“...”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeegNrYxZtu
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“...”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdSGMSy2dq
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZht2kPiKdF
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHReqIXwufl
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tg9CAnPvw
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“I have a feeling–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurIZfIG29e
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku7cBezg40
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡranaDSa4vg
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“Do you also have that feeling?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ0AOluy1B
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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.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TZlAL9Zop
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“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAcsPhGqyx
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ8smZtzBC
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHadja5r87h
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“Y-You!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9n28Vsq3x
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2qgdfMtxu
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPMeBSLWRQ
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“A-Alright!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7rB8r1B5e
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzhWyALffx
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXCit6sXZi
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFQw2OfV9d
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpDtsjkoAu
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“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84zmgI2z1z
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0d0seXYr2
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“He’s alive!?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmco7W2FLo
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa3aeGSqJW
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“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2u6rZDGIo
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“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1SBfJ9yGj
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx6IZpgERP
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4JJ2dUez4
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ukr0DWv3c
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“...Well, not exactly.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEksOJw64l8
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qnn2tBWWr
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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.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y95eWshKE
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“Tell me, won’t ya?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLK0rxeq8im
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“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnKh9qgGH4
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“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ppd28HoGl
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“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEchBNU0Lt
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“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxfGpGFfT2
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzV57JHqHf
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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!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CXKgpCnFP
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He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0MbWiT3Pi
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ng5mIk7go
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R48VWZRU2
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRgCo5mj8x
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXFX0YvBTw
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ8cYFmSbi
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRNbdVNRnt
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFQbvP3gMS
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZepF9ntg7g
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–
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–
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–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGejbmowtdB
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjkdhZQf15
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJGp5WsDKT
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp360APuxCK
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9eUll8Z2G
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcfwCrBL6s
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFbanhfMhY
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Juke played the offensive role spectacularly. I wasn't sure if the Bringer was hesitating from past experience or gauging him in some fashion, but the end result was that swings were being thrown his way. None of Juke's swings connected, however, and the Bringer kept too small a distance for me to shoot.
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Eventually, the Bringer retaliated. He swung his swords across and Juke blocked them at the center. From that position though, Juke was forced to back away. Almost losing his sword, he awkwardly stepped a few paces back while swinging his arms to keep from falling. In that moment, the Bringer dashed and thrust his weapons.
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**CLANG**
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"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
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The tip of his blades practically bounced off Juke's skin, and from the looks of it, made only a scratch on his helmet. Juke looked relieved, and the Bringer looked annoyed, and though I was distracted by relief of not seeing my friend be penetrated, I surged mana through the tendril.
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"It's a weird ability you have there. Fortunately–"
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All of a sudden, right before the thorns of the bulb spew like the water of a dam, the Bringer flung one of his blades my way.
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"I can just chip away."
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I tripped over myself trying to dodge it, and though all but a clip of my hair avoided it, it managed to glide through elsewhere.
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My body reacted immediately.
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"Urg--Glurrgh!"
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The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
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"Kid! Ah, shit!"
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I collapsed to the ground, limp and lethargic in my lazy legs. I mustered the strength to tilt my head up and look at the fight. Juke kept the Bringer occupied, but everything about the sight was wrong. That Bringer was missing a sword, so why was Juke forced to block every attack? Why did his posture falter while the Bringer's only strengthened?
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Familiar shivers ran through my spine. My limbs denied my commands, and even my eyes forced themselves blind to the scene. Then the word "run" entered my head. And then I–
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"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
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"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
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A rush of adrenaline helped me endure the pain of forming the Dragon-Maw, but with my other hand, I quickly created a ball of fire and lobbed it at the two fighters. I didn't hit anyone, but the blaze separated them, giving Juke crucial time to breathe. He shot me a thumbs up while brandishing his weapon, threatening the Bringer just enough for him to back off.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjixu3ziA0D
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJur0640RZ
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4GkTtwwou
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT1YpXjx3z
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs6U4gIBSY
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOQHHMuPmd
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CCcSMx2yd
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqIDGcBgxU
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“Crap!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa52RdJCNJX
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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–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmtXvRLlrA
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**CRUNCH**260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV63TzkC354
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNjvB0MrG5
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrzp8AFg7m
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFh5mMmDUO
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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–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ml7V4uDfI
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“Child! Child, please!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNAJVXCSWg
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“W-What!?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYLLsvMUsi
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0V8X2YDkG
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSgcsG1bfz
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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!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AU2pTLBlK
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“...”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjvrecvWY2
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBNTV6wdN1
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY69OKKxoN4
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpM7YjOvGp
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDAZ4iTKWa
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Even though it would just take making a small dagger out of earth, sinking that time to free him felt like a terrible idea. I knew it was possible, I knew Juke could last long enough for me to do so, and yet– and yet–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ52DjQ5Vb1
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAfHcc3z5Y
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRwASBK7up
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC1URAcxyR
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Zccbufb78
“Kid! Watch out!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckRPcqJMqa
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrArNXHbDd
“--Huh?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBZ74VA4eX
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QIM04Pult
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDDqRYtfuB
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQEG96Qx1b
“S-S-Shit!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC2w6wKZwT
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF8ZBgCwxd
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQIhHsSntG
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkhlk8EOGP
**SQUELCH**260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzsr6cJJnC
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYyGR7tnxF
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfdqbtp7hA
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEdyVBXhCB
“--H-Hrk!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqBornc0zI
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtrSINRRlE
“Oh?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWh7II6MFz
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5YbpTNBCP
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsno8MRxiuU
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TAqRzPwgb
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMam2cZyx9
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDqHZkLUYx
“Ark… W-Why?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskWcKyp5z3
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVFUlpXwsl
“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?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Pu0E4A1TF
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7LAlXImeB
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5K3ZDYSWSx
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqNyatDWRv
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg7Hm71n69
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb9CSbShax
“A– y-you monster!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEcjmciY22
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaG6spuLWp
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oXc3IyJNp
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI7zcEXjgD
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j1v5VmleI
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqqLTphtnn
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPqjD8UAUQ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlOvq2WjAQ
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCm2eMNs0a
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GXkjaX1SY
“A-Afraid?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSYPZDmT8p
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Te5iEjpze
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KJlJ10EUj
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o3yhCPIaW
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfWiSmLExl
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ukqk3dsOm
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlLz8kaFG2
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvqsTGaOk7
“Damn it. Damn it!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv1tyCfNbG
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wvMrit0J8
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroJmrpkblK
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CqzdZgl5E
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2hGz0u83G
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkgeSYegQ3
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrTDJAYE2T
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo38CrvkfWE
“T-Thank you.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2pzI9Vsaz
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR7aXJBsQm
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXFMJhEp01
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPQk3rpHQG
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmnVAxtVqi
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D2ZjogV7b
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3NUJifnU6
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBdkmYwo94
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdEwTTYGLl
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz9vY8ZeFX
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz7NwlSJGR
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnyjGNbif6
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR7uur5EcW
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaFNwfORxo
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdehdCzdv4
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNhHOt0SEI
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrkrDWBhoo
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRNrL0zm5E
“Juke!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRjSoDGd4w
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sVX1Yg55S
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTix79FJgA
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd9xbp0QcP
“That kid is such a nuisance!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tcC0mhmgn
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1TBtxltmM
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsTaSbFBOb
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Fortunately, it didn’t have to.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1MWQsTmBx
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62ItWYUSkw
“Ahck!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGnnZJKDx1
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81TBmnHTMP
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93o1cx48Lb
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYLYMi6HU3
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzg8GTjDcdA
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwwvEzSDTo
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFGhZzdR8n
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwSe7idNL5
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVMK073zti
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But, that did not happen.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JoKuxhExl
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjuNRW2iCD
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 Bringer260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp85rzMZXK2
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbDbGsjdvL
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkB53iM84J
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce4XoNIhF3
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2eurYKgpD
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MIRcg2pPH
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9MASjwU30
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCJ2QRlZQl
And he let it rip just a moment later.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCXpDUpaRJ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpwmXSjFw1
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Nt7LPpOKj
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13ZNKgEdmU
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe04rdd8KCo
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMNwMubcwq
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g12TjoKIB
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf9J078xyI
“...!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS1kqbo95x
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEkEV6JFPX
None so fierce to kill my plant.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXxxvUa1ho
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEyGJT12pW
“M-My arm!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aOvshNSgA
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFoiqPQeql
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oIZjP00Dp
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvauFaX6FZ6
“Juke!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndbzNNVzbp
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYNJh34PTh
“Gotcha, kid!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvzOKa4bXs
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQk9Bd7Rsr
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt255ltKIKN
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCBwA8ExU3
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBvnRK0e8g
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJLO6nga4Z
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR13382Zed
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC45CWvsQBQ
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJQDHCmqiq
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreKwsg8qTJ
“Hrk!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHuNLJeEdU
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiEDeqh8rP
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdilI2uTSyC
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQJgD0MmeY
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJpATfL9wi
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaILCLFQl6
“...”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJa4Wuel5m
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrAHrfj2ft
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RNkQf0XWV
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI84gZViFAj
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk40ApXHyvG
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC5cjhZI0v
“Curse…”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYRLishj5T
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVPgjKXtu8
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRRuvHvTav
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3YQMEitU6
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZyuoRWn6B
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBabyVpaUPl
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ6kEDyCdT
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbf65LMjIv
“May they, be few.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJlRT8Vz9w
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTGvMXvMFd
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz3yfcpG7R
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbCe7ovQw2
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuznNsyQEb
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDRMBobyXF
“That was… sad.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSxcLtJjKX
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON8utue1XE
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijjCoRxIIf
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAxC4ZsvXr
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2nCVpXyqR
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrKWRW7qlC
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WnetasVXu
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxNblStbtt
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85Vfkdha6R
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptjt2WOuaC
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab1wZBiAm2
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8cc6zsRO7
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdRnMR4YVn
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK43JS7aOmh
“Don’t continue.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaJASUwD2T
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecvb9A8Hn7
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJQHMAjkoH
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfNRLe7flZ
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0wpB9N2Zm
然後按「加至主畫面」