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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fkyHH8B9e
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"Did she just say Hard-Bringer?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTtvOiEInH
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpZMFpKKco
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2kuvTP0L2
"What are you doing!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHs69XpIRj9
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvBVvoUdkw
"Don't go making a scene! They could just be lunatics, and even if they aren't–"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWprCtl4zCI
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCBVb6faFl
**BOOM**151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsDPlH5BO4
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZztdIx22Os
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjqj4JJLHH
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxX7Sqwolt
"Ngh, damn it!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Qsz4A3Ahd
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxqv1cgyuP
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGxIGsXusX
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYkwaJDM3i
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsrcFEWeHP
"How did they– ack! Nevermind!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMYvErmCcW
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUibYUt6SSi
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOW61dQgAS
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFNB4WqHrs
It was like she knew I was going to fire it.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUh9xNLxA1
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fdQJEZoSv
"--Damn it! Rover!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAdx4xc97H
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeB0uvWCLyM
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69EEnVIRNS
"What the hell are ya doing here, kid!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpiSaVFZeO
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2X3zN2x3M2
Juke, carrying his helmet in one hand, was standing there with a frantic expression.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyx5bBITqm
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc7gstvuaZ
"I could ask you the same thing! Forget about it now, we need to help Rover!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx93ctkr4f
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIhkTQ8rsp
"Gah, everything's out of order! Ya strong folks are crazy!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRmXoWdCve
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV0W6nSaDU
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKpiZFeHSJ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQY1gwjUprF
"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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBGd9ixVR9
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NTiSLYir8
"Huh? Juke? What are you–"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EFB5Ut1I8
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NfaniBzJc
"Can ya drop it? Aren't ya fighting someone right now?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbgo1KlW6T
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfVnelXipP
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds9WIZd6ic
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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?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunNA19LBtJ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bFjYbm6X0
"The hell is that woman rambling on about!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJdJtrkBej
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJqtqER3NP
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPV3dIhMON
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4osl2CBra9
"How the hell... are you doing that?" She hissed, her voice gradually growing weaker.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ABYtX9pTK
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqT9kNuYP2
"Like I'd reveal my secrets to you, fool. You two, isn't she an ally? Won't you approach me too?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCBq6XTaEm
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NtQzsWeBG
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtE7k35fl1Z
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5ZdwNlKR8
I adopted Rover's question into one of my own, repeatedly asking myself how it was that she was doing that.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnLbyxhJG2
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"Hey, Kenny!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHljZGsBU62
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7lP6BCCXb
Juke suddenly called to me. He was carrying Rover over his shoulder.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx7rkqFenC
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhbV30APfI
"I-Is she okay?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCzF09CFAq
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGpyRCsjye
"She passed out. Let's get the hell outta here! That woman is a Harbinger, didn't you hear?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAqsyF1ECo
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiigFkfAGY
"I don't know what that is!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLelT1QI5Rw
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCQMiERMfu
"It doesn't fuckin' matter! Start running!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iuyTgjAT7
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbrBCXglWI
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Though, that did raise the question–151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJwL45RhWM
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"Do you know where you're going!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tXpYFV58d
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMmsi0YBw3
"'Course I do! We're going back to our lodging!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UrlGKnSsf
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvQVEvgMVK
"Ah– where is Dennis?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCw1iJHpxb
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23fLuxFeJF
"Hell if I know! I lost him in the crowd!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVEIxPd69t
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJze9PjRB0
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–151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBJB0DfsLz
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"Shit."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIE32JNuk4
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59p5DtvhRR
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm0s9EGZHe
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpNGViX1Fe
"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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJXAriRsCn
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQe4s5ixVo
"Kenny, stand there, alright? I'm the guy with a helmet here."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJuaR2FEfg
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"...Alright."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCep6fXh3tk
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADO3vehLWv
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"Alright, I'll take yer question."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9jn7a2tHB
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A1ZAceJXJ
"Are you two Zarielites? Better yet, are you two the ones who are delivering a letter addressed to the Eastern Country?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrKtO1ySHE
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSmXTiCVnO
I froze. My face must've contorted unimaginably. In a moment of understanding, I thanked Juke for his quick thinking.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm5Xj0Py1s
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClsmTaswIr
"Nah, these kids and I are just passing adventurers."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmJ2ysXe4h
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm2Sz9DiDA
"...Passing adventurers? That explains the attire, at least."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp2doYP5hd
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The man stopped speaking.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPndLH4vnTf
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"Alright, carry on, then."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvjtZWyK4Y
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMvyEqqBDq
"...Eh?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2yMm2a1l6
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I shared in his confusion.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEh9g8BfJm
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"I believe you, so carry on. Don't test my judgment, please."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY97gJxMa5o
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7osCjZstN
"I-If ya say so!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4usVHJu7y
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCyMLhutJp
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–151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61V90lQply
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"On second thought, I need to ask that kid one more question."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzFkKAVfqS
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHlDOi71ra
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9sVEyibQ2
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrF70mXlk6
"Your visage resembles a description we got of an outstanding Zarielite. Tell me, kid, does the name 'Bison Frost' ring any bells for you?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2G4czzXW1
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEYxidbIZD
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrta5JAX2R
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdADLkMEVhk
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtABqQRSVul
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I had spilled it in such an unfair way.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeNpwssYi0
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"Damn it, kid!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZKT9NokjI
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeGmHeHGLK
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPXamyfNsl
**SMASH**151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXaWkxSQJA
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QSsbV1ezW
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMC4mMCivU
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaK3AMXpZZ
"Ah, gonna have to forgive me, girl!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF018tKpbj
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV500Z78iuE
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGdL7PuzPL
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xyGSM7ofW
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYDT493fXA
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyepnnn4qNY
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauszjanbYD
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBNX3iHOAy
"You've impressed me," the man yelled, "I suppose you aren't a combatant for nothing!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxF4Zk4pXo
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR04mZ4M4iT
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lk21EalLf
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6RYE5tg7U
Then, I had an epiphany. I removed the Blover and produced Dragon-Maw Jr., extending the tendril to the two.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhnvdKlD0k
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"Bite at the homeless-looking one!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe8DXxdJCS
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlgwpTEsrV
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Mf9G4INTw
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmN893rXIT
"Thanks, Kenny! I got a word I wanna say to this lunatic!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K78KQbY6B
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ1pY635p1
Juke pointed his sword at the man, straightening his posture.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCl8igvcOq
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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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5yAfDXkEO
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72DmZpu68p
"...What are you saying?" The man replied. I had to confess that I was similarly confused.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO2bbhop6V
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"Bleh, ya just don't get it, do ya!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8svlDbwmX7
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj8P1PJ5Rg
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX63IyZNza
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwyqZHpCsV
"That kid is a real problem, isn't he?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi09bh0q0Lk
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlmw8Oi8G9
His smile grew sinister. I immediately knew the devious action he was about to take.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMCyfBCLYv
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4DtjVWn5o
"Like I'll let ya do that!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpkyCFrJFI
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTo15ZPJGA
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSoP6ZSQaR
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UFnDFMH5r
"--It's not the kid, it's that freak of nature!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1IxDKgpI5
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgAeN2vXSD
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKYUA1z6z8
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPBH6OFpAS
"Eh? The hell are ya thinking, Kenny!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4ZzX5FX3c
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKBao7d4By
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Fl1bPI6eZ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufBqkAv8Ng
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8RQaiBeVh
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Its head descended like a leaf in the wind. I watched, powerless to remedy it.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z8Ahi0zYR
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69eEpuyg95
"--Hrk!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bqwRezxLj
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zm2f2T1C7
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXqA1qBnCH
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02f0ZAdERI
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsVeDlMBEd
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhNCrHlYCw
"Shit! Kenny, are ya alright!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfQQ5ntZbz
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrTPQfllYa
"Y-Yes! Sorry, I couldn't get him!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcfQvma7fD
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xrW86gDUB
"Whatever!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMMxwAigaJ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSw8glgLdB
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K9jb4fSbB
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31uzhlECFo
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6rGBVP8dU
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC06xEGp5Rs
I recognized this sensation. It was stark and familiar.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib9Xqy0kDL
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Dread, worry, guilt–151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3KEjr3lYJ
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"Kid, back me up here! I ain't strong enough to handle this maniac alone!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1TnUPj1Ph
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzpzxkxaFU
"...R-Right!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVx48FTuev0
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxdKSXXnwD
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwRf2Qh4vj
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL7oJGobRD
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00N1zSg95m
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIl5HOEOJAd
**SLAM**151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6thvpy59c
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSMpuwXWC3
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8mILjH8w3
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JbymTDWsc
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEZ3XbqZjT
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dgeHu89Lq
"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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBJv3Xu7nA
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"--Ugh!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul6mX5MN9y
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhezTdRORm
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdRj3qZHtb
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5UVw2AIK4
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8RbKdyIU4
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOoXVUxiLR
**SMASH**151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CI8C9uUAT
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7QdzHDQ74
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCALsuIeau2
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I knew it was idiotic, but I couldn't look away.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTii5FbyOY
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"Kenny! Kid, ya must've lost yer mind!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw07WKGTjV7
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"Ah! Sorry!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoB0jXD1XAW
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVmlijeDMy
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdpRfzeqYf
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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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOajG6YZ5z
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"N-No, that's not it."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9jdRde6KJ
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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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV9tvTu26S
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPfQPDupHv
"...I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing that much blood."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ9zzFZF5E
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Burying the resurfacing memories, I followed Juke back to our abode, leaving the pandemonium behind.
