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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzWqcKW4Uz
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Kim, Flinty, and Victoria leaned over to watch the scene. Ng, sensing no response, knocked on the door again.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGREYNI2Wq
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"HEY! OPEN UP!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJucPQNN84
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1J2AgYLLr
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"Something about this is fishy."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFgbGTYIVe
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I looked at the other three. They nodded in agreement.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28l9V1vOnT
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"What should we do then?" Flinty asked.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZpTJGQVlW
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"Kenny," Kim started, "take out your tendril. Prepare for anything unexpected."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUlC2cqQCO
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp6NoGiJ4q
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMj3viYZAg
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"Oh, that's Jeremiah. Jeremiah! Open the door!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ5uRTtfbX
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Jeremiah? Naming something like that, is that some type of sick joke? I would've cackled if it wasn't for me trying to be stealthy. The walls were tall enough to where I couldn't see what was on the other side, but I could already imagine. The gates slowly opened, and Ng fixed his posture and had his hands behind his back.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zaWJqlK5C
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And then.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvSYv8uccc
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**SMASH**208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVdTOCwlpi
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TsPUCAvZP
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"AH! WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU– NO, HELP! HEEELP!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEpDmtyDg3
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His wails ceased upon a distant slam. Looks like he made it into the compound.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAyakV0QuU
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"..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWzSYecluD
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyC8l9hCVW
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb7slcGheE
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkph3oOJrm
"..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5H7GrBmHn
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MYB0APS4c
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsHz3h0Ubj
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I took a deep breath. With the wall as support, I got back on my feet.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGDB55MNq2
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"We're getting the hell out of this forest."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHvmgY0IZf
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I walked back to the group. Flinty was shaking on the ground. Victoria was surprisingly standing. Kim was the same.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTxSLKCTLC
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"We need to leave. This is– whatever just happened, it's out of our league."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aujUDPFBT
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Victoria nodded with me. Kim looked at me and began to speak.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIcPwJiZ9X
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"Before anything, let's get away from the compound and formulate a plan."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvKdAhbGa1
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiUkxcGTjy
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1hyQIRJ1P
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"-enny. Kenny. Kenny!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG34tRSqMiD
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"Huh?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAYep7lCXe
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Kim was calling my name. It brought me back down to Earth.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3uD3d5z9I
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"What is it?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0Pfgzifl8
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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?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlvfqJ1bH6
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK68tu9alZe
"O-Of course. Not just for my sake, but because Flinty shouldn't be here anymore."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBZR8zVFub
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Kim nodded. Victoria budged in.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcmROwOzKR
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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..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3cn6HNQps
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She stopped talking and looked at the floor, clenching her fist.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuSHb2Aahp
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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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZnwlUHmsg
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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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYGq1Fx4IP
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Kim nodded. She sat criss-cross and put a hand to her chin.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4QPjBamdw
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"I know you two will disagree with this, but I think we should still try an infiltration."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NJdpfdztw
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"W-What?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1q8BsH64l
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"Are you crazy!?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBngpiyvoP
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We both yelled. Victoria continued.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymPreBDHTH
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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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKUzYRCBKr
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I nodded to her reasoning. The idea was absurd. But Kim immediately started her rebuttal.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLWyYlevOP
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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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUa7D8uxpQ
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God, Kim, why were you calling that thing by its name?208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl76Y0MyAu
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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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU3pt1zaCw
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"Are you saying we really have a fighting chance?" I asked.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnLDWMI2d0
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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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wvq86nW8p
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"I think you're severely overestimating me. I have nothing in my arsenal that can level a building that sturdy."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdmmzkHPpJ
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"Maybe not level it, but you have something that'll encase it, don't you?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuQP4dvGo8
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I tilted my head in confusion.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7c2DknD1H
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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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCcmVfnhng
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Nothing about this was sitting right with me.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rLQi1AV0Q
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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!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdvsXy80qi
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"Do you really think Ng has any ill will towards us?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS2lzoxe95
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"Of course I do!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVNmPDYwzW
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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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsTmz6AEle
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"Y-You... Victoria, back me up here!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoJjsf97sa
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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!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDKz3NbShM
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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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzilJUKCSBj
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I didn't respond, just averted my eyes.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF28xkPeDg
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"B-But why don't we just leave the forest, huh!? And what about Flinty?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKFyi1vIFF
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUGwVvrkRu
"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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV3dGxwMIh
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeWUOdeIQt
"Huh?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXKwM2iGHz
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPPivRgItU
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUXSZw3DDQ
"Flinty? Are you serious?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kVAtGN8QK
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FtXWqOFxl
"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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjRuKA7cua
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvNjCmWkCv
She stood up and slammed her chest a few times.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KUKzEcvTw
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDAJTLCyaf
"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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRS44EsiFz
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucWtPDX8Lk
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?208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgO09fIekA
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmgZwtUjAe
"B-But, Flinty... what if... what if..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4KgouSEqW
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Victoria couldn't voice any rebuttal. Flinty was the final nail in the coffin.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGE58iitLx
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBET0FoU5k
I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. It was Kim.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iSBxu0RFn
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovL1HoNCbB
"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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqaEvXy8B8
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DkkxOc5i3
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK91XC2xxV
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM1zYxYYGs
"You and your words... I was right about being suspicious of you."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoUE8J0Nd6
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxlvPPlqnC
"I'm sorry. I promise you'll be compensated for your efforts."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qVpT44i9b
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzEBEqWmnq
"...With money?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT8SGhcQK1
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v9kFNBvaa
"With money."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k426726Kc
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXzSueANLm
"...I can't say no to money."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXN2NpA4aF
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9Kv4tygcW
For a second, I caught a smile from under her cloak. She offered me a hand and helped me stand up.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTUJVtIEFX
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfTNaoQbUm
"Then that's settled. What about you, Victoria?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOJcyipNOp
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She was still on the floor, giving us a pensive look.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8OBO5deFD
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gC3mZqPeL
"...If we're doing this, then I'll fight anything that isn't the blob."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjHVInc4E8
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqupx8YxSaK
"Alright. Then Kenny and I will help."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0qOSR3oRY
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRRWPCwx5t
Kim helped Victoria to her feet. I felt something touch my back. It was Flinty, she slapped my shoulder.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQcxVgNka0
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8no5Hc9HX
"Let's do our best okay?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfHoa9BaKX
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sgdZmdHnZ
"..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8Mf05MJHl
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9yrHJwdOG
I still had one more concern.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAeUwHUw6X
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIzXrwTfkW
"Flinty, if the wolf gets to you while we're inside, what will you do then?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU4KBKFJrX
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IZ4cjGeId
She averted her gaze.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsddWf7pfQs
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQuaoj1fm7
"I'll... if I need to, then I'll use the fireball. I'll use one like the one at Mister Freed's shop."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKbZIkLGRb
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqFRY5g6JL
"I see."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNKcJ7XGg9
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I unbuttoned my coat, took it off, and offered it to her. She looked it with apprehension, awkwardly raising a hand to her mouth.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmVWRM7vrD
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68VQ1ikWio
"K-Kenny? Are you sure?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrog610a5b
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxHI7ydwlu
"Uh..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIICuabLFE3
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Crap. My cheeks were tinted rose.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUPa2uaxSC
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoC9eozNMx
"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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx0HFyTRa8
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2msLgSyxJ
She nodded and accepted my coat. It was a size too large for her, so a lot of excess cloth covered her legs. Perfect.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QBh6HMaqX
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVsrgUXDcu
"This is really cozy, no wonder why you always wear it."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIYMsK7wCB
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYlcDWs9gb
"Heh. Anabelle is a good weaver, isn't she?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmV4bWgX1S
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zckj7PFbN
She nodded. I felt slightly naked now, but I still had long sleeves covering my arms. I would be fine.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIVMALuxbQ
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"Alright," Kim said, "are we ready to form a plan?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV6sPc8PeI
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–
–
–208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH1E338UM2
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6T6zXyyEJ
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFEXxl9J2h
"How does it look like?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44wqL1dVkA
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMa7QL0cHC
"Clear. I heard some ruckus coming from the building. They're likely occupied with whatever that is."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHOMVWO3wP
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOnAhISMvk
Ideal conditions have been met. I took in a breath and released the tendril. A Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip.
"Are we ready?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYN79x5QYl
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUPQNcc15V
"We're ready."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU8dnFkwf5
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ625zifTpun
I never imagined myself taking part in a siege mission. I would make peace with it later.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF1EOKZrpr
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiN7fSCi1S
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1M1BMfgeD
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJwXGouRqA
"How are we supposed to scale a ramp of ice!?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpvPEOBTtZ
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6SiHkjFFg
She had a good point. I was a bit flustered.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdHXtHK2iS
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlipLujpo8e
"Then what do you propose I do!?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OqssaDgnO
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJJXVsQ2Oj
I could see Victoria's brain at work. I racked my mind for a solution.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwMocl9Eaf
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj3x3GRrRm
"Just make little steps," Kim interjected, "and as we hop on them, make the next one bigger."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU8iNR65qd
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh2AbzhJYN
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96jeHsS6tH
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"Before we enter, let me inspect how it is inside."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSWr2qCtNT
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzdGuwlHNz
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkpgkfTnkr
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They slept in conditions like this? They didn't even have a mattress. I almost felt bad.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC5wNqOb8m
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMonZHdWoA
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyO0lKB1DD
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"Ng, come on. I know you know better."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCIJ60dTUT
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3RAD21q4j
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKTguXRpGm
"Y-Yeah. I know."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf84SBXtdsK
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaMNMjP2Ea
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL591V5cd7g
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAK4e9Fp3W
"Then why did you let the prisoners out? We can't have our location disclosed to–"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvtD5BxU10
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1FgYvrRMJ
**SHATTER**208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTzzRinlxw
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkLDnLO1Hm
I fired the stone. I made sure to put enough power to where it wouldn't kill the man, but at least incapacitate him.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Lms4zzd0z
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDQfL7GdkG
I missed and hit the window, shattering it completely.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchYQ64GHnV
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb8QS07es7
Ng and the man turned to us. I didn't have anything to say, I simply returned eye contact.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y4fxdUYOU
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pfykob0Ok
"Now!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYU3AG743F
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcGDLVQPgX
Kim and Victoria rushed ahead. The two men didn't fight back, they started running away. I knew Ng was in on this!208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiWXAb4hqj
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUer7ND5eg
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiONw6RznTE
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"What are you waiting for?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvu16P48gl
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5DAA95CBG
"I still don't trust Ng."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2av3XHHfOI
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT1l8vDMQp
"Fine, then go after him!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy0FEbZXla
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYven11vNIo
I nodded and rushed through the other door. I saw another set of stairs and Ng was already making his way down them.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsXp0hoY4u
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMyKpQImWW
"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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZjoi46FPi
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"O-Okay, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just don't hurt me!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kOXwXskNd
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0dD0qr8Uk
He was already down on the ground with his head glued to the floor. I rushed towards him. Ng was... crying?208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFNMpOtnwU
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFyl1XVrr3
"Are you seriously crying?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlI4rwApIch
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5CEfc6RXA
"Huh?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDU1ZCYkjT
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He tilted his head up to me.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxXrVz5qww
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"N-No, I'm not crying. Aren't you going to kill me?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5AvqljAgO
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblNDSVFb4Q
"K-Kill? I wouldn't go that far... Geez, get up already."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugx14T51oa
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3DbmBljNW
He did as he was told. He had a look of sincere confusion on his face. I didn't let that fool me, though.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpFgthVHj7
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQGTP4qzWr
"You, are you really on our side?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGScz7YUNX9
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E0O7thFgJ
"Of course I am! If my words aren't enough, then I'll happily take an official oath!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYY7Eb5SJb
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6soDg1xFLr
"Nobody's here to witness it, you moron! Nevermind this, just take me to your teammate already!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKOSq5l7UQ
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDxlmGdfCl
"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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfR2uDs3ep
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj2bHboAnV
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxa7ejpnKIf
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PTNKjTBe4
"Miss... I advise you to not open that door. It's best if we step away."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7j4rkX2qq
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2H8UslDSMw
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1MhiU9la1
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGtUnGAcdy
"Panz! You, what do you think you're doing!?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhCkoaVmmJ
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzYP1xivVx
Panz, who was apparently still awake, feebly lifted his head and cackled.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFYcBi6ia3
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODWQk6Xz2z
"As if I'd let you betray me like this so easily! I'll make you pay, Ng– ack!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKduc6f3AJ
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKR6x9Q7Gh
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyHWOPxaOT
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxI3eG5eoE
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFh7uB5LB4d
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBMuuaGqhb
And then, suddenly–208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMApz9jFWN
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**SMASH**208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAloHcBnWR
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9GDeMkCkx
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DmqGdvbcD
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD30jDMMdaE
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRKlvhvoHi
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ3EA4IF6p
"Crap! Everyone, be careful!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQy1CzVK6v
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaXwcG2ItM
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYBQAmYWHh
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"H-Huh?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoou8jC2w8
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucwWOLOOkH
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"Victoria! Kenny! Ng! Head to the second floor!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcodO0d94CR
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwTa4IVNL8
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVh83dpgI7
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"Ng!" I yelled, "Can't you control that thing!?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkZZI45RCg
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ogHnILkwx
"No! I am unable to resummon the creatures Panz has created, I can only do ones I have!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkjhRXfzu8
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfWkzj7ui3
"Like what!?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKb0sw0eX5
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"They died last night!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiS03WmyJh
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Oh. I knew what he was talking about. This situation was growing dire. The beast slowly descended the steps, seemingly unbothered by the barrage of fire. I shot another seed at it and claimed its left arm Crap, I missed the nick. The beast wailed yet again and jumped in place, destroying the staircase instantly. Our escape route was now blocked off.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkJ8wyRXoc
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Wait, escape route, of course!208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZI0KYNGYcq
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I produced a Freeze-Dry from my tendril and began mana spinning. The beast was keeping still from the constant attacks. I let immediately let out as much ice as I could. In a flash, half of the entire second floor was covered in ice, and the beast was immobilized.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPZJx5OrgS
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"...Did I do it?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiaaHAV92Y
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH2bZfEfzL
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"H-Huh?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFs3EmUQybm
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She offered me her healing potion.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNzB7KQpYv
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"Here. For your foot."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvKlRXEKeB
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"A-Ah, thank you."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhQHoJlR8a
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I took the glass and gulped it down. It was the most effective intake for injuries like sprains, though the taste admittedly made me want to vomit.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFdggRPoT4
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"Haaa, ugh."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGL1rfUJACr
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I stood up with help from Victoria.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjbNEo6okS
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"Sorry. I didn't do anything."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuML6EaViT
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"Please, don't be. Even I don't feel like I did much."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tiizVwpvp
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"Haha, you're too humble, Kenny."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfQwWcbJhg
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She was noticeably shaken. Still, she held onto the unconscious Panz like it was nothing. I was beginning to relax.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHH9qDAzhz
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"Don't let your guard down yet."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2WFJDNOTo
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I looked at Kim who was pointing a large ball of fire at the beast. Looking at the encased monster, I noticed it fidgeting.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQatd3sIYW
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"Crap. Crap!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv8IwWNCTP
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The Freeze-Dry was a dud. With the Sunlight-Blossom and Freeze-Dry already used, I switched to the last combat plant I had in my arsenal; Dragon-Maw Jr.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJctha8soNa
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXs4EawWL1
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltjzQRuQjS
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"K-Kenny!? Shit!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZkTga28Ue
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFwCP78Zk5
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This pain... it was like my own arm was ripped off. I was more shocked than anything. I let out a weak laugh. I had no idea the tendril was this intertwined with my nerves. I felt a liquid permeate my shirt. I reached into it. It was coming from my chest. When I looked at my hand, I didn't see blood as I thought I would, but a deep purple.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxVg8gWWXS
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A sinister curiosity crept within me. It was awfully nostalgic.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ782VDTSm
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"Kenny! Kenny, are you awake!?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdkqZ8Jfk1
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"Huh? Y-Yes!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5stvpKy8Hs
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"If you can, support Kim!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdA0q9OBk1
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqSRX11yYA
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"W-Woah..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAgG9RhJxT
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZMEzpvjT0
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"KIM!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDzrOdjrOr
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"Right!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWvLX9D0Ho
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKueeAbPA4y
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And so, I released the spear.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpoMjocsUK
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**SMASH**208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61TRJFU9iV
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The spear traversed the room in a blink of an eye. I struck it square in the chest. A hole formed in its chest, and it grew to such a size that anything from the shoulders up separated from the rest of the body. Then, the wall behind the beast was torn down, almost as if it was blown up.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWQw2gftjH
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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?208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbz5YOOzCG8
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4DupAIABc
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"Kenny, out of curiosity, what is your earth magic grade?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY4dZn1Bvv
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMuCRLqJN2
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"...Three. But, as I've learned today, my accuracy probably lowers it."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwbukLNRPu
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"No, what you just did was incredible."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSwZbWuBil
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"Okay, fine, thank you, geez."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Jc5BwdQPM
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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–208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSjnstpXl9
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"I'm afraid that wasn't the last of them," Ng said.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrDaSW3D6z
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"Huh? Are you serious!?" Victoria yelled.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EhpEUpZ3S
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"Unfortunately."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqEqwwrzCb
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVajzPlhAT
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"Kim!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgZW81WkCT
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrfAsWYkyJ
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The tendril was bleeding purple.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu8wGDEWAB
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"Kim! Ah, Kenny, we need to–208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUxELBMDZd
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**SMASH**208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9HZVYYh1r
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeDCLLCle9
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"It's Jeremiah! Kenny, you need to–"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCMk5vT5ik
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0yoPnNwfo
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If I had to guess, Ng could make all of that out from my gaze alone. He grabbed a hold of me. I coughed out some of the purple goop. Victoria was standing around, dazed and lost.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbnUR42Eoj
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"Victoria!" Ng yelled, "We need to escape! We can't fight Jeremiah now!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4jmMlIH4X
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1gmxJoq5s
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3r4nI9OEl
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"...Ngh."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9oiWhLwxY
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DrYhOHnXP
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"Haaa, haaa, shit, shit! Shit!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnzhB37QYx
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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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknRFexTnVs
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But, through the stormy mess that was in my mind, one thought came to the forefront.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bHRKfm9Vn
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The infiltration was a failure. Our ally was compromised. I failed completely.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tHbjDE3Yp
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I felt like I was going to die.
