“...”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi0nZNz9cO
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“...”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF1hjVjvWN
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKSjcrdztc
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbBdDEkUok
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1Map3C2wp
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“I have a feeling–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZmjKSyex9
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B9do5G75t
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ug8Umc4CI
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“Do you also have that feeling?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywbMVOYqzZ
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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.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyhoU9IaBB
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“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqhz7zUwsJ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwI3TzratU
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FajI5MR8H
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3UX9lVsf4
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“Y-You!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLGLgnFB8h
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nFfhdG7ga
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMNMF4UAA0
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“A-Alright!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRb5Dzb5Sb
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiYbpI55rf
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTyRVu48H0
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3Px4koYiV
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PPZPQ7GvV
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhqPV6JJfq
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEgjMHxrRp
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKu4q9OQkeU
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSoYmmFR3f
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“He’s alive!?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE695ZZpGVd
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7kQalqxMo
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“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo7WOeH6T7
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“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX4WJbj2D8
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4oreITbR4
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ230tbyCHQi
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxAswwLKzS
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“...Well, not exactly.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNg18k2sQ4
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtypALSxyB
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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.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyKvQcIyhu
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“Tell me, won’t ya?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2CxhHGPQS
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s39Y2P9CP
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6CgnyqVlB
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCxHmKE2Ao
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV30biDU5uI
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“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBql6JJz3Pf
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“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpt3kz05XB
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLdxHWoy8g
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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!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPtyoyAxRa
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He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNFXEixdry
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUvbD8Npo1
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGisphsiY0
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO23Hd8o7s6
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uLq4vNlyN
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLa5v0qomk
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8VwSH0vxj
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6HGBdsnmg
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGqdrqqkeU
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–
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–
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIDFxgcFDu
–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7JuSxDiIt
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTqD7MwE1g
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUcZiFdM4p
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTKReRPbAS
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBVs2bqy0l
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKttH70IxF
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaD18tPHe5H
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0PTrJ7Pwa
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A7kKtQQQY
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqRHwTQrzI
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V58otJxYJ
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDw9Ge69ndO
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XG7KuUxbF
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHecncbQv8N
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iRZjLFvKp
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“Crap!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWkwEtyiFu
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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–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JPINpXDVk
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**CRUNCH**226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFfoWLOf7s
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rhNup1hZj
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKy0NgfMs8
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7NjlOZRQx
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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–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODsMDoVpdU
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“Child! Child, please!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabwvuf2WUd
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“W-What!?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv70wUTQUVi
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpymGau2WF
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsZSGZnRkJ
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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!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvUcUajJO3
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“...”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2acL1QUCcy
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJZFsRgHii
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHdXz39rtd
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoVB5njGT5
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JM3vTkKNY
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn1KPTyOQr
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–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3x6iaHldG
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6O7BvxXoT
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ129TWE7zCF
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFe7Fa9IaF
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoNBP918S0
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaNnTDrtRF
“Kid! Watch out!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCOGDZIgA8
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusmbriYbZC
“--Huh?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhHQe472Qs
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nUohuPTse
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfWHBNfE6K
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxim6hXuSTn
“S-S-Shit!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDsfz174VN
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfFqMd3vfF
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR57uUWo0b
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ5vGe2it1
**SQUELCH**226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK2FvUra3P
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EnHaVjZgR
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SioS1yArh
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrVP3qJxPR
“--H-Hrk!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9scYO55zg
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxytEvmifT
“Oh?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NWSsvuyWA
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhlvA8W62i
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvZBpCvsME
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuH0VUOakDb
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl1VQ00KcT
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhZhXH8hXD
“Ark… W-Why?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd452kzWBL8
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4M5FHcNIB
“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?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvOhCPM90k
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhik8crlP5Q
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1HIJW0yMr
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPTuJBlrf6
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2R5aI50CU
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZNBpKlDIG
“A– y-you monster!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9F3KOX33z
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUU3b2iqUH
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBTEMG0Jbj
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjEm0Ay9VN
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd7eT72wYn
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalJqFlajjj
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvalMktMcz
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSjpFbVr3J
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQu06RvFRD
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycwB49CVAM
“A-Afraid?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd4jHS1ig8
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZngHDYwj3I
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG24MSDrCHU
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EGxWZwKoC
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6lD0iryPT
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofmJwyrqEh
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JNADBS1VS
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaOa6GNn7Q
“Damn it. Damn it!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJlpVOMXgt
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxauvjZu0n
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpij6UKNHDq
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gtaalwRjl
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W2as4mRxu
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh4ZrbCFpj
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9O8co3iyE
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOZEMo1SZf
“T-Thank you.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWXezHLUTH
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zLp18tGGe
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKrppFBNtk
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFYlErXKHp
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AfxEon22Z
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oICd9VFCV
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg3SpJ75iV
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLyMUzfczj
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXOs6L7yNl
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNXq0y8roT
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38BKXkgpH1
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCWMACCbTs
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0XdlrxNZf
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtvlgiokPY
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELWPllA2PU
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhKrHiZ1Aw
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaoouLV6on
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LqgorykHn
“Juke!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5cx58vd5n
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMgCDCg9pD
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTuO3K8gkD
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0msQtVaYx
“That kid is such a nuisance!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzx7knRq9E
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIhdalRkml
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YLOozrBfS
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xBCPRGwkw
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGF9bB3eQm
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49w7hGoHvi
“Ahck!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszCR2x9d4P
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAbul1qMMx
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kz1ADgigd
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG62MHwz7r3
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8p0yxx37m
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpiG5UJBMA
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs9vg0vUTu
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjKnWS4yh6
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzxHMhyC5l
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYlc5IKH5l
But, that did not happen.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3RhYMGFY0
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCGifq9QZA
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 Bringer226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ350NBZCQrP
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeyFO244bl
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89BxjRLv23
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y71DSPu87
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwCSej15W5
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Iz0w0u6Qy
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wynIWmTXe
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAStTLFFfIX
And he let it rip just a moment later.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1OU7AZjgN
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6IHSJUP6D
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuIUtRc7oT
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx53Q75fUSh
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36PIP4pB38
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3C5Z5VeTYA
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndjv1CPdqw
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxtY6HCMcP
“...!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEvzJJrYRn
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseN9u7oD8M
None so fierce to kill my plant.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN3aXs6mS6
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImoqNGeABb
“M-My arm!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJTL0TuiWM
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGWSZsrvSr
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCTwfbCicd
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmka2sojiY
“Juke!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡql2rkuL7AF
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2doRVCc9W7
“Gotcha, kid!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf3dYHDQNh
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6umT93estA
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VpVHLRsmb
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSQ6Wi0S4q
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2qe194hyD
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnjk1qL5oP
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuvW39kJtP
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa7vWuzNER
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9v43slyLK5
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJXlnJQbSR
“Hrk!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQK7bQqNZHU
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VBqO9OmA9
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwvR0yPgpN
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ310Z0Pdjwc
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUWZQtig4a
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eJLtRGzhm
“...”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqwMu80lCD
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3fYjewOxg
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSuXfbIuPM
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmN26lD6p1A
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8alqUgKarD
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTytVK8oro
“Curse…”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW7JTzP2TI
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERcPJnXQFZ
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH8NloHhUJ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe9X7yLlTr
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHFg0l1YTT
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5zN8eAgGg
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0ZgsiTNzn
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4B9fVKLJEc
“May they, be few.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WRyM80k2r
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmiFL5UWcQ
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr12PBWz3SX
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDydkPXP3g
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXbWhXBSoB
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnsvYRHvHp
“That was… sad.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UoT3adGmN
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlmV57CMWo
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjxPioq2gv
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PFpkC4kKB
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMeqAcaWjO
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfjVGQmYOA
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmX1CzWCPkX
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQR8cctpTD
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKznlZKiYo
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqKM84BmEM
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0nqbd6h9l
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwsfn1HYGZ
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NY3PPibDq
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjG2f4c9as
“Don’t continue.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1thLGnJttD
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcaTdSGLsV
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlrt660mMC
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pdJwMResf
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxArHSlCbo
然後按「加至主畫面」