“...”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61qEnVLGxK
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“...”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GNk0QlYwN
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R54HV7tZC
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K2Gro64Qv
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOkaG7rmFz
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“I have a feeling–”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzY16ljiYI
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“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj65aq5Op7
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfXqndvdfJ
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“Do you also have that feeling?”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGxEFOeneW
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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.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTiIhH9kFK
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yXgtB0jtI
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrHQkKLvFF
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWapNPNEzi
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nEWF3GzSy
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2a4f87anl
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“Y-You!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv2FU8hTvU
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY58vJIw2C
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“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc4LgnRhcY
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“A-Alright!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVTTTWftxt
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYPn6aaWPc
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“Hey! Juke, what are–”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz0VEmWMTz
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKUZDbANMT
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD0k8GnU6b
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21OOMq7sIJ
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiQM8TzRFP
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXsQ2i263o
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlFBCSZ3Zk
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoEZbRj2Q1
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“He’s alive!?”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq95xTLeeS
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10Zkp97U35
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyNe1wVRYg
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikrf8QCnBO
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS48lVH4fBi
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOK1p3K7Sn
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgXEruEyUl
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And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroxrdmpYQb
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“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzObp7uUX4f
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“...Well, not exactly.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstP95PE5Nb
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdN2cfYTW6C
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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.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oqxSAjo78
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“Tell me, won’t ya?”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieyFqr0kjg
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“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bETPoqZ6A
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ040FMSeaSs
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj4abBVOby
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloTs3IfgGA
“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjCenpe174
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe9VbAAALV
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVxCCkSypO
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I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGf93KnpcSM
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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!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1Fj4oxEFJ
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He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ibXMtt9Me
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“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dqH34V6Kz
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The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsxLGVso8S
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“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdtCElKorW
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisEfimf7VH
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“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhTcmjPRkc
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He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnT4He8vpm
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“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33DuhRsBu0
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And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ0qrYkHLw
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOCpw1VP0G
–
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–
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZau7drPY0o
–297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvPEvkk9nY
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8PDRaAG7I
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6XqPYYcO3
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Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Wnvp9U2No
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsetsfwzTt
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJesz7KNuW
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rCZhaQffz
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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!"
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQmu019iLj
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!"
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBOpvlUp1Z
"...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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw14HUBijW8
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWwn1Oe4Nh
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKEthudrmq
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“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYgoJVgXIB
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNE2oDsqgf
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL48X9vGqG
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP1RG5W7xb
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iltcvFclB
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcn7iaPXQd
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“Crap!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrXdG94yc5
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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–297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHIBm3NFXL
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**CRUNCH**297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0N5QB9KWp
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5FdERXckz
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH1dmuhYWX
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXS1mVgHto
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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–297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurPzfGD0hR
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“Child! Child, please!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMrQMxjGPD
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“W-What!?”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQT2RWqyihY
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My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi55Iaf11DN
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“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneipHPlx6W
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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!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcE95Ordk2
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“...”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHejMqLClkF
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Erzu0hWuB
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtqyHPMfuc
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“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeYak4wyDZ
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“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFDCPwrs0c
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fgomgvtWm
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–297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmnPmazV7L
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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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIk3qxiTPhz
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXyhvbwfW2
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca7h6k8Z8g
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP00vq5sqj
“Kid! Watch out!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡov72wRc6FQ
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXcrXt9arT
“--Huh?”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstQELVB1vM
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQB9rYSeDk5
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgdG6JVONE
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXADuNmOAA
“S-S-Shit!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCY1bi7P2I
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR8Tm7xFFW
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggqA0dRCvZ
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyCBma0cu3
**SQUELCH**297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2YJn5gBml
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtdtvvMsBR
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3GmuGh8AA
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKop5nau31
“--H-Hrk!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC203bJqkX7
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR5CN7yjG0
“Oh?”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DI3EEdOUS
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk5Uw8QeXv
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDXlqLiZQc
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArngKrFHUw
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRffOUiFqPw
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ39lkc0Nit
“Ark… W-Why?”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nVC3goAM3
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OtLHMwguT
“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?”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mqWorvi7a
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DjmndZlFl
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMGDfkSrb5
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD6irrpdnC
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWS0I1Cib8
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0maDG3TI8
“A– y-you monster!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqN1ArVAqwM
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZqefRE106
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2jc7KO6Sc
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQF0a6wQzaX
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOd5Np8TEc
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08LyQV1kGc
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1rxCAfkpA
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUXTUJtp3M
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77aZSDzi1H
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0grWPeActd
“A-Afraid?”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKW6DP47vBJ
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gTs4GvZXL
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYMUsuFgkz
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bEjUwClMI
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqwsvpQPud
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHuVo1EK6S
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAODppAkZE
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYB4AejTbp
“Damn it. Damn it!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQAfHv0dUw
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33amq8J7lY
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ew317v2Br
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9drWBEJuA
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqHp167wTj
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVwev7JPO4
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aD44TD2gi
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZttIvD1rVr
“T-Thank you.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoW2DL4Zfz
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdzh9tPOQ7
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcOJdCtnPk
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHaL3uVf8u
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosRj8BlMPs
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmE0EwWLqu
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3Kq4KXxGp
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXlxzp0kN3
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ujAJc85r5
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibTG0nVYPp
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao4WvxNwWU
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIRuxLtqZJ
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg0srCbxaj
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3E23AbCzx
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQStwynjBz
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQrPXj3AAX
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf3ntKu3l1
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrc16jFt72
“Juke!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodVn449Ppo
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdziOeweudS
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJFYC71S7f
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVTQWPYJnR
“That kid is such a nuisance!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4uExYhUMN
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLZITfVJWQ
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUm7pNX2P1
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLg2Bwx5r4
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjf4Ru4ZuUf
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsnbFHHJYm
“Ahck!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmPPLyru3Q
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR1pwYIpiM
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7V8L68MiQ
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cjwUf7XH4
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXiQZPuIyT
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OdO0swjT9
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiaqKX90qY
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMv5sKOSLw
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZD7zikUmj
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmWijuIZWt
But, that did not happen.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmOXn74t1j
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeReOR9Lrpj
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 Bringer297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ4eHwOSdM
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdaEqoRDo4
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXfs2UBlZO
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm24hgVwGFe
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCupKomJlc
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMjuregtxs
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSfzjQgoFF
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHDebdAsqp
And he let it rip just a moment later.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaC8rk9jupS
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNheWYaY3z
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkzIQiOX5D
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W2UUwWq4m
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iqWaDJYz6
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm9ULK66Zp
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMELhoQDM1y
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd4NvuIUS4
“...!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhfb62lpfm
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImA1DTY2cD
None so fierce to kill my plant.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡge80sAPO3n
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoTbIvmKn5
“M-My arm!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8KZHBDdoH
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiGrCncVws
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC53IFS4dM4
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeF6hjMPbh
“Juke!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtadzydMEKN
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbt0PLn6OK
“Gotcha, kid!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgreHshFG8L
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBNd9XDU4p
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8sfV5Y56W
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLwbvkXVOa
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0U3zE2IPh
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTfm8gvgze
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPgUbhMpdh
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelZCrFA1di
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa5D1YiAfr
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUXWIzJDFz
“Hrk!”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYz0LQlsFa
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1RW3jzGvb
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmMuRHJHh3
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYGWsVxFVu
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuW5x73Zt5
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJcpu05ka5
“...”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC1gHvLWy3
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtKGld7xUv
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ214wXaLyw8
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fOy7pH8uu
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71tRp5evlU
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqLzrDD0zO
“Curse…”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszSruFJSti
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsb2wlxk0P
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVnvMvRn8x
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9KvE0nEEv
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxQHMIEYPE
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4MtOGAwKX
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMDwYLUbTq
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8bGb6u77r
“May they, be few.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcihjxfiJq
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9ncpPhtbN
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSxjsrvKRz
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxetv4NNlGx
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaQAW8Ql2Q
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIaYqTO7xP
“That was… sad.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8csgJhQZE0
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68ODWBcSTA
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ8O0E01JT
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmANvm129zh
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dddee3NCi
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMUsj2NjTl
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNBo9LSRyF
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsbro53nfP
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm55vqM3ZQP
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEQgpMRszR
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskd0RtLmH3
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1dCK4rbXp
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX5Mu5Xnih
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDLpN2sMz4
“Don’t continue.”297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblcSaci9bE
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklNOhKtgIX
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.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCVHpTGgc3
297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LxYzyKRIJ
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGL20qPiGo
