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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73Q73KDDNF
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Kim, Flinty, and Victoria leaned over to watch the scene. Ng, sensing no response, knocked on the door again.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6T5P4Ybms
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"HEY! OPEN UP!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TNKbkDZVZ
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZDQVWdQQD
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"Something about this is fishy."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5UuPmMLfz
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I looked at the other three. They nodded in agreement.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdrmwoWhwF
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"What should we do then?" Flinty asked.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrqBy3khf1
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"Kenny," Kim started, "take out your tendril. Prepare for anything unexpected."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPTOqj3vlx
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I did just as I was told. I eyed Ng intently. He started rubbing his forehead and then looked at us. Right as he opened his mouth, the earth shook below our feet.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhFipYeszE
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb20ln6LQF
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"Oh, that's Jeremiah. Jeremiah! Open the door!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqnQQC6UiY
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Jeremiah? Naming something like that, is that some type of sick joke? I would've cackled if it wasn't for me trying to be stealthy. The walls were tall enough to where I couldn't see what was on the other side, but I could already imagine. The gates slowly opened, and Ng fixed his posture and had his hands behind his back.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNEGEx1m1V
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And then.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JajW9V40G
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**SMASH**195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFI3Wc2kg2
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U4pYbiiFY
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"AH! WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU– NO, HELP! HEEELP!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWcfhfw1xF
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His wails ceased upon a distant slam. Looks like he made it into the compound.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAEiyPtcwc
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"..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx8bZg9dik
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuor1ctKc1
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedIH7OjEsU
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"..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD32ZUk6H9
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBHKnQB9SO
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12vwxyEmsh
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I took a deep breath. With the wall as support, I got back on my feet.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmaX244U2n
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"We're getting the hell out of this forest."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo5wZUMNbj
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I walked back to the group. Flinty was shaking on the ground. Victoria was surprisingly standing. Kim was the same.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7mru5T7jr
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"We need to leave. This is– whatever just happened, it's out of our league."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMgIPM0GY8
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Victoria nodded with me. Kim looked at me and began to speak.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh1TVmHqUb
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"Before anything, let's get away from the compound and formulate a plan."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXyAdbSSNU
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For once, I heard a little fragility in her voice. Victoria picked Flinty up and hung her on her shoulder. Kim led us to the nearby trees. We walked for about five minutes before Kim stopped us. We settled down, taking off our bags. I turned my head around just to make sure the wolf beast wasn't nearby, and sat down, rubbing my face.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gUbxiNFx2
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzssT97KmH
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"-enny. Kenny. Kenny!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR6YBswbvq
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"Huh?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxL15j7mfuP
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Kim was calling my name. It brought me back down to Earth.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6acpgV8KhO
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"What is it?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HleYJEpZF
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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?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9WOnki1B4
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"O-Of course. Not just for my sake, but because Flinty shouldn't be here anymore."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOXGq34QlA
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Kim nodded. Victoria budged in.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlsol5NRbB
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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..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy0rNWPU9B
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She stopped talking and looked at the floor, clenching her fist.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1VZAQgy9C
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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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5Lj5KyEVj
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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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqNXtw2Yqd
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Kim nodded. She sat criss-cross and put a hand to her chin.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSvpRYashR
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"I know you two will disagree with this, but I think we should still try an infiltration."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhsgZdHWGn
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdSldbyaee
"W-What?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNjY4Wy7lw
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"Are you crazy!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqxvrw9ZnD
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We both yelled. Victoria continued.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWxg5lnutT
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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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nPwoFRhwo
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I nodded to her reasoning. The idea was absurd. But Kim immediately started her rebuttal.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7atE503D0z
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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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dWQ34iHtY
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God, Kim, why were you calling that thing by its name?195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ22gSWl1Xp
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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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOgZjaoFv8
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"Are you saying we really have a fighting chance?" I asked.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawSo4pynWa
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"I'm saying we have much more than a fighting chance. We could obliterate the compound right now if we use your power, Kenny."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lMLSq7Ra7
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"I think you're severely overestimating me. I have nothing in my arsenal that can level a building that sturdy."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnGakURqcv
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"Maybe not level it, but you have something that'll encase it, don't you?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBInUvLSe8P
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I tilted my head in confusion.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIVVnkp6pe
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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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlNF5fkubq
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Nothing about this was sitting right with me.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe9FNdAJ8Q
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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!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17GA1cciSw
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"Do you really think Ng has any ill will towards us?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ob7HTEJBK
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"Of course I do!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchaW4OHvja
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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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDKBjm8gud
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"Y-You... Victoria, back me up here!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUqWqcOodr
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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!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcBsAz4sV4
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"But Kenny didn't use his ice. That was because of me, right Kenny? That was because I was in your line of fire."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMy1V8SIkO
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I didn't respond, just averted my eyes.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8Ca7omv8v
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"B-But why don't we just leave the forest, huh!? And what about Flinty?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlRgoeUmtQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEBUj0gqxZ
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1VPLLA4cr
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0N4DPosW8
"Huh?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXW8uGTozh
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyr0z5cIuf
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl986GrNTL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmGlaEMa2l
"Flinty? Are you serious?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwG4Mag0co
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zCctatKlL
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Oxe6sEnSI
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ueFnBqilm
She stood up and slammed her chest a few times.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRv6pJscOHb
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuRkgfGfyF
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsywGcHgqvR
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzTmbCLpCg
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?195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PeT7iaBQO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EncHf7IMR
"B-But, Flinty... what if... what if..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ekG4y3mdz
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJmFl5bYr1
Victoria couldn't voice any rebuttal. Flinty was the final nail in the coffin.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8edOoKnNj
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbDsL9oI3b
I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. It was Kim.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMeGbgQ1w9
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e89qith1a
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMURPBHRH5c
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJW6fvJDe65
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q9ajzbSXq
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iFOnSpEN9
"You and your words... I was right about being suspicious of you."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkxEyce75o
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvKhbssVzT
"I'm sorry. I promise you'll be compensated for your efforts."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlO4dZcryc
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuotUcUwU5x
"...With money?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoItP5E3uuZ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOhIy5XG4h
"With money."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9X96IvmKw
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NLm7AlC6s
"...I can't say no to money."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyCDHsy6UC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnownUn1Cmg
For a second, I caught a smile from under her cloak. She offered me a hand and helped me stand up.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcxcNQIBCW
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8ikvYWhjQ
"Then that's settled. What about you, Victoria?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLQbB88F5M
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59VuB5Rihz
She was still on the floor, giving us a pensive look.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LyMWUngVg
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITOJGUA64A
"...If we're doing this, then I'll fight anything that isn't the blob."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkqq5M2NMg
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7F96hjZ71
"Alright. Then Kenny and I will help."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaba0DY4qZ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFXyQUWDVA
Kim helped Victoria to her feet. I felt something touch my back. It was Flinty, she slapped my shoulder.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvcU51UR04
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tuJDsegmt
"Let's do our best okay?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYY2JZrhnP
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoW4vVPsR7
"..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pgVW3OdGW
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5pcCKt39X
I still had one more concern.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjClbRna0YG
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbX2lsVjOc
"Flinty, if the wolf gets to you while we're inside, what will you do then?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UObpdeFKV
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She averted her gaze.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zH7Ea2fyD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DoDppDrHa
"I'll... if I need to, then I'll use the fireball. I'll use one like the one at Mister Freed's shop."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVuV7H4WWN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6ZDiH5O9F
"I see."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5hjRfApRM
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I unbuttoned my coat, took it off, and offered it to her. She looked it with apprehension, awkwardly raising a hand to her mouth.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhH48nxWVkm
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEDTe1wIIq
"K-Kenny? Are you sure?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37JhX7pBY5
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"Uh..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtzLRWoqJW
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Crap. My cheeks were tinted rose.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsPZwvKxEf
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"I-If you're going to use fire magic, then take this, since it's fire-proof. Cover your head with the hood when you do. I don't think your fireball would be strong enough to blow any limbs away, but I think it's fine if you just lose your legs."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpEzHRVxaC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83aewNChzK
She nodded and accepted my coat. It was a size too large for her, so a lot of excess cloth covered her legs. Perfect.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSd0kePSzs
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQ2LGNneF9
"This is really cozy, no wonder why you always wear it."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE76lrVszi2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtwEAwXAuN
"Heh. Anabelle is a good weaver, isn't she?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1vppL2KOM
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EcFdg4DAP
She nodded. I felt slightly naked now, but I still had long sleeves covering my arms. I would be fine.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn6qsx8ujd
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRws6RNiyu6
"Alright," Kim said, "are we ready to form a plan?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz2weByf6G
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–
–
–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3QssHTd0m
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4rpbvU3Lq
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSpB6UDE7V
"How does it look like?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DI6uBJqMD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX9tpsqAVq
"Clear. I heard some ruckus coming from the building. They're likely occupied with whatever that is."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JM7vPbnQL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvU6jwRDtXd
Ideal conditions have been met. I took in a breath and released the tendril. A Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip.
"Are we ready?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqlRnN44yC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESf2pCjzvx
"We're ready."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyQNiC2M6v
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj4Ncs91d5
I never imagined myself taking part in a siege mission. I would make peace with it later.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCeu7Eu4LH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmNeEkFPTo
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBZzwojW0X
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauhjDcmsKe
"How are we supposed to scale a ramp of ice!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XsHMJpSQn
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnQqeyigXT
She had a good point. I was a bit flustered.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT7e9w48bD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn8xFwDJZh
"Then what do you propose I do!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx7UvClWFg
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAdBlqJe6t
I could see Victoria's brain at work. I racked my mind for a solution.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTuXNgrOqI
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAfyFTIfhG
"Just make little steps," Kim interjected, "and as we hop on them, make the next one bigger."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pNAsi4oHm
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsndWuM4pYj
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnXiIp8owi
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQbN4LmFJB
"Before we enter, let me inspect how it is inside."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO197fZMJ7O
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenEx1FZJ7b
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1gZNbwd9f
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh914a0ehFP
They slept in conditions like this? They didn't even have a mattress. I almost felt bad.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hjRG9yAiF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQPoYKvr8F
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNBHPWq61z
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6BhOB19rA
"Ng, come on. I know you know better."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2m32IeAiQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhi7TK0V4tV
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI8xMibwBM
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuHZJWgnLq
"Y-Yeah. I know."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgxyuGK4nW
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhkElTX1kz
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4YB22tnGy
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVihwLBwqq
"Then why did you let the prisoners out? We can't have our location disclosed to–"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXYBwKs5e7
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMN0s1VnGc
**SHATTER**195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0ZDltk9TP
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvWjRVjw1M
I fired the stone. I made sure to put enough power to where it wouldn't kill the man, but at least incapacitate him.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdQd9sUfIp
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0w0AR6Q8Q9
I missed and hit the window, shattering it completely.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntRoCDPJnE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8RGq5zwWh
Ng and the man turned to us. I didn't have anything to say, I simply returned eye contact.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHnEaHCZ5W
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgxBFkigWH
"Now!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNC2oseJM9
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXIvGRQH04
Kim and Victoria rushed ahead. The two men didn't fight back, they started running away. I knew Ng was in on this!195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReZlUzc90L
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LcCH0K37d
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAqRjyJyxR
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMj4EzqtCZ
"What are you waiting for?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3eIOtoaTL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAxXmLYacq
"I still don't trust Ng."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxi3WX461A
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkWAJgaECz
"Fine, then go after him!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0i9HufYP3
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pVAAXm86u
I nodded and rushed through the other door. I saw another set of stairs and Ng was already making his way down them.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHwnBX1c4J
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QtFpPfPH0
"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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpYYsiIbb6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehia3Hach2
"O-Okay, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just don't hurt me!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUqZee0JNg
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqqxVTe1RE
He was already down on the ground with his head glued to the floor. I rushed towards him. Ng was... crying?195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyM8KLCF1n
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLSHxgwBrB
"Are you seriously crying?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymn0coFVfH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanwqWz4F4P
"Huh?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0An48gZfml
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDltwWWhoIK
He tilted his head up to me.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiLbI0AdHe
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwihsrovtOQ
"N-No, I'm not crying. Aren't you going to kill me?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HmNEJfvX0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1bAWBBjn2
"K-Kill? I wouldn't go that far... Geez, get up already."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhH4Sk87MHw
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtVU2yH1pg
He did as he was told. He had a look of sincere confusion on his face. I didn't let that fool me, though.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiDgrbqM9k
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbqwmXOT9E
"You, are you really on our side?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJqK17m3HH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3U2o6yfWZ
"Of course I am! If my words aren't enough, then I'll happily take an official oath!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hzlYtThIu
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHstMUHCxX4
"Nobody's here to witness it, you moron! Nevermind this, just take me to your teammate already!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBgbnoGQiC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8AjAvu6zL
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrd0nxsEXo
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnnkETvH5G
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFGD5TPbO9
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RbO0Nre0C
"Miss... I advise you to not open that door. It's best if we step away."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOdc2DcHF2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIj3tUZXqi
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VGFkLGiss
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkDwX19Q34
"Panz! You, what do you think you're doing!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhc9MkARGe
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00yViwfseh
Panz, who was apparently still awake, feebly lifted his head and cackled.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT8RUUP6WA
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnogcfKrKr
"As if I'd let you betray me like this so easily! I'll make you pay, Ng– ack!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YvgGZzxzz
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkrv0TOOxj
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxwrgfamT4
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpFtVTWjo7
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV4l3FFqxN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSVyzUI6N2
And then, suddenly–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkxKWXrk4u
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR7NzcpxBT
**SMASH**195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3b6F5JWaF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0IqFcf4H2
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLybRlE70H
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBR8DXyQQ4
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWzFYVGBKk
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"Crap! Everyone, be careful!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpSMeG3jR3
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJETRUJ4wj
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"H-Huh?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSYcOsq4QT
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Asumx1yDK
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"Victoria! Kenny! Ng! Head to the second floor!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1f143zAk6
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxdOqZD8sa
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2bg5PagxZ
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"Ng!" I yelled, "Can't you control that thing!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRjXo6KHFd
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"No! I am unable to resummon the creatures Panz has created, I can only do ones I have!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rUTUk46Ha
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"Like what!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5ZK4cD1Sc
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"They died last night!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyepsNeriic
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ac0yXfxtM
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Wait, escape route, of course!195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVk8T9Y7RL
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bDO7bNfer
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"...Did I do it?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLPLcaQzon
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheq3Or2KU1
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"H-Huh?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmw4Huagec
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She offered me her healing potion.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwBHzcVGMy
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"Here. For your foot."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJf5lgySLq
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"A-Ah, thank you."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9eSUVSIZa
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsnaWKBq52
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"Haaa, ugh."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLlk4k5s5G
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I stood up with help from Victoria.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjMvyg3No3
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"Sorry. I didn't do anything."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4Pstg7VPy
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"Please, don't be. Even I don't feel like I did much."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6Z4judz3g
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"Haha, you're too humble, Kenny."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTLlROo5gt
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She was noticeably shaken. Still, she held onto the unconscious Panz like it was nothing. I was beginning to relax.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H3L5RQN8m
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"Don't let your guard down yet."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC5KKEYkej
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwyZGWM98b
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"Crap. Crap!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9sSqmMHTw
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEFrnPzlCH
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUgPkfteU9
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3X0Bkr6Om
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"K-Kenny!? Shit!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxl2EtyLam
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiolOrBBvES
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFxR8W4Xat
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A sinister curiosity crept within me. It was awfully nostalgic.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUWYL7rq6H
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"Kenny! Kenny, are you awake!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJtA9N0k74
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"Huh? Y-Yes!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkanVKisRHT
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"If you can, support Kim!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8NcfbiNpB
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkXmzNlK3M
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"W-Woah..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡympHPawRXn
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4pReuO7no
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"KIM!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtaHnZRs9b
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"Right!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBIh5442th
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoGzkD0367
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And so, I released the spear.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GR7TPJEsw
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**SMASH**195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwxXDaxTy3
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlpXW98D5N
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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?195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUDvAvk35p
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1g2jJEuWzW
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"Kenny, out of curiosity, what is your earth magic grade?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YJ9Mc9iuQ
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS60eOb7JMl
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"...Three. But, as I've learned today, my accuracy probably lowers it."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiA2aC1dmT
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"No, what you just did was incredible."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EVw2hJC0D
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"Okay, fine, thank you, geez."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOmo42wFBQ
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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–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJUhARKYeg
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"I'm afraid that wasn't the last of them," Ng said.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IWlmnbNVj
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"Huh? Are you serious!?" Victoria yelled.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uAp31aNNo
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"Unfortunately."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVemelvlkJ0
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe8C1HtqLc
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"Kim!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hRb09XUgY
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1uydvRdKj
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The tendril was bleeding purple.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpZeMWMLFY
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"Kim! Ah, Kenny, we need to–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFRnJEZqxs
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**SMASH**195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpkrNcVFcz
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkpflt1dYl
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"It's Jeremiah! Kenny, you need to–"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV2ifLAnPF
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJNb1vDJCx
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDA4zxzt9X
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"Victoria!" Ng yelled, "We need to escape! We can't fight Jeremiah now!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYu76xNvOx
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEObDDZ2mE
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv5hmIdASx
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"...Ngh."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡno2vxCZsBz
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr093HdK7E
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"Haaa, haaa, shit, shit! Shit!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3bESCUJS5
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxiOwRG0Lg
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But, through the stormy mess that was in my mind, one thought came to the forefront.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER4kLej5Jm
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The infiltration was a failure. Our ally was compromised. I failed completely.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6VLVSHLJG
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I felt like I was going to die.
