I awoke to the stone-cold ground and a repugnant, musty odor. I struggled to move or see at first, but after a few seconds, I was able to get into a sitting position. The room was dim. There was a large wooden door with metal outlines. It had a barred circular hole, and faint orange light was emanating from it.
"...Where am I--cah!"
I suddenly broke into a coughing fit. The air in this room was nigh unbreathable. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a rusty metal bed frame and moss and other greenery growing in the corners.
I was in a ramshackle prison cell.
"They could've at least put me on the bed frame."
I stood up and rubbed my head, wondering how it is that I even got into this mess. Then I remembered the beast, and the haze, and how Kim passed out in battle. The same must've happened to me.
But that raises the question: where is everyone else?
I walked up to the door and squished my face against the opening.
"Hello! Anyone there?"
I waited a minute. No response. Crap.
My first instinct was to bust this door down, but I stopped myself. If I were to make a ruckus, then that guy with the monster would come down and corner me. I couldn't escape the place by breaking through a wall either, since I was likely underground. If I were to escape, then I'd need to do it quietly. With that in mind, I let out the tendril and grew a miniature Dragon-Maw.
"Alright Dragon-Maw, serve me well."
Dragon-Maw Jr. did as he was told. He immediately shredded through the bars and then went for the wood next. Three minutes later, only the edges of the door remained. I stepped over the little piece at the bottom.
Where did all the wood and metal Dragon-Maw ate go? I didn't care. I was now in a narrow hallway with similar doors. I checked them one by one through the hole, and only when I reached the third one did I see somebody.
It was Victoria. She was lying on the ground, likely knocked out. Crap, that means the haze got to her. And Flinty.
Wait, where is Flinty?
I checked the other doors. Flinty and Kim were here. They were unconscious too, but I was relieved to see them. I let Dragon-Maw Jr. shred the door to Flinty's room and ran in.
"Hey. Hey, wake up."
I gently shook her. She moaned as she opened her eyes and let out a big yawn.
"Huh... Kenny? Where are–"
Suddenly, she broke into a coughing fit. I patted her on the back a few times.
"We're in some type of prison. Vikky and Kim are nearby, let's go get them."
"P-Prison?"
I released and woke up Victoria and Kim. They were disordered, and they also had coughing fits, but a few minutes later they were up and healthy. Kim was missing her sword, but otherwise, we had all our belongings.
"What do we do?" Flinty asked.
"I think we should assess the situation before we leave here," Kim said.
"Do we even know how to get out? And what about that m-monster, how do we take care of that?" Victoria asked.
"We'll find an escape route after the assessment."
They were taking being locked in an underground cellar surprisingly well. No, only Kim was. Victoria was chewing on her nails and Flinty looked distressed. Victoria walked up to me and put her hands on my shoulders.
"W-Woah."
"Kenny. You're a mage, right? You have those weird plants, right?"
I nodded.
"Please, bust us out of here. The air is one thing, but that monster..."
She began to shudder.
"I'd happily bust us out, but–"
"Then do it! DO IT!"
She started to shake me. I had to put my hands on her shoulders to get her to stop.
"Hold on, Victoria. If we do anything rash, then we'll make a lot of noise."
"I don't care! I want to get out of this forest, and I want to do it fast! I mean, Kenny, you saw that thing, right? Right?"
Indeed I did. The creature was the stuff of nightmares, I couldn't deny that.
"It's because of that creature that I want to be quiet!"
I raised my voice and Victoria stopped shaking. She slowly let go of me and slapped her cheeks.
"Sorry. I was freaking out."
"It's fine. Let's just find the exit."
She nodded. Victoria looked at Flinty and apologized to her. Flinty could barely get a response out, but she still had that determined look on her face.
With that, our investigation commenced. The first order of business was to find escape routes. We found one almost immediately. It was a metal door with a keyhole but no knob. I put my ear against it and knocked on it, and I could tell that it was dense.
Busting through this thing would require a considerable amount of firepower. I could penetrate it with my earth magic, or freeze it and try to break it that way. Kim also proposes melting it, but thirty seconds of keeping up fire magic gave us the impression that it was burn-proof. Considering how both actions I could take were noisy, we held off on escaping through the metal door and searched for alternatives.
Looking through the remaining cells revealed virtually nothing to us. There were a few metal poles inside one of the doors. I proposed the idea of lockpicking with it, but that obviously couldn't work.
Flinty suggested drilling ourselves a hole to escape via earth magic. I tried it, and though it was working, it was obvious that we would die before ever reaching the surface.
We were in a deadlock. We waited beside the metal door in silence until Flinty spoke up.
"I think... we should try breaking the door down."
"What?" I replied, "But then the guy and the monster's just gonna run down here!"
"I'm with Flinty," Kim said, "it's either we bust it down and get out or wait for someone to open it on the other side. The latter is unlikely to happen."
I wanted to continue my rebuttal, but I sighed instead. Victoria took their side as well, and now the three of them were looking at me with anticipation.
"Can we... compromise?"
"Compromise!?" Victoria said, "What compromise? Let's just get out of here!"
"I-I get what you're saying, but maybe just wait another half hour and see if someone shows up? I could also keep... fine, I'll do it."
I couldn't keep talking under the pressure of their glares. As much as I didn't want to do this, I didn't have much of a choice. I stood before the door and cracked my knuckles, then stretched my fingers for good measure, and began mana expulsion. And then, something made me stop.
I heard rattling from the other side of the door. Someone was mumbling to himself. I heard a click, and then the slow metallic creak of the door being opened.
I walked back. I was beside the others, channeling my spell with bated breath. I stared at the door as it slowly opened. A shoe appeared from the little opening, and following a grunt, the whole door swung open.
I was just about ready to shoot, but Victoria of all people put a hand on my arm. The man who opened the door was panting. He didn't notice us yet.
"Alright, is anyone... awake?"
His eyes were wide open and his mouth stood agape. He stuttered as Victoria walked over to him. And then, in a flash, Victoria punched the man in the gut, turned around, wrapped her arms around his neck, and flung him over her shoulder.
The man hit the ground with an echoing slam. He groaned and whispered "sorry" over and over. Victoria's mouth made a V-shaped frown. She brushed her hands together. As she walked towards us, she kicked the man in the shin and muttered "freak" as his groaning grew louder.
I skidded a few steps away from Victoria.
"So, what do we do now?" She asked.
Kim stepped up to the man and crouched beside him. She dangled a bottle of green elixir over his head: a healing potion.
I started to feel bad for that man.
"If you talk and get us out, I'll happily make your pain go away. Otherwise, she'll keep doing that until you bleed."
The man lifted his head and gazed at Victoria. She punched her open palm.
"A-Alright, I'll talk."
–
–
–
I took no part in the interrogation. Neither did Flinty. She seemed to be just as intimidated by our teammates as I was. At least they were on our side, right?
The man had no hesitation in complying with our demands. In fact, he apologized for putting us in the cells.
"I-I thought that, should you recover, then I'd be arrested and e-executed."
It was an exaggerated fear, but I couldn't help but understand it. After the interrogations were over, he agreed to escort us out of here, but under obvious conditions.
"First," Kim started, "you need to vow to never participate in monster-creation magic and abandon the forest. Second, you must either learn to control or eliminate the beasts you've created. And third, you must disclose all your research to the Kingdom of Zariel."
The man nodded to all conditions, but he still had a nervous expression.
"I-I'd happily comply, but there is one slight problem."
"What is it?"
"I'm not doing this alone, and my partner is... a bit difficult."
I understood immediately. We have a psychopath on our hands, don't we?
"Then, how do we deal with him?"
For some reason, his face relaxed when he was asked.
"Oh, you four are my heroes. But, be warned, he is a dangerous individual."
"So how do we deal with him?"
"Well..."
–
–
–
We finally made it out of the underground cellar. A spiral staircase greeted us. I was walking at the very back behind Flinty.
According to the man– whose name was Ng, spelled exactly like that –we were in a structure akin to a compound, just much wider in scale. His partner, whom he refused to name, was currently on the highest floor of the building.
The mission was simple: get to the top, get the man, and have him arrested. Ng would be exempt from any punishment.
Of course, I claimed it was simple, but there were too many hidden factors that worried me. For starters, Ng agreed to cooperate far too quickly. He gave this whole story about how terrible his partner is and whatnot, and though he sounded distressed, it was still suspicious. Secondly, Ng made little mention of the monsters, claiming he would simply "handle them."
I wasn't alone in my doubts. Kim was practically breathing down Ng's neck the whole way up the stairs. She seemed like a capable fighter, so some of my stress was alleviated.
Now that I mention it, I was acting far too calm in this situation, wasn't I? Well, that was thanks to Flinty.
She was gripping one of my hands as we ascended the stairs. It was cute, sure, but she had a very assuring grip. Though I'm sure she was doing it more for herself than me.
"We made it to the top," Ng said.
We were on a flat surface. Ng took out a keychain and opened the door. Exiting the staircase, I found myself on a grassy field surrounded by trees. Just how deep underground were we?
"Alright, just follow me now. Be wary of any stray beasts, they've been escaping more and more frequently."
We traveled down a path and arrived at a fence. There was an imposing gate before us. Ng advised us to hug the walls and we did. He loudly knocked on the gate.
"This is Ng! I'm returning from prisoner inspection!"
Silence ensued. Ng was impatiently tapping his feet on the ground, which I thought was a strange gesture considering his situation. But, on second thought, he might be trying to come off more naturally.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExotUREucm
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Kim, Flinty, and Victoria leaned over to watch the scene. Ng, sensing no response, knocked on the door again.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMaTFt7bhp
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"HEY! OPEN UP!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8dZvKD0m3
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He was acting quite bossy for someone so afraid of his associate. My trifling suspicions were turning into full-fledged doubts.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMwfyw2tgH
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"Something about this is fishy."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfm37LKxDQd
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I looked at the other three. They nodded in agreement.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWU7O2wPEH
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"What should we do then?" Flinty asked.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAT56uWQkw
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"Kenny," Kim started, "take out your tendril. Prepare for anything unexpected."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2ea2a6rpx
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I did just as I was told. I eyed Ng intently. He started rubbing his forehead and then looked at us. Right as he opened his mouth, the earth shook below our feet.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR394C9Prlx
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It happened again. And again. I realized quickly that it wasn't an explosion or something else, but rather, something big was walking. The image of the monster from before entered my mind.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67GNgOgRPN
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"Oh, that's Jeremiah. Jeremiah! Open the door!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Iu2PWfChb
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Jeremiah? Naming something like that, is that some type of sick joke? I would've cackled if it wasn't for me trying to be stealthy. The walls were tall enough to where I couldn't see what was on the other side, but I could already imagine. The gates slowly opened, and Ng fixed his posture and had his hands behind his back.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7vwrmTWrQ
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And then.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3Sx1QwgiT
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**SMASH**241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT6S57CjMv
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The gates burst open. Dust and debris scattered throughout the field I was thrown into an intense coughing fit. I couldn't see anything concrete, but I could see silhouettes, and I saw the figure of Ng being grabbed and pulled.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eBS17qMiA
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"AH! WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU– NO, HELP! HEEELP!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrR9OMy0HCG
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His wails ceased upon a distant slam. Looks like he made it into the compound.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbyoXKy9r5
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"..."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PhmPuTpLm
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What just happened? I looked at the others, and it was clear from their faces that they didn't have any answers.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeJwDqqDPy
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When the dust cleared, I took a deep breath and crept to the busted gates, then leaned over the edge of the wall. All I saw was the building, standing three stories tall. Nothing was unusual about it. But then, the front door sprung open, and a four-legged beast resembling a wolf sprinted across the field. I quickly hid behind the wall, almost tripping despite barely moving, and I saw the wolf dash past me and run into the woods, howling more like a twisted man than an animal. And then, there was silence.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPxZkZ1qE1
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"..."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2Qio04mw8
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I looked at the other three. I struggled to keep a clear line of sight; my body was practically convulsing. I eventually noticed the looks on their face. All but Kim's, of course. If I had a mirror, I'm sure mine would've matched theirs.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAysfUKhifM
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I looked into the woods. Dozens of trunks were separated from their trees. The wolf beast was gone, but the destruction it brought to the forest made his presence known.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXulh4yQOl
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I took a deep breath. With the wall as support, I got back on my feet.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDWdYPPDpi
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"We're getting the hell out of this forest."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3g5tWar1L
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I walked back to the group. Flinty was shaking on the ground. Victoria was surprisingly standing. Kim was the same.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtftV6VjPdN
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"We need to leave. This is– whatever just happened, it's out of our league."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIQmxmcrjA
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Victoria nodded with me. Kim looked at me and began to speak.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqcr29j2xw
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"Before anything, let's get away from the compound and formulate a plan."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gMvuTpNbZ
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For once, I heard a little fragility in her voice. Victoria picked Flinty up and hung her on her shoulder. Kim led us to the nearby trees. We walked for about five minutes before Kim stopped us. We settled down, taking off our bags. I turned my head around just to make sure the wolf beast wasn't nearby, and sat down, rubbing my face.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmuUxhNsYC
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Shit. This was too much. Nothing could've prepared me for this. So many thoughts were racing through my mind– where was the wolf? How do we leave? Was Ng's partner a maniac? How much danger were we in? I couldn't pause to even ponder the questions. My mind was in a numbing haze, and all I could do was stare at the grass as I breathed.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTRgrtxXRW
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"-enny. Kenny. Kenny!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5odGMTr9SU
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"Huh?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrFALnHiXG
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Kim was calling my name. It brought me back down to Earth.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hCREuWX2c
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"What is it?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOOUjN0Gi2
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"You're the one who has the most firepower out of us. I know what you're thinking, you want to get out of here, don't you?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyrn5zVBEN
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"O-Of course. Not just for my sake, but because Flinty shouldn't be here anymore."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWa93F27iJ
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Kim nodded. Victoria budged in.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6ntWyDsDd
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"I-I agree with Kenny. I thought we were just finding and arresting some crook, but it's a group we're dealing with, a-and the monsters..."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetYtu3uOYP
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She stopped talking and looked at the floor, clenching her fist.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VPTPKk290
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"I understand your concerns," Kim said, "and I agree, from what we've seen, this is probably too much for Flinty. And Victoria, you're good in hand-to-hand combat, but these monsters are inhuman. They aren't your specialty."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc9Fr0WCqb
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"Never in my sixteen years did I see something like that," she replied, "I don't even know how to start fighting it."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7USxyZe2NE
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Kim nodded. She sat criss-cross and put a hand to her chin.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0FzoPBKfN
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"I know you two will disagree with this, but I think we should still try an infiltration."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwHWlLNwkN
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"W-What?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDjylr6idh
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"Are you crazy!?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLW1He6C9Jb
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We both yelled. Victoria continued.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOeSg1QxVx
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"I'm not going inside a foreign building where that giant and god-knows-what else is calling home! I-I mean, even if we do, what are we going to do about Flinty? I'm completely against it, we need to get out of this forest and get reinforcements."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj13dM4LvXw
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I nodded to her reasoning. The idea was absurd. But Kim immediately started her rebuttal.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bNy8n7Etv
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"Getting out of this forest might be more dangerous than getting in the building. Whatever that wolf monster was is in the woods, and outside of the compound. Just judging from the destruction, it's a much more difficult threat to handle than Jeremiah."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8oywtGtA2
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God, Kim, why were you calling that thing by its name?241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3lBcqIv9d
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"The two men responsible for these creatures are weak themselves. Maybe Ng's partner is a bit more formidable, but considering how rampant the beasts are, he shouldn't be strong enough to sedate them, let alone control them."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtRbiedLwj
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"Are you saying we really have a fighting chance?" I asked.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOglkObRoFu
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"I'm saying we have much more than a fighting chance. We could obliterate the compound right now if we use your power, Kenny."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnuVAz6SJ1
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"I think you're severely overestimating me. I have nothing in my arsenal that can level a building that sturdy."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtn9LrTT5e5
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"Maybe not level it, but you have something that'll encase it, don't you?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nP5WQcjYK
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I tilted my head in confusion.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGZ3zgZZU4
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"Your ice. I'm sure if you tried, you could cover the whole thing in ice. Alternatively, we can use it to get straight to the third floor, where Ng's partner is supposedly hiding."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXqvedE1Xt
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Nothing about this was sitting right with me.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDzqSLtzKq
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"W-Wait, Kim, we don't even know if Ng was telling the truth! For all we know, that whole thing was just an act set up by Ng to get him back in the base!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpkknLCDuu
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"Do you really think Ng has any ill will towards us?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEU1L2Ep8w
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"Of course I do!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwe0trZSUT
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"You're wrong. When he went down to the shelter, he didn't bring anything with him. No weapon, no potion, no wand, no monster, nothing. Either he's a complete moron or someone who truly felt sorry about what he's done. And I've dealt with enough morons to distinguish the two."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vsWzoIX1k
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"Y-You... Victoria, back me up here!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9NmhM7hHB
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"Right! Even if Kenny could destroy the building, or get us to the third floor or whatever, what about the monster? You two tried killing it and passed out entirely!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviaZFk130q
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"But Kenny didn't use his ice. That was because of me, right Kenny? That was because I was in your line of fire."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVodHjAISkM
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I didn't respond, just averted my eyes.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM0oQXfZyT
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"B-But why don't we just leave the forest, huh!? And what about Flinty?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM8yuItxRy
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJYaf2uiwR
"If we leave the forest now, then we deal with the wolf, and we risk the chance of more dangerous monsters festering. It's best if we strike now and capture and eliminate what we can. As for Flinty, I believe she's been on my side since the beginning."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZb4RjcCyun
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlyO1XpcCY
"Huh?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oWFllYxNR
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPQBI0mdEx
I turned my head to her. She was still shaking, and yet, her eyes. Her eyes were the same as before. She raised her head and looked at me. No response, just a singular, stern nod.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4a8sHqopz
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHQOFLkkaD
"Flinty? Are you serious?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuGAt9PuUP
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib1UKc1imW
"I-I know I won't be very helpful, so I'll try to stay out of fighting. But, at the very least, I want to support you all."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWPsS8sLv2
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlhe2goBYT
She stood up and slammed her chest a few times.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh8ZruBOXh
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPij9VUXiy
"Leave me in charge of our stuff. I'll defend it, I promise. A-And if anything goes wrong, then I'll just yell really really loudly."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ795yb0nOs3
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2V4qL4CbW
She stopped shaking. Sweat was running down her forehead, but her words were earnest. I couldn't even believe it. Who did this? What happened to Flinty?241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaXV7kNFqN
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7ENKBFRWl
"B-But, Flinty... what if... what if..."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunFG8tafvA
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4tPsPTWko
Victoria couldn't voice any rebuttal. Flinty was the final nail in the coffin.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE7k5MQVQU
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroliccmDeG
I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. It was Kim.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcmV5bFGD5
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWg8To0wr7
"Kenny, all of this hinges on you. I know you're inexperienced, and I know you're frightened, but success can only be achieved with you. Please."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUslSJ9qctY
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKGkQpGcul
Adding pressure to this already stressful circumstance wasn't what I needed. All of this hinged on me, huh? Something about that thought brought back ugly memories. Regardless, I nodded.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtVZfb6eQS
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaJFx7yLUS
"You and your words... I was right about being suspicious of you."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq5yGu7rBN
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrjNlCqAsZ
"I'm sorry. I promise you'll be compensated for your efforts."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRbhuJATlG
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfdvqIFgtd
"...With money?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb0OkCwOqQ
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OcRZP2Ihw
"With money."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjWYVV6LET
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWdGyPieVV
"...I can't say no to money."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjjoTDKz87
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX1SRRXuwk
For a second, I caught a smile from under her cloak. She offered me a hand and helped me stand up.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yUDEen9Tq
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRWrYaQwN7
"Then that's settled. What about you, Victoria?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCVMVrS4B2
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOKw6BFwgf
She was still on the floor, giving us a pensive look.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVL4boT1cg
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxuPw7U9Ua
"...If we're doing this, then I'll fight anything that isn't the blob."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SuVEJb4J2
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2e2nqJBBI
"Alright. Then Kenny and I will help."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3srmKtrd4
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwa41sZ6z0
Kim helped Victoria to her feet. I felt something touch my back. It was Flinty, she slapped my shoulder.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2WhmV40Fk
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWQIr2QapV
"Let's do our best okay?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ygd0PvOJK
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbJNW7aUYX
"..."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFYnt0lFFc
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMIO1GF8lV
I still had one more concern.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAHFidY6FZ
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNx2Sigm1i
"Flinty, if the wolf gets to you while we're inside, what will you do then?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk3qmA5MkS
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6GALfSxbo
She averted her gaze.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6r3rLO3R2
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW607eMQlb
"I'll... if I need to, then I'll use the fireball. I'll use one like the one at Mister Freed's shop."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmcWG5nR4T
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy21RsBsohi
"I see."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FaD8uByZ4
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5DuKLHz1J
I unbuttoned my coat, took it off, and offered it to her. She looked it with apprehension, awkwardly raising a hand to her mouth.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJneJrWD6C
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9SqZ1ko1x
"K-Kenny? Are you sure?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a1Umc23y6
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZLAe6jHtV
"Uh..."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNluXgUPVoO
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRL97AfxsM
Crap. My cheeks were tinted rose.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01lXJIhrlc
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtkrGd8UVx
"I-If you're going to use fire magic, then take this, since it's fire-proof. Cover your head with the hood when you do. I don't think your fireball would be strong enough to blow any limbs away, but I think it's fine if you just lose your legs."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQlJzGHJHI
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvqmAziKNL
She nodded and accepted my coat. It was a size too large for her, so a lot of excess cloth covered her legs. Perfect.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpsdXYW9aW
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQebTKNdIv
"This is really cozy, no wonder why you always wear it."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtr1btRI6u
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZAXW4g3cL
"Heh. Anabelle is a good weaver, isn't she?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIHspojBMQ
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTOcSwjPnE
She nodded. I felt slightly naked now, but I still had long sleeves covering my arms. I would be fine.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxk5vaeB4qD
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Db5tB6Rla
"Alright," Kim said, "are we ready to form a plan?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r37pyHCFp
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT8oIBdkvy
–
–
–241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGFRNIdfAm
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKmfAUBiIw
Stationed behind a tree, on the left side of the compound. I had a clear line of sight on the third floor. There was a large opening before the balcony, likely there due to carelessly leaving the door open. Victoria was behind me and was carrying a healing potion in the breast pocket of her dress. Flinty was ten meters behind us, guarding our supplies as she said she would. I've been in this position for ten minutes. Kim just returned to our position.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoF0XoeFFfi
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIxDwYDmPV
"How does it look like?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXbdV10Kap
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4RjJClQpP
"Clear. I heard some ruckus coming from the building. They're likely occupied with whatever that is."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91hkZUdq67
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptIiPTebFV
Ideal conditions have been met. I took in a breath and released the tendril. A Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip.
"Are we ready?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfcscIUgDT
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGJZOU9qJ9
"We're ready."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrOwyNESsZ
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqcxhc33QQ
I never imagined myself taking part in a siege mission. I would make peace with it later.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu8An0KrI7
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxUPHTYEwS
The first order of business: infiltrating the third floor. I carefully started making a ramp of ice but got smacked in the head before it got a meter tall.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxawDtMtWuf
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA8FZOhSNl
"How are we supposed to scale a ramp of ice!?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsFsiY65eF
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxA3yRZENX
She had a good point. I was a bit flustered.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZJtXHBnvl
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAhbOWOXcS
"Then what do you propose I do!?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeadwHrO5h
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGahjGTQ8Y
I could see Victoria's brain at work. I racked my mind for a solution.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRSiKb6cAi
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVXNm6JKhp
"Just make little steps," Kim interjected, "and as we hop on them, make the next one bigger."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LIrk4YUmj
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM3zgQqjRI
Genius! I did just as I was told, and though it took a long time, we eventually made a bloated staircase to the top. We hopped over the balcony. I was ready to rush in but was stopped before walking through the doorway.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjWTtYhqY6
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnxnUpnAKy
"Before we enter, let me inspect how it is inside."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdmdm82zKu
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhctDzrpJJ
Kim leaned over the edge. She motioned us to move in and went inside. Of course, I made sure not to be too loud. The room we found ourselves in was spacious. The floor was surprisingly made of wood, and there were a couple of blankets and pillows, but otherwise, the room was empty.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPy7LoTeFT
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3twOcc5yD
They slept in conditions like this? They didn't even have a mattress. I almost felt bad.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MJtL9K8bv
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oriipDCup
Since the room was clear, our infiltration continued. We found a door and went through it. The room was large and coated in sunlight. One look at the left told us why; up a wide set of steps, a giant oval window was right before a flat surface. Standing beside it were two men. One was kneeling, and the other was standing in front of him. Immediately recognizing who they were, we went low and closed in.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWZiUNsjtD
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wCTd5joMW
"Ng, come on. I know you know better."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiXIVv8H2I
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBknt4nYPha
The guy in front of Ng had a raspy voice. He sounded old, and he also sounded like a drunkard, but that was neither here nor there.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldURDI0W90
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHU0taNGfch
"Y-Yeah. I know."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12WiSTZ4I5
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjgs7RVaVL
I was in range. I stuck my hand out and began expelling mana. A stone formed in front of my palm. I aimed it at the head of the guy.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLSYOXKiKA
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngVbDkxjQc
"Then why did you let the prisoners out? We can't have our location disclosed to–"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9IULF50iZ
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8Anu9litc
**SHATTER**241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ4EAfEQl5
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMPiIj6zbF
I fired the stone. I made sure to put enough power to where it wouldn't kill the man, but at least incapacitate him.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4BrjN10iC
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgfhnOqdUU
I missed and hit the window, shattering it completely.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8jPQmKb51
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6VjcjaPD4
Ng and the man turned to us. I didn't have anything to say, I simply returned eye contact.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFSfxVstUw
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FtJ8LLdkc
"Now!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgm6Qt2D5za
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKw7FRoZX0
Kim and Victoria rushed ahead. The two men didn't fight back, they started running away. I knew Ng was in on this!241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwlct1nLp4
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKmIWINn46
The two of them were racing down a wide staircase. Kim stopped at the top, took a wand out, and began creating fireballs while Victoria kept rushing at them. I followed Victoria, creating another stone bullet to fire as we made it to the second floor. Kim reached it and fired her fireball, but The two men split up and entered opposite doors. Victoria followed the man, but I was stuck at the crossroads. Kim stopped right before me.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxj9MkvFsBg
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcNCTouVhb
"What are you waiting for?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLFIfPdtCL
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdwt7A83QH
"I still don't trust Ng."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4smYUahavE
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ7njKh57X
"Fine, then go after him!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7xMr7Nicz
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf54GQOXSvY
I nodded and rushed through the other door. I saw another set of stairs and Ng was already making his way down them.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy1WaBRm51
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LGzMr6Hsi
"Stop moving!" I yelled. He didn't comply. I ran down the stairs myself. Now on the first floor, Ng was running to the front door. I shot my bullet before he made it. I missed it again, but when he noticed it whizzing by him, he stopped in his tracks and turned to me.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOk7yGWkEc
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZUyP6z73F
"O-Okay, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just don't hurt me!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cyeIa6RhV
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6kMgithKd
He was already down on the ground with his head glued to the floor. I rushed towards him. Ng was... crying?241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW4tVvfwKW
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyCAaq8xJR
"Are you seriously crying?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsNcx8eD13
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQptfAE3cGl
"Huh?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryoBAQwPVn
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJH7a4p1LC
He tilted his head up to me.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxfdIMksyY
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK51mnKk9u
"N-No, I'm not crying. Aren't you going to kill me?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTcldH0xPm
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0Gcvym6U7
"K-Kill? I wouldn't go that far... Geez, get up already."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8aU8T1ZNF
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQMiDD2dgu
He did as he was told. He had a look of sincere confusion on his face. I didn't let that fool me, though.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn3hk4XD8F
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuXv9ivTQw
"You, are you really on our side?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdFy4lHiLE
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrGxkZOPbf
"Of course I am! If my words aren't enough, then I'll happily take an official oath!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahGxwp3cPM
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYANepwaGob
"Nobody's here to witness it, you moron! Nevermind this, just take me to your teammate already!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1qvkabtJy
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCZ8Oe04Br
"Yes sir!"
Ng took me back up the stairs. Before entering the main room on the second floor, Ng nudged the door open and scanned the room.
"What are you being so careful for? I thought you could control the beasts."
"Control? Oh no, I can't control them at all. It would be better to say that I just make suggestions."
I nodded. Apparently, the coast was clear, so we entered the room. We were walking to the opposite door until it suddenly flung open.
"Ha! Ah, Kenny, so you caught that guy too!"
Carrying the man on the side of her stomach was Victoria. The man looked to be on the brink of unconsciousness, but when he saw Ng, his whole demeanor shifted.
"Huh? Ng, what are you doing!?"
"...I'm sorry, Panz, but I can't keep going like this. Especially when unrelated people are getting caught up in this mess."
"Unrelated!? But they're from the Zariel kingdom! They're all– ack!"
Victoria struck Panz in the neck, and his rant was over. Kim appeared from behind Victoria.
"I'm sorry, but if children are involved, then we've gone too far."
Ng crossed his arms and blew through his nose. Despite his awkward bowl cut, he looked cool. I need to say something like that in the future.
"So, is that it?" Victoria asked.
"Let's leave quickly," Kim said. I nodded at her suggestion. We walked up the stairs. Before returning to the first room we infiltrated, I spared a glance at the window I broke. I didn't think my accuracy was that bad. I blamed it on the pressure of the situation and gave myself a satisfied nod.
"What are you doing, Kenny?"
"Sorry, I was just thinking."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OUBZF4EPl
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANIGGhOhJ9
I rushed back to the others. We all stood before the door, but only Kim moved to open it. That is, until Ng put a hand on her shoulder.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL3dl0nDtR
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP5azDNAfJ
"Miss... I advise you to not open that door. It's best if we step away."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmEvtdCWZJ
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HRzSBMhGb
No questions were asked. I felt as if we all knew what he meant by that. Suddenly, a giant thud resounded from behind the door.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRcBxLfF8n
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM96wBUen7
"Panz! You, what do you think you're doing!?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgwx9CXMyb
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNetrh5eUS9
Panz, who was apparently still awake, feebly lifted his head and cackled.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1Zeh9GEum
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ll49oSoqV
"As if I'd let you betray me like this so easily! I'll make you pay, Ng– ack!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mAMoJgU9f
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoO3kda53R
Panz was struck again, and it looked like he was finally out cold. With him out of the picture, I eyed the door as the thuds shook the building.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0pg3Djr3g
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F8kWGUPPv
There was a pause. It wasn't silent though; there was foul snarling on the other side of the wall. I tightened my fist and grew a Sunlight-Blossom and loaded a seed.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Vw8XiMThI
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelupJ1VTh4
And then, suddenly–241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQqCUrkZnL
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIMLHotIUf
**SMASH**241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqMBLkhHPi
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk4ZVEJxeT
A beast nearly twice my height burst through the wall with an overgrown leg. The creature, of gray fur, had a head in the shape of a deer skull.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB0SbEqkYF
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0cJT9L7IH
By all accounts, it was a demon. Immediately, I shot the sunlight blossom at the creature's head. Half of its face was blown away but the screeching didn't stop. The creature stomped the ground with its oversized legs, and I noticed a crack forming in the stone floor.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlZDglB3E6
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"Crap! Everyone, be careful!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQymrVwgBq9
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIAAlxe51z
Kim rushed in and started slicing at the beast. As formidable as its size was it was sluggish, and Kim had exceptional agility. She cut its chest, and the beast swung its arm and missed. And then Kim cut its arm, not quite decapitating it, but inflicting a wound severe enough to where the beast had to console it. And then Kim tried striking at its left leg. Her sword shattered immediately.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡog0QUibYag
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"H-Huh?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XcblwvREb
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The beast lifted its leg and tried kicking Kim away. She narrowly avoided the strike. As the beast was about to follow up I struck it with another Sunlight-Blossom seed. I loped its left arm off and eviscerated its shoulder. The beast wailed and struck the floors again. At this rate, the third floor would break apart entirely. Kim noticed this too.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjr0RGCKRmL
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTXeWCVzGF
"Victoria! Kenny! Ng! Head to the second floor!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OSrcSVpm5
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We did just that. The beast kept rampaging, and as we made it to the second floor, we heard the sound of the floor giving way. Since the second floor wasn't aligned with the third, the beast didn't fall to us. I quickly ascended the steps to access the beast. He was stuck in a roofless concrete box. The beast looked up, and we made eye contact. I shot another Sunlight-Blossom seed at it but he lifted his leg and blocked the bullet entirely. And then, he crouched. I knew immediately what was going to happen.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavS0zhUeg3
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I began to run down the stairs. I felt the beast leap from behind, and the place he landed was just a foot away from where I was. I tumbled down the steps and landed awkwardly– I might have sprained my ankle. I looked up at the beast and Kim had begun flinging fireballs at it. I loaded another seed and began accumulating power.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CXJXfPr4F
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"Ng!" I yelled, "Can't you control that thing!?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v1IfraYsG
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiRLLgnCBM
"No! I am unable to resummon the creatures Panz has created, I can only do ones I have!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz5eJRZ9Tf
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"Like what!?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt6euzGwEr
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"They died last night!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd2rRbkN9O
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Oh. I knew what he was talking about. This situation was growing dire. The beast slowly descended the steps, seemingly unbothered by the barrage of fire. I shot another seed at it and claimed its left arm Crap, I missed the nick. The beast wailed yet again and jumped in place, destroying the staircase instantly. Our escape route was now blocked off.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM88oB9Xfrf
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Wait, escape route, of course!241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fbBAZpNPO
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I produced a Freeze-Dry from my tendril and began mana spinning. The beast was keeping still from the constant attacks. I let immediately let out as much ice as I could. In a flash, half of the entire second floor was covered in ice, and the beast was immobilized.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0GUJU9anI
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"...Did I do it?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPKwlh9WOU
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Kim stopped hurling fireballs. The beast stopped moving. Being covered in ice like that shouldn't have killed it. Considering the girth of its legs, it should be able to break out easily. I remained vigilant and eyed the frozen beast, but a nudge from my right broke my focus. It was Victoria.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHqxVG4mhF
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"H-Huh?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBN5BF8wTR
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She offered me her healing potion.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ktF0cijhk
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"Here. For your foot."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgeTGJTXuk
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"A-Ah, thank you."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR6a17CvOk
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I took the glass and gulped it down. It was the most effective intake for injuries like sprains, though the taste admittedly made me want to vomit.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnwciCmSMm
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"Haaa, ugh."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvosD5zH1N
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I stood up with help from Victoria.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI50ra2ePoG
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"Sorry. I didn't do anything."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueEfVaXCAb
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"Please, don't be. Even I don't feel like I did much."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5BNQ5rtkN
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEf6ZWqwYI
"Haha, you're too humble, Kenny."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv47Va8RjJ
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLOBmmolbb
She was noticeably shaken. Still, she held onto the unconscious Panz like it was nothing. I was beginning to relax.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pwQPrcT6q
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"Don't let your guard down yet."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJmkOHvzg8
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I looked at Kim who was pointing a large ball of fire at the beast. Looking at the encased monster, I noticed it fidgeting.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2e6XPY1U0
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"Crap. Crap!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFZ3ZZKyMQ
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The Freeze-Dry was a dud. With the Sunlight-Blossom and Freeze-Dry already used, I switched to the last combat plant I had in my arsenal; Dragon-Maw Jr.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj0ozZkjSG
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmKyMGzn3B
I didn't wait for the beast to unfreeze. I ran closer and extended my tendril. Dragon-Maw Jr. snapped at the thing's head, but it was too big for him to encompass it. Still, Dragon-Maw Jr. was able to tear off a chunk of the beast's face. The instant he did so, the beast broke out of the ice and screeched. The yell made my ears ring. Dragon-Maw Jr. Bit at its chest and tore off a sizeable chunk from there. The beast, at a speed I didn't think was possible, kicked at Dragon-Maw Jr. A portion of my tendril soared across the room and collided with the wall.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EKH8IPs95
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Even though it was separated from my body, I felt a sudden sting coarse throughout all of it. The tendril retracted immediately and I fell to the ground.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsSrK9EeK5
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"K-Kenny!? Shit!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK6VyaqGso
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Victoria grabbed me by the shirt and hung me over her shoulder. She yelled at Kim, though I struggled to decipher it. My vision was fading in and out.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqU6H3K1La
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This pain... it was like my own arm was ripped off. I was more shocked than anything. I let out a weak laugh. I had no idea the tendril was this intertwined with my nerves. I felt a liquid permeate my shirt. I reached into it. It was coming from my chest. When I looked at my hand, I didn't see blood as I thought I would, but a deep purple.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQzYnp723g
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A sinister curiosity crept within me. It was awfully nostalgic.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqjguingvq
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"Kenny! Kenny, are you awake!?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zW8lw4yD2
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"Huh? Y-Yes!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJiYIkHv1n
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"If you can, support Kim!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAhflcsk9y
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Victoria dropped me on the ground. I grunted but regained my focus as I saw Kim. She was in an inelegant dance with the beast, dishing blows while narrowly avoiding receiving any, and each subsequent counter-strike from the beast only grew closer and closer to hitting her. I could tell that she couldn't keep up. I began to form a rock in front of me, then made it bigger, and bigger, and then thinned it and turned it into a spear.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y0KRye53P
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"W-Woah..."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxln97yTOco
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I spun the spear. I could swear I saw smoke emerge from the tip. I didn't think anything of it.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZZYS9FDxz
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"KIM!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30l1eKOOse
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"Right!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBX2E18Rw5r
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She backed off. The beast was entirely by itself. At this rate, I didn't care about being accurate, because I knew it would be obliterated the moment I hit it.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuAzBnxGzw
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And so, I released the spear.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNX3kJxNHH
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**SMASH**241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WPRbZ4mu6
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The spear traversed the room in a blink of an eye. I struck it square in the chest. A hole formed in its chest, and it grew to such a size that anything from the shoulders up separated from the rest of the body. Then, the wall behind the beast was torn down, almost as if it was blown up.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JXs1KCyli
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Needless to say, the beast was slain. It faded away a second after. Right, it was made of mana, wasn't it?241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMvcNjrhW3
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"...Good job, Kenny," Victoria muttered. Kim ran towards me. I was still wincing, and that purple goop was still being expunged from my chest.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVd2iOqJ3dH
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"Kenny, out of curiosity, what is your earth magic grade?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfBMiKLiAf
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Was now seriously the time to answer such a question? She sounded giddy asking me, so I decided to humor her.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qUw5xegOx
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"...Three. But, as I've learned today, my accuracy probably lowers it."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF07GA9yMLU
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"No, what you just did was incredible."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqDIgK2lGV
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"Okay, fine, thank you, geez."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpJ88HcQrZ
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I averted my eyes in a pout. Using the tendril for so long, abusing the Freeze-Dry so, and then creating such a powerful earth spear almost drained my supply. At least we were–241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfJaXoZ6jz
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"I'm afraid that wasn't the last of them," Ng said.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzdGMPjmBM
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQSfL7uVl7
"Huh? Are you serious!?" Victoria yelled.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNlLHrAIkE
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"Unfortunately."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqho2IphBp3
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I shouldn't have been surprised. But, what did surprise me was the speed at which the next monster struck. Instantly after Ng's utterance, a putrid hand burst through the floor. It slammed its palm on the floor, and it just so happened to hit Kim. The arm wrapped its fingers around her and retracted back into the ground.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG8EoHQPq7
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"Kim!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYFEeFfZLP
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Victoria dropped Panz and rushed to the hole, but backed away once she looked inside. The arm returned and tried to grab her. I released my tendril and smacked at it. Somehow, it was enough to ward it off.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52EJnX5bAV
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The tendril was bleeding purple.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGXlwrEmY2
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"Kim! Ah, Kenny, we need to–241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqmVjExNu7
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**SMASH**241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLiQATDUlI
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The hand created another hole, and this time it slammed the ground right beside me. I thought I was lucky to narrowly escape it, but really, it was just grabbing onto Panz.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXMMavNF4T
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"It's Jeremiah! Kenny, you need to–"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhp8xKWeHm
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I looked Ng in the eyes. He stopped talking. I still couldn't stand. I could hardly form a spell. I could hardly even keep myself awake. I couldn't even keep the tendril out before I succumbed to an oppressive pain.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnimaZqHdj
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If I had to guess, Ng could make all of that out from my gaze alone. He grabbed a hold of me. I coughed out some of the purple goop. Victoria was standing around, dazed and lost.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNlJV2wEvP
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"Victoria!" Ng yelled, "We need to escape! We can't fight Jeremiah now!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNTwfujwAX
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Victoria didn't fight. She spared one look at me and nodded. The stairs leading up were broken, so we had to leave by another means.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvJHcmNbC5
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Ng carried me to the room from before. We ran down the stairs. Jeremiah was there with two human-sized arms gripping Kim and Panz respectively. It had no eyes, but I could tell it was looking at us.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPwGAGd06o
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"...Ngh."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBbyJE7tJh
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It was moving at us. With the last of my mana, I created a ball of fire. It was hardly anything, but I shot it anyway. It was enough to stop the monster in its tracks. Victoria busted down the front door. We ran across the field. Jeremiah slid a few meters out of the entrance but then receded into the compound. Ng and Victoria stopped running. They were panting profusely.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZIb2hlvl2
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUALVGC9t2p
"Haaa, haaa, shit, shit! Shit!"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySx3zSzoGE
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxujWQ3Jxi7
I knew how she felt, that Victoria. I couldn't focus at all, though. I had too many afflictions, I had too much fatigue, it was overbearing, everything was overbearing. I almost began to cry.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDc66D72f4
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But, through the stormy mess that was in my mind, one thought came to the forefront.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzWIBUUUaX
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The infiltration was a failure. Our ally was compromised. I failed completely.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDXoIIVPyj
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYKlUzkjmH
I felt like I was going to die.
