“...”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3d4zNYbFc
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“...”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMlr4gMVQI
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1KWfhyRML
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wTTRUEKp6
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfdnxtUChP
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“I have a feeling–”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8GIbbFCaP
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWB88JLHrg
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPtnZvnEsJ
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“Do you also have that feeling?”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkw1FP1MB6
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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.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KSYPrAPem
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“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3HWBMz1jX
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiOrciy0kt
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK8XgtyrXl
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“Y-You!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0D0jzC7fD
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGYjpUVjZ6
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC6Bxfyd7U
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“A-Alright!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIWowDdkjD
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM5OZbysW4
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW6cwYdFf8
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9NkkfiZdQ
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6qc5NJ0Fr
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“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFEspksW14
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5KzjqkgHi
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“He’s alive!?”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M9CvmFtPp
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjEdS7R0H0
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“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS3C06amR8
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“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xmb2j0FQE
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHcQ9eUbLD
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnE4cqMXG4i
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iHfHu1iQR
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“...Well, not exactly.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R3golJx12
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiO5kUb0vTo
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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.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtup0jNEr4s
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“Tell me, won’t ya?”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVLhJZdqCf
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“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkn3P3Mikx
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“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDin8RcewJ7
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“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9Rbvy8oco
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“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTrWSt0Xcq
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTRta7vmHs
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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!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDVvxcDVa0
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He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijqBVh2VZd
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8lqbM8Qi4
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvFiElwoCq
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37HBMsekJH
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgggmxZ5DX
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnibP3jZPG
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2co9DcMya5
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPneq5SL2uG
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI3IxreUq2
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–
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–
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–294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyYnggXYUj
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ94gtZPhVp
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdFYH7WRlV
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgKuBiYAV0
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7BbyR4aJe
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiLo5qPvi6
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy9pPYFE1P
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHYnoC6Xcm
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXNv7pQlrs
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBHynme45t
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtHzmPzpQ6
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrATkHEhkG8
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWK3IPVznu
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7HBa9Rv9M
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BH0PqGzT4
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“Crap!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7HwnIJYCc
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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–294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU33K1f8zB
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**CRUNCH**294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL9hrvPMEy
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSydmXU5pE
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7ajO8YnQj
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96WnIDQg3t
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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–294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yfqHEkgYX
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“Child! Child, please!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvG3B9opmOi
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“W-What!?”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2krsciyLg
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQn2XP1ASXL
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r7eVAygTF
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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!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKceBKinlwc
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“...”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXA3hcXokc
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCI2PBvPXz
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiAWwSlWVG
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdnj32uzKh
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBVlR9g00r
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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–294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXF9roW7S6Y
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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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BRhYKObn1
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRG6O283bJ
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NCAePSstv
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbmdPdWtRo
“Kid! Watch out!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBQtyiPsTY
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmEz6XVvWf
“--Huh?”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs3Xp8I1GH
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJYOXFH9pV
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6xmAeg9ij
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vpqs9omu5
“S-S-Shit!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWimaT4UVH
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRWERGo80V
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu6sqYp4ci
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJO3qzp2Qt
**SQUELCH**294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFLpTS7kFo
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlKOWDLPzS
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh4fRhaBwm
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdUC9hsaOj
“--H-Hrk!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku6oWNRGqD
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE4EKBCX2e
“Oh?”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT44Cc0X5NF
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbod3211aGQ
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMgD1ZTZjH
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4WsE42KY4
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8hbiiJy21
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8URRePFCWy
“Ark… W-Why?”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNt8cSHwyY
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2GAobgP3P
“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?”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1MLv7852S
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRNXiMHNtE
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvveE4iG08
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSq6gIGOE5
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZpDc8iE82
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsA6Gm7JPu
“A– y-you monster!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAizHeveSA6
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVs6yque83
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS86dxNmb4
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteKRsKu4cF
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUfsXvCKOs
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmhtQr8T20
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybhHRlEYOe
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhiitr4bhD
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5jB4EbSWK
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZdAsNbImB
“A-Afraid?”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5Pu6I0oRn
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaUHsqcXhX
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVpASp2qLP
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefmplszaw8
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡum04Dba5hk
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuet7R2V4R
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjO2Yn4M4y
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zgXD9DfSi
“Damn it. Damn it!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoxHttghO1
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexwlF8WDnw
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg7gaSKGQj
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1c5rJFIOv
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYpY0VHlGv
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpNbD0TjBQ
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcJx7AVylh
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix1oszpSCe
“T-Thank you.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3Hls3aV3t
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxOVFcNq9t
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd4fJvSMG7
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdTNruztZv
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDOi4qmL8R
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMbHxafoHd
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwboNFrYCKo
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZ9g7y9fqc
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndMEAeHIf4
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlBXabyzYu
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALHYPua8qu
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24EiaCvq4R
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdCVpWRJsm
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0leXulQfR6
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6HHQksZuA
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySklMqXxkH
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTGDGhD24T
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqxnyRMNH5
“Juke!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWyk96AsHe
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cKJL2UrHm
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtAt6U7F7Y
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE61Q5iW0AD
“That kid is such a nuisance!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEWLkKzgnd
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNBdwN2Q7M
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCCvKczfEY
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpV5kfXsPe
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotnqC7oadM
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiI8R7TBo3H
“Ahck!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEn3LCS2AV
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCDF8p2hgI
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB4VTixuPH
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDKmItAi4c
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZjoeRho9s
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZM0b6uurM
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMEeteNiAg
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVitWDeQaN
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK10UAwScr
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPcavPrQPn
But, that did not happen.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTmOFmFkhC
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvJFJjgllO
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 Bringer294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVICTlmbGkm
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv1fSUHgm0
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZltGhMYb3W
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqG8eGnHLy
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyVkbM4Gua
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiuShcHrGA
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT3FJGxPG3
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWyftDTJsn
And he let it rip just a moment later.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCQ4KqeNzM
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDquBAMY5yF
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4e7dGZt5P
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1dWIkMcle
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLqhN6Na8d
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uIMPMLCUa
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleMYrJo0Qt
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NMKyvSlZl
“...!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi2oNPpOGU
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasQPtc6rRH
None so fierce to kill my plant.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrAozUJGkV
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHQDRUtwhF
“M-My arm!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAuZ6gtiZU
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuQwUaAWaL
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6DXXxcMzi
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8Puz7O2wy
“Juke!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbiA9eeq6X
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGgX14QMVp
“Gotcha, kid!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8blJyKMiT
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfT4K1ep4vl
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNOAC1bRrw
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8ybVRHQgt
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FKyXBh9XT
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHVMyMqZ2l
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsR1VUeE5o
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtphnb9WP4
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAFbzl6lvT
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWSrALbuSr
“Hrk!”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZI9XMSFD9c
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIlohN7dAn
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxxu5q5GKq
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4fxdDjB4t
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuPzaMDRdF
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw6oxBIkCl
“...”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8msKRz0JvF
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2a0j5qrQ96
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQVXGa9GQQ
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi0rJDxXQI
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRSt1QmoPw
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4aiVWMNgk
“Curse…”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEOAUKbrCk
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkg2UKTdid
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgMpNLYow7
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVlC3BVBdB
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwZZm3OGGY
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr3Jy25SyU
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSpdaKBtIc
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf64gG1F1Cr
“May they, be few.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoqRkAp1lL
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZiXD6rOdd
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqThtEYHRe2
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAqzbqPbQO
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfKzlMN5Sz
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6Wl1TKDkR
“That was… sad.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlZmc9PsFE
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q1qwO7aCv
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hYdCGEmlz
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbW8Uk1mJdx
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeVt1ZcmoE
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VxA9MDweJ
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2fvfY0jkV
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VTqKSAVCG
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1COrHuTOSW
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbdNWyS2il
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr81tWto6b
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyAYW7UY0X
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDpbFKEjDP
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlHTquSNU0
“Don’t continue.”294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilpDTVpJfW
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJySLdPwfma
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHg41c8NOB
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yNiK71lBn
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNA9lzawHE
然後按「加至主畫面」