“...”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9Ga68fd96
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“...”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOhJmDekYh
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I couldn’t explain how it wound up this way. Maybe it was how I always lagged behind, or that other members were simply more courageous than Juke and I. Maybe it was bad fortune becoming of me, an ugly trait that reared its head in inconvenient times. Pondering an explanation was a useless endeavor anyhow. At this point, I realized it just wasn’t always needed.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYwzG9jdEF
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvIhiOGc8a
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I didn’t have any evidence, but my gut screamed at me that the final floor would be the most challenging to combat. I readily acknowledged that the Harbinger was on a lower floor, but all the suspense that had been accumulating in my body informed me that wasn’t the worst of it. Perhaps it was a superstition– no, it absolutely was –but I was still compelled to tell Juke of my hypothesis.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgdDFwD0hU
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“I have a feeling–”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfJ1JUUn1S
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0577WUiplj
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I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9NXGCYfFk
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“Do you also have that feeling?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRWtvjrKDM
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“Nothin’ like it. I could just tell by the look on yer face. Either way, I don’t think we’re gonna deal with somethin’ so meddlesome.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnMQhzyQVl
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“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cb3LWgDyL
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His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdrNxgglu6
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But, ultimately, I reminded myself yet again that that hardly mattered. Now that we’d arrived on a flat surface, there was nothing to do but to walk through that door and eliminate whoever was behind it. So we made sure to make a loud entrance. As I was able to match his pace, the both of us busted the door down. We ran into the master’s room, a spacious office stacked with papers. It was different, and far, far messier than the Foreign Pillar’s.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfKHSjVtYL
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“Y-You!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDnrlDpab5
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I was shocked by a sudden voice from my left. I turned my head and saw a skinny gentleman, one I could only assume was the Pillar’s Dean.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4rvI6uI5J
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZThjK3kfFX
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“A-Alright!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXhH14FTme
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Whether his words or his pathetic visage swayed me, I ran to untie him all the same. But I was stopped in my tracks by a hand grabbing my shoulder.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfnBvTEBpM
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhLVsm4ykx
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My question was cut short the moment I looked at where he was point. Now, I was looking at the reason behind the different papers, the reason why the dean was tied in rope.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlx6QMKZdT
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A man stood on the desk. A man with a robe I knew all too well, but more importantly, with a style of hair that I recognized. He turned his head towards us as he put a paper down, and frowned.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbomgcPX5eJ
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“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC1s9Z2Y28
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With almond-shaped eyes and a jagged, unusual hairstyle that screamed “punk,” the Bringer in the streets of this city right as this mess began glared at us with the sheen of his blade.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPi8iQsb4S
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“He’s alive!?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAML8eq3zX
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The shock of it all was one thing, as the last time I saw him, I was sure he was pulverized and left to bleed out. But what truly made me yell in such volume was that he still had both of his arms.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjxq232aV0
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“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm84wCPmTy
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“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MSXhIyZ4Z
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He said it matter-of-factly, as if none of it should be a surprise. Missing limbs weren’t impossible to restore with highly potent, albeit rare and extremely expensive potions, but processes like that took months, often years to complete. And they would only proceed smoothly with frequent tending and doctoral observation.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5fMgtkZyg
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJDX9ULdAG
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMNUkqNSR9
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“...Well, not exactly.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttI6uWTNjX
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVm3FUtHD4F
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“Restoring limbs isn’t impossible; I tried and failed to make a few like that myself. But to be able to do it that fast, there’s only one explanation.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwuJ3GkZtK
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“Tell me, won’t ya?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eghdcrcwa
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“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2y1ODWih4
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZhjoYq8n7
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlOod45dBH
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“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMjL2bgjMA
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“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo0JdaA315
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9scQVjBkdy
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“There’s someone among our ranks who’s a world-class healer. It’s phenomenal to see her work, really. I was out like a light, but by the time I woke up, I was better than new!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV3rsyUaCx
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He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFNPh7m733
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcvEyv7AC9
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpTGuVRIpv
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEGti7uyYK
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The Bringer hopped off the desk and reached for the other scabbard on his belt. Wielding two curved blades yet again, he stared at us with crazed, narrowed eyes.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZErJLOrKTX
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V1rguktAx
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M5AahL6vn
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmsNGK1kqI
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWkhVYnnam
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–
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–
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–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvedUnZz2yG
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The Bringer’s immediate dash complicated this whole mess. It might’ve been my fault for not taking Juke aside and speaking of a plan, but there was nothing I could do now. I didn’t have time to speak with him about our battle strategy. It helped not that the Bringer’s gesture was so sudden. It stunned me for a moment and forced me to think of a counterattack. But Juke thankfully had a quick, simple proposal:: he just drew his sword and matched the Bringer.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d8PGFaEwE
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The first collision of the battle followed right after. Juke blocked a double swipe with his single sword, and immediately I noted that Juke had more physical strength than the Bringer, as he was able to keep him in a lock. The Bringer dashed away shortly after, glaring at us while humming curiously. I was oddly disturbed by that gesture, but I had no time to contemplate. I drew my tendril and sprouted the perfect plant for the occasion: the Thistle-Bloom. One of the first plants I ever copied from Prince’s garden, Its spikey bulb protruded from the tip of the tendril. I squelched its root as if I was choking it.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw4B4b8CUs
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmegFzGoLl
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NWw4DHHBL
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He nodded right after, boldly charging at the still-humming Bringer. I put one knee down and bent the Thistle-Bloom, aiming it directly at the two fighters.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08OzSq79XX
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It was impossible to safely shoot while the two were in close combat, but that bothered me barely. Juke’s endowment gave him a defensive edge, and with the constant threat of his sword and wind magic, the Bringer would be forced to back away eventually. I just had to wait for that moment, and as I did, I keenly watched the battle unfold.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0whjNcoj6
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Juke played the offensive role spectacularly. I wasn't sure if the Bringer was hesitating from past experience or gauging him in some fashion, but the end result was that swings were being thrown his way. None of Juke's swings connected, however, and the Bringer kept too small a distance for me to shoot.
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Eventually, the Bringer retaliated. He swung his swords across and Juke blocked them at the center. From that position though, Juke was forced to back away. Almost losing his sword, he awkwardly stepped a few paces back while swinging his arms to keep from falling. In that moment, the Bringer dashed and thrust his weapons.
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**CLANG**
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"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
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The tip of his blades practically bounced off Juke's skin, and from the looks of it, made only a scratch on his helmet. Juke looked relieved, and the Bringer looked annoyed, and though I was distracted by relief of not seeing my friend be penetrated, I surged mana through the tendril.
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"It's a weird ability you have there. Fortunately–"
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All of a sudden, right before the thorns of the bulb spew like the water of a dam, the Bringer flung one of his blades my way.
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"I can just chip away."
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I tripped over myself trying to dodge it, and though all but a clip of my hair avoided it, it managed to glide through elsewhere.
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My body reacted immediately.
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"Urg--Glurrgh!"
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The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
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"Kid! Ah, shit!"
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I collapsed to the ground, limp and lethargic in my lazy legs. I mustered the strength to tilt my head up and look at the fight. Juke kept the Bringer occupied, but everything about the sight was wrong. That Bringer was missing a sword, so why was Juke forced to block every attack? Why did his posture falter while the Bringer's only strengthened?
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Familiar shivers ran through my spine. My limbs denied my commands, and even my eyes forced themselves blind to the scene. Then the word "run" entered my head. And then I–
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"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
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"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
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A rush of adrenaline helped me endure the pain of forming the Dragon-Maw, but with my other hand, I quickly created a ball of fire and lobbed it at the two fighters. I didn't hit anyone, but the blaze separated them, giving Juke crucial time to breathe. He shot me a thumbs up while brandishing his weapon, threatening the Bringer just enough for him to back off.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHEO2I2Ypn
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The Dragon-Maw snapped at the Bringer, knowing by instinct who the opponent was. But to my surprise, it didn’t uncontrollably charge.. Rather, it retracted, hissing at the adversary as if he encroached on its territory.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QkHdH49SE
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHhWFXkls3
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After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWJgpb0QbF
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Though carrying such a dislodged, extended mass was difficult on my tiny body, I put no energy into making attacks. Dragon-Maw complimented Juke’s fighting patterns superbly, striking at times when Juke reeled from swinging his sword. The Bringer was put on the backfoot almost instantly, and the pressure was obvious from his drenched face. Despite our suffocating offense, we never managed to break the guard of his blistering blade.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qoOr7tQnG
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovWaanhsAu
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Though my arm strained and heaved, I kept the tendril out. The Bringer carried Juke and Dragon-Maw around the room, lining its edges and narrowly missing the paper piles. At some point, though, I noticed that the Bringer had to block less and less. I thought for a moment that exhaustion from Juke or I was to blame, but as I narrowed my eyes, I noticed his feet moving further and further back.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZNU1t7Jee
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3Woh9Ve6e
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“Crap!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfna2Rc2Nt
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I stopped supporting my right arm with my left and quickly began mana expulsion. I didn’t have the time to make anything dangerous, so I conjured a messy ball of water and flung it at the Bringer. But I didn’t put enough for or mana for it to be meaningfully threatening. It merely splashed his face, not enough to stop him from picking up his other sword. But that brief moment of blindness afforded me a–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaR2go3V7k
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**CRUNCH**243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4QYT31bPm
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The Dragon-Maw managed to clamp the Bringer at his side. It didn’t bite anything off, but from the grunts of the Bringer and the new hues of red, it was clear that the wound was deep.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tk0tuwoRd
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n4vjf5vIK
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Like it was a basic reflex, the Bringer swung his sword and cut the head of Dragon-Maw off. I clicked my tongue and closed my eyes, bracing myself for the ensuing, and brutally-arriving pain. My preparation suppressed it adequately. I was still on my legs, after all. But it was offset by my dwindling willingness to use the tendril, and by the way its brown roots shed its sheen, I figured it felt the same. I had to ask it for one more favor, though.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ6qHvbvox
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I realized it was reckless, especially with how small the room was, but I didn’t want this fight to drag on any longer than it already had. Thus, I procured a–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnMeg14HMC
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“Child! Child, please!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRzu6fHDQP
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“W-What!?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA38sNaIF9
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP3DkLivhr
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyirpQkob9
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“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DhvdSMB0z
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“...”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs59zm2IagX
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I had this sick feeling that the Dean was far sleazier than I initially thought, but under this kind of situation, I could hardly blame him. I didn’t turn to save him, however. As a Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip of my tendril, I stared with sweaty palms at the dueling two. Juke matched the Bringer far more comfortably now, even with him having two swords, as that injury was unignorable.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6aVRr32Zh
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b589CCJMV
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1TPEn19jE
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTL8ZHZPOAJ
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Even though it would just take making a small dagger out of earth, sinking that time to free him felt like a terrible idea. I knew it was possible, I knew Juke could last long enough for me to do so, and yet– and yet–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y05ImZ1vq
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And yet, the option caused my arms to shiver. To be responsible for his freedom, would just mean I was responsible for everything that followed.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEaouKqznv
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How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhIUWXnSLY
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ew6UrGydi
“Kid! Watch out!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tBc0OPXmx
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotxxMiPTxJ
“--Huh?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68kzU2Y50J
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsAxWh46S2
I was swept from my trance by Juke’s loud, worried call. My vision registered with me then, and I realized that the Bringer was charging directly at me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWXdANPYAT
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85MXdxdtCc
“S-S-Shit!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e4lJtNvJU
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghEZey3ZRz
I did the first thing that came to mind: I conjured a hasty spell, shot it, and jumped to the side, causing me to land on my hip. Only, it didn’t go so smoothly. The spell I created wasn’t one of earth or fire, as trying to rush those would erase nearly half of my mana supply. So I created a large wave of water before moving. It blinded the bringer sufficiently, just enough for his thrust to miss me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP6FMeMcWp
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZY0WFrnU5d
**SQUELCH**243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNUc1K3Vu0
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqahCjAHlm
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VGqEfhmiM
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPe8wi4uzC
“--H-Hrk!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB122KBqk81
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3sVXikNzf
“Oh?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK7OMIequt
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcjIsFXO9p
The Bringer rubbed the water out of his eyes and looked at where his sword had been lodged. He wasn’t happy or upset, nor did he look amused or angered. He had the look of someone who made a simple slip-up, like a man putting a box in the wrong place and merely shrugging his shoulders at the sight.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZI0H54Ojd6
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O254J3uv4
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8AR5ARBBS
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLOE2xvqTJ
“Ark… W-Why?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSeMtDENvQ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiryVpgf6NA
“I don’t have a reason. It was an accident, relax. Goodness, just relax! It’s not as if I hit your lungs, did I?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLntYDwzo0
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cbe3UUAbx
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N12tTJklY
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJeaQfsspN
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiASIudfkiB
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3MEDNqWeO
“A– y-you monster!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzbPKpBuNQ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63KXwAXlhD
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfRGfrA3q4
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpqcJElLAw
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRHh0rCgrd
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iw9PCQQAC
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFUN5ZUDBU
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sBDyhvtSl
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqGhRuvMqe
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKCBsR2Hoi
“A-Afraid?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5NhK6aj1C
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbM6lk03SD
I was stunned, undeniably, but it wasn’t paralysis. That wasn’t the case, because I saw the Dean right there, writhing but breathing, trying what he could to cover his wound. But to call myself afraid wasn’t incorrect. I could hardly keep myself from melting.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNABs8okrQN
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN6MMOAKve
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OgudfDAem
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPCiJlekvQ
But then Juke’s words resounded from my side, and the sight of the Dean became enough for me to move. Though, I didn’t do so before giving myself a necessary rebuke.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv8auXChav
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQcbA85fUJ
“Damn it. Damn it!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz4nvRMSSL
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOoXki5hZr
I aimed the Freezey-Dry at the bringer and let it work. The Bringer stepped to the side, avoiding the wall of ice that formed until the end of the room. I didn’t have to face any counterattack either, as Juke kept the Bringer occupied while I ran to the Dean, forming an earthly knife.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfaMvlUdif
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOyDOVahnD
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdch9vQJhXW
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWLvHO7Tv5
I hurriedly cut the ropes, slicing one of my own fingers in the process, but still managing to free the Dean. He grasped his shoulder and got on his legs.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDMgEtlR8S
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulo1byJV8e
“T-Thank you.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoedFi81Et
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XaQBk4ikA
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25xReYXBm7
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz1HvTW45U
The Dean meekly nodded, which made me greatly relieved. I conjured up a quick earth spell and shot it through the ice wall, creating an opening.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcM3yFx5IZ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZl3vHttcf
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZoACagXSn
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9i4oN1KdR
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIJDSnC7w4
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeexcjtOTdE
Though his run was gaunt, he managed to leave the parameter without being stopped. I walked around the ice wall to make sure of it, seeing him go through the entrance, and then I returned my attention to the Bringer.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Xx9VkWFPt
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML2An5EkDY
He and Juke were still fighting. The Bringer landed stray hits far too often for comfort, but I saw a window when the two clashed their swords and stared.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12ZUhNbCxx
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnLUfOxCSE
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXHD1qjc1u
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfjtF2Dhuv
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8Fo0ltI2B
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHbW2kug0w
“Juke!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uVbi1ZjNV
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4vRSIy29V
I interjected as quickly as I could. I formed a ball of earth and shot it at the Bringer. He moved to dodge it, but his toilsome wound forced him to hiss and I managed to nip his shoulder. Juke took advantage of the generated momentum, swinging his sword barbarically but only scratching the Bringer’s cloth as he dodged. The Bringer clicked his tongue and massaged his shoulder. Though it was a reach of a call to make, I felt confident that his shoulder was dislocated.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODAXtIBg60
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G32DaLPgt
“That kid is such a nuisance!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6URXOrZam
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBwEngdcED
He yelled an enraged sentence, jerking his head to me and glaring with dagger-like eyes. I brought my tendril out in front of me as a kind of shield, though with the ferocity of which he sprinted, it clearly wouldn’t do anything.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGBk3PuWlN
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4aEHc4rDa
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbpr8fxEyT
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvkzw6PndY
“Ahck!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVnZgtJqJ9
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1hFtqk9uA
A gust of wind came from my right, slamming the Bringer hard enough for him to tumble to the floor. Juke followed his spell by charging with his sword raised. He swung down and collided with a shielding scimitar, unable to break its barricade. But as they struggled, I made my move.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LkFpro1V5
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kFVXPu9Kc
A spell wouldn’t do me good, and this wilting Freeze-Dry wouldn’t fare any better. My other offensive flower had been pierced and shredded, so I only had one thing at my disposal.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8WCLzxiqo
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5F0hd8ZtW
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaMOWnmBAI
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xinYg8apv
Juke moved his sword in the nick of time. The tendril caught the flat side of his scimitar– to my great relief –and crashed directly into his stomach. The air escaped from his lungs, and remnants of his meals flew out of his orifice. The blow stunned him well, and I retracted my tendril so Juke could quickly finish the job.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA2NaeNdms
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsizMQ3Agl
But, that did not happen.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6aqbvGEyt
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTECL0PqRqg
With gritted teeth the bringer kicked himself from the floor to his feet, keeping Juke and I at a distance while pointing his swords. In the midst of it, I prepared a spell with my left hand: the embryonic stage of a geyser that would hose him to the wall. Preparing it took a while, however, and it was within that window of time that the Bringer243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVC8uDcXEO
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ea7rVi4IH
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVboPTMjf2P
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y1X5IusLE
He twirled his core along with his blades, swindling himself like a leadenknob. His arm covered every feature of his face but his eyes, and he glared at us with the eyes of a feline.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiwaERoElS
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPtNfQ7T9A
From his body language, posture, and exasperated voice, it was clear to me what was coming: that bizarre technique that troubled Juke and I when we first fought.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbh4S4fxbga
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW98SQF44k
And he let it rip just a moment later.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOC7eMKpiH
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOOkgMj2uU
His speed was unprecedented, his rotation made him blurry, and his rapid blades howled in the wind it sliced. Though he spun in a rocky direction, it was just accurate enough to gain ground on Juke and I. And I knew that helmet of his wouldn’t last under such a flurry.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MiePrqT7U
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNCeJwJ4VW
But true as that might’ve been, it wasn’t his helmet that would be put to the test. The Bringer veered from Juke right into me, approaching at a speed I could hardly react to. React I did, however. I produced a flower from my tendril and injected mana into it as fast as I could, and before his flurry of blades came, I had something to guard myself.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJunIsGwDqg
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cUlBAvzJP
The beige and jagged texture of the Valencia-Bloom’s shield defended me. Small enough for me to carry, but large enough to stop speedy metal from sneaking past. It kept up with the flurry miraculously, as every cut it received closed immediately. Dozens and dozens of cuts, and none strong enough to pierce through.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKEyxDiTFK
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE74Ov29UTL
“...!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4LEkYpQr4
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWU7jm2NJG
None so fierce to kill my plant.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iRoWapI4B
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA22OcFk3s6
“M-My arm!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO18l4F9Mho
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg3TsYTvYt
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nuU7eVJeT
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQkOHDTRE8
“Juke!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wpHjwUYo2
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwBFcoqgzP
“Gotcha, kid!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfawXp9PmD6
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfjxErRpGf
The barrage had no effect on the shield, but my puny arm couldn’t stand against such pressure. It was impossible to keep it up. I could already feel the fear seep into me; flashing images of what would become of me should those spinning blades connect.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYtmAqUHTL
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBOHS0xuke
But something unusual happened in light of that. An action I didn’t know I had the capacity for, but was driven by nothing but my own will.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPFOtPp3gg
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvT79twesK
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqwySYzUb0
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WZb8oHSL7
It wasn’t a clean hit– the complete opposite. I couldn’t aim my palm in any useful direction, but the force of the spell was so great it still adjacently struck the Bringer. As I didn’t have time to plant myself firmly, I was sent flying as well, colliding into the wall to my right and across the room.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbq9YV3ckb
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFRvbBpwGf
“Hrk!”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt6rw1t6u3
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokfhmNvzeB
The slam was ugly, and I slid to the floor like mushy food. I didn’t let myself rest then, however, because that Bringer was still alive. I stood up and peered over the Dean’s desk, at the Bringer.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzusIV7rSt
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyGAMzu23u
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnoioqEWGJ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V1OenrgQP
“...”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2YQsu6Hzl
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEDuI95e92
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsOJCzBtd1
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbCiDFOR3A
I didn’t respond to Juke’s praise. All my attention tunneled to the Bringer. His gaping mouth, his constricting eyes, the fading strength as his staunchblades slipped from his grip. He finally turned his eyes to me, then to the man who left him in such a state.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkCiJGklm1
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5tQeIFbEB
“Curse…”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVaFItHmuC
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D6uybih3U
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVTecJq42C
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCjbd4aje4
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJx9Fmp02D
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY35XG7GGt6
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHRcOufYgJ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqScm8kdKCF
“May they, be few.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF5now2tG6
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDVeJBmaNq
Another fit of coughing followed. It was intense and abrasive, ripping at his throat with each installment. Their strength eventually dwindled. His noisy coughs turned to raspy whispers, ejecting all the piling blood that clogged itself in his throat, lower and lower volumes as it progressed.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30de5OmaOg
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pElSA52PS
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIW16CoI1o
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKYOKdilGf
“That was… sad.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJXBR2qFzU
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSvNeIbrSa
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOU8AyKYdm
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqzPBJmSH1
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHDJnHSRCy
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UVUY0tzXl
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtutzD0GQ4c
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWTXM8Tpsv
I chuckled at his assessment. He had a point. I should’ve just been glad to be alive, shouldn’t I? I showed my gratitude by taking a few steps over to Juke, raising my palm with as sweet a smile I could make. He matched my gesture, and we high-fived.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6voB7SIqOC
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReIuMQekRK
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTFarKm1Lr
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg26bWqvsQd
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZfwHO9FBT
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIEI0jUcxa
“Don’t continue.”243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eT99bcHLA
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfba5VGXPTH
I looked at the Bringer’s corpse. In a twisted way, it was a trophy. A tangible token that indicated our success, our reclaiming of the Central Pillar. If the lower floors have succeeded, that is. I didn’t want to think like that now, however.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoVF8SBmJS
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSuUnze6Po
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0mH5dK8MB
