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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF2Fg2mO9I
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zaPd5Ff7J
Kim, Flinty, and Victoria leaned over to watch the scene. Ng, sensing no response, knocked on the door again.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDJ7LsDYEt
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RHF3s2OYe
"HEY! OPEN UP!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNd2qhdapvL
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeearEcrkvf
He was acting quite bossy for someone so afraid of his associate. My trifling suspicions were turning into full-fledged doubts.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDarptCPvg
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVG0gybeu8
"Something about this is fishy."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdmsUyM5wI
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFpdNzBpVz
I looked at the other three. They nodded in agreement.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKtvynSBGj
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbaACltlfu
"What should we do then?" Flinty asked.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfxNlTO7zc
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7rxBb8QmQ
"Kenny," Kim started, "take out your tendril. Prepare for anything unexpected."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNKxeL2O4m
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lVRhvJdOi
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY6tgkDGOm
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8cwwSKQM8
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDhSTVBeSm
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IeRzn9hW3
"Oh, that's Jeremiah. Jeremiah! Open the door!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPbFjZRCpo
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7WAnUZ1vB
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgh0iQDDGi
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7GF4uEn0L
And then.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEMrRPS7Eq
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJgp99x4cX
**SMASH**446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvg7a7QtpB
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrZMuurwmu
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUpxpU1Syy
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHeIoaI4y4
"AH! WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU– NO, HELP! HEEELP!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXASbMNvug
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKHx7jEBxM
His wails ceased upon a distant slam. Looks like he made it into the compound.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrOkVRyKGZ
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaOs30N016
"..."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSfUemquPk
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpJlQ505wj
What just happened? I looked at the others, and it was clear from their faces that they didn't have any answers.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKtjgiE5Mh
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vlkTxOHOe
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDBVJCFe5X
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDQBAdkAQ8
"..."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJ2r43FIEu
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMMz08uj8e
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0ABuQXqXg
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh158wJtxjH
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aXA4RjO4a
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMulDFHhrI
I took a deep breath. With the wall as support, I got back on my feet.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7GYP7buAu
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VaDCNdH3c
"We're getting the hell out of this forest."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TOQSSSCRZ
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1nOgNFBZw
I walked back to the group. Flinty was shaking on the ground. Victoria was surprisingly standing. Kim was the same.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7LkPiQ4ds
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjOJbzgKTa
"We need to leave. This is– whatever just happened, it's out of our league."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlYjB2rtfM
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwpF3OrJXh
Victoria nodded with me. Kim looked at me and began to speak.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZf2V7WaM5
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvDG5e6LlG
"Before anything, let's get away from the compound and formulate a plan."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHLjFriUHb
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d7jCRdNGX
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ks0UuB2s8
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPa4HE7XWg
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYQxWVh8jm
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aWPm9vQGM
"-enny. Kenny. Kenny!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5g5GghRlw
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlRc7VBvjz
"Huh?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6avjOonqH
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWWdrCpSMU
Kim was calling my name. It brought me back down to Earth.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZoGN33nMr
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjqyImXiPW
"What is it?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WxkWAiLPF
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUer3HnPBBg
"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?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX5Bzhzyj6
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9Rh6QEKBE
"O-Of course. Not just for my sake, but because Flinty shouldn't be here anymore."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0Ker20Ahl
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDk3gqquI7
Kim nodded. Victoria budged in.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7Trhidf3B
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaBGe5OGvQ
"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..."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5NrElWg5U
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a4V5ptAFM
She stopped talking and looked at the floor, clenching her fist.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsZEOzdnFQ
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgKdAMVUxL
"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."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYAu9IDVEn
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfoXeTk0jT
"Never in my sixteen years did I see something like that," she replied, "I don't even know how to start fighting it."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM3Y3I0VS8
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfyyVZSQIc
Kim nodded. She sat criss-cross and put a hand to her chin.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GH1OiENvf
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWd05XEIpD
"I know you two will disagree with this, but I think we should still try an infiltration."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa667tcdew3
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x1gPp7YaS
"W-What?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKhRz2yuDz
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EbSnMjBZ8
"Are you crazy!?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE1kCpMTqL
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mPfG4AI1x
We both yelled. Victoria continued.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUAjKcsvtc
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNqH8PtYRx
"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."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOmCJCwtSI
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4YsqQVxig
I nodded to her reasoning. The idea was absurd. But Kim immediately started her rebuttal.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2kcwJIw7P
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJuUjbQPM8
"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."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uyvI4YJFO
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRMcdr3r73
God, Kim, why were you calling that thing by its name?446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu4AjOP4x1
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yZgvwDqhe
"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."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXaXWJqTe5
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4hZMkAOy2
"Are you saying we really have a fighting chance?" I asked.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3gwIk5dgK
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilbdgV8lSz
"I'm saying we have much more than a fighting chance. We could obliterate the compound right now if we use your power, Kenny."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx9d0yoeuE
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB6pPKb1Ib
"I think you're severely overestimating me. I have nothing in my arsenal that can level a building that sturdy."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODp0BAaNPX
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyW6UujVP7
"Maybe not level it, but you have something that'll encase it, don't you?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI01iLKEuKI
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRtVGQ9Bwo
I tilted my head in confusion.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwQO9drGw7
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYbCpWevCS
"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."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW13dmLPW9E
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1xDRy3sp3
Nothing about this was sitting right with me.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl18VCH29EP
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfvjBwb8tO
"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!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d8HSN0bRc
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyunUcrAm1F
"Do you really think Ng has any ill will towards us?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9TwLDaDgL
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdeyErhPoB
"Of course I do!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyinlhQSdWc
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V7NN1TTKk
"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."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvscDyjF44
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7ydVTkPLf
"Y-You... Victoria, back me up here!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniXhDdQfwY
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9CvCwQxkk
"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!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFAa07LaDR
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNnHPV8sIJ
"But Kenny didn't use his ice. That was because of me, right Kenny? That was because I was in your line of fire."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TsB1Q9OfT
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAReWrXEUCS
I didn't respond, just averted my eyes.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXF3myvRgik
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLtrHpbJd8
"B-But why don't we just leave the forest, huh!? And what about Flinty?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1of5TBfMV
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLld3SC13WM
"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."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTVzga0nGH
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6LXMUB4jR
"Huh?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquVNeBH3Bz
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QkCKs0F9z
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDmRYUZUgZ
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHqpMBwAW0
"Flinty? Are you serious?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeCkn7Z6z8
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOOYmtbxu8
"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."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndVeSs7rTb
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbF8FT8GXN
She stood up and slammed her chest a few times.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLhb5Jmg1w
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyMVavgumW
"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."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo9AElthwP
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSPGANFFwg
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?446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zJIpgbRU2
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OS7TtWwOS
"B-But, Flinty... what if... what if..."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXENFyaGVVW
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zdqT34X6R
Victoria couldn't voice any rebuttal. Flinty was the final nail in the coffin.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQgf7xvxhp
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9F4XhCZRi
I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. It was Kim.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiDlW79rqt
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtIl4js8L3
"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."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWrUGrh9r3
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2O8bH7Lkv
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VMeGU5exc
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSDaf1IZyS
"You and your words... I was right about being suspicious of you."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJszkKf4rWr
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgxglftydv
"I'm sorry. I promise you'll be compensated for your efforts."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNBRvWR6mj
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDsQY3wuxg
"...With money?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfU9Kbs6w1
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMevjbDoivj
"With money."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRsi7VUu1d
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnCeJ5wf3l
"...I can't say no to money."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA81XyQnShe
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkr5ZO6mOP
For a second, I caught a smile from under her cloak. She offered me a hand and helped me stand up.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6Gz6VRT8r
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoTCJ4SV0S
"Then that's settled. What about you, Victoria?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1bdGpAN88
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9SqQRJrJa
She was still on the floor, giving us a pensive look.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCUWZxaYYG
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOH3WLmI0x
"...If we're doing this, then I'll fight anything that isn't the blob."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtAcUh969l
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeFX8bs6l6
"Alright. Then Kenny and I will help."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCDaLc65ZG
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIjlVWmMuN
Kim helped Victoria to her feet. I felt something touch my back. It was Flinty, she slapped my shoulder.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6q3yZ8x8U
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGReQKmF6Aw
"Let's do our best okay?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7miORhsUs
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSNtlDjlJw
"..."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetVy7FCfia
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThTGbzaocJ
I still had one more concern.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9ULERy7QL
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXV7eqKDsv
"Flinty, if the wolf gets to you while we're inside, what will you do then?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYA2htgmwu
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMdWQjLLRp
She averted her gaze.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lswdgyBKb
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4HLSgccRc
"I'll... if I need to, then I'll use the fireball. I'll use one like the one at Mister Freed's shop."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXypyajs8Z
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoNvjJGI92
"I see."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLMQxqq6ax
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM8J4FKF3Y
I unbuttoned my coat, took it off, and offered it to her. She looked it with apprehension, awkwardly raising a hand to her mouth.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSnTL3yrhN
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpUkkJB7nW
"K-Kenny? Are you sure?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi6NtiJRye
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwpvGTkfz1
"Uh..."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE371kTHj7e
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMBFvDn6uD
Crap. My cheeks were tinted rose.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkdMuyQtaM
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsI4JmqPFn
"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."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAH8lgzn1f
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbICkkf1Kf
She nodded and accepted my coat. It was a size too large for her, so a lot of excess cloth covered her legs. Perfect.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0twVpsxrA
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtPUTa7Gye
"This is really cozy, no wonder why you always wear it."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpSq2gMEZf
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Sv2qyxANo
"Heh. Anabelle is a good weaver, isn't she?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayM3kLnxZg
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtYI3h8Lie
She nodded. I felt slightly naked now, but I still had long sleeves covering my arms. I would be fine.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p22E9jMhh
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdYxIpTTQs
"Alright," Kim said, "are we ready to form a plan?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloNGkM9vqS
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvQHhHUElM
–
–
–446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5WCkRnlHl
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaMTwSauGL
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZjrxSnA2C
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIQMcz4AWa
"How does it look like?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCoGrN8nEV
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDqExcyNqn
"Clear. I heard some ruckus coming from the building. They're likely occupied with whatever that is."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYntBWd5rQJ
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPxueZhM3o
Ideal conditions have been met. I took in a breath and released the tendril. A Freeze-Dry bloomed from the tip.
"Are we ready?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jRGmL7hBy
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6f0RZFcze
"We're ready."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8ksIHLwiq
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i1y8wfzwU
I never imagined myself taking part in a siege mission. I would make peace with it later.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWiIwtmf09
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23wlc7b5zW
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9I8jLVeRr
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLd3YPI4lo
"How are we supposed to scale a ramp of ice!?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfIJDjFBUK
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPBlFYrXGd
She had a good point. I was a bit flustered.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gSrZmba9w
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwKnYgKgKS
"Then what do you propose I do!?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSKRERJ256
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR9LVttSXb
I could see Victoria's brain at work. I racked my mind for a solution.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qvYnQubgW
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7dgU5TCh4
"Just make little steps," Kim interjected, "and as we hop on them, make the next one bigger."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzzmvHcqLv
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgVrkl0IdT
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPEJenLDEU
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfiKLmHG5y
"Before we enter, let me inspect how it is inside."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTXsyzf0zA
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCuF5jNvUe
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkrrxpaCNL
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXsCafdWoG
They slept in conditions like this? They didn't even have a mattress. I almost felt bad.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61xHP1D7iw
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpufJcdbW3
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKIDgk8E2K
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZsnyKkm2u
"Ng, come on. I know you know better."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JVTIK1AxV
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8KERTuGCa
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LOJubJe5v
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8M37ZrkUu
"Y-Yeah. I know."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4hKYzeCcN
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eTPBVQplx
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34Pvrvyo2H
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15TEvBXjUj
"Then why did you let the prisoners out? We can't have our location disclosed to–"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsTTYn8Mmf
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYsPt8M8g0
**SHATTER**446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO6TseBNqs
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhzJjr1T8A
I fired the stone. I made sure to put enough power to where it wouldn't kill the man, but at least incapacitate him.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMTQaxNeFF
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsbVGWqJsE
I missed and hit the window, shattering it completely.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAQr4OXrr2
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69X7Kl8uBO
Ng and the man turned to us. I didn't have anything to say, I simply returned eye contact.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpUvAcpkzp
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreuz7ylKY3
"Now!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX30np7hAFB
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yG3LA056h
Kim and Victoria rushed ahead. The two men didn't fight back, they started running away. I knew Ng was in on this!446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI9MBEVZdg
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHyNKoKuUF
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdcbcskFu4
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPuPFosIWo
"What are you waiting for?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhR4ByAOBbM
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtE1DGlrAJY
"I still don't trust Ng."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHB3nhYPBM
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9gFX3pDaU
"Fine, then go after him!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XrnHxm0Kd
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rP7YBiABc
I nodded and rushed through the other door. I saw another set of stairs and Ng was already making his way down them.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9VMTQlHNv
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftsHaVNTsQ
"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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfEZBFzNkK
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcVQdSD4HB
"O-Okay, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just don't hurt me!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX0roMQYCG
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQL5D5tlGJ
He was already down on the ground with his head glued to the floor. I rushed towards him. Ng was... crying?446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRvrMKXPlY
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqznskWbhSy
"Are you seriously crying?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgdv8HTa4W
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLkBqvhKHr
"Huh?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ3EnoMLst
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l2ioUvKJg
He tilted his head up to me.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszKfkGsVk5
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBliTM2Fajo
"N-No, I'm not crying. Aren't you going to kill me?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN9no5tWbf
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcueB0GQEK
"K-Kill? I wouldn't go that far... Geez, get up already."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhFOqrBfp5
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAM9Vb8SY5
He did as he was told. He had a look of sincere confusion on his face. I didn't let that fool me, though.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmZFRvYyEQ
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFohAu6ivnB
"You, are you really on our side?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49fIGv0HWZ
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr59ghGwBj
"Of course I am! If my words aren't enough, then I'll happily take an official oath!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBvipKUVNt
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuFgsry4iZ
"Nobody's here to witness it, you moron! Nevermind this, just take me to your teammate already!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwN03IeUSE
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwO0qqNB5o
"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."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4GF9Av7qj
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWOzcDPtNw
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGxcX4Odry
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBmFs9BLa1
"Miss... I advise you to not open that door. It's best if we step away."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSaCFwEV5R
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfcNnxblTA
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Io62AgZhs
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpuxMAm2j7
"Panz! You, what do you think you're doing!?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaDBSOXMxA
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaExkW67jw
Panz, who was apparently still awake, feebly lifted his head and cackled.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKsuZuZwQx
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3bxgjUF1j
"As if I'd let you betray me like this so easily! I'll make you pay, Ng– ack!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz93xzZdoUM
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBm8cNyLMM
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffk7xd5D91
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4JrJK3V6K
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEwpMEpB0W
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eKjbf3usS
And then, suddenly–446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgz4dM3isq
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBsPkUOZt3
**SMASH**446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkMHmydt0b
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdo94HAtLX
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xZggjcMEp
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXidXy9cKH0
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUskHT0Emn
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6rMYwXEH9
"Crap! Everyone, be careful!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO56F5cEqOS
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ833TeRsOXA
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzrFOozJAh
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVAR5kCXTt
"H-Huh?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg9ZGGmEky
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbYfswDqQf
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMpm4V3GjU
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvvmYONHNM
"Victoria! Kenny! Ng! Head to the second floor!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8sTeP9t1J
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTxK1KKved
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJwCeQVpY0
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlG7QIB48d
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevg5yCJleE
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0GU73ta4b
"Ng!" I yelled, "Can't you control that thing!?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVuxx7maNv
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlukJhAToYL
"No! I am unable to resummon the creatures Panz has created, I can only do ones I have!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5TthJxr1v
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUmVx7oFok
"Like what!?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpvnubqIGn
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCv52BiBu3M
"They died last night!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw4rMVPyK2
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ieD22Ge4f
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwBCHP17Jv
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RzLecLpsv
Wait, escape route, of course!446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8ExCq4hSD
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuN3gXAGQW
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtjLhlV9N2
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xnBMcTQNB
"...Did I do it?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExnz2IZKkr
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwvPbDiGbV
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi1nhBunG9
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLiMBV7JEf
"H-Huh?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SyOufHn2Y
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1uiZg6xRv
She offered me her healing potion.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmDPXY4pbe
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5EUbpGYJ0
"Here. For your foot."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3YOFVutRs
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVp8H7YM9E
"A-Ah, thank you."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTd4RqGymx8
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0JWaU17HN
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T6xwweJvZ
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN3aSK0rWs
"Haaa, ugh."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFqiHplGKy
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhiNsySkS7
I stood up with help from Victoria.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KfHSUWdx5
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLXy0LlCVT
"Sorry. I didn't do anything."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ1ZXWeg1Z
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wkiH72r3l
"Please, don't be. Even I don't feel like I did much."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzih07gFo1w
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPkDtVqLJp
"Haha, you're too humble, Kenny."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1GUJGijf4
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59wWIUF2B9
She was noticeably shaken. Still, she held onto the unconscious Panz like it was nothing. I was beginning to relax.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMJAvtejCY
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VwcWFSp9f
"Don't let your guard down yet."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq7grg4aEb
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LvkXisNeR
I looked at Kim who was pointing a large ball of fire at the beast. Looking at the encased monster, I noticed it fidgeting.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZQGNRRwOI
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1MkpvmMjZ
"Crap. Crap!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5x5jRmGQk
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5zTpYDh8J
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZqXYXN3QJ
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvjpiCb6Mp
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPrI4SF1Na
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6gMlPppep
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqFeqdsOc1
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIodVXH6xRi
"K-Kenny!? Shit!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIcmzIExro
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe2WJ9Slus
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCEWHhN83S
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTDyIy25Mf
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviv2IqqxCq
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tKBo2u7NQ
A sinister curiosity crept within me. It was awfully nostalgic.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvqLhrqcNh
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYkciaxTDz
"Kenny! Kenny, are you awake!?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMSp1I53nj
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwPreJ6mf1
"Huh? Y-Yes!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K9dkTrlYA
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7KB9SwH65
"If you can, support Kim!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfabJ2iJJJ
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElgeCMC20e
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbsglvATl5
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8eKmQBLdJ
"W-Woah..."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIGbeFdThY
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7Lj2vpYpV
I spun the spear. I could swear I saw smoke emerge from the tip. I didn't think anything of it.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnvrVye8z1
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBvAziPhuZ
"KIM!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFpGvwgeFc
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRa4XJOpfvz
"Right!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJM7yFBosf
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbrDJHC7FC
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbpPUqOqvQ
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0t5UDVVAi
And so, I released the spear.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxcwbJu5Oo
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZFSWTTJUw
**SMASH**446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpWkoqOBNC
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DiO59a2ZX
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme7QPFgRVM
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZYhjUT5g4
Needless to say, the beast was slain. It faded away a second after. Right, it was made of mana, wasn't it?446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroAAjmVhd3
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEH9OuyVXP
"...Good job, Kenny," Victoria muttered. Kim ran towards me. I was still wincing, and that purple goop was still being expunged from my chest.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYmWJWmi0U
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwh7wNHj7e
"Kenny, out of curiosity, what is your earth magic grade?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGANYehHRYL
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqhoaePCGy
Was now seriously the time to answer such a question? She sounded giddy asking me, so I decided to humor her.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgHXC4tU2W
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIhAoGw7iG
"...Three. But, as I've learned today, my accuracy probably lowers it."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gkzfrDxd6
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lJpW88PDx
"No, what you just did was incredible."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8swuRruZMi
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEG32FWvIf
"Okay, fine, thank you, geez."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwP9aqOHv1
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXCVxszoPz
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–446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtExXUO13ue
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyen4tpjlaA
"I'm afraid that wasn't the last of them," Ng said.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMYJtl8qYZ
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCxOAtq4Y8
"Huh? Are you serious!?" Victoria yelled.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a3LYNv4vA
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg2u2ECOXA
"Unfortunately."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXVPjvicFa
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJzqwqzVXD
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpERNjR7oS6
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fnVsgPSsk
"Kim!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCTz5gTxaq
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnHgS1F13d
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWc65DGvmm
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdbyGoo4LM
The tendril was bleeding purple.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZoJXKVua3
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeLswZyyrp
"Kim! Ah, Kenny, we need to–446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WaazDdElV
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLcKYlMquu
**SMASH**446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMkBMe41xr
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6H3DL4AsF
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hCvNQoPKI
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYStNSPBMj
"It's Jeremiah! Kenny, you need to–"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOT9FBKc6j5
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuRM9rR6eW
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhamwqT03mM
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivVYvuEqMO
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrg963M1EUp
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmHMiEtqp3
"Victoria!" Ng yelled, "We need to escape! We can't fight Jeremiah now!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKWWlLl5dH
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGFg3SPsWu
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNwAksayJQ
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1lhzaq6YJ
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubMGlOTEF0
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgREaOBVCZy
"...Ngh."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumzNXsTcyb
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvCwPqgfSS
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXtRxT2FrT
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JeEoqps0r
"Haaa, haaa, shit, shit! Shit!"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXtvcQpvqb
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTyf0osZeZ
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.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarfCLVz9tH
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NtFxXMpMZ
But, through the stormy mess that was in my mind, one thought came to the forefront.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7JIsbv1pF
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHLLXqeEXg
The infiltration was a failure. Our ally was compromised. I failed completely.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5n3KeZkS4
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKsGoDI91h
I felt like I was going to die.
and then Add to home screen.