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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvynbn2LJpx
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Kim, Flinty, and Victoria leaned over to watch the scene. Ng, sensing no response, knocked on the door again.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwj7vCV48tr
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"HEY! OPEN UP!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlg9GMKU6Nd
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgRtl0sdkO
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"Something about this is fishy."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5e3DwM9BXV
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I looked at the other three. They nodded in agreement.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7e6TbbwDz
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"What should we do then?" Flinty asked.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmtgf469FQ
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"Kenny," Kim started, "take out your tendril. Prepare for anything unexpected."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQsKBYxc1C
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnQSVb72DR
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR7AcLZyr3
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"Oh, that's Jeremiah. Jeremiah! Open the door!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBTvd30gvr
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNYX5sq62f
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And then.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QPk2f291u
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**SMASH**158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbCDuggjR4
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcE6qoZmyy
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"AH! WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU– NO, HELP! HEEELP!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUZptjnTRU
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His wails ceased upon a distant slam. Looks like he made it into the compound.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmKFiEd8EU
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"..."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1ONLEOwfI
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSTIVHtKDF
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L7c1YGrBW
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"..."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpyNQHGW4o
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGuTr7x0QT
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolaNbZxhw9
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I took a deep breath. With the wall as support, I got back on my feet.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhZ1cMSWV2
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"We're getting the hell out of this forest."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRJXeUGHAV
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I walked back to the group. Flinty was shaking on the ground. Victoria was surprisingly standing. Kim was the same.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1J59QjmS2
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"We need to leave. This is– whatever just happened, it's out of our league."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvDB89MaQd
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Victoria nodded with me. Kim looked at me and began to speak.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNRgHSPbLu
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"Before anything, let's get away from the compound and formulate a plan."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO3My4MFZv
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR78tpGGi6
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGBgTYPK7e
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"-enny. Kenny. Kenny!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpsxXRzApD
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"Huh?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwyBRD9130
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Kim was calling my name. It brought me back down to Earth.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyA3rhc9n4j
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"What is it?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhK0KfwtDo
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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?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4RcC6kuJv
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"O-Of course. Not just for my sake, but because Flinty shouldn't be here anymore."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwYk54ETbZ
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Kim nodded. Victoria budged in.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JEzUX2JRj
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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..."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0dvLIND9J
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She stopped talking and looked at the floor, clenching her fist.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3rlHk4S06
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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."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr67sVELr2t
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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."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUqazYDSxw
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Kim nodded. She sat criss-cross and put a hand to her chin.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgcmifRvDu
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"I know you two will disagree with this, but I think we should still try an infiltration."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsoOTiDDik
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"W-What?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybDroN9NfK
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"Are you crazy!?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxCfWaxTVD
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We both yelled. Victoria continued.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKzJHrV0Go
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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."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWVz4l596r
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I nodded to her reasoning. The idea was absurd. But Kim immediately started her rebuttal.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUQB5rNMW8
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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."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCEbp7R4SF
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God, Kim, why were you calling that thing by its name?158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1cOAC3MhE
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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."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRvldCv4m0
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"Are you saying we really have a fighting chance?" I asked.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCZkb1ymkG
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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."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaO32ecP9Tg
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"I think you're severely overestimating me. I have nothing in my arsenal that can level a building that sturdy."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe339KN9GuR
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"Maybe not level it, but you have something that'll encase it, don't you?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYCugjTRJU
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I tilted my head in confusion.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEcN7HNw11
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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."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWESFpiBrS
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Nothing about this was sitting right with me.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb14u2eXJwM
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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!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0HluggxZx
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"Do you really think Ng has any ill will towards us?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mAKb1Wyeh
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"Of course I do!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6N1ViXwQuW
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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."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkEdoebJpH
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"Y-You... Victoria, back me up here!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Pi2l0hQsp
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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!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7E1OAlabv
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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."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc6t2YVIAf
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I didn't respond, just averted my eyes.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9633Cth9b
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"B-But why don't we just leave the forest, huh!? And what about Flinty?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevwNDKzifx
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NtL7BmaY2
"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."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoUl3tvk6x
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZaexu8Y2O
"Huh?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30lNd2M6Vm
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDODKS0pzE
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WU5ccFYgI
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBH0kZQBCu
"Flinty? Are you serious?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFK9VMEZIx
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYxtIW0Ca5
"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."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL820Gm20lP
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1f3oHOGXZ
She stood up and slammed her chest a few times.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtXql2lgCP
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1LJ5SyRCo
"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."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiqHEL45HG
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l1Te2w9U7
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?158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0QSPMz2aH
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWD4U1TnDO
"B-But, Flinty... what if... what if..."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruIIDruHuQ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxZwdSZiTv
Victoria couldn't voice any rebuttal. Flinty was the final nail in the coffin.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcTR5jHsIF
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AujgeGzzL
I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. It was Kim.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxVHSU4uhs
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3bySMYpDW
"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."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeqoLMR8CR
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHjZN8niT1
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSxa0EzgY4
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwN7ctqzZt
"You and your words... I was right about being suspicious of you."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm9GIlKXCe
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HPpUYgztI
"I'm sorry. I promise you'll be compensated for your efforts."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgLIn66Iej
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIMATUgR74
"...With money?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGN9TL1oguO
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCdiHR12KI
"With money."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzV3nl0fFf
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYi1XeDUcR
"...I can't say no to money."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx2gB1dueF
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzkhpHkR15
For a second, I caught a smile from under her cloak. She offered me a hand and helped me stand up.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwTDjBRrqC
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPMN2vaklL
"Then that's settled. What about you, Victoria?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhBVGQn1SX
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ659OgtqAc2
She was still on the floor, giving us a pensive look.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IIYbCbazR
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ms4pSUacI
"...If we're doing this, then I'll fight anything that isn't the blob."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6tVp8Ld5v
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODkEib7e2m
"Alright. Then Kenny and I will help."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGnvvZzdWW
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrejC6RJouV
Kim helped Victoria to her feet. I felt something touch my back. It was Flinty, she slapped my shoulder.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB7nS6tjNI
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiEqe2hQui
"Let's do our best okay?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pjuCf0Pnf
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YGtn6CE2f
"..."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBurGUCR9l
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOqF66W5WW
I still had one more concern.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5RkZ8nQgw
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuXwnjBOuq
"Flinty, if the wolf gets to you while we're inside, what will you do then?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wFPYMg59K
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXEnLvcS5c
She averted her gaze.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrtIzbJbcx
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLs1IsXQIY
"I'll... if I need to, then I'll use the fireball. I'll use one like the one at Mister Freed's shop."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHi5HhAvP4
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA68QW57af
"I see."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOvtTkzNSB
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdSIbczTo2
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtn4xBdcqu
"K-Kenny? Are you sure?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhhZrgf8qv
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAamJvtkWGn
"Uh..."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw79vOR3Um5
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Crap. My cheeks were tinted rose.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2cut7SkOd
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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."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKRFaEgyZ6
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt33G80w6DZ
She nodded and accepted my coat. It was a size too large for her, so a lot of excess cloth covered her legs. Perfect.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbv0PMYVueH
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3tews4gE9
"This is really cozy, no wonder why you always wear it."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYirkR2qba3
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rGI4jl05Z
"Heh. Anabelle is a good weaver, isn't she?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxqmUVHcIl
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KsYY66b0f
She nodded. I felt slightly naked now, but I still had long sleeves covering my arms. I would be fine.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmoMRqgT5x
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVpeDdJram
"Alright," Kim said, "are we ready to form a plan?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9kvz8DueO
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgIZ5HT7PN
–
–
–158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nfvLV98SX
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFgn5Uz6EW
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUu49Fk3Ey
"How does it look like?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXjeB1mzt5
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOA4e1mGgq
"Clear. I heard some ruckus coming from the building. They're likely occupied with whatever that is."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFsuTTJrlg
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Qvwqdd8QB
Ideal conditions have been met. I took in a breath and released the tendril. A Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip.
"Are we ready?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyJ24E25vJ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxwzxd3c3V
"We're ready."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv43shVbQyf
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffo7EoITBR
I never imagined myself taking part in a siege mission. I would make peace with it later.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiJ5ro1OQx
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZIyEiXI1J
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWcOA5FDG8
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFPC6Cyv0F
"How are we supposed to scale a ramp of ice!?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGHP5nxZ96
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI5pmcf819
She had a good point. I was a bit flustered.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMBhQkfj3c
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqL7EN7mkv
"Then what do you propose I do!?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS96WZn2Oux
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7SsS2a5Z6
I could see Victoria's brain at work. I racked my mind for a solution.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yEbB891Zn
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuQI2BBFlG
"Just make little steps," Kim interjected, "and as we hop on them, make the next one bigger."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH4ZrZUHmK
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uNDV4BBoh
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2I1LNba0U
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"Before we enter, let me inspect how it is inside."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVzQuqeV8J
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCpwU9UXuq
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwtHIEIpjF
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFY0NPtGbB
They slept in conditions like this? They didn't even have a mattress. I almost felt bad.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t6uQP73zu
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25T9qw9Wxc
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPTUevdNeE
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIKPhp08Is
"Ng, come on. I know you know better."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8lPZn0M4O
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb1djJ162r
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUMV6m4gd4
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yWBldJzql
"Y-Yeah. I know."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6DhefuA5a
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNnydHF8na
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIw07Lg3j4
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnE1isxLXis
"Then why did you let the prisoners out? We can't have our location disclosed to–"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms4xh5VD6w
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSIO1Lrx1a
**SHATTER**158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMVpAc1GAf
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhq7op69Z3
I fired the stone. I made sure to put enough power to where it wouldn't kill the man, but at least incapacitate him.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzQ9XDsKO9
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X2NPmIoKT
I missed and hit the window, shattering it completely.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb3h6uOyjT
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCK3G8uXbB
Ng and the man turned to us. I didn't have anything to say, I simply returned eye contact.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUgE6UBzeX
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"Now!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3tVdZUg2T
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirf3FrkygD
Kim and Victoria rushed ahead. The two men didn't fight back, they started running away. I knew Ng was in on this!158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrcJwb4zxK
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pCvwWiI8x
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgVlZlyJ3j
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqPeWXa6bK
"What are you waiting for?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzbkizHeI2
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMESE3w6N2
"I still don't trust Ng."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4cgytGDJ8
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOC5AP5K5j
"Fine, then go after him!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWjcNYnYcO
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvL3L53r2c
I nodded and rushed through the other door. I saw another set of stairs and Ng was already making his way down them.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32ZAeSlg3V
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTs2csSWwC
"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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVrTHZtWRj
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"O-Okay, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just don't hurt me!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeWnlyQkfq
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23M5stLj9g
He was already down on the ground with his head glued to the floor. I rushed towards him. Ng was... crying?158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8uHdEO74l
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYphh1CGie
"Are you seriously crying?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuJ0Ft8DIi
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ8lszgJfP
"Huh?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80EBVgO5AY
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He tilted his head up to me.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpgJ80zkh4
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"N-No, I'm not crying. Aren't you going to kill me?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrjBIkpSAO
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfttYdnKNaN
"K-Kill? I wouldn't go that far... Geez, get up already."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF4AW9CuOF
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtqmeyqKFD
He did as he was told. He had a look of sincere confusion on his face. I didn't let that fool me, though.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QryAau7ww
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Vq6VpUO1S
"You, are you really on our side?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fEptyCW6B
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPqsjVqCSz
"Of course I am! If my words aren't enough, then I'll happily take an official oath!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuUZwy2G5P
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWXKK91b52
"Nobody's here to witness it, you moron! Nevermind this, just take me to your teammate already!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiMH2joGjD
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2iCsa6LPJ
"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."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpgNypkg1H
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIl5NuGeLNj
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W5wxvD2UJ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc5rbb2ZCp
"Miss... I advise you to not open that door. It's best if we step away."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZG56xSs6f
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygBULAXhu6
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyvY7hDSW6
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbNgFl6O81
"Panz! You, what do you think you're doing!?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNO9G4ek7R
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGa4rS2jRc
Panz, who was apparently still awake, feebly lifted his head and cackled.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCFu63RdSx
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCQOZUYzci
"As if I'd let you betray me like this so easily! I'll make you pay, Ng– ack!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuFvjcUfC3
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnYxjjcX2J
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgzIeYSvv6
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtbncwJzaW
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlotSlVQ4P
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAyJksoOyA
And then, suddenly–158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTT2IB3y30
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSShWFUo9WI
**SMASH**158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5unSbmR15
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISGTLcH9Zy
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEg1iMqT9a
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVHx9h2JIk
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDBqjimm8d
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"Crap! Everyone, be careful!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdJGiWfrMn
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Kim rushed in and started slicing at the beast. As formidable as its size was it was sluggish, and Kim had exceptional agility. She cut its chest, and the beast swung its arm and missed. And then Kim cut its arm, not quite decapitating it, but inflicting a wound severe enough to where the beast had to console it. And then Kim tried striking at its left leg. Her sword shattered immediately.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx39dTDX3qu
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"H-Huh?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTcOqJqt49
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAuV9aPNQi
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"Victoria! Kenny! Ng! Head to the second floor!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAlD9dMfS1
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2Nejd6mv9
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRxWJlSR9g
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"Ng!" I yelled, "Can't you control that thing!?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQOW7dlXW9
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"No! I am unable to resummon the creatures Panz has created, I can only do ones I have!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5G7DSKhiZ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm91rpPajTB
"Like what!?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfcS5FYe1L
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"They died last night!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJITjrgrvCf
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTcf0yqq0g
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Wait, escape route, of course!158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCb958Rusw
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfPVGQ6nSC
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"...Did I do it?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTNXE0uz5Q
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcntJzqbvUQ
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"H-Huh?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SbgWG6ss7
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She offered me her healing potion.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM9uMJP9op
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"Here. For your foot."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8lrjuGpmq
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"A-Ah, thank you."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPUiPi9KM9
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Jj4DUPmXV
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"Haaa, ugh."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8HeqUvKIr
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I stood up with help from Victoria.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFWg7kEMhI
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"Sorry. I didn't do anything."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEooWIFZkHV
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"Please, don't be. Even I don't feel like I did much."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcU7medXqJ
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"Haha, you're too humble, Kenny."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfER8dTXqO
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She was noticeably shaken. Still, she held onto the unconscious Panz like it was nothing. I was beginning to relax.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUR0hEUJoSi
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"Don't let your guard down yet."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGuw1wUTH4
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWHhYFvJSb
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"Crap. Crap!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8YVSpDEiG
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBZcOsV4jF
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJn5sAsAlk
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfMbYkrbW9
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"K-Kenny!? Shit!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0qrpVolCW
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5rShwgHzi
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXf3Ti75I8
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A sinister curiosity crept within me. It was awfully nostalgic.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H0RbQGPEw
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"Kenny! Kenny, are you awake!?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFLt2E9RIJ
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"Huh? Y-Yes!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3Gc7betmS
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"If you can, support Kim!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rosGil35L
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVHUGJcU0p
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"W-Woah..."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYMlowwiie
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcorhoXpQzv
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"KIM!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBybPaL4VPB
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"Right!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WjV3kERfQ
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLG7KEaCEv
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And so, I released the spear.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdy30l6RVt
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**SMASH**158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXjXXRZI1R
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKBlw01Bo4
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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?158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8jFS0Oywg
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21SVq3lJ9j
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"Kenny, out of curiosity, what is your earth magic grade?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKCbyuur5j
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyphPHEdWS
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"...Three. But, as I've learned today, my accuracy probably lowers it."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T9579IWAx
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"No, what you just did was incredible."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLPvt9KqQP
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"Okay, fine, thank you, geez."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBgNr9ywgC
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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–158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud1WA9ttN2
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"I'm afraid that wasn't the last of them," Ng said.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgYsDvo0Du
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"Huh? Are you serious!?" Victoria yelled.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1Ulz3YoJH
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"Unfortunately."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHnntrCbXh
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZnNKANXfR
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"Kim!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtpKJeCMPb
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw35nu9NUPl
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The tendril was bleeding purple.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9Q0VJthDb
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"Kim! Ah, Kenny, we need to–158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVXDNSzpNg
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**SMASH**158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrQQnWu54Y
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtISolnzf0l
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"It's Jeremiah! Kenny, you need to–"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYFq4DgDaN
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQEdILzsPe
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAt4e4Vkdp
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"Victoria!" Ng yelled, "We need to escape! We can't fight Jeremiah now!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZXn5d4cHw
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG4o87Kmcz
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyqlJDmUKb
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"...Ngh."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZOACW7Ijc
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EZl0b6twt
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"Haaa, haaa, shit, shit! Shit!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21Tdl6Wkv5
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CuZneMIUk
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But, through the stormy mess that was in my mind, one thought came to the forefront.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVitadCAnE
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The infiltration was a failure. Our ally was compromised. I failed completely.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bCDdxIjID
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I felt like I was going to die.
