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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkAmIAFO9z
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Kim, Flinty, and Victoria leaned over to watch the scene. Ng, sensing no response, knocked on the door again.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNM7SMzjGP3
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGEElQUOSM
"HEY! OPEN UP!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8OsIwf73h
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMFCkmCFpK
He was acting quite bossy for someone so afraid of his associate. My trifling suspicions were turning into full-fledged doubts.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMC7YxccuQ
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"Something about this is fishy."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYqWMpnaH7
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDyds1llwq
I looked at the other three. They nodded in agreement.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpIhxKvo72
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbjRZkerHq
"What should we do then?" Flinty asked.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01HUQ0a8np
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntoObZO6Dt
"Kenny," Kim started, "take out your tendril. Prepare for anything unexpected."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweQvgU1X2S
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc3BzG0TB4
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eNLC8u9pU
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ77Nw8APnu
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KF8T0wwev
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"Oh, that's Jeremiah. Jeremiah! Open the door!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3Swfft6Qm
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXP3G6Hvsx
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiUdzrwrbU
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjfrcz0aKS
And then.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpvth8QEUN
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvCcga6xHJ
**SMASH**406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3SG8xHpF6
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3241deRHk
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrimbQsSwe
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPdJfJB3yy
"AH! WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU– NO, HELP! HEEELP!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubxKbiJflX
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD53J9SAxVq
His wails ceased upon a distant slam. Looks like he made it into the compound.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVebWFhwHgO
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJd2uyKYinY
"..."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUR5tmThYdi
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpavKMTi2h
What just happened? I looked at the others, and it was clear from their faces that they didn't have any answers.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZBJon7W8i
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlaM4mmOj7
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj9M8YnRX4
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQERRU3bKK
"..."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY68HzSvFTu
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu6mc62BgP
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlFDWhfNS6
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4elzBiBnZ
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84xtxtOdgB
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I took a deep breath. With the wall as support, I got back on my feet.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27SD7IC4W4
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWjf6q3tuQ
"We're getting the hell out of this forest."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhqNclDBmu
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I walked back to the group. Flinty was shaking on the ground. Victoria was surprisingly standing. Kim was the same.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVWe7PzZ1i
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGze7Q0jPR
"We need to leave. This is– whatever just happened, it's out of our league."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhkCt96tji
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT72byjbxU
Victoria nodded with me. Kim looked at me and began to speak.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmO9neW4dd
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"Before anything, let's get away from the compound and formulate a plan."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDfgixduZ5
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8X1tI3skT
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cxXj3X6OP
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TBi0HRcCE
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx4lDhbTM9
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIorHwIZd9V
"-enny. Kenny. Kenny!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrIyB84MeN
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkIYiy417K
"Huh?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXj25MWJsD
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HZJF6ntiO
Kim was calling my name. It brought me back down to Earth.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbYFozGmUu
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXnPZzw5VF
"What is it?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZ8kEYIcxG
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVaG7i3sPR
"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?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gIuakPL9I
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdg2QBDt9Z
"O-Of course. Not just for my sake, but because Flinty shouldn't be here anymore."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi59rr2RN8y
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Kim nodded. Victoria budged in.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz67yO8Cubw
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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..."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdUxoeMoZQ
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She stopped talking and looked at the floor, clenching her fist.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGzENSmNZ4
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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."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBV3SxqooE
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XUPBoAGg7
"Never in my sixteen years did I see something like that," she replied, "I don't even know how to start fighting it."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfY1lg0AOm
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSrBVppxbl
Kim nodded. She sat criss-cross and put a hand to her chin.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncwt3jwu2w
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN07zQYdR5k
"I know you two will disagree with this, but I think we should still try an infiltration."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2sBCzCkFt
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKWuchf5kf
"W-What?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWooJTbKsaw
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHELFAeh5Pu
"Are you crazy!?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSzSQl3JP5
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We both yelled. Victoria continued.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLmM2FGfut
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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."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCRNg2baDE
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzOanC3SQN
I nodded to her reasoning. The idea was absurd. But Kim immediately started her rebuttal.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDi6uHwAXpZ
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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."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i6BjO2DEU
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God, Kim, why were you calling that thing by its name?406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk65xvW4Llj
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgf3uljdIg
"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."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h7rtNOgin
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6zwK2DlGE
"Are you saying we really have a fighting chance?" I asked.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ghgzgdtps
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23qClw5SMJ
"I'm saying we have much more than a fighting chance. We could obliterate the compound right now if we use your power, Kenny."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUccAeAWzw
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6Bv6TF40j
"I think you're severely overestimating me. I have nothing in my arsenal that can level a building that sturdy."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MDeEXp48K
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv0UrbZYuH
"Maybe not level it, but you have something that'll encase it, don't you?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUr59P6ZvG
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCL51cmQHCR
I tilted my head in confusion.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6x51WNmlX
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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."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq6rorrd8N
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Nothing about this was sitting right with me.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCibquTqbRV
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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!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhFtw5xsxK
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLd9cgKY0U
"Do you really think Ng has any ill will towards us?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKQj6Jz8TA
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZli4zhBygd
"Of course I do!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuE3K0DYzgX
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjuMUMmFcz
"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."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5w6KPjAAi
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHnmrtVlDI
"Y-You... Victoria, back me up here!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Gs930Af9Z
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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!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkAc9VW2gI
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75rmvWyeB8
"But Kenny didn't use his ice. That was because of me, right Kenny? That was because I was in your line of fire."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNbuQe3ssG
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I didn't respond, just averted my eyes.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNqNrPsa9I
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4Ayi0rxT5
"B-But why don't we just leave the forest, huh!? And what about Flinty?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIimK0687w
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gWPdrNYDL
"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."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYM1SJG3eK
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaG6DNz1jK
"Huh?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwFdFj2GXe
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eCcYJM1I3
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVjFY6naRp
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlmlAulkcl
"Flinty? Are you serious?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc0O0uUymH
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gPgQQ6dvo
"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."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh1j5NFfrX
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIawFzEuDIC
She stood up and slammed her chest a few times.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDVuGNLrMV
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdNt5QP0Uj
"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."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGkL5Io1Df
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYw7jwam2L
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?406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJbGH4auEK
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDJ6K72l6A
"B-But, Flinty... what if... what if..."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4WYxiP3IR
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVh4mtxyVq
Victoria couldn't voice any rebuttal. Flinty was the final nail in the coffin.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9qtYxMYak
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLUUyNMwAx
I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. It was Kim.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHYjZl3LQ7
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoLB4mvfAR
"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."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wYtoXFkWx
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb0gYgFHw8
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxPQqTm59b
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡporrqMKtFu
"You and your words... I was right about being suspicious of you."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVm45l0l6g
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJhT7Wv0WY
"I'm sorry. I promise you'll be compensated for your efforts."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU42ZlZlDI3
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ys77kbYKj
"...With money?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhDHkMbaak
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5350Pp0lV
"With money."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeaTDkSjhB
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfdm2kqRYd
"...I can't say no to money."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemX9aoOLCu
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5XAHue76y
For a second, I caught a smile from under her cloak. She offered me a hand and helped me stand up.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBjUolptyE
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhIYkoOuVk
"Then that's settled. What about you, Victoria?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx0JstdlbM
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKqKrsWncO
She was still on the floor, giving us a pensive look.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRmqTTgw7Q
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9CGpEsWgi
"...If we're doing this, then I'll fight anything that isn't the blob."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyi2cbtP7n
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx3dNlAVwz
"Alright. Then Kenny and I will help."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRafbzeXd7
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnguAxfS4z
Kim helped Victoria to her feet. I felt something touch my back. It was Flinty, she slapped my shoulder.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwXYiufbPQ
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwZ44luIKZ
"Let's do our best okay?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuFcFlhWCN
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5NFY6dA8l
"..."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSL95R0xLb
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwldp79yqWM
I still had one more concern.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyPGpB4KI9
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMM5aGkArK
"Flinty, if the wolf gets to you while we're inside, what will you do then?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqr5NpQhES
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfy9kAyysdn
She averted her gaze.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5l9ukzr9F
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikf1cJhyR1
"I'll... if I need to, then I'll use the fireball. I'll use one like the one at Mister Freed's shop."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VtHzvSVdF
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0bNmSgWiC
"I see."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jMWffTSUa
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9XhNDGVt6
I unbuttoned my coat, took it off, and offered it to her. She looked it with apprehension, awkwardly raising a hand to her mouth.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRx4IyzE85
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zh7qf5TaW
"K-Kenny? Are you sure?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk278Ox6Jpc
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewXftfG9AC
"Uh..."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9zCjth2Oa
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tF4jowlWU
Crap. My cheeks were tinted rose.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXGA95aAVc
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9j6IARslg
"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."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh50bEjgRIO
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJntLAJWrH
She nodded and accepted my coat. It was a size too large for her, so a lot of excess cloth covered her legs. Perfect.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3nwQ2RpN2
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ia4RTTKoM
"This is really cozy, no wonder why you always wear it."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGT0F4Anl8g
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yx2dfbph2
"Heh. Anabelle is a good weaver, isn't she?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Sz5r7C1BM
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk8yl8wjyW
She nodded. I felt slightly naked now, but I still had long sleeves covering my arms. I would be fine.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa1GVkPIFj
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgD0QnYxSy
"Alright," Kim said, "are we ready to form a plan?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0xDsZ6QRF
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3GDDRiJ8I
–
–
–406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo5OHBHknK
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzliCdO34lK
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqPKmBiPoF
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78SZKG7VdB
"How does it look like?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzabu4qENX
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu6OXOqH9t
"Clear. I heard some ruckus coming from the building. They're likely occupied with whatever that is."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjP0drpiyi
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6Jrsxz4fb
Ideal conditions have been met. I took in a breath and released the tendril. A Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip.
"Are we ready?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3OsGzzyjm
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CrPdiOHGw
"We're ready."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sntTunI5M
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmypkCxBE1I
I never imagined myself taking part in a siege mission. I would make peace with it later.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMVacBD3BS
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzeZ0bRdZU
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhYsfHnjP6
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0c9ZHD5zP
"How are we supposed to scale a ramp of ice!?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSLe8f0fwB
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOj2ZXqsNA
She had a good point. I was a bit flustered.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNdpheo4AX
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHZRLMq1ar
"Then what do you propose I do!?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaDNB5qIUd
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAm5NykyMD
I could see Victoria's brain at work. I racked my mind for a solution.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7oHHYw80k
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyzASPevsj
"Just make little steps," Kim interjected, "and as we hop on them, make the next one bigger."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjonGmsDRea
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8EEYzkY74
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHTC9cLpuo
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIZsNFkr5T
"Before we enter, let me inspect how it is inside."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mx6ff15C2
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hNqcc5prg
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bwAspjzE4
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P3wXFJRNQ
They slept in conditions like this? They didn't even have a mattress. I almost felt bad.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfHzKQTzkj
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplA4c2sl0C
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqX7TIuoPI
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBauMbOb9p
"Ng, come on. I know you know better."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqpmJZyaqy
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ1RUPtYuo
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvukKKENFn
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSqCRIbfrp
"Y-Yeah. I know."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTy7q3sgpB
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlahbA0WyS
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8lRklw0hZ
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmFHRs4x5U
"Then why did you let the prisoners out? We can't have our location disclosed to–"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwNXjRI64V
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb204CAdQSj
**SHATTER**406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9hUKVpsVD
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnH5Yjcu35
I fired the stone. I made sure to put enough power to where it wouldn't kill the man, but at least incapacitate him.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7sMeflXx6
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjOBrHl1Om
I missed and hit the window, shattering it completely.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mSQBnnLdk
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzWkY1TbaX
Ng and the man turned to us. I didn't have anything to say, I simply returned eye contact.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eetHMwNfv
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Np3WniHqY
"Now!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FBQWmIdSM
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS56fLLH50I
Kim and Victoria rushed ahead. The two men didn't fight back, they started running away. I knew Ng was in on this!406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVmYEcghC2
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGo7ZY9uri
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSMUsQDK9b
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yfuDPi6EI
"What are you waiting for?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuyuen5bVY
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EU0xG9TF2
"I still don't trust Ng."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCPxTwPm8E
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOzHOe0jLI
"Fine, then go after him!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxwkwVC4eS
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk2iJe5KcL
I nodded and rushed through the other door. I saw another set of stairs and Ng was already making his way down them.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxpBbUMvek
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SENOi6maM
"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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIiSIf8iWj
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCitSt1bNDo
"O-Okay, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just don't hurt me!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSz1gBGN9X
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUruzxsY1Hv
He was already down on the ground with his head glued to the floor. I rushed towards him. Ng was... crying?406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uJUedGvGL
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2OVgFEfOX
"Are you seriously crying?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQaUNvdVX1
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHYScmrqKZ
"Huh?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk4X9Tzoj5
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSp4C3uPqp
He tilted his head up to me.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvWBytHV48
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4D1lsc8Ap
"N-No, I'm not crying. Aren't you going to kill me?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmqOYQ548D
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsJxfSpkty
"K-Kill? I wouldn't go that far... Geez, get up already."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IHtyZ0M0U
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiZVN2AbZt
He did as he was told. He had a look of sincere confusion on his face. I didn't let that fool me, though.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl6fAvve4f
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPaeNIm6rE
"You, are you really on our side?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuncdlKen4v
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNpI4x2Sgm
"Of course I am! If my words aren't enough, then I'll happily take an official oath!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLfmfJmo3A
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsU8IKwzC6
"Nobody's here to witness it, you moron! Nevermind this, just take me to your teammate already!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9KuN1mNlF
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQCPFwlZLM
"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."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErZ5nttQJG
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyS5ABfKrv
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjkhE0fpTZ
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cdg8x6nqC
"Miss... I advise you to not open that door. It's best if we step away."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7akF9SqY7
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKyAVoZihU
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3cZIlBZSJ
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg8EdBOwKp
"Panz! You, what do you think you're doing!?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW2ktJaOoc
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFHnizKwI2
Panz, who was apparently still awake, feebly lifted his head and cackled.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdeEI0rMDb
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlKdpszPRo
"As if I'd let you betray me like this so easily! I'll make you pay, Ng– ack!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFuvs6TCMH
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkQDBcnG7p
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkX1A1Su9u
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9zf02gYFV
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcO27hlOiY6
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZ99h3uRcL
And then, suddenly–406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnftC9qTUg
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamyo1SloHu
**SMASH**406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLPM4kqoQm
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkOugpaSbo
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡircTNDvRwa
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVYkjYBAW2
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19r59Lx1Gl
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm1hroY242
"Crap! Everyone, be careful!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfDGGjSCLS
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeJFZ2sPZ0
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacN2INYk4H
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviXM5Iu5GT
"H-Huh?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBYISOALmh
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KkzqlCngj
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HxlhCoudW
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyr6KsVlVU
"Victoria! Kenny! Ng! Head to the second floor!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaYQonQKBs
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjQsoTaEEl
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn74gMWGUJO
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCY4qrrEf8
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntbyQqFU0z
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"Ng!" I yelled, "Can't you control that thing!?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ312NtxWzdX
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc648u40Qm
"No! I am unable to resummon the creatures Panz has created, I can only do ones I have!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ceRqOc8CK
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8wmP8F7gP
"Like what!?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡti6h3kMVqm
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBc8lAJ3aH
"They died last night!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdz6CaxCxO
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSmzqmYY2j
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbylDasPzcI
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWKddL40Db
Wait, escape route, of course!406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHmr7xheW0
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGbZmApRgw
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvMQTQa4iJ
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCTNAurbPc
"...Did I do it?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTWheCBvnP
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvdS1cYBdz
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwOudf1uB4
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"H-Huh?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPP27FdJtw
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwUTb6oGBX
She offered me her healing potion.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0bbj8I2sQ
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BiYwCJ0vk
"Here. For your foot."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM6ev4q16C
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhMEpTpadN
"A-Ah, thank you."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RyLmau6UD
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7KgAeQqnX
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAHEGDlVKW
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV6Yty8gnW
"Haaa, ugh."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIaYVLbIBm
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QWKZwC6PH
I stood up with help from Victoria.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXsu1XC9V8
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0163xzWaqc
"Sorry. I didn't do anything."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aYRhr5yYv
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMgOfO5WKU
"Please, don't be. Even I don't feel like I did much."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUdrvPakax
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaYdOkBLl1
"Haha, you're too humble, Kenny."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3GeyJoU3Y
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNF8KIYoy7B
She was noticeably shaken. Still, she held onto the unconscious Panz like it was nothing. I was beginning to relax.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tRLYTMJM0
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKZpNeWkP4
"Don't let your guard down yet."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6QO0432xW
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNFCAEXvAQ
I looked at Kim who was pointing a large ball of fire at the beast. Looking at the encased monster, I noticed it fidgeting.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16ljKBuPlm
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"Crap. Crap!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6Tcqwni7Z
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtzjMYvYvo
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MnxDA18WF
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1EEok6PlH
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEhPpSa1RX
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaY8RU9STR
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuFZMVxaZ5
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMbaN81jXB
"K-Kenny!? Shit!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwzQqHdLvb
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE29nTe6K40
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJ3SkFNLtB
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMiam9iWo4
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aHT4CyFR6
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQuLo8R7bS
A sinister curiosity crept within me. It was awfully nostalgic.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoviHJ559h8
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycKTZsEeLk
"Kenny! Kenny, are you awake!?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbinZ9YBiqo
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5emvlsLMt
"Huh? Y-Yes!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF71AnlbfRx
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡni1pyuZVol
"If you can, support Kim!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu0zOwrKSh
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7bEdQMvlq
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjd8zXebs2
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZwDRTcao7
"W-Woah..."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOa8z0Pp1Q
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIS3WW5DQP
I spun the spear. I could swear I saw smoke emerge from the tip. I didn't think anything of it.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFdeTIfSrb
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jgVW52lrN
"KIM!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeDPyTSEsO
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4YIuRDQqW
"Right!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBmNEAPISg
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiJ4Rd2N5b
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGDqVWbyi7
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47d02Gl8jh
And so, I released the spear.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHgoyfiTvt
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**SMASH**406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfCsMyDrg9
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsXyISCGTo
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhq8DGMZmw
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCGmyJCFpY
Needless to say, the beast was slain. It faded away a second after. Right, it was made of mana, wasn't it?406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwOIXmLxZK
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliGj9ezo8h
"...Good job, Kenny," Victoria muttered. Kim ran towards me. I was still wincing, and that purple goop was still being expunged from my chest.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt1hlKuibs
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuhelG1nPG
"Kenny, out of curiosity, what is your earth magic grade?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq6IWuZFDX
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEkUQ1NkA2
Was now seriously the time to answer such a question? She sounded giddy asking me, so I decided to humor her.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIihNaXh8gB
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gb9fvhHHN
"...Three. But, as I've learned today, my accuracy probably lowers it."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcqPGIvOix
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NC4WabSbi
"No, what you just did was incredible."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxYzsJiAzm
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fLc4zlnix
"Okay, fine, thank you, geez."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwGgHLp302
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBqN45ZaRh
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–406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6g0WbAbAYB
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAxPaW8geR
"I'm afraid that wasn't the last of them," Ng said.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcPlR9qrN0
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcgbJzoWfZ
"Huh? Are you serious!?" Victoria yelled.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRKUNIDtpH
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7tjvCNk24
"Unfortunately."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27ZGFEcc5r
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzUoLOtmvd
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF5ZGeXQJa
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"Kim!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY66JYifY1
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEqiM7s4ez
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBUFa51ahx
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcLIWcvnKu
The tendril was bleeding purple.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GbRMJxCxw
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KI2RwP2wM
"Kim! Ah, Kenny, we need to–406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI5FJNsQrl
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Weq4qNIQh
**SMASH**406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQzlOvTdZU
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHas9vBYaWT
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xNJa9D3Lm
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvyhwWzFug
"It's Jeremiah! Kenny, you need to–"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEDKzNpFQT
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jvYFsxMtw
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡridrZs8BfL
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WHhx41K2D
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Vwe8vXDQz
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1SpTDHsbZ
"Victoria!" Ng yelled, "We need to escape! We can't fight Jeremiah now!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2CH0VK585
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvg654xSg2x
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3BIcWUixe
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyShXs7dE0v
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdWvscoKGQ
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnfLzCMOB4
"...Ngh."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ0IKVm1jv
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YN2fR1weH
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63x7n5vBQD
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52Zb6RU5Xb
"Haaa, haaa, shit, shit! Shit!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFXjBhbbQW
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UbcxP6Bfs
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4tPN1u1Pu
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQVWzadDOc
But, through the stormy mess that was in my mind, one thought came to the forefront.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOYLQNnqJq
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4pNjnELIE
The infiltration was a failure. Our ally was compromised. I failed completely.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDhpg2D0mb
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIivZKWsKfN
I felt like I was going to die.
and then Add to home screen.