When Rover separated from Kenny, she created a mission for herself. She wanted to find the way up the tower and rub it in his face. She knew Kenny wouldn't mind it very much, but she didn't particularly want to enrage Kenny. She just wanted to throw a jab or two his way. It was fun for her. A type of fun that was harmless and calm, one she usually found in hearing stories.
Besides, the quicker she delivered this stupid letter to the stupid Dean, the faster they could leave and avoid all the stupid nonsense this city was going through.
So, Rover didn't traverse the building all lax and slow. She didn't spend her time ogling at the architecture or meticulously investigating what was behind those doors. No, when she deemed the distance between her and Kenny far enough, she broke into a sprint, covering the grounds of the hallway almost immediately.
When she turned the corner, she saw something at the end that was unlike the walls. From this distance, she could only tell that it was an opening, but there were signs beside it. Rover, proud of her senses for a reason, spotted the engravings on the signs from across the hallway. It was the caricature of somebody ascending rudimentary steps.
Rover smirked. She found her head start. She made it to the end of the hallway in a near instant. However, she didn't walk up the stairs immediately.
"..."
Kenny had told her to meet back at the entrance if they found anything. This suggestion was holding her back, which surprised Rover.
But, many things have been surprising her today. Many things about herself, about others, the list could go on. Though Rover had a part of her that wanted to honor Kenny's suggestion, her eager, daring part wanted to rise up those steps and get this letter delivered right here and now. In fact, she wanted to do it so fast that by the time Kenny would finish his inspection, she'd be back to meet him with their mission completed.
She listened to the latter part and ran up the stairs.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw665ARIrff
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyiyHK9Qqs
What she found when she arrived on the second floor– which was a longer trek than she expected –was a series of rooms isolated in glass boxes. The floor was carpeted and there was a central path that branched off to all the rooms, with a few leading to doors embedded into the walls. Rover didn't care for the framework of the room, instead focusing on finding an exit. Unfortunately, the maze-like structure of the floor made navigating it difficult. Rover concluded that one of the doors lodged into the wall must've led to the next floor, but even though there were no obstructions to her vision courtesy of the glass, finding an exit from any point of the room was impossible.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64uq9E0Nwn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6QAapjWVM
"W-Who makes their rooms this confusing!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALVGFbjgcL
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcUyFcnd81
Rover had nobody to voice her complaint to, however, so she saved it for whatever draftsmen would face her first and scoured the room for an exit. Though she compared the structure to a maze, in reality, the paths lead to destinations without any deliberately puzzling forks. Still, traveling in this area, where everywhere she looked had a desk and chair loitering around, was disorienting.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bcRphLGwg
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qjGFpt0Fn
She managed to arrive at one of the wall-embedded doors. She tried to open it, but the door didn't budge. She tried to kick it down, but even with her physical prowess, the door didn't falter.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDgfM47A4K
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ryuJFnA56
It was reinforced with mana– that was Rover's conclusion, and as Rover was unable to use any magic, there was no way she could tear the door down with just her strength. Maybe if she was stronger, she thought, but she discarded the idea quickly. She turned around and retraced her steps, tilting her head downward and fixing her eyes on the carpet. She returned to an intersection, and with two other paths to choose, she decided on the left one. The path only led to an ensemble of glass boxes, however, so she retraced her steps yet again.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNWmlnY3iE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd2KyQs5EK
She was beginning to get a little thirsty. She began to regret her self-imposed restlessness. Nevertheless, she continued searching, and searching, and searching–
"--Who's there?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPxgo318rX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab9VjiLrRZ
It was faint. It could've just been a trick of the mind, or maybe the floor was settling from all the garbage placed onto it. But, she heard a distinct noise. She was sure it wasn't her body making it, or the rustling of her baggage. No, it was a noise of something foreign. So, she spoke out, sharpening her eyes and hearing to where even her heartbeat didn't fall upon her.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZuW0xHecn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLTtAKDtKs
–Again. There it was again. She began crossing out the possibilities. It could no longer be a trick of her mind, nor could it be the settling of the room. Therefore, she asked again.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5VFUQ8w4s
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXym8ZBr2QV
"Who's there?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulkYZvrAIM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmrLZccCi1
She drew her rapier. Her eyes darted around the room. Whatever, or most likely, whoever made the noise, was hiding behind one of the dozens of desks sprawled around.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfPkksw2Gd
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwIFeeVQ6a
Therefore–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV61bWehjY
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrH13SJ672
**SHATTER**231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fnvjCeCLw
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Wozpiu5lN
She would attempt to draw them out. And what better way to do so than to cause a little mayhem?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunlyajEtzX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhiTIGGh18
With a series of swift kicks, she shattered the glass boxes in her immediate vicinity and toppled over all the desks and chairs that her limbs could reach. But, even through all the noise and rumbling, she never let her vision drift away from her surroundings.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUg90hOi9La
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Her hasty action drew out her desired result.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9h24xDuom
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFbeFZoAOl
"You're an insolent, deleterious girl, but you have good discretion."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfQfYt1AZ6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTeDtVnDQg
A man popped up from a distant set of tables. He grabbed a chair and chucked it, shattering a glass wall in its trajectory toward Rover. She merely kicked the flying object into a wall.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡys2XT9amvW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU15dldHKht
"Powerful, too."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HU2uLueCW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKBsbOB4kf
Rover raised her rapier, brandishing it and pointing it at the man.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGsln4vFGa
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bo4MxeXJV
"I don't know what deleterious means. Is that supposed to be a compliment?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeULk4nEKmV
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2BeNUoC0k
"If the poor man who will have to clean up after your mess thinks so, then yes."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaeOfUuA6X
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxPauAM2RD
Rover narrowed her eyes. It wasn't just the fact that he liked to hide, but his articulation infuriated her. She was naturally wary, but holding back the desire to rush in and ravage him was difficult.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu4rA1dNks
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3gypBCf3n
She inspected the man's outfit, seeing a large coat, reaching to his ankles. He likely had a set of weapons hidden beneath it. After all, Rover thought, men with hair as kempt as his always carried an excessive deal of weaponry.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxhLHUyFGW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ8zf4lb5N
"...I don't know how you got up here, but it's obvious that you're a threat. Sorry, I'll have to fight you now."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdWCbjKewU
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ABmgCQ0GW
The man fiercely unzipped his coat and reached both his hands inside, taking out a duel set of–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkbowqLWv7
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhdRYST5Sf
"Crossbows!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLhVdCKQKl
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLN0nSMiyit
Rover's heart sank, but only for a moment. The crossbows weren't big or imposing, and Rover couldn't begin to fathom how he would reload them, meaning that handling them was clunky. It wasn't so different from fighting a mage. At least, it shouldn't have been.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefoTjmPC87
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eMHWD6o53
But Rover saw two pillars– or, what could be better described as chimneys –attached to the ends of the crossbow, creeping from the depths of his coat. The man fired them, and Rover evaded them easily, but then another couplet followed, and then another, and another, and another–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3miOjdzNQz
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHIgAmnbAq
"Ngh! How!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSR7RTMtnq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoKAAeLDNS
She flipped a desk over and used it as a shield, blocking the maelstrom of arrows to little effect. Their momentum was stopped, but the arrowheads happily pierced through the several inches of thick wood, stopping just short of hitting her face. Unfortunately, the cumulative force of the arrows ruptured the table, splitting it in two and forcing Rover to roll away to grab a new one. She went through two more desks before the flurry of arrows ceased. Cold sweat ran down her spine, but with the quantity of her sweat, it would be more accurate to call it a river.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAQ87Su4jt
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L8DzbzHsU
Rover peered over the desk. The man clicked his tongue and put his crossbows back inside his coat, and Rover exhaled in relief. The man dug through his coat and pulled out a large, serrated knife.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8wZ79A698
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkD5NtXaXn
"I'm a fool, using my crossbows in a place like this where you can simply block them. Arrows don't come cheap."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpv3AYVMlM5
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDaxMniBa8
"What are you talking to me for? Are we going to fight or not?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhLam6vT5H
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WmyrC3lm0
"You ought to know the answer by now."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPKOVfUqKG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSqHOZaIZC
The man entered into a restrained fighting stance, taunting Rover by jerking his fingers and telling her to bring it. Rover was more than happy to oblige.
As she ran to the man, bursting through glass walls, she grabbed her parrying dagger and raised it. The man backed away and hopped onto a desk, kicking a chair at Rover. She blocked it with her arms and shoved it aside.
"--Huh?"
The chair had blocked her vision for barely over a second, and yet, the man had disappeared from her view. She frantically looked around the floor but found nobody, likely meaning–
"You're hiding behind a table again!"
With how little time had passed, the man must have been hiding by the desk he stood on. Rover rushed to the desk and kicked it and nearby ones over. Indeed, Rover had found the man, but she also found a ball of water hovering right in front of his palm.
Rover's instincts kicked in and forced her to duck, allowing her to get by with just a few grazed strands of hair. But the man didn't let up, rushing at her with his knife in both hands. Rover backed away from the first thrust, but the man caught up quickly and thrust at her again, forcing Rover to parry it with her dagger.
She'd typically be thrilled about such a situation, as having the opponent's weapon interlocked with her dagger made their movement cumbersome. But his weapon was light and smaller than hers. Rover realized it too late, and thus, the man was able to easily deliver a kick to her abdomen, knocking her away.
She didn't go far, and though the kick hurt, it granted her beneficial information.
"Ack," the man shouted, shaking his foot like he'd stubbed his toe, "that was through a shoe, too! Are you made of iron?"
She smirked. Rover now knew her physical strength was superior to his.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rhTaIA0a1
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVckX8mmoB
"Before we keep going," she started, "what is your name?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVug2saTwn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqULNBqp4lu
"Hmm? What's this, are you trying to duel me?"
"What else would I be doing!?"
The man lowered his knife for a moment, tapping his chin–
"I decline."
And dashing towards Rover yet again. The split second of rage Rover felt from his response was enough to stun her and allow the man to close the distance. He thrust his knife at her repeatedly, then switched to slashing, the first of which Rover quickly blocked with her rapier. She reacted faster than the man and delivered a kick from the side, but her foot didn't meet with the man's body. Rover looked down and saw the man's free hand open, and a tiny yet dense mass of stone was in between that and her foot.
"Tch!"
She dashed away, shaking her head and clearing her mind, then took the offensive. She poked her rapier at the man, able to stay at a distance where his knife couldn't reach her. The man kept backing away and dodging her thrusts until he collided with a table. Rover smirked, reeling her arm back and stabbing the rapier into the man's leg– but it failed. Instead, the man perfectly blocked the oncoming strike with the flat side of the knife. Rover's eyes widened, the brief moment of disbelief weakening the force she was applying, and allowing to shove her rapier aside. Nonplussed, but more so because of her broken stance, a punch to the face and subsequent kick to the stomach sent Rover rolling across the floor. The glass tore her clothes and dug themselves into her lower legs.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kiJRL6GPb
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h9pcLs5iM
"Hrk! Ahh, this sucks!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY2TWmgWZd
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwg9vXW1G6
The prickling pain of dozens of miniature shards lodged into her skin was as oppressive as it was unique. Rover struggled to grit her teeth through it, and more than that, struggled to keep her legs standing straight.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74C8DD1v3Z
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTA2KbEj72
"Phew. Give up now?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbndZMzyKd1
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"'Course not, just thinking."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHeEnzMifG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHE2Je7io8
Her rapier was an effective but exploitable tool. She also lost a substantial amount of mobility, and now blood was slowly leaking from her body. The one time she utilized her dagger only led to a counterattack, but that instance was a defensive use.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AVKSHKsBS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3Jt8UOkHo
The man didn't let her analyze the situation unperturbed. He broke into a sprint, yet again clutching his knife in both hands. But Rover had already sheathed her rapier brandished her dagger, and challenged the man's rush.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUHAcq01Ap
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP3hoHmIWw
The surprise on his face was evident, and he skidded to a stop. Rover weakly slashed at him and the man backed away. She caught the hem of his coat but missed his body. The man didn't rush in again, instead, continuing to back off. He freed one of his hands and began mana expulsion.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYAB6TYlpR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFQbLl2TeV
"--Shit!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA2Xjov9v7
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMR6ABzqwB
Rover realized how precarious the situation had become. After all, if the very thing locomoting her had been impeded, then evasion became a mountainous task.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwxX4ypWib
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a2knhfcNt
The man must have had a similar epiphany.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn59sI50rWU
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsav9GhXqB
It was a blade of wind this time. It was speedy, but Rover could tell that its strength was far less than the water spell from before. Instead of dodging it, she grabbed her rapier, still in its scabbard, and blocked the spell.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxtCRofqTL
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCG4COeevE
"--Huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxULyy1qwt
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Rover was surprised by her move's effectiveness. Or, rather, she was surprised by how weak the spell was. Then, she lowered the scabbard and looked at the man again, who was preparing a far more voluminous spell.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdxiCxYKuW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTccKFaIrj
Before she could even react, she was sent flying.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHjXTQy6Dz
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFIJfIVJBw
The spell itself didn't hurt her, but the distance she was flung was simply absurd. She flew across the entire floor, only stopping when making contact with the wall. She slid down, rubbing her back when she met with the floor.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnQ46e6aiU
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3peCkBRQT3
"Ngh..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKinzv4AsA
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She got on her feet, using the scabbard to help her rise. Her breathing was heavy, and her vision was becoming hazy.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFOIlMOdq7
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdCakI5r7a
"This just... isn't my day, damn it."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj7daFgyhB
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ241p8s0jQ9
"--Rover!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplHBELv7kp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf36CyjnNtX
And then, she was taken out of her exhaustion, if only for a moment. A familiar voice, yet one that should not be here, called out to her. She turned her head to the person with the voice and saw a red-haired boy with a white coat peeking out of the floor's entrance.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xZkresXFX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ116Ixg0jQd
"K-Kenny!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uQYUEhsaX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaaF1RJi0p
"Rover– goodness, what the hell happened here!? Actually, nevermind that, listen, you–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ttwcmtwlz
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy1gPvBqDl
"Sorry, Kenny, I'm in the middle of something here."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrCZQxyeCt
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupAbmhoOMF
She straightened her posture and rubbed the saliva off her chin, limping to continue her fight.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeIlOA2dhO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr3btwZBr0
"What are you doing!? Look at yourself, you're in no state to fight!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jkwuZGFTm
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZlgdR3op2
She turned her head to him, conflicted.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyREFruOq0S
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KfKqTnFEa
"I... So what, I don't need your help! I've got it under control, it's fine."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaNT1fdmWJ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lspWLDQtF
Kenny grimaced and pinched his nose. Then, the door opened again, and out from the threshold walked a white-haired woman in a robe.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m3is5aF1T
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27sC5ipfeU
"W-who's that," she asked, confusion momentarily overtaking her burning drive.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKWfCis9zf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cyMJcTQ7G
"Ah, you must be Kenny's friend. We can introduce ourselves later. Please, stand aside for the time being."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrzXsUXOHA
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVrYheoWkm
"H-Huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG0jcrZYS3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sIKoNL5nx
The woman walked with a bold gait, brushing past Rover without even sparing a glance. Kenny ran up to her, gnawing at his finger as he looked over her wounds.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwPtIqwLke
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgnQ1abeQS
"You... you are so reckless!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsJLWIZEpi
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauBRVdTvGr
Then, the boy raised his voice, stunning her.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9quVGH5zGR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztz0j1zL7N
"Why is fighting the first thing you do, huh!? Can't you use that head of yours for something else!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSlR8MhyEh
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTj0WZPGsb
His words, to her surprise, slashed at her egregiously.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sEy0tG4ys
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeNOoYULPz
"...T-The hell are you talking about!? What else was I supposed to do!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzntA4TsO5
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5XNvkHOL6
"Didn't you think of waiting, or running back to me or something!? I could have shown him that note! Or, if nothing else, we could have fought together!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Tfxn5L6tZ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmy8ra0DRe
"--!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr26NbUzGup
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjn9l6DZqZ
His words had left her paralyzed and her mouth agape. Kenny's expression was suddenly tainted by guilt. He exhaled and rubbed his head.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99lnRiCnVi
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmVAbQAqZi
"Sorry, I'm just a little angry right now. But, I'm glad that you're fine. Relatively speaking."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM64ou0XKb
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFufGW6bKB
"I... hmph, of course I'm fine!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKBmAfaeSS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY1SboBWoC
A light smile found itself on his face.
"We'll talk later. For now, let's defuse the situation."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf5BV7oguX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yYafyLq1r
Kenny walked past her but stopped just short of passing her to speak.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGJkeL6s3t
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxYGEjz6S0
"S-Seriously, though. You have no idea how glad I am that you're still alive. I don't know if I could've handled it."
"...Handled it? What do you mean?"
Kenny blinked a few times and shook his head.
"N-Nevermind, I said something weird, ignore that."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWnQzinOc3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvcEPBg9R8
Rover turned around, eyeing the two new figures in the room. Kenny was behind the mysterious woman with his tendril out and a bellicose stance. The woman had a peculiar two-pronged dagger. Rover found it strange; she knew that they would be trying to talk the situation out, but they were poised to battle at any moment.
"Pars," the woman spoke, "I'll keep it quick. These two are here to deliver a letter issued by the Zariel Kingdom itself. I know you're a stuck-up guy, but please, don't force me to fight alongside them."
"..."
The man didn't immediately respond, but his posture did loosen.
"Stuck-up? Really? What'd I do to get on your bad side?"
"Oh, come on, you know your sins."
The man sighed.
"Is there a reason I should believe them?"
"Why, yes, there is."
Kenny took it as a cue and reached for his pocket, unfolding and showing the note. The man nodded, opened his coat, and placed the knife in.
"That better be authentic. Not like it matters though. It isn't as if I'd win a fight against you Lola."
–
–
–
I had a lingering anxiety during the exchange. After all, Lola had told me that Pars was an obstinate individual. I was left doubting her assessment. Judging by the look on her face, even she was reconsidering it.
Still, though, a victory was a victory, and it deserved some kind of celebration. I spent mine dropping to the floor, narrowly avoiding the sea of glass and panting as the delayed exhaustion set in.
"Phew... that was nightmarish."
I retracted the tendril and wiped the sweat off my brow. A little this sounded beside me, and I turned to find that Rover had joined in my rest.
"You don't look happy," I said.
"Hmph. I've got a sour taste in my mouth. I dunno how to feel about this."
"Well, be glad you're still kicking, and dread the scolding I'll be dishing to you."
"You already gave me a good one, there's no need to waste your energy."
Then, Rover began to pick the glass out of her legs. It was obvious from her wincing that the process hurt. I didn't have a potion on me, but I did have something to soothe her. I took out the tendril and summoned a Soothe-Bloom. Rover looked at it quizzically.
"...So that's the tendril you were talking about."
"Hmm? Did I not show it to you?"
"No! Don't you remember how much of a priss you were about it!? Eh, forget it, what does that flower do?"
"Just watch. Or, listen, I suppose."
The Soothe-Bloom shook, and a gentle chime rang throughout the room. It was a single and quick occurrence, and it left Rover only more perplexed.
"Alright, try picking the glass now."
"Okay."
Much to her nature, she tugged the largest one she could find, her mouth agape at the speed at which the wound was closing.
"W-Woah, it barely hurts. Is this some kind of black magic?"
"Black magic!? Don't insult my plants like that!"
She paid little heed to my demand, continuing to pluck the glass out of her legs. She finished a few minutes later. I offered to wash her legs with water magic, which she accepted when I insisted. Afterward, she got on her feet. Her leg was still injured, but the bleeding had stopped thanks to the Soothe-Bloom.
"I feel... kinda tired, though."
"You just fought somebody and had your wounds speed-healed. I'm surprised you didn't fall asleep."
"Huh? That flower knocks people out?"
"No. Not directly, at least. Anyway, enough of that."
I got up, swiped the debris off my shorts, and walked to Lola and Pars, moving around all the toppled furniture. The two of them were talking about something, but from the little bit I caught, I couldn't distinguish what.
"Hello, kid," Pars started, "Kenny, right? Look, I don't want you to get the wrong idea from Lola here. I'm a decent guy, just a hard worker. She likes to ignore that part, though, which–"
"I do not care about that. I just wanted to know if you two were ready to lead us to the Dean."
Lola let out a chuckle and Pars, a tired sigh. Lola took the initiative in the conversation.
"Don't mind him, he's still young. Whenever your friend is ready, we'll gladly lead you."
I turned my head behind me and looked at Rover. I threw her an oscillating thumb, asking her for an assessment of her condition. She smiled and returned a stern thumbs-up.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBENozbLrc
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcmYO2Ym7Y
"Looks like we're ready. If you don't mind, though, could you please get her some bandages?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5niuzgweX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGh5CmsK3j
–
–
–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxfDpoI7Jr
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Rover and I were at the final stretch. We were walking through the floors of the building like it was a morning stroll, all thanks to our guides. Truly, if it weren't for them, we would have gotten hopelessly lost.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu0PKRdgyT
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaugPNQhL3X
According to Pars, the interior of the Pillars was designed to disorient those unfamiliar with it. Rover spoke from her experience and confirmed that the design worked. The Pillars were perfectly defended from the outside, but hiring someone to infuse their mana for every square inch of the building was an impossible proposition. So, instead, the builders were ordered to make each floor– with the first being a notable exception –like a maze. The walls were also stuffed with foam, which explained how I didn't catch any noise from Rover's fight until I reached the stairs.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2SKxjkBIf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIbhLi1rKU
Speaking of Rover, she was glum, moody, and seemingly deep in rumination. I thought that it had something to do with her pride since she scratched at her bandages very frequently, but it turned out that they were just made of shoddy fabric that normally irritated skin. I realized that I was overthinking and that it would be best to just ask her, but I hesitated to do it. The mood was gloomy, however. If nothing else, I could claim I was just trying to liven the place up.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbo81Rfn1N8
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSkPk64XbF
"So... Rover, what's on your mind?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL16yKzUXzY
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMcjGTrO6j
"I'm thinking about what you said. Don't talk to me right now."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWNJzz5I31
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxJtgCErMH
"O-Oh. Carry on, then."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdufb56ueHF
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I was shot down quickly and was left feeling sheepish. Somehow, hearing that she was thinking over my words was foreboding. It scared me into being silent, but I still wanted to talk about something, since simply talking and walking through these floors was nerve-wracking.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRrcQSXQfn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dM5y2fTLf
So, I decided that now was a better time than ever to ask a question that had been plaguing me for hours.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMee1yf1Xbx
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJsaaaJMif
"Hey, Lola, do you mind if I ask that question I was talking about?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWSt3jZY7J
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WFl6hfkGP
"Hmm? What are you referring to?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDJ17YAspc
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dETsX2f8B
"...Nevermind. Can I ask you a question?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzAaqalasu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP0vNcdnJf
"Of course."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QuMIC2rtO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxSqVxefGS
"Hey," Pars interrupted, "Why don't you ask me that question? Come on, give me a try."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ684GylqmaJ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUN3jKM9Gj
I blinked a few times, failing to see any reason why not.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4UHMvpBtH
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdlliH7fPJ
"Very well. What is going on to make the security so tight?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhB24MQcnrM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWi9nn4q52b
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXB2EhykS7f
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEjGRalUk1
I was met with silence. Lola and Pars exchanged looks, Pars' expression grim.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvW75Hf6R2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrJRpitD2S
"Since they are delivering to the Dean, why don't we–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqebmBOKeFx
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHga28VggbO
"No. We have been explicitly told not to share. I won't make any exceptions."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5Jjc92wwu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ5E0Cf07g
Lola frowned and let out a tired sigh, rubbing her brow.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iUltlGXM4
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2on0vcuIM
"If you can't answer, that's fine. It would ease my anxiety if you did, though."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXBsv3b52i
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5WrJzdUrv
"Then I suppose I have no choice."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAm5boJmQP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50Dc0oBwH9
"Lola! Are you kidding me!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4FVqSrkzq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVLrCowkjR
Pars glared at Lola, his hazel eyes lit aflame.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucfxVnualE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQeuQRTfTf
"What? They aren't citizens anyhow, they're unlikely to spread the information."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIJC1YP5Lg
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhEpPhBhJJ
"That's beside the point! We were told not to tell them!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsM7tkAgCP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw46HukOtOn
"You are such a priss, Pars."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQwrXXCror
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKzyqQrfOk
I perked up, hearing that word from someone that wasn't Rover. It was ultimately a coincidence, so I just kept listening.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5xJe4QGjn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBFE1owDim
"Hurl your insults, but we can't tell them anything. Even if it wasn't demanded, what if they told everyone in Zariel Capitol, hmm?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8mHJYfCeP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CgDLR9oEt
"That won't happen, and I know you know that."
"Yeah yeah. But it might."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFtSwuZSc0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYrguOVNpf
Though I didn't see her face, I could by the movement of her head that Lola rolled her eyes.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4do2zK3zKX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwtF7IWQ0w
"I'm going to tell them."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x0GwxohjB
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNguy1OztOq
"Don't you do it."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTM8rf1mIB
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSyRIAqUoZ
"Listen up, Kenny. The reason for the increase in security–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkDsiJPxHp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUfGXkETeY
"Lola, I'm for real about this."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprzpzfbJ8C
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eaTuTvH3e
"--is because of a series of assassinations."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkwvGY0BMV
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDuPpSgDVV
Pars let out an exhausted, lengthy groan. Lola leaned in beside my ear, not giving me a chance to digest the information.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY20nn95PRn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9nc9QOrn1
"Pars is a pushover, too. Watch, he won't do a thing."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9SIsULOJo
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VNJueNT1s
"...Well, cat's out of the bag, so I might as well elaborate. Don't want the kid thinking I'm all fussy too."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFqrgyXe6C
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjx7NWgqxr
Lola's eyes widened. An overwhelming quantity of thoughts were swerving in my mind, but at the very least, I could be sure to never trust Lola's assessments of people's character.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXRoCpTNUe
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFBq4IVDwB
"Lola told the truth. There was a series of assassinations just a week ago that happened right under our noses. Assassinations are naturally a cause for concern, but the people who were assassinated are why security is so tight right now."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVhE4MpDBC
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR4oCmnX1p
"Uh, well, who got killed?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9dZux5yPz
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojPXisXYLw
"Three of the four Sherrifs, and three of the eight Officers. Some of the strongest defenders the city has to offer, and half of them were killed. Some of them were my friends, too."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2N2lMKGLH
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0x3BY22Fy
His voice became sullen. I was about to comfort him, but he continued speaking before I could.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPxGR5tQQJ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIHFut7tDE
"I'm an Officer, and Lola here is a Sherrif. Since we're prime targets, we've been living in this Pillar for the past few days, having the Head Guards on watch duty. The other pillars are in a similar situation. Let me tell you, this place sucks to crash in."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LJVTmiIAV
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvNRoyzuer
"I-I see."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBlmd54DyA
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv5r759CSN
The explanation put everyone's behavior into perspective. Frankly, it made me surprised that they believed me and Rover so readily, even with the letter. I felt lucky.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MrdnBB900
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TIFcuonqt
"The worst part is that we don't have any suspects, let alone culprits," Lola spoke, "It's been nothing but hassle and heartbreak."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d3YSE6rny
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILKqGmZEVG
"...You have my condolences."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4yt644Wga
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3awUVggMNo
"Thank you, Kenny. You're sweet."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlXZRMpXd5
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBXxK19CKB
"Mmm."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFA6sVaihf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeJaMoflqi
I suddenly began to admonish myself for the previous frustrations I had about this mission. I cleaned my slate and loosened my muscles.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX66G7gJFwu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy3bOprQdd
"Alright, we've made it.'
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMnyWnAQ9M
And then, we stood before a set of double doors. Not particularly grand, but certainly not shabby. There was a plaque above it with "Dean's Office" written in bold.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHiutHTC2O
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneND1nzM6X
"I'll ease us in," Pars said, "It's time to utilize my expert charisma."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7ilkGPc93
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N7r2n21Ok
"You need to stop talking," Lola replied in a deadpan while Pars flung the doors open. Lola walked into the room. Rover and I followed, but I stopped right beside Pars while Rover went ahead. It looked like he was on the brink of tears, but erased the look once he noticed I was looking at him.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87ygkYsQkK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6lySXb2aH
"Hey, Kenny. Do you think I'm unfunny?" He asked, pointing a finger at his chest.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbB3kUKV24
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiP0zbszcw
"...Well, you haven't made me laugh."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlij65fWcM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2L0paRElJ
"Come on, kid. I can't even get a 'yet?'"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QRN41Ovlp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ME21wOLU5
I shook my head and walked away from him, rejoining with the others. They were standing before a lengthy and opulent desk. An older man flipping through documents and stacks of paper stopped his activities to look up at us, raising an eyebrow.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86BYDpqjir
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHs8xEYURj6
"Sherrif Nico, you bring along unfamiliar faces. I assume that they are here for good reason?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVEEDeMygv
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKczvY1WyCF
"Of course, sir. Here, you two, give him what you must."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsR8SZFfou
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8yyjMUTDA
She signaled me and Rover to pull out our cargo, and we obliged. I grabbed the package from Rover's hands and delivered it with the note on top, placing it on the Dean's desk.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquvSHvMjCe
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU6GE9cHvJ
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmnG1vTAgj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3evVDTW0n
He looked at me as if he was expecting something. I realized that he likely wanted elaboration.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNldWBkBXPy
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78AXScEDic
"U-Uhm, we're here on official business, sent by the Zariel Kingdom. All necessary information should be listed in the note, and–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqCaDrePj1
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmz75A2lJPT
"I see, thank you. I'll see to the letter being delivered."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9g2ukIZ0H
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nEnXIQ3UC
The man took the package and placed it aside, giving me a novel smile.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6cBdm5O0H
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRR6X4m1yv
"You two are free to go. Sheriff Nico, Officer Abbas, please escort them back."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKYLObY0Bk
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7KeBSbzvj
I looked back at Rover, who was brimming with a giant smile. I couldn't help but copy it. I walked up to her and held my palm up, and she slapped it powerfully.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdmtMliYPo
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBeRau51jt
"Nice," she shouted, "Good job," I yelled. We weren't quite in sync, but our points crossed over.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIGSLoZYlr
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQ0wtorq8t
We had completed the mission.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOvD9BbGXJ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeezO1mOXq
–
–
–
The trek back was quiet but laden with good spirits. Rover and I commemorated our job well done with silent exchanges of looks and gesticulations. We separated with Pars and Lola once we reached the first floor, and Rover and I practically sprinted to the exit.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaKtTDgeJX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEwCeHfUOi
When we got out, we were blasted by fresh air and a breath-taking sunset. It was so invigorating that I didn't even pant from the running. Truly, it was the best of times.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aVqFqkaJc
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"One last high-five, Kenny!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAyKf3Sn8u
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"Alright alright, geez."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwQPt56Jun
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOwGPzMknd
Despite my tone, I reciprocated the gesture with a smile.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pE43YyzYw
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynxcNPMfLO
"I can't wait to see Juke's face," Rover continued, "He's gonna look like a such a dolt."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f1GmZwuCb
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVrOYh5ABe
"I'm just glad that we're done. Let's meet up with him and leave this place."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgCH5UXyX4
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFs4lDzRPA
Nodding along to my suggestion, Rover and I began to exit the premises of the Pillar. Mason wasn't here, and neither was anyone by the fence, but that didn't deter the start of our footslog. We passed through the tiny gated entrance and traversed the streets. Surprisingly, the hustle and bustle I've grown accustomed to was absent, but I was in such a good mood that I didn't bother to think about it.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BgVg8tXzn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoWfPT1F4j
"...This is quite convenient. I feel like I'm flying, and nobody's here to block me."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzujcFe38yf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3OaNPb2M3
"Huh? What are you talking about?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpAfgfHD6V
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxvrqWYoBC
"I'm talking about the crowd, or the lack thereof I suppose. It's nice, being able to travel here with some peace and quiet."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1somoecjBH
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPpJidw8pl
She looked conflicted about my statement.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAnZYya0bK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtPkR7Fd0H
"I dunno, it just feels creepy to me, but I can see where you're coming from."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBcou11QXJ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPakIsPtCV
"Our dispositions are just too different. It's not much of an issue."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanege1EWi2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlE2dLS15b
"Dispositions...? What?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeww8kIfDaM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jKClTH0Xt
"Uh... our natures, basically."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkopJLAINdf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QS9WG1Vow
"Ah, why didn't you just say that then!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFoVjpwW0q
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I answered her with a shrug, which elicited a stern huff out of her. We walked in silence afterward, giving me a chance to mull over her words.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRmpeJzHYb
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU9Qmlvx6r
I could understand why she would think it was creepy, especially considering how busy it was not too long ago. But at the same time, it was the evening, so it made sense.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8GQ3rYCa6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvSBmKnpoc
But, as I briefly looked into the passing alleyways, failing to spot a single soul, I wondered if the time of day was the whole picture.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaTcNMTC7U
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMtl06WBVQ
"Hey, Kenny, I think I made up my mind."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvuU7wtpPO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y4O5Tjv7B
She pulled me out of my rumination.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAaFOG7jLn
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"About what?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK1FCBAkXO
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"About what you said."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eC3EXI5TG
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A speck of dread entered my body, but I kept my ears open all the same.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R2gIsUwZT
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"Well, what is it?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVvmoLtP0W
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMYdYTwPZh
"See, when you said that thing about fighting the guy together, that stumped me. I already told you that I used to only work alone, so it didn't even cross my mind."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡry4j0GKKLl
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKfeHn0YSA
"Right."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT78UUlShB0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2XdT0mDlU
"So I decided that I'm gonna consider the idea. If I can, then I'll gladly work with people. I just hope that it won't have to be with a priss. If it is, then I'd rather not work with anybody."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwuf1fB1gR
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"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw1lPgJ8JM
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Somehow, I was left disappointed. Certainly, I was glad that she opened her mind to the idea of collaboration, but I was upset that she didn't address any aspect of her recklessness. Her wording struck me as dubious. 'Consider the idea?' Really? I set those thoughts aside, and for this one moment, I let it slide. I didn't want to trample upon either of our moods. Instead, I shot her a thumbs-up with a neutral expression.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TlhMtB84d
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"That's great."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBCSIa4l8z
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWaZJZVIkv
She thumped her chest proudly. And so, we returned to silently roaming the streets, moseying down to our inn–
"Kenny."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XPTeZi33J
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEox1edKz7N
"Uh, what's the matter?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzFGZki6hZ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86IMwCNIOq
Rover suddenly stopped moving and called my name. Her face was grave. It made my hair stand at its end.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uAKriOqli
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KEuaMuWuZ
"Don't you hear that?" She asked, curling her palm around the back of her ear. I copied the gesture, but still, the silent street remained the same.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PKMTdQH3f
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"I can't say that I do."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRNd4OJkj9
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Her face morphed into one of irritation. She suddenly clasped my arm and began to drag me away.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC7tIrVBmG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtmETUQCeP
"W-Woah, what are you doing!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMCzNpNyKO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlMLDGYBQp
"Just trust me here!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJozVTaPBtG
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Her sentence, mixed with a pleading one with gravity, shut me up. She let go of her grip, but I followed her to wherever it was that she was taking me. We diverted from the main street, weaving between alleyways and even climbing walls. And, as I progressed further and further into the depths of the city, I began to hear a noise.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeuCmQjPFm
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It sounded like chatter.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7km0pJLAeM
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Tens of minutes passed by the time we finished. Rover stopped by the edge of an alley, motioning me to do the same. I peeked around the corner and laid eyes upon a plaza brimming with people. The sheer number was overwhelming, likely in the hundreds– no, even in the thousands. I couldn't make an accurate assessment, so I gave up on it, instead focusing on the surroundings. I noticed that the crowed had gathered around a stage. The stage had dozens of figures in robes.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE46fpiB75S
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsRokW2GPE
"Kenny, wait here."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qBZhWJ9b9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRO72mmAf6
"Huh? Why?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfYADAkVgs
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She didn't respond. Instead, she crept out of the alley and took a left turn. I heard a thud, and a minute later, she returned with an unconscious body locked between her elbows.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcA1Sny2nU
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"W-Wha–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0irWlesCTN
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"Shhh! Shut up!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6RsoFJlh8
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I wanted to protest, but the appearance of the robe caught my eye. It was lengthy fitted with a hood. But, most of all, I noticed its distinct dark blue color. Rather, it was a distinct color until I laid my eyes on it at that moment.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoogTzTieX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24TTODWKdB
"This is..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91q5vKxwGz
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"Something fishy is going on here."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMNpvez3zD
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJK6QXvAgES
I couldn't voice the connection I made, but my mind still thought it, and it horrified me. It paralyzed me and left me standing there like a fool. Rover paid no heed to it. She likely thought that I was spectating the ceremony, much like herself. I couldn't call her assessment inaccurate.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc7Zy5G32k
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTN7vFC1M6
Two halves of my brain worked separately. One focused on the robe, the other, on the stage. A woman in baggy clothing walked up to the podium, the crowd quieted down.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yjk7KpdSx
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg7p1BKmWL
"Alright, can you all hear me?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKRuoJiAQs
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlejmznMWp
I noticed that around her baggy clothing, she wore the same robe. No, it wasn't the same robe as this random man, but the one robe that I truly had seen before, the one robe that I associated with an entirely different person. It was the robe–
"I don't want to waste my time, so I'll keep it brief. I am Hard-Bringer's Harbinger of Rage, and we're seizing this city!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLilB2w8T7
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPJj4La9A0
It was the same robe that Ng wore.
