Once I uttered that connection, my brain fused into one, and then I caught what the woman had just said. I was struck with even more disbelief, and looking at my teammate, she had an extreme reaction.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhbtynVKBz
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"Did she just say Hard-Bringer?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFp3kHGNi9
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Confusion, rage, and fervor overtook her whole being. Even I had a similar reaction, though on a smaller scale. I could tell that she wanted to jump out, but I wrapped her around her arms.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGKpepGMsz
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"What are you doing!?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATosv7IKnt
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IJu2BMXj7
"Don't go making a scene! They could just be lunatics, and even if they aren't–"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoZ000EYrU
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGt9bxuo59
**BOOM**161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdDuLBn17c
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoPBE1NHO6
My hopes of this being a farce were instantly shattered. To our right, the top of a building blew up and caught on fire, and then an adjacent one followed suit. The crowd panicked and a cacophony of voices blasted my ears, deafening me. But it didn't paralyze me, and the same went for Rover. My meager grip couldn't hold her back, but I wouldn't let her face this chaos alone, so I followed her into the plaza. The people dispersed like a flock of frightened chickens, trampling over any unfortunate souls who had tripped. Eventually, the wave of people came to me. I lost sight of Rover and the speed of my chase slowed down considerably. It took my whole being just to not be knocked over, let alone move forward. I was shorter than everyone in the crowd as well, so I was unsure if I was even facing the same direction.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD1DhAz3Ft
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"Ngh, damn it!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPo2tmjNgt
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Eventually, the wave of people thinned, and I could finally see what was happening in the environs. Buildings were still being destroyed. Some citizens fled from the plaza successfully while others were trapped by the plummeting debris. I spotted Rover in the distance fighting Hard-Bringer lackeys. The woman was still on the sage, and beside her were three other figures of varying heights and builds.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQIgLZpVH5
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g9IkEyIbe
I began mana expulsion, creating a spear of stone and gradually amplifying it in rotation speed and size. Before I even threw it, the woman hurriedly ran from the stage, and the other three dispersed in different directions.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftKs6vq6o2
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLchlzMlFLL
"How did they– ack! Nevermind!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTMRQ8XVG1
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRwhY1Ncnj
With their clothes, it was impossible to tell who those four were apart from the rest of the lackeys. All, aside from the woman. She ignored all other combatants and rushed toward Rover. I raised my hand, trying to align my spell with her. It was difficult with all the shaking and sudden surge of nerves, so I just simply shot it out, closing my eyes as I did. When I opened them, I saw the woman stock still, waiting for my spell to pass.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7imXv9w4cu
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It was like she knew I was going to fire it.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVmd9vvofB
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"--Damn it! Rover!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA1QSGAm1i
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I took out my tendril and was about to rush forward until I felt someone grab my shoulder. I turned around half in fright, but a warm feeling permeated through my chest when I met eyes with the person.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kGBpg9JrN
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"What the hell are ya doing here, kid!?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hk1QTnKBA
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuKScutdfu
Juke, carrying his helmet in one hand, was standing there with a frantic expression.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvMIKZQNJy
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW0l3bNFAn
"I could ask you the same thing! Forget about it now, we need to help Rover!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmT2vNzYm2
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiKlKOxrow
"Gah, everything's out of order! Ya strong folks are crazy!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDXnDf0moj
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh9nEFP16W
Despite his complaints, he put on his helmet and drew his broadsword. We zigzagged through the crowd of combatants and lackeys easily, but by the time we reached Rover, she was being beaten down by the woman.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFJppivLcj
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1uEgvpXUr
"Ack, you– how the hell are you doing that!?" She yelled. The woman didn't answer her, but simply stood idly by, allowing for Juke and I to get by Rover's side easily.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaeaxEETt2
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FaUXdnbfv
"Huh? Juke? What are you–"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23l9rygDyz
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"Can ya drop it? Aren't ya fighting someone right now?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIheahrdWf
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WEWqWUC3E
Reading between the lines, Rover faced the woman yet again. The woman took out a short sword and spun it haphazardly, looking at us with what I could only describe as disgust.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ub3rEffVM
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"Ah, so you do have allies. Tell me, are they as trashy as you are, girl? Or are you just using them as tools for your survival?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2hClSjDKD
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsTAmVj8iw
"The hell is that woman rambling on about!?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBz2R2zr2t
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLo8goWel6
Juke yelled, and Rover rushed forward. After her first couple of steps, the woman kicked the air in front of her, and Rover flew to the side. I widened my eyes. Juke and I both stood there, shocked. Rover struggled to rise to her feet, rubbing her face and panting vehemently.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsChl3uvU0k
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSArE3veeWn
"How the hell... are you doing that?" She hissed, her voice gradually growing weaker.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2j2Xlrgar
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbclRHY77S
"Like I'd reveal my secrets to you, fool. You two, isn't she an ally? Won't you approach me too?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLElMgbmcFr
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJR821rw7W
Her taunting words invigorated something in me. I began mana expulsion, creating a ball of fire and splitting it into four smaller orbs. She didn't look intimidated. Rather, she was amused. I ignored her expression and flung the orbs in a scattered pattern. She dodged three and cut the fourth one with her sword. I didn't let up, producing a Freeze-Dry from my tendril. She widened her eyes and backed away before I even aimed it, a slab of fire forming at her free hand. I didn't mind it, shooting and encasing the area in front of me in a giant block of ice. However, only one-half of what I intended had formed. The other was liquid and vapor.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF2hTcStzD
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I adopted Rover's question into one of my own, repeatedly asking myself how it was that she was doing that.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjpbTDgnNJ
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"Hey, Kenny!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOc7xVDa6a
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWlzfug1zA
Juke suddenly called to me. He was carrying Rover over his shoulder.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL4pfMc61A
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXwbF63IHH
"I-Is she okay?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBNDp4UMZx
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlM7nHyUns
"She passed out. Let's get the hell outta here! That woman is a Harbinger, didn't you hear?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBML5eyD1SE
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiQTA86WSP
"I don't know what that is!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiixCuScUnH
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY6QGt3xfh
"It doesn't fuckin' matter! Start running!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYfTmr2mEu
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHKpuVMDuF
Truthfully, I agreed with him, so I had no qualms with turning the other way and running. It was a nightmare navigating past all the lackeys, combatants, and confused people, but Juke ran confidently.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGgCKGndcT
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Though, that did raise the question–161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXc7ElWsrb
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"Do you know where you're going!?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdJHdlVFNo
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqIQJAdtA0
"'Course I do! We're going back to our lodging!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0ZwZzQkIv
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7WKr7U0lo
"Ah– where is Dennis?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTM8VzJj8hl
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrShNEgnEk
"Hell if I know! I lost him in the crowd!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eGQc3yHBr
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeBVDk1ZYJ
That declaration made my heart sink. I almost froze in place there, but Juke narrowly avoided a stray fire spell, so I set the thought aside and kept moving. We made it to an alleyway, running through it without much hassle until–161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGp8yns1YO
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"Shit."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡit9ofoAEnZ
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Juke ceased his escape and so did I. The end of the alleyway was blocked by a robed figure. I recognized him to be one of the ones on the stage. He took his hood off, and there stood a man with terribly fuzzy and unkempt hair.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThuuMPFMAL
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGT36rpCC0
"I have a question for you two," he spoke in a raspy voice. I readied myself to perform mana expulsion, but Juke put his arm before me, signaling me not to. He stood in front of me, blocking my view of the man.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqhLIntakx
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeklvcQUAN
"Kenny, stand there, alright? I'm the guy with a helmet here."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pkNXk2Fyj
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoXGV9bJDC
"...Alright."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCKi7PkpX6
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I didn't understand what he was insinuating, but I had faith in him and allowed him to take control of the conversation.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIsO2JtGfb
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"Alright, I'll take yer question."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfTbyHA52c
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgcIDR3ey3
"Are you two Zarielites? Better yet, are you two the ones who are delivering a letter addressed to the Eastern Country?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvba4ElDOcP
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakrndzwZPq
I froze. My face must've contorted unimaginably. In a moment of understanding, I thanked Juke for his quick thinking.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAai34GXKVw
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"Nah, these kids and I are just passing adventurers."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysZ6TMnWxJ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuppz7EHr7
"...Passing adventurers? That explains the attire, at least."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopltkfYzlY
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The man stopped speaking.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH4nFK9eYW
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"Alright, carry on, then."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmqTlZSuxe
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"...Eh?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUusxFi0mS
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I shared in his confusion.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBYKUPiWac
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"I believe you, so carry on. Don't test my judgment, please."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6aZAjTXLX
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IAyM8sy0N
"I-If ya say so!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfm4Awgssr
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Juke and I hurriedly scampered by the man. I tried my best to avoid eye contact with him until we made it out of the alleyway–161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yw64WN6xL
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM3x525e1Z
"On second thought, I need to ask that kid one more question."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0MfiSRjkH
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And then, I froze. I didn't turn my head to face him, but I had my ears open and my mouth ready to run.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb3iIupgJC
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaD2AGYgMSf
"Your visage resembles a description we got of an outstanding Zarielite. Tell me, kid, does the name 'Bison Frost' ring any bells for you?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6dJ4CiACz
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq925S2Lj6
In that instant, I felt as if the pace of the world slowed to a crawl. My mouth was ajar, it produced a sound, but not one of coherency.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppy9jlNMhi
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1GOW955Ax
I didn't say anything. I didn't even show him my expression. I didn't have to. I was stuttering and gibbering for far too long. My eyes met with the man's; his pupils had contracted and his calm mein mutated into a face of rancor.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNqmFiVAbU
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I had spilled it in such an unfair way.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRzx2hi1lJ
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"Damn it, kid!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXDtVHQtLS
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Juke's vexed yell brought me back to the present. He shoved me aside and sent me plummeting to the ground, and he narrowly evaded a ball of fire flung from the man's palm. I unfroze, drew my tendril, and swiped it at the man. He blocked the strike with his arms but crashed into the alleyway wall, forcing the air out of his lungs. With the man dazed, I got up and joined Juke, and then the both of us turned around and sprinted in the other direction, casting occasional ganders by looking behind me. The man recovered quickly and broke into pursuit, chasing us into the populated and rowdy street.
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I noticed the man performing mana expulsion, and from the lack of any tangible objects, it had to be a wind spell. As they were quick, dodging wouldn't be possible. So, producing a Valencia-Bloom, I skidded to a stop and veered to face him.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIz5n9fyzI
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**SMASH**161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo2yO340Sx
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I blocked the spell successfully, but though I avoided being damaged, the force of it sent me to the floor, and at a tremendous distance. I discarded the Valencia-Bloom and produced a Blover, aiming it at the man, but I didn't utilize it. That was because he was engaging with Juke.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMim86or5N
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"Ah, gonna have to forgive me, girl!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57edmeOnLi
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wWNi5XNfZ
Juke carelessly threw Rover my way and pulled out his Broadsword, gripping it in his left hand. The man reached into his robe as he ran and pulled out a dual set of curved swords. Even under his helmet, I could see Juke's lips shrink and his eyes enlarge. I ran to the unconscious Rover, throwing her arm around my shoulders and struggling to lift her. Then, I eyed Juke's bout with the man, waiting for an opportunity to interfere.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT9xkEOfMt
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPOgVrh4RP
The man raised his two swords and leaped at Juke, bringing them both down like they were hammers. Juke blocked the strike easily. It was obvious from their builds alone that Juke was physically stronger, but the man had a freakish dexterity. He retracted his blades and swung them, spinning around as if he was dancing. No, he was dancing. It was at a level of elegance unexpected of a man as shabby as he. The flurry of strikes quickly overwhelmed Juke– but, he didn't get hit. Though his sword dance was trouncing and enchanting, his speed suffered considerably, so Juke quit his parrying and ran backward, flipping the man off.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVso0PxdN4p
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbDhRS2bAy
At that moment, I began mana expulsion, conjuring up a dense rock the size of my head and throwing it as the man reapproached Juke. However, the man managed to jump over it. I bit on my molars and tried again, but his battle had resumed, making it impossible to safely shoot another one.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs8uM4XYIe
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH0UqsVNJY
"You've impressed me," the man yelled, "I suppose you aren't a combatant for nothing!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVDHBVB3Gp
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuueOt3dt06
The man sliced and hacked at Juke, each swing of his either being blocked or narrowly avoided. It was clear that Juke couldn't keep up with the man's speed. Sweat ran down my brow, and at that point, I started to believe that just throwing something out would be better than waiting.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jHvNAX5Um
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Then, I had an epiphany. I removed the Blover and produced Dragon-Maw Jr., extending the tendril to the two.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKcvm36h0X
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"Bite at the homeless-looking one!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWRruTp52L
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsYI0jjvc7
Dragon-Maw Jr. followed my command perfectly, snapping his jaw at the man. Though he wasn't struck, the man was forced to evade Dragon-Maw Jr.'s attack and gave Juke air to breathe.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4HIUsRuzI
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfbOXKxNQu
"Thanks, Kenny! I got a word I wanna say to this lunatic!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2H4Hul3pt
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNcYTkvUQS
Juke pointed his sword at the man, straightening his posture.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPMaw7nOL3
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7r5WpmMlx
"Don't get the wrong idea, I'm a pretty weak guy. Frankly, I ain't got a clue as to why I'm the one fighting, but I've accepted that these kids just operate like that."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdxgoN3Fb3
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHt6MTXfaW
"...What are you saying?" The man replied. I had to confess that I was similarly confused.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqVgNXJZuS
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"Bleh, ya just don't get it, do ya!?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEYp6NTza6
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojCu4Fjghu
Juke altered his line of action and rushed at the man. He swung at him, which the man blocked with one sword, and as he went to counterattack with his free sword, Dragon-Maw Jr. nipped at him. He backed away and clicked his tongue.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjyrdUfp0S
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRzo9Qn6c7
"That kid is a real problem, isn't he?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB7tGbsZM4
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixcJjcJcdC
His smile grew sinister. I immediately knew the devious action he was about to take.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecjkwZl92E
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD2cYfzGky
"Like I'll let ya do that!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimMEHIkp6p
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPUZf5T8Be
But Juke interjected, throwing a soft wind spell at the man and making him lose his balance. Dragon-Maw Jr. took advantage of his disorientation and nipped at him, this time, successfully tearing a piece of off his robe.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaJYOfcpIP
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Rab3DNGjO
"--It's not the kid, it's that freak of nature!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkdbC1x68I
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cHwfyrKX3
Offended at his insult, I let go of Rover's arm and began mana expulsion with my newly freed hand. Juke and Dragon-Maw Jr. changed turns attacking the man, and though it was assuring to see him on the defensive, progress to our victory wasn't being made. Thus, I created a spell of water. Instead of amplifying it and shooting it at the man, I spread it across the ground.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVTddeTeYA
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmxJvVOqqP
"Eh? The hell are ya thinking, Kenny!?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2epG23Yusr
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsvCED0Zzs
I didn't respond to Juke's complaint, but I understood why he made it. The newfound slippery ground didn't just affect the man, but Juke, too. The two were disengaged but Dragon-Maw Jr. had free reign to wail at the man. And, indeed, wail it did. The man couldn't back away from the plant, meaning he had to challenge every crunch. I smirked at the development, sure that man would be done in.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLpzf6Yxxw
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid2pPMF0ZU
But, that hadn't happened at all. The plant clasped onto one of his swords and the man used his free one to cut it off.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4I5EVxLHj
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36Oq2LQ0BQ
Its head descended like a leaf in the wind. I watched, powerless to remedy it.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0ehAha5oB
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"--Hrk!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkKk6D7tb6
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAdCYRWTWi
Then, a sharp, overbearing pain permeated through my body– but I could immediately judge that this was nothing like my time fighting the beast, meaning that, even though I was still grasping at my chest, feeling the purple fluid leak, my tendril remained.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJhXC9svSF
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFeNRG5lc8
With the man free of any pressure, he took his shoes off and dispelled wind from his feet, blowing away all the water and dousing the surroundings.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxekfZM09n
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWFEkSAOb6
"Shit! Kenny, are ya alright!?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWwCNyVsPe
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxKMRXFJJ6
"Y-Yes! Sorry, I couldn't get him!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXw3UWkKheB
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvVNHvfUUy
"Whatever!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgarF3DXNKP
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEhYkg7NWd
The man pounced at Juke, who barely blocked his attack. They returned to square one, Juke and the man engaged in a lopsided dance of swords.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq036n2hcO
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH2GX0UnVf
I began mana expulsion– but the creation of my spell ceased. As I watched them battle, Juke progressively getting weaker and weaker, my body froze.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3mvRE1mke
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe9ymKwPBw
I recognized this sensation. It was stark and familiar.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKAofDJ8xk
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T3v7iTy6a
Dread, worry, guilt–161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsx8Co8URj
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"Kid, back me up here! I ain't strong enough to handle this maniac alone!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTMNpsJuoU
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbquPSD6FzQ
"...R-Right!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUj9RFJg3R
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlgXWy1mPu
Juke's frantic yells yanked me out before I sank too deep. I shook my head and thought calmly about the situation, taking deep breaths. It wasn't over yet. Besides, if something did go awry here, it wouldn't– it wouldn't really be my fault.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASqZFnMNgB
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1Ch1dvvzO
With that assertion, I resumed the creation of my spell: a sizeable chunk of water–
"I got you!"
As I was forming the spell, the man had finally bested Juke's defenses. He broke his stance, and Juke momentarily lost control of his arms. That moment was all the man needed. He spun a full circle, slicing into Juke with both of his blades.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtvlqA4jYN
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAgEHCg4ev
**SLAM**161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6S3zhfLxKz
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That was what should have happened, at least– no, saying that wasn't accurate. Indeed, the man's blades sliced into his body, but Juke's skin was not cut, and the noise produced wasn't appropriate for an object hitting flesh.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8eMDIgoHl
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1Fxn9Kct0
The man looked just as perplexed as I was, stock still as his mind processed what had just occurred. Juke directed us to a conclusion by raising his right hand and tapping on his helmet twice. Our eyes directed themselves to his metallic apparel, and I noticed the two narrow dents at the side.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqujsO0DkkP
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjEddzpBnB
"How did–" the man began, but Juke raised his sword before he could eke out his sentence. The man noticed the action and backed away, but he was too slow.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3j5KIRZwk
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDCE1PLzSM
"--Ugh!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6klhtATryG
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTlTxZOPwC
His arm was rendered a bird by the speed it flew off. Blood splattered and gushed onto the pavement. The man clutched his missing limb, gripping the air twice before connecting with his body.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiDyNOsldG
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GzHR4Gyn7
I felt the bile rise to my throat, but I couldn't afford to let this moment pass. I aimed my palm at the man and shot the ball.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd6hkFYGkJ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r0U0hsIHA
**SMASH**161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6ZprACJ64
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu6CcT4et9
The man collided with a building. Juke ran up to me and took Rover out of my hands and ran away, but I didn't immediately follow. I stared at the cloud of dust and debris, waiting to see what would appear once it cleared.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07Dv2at4ic
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I knew it was idiotic, but I couldn't look away.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuAP2PHJi3
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLanWeWgyG
"Kenny! Kid, ya must've lost yer mind!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXTqpgFneQ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvbkp2KJOZ
"Ah! Sorry!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO2E1xUsLc
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh38fhdSLD2
Then, I turned around and joined Juke in our escape. The chaos on the street had cleared, and judging from the lack of noise, the one just a block away was dying down, too. But, I knew that didn't mean that the situation was over. That would be just plain stupid.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG1WOQIc70
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"Ha, hell yeah, we're still kicking!"
Though I shared in his enthusiasm, I struggled to even nod along.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYyBkCwScj
"Ah crap, are ya alright? Don't tell me yer bleeding somewhere."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7D4eefYrsi
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJd7SpsKSEV
"N-No, that's not it."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojxS29vfNJ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATcfIpJmjK
Admittedly, I felt queasy. It must've shown on my face. In fact, thinking about it, my hands covered my mouth instinctively. I was able to suppress myself, however.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq864H2hRJC
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGHhPeaA9Q
"...I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing that much blood."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd00OAPXWym
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoApAfcZyxx
Burying the resurfacing memories, I followed Juke back to our abode, leaving the pandemonium behind.
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