“...”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3WykF7us7
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nO5T4PvYt
“...”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFnWGc9YVH
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I couldn’t explain how it wound up this way. Maybe it was how I always lagged behind, or that other members were simply more courageous than Juke and I. Maybe it was bad fortune becoming of me, an ugly trait that reared its head in inconvenient times. Pondering an explanation was a useless endeavor anyhow. At this point, I realized it just wasn’t always needed.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bdzpJ4yoa
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsCLzmd9qk
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLZlbucheX
I didn’t have any evidence, but my gut screamed at me that the final floor would be the most challenging to combat. I readily acknowledged that the Harbinger was on a lower floor, but all the suspense that had been accumulating in my body informed me that wasn’t the worst of it. Perhaps it was a superstition– no, it absolutely was –but I was still compelled to tell Juke of my hypothesis.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSc2dMR0KC
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNs2UFb5Hc7
“I have a feeling–”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO1TWciRyV
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTHFMt8A6q
“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHcacTFKzA
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfI7WuihsO
I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XTEAtZyvm
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEWgQEx21d
“Do you also have that feeling?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYRdHFFor4
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KHkez59cV
“Nothin’ like it. I could just tell by the look on yer face. Either way, I don’t think we’re gonna deal with somethin’ so meddlesome.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiS0LgrcPI
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYvIvRRHqg
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAeMY3jFZo
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP13kC2lYBi
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNTAzdyMER
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweIpM04GM1
But, ultimately, I reminded myself yet again that that hardly mattered. Now that we’d arrived on a flat surface, there was nothing to do but to walk through that door and eliminate whoever was behind it. So we made sure to make a loud entrance. As I was able to match his pace, the both of us busted the door down. We ran into the master’s room, a spacious office stacked with papers. It was different, and far, far messier than the Foreign Pillar’s.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MZSEuNHpw
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZPBvlRU5S
“Y-You!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD1sgn1oTl
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIhIwUF9BY
I was shocked by a sudden voice from my left. I turned my head and saw a skinny gentleman, one I could only assume was the Pillar’s Dean.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUindoZwtgc
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdhHPQSNDg
“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m5I7Vgn91
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJnQNCaXwY
“A-Alright!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u9WNEI0xo
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw7MN9OBc1
Whether his words or his pathetic visage swayed me, I ran to untie him all the same. But I was stopped in my tracks by a hand grabbing my shoulder.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuvfJ5nqc3
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAHjhPCcpI
“Hey! Juke, what are–”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV0crVwOta
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCiGGjQQKN
My question was cut short the moment I looked at where he was point. Now, I was looking at the reason behind the different papers, the reason why the dean was tied in rope.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFA0tAZ1xk
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9bZFEQqoX
A man stood on the desk. A man with a robe I knew all too well, but more importantly, with a style of hair that I recognized. He turned his head towards us as he put a paper down, and frowned.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9QHyGTa8h
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG3M7EjY6W
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7L3ciDIOy
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOOf1earMe
With almond-shaped eyes and a jagged, unusual hairstyle that screamed “punk,” the Bringer in the streets of this city right as this mess began glared at us with the sheen of his blade.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VK85UyqYU
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2W74tbXuD
“He’s alive!?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uSt9qqYFJ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVngaswNxn
The shock of it all was one thing, as the last time I saw him, I was sure he was pulverized and left to bleed out. But what truly made me yell in such volume was that he still had both of his arms.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUN5sOBHwe
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZkr7xfoWE
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgrklOQehk
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMQpVghnNG
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERPKJZoWV3
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ8cgisXl9
He said it matter-of-factly, as if none of it should be a surprise. Missing limbs weren’t impossible to restore with highly potent, albeit rare and extremely expensive potions, but processes like that took months, often years to complete. And they would only proceed smoothly with frequent tending and doctoral observation.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivniIm7SnY
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYJbijAxOF
And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrBDrhFCKG
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHaP3t0hTz
“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHnKmeCSfC
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMoSPjOWEp
“...Well, not exactly.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRdNrUPknb
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWnjbpF1eD
I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmASdlXEbY
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJyoPL54Kj
“Restoring limbs isn’t impossible; I tried and failed to make a few like that myself. But to be able to do it that fast, there’s only one explanation.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqUyMcYfId
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TVDcD8AJC
“Tell me, won’t ya?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZqe4t6hAb
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07zMxTNZti
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbMp5Zg22S
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3idFEZiedi
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKsSgGCUPL
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvxz9ZInE5
“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ29OxZdcF
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSqGp3Gak9
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMWCLZpsaC
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ744iRmp2ro
I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPvsewfLiQ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqmTWEw7LT
“There’s someone among our ranks who’s a world-class healer. It’s phenomenal to see her work, really. I was out like a light, but by the time I woke up, I was better than new!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqx1ZH40X8
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIQfyr6quw
He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxp5zBWqg9A
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGAfFNex5Q
“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JeoCBRaGX
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrcZ0woB8w
The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX9oV8Je42
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyqRok4IIF
“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcRJYdvgnK
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmLMBeHhWp
The Bringer hopped off the desk and reached for the other scabbard on his belt. Wielding two curved blades yet again, he stared at us with crazed, narrowed eyes.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvb7kU57yM
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl0mxfc1UM
“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYW2XXLrJ8o
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPqHdcEkiL
He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVMl579JJt
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhZYEiJuXr
“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JBx5zMgHI
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXqeinfzOJ
And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZQ8IQOGSj
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LzmGWAJkB
–
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–
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2rSCWnu5U
–267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyhQOO16ri
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The Bringer’s immediate dash complicated this whole mess. It might’ve been my fault for not taking Juke aside and speaking of a plan, but there was nothing I could do now. I didn’t have time to speak with him about our battle strategy. It helped not that the Bringer’s gesture was so sudden. It stunned me for a moment and forced me to think of a counterattack. But Juke thankfully had a quick, simple proposal:: he just drew his sword and matched the Bringer.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3FnZfRpJS
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPByWmlnf0M
The first collision of the battle followed right after. Juke blocked a double swipe with his single sword, and immediately I noted that Juke had more physical strength than the Bringer, as he was able to keep him in a lock. The Bringer dashed away shortly after, glaring at us while humming curiously. I was oddly disturbed by that gesture, but I had no time to contemplate. I drew my tendril and sprouted the perfect plant for the occasion: the Thistle-Bloom. One of the first plants I ever copied from Prince’s garden, Its spikey bulb protruded from the tip of the tendril. I squelched its root as if I was choking it.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5eVuy53J5
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqebAdYSQwC
Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk25Ng40aqb
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfKPkL4U1l
“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nyVzMoSRw
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIQfUVljyG
He nodded right after, boldly charging at the still-humming Bringer. I put one knee down and bent the Thistle-Bloom, aiming it directly at the two fighters.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcxNdCGUkv
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3Ku4vhODh
It was impossible to safely shoot while the two were in close combat, but that bothered me barely. Juke’s endowment gave him a defensive edge, and with the constant threat of his sword and wind magic, the Bringer would be forced to back away eventually. I just had to wait for that moment, and as I did, I keenly watched the battle unfold.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJePXpEilbV
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9RDzSc3y3
Juke played the offensive role spectacularly. I wasn't sure if the Bringer was hesitating from past experience or gauging him in some fashion, but the end result was that swings were being thrown his way. None of Juke's swings connected, however, and the Bringer kept too small a distance for me to shoot.
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5skvLZACqP
Eventually, the Bringer retaliated. He swung his swords across and Juke blocked them at the center. From that position though, Juke was forced to back away. Almost losing his sword, he awkwardly stepped a few paces back while swinging his arms to keep from falling. In that moment, the Bringer dashed and thrust his weapons.
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**CLANG**
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweSibeE7TK
"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNsIXpx20t
The tip of his blades practically bounced off Juke's skin, and from the looks of it, made only a scratch on his helmet. Juke looked relieved, and the Bringer looked annoyed, and though I was distracted by relief of not seeing my friend be penetrated, I surged mana through the tendril.
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"It's a weird ability you have there. Fortunately–"
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTfrgILHPz
All of a sudden, right before the thorns of the bulb spew like the water of a dam, the Bringer flung one of his blades my way.
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuoskfzg8B
"I can just chip away."
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxkbeaQIGI
I tripped over myself trying to dodge it, and though all but a clip of my hair avoided it, it managed to glide through elsewhere.
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeWJSkrjVG
My body reacted immediately.
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Xeyl8anha
"Urg--Glurrgh!"
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarelJXG3vn
The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFN2BmtFZR
"Kid! Ah, shit!"
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixa26RRbt7
I collapsed to the ground, limp and lethargic in my lazy legs. I mustered the strength to tilt my head up and look at the fight. Juke kept the Bringer occupied, but everything about the sight was wrong. That Bringer was missing a sword, so why was Juke forced to block every attack? Why did his posture falter while the Bringer's only strengthened?
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcjuVcidNC
Familiar shivers ran through my spine. My limbs denied my commands, and even my eyes forced themselves blind to the scene. Then the word "run" entered my head. And then I–
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOM7geW57yZ
"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmujHcyBku
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAI1zTq9P0
A rush of adrenaline helped me endure the pain of forming the Dragon-Maw, but with my other hand, I quickly created a ball of fire and lobbed it at the two fighters. I didn't hit anyone, but the blaze separated them, giving Juke crucial time to breathe. He shot me a thumbs up while brandishing his weapon, threatening the Bringer just enough for him to back off.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLpLjFMSFB
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoDkYa2MZ9
The Dragon-Maw snapped at the Bringer, knowing by instinct who the opponent was. But to my surprise, it didn’t uncontrollably charge.. Rather, it retracted, hissing at the adversary as if he encroached on its territory.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpd0eEjclb4
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6FpsQlaQB
“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoX7ZwPWtE
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZMO0s8Vgn
After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdB6Q5tEDl
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgMAkTiCxa
Though carrying such a dislodged, extended mass was difficult on my tiny body, I put no energy into making attacks. Dragon-Maw complimented Juke’s fighting patterns superbly, striking at times when Juke reeled from swinging his sword. The Bringer was put on the backfoot almost instantly, and the pressure was obvious from his drenched face. Despite our suffocating offense, we never managed to break the guard of his blistering blade.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbgpFmOqy1
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqfcjip8DU
He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oME4vaDvH
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBAnF8MtGg
Though my arm strained and heaved, I kept the tendril out. The Bringer carried Juke and Dragon-Maw around the room, lining its edges and narrowly missing the paper piles. At some point, though, I noticed that the Bringer had to block less and less. I thought for a moment that exhaustion from Juke or I was to blame, but as I narrowed my eyes, I noticed his feet moving further and further back.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVnvBjPvkI
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrvNL2UOSU
And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzteUqu5gZ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIYTTtxCPc
“Crap!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTPrtpPK4K
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetp42cuFvA
I stopped supporting my right arm with my left and quickly began mana expulsion. I didn’t have the time to make anything dangerous, so I conjured a messy ball of water and flung it at the Bringer. But I didn’t put enough for or mana for it to be meaningfully threatening. It merely splashed his face, not enough to stop him from picking up his other sword. But that brief moment of blindness afforded me a–267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47FjSqHCC8
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EcQj28A9n
**CRUNCH**267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK2wSewgSq
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzZC88joGG
The Dragon-Maw managed to clamp the Bringer at his side. It didn’t bite anything off, but from the grunts of the Bringer and the new hues of red, it was clear that the wound was deep.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePePYCAEOY
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvI4SxExXy
Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfF56YmHtZ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI6f46Phh8
Like it was a basic reflex, the Bringer swung his sword and cut the head of Dragon-Maw off. I clicked my tongue and closed my eyes, bracing myself for the ensuing, and brutally-arriving pain. My preparation suppressed it adequately. I was still on my legs, after all. But it was offset by my dwindling willingness to use the tendril, and by the way its brown roots shed its sheen, I figured it felt the same. I had to ask it for one more favor, though.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg1B56rwaW
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJSeaHPzXj
I realized it was reckless, especially with how small the room was, but I didn’t want this fight to drag on any longer than it already had. Thus, I procured a–267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL70zE8FDEN
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETIFEQ8Ehg
“Child! Child, please!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQuKHg8Sep
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjcGWhR5Zy
“W-What!?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcByLkp1cwN
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqDVOU6W9S
My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7rTPSzKBM
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9K8YA9Lpc
“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypBKLXvfmP
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbIWQNSqDU
“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWvai4LBi7
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexs3Vh3SZG
“...”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHUrfXjSCK
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExoXBv8Saq
I had this sick feeling that the Dean was far sleazier than I initially thought, but under this kind of situation, I could hardly blame him. I didn’t turn to save him, however. As a Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip of my tendril, I stared with sweaty palms at the dueling two. Juke matched the Bringer far more comfortably now, even with him having two swords, as that injury was unignorable.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlmKpMFElG
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4pzSP4voP
With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFkimbUlyf
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLlmiIFxxb
“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0tijd1At3
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygmqLkfRDc
“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQay6wbfNh
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAW1HZoIH8
Even though it would just take making a small dagger out of earth, sinking that time to free him felt like a terrible idea. I knew it was possible, I knew Juke could last long enough for me to do so, and yet– and yet–267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmNc3zjWmc
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJXEnyLiXB
And yet, the option caused my arms to shiver. To be responsible for his freedom, would just mean I was responsible for everything that followed.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpsMN7OEfT
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAsVKfsvsE
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi65FMDrIG
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2v7WzRa0G
“Kid! Watch out!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfijmQcENI
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4kBFjGMzd
“--Huh?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTRn0JNinB
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdk0Cml8YUj
I was swept from my trance by Juke’s loud, worried call. My vision registered with me then, and I realized that the Bringer was charging directly at me.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBZPIN8JIK
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AdJwb53k5
“S-S-Shit!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3LPel3a3P
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrzIvtvUKl
I did the first thing that came to mind: I conjured a hasty spell, shot it, and jumped to the side, causing me to land on my hip. Only, it didn’t go so smoothly. The spell I created wasn’t one of earth or fire, as trying to rush those would erase nearly half of my mana supply. So I created a large wave of water before moving. It blinded the bringer sufficiently, just enough for his thrust to miss me.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKXsjbPVNI
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BjuGdr97D
**SQUELCH**267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5LU2thLHy
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1smqyXfjWx
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrkfVrVCh1
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0YQCAmNLY
“--H-Hrk!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHqFuxSea1
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSAykK1WEY
“Oh?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11BvvyNWDo
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPBqyC55ty
The Bringer rubbed the water out of his eyes and looked at where his sword had been lodged. He wasn’t happy or upset, nor did he look amused or angered. He had the look of someone who made a simple slip-up, like a man putting a box in the wrong place and merely shrugging his shoulders at the sight.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGMfMxAZ5w
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AHYIcSBqE
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9EXbVtMkO
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVGqB4pJY8
“Ark… W-Why?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zA4KvUlYV
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0tDgaTLAL
“I don’t have a reason. It was an accident, relax. Goodness, just relax! It’s not as if I hit your lungs, did I?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bbG329YBw
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoKj7OJtYg
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdolofzEre
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7Orpkj3s8
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUwcmogfKn
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNK4TnN8mF
“A– y-you monster!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQy9Cy3WV9
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2prPEHph5
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumZ4bM4qX1
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqQurkh5BH
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFaOL5Ou3J
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvdnu1L52P
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmShZnAGXe
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuh2AF34mq
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukb5KUg4QN
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWSNq5oPcY
“A-Afraid?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ntmlQaxc5
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjsm8nr19z
I was stunned, undeniably, but it wasn’t paralysis. That wasn’t the case, because I saw the Dean right there, writhing but breathing, trying what he could to cover his wound. But to call myself afraid wasn’t incorrect. I could hardly keep myself from melting.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXzc5ezH1p
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZGTMWeqOg
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W19eJQ8Ll
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKI0psHtex
But then Juke’s words resounded from my side, and the sight of the Dean became enough for me to move. Though, I didn’t do so before giving myself a necessary rebuke.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAGJohpRcD
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfNPJxr6Q8
“Damn it. Damn it!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDvzU5t0KA
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewmOaIDYP8
I aimed the Freezey-Dry at the bringer and let it work. The Bringer stepped to the side, avoiding the wall of ice that formed until the end of the room. I didn’t have to face any counterattack either, as Juke kept the Bringer occupied while I ran to the Dean, forming an earthly knife.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8VCh6rTXm
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60eO9sAPfk
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NAuVSil9v
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2jA67VseK
I hurriedly cut the ropes, slicing one of my own fingers in the process, but still managing to free the Dean. He grasped his shoulder and got on his legs.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvLzN9q5fZ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlIWb8aRAD
“T-Thank you.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA9zqCLtL9
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qAt9xggeR
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1BjQesTBD
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKz2BMIiIV3
The Dean meekly nodded, which made me greatly relieved. I conjured up a quick earth spell and shot it through the ice wall, creating an opening.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkz4a2pK1A
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS19YQqiZV
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUribOrKFR
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oCRwURauJ
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc6bnWnAGM
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwStxo7RbD
Though his run was gaunt, he managed to leave the parameter without being stopped. I walked around the ice wall to make sure of it, seeing him go through the entrance, and then I returned my attention to the Bringer.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6BSCgaIyp
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoQ2fXyxMl
He and Juke were still fighting. The Bringer landed stray hits far too often for comfort, but I saw a window when the two clashed their swords and stared.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKr4NJNLSC
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdKwq29Kha
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPXANZjCmJ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroiiBWXu9L
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFGMGpQPf5
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yaw2oLE4i
“Juke!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4q0NrNuwQ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPthYhUDRC
I interjected as quickly as I could. I formed a ball of earth and shot it at the Bringer. He moved to dodge it, but his toilsome wound forced him to hiss and I managed to nip his shoulder. Juke took advantage of the generated momentum, swinging his sword barbarically but only scratching the Bringer’s cloth as he dodged. The Bringer clicked his tongue and massaged his shoulder. Though it was a reach of a call to make, I felt confident that his shoulder was dislocated.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtFSC3J64r
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuku5DFPtS2
“That kid is such a nuisance!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pGJs4sIE9
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZJMxsIE2f
He yelled an enraged sentence, jerking his head to me and glaring with dagger-like eyes. I brought my tendril out in front of me as a kind of shield, though with the ferocity of which he sprinted, it clearly wouldn’t do anything.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODLfBs7bSv
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiAANnHvFT
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnzxVNVYmn
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25NuHvAwtf
“Ahck!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XBWkNCimp
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiljPt8IQv
A gust of wind came from my right, slamming the Bringer hard enough for him to tumble to the floor. Juke followed his spell by charging with his sword raised. He swung down and collided with a shielding scimitar, unable to break its barricade. But as they struggled, I made my move.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64ckx4jm8C
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7UAxXFaBl
A spell wouldn’t do me good, and this wilting Freeze-Dry wouldn’t fare any better. My other offensive flower had been pierced and shredded, so I only had one thing at my disposal.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaBodA7WFS
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE96ZtquxoV
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLD7UGIzOZ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTO7PiGHZfd
Juke moved his sword in the nick of time. The tendril caught the flat side of his scimitar– to my great relief –and crashed directly into his stomach. The air escaped from his lungs, and remnants of his meals flew out of his orifice. The blow stunned him well, and I retracted my tendril so Juke could quickly finish the job.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6hdQxEzTk
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvq4llXruF
But, that did not happen.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWyElzBD0T
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pncgKk8KA
With gritted teeth the bringer kicked himself from the floor to his feet, keeping Juke and I at a distance while pointing his swords. In the midst of it, I prepared a spell with my left hand: the embryonic stage of a geyser that would hose him to the wall. Preparing it took a while, however, and it was within that window of time that the Bringer267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91C0mTU1V1
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1Hz7cov6D
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj91rY1p6S
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwvmVaWhIm
He twirled his core along with his blades, swindling himself like a leadenknob. His arm covered every feature of his face but his eyes, and he glared at us with the eyes of a feline.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuorg3BmHpe
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPvQehIZnU
From his body language, posture, and exasperated voice, it was clear to me what was coming: that bizarre technique that troubled Juke and I when we first fought.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BD91IDgyO
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLVYdsds11
And he let it rip just a moment later.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnB4xRcttR
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡar5DPF5vGh
His speed was unprecedented, his rotation made him blurry, and his rapid blades howled in the wind it sliced. Though he spun in a rocky direction, it was just accurate enough to gain ground on Juke and I. And I knew that helmet of his wouldn’t last under such a flurry.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY7S7Yo3v2
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnhOVWFPrs
But true as that might’ve been, it wasn’t his helmet that would be put to the test. The Bringer veered from Juke right into me, approaching at a speed I could hardly react to. React I did, however. I produced a flower from my tendril and injected mana into it as fast as I could, and before his flurry of blades came, I had something to guard myself.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYnhdo5xFW
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF33zzDFMPT
The beige and jagged texture of the Valencia-Bloom’s shield defended me. Small enough for me to carry, but large enough to stop speedy metal from sneaking past. It kept up with the flurry miraculously, as every cut it received closed immediately. Dozens and dozens of cuts, and none strong enough to pierce through.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjr2ic92jVm
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyrnHnlUdd
“...!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOWAEAih37
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEPOmo9KH8
None so fierce to kill my plant.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKUQ2CNB7i
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnFskC9NJH
“M-My arm!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK0dF7ymEy
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPcmQDqACn
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJ1TTivcWx
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IbZu6nb3a
“Juke!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVqEfBW85R
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuSmekMRvY
“Gotcha, kid!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z21Blc1ah
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl4oYHXxzD
The barrage had no effect on the shield, but my puny arm couldn’t stand against such pressure. It was impossible to keep it up. I could already feel the fear seep into me; flashing images of what would become of me should those spinning blades connect.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ9RiMSGVY
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaXW3q2V6y
But something unusual happened in light of that. An action I didn’t know I had the capacity for, but was driven by nothing but my own will.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqT5VknYgU
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWIpoPt7wR
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBK10TenIJG
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfQYXosYH6
It wasn’t a clean hit– the complete opposite. I couldn’t aim my palm in any useful direction, but the force of the spell was so great it still adjacently struck the Bringer. As I didn’t have time to plant myself firmly, I was sent flying as well, colliding into the wall to my right and across the room.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQPU1O4NMV
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUKnMvGyDC
“Hrk!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLMzWyHMEF
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ5HAHjdSU
The slam was ugly, and I slid to the floor like mushy food. I didn’t let myself rest then, however, because that Bringer was still alive. I stood up and peered over the Dean’s desk, at the Bringer.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXbZL0oaJT
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdoYD8pLdy
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS3N0MqGkg
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ4KzxL2UL
“...”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwEcs6YDLQ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT8AENbNNb
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAyu7fIxl5
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA2tJBzHJJ
I didn’t respond to Juke’s praise. All my attention tunneled to the Bringer. His gaping mouth, his constricting eyes, the fading strength as his staunchblades slipped from his grip. He finally turned his eyes to me, then to the man who left him in such a state.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxncYKjHQp
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6enxtCppG
“Curse…”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9leproUKxH
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxf2lAcZiK
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk1PKcEfsv
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG94zaqqvZe
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesPZeSwkcW
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltmeNeNQTm
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FRBebbIBF
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCAVtegVrb
“May they, be few.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZSf5IK3cN
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RmmIyuP0I
Another fit of coughing followed. It was intense and abrasive, ripping at his throat with each installment. Their strength eventually dwindled. His noisy coughs turned to raspy whispers, ejecting all the piling blood that clogged itself in his throat, lower and lower volumes as it progressed.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMSsy9LLFP
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFy2PyU8gX
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE73FTCoFi6
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2DAsAinP5
“That was… sad.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejMnyagtOQ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J66A84rfS
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrLtSuwF42
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUD1YLDUwY
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARgUCp6Ti6
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu9b9Ky7yz
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwr8uNAVDTB
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFXp3I46Rw
I chuckled at his assessment. He had a point. I should’ve just been glad to be alive, shouldn’t I? I showed my gratitude by taking a few steps over to Juke, raising my palm with as sweet a smile I could make. He matched my gesture, and we high-fived.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7pt92LwVJ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FqenKC6P0
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufectLvcWT
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1x3yzoKUQ
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLmf2ATZsG
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkimnzcbv2
“Don’t continue.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX89sLU8UmA
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYbtNayA69
I looked at the Bringer’s corpse. In a twisted way, it was a trophy. A tangible token that indicated our success, our reclaiming of the Central Pillar. If the lower floors have succeeded, that is. I didn’t want to think like that now, however.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Hwo5H7R6H
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSxsq8Atpm
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsSrXRn5g9
