The fire cracked and popped. It was already dark out. Four hours had passed since the infiltration. Flinty, Ng, and Kenny were sitting beside the fire. Victoria just returned with more firewood. Kenny took a tiny bite out of an apple
Victoria sat down. Everyone was staring at the fire. The silence was oppressive, but Kenny didn't have the power nor gall to interrupt it.
"...I apologize for what has happened. My cowardice, my fear, it all led to this," Ng said.
"It isn't your fault," Victoria said, "as much as I'd like to say that it was nobody's fault, I think all of us messed up, hehe."
"Perhaps it was. But still, I feel as if I'm mostly to blame."
And thus, a needless back-and-forth started. Kenny didn't interject.
"Seriously, it's fine, you don't need to take all the blame."
"But–"
"Guys!"
Flinty suddenly raised her voice.
"M-Maybe it's Ng's fault, or Victoria's, but at the end of the day, Kim is still in trouble!"
"Right. Of course."
"You're right, Flinty."
"So... what do we do? We need a plan."
"Well," Ng started, "Jeremiah is formidable, but one of Panz's beasts has already been exterminated. Panz himself is also injured. Once we regain our strength, an upfront assault may be the best course of action.
"Right," Flinty replied, "Kenny can take the blob on by himself. Do you think you can do it, Kenny?"
Kenny didn't respond. He lifted his head and gazed at Flinty with beady eyes.
"...I'm not going back in there," he muttered, and their eyes widened.
"W-What, why not!?" Flinty cried. Shock permeated Victoria's expression. Kenny put a hand on his knee.
"It's best if we leave. Everyone will be in danger if we go back."
"But Kenny, what about Kim? We need to help her!"
"..."
Kenny turned his head away. Flinty's words didn't reach him. Frustrated, confused, surprised, and worried, Flinty didn't know what to do or say under such pressure. So, she didn't.
"F-Fine, but if you won't do it, then I will!"
"Don't! You're just asking to die!"
Kenny spat his rebuttal, Flinty flinched, and Kenny returned to gazing at the ground.
"Let's just... get out. At least, I can guarantee that you'll be fine if we do."
It hit her then. Flinty understood what was wrong with him. But still, she didn't have the words. Still, she didn't know how to convince his friend. Still, she couldn't help him. Flinty was dejected, upset that she didn't have the words.
She looked at Victoria. She was at a loss well, Flinty could tell. But, Victoria was older, and Victoria was smarter. Flinty was sure that she would think of something.
"Why don't we sleep on it?" She suggested, "We'll think of something in the morning."
"Yes! That sounds like a good idea!"
Flinty peered at Kenny, waiting for anything from him.
"...Fine."
Flinty felt relieved. Still angry, still worried, but at least she had time to think of something. And thus, the group readied for bed. None of them had any blankets or pillows, so they had to be content with sleeping on the ground. It wasn't comfortable, but before long they all fell asleep.
All, except for Kenny.
–
–
–
I couldn't get that thought out of my mind. This situation, this incident, none of this was like the one with my parents.
This was my fault. This was undeniably my fault. From the beginning, it was my fault.
That bullet. Why did I miss it? Why? Why? None of this would've happened if I just hit that bullet. That damn, tiny bullet made of stone.
I should've made it bigger. I should've been more patient. I should've gotten closer. I should've just used my tendril, or used fire magic. Who would've cared if I killed him? That alternative was so much better than this. Kim has been captured. The wolf is still out.
These thoughts, they kept me awake. I couldn't even close my eyes without that scene playing back in my mind; the bullet. If I just didn't miss that bullet.
"..."
I needed to take a piss.
I stood up. I tried not to wake up the group. I walked for a few minutes until I found a passable tree, then I took care of my business.
"...Crap."
I was already feeling groggy. I washed my hands with water magic and walked back, but stopped. Somebody was walking up to me. It was Ng. He stopped before me, carrying a makeshift torch.
"What do you want?"
"Kenny, do you mind us having a chat?"
I didn't even have any suspicions. It was ridiculous. But, really, talking was the last thing I wanted to do, so I walked around him.
"Kenny, what has you acting this way? Is it truly today's failure?"
"That's none of your business."
Ng followed me.
"I'll be blunt, this is abnormal."
"Shut up."
"Whether we escape the forest or not, you are the only one who can do anything about it."
"Shut up."
"Are you upset at me?"
I turned around.
"Huh? Why the hell would I be?"
"I see. Then, Kenny, let me ask you this; is this truly the best way to go about it?"
I didn't say anything, just tilted my head.
"You clearly feel at fault. I know, I've been in such a situation before."
"--!"
I couldn't say anything more. I couldn't even pretend to be mad anymore. I just sighed.
"Kenny, as an adult, allow me to grant you a piece of advice."
I didn't respond.
"I don't believe today's incident was your fault, but that is irrelevant. No, what I want to tell you is that, if you truly feel like you're at fault, then atone."
"...Atone?"
"Of course. It's simple, isn't it? You apologize for your mistake, and then you make up for it."
"...That is too simple."
"But it holds true, doesn't it?"
I turned my head away.
"It's..."
Ng walked up to me.
"You have a lot of power, Kenny. So much so, I'm envious of you. Perhaps you think you can't use it, but at the end of the day, who else can rescue Kim and fight Jeremiah but you?"
I turned around. I couldn't deny his words. He was right. And yet...
"That isn't it. That isn't it at all."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVGWRGFzuy
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdxcl9gjQ1
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzibX6nPFt
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"Then what is it?" He asked. I had to take a moment to put it into words.
"...If I go back in there, then all of it will hinge on me again. Your lives, your well-being, all of it. If I go back there, then all of it will be up to me. If one of you die, then that's my fault. If one of you get hurt, then that's my fault."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOK4KSReh4
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"That's not true at all–"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb8EaUeQCD
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"Let me finish! You, have you ever had a feeling like that before? You said you know, you said you've been there, but you haven't! I can't stomach it; I can't stomach that feeling that, it's all up to me, that I'm the one who has to be the shoulder for all of you to lean on! I can't, I just... I just can't..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35YYVVQ9w3
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ45Tt9NzB
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYDLEejIRH
"All of you say I'm a genius, but I'm not a genius. A genius wouldn't have gotten us into this mess in the first place. And now, now that I at least have Flinty, and at least Victoria is here– and hell, at least now that you're here, you're telling me to go back in there, and then just, risk it all again? What if I mess up or, God, what if I cause Kim to die? I-I'm not– I can't do it! I can't! I can't do it alone! Kim is already gone, I don't have her to help me anymore, so if something goes wrong then it's going to go terribly wrong! D-Don't you get it? Don't you get it, Ng!? How am I supposed to do anything, absolutely anything, knowing that if it all goes to shit then I'm the one who's responsible!?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygdSkfTKIg
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I fell to my knees.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdeHdBrGjI
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"K-Kim said it herself... all of it, all of it hinges on me... but I'm not someone to make that bet on, I'm not... I'm not..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhgTCOLdv0
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIVvSwFuDa
I fell. I was in a fetal position and the top of my head was glued to the ground. I couldn't hear anything over my crying. I couldn't even move. I felt something touch my shoulder. I looked up to see Ng's face.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha1bSndY8x
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"...Kenny."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFwVKdARQd
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"What!?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjv2T1uidpr
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjITflnI2DM
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMDopvYIfG
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH08ZXLa6c
The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNe92yWgP3
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"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFiJUxy6Hg
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xiOcXtnWy
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sTm9LVCsR
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ22oEtnlm
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXT7s82gWN
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqMuEDZrNs
"N-No..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2EAp3iAs5
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQRm7zITy3
Oh, God.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkZAk5t5rX
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQXRoZcqfl
Oh, God.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lEZ5NOnMj
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTmSTgSSsd
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTqjGtkavM
Ng leaned down to pat me again. I slapped his hand away. I scurried backward on the ground, panting, tears still rolling down my face. Ng didn't look like a man to me anymore. I couldn't identify what he was. All I saw was something I didn't like. I kept scurrying back and I hit a tree, then I stood up, and then I ran away. I didn't know where it was that I was going but the light from his torch was fading and that's all that mattered. I kept looking back and eventually, I stumbled. Right, the roots here, they were massive. I got up and five steps later I tripped again. The exhaustion from before still hadn't subsided. I could barely move. But, at the very least, Ng wasn't here. At least Ng wasn't there.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXAQOWriG5
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But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmZwR2uIqm
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8VsFutRoh
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmJUnsHWbx
It wasn't the way I thought about it. So, here I was on the ground, affirming myself. Of course, I wasn't leaving her to die. Of course, I was just trying to make sure Flinty and the others were safe. Of course, Ng was right. Ng was totally right. He saw through me, but worst of all, I knew Ng was right, I knew completely but that didn't change a thing. I still couldn't even grasp the idea of going back there and fighting and– and maybe Kim really was killed because of me, because I couldn't do it. But Ng was right. I needed to go back.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39nnidRe2L
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya8Em4vwP1
But if I went back then what if it goes wrong? What if I go back and I see that I've truly failed? What if I go back and I see her– her–161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckTMPFkspq
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"--Hrk!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeP8MNfkM5d
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I managed to hold back my vomit. Somehow that cleared the haze in my mind. I leaned against a nearby tree. I didn't think. If I thought, then I would've heard Ng's words again, and if I thought, my anxieties would've crawled back, and then I would be endlessly running. So I sat there instead.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHJr7ed5Wb
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaaueOKD3c
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"There you are."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXSeDTI7bK
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Ng already found me, huh?161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZR1S5SJ8g
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgl9b4GcBY
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWKAmWWGGk
I casted a gaze his way. An indescribable tug on my stomach was telling me to forgive him. It felt terribly unnatural, but I couldn't help but give into it. I didn't accept his apology, but–161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ0i1Odzje
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"...Fine."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwbEH9oROh
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He offered me a hand but I stood up by myself. I followed him through the woods. I was staring at his heels. Sometimes he turned his body to me, likely to say something, but he didn't speak it.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJipj7EiL6
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS9iiAYYFJ
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Nevermind. What a strange question.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXbUTjoFma
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"No. They died a long time ago."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOQxmnCY9y
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"I see. You have my condolences."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fKocKobFK
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"I don't need them."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJPfPNBVvX
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A pause.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUX7bvKgm7
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1QQ793itm
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"..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX5lYQ24xe
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I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmPOEk9Cvr
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And then the memories came flooding back. Those months where I refused to walk outside, being taken in by Anabelle, and lastly the talk. That vital conversation I had with Anabelle and Jackson. I started biting my nails.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqf2LksIC2
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Despite it, nothing changed. My mind was still at odds with itself. But I calmed down. I calmed down a lot. At that moment, a bundle of warmth spread throughout my body. I was feeling fine.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrFYxGGlWX
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"Did I–"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B7lfsJczx
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"I'm sorry Ng. I still don't think I can do it. At least, not now, not by myself. Even thinking about it is making me shudder. I can't go in there."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLQVLcDpM9
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuoXTpED7x
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I had to make sure I heard him.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej4UfZDU0l
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"Assistants?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lk2VwGRDX
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"Of course. I can still use the mana here to make some. It doesn't have to be anything powerful, just enough to grab Kim while you're fighting Jeremiah."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XCjYlfwdz
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80KhE2cClB
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkVHP42zQ8
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDdJ5N0cXQ
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIetFZx5ar
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ2vznGDUb
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We kept walking. We didn't exchange another word but I could feel the air around us lighten. Thanks to the campfire, we made it back to the others.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8khW3k6FGW
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJABINqOOKF
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiceQLEUS5
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Flinty ran up to me and gently hugged me, patting me on the back a few times. I would've been embarrassed if I wasn't so bewitched by the presence of the third person.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCru752KNqb
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Roe5NHnOL
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–
–
–
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We were all sitting by the campfire. Though I was sleepy, the knight's presence alone made me unable to sleep. I had too many questions to ask, and it looks like I wasn't alone.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HwDe5kmsZ
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd9koSs21q
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGDwu1fwLx
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"Of course."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKdoXkkmBb
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8rIhx5Pra
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWuyQLxHkl
"Ah, of course. I am here because I've been tasked with tailing Kim. My reasons are secret, but I assure you it isn't anything malicious, not from either party."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeGyaqO2m7
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Tailing her? Well, if that was the case, he must not have been very good at it. But when your target is as disguised and inconspicuous as Kim, then even a knight would have difficulty pursuing you.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA1U1vNVHf
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But, no, something else was bugging me.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDygREJ436h
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"How did you know where to find us here?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWzdrcvdT8
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"I simply spent the day searching."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa1ir1MEAG
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"The whole day?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4F6qb5xy7Y
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He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoqNn5aoLY
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNR9ARXMQC
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5au9PTPxyW
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He sighed.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXv7DK6WCi
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQhVfEWofg
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYzkXc6oyF
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"Oh! Yes! Kim is being held captive by a magical beast my ex-colleague has created. He is formidable, and occasionally reckless, but not a creature who would intentionally kill. He wasn't programmed that way."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJTVu8gaho
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp5LvKflJU
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9361hE90SM
"...Why do you ask?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VNkV42SMA
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRftCi7nyd
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xpZ8umsU9
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJbJ0X2ZL2
Those words made me perk up. They had two meanings to me. Ng went on to explain the blob's ability to contort its body and produce a hypnagogic haze when injured. Skylark didn't look intimidated at all. I didn't see him in action yet, but I imagined that such confidence didn't come from foolishness. Skylark's presence was still strange, and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't have any suspicions about his relation to Kim, but– frankly, it didn't matter. Frankly, I was just glad that I was able to pass the baton onto somebody far more capable than me. A short while later we all returned to sleep; aside from me, of course. And, apparently, aside from Skylark. I lifted my body and stared at him. As we stared at each other, I tried to unbridle certain words from my throat, but he talked first before I could.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDsEFLbhva
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4LBFii0ip
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53niUgSylQ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBRjGQ9OjA
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfVEGGTHOR
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU4cHHyUSJ
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NyclURnfE
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TjhHICveW
"I see. I'll get sleepy eventually, it's just a matter of time. But since you're awake, I might as well talk with you. Talking with people is especially exhausting."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizWdlq2Ryg
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzXcWup0gt
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v8FwgM7Li
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmD1H8Olrc
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vxfNaXrfb
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5sYp4HtU4
He put a hand to his chin.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjmDMVuk2Q
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBEArs3Muu
"...Well, I'm sure you in particular will find out soon. For now, let's just say that I was sent to defend her, in case anything goes awry."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMW4ln7HgN
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4ewssXklG
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOK6Q26M3R
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnWQbbP6kJ
"No."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHTGwrVU8A
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowoKl4N99V
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF51WK5ugM
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN3cKvYMFC
"Do you mean in the woods?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxeEcbVCQ2
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklliU5SkKM
"Yes. I'm just curious."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI20WDdaCw4
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjdz3rjckn
"I entered the woods two hours ago. I was told by Linda to wait until it became dark. Honestly, these woods are a bit of a nightmare to navigate."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TcqLenKkq
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWHUVVnnmz
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBxB7aXOsA
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58nVTwa6gH
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWw9pAx2kj
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hdRgVVHec
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZYs9xDSRk
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHpq1B9MIZ
"Me too."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr913LHtp1i
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX6JW3C4Zf
I realized how strange it was that he called it knightly duty, since he met us by coincidence, but didn't press him on that matter.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuuYovEq1y
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLCeaOBTPK
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyowVYBewq
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE94kMXKEFs
"Yes. For now, at least."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTTw50iaZl
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbi05vxYTc
"Are you sure? I may not be able to answer all questions related to Kim, but I have a lot of knowledge of other things."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRNOWK6OrP
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviW5SJzDHI
"..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdiOVnQIx8
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcETFG5nTD
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqbWC5I7C6
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g3Wty7j4U
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoyMPpdGuC
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyu1vgq5Vg
"...Huh?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5Ap1PAg9m
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfP9msrmbb7
–
–
–
There was a gap in the trees perfectly positioned to where the sun hit my face. I woke up with an uneasy feeling in my chest and had difficulty keeping my eyes open. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well. Despite that, I was feeling fine. Everyone else was still sleeping. Everyone, aside from Flinty, who was not present.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0wvePnoZy
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKOXvzxL0Q
I thought of the worst immediately. I calmed down once I heard a sound nearby. I walked towards it and saw Flinty standing with her arm out, creating water balls and... firing them.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0OfAgxPMx
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkciG1UGHA
I wouldn't repeat the same mistake as before, so I stood by the sidelines and watched. She didn't even have her eyes closed, yet she was able to create a water ball and maintain it for twenty seconds. And then, she fired it. It was a very weak spell; it hit a tree and merely splashed it. If it was another element, it likely would've only scratched the bark off. I was still impressed.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7eCTnRLKx
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsK9EMFAcJ
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XeYQhGNNq
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkFudsrEZV
"Good morning, Kenny."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzdnTsWWUq
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOv4Wm5emmx
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2eKGQrjLO
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6qWCEGBu3
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAXC2OVLfu
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9466wP8H9
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRhuwG1buN
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGcVLplNfl
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCPNxlpcyw
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbQUIb5zqV
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcgwEKpqxb
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6sIAKDxqq
"Yes! I have, ha!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfI5MJkniV
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThEbqXux96
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlGQiqeUD8
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQB8CAWLm0
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFSP6NfE41
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeenCGsbvk
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMikDKmBKYp
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbowVfQIrEA
"Thank you, teacher."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRQCLqLFX4
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3EwAuVZlM
"Yeah. Don't call me that."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzIzpoRSqT
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLVA1lNEkx
"Okay."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF6GBGF0rQ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB6UX9kTMu
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1M4woSO8n
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEh8C1bi31
"Hm? What's wrong?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7dB9QniU9
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjSktBwH1N
"Um..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLQfbwVHJT
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Gqs6H19hv
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxcMM76tbp
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5B5xRVNM7
"Here. Have it back."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40JNzXS5fq
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh89EbxkFB
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cGXeG29Bh
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg0MIHtiem
She shook her head no.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnoc4nFUeW
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWrcwtAYRo
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ352W29VaZJ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazgSUCxCOC
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYAVS8nE1o
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj7S6rCNhD
"Thank you, Flinty."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36NQTLc7eb
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX1GTkhu4z
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FM5jsJ9mm
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntkezPJrWX
"Kenny, do you feel better?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvXlSg2yTi
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazMFLV7frH
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPK8ylu8n9y
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBFhzJL2E4
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnmr6aZHwS
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gVy2qRpaw
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ6AALEhTC
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zhvY7Bcn8
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc8anxNazc
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hlYRniigS
"Good morning, Kenny."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXJzXeiehd
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODM6yWS8cq
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdsN147XiI
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUzI9pZ2xi
He nodded. When Victoria and Ng got on their feet our strategy meeting began. It was simple; Skylark would enter the compound and battle Jeremiah while Victoria, Ng, and I would surround the building to capture any escapees. With that set, we began our breakfast. It was just simple rations, but they tasted especially fresh. Flinty and Victoria were engaged in conversation while Skylark vigilantly watched our surroundings. I looked at Ng and was suddenly reminded of last night.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92f7clNoVb
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6TxWSogEi
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgvdvDMzJe
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3fe29Nvna
I scooted closer to him.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3lxOxXJOp
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtAXljinsR
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYvpDmayTI
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIURXMqNQDj
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiahLwuvD8
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmw6XMW9A5
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSELjojRlk6
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQFtF5Nf6t
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyf2uAHqLFS
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3lwt4luGO
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdURThqnhn
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5boAYT7Q3c
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVlxFIHDyZ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8unKU3MJb
"What?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwicsxHhfT
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMU30iquCBb
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvSi4ol400
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cYg9QJG6F
But then I thought about his behavior back in the cellar, and during the initial stage of the infiltration. He lightly punched me in the shoulder.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4Ioak77sr
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVnDeJisa7
"You and I are alike, I've realized. But unlike me, you are powerful and gifted. I know you can liberate yourself from the fungus in your brain. You are still young, after all."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyQTvcevbN
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbXL8oQNCM
"R-Right."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdCQvPea77
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6JheQtJrQ
"Well then, shall we go?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgz4wP0D0n
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHuLZXBeuU
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YmdResr5R
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUUpTeMsrE
"Alright."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwbb14CFvj
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnqhqTRbl7
We grabbed our bags and left the campsite. With Ng leading us, we arrived at the compound thirty minutes later. Flinty and Ng stood nearby in the woods guarding our things, and more importantly, away from any attention. Skylark, Victoria, and I stood before the broken gates of what was essentially the compound's front yard. Skylark took a step forward. He had a rag covering his mouth.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1slDB67yq
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm97tEaNCIG
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETrnlEH28Y
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhm2EEEgjz
And then he walked across the field and into the building. Now Victoria and I stood there alone. I felt a hand on my shoulder.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqzAQ33vSz
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cjuJgSVGB
"What?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEklVqYKyc
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQBhRGVAlk
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFRoNHAl5Z
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Rj15g6WBb
"I know he will."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ918de8UcG1
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG3BIypezO
"Then why are you shaking?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKLTiO3pRF
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8DqLQ8r9s
"...I just can't help myself."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVf81dAYTAe
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNigRnUD2CS
I walked to the walls and sat against it. Victoria joined me. We sat and waited. Five minutes passed without anything happening. Ten minutes passed without anything happening. Victoria was jittering a little.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifZps3WakB
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZHXgDdFvI
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXXvIEYPQE
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeETCTxD33
"What do you want to talk about?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKVpvrXopk
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVteLuvKY33
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mglh9p64Y
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYlc72PbWZ
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkXAAzAE2P
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3yIwi785J
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7Aw7lorkT
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGUmpo47F4
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TnK9Ub0X7
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLfWwggc6G
"Ha!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUVRIWeBLL
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVrMG8otjB
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgpk0Y9913
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3a84VUaiH
"These muscles came from all the work at the farmhouse, and fighting is something Mom taught me. Y'know, she used to be a combatant! An extraordinary one, too!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqh8x11ANr
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjYckZLbd8
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoMMSG67S4
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr2WzRN8pX
"Hehe, something like that."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlQKCchUXT
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDnl8SRk30
She didn't sound confident.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKHTU9Dnba
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeaNIUo5BX
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMUwcegRXg
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCRWmgwkJK
"Ah. That makes sense."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAQ3hrXWgH
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqoZ6KjUZi
I was very close to saying something insensitive.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWannkUjmK6
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnlS3KT18i
"That blob thing was a bit too much for me to handle. I think though, if we were to fight that wolf, I would be fine."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DcczExBRD
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKv4HsolkR
"...Wolf?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxort4naQd
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MYeoxjyv4
All the air suddenly left my lungs. I looked to my left. The broken gate. Its mauled doors were sprawled on the grass, and chunks of stone accompanied them.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjsSJDwfu5
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDemdZuXpHN
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfknfgofDd6
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZEnZp9V9X
"Kenny?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFSR5vB5pt
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzDIFdM1Qe
With how quiet it was in the compound, I naturally began to theorize. I did not doubt that Skylark was alright, but we should've heard something, anything by now. Because we weren't, then Panz must've been hiding. And I already knew from Ng that Panz had the ability to summon his creations.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwS9X6RJzJ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHkQD771Zo
I stood up and walked forward.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KLLHfGE5F
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBJEJGAzvi
"Kenny? What's wrong?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74OXfHA1NN
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmDQju61uc
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HHr0Mrcaa
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2cHzxJHRY
I took my tendril out and grew a Sunlight-Blossom. I snatched a seed and stuck it in the ground, then grew it to full size. I clasped the flower by its stem and aimed it at the woods.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHGiRpND4N
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE0e1G5pBz
Victoria stood beside me with her hands raised. She caught on fast. I keenly eyed the woods, almost like a hawk, waiting for anything to flutter.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV22UbQ03i
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEi9prJCjB
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQfNBOyMX0
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgFnl2o5dj
**BANG**161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlQEekzYuo
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnE8rxOnSGU
The Sunlight-Blossom's seed rend the wind and trees. It left my line of sight in a second. I didn't catch the beast, but that wasn't an issue. A resounding wail echoed throughout the woods. I saw the bushes fly in the distance.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtPowYRf8L
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DZhbLJPiZ
"Victoria."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeA3PuSu2l
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdufVerxGRC
"Right."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxznSBzfaQ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc1tZHtZz9
I had to think fast. I produced a Freeze-Dry and encased the ground in ice. Next, I brought out Dragon-Maw Jr. and raised the tendril over the ice.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs5SCsFV7f
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGPpYuDmnL
**SMASH**161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOYV8eZPOJ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUQ6Z2a6Zp
There he was.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC01M5GtYk9
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOFZJw72uQ
The wolf crashed through a tree and landed on the ice field. He lost his footing quickly. I lowered the tendril and Dragon-Maw Jr. snapped his jaws immediately, nipping at the wolf's back. The wolf slid towards us with his maw agape, brandishing hundreds of sharp, unsightly teeth.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuXITzWxLB
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyzUZcbAcz
Victoria crouched. The wolf jumped. I retracted the tendril and prepared to strike, but the size of the wolf surprised me. I hesitated. But that was fine. Victoria clenched the wolf's neck as it soared through the air. She slammed the beast to the ground, hardly able to keep it pinned, but she was able to punch its snout a few times. The wolf struggled and clawed Victoria in the chest. She winced, and the beast escaped from her grasp. He was bleeding, but so was Victoria. She reached for her pocket and doused herself in a healing potion, then threw the glass bottle at the wolf who stepped aside to avoid it.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01nXA1dyc3
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDXOTzU1x5
"That thing is strong," she said, "We can either wear it down or pin it again, but if I do, you need to kill it."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT2n1Ti1pZ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLBouPVLAp
"Right."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7I4VWr3jZ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvFxd5kpYJ
With my other hand, I began mana expulsion and created a bundle of thin, elongated rocks. I threw them at the wolf one at a time. He avoided them all, but as I threw, Victoria inched closer. The wolf jumped at her with his jaws wide open. Victoria stepped to the side in the nick of time, but as the wolf landed he turned around and leaped again. I struck him with the tendril and he spun across the field.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKdKVk2Auq
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7CFX9pczg
"Thank you!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFreHXuoJ7
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kiP6sOMcF
I nodded. The wolf was temporarily incapacitated. He was still bleeding from Dragon-Maw Jr's wound. Victoria and I were unharmed. We could do this.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm25x8LFWBB
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKdVkSgzMC
I began mana expulsion again, creating a stone and suspending it in the air. I covered it with fire magic. The wolf came back to his senses and sprinted at me. I stretched the tendril out; he avoided it but I struck him as I retracted it. I threw the fire-rock at it. The wolf caught it with his mouth.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlD349ZF4p
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0efQavZx73
"Huh?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoEJpPDLNC
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezT222W8km
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyqGeoOftP
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjHBSkWKs6
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTMPZ5EcEm
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53aJyZcndv
"Shit!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogWTTzHvmf
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAHOB5PyfW
I put my hand on the floor and created a small wall of earth before me. A stream of fire pummeled it. I wasn't harmed, but the heat made me feel woozy.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8t4TdRqSvL
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsIHQ4hFiG
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoafjTGR1Ew
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERX9QSWWMx
I removed the wall and began mana expulsion again, this time, creating a ball of water. Victoria was beside me, her palms open and her fingers strained.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWWDTZ2Ktq
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnptKkEQySz
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJB73EORJPc
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMxYVnQhZb
"I understand."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBMzsQsEik
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVTngsBTD6
I retracted my tendril and began mana expulsion with my right hand, creating a bundle of pebbles. I shrunk the water ball down and clasped it with my left. A pure-white water geyser erupted from my palm. The wolf avoided it but found himself on the ice field again, and thus lost his footing. The geyser ran out before I could hit him, so I created another ball of water. The wolf blew fire on the field and melted the ice, and unfortunately, made the grass catch fire as well.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOALiuYfFPy
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzWD2PO859
"Uh oh, Kenny."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrztMAMpsVJ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JVNoBlFfL
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULevX2ZSHJ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mI9uTMhXB
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4Joil8rPB
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d9onmfu7c
I didn't clasp the ball this time but spread it out across the field. The fire was extinguished and the wolf was now wet, but seemingly unbothered. He started charging at us again. I scattered the pebbles in my right hand with intense force. They were small, but the wolf would undeniably be hit and staggered.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgGqsCkeYt
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrLCbb2RVq
But, though he was hit, his charge didn't halt even a little. I panicked and brought the tendril out, stretching it out yet again. He didn't avoid it. Instead, he snapped his jaws at it.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxFybs4oAY
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dgFmzPHTJ
"Hrk!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1alnvc6hht
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDfokYpgeS
Pain permeated my whole body. Maybe even my soul. It was terrible, but the situation wasn't irredeemable. The tendril was in between the wolf's jaws but was still intact. I quickly thought of a way to retaliate and produced a Flash-Bloom. I'd be lying if I said I expected it. I hurriedly held my hand over my eyes.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgHvhwe70q
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20CzWdc4NN
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VtvzKDIW0
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B0B6MwL9c
Even with my eyes covered, all I saw was white. Pushing the Flash-Bloom beyond its limit was exhausting my mana supply but I didn't have to keep it out for long. A few seconds later I stopped it and opened my eyes. The wolf was still gripping my tendril but was nabbing at its own face as if the light was on him. I produced Dragon-Maw Jr. and he bit at the wolf's nape. The wolf let go of my tendril. I coughed out some purple goop.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC35Weksj1
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGem4nNtBKu
"Victoria!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyA4Fg3LhfI
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaXF8dBbey
"Right!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o7Hj5yePM
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfu49VRSwE1
Victoria ran over to the wolf. She didn't pin him down, but instead, grabbed one of his oversized hind legs and bent it in an impossible direction. The wolf opened its mouth and wailed and readily spat fire. With all his squirming, Dragon-Maw Jr. could hardly keep him in place. I produced another water ball and flung it at the wolf. I managed to perfectly land it inside its maw, and the beast was forced to cough it all out.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuFfGhAR5p
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf33SoTYzQ
Dragon-Maw Jr.'s teeth sunk deeper into its neck. The wolf was still desperately clawing at its eyes, but each succesive swipe made it obvious that the beast's strength was fading. Victoria broke its other hind leg. The wolf struggled, but he didn't attempt to spit out fire this time. The wolf simply howled, and howled, and its howls grew weaker by the second. Dragon-Maw Jr. kept clamping down. I noticed it myself, how the neck was being sluggishly pulled off the body. Victoria clasped the wolf's snout. She began pulling at it.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7QfkLgcUe
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VkTNKwpUV
"GRAHHHH!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hh9RHNtcA
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwrrCPU2sf
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsdLoHi47Q
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTP8RZmRG7
With the help of Dragon-Maw Jr, Victoria tore off the wolf's neck and threw across the field. The head crashed and spallered against a tree. It immediately evaporated into the air, and the rest of the wolf's body followed suit. She grabbed her knees and began to pant.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFX8qpSkAlo
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghjzHK0RAX
"..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbL5eybMwFD
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AE0o8nZRf
I retracted the tendril. My mana supply was relatively plentiful. Still, I plummeted to the ground, face-first. I stopped coughing up purple goop, and a minute later, it stopped oozing from my chest.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAzMNWsC4G
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lM9RiI8ay
I had questions about it, but those were for later. At the time being, I was happy. I relishing the moment. Even with grass pressing against my face, I was relishing.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTgrN2Po1I
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4bhec3gyn
We did it. We really did it.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97ZHmorySl
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWJEyzXx6A
"Kenny!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKLJu8CrpN
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhqq5yUNoN
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Czr5OCHe8
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYEn7KI92Y
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdA0259tMG
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThV67W2ptd
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59SMxSIfyx
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawgd0xUid5
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVHYKzkjYf
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA52C8DrHM
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20zHBf5kEN
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE9rdxGElA
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkVRyuORFL
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTjoKAjVNg
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡog2xZ3rSEp
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkNvDPjrWd
"We did it," I muttered.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NmZDy1Vqi
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I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBdJyaIIh7
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5JeCFzKGw
Right now, I was immensely satisfied. I glanced at Victoria, and she was fine, and I was fine, and the beast was dead, and I was satisfied.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXVhpM58UE
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkyg2oEzr9
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3q3xEz6rd
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBOC84gUdp
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuYSv3vxSo
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DNrICghba
"...It could've been a lot worse."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbZGe8CpFc
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdRHlNbxpd
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3hFmxCtHV
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEgLrph59F
Victoria looked at something above me.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDi6ZoR5ir
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUIZmiEOGh
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwh6tc6T0U
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBp3fNZuefy
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGVNfifbAO
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmamlhhITs
"No. Why do you ask?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoCpiX6FFq
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf9d9jCfhh
"I haven't heard a single thing coming from the building. Our fight was noisy, so I thought that maybe someone would come out. I'm starting to get worried."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNY1YuUKOc
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0GsjkWZiV
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlLgFFMQDh
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1lb1uYutN
"O-Oh, sorry."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zXbVexghO
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV2JYIl5ou
She scratched her cheek a little.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJL1fDeMSja
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAenDe5u0I
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjPF3wTvJ2
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHdUP5zDtF
"That's just how you need to be with monsters. Equally brutal. It's something I got used to. I watched my mom fight a lot when I was a kid."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWZekYKz0d
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFjXqBFBok
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcke2S49suC
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimKfPthoDa
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOZDybzWni
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIh3z1tFsxO
I sighed. My face returned to the grass as I indulged in the silence. I could feel the fatigue worm its way into every nook and cranny of my body. I was surprised at the toll the fight had on me. Eventually, I stood up and brushed the dirt off my shirt. It was even more purple than before.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UfaCtRdat
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBtTCftfR9
I helped Victoria up. I limped to the busted gate and stared at the compound. A weight formed in my stomach. I almost began to pray, but the doors to the building slowly opened.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dZa5pmu2e
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHhbQdSDne
Skylark was there. Kim was on one shoulder, and when he opened one door wide enough he grabbed Panz by the hood. He had a lot of dust on his body. When he caught up to us, he frowned.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyUbHR8uy6
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwQPM8QaTm
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgH5Y4nc9G
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbAxRJYh8B
"We fought something, Kenny and I."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptmsv2zY4I
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd2Qbf2HnF
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbZ6PHiHXS
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwYKjbE5pZ
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OK2TW68SL
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5PXVcEzoQ
"How is Kim?" I asked.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW6xl5am4T
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAYBZJZeJ2
"She's fine, just unconscious."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXTx0yXcnA
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaZtJOJPsx
I could only say one thing.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8ewDZukc7
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnesEAKahX
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
