"Hey, wake up."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYmyQBF0Fz
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0g8mjOiqH
"H-Huh!?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZJCcwFmTl
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLqpCkEI10
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjGJJtSZGr
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUIx0Le6U5
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUAjSs3Mcr
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK1lNbh3qI
"No no, it's fine."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8GIFMesWz
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShgRjucYVT
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vkXlU6A2Q
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6ojuGfqNl
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL1cHdh1R2
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dVJmHWUip
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk3hDtGCev
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNFtdlAzSf
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dR4KGSD6j
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1efRZk6so
"Are ya sure–"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfmgT5QOjv
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8oXhNT3vN
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKvDXu3JrW
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNlrMLr0HQ
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2AF9Fus5n
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs0m2DieoQ
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS3kgkdUN5
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4Y03rrFiu
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDklO9PBHOh
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb4rI7ldiv
"..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMpjrmSKJI
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5PMvTkDqs
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqpUx7YpEm
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOtwL3LF6C
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpHrZx2d5X
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrQzDDrbUp
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyNRDKdF3d
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1G2WGrtXN
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmmbsmx0nP
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTCL8UZ7EF
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWqEKUYpBk
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8xGFVBRt9
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKscdfAndW
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkziEI4NLs
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rCUxBmnBt
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUteHxhcWF
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmeEEYTPRb
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoq0QnaO1n
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG4TrQrcii
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSaPESDoMJ
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmopu9PN0s
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidnwvFVZw6
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c451WVewi
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ToA3NIGgt
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsHXLNQOXN
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4z5IHSiaT
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–193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllw722WVkD
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYesZoFHZo
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kdFZiVnjH
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3XVnyitoc
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhmmszCpCQ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByRHdPooSs
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHRzlNbDas
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL8C9BLdOR
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqrsek841l
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49inLWH2aw
"What?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdjjxO9Zph
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqS5oleQ5J
He sighed and flicked his head.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXG9BdYXGF
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU4x41TDmx
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASU7UrGRct
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKN8JxXAzN
"Last... yeah, let's."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgzA26KWfj
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvvvZU17Se
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8icXwm6Unq
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T915f71al
"This is good. This is really good."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROBXh8qzzS
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsTN9xyhD2
"I told ya."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyqMWQIrOc
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZOMwQU27P
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYgsMp4NAy
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRV1mjs6fE
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgZ7TIBKu5
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBJ4oCgmUK
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzFkA6V6gI
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF7cuj0e1I
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEX49NLqgO
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh8vZfzJHa
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxFik9Knxb
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoQgQzvtoQ
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIZWxT9dwk
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCt18BBmHo
–
–
–193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3db0msZoxy
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABjMeOldZe
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIxEfkmd8F
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MihfCwnuW
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNNIIEqdMS
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRyMpz1Hu0
"That's right," Juke responded.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvXgz2hE5O
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm94vuaZwx
"I see..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDU6VOvXeE
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNxedGidOJ
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ9evbY3TS
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWMfCL2RVF
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8Ri4VR8hE
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18FCqYhJcS
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKoKfKA7kp
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPZ272aPwD
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGwFmhugPs
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzApCzhxj7
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0KFgtS5vi
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ItetfEAhM
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeKoZ7JDvm
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSfRsDsgKc
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ9HZOPAav
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdRigC3qnM
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05culdCCNm
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUecPa5bwhR
"What are you looking at me for?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0nAtRaRVP
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6kpfz2840
"Ya got any ideas?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RY8cKxsyR
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt57qP6Ofpa
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfhW9vtfi5
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1Yxt2yHfq
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfR6K1lDZ6
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoc44tOw9s
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDxNAnUWRn
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qp3KiEQ6Y
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xMzbz0AxH
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3t4AD6RQV
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO2tdSIpPI
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a9icL6J0x
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxCB70FGcq
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1hxBnGf4i
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaCIW2RrNL
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0qz9Z6SGm
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95nLLfu25d
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTwDDJQ6Io
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY9Ij2zooW
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvEXDGSEZ5
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiRhFTJBz9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFRGI3asen
He shook his hands frantically and.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBoDG7wtOu
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc580FGsII
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbet96aIvh
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xU6jT80zH
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF965gQywNN
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcOOFYrbn9
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4KlPIrAOZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdtyVTk99S
"Pray for me."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuU98ZnNpJ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuh477ovika
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcA9RP0SrK
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BU1F2aWYM
"Juke!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDv9rtBCdN
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9U7yEDREe
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBkI261sPK
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgHXxFzPxo
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmvxddWZ0F
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV0aNio5er
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPdNX8NbJw
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOnEx3cQh6
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYX5G2ZBROR
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3Z7E6HngP
"Still, I appreciate it."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OmcF2Ije0
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL4ss8Y2D7
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DqleKiKdw
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDYkvcD8gL
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgX9ohELfpT
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83mrtPAqXi
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINSffytznY
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fgGIL3SPM
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9bAp3Wt0F
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMQ87p0TgF
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOKrepnCNA
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnUW2bmZFV
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlp3ZYlPCV
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJLvVS27Md
"Thank you for your help, Hank."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJNRe7HH5p
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3khuKddzk
"Yeah, we really of ya."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ740aGPqitC
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdNVMbitNu
He gave us a light smile and waved.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBXgSjLl4A
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjbElUTYrY
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcMTLfnacE
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9caDKHg4Rf
"...Y-Yeah."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjnBSr7j1R
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNto4tAYhiB
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIINe0f8RQZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ab3wafQXe
–
–
–193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1dQo3Ktab
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaBu30j5GL
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MtjuJONy2
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuA00eQxeK
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzvUjumbr6
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSc4PyvtUf
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoJ2AuKliW
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnB6gJMuKd
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVf0Y44GoX
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkWzHGDgVe
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcZzsXjhh9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZEkZEveGN
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk8liGlqN6
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO1Ehy7V6K
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7vciXYyht
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmbXapLGat
"--Crap!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpprR71Qztt
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlUneNb4Cc
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tp8Iop2bz
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjEiBPABWU
"Crap. Crap!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLcEneqs4O
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEwA62ANa9
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeiM3uXUGP
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8gEeqShgZ
"People are heading our way!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6EzdB25AT
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmRmS6aBu7
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bzVqmQPow
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvFBfvoCol
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVLGJAgUCB
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52OlfiDGCo
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULrG8aTr6y
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOTgkTOn93
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlonZP1B7Wl
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWROfhGhRa
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl2qiGcCcy
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHDPOewsse
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4h44zLgHW
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHFImHWRFE
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7skyz1aQOx
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOmigwyuWA
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWe9dARw6m
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLAsCYceyq
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lP2xhFR20
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gbJUBWcsN
"Ack!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4WeNrij4g
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNzdvbaLmn
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHtcorcDT7
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KqnceobUv
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAWHkysH3D
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTW8ydsZId
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5WqQyo2u9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0DMxQRokH
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIkcVUUcDP
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfghIFgulv4
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ6DPIwQqb
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV13EEyO8r
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIz0jI05H0I
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoDszfUzC4
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBxJYQLkrQ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLXu0fvvp4
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGnErGWDuU
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYN9gBBfTR
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnFmRJH83M
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zqZqAJbLg
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmr9KpyhvW
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkECWXNHMk
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–193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIRJuMxkO1
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKuAKElHgI
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nPVK8ZL2C
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmW9rExeDW
"Huh?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmsioMDOiQ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhaEuhr96P
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDCqYHaonN
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCn990tIyR
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qVt0X8FC9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vwVMyvXfY
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvmeOS2ynk
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQESPqfNKh
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTX33DaSPK
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9OJc0V6wx
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwfS7BeSRd
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWGWVej4K7
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5mm8z1fvB
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3xAZTCRAc
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSknvhZjnio
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQM0jXci4w
"..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUYqFQr1NL
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6nq4hbI8K
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGcaN5FXBw
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8AOBZDNs5
So, I let my mouth run amok.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiKCydiprZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILjJcVGwiY
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UoObRl6hX
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMVGHScZJe
"Yeah, I know."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcIdIEDvQM
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Tb3A53z5m
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpsUrpgPKx
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEzfz0k1lG
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsfMMd8hCP
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFk9bXGnpu
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhajFmGsybe
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfOKtXzYtf
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVRDcinT9H
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUEBHN3Ude
"That sounds familiar..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcOP9e4aXn
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkOLvThjNX
"Huh?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQriCW67yg
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKx1QWBvjJ
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTGFbCDt1w
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWIiq98rAD
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAdaYak9CA
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwFDJlRPW4
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QBKeIELcc
"Well?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS8EyJvDn5
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tl7C2luZM
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTaIjvYX3n
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29eIalluXi
"Ah."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDtmS8OZU6
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wvjix1LDT
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87FSbwiHlN
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eTm6J6nzH
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRj3BMgUR9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWqLibpqUg
"Ah, the Lionant?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvT0zLFYzh
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjo5lk2nuW
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7xHTrkC0H
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xvoKkhn87
"..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggVHwwiJ7r
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPmjlB0UQd
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkRD7NPjAI
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGQJ9mXxEJ
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnaijjQSe5
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdNoV3x4rO
"...Yeah, why did I?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauQyF3MB2z
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlrTuOGLFi
I didn't expect to be met with another question.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPzE1L8zMi
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleNTgrCcwj
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Gx308Tng0
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfwHUiISkb
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXX6TivylH
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCw9F1tLE7
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHj1fHbZY4z
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JOQcC8MEs
"..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtMfQgW5TP
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6pu6qifpT
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGlCtJaGxo
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspcOj0hcVk
"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?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLVPDmVAYb
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIN2ZdJOmy
"What?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgr0ob9uN8
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r9JZCC96j
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm0BmoRXX9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp10pXMG1ZJ
"That sounds... boorish?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHmxkwvnZS
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cn64z6OZV
"Pff, yer just too young."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tQfHznaPy
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPOlziuSvG
He paused for a moment.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpXbG6BXFQ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxrBrNjU9I
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgizQdMrh8
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdnRyxBNoE
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15pgd2SOKS
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYo9pNY4YZw
"...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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai9DgdSjDQ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkPMA5nhoe
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6xn6UvGaH
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qQHN38UBG
"That's silly... O-Oh–"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqZ6Ul4hH9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDNuysnDDM
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtblZOZiCHH
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Zs1giL2by
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZyt7qh8O7
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbqFxL9eTE
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡralMDuObH6
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi77jAF75zi
"I... yes, I suppose so."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5wglq86AI
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuth6TqL26R
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbwAbAJWxO
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCVTTvZzgv
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJINwRH0eQ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mKgr9HJ0J
"Yes, I know."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zQjNIzG0h
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae27AMIgch
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaN59TzOKS
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7mm9gSFQV
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7VSmJavO4
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd3vABtUva
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU1D3fdzWh
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXejTOpiTW
"..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIkZOhadcY
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoY3OMk5Zo
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuSxg6Ud8s
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpo7kcH22Y
"Ya hear that?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGu5bOdLuZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qTJpo8dSP
"Huh?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLJf0ALygN
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg4xYgX9GX
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZadzxxScy
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jLffRsmNF
"They passed."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnzKsN1ZfA
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjVY33qOqG
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhPhv3CPYt
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu92m3orZls
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWsbnoFj9Y
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4J2jUG439
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15Vhv4oHJd
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARV6WyI9aG
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd37i7rCNU
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xTDhZLqGV
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AE38djktN
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iARErHPDA
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCDnq7Oxlr
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WLkGkqbFo
"You've been saying that a lot."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfITz0uNUgp
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJVrnDQssO
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3Yc5wb4kG
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiVjLqmx87
We stood stock still in silence.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzQ5IQzYtO
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS58Yiv8ju
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vbmEBjat1
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpUJDt83ya
"Are ya sure?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51Z1yeJ9wc
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxz65zKd8X
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1n21KwU65
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdlp0Zvxid
"I should be asking you that."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLCCQIsEtX
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuwYXrkfAw
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllqoyF57wX
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxBL1pE7G3
"Yes. You get it."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21G9AjF0pz
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIbGKlNPNT
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtGtKlKph4
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfldXM3iSak
"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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTY9rWBSTx
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW4Rk1sjPy
"Fine by me."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpTDYl6f8v
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PKMAs22v2
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoXsCmUWVk
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ820WBeq8I3
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1zdmW0Cy8
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzUuDTVn6Y
"Yeah, we're almost there."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAJuQyKct1
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7oqxYVlNi
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQ3LO4JjRw
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfCDeMPff7
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLTsohlqFi
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA6a8SnKQP
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"Blurg, what was that?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyZFOifgTq
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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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRIuXzJckG
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"What was what?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP3OVu6BxF
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"I caught a whiff of something."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92nr9OMefo
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvmtaGZK7d
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlim4oc0bUA
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFIZ6TODwt
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaGUbv7bLy
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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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUcmeRS63I
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZI9mUevfcw
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KCj0uMh2f
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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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAHKnHOYyW
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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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTnWpdEr7C
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuSaZCXZJf
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatP3Z216un
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3IpW5ykpX
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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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzrP0bcizw
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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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjeEWPR9Rc
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZMu5yQEMC
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjJGPgrqHi
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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–193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwblP8glqHi
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYpcIpTSdB
"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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIoCLaYxOq
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtGLChKEJf
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"Who are ya people?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzH1TWkjlG
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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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwNgJkCUpt
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"Buddy?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQWieUA5O8
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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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzfxEDGsKZ
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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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBizodB2wW
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"Quiet now."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd7VFg5mGq
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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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU3gEoFYJz
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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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUprYEcIUAR
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedusJ6OIgt
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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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGfsoiPtVL
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDDN5NdrXZ
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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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgS6RcyBJ1
