"Hey, wake up."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLnrx66IOa
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMC958aNL6
"H-Huh!?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zNZ1Ag9mk
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzqHtlSaLy
I was rashly wrung out of sleep, jumping at the sudden touch on my shoulder. I fell pathetically to the floor, groaning and rubbing my chin as I got on my feet.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NhFHlxAQV
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmslefUpWno
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIei6rY4sF
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKKQsP2msh
"No no, it's fine."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01HgS3vv0E
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAZPo2VHR7
Once the pain subsided, I let out a lengthy yawn and rubbed my eyes. I had difficulty keeping them open. I rubbed my face and took a seat on the couch, hoping to wipe away the grogginess.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRRh3BBr88
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡam52GGkyMA
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXrhfdgIsp
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVTxqWzFsZ
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2c9ixHRwy
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9VRYG7K04
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFxsptUeT6
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ779nKelwAu
"Are ya sure–"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrCr1XK6Bk
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78BcX1gg5l
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyaBDvCgsl
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzcpzzWYAc
It must've been because of my sleeping position. Perhaps that was also the reason behind my shakiness. It had to be. Using mana expulsion, I produced a bit of water and gulped it all down, then began stretching my limbs.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCFshkMpnf
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC22LLPIZDa
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOHpTe7Uuu
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1kawJGA5M
Juke exited the living room, leaving me alone. I wasted no time going through my morning routine in the bathroom. Once I finished, I returned to the living room. Outside the bathroom door, idling, gazing at the couch where I slept.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv9G0xZxJY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEu9iBV4ro
"..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZed4gLT53
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPfqFjxAui
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Qh9qS6nRy
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VYN14jMGH
It had barely been ten minutes. Since I wasn't counting, likely less than that. So little time since I woke up, yet the flow of time had already become contorted. I clutched my head and looked at the floor.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyyAk5XvSm
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaS9VD2ugy
It was no use mulling over it now. Besides, I was hungry. So I left the living room. Juke and the man were sitting at a nearby table, eating their food with a third plate unattended. I tottered to their table and took a seat.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CYCX0lCkN
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4dNQhBKJZ
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR212PxIXZ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXBn6ik15v
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q3A7frsAk
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NKkMRWsn6
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtVqMcAkww
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k7N9Jjoy2
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bN02foAHw
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguclCLZyHi
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7P59c3qljU
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIlx63xWGh
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHfY5IWTzB
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsgfCYIkrX
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iLpvZyVQU
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo5CMfTLsL
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt6fquERiO
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJpNommsSB
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWVmEC7wgi
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUZXaxS6Wf
I turned my face away from him and looked at the fish. At first glance, even a toddler could discern that it was undeniably well-cooked. The fish was coated in spice and–191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaDUqZz5R7
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuyNmRYoYb
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGB86Pd9YRa
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEPG0jrqHW
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIp2LPwZj1
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJLLnoIBMg
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHnv2z8De1
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp1WAjw3fd
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s34iPFopP
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslPIUfPkVY
"What?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WhIkW6tHH
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw9YsMwflZ
He sighed and flicked his head.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbax2rSV8Cx
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sYVvEU1Ap
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixfUupNssr
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8sUXDhUtt
"Last... yeah, let's."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63x7chqoiK
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUyr8xpvDW
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5coxkfdGz9
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHd8km6X7Y
"This is good. This is really good."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAKz9uXjPO
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAvHb4FHag
"I told ya."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TJdnjCyQt
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvGSXMh1C1
I kept eating. It was pleasant and satisfying. The dish brightened my mood. Marginally so, but it was still something, so I was grateful for that.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3S6BkioY46
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYetUwc38Pe
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2WB6XQEyf
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqNYwiVvIr
His question caused me to look away from my fish and at his own. Indeed, half of it had already been eaten, but Juke never once removed his helmet to do so.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3O78kzrMx
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD66Zy1NNfR
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAivAtgAbL
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaiO1oui3z
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFvnYMw4fQ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9unY2VMSN
In the face of that obstinance, I smiled. I knew it wouldn't last, but at least I would be able to eat my food without any daunting thoughts.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbZ031fYfT
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4p27dVJEt
–
–
–191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhaWRDAUs6
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxV55uDUvN
Once we put our tableware aside, Hank corralled us back to the table. Juke and I sat by each other. Hank had a pensive and nervous look, giving me a sense of foreboding for what was to come out of his mouth.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC7GSR0DDL
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sZahuuxks
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm1CVksTGu
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywD7pFb4fh
"That's right," Juke responded.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vDGAYgtnW
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16mTX3UgJd
"I see..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoJbQCCtCH
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMJWUvntUk
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBHfGMX9zq
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawaSRSnZik
"Well, I won't try to stop you, but I'd like to give you two a word of warning: the streets aren't empty. Those folks at Hard-Bringer are surveilling the area quite compellingly."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFZTM9m48I
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65YZN0z0PI
Juke let out a sigh and I rested my head on my hand. Honestly, this was in my expectations, but hearing it be confirmed was a blow to my psyche all the same.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRN3RY1kZUF
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlWbnbslUn
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCWMTecWau
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCqQ5eSeOD
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. I doubt those Hard-Bringer bastards got the staff to keep an eye on every part of the city."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQtw8nI5s8
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVwaVkSSDf
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyLYy5WRns
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCCPLxCYMJ
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkjL6l0YUE
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN9zx6WJR9
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GdavxrY3I
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0RLccauOf
"What are you looking at me for?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRsOkRRA02
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSUZb63p10
"Ya got any ideas?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg6C0vjxJE
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZJ3kAgw7w
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zN83UNVDr
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7YYoDdHnD
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgNgJz9lvY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiiAPZTGbd
"I suppose we'll have to gauge just how heavily the streets are being supervised. If they aren't in every nook and cranny of the area, we can probably weave in-between alleyways and whatnot just fine."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjooEHIYjHr
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO0Qr2ZWnT
Juke and Hank nodded at my statement. As concrete as the idea was, it hinged on a factor too risky for either me or Juke to confirm.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0igrqiU23E
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfG6Tjoib9
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGg1IF9wr3
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoWMjmkyQM
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rjrCVpS7d
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO5Ko6WWx8
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0TIDBj0A0
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MlgraPc4o
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA0IcDOWIY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7grqvRkjLB
"I'd rather not run too far away. Otherwise, I'd get apprehended and questioned, and then it would be evening by the time I come back."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSnuF7wqUd
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnU3fGfKDi
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMXQ52qhjQ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9warUUs5Rg
He shook his hands frantically and.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qIq9pdObZ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSTcy65NNa
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK4rwNDk0h
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gHzA0gj9h
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4thsCto3D
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o8RBmpG2b
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiomHQf9XpY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG7Zv8Lloa
"Pray for me."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Owyqfj04z
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0I4CbQ7ET
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdEXxTACgm
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiNlEACM8l
"Juke!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7tVR7KIgH
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdOiKli4b3
Juke's comment vanquished all of Hank's efforts to pump himself up. Still, though, he rambled to the door, taking a deep breath before opening and exiting the building. Juke and I were alone, now. An awkward and elongated silence permeated through the room.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCThV0AwbxW
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwXwx9rK7m
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89WePil91Q
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYijAegyWH1
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCPuYKCKvD
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7Ev6UpynU
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoC07iW5ON
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cEhitROLc
"Still, I appreciate it."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnI6xjMEgg
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0FWNRmzT6
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTngXRC0zJ8
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9bQwEq5Kh
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEmXgRUR2M
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38kk82QfT4
I wanted to rebuke that statement, to tell him that he was wrong and that I was feeling much better. I would be lying to him, but that wasn't why I stopped myself. That was because of the tinge of melancholy I caught in his voice, so faint that I was unsure if I was just hearing things.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XVVsn5Ooo
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlgZM3GeuF
I wanted to press him on that. But I was in no state of mind to do so. So, we continued to wait in silence.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrXSCyrCNU
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrdyOPUI4i
Hank came shortly after. His face was drenched in sweat and anxiety. He let out an arduous sigh when he closed the door and sank to the floor.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdrlks4cFR
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSkmt1rfUu
I was expecting the worst, but he shot us a thumbs-up with a wink. A smile found its way on my face. I looked at Juke and we nodded at each other. We stood up and stretched our muscles, helping Hank get to his feet and standing before the door.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCYgztubsW
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmCmh2b5fz
"Thank you for your help, Hank."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWuj9DWO44
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbKmt47OKw
"Yeah, we really of ya."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb7ameM2PQ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Byzf8vJrr
He gave us a light smile and waved.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRButzxz3v0
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6OJ0UtzbE
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvttXHyayC
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lm0focqS3
"...Y-Yeah."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl8HtyCtHZ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwbkZBuYF0
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SXXr7fMKC
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzUCLc7Gdk
–
–
–191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgomZqsGPoR
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKMm8SzCFe
The streets were void of any busy citizens traveling from one place to another. All inhabitants were inimical people in robes. The only remedy was the relative lack of them.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJZLXeZKwn
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4WOts2V74
Weaving in and out of alleyways was a surprisingly easy task, as the Hard-Bringer members couldn't stay in one place even if they were paid to. Though it made moving in the streets nerve-wracking with the unpredictability of these people, it was better than having to wait for them to fall asleep or find a detour as they obstinately remained in one spot.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjVChNkxPx
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3Vm8saGC0
With all the pauses in between movements and focus on not getting caught, I stopped paying attention to our routing quickly. I was anxious that Juke did too.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmTMHZAaYp
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjPD9orAlV
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCKF7LZyq9
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWFLMa9kJt
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQEPBzaLrY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2iJPO7rHX
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpWGZKeUav
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt3seAKdL0
Still, I had no better way to make it to the stables myself, so I kept following Juke as we skittered diagonally across the street.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Y8zl2jhxp
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20Lep5foxT
"--Crap!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOW1ME5yy7
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoF16Q6cxU
This alleyway was void of anything to hide behind, meaning that we had to leave it now or suffer an embarrassing and egregious discovery. I peered over the corner and saw a duo of robed people turning a corner and into our street.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61lW7JOtXB
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE52bux6G9r
"Crap. Crap!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tD7Gvrv69
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYYud92FDr
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbLC0NppNH
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJa8RUBznis
"People are heading our way!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdICqvZD0s
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXeos67Xwi
With a hoarse whisper, I relayed the information to Juke, whose eyes I could see widen even through his helmet. He looked behind him and deeper into the alleyway, reaching the same conclusion that I did.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2f3bjZx5T
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFcTLfvlO7
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27sHSvZkkW
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEtOnPxpRz
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagbAg3uB04
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkMS13fPpr
Despite the incorrect usage, I knew precisely what Juke meant by jumping the two people. I discarded the idea, as engaging in a fight would only draw more attention. But, as I sifted through my mind, I couldn't conjure up a course of action more tangible.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaqWFPN8AA
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUirzwORzek
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVpQjvzMuw
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzVata0MVF
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIiADWfkzZ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYc0u9GamW
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNsNWYVwfL
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8lXWcH9Rz
I produced my tendril and created a Valencia-Bloom at its tip. Then, I ran as far back into the alleyway as I could, signaling Juke to do the same. When we made it to the wall, I began mana spinning and produced a shield from the flower big enough to cover us both.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeirAaHiWCS
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdpJFWS0q6
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVeCaH6jQh
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4oLFYWfW3
"Ack!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGX5i0zDQp
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljxFWZsXwY
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAcsmLNDhS
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNoIAr7Nce
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPbkHO87hl
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsinGv2pHkM
We waited out behind the shield until I heard two sets of footsteps pass by the alleyway. Once they vanished, I removed the shield, massaged my arm, and with Juke's help, we made it back onto the street.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw8W4K7XJY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOm5dKuawL
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwphly3y5A
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunDdfanqmQ
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb0FUehRXX
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExoOKo5GA3
We traveled the road a bit faster since we had to cross through an intersection. We made sure both sides were clear before continuing forward. The road curved at this point, so we kept close to the wall, using our ears instead of our eyes to sense any oncoming persons.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs7xCFabvU
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbKe4civoI
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJAMFUCTAE
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSY7QljaE7J
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrOcSUH8Ne
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjQLeVfEmm
I hastily nodded with him and scanned the surroundings. I spotted an alleyway with a gigantic dumpster at the front. Juke already began running to it before I could point it out, so I followed him.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkqK1YHVTi
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6u8j4rZQo
We sat down behind the dumpster. I gnawed on my finger as I heard what I could only describe as an army of people walking down the street. I didn't see them, nor did I want to, but the footsteps never ended– it was as if the hustle and bustle of the streets had returned, but now, it only disturbed me.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQfZMfQi4i
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1dXoswpDX
It went on for far, far too long. I couldn't keep my cool. The gnawing turned into rampant chomping, and my breathing became labored and heavy. I rocked back and forth, back and forth back and–191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUD8wdw6Ngk
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw0KncPihQ
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MpP9Cj58O
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxP4DzgZhQ
"Huh?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgsOekdjzS
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRjLuqNKJn
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NPqycljQz
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj7dTTFYS3
"That whole biting thing, and that whole shaking thing. That shit freaks me out. I get why yer doing it, but seeing someone like ya do so just don't sit with me right."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuOJfsSWwc
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQkPNK0Bzq
I knew he was trying to console me. But, I didn't feel as if he was. I felt as if it was a precursor to just another one of Juke's ramblings about his ideology.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFClxu2tGsq
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9lYXUoTK4
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbl8NtUzoxN
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PceuGFpWo
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e94jreUza
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpce2lHFB0
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtRgoLWjmS
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0brlNmCKOd
"I can tell ya got something plaguing ya. I ain't dense, so I can already guess what it is. Still, I think ya should spill it."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKG3jM2tH4
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwoV9H4qRI
"..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70ib8x3aS2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSQHeK3AsD
I brought my knees up to my head, wrapping my arms around my legs. Usually, I'd be concerned about the crowd overhearing us, but the dumpster was far enough, and the thousands of footsteps would veil my voice.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2fRLTJXo3
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaNF8K7CQ8
So, I let my mouth run amok.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlwqB2dsWh
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaTbXYTegb
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41IBdXAzY3
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73XVs0Vd7p
"Yeah, I know."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TFoxgkU74
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm66t0wq81
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91bNGNYVq5
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtcf8zq4O9
"It left me confused. It was like I was asking myself questions with words I couldn't understand. I didn't even know how to begin to answer them. So, for the time being, I decided to ignore them."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMsYLJjtUz
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wvIVoMegB
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfdhIJljjd
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDTCi0Pcg9
"When I was at the door last night," I continued, "right after Rover left, I suppose the prospect of going after her, of facing her, was too intimidating. I didn't get why, exactly. I just knew that I couldn't do it. I didn't think that doing so would be bad or something, quite the contrary. I just thought that, somehow, it was an impossible task. So, I didn't do it. Instead, I sat back on the couch and fell asleep."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwfZvGAKo6
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRL64ZNd4L
"That sounds familiar..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU5Gw2M3Lj
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKllmpHKReG
"Huh?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixxUW4LMmg
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE95JZDFXwd
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2g0EEl5Pjm
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWGVMDk7pt
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYTNBHcc9k
"I am just, very confused. I don't quite get how I feel, but I do understand that all the forces inside of me are fighting over the decision I made last night, to do this. And, I guess I say I'm unsure of it, but I do know what I really am."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0xDCEhxzT
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYuPoIljb7
"Well?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRzhn5zaWu
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoCHCogKr8
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRg45YVa67
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRW3jlh3ju
"Ah."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKfjhieCpa
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmdXAxE0bH
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHqKfuuzlR
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo6CdkWOWF
"Some part of it came from the distant past. I'm talking about what drove me to make this decision, I mean. Another part, I'm unsure. And the last one was more recent. It was only for a moment, but when I thought about going outside with Rover, that overgrown bug flashed in my mind."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5Q14rMylu
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeSxg1GpE8
"Ah, the Lionant?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpaBlnMwHW
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsnHs5VwgJ
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax0BJZPuZr
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IiEkXevUy
"..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcQodOLbv6
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IaPrdxG9v
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but I hung on to the thoughts left behind by my last sentence and formed a question out of it.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQtpYQC2sS
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtGtIP0bpw
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBuuWwluUl
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjh75Eqgw4o
"...Yeah, why did I?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT3ngxApQy
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVo7SWaLje
I didn't expect to be met with another question.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nmMTIHBuS
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXelvWza8Hf
"It doesn't make much sense, does it? After all, I'm weak, and yer strong. A weak guy like me shouldn't have to save strong folk like ya. But I did save ya. I really did save ya."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWwvt3iBqn
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgofJgjtBZ
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9WOKc9Qr9
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgkNrtlSRs
"I don't know why I saved ya. It wasn't in my mind, I didn't think of doing it, but I did save ya."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kaThkXhgH
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16aan0EAFE
"..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhlLg9yfMU
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0TLwfWke8
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFSu6CHO5u
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBoLx3wILQ
"Rover's got a brutal tongue. Usually, I just brush off what loud folk like her say, but she was blunt and rude about it, so it really stuck with me. I couldn't care less about that 'you should do and think this and that' shit, but, ya know what, Kenny?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQdEtRLi8h
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuA1OGPV23
"What?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5YfSeEnT2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcz45FMvfE
"Before I went out to look for ya two, I talked with Dennis. I had a real good conversation with him 'bout politics, women, and a bunch of dumbshits we've met in our olden days."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFbYgL0Vq0
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLbQ6HbHf7
"That sounds... boorish?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeU1WFZ0nOu
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltfc1tXafs
"Pff, yer just too young."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyq6QPoUXL
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQuG0KSRpe
He paused for a moment.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHmZj5U5HJ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUh9elPZ9f
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRYZLd0yCt
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTAMrXSSmt
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZxky3klJd
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKmSkxlGWE
"...The thing is, a weak guy like me shouldn't concern himself with Hard-Bringer. It makes sense, doesn't it? Leave the big problems to the big strong folk. Weak guys shouldn't have to fight for other weak guys. That's what I think."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nLrW5soni
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVmBt31dlb
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzzdhnPkDX
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgk0OywwIT
"That's silly... O-Oh–"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11yxaNRNEL
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDDR6GJdue
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwG9Y9s6lY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH84Ru8dvQ
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlhih3FkRs
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyDkbYAwAm
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXXvZCeyO4
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40BHjNAEeT
"I... yes, I suppose so."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGve52lbo6
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3ukT7ylpu
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9lxSEyKKK
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbEkg2QsTP
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2MMKAiyHj
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSKsaSINxO
"Yes, I know."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx7Q1FPPfI
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnPQXx7faW
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzSQqewQ6m
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4k9VYzXrg
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGNqCATyX4
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi98SsCbiB
"I believe what I said yesterday. I think he's just fine. 'Sides, I got no interest in fighting Hard-Bringer. But that ain't changing the fact that I wanna make sure with my eyes."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9N5vDiylOn
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdVtCUWvvH
"..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl0NuGdLIl
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3wvm4oXEc
I didn't say it outright, but I agreed with him. I wanted to make sure Dennis was fine as well. Yet, unlike Juke, I doubt I could muster the will to do so.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4nlsHVi1X
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59z570YL7a
"Ya hear that?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzpMi5XWzy
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST0CjlJ6Ry
"Huh?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmOLsWYnEx
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0AU3XX5nx
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mVC6X0JgK
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOiDFXRoCG
"They passed."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdudJWgURkX
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mF4QhislM
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzke8Rt7mf
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54gTrpUJkG
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvAylyBPY3
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq30fVIAXY
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeojxxaiuG
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aPbzHobc3
I stood up and ambled to the front of the alleyway. Sure enough, Not one robed person was in sight. It was a clear indicator that I should have taken a step forward, but I didn't. No, I couldn't, not after what I had just said.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fGCDYn8lP
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlufCaCztQg
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaZP43IBRf
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwr0awueAiZ
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgMWyOBzMJ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlnMrHk3DX
"You've been saying that a lot."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs0Vg7q22n
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oiI6Vz4yo
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJu8Qz45y2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjNBD6HjDx
We stood stock still in silence.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMa0b5diY8
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlwo48LZx9
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KGZW8tdq6
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uIrrEekFr
"Are ya sure?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gcD03p4Ay
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1KTEkdSlh
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoskGXL5rEq
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiwhptGEtI
"I should be asking you that."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnmLRo1Vr2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYHzdRR37I
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bVPibRplC
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziniJBJaFw
"Yes. You get it."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQeIW4TqzQ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7kFvMtsrU
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFlCwZdO87
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVhjBI4XUV
"If we see something that might change the accuracy of your hypothesis, then... I'm going to turn back, understand?"
Juke released a lethargic chuckle. I wasn't offended by it, instead, it caused me to think.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZe8mI26mP
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyCwnbMObd
"Fine by me."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTow3iuxSLq
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmztqlGEE0P
I wondered how seriously he took my word. I wouldn't blame him if he thought it duplicitous.
We kept going down the streets, running between the alleyways as we avoided being spotted.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH3OXb4hh1
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEE7Nmkydl
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpnq6EecV2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiMZ1rRv2j
"Yeah, we're almost there."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkpdFTCieP
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcr7vBYv9x
After hours of dodging lines of sight, taking tedious pauses in smelly alleyways, and having one too many heart-attack-inducing close calls, the stables were finally within our view. It was still a good distance away, but being able to see it was relieving. We were fortunate enough to find it unsupervised, too.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC2f7M5jAN
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzr9PZvMIX
We approached it with a pep in our step, but not forgetting to employ prudence. I turned my head in every direction as we got closer and closer.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2HxR64Mzl
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRLaPspzzD
And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCovJTxWAm
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"Blurg, what was that?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNikN2YgvW
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I skidded to a stop. I reluctantly sniffed the air again but didn't catch the same whiff. Juke looked back at me, confused.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPBirPdyXb
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"What was what?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbPFYOpjC8
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"I caught a whiff of something."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv8OpHewLk
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeW6ET9zfj
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqewEKNoUOH
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sbFq7DGsS
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQbVvG1sA1
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Juke didn't stop to ask me what was wrong this time. He turned the final corner and already made it to the stables. I knew that I had visited this place before, but I didn't quite acknowledge the structure until that moment.
It was like an open barn house with only a meager roof over the parking spaces. Inside these parking spaces were carriages, and opposite them were miniature pens housing the animals responsible for heaving the carriages. These pens were fitted with roofs and thick gates to block the animals from wandering off. Of course, because of the structure of the stables, he barged in without having to bust open any doors. Naturally, I entered without issue myself.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrTEG6J4Xf
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1Dns0AjVr
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh3pEb5lW9
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The carriages were untouched, but the carriages were only there for me to distract myself with. It didn't last for long, of course. After all, the stench and overwhelming, blinding quantity of red permeating through every crevice of the area made it impossible to keep up the charade.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6adtyo4yZO
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The pens were broken, but the animals hadn't escaped. They were still in their pens, but as cadavers opposed to breathing beings.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGDfHvjQcQ
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NyP8udi25
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L6ZrmGxDm
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZyEspBHz8
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I glared at the scene. It was grotesque, but my eyes couldn't divert from it. Every animal in every pen– no exception was made, none were spared. They were unapologetically slaughtered. Juke spoke of the sight perfectly; It was horrid. it evoked such visceral repulsion even when closing the eyes and glancing at it through memory.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlzo9dM3Kp
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But, as much as I hated it, as much as it made me want to turn the other way and run, seeing our way out be cut off like this relieved me of a subconscious weight.
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Juke ventured further into the stables, and I begrudgingly followed. I fixed my gaze to the right, passing by the open pens and observing the carrion they contained. I didn't try to immerse myself in the details; I would've truly thrown up if I did. But, from what I did see, I could judge the means used to kill them. From lacerations to burns, to pulverizations of their bodies, it was obvious that a mix of magic and weaponry was utilized.
I was lucky that the blood had dried long ago.
"Sly bastards. How'd they know we'd try to get out?"
"...They probably just did this preemptively. Did they have to murder all the animals, though? Why not damage the carriages?"
My question had not just reminded Juke, but also myself of our carriage. We steered directions and beelined towards it. From an outside view, it looked unharmed. As Juke pulled out a key and unlocked the doors, I could only hope that the same could be said for the inside.
"Nagging Dennis for this shit paid off."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIvCwkZBEz
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRdMgXVRXt
Juke muttered something under his breath before flinging the doors open and entering. I followed, releasing a heavy breath as I confirmed that the carriage was unharmed.
"'Fore we head back out, we oughta pack some supplies."
"I agree, but I hope you know I won't be able to carry much."
"That's alright. This big body of mine ain't just for show."
We entered the back. Juke took the bag of food and placed his arms through the straps, carrying it like an oversized backpack.
"Anything else ya think we oughta bring?"
"...I can't lift the big bags, but–"
I grabbed a smaller one and emptied its contents, stuffing it with the few potions I had left in the larger bags, leaving me with a pleasantly light load. Juke hummed in an amused, yet agitated tone.
"Ya had potions this whole time? Ya should'a told me!"
"Oh, sorry. I thought I had."
We exited the carriage and returned to the stables, Juke grumbling as he descended the steps. I didn't leave just yet. Before that, I spared one more glance at the animals, meagerly clenching my fists.
"Hey, Juke."
He turned around and faced me. Before I got my words out, I had to stop shaking.
"What do we do now?"
He looked at me intently, or was it blankly? Either way, I could tell that he was digesting my question. Then, he turned his gaze away.
"We can't get out with the carriage, that's for sure."
"I know that much. But, do we... do we try anyway?"
"...Nah, ya should know that yerself."
My facial muscles dropped, forming an ugly frown. He was right, and because he was right, I was upset.
If they took measures this drastic to make sure nobody escaped, then the gates were unquestionably, undoubtedly guarded.
That undeniable notion frightened me.
"Yeah, you're right. But, still, what do we–"
I couldn't finish my sentence. My speech was interrupted by a jerk movement from Juke. He leaned in– almost pouncing at me and pushing me to the ground as he haphazardly fell to it himself.
I hadn't the time to formulate any complaints and questions, but all that I could have formed were addressed by the soaring ball of fire narrowly avoiding my head.
"--Ack!"
I landed awkwardly on my shoulder. Whether it was dislocated, I didn't know, nor could I afford to find out. I scrambled to my feet and faced our assailant. My blood turned cold when I saw her.
"That man is a quick actor. What about you, child? Are you the brains of your clique?"
It was the woman at the plaza. She was not in her unequivocal robe that was the sigil of Hard-Bringer but in a slackened coat, plain shirt, skirt, pants, and boots.
"Well, answer me, won't you?"
"Don't humor 'er, kid, she's got a screw loose!"
"N-No need to tell me!"
Juke got up on his feet and brandished his sword. I took out the tendril. The woman grabbed a curvy, seemingly customized, serrated knife. She raised it as she began to speak.
"So you two won't speak? Fine by me. A mute roadblock is easier to handle."
With a slide of her back foot and a drop in her posture, she burst into a sprint heading in our direction. Then, she veered into me.
The sudden shift left me panicked. I instinctively took a step back and produced a Valencia-Bloom, but before I could utilize it, she slashed her knife at me. I narrowly avoided the swing, but she didn't let up, spinning the blade in her hand and thrusting it to jab me.
That's at least what it looked like she would've done.
She did thrust her knife, but she spun as she did it, clashing with Juke's broadsword so suddenly that even he was taken by surprise. The woman exploited his shock well by delivering a kick to his chest. Juke's body didn't budge from the kick at all, though. A metallic sound rang throughout the stables and his head jerked back.
"Ack! My neck!"
"--I see."
Realizing I wasn't doing anything, I extended my tendril, using it like a dull spear. The woman ducked my attack and slammed her fist into it. I recoiled from the strike, but not enough to paralyze me. Thus, I slammed the tendril on the ground. She rolled away, dodging it effortlessly.
My tendril still near her, I switched the Valencia-Bloom for a Freeze-Dry. But I couldn't use it; the woman leaped and stomped on the flower before any ice came out.
My eyes widened by themselves. I couldn't think of what to do next, but I was fortunate enough to not have to. Juke swung his sword at the woman. She dodged it, but Juke didn't let up with his assault. The woman took a series of backsteps too great for Juke to immediately catch up to. Almost instinctively, she kicked her leg up, and though Juke was a couple of meters away, his head jerked up and a sound rang out as if he was hit.
Though Juke was struck in the chin, and though he was partially airborne, he aimed his palm at the woman, firing a wind spell at her.
And, it connected.
"Hng!"
It was a weak spell, and she was able to block most of it with her arms, but the point was that it connected. Somehow, that fact alone was enough to shock me.
"Yer power's confusing. Is it an Endowment? I dunno, I've got one, and yers sure don't feel like it."
Juke rubbed his chin. I could tell that he felt it, meaning the hit wasn't deflected to his helmet.
"Shit. How'd ya know my weakness, huh?"
The woman narrowed her eyes at Juke. Using the downtime, I began mana expulsion with my right hand and produced a Sunlight-Blossom from the tendril.
"You are right about one thing, oaf: my power is nothing like that absurd Endowment of yours."
"And yer calling my whole thing absurd? That's just–"
Juke's speech was cut short. I shot at the woman with a water spell. She dodged it, but I accounted for this and made the spell a powerful geyser, following her movements as it continuously sprayed. The woman clicked her tongue as she kept backing away, producing a ball of fire and firing it at the walls.
I gasped and processed her actions to make sure I understood what I saw. She threw a fireball at the walls, which were made of wood. She threw a quick wind spell at it right after and smashed through the weakened structure.
My geyser put the sudden fire out but had missed the woman entirely. It aligned with my expectations, though. She came back bursting through near the ashened hole. However, I had another attack prepared.
The seed was already loaded. I aimed the flower at her and fired, crossing my fingers in my head, praying that it would land.
It didn't. It didn't even come close. She ducked before the bullet had even been launched. I bit my lip in frustration.
"That's why I hate being aggressive. How cruel that I have to act against my nature."
She cracked her neck and swayed her lengthy hair in the air, glaring at us with her blue eyes. She looked ready to perform a deadly pounce at any moment.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzNJgh4rtu
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I stood beside Juke. We eyed the woman vigilantly. My prior assessment was overwritten as she didn't look like she would move at all, leaving me bemused.
But, then, a fireball formed in her hands. I expected her to throw it immediately, so I prepared to duck, but it continued to grow in size; it was far larger than her previous ones, almost as tall and wide as Juke was.
"Ah, shit."
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. Frankly, I didn't expect her to be so adept in fire magic that she could make a spell of that size. It was stupid of me not to consider it. The woman reeled her arm back. I had to act fast.
I ducked, placing both my hands on the ground. I began mana expulsion with one hand and performed spinning with the other. A wall of stone sprung from the ground before me. Then, I produced a Valencia-Bloom from the tendril, expanding it as far as I could reasonably do so. Juke already took cover behind me. Now, all that was left was too–
**SLAM**
"--Ack!"
I didn't suffer any severe damage. In fact, my defenses were hardly penetrated. But the heat from the fire nipped at me through it all. The spell dissipated in no more than five seconds, but it felt like forever.
"How the hell are we breathin'!?"
"Is now really the time for–"
**THUD**
I felt a sudden force clash against my shield. Due to my already shaky balance, I fell to the ground, but I made sure to retract the Valencia-Bloom so my arm wouldn't be dislodged. When the shield vanished, the woman took its place, her leg raised. She continued her assault, raising her knife and, with her other hand on the top of the hilt, plunging it into me.
I shut my eyes and grit my teeth, expecting the sensation of a blade being lodged into my body. But that never came. Instead, a metallic clang reverberated through the stables.
I opened my eyes. Juke intercepted her with his sword. He was on the ground with both his hands on the blade's hilt. Judging by how he was lying on the ground, gripping the hilt with both his hands like a rope, he must've slid.
They remained that way for a moment, engaged in a struggle between their blades. When it became apparent that she couldn't win, she clicked her tongue.
"Irritating," the woman sighed before kicking his helmet and sending him flying. She returned her attention to me, but I had used my borrowed time to regain my composure and swing the tendril.
My tendril hit her. But it felt as if I was the one who was struck, and it wasn't by a blunt object, but by a steel blade. Purple liquid erupted from my chest.
Yes, she was flung away. Yes, my tendril had connected. But when it retracted by itself, I found the woman void of bruises and her knife slathered in a viscous purple.
"D-Damn it."
I rose to my feet with shaking legs. She hadn't just blocked my attack but hurt me back as well. I clutched my chest and coughed harshly.
"How are ya?"
Juke stood beside me, brandishing his sword. We eyed the woman who was flicking the liquid off her knife.
"This ain't looking like a winning fight."
As much as it frustrated me to agree with his notion, I was forced to. Every attack I launched had been avoided, and the one time either of us landed one on her, it was more of a fluke than anything.
"So what do we do?"
"'Till I get how she keeps seein' the future, I ain't got a clue."
"See the future...? Do you think that's what it is?"
"Can't think of anythin' else."
I narrowed my eyes at her, mulling over Juke's theory. When I thought about it, certainly, it would make sense that she could see the future. However–
"There has to be a limit, or some kind of restriction. Her behavior is too inconsistent."
"I agree with ya, and I still got no clue how she kicked me from across the damn room."
Indeed, she had too many unknown factors about her, and combined with her astonishing physical and magical prowess, it made this fight impossible to win. I was wounded, Juke's weakness had been discovered, and the woman didn't look like she even broke a sweat.
"Are you two plotting something? I ought to interfere."
She broke into another dash, but it wasn't an utter rush; her steps were laced with trepidation, and her knife was raised defensively. It was as if she was approaching expecting us to attack her back.
My moment of clarity subsided as the pain washed over my being. But Juke, pulling me by the collar, had fortunately noticed the same, and–
"Book it, kid!"
Helped me turn tail as we both broke into sprints of our own.
I ran. I ran like the wind. I ran to abuse my legs. I ran to survive. But I wasn't so naive; my legs were small and my stamina was pathetic. Whether it was my lack of endurance or my lack of speed, the woman would undoubtedly catch up to me. No thanks to his luggage, I couldn't hitch a ride on Juke's back.
I swiveled my head. She was catching up to me like a wolf in pursuit, and I was sure to be caught in her fangs at any moment. I didn't try to speed up; too many factors prevented me from doing so.
So, if I couldn't speed up, then there was only one thing left for me to do.
I began mana expulsion with both of my hands, creating a mass of earth in one and a mass of fire in the other, expanding it. The woman didn't show an expression of surprise. She was expecting me to do this– no, not expecting, she knew.
Something about that pissed me off. So, instead of throwing it–
"--You!"
Her eyes widened. She skidded to a stop and leaped away. Despite that, I had to see this through.
I discharged as much mana into the fire as I recklessly could, and naturally–
**BOOM**
A Flinty incident occurred.
I used the stone I conjured up to defend myself, but truthfully, it hardly did anything. The most I could do was defend my head, and sure, my eyes hadn't burst, and my face wasn't seared, but they were still rolling on the stone pavement along with the rest of my body, picking up spikey pebbles and other trash like they were seashells on the beach. I only stopped when I collided with, something. I didn't know what and the means to find out were stripped from me. My ears rang, my nose burned, and I had to clobber dozens of particles off my face before I could even think of opening my eyes. But, my arms were too heavy for me to even lift.
So, I remained there, waiting for all the internal chaos to subside before I moved. Then I felt something touch me, then shake me, and I groaned in response. I didn't know who it was. Since I was alive, it probably wasn't the woman. Was it a street dog, or maybe one of those robed men?
Was it Juke? I dismissed the thought. That was a ridiculous proposition.
I was lifted and tussled with. It wasn't done harshly, but goodness, was it irritating. At that point, my annoyance powered over my fatigue, and I rubbed my eyes before slackening my arms yet again.
I opened them and saw the ground. Whoever it was that was messing with me was behind me. I couldn't turn my head to see them, though, so I groaned and heaved my breaths.
"Good to know yer still kicking. Which bottle 'ere is gonna patch ya up?"
Hearing a familiar voice, I was struck with an inordinate amount of clarity.
"Green, one," I mustered.
"Yer lucky I caught that first try. Open wide."
Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. He understood that too, so he grabbed my jaw and pulled it down, sticking the bottle inside my mouth. I was sure that I was going to drown; the amount of liquid entering my throat was overwhelming. But it passed as quickly as it came. I coughed vehemently, and Juke patted my back to help. I cursed my inability to voice my thanks.
"Take it easy, ya really did something crazy back then. Strong folk, I tell ya."
Now I just wanted to tell him to shut up. He lifted me and hung me over his shoulder, then he continued to run.
"Did ya get that crazy bitch? Err, tap once for yes, twice for no."
All I could exert myself to do was pinch, so I pinched his skin twice.
"Shit. Shit! Is she followin' us now!?"
I pointed my eyes up. I could only see a little bit of the ground, so I painstakingly raised my neck.
It devastated me to have to pinch once.
"Are ya kidding me!?"
Juke's running increased in tempo. Unlike me, he was able to at least keep the distance between him and the woman the same. Unfortunately for me, my head was bouncing up and down every step. I was sure that I'd vomit any minute, and then pathetically pass out a moment after.
But I couldn't afford to do so. I couldn't afford to be a burden when our lives were being threatened like this.
I tried to call it forth, but my tendril wouldn't appear. I tried mana expulsion– tried, but struggled. The explosion hadn't drained me of my mana, but my supply was so low I might as well have been shaking a bottle for droplets. I couldn't form anything grandiose or dangerous, meaning that I had to do something to just slow her down.
So, I formed a small mass of water. Supporting it with my other hand, I lifted my arm, aiming my open palm at her feet.
She didn't react preemptively at all. It gave me a surge of hope, and with that borrowed vigor, I fired the spell at her feet.
Except, I didn't fire it. It unceremoniously plummeted to the ground. She simply jumped over the puddle the spell created.
"Damn, it."
"--Ay kid, are ya seeing this!?"
"Seeing what", I wanted to ask, because I was still incapable of moving my body more than an inch at a time. But I didn't have to turn my head to see what he saw. As Juke kept running through the street, we passed by a myriad of bodies loitering about. My first assumption was that they were corpses– and, well, judging by all the red, it was likely correct.
But what really caught my eye was their attire: dark, hooded robes. All of these bodies were that of the people in Hard-Bringer.
Did a fight break out? Is that what happened? I looked up at the woman and she was entirely unperturbed. I was hoping to gauge a different reaction, but not only was hers uninformative, it was disturbing.
And then, my vision swerved.
"Huh?"
"I'm takin' a gamble."
"Gamble!?"
That was the loudest noise I had made that day. Juke didn't elaborate on what gamble he was taking. I thought of wiggling out his grasp right there, as obviously foolish as it was. But–191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgZ7vusRuV
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"Just trust me!"
He said it as a feverish plea. It shocked me into staying in place. With nothing else to do, I placed my faith in him. The sun-lightened streets disappeared and we ventured into a darkened alleyway. We came to a stop shortly after, leaving me confused and worried.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFGS2jzS2s
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lwhg5q1CF
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"Who are ya people?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxei1qA2GQ
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"Wow, he really followed us. Well, sir, we're here to help. My buddy will be doing the dirty work, though."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOsCxuEQk7
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"Buddy?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9S7U4X5l8M
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I froze– froze more than I already was frozen, anyway. The voice that Juke spoke with was familiar to me, though I struggled to put a name to it. But then a set of footsteps sounded through the alley, and a man in a trench coat brushed passed Juke and me.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx4AqUK9EX
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Of course, with an article of clothing that distinct, I'd be lying if I didn't recognize him. My recognition was only solidified when he drew his hands in it and pulled two crossbows out.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tom3sQZwV
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"Quiet now."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFXLOnhy7I
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Pars gave a command to us all, aiming his crossbows at the entrance of the alleyway. I didn't understand why he was using two of them, but there was a tube of earth protruding from inside the coat and connected to the ends of the crossbows, so I knew there was some trick going on.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CwkOFHmOM
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Pars kept his aim steady, and steady, and kept it up for seconds, then minutes. I realized then that we had lost our pursuer, but Pars only tilted his head.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zy1rzT0He
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhQR1zhMmt
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He pulled his crossbows back and sighed, rubbing his head as he turned around. His eyes met with mine, and he practically blenched.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJ56Au2mx0
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI6yBcWHFo
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I sighed, and I smiled. There was something heartwarming about seeing this man act as usual, even if it pained me.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V9XLJGYXj
