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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFHs5TM29m
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Kim, Flinty, and Victoria leaned over to watch the scene. Ng, sensing no response, knocked on the door again.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sm2djtX0j
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"HEY! OPEN UP!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYXGCEt6qH
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT8flIPYZ0
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"Something about this is fishy."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I8ovdR8sO
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I looked at the other three. They nodded in agreement.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae9qKXpvor
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"What should we do then?" Flinty asked.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zpe7KqBtQ
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"Kenny," Kim started, "take out your tendril. Prepare for anything unexpected."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJFvHxKrjI
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLcdMOUJOG
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvQ05DPdhv
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"Oh, that's Jeremiah. Jeremiah! Open the door!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlo7J5DqUU
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVcYv9RrQ4
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And then.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NkyeDbxbF
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**SMASH**68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeaKn06jBF
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlXYoEa6e4
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"AH! WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU– NO, HELP! HEEELP!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC1yO33TzE
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His wails ceased upon a distant slam. Looks like he made it into the compound.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJx6HzjNu7
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"..."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaLXtYRPoJ
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgHnGmsYFz
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ7jKtnxKU
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"..."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVYFWQTgCU
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lI4f37gO5
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHdGffisPC
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I took a deep breath. With the wall as support, I got back on my feet.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3MLOPuTBx
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"We're getting the hell out of this forest."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00pgqf5xsn
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I walked back to the group. Flinty was shaking on the ground. Victoria was surprisingly standing. Kim was the same.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDGipM5BXv
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"We need to leave. This is– whatever just happened, it's out of our league."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5wT0QmAQA
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Victoria nodded with me. Kim looked at me and began to speak.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBLoa4Voyy
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"Before anything, let's get away from the compound and formulate a plan."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iMrR6sqAy
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffP2DcChd9
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs38vTlKaw
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"-enny. Kenny. Kenny!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xiH8DEYDw
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"Huh?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP3G1loSfw
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Kim was calling my name. It brought me back down to Earth.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXmVTweMVS
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"What is it?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2afPDvDI7q
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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?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjbfKgymWV
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"O-Of course. Not just for my sake, but because Flinty shouldn't be here anymore."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEK0jsmSCa
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Kim nodded. Victoria budged in.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3fiAA9bKW
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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..."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpjoC1ytlU
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She stopped talking and looked at the floor, clenching her fist.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9sC4gjQIg
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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."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKoZuGwg8n
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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."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCw7jI2tOJ
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Kim nodded. She sat criss-cross and put a hand to her chin.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74Nu6RQT4R
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"I know you two will disagree with this, but I think we should still try an infiltration."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbDksNYcgA
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"W-What?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87kBvwzrAO
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"Are you crazy!?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeFijJp14n
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We both yelled. Victoria continued.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbJ8VNGnAJ
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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."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFBexfvHno
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I nodded to her reasoning. The idea was absurd. But Kim immediately started her rebuttal.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzd2ba2lNd
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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."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfDumZCDlj
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God, Kim, why were you calling that thing by its name?68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzeQsJ7eO6
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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."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC4yPSpTKa
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"Are you saying we really have a fighting chance?" I asked.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FQg1SjlCm
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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."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSb1pAw3Ci
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"I think you're severely overestimating me. I have nothing in my arsenal that can level a building that sturdy."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpoi4GXF43
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"Maybe not level it, but you have something that'll encase it, don't you?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuXnrG2aXC
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I tilted my head in confusion.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77D11qMYWo
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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."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST7P7OhnMR
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Nothing about this was sitting right with me.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxXKHLHpEr
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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!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDa6LU4KLP
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"Do you really think Ng has any ill will towards us?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjGwirH5xR
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"Of course I do!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTqaWuJi1F
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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."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGpkBMUIKe
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"Y-You... Victoria, back me up here!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECfXHElYJb
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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!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBmL2vt3d3
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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."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclirqdmHqj
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I didn't respond, just averted my eyes.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56bLAiE27P
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCANlqsRKC
"B-But why don't we just leave the forest, huh!? And what about Flinty?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66jelX5MdF
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzqsBxH0z9
"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."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtmmIuGjnT
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp1GQ3x14S
"Huh?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRj6JKjwhze
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzFaPXaZ2r
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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj5WlnGHjQ
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKAZjNMxZQ
"Flinty? Are you serious?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aNROG6MQJ
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3efTNvdZN
"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."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXuXnO4SGv
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE5CYmzmND
She stood up and slammed her chest a few times.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLgnJP3stY
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsFvje3Ajf
"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."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAkcPOhkpx
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp7EuxCQTu
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?68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4YdD41f53
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1TVONxEr6
"B-But, Flinty... what if... what if..."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDXcG9N2FE
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpmfR98xKg
Victoria couldn't voice any rebuttal. Flinty was the final nail in the coffin.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufCeJftEA3
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsqaXXWLLM
I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. It was Kim.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtmmG6MF6X
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzEWOQLAKC
"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."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9oGnuTTvx
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYTa1fltkQ
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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTZhxm2sP8
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWX7wNyC8o
"You and your words... I was right about being suspicious of you."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFap463j1yq
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN2czDikHu
"I'm sorry. I promise you'll be compensated for your efforts."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCHd9dBIUa
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk2GYop3Gq
"...With money?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y3XD1NpO7
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehGVmOnN7V
"With money."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOBhRZJLHo
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTJg1y7yfg
"...I can't say no to money."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1AnXpfhPw
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW12BAYOfu
For a second, I caught a smile from under her cloak. She offered me a hand and helped me stand up.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcliQo3BRr
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54OpZWrr33
"Then that's settled. What about you, Victoria?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSmJTmnSkb
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3Ll1qW47N
She was still on the floor, giving us a pensive look.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8IRGV45vr
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv63DPbOCY
"...If we're doing this, then I'll fight anything that isn't the blob."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafttgtBQCx
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvMIz6ooe6
"Alright. Then Kenny and I will help."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypjOupsvK3
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPWFJiRa8Q
Kim helped Victoria to her feet. I felt something touch my back. It was Flinty, she slapped my shoulder.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡET91jOEGL7
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ciOm6DMEA
"Let's do our best okay?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuk5B1jk3cD
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6AqLGvSej
"..."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eSDzs8GjW
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Mng17LWO5
I still had one more concern.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwwJAkgsvo
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgL91ujW7Wc
"Flinty, if the wolf gets to you while we're inside, what will you do then?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeRsnJ1RW4
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq49cBUjut
She averted her gaze.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZVHx1wCYf
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnPdcH4v9G
"I'll... if I need to, then I'll use the fireball. I'll use one like the one at Mister Freed's shop."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTQFeHNJFK
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7qKufEgIs
"I see."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0M3jYKKBE
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21hXrJkX5P
I unbuttoned my coat, took it off, and offered it to her. She looked it with apprehension, awkwardly raising a hand to her mouth.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNxKpBydro
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKsjv0Pkvm
"K-Kenny? Are you sure?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgRZicbQCJ
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dXNEUrJ0x
"Uh..."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsW8CLbq9UP
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBRzyTyfWD
Crap. My cheeks were tinted rose.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Pw5sc3ogd
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKV9x32FCrH
"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."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT9Cx7mga0
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSTHS7OagF
She nodded and accepted my coat. It was a size too large for her, so a lot of excess cloth covered her legs. Perfect.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WDgC3T0V6
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRtC3GUZmi
"This is really cozy, no wonder why you always wear it."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQSxlufbod
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8kXTziCI1
"Heh. Anabelle is a good weaver, isn't she?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lgKK1OD6B
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPPDmObBTw
She nodded. I felt slightly naked now, but I still had long sleeves covering my arms. I would be fine.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAKCoanN0C
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73epKbBfVJ
"Alright," Kim said, "are we ready to form a plan?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj17moWf2E2
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFWNT3Zg4j
–
–
–68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPVo39OeHT
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMcZGzNjAp
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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYfPfd8fi4
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqxdDaHEFr
"How does it look like?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38tjyMsIjB
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXWMBdOxIg
"Clear. I heard some ruckus coming from the building. They're likely occupied with whatever that is."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xng56KcAN
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0SfVv2ajU
Ideal conditions have been met. I took in a breath and released the tendril. A Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip.
"Are we ready?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH7lLsbLOF
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR63TiY7Hs
"We're ready."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyHznZEUcB
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU1zFTNlnf
I never imagined myself taking part in a siege mission. I would make peace with it later.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sZMRxLM7S
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9liWQJRMre
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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvntc2TPVS
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrgZB4HggA
"How are we supposed to scale a ramp of ice!?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbRq3hqeVr
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dI9z9uB7N
She had a good point. I was a bit flustered.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin7fhQdSqe
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q3lV122wH
"Then what do you propose I do!?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMXMuOxE78
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAkN0hr6bW
I could see Victoria's brain at work. I racked my mind for a solution.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSIIDgr6OX
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA17ebjVZNe
"Just make little steps," Kim interjected, "and as we hop on them, make the next one bigger."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdeTmwaMnJ
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAYqZe8t4z
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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoosB0LG7td
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazqDVksOBk
"Before we enter, let me inspect how it is inside."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILAsrnRt01
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1cboCG7Am
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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu4e8wWoaL
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQhrQEFgzo
They slept in conditions like this? They didn't even have a mattress. I almost felt bad.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QJ3TiHaeY
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCjzBFWJyK
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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLmlOol6BN
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh137b1hSR
"Ng, come on. I know you know better."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2474kGhO23
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUS9aRbcd74
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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaMkipcJOH
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QE3z2yIDh
"Y-Yeah. I know."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1MBotP3g6
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprpWLWWxRv
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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO7v7c4I74
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKa7giJO13
"Then why did you let the prisoners out? We can't have our location disclosed to–"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstVGMIJq6D
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwczUT0hCh6
**SHATTER**68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW6D4opdPO
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCiIpkkZKh
I fired the stone. I made sure to put enough power to where it wouldn't kill the man, but at least incapacitate him.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VdgM476jg
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwsU3tcZCs
I missed and hit the window, shattering it completely.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovJnbfHfBg
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqkAtnyxma
Ng and the man turned to us. I didn't have anything to say, I simply returned eye contact.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ74gtiWm9a
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQK7Cr0apPf
"Now!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF41Z0rkGS
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3mbxDlCSv
Kim and Victoria rushed ahead. The two men didn't fight back, they started running away. I knew Ng was in on this!68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5Dx2EXwVw
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc0QrQ0dv6
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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS0ze4VYvQ
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySLygmnPc0
"What are you waiting for?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AUBPbuUGq
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaePOGejIV
"I still don't trust Ng."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzx4zZyUx7
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQtV3eaiuU
"Fine, then go after him!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugbNGOzitw
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPo3Xgy3ujs
I nodded and rushed through the other door. I saw another set of stairs and Ng was already making his way down them.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYNvCjaTCa
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYW35r4ktD6
"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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU82ulYqf3
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8N7OtKZFh
"O-Okay, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just don't hurt me!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCp7lYXydHQ
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrdT39Edbn
He was already down on the ground with his head glued to the floor. I rushed towards him. Ng was... crying?68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiegEaAVlHb
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWl8stNo6MX
"Are you seriously crying?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3ioet4Vaj
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDi2uLpsh7
"Huh?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFz1f32fcd
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP2sUGlWOp
He tilted his head up to me.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3GtecBv8H
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtphHVFgnJx
"N-No, I'm not crying. Aren't you going to kill me?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwTXxRSLxc
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFxrZfEjZa
"K-Kill? I wouldn't go that far... Geez, get up already."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡos9gVlf36L
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpa3HqXW9d
He did as he was told. He had a look of sincere confusion on his face. I didn't let that fool me, though.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRtsP9wpWl
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRDCPjW1CM
"You, are you really on our side?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPXpeB7ZC2
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEXOm2SOS2
"Of course I am! If my words aren't enough, then I'll happily take an official oath!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlDT3Y1ShY
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4Ujpknyx7
"Nobody's here to witness it, you moron! Nevermind this, just take me to your teammate already!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB3MIC3QJm
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSMGh7GNZI
"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."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqgKuD8KBZ
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY3lNpFRxE
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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIym5YkMJ8C
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNZ22TFD58
"Miss... I advise you to not open that door. It's best if we step away."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKHXbNmrDH
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6Z18qbLFS
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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1PmgjP0wk
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GN2VeBtN8
"Panz! You, what do you think you're doing!?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjDrFED6z9
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1fy3KVUev
Panz, who was apparently still awake, feebly lifted his head and cackled.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbFdLWarsR
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxfADkivGN
"As if I'd let you betray me like this so easily! I'll make you pay, Ng– ack!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjE6y46otAK
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWuN9kpWIk
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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyrtF4xHyF
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu1HQuumfl
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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNtKcEQEjo
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfnUZwMX1i
And then, suddenly–68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzOwM3V03L
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PAPnvUjkH
**SMASH**68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6fER9Ns0v
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhAYlbrosk
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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jTwBTNoTi
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgplux1G0a
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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1VRrq29N6
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrxnsR8VGJ
"Crap! Everyone, be careful!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMuIQkqlGh
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6YzOoS0eL
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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKHl0c5IPk
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"H-Huh?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMdYIJ8wwI
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsttUE60oQv
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"Victoria! Kenny! Ng! Head to the second floor!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hWOGrUrxW
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc2q7BjWP6
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a9Ad5rUdF
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"Ng!" I yelled, "Can't you control that thing!?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wLmY77c7W
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"No! I am unable to resummon the creatures Panz has created, I can only do ones I have!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMDdAKSwuB
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7WhHSvoAI
"Like what!?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaGxyF3yfZ
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"They died last night!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iKwS5pXiO
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME8n3fER3q
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Wait, escape route, of course!68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGiV96wxQV
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJe0vzZB4C
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"...Did I do it?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpChtgTKbb
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIskl8a9Ge
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"H-Huh?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijoy7raJLO
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She offered me her healing potion.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O3kCXZd5F
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"Here. For your foot."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslT3JpxDcJ
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"A-Ah, thank you."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo8QV3cgzi
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1B5dcjEWc
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"Haaa, ugh."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIUxY1x714
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I stood up with help from Victoria.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYJRDcrYLK
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"Sorry. I didn't do anything."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVjiyrCacW
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHrRIB1TCD
"Please, don't be. Even I don't feel like I did much."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmvw0SuOAf
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"Haha, you're too humble, Kenny."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIItbt4ewQ8
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She was noticeably shaken. Still, she held onto the unconscious Panz like it was nothing. I was beginning to relax.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ7FrvN4J9
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"Don't let your guard down yet."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJihhqAOyM
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WFnfiDzh2
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"Crap. Crap!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE8m968dTn
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt3sZ6rYai
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BxkeM6khM
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwViyeTbd3w
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"K-Kenny!? Shit!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnawfpaWWLL
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmraC899tdQ
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCA941XUen
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A sinister curiosity crept within me. It was awfully nostalgic.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1Emn3NY9e
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"Kenny! Kenny, are you awake!?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzhsbhaEZD
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"Huh? Y-Yes!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJWl67rZd9
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"If you can, support Kim!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8apNBog9Y
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnc5kn5cDai
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"W-Woah..."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS9ZZDdALl
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvLzXRL6sd
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"KIM!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtZYSTIv02
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"Right!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZoL2UxofX
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjNGF9VQRN
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And so, I released the spear.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXh2wRbtAP
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**SMASH**68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw3WSReoLK
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlVhYvFBxw
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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?68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WXpv1Bafu
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"...Good job, Kenny," Victoria muttered. Kim ran towards me. I was still wincing, and that purple goop was still being expunged from my chest.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzEhfk5kZN
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"Kenny, out of curiosity, what is your earth magic grade?"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYYKmPj2hK
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Was now seriously the time to answer such a question? She sounded giddy asking me, so I decided to humor her.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkbAj5bpD1
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"...Three. But, as I've learned today, my accuracy probably lowers it."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenfKEQOfnQ
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"No, what you just did was incredible."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU429pVqVa
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"Okay, fine, thank you, geez."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsEorlybaF
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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–68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA69dIq2hQ
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"I'm afraid that wasn't the last of them," Ng said.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv2Ji2gyTO
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"Huh? Are you serious!?" Victoria yelled.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZPjTDKk1H
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"Unfortunately."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMmOLenb5M
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4Ja8t3vsF
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"Kim!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt8IMsLgZa
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBR1bFObQr
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The tendril was bleeding purple.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHA2ZL5STv
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"Kim! Ah, Kenny, we need to–68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l3a14ONdx
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**SMASH**68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJ73Dizzfj
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7M5KNccmbI
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"It's Jeremiah! Kenny, you need to–"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJTXenCc2S
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUV10Yija5d
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8T7BbqTVu
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"Victoria!" Ng yelled, "We need to escape! We can't fight Jeremiah now!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JBf0O0GLw
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDdSdcii5F
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILTMlxhoxg
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"...Ngh."68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk6hqHHruv
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoWSfDUSU0
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"Haaa, haaa, shit, shit! Shit!"68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwChvirtaJX
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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.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlifJpfmu7
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But, through the stormy mess that was in my mind, one thought came to the forefront.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeBLVfVGs2
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The infiltration was a failure. Our ally was compromised. I failed completely.68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdkqFNpc7f
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I felt like I was going to die.
