Once I uttered that connection, my brain fused into one, and then I caught what the woman had just said. I was struck with even more disbelief, and looking at my teammate, she had an extreme reaction.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRf3DuGAik2
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeHmMvszfg
"Did she just say Hard-Bringer?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNyKElxK7L
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SPjU2jSzl
Confusion, rage, and fervor overtook her whole being. Even I had a similar reaction, though on a smaller scale. I could tell that she wanted to jump out, but I wrapped her around her arms.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPo3F90h31
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lHJuVMlOl
"What are you doing!?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSxU5IV1N2
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF7eYOmmbj
"Don't go making a scene! They could just be lunatics, and even if they aren't–"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluGeZD10nN
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsjQYONLU6
**BOOM**402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPMSAxU17G
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM0RvFpKnP
My hopes of this being a farce were instantly shattered. To our right, the top of a building blew up and caught on fire, and then an adjacent one followed suit. The crowd panicked and a cacophony of voices blasted my ears, deafening me. But it didn't paralyze me, and the same went for Rover. My meager grip couldn't hold her back, but I wouldn't let her face this chaos alone, so I followed her into the plaza. The people dispersed like a flock of frightened chickens, trampling over any unfortunate souls who had tripped. Eventually, the wave of people came to me. I lost sight of Rover and the speed of my chase slowed down considerably. It took my whole being just to not be knocked over, let alone move forward. I was shorter than everyone in the crowd as well, so I was unsure if I was even facing the same direction.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9u5YMN6iSo
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpecYj382b
"Ngh, damn it!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9ZK148wv2
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAVT2I99ON
Eventually, the wave of people thinned, and I could finally see what was happening in the environs. Buildings were still being destroyed. Some citizens fled from the plaza successfully while others were trapped by the plummeting debris. I spotted Rover in the distance fighting Hard-Bringer lackeys. The woman was still on the sage, and beside her were three other figures of varying heights and builds.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBb9TCTUp4
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ406aWKNAD4
I began mana expulsion, creating a spear of stone and gradually amplifying it in rotation speed and size. Before I even threw it, the woman hurriedly ran from the stage, and the other three dispersed in different directions.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmDpPISCQg
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8jrcUGrni
"How did they– ack! Nevermind!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUOTQjk5bg
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOYONd6pYM
With their clothes, it was impossible to tell who those four were apart from the rest of the lackeys. All, aside from the woman. She ignored all other combatants and rushed toward Rover. I raised my hand, trying to align my spell with her. It was difficult with all the shaking and sudden surge of nerves, so I just simply shot it out, closing my eyes as I did. When I opened them, I saw the woman stock still, waiting for my spell to pass.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZkwqgdvRa
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhuKK23YrO
It was like she knew I was going to fire it.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJFSVGvklQ
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse8oiQ3lEU
"--Damn it! Rover!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFTO42gD0i
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsbbCth9kY
I took out my tendril and was about to rush forward until I felt someone grab my shoulder. I turned around half in fright, but a warm feeling permeated through my chest when I met eyes with the person.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcThr9l1t5
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQhqU8ZSvt
"What the hell are ya doing here, kid!?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ce8zWYr9L
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF1YK9USxn
Juke, carrying his helmet in one hand, was standing there with a frantic expression.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbK2xUpqQ6
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpHHaSOALI
"I could ask you the same thing! Forget about it now, we need to help Rover!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XcRweyILD
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGnv9OjQoY
"Gah, everything's out of order! Ya strong folks are crazy!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfWLZ4nQBF
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgNBrY7NMM
Despite his complaints, he put on his helmet and drew his broadsword. We zigzagged through the crowd of combatants and lackeys easily, but by the time we reached Rover, she was being beaten down by the woman.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRAGSud0ov
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWFmroCOF9
"Ack, you– how the hell are you doing that!?" She yelled. The woman didn't answer her, but simply stood idly by, allowing for Juke and I to get by Rover's side easily.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuoD2WxYcK
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mAihuFSRj
"Huh? Juke? What are you–"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrQnZG4Njs
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6vcHJfAZ0
"Can ya drop it? Aren't ya fighting someone right now?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExa5xVfbux
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKPFXeRAaS
Reading between the lines, Rover faced the woman yet again. The woman took out a short sword and spun it haphazardly, looking at us with what I could only describe as disgust.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNWt5l1cKR
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBAgMud28Y
"Ah, so you do have allies. Tell me, are they as trashy as you are, girl? Or are you just using them as tools for your survival?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfXSXVUu7o
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciTjswodHB
"The hell is that woman rambling on about!?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FCnVPqcBO
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMjyVkwcPX
Juke yelled, and Rover rushed forward. After her first couple of steps, the woman kicked the air in front of her, and Rover flew to the side. I widened my eyes. Juke and I both stood there, shocked. Rover struggled to rise to her feet, rubbing her face and panting vehemently.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndt89ablJ9
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJkdusbtfn
"How the hell... are you doing that?" She hissed, her voice gradually growing weaker.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFba7PsGh6e
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHjTeLk57E
"Like I'd reveal my secrets to you, fool. You two, isn't she an ally? Won't you approach me too?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyCsxcRmLI
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsfgHBNyZr
Her taunting words invigorated something in me. I began mana expulsion, creating a ball of fire and splitting it into four smaller orbs. She didn't look intimidated. Rather, she was amused. I ignored her expression and flung the orbs in a scattered pattern. She dodged three and cut the fourth one with her sword. I didn't let up, producing a Freeze-Dry from my tendril. She widened her eyes and backed away before I even aimed it, a slab of fire forming at her free hand. I didn't mind it, shooting and encasing the area in front of me in a giant block of ice. However, only one-half of what I intended had formed. The other was liquid and vapor.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4CX4aidQr
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk6BEx6xdi
I adopted Rover's question into one of my own, repeatedly asking myself how it was that she was doing that.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLXT8WG5t0
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ95HAebuyI
"Hey, Kenny!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKdmXpZJCa
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUtIvE5sHx
Juke suddenly called to me. He was carrying Rover over his shoulder.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MlS0mTog6
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0kpByZcGX
"I-Is she okay?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD7iSro1Cl
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs2SIsCTes
"She passed out. Let's get the hell outta here! That woman is a Harbinger, didn't you hear?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmfnuRWznM
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrK9vAWzfX
"I don't know what that is!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHsYNYsrFg
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3cSOc4Mt0
"It doesn't fuckin' matter! Start running!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCbZFAQmPx
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF9KGPhRNR
Truthfully, I agreed with him, so I had no qualms with turning the other way and running. It was a nightmare navigating past all the lackeys, combatants, and confused people, but Juke ran confidently.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xnPKivBWv
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8WkKfQ64h
Though, that did raise the question–402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxiW8NKtui
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpZE2lC3WN
"Do you know where you're going!?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHNL0hp0rx
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkL9m18m2i
"'Course I do! We're going back to our lodging!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXO32gzX3d
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTY7uFyzgb
"Ah– where is Dennis?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hUNWBRZPQ
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4j0K6WT1j
"Hell if I know! I lost him in the crowd!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02jzp6ZwSK
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lLqZq6J6H
That declaration made my heart sink. I almost froze in place there, but Juke narrowly avoided a stray fire spell, so I set the thought aside and kept moving. We made it to an alleyway, running through it without much hassle until–402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWY8eZM9LC
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsmXAsueMN
"Shit."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TQuYIp3ia
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtMe4oQJnA
Juke ceased his escape and so did I. The end of the alleyway was blocked by a robed figure. I recognized him to be one of the ones on the stage. He took his hood off, and there stood a man with terribly fuzzy and unkempt hair.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwyCcatQmj
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67VSkSU8i6
"I have a question for you two," he spoke in a raspy voice. I readied myself to perform mana expulsion, but Juke put his arm before me, signaling me not to. He stood in front of me, blocking my view of the man.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwK4YO2sg0T
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcO6GCVYVdt
"Kenny, stand there, alright? I'm the guy with a helmet here."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdByeidETK
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39Q15f6d4R
"...Alright."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPcYfD1LJk
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirnRCn0riV
I didn't understand what he was insinuating, but I had faith in him and allowed him to take control of the conversation.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoEleyKg5n
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uVc5i5NXl
"Alright, I'll take yer question."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIUyt4JDjd
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1C3zIRuLe
"Are you two Zarielites? Better yet, are you two the ones who are delivering a letter addressed to the Eastern Country?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Er2firI1y
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D6kilD2q0
I froze. My face must've contorted unimaginably. In a moment of understanding, I thanked Juke for his quick thinking.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki7BaUNqMg
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABAsZpjDR3
"Nah, these kids and I are just passing adventurers."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfBqIVwHCs
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuktPYnvrw
"...Passing adventurers? That explains the attire, at least."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvjG9CTvTC
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53Boui2mmg
The man stopped speaking.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpNX83RB4f
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sxoTBw2ks
"Alright, carry on, then."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhhi5r6f4g
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv6uWAcMCW
"...Eh?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTXg1NLaKJ
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd8cjR7i8g
I shared in his confusion.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlRL4gggSj
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcKKowSdyG
"I believe you, so carry on. Don't test my judgment, please."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvl47Uhcm8
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYJ0FGCEWO
"I-If ya say so!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JVwP7xOxa
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2suRizJBgl
Juke and I hurriedly scampered by the man. I tried my best to avoid eye contact with him until we made it out of the alleyway–402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurdac5Syi5
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSlMqVGPja
"On second thought, I need to ask that kid one more question."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRARjeXXIAQ
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakgDZRwKOH
And then, I froze. I didn't turn my head to face him, but I had my ears open and my mouth ready to run.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJfx6RDPqE
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fXidLndBM
"Your visage resembles a description we got of an outstanding Zarielite. Tell me, kid, does the name 'Bison Frost' ring any bells for you?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRamyCWENE
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSu6Bjqurz
In that instant, I felt as if the pace of the world slowed to a crawl. My mouth was ajar, it produced a sound, but not one of coherency.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMG5oIcWoc
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSoXEugtQa
I didn't say anything. I didn't even show him my expression. I didn't have to. I was stuttering and gibbering for far too long. My eyes met with the man's; his pupils had contracted and his calm mein mutated into a face of rancor.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FDowhbU6s
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxDamUl9DJ
I had spilled it in such an unfair way.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRJVlvEDbX
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ1xqJttiX
"Damn it, kid!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMd9nJ3zLw
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknEqKmI3Ij
Juke's vexed yell brought me back to the present. He shoved me aside and sent me plummeting to the ground, and he narrowly evaded a ball of fire flung from the man's palm. I unfroze, drew my tendril, and swiped it at the man. He blocked the strike with his arms but crashed into the alleyway wall, forcing the air out of his lungs. With the man dazed, I got up and joined Juke, and then the both of us turned around and sprinted in the other direction, casting occasional ganders by looking behind me. The man recovered quickly and broke into pursuit, chasing us into the populated and rowdy street.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgGwuxnzqB
I noticed the man performing mana expulsion, and from the lack of any tangible objects, it had to be a wind spell. As they were quick, dodging wouldn't be possible. So, producing a Valencia-Bloom, I skidded to a stop and veered to face him.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0zfx58U3u
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rMV1gDF46
**SMASH**402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxglXw1A2a5
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1J5OtahJq1
I blocked the spell successfully, but though I avoided being damaged, the force of it sent me to the floor, and at a tremendous distance. I discarded the Valencia-Bloom and produced a Blover, aiming it at the man, but I didn't utilize it. That was because he was engaging with Juke.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQxmq1RvqX
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIEX9okZqH
"Ah, gonna have to forgive me, girl!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWd4mXq9ji
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoopigVNLH
Juke carelessly threw Rover my way and pulled out his Broadsword, gripping it in his left hand. The man reached into his robe as he ran and pulled out a dual set of curved swords. Even under his helmet, I could see Juke's lips shrink and his eyes enlarge. I ran to the unconscious Rover, throwing her arm around my shoulders and struggling to lift her. Then, I eyed Juke's bout with the man, waiting for an opportunity to interfere.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡido7eziAoX
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfMfW54hiT
The man raised his two swords and leaped at Juke, bringing them both down like they were hammers. Juke blocked the strike easily. It was obvious from their builds alone that Juke was physically stronger, but the man had a freakish dexterity. He retracted his blades and swung them, spinning around as if he was dancing. No, he was dancing. It was at a level of elegance unexpected of a man as shabby as he. The flurry of strikes quickly overwhelmed Juke– but, he didn't get hit. Though his sword dance was trouncing and enchanting, his speed suffered considerably, so Juke quit his parrying and ran backward, flipping the man off.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrRFE6SgQm
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEyOxL3xFL
At that moment, I began mana expulsion, conjuring up a dense rock the size of my head and throwing it as the man reapproached Juke. However, the man managed to jump over it. I bit on my molars and tried again, but his battle had resumed, making it impossible to safely shoot another one.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWkrZJlyZt
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFFrzybhNu
"You've impressed me," the man yelled, "I suppose you aren't a combatant for nothing!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNZpLuth46
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5RF3grzAJ
The man sliced and hacked at Juke, each swing of his either being blocked or narrowly avoided. It was clear that Juke couldn't keep up with the man's speed. Sweat ran down my brow, and at that point, I started to believe that just throwing something out would be better than waiting.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAfLixxhn7
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTBplWWsP9
Then, I had an epiphany. I removed the Blover and produced Dragon-Maw Jr., extending the tendril to the two.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuCJiAQqas
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1CxkbPXWS
"Bite at the homeless-looking one!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuDxPtYXWO
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUughuBL3l
Dragon-Maw Jr. followed my command perfectly, snapping his jaw at the man. Though he wasn't struck, the man was forced to evade Dragon-Maw Jr.'s attack and gave Juke air to breathe.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFu54wodSh
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKJekWYHXP
"Thanks, Kenny! I got a word I wanna say to this lunatic!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8lB1KoSsj
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bHRvKKKdv
Juke pointed his sword at the man, straightening his posture.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x9eYVBDYn
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVatpVWMzEc
"Don't get the wrong idea, I'm a pretty weak guy. Frankly, I ain't got a clue as to why I'm the one fighting, but I've accepted that these kids just operate like that."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOTJDxLlne
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhbaEGEVAS
"...What are you saying?" The man replied. I had to confess that I was similarly confused.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTU0EVBN7s
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRbyx1rLac
"Bleh, ya just don't get it, do ya!?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLXEdlbpr5
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGblTXuT6n
Juke altered his line of action and rushed at the man. He swung at him, which the man blocked with one sword, and as he went to counterattack with his free sword, Dragon-Maw Jr. nipped at him. He backed away and clicked his tongue.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrv5tqmSSb
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGgn4JSsRE
"That kid is a real problem, isn't he?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDKWQu41nu
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZeFR16cHi
His smile grew sinister. I immediately knew the devious action he was about to take.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRrYM3EKTP
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Grcy2MK8n
"Like I'll let ya do that!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1G9re1kZx
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqdiooFtPE
But Juke interjected, throwing a soft wind spell at the man and making him lose his balance. Dragon-Maw Jr. took advantage of his disorientation and nipped at him, this time, successfully tearing a piece of off his robe.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTnX2MNr7n
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK6Mxg4tta
"--It's not the kid, it's that freak of nature!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAfgsUlgY1
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8kQRUshhk
Offended at his insult, I let go of Rover's arm and began mana expulsion with my newly freed hand. Juke and Dragon-Maw Jr. changed turns attacking the man, and though it was assuring to see him on the defensive, progress to our victory wasn't being made. Thus, I created a spell of water. Instead of amplifying it and shooting it at the man, I spread it across the ground.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s3TVDMNY4
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACfOpJJNKt
"Eh? The hell are ya thinking, Kenny!?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvlubCKMsg
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWQnHC3yYF
I didn't respond to Juke's complaint, but I understood why he made it. The newfound slippery ground didn't just affect the man, but Juke, too. The two were disengaged but Dragon-Maw Jr. had free reign to wail at the man. And, indeed, wail it did. The man couldn't back away from the plant, meaning he had to challenge every crunch. I smirked at the development, sure that man would be done in.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvcRj47kK6
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But, that hadn't happened at all. The plant clasped onto one of his swords and the man used his free one to cut it off.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RlpikVoY5
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Its head descended like a leaf in the wind. I watched, powerless to remedy it.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhzefbuBhk
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"--Hrk!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2WscaRjYf
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Then, a sharp, overbearing pain permeated through my body– but I could immediately judge that this was nothing like my time fighting the beast, meaning that, even though I was still grasping at my chest, feeling the purple fluid leak, my tendril remained.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRozHUM8EA
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With the man free of any pressure, he took his shoes off and dispelled wind from his feet, blowing away all the water and dousing the surroundings.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiJmIzmC2N
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"Shit! Kenny, are ya alright!?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvth74QC0f8
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"Y-Yes! Sorry, I couldn't get him!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkyZ23VObG
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"Whatever!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ562guNyvcH
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The man pounced at Juke, who barely blocked his attack. They returned to square one, Juke and the man engaged in a lopsided dance of swords.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AnThpiCtM
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I began mana expulsion– but the creation of my spell ceased. As I watched them battle, Juke progressively getting weaker and weaker, my body froze.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89yQ0uadec
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I recognized this sensation. It was stark and familiar.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuJGrHDTp1
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Dread, worry, guilt–402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKNFb1Jfz6
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"Kid, back me up here! I ain't strong enough to handle this maniac alone!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9igdjkGFG8
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"...R-Right!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhHgsGbUqd
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Juke's frantic yells yanked me out before I sank too deep. I shook my head and thought calmly about the situation, taking deep breaths. It wasn't over yet. Besides, if something did go awry here, it wouldn't– it wouldn't really be my fault.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUtxsgoUbK
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With that assertion, I resumed the creation of my spell: a sizeable chunk of water–
"I got you!"
As I was forming the spell, the man had finally bested Juke's defenses. He broke his stance, and Juke momentarily lost control of his arms. That moment was all the man needed. He spun a full circle, slicing into Juke with both of his blades.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN6i1JnCsa
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**SLAM**402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaej622yb33
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That was what should have happened, at least– no, saying that wasn't accurate. Indeed, the man's blades sliced into his body, but Juke's skin was not cut, and the noise produced wasn't appropriate for an object hitting flesh.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDRS32FD10
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The man looked just as perplexed as I was, stock still as his mind processed what had just occurred. Juke directed us to a conclusion by raising his right hand and tapping on his helmet twice. Our eyes directed themselves to his metallic apparel, and I noticed the two narrow dents at the side.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lfkjHd9v1
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"How did–" the man began, but Juke raised his sword before he could eke out his sentence. The man noticed the action and backed away, but he was too slow.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqEbcG4uJi
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"--Ugh!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBPnXWFTYu
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His arm was rendered a bird by the speed it flew off. Blood splattered and gushed onto the pavement. The man clutched his missing limb, gripping the air twice before connecting with his body.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXFlbLh7um
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I felt the bile rise to my throat, but I couldn't afford to let this moment pass. I aimed my palm at the man and shot the ball.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd4MuI461N
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**SMASH**402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8g0lbSoxF
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The man collided with a building. Juke ran up to me and took Rover out of my hands and ran away, but I didn't immediately follow. I stared at the cloud of dust and debris, waiting to see what would appear once it cleared.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwkycDrRJL
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I knew it was idiotic, but I couldn't look away.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuZbxySQEV
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"Kenny! Kid, ya must've lost yer mind!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cjLoGyWiO
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"Ah! Sorry!"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp9u17Cir2
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Then, I turned around and joined Juke in our escape. The chaos on the street had cleared, and judging from the lack of noise, the one just a block away was dying down, too. But, I knew that didn't mean that the situation was over. That would be just plain stupid.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTKlB87VSc
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"Ha, hell yeah, we're still kicking!"
Though I shared in his enthusiasm, I struggled to even nod along.
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"Ah crap, are ya alright? Don't tell me yer bleeding somewhere."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIbvIwK32x
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"N-No, that's not it."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd7vJNfRO0
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Admittedly, I felt queasy. It must've shown on my face. In fact, thinking about it, my hands covered my mouth instinctively. I was able to suppress myself, however.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOXM6In4vf
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"...I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing that much blood."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZopuNwZq7r
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Burying the resurfacing memories, I followed Juke back to our abode, leaving the pandemonium behind.
and then Add to home screen.