“...”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPzfkh9ROb
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“...”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPElO94p1pK
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I couldn’t explain how it wound up this way. Maybe it was how I always lagged behind, or that other members were simply more courageous than Juke and I. Maybe it was bad fortune becoming of me, an ugly trait that reared its head in inconvenient times. Pondering an explanation was a useless endeavor anyhow. At this point, I realized it just wasn’t always needed.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHIQNPldV2
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEpxWMbjfh
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I didn’t have any evidence, but my gut screamed at me that the final floor would be the most challenging to combat. I readily acknowledged that the Harbinger was on a lower floor, but all the suspense that had been accumulating in my body informed me that wasn’t the worst of it. Perhaps it was a superstition– no, it absolutely was –but I was still compelled to tell Juke of my hypothesis.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Whkx02oFz
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“I have a feeling–”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbstxGKikn
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxKDaAvJNi
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I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qgbUSreKi
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“Do you also have that feeling?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBwopXhdkZ
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“Nothin’ like it. I could just tell by the look on yer face. Either way, I don’t think we’re gonna deal with somethin’ so meddlesome.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybEu2zSGo7
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“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsYur3f7Hq
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His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUudFVxfcF1
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But, ultimately, I reminded myself yet again that that hardly mattered. Now that we’d arrived on a flat surface, there was nothing to do but to walk through that door and eliminate whoever was behind it. So we made sure to make a loud entrance. As I was able to match his pace, the both of us busted the door down. We ran into the master’s room, a spacious office stacked with papers. It was different, and far, far messier than the Foreign Pillar’s.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoulIRhOZTP
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“Y-You!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EwzoAcWGe
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I was shocked by a sudden voice from my left. I turned my head and saw a skinny gentleman, one I could only assume was the Pillar’s Dean.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm96es3gnKs
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwYAe5IBsQ
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“A-Alright!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS7eW4RC2c
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Whether his words or his pathetic visage swayed me, I ran to untie him all the same. But I was stopped in my tracks by a hand grabbing my shoulder.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMxZP6OvAG
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHY42JHdkI
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My question was cut short the moment I looked at where he was point. Now, I was looking at the reason behind the different papers, the reason why the dean was tied in rope.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIWiev19vZ
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A man stood on the desk. A man with a robe I knew all too well, but more importantly, with a style of hair that I recognized. He turned his head towards us as he put a paper down, and frowned.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlpDGccsjo
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“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdfA3xjMmf
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvxYwAPSpi
With almond-shaped eyes and a jagged, unusual hairstyle that screamed “punk,” the Bringer in the streets of this city right as this mess began glared at us with the sheen of his blade.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDEED3PqUH
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“He’s alive!?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnE4am0HVJ
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The shock of it all was one thing, as the last time I saw him, I was sure he was pulverized and left to bleed out. But what truly made me yell in such volume was that he still had both of his arms.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWKWB3Pig3
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“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BkBuId7sq
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“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNh5Gm1HGi
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He said it matter-of-factly, as if none of it should be a surprise. Missing limbs weren’t impossible to restore with highly potent, albeit rare and extremely expensive potions, but processes like that took months, often years to complete. And they would only proceed smoothly with frequent tending and doctoral observation.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmKJhv0aea
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDexhpI31ZT
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtP6x5QSwI3
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“...Well, not exactly.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F57FfvuZQ
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlzC1TQ6Lz
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“Restoring limbs isn’t impossible; I tried and failed to make a few like that myself. But to be able to do it that fast, there’s only one explanation.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4EMbUCnGW
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“Tell me, won’t ya?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03kIR6RuEm
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“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMxZQMwEsa
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rqhSfveqi
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDBOxiedoo
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“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyX4a1yly4
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzr4NfinVG
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkVStTQuon
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx7psJiFNX
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“There’s someone among our ranks who’s a world-class healer. It’s phenomenal to see her work, really. I was out like a light, but by the time I woke up, I was better than new!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbxJIkbHm5
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He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiskgLLXpkw
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GCTC5f8vO
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudW6H9lCWx
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7jCBto6p5
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The Bringer hopped off the desk and reached for the other scabbard on his belt. Wielding two curved blades yet again, he stared at us with crazed, narrowed eyes.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjvYZAN4yD
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGYk0bnNWc
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIleYF00iZc
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeJmXWexBo
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFv3SlB1ZZ
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–
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–
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlTIYeGsKD
–329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeb0KMnP1l
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The Bringer’s immediate dash complicated this whole mess. It might’ve been my fault for not taking Juke aside and speaking of a plan, but there was nothing I could do now. I didn’t have time to speak with him about our battle strategy. It helped not that the Bringer’s gesture was so sudden. It stunned me for a moment and forced me to think of a counterattack. But Juke thankfully had a quick, simple proposal:: he just drew his sword and matched the Bringer.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtogrcmKBY
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The first collision of the battle followed right after. Juke blocked a double swipe with his single sword, and immediately I noted that Juke had more physical strength than the Bringer, as he was able to keep him in a lock. The Bringer dashed away shortly after, glaring at us while humming curiously. I was oddly disturbed by that gesture, but I had no time to contemplate. I drew my tendril and sprouted the perfect plant for the occasion: the Thistle-Bloom. One of the first plants I ever copied from Prince’s garden, Its spikey bulb protruded from the tip of the tendril. I squelched its root as if I was choking it.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicldHyN64Y
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNe1vKBxuq
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOoTGBsrp8
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He nodded right after, boldly charging at the still-humming Bringer. I put one knee down and bent the Thistle-Bloom, aiming it directly at the two fighters.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy3NeBpvDe
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It was impossible to safely shoot while the two were in close combat, but that bothered me barely. Juke’s endowment gave him a defensive edge, and with the constant threat of his sword and wind magic, the Bringer would be forced to back away eventually. I just had to wait for that moment, and as I did, I keenly watched the battle unfold.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPnrv8G6SE
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Juke played the offensive role spectacularly. I wasn't sure if the Bringer was hesitating from past experience or gauging him in some fashion, but the end result was that swings were being thrown his way. None of Juke's swings connected, however, and the Bringer kept too small a distance for me to shoot.
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Eventually, the Bringer retaliated. He swung his swords across and Juke blocked them at the center. From that position though, Juke was forced to back away. Almost losing his sword, he awkwardly stepped a few paces back while swinging his arms to keep from falling. In that moment, the Bringer dashed and thrust his weapons.
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**CLANG**
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"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
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The tip of his blades practically bounced off Juke's skin, and from the looks of it, made only a scratch on his helmet. Juke looked relieved, and the Bringer looked annoyed, and though I was distracted by relief of not seeing my friend be penetrated, I surged mana through the tendril.
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"It's a weird ability you have there. Fortunately–"
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All of a sudden, right before the thorns of the bulb spew like the water of a dam, the Bringer flung one of his blades my way.
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"I can just chip away."
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I tripped over myself trying to dodge it, and though all but a clip of my hair avoided it, it managed to glide through elsewhere.
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My body reacted immediately.
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"Urg--Glurrgh!"
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The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
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"Kid! Ah, shit!"
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I collapsed to the ground, limp and lethargic in my lazy legs. I mustered the strength to tilt my head up and look at the fight. Juke kept the Bringer occupied, but everything about the sight was wrong. That Bringer was missing a sword, so why was Juke forced to block every attack? Why did his posture falter while the Bringer's only strengthened?
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Familiar shivers ran through my spine. My limbs denied my commands, and even my eyes forced themselves blind to the scene. Then the word "run" entered my head. And then I–
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"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03d01RRAef
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
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A rush of adrenaline helped me endure the pain of forming the Dragon-Maw, but with my other hand, I quickly created a ball of fire and lobbed it at the two fighters. I didn't hit anyone, but the blaze separated them, giving Juke crucial time to breathe. He shot me a thumbs up while brandishing his weapon, threatening the Bringer just enough for him to back off.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1NTsHMoUh
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The Dragon-Maw snapped at the Bringer, knowing by instinct who the opponent was. But to my surprise, it didn’t uncontrollably charge.. Rather, it retracted, hissing at the adversary as if he encroached on its territory.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLI0Stojzk
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmzrj9p1fL
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After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr9Te6JM4c
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Though carrying such a dislodged, extended mass was difficult on my tiny body, I put no energy into making attacks. Dragon-Maw complimented Juke’s fighting patterns superbly, striking at times when Juke reeled from swinging his sword. The Bringer was put on the backfoot almost instantly, and the pressure was obvious from his drenched face. Despite our suffocating offense, we never managed to break the guard of his blistering blade.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHSRcLvKLi
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSLESBit8X
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Though my arm strained and heaved, I kept the tendril out. The Bringer carried Juke and Dragon-Maw around the room, lining its edges and narrowly missing the paper piles. At some point, though, I noticed that the Bringer had to block less and less. I thought for a moment that exhaustion from Juke or I was to blame, but as I narrowed my eyes, I noticed his feet moving further and further back.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIJAIZMROh
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDe63gNCoB
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“Crap!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTX0tny12E
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I stopped supporting my right arm with my left and quickly began mana expulsion. I didn’t have the time to make anything dangerous, so I conjured a messy ball of water and flung it at the Bringer. But I didn’t put enough for or mana for it to be meaningfully threatening. It merely splashed his face, not enough to stop him from picking up his other sword. But that brief moment of blindness afforded me a–329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb5ly8A6Dj
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**CRUNCH**329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBNusJuVPC
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The Dragon-Maw managed to clamp the Bringer at his side. It didn’t bite anything off, but from the grunts of the Bringer and the new hues of red, it was clear that the wound was deep.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq3hfMTMGp
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cwx2fhpNs
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Like it was a basic reflex, the Bringer swung his sword and cut the head of Dragon-Maw off. I clicked my tongue and closed my eyes, bracing myself for the ensuing, and brutally-arriving pain. My preparation suppressed it adequately. I was still on my legs, after all. But it was offset by my dwindling willingness to use the tendril, and by the way its brown roots shed its sheen, I figured it felt the same. I had to ask it for one more favor, though.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXNUbjbYuA
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I realized it was reckless, especially with how small the room was, but I didn’t want this fight to drag on any longer than it already had. Thus, I procured a–329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf0lqB1FGp
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“Child! Child, please!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X3NJwDCXB
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“W-What!?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE1o0W5wZx
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOjX3sj9Yd
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LXckPCFOK
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“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEwlmmNoph
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“...”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyabQzRsmtd
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I had this sick feeling that the Dean was far sleazier than I initially thought, but under this kind of situation, I could hardly blame him. I didn’t turn to save him, however. As a Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip of my tendril, I stared with sweaty palms at the dueling two. Juke matched the Bringer far more comfortably now, even with him having two swords, as that injury was unignorable.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpSKnC38yJ
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGsZaX6rVj
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJf5Rz59ML
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxfKGxJKtb
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Even though it would just take making a small dagger out of earth, sinking that time to free him felt like a terrible idea. I knew it was possible, I knew Juke could last long enough for me to do so, and yet– and yet–329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbbIB6qDh6
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And yet, the option caused my arms to shiver. To be responsible for his freedom, would just mean I was responsible for everything that followed.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWBeSlMFuS
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How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3k4IqoJS8
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“Kid! Watch out!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLRp8aYnT5
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXELZ7mVywZ
“--Huh?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusHLpePMzf
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ5Njei5oQ
I was swept from my trance by Juke’s loud, worried call. My vision registered with me then, and I realized that the Bringer was charging directly at me.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC3iF1R1TS
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“S-S-Shit!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WKf07Xbfa
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY0m1vQbbT
I did the first thing that came to mind: I conjured a hasty spell, shot it, and jumped to the side, causing me to land on my hip. Only, it didn’t go so smoothly. The spell I created wasn’t one of earth or fire, as trying to rush those would erase nearly half of my mana supply. So I created a large wave of water before moving. It blinded the bringer sufficiently, just enough for his thrust to miss me.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseRbR0TwOX
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**SQUELCH**329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeAcuzrlEE
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But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjLoLmv07f
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“--H-Hrk!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxUs2CFAYU
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayqebqyrlX
“Oh?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNY8rYtQgIn
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The Bringer rubbed the water out of his eyes and looked at where his sword had been lodged. He wasn’t happy or upset, nor did he look amused or angered. He had the look of someone who made a simple slip-up, like a man putting a box in the wrong place and merely shrugging his shoulders at the sight.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjRqFlNieE
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUoYcHsQBr
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTMDDZAw8s
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcnZiznF5y
“Ark… W-Why?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E8rqF3FVx
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfeOxM6Cvw
“I don’t have a reason. It was an accident, relax. Goodness, just relax! It’s not as if I hit your lungs, did I?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbE8DPDog5
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gW0zbLEpN
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D5UbyvQOC
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E6G5Fzzir
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVuEglarGo
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzj1T7esfoi
“A– y-you monster!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJyKw6HJP4
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FvliZ4Y4M
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S8iVSG5Z3
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqz45KN7ike
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlp95CsmLUm
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDIopCBGKq
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepGmqZPNE7
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“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NijSpuai3
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJnSNegpwa
“A-Afraid?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KHjozlgmg
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWXGBCeBgy
I was stunned, undeniably, but it wasn’t paralysis. That wasn’t the case, because I saw the Dean right there, writhing but breathing, trying what he could to cover his wound. But to call myself afraid wasn’t incorrect. I could hardly keep myself from melting.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5Czlo9aH0
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0U1FK3oX9
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2TonMAHWr
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY02QaBEPo9
But then Juke’s words resounded from my side, and the sight of the Dean became enough for me to move. Though, I didn’t do so before giving myself a necessary rebuke.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlA4pD5AkF7
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1oTl1qWGj
“Damn it. Damn it!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGvORxCHwt
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ9KErzqzg
I aimed the Freezey-Dry at the bringer and let it work. The Bringer stepped to the side, avoiding the wall of ice that formed until the end of the room. I didn’t have to face any counterattack either, as Juke kept the Bringer occupied while I ran to the Dean, forming an earthly knife.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbulY40CfgA
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrE9SVfnTI
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6llgxKuNn
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNU6k1OEAB
I hurriedly cut the ropes, slicing one of my own fingers in the process, but still managing to free the Dean. He grasped his shoulder and got on his legs.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbuJSGEtdt
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“T-Thank you.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uGA3EyV2K
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJf11abfj9
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk1R7eGpyz
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0BYISEv8K
The Dean meekly nodded, which made me greatly relieved. I conjured up a quick earth spell and shot it through the ice wall, creating an opening.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkI1J56QZoU
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwEwtnP3NP
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5hCLSiELz
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaURM2DIFVH
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtY0PmyKUA
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWMrpcLGeV
Though his run was gaunt, he managed to leave the parameter without being stopped. I walked around the ice wall to make sure of it, seeing him go through the entrance, and then I returned my attention to the Bringer.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOBI5XOxDN
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw5lviMoba
He and Juke were still fighting. The Bringer landed stray hits far too often for comfort, but I saw a window when the two clashed their swords and stared.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtsPPk8mee
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nkiMa7VoM
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MOFNLCIdy
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ASPViTb78
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkNrYvlUC9
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYercVeLLfL
“Juke!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9LyY0yLQK
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I interjected as quickly as I could. I formed a ball of earth and shot it at the Bringer. He moved to dodge it, but his toilsome wound forced him to hiss and I managed to nip his shoulder. Juke took advantage of the generated momentum, swinging his sword barbarically but only scratching the Bringer’s cloth as he dodged. The Bringer clicked his tongue and massaged his shoulder. Though it was a reach of a call to make, I felt confident that his shoulder was dislocated.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpOir8KbK6
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“That kid is such a nuisance!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYgACIkFhx
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrMkCOcUK6
He yelled an enraged sentence, jerking his head to me and glaring with dagger-like eyes. I brought my tendril out in front of me as a kind of shield, though with the ferocity of which he sprinted, it clearly wouldn’t do anything.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aLL4tXxIZ
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Fortunately, it didn’t have to.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE1nVRjukj
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“Ahck!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfvXFmOkJn
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr3wcxEbpH
A gust of wind came from my right, slamming the Bringer hard enough for him to tumble to the floor. Juke followed his spell by charging with his sword raised. He swung down and collided with a shielding scimitar, unable to break its barricade. But as they struggled, I made my move.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcJlDKCwRw
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDjOajSdtT
A spell wouldn’t do me good, and this wilting Freeze-Dry wouldn’t fare any better. My other offensive flower had been pierced and shredded, so I only had one thing at my disposal.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawLr1ViZo8
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95GKUrdoUP
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpXcvj50K1
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyn8htpbbH
Juke moved his sword in the nick of time. The tendril caught the flat side of his scimitar– to my great relief –and crashed directly into his stomach. The air escaped from his lungs, and remnants of his meals flew out of his orifice. The blow stunned him well, and I retracted my tendril so Juke could quickly finish the job.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBu8go9ehP
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But, that did not happen.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDc7i7hN22
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With gritted teeth the bringer kicked himself from the floor to his feet, keeping Juke and I at a distance while pointing his swords. In the midst of it, I prepared a spell with my left hand: the embryonic stage of a geyser that would hose him to the wall. Preparing it took a while, however, and it was within that window of time that the Bringer329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGxFRE2L2G
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbr25gYKAw
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9mStkLDti
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He twirled his core along with his blades, swindling himself like a leadenknob. His arm covered every feature of his face but his eyes, and he glared at us with the eyes of a feline.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vEXiLVupO
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcKP0IPIS4
From his body language, posture, and exasperated voice, it was clear to me what was coming: that bizarre technique that troubled Juke and I when we first fought.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdW7XuIDwB
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And he let it rip just a moment later.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65FMKE5ZZ1
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His speed was unprecedented, his rotation made him blurry, and his rapid blades howled in the wind it sliced. Though he spun in a rocky direction, it was just accurate enough to gain ground on Juke and I. And I knew that helmet of his wouldn’t last under such a flurry.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GcBt64Mos
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHYl1pnDL7
But true as that might’ve been, it wasn’t his helmet that would be put to the test. The Bringer veered from Juke right into me, approaching at a speed I could hardly react to. React I did, however. I produced a flower from my tendril and injected mana into it as fast as I could, and before his flurry of blades came, I had something to guard myself.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KarcSC0RZ
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1likzRocJ
The beige and jagged texture of the Valencia-Bloom’s shield defended me. Small enough for me to carry, but large enough to stop speedy metal from sneaking past. It kept up with the flurry miraculously, as every cut it received closed immediately. Dozens and dozens of cuts, and none strong enough to pierce through.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n6T8n5ppB
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“...!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LZilrniMS
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None so fierce to kill my plant.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVO35u1dop
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“M-My arm!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXk1XD9k23
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But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71nINBEviu
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“Juke!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rMtRnZVvp
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBJxxr3aae
“Gotcha, kid!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxeuGK41LC
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBR0mSh3Tt
The barrage had no effect on the shield, but my puny arm couldn’t stand against such pressure. It was impossible to keep it up. I could already feel the fear seep into me; flashing images of what would become of me should those spinning blades connect.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB6UgH5AJh
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But something unusual happened in light of that. An action I didn’t know I had the capacity for, but was driven by nothing but my own will.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBsemLEw0O
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCw13pu2tv
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGvuf1oPxZ
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6byQNUL9Ws
It wasn’t a clean hit– the complete opposite. I couldn’t aim my palm in any useful direction, but the force of the spell was so great it still adjacently struck the Bringer. As I didn’t have time to plant myself firmly, I was sent flying as well, colliding into the wall to my right and across the room.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDoz5wc45u
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“Hrk!”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHavVF7J2vL
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD0XiEH5Qy
The slam was ugly, and I slid to the floor like mushy food. I didn’t let myself rest then, however, because that Bringer was still alive. I stood up and peered over the Dean’s desk, at the Bringer.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xc4aZZLe1
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUb626lf41
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVQ0u9l89y
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“...”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QHpUa9Gvq
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“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKWUETpeK7
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQlFImZX6f
I didn’t respond to Juke’s praise. All my attention tunneled to the Bringer. His gaping mouth, his constricting eyes, the fading strength as his staunchblades slipped from his grip. He finally turned his eyes to me, then to the man who left him in such a state.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1z96PH5tl2
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“Curse…”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FWCaB3UQu
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“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrgquXxflA
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“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAoGZxtpUJ
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnWHGQiDHF
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSoWvpB309
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“May they, be few.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYHUfCWrFR
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYN9xfTk8KF
Another fit of coughing followed. It was intense and abrasive, ripping at his throat with each installment. Their strength eventually dwindled. His noisy coughs turned to raspy whispers, ejecting all the piling blood that clogged itself in his throat, lower and lower volumes as it progressed.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylxcOoRepY
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Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQGGny2XBn
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSFYxKWvar
“That was… sad.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgNSLYDvKC
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo1jX30wAU
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWYSQ9pt5S
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkxkR8FGfy
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz7rT62TXm
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ600XFU11Ux
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfPkJbg2ev
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrpVFcNYAr
I chuckled at his assessment. He had a point. I should’ve just been glad to be alive, shouldn’t I? I showed my gratitude by taking a few steps over to Juke, raising my palm with as sweet a smile I could make. He matched my gesture, and we high-fived.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvgUxN67MX
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUKNWiXsuh
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T0RtFX0DN
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIO0iiRqWyp
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaYBOmtJ14
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“Don’t continue.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkF0VQYPyxE
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCH3HQ32uQ
I looked at the Bringer’s corpse. In a twisted way, it was a trophy. A tangible token that indicated our success, our reclaiming of the Central Pillar. If the lower floors have succeeded, that is. I didn’t want to think like that now, however.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt51bk9vsA
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Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mp0yjKv8Q
