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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST5KQmv6lK
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Kim, Flinty, and Victoria leaned over to watch the scene. Ng, sensing no response, knocked on the door again.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rQZhEwIPe
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"HEY! OPEN UP!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1G9dH8TB2
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFBS0rjaYE
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"Something about this is fishy."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCIHhKAk6h
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I looked at the other three. They nodded in agreement.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfBetva5oc
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"What should we do then?" Flinty asked.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsYtJIuIy5
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"Kenny," Kim started, "take out your tendril. Prepare for anything unexpected."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknmDUokuiu
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvQntwTzHO
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcDGsYRqEE
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"Oh, that's Jeremiah. Jeremiah! Open the door!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5R9Tiv78M8
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwen3cj9uo
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And then.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdM0WXLhvp
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**SMASH**157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC7fBEN0ZG
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KJoeWy5GX
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"AH! WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU– NO, HELP! HEEELP!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA04gY8U2f
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His wails ceased upon a distant slam. Looks like he made it into the compound.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDsmX2NcGV
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"..."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuJtp3i9An
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNPX1usc8g
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsQAZ5luq2
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"..."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPzMrTDjpf
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCofByDrri
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZrZmksBFa
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I took a deep breath. With the wall as support, I got back on my feet.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLbVCQK527
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"We're getting the hell out of this forest."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC5syYNwZ0
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I walked back to the group. Flinty was shaking on the ground. Victoria was surprisingly standing. Kim was the same.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7caMn4Y9N
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"We need to leave. This is– whatever just happened, it's out of our league."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1ESrF5aB6
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Victoria nodded with me. Kim looked at me and began to speak.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gLFpvHDkX
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"Before anything, let's get away from the compound and formulate a plan."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVMcIV28bh
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFLEisjN2G
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts6SL3MjcL
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"-enny. Kenny. Kenny!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsYidOmlRC
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"Huh?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKWaOtJ6mJ
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Kim was calling my name. It brought me back down to Earth.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jSxKhP1pz
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"What is it?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACi72TSkXE
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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?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxLUHceTDN
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"O-Of course. Not just for my sake, but because Flinty shouldn't be here anymore."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6Rf1iBcXn
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Kim nodded. Victoria budged in.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JhgusvqIR
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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..."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02O2QFxn3j
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She stopped talking and looked at the floor, clenching her fist.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhGTLQRsRd
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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."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66hoH6hcmG
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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."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAg4ktOBhw
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Kim nodded. She sat criss-cross and put a hand to her chin.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCWFZajtSk
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"I know you two will disagree with this, but I think we should still try an infiltration."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVUwjyTZyS
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"W-What?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xeSj9JsVs
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"Are you crazy!?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwj39pfCbbQ
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We both yelled. Victoria continued.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1J951ESs7
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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."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR5IqKb9WB
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I nodded to her reasoning. The idea was absurd. But Kim immediately started her rebuttal.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfXUjw508E
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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."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5THwVCCxa
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God, Kim, why were you calling that thing by its name?157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaGpdVeVpI
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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."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9xWhwHSAs
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"Are you saying we really have a fighting chance?" I asked.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj6NWngVqV
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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."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdZtXgN0os
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"I think you're severely overestimating me. I have nothing in my arsenal that can level a building that sturdy."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcWBSuZwRO
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"Maybe not level it, but you have something that'll encase it, don't you?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRdczjMBwU
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I tilted my head in confusion.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFShOlXlHGJ
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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."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72P1bu9BMc
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Nothing about this was sitting right with me.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3N0G8reHw
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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!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTHpKMAPQN
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"Do you really think Ng has any ill will towards us?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDYEc86TVh
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"Of course I do!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAKjt6fyQF
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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."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzYt3w4wFV
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"Y-You... Victoria, back me up here!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc58pyosfxj
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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!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZKaZRaMxP
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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."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHt6iqjlMjJ
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I didn't respond, just averted my eyes.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwWz04UjAj
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"B-But why don't we just leave the forest, huh!? And what about Flinty?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JhpNnvZYz
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlli18lOhj
"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."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycDQHhoWCW
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15wLPOsAKo
"Huh?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZbryVszPt
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxszCRGq4r
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIFJ9FlVNx
"Flinty? Are you serious?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTsLAXspgc
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkmANVpkMX
"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."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G1oyyFwr8
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NCtrZG3cX
She stood up and slammed her chest a few times.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8h4q1eqOi
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIMf13H784
"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."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPnPMmlygp
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb0vi8kYrZ
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?157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqpIhK22C1
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3N34CFU9C
"B-But, Flinty... what if... what if..."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnohNBDcOY
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNfTtaMMEE
Victoria couldn't voice any rebuttal. Flinty was the final nail in the coffin.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9btQh3x964
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaq0VgxH2g
I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. It was Kim.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnXReOcdU8
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NoXTj3pnc
"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."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbqXtfa4uP
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFiCN5JJ5X
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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUMJ1L4pXf
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrPZTxJu8D
"You and your words... I was right about being suspicious of you."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqM1g6GZZpy
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppSsZl6xoo
"I'm sorry. I promise you'll be compensated for your efforts."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReItg6vxdM
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqqfOKa3nU
"...With money?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiDRCeWwLT
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PlAuql9RO
"With money."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiFjVqFprU
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKfZCBGWIG
"...I can't say no to money."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0t9pbBtOr
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0MIRCjdjB
For a second, I caught a smile from under her cloak. She offered me a hand and helped me stand up.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b1E3d5mIV
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD5SsRRjnM
"Then that's settled. What about you, Victoria?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc9LhYO9Qk
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDyRD4oSRF
She was still on the floor, giving us a pensive look.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7yyfMP97m
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfDf01pVs1
"...If we're doing this, then I'll fight anything that isn't the blob."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgCr8KvWfZ
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxriChSBi2
"Alright. Then Kenny and I will help."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRq7KPZ0nm
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSu5Za2esV
Kim helped Victoria to her feet. I felt something touch my back. It was Flinty, she slapped my shoulder.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW48aPUKd6W
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX4z1aAZTW
"Let's do our best okay?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FBDBokjvs
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h1cq0l2qh
"..."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqPyvb4mGG
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgRfsgFRv7
I still had one more concern.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M9fZCtkrM
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Buc7rfuhb
"Flinty, if the wolf gets to you while we're inside, what will you do then?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VJ5Q6yQ31
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She averted her gaze.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5Hs9bVra3
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK6kEgE1cd
"I'll... if I need to, then I'll use the fireball. I'll use one like the one at Mister Freed's shop."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBWNfnAZx5
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRqQaFTyXG
"I see."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ057TWwgKZt
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOk02hOkyy
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu8YixNVmF
"K-Kenny? Are you sure?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlSBZ5dZJ4
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"Uh..."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmpvUCvtnF
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmzPHWntMY
Crap. My cheeks were tinted rose.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYRZXotBnZ
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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."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzHLLdJjkW
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H9YVBriyl
She nodded and accepted my coat. It was a size too large for her, so a lot of excess cloth covered her legs. Perfect.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzSusGJUaf
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54UJDfu0x1
"This is really cozy, no wonder why you always wear it."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4dLyDfHDx
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhuylNRos7
"Heh. Anabelle is a good weaver, isn't she?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju4SmbEFtp
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She nodded. I felt slightly naked now, but I still had long sleeves covering my arms. I would be fine.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7yvm6Iyvu
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjzBoENxN0
"Alright," Kim said, "are we ready to form a plan?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDLOeWPHqa
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–
–
–157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcvD3Lpc2m
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWN35RlinH
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"How does it look like?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx1bdNCJ92
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjS2OvIprTb
"Clear. I heard some ruckus coming from the building. They're likely occupied with whatever that is."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oIUZqYeeD
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP85ssCCZ4t
Ideal conditions have been met. I took in a breath and released the tendril. A Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip.
"Are we ready?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnBAzXKZdp
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WA7IRm1UB
"We're ready."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUg93Pd2wT5
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8fHY1bqSB
I never imagined myself taking part in a siege mission. I would make peace with it later.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NhmmZOQSL
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJRv615iuc
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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1APemH8D9
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssirNaOIWq
"How are we supposed to scale a ramp of ice!?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT8HTMvbGD
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡof4bdQrxo9
She had a good point. I was a bit flustered.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGSdOfagA5
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKDAHdOSqN
"Then what do you propose I do!?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluYfXKuwtz
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwd3BiAjAf
I could see Victoria's brain at work. I racked my mind for a solution.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBcJVoWZNO
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoi9QUvURe
"Just make little steps," Kim interjected, "and as we hop on them, make the next one bigger."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVycPjQnIfE
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGABqPzI2n
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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjwapycULA
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z3Ya1sCKC
"Before we enter, let me inspect how it is inside."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LVDNpySyC
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ1xURFqOg
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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDIrYfe8w6
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxL13KWsBF
They slept in conditions like this? They didn't even have a mattress. I almost felt bad.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXORfYZbYD9
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7EsGMuQbn
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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FUbsRuLUR
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZFFjGGSxa
"Ng, come on. I know you know better."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wa6kTF6JR
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9Hv2MHmED
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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGS73jvNE1
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnTm26kEQ1
"Y-Yeah. I know."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d7AFNjatu
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxXO7n7CKD
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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNldUPvAgm4
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4OVwKQA4W
"Then why did you let the prisoners out? We can't have our location disclosed to–"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHtYMrkOHv
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqtRhpWBvR
**SHATTER**157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZTiBie5Ow
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMWqWRQoCC
I fired the stone. I made sure to put enough power to where it wouldn't kill the man, but at least incapacitate him.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMavzcmKwe
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYO6JM6hYR
I missed and hit the window, shattering it completely.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYafgMlvkEo
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4qYhRhB9j
Ng and the man turned to us. I didn't have anything to say, I simply returned eye contact.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKJqtZXAOk
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"Now!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyGNV4185I
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk8eLmBgnA
Kim and Victoria rushed ahead. The two men didn't fight back, they started running away. I knew Ng was in on this!157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lXA8WzLMd
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16gHmIiPrk
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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DL0rIb6SR
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"What are you waiting for?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlhfTkov1C
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIJkI3DuxP
"I still don't trust Ng."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt8zHSGC4E
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmJSd9kUqD
"Fine, then go after him!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlPxZNIqsC
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCamzv3XJlt
I nodded and rushed through the other door. I saw another set of stairs and Ng was already making his way down them.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrLmb8MDzX
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWK5wiE4CM
"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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDn3X2CDi1
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMD8FC562M
"O-Okay, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just don't hurt me!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TtDZsiNKL
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLgdRED9En
He was already down on the ground with his head glued to the floor. I rushed towards him. Ng was... crying?157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXuJGQkc5B
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvFNBFyVuv
"Are you seriously crying?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMVreDpNv6
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89NjpWov0j
"Huh?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pbkmGRsuF
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He tilted his head up to me.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWevUkXeS2f
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"N-No, I'm not crying. Aren't you going to kill me?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOz6FdRO4Z
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucouh3Xvpw
"K-Kill? I wouldn't go that far... Geez, get up already."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDFztAF2ev
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIOgDCUNtT
He did as he was told. He had a look of sincere confusion on his face. I didn't let that fool me, though.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtfm4Vmwow
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"You, are you really on our side?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhf4ARicHh
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZx7Mue8p7
"Of course I am! If my words aren't enough, then I'll happily take an official oath!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZhA7xxM4p
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwMunjrVi0
"Nobody's here to witness it, you moron! Nevermind this, just take me to your teammate already!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbhZvME3IU
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kWa8kKAou
"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."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UyxMuAMGz
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvkBQ7QsmD
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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZabuhGWr3O
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2moJXTwDf
"Miss... I advise you to not open that door. It's best if we step away."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHUZAAt7vx
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFf0UZrvWN
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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xNMjJUeIC
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai2gVyC3zo
"Panz! You, what do you think you're doing!?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Cit2gZWhR
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYx5KW02Bq
Panz, who was apparently still awake, feebly lifted his head and cackled.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpQ7vVtaQp
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qsG77Ugjv
"As if I'd let you betray me like this so easily! I'll make you pay, Ng– ack!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNcxm0nk0A
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0LXrGLM6Q
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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2wnQxnvqw
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeamuYlZvSO
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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8PlFCEfNT
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A6qaPaBAp
And then, suddenly–157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKAqJ9mant
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnjn3SFuLq
**SMASH**157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZkkoZzRyt
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaeDsWNkYm
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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkQ7pBX2pI
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvHUSB4qqn
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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0q26Io1v9
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"Crap! Everyone, be careful!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpAJbx7SZ6
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLy0ZozT9u
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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmqjVqMl8y
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"H-Huh?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhnyVdknT2
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGeneUXkJY
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"Victoria! Kenny! Ng! Head to the second floor!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Wz4OD3Pqw
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRghXHfYqJ
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCpyzyMclY
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"Ng!" I yelled, "Can't you control that thing!?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TdJ6F1dCn
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"No! I am unable to resummon the creatures Panz has created, I can only do ones I have!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyrSXiV0S2
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pZH8WY1BS
"Like what!?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk47fjuW0vp
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"They died last night!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDps5JoulK
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaXTegT8PC
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Wait, escape route, of course!157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpLj0AtEBH
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXi6jSxiag
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"...Did I do it?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLufXZm46br
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGBUqqwVNe
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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x2Rvir7kC
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"H-Huh?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYCCiIAfSm
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She offered me her healing potion.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqndwKFY06
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"Here. For your foot."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeqPOnGFgt
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"A-Ah, thank you."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvrFmnN973
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzDmeMI544
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"Haaa, ugh."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0iZ9Syy1P
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I stood up with help from Victoria.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HY9jNgTXc
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"Sorry. I didn't do anything."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstEyPxsYe1
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"Please, don't be. Even I don't feel like I did much."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHuFroW0jw
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb3hcveLAt
"Haha, you're too humble, Kenny."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCrb1ZJLzd
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She was noticeably shaken. Still, she held onto the unconscious Panz like it was nothing. I was beginning to relax.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX35r4oI3P9
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"Don't let your guard down yet."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthYgOG7N3K
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAUCNyCxwL
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"Crap. Crap!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRHl5LUaT4
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzQwQGt5Jn
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrJNrab5Kg
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyEvGwE45W
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"K-Kenny!? Shit!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiRtQTUHRb
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmhT3YaYrq
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVwzIfqatf
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A sinister curiosity crept within me. It was awfully nostalgic.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV95DStthB1
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"Kenny! Kenny, are you awake!?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDSQ6nMftr
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"Huh? Y-Yes!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoDOFoMbUd
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"If you can, support Kim!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7mPq5g8jv
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7yzjOGWl8
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"W-Woah..."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr2oscGfZd
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXN8jNvdds
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"KIM!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtve3NHhptK
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"Right!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBQsSqdoHL
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs6FdsIMT6
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And so, I released the spear.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgDedjwq3X
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**SMASH**157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zPFILEapn
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5HnHhSikE
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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?157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx7I0zKY4E
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi62Uvjg3o
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"Kenny, out of curiosity, what is your earth magic grade?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxSO3Lj69Q
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIjE3DXQPQ
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"...Three. But, as I've learned today, my accuracy probably lowers it."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQJdDSfIOt
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"No, what you just did was incredible."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0mAUacro0
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"Okay, fine, thank you, geez."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV5iV3i6sR
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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–157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERGWj9XQIO
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"I'm afraid that wasn't the last of them," Ng said.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPvlTzZfCo
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"Huh? Are you serious!?" Victoria yelled.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1k1n9pp0D
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"Unfortunately."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ24Uulrb0
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA966RiBZY9
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"Kim!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryfXvnCqWN
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul2RLd7bki
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The tendril was bleeding purple.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqLjfQuEbx
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"Kim! Ah, Kenny, we need to–157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuD7B4RS04
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**SMASH**157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXBGazvatb
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx0HtPLPFM
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"It's Jeremiah! Kenny, you need to–"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSU98xuLeQ
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCKr1bZPrh
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bn5dSaBsl
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"Victoria!" Ng yelled, "We need to escape! We can't fight Jeremiah now!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P44N0wFBm
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkd0eDZRxD
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqAwg5UfYi
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"...Ngh."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3fnZ9E1i3
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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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYNMnXIxaS
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"Haaa, haaa, shit, shit! Shit!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxpdWE2Z00
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKDuNamsLN
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.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDQtbQxdXx
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But, through the stormy mess that was in my mind, one thought came to the forefront.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6qIBcGBlw
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The infiltration was a failure. Our ally was compromised. I failed completely.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nRe6AhXot
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I felt like I was going to die.
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