“...”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeedirV7TlC
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“...”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaVk5TiS2W
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I couldn’t explain how it wound up this way. Maybe it was how I always lagged behind, or that other members were simply more courageous than Juke and I. Maybe it was bad fortune becoming of me, an ugly trait that reared its head in inconvenient times. Pondering an explanation was a useless endeavor anyhow. At this point, I realized it just wasn’t always needed.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW5qQOk2UJ
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CiCctf4hZ
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I didn’t have any evidence, but my gut screamed at me that the final floor would be the most challenging to combat. I readily acknowledged that the Harbinger was on a lower floor, but all the suspense that had been accumulating in my body informed me that wasn’t the worst of it. Perhaps it was a superstition– no, it absolutely was –but I was still compelled to tell Juke of my hypothesis.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKPXR55J05
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“I have a feeling–”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UbhNQWMB0
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzTCRAEl3L
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I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAUoXiSabs
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“Do you also have that feeling?”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSLdC17FYc
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“Nothin’ like it. I could just tell by the look on yer face. Either way, I don’t think we’re gonna deal with somethin’ so meddlesome.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhpundiNGm
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“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7H91ArRZo
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His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MD7gwTEPe
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But, ultimately, I reminded myself yet again that that hardly mattered. Now that we’d arrived on a flat surface, there was nothing to do but to walk through that door and eliminate whoever was behind it. So we made sure to make a loud entrance. As I was able to match his pace, the both of us busted the door down. We ran into the master’s room, a spacious office stacked with papers. It was different, and far, far messier than the Foreign Pillar’s.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxK5mYbXa4d
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“Y-You!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOVhTAmq3c
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I was shocked by a sudden voice from my left. I turned my head and saw a skinny gentleman, one I could only assume was the Pillar’s Dean.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaViG6i5n2
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBtZ3Y17kJ
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“A-Alright!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6ayl2G9eH
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Whether his words or his pathetic visage swayed me, I ran to untie him all the same. But I was stopped in my tracks by a hand grabbing my shoulder.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLR6IqgOEt
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrPQ4cp4Gd
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My question was cut short the moment I looked at where he was point. Now, I was looking at the reason behind the different papers, the reason why the dean was tied in rope.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWZ5enlBkL
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A man stood on the desk. A man with a robe I knew all too well, but more importantly, with a style of hair that I recognized. He turned his head towards us as he put a paper down, and frowned.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFucrv7tNu
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“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5LMIBXrad
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With almond-shaped eyes and a jagged, unusual hairstyle that screamed “punk,” the Bringer in the streets of this city right as this mess began glared at us with the sheen of his blade.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqluNwZwCSS
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“He’s alive!?”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ478UCQI1Hr
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The shock of it all was one thing, as the last time I saw him, I was sure he was pulverized and left to bleed out. But what truly made me yell in such volume was that he still had both of his arms.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpQyPYQyJH
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“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPmFzp81O8
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“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEjuztQdxl
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He said it matter-of-factly, as if none of it should be a surprise. Missing limbs weren’t impossible to restore with highly potent, albeit rare and extremely expensive potions, but processes like that took months, often years to complete. And they would only proceed smoothly with frequent tending and doctoral observation.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZenUQmTxI
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttbKtO7I1o
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI3BrzAfQ2
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“...Well, not exactly.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdmalLkxv1
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODGgvDKNYQ
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“Restoring limbs isn’t impossible; I tried and failed to make a few like that myself. But to be able to do it that fast, there’s only one explanation.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTM2Nx79v0F
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“Tell me, won’t ya?”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAUKP2z3gI
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“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPtOhLp7Ul
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW3LDVZhTg
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpfLiQASC6
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“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1PeR6jRt7
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“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhg8FR8PWU
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiTt0p7J8N
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“There’s someone among our ranks who’s a world-class healer. It’s phenomenal to see her work, really. I was out like a light, but by the time I woke up, I was better than new!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1SEQ5Wzo3
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He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenhTLfrAnb
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCUX7gq4zA
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGugJD5jtK
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UXsRsX4sV
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The Bringer hopped off the desk and reached for the other scabbard on his belt. Wielding two curved blades yet again, he stared at us with crazed, narrowed eyes.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S6ITU5Iqb
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dtx330SZk
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4g7xvAxsY
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B9439zaRk
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoORK8mvKoq
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–
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–
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–319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ivMwEgRMU
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The Bringer’s immediate dash complicated this whole mess. It might’ve been my fault for not taking Juke aside and speaking of a plan, but there was nothing I could do now. I didn’t have time to speak with him about our battle strategy. It helped not that the Bringer’s gesture was so sudden. It stunned me for a moment and forced me to think of a counterattack. But Juke thankfully had a quick, simple proposal:: he just drew his sword and matched the Bringer.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKz9brVNzp7
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The first collision of the battle followed right after. Juke blocked a double swipe with his single sword, and immediately I noted that Juke had more physical strength than the Bringer, as he was able to keep him in a lock. The Bringer dashed away shortly after, glaring at us while humming curiously. I was oddly disturbed by that gesture, but I had no time to contemplate. I drew my tendril and sprouted the perfect plant for the occasion: the Thistle-Bloom. One of the first plants I ever copied from Prince’s garden, Its spikey bulb protruded from the tip of the tendril. I squelched its root as if I was choking it.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7uPZfx5oC
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGTtVPiTLS
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcsUAdPgii
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He nodded right after, boldly charging at the still-humming Bringer. I put one knee down and bent the Thistle-Bloom, aiming it directly at the two fighters.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ928iHVl4nr
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It was impossible to safely shoot while the two were in close combat, but that bothered me barely. Juke’s endowment gave him a defensive edge, and with the constant threat of his sword and wind magic, the Bringer would be forced to back away eventually. I just had to wait for that moment, and as I did, I keenly watched the battle unfold.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlixUzgtkE
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Juke played the offensive role spectacularly. I wasn't sure if the Bringer was hesitating from past experience or gauging him in some fashion, but the end result was that swings were being thrown his way. None of Juke's swings connected, however, and the Bringer kept too small a distance for me to shoot.
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Eventually, the Bringer retaliated. He swung his swords across and Juke blocked them at the center. From that position though, Juke was forced to back away. Almost losing his sword, he awkwardly stepped a few paces back while swinging his arms to keep from falling. In that moment, the Bringer dashed and thrust his weapons.
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**CLANG**
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"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
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The tip of his blades practically bounced off Juke's skin, and from the looks of it, made only a scratch on his helmet. Juke looked relieved, and the Bringer looked annoyed, and though I was distracted by relief of not seeing my friend be penetrated, I surged mana through the tendril.
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"It's a weird ability you have there. Fortunately–"
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All of a sudden, right before the thorns of the bulb spew like the water of a dam, the Bringer flung one of his blades my way.
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"I can just chip away."
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I tripped over myself trying to dodge it, and though all but a clip of my hair avoided it, it managed to glide through elsewhere.
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My body reacted immediately.
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"Urg--Glurrgh!"
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The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
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"Kid! Ah, shit!"
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I collapsed to the ground, limp and lethargic in my lazy legs. I mustered the strength to tilt my head up and look at the fight. Juke kept the Bringer occupied, but everything about the sight was wrong. That Bringer was missing a sword, so why was Juke forced to block every attack? Why did his posture falter while the Bringer's only strengthened?
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHrkMYGUMA
Familiar shivers ran through my spine. My limbs denied my commands, and even my eyes forced themselves blind to the scene. Then the word "run" entered my head. And then I–
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"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
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"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
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A rush of adrenaline helped me endure the pain of forming the Dragon-Maw, but with my other hand, I quickly created a ball of fire and lobbed it at the two fighters. I didn't hit anyone, but the blaze separated them, giving Juke crucial time to breathe. He shot me a thumbs up while brandishing his weapon, threatening the Bringer just enough for him to back off.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNR5ZtGUvue
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The Dragon-Maw snapped at the Bringer, knowing by instinct who the opponent was. But to my surprise, it didn’t uncontrollably charge.. Rather, it retracted, hissing at the adversary as if he encroached on its territory.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynk5Afl4xN
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWTJ6nu5TD
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After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNop9qgNYnT
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Though carrying such a dislodged, extended mass was difficult on my tiny body, I put no energy into making attacks. Dragon-Maw complimented Juke’s fighting patterns superbly, striking at times when Juke reeled from swinging his sword. The Bringer was put on the backfoot almost instantly, and the pressure was obvious from his drenched face. Despite our suffocating offense, we never managed to break the guard of his blistering blade.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD0KACWGKU
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KmTv8PE4m
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Though my arm strained and heaved, I kept the tendril out. The Bringer carried Juke and Dragon-Maw around the room, lining its edges and narrowly missing the paper piles. At some point, though, I noticed that the Bringer had to block less and less. I thought for a moment that exhaustion from Juke or I was to blame, but as I narrowed my eyes, I noticed his feet moving further and further back.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv87axu2jco
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz24d5EccE
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“Crap!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWZCvIj68C
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I stopped supporting my right arm with my left and quickly began mana expulsion. I didn’t have the time to make anything dangerous, so I conjured a messy ball of water and flung it at the Bringer. But I didn’t put enough for or mana for it to be meaningfully threatening. It merely splashed his face, not enough to stop him from picking up his other sword. But that brief moment of blindness afforded me a–319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanqubcBIrV
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**CRUNCH**319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9PaL55poX
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The Dragon-Maw managed to clamp the Bringer at his side. It didn’t bite anything off, but from the grunts of the Bringer and the new hues of red, it was clear that the wound was deep.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJk2alFHC6
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQWIgi6Ome
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Like it was a basic reflex, the Bringer swung his sword and cut the head of Dragon-Maw off. I clicked my tongue and closed my eyes, bracing myself for the ensuing, and brutally-arriving pain. My preparation suppressed it adequately. I was still on my legs, after all. But it was offset by my dwindling willingness to use the tendril, and by the way its brown roots shed its sheen, I figured it felt the same. I had to ask it for one more favor, though.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5tLsnRaxH
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I realized it was reckless, especially with how small the room was, but I didn’t want this fight to drag on any longer than it already had. Thus, I procured a–319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4pIfde3Ua
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“Child! Child, please!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKzHa8ecvT
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“W-What!?”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNs409jYga
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm7A9jNeYm
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6ZMl3wWl1
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“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpUOGX8W24
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“...”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1DuhKvnMn
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I had this sick feeling that the Dean was far sleazier than I initially thought, but under this kind of situation, I could hardly blame him. I didn’t turn to save him, however. As a Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip of my tendril, I stared with sweaty palms at the dueling two. Juke matched the Bringer far more comfortably now, even with him having two swords, as that injury was unignorable.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW6cagNNTp
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC59BGxst7a
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9PM4Wxqmy
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwEx0sCmrw
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo7HPnUhPu
Even though it would just take making a small dagger out of earth, sinking that time to free him felt like a terrible idea. I knew it was possible, I knew Juke could last long enough for me to do so, and yet– and yet–319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhrPMhUanA
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And yet, the option caused my arms to shiver. To be responsible for his freedom, would just mean I was responsible for everything that followed.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTzotEgYJO
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmfD21bE2H
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVijcnPWCr7
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvjCvwF6Ag
“Kid! Watch out!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwD212dtGE
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiTgxyLPza
“--Huh?”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR9J0SPNgm
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMZYJT50qW
I was swept from my trance by Juke’s loud, worried call. My vision registered with me then, and I realized that the Bringer was charging directly at me.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqEcXiWJ6c
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gS5r5K1Zk
“S-S-Shit!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOKDZtBGhy
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd18fpLVhS
I did the first thing that came to mind: I conjured a hasty spell, shot it, and jumped to the side, causing me to land on my hip. Only, it didn’t go so smoothly. The spell I created wasn’t one of earth or fire, as trying to rush those would erase nearly half of my mana supply. So I created a large wave of water before moving. It blinded the bringer sufficiently, just enough for his thrust to miss me.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ2pUL0dkX
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuVXvs7fUP
**SQUELCH**319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvkJDVfi7G
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IFhwNwk9a
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF6bFmn3EI
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvgw7Z76fj
“--H-Hrk!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQ7zVpCSyD
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfV8GBdF3H
“Oh?”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJapeVn7uy
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR2jGTVBKh
The Bringer rubbed the water out of his eyes and looked at where his sword had been lodged. He wasn’t happy or upset, nor did he look amused or angered. He had the look of someone who made a simple slip-up, like a man putting a box in the wrong place and merely shrugging his shoulders at the sight.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvzc7EBdHa
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxeXUXNEqO
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS9woRITRF
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVOf0WJV7J
“Ark… W-Why?”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVQf8kLni1
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlg9gUuhr7H
“I don’t have a reason. It was an accident, relax. Goodness, just relax! It’s not as if I hit your lungs, did I?”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy98zKNWkVV
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMmRUTNWoE
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh1aAl30Ga
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSbJbhKOrD
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyqwU7EjGd
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EajXXNbzS
“A– y-you monster!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrA5MpGj3L
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbifRyo9pJB
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEdY1XrCiZ
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1absWtwp3
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN6f8JTzUW
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCawX2Hz8iC
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLv9ZLvuOF
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXU59ebZII
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL7CjRQwps
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL3VqnJFUe
“A-Afraid?”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EHwVscrq4
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNb09CtuKt
I was stunned, undeniably, but it wasn’t paralysis. That wasn’t the case, because I saw the Dean right there, writhing but breathing, trying what he could to cover his wound. But to call myself afraid wasn’t incorrect. I could hardly keep myself from melting.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLZbFXeXwL
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeIBdM8zLO
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJJfTsXViT
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUcxj6LrKS
But then Juke’s words resounded from my side, and the sight of the Dean became enough for me to move. Though, I didn’t do so before giving myself a necessary rebuke.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMWm4pDn0B
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxPs6Y1JGV
“Damn it. Damn it!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmIzGN8GKM
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iDDmkQr4C
I aimed the Freezey-Dry at the bringer and let it work. The Bringer stepped to the side, avoiding the wall of ice that formed until the end of the room. I didn’t have to face any counterattack either, as Juke kept the Bringer occupied while I ran to the Dean, forming an earthly knife.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrc3RVOBQQ
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeUrMc9Qgo
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmLBDWJYfa
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hv5PK9GiN
I hurriedly cut the ropes, slicing one of my own fingers in the process, but still managing to free the Dean. He grasped his shoulder and got on his legs.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3nolrhTXL
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfga5hFGIt
“T-Thank you.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybOJAKibnU
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApOPEcWwRg
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxM4oxA6pY
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANmCHVrqWY
The Dean meekly nodded, which made me greatly relieved. I conjured up a quick earth spell and shot it through the ice wall, creating an opening.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qaIDKQpFj
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZScF9fhr3
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Wviaqm4Tv
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBtLJ3pijv
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkMAkipTgG
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbynHtBPpE
Though his run was gaunt, he managed to leave the parameter without being stopped. I walked around the ice wall to make sure of it, seeing him go through the entrance, and then I returned my attention to the Bringer.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Uozqeyg9r
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTp7fXx4bg
He and Juke were still fighting. The Bringer landed stray hits far too often for comfort, but I saw a window when the two clashed their swords and stared.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDa46AL4DZ
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyga5TC4GW
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcwDfyFP0t
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKhjZ1BXJV
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgfHDrjBvu
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV0SBoNkM8
“Juke!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jI1FvTz6d
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOqMV6D5Ca
I interjected as quickly as I could. I formed a ball of earth and shot it at the Bringer. He moved to dodge it, but his toilsome wound forced him to hiss and I managed to nip his shoulder. Juke took advantage of the generated momentum, swinging his sword barbarically but only scratching the Bringer’s cloth as he dodged. The Bringer clicked his tongue and massaged his shoulder. Though it was a reach of a call to make, I felt confident that his shoulder was dislocated.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTiqct8Gkm
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYu5Hc0efG
“That kid is such a nuisance!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAfKleCGFh
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzBFD6XCzf
He yelled an enraged sentence, jerking his head to me and glaring with dagger-like eyes. I brought my tendril out in front of me as a kind of shield, though with the ferocity of which he sprinted, it clearly wouldn’t do anything.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35ujEI5WBD
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAGtUrlAAc
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaZ8KQrG8q
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ABnD23yaf
“Ahck!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTq0Lt25Dc
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiN78v2bpI
A gust of wind came from my right, slamming the Bringer hard enough for him to tumble to the floor. Juke followed his spell by charging with his sword raised. He swung down and collided with a shielding scimitar, unable to break its barricade. But as they struggled, I made my move.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NHoJbEfeX
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv63gk0AC1e
A spell wouldn’t do me good, and this wilting Freeze-Dry wouldn’t fare any better. My other offensive flower had been pierced and shredded, so I only had one thing at my disposal.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4w4zujQOD
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbioEXiWOK
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYooLUkLAd9
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRbcjcUOfx
Juke moved his sword in the nick of time. The tendril caught the flat side of his scimitar– to my great relief –and crashed directly into his stomach. The air escaped from his lungs, and remnants of his meals flew out of his orifice. The blow stunned him well, and I retracted my tendril so Juke could quickly finish the job.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u0FKtpdr2
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But, that did not happen.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGSOmwXtpM
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyPTZaQ2ST
With gritted teeth the bringer kicked himself from the floor to his feet, keeping Juke and I at a distance while pointing his swords. In the midst of it, I prepared a spell with my left hand: the embryonic stage of a geyser that would hose him to the wall. Preparing it took a while, however, and it was within that window of time that the Bringer319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZC48ZTNpt
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxZe3DspsT
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtJ1dlpRb7
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4TVwa6MIl
He twirled his core along with his blades, swindling himself like a leadenknob. His arm covered every feature of his face but his eyes, and he glared at us with the eyes of a feline.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcdF0rcHmb
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH53Y944XP
From his body language, posture, and exasperated voice, it was clear to me what was coming: that bizarre technique that troubled Juke and I when we first fought.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMZRqVbIEf
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV0rrW1xuo
And he let it rip just a moment later.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzVAyUETm2
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyuTekHHES
His speed was unprecedented, his rotation made him blurry, and his rapid blades howled in the wind it sliced. Though he spun in a rocky direction, it was just accurate enough to gain ground on Juke and I. And I knew that helmet of his wouldn’t last under such a flurry.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuZR5XZ1NZ
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttuRNZDZUY
But true as that might’ve been, it wasn’t his helmet that would be put to the test. The Bringer veered from Juke right into me, approaching at a speed I could hardly react to. React I did, however. I produced a flower from my tendril and injected mana into it as fast as I could, and before his flurry of blades came, I had something to guard myself.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZu3zmTc8O
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8Uopk3wwY
The beige and jagged texture of the Valencia-Bloom’s shield defended me. Small enough for me to carry, but large enough to stop speedy metal from sneaking past. It kept up with the flurry miraculously, as every cut it received closed immediately. Dozens and dozens of cuts, and none strong enough to pierce through.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7s0EigFBY
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjqfPebZLE
“...!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj4A5W18i1
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahOtd4hFxE
None so fierce to kill my plant.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADGXIwXvpT
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYmv2wWWqv
“M-My arm!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiffwqnRNv7
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUHOyqcsWt
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnacnbjx8Oq
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1dyyntlic
“Juke!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbLewXLlCP
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbThp3gCd4
“Gotcha, kid!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eZb8k3SZZ
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbW5zH9FHXc
The barrage had no effect on the shield, but my puny arm couldn’t stand against such pressure. It was impossible to keep it up. I could already feel the fear seep into me; flashing images of what would become of me should those spinning blades connect.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBf26TFT26k
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdIhcqljj8
But something unusual happened in light of that. An action I didn’t know I had the capacity for, but was driven by nothing but my own will.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjYwE9JJRE
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQhTEqkS8b
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0DscJpKZf
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZGxGt3gXq
It wasn’t a clean hit– the complete opposite. I couldn’t aim my palm in any useful direction, but the force of the spell was so great it still adjacently struck the Bringer. As I didn’t have time to plant myself firmly, I was sent flying as well, colliding into the wall to my right and across the room.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSjXROK26t
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hkk66CA3e
“Hrk!”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqJgAN3yfO
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0drASlTLDo
The slam was ugly, and I slid to the floor like mushy food. I didn’t let myself rest then, however, because that Bringer was still alive. I stood up and peered over the Dean’s desk, at the Bringer.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5uw6AHiWp
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKkNK2qbOZ
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxM1Ql4RlL
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURNyYccp0H
“...”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBPmpzbUeS
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9fFCcN0bl
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmNEP9LM4x
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjihLH9Zbu
I didn’t respond to Juke’s praise. All my attention tunneled to the Bringer. His gaping mouth, his constricting eyes, the fading strength as his staunchblades slipped from his grip. He finally turned his eyes to me, then to the man who left him in such a state.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkydBQiGGX
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiZNkfBTtZ
“Curse…”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FH9PM6eA5
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiiXwyHCtG
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKABhrHMXdO
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmvPN0BFPZ
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi8fZEeUl3
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI79q9Euhn
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfLtSIRgJT
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4a3zJqTSW
“May they, be few.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFmMNJzwhT
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff4dzK88vP
Another fit of coughing followed. It was intense and abrasive, ripping at his throat with each installment. Their strength eventually dwindled. His noisy coughs turned to raspy whispers, ejecting all the piling blood that clogged itself in his throat, lower and lower volumes as it progressed.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUChiaKsSQ
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLemamfA3p
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V34pHfLDz
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbL9PBlSdY
“That was… sad.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIgTedJSHL
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEV8RvmaUR
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX08fXIlcmJ
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGk6Fx0Tcc
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAczyjEGQS
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBnSIcyGIp
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVsveeDhU1
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXlpfrDrJy
I chuckled at his assessment. He had a point. I should’ve just been glad to be alive, shouldn’t I? I showed my gratitude by taking a few steps over to Juke, raising my palm with as sweet a smile I could make. He matched my gesture, and we high-fived.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7PvqIclFK
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPGaCayvUS
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdUlkqTJED
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2mGjfihh4
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZH3NIu2iO
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l5oYUnGQc
“Don’t continue.”319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa22gP2Gne
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB8sOR7MM2
I looked at the Bringer’s corpse. In a twisted way, it was a trophy. A tangible token that indicated our success, our reclaiming of the Central Pillar. If the lower floors have succeeded, that is. I didn’t want to think like that now, however.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqWn8LGJu7
319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iLsMkwE6l
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnW6Li5CZ4
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