"Hey, wake up."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8X2R2nVp1
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy46cmulbsp
"H-Huh!?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpxo2FbD1d
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu3Nl4Kq3C
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGRgNGxkDf
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4GTxaXhsF
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWIMSfgCzX
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpNUZXUFJI
"No no, it's fine."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQvRdW4NVR
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSTwD6FrCU
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOyHPdovKJ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxx3pRiTxB
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiGlmhJ0bB
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gYX3TWeyt
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HmT6UgE56
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z8jlLPtdD
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb4Wct1KAZ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnEhPfJJ4M
"Are ya sure–"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYCbcoreqZ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2nSl3SAiU
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA1uwU03wE
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEMWkEZKBp
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v3A3BpWcb
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KRphyR1hH
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzcJ0dYN3M
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b38uJNLNl
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3B13Apr2h4
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18NtexetbQ
"..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWwAHwfKSl
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffGtCTCT3k
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKL7ljVLFe
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4wwYewWzr
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJUMNOwRX5
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBukoEwICf
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTPkw6qwys
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZteVSPCJU8
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB3V3xY067
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZNh6i6tYH
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7oHBXelxT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeb9WEYDWu
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7buIhNBoZ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iaxmPxMJg
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJTW8uZmSh
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKJnRelpBJ
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09KX602NOL
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJW6YKZI9z
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cr4Zbrogd
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAeh5yFfcp
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfcVCTnUzp
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjv1Vr3ej3
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuxSqkOjv5
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANrWB7dhiw
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSi2mLFkNt
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv6RrIktjo
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–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaRTsqGkv1
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57rbSa61aG
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBNfhyeT2W
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeF8duT3uZG
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST8wcx7jpq
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5xqlNg7Y6
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi192NgcFUr
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwj4kCJcY5Z
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP183r7mqPz
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3day60cXO
"What?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwWDQYkAYO
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUabh22xFd
He sighed and flicked his head.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTL1GM8HnW
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvdvPpJTYb
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1NkRw5KDu
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDSgUQwjOM
"Last... yeah, let's."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz3uJAKqj0
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFy2za1boJ
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQkdgqvvFw
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33D0PshIOa
"This is good. This is really good."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd59FqjDwNn
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnje4czO6o
"I told ya."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjUBa5wUbI
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdHNSyGJnb
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0MqwcgfaC
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu29lAXBaf
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20iRVORKFo
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTNdG0LKax
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfc3PJoqZG7
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUtNgVKgAk
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wlo04IK3k
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9ccbMZvgy
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h5ePsrr52
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMFeIgW4LS
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhHR1Jtw8O
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsxgpumGwb
–
–
–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXrlpmvABn
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNTgscSFAJ
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZK4UJXzyh
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJeSRmWFZp
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjAIxigFDm
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BN2xExZYL
"That's right," Juke responded.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAr82eWPus
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhaTHbZArX
"I see..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3HqPV3Jib
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgreolZCDpn
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBem2VtNg8D
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9toq3Ihglu
"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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtNL3I1tGV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU7o5aWDJD
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFKyslCDGF
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKwIj2zILe
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzOt9l0YNB
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITpN0o1z36
"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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjc93KZDbb
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvisjy88wkD
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTwiHoyKqF
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8LDH1nEUG
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn6kpfELga
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ6k11gAvb
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiG959Kade
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLuvmRevOs
"What are you looking at me for?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNffxQHbo0e
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPHFXZFhBP
"Ya got any ideas?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvj89ybKt9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkx7Mzz1Fx
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrxy8GzyNO
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdflm4b5Z7
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3qQ0jdhb4
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauf0CcCew4
"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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMiDPdKEW2
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7lWLycVKw
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQgzQLKH32
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi37QmgFHf
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhwOHwZe1G
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHzWBrOQtp
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzc2M2g6Uy
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsQEaoFFNe
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCx33eBcNT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOpBPAcuot
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4CMNXPvtW
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFtWNnqB46
"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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3rBnOHaGv
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7E4DsDi52
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF5ySHoSVZ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplKJutJs6C
He shook his hands frantically and.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ9ScahgXW
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSVK2ONeim
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8UqEj75Y9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRGdD04RAW
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWb3IJ11x1
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdcOIjTHaS
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcXbW9z0hf
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSKTJkGj14
"Pray for me."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6C1X2gRKR
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gn0RqxHGP
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenxePtdekW
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObQO9ex3G9
"Juke!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQw8YM1LOhi
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOo3ONJXr3
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthmeJUzC5N
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipPCCa36xs
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMlAvkFdGx
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNGfG7SQFK
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpeC4denS6
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tKjhzEIqG
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNJIhMEp71
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z7pljymkf
"Still, I appreciate it."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt8GmH9MLm
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1ax18NlLy
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGItqe2aOS
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAOUNdCUDK
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpdrJlLjcR
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIL4JmEZ9lT
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Hz0JNRpLM
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo2sK2enFE
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0luFe2gHI
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXCUuz7zOc
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygX9cPM7oh
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSAEQnmZZh
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHmLV8NY2G
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wSODx7wYF
"Thank you for your help, Hank."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMuc64CNhF
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAvVuAxvfi
"Yeah, we really of ya."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWY3jXiTYz
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK9JoScmTs
He gave us a light smile and waved.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9Fw2bi7bK
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPc0XJ68xe
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4TprT9vpD
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuPhO2BUmM
"...Y-Yeah."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiWgEqAuFg
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TYFne8nLT
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7HVjnU8NT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57pYKI1RQ7
–
–
–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgAYqsOzjM
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHjrHUbWZz
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2iLWUW1TO
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdG2Ny7I0ff
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1x8axNUez
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aYvzjtXZd
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxICoSVyFZ4
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GAQCc2gXT
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gg4SRbPJv
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcCab9h1WH
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEK0VUf6iN
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PIsXh0Cb7
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX557Sjxe1
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPTHrcvf4F
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5QZkkzGbR
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56aJHAah8k
"--Crap!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAJaVNiZwb
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyNPcRH8wT
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnrp9FBkgq
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIj6YzHcuX
"Crap. Crap!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRa1XFpPys6
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmJA5ozZwQ
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3rLtilIe5
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lbdSxQzXk
"People are heading our way!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBx0CNki0kq
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8891f3ozt
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNelIrsdy1x
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4axzciNrl
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrWbWap1wg
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZATYD4WOOn
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib11es68ix
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu3RUqXCcx
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFQ5VOcpJo
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4ngS76G6l
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LmsucUy1o
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNkfFYLJ3c
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbxTaBhxnO
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAd3dt2j7jO
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaBjL0g0pu
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmljjwFK204
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjS88MJUy5
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyodIBw3aO
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhKq0cwB92
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMK0Oq3Jdv
"Ack!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9ikKLqNPa
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtwwxeR71j
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QkkXhyN7N
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AtZXaYo9y
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcD1BFqs4d
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1APL21bdFU
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNG9cmmxtJ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79iIhl7sVP
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fPGVg27RP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99vrVshlBd
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLfrZURXNy
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZONIKKJMaT
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm5sK8V17X
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n1fw0W1hc
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6Dgmg7Hor
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfm4WJbxkkk
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtP8Qxi6xb
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMlCAa3R9j
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseNN305G0t
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnO0JeSqymC
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG9qLkoss0
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeJ6JSbCeu
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–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6cltlD7tl
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hteIotpVn
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j3PKfVyJv
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EWoalDC80
"Huh?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXhaOxM5DZ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPV1zMPFrK5
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi93VjI386M
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhhcWm2wEU
"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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf86kotVWt
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmlR1zVTHY
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhob0HAGdm
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ2jmVMDLV
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYO54ic54ms
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4VOo2P7L5
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡollY2da7eM
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqozAXthRz3
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoy6OB974x
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQqFZU4qm7
"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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2gFiMlOfw
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbRxpHbwJ3
"..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFTiJOnFCU
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFjKkGIQT3
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTy0VwYAzPn
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUH9cgv554
So, I let my mouth run amok.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl10P7JYQLt
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2G0AIEONf
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcjfZql0qp
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T6M4eIpJ0
"Yeah, I know."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCn2hyLlPe
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWNmefUvAM
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9aCI9hzmI
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qermTq5wb
"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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoAK2YNyMz
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0HSU8W8G1
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbruomFOik
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXOqAceDEO
"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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXFH6TWxeP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdicP1Wp1n8
"That sounds familiar..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD85OQ0NODM
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIK81tfoKq
"Huh?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVlKI62DJZ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qjtkC3Rgz
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfgqdUYcGR
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv3rMIYlKf
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2pAZqWOhe
"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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgSdSFmmZ9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvS1x1KUZb
"Well?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzS6n3avOC
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA5lelBUZ3
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP9qH2zJJf
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKDATMBxuI
"Ah."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUzkd39T5Z
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxeqZiZC2x
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB25CaLrXqR
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerElxia1Cc
"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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtrNIB0ayw
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8HULpI8Yb
"Ah, the Lionant?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZeaEPmkF1
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7yn8dmeK0
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fSoig8jl3
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM92JupbrD3
"..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4tTYbLCZK
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGmkffACuh
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo37dGWSlcz
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qTMsL4w4H
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FmWauvQSb
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Cho3weByz
"...Yeah, why did I?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAIsMUqVCP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yeeOlfbV7
I didn't expect to be met with another question.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkmd2L6YXs
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp7GxxFntK
"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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNVHZuHOd3
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmzRawe1eK
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX6azBSxt0
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9jEy8FGAn
"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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWbtpEbmV0
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA7mYX4zRP
"..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ389aVzmtxV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6v4eubotL
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H0mf5tLGl
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d3xP0Kd7g
"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?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI18Y9JSCk
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03OnL3s7L4
"What?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILU8LqLCWC
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT9jUOJIYD
"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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRy4BtsKc4
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXshElvqHu
"That sounds... boorish?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l9SW1kdEc
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiLAAxhupt
"Pff, yer just too young."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqProemXXq
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetmQwqGgu3
He paused for a moment.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvUhzSCQBH
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNw46CvhsZ
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyM8Mh54x31
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mOty1jVk6
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XU01eym7S
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13goREJfRt
"...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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdFymlSehj
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQsa5VQHbg
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7ZzLO6QOL
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk64NnrcjWu
"That's silly... O-Oh–"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVL4sSL0Zb
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOJmqL3qSL
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP8YqGWWd0
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok9rt67CKB
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlrzHW725N
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0WLgC1t7i
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQIr8Gny0i
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfrjB0Y5oa
"I... yes, I suppose so."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxghESi56g
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaY5pKYD09
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyde3S001qB
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxH4h2Tu5b
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRBz2acckx
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexur85nDb1
"Yes, I know."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp8gfPGyLU
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMh5DxE4A5z
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8wWOBpAdD
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3Wzk0DuGO
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ7AAneHlD
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46A16nZfzY
"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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCWyZl822W
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBYkYwfCmt
"..."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayJmQ4e1SE
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIcNC0PQYd
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSN1mHz1XE
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqwEGpvQkQ
"Ya hear that?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sUkVtQmrz
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUKxBd2Fbf
"Huh?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cPm05CwG5
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88SH2T5QOt
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ybCe4qOdg
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29UcHGt26O
"They passed."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUlzuM2BgM
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplbgUatvfH
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkFVNH9Tdf
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpINwqFcDlt
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYMf8rCKb9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUHLImxX39
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2HkSRw7WN
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgJG8E1oC2
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzACIHiTzq
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3jdcZIquX
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22RjHK7qxR
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNNzB7z9WV
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHWV9FyIl8
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWnRIWLqO2
"You've been saying that a lot."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLy7yi4rxQ6
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaURHny6Mc3
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqlfltQCeW
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm0LDNMswf
We stood stock still in silence.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidCjfJ9b6k
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡva23kLxf4Q
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s6YU8leRW
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hfVR26L33
"Are ya sure?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEtI3xIwdT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpCP37V0Ch
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF9dLvSvqj
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjM3qt1zuwX
"I should be asking you that."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DEaF6Y6RM
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VksqUellh
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY3gGzIeIb
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg1xRKcWuk
"Yes. You get it."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNjP2S5htV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtffiUyLkc1
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd41qyR67r
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaKekyPze2
"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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W3Wn5lXLD
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DPuW74vEf
"Fine by me."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRcioXcU9X
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoJ2IiKccS
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdzT1iRFWF
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7B7AkHDKY
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTgPOKTZCu
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTBIo2IpjP
"Yeah, we're almost there."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGR74g7w3K
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMNRucWtDs
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin6t604Ybr
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h6uoHMYhM
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiRsz1N7i6
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgHnLwvTSh
And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTtZLF1UXs
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"Blurg, what was that?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCWNuLSwjN
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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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjpKRZKZzH
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"What was what?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqidOh4SEc
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"I caught a whiff of something."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnATTsNbZ7
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RQc3PbQzN
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiL0ZsAEUF
Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgksB27YgMg
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZPYsFDezk
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe9tVOyTLq
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xB7NXPK6i
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuhXj8gKFT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xoxv5l4dQ
But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGED8zn2daA
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TYr9cBZX4
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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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGB8m7SpnOj
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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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvNyZ6Rcje
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5gkoweTz6
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlDI8AR4JQ
"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnqfNBzwr7
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcwKvBH65g
"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYCGoIF75S
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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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrfyWfXLPa
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTjioyQ6tN
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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhAf84ct99
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QzCiIJdFV
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcHHr19joX
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7khU6NFmiX
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–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6lyU25mfq
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v2Rtst0Rx
"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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiovjyOedU3
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSFtqtToBa
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"Who are ya people?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegGhThMssD
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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."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa2k0Up17W
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo39alucdiQ
"Buddy?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrOgosd8O8
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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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbheZWcH8JD
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnvvHzLCpB
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrNUcrjt4r
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56thpl7ckm
"Quiet now."242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9MSDUDZJc
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M5LOAnhPy
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAAw2JzAu1
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5DmbWy16i
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.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6VMOzkJfn
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhsGvc9FGc
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCsBnVIggH
He pulled his crossbows back and sighed, rubbing his head as he turned around. His eyes met with mine, and he practically blenched.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChi0B4v25u
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA07DJ0GCR
"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuYQ8BDmz3
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNRyzPN5bE
I sighed, and I smiled. There was something heartwarming about seeing this man act as usual, even if it pained me.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9EAsBhlKh
