the monster in its tracks. Victoria busted down the front door. We ran across the field. Jeremiah slid a few meters out of the entrance but then receded into the compound. Ng and Victoria stopped running. They were panting profusely.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fwVJpWCBM
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzCg5E92l7
"Haaa, haaa, shit, shit! Shit!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W0V6brU5J
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFdZufsL6A
I knew how she felt, that Victoria. I couldn't focus at all, though. I had too many afflictions, I had too much fatigue, it was overbearing, everything was overbearing. I almost began to cry.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUytVJNoTr
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But, through the stormy mess that was in my mind, one thought came to the forefront.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmHUpwbYOB
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSErFPazqTD
The infiltration was a failure. Our ally was compromised. I failed completely.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHacfbaJQFe
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgJXp8QJl9
I felt like I was going to die.
