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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rVshOTLZE
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Kim, Flinty, and Victoria leaned over to watch the scene. Ng, sensing no response, knocked on the door again.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl87HQ8mTgb
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"HEY! OPEN UP!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpUX7KSC31
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4PHO6GOgO
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"Something about this is fishy."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlV6FhOGJ9
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I looked at the other three. They nodded in agreement.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGizbCMumj
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"What should we do then?" Flinty asked.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BoMaERi4O
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"Kenny," Kim started, "take out your tendril. Prepare for anything unexpected."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVPplJod23
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ909qxeK8mM
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw79Np9Niwc
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"Oh, that's Jeremiah. Jeremiah! Open the door!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXP1e1P4hdD
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCHMW2wNH3
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And then.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl10FJYN0x
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**SMASH**243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3twgLWV6F
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPMe4Z3RKG
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"AH! WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU– NO, HELP! HEEELP!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqjmvDi7Of
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His wails ceased upon a distant slam. Looks like he made it into the compound.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKneIRJIWGN
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"..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSumEE1T4T7
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXj4QRpbh9w
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnh6pTwLg3
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"..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTloBtyA8R
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaLR2f6jYl
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMqv2B0RPc
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I took a deep breath. With the wall as support, I got back on my feet.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewrllc2Ain
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"We're getting the hell out of this forest."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5rNWAaVzY
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I walked back to the group. Flinty was shaking on the ground. Victoria was surprisingly standing. Kim was the same.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54VOp5IMZh
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"We need to leave. This is– whatever just happened, it's out of our league."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkv890WHj7
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Victoria nodded with me. Kim looked at me and began to speak.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyvn2DLTBj
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"Before anything, let's get away from the compound and formulate a plan."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAmRVjlY8J
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr75DeqaPv
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nrds9SG4w
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"-enny. Kenny. Kenny!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5D6vfbXgB
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"Huh?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2PfsXY9t0
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Kim was calling my name. It brought me back down to Earth.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD5YohAu54
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"What is it?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwJ7egodNG
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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?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YtEeDABLv
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"O-Of course. Not just for my sake, but because Flinty shouldn't be here anymore."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbXVY1j0VX
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Kim nodded. Victoria budged in.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8PQrcjv8b
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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..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0wVDYPKp2
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She stopped talking and looked at the floor, clenching her fist.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggEfzWBUJW
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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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3KN1dAksI
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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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2yRIti8lN
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Kim nodded. She sat criss-cross and put a hand to her chin.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tySCk0WSq
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"I know you two will disagree with this, but I think we should still try an infiltration."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6YIY3y3JR
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"W-What?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHebSOyqgn
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"Are you crazy!?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK9L77Z5Ga
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We both yelled. Victoria continued.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6J3CZDPPM
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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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKOUZMCu6X
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I nodded to her reasoning. The idea was absurd. But Kim immediately started her rebuttal.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuRRGoxusm
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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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sFEjrcRa6
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God, Kim, why were you calling that thing by its name?243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHj1WVfZug
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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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAqEhb7mL3
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"Are you saying we really have a fighting chance?" I asked.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk0LV27GoG
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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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyfVTcZxQz
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"I think you're severely overestimating me. I have nothing in my arsenal that can level a building that sturdy."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaELHoKOCb
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"Maybe not level it, but you have something that'll encase it, don't you?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDsqchEPNg
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I tilted my head in confusion.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpYf8peJDW
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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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhaXzElFPn
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Nothing about this was sitting right with me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0iy2O2XMH
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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!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMJ9jnXqru
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"Do you really think Ng has any ill will towards us?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb5y8eQgcI
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"Of course I do!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrEqy7K2PD
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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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApz9rZxS7A
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"Y-You... Victoria, back me up here!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOKbUHQYEW
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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!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb0tr32uLI
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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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG2dVYwHRt
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I didn't respond, just averted my eyes.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dHAb9wsTL
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"B-But why don't we just leave the forest, huh!? And what about Flinty?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR0kJ6gJpS
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZzNiGhHY9
"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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ijo6GvBZd
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqlL6PIKtx
"Huh?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IvP5jejjr
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlzyoEQE2k
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdKuiP5eDI
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMukKgY9YkE
"Flinty? Are you serious?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuf20omZ2C
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5iafQeMuW
"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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpDwXuIM4k
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky3k3ODGbp
She stood up and slammed her chest a few times.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2ij604MEu
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp76jwnlA4I
"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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMro9POHD28
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BLo1EuvHz
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?243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwVmNpItbX
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAQtnADOHf
"B-But, Flinty... what if... what if..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aTUkkpgzK
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZOEDOV87I
Victoria couldn't voice any rebuttal. Flinty was the final nail in the coffin.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitdGyjSjeq
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYW7clBwbW
I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. It was Kim.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CQC8BWWSB
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyiOYjaCIV
"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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn0cNFk8an
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJdmCSAn0d
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFlIxFKsec
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyYQeOq2GU
"You and your words... I was right about being suspicious of you."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrdyJ6VPFH
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfUJKw2BfK
"I'm sorry. I promise you'll be compensated for your efforts."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyADuwS57Mi
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rHxtW4hpi
"...With money?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGNt1vYgnr
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8d0D8hlxY
"With money."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Sbt44y92v
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lTrWsKlol
"...I can't say no to money."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13buga7smr
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7rbcRGxTy
For a second, I caught a smile from under her cloak. She offered me a hand and helped me stand up.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8GtWytgM6
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5Q6XjXXAg
"Then that's settled. What about you, Victoria?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnp7hbCM5sO
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu8nAVlq4O
She was still on the floor, giving us a pensive look.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JduzYahKB
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RimI0ggBX
"...If we're doing this, then I'll fight anything that isn't the blob."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z9i5dyTjq
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8blFLEtNb
"Alright. Then Kenny and I will help."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMSmGr15VI
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8fDu3KazU
Kim helped Victoria to her feet. I felt something touch my back. It was Flinty, she slapped my shoulder.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnECY6lyTwZ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6haLcOp7W
"Let's do our best okay?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJRNQaFTk3
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTPc5QIXAJ
"..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbkG1ChSK0
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I still had one more concern.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkaE5P8RkM
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeey6vjHtlv
"Flinty, if the wolf gets to you while we're inside, what will you do then?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhYt5DbUsg
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXCOUpRenq
She averted her gaze.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPbxRIFGZe
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeKCr7hhOH
"I'll... if I need to, then I'll use the fireball. I'll use one like the one at Mister Freed's shop."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuHZBNALLM
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi4PUGNs7A
"I see."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv5EgxI9FG
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxdUETkBu4
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarObiBMnBA
"K-Kenny? Are you sure?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiazf3PIBIm
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"Uh..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0TQqaQSLv
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Crap. My cheeks were tinted rose.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDjKmL9BZo
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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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiPZeTqo8k
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hju0E8LHs
She nodded and accepted my coat. It was a size too large for her, so a lot of excess cloth covered her legs. Perfect.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6z5aQvnBO
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVkDnkmddY
"This is really cozy, no wonder why you always wear it."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGCRZxYhcK
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsvFgEqtYl
"Heh. Anabelle is a good weaver, isn't she?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGniXZnDItK
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFOo4a4xmc
She nodded. I felt slightly naked now, but I still had long sleeves covering my arms. I would be fine.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFaIsdPcHi
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lxtdidcHR
"Alright," Kim said, "are we ready to form a plan?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IsrOKbiBY
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–
–
–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJLYUi5PeM
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9KPWpflqz
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XBWGEtVIE
"How does it look like?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCx2dv1g4j
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAaDWnHsc1
"Clear. I heard some ruckus coming from the building. They're likely occupied with whatever that is."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL36KSc2FU
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjrMHLSvmG
Ideal conditions have been met. I took in a breath and released the tendril. A Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip.
"Are we ready?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjJHLsL4Z3
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6HYkNQ8Kq
"We're ready."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoNv910Ugv
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbheJBCt4WT
I never imagined myself taking part in a siege mission. I would make peace with it later.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY91BY56abK
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUwisGjeDk
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqeluObdFj
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61CIhrRV2j
"How are we supposed to scale a ramp of ice!?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvDzRdJCRt
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35exUZbV7Z
She had a good point. I was a bit flustered.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbWttPXS5z
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSBiJXDc25
"Then what do you propose I do!?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNfWqdQbOu
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbirKgbzfG
I could see Victoria's brain at work. I racked my mind for a solution.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTW5P2Q5z2U
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjVjhv2nNp
"Just make little steps," Kim interjected, "and as we hop on them, make the next one bigger."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicXvEd1wNk
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGcBHGO6Wu
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vk0sMBxzz
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguh64e9WTQ
"Before we enter, let me inspect how it is inside."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUSZBf9Bnn
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL9eAhZxus
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjKOxewQLk
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpZS02nnYj
They slept in conditions like this? They didn't even have a mattress. I almost felt bad.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPqMDHx5Da
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP17Ygh6cn
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNeqPX3Kt2
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXalt6ctWku
"Ng, come on. I know you know better."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3PdgYjTA5
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fgJV3FYoD
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIJVERypz0
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VQePHsfso
"Y-Yeah. I know."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd9WOucB0k
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hgDnGaKwe
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfUuTCyP4Q
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco4FKEMVDH
"Then why did you let the prisoners out? We can't have our location disclosed to–"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDa58mqdcC
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZmtabnm2o
**SHATTER**243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4lFdOjQdc
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLmWv7ZJNu
I fired the stone. I made sure to put enough power to where it wouldn't kill the man, but at least incapacitate him.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhQlEMSdoa
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWMvYPeW80
I missed and hit the window, shattering it completely.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr4zvqUdGp
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP07n0XKlo
Ng and the man turned to us. I didn't have anything to say, I simply returned eye contact.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3zZ5UyIrz
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBHB7zRulY
"Now!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPixIJI5yb
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhCFlp7SVf
Kim and Victoria rushed ahead. The two men didn't fight back, they started running away. I knew Ng was in on this!243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZHDYp97od
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfMGDntAiv
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSNZ4r8rK5
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5szALPMarW
"What are you waiting for?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFhzPXgEpl
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8r0EFRAI1
"I still don't trust Ng."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0y5avc0sp
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8b6uZnP24
"Fine, then go after him!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhspbCF3jPD
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHXks3UmRn
I nodded and rushed through the other door. I saw another set of stairs and Ng was already making his way down them.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vpXm5BaFy
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbL2WkdQe2I
"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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYs3K0Pinv
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Wo4DwVKGl
"O-Okay, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just don't hurt me!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdyVGVKayI
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZawc4PEOT
He was already down on the ground with his head glued to the floor. I rushed towards him. Ng was... crying?243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtWMPQe0aI
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXjOeEe5Q2
"Are you seriously crying?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N8RRACFas
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFejqsCRp3P
"Huh?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPabiReoQy
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCKOSCvPgh
He tilted his head up to me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWuARQMtkm
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"N-No, I'm not crying. Aren't you going to kill me?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNebBnHDwb
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFJPEidIRE
"K-Kill? I wouldn't go that far... Geez, get up already."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d8okw92re
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YwSPsPVJS
He did as he was told. He had a look of sincere confusion on his face. I didn't let that fool me, though.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCODETJlGI
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXarMYlH878
"You, are you really on our side?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQR8G4B5xk
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCxKZugMUU
"Of course I am! If my words aren't enough, then I'll happily take an official oath!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8jl5wUGIG
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22QSNzY73x
"Nobody's here to witness it, you moron! Nevermind this, just take me to your teammate already!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1D5933Lge
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYCZLOXO8A
"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."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbYTffwUjy
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmPut4tKtv
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwPQqB0BDf
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjl0wf7vklh
"Miss... I advise you to not open that door. It's best if we step away."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpaITJS07P
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeSTzRmiWm
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXyDSQsbTL
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYblJsDopgs
"Panz! You, what do you think you're doing!?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Epp75vWAE
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7lTwH1RE3
Panz, who was apparently still awake, feebly lifted his head and cackled.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55D9Nu2oKa
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjvOzkZXn3
"As if I'd let you betray me like this so easily! I'll make you pay, Ng– ack!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv0dpU3HV0
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkdWz9vPLm
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zhsFa14Cp
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi19yvKFPET
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWSCaeRgXw
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mq1SlbGVY
And then, suddenly–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBrr7jVcGB
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3n5nTjpSV
**SMASH**243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgb3Iae3vc
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ycU5llezT
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHjbcCj6GP
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4RnI83wFk
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcjh1S8QFt
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"Crap! Everyone, be careful!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIP8CtmNsqa
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuwtThxvNA
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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5h3heKm6Q
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"H-Huh?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20plvSUp9y
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nFBg1MGYJ
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"Victoria! Kenny! Ng! Head to the second floor!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFScTIeWdnR
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ312hSKHEd2
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yjZgt8rta
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"Ng!" I yelled, "Can't you control that thing!?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS6VTwzZcs
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74dNHtnNED
"No! I am unable to resummon the creatures Panz has created, I can only do ones I have!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IHfzgc4qQ
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"Like what!?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ89KWiDn5
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"They died last night!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7wmdc17Xf
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjPwzPV3sd
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Wait, escape route, of course!243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KdNhjqmpV
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRoF87pLQo
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"...Did I do it?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQ9UtR8nl8
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Kim stopped hurling fireballs. The beast stopped moving. Being covered in ice like that shouldn't have killed it. Considering the girth of its legs, it should be able to break out easily. I remained vigilant and eyed the frozen beast, but a nudge from my right broke my focus. It was Victoria.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUp6c8kews
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"H-Huh?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyAdcChzxQ
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She offered me her healing potion.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQypysBpCUw
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"Here. For your foot."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY3fCXPrXE
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"A-Ah, thank you."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTRTIxIjhn
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wXh7nyhYF
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"Haaa, ugh."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSkjqeOuXD
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I stood up with help from Victoria.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYG1iVthQwg
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"Sorry. I didn't do anything."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC57Fzv2VH
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"Please, don't be. Even I don't feel like I did much."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvP4ZWHDPX
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zOytuRZRw
"Haha, you're too humble, Kenny."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvYIbEcgGq
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh9CTSUjvk
She was noticeably shaken. Still, she held onto the unconscious Panz like it was nothing. I was beginning to relax.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbwuuWdPxV
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"Don't let your guard down yet."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe9YS4RKWS
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUf9sdIVbc
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"Crap. Crap!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnAz0XcbdD
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwgrSudwn4
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5EmVF1cvp
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIESRzVf3s3
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"K-Kenny!? Shit!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9HxZfGYw0
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hdwtadIDH
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8n7vaVNXQ
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A sinister curiosity crept within me. It was awfully nostalgic.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfmpHDdsNP
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"Kenny! Kenny, are you awake!?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfSRN17Pnj
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"Huh? Y-Yes!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3iEVroVjT
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"If you can, support Kim!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpuP3rt79f
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnKtQVo1et
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"W-Woah..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhypxcbeUR
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtt3NNsgGS
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"KIM!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWheOWrIma
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"Right!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHsceYjrsc
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOJrfzMX9U
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And so, I released the spear.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBcCc4uVWT
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**SMASH**243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4NNahQQma
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXzvCpwSg1
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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?243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduPw03raiv
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMNDiilxTs
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"Kenny, out of curiosity, what is your earth magic grade?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolUuS5AZOQ
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIWJEKISlG
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"...Three. But, as I've learned today, my accuracy probably lowers it."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANlj2csxCz
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"No, what you just did was incredible."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNK62AQhL7
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"Okay, fine, thank you, geez."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTLlCTopss
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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–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxIQ4ABq9z
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"I'm afraid that wasn't the last of them," Ng said.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Nettc4Ok4
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"Huh? Are you serious!?" Victoria yelled.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjeiJQs70y
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"Unfortunately."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRbT5fOJDe
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoqZggt7Hp
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"Kim!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfzRZi1bu6
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuTuMNQDMD
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The tendril was bleeding purple.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiky5y7U65
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"Kim! Ah, Kenny, we need to–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqZSzY2fMU
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**SMASH**243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4L7dnhteO
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVm3JUOuBb
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"It's Jeremiah! Kenny, you need to–"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREjuCoDVZh
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWYn1Or3Sl
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sUKOv7LwC
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"Victoria!" Ng yelled, "We need to escape! We can't fight Jeremiah now!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbuFDNKEpF
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYes40Jai0
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzqBPsMjcf
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"...Ngh."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5cTTutp94
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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.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sA45PP8n0
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"Haaa, haaa, shit, shit! Shit!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCa60yQytm
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I knew how she felt, that Victoria. I couldn't focus at all, though. I had too many afflictions, I had too much fatigue, it was overbearing, everything was overbearing. I almost began to cry.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1fDITDZHh
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But, through the stormy mess that was in my mind, one thought came to the forefront.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctuMcSvnTH
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The infiltration was a failure. Our ally was compromised. I failed completely.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCo3g6yL7I
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I felt like I was going to die.
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