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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCB0BzULNq
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Kim, Flinty, and Victoria leaned over to watch the scene. Ng, sensing no response, knocked on the door again.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUk0pyvZ7SI
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"HEY! OPEN UP!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKiwojx4YK
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr2iMeyS5f
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"Something about this is fishy."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88rF4D9omI
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I looked at the other three. They nodded in agreement.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmWjG3c8jQ
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"What should we do then?" Flinty asked.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4t2fVObCx0
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"Kenny," Kim started, "take out your tendril. Prepare for anything unexpected."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxxCAYpNhB
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfd4UtMYMz
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Av5j7PvIn
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUd0iKcLZy
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"Oh, that's Jeremiah. Jeremiah! Open the door!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GQL6kGe3h
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHGOxTvqtS
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3Sl67hTob
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And then.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJaKU5lN39
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**SMASH**189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHxqRh52y0
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzNAGk260z
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"AH! WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU– NO, HELP! HEEELP!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBY5qSJtWS
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His wails ceased upon a distant slam. Looks like he made it into the compound.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yQEI8A1zH
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"..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TMsaHN7kW
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLiszTlp7j
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6DI9TQ02e
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"..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoxo7tCm6g
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdMY8TACTe
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClbaCrGgKO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvvFRsuk11
I took a deep breath. With the wall as support, I got back on my feet.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEOV9c25jH
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"We're getting the hell out of this forest."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZtcMPvNtL
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I walked back to the group. Flinty was shaking on the ground. Victoria was surprisingly standing. Kim was the same.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EkfUwO9NK
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"We need to leave. This is– whatever just happened, it's out of our league."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaunmsClxju
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi0vbmsVzG
Victoria nodded with me. Kim looked at me and began to speak.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD98pzU9WIR
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"Before anything, let's get away from the compound and formulate a plan."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDZLBnZ7bn
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCZOKewCk2
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ375MlOUazM
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuLYemxL6T
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"-enny. Kenny. Kenny!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT5lMhJWEM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6apFjMux3U
"Huh?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPm9QkM4OR
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Kim was calling my name. It brought me back down to Earth.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVZNSOC8vw
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"What is it?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBRMhhayE0
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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?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygeWncrH7D
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxzTe5V94l
"O-Of course. Not just for my sake, but because Flinty shouldn't be here anymore."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Lk1cSO6Oj
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Kim nodded. Victoria budged in.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeceqsY1Jn
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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..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVw2XFBmjd
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She stopped talking and looked at the floor, clenching her fist.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcVdDI341L
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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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oeCwucZrr
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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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPygVegiYs5
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Kim nodded. She sat criss-cross and put a hand to her chin.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTCGJRQ7Cq
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"I know you two will disagree with this, but I think we should still try an infiltration."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6RXCWzwjv
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BZFydAFpp
"W-What?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGdc95y93f
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"Are you crazy!?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBF9JkYpqN
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We both yelled. Victoria continued.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzRj23nCn2
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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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWXcyF17Jm
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I nodded to her reasoning. The idea was absurd. But Kim immediately started her rebuttal.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGmdxhSTiz
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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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgUmsxbYfk
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God, Kim, why were you calling that thing by its name?189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O3aQysDqz
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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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLJLkOwRVU
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"Are you saying we really have a fighting chance?" I asked.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqG7YgZRoX
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEris4ZXb7V
"I'm saying we have much more than a fighting chance. We could obliterate the compound right now if we use your power, Kenny."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOLQsmtEgl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshB6YAQgi1
"I think you're severely overestimating me. I have nothing in my arsenal that can level a building that sturdy."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNU6LGCR6p
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"Maybe not level it, but you have something that'll encase it, don't you?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbeWVdBoMW
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I tilted my head in confusion.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrq3eZsj6N
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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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjtFg4ldxR
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Nothing about this was sitting right with me.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZwAaH4G2x
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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!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiHu1eqXFg
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabudMIFHWc
"Do you really think Ng has any ill will towards us?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R0d81SLsE
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"Of course I do!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURMVy62V0Z
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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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD496T6qXti
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"Y-You... Victoria, back me up here!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcTNwkNBtr
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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!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR67c5s841M
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Gtycu81sl
"But Kenny didn't use his ice. That was because of me, right Kenny? That was because I was in your line of fire."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L3qus2kSv
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I didn't respond, just averted my eyes.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZkJGPddIf
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2kBZKY9ik
"B-But why don't we just leave the forest, huh!? And what about Flinty?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91lUTwXZAF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEEJLEGxl5
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcM2r2rxGIJ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNS7Rx7she
"Huh?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnRcX1qhED
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxUX2N048g
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhu0kGdFOw
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C8agSZGKX
"Flinty? Are you serious?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJsBqKOmuc
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxqT5bGfeM
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeG1hdRIYCx
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpKyDxTS31
She stood up and slammed her chest a few times.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsXrZR0zJ0
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLq0XtGXBr
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTr5shPr7Q
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjULhBDSPU
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?189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30GLkznUtp
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G0CsJ83uI
"B-But, Flinty... what if... what if..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sI90brfXf
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78wxUQrMdj
Victoria couldn't voice any rebuttal. Flinty was the final nail in the coffin.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJN3PEOiDvK
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPrNViJAa6
I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. It was Kim.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaxQ8THUJk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq79eRZOheq
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiiegmGEOP
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc8uHPJz9N
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hOCaNTWCM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJtHvUnAoQ
"You and your words... I was right about being suspicious of you."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjZBP3uHzL
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaCB1Srg9q
"I'm sorry. I promise you'll be compensated for your efforts."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLFnwQ4T1p
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRlBXOL7rI
"...With money?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbVGnjY1Fy
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRSBAjyK8u
"With money."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHhp9N0Ya2
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpWbCehm98
"...I can't say no to money."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXw4srPATHa
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ehU9MAeac
For a second, I caught a smile from under her cloak. She offered me a hand and helped me stand up.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJWjQwPa2u
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarNzur8I40
"Then that's settled. What about you, Victoria?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHAeUSXumr
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuttHVbIyry
She was still on the floor, giving us a pensive look.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL2sR4iOMB
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5RtTtGP8e
"...If we're doing this, then I'll fight anything that isn't the blob."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MouaNWrCR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCgAclwZ4C
"Alright. Then Kenny and I will help."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpcBq9Ev3m
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTCRRhp5SD
Kim helped Victoria to her feet. I felt something touch my back. It was Flinty, she slapped my shoulder.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYvP8VyGC8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8kOVN91Wj
"Let's do our best okay?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio0LRCV77J
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6de3KSOeU7
"..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ8FPcgJ3F
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD2BuSWDaS
I still had one more concern.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHy5EMmivq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdbpC33Mwd
"Flinty, if the wolf gets to you while we're inside, what will you do then?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEB9IkMIGUi
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsUGvxmqQA
She averted her gaze.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQde3FMCIdl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKspgKKDzee
"I'll... if I need to, then I'll use the fireball. I'll use one like the one at Mister Freed's shop."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvDgYySpLW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDiAmTes8D
"I see."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHUHmi0j7j
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikkiKzibAk
I unbuttoned my coat, took it off, and offered it to her. She looked it with apprehension, awkwardly raising a hand to her mouth.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1Fbv6LeA7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkBpX2leeA
"K-Kenny? Are you sure?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvtY9yuipz
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9hnPGZGW8
"Uh..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFxIAiXipE
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Crap. My cheeks were tinted rose.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGi2nJYK2Lw
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzBZPKqwIY
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1xDfXzEf3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYVsdcWj8l
She nodded and accepted my coat. It was a size too large for her, so a lot of excess cloth covered her legs. Perfect.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O0T95x17a
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXpK7zcDgF
"This is really cozy, no wonder why you always wear it."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOAtMQvZDL
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwhbEJlBPC
"Heh. Anabelle is a good weaver, isn't she?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EhAwhixg5
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIWWWyjkz0
She nodded. I felt slightly naked now, but I still had long sleeves covering my arms. I would be fine.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzEp5lbo1J
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jmhWAyqSF
"Alright," Kim said, "are we ready to form a plan?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwJ6NMiVQl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Fc0MZPnSo
–
–
–189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFZgT2yTgN
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHZCcGaOAY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC9XYUNtmM
"How does it look like?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA9QHRs4iV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Pcvh5nCdv
"Clear. I heard some ruckus coming from the building. They're likely occupied with whatever that is."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIyDXdmKy0
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79JygndBjT
Ideal conditions have been met. I took in a breath and released the tendril. A Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip.
"Are we ready?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgzNte9bA2
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWdPyZqp7u
"We're ready."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43sRKXZFzX
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEhxENb03p
I never imagined myself taking part in a siege mission. I would make peace with it later.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr2Waj67lA
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfYRfeIHQZ
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54sVvbA9p9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3VuiYtOKF
"How are we supposed to scale a ramp of ice!?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8wa2Sqfu3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7pfXZrZ2W
She had a good point. I was a bit flustered.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6UYvkSHSM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJa4adzDAD
"Then what do you propose I do!?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkRqKDDISN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmQmsPskcR
I could see Victoria's brain at work. I racked my mind for a solution.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IZPmXuWLe
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7UsU3hAtF
"Just make little steps," Kim interjected, "and as we hop on them, make the next one bigger."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsAwbDhjOZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yWvPn3TJo
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KUwoaEmg1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBvy07S2bQ
"Before we enter, let me inspect how it is inside."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc2ZG9AvPm
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yzZEzZlex
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUyJksO9hI
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGmZsXECf3
They slept in conditions like this? They didn't even have a mattress. I almost felt bad.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgAZBTqBpT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdJlOvm3ca
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujY85dMXXW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEeX0yLoeD
"Ng, come on. I know you know better."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEJvIdYK3I
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ogBUwZkN2
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97Hi7EE9Cf
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmmFmD959a
"Y-Yeah. I know."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vtQ5iJEhV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdclBHe2bi2
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLabNwy9TZq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPZZujR0UN
"Then why did you let the prisoners out? We can't have our location disclosed to–"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VroP9mpDl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0WFoIxoWD
**SHATTER**189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWRhAHeFxp
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0zyEYYrFY
I fired the stone. I made sure to put enough power to where it wouldn't kill the man, but at least incapacitate him.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIWVOvijRM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJ7lV9fAJm
I missed and hit the window, shattering it completely.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IWJEYx3tC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmosScZcgNl
Ng and the man turned to us. I didn't have anything to say, I simply returned eye contact.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CDQtBPE06
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgnEyyIoTy
"Now!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZ6hQCf0L5
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJSd18PcOg
Kim and Victoria rushed ahead. The two men didn't fight back, they started running away. I knew Ng was in on this!189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhijfl8xwg
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX2yMHXXaN
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1YVxoc7c4
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31idSjqGM3
"What are you waiting for?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ugNPKvrJJ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NJBCTQOAA
"I still don't trust Ng."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpRJ0N1BPf
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIycos2Do2h
"Fine, then go after him!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdthNtroFuk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWUuf9ZlFP
I nodded and rushed through the other door. I saw another set of stairs and Ng was already making his way down them.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanRupPbSd9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyhkiOTXWU
"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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNYM6WO2ni
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eRF8EJCg7
"O-Okay, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just don't hurt me!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv6TCY4w15
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX8Nq9d61w
He was already down on the ground with his head glued to the floor. I rushed towards him. Ng was... crying?189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHjDWyigwB
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiIu1c1uAG
"Are you seriously crying?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRDCCqutMU
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡribh3CU8c1
"Huh?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoqGdXuCkr
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWXNDGkHKX
He tilted his head up to me.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpViNQgqCSC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHLId7QrxK
"N-No, I'm not crying. Aren't you going to kill me?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1vVytc3wO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetAqfx3xX7
"K-Kill? I wouldn't go that far... Geez, get up already."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOMjHbMXXG
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk7gulsFBT
He did as he was told. He had a look of sincere confusion on his face. I didn't let that fool me, though.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLnQpTYRwt
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsFISBEn6V
"You, are you really on our side?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5X8c7kLEn
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5dJbZiMiv
"Of course I am! If my words aren't enough, then I'll happily take an official oath!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfy6bybrt97
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtLS6HB09c
"Nobody's here to witness it, you moron! Nevermind this, just take me to your teammate already!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq3i8i62y6
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbECGALPtv
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo49iYMI8o
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLmKNe2Alv
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rj1DbCcJX
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhxexUeKSy
"Miss... I advise you to not open that door. It's best if we step away."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQooDksG4E
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JTWz0Odq5
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf7pVqWanJ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lwdZ1FNUG
"Panz! You, what do you think you're doing!?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrWrvvqW3o
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8qdLp4Kpk
Panz, who was apparently still awake, feebly lifted his head and cackled.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyQfdzK0Lq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA11mSFhcCb
"As if I'd let you betray me like this so easily! I'll make you pay, Ng– ack!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Rcnk4hIa9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1OA6WXTRH
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHkwRkPBYD
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyTUkegTxD
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WelRSWxt2
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HIBYMtKsO
And then, suddenly–189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yksBUyO8b
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvsqpY1eEi
**SMASH**189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpqtYioFyb
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX4wJy0xBf
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdoJPHdMq0
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQQQNx1NN8
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yOxRbM18W
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"Crap! Everyone, be careful!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELbRhLuTCp
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXLnByky2R
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"H-Huh?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeQYZ4bSdP
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡambjEdcm2Y
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"Victoria! Kenny! Ng! Head to the second floor!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuI6SeGUfX
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOFcjMFJ8h
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMdmmnLOBo
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"Ng!" I yelled, "Can't you control that thing!?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Wg8ChZ239
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"No! I am unable to resummon the creatures Panz has created, I can only do ones I have!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWaYcOSCWb
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"Like what!?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi86iSR3bB
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"They died last night!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVGkCk9WB8
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5zhmebPbJ
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Wait, escape route, of course!189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBX7TXbYKG
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX63WPWdjY
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"...Did I do it?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFkhyyZr80
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOF2oystcc0
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"H-Huh?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK3Dn2mN2z
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She offered me her healing potion.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe6ojkqQ1R
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"Here. For your foot."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcAyiB0rjF
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"A-Ah, thank you."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKU2OPB9D8
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9V7XZCQ8n
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"Haaa, ugh."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhQwE94s7q
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I stood up with help from Victoria.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHcRKDqPAT
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"Sorry. I didn't do anything."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavbS3cM9Lg
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"Please, don't be. Even I don't feel like I did much."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPmHZzaauC
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"Haha, you're too humble, Kenny."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE2v88eaIM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIrq34HTXI
She was noticeably shaken. Still, she held onto the unconscious Panz like it was nothing. I was beginning to relax.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTq7hOEJg2
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"Don't let your guard down yet."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9hbukD0lj
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmpVXeYpBz
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"Crap. Crap!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70lG8xpbc9
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwO6WWRv3x
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjW93tBXp1C
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUJFayjvay
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"K-Kenny!? Shit!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxQk9nbj8B
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2yWiiBnJt
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVuOtSXIGM
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A sinister curiosity crept within me. It was awfully nostalgic.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4OENVzrDE
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"Kenny! Kenny, are you awake!?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lauDEtUNw
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"Huh? Y-Yes!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PLHhMxpwq
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"If you can, support Kim!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhCLejAp3X
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioAx7BZAzs
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"W-Woah..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjim89hwDXr
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXAQnvI9vq
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"KIM!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpGIJQOddD
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"Right!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJYyMrBnq8
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq2TnhGtvc
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And so, I released the spear.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1M5JUCiXn
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**SMASH**189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kLN0TIWUf
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxIoaRLEO4
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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?189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBqHPREkdp
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx61WVjSEGn
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"Kenny, out of curiosity, what is your earth magic grade?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGFSsIrx1l
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WbvDU6nc8
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"...Three. But, as I've learned today, my accuracy probably lowers it."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt99Wjbyyn
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"No, what you just did was incredible."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayKhHYA4iU
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"Okay, fine, thank you, geez."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEluZIWCEJ
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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–189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy4xdHSJIp
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"I'm afraid that wasn't the last of them," Ng said.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOM6F6lQdgM
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"Huh? Are you serious!?" Victoria yelled.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6FTF28X1I
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"Unfortunately."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CFrzwCLaS
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ13jl3HYL2
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"Kim!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqHSRWpllr
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4S29IY78eM
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The tendril was bleeding purple.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd8OaSDvcK
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"Kim! Ah, Kenny, we need to–189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOazqtsz1Rc
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**SMASH**189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst7wbL9F7e
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3vFABvlAt
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"It's Jeremiah! Kenny, you need to–"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0wC0AdMoc
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGh9YIYIaa
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7BeYe1fXq
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"Victoria!" Ng yelled, "We need to escape! We can't fight Jeremiah now!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnk21L8Hkz
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF02ANTdAR
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz4Kx83ZpT
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"...Ngh."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWkitKpDZS
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn67GjPNAxm
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"Haaa, haaa, shit, shit! Shit!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5FpYycII5
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuPrAfPVcq
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But, through the stormy mess that was in my mind, one thought came to the forefront.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U6dVoDyO4
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The infiltration was a failure. Our ally was compromised. I failed completely.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYKDc239vg
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I felt like I was going to die.
