“...”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEkjDSTE1C
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMK5Hbs1GUQ
“...”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDmDUXGQTP
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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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOKLPOdaHn
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHs1Cc8aJIL
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDfIXtO9bC
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXycrIg945t
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“I have a feeling–”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qP3A2MeQk
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXflzbTfKI
“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVmqu8Z3vR
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFyP6EtQxa
I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GnbXRJLNo
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“Do you also have that feeling?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfPezOxETi
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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.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRdrEFAYKR
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL3lKYKHV5
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7Se1Lca2V
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoUKTJo4T0
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8FuSxEIp4
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEClowybMG
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezc8LJodYk
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“Y-You!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6ZvRJuoTK
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsajtes0TV
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDuz24XnJh
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SPz3TFfZ3
“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFhgXba7GM
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs0GOMRwoq
“A-Alright!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN2tDw1rLI
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY4DyPjLCr
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHArHQIUeHJ
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfKam0mx76
“Hey! Juke, what are–”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW8SbyDAQK
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHum2jG65gg
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDipSLeNkG
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgTkcsmNTb
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUBy4vNZkh
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwmYPjQmcU
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05hSHCcfU0
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEwv47hiof
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdEZjQQqm7
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UuTsppq4s
“He’s alive!?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡns3mQuUpxA
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ChakxZtYq
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaL5wmhnxU
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYFxpYtsSA
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcW0hI3P9T
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDxvmpCYka
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LMrvPznse
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4exWnJL6u
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEgG4CZ6qy
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE5AdNAW4N
And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBepWErnZno
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J3JyJFosb
“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJbNMeq4rg
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwHATD0Y8A
“...Well, not exactly.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOo6Awe7OO
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOBCaHap58
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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.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8wf6eBK8c
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv4YnsTxTy
“Tell me, won’t ya?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbPbjYl5N3
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJ7dEdGefQ
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhGbVLnYRM
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JRrL5dTYt
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UTqSlrW7f
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAa4Picj24
“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pwOkDNdi1
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4W1GM7E0L
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOecEXkvpkq
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Sfx5hmP9C
I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVb36rng2F
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1TBmoIJAM
“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!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCvsFz4XhM
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1OEKO56Ba
He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vJ7Lud32W
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWs24EcnyO
“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9ciTTKgGv
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡficWidfcKm
The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u7eX01TgN
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxtXbJEUTh
“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw1DlsTqnz
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw8uRbyqdH
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbNGgu6WVI
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bkZU6DQy7
“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97G62sS7k2
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGiSQqOMNw
He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ6Xmu1sB4
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRd5wGdCGZ
“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisBAu0v88p
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz9jbVRcDX
And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtK4TqqUMs
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fsGsyqzBn
–
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–
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb8NTx7QSP
–299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8up01hxhF4
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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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRRtzhXBsa
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6MqU2sytv
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGmEwO4QQW
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq293UV89f
Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibOpERc75c
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRSa2T0HhO
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGWBbRPCMe
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64ij3mookF
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XfVBYbgIP
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdmGlLdlIg
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJy0IqzgYH
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.
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVVf0gsyTk
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.
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaN17aJYwg
**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.
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINDL7tQuY8
"I can just chip away."
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkMNCTjpvA
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!"
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPmfsZ5gQ2
The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapAXXDZxfu
"Kid! Ah, shit!"
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCldfRt9AH
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?
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzOSDWj2AI
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–
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67WDeKa4xF
"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZRWQgygtq
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQyQq7aeR8
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNMYpXKVcw
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcqdAnyW9w
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33EA8TSWam
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR4OfZx4id
“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy0BALxKxg
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUm02sGfoZ
After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MchV2HRbt
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tzRJq2LVZ
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytAbd2iLZR
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqkaovjM1k
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAAkjvw2Dg
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBxOYZTfcx
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAemNxeWgy
And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmowgeg3bS
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuLEISia5G
“Crap!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdq0dy0bYRK
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rPK8hkzMj
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–299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltQPsIQVTB
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7Rc8j73yh
**CRUNCH**299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnOJfFiCJ4
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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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxypc2SefYu
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxNoT6DYRO
Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXMhuRPABV
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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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iU5XqoQVT
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDhXtZUSUH
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–299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL4YBAcoSh
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0EglDfygO
“Child! Child, please!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9EheZiS4H
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUv4kfB5O8
“W-What!?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wHDMl8THh
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcXXuKat4T
My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAPbNhkaPR
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcVK8caxPr
“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQKV33AY1K
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1FTWpCrGB
“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYS3g2R0Cg
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPsHcgixoR
“...”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWOTjQN5aM
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb3eef6m7d
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExVmkclFtk
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiNOmmfMD9
With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPJj9lfnH3
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sJpyx0O8J
“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBen58GTUN
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU1r3oDf8s
“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUNn9ovrSe
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J272OZAzq
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–299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgUsYTE8cb
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNnnF9XjSr
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiwdaLkuNx
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDqYGKMX2K
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8WZ6Z8rfb
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEQlOxjOQB
“Kid! Watch out!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4oMcc8LZA
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxysJ387M4
“--Huh?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30qZbdjr6C
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1y8diRHN0
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA726W3X5OF
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsuvn9YpiQ
“S-S-Shit!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchkwpZkmkf
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRjbIjdQjr
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqFVTuEbKa
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCvJjKLaCf
**SQUELCH**299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMRn7Z3o8H
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrwvQcvD0y
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr39qaYxLx
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RTjo0QV5O
“--H-Hrk!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeAlb3s3A9
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDru6MbAgUl
“Oh?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpGcRV0ukS
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpxvhsXuuZ
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7stLcHCKO
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUcq9KzYyH
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWseqJ4m4Fn
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH9sJ2EFSP
“Ark… W-Why?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFPMHn8HC2
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgMBaSfYS0
“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?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhxxCUpVms
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1NnInXdEO
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJCKni4KQN
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNAps6sOYz
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEEapFBLlS
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQOyi2yuq8
“A– y-you monster!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXt5unB1UbA
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUlhIvw20W
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc3LEvb0Tt
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLkcqYIvT2
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZPvZceLaQ
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrv3TUeLaNg
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3QJym7EuP
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7JAwAxwWj
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Lb4GLJwvU
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgw6x02d9R
“A-Afraid?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdMqfGKBGq
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbKKcfI0Jg
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24rYiX7l5k
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG280Z3Vi9t
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcfJRnsBJl
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqfWJIcUI4
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxzz7PTKYt
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTCqVrVQNu
“Damn it. Damn it!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdPlywjvnu
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveJ8ImGewg
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn29BJslkS9
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VfutmjINb
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYGOiddJCv
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM9KU76E7V
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ756eKU9gdC
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiBYD2al2O
“T-Thank you.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqBeLC5tpG
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTX0S72PR0b
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVWqOYQvFs
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OPnTHgCcD
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp51A9cuyUT
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQC7xsmHmC
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxubqZArZJ
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yHA1rt1Hz
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6j43h2UEUA
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLZDqoXfAR
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuccjjWaD6y
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllaz09rxLT
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KLzpMobpl
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ECrP3ubKw
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIlJngLnAl
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8QzsEy1Z8
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1AhT1SxSA
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwAgIXBguN
“Juke!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q5E9zZmwZ
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipDJPcwEAK
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2amp2WBWp
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBmNJPHJXb
“That kid is such a nuisance!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XrAIIHJRr
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEulgvylG6e
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OyHni2fJK
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc503ifBMY
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHGg5Jyzyk
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEx0YOUlLx
“Ahck!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeQxsK2rT3
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX27cdN4T9
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LcgMqvVWV
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7Ma7wvYN4
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGOcxTZl3g
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeazvAKb5S
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFArjCRJrbM
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T6CJ8mgPs
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMCbTMtYRS
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zMZUC6Qb8
But, that did not happen.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwCcCL58uj
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz5LeTcndG
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 Bringer299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfAcY3qWmu
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuOA1cYaft
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbb19RqrR8u
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fywuqUwoE
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFylEvLusI
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFT180AFKq
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDF156EX0q
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd2TTR0UEK
And he let it rip just a moment later.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk92gx5ztq
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTQ8L6LNeA
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQyEjf7Egh
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxmVmrCMJi
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpadwWfgUXX
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7dWpBiJFr
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxG9w2iJJE
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AQR2MiGU3
“...!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxLo7vGVJW
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa3Zrn9ieK
None so fierce to kill my plant.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm9xkMpmR6
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEsmF2YWYW
“M-My arm!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WJ4P2ELFZ
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpglrsMwAQK
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtF2QKfxxV
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6Q2d1LbR8
“Juke!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fPw4myVBV
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNtxWc2Whq
“Gotcha, kid!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7xtg67zn4
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc47lETGPM8
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeyFExV4CA
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0iPxiUDOa
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy3IgYlk4y
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83xEvV8afG
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zG9FV69Wp
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhnPzeXvQ6
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6huBUQbiC
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiLJ4espbo
“Hrk!”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd96P32SkW
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0Vgw9zCtB
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QHJvClWAW
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1UcbmnPND
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dCWWqJggp
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdIbySEKbB
“...”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFI6UztRn3
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebLHOhLXpe
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwvlMt69do
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEHGImixNu
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L6khwb4XO
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyUyWWLtcN
“Curse…”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7biV5PxL2
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cUv6d9W95
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl4EXZOj4Y
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9d7oMlN44
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU92BAUz87D
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vB0sNGT9D
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6VDL9vN9X
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllMOunBQmI
“May they, be few.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8dVdyy9p4
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmCr7uzcuL
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXGfkOWsxd
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKwoCaEI0B
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZHRQDy4Io
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOTzBYoOjm
“That was… sad.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM895PadgW
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FsaGrRm96
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ4ii3WnFB
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSbT1doU7N
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVs8V1L9XF
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz3LwJ1Jyb
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcKEyYvpiw
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yJ24zzwb9
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSnuiSHqOq
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3bBpj0xxR
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UdNiKl52q
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1bpRHhpSd
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXc7jIWghum
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbouw9hKSI1
“Don’t continue.”299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP4bxWPRcl
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJJRUtvP0G
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBtSZswM4Q
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FqOChkqMr
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrhfTcu6F4
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