“...”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2EVsytOwS
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“...”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfGOWQh7KN
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmSi1bZ5f4
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlFiOkU3QO
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVf3RsL4Tf
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“I have a feeling–”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFMA1jEdk2
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd9dF9UDr1
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpsUseCvZu
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“Do you also have that feeling?”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpRkEBF7Dn
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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.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaknZUXGmU
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“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYnvGo55y5
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4i4XouP4c
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaBkqMdXm3
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“Y-You!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9Lvcxsat3
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovshNuKuK8
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIYwix0qy7
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“A-Alright!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFRpXrgW0I
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErsDNj90E4
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRehpJcY9X
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWiMXD7mbO
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JqfBLGh1Z
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“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmQsGEP0ri
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFSm8qh9ht
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“He’s alive!?”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudKZfvod74
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgI87g60j0
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“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5b6IYy3wm
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“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfrj6laq3S
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWOgVvHB16
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyu2luPIUs
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lmk2VYhoK
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“...Well, not exactly.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwHeSDpru3
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuqfmCgWGJ
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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.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMurhHMd4s
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“Tell me, won’t ya?”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1iyVlR3X3
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“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70hfDycNzr
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“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox8S9wP8qE
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“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0vlX1djxE
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“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaQhDJlhBA
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBZVME2Xzi
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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!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXZ7bZYqNw
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He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZVAVKE1eN
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ilJieBagS
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3y1Ex5q39
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUINz4vBDT
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVvLrCiibT
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YRh0APkLP
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoEyGvwCGQ
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01GeLdf0Pg
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OQMVOFYc2
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–
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–
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–509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDJCGkQ9xj
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlluaz5rLLY
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBu3QYY2sB
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbX8Z3ziWvw
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtF46yY3nkd
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneE6oRZ7CZ
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l0qC6Cyhh
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjWKzmWx10
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtareU76aNf
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhfqdDsOwU
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm4lEsxYMi
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUbK0DMGss
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLB8FOYkA41
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxgkk33oqv
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssncZyANcQ
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“Crap!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkzHnELCON
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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–509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5HqyyNaP5
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**CRUNCH**509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEDviBG9dj
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TksiwZWkB
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPGf7ygePL
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmWyNm6H3i
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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–509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqn150KSWn
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“Child! Child, please!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVEu1qgD8D
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“W-What!?”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cjm9MWpNt
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj63OlxHVNn
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hqzjYFCnl
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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!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJyXik3AEJ
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“...”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVOxD6ns89
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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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnGp01kEoJ
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CBt0oGEcd
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDAQopChtu
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa24Y51ZZ5n
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc1vtcapgM
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–509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFCyRKbFzD
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkt67UbfZZ
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU1s4yWIzT
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4Tyeb1kGm
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1GfeI7bK2
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD95u7SWGh
“Kid! Watch out!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP4evE6ZbT
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonzfomDBmI
“--Huh?”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28fmMek3hg
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRbRCfxvdR
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWozuYk6Jlc
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fat8AntQj
“S-S-Shit!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDPfPKvL08
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAbluMKMEW
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ157xdMwzy4
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NvyTgy8qc
**SQUELCH**509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQjnJ0EBYz
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlA7PzoivZ
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7mlErnckV
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xfjrHsWQf
“--H-Hrk!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiabCh93vIM
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWorKJxZNN5
“Oh?”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXB0Reerfx4
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHerS3sqIQ
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47H6ORkRvH
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKHyOrJalI
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TjWxJfnnr
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOo0keUBp4
“Ark… W-Why?”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWEjQ06lDK
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooLMLgjJZ2
“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?”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw6slmUXzn
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrFHN4UUqV
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlASQUt2CS
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcZjrsh30O
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO0VsyrdfL
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8PKdbbbE4
“A– y-you monster!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qFuPPekIR
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9K8j9Gmbf
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B3pSu5SxC
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1QD0RpN2A
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCdxohlOB7
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyd5HfrAsC
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbmfDpEXKJ
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdYT469I6X
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7l0Gurrbc
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8X2hSPdeP
“A-Afraid?”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8eRyaPYVm
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxvtKqRt9N
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0iCVHP5We
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaiWgSdPH2
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaFcFl0FBw
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5Ttnkhk5W
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO7k7tjTlt
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZZgrINvSC
“Damn it. Damn it!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JHhGf7gDa
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V9LsCSxxt
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjwcsyokVo
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uuN3HoHBh
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3wYoEeTxy
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AJG3Ur31N
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IaCyEGe84
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGj930qKie
“T-Thank you.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1WrrkGA7r
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yb4LX2ojI
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zeVk8vSyn
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpnpjWZtWE
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDt0j9oV5I
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VUFzUVgGT
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0BPYaj8aw
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwgGgMDQoE
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq89GmSXa5T
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuSKxXaXYQ
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutNqUfgG4p
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVukqjkDTQ
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSmJBJi1wI
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNqlgOXzPm
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rzlzM0Bfu
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7KBCgBvPS
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdikkE00bzf
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp9LDzgJyU
“Juke!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPTfELxTMa
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOA36iSwHd
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡia7aWHd4dM
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURKBALlNln
“That kid is such a nuisance!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3XFwCNarS
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb94QgBDqwt
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xRGAcFuWN
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYbdixlq40
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1EkosyUD0
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21gZTLGNpH
“Ahck!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja1deJAyxS
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlEAejGLBG
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oMkv5g45c
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXmtoCE1XS
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8M48v9CDC
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodLdEcKpvN
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKpKiKv4Ac
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWGY6QZ0jF
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVbP9KWiRp
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLsnvFfQ6M
But, that did not happen.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYjueosDAG
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgO0kuviBD
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 Bringer509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31AdDvYFEn
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHNJFfsTby
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbM3GMb0Ns
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6Aofgf6Br
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3runL6EF7
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyKRCOuOeV
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVgVdQ8b0b
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxInernHXKy
And he let it rip just a moment later.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN25Xs4Rf5
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOL2JovWnD
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Bzix79LkD
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRVOlTlWHI
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LgGaMyqQr
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pE4U446qI
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsyqCavJZw
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDTfssAN6e
“...!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GrCbWpdSe
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeJDmgZppw
None so fierce to kill my plant.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy0bWcTjyd
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYgPmAIR61
“M-My arm!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOFGMofoTs
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUdLZjaHZg
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzRUcI91uZ
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs5I3iUeum
“Juke!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv7MyADE2b
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxkhwBLI7T
“Gotcha, kid!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ012m7oQmPO
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEF4x6EdCF
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN7SeuhuFw
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09mCJuq1jj
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIHY2vThU1
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzERJOA8wv
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCOIQxkGBe
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuQyV69EpW
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFKvdCLDvS
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfHIEFgf5q
“Hrk!”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OKNRmwWSx
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzsAkxqyIU
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAlMHubcQ5
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tavYSl0dG
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQUufvLT3l
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO98M5ZsQ2
“...”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kdU8E2Tne
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhXpMqYxG1
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡih6jwWuZrc
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM76aGxeU7E
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P3hfDtoHW
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hLeAUJ8hi
“Curse…”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2LEFLrr0H
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssmW9M1VKt
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwPRPS3nnH
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEUNWLAZIf
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBN1MCWnYL
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PV27EJ9Jp
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjCYB9B5Ku
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLJsQOic8N
“May they, be few.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt9RRT6a6J
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTHHf9gn2J
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSq117ljJAS
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVArT3zk5x
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PpnFo0N6w
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnDpv2sejS
“That was… sad.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrPPxeBwsj
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGf05lBVGuN
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kylG865iH
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICeJq1cdcn
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZAX6QkNub
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2H3rubn8g5
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5REj4FAnxn
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bQyEa6IrR
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrd6Gc3N4VY
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmwQHjLhaa
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVf2aa7LTFi
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsekmz0wNfZ
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxTQaK1I8j
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aZdXUX9in
“Don’t continue.”509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UMKG7n3TI
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDJ2d2AMVX
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.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdZk9n5MT9
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJo9nDmPnJ
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqI6494JBP
and then Add to home screen.