“...”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkDmAFJDuY
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3dzxY8iXB
“...”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKup8jATrH
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDI9IEL2e8
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKXXwN56CK
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuSM78HhKa
But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTgHYVMZP0
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDBTYu6vHQ
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kzCiS43tp
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYl2W2l6fPM
“I have a feeling–”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0rD63dLiI
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoUahdYhbb
“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVebv8jWxY
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKolW7nVRTa
I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BUALpDwUf
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmfmEzJzMz
“Do you also have that feeling?”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWszkDRfpdD
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dRER61Lwy
“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.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamAixMV1Uv
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtsYL4e7hH
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RMTe7iuuF
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kmlkXEzxE
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsRbRgO5Kj
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNgBzJbHrx
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaq0toM9JF
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyXv8pZi5j
“Y-You!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcKzesVmHW
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiCIEsIjJO
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkd9gygmnd
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqeAii83o3
“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU6cFD1fvp
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRjlyZrOn5
“A-Alright!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRXGjrRWBb
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOF2QuV6JD
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyFon8jRwB
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4BSDqHaiE
“Hey! Juke, what are–”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX52In93b4a
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iEaB7QLbp
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SsthQ51Aw
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYSFQicMjs
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8nxfbBSXf
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTcxOPmIJd
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnzfIWnOnL
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG5uuofhZk
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayV2Wk5Dxg
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasPcztrHAl
“He’s alive!?”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy5YIaDH03
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS75gZXrPs
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CkZMQIHZj
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEnJL1DpFP
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvqJVXFlaH
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb1myTpZdZ
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zoQpqDqvW
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jOLPCp47E
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuH95rodH5B
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hLcSu8OJg
And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLYrPKqoXh
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ehcJBUZYf
“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4RtOepIEy
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyUGfulkNi
“...Well, not exactly.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh4CEIOzXU
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpAtIPZ4BZ
I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLxEn7t3Kj
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW9B5hiN9X
“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.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1sPdzTZtm
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPtJ5t5qES
“Tell me, won’t ya?”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNH5fk7doo
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRGrEHPSAp
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjHWiBwgeV
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKsheNbOo4
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilJR0CdUwB
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJL7kbXjj8
“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs6Jloildz
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCm1l2PADx
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibGnK7BCCo
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYauA5Ft2S
I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o2AL3Zxdm
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza6eiDrZeR
“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!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVasCUtIMQI
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaAsyhQ82f
He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ329GZCMd
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr41zwAmXCR
“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZtWLWoPRQ
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0WXIgE2d5
The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3spgFIJrjI
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1Yduscgx9
“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm7cPH6GEu
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlofGGC0Ybg
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhjuH6sYGO
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDnFvAsioI
“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeckWu63VPY
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hSiJjr2cT
He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPmngLRPnm
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWQRwgt1Xh
“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhxRWeIXx9
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPDcFIUbaG
And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmuJG0ky7C
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3t1CfkPz1
–
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4dTddl0Sd
–
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwAQ4s9AHl
–296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8zhtIVWmt
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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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegOMvQGFpx
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14Eds5Hje9
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodnqC67HwK
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgelsoJoGp
Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOi1YEQrHf
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBw1G8NZL9
“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KxsggQbsN
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RTDplebaY
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rCYIz6LI6
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgRcRsjBC5
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9Pk7kLP0p
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8iFqN0FIU
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.
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBio4DMLMXl
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.
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXiuF34CUR
**CLANG**
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbL7r4x8YZ
"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILX8ndVvmk
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–"
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n5yvIgCSP
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.
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmYzMeM0Cp
"I can just chip away."
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh17mLWgyr
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.
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQt6RqM3Og
My body reacted immediately.
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqP5cSCEmx
"Urg--Glurrgh!"
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13bm5OK2u1
The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFglXLvllyW
"Kid! Ah, shit!"
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ors8JI7V3
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?
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbw1KONBSI
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–
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94Na198G2r
"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvfTZUViJQ
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf58J5dcFwT
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczpfei8B3a
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JJyrsvloU
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi13OHjskew
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh67H7pvxml
“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHSsZMDzvx
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeLcpDQT4K
After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAyS4UzEwB
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUqE7Epp0C
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡim0EORlx6c
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqkuWuxSyD
He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNvC0ptE7s
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26NCtcTtJB
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGN9uF5fzL
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTY8hT5XYO
And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmr5oyCYn8
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmA8Lx95lf
“Crap!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLt8VpBKeo
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkpeS3Q4Lp
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–296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdPt16CX2u
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi8VxfauiP
**CRUNCH**296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvywFZE3Gn6
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLh7yMCyjUJ
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JLD7JtDUi
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QHrUVWkCq
Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXgnADURTy
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp0ia5W7Kr
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ajP9L9OTa
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBgz1DLXoX
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–296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBBjgomi0s
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLzaYW0D1Q
“Child! Child, please!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzlAQh8eYw
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw54ApbESdm
“W-What!?”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdcQzcVlsj
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrvaLlP7Ra
My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVWwDjrvo8
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3noaGrBgJ
“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKIR63rkpl
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6N9pQnMzW
“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1yO4tEnRe
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXp9v717fx
“...”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrtFOpdLcK
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze4Zm7vp90
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kJJMuYeJd
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGTzeNOpDf
With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUhJ9jJ7Cz
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIHAtgm55f
“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTidIfMeqQ
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt65sNQy72Y
“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9TL3ANNE8
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhvzdoVAnx
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–296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeNawRvmyJ
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1susC77U5M
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FU11k0lDk
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHik28hOLPM
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlRphFtmkM
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCQl2ex9l9
“Kid! Watch out!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhbokJAf7q
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNrE9qqJ0M
“--Huh?”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbQufaiNBe
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXAM6WJcyE
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrsSTAhjzE
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQnxYOQh58
“S-S-Shit!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJf6YaZMD44
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxrzpgjccL
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSbpoZZJPn
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgntn0BqqxW
**SQUELCH**296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVJuuJaEEg
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L29p8RHpE
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjThghiMBNB
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPoB3PDqVX
“--H-Hrk!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO95gWLjsYd
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvTL1pa02l
“Oh?”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M1yiYnd8x
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaiCaoIQiH
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1EkchJgcR
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVSCfN4yFB
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzXz2r23v2
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgaLizVzSm
“Ark… W-Why?”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGcdJRJ3nA
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHPsePjrMJ
“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?”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqXsRb7iSO
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWbQaDZ0gh
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mZ5q0IMzi
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy7oIOp4ou
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOdZVXLa96
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefEksyiFGO
“A– y-you monster!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTSXlAl2u0
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC99LE1Q0c
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6TuKDEdIg
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Mh3KIoYms
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx2mCd4CHP
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6UfJYHGUC
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAC99uUSS6
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4kKNWZJIV
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSsXMV1AT2
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GhfT4Cnvl
“A-Afraid?”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSIkOjJy4f
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MlgGTdcFX
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs0rZygFV9
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkhBItam92
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg6EvXq8kE
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLcFY17m7s
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jEi7csRLk
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LIQzDqQ6h
“Damn it. Damn it!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rPbv2QSSJ
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFl0Al0bww
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQqkDufV0I
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTL039pMcmu
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj3rn5qqBz
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON61oFYrPD
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nqaNGdRrS
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJOqvlAqNI
“T-Thank you.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8JtYrxUpl
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YwMNpDSyQ
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOtlAYYNZ1
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Mi2IKdKar
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHgQk3i7gf
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFmM1tZfBJ
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7UH0e0O4m
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGUnae62lB
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uZrkMyc9g
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaWzY5K5Z3
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhm0IDUznp
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkznZGLhLiD
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZgBNRm8VL
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cUeWEu8wU
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PKY91RWvq
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3fkbgiqnt
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYeM3KfMOD
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPeYdBdecp
“Juke!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSYYs2DUde
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLB7FrNY6H3
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpw4e8w7TI
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJkafGdUZG
“That kid is such a nuisance!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdP3X52Or1
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriD2tzqVnb
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnuD43r3rH
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDNwubYMaj
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKabli6mlbi
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxXkBzJhnS
“Ahck!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDzKwO9QrO
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0C4wGg77QZ
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7HFNu2RWS
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE7mjRLqGg
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0os1Orzvo
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzMrsgpc6k
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf9a3LCqHP
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSJgAw18v6
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovXo8PCasw
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43Kg8xwizY
But, that did not happen.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjbj4L4Nf3
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6i4VO2Jl6
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 Bringer296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2GWLjreHF
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBv4WboNNK
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLo4anHbrD
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7GOyhVdTJ
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfydRewYLEO
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SnyW0ZrPb
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLEdcidgM7
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8k8SmlQyL
And he let it rip just a moment later.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleIJpNajLK
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLh0hutKMhR
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XWiStknzk
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDPJqfRJqN
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjocflhaC7
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbsBXPDAyy
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrDc4uVURd
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcqTF0PD9a
“...!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSa77nAdNXj
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZxYYxSD0L
None so fierce to kill my plant.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji0ewiJdH6
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CTe72EMK2
“M-My arm!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FQaNWjDDp
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuf0spniID
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMhqz9cVTJ
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ9ULULsnG
“Juke!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRLwfqwyMe
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6VgpoIDSv
“Gotcha, kid!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y1gn2kV8H
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGNfjadek9
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ti6b6JQIV
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUvO85zuUT
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nHXRRf3eL
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJwdNL7KFh
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO60b8EFUOX
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhnJYrEOED
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YE5GdpUD3
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ930QQTqrYL
“Hrk!”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ysGBUhfMy
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIAutcgCTH
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMtyZ4vzXQ
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5IZAdtVd9
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedQibqxb86
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisd4AGlDpQ
“...”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAfdogn0cw
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC11cQmL2d
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7Am97IH7e
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XVlTvbb6g
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkI1FIXzz1
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijpbBkPyij
“Curse…”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP7osnd7Ct
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4efLGY05J
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmVUFuT7UO
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhCPbGgWDt
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A9FpTKnWs
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhs9sU7v6J
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndHbWrAz1f
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiO2yOeXjr
“May they, be few.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTsI3Mgpuz
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbct4oKcquR
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TFRfvFyQe
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLctI9W7rP
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo1g3w5rDs
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7xw0RozuU
“That was… sad.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV90JrABnJE
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfmFAQH1bC
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdBUKpndBL
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVow6z6jNwm
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRbFRp64og
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvfiUwn1Zl
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfcYioeT6f
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGBG5b3Ln6
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9AxI9CGcz
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbpraZavaj
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhT7EKTs24O
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDvvQOsFcP
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BBCi57X3v
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU6vOmSyyj
“Don’t continue.”296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8Vn1PcF3X
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4p0Uv3lnU
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.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyrJCnqL2y
296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yb4Dl0VoA
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.296Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiQBDTIajy
