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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Iy5LVbEg7
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Kim, Flinty, and Victoria leaned over to watch the scene. Ng, sensing no response, knocked on the door again.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC3zLW2PUS
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"HEY! OPEN UP!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmqgajSQFY
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC2vb81IC8
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"Something about this is fishy."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MLXKf9Og1
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I looked at the other three. They nodded in agreement.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04Vl7PuMaj
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"What should we do then?" Flinty asked.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZVhabiSOL
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"Kenny," Kim started, "take out your tendril. Prepare for anything unexpected."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TkAPPEM9H
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNhQ4WMTrS
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1KGU8j3ED
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"Oh, that's Jeremiah. Jeremiah! Open the door!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OisQfjumO
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpNiK9q94A
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukeABB7pqC
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And then.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fZQXmcJvo
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**SMASH**237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeO12XOS6J
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz519jkeQB
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"AH! WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU– NO, HELP! HEEELP!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqNvKGxeVp
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His wails ceased upon a distant slam. Looks like he made it into the compound.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaokDsv8cH
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"..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsghGxqeO1
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahUzavInbS
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTS2NihoD3S
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"..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNBju0Fzus
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR37lHVBUk
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwK0POaVvp4
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I took a deep breath. With the wall as support, I got back on my feet.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AVM7DvtvL
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"We're getting the hell out of this forest."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogpMK62yl2
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I walked back to the group. Flinty was shaking on the ground. Victoria was surprisingly standing. Kim was the same.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVRzVSTztN
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"We need to leave. This is– whatever just happened, it's out of our league."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkZYjk77Yn
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Victoria nodded with me. Kim looked at me and began to speak.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpRBaD19pY
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"Before anything, let's get away from the compound and formulate a plan."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tgrDZzrji
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K5jgMoHYA
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9roH7TbbUU
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"-enny. Kenny. Kenny!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ7nOBXTcH
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"Huh?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHxCSicqko
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Kim was calling my name. It brought me back down to Earth.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bf1gIOYIN
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"What is it?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrRAabF3G1
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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?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡis202nfgZ8
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"O-Of course. Not just for my sake, but because Flinty shouldn't be here anymore."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5wK0fgxAs
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Kim nodded. Victoria budged in.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmstumhiZeb
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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..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAfhi74kNp
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She stopped talking and looked at the floor, clenching her fist.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChdZRf3sWl
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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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErHGaqjDve
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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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5XYx6fJjU
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Kim nodded. She sat criss-cross and put a hand to her chin.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcIsHr85ZJ
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"I know you two will disagree with this, but I think we should still try an infiltration."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM94pxbEaJk
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"W-What?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbcgbfiSyO
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"Are you crazy!?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx8tFz0GLc
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We both yelled. Victoria continued.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOm5jMOrrb1
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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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8C3V70ZK2X
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I nodded to her reasoning. The idea was absurd. But Kim immediately started her rebuttal.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lQnibzYMf
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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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0o4qcVlMC
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God, Kim, why were you calling that thing by its name?237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphTyf2eoph
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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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpepvByPNGe
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"Are you saying we really have a fighting chance?" I asked.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcKVBNq27g
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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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg40nYxL8a
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"I think you're severely overestimating me. I have nothing in my arsenal that can level a building that sturdy."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4fLE0USrY
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"Maybe not level it, but you have something that'll encase it, don't you?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAQ09lMN0U
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I tilted my head in confusion.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa5IlW5mym
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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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EOBvZv8oe
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Nothing about this was sitting right with me.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKt2c6D2Pm
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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!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9PouwNSex
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"Do you really think Ng has any ill will towards us?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmvi9iGHwk
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"Of course I do!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43QaaYjlWb
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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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XbOZt2IOF
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"Y-You... Victoria, back me up here!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ukNGsL1nA
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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!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb4wcgfSXH
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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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqs9rHTIjkN
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I didn't respond, just averted my eyes.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUYQn2juk2
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwolJFON62o
"B-But why don't we just leave the forest, huh!? And what about Flinty?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJOqivY6G4
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3VOWImxJV
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR5OM0Nv4j
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUefK6kOx1B
"Huh?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgvWX17Mie
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXTGjB5bin
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3IvGwicp9
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzQw5d8Kvf
"Flinty? Are you serious?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTVFwjAB5j
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzHopaNb71
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtePuWon991
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSdaxHVfVR
She stood up and slammed her chest a few times.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOCtOHreh9
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbrfVO0nU4
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRUszmApoa
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczUaacyoZB
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?237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0eWdynMYw
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OJahUGsTB
"B-But, Flinty... what if... what if..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYR2LOCpBV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU6qD0vXmW
Victoria couldn't voice any rebuttal. Flinty was the final nail in the coffin.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5pWapI5r3
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZE5DLGOKh
I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. It was Kim.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQCVfOwbCu
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pIT4rr0Il
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQ2Wswmtnr
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FB7gQYogC
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcck2ASHvFV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg72EK3Ldh
"You and your words... I was right about being suspicious of you."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPseXVcAys
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbFItRUfKV
"I'm sorry. I promise you'll be compensated for your efforts."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cG0rOHsmm
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxyATp5kpw
"...With money?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9FKyOyv5b
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTaoWLqVgr
"With money."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZopGLhLCOL
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrgHulz3l1
"...I can't say no to money."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3bZk2MydT
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69wEuPPs5w
For a second, I caught a smile from under her cloak. She offered me a hand and helped me stand up.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CDrl5itX6
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t6zYqP1uN
"Then that's settled. What about you, Victoria?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeharyI1ua
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzs1pQCFcV
She was still on the floor, giving us a pensive look.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs246VNl36y
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxxPqQcnz7
"...If we're doing this, then I'll fight anything that isn't the blob."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcixHGsYSMP
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuF8gwd8aLu
"Alright. Then Kenny and I will help."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblw4VeU5uE
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzQHUkwr8j
Kim helped Victoria to her feet. I felt something touch my back. It was Flinty, she slapped my shoulder.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0GQc2eqbK
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMicsRI6eOl
"Let's do our best okay?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP9fBx0T2v
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OlaeJKhzq
"..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOg6nhsJSR
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgFy2dotwD
I still had one more concern.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MfWsApsIw
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22Rm8bbO0a
"Flinty, if the wolf gets to you while we're inside, what will you do then?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBsuZQOQJn
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C4Q2MFjSO
She averted her gaze.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPIp5D02OL
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDSKRg54b9
"I'll... if I need to, then I'll use the fireball. I'll use one like the one at Mister Freed's shop."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRd71ORTCL
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7ssQ2tOiW
"I see."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PUX9DemsV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavzIswYktH
I unbuttoned my coat, took it off, and offered it to her. She looked it with apprehension, awkwardly raising a hand to her mouth.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfRgsv19PI
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DYBlwbQWa
"K-Kenny? Are you sure?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfj81poh1o
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTVG6Hx25x
"Uh..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXE18T3PBxK
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlPzMRnrRP
Crap. My cheeks were tinted rose.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CGu7xgLmE
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPkx6xyNdm
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzwFOrTXBc
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7bToNpJ7Z
She nodded and accepted my coat. It was a size too large for her, so a lot of excess cloth covered her legs. Perfect.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMCZS4kPaJ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqWatoezQT
"This is really cozy, no wonder why you always wear it."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOszeidnDnT
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlrKG4woWa
"Heh. Anabelle is a good weaver, isn't she?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBCmRNXiXy
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOZmTyNqLt
She nodded. I felt slightly naked now, but I still had long sleeves covering my arms. I would be fine.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XDi6ii4Bd
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoe60fMFhE
"Alright," Kim said, "are we ready to form a plan?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei7k10bYQK
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga4GYfBaOV
–
–
–237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzzUoTyhES
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBsovugoGb
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG6Ng8IajE
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTO9W3Ym6h
"How does it look like?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmuQvSet9y
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoF8k9rp9d
"Clear. I heard some ruckus coming from the building. They're likely occupied with whatever that is."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9m4lqU3BC
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwpgH3kfWB
Ideal conditions have been met. I took in a breath and released the tendril. A Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip.
"Are we ready?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TpreqADbH
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU6iWGdKwt
"We're ready."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsge87NGlr
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzrCR4Dc72
I never imagined myself taking part in a siege mission. I would make peace with it later.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCBVsk968n
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtHPVndibP
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ48w6K2x9
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfM8RResxt
"How are we supposed to scale a ramp of ice!?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGHaCi3rjB
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFq5IU56CT
She had a good point. I was a bit flustered.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NN7pisoqC
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIVoCLNdsn
"Then what do you propose I do!?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ523gQutfI2
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9F9ZlanEck
I could see Victoria's brain at work. I racked my mind for a solution.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQIrpKpHlm
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn854l7aJbg
"Just make little steps," Kim interjected, "and as we hop on them, make the next one bigger."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXQUTSrtOQ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0KxY1zwqo
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAw0ljetDGP
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xwN705w5S
"Before we enter, let me inspect how it is inside."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIq78mb0J0
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrtrOBba9q
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs4p5mDtKD
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLix8JqJiP
They slept in conditions like this? They didn't even have a mattress. I almost felt bad.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkThDzsjGk2
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsb9LxyEPr0
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MTtVmxti2
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE6SJVE1hI
"Ng, come on. I know you know better."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv69W0aBC4D
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRdzeN1f11
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul3xYIIdPF
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviq4jcVPX3
"Y-Yeah. I know."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBTzCYBCjn
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJYAjOcRar
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5gtzkc2hQ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fAX89Knd1
"Then why did you let the prisoners out? We can't have our location disclosed to–"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71fpU4ytyZ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BovEnwcnm
**SHATTER**237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r42E8S5lV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZoJbGjAKN
I fired the stone. I made sure to put enough power to where it wouldn't kill the man, but at least incapacitate him.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF0fL3TIMN
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv4dtK902A
I missed and hit the window, shattering it completely.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKKWeTvlu1
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhyLDCsQlG
Ng and the man turned to us. I didn't have anything to say, I simply returned eye contact.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlvrQbRSEx
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjnI0w3NVM
"Now!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmNRp8qhqQ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoJSpcZdwk
Kim and Victoria rushed ahead. The two men didn't fight back, they started running away. I knew Ng was in on this!237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ58mStZw7L
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBz0EZtpvN
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gzZ1Vcieu
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKXIxbV0Dk
"What are you waiting for?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28RwY3Hr5O
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82oVqoZOCW
"I still don't trust Ng."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2s0xF8GPD
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rcQL4OFMv
"Fine, then go after him!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzin8MP2b3
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4ZegjQyAD
I nodded and rushed through the other door. I saw another set of stairs and Ng was already making his way down them.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXxCdcdZDH
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TLo4TYcna
"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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKQqmLoBHB
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6Qgrqqpw1
"O-Okay, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just don't hurt me!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxrwnrRkHc
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vd74McAuv
He was already down on the ground with his head glued to the floor. I rushed towards him. Ng was... crying?237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCByXxYY9hN
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD1mOkXQvW
"Are you seriously crying?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZJzrIpmsM
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEJGaJvou5
"Huh?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgzGka7PJc
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAe0FgBj3FH
He tilted his head up to me.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n4yTPnYov
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziPQisnLs8
"N-No, I'm not crying. Aren't you going to kill me?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxEnHCtDAg
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTDyn0DOXz
"K-Kill? I wouldn't go that far... Geez, get up already."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkRBS3PP6l
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx6BBUPp5V
He did as he was told. He had a look of sincere confusion on his face. I didn't let that fool me, though.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA915X3hU7u
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOqN5qFos6
"You, are you really on our side?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fnnvLGXul
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkv92PiHZ5
"Of course I am! If my words aren't enough, then I'll happily take an official oath!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3ttJysRcN
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQXxq5njW6
"Nobody's here to witness it, you moron! Nevermind this, just take me to your teammate already!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE4de01eGe
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0BoEOyhZF
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRJOuqFtPV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFdMAL8vyx
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCZsecndSd
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9JteE1VK5
"Miss... I advise you to not open that door. It's best if we step away."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKHknshK44
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL6jO9zf3a
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CIF6GCQub
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytU4XpSkvU
"Panz! You, what do you think you're doing!?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iRUSPKOOk
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93FSApC2T6
Panz, who was apparently still awake, feebly lifted his head and cackled.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwJdOCMEd3
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RNEzudOVJ
"As if I'd let you betray me like this so easily! I'll make you pay, Ng– ack!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFFcWaZ66d
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3uaNNCh2w
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdU2aniuqD
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJOO3j32t4
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ68ojOBx9V
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWqJ6Oj4QM
And then, suddenly–237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUWYy1Ljpo
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4KSjxAork
**SMASH**237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhqTvNEq12
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzo8ldBi7X
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqekVVkEfi
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fkpQnCvkP
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPo2EZuQ5s
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYoXQXzOix
"Crap! Everyone, be careful!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSexmYKi8sA
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BJAH4u3kZ
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Po3aZBaCS
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"H-Huh?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kibb1Cxxk
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVuGz5TcVr
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdUXAQumRb
"Victoria! Kenny! Ng! Head to the second floor!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TqOgY55J3
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEob2kTB8z3
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFhqCurv9C
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"Ng!" I yelled, "Can't you control that thing!?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmnkyPOlnE
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"No! I am unable to resummon the creatures Panz has created, I can only do ones I have!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FL9ijyDzp
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SHcvWKeVV
"Like what!?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTdoRQc1CK
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryH5LetLft
"They died last night!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl7ZQYhSN1
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65C5IrDXmL
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjwFDxI3R6
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Wait, escape route, of course!237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdXITU4V1P
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbkPDazlBq
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqZhxqZUWL
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"...Did I do it?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQ59hqfVX4
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8N3vYKScU
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"H-Huh?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrDC3jql0Y
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She offered me her healing potion.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI707ybuhp3
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"Here. For your foot."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw2uTk6nzm
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"A-Ah, thank you."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcuErKpvhu
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa163YAAkJO
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFnyzv5Pl4
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"Haaa, ugh."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarw4qjyZtg
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I stood up with help from Victoria.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovbGnBbhoy
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"Sorry. I didn't do anything."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gvSkNn40H
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmbBAQYYRI
"Please, don't be. Even I don't feel like I did much."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNeCPYuTNn
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ1avkbdAq
"Haha, you're too humble, Kenny."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5z2kZ4WKJG
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVCddOZ4PG
She was noticeably shaken. Still, she held onto the unconscious Panz like it was nothing. I was beginning to relax.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCBaRAtTiq
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"Don't let your guard down yet."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgjTnvm4Zb
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAeaAxlY56
I looked at Kim who was pointing a large ball of fire at the beast. Looking at the encased monster, I noticed it fidgeting.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ274Ubhl0Lb
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"Crap. Crap!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvCLy9zYR1
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu9ZLWVEgK
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uXFaNu8z9
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdt7ITbTae
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqdSD96XZ5
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZFKN4Xw9c
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtVHQyKIrn
"K-Kenny!? Shit!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUfAdzNNeS
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwOKbws4Bh
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNXBt25neD
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj17oaoCEE
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A sinister curiosity crept within me. It was awfully nostalgic.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHOuVZ8WnP
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"Kenny! Kenny, are you awake!?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYTUJREJVN
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"Huh? Y-Yes!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6VqsgNLJ8
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"If you can, support Kim!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KmqDyk2rM
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TxV50skTy
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTE1z5gBEs8
"W-Woah..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4m8WjMycu
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwFTlbIyvc
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"KIM!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bJKa0NM3Y
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"Right!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHkeRWNny2
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc0M5vlbCT
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And so, I released the spear.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5nEapOX36
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**SMASH**237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hjs2pMHBu
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZgivUKXi5
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7QV5LG6qs
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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?237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9azDhTDRa
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGqSQJ7SKi
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"Kenny, out of curiosity, what is your earth magic grade?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYnjPXNgi3
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQMyxCoEG0
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"...Three. But, as I've learned today, my accuracy probably lowers it."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQV4jP1NZ4
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"No, what you just did was incredible."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkutdEgikH
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"Okay, fine, thank you, geez."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB429ZEErQV
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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–237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZoTeQfdPG
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaldtSHRhE5
"I'm afraid that wasn't the last of them," Ng said.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyY3SPYKgG
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXRbNxkG7F
"Huh? Are you serious!?" Victoria yelled.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeXykOJHLF
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"Unfortunately."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC5gBSKwG7
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oF8DD3MwY
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"Kim!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqra7CubIme
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb33f1V2H4U
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The tendril was bleeding purple.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzysQbpZ8nw
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"Kim! Ah, Kenny, we need to–237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx0kldvU6Q
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**SMASH**237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsDjxFmoQj
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xwK8rhUxO
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"It's Jeremiah! Kenny, you need to–"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQaTkyENm2
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwh93JkGEr
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMt1UwzBPR
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2bK3kjVag
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"Victoria!" Ng yelled, "We need to escape! We can't fight Jeremiah now!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDBXFPndeE
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYw9ix5NtT5
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJklJjN35c
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"...Ngh."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxjqjwdLiU
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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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv1jIMIL68
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"Haaa, haaa, shit, shit! Shit!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNno4WZPwh5
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOVNIUtf94
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JyIlJUEHz
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But, through the stormy mess that was in my mind, one thought came to the forefront.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f9GxCMAbg
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The infiltration was a failure. Our ally was compromised. I failed completely.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cG17XUyPi
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I felt like I was going to die.
