I awoke to the stone-cold ground and a repugnant, musty odor. I struggled to move or see at first, but after a few seconds, I was able to get into a sitting position. The room was dim. There was a large wooden door with metal outlines. It had a barred circular hole, and faint orange light was emanating from it.
"...Where am I--cah!"
I suddenly broke into a coughing fit. The air in this room was nigh unbreathable. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a rusty metal bed frame and moss and other greenery growing in the corners.
I was in a ramshackle prison cell.
"They could've at least put me on the bed frame."
I stood up and rubbed my head, wondering how it is that I even got into this mess. Then I remembered the beast, and the haze, and how Kim passed out in battle. The same must've happened to me.
But that raises the question: where is everyone else?
I walked up to the door and squished my face against the opening.
"Hello! Anyone there?"
I waited a minute. No response. Crap.
My first instinct was to bust this door down, but I stopped myself. If I were to make a ruckus, then that guy with the monster would come down and corner me. I couldn't escape the place by breaking through a wall either, since I was likely underground. If I were to escape, then I'd need to do it quietly. With that in mind, I let out the tendril and grew a miniature Dragon-Maw.
"Alright Dragon-Maw, serve me well."
Dragon-Maw Jr. did as he was told. He immediately shredded through the bars and then went for the wood next. Three minutes later, only the edges of the door remained. I stepped over the little piece at the bottom.
Where did all the wood and metal Dragon-Maw ate go? I didn't care. I was now in a narrow hallway with similar doors. I checked them one by one through the hole, and only when I reached the third one did I see somebody.
It was Victoria. She was lying on the ground, likely knocked out. Crap, that means the haze got to her. And Flinty.
Wait, where is Flinty?
I checked the other doors. Flinty and Kim were here. They were unconscious too, but I was relieved to see them. I let Dragon-Maw Jr. shred the door to Flinty's room and ran in.
"Hey. Hey, wake up."
I gently shook her. She moaned as she opened her eyes and let out a big yawn.
"Huh... Kenny? Where are–"
Suddenly, she broke into a coughing fit. I patted her on the back a few times.
"We're in some type of prison. Vikky and Kim are nearby, let's go get them."
"P-Prison?"
I released and woke up Victoria and Kim. They were disordered, and they also had coughing fits, but a few minutes later they were up and healthy. Kim was missing her sword, but otherwise, we had all our belongings.
"What do we do?" Flinty asked.
"I think we should assess the situation before we leave here," Kim said.
"Do we even know how to get out? And what about that m-monster, how do we take care of that?" Victoria asked.
"We'll find an escape route after the assessment."
They were taking being locked in an underground cellar surprisingly well. No, only Kim was. Victoria was chewing on her nails and Flinty looked distressed. Victoria walked up to me and put her hands on my shoulders.
"W-Woah."
"Kenny. You're a mage, right? You have those weird plants, right?"
I nodded.
"Please, bust us out of here. The air is one thing, but that monster..."
She began to shudder.
"I'd happily bust us out, but–"
"Then do it! DO IT!"
She started to shake me. I had to put my hands on her shoulders to get her to stop.
"Hold on, Victoria. If we do anything rash, then we'll make a lot of noise."
"I don't care! I want to get out of this forest, and I want to do it fast! I mean, Kenny, you saw that thing, right? Right?"
Indeed I did. The creature was the stuff of nightmares, I couldn't deny that.
"It's because of that creature that I want to be quiet!"
I raised my voice and Victoria stopped shaking. She slowly let go of me and slapped her cheeks.
"Sorry. I was freaking out."
"It's fine. Let's just find the exit."
She nodded. Victoria looked at Flinty and apologized to her. Flinty could barely get a response out, but she still had that determined look on her face.
With that, our investigation commenced. The first order of business was to find escape routes. We found one almost immediately. It was a metal door with a keyhole but no knob. I put my ear against it and knocked on it, and I could tell that it was dense.
Busting through this thing would require a considerable amount of firepower. I could penetrate it with my earth magic, or freeze it and try to break it that way. Kim also proposes melting it, but thirty seconds of keeping up fire magic gave us the impression that it was burn-proof. Considering how both actions I could take were noisy, we held off on escaping through the metal door and searched for alternatives.
Looking through the remaining cells revealed virtually nothing to us. There were a few metal poles inside one of the doors. I proposed the idea of lockpicking with it, but that obviously couldn't work.
Flinty suggested drilling ourselves a hole to escape via earth magic. I tried it, and though it was working, it was obvious that we would die before ever reaching the surface.
We were in a deadlock. We waited beside the metal door in silence until Flinty spoke up.
"I think... we should try breaking the door down."
"What?" I replied, "But then the guy and the monster's just gonna run down here!"
"I'm with Flinty," Kim said, "it's either we bust it down and get out or wait for someone to open it on the other side. The latter is unlikely to happen."
I wanted to continue my rebuttal, but I sighed instead. Victoria took their side as well, and now the three of them were looking at me with anticipation.
"Can we... compromise?"
"Compromise!?" Victoria said, "What compromise? Let's just get out of here!"
"I-I get what you're saying, but maybe just wait another half hour and see if someone shows up? I could also keep... fine, I'll do it."
I couldn't keep talking under the pressure of their glares. As much as I didn't want to do this, I didn't have much of a choice. I stood before the door and cracked my knuckles, then stretched my fingers for good measure, and began mana expulsion. And then, something made me stop.
I heard rattling from the other side of the door. Someone was mumbling to himself. I heard a click, and then the slow metallic creak of the door being opened.
I walked back. I was beside the others, channeling my spell with bated breath. I stared at the door as it slowly opened. A shoe appeared from the little opening, and following a grunt, the whole door swung open.
I was just about ready to shoot, but Victoria of all people put a hand on my arm. The man who opened the door was panting. He didn't notice us yet.
"Alright, is anyone... awake?"
His eyes were wide open and his mouth stood agape. He stuttered as Victoria walked over to him. And then, in a flash, Victoria punched the man in the gut, turned around, wrapped her arms around his neck, and flung him over her shoulder.
The man hit the ground with an echoing slam. He groaned and whispered "sorry" over and over. Victoria's mouth made a V-shaped frown. She brushed her hands together. As she walked towards us, she kicked the man in the shin and muttered "freak" as his groaning grew louder.
I skidded a few steps away from Victoria.
"So, what do we do now?" She asked.
Kim stepped up to the man and crouched beside him. She dangled a bottle of green elixir over his head: a healing potion.
I started to feel bad for that man.
"If you talk and get us out, I'll happily make your pain go away. Otherwise, she'll keep doing that until you bleed."
The man lifted his head and gazed at Victoria. She punched her open palm.
"A-Alright, I'll talk."
–
–
–
I took no part in the interrogation. Neither did Flinty. She seemed to be just as intimidated by our teammates as I was. At least they were on our side, right?
The man had no hesitation in complying with our demands. In fact, he apologized for putting us in the cells.
"I-I thought that, should you recover, then I'd be arrested and e-executed."
It was an exaggerated fear, but I couldn't help but understand it. After the interrogations were over, he agreed to escort us out of here, but under obvious conditions.
"First," Kim started, "you need to vow to never participate in monster-creation magic and abandon the forest. Second, you must either learn to control or eliminate the beasts you've created. And third, you must disclose all your research to the Kingdom of Zariel."
The man nodded to all conditions, but he still had a nervous expression.
"I-I'd happily comply, but there is one slight problem."
"What is it?"
"I'm not doing this alone, and my partner is... a bit difficult."
I understood immediately. We have a psychopath on our hands, don't we?
"Then, how do we deal with him?"
For some reason, his face relaxed when he was asked.
"Oh, you four are my heroes. But, be warned, he is a dangerous individual."
"So how do we deal with him?"
"Well..."
–
–
–
We finally made it out of the underground cellar. A spiral staircase greeted us. I was walking at the very back behind Flinty.
According to the man– whose name was Ng, spelled exactly like that –we were in a structure akin to a compound, just much wider in scale. His partner, whom he refused to name, was currently on the highest floor of the building.
The mission was simple: get to the top, get the man, and have him arrested. Ng would be exempt from any punishment.
Of course, I claimed it was simple, but there were too many hidden factors that worried me. For starters, Ng agreed to cooperate far too quickly. He gave this whole story about how terrible his partner is and whatnot, and though he sounded distressed, it was still suspicious. Secondly, Ng made little mention of the monsters, claiming he would simply "handle them."
I wasn't alone in my doubts. Kim was practically breathing down Ng's neck the whole way up the stairs. She seemed like a capable fighter, so some of my stress was alleviated.
Now that I mention it, I was acting far too calm in this situation, wasn't I? Well, that was thanks to Flinty.
She was gripping one of my hands as we ascended the stairs. It was cute, sure, but she had a very assuring grip. Though I'm sure she was doing it more for herself than me.
"We made it to the top," Ng said.
We were on a flat surface. Ng took out a keychain and opened the door. Exiting the staircase, I found myself on a grassy field surrounded by trees. Just how deep underground were we?
"Alright, just follow me now. Be wary of any stray beasts, they've been escaping more and more frequently."
We traveled down a path and arrived at a fence. There was an imposing gate before us. Ng advised us to hug the walls and we did. He loudly knocked on the gate.
"This is Ng! I'm returning from prisoner inspection!"
Silence ensued. Ng was impatiently tapping his feet on the ground, which I thought was a strange gesture considering his situation. But, on second thought, he might be trying to come off more naturally.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPW50lLjoKQ
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Kim, Flinty, and Victoria leaned over to watch the scene. Ng, sensing no response, knocked on the door again.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8oQlIQFhv
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"HEY! OPEN UP!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIBYXsEvAF
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He was acting quite bossy for someone so afraid of his associate. My trifling suspicions were turning into full-fledged doubts.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvJkHys8HJ
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"Something about this is fishy."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6S34OAS7t
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I looked at the other three. They nodded in agreement.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYZaqosjzw
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"What should we do then?" Flinty asked.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblxhvGwfVf
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"Kenny," Kim started, "take out your tendril. Prepare for anything unexpected."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVnAHIFati
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I did just as I was told. I eyed Ng intently. He started rubbing his forehead and then looked at us. Right as he opened his mouth, the earth shook below our feet.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjqnFRdZJW
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It happened again. And again. I realized quickly that it wasn't an explosion or something else, but rather, something big was walking. The image of the monster from before entered my mind.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1MyYY1mWn
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"Oh, that's Jeremiah. Jeremiah! Open the door!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVMf14vmyz
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Jeremiah? Naming something like that, is that some type of sick joke? I would've cackled if it wasn't for me trying to be stealthy. The walls were tall enough to where I couldn't see what was on the other side, but I could already imagine. The gates slowly opened, and Ng fixed his posture and had his hands behind his back.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bATgu5uRi
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And then.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpqCGu6HIt
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**SMASH**212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaH7C5SZmu
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The gates burst open. Dust and debris scattered throughout the field I was thrown into an intense coughing fit. I couldn't see anything concrete, but I could see silhouettes, and I saw the figure of Ng being grabbed and pulled.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uJKXMY9rr
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"AH! WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU– NO, HELP! HEEELP!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZlSiAaJ1V
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His wails ceased upon a distant slam. Looks like he made it into the compound.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedMxavLW9R
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"..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs48b7Gnd5y
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What just happened? I looked at the others, and it was clear from their faces that they didn't have any answers.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjBc6aDjx1
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When the dust cleared, I took a deep breath and crept to the busted gates, then leaned over the edge of the wall. All I saw was the building, standing three stories tall. Nothing was unusual about it. But then, the front door sprung open, and a four-legged beast resembling a wolf sprinted across the field. I quickly hid behind the wall, almost tripping despite barely moving, and I saw the wolf dash past me and run into the woods, howling more like a twisted man than an animal. And then, there was silence.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFXjkrJDui
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"..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBDHrZq1hX
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I looked at the other three. I struggled to keep a clear line of sight; my body was practically convulsing. I eventually noticed the looks on their face. All but Kim's, of course. If I had a mirror, I'm sure mine would've matched theirs.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBJoKWKhs1
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I looked into the woods. Dozens of trunks were separated from their trees. The wolf beast was gone, but the destruction it brought to the forest made his presence known.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmfwwZ5kqZ
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I took a deep breath. With the wall as support, I got back on my feet.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeqp8BbUil
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"We're getting the hell out of this forest."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx8xH3YpPa
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I walked back to the group. Flinty was shaking on the ground. Victoria was surprisingly standing. Kim was the same.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5smZHXdhOh
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"We need to leave. This is– whatever just happened, it's out of our league."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIQ4ds8C4i
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Victoria nodded with me. Kim looked at me and began to speak.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6Jy57bFGa
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"Before anything, let's get away from the compound and formulate a plan."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakdoR9GnjB
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For once, I heard a little fragility in her voice. Victoria picked Flinty up and hung her on her shoulder. Kim led us to the nearby trees. We walked for about five minutes before Kim stopped us. We settled down, taking off our bags. I turned my head around just to make sure the wolf beast wasn't nearby, and sat down, rubbing my face.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1A4z0gBAa
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Shit. This was too much. Nothing could've prepared me for this. So many thoughts were racing through my mind– where was the wolf? How do we leave? Was Ng's partner a maniac? How much danger were we in? I couldn't pause to even ponder the questions. My mind was in a numbing haze, and all I could do was stare at the grass as I breathed.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nEeOSbneH
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"-enny. Kenny. Kenny!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNpE4EJzrL
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"Huh?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32L19Ol0MX
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Kim was calling my name. It brought me back down to Earth.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLCEITIEO1
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"What is it?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dKvV3zaPU
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"You're the one who has the most firepower out of us. I know what you're thinking, you want to get out of here, don't you?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bJ29p8YnR
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"O-Of course. Not just for my sake, but because Flinty shouldn't be here anymore."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2ltV6FHDH
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Kim nodded. Victoria budged in.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEfOMXXBRk
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"I-I agree with Kenny. I thought we were just finding and arresting some crook, but it's a group we're dealing with, a-and the monsters..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1lXPaUIpH
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She stopped talking and looked at the floor, clenching her fist.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1AbA4GsY8
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"I understand your concerns," Kim said, "and I agree, from what we've seen, this is probably too much for Flinty. And Victoria, you're good in hand-to-hand combat, but these monsters are inhuman. They aren't your specialty."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoaejATXRN
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"Never in my sixteen years did I see something like that," she replied, "I don't even know how to start fighting it."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiytnNBd0nW
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Kim nodded. She sat criss-cross and put a hand to her chin.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSItm8psQp
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"I know you two will disagree with this, but I think we should still try an infiltration."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMh1j0R0za
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"W-What?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegv7fiC6LD
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"Are you crazy!?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscvKa5V1MB
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We both yelled. Victoria continued.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdBhcnito4
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"I'm not going inside a foreign building where that giant and god-knows-what else is calling home! I-I mean, even if we do, what are we going to do about Flinty? I'm completely against it, we need to get out of this forest and get reinforcements."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxfltCDutz
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I nodded to her reasoning. The idea was absurd. But Kim immediately started her rebuttal.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oyVIzl1xH
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"Getting out of this forest might be more dangerous than getting in the building. Whatever that wolf monster was is in the woods, and outside of the compound. Just judging from the destruction, it's a much more difficult threat to handle than Jeremiah."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvRnflIXFY
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God, Kim, why were you calling that thing by its name?212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZSwGUMfPK
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"The two men responsible for these creatures are weak themselves. Maybe Ng's partner is a bit more formidable, but considering how rampant the beasts are, he shouldn't be strong enough to sedate them, let alone control them."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ntHrhGHFN
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"Are you saying we really have a fighting chance?" I asked.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaeIQMpXMr
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"I'm saying we have much more than a fighting chance. We could obliterate the compound right now if we use your power, Kenny."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGRaEj9e68
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"I think you're severely overestimating me. I have nothing in my arsenal that can level a building that sturdy."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGQhAobYGC
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"Maybe not level it, but you have something that'll encase it, don't you?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRRopykKID
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I tilted my head in confusion.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLneYZQBEpm
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"Your ice. I'm sure if you tried, you could cover the whole thing in ice. Alternatively, we can use it to get straight to the third floor, where Ng's partner is supposedly hiding."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILqvhvTyRx
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Nothing about this was sitting right with me.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvbkc2yjTP
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"W-Wait, Kim, we don't even know if Ng was telling the truth! For all we know, that whole thing was just an act set up by Ng to get him back in the base!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aGRoLzhL3
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"Do you really think Ng has any ill will towards us?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgYifx2RLE
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"Of course I do!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1lK1NZ8UG
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"You're wrong. When he went down to the shelter, he didn't bring anything with him. No weapon, no potion, no wand, no monster, nothing. Either he's a complete moron or someone who truly felt sorry about what he's done. And I've dealt with enough morons to distinguish the two."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsrD2QtkGT
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"Y-You... Victoria, back me up here!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN26QSx2A3
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"Right! Even if Kenny could destroy the building, or get us to the third floor or whatever, what about the monster? You two tried killing it and passed out entirely!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Z7DO3c9HW
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"But Kenny didn't use his ice. That was because of me, right Kenny? That was because I was in your line of fire."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQJ6uYhG1T
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I didn't respond, just averted my eyes.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu5GGmZDgS
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"B-But why don't we just leave the forest, huh!? And what about Flinty?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyvbaQei1x
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ulwYmbkO8
"If we leave the forest now, then we deal with the wolf, and we risk the chance of more dangerous monsters festering. It's best if we strike now and capture and eliminate what we can. As for Flinty, I believe she's been on my side since the beginning."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNic9rieEb4
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"Huh?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCkNcKnpvL
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I turned my head to her. She was still shaking, and yet, her eyes. Her eyes were the same as before. She raised her head and looked at me. No response, just a singular, stern nod.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2UBu3Ajv3
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblZFM52KvC
"Flinty? Are you serious?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDzd5CVWho
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJB2xJc14Jk
"I-I know I won't be very helpful, so I'll try to stay out of fighting. But, at the very least, I want to support you all."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hncdsqJKD
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJI8qfZWBa
She stood up and slammed her chest a few times.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdG8uX1tOQ
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26G8Luef7h
"Leave me in charge of our stuff. I'll defend it, I promise. A-And if anything goes wrong, then I'll just yell really really loudly."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rmzd4wgja
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3kExgNm0i
She stopped shaking. Sweat was running down her forehead, but her words were earnest. I couldn't even believe it. Who did this? What happened to Flinty?212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAzIRRbzcL
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCjFOLuA3C
"B-But, Flinty... what if... what if..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopwgntg80N
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFi1J22vya
Victoria couldn't voice any rebuttal. Flinty was the final nail in the coffin.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DgrGbslNm
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUuiAm6aA8
I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. It was Kim.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmav3rCpI7p
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkwcv2VIxi
"Kenny, all of this hinges on you. I know you're inexperienced, and I know you're frightened, but success can only be achieved with you. Please."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4m5ePJjrt
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSMPW6QfGo
Adding pressure to this already stressful circumstance wasn't what I needed. All of this hinged on me, huh? Something about that thought brought back ugly memories. Regardless, I nodded.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2NietQV64
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagCACmuWnw
"You and your words... I was right about being suspicious of you."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGhV4VaWp6
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡum9qbYiX1R
"I'm sorry. I promise you'll be compensated for your efforts."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUAXpeD8Ry
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt0oP8fpVI
"...With money?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfukNIKe34
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcKdeJD1EH
"With money."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6nGqeEfUT
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73niZIIAys
"...I can't say no to money."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdCDLMZtto
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX1yw3PevU
For a second, I caught a smile from under her cloak. She offered me a hand and helped me stand up.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOGr2I02iz
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJPP4ZFyP3
"Then that's settled. What about you, Victoria?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG3OXJtace
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She was still on the floor, giving us a pensive look.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYQ3xyhdJq
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FOqnFQLHN
"...If we're doing this, then I'll fight anything that isn't the blob."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNsSnlIIsH
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOXrMNRJq6
"Alright. Then Kenny and I will help."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIC98kNrkL
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MWjSctsWN
Kim helped Victoria to her feet. I felt something touch my back. It was Flinty, she slapped my shoulder.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6J0ejyegh
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTq5fD0TA8V
"Let's do our best okay?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoLq6N3ZZa
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJZeIfCYP8
"..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GqFCdOLEu
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I still had one more concern.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63jmGL5a2X
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNPoZ79xki
"Flinty, if the wolf gets to you while we're inside, what will you do then?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQEprohFni
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1w943eYYD
She averted her gaze.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXAmGfZIZe
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7CP86J4EC
"I'll... if I need to, then I'll use the fireball. I'll use one like the one at Mister Freed's shop."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEEFnT74xl
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"I see."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpsa74HaXB
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I unbuttoned my coat, took it off, and offered it to her. She looked it with apprehension, awkwardly raising a hand to her mouth.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5CTOMul9p
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yKMEq7Han
"K-Kenny? Are you sure?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXHJ74GEn3
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"Uh..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGoALN0Go3
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Crap. My cheeks were tinted rose.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExECgxNdRh
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"I-If you're going to use fire magic, then take this, since it's fire-proof. Cover your head with the hood when you do. I don't think your fireball would be strong enough to blow any limbs away, but I think it's fine if you just lose your legs."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm0av6lUJT
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKULR3qTTHK
She nodded and accepted my coat. It was a size too large for her, so a lot of excess cloth covered her legs. Perfect.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ARf5COIak
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS2ntJ51JF
"This is really cozy, no wonder why you always wear it."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu59SUkieW
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCQu1Hpupv
"Heh. Anabelle is a good weaver, isn't she?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR85IF4Pmha
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She nodded. I felt slightly naked now, but I still had long sleeves covering my arms. I would be fine.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2sCElFb00
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"Alright," Kim said, "are we ready to form a plan?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI1gtC3uaU
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–
–
–212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN7LCpLKL8
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Stationed behind a tree, on the left side of the compound. I had a clear line of sight on the third floor. There was a large opening before the balcony, likely there due to carelessly leaving the door open. Victoria was behind me and was carrying a healing potion in the breast pocket of her dress. Flinty was ten meters behind us, guarding our supplies as she said she would. I've been in this position for ten minutes. Kim just returned to our position.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08AAaVHwLV
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"How does it look like?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimvczUGZny
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5cRlxMy1C
"Clear. I heard some ruckus coming from the building. They're likely occupied with whatever that is."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbwtSOZx1p
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dis8vSkEa
Ideal conditions have been met. I took in a breath and released the tendril. A Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip.
"Are we ready?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5sTd10SeP
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9Pi3MJrlB
"We're ready."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX79Vpe9wu
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALiMMW3BjF
I never imagined myself taking part in a siege mission. I would make peace with it later.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaV5GTlDA5
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7b8qYP1sD
The first order of business: infiltrating the third floor. I carefully started making a ramp of ice but got smacked in the head before it got a meter tall.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp5KrC75Lt
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHslQQKHKMV
"How are we supposed to scale a ramp of ice!?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I9f4Dr6xK
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWgBURuakw
She had a good point. I was a bit flustered.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5BHT8kfBM
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡri6ilbCCb5
"Then what do you propose I do!?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuC4UT5dYz
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I could see Victoria's brain at work. I racked my mind for a solution.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhhsZQsSJx
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPT2Z4YcA4v
"Just make little steps," Kim interjected, "and as we hop on them, make the next one bigger."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsH0E3I7ypV
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2RNmgGMm0
Genius! I did just as I was told, and though it took a long time, we eventually made a bloated staircase to the top. We hopped over the balcony. I was ready to rush in but was stopped before walking through the doorway.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkr6NyVMIls
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj0PF82Q4z
"Before we enter, let me inspect how it is inside."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbqnGa2nMa
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nINBZPBjD
Kim leaned over the edge. She motioned us to move in and went inside. Of course, I made sure not to be too loud. The room we found ourselves in was spacious. The floor was surprisingly made of wood, and there were a couple of blankets and pillows, but otherwise, the room was empty.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qV1ktMCX1
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43zdITowKE
They slept in conditions like this? They didn't even have a mattress. I almost felt bad.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fW2te8uAk
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusXiEf9YTr
Since the room was clear, our infiltration continued. We found a door and went through it. The room was large and coated in sunlight. One look at the left told us why; up a wide set of steps, a giant oval window was right before a flat surface. Standing beside it were two men. One was kneeling, and the other was standing in front of him. Immediately recognizing who they were, we went low and closed in.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBKpKk3N5V
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"Ng, come on. I know you know better."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGL0osmfQVe
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaYaCWVEwI
The guy in front of Ng had a raspy voice. He sounded old, and he also sounded like a drunkard, but that was neither here nor there.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4POGPERnIK
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm3JhraanZ
"Y-Yeah. I know."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxmFnKJJcn
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC5vlA5DZK
I was in range. I stuck my hand out and began expelling mana. A stone formed in front of my palm. I aimed it at the head of the guy.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5NLk39pN5
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WaTTAg2k8
"Then why did you let the prisoners out? We can't have our location disclosed to–"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMPDUgP81d
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq0FzUmHaH
**SHATTER**212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19Xk9gk8PT
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxthMSGv1qI
I fired the stone. I made sure to put enough power to where it wouldn't kill the man, but at least incapacitate him.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXdou2mZZb
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRnklQw1pl
I missed and hit the window, shattering it completely.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2ieOJQz9U
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEoPRj8yF3
Ng and the man turned to us. I didn't have anything to say, I simply returned eye contact.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRL166hdm61
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"Now!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTVJY6Ij8y
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Kim and Victoria rushed ahead. The two men didn't fight back, they started running away. I knew Ng was in on this!212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF6ikIOarg
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrHlPOv570
The two of them were racing down a wide staircase. Kim stopped at the top, took a wand out, and began creating fireballs while Victoria kept rushing at them. I followed Victoria, creating another stone bullet to fire as we made it to the second floor. Kim reached it and fired her fireball, but The two men split up and entered opposite doors. Victoria followed the man, but I was stuck at the crossroads. Kim stopped right before me.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLJ3LWH0GS
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSlATvW7Rm
"What are you waiting for?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4yrhScjtu
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2LMKHyiTG
"I still don't trust Ng."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchMdMfyJms
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQtEx5GNZF
"Fine, then go after him!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIgteVrBFf
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I nodded and rushed through the other door. I saw another set of stairs and Ng was already making his way down them.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlrX8dEPel
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKQxd3boYj
"Stop moving!" I yelled. He didn't comply. I ran down the stairs myself. Now on the first floor, Ng was running to the front door. I shot my bullet before he made it. I missed it again, but when he noticed it whizzing by him, he stopped in his tracks and turned to me.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCXdeU87hQ
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dZN764SeR
"O-Okay, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just don't hurt me!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDcOfGsJeB
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwdSXIfsDa
He was already down on the ground with his head glued to the floor. I rushed towards him. Ng was... crying?212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenr4VRX85P
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpA36zxTdT
"Are you seriously crying?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k28EZx0aB
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRc8Kq7b9t
"Huh?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SMW8xKb5H
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He tilted his head up to me.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpa4CsEz4i9
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"N-No, I'm not crying. Aren't you going to kill me?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kzl0okud8
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu42TXcwTP
"K-Kill? I wouldn't go that far... Geez, get up already."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAkjTGFAWj
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EWaHpcbbp
He did as he was told. He had a look of sincere confusion on his face. I didn't let that fool me, though.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUQdk2F0ZX
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzzYS6q4bV
"You, are you really on our side?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxK9XzIwC3I
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRkF3DYtPO
"Of course I am! If my words aren't enough, then I'll happily take an official oath!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddHkBCge3Z
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M9EbrWyIK
"Nobody's here to witness it, you moron! Nevermind this, just take me to your teammate already!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcdExQ2Uxp
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1VBJBmm9J
"Yes sir!"
Ng took me back up the stairs. Before entering the main room on the second floor, Ng nudged the door open and scanned the room.
"What are you being so careful for? I thought you could control the beasts."
"Control? Oh no, I can't control them at all. It would be better to say that I just make suggestions."
I nodded. Apparently, the coast was clear, so we entered the room. We were walking to the opposite door until it suddenly flung open.
"Ha! Ah, Kenny, so you caught that guy too!"
Carrying the man on the side of her stomach was Victoria. The man looked to be on the brink of unconsciousness, but when he saw Ng, his whole demeanor shifted.
"Huh? Ng, what are you doing!?"
"...I'm sorry, Panz, but I can't keep going like this. Especially when unrelated people are getting caught up in this mess."
"Unrelated!? But they're from the Zariel kingdom! They're all– ack!"
Victoria struck Panz in the neck, and his rant was over. Kim appeared from behind Victoria.
"I'm sorry, but if children are involved, then we've gone too far."
Ng crossed his arms and blew through his nose. Despite his awkward bowl cut, he looked cool. I need to say something like that in the future.
"So, is that it?" Victoria asked.
"Let's leave quickly," Kim said. I nodded at her suggestion. We walked up the stairs. Before returning to the first room we infiltrated, I spared a glance at the window I broke. I didn't think my accuracy was that bad. I blamed it on the pressure of the situation and gave myself a satisfied nod.
"What are you doing, Kenny?"
"Sorry, I was just thinking."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T4vOVGWWz
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6sMwxzh67
I rushed back to the others. We all stood before the door, but only Kim moved to open it. That is, until Ng put a hand on her shoulder.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq6HRd2lCi
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXZGC0rJ5E
"Miss... I advise you to not open that door. It's best if we step away."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LCvJm8bwv
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSwQ76gZqo
No questions were asked. I felt as if we all knew what he meant by that. Suddenly, a giant thud resounded from behind the door.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwDE4K9dfN
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubwcyKW0rD
"Panz! You, what do you think you're doing!?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3zGynp2mm
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbuFIH2DmS
Panz, who was apparently still awake, feebly lifted his head and cackled.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdDTxet23j
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoYU41d3yF
"As if I'd let you betray me like this so easily! I'll make you pay, Ng– ack!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfaP5lvXrS
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObzDnwdfz1
Panz was struck again, and it looked like he was finally out cold. With him out of the picture, I eyed the door as the thuds shook the building.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs29prqlwo
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCQfuArMi9
There was a pause. It wasn't silent though; there was foul snarling on the other side of the wall. I tightened my fist and grew a Sunlight-Blossom and loaded a seed.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtNFRKe6Zg
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqT5nfYSc1
And then, suddenly–212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYZujvCQ7V
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIH50ZhXtp
**SMASH**212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bH7LOArBP
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2rSzih9J4
A beast nearly twice my height burst through the wall with an overgrown leg. The creature, of gray fur, had a head in the shape of a deer skull.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAILsUt3qOT
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzGD1YP9BG
By all accounts, it was a demon. Immediately, I shot the sunlight blossom at the creature's head. Half of its face was blown away but the screeching didn't stop. The creature stomped the ground with its oversized legs, and I noticed a crack forming in the stone floor.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2zBrhc1hd
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"Crap! Everyone, be careful!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOdARLr591
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Kim rushed in and started slicing at the beast. As formidable as its size was it was sluggish, and Kim had exceptional agility. She cut its chest, and the beast swung its arm and missed. And then Kim cut its arm, not quite decapitating it, but inflicting a wound severe enough to where the beast had to console it. And then Kim tried striking at its left leg. Her sword shattered immediately.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLgmzX4eps
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"H-Huh?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv3T5gtKi9
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The beast lifted its leg and tried kicking Kim away. She narrowly avoided the strike. As the beast was about to follow up I struck it with another Sunlight-Blossom seed. I loped its left arm off and eviscerated its shoulder. The beast wailed and struck the floors again. At this rate, the third floor would break apart entirely. Kim noticed this too.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbekm2dzJY
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"Victoria! Kenny! Ng! Head to the second floor!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev1nLdZEFD
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We did just that. The beast kept rampaging, and as we made it to the second floor, we heard the sound of the floor giving way. Since the second floor wasn't aligned with the third, the beast didn't fall to us. I quickly ascended the steps to access the beast. He was stuck in a roofless concrete box. The beast looked up, and we made eye contact. I shot another Sunlight-Blossom seed at it but he lifted his leg and blocked the bullet entirely. And then, he crouched. I knew immediately what was going to happen.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34h2gsifbF
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I began to run down the stairs. I felt the beast leap from behind, and the place he landed was just a foot away from where I was. I tumbled down the steps and landed awkwardly– I might have sprained my ankle. I looked up at the beast and Kim had begun flinging fireballs at it. I loaded another seed and began accumulating power.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqjR7cyKjA
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"Ng!" I yelled, "Can't you control that thing!?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXezUOtnxy
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"No! I am unable to resummon the creatures Panz has created, I can only do ones I have!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5TWyefxCE
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"Like what!?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2RYtF3wtP
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"They died last night!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFnOEvFn8Y
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Oh. I knew what he was talking about. This situation was growing dire. The beast slowly descended the steps, seemingly unbothered by the barrage of fire. I shot another seed at it and claimed its left arm Crap, I missed the nick. The beast wailed yet again and jumped in place, destroying the staircase instantly. Our escape route was now blocked off.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWAnCDiM9Z
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Wait, escape route, of course!212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPFC7y498I
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I produced a Freeze-Dry from my tendril and began mana spinning. The beast was keeping still from the constant attacks. I let immediately let out as much ice as I could. In a flash, half of the entire second floor was covered in ice, and the beast was immobilized.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAD81uMBDU
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"...Did I do it?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeF9ZxoJU0
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Kim stopped hurling fireballs. The beast stopped moving. Being covered in ice like that shouldn't have killed it. Considering the girth of its legs, it should be able to break out easily. I remained vigilant and eyed the frozen beast, but a nudge from my right broke my focus. It was Victoria.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JeC5xViet
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"H-Huh?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF75akXG7yF
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She offered me her healing potion.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmaXQmk2Sf
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"Here. For your foot."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hiAb18ust
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"A-Ah, thank you."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVFJGTBaXE
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I took the glass and gulped it down. It was the most effective intake for injuries like sprains, though the taste admittedly made me want to vomit.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzLZtNJuaS
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"Haaa, ugh."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vyCHXbzzl
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I stood up with help from Victoria.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeifeGSorl
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"Sorry. I didn't do anything."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySudaft5ct
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"Please, don't be. Even I don't feel like I did much."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDISB02jasf
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"Haha, you're too humble, Kenny."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniIBdBxE9f
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She was noticeably shaken. Still, she held onto the unconscious Panz like it was nothing. I was beginning to relax.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRd0yhgLfe
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"Don't let your guard down yet."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX9Vp4ojQf
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I looked at Kim who was pointing a large ball of fire at the beast. Looking at the encased monster, I noticed it fidgeting.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKrG0jLgaS
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"Crap. Crap!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J5O3tP9wC
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The Freeze-Dry was a dud. With the Sunlight-Blossom and Freeze-Dry already used, I switched to the last combat plant I had in my arsenal; Dragon-Maw Jr.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFCGbPm2qB
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I didn't wait for the beast to unfreeze. I ran closer and extended my tendril. Dragon-Maw Jr. snapped at the thing's head, but it was too big for him to encompass it. Still, Dragon-Maw Jr. was able to tear off a chunk of the beast's face. The instant he did so, the beast broke out of the ice and screeched. The yell made my ears ring. Dragon-Maw Jr. Bit at its chest and tore off a sizeable chunk from there. The beast, at a speed I didn't think was possible, kicked at Dragon-Maw Jr. A portion of my tendril soared across the room and collided with the wall.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap8O8Zqr2r
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Even though it was separated from my body, I felt a sudden sting coarse throughout all of it. The tendril retracted immediately and I fell to the ground.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR2bVYlmRv
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"K-Kenny!? Shit!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGM7J9cAzH
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Victoria grabbed me by the shirt and hung me over her shoulder. She yelled at Kim, though I struggled to decipher it. My vision was fading in and out.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYNHf8Dcs3
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This pain... it was like my own arm was ripped off. I was more shocked than anything. I let out a weak laugh. I had no idea the tendril was this intertwined with my nerves. I felt a liquid permeate my shirt. I reached into it. It was coming from my chest. When I looked at my hand, I didn't see blood as I thought I would, but a deep purple.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ghV82t36m
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A sinister curiosity crept within me. It was awfully nostalgic.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdHC4dniej
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"Kenny! Kenny, are you awake!?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpZ0axDX7M
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"Huh? Y-Yes!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvinSR8N82
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"If you can, support Kim!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRspa4q8p9x
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Victoria dropped me on the ground. I grunted but regained my focus as I saw Kim. She was in an inelegant dance with the beast, dishing blows while narrowly avoiding receiving any, and each subsequent counter-strike from the beast only grew closer and closer to hitting her. I could tell that she couldn't keep up. I began to form a rock in front of me, then made it bigger, and bigger, and then thinned it and turned it into a spear.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDpefErr9B
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"W-Woah..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjFukWpQaK
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I spun the spear. I could swear I saw smoke emerge from the tip. I didn't think anything of it.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtzyLfvKuG
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"KIM!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajk9Plg3rG
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"Right!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NaWoYjh1x
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She backed off. The beast was entirely by itself. At this rate, I didn't care about being accurate, because I knew it would be obliterated the moment I hit it.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhcRUmWdwj
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And so, I released the spear.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVQQh9m65L
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**SMASH**212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv931Ahqb4
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The spear traversed the room in a blink of an eye. I struck it square in the chest. A hole formed in its chest, and it grew to such a size that anything from the shoulders up separated from the rest of the body. Then, the wall behind the beast was torn down, almost as if it was blown up.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEd5aiJGKKI
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Needless to say, the beast was slain. It faded away a second after. Right, it was made of mana, wasn't it?212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXudfn1Pn2H
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"...Good job, Kenny," Victoria muttered. Kim ran towards me. I was still wincing, and that purple goop was still being expunged from my chest.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOXr9BXSRL
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"Kenny, out of curiosity, what is your earth magic grade?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuyOZ8Lh5p
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Was now seriously the time to answer such a question? She sounded giddy asking me, so I decided to humor her.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLBDmbqIMQ
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"...Three. But, as I've learned today, my accuracy probably lowers it."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ8KU6dRcY
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"No, what you just did was incredible."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZMUapR76N
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"Okay, fine, thank you, geez."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqej3kX7EB
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I averted my eyes in a pout. Using the tendril for so long, abusing the Freeze-Dry so, and then creating such a powerful earth spear almost drained my supply. At least we were–212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FjSDbQFn5
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"I'm afraid that wasn't the last of them," Ng said.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk2csxwucN
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"Huh? Are you serious!?" Victoria yelled.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhQ5f9IU44
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"Unfortunately."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4UguyaC5B
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I shouldn't have been surprised. But, what did surprise me was the speed at which the next monster struck. Instantly after Ng's utterance, a putrid hand burst through the floor. It slammed its palm on the floor, and it just so happened to hit Kim. The arm wrapped its fingers around her and retracted back into the ground.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4s2234nAM
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"Kim!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFPW5ASdbF
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Victoria dropped Panz and rushed to the hole, but backed away once she looked inside. The arm returned and tried to grab her. I released my tendril and smacked at it. Somehow, it was enough to ward it off.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm7saMCy8h
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The tendril was bleeding purple.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5HiRHESZd
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"Kim! Ah, Kenny, we need to–212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AgtfhiTBW
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**SMASH**212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6RoXZGn4q
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The hand created another hole, and this time it slammed the ground right beside me. I thought I was lucky to narrowly escape it, but really, it was just grabbing onto Panz.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoI3l9JAOVt
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"It's Jeremiah! Kenny, you need to–"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5czSXWrjKS
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I looked Ng in the eyes. He stopped talking. I still couldn't stand. I could hardly form a spell. I could hardly even keep myself awake. I couldn't even keep the tendril out before I succumbed to an oppressive pain.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99TGyjAUrG
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If I had to guess, Ng could make all of that out from my gaze alone. He grabbed a hold of me. I coughed out some of the purple goop. Victoria was standing around, dazed and lost.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fw76tMcxX
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"Victoria!" Ng yelled, "We need to escape! We can't fight Jeremiah now!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs39VCrYXxA
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Victoria didn't fight. She spared one look at me and nodded. The stairs leading up were broken, so we had to leave by another means.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68woY5lCva
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Ng carried me to the room from before. We ran down the stairs. Jeremiah was there with two human-sized arms gripping Kim and Panz respectively. It had no eyes, but I could tell it was looking at us.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7kvUh7iV4
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"...Ngh."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ527ayp0u5P
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It was moving at us. With the last of my mana, I created a ball of fire. It was hardly anything, but I shot it anyway. It was enough to stop the monster in its tracks. Victoria busted down the front door. We ran across the field. Jeremiah slid a few meters out of the entrance but then receded into the compound. Ng and Victoria stopped running. They were panting profusely.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CwrdHZxXC
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"Haaa, haaa, shit, shit! Shit!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGm6HxEs0pP
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I knew how she felt, that Victoria. I couldn't focus at all, though. I had too many afflictions, I had too much fatigue, it was overbearing, everything was overbearing. I almost began to cry.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmudkMRKkK
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But, through the stormy mess that was in my mind, one thought came to the forefront.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkKMhq5Gfk
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The infiltration was a failure. Our ally was compromised. I failed completely.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngTRus3yDf
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I felt like I was going to die.
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