“...”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl46RWjX0C8
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“...”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInzsdUSYch
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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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLSnx1VpQk
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But still, to think Juke and I were the final two members was absurd.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQluuNPs8S
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtALCkNnp8
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlFDkozuDg
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h6qmqa9rM
“I have a feeling–”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kCwe6RRq2
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1DnTftGt2
“This next floor’s gonna be a pain in the ass, eh?”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u3W7yA93g
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2F8y17UZq
I was momentarily stunned at his read. Only in mind of course, because my legs didn’t dare to stop climbing.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14C9EZPAZQ
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“Do you also have that feeling?”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7NW25t5Wd
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcaxqbzMX8
“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.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjw8ebMyme
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovvMrb1KUk
“I don’t know, Juke. I just don’t know.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4boGFaARMG
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6CIvepa4y
His words appeased me a little bit, but I still found it nearly impossible not to wonder and assume the worst.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgpIqrOfu6
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdfUYRqWrG
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhs3M0sv56
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“Y-You!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQkV56jLT2
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I was shocked by a sudden voice from my left. I turned my head and saw a skinny gentleman, one I could only assume was the Pillar’s Dean.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJW1u22xE4T
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmlwYzqE9d
“T-Thank goodness! Please, release me from these ropes!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbtgd1M19v
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5AQqgUOjf
“A-Alright!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2eGNMbCIS
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEHf8JO7wH
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhOxfGU7ht
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQfcnGJd2V
“Hey! Juke, what are–”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfFQiWHUSn
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9PNmHNopc
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfNFfq9TkR
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEoQMzyCLA
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFymXWBFG1D
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfjrFi9O1E
“You two… I figured it would be you that I meet.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY54VkKMVUf
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYGj7KB7Y2
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQr2OJtJIG
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSA9JtTfmo
“He’s alive!?”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWM7iHNNIlL
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe5gFZrSps
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguW3bPsuzA
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrdes8SRXg
“How the hell? I cut yer thing off, didn’t I?”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaiWcFdMZg
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvsOI8MwDI
“My ‘thing?’ It was my arm, you ass! But never mind that. What matters now, is that it’s back.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReVUEqW8GN
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTWbXSVw4N
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyTbBsuO9o
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvieM2uHSz
And yet, it had only been a little over a day since I last saw him.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMuibfyXYm
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJm5BoRVAac
“Kid, that ain’t possible, is it!? Tell me I’m hallucinatin’!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfEkP1L5ZK
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2ARFSp4Py
“...Well, not exactly.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87Dnx0Kv5M
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I could see his mouth agape through the steel of his helm.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PhbZwuRXL
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI2f5AIL5k
“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.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV7EioKktl
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrS7CBAIpX
“Tell me, won’t ya?”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrqkZN3Fsr
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmZoGGECHz
“There’s someone in Hard-Bringer who’s a Grade Zero mana spinner.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJyk7TXgbx
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y8i3asfsd
“...Seriously? I thought they were one-in-a-million rare.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6UfKdAdWK
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTKpmEqAP9
“It’s something like that. I’d call ourselves lucky if they weren’t our opponent.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vh3a8uIcF
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6JrksbXsK
“You got a sharp mind, child– Bison Frost, right?”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCblmTyy5O
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgtMgNt5aP
I clicked my tongue at the mention of the name. And to think I forgot all about it.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwq7obnM0a
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTXcdTZXPi
“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!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyeq8KWboi
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2W4cgE1RB
He pulled the sleeves of his robe back to show his vascular arms.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF51iI9067
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PvsfzGtyH
“A her, eh? Looks like I know who ta’ look for.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EuBR76zDF
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtk1ushv2G
The Bringer’s enthusiasm dwindled with Juke’s remark.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oA05ZRWYP
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BerVS8cOW
“Right, I need to watch my tongue. I can’t be too safe.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq91nQK45CM
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjial4O9pD
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThmdgZTXLN
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkBpP4g0Ia
“If you two are the last of your platoon, that’s perfect! It means you won’t get any help!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iF2kUUhUJ
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyc6nRc10MR
He took one step forward, a clear indication that he was going to charge.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXLcqr852Y
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5StbsMWogU
“If I can chop you two up here and now, then we can pack up and go home!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp49qLMtmy
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOJ0hgPm4r
And then he broke into a sprint, igniting our unexpected rematch.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe7qwmtjAZ
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChsL1H5RGe
–
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–
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv5Ct1vBPM
–269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h9GO5gLx0
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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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhMFk7BFNG
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGS0Da8PAq
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMvSNQtPGw
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFFtuMXLGB
Juke looked over his shoulder, and seeing that I had a plant out, he gestured his hand in a question.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fX4XNralU
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“It’s ranged, that’s all you need to know! Keep the pressure!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt76QdABXQC
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He nodded right after, boldly charging at the still-humming Bringer. I put one knee down and bent the Thistle-Bloom, aiming it directly at the two fighters.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTgFGLP5VH
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbLAc2C1Bu
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7sH3MN6fG
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWMDxXpA64
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.
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12HnNDgAac
Eventually, the Bringer retaliated. He swung his swords across and Juke blocked them at the center. From that position though, Juke was forced to back away. Almost losing his sword, he awkwardly stepped a few paces back while swinging his arms to keep from falling. In that moment, the Bringer dashed and thrust his weapons.
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**CLANG**
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"...So I wasn't hallucinating."
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The tip of his blades practically bounced off Juke's skin, and from the looks of it, made only a scratch on his helmet. Juke looked relieved, and the Bringer looked annoyed, and though I was distracted by relief of not seeing my friend be penetrated, I surged mana through the tendril.
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"It's a weird ability you have there. Fortunately–"
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All of a sudden, right before the thorns of the bulb spew like the water of a dam, the Bringer flung one of his blades my way.
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"I can just chip away."
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cHgXK3lbZ
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.
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokoGy1ctTO
My body reacted immediately.
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"Urg--Glurrgh!"
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0g2OPV86g
The Thistle-Bloom was torn apart, and that viscous purple liquid ejected itself from my throat yet again.
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"Kid! Ah, shit!"
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm8xSmkkbN
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?
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapSQ3tEqrb
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–
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4w69rZUYR
"Kid! C'mon, I need ya here!"
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFcJP7l6gs
"...Come on. Come on, just shoot!"
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaH42komq2G
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vM3EN74gp
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5XqGLZEzJ
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhP32KqNLI1
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClBJ81RIvR
“We don’t have time for you to act like this! Go, fight that cloaked man!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W6bJYVldO
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTladBXixO
After my call, the Dragon-Maw calmed down. I extended my tendril, and the tide of battle tipped in our favor.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1SOuh4Gzl
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ3cbsY5Q7
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB17qi6e55
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He was, however, getting closer and closer to losing his footing.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtq1j7AuUk
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCO3xJnX73
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Vc5IyQhtR
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And only until I turned nearly one-eighty degrees did I realize why.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8W7mjV7mJV
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“Crap!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbGJFR9cGD
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ125E823uHg
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–269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKJlDI7vtr
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCphjXEPaeW
**CRUNCH**269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DNMEj5lXf
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The Dragon-Maw managed to clamp the Bringer at his side. It didn’t bite anything off, but from the grunts of the Bringer and the new hues of red, it was clear that the wound was deep.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOP2CycFx85
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Unfortunately, that was all Dragon-Maw had to offer.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CIthZcTT3
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Like it was a basic reflex, the Bringer swung his sword and cut the head of Dragon-Maw off. I clicked my tongue and closed my eyes, bracing myself for the ensuing, and brutally-arriving pain. My preparation suppressed it adequately. I was still on my legs, after all. But it was offset by my dwindling willingness to use the tendril, and by the way its brown roots shed its sheen, I figured it felt the same. I had to ask it for one more favor, though.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsZ8sxi1Kn
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9K0l6iuwnq
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–269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeVlmSLWk6
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlL0SFc3qh
“Child! Child, please!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXko7WfDEy
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhKUMYVXPN
“W-What!?”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHeBolvLIW
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIVhOGRtzN
My focus was split by the sudden calling of the Dean, who rested behind me still trapped by rope.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCfZMH9pov
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRa9JeUINua
“I can’t help you right now! I’m in the middle of a fight–”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWEAHew4xW
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB7nsM0HnM
“N-No, please, at least release me from these ropes! He won’t hurt me, so at the very least I can escape!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifLhGNhQPV
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBrqJDRuOk
“...”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEsxdNTMaH
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I had this sick feeling that the Dean was far sleazier than I initially thought, but under this kind of situation, I could hardly blame him. I didn’t turn to save him, however. As a Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip of my tendril, I stared with sweaty palms at the dueling two. Juke matched the Bringer far more comfortably now, even with him having two swords, as that injury was unignorable.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLyukcxutT
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With that in mind, freeing the Dean suddenly didn’t seem so outrageous.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshkopdNVEi
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmDFI8clBP
“Please, child! We don’t have m-much time! If you–”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I1kPPZixp
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD3e4WCLhG
“I understand that you’re stressed, but please shut up and let me think!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxJdK1jTZp
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSYnXhS08f
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–269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIkbftiyJM
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And yet, the option caused my arms to shiver. To be responsible for his freedom, would just mean I was responsible for everything that followed.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Hz2qWhQBE
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFsxkMevDZ
How could I not freeze, then? How could I move like a lubricated gear to cut his ropes and–269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAxjlqhGIM
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWShvjjOm7
“Kid! Watch out!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGx80kLF4Xd
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4QvVixX10
“--Huh?”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9040MXnot
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwarsQGtUM
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNaJ0AtrZ2
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqXhQSAmuT
“S-S-Shit!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc3ZjrxQyf
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQc1kxYuja
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQuTg2CUWI
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI77FqGagTd
**SQUELCH**269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a2SXUs4zk
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkn4CIFCx1
But the momentum of that thrust didn’t stop at empty air.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6gT2N1DCw
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3GaAYbmH2
“--H-Hrk!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XdVYNLkon
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn0fuaVqLZ
“Oh?”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yPwSIGemW
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwF9JVaVSS
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuEyDdUd7D
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMkFTIPZUt
But the Bringer didn’t put a box in the wrong area. He thrust his weapon into the shoulder of the Dean.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ114qpCbs
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Q70zeUxrg
“Ark… W-Why?”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgi58iSwcTm
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUTPZgTKYt
“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?”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcsQsGLOCD
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0TzfxLyBn
He took the sword out and sighed, pinching his nose in mild irritation.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzFGWKAQH2
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR5rUiAdiq
“Bystanders aren’t all that important. You sit there and try your best to live, won’t you?”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCLJO8wvcP
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfJa0BmYqd
“A– y-you monster!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQL9F0PUtS
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFkylLgzZ8
He rolled his eyes and pointed his sword.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcyh34VB8f
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop2D6Kp11M
“Shut up now. You’re just asking to be stabbed.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyePAFjxYj
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe6ksPzgQg
After that threat, he turned, looking right at me.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifwgjLtshe
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfzhMUbmWF
“What’s that face for? Are you just now feeling afraid?”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp4EuJN1RW
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB65Q3oA2R
“A-Afraid?”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZI7RjEmC2
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyFudwyllx
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKoHAbrImf
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNcxekaSf0
“Don’t freeze on me, Kenny!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiAMHOOr1I
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl7SqyBEkg
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD4yNjewkP
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSByiz4SnV
“Damn it. Damn it!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9zmitD5Dv
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3dngWnG4o
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8MmZ7gvKG
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9IIVR5aYb
“Come on, weren’t you going to be more courageous? Come on, come on!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkCWzWVsUZ
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4edWzgjaDr
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtnvq3ucuD
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrZy4gECnc
“T-Thank you.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLrWarABeY
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcWQk8K9rO
“What are you thanking me for? This is my fault! Ah, never mind! Can you walk?”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFpgPI30Re
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JS2e5X3xw
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZZj8bwnLT
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbHfMwV4GB
“Go through there and leave. We’ll take it from here.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9KPCveAlP
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiinYKA6jN
“Thank you. T-Thank you so much!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrGLXoMg1D
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE01quPOGk
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAwYdqMqQ7
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NKCUQECnl
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoHvdFThS6
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIDA67F0jj
“What’s the matter, helmet-man? Is something on your mind? Your swings are getting sloppy.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8qLTFRH6U
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu7dlpBmsO
“...I hate yer type. Ya bastards always read inta shit ya shouldn’t.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIE23JicZA
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yYn9UNRBj
“Juke!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA85M1Ydf9o
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6egbHkcR4F
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjqg3Dl6Bo
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4csNzlec2
“That kid is such a nuisance!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs4EcBMMya
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC4Sl1PsVW
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfAi3WFHyq
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHNwcZkYFV
Fortunately, it didn’t have to.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgopc95LD7M
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4XmH1iS0l
“Ahck!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ec5hl9zSV
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE8MKsDPG9
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzyxyPDI27
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpjzgeStzv
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlZQQl2mv2
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnJiPSHpf6
And so I extended my tendril, slamming it as strongly as I could on the laying Bringer.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IhPAzTrZu
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5LSTsOvWr
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmObOGc3tSv
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuUsTouWTR
But, that did not happen.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wcdu6BhVm
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MOCBtKGik
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 Bringer269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg02ZTYlmY
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0ZXtJ4nIV
“I’ll get you two… oh, I’ll get you this time!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIbea5lfgS
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkaasb02yR
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm407xtbDth
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjdtHiLEIF
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37RWMytaks
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ASpMICd6G
And he let it rip just a moment later.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthlUNvJ2Wr
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9NN5uAeKs
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1Xj9U2Q2a
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j2Dm55hUg
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYnT9815QU
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVwHOnxdLw
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdPAUgirKr
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSV2gUscmB
“...!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLSNJoAzzi
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpVseK9DMY
None so fierce to kill my plant.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pKzB1wJqh
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z2DqrbFbH
“M-My arm!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4BOtUaMsS
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz00PK1IS4Y
But with how often they came, my arm came close to failure.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsbhfc7Q2p
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9O1lwUudG
“Juke!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYGljHYu5l
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh88yGZc2nu
“Gotcha, kid!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ukKvmyFoR
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2Jo3qsXWQ
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJyuvuxwIf
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1MdWZKQxQ
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw1RYC1nh0
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9nwjspeNC
I finally finished the spell with my left arm, and I shot it before I inevitably faltered.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkTvnNsGxs
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ih6zYp8DD
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8Sl0UQU8J
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScJGtWSpRy
“Hrk!”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUnx9orLRU
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt8lY3KRHc
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbtvq5i8AB
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiPdHUdcpp
The Bringer, whose back was skewered by Juke’s blade.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhdJTTrzNI
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9ebIS7MjF
“...”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpLHZR3RXn
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMikWwKE9nR
“Thank ya, kid. Ya made it real easy.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRESxGRN6qH
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkcLpc2Xv2
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf1p3xnV9V
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerXmYrCmAq
“Curse…”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAZrI1Bc9x
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02lqLrzsNF
“What’s that? Can’t hear ya.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs7R3sjx3L
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvuv8bi2GH
“Curse you, you strayfreak. Your days–”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxOJxUPHPl
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YmHEmqIby
He cut his sentence to cough. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth– an organ of his was hit269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdgeREMHxa
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNBHUUcW9G
“May they, be few.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCFJZISzv3
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9e2XV8pDJd
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKsqQ6dEoh
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0abQXavavf
Then he went limp. Juke dragged his sword out of the man’s chest, and he fell to the ground with a hollow thump.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKI4ATaTVd
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM05YGFzgU
“That was… sad.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsQCOtFzwq
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW7AsoadPB
“Sad,” Juke asked, tilting his head as he shook the blood off, “What’s so sad about killin’ this freak?”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9kIMAobYJ
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvwCh5UFsX
“Well, I’m glad he’s dead, but… I didn’t think it would be so, so meek.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z9NHRMc7I
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDwIbwWHG5
“...Yer weird, man. Yer weird.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphJqBwM8wl
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh1QLDMVOK
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9fqWadbel
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkf8jRsO5fM
“Good job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5IvsC8B7Q
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyBF3oBdb5
“C’mon, kid. A weakling like me–”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLOLnLBaFn
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgCtg0fnlY
“Don’t continue.”269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjAyxUM6L5
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3IPQ4ws25
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDjyab74j6
269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUnQc0nHiF
Instead, I collapsed to the ground, because the distance I ran had to catch up to me eventually.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQYiDXpe2D
