Once I uttered that connection, my brain fused into one, and then I caught what the woman had just said. I was struck with even more disbelief, and looking at my teammate, she had an extreme reaction.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKWXAgZUDc
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"Did she just say Hard-Bringer?"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp2fOIrTBZ
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Confusion, rage, and fervor overtook her whole being. Even I had a similar reaction, though on a smaller scale. I could tell that she wanted to jump out, but I wrapped her around her arms.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuckPR0gdLR
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"What are you doing!?"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUBlPSXF3z
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB30bPVrrEp
"Don't go making a scene! They could just be lunatics, and even if they aren't–"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrZtas2164
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4RFkSihmg
**BOOM**221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Z8agwKfeh
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVhkgoTaAy
My hopes of this being a farce were instantly shattered. To our right, the top of a building blew up and caught on fire, and then an adjacent one followed suit. The crowd panicked and a cacophony of voices blasted my ears, deafening me. But it didn't paralyze me, and the same went for Rover. My meager grip couldn't hold her back, but I wouldn't let her face this chaos alone, so I followed her into the plaza. The people dispersed like a flock of frightened chickens, trampling over any unfortunate souls who had tripped. Eventually, the wave of people came to me. I lost sight of Rover and the speed of my chase slowed down considerably. It took my whole being just to not be knocked over, let alone move forward. I was shorter than everyone in the crowd as well, so I was unsure if I was even facing the same direction.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNk3jv0eOy
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"Ngh, damn it!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEdkOeT73T
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Eventually, the wave of people thinned, and I could finally see what was happening in the environs. Buildings were still being destroyed. Some citizens fled from the plaza successfully while others were trapped by the plummeting debris. I spotted Rover in the distance fighting Hard-Bringer lackeys. The woman was still on the sage, and beside her were three other figures of varying heights and builds.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDcBcTXcBM
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqJbHoRi4k
I began mana expulsion, creating a spear of stone and gradually amplifying it in rotation speed and size. Before I even threw it, the woman hurriedly ran from the stage, and the other three dispersed in different directions.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3JpuMFyI1
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"How did they– ack! Nevermind!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCrEat8qXk
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With their clothes, it was impossible to tell who those four were apart from the rest of the lackeys. All, aside from the woman. She ignored all other combatants and rushed toward Rover. I raised my hand, trying to align my spell with her. It was difficult with all the shaking and sudden surge of nerves, so I just simply shot it out, closing my eyes as I did. When I opened them, I saw the woman stock still, waiting for my spell to pass.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9M7z7nu7K
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It was like she knew I was going to fire it.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPsxS7M5m4
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"--Damn it! Rover!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnA2WeEki6
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I took out my tendril and was about to rush forward until I felt someone grab my shoulder. I turned around half in fright, but a warm feeling permeated through my chest when I met eyes with the person.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oEVjc09yF
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"What the hell are ya doing here, kid!?"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7wdGMkGjf
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Juke, carrying his helmet in one hand, was standing there with a frantic expression.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq69JtgcA1r
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVTYr43b09
"I could ask you the same thing! Forget about it now, we need to help Rover!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8getOau9su
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvfx2QqL2w
"Gah, everything's out of order! Ya strong folks are crazy!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLL9RxYfzs
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1m5vb3MOy
Despite his complaints, he put on his helmet and drew his broadsword. We zigzagged through the crowd of combatants and lackeys easily, but by the time we reached Rover, she was being beaten down by the woman.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5muuLENb0
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9UyWQFAPp
"Ack, you– how the hell are you doing that!?" She yelled. The woman didn't answer her, but simply stood idly by, allowing for Juke and I to get by Rover's side easily.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTjxN7hvN9
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"Huh? Juke? What are you–"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47CFMn3WYr
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"Can ya drop it? Aren't ya fighting someone right now?"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZGhorLVYk
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpY5r9W9wc
Reading between the lines, Rover faced the woman yet again. The woman took out a short sword and spun it haphazardly, looking at us with what I could only describe as disgust.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bY2TBupwQ
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"Ah, so you do have allies. Tell me, are they as trashy as you are, girl? Or are you just using them as tools for your survival?"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRYZF7558Y
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRT3QsAvL6
"The hell is that woman rambling on about!?"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvexZMSkWy
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpXwsdUubl
Juke yelled, and Rover rushed forward. After her first couple of steps, the woman kicked the air in front of her, and Rover flew to the side. I widened my eyes. Juke and I both stood there, shocked. Rover struggled to rise to her feet, rubbing her face and panting vehemently.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LZdFmlBqs
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"How the hell... are you doing that?" She hissed, her voice gradually growing weaker.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lx3WRNgYJ
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl93KqCNv6U
"Like I'd reveal my secrets to you, fool. You two, isn't she an ally? Won't you approach me too?"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoJNjfFIAm
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SITEZAJ5g
Her taunting words invigorated something in me. I began mana expulsion, creating a ball of fire and splitting it into four smaller orbs. She didn't look intimidated. Rather, she was amused. I ignored her expression and flung the orbs in a scattered pattern. She dodged three and cut the fourth one with her sword. I didn't let up, producing a Freeze-Dry from my tendril. She widened her eyes and backed away before I even aimed it, a slab of fire forming at her free hand. I didn't mind it, shooting and encasing the area in front of me in a giant block of ice. However, only one-half of what I intended had formed. The other was liquid and vapor.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TCjQ7VYPe
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I adopted Rover's question into one of my own, repeatedly asking myself how it was that she was doing that.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIYIiv8lIY
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"Hey, Kenny!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC2t46Tll2
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLfOdqaOJW
Juke suddenly called to me. He was carrying Rover over his shoulder.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR62kTvSZKs
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"I-Is she okay?"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs8MyI8sLX
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwELovQ55HG
"She passed out. Let's get the hell outta here! That woman is a Harbinger, didn't you hear?"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSp5LmrhHj
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnznGSDP2FB
"I don't know what that is!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahIaEnCJ7P
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNWGlNtKMc
"It doesn't fuckin' matter! Start running!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7DLbYqkjP
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Truthfully, I agreed with him, so I had no qualms with turning the other way and running. It was a nightmare navigating past all the lackeys, combatants, and confused people, but Juke ran confidently.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3Xo5wRKyJ
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Though, that did raise the question–221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQkYXZQChz
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"Do you know where you're going!?"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aaQy5eCYk
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"'Course I do! We're going back to our lodging!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhx32bXzv8d
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"Ah– where is Dennis?"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR6nZQCnw4
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"Hell if I know! I lost him in the crowd!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EUz6CLCDj
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnftxzleydw
That declaration made my heart sink. I almost froze in place there, but Juke narrowly avoided a stray fire spell, so I set the thought aside and kept moving. We made it to an alleyway, running through it without much hassle until–221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPuccKewad
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"Shit."221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTIiZXBhz5
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Juke ceased his escape and so did I. The end of the alleyway was blocked by a robed figure. I recognized him to be one of the ones on the stage. He took his hood off, and there stood a man with terribly fuzzy and unkempt hair.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb277sgJD6m
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2VUXTxVVQ
"I have a question for you two," he spoke in a raspy voice. I readied myself to perform mana expulsion, but Juke put his arm before me, signaling me not to. He stood in front of me, blocking my view of the man.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqvtFDG2GG
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxIgW07ztB
"Kenny, stand there, alright? I'm the guy with a helmet here."221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoA5G634dQ
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"...Alright."221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GDxvNyVmZ
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I didn't understand what he was insinuating, but I had faith in him and allowed him to take control of the conversation.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9GEPrahtw
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"Alright, I'll take yer question."221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bgNVwSihC
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"Are you two Zarielites? Better yet, are you two the ones who are delivering a letter addressed to the Eastern Country?"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdp9hqAjHF
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohbyv2FZGw
I froze. My face must've contorted unimaginably. In a moment of understanding, I thanked Juke for his quick thinking.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwOlah9h0h
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"Nah, these kids and I are just passing adventurers."221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0vIXm6PMy
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9CkKNYIUR
"...Passing adventurers? That explains the attire, at least."221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUeFKDcJqG
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The man stopped speaking.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr6L7nA9Kt
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"Alright, carry on, then."221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLgmuVHzQP
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"...Eh?"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoUyAn529q
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I shared in his confusion.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH42FFN6Vs
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"I believe you, so carry on. Don't test my judgment, please."221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2OIRhz4fx
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"I-If ya say so!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscHlhnnNvC
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Juke and I hurriedly scampered by the man. I tried my best to avoid eye contact with him until we made it out of the alleyway–221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0GL4HHUI6
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"On second thought, I need to ask that kid one more question."221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxaZ0P2jjS
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And then, I froze. I didn't turn my head to face him, but I had my ears open and my mouth ready to run.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGArW4nHfg
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"Your visage resembles a description we got of an outstanding Zarielite. Tell me, kid, does the name 'Bison Frost' ring any bells for you?"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBbnouN76q
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyGlTr2ZQw
In that instant, I felt as if the pace of the world slowed to a crawl. My mouth was ajar, it produced a sound, but not one of coherency.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcnlEyUUGQ
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I didn't say anything. I didn't even show him my expression. I didn't have to. I was stuttering and gibbering for far too long. My eyes met with the man's; his pupils had contracted and his calm mein mutated into a face of rancor.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2oZ2YHjuj
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I had spilled it in such an unfair way.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBJ8dZqoie
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"Damn it, kid!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QSzpuyJ1i
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Juke's vexed yell brought me back to the present. He shoved me aside and sent me plummeting to the ground, and he narrowly evaded a ball of fire flung from the man's palm. I unfroze, drew my tendril, and swiped it at the man. He blocked the strike with his arms but crashed into the alleyway wall, forcing the air out of his lungs. With the man dazed, I got up and joined Juke, and then the both of us turned around and sprinted in the other direction, casting occasional ganders by looking behind me. The man recovered quickly and broke into pursuit, chasing us into the populated and rowdy street.
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I noticed the man performing mana expulsion, and from the lack of any tangible objects, it had to be a wind spell. As they were quick, dodging wouldn't be possible. So, producing a Valencia-Bloom, I skidded to a stop and veered to face him.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIrHWeYkhL
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**SMASH**221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBLeu5LbSp
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I blocked the spell successfully, but though I avoided being damaged, the force of it sent me to the floor, and at a tremendous distance. I discarded the Valencia-Bloom and produced a Blover, aiming it at the man, but I didn't utilize it. That was because he was engaging with Juke.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk2vsVSeZz
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"Ah, gonna have to forgive me, girl!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcGZXqK85o
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Juke carelessly threw Rover my way and pulled out his Broadsword, gripping it in his left hand. The man reached into his robe as he ran and pulled out a dual set of curved swords. Even under his helmet, I could see Juke's lips shrink and his eyes enlarge. I ran to the unconscious Rover, throwing her arm around my shoulders and struggling to lift her. Then, I eyed Juke's bout with the man, waiting for an opportunity to interfere.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkKZvSo6d0
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYUoG5Kik2
The man raised his two swords and leaped at Juke, bringing them both down like they were hammers. Juke blocked the strike easily. It was obvious from their builds alone that Juke was physically stronger, but the man had a freakish dexterity. He retracted his blades and swung them, spinning around as if he was dancing. No, he was dancing. It was at a level of elegance unexpected of a man as shabby as he. The flurry of strikes quickly overwhelmed Juke– but, he didn't get hit. Though his sword dance was trouncing and enchanting, his speed suffered considerably, so Juke quit his parrying and ran backward, flipping the man off.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZCPqOXqwb
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64mdnhHR1G
At that moment, I began mana expulsion, conjuring up a dense rock the size of my head and throwing it as the man reapproached Juke. However, the man managed to jump over it. I bit on my molars and tried again, but his battle had resumed, making it impossible to safely shoot another one.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgicfzXeEX
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"You've impressed me," the man yelled, "I suppose you aren't a combatant for nothing!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXVmqpanfg
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItsZgiHNX9
The man sliced and hacked at Juke, each swing of his either being blocked or narrowly avoided. It was clear that Juke couldn't keep up with the man's speed. Sweat ran down my brow, and at that point, I started to believe that just throwing something out would be better than waiting.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r9ESca7fZ
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Then, I had an epiphany. I removed the Blover and produced Dragon-Maw Jr., extending the tendril to the two.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYHpqc6p1A
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"Bite at the homeless-looking one!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAfANPjKYt
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Dragon-Maw Jr. followed my command perfectly, snapping his jaw at the man. Though he wasn't struck, the man was forced to evade Dragon-Maw Jr.'s attack and gave Juke air to breathe.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IUjBfcMSo
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"Thanks, Kenny! I got a word I wanna say to this lunatic!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGlZI9usQB
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Juke pointed his sword at the man, straightening his posture.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEc4iEmOvV
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"Don't get the wrong idea, I'm a pretty weak guy. Frankly, I ain't got a clue as to why I'm the one fighting, but I've accepted that these kids just operate like that."221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypo0spyOBl
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡur8pRPCpZA
"...What are you saying?" The man replied. I had to confess that I was similarly confused.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJGAsBS36t
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"Bleh, ya just don't get it, do ya!?"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6TS3q20e2
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlmAP0IIRh
Juke altered his line of action and rushed at the man. He swung at him, which the man blocked with one sword, and as he went to counterattack with his free sword, Dragon-Maw Jr. nipped at him. He backed away and clicked his tongue.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTzxYMr2Qj
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"That kid is a real problem, isn't he?"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpmhPeB1je
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His smile grew sinister. I immediately knew the devious action he was about to take.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgASv7EtjFe
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT7IGJKnvj
"Like I'll let ya do that!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4V1gbhj0k
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But Juke interjected, throwing a soft wind spell at the man and making him lose his balance. Dragon-Maw Jr. took advantage of his disorientation and nipped at him, this time, successfully tearing a piece of off his robe.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ43R0apVCX
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"--It's not the kid, it's that freak of nature!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROzr3vJdAQ
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMsiV8dey4
Offended at his insult, I let go of Rover's arm and began mana expulsion with my newly freed hand. Juke and Dragon-Maw Jr. changed turns attacking the man, and though it was assuring to see him on the defensive, progress to our victory wasn't being made. Thus, I created a spell of water. Instead of amplifying it and shooting it at the man, I spread it across the ground.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb1bicuIkZ
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmMgHbGiO7
"Eh? The hell are ya thinking, Kenny!?"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrrz9CHoa3
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I didn't respond to Juke's complaint, but I understood why he made it. The newfound slippery ground didn't just affect the man, but Juke, too. The two were disengaged but Dragon-Maw Jr. had free reign to wail at the man. And, indeed, wail it did. The man couldn't back away from the plant, meaning he had to challenge every crunch. I smirked at the development, sure that man would be done in.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQVWqCiarq
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But, that hadn't happened at all. The plant clasped onto one of his swords and the man used his free one to cut it off.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLOpp3Pa3W
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKSCXXItxw
Its head descended like a leaf in the wind. I watched, powerless to remedy it.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CqzVIO2OA
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"--Hrk!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1IW9FSd3K
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Then, a sharp, overbearing pain permeated through my body– but I could immediately judge that this was nothing like my time fighting the beast, meaning that, even though I was still grasping at my chest, feeling the purple fluid leak, my tendril remained.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOgyl7ukSH
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With the man free of any pressure, he took his shoes off and dispelled wind from his feet, blowing away all the water and dousing the surroundings.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJt1KmZgDN
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"Shit! Kenny, are ya alright!?"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpjVBtOO13
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"Y-Yes! Sorry, I couldn't get him!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSZFUAaIEi
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"Whatever!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0DAKbpVlZ
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The man pounced at Juke, who barely blocked his attack. They returned to square one, Juke and the man engaged in a lopsided dance of swords.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwfZeMwA2B
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYeRnNHOlf
I began mana expulsion– but the creation of my spell ceased. As I watched them battle, Juke progressively getting weaker and weaker, my body froze.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVxT6Fw4SU
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2dEqVhRYE
I recognized this sensation. It was stark and familiar.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2Q3dfgDrt
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Dread, worry, guilt–221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN0ZlDXaKi
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"Kid, back me up here! I ain't strong enough to handle this maniac alone!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7HhJqDXZB
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i1LV3SOVD
"...R-Right!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSjXINENJA
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeisfuS0hX1
Juke's frantic yells yanked me out before I sank too deep. I shook my head and thought calmly about the situation, taking deep breaths. It wasn't over yet. Besides, if something did go awry here, it wouldn't– it wouldn't really be my fault.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO7JaVjL9X
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmifYwRi11
With that assertion, I resumed the creation of my spell: a sizeable chunk of water–
"I got you!"
As I was forming the spell, the man had finally bested Juke's defenses. He broke his stance, and Juke momentarily lost control of his arms. That moment was all the man needed. He spun a full circle, slicing into Juke with both of his blades.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmZlY0toQQ
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyGaRAXWVh
**SLAM**221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vbckQLxxM
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That was what should have happened, at least– no, saying that wasn't accurate. Indeed, the man's blades sliced into his body, but Juke's skin was not cut, and the noise produced wasn't appropriate for an object hitting flesh.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ890iUvS7t2
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCigc3TWXtw
The man looked just as perplexed as I was, stock still as his mind processed what had just occurred. Juke directed us to a conclusion by raising his right hand and tapping on his helmet twice. Our eyes directed themselves to his metallic apparel, and I noticed the two narrow dents at the side.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5BezhpgXw
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"How did–" the man began, but Juke raised his sword before he could eke out his sentence. The man noticed the action and backed away, but he was too slow.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6uUdxHncO
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"--Ugh!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26xoUlpJxa
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His arm was rendered a bird by the speed it flew off. Blood splattered and gushed onto the pavement. The man clutched his missing limb, gripping the air twice before connecting with his body.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q2F6rKbqF
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I felt the bile rise to my throat, but I couldn't afford to let this moment pass. I aimed my palm at the man and shot the ball.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAQW77HqPm
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**SMASH**221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWspmStIoQA
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The man collided with a building. Juke ran up to me and took Rover out of my hands and ran away, but I didn't immediately follow. I stared at the cloud of dust and debris, waiting to see what would appear once it cleared.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pJGUR3zm4
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I knew it was idiotic, but I couldn't look away.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HN6z02u7B
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"Kenny! Kid, ya must've lost yer mind!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNiSUjRBO1
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"Ah! Sorry!"221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHh4SkFT1e
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Then, I turned around and joined Juke in our escape. The chaos on the street had cleared, and judging from the lack of noise, the one just a block away was dying down, too. But, I knew that didn't mean that the situation was over. That would be just plain stupid.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PMIG98hCq
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"Ha, hell yeah, we're still kicking!"
Though I shared in his enthusiasm, I struggled to even nod along.
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"Ah crap, are ya alright? Don't tell me yer bleeding somewhere."221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rlJmv7ZON
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"N-No, that's not it."221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Xxg3QLRlu
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Admittedly, I felt queasy. It must've shown on my face. In fact, thinking about it, my hands covered my mouth instinctively. I was able to suppress myself, however.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZXS43UBfk
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKQ6jmTTEI
"...I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing that much blood."221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPymhzwR2nf
221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJexYiYOYWS
Burying the resurfacing memories, I followed Juke back to our abode, leaving the pandemonium behind.
