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."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0D5wuQk0h
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIY6YFLQkP
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLm37eR5aZ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryT64M6n04
"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."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrThJMuQPz
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zpI5PBa5h
"That's not true at all–"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoWnmbMmiX
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX3D7J6TJi
"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..."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6CSHY02PO
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgwvnmz6VP
I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4gxbIQKGS
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSvr2xMgJF
"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!?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYpVKMml46
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxKYX313U7
I fell to my knees.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0NLzoAJIt
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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..."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUl28nlKsO
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzC2pkVfCn
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N9jcbJNMU
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0Ezz1jia5
"...Kenny."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFM0Ct9miB
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ow13i3AJU
"What!?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMDMQcsmD7
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ar1WusgPJ
He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPlwXhPql5
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkaMr7b31k
"You're not lying to me, are you?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgXgrEfCl1
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCer0yUGXwv
The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpgYagksIJ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6eSvtRu3i
"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjfp0S5Dtg
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCodW6MBJgk
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9npoFCP8hM
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH7U6l11YU
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjL1v83kd8h
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMlAmMtLMB
"N-No..."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGCfxl6uzk
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tE2NI7v1U
Oh, God.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfCcxFBZAZ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba7oPRiwuE
Oh, God.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrilbm3Z0rg
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Urhl7YpJm
"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O7j4pFiSx
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi0a46tgDM
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIhyQXmFre
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynUBOVHyGQ
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xxJtUcgHz
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qn3HKC4Vf
"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQKQsOtURC
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8D24bHU2s
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAq2K1OE72
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bcMGfyBEw
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–196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ajrldf8YG
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEsSIVojBV
"--Hrk!"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoT8w2iY0J
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEFHIMSRq5
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIs6szcxAK1
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHI3IxyGDhj
One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WmyfpxcLX
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEYqHvpKha
"There you are."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMYIGKtGzh
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJImbsgXKa
Ng already found me, huh?196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpni59YQeqV
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI6ClTCXIR
"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyM5RzjyKE
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZtNzIZIUr
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–196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb22S0rgw4
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hgqKnitRh
"...Fine."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2Jyyt3JDl
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj37V6PgP6
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8VHpCYLXh
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbNVenqJ6c
"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3TdEUykEi
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgqEWqAR1A
Nevermind. What a strange question.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahpVXaFgzy
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKYVXyA0Az
"No. They died a long time ago."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJoCupyUs3
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj4xZcJKCa
"I see. You have my condolences."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6nmBzlxgb
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviuwCpitEy
"I don't need them."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKioeba0Yp0
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A pause.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWHoYKmRTJ
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwybLxODud
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxJjZeyOOw
"..."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLNjrBKcB1
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDn1DGNPpn
I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ3FPhpH4B
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiqJ3Ns2mD
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikCEFSqdD0
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrleX3DxcT1
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUSDoJFwGG
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"Did I–"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9rQnortiv
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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."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGbyaLBJkb
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWIBcQM8pZ
"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbr007CpCo
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I had to make sure I heard him.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRQb4nPCs2
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"Assistants?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0G6Iuj4V5
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUE0Bd7kfM
"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."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONfi7Nr8g0
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswggSQDZTT
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcgVY5IPnT
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2DAvVRO83
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tfym6orm9
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzfae9aKcN
"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8tQvqyRvG
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyt8kyVWCj
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n656YVHZY
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWAXmMMdEg
Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVNmM91c0n
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbbgLgAY3n
"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwYKrxn137
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduzKJ5pLJI
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2CwHmTDVL
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnKlf4U6Jb
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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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nVurBsv4S
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVUwsm8dbt
"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz7E7FkXyu
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CzTaNsvKg
"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXGEyEIt24
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXQTICqUTn
"Of course."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTYOGi1qpe
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKafQxInObn
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRrMuvmVuU
"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."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLpXc9O95z
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwaPSBlVrN
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKt8HcFlQ6
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZi2YLCn0s
But, no, something else was bugging me.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lal8ZbgNs
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"How did you know where to find us here?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5VjxIBkPW
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU3ApbGOJ2
"I simply spent the day searching."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd4JmcO4Aj
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsejliIEV8G
"The whole day?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCRioR5pXV
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvVMPWA6J0
He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlfiS37Y7c
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48eTs4Vt4R
Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIV85oFKlP
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9T5y1956I
"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2q9TPJgSh
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He sighed.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpS1khJV87
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXguQpT1Xm
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7taCWM4AT
"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4g3AdmNHf
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWd3eOz4N7b
"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."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjluJnxbPf3
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyab2XVbUm
"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj7ck9GQmz
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxL0ZkqPmG
"...Why do you ask?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXXZwouJGA
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuKfX9yziY
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTolmvac7Bj
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pwuudZtZF
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzrsS9WQDd
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYAEcxRdNk
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJhFek8tgM
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrK9hCuQKA
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL4NnJVlnX
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEGtdbgAM6
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAp1760NaQo
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tu2l6d0RP
"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."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwXxIaU8fD
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArencbQn8B
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3seKD7pNm
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgR9OUxi3A
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqEa34P7qi
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPGnrCBbYU
He put a hand to his chin.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP12tREcMWJ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp9RLmoblo
"...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."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoineYXgZ7v
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CtfH2TntM
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvworiadzkI
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFM0qpITRC
"No."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMUACeV6Qm
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASvr6MA1ln
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESkT1eSbxg
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2kzG5Lchl
"Do you mean in the woods?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDsjvoS2TD
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGdDmir1j8
"Yes. I'm just curious."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wyx5D3Nlw
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD1xU8Suqf
"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."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoFm5b2HSJ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmRFdphR1f
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85dN8Lo6Kq
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBsoNxlA2o
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZvA4ZwSl8
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNhKlOu0Sl
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmoLs0hgwI
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZNfuBZZB9
"Me too."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zyGekFzC0
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZqnwNUuZK
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCAR6ZpB1O
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBB6IDEO55
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJaXr0EKin
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJ6eEPSY2A
"Yes. For now, at least."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp59HDRPwU2
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPm4K3h1k9
"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."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlfCUFlilW
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i5c672OUt
"..."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa3jkMPT1R
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8inlpXCW8r
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Mq0R1uRxj
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87xe6RlRjF
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0kg5U42dt
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VZwY1Km4j
"...Huh?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaMhqGzah1
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZM4a3SnA8E
–
–
–
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36Vwh0a7dG
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkntdTZyrp
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDrdYAs5rd
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNyZ5st1ch
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl00w2WCBh7
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mTEAOV3E2
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX55yhBRuk
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GPu4eKfGR
"Good morning, Kenny."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyM2PmsEKZ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoEmpjG5m7
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPILioLQwO
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT09wk0dvKf
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBXGB1QZyi
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrGv8I6Qay
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RApu2I3UY
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnshJYQDhC
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNh7BW0UcN
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsETBZuXIs
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeSeRjUNG5
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzqxwZ17ap
"Yes! I have, ha!"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdZ8ytCxbO
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP3fOAs9La
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67aUQOHZoy
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9di7bmGIR
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0B6EtS59q
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI17vgv8q2M
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FBSEAttzV
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblRpEIcMKz
"Thank you, teacher."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGI1yFh0EAM
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFxlFXxl1n
"Yeah. Don't call me that."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0q65lWFI3
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRvwxbtBVu
"Okay."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZHyTbsjmO
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmE6sNEPkN
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZMaOsLtnL
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3TSmXJWXq
"Hm? What's wrong?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEzYisJZ8I
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkZadexNgs
"Um..."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IpPjD5zkI
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1EatgcupJ
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rTcx2jYDy
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lLGNAHUEm
"Here. Have it back."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoB3KbGH9z
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ngM4uS35s
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wHsZtAsMY
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahmOqan5bH
She shook her head no.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4HIH4Dj7g
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DmxyWDtAd
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJD4NzYeRy
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeMTu0Q6BH
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpfD2LcNtA
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznTK6rZZMZ
"Thank you, Flinty."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHrw0UWYul
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzTRHFNOgS
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9avcFsYB5
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzV8aQYMD5
"Kenny, do you feel better?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A2TZsHMxA
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZhiBEmH11
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf0Y2ux51S
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnseOB5CZBV
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgCXcLljYp
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoB6eypvfo
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpwPMEbVer
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1wV6eSErO
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2jSKdVlbU
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQibW3xPdz9
"Good morning, Kenny."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmzDrZ8xes
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXfFvaL4uj
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld0ia2jico
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RuaetQli8
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTErXVKHxh
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFvNSpiVnK
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWm2JeTpVb
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwjBL32da4
I scooted closer to him.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI37gcsDytd
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIxPuD6yII
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxc3RseLLG
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxS60n8Ops
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOhGzwXevR
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJYZTWFj7L
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3rj0Bb4QR
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ku0aqnjEx
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFcbA531pH
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gFnYhic7d
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiirxmXptpC
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBGtqyTq5D
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNxVf1gqTD
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI79bUn74q
"What?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTd2ixyNil
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM243p2yUVY
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81m6ao5DbN
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyZU77JYOR
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOywLVBWSpB
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DIkFN9Gwa
"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."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cRz6JF7xw
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1475HsPlJ
"R-Right."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CtIfp0Sbi
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAynmkpbKhf
"Well then, shall we go?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC5s0QfuTo
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcuqSE1exr
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3h8C5oGiGp
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRNflcI35X
"Alright."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9JUdlzdus
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzcu3RiDnB
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaWkCwzemX
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVstAaynGs
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKmzHilfYp
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ06Pmjy7cu
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduDvxKlNSm
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTbZObmcUt
"What?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhJnXylsMy
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Cc6PHBOF6
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPolhICVcn
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTXk77E6IA
"I know he will."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhBSpXsZey
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dJwixHABE
"Then why are you shaking?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNAZY7eao8
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWcHZRUTOb
"...I just can't help myself."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ115BPR2L3
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJR4S9Dxs9
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazdPWa8CmM
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAsg7gdIDv
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvWbR8t1Dc
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9uVd0OthJ
"What do you want to talk about?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cYLAa0Ae7
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7WnqOPvWN
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSuf6PTPLR
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuB7cTS0ZQr
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6lMAkYXyW
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfzRpgo5ct
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsoGV8ELPZ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFlV1TO1xq
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOtLTqOXII
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD4qR5H5eh
"Ha!"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLTTnA7fTC
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK09mYukeJ
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR4KYtQC6J
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPuERWI5fi
"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!"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoAOE8nsEa
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXUvtudTLV
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCRs7wOlOg
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu8EUcZIZl
"Hehe, something like that."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbcqfGNQVC
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSty5mwp90
She didn't sound confident.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBByJh8oirK
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbsxujavqU
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaaokrfOVo
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzqudXdBhE
"Ah. That makes sense."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWa3pm0CID
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtoDBAuZEl
I was very close to saying something insensitive.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNqdg5vQvS
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIcRFDAEsU
"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."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8Sy0c0SVz
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT6sLNHPqv
"...Wolf?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeB58stjrI
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZPdmJhMdL
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSwGlrfycK
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpmEE4zbRz
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3e6J2DCdf
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFlTYrywmP
"Kenny?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPDbIrgtGe
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAo6OO9bvf
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprVHegEbvc
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd1BrTggl7
I stood up and walked forward.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyYqnT83LU
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41PK29ViAX
"Kenny? What's wrong?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqE36KqPZl
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ52zVtqYK
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzBfHUSeRI
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ0ru8to7b
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7u3zfxSQj
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUlUmLMjgB
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxFwrEYpHp
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oW4M9f97o
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXn1HCXndEo
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw8ZJEIngN
**BANG**196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwv7sV4WtSK
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9z8BYja35
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMObqr2DZhf
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cuiyPqwA0
"Victoria."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8TAAe62jd
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgNBtafnQ0
"Right."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh6HLLNhQ6
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGlF9gcFrF
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkLpAoWYjj
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZosGODkgd
**SMASH**196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F1J3pg88B
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhn0GZp4L6
There he was.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y5y1KRUlA
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSumdYBHS6r
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq9qftXv3u
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqXJSWULIo
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5Vto3VTA0
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxFReLwAtk
"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."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhXdsLOb0E
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6RAlIVFdm
"Right."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWbj4UREGY
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXRvH04grm
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFMbUuok52
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AVHTvaJa6
"Thank you!"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJDpJxqTCt
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA3Z59Mhdz
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB0dIQ4e0s
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRF9zgMivj
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUyrdGqxan
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6BXiWHHfk
"Huh?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD46XPSzue0
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVteovAlrIj
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvR387gUSfi
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHChnAlg9N
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb57qaTs7Z
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXzJZoB55i
"Shit!"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLo5crLwrT
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJKzpJjmX2
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjGMtrQwjh
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzNdToBWFt
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxrqhDireQ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48vFBR0wOY
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOOCGT0okT
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1RKiW26Cr
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpGAXrCS7I
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjg9YSCYdA
"I understand."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWw4YJct2z
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Mc7W2a7qH
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pYaQ21iBJ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RnuNdwOW8
"Uh oh, Kenny."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhzXgGacRW
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6WVdbQYqK
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKFz9RXmNa
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvBrSrIlD7
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuoBqfCjob
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSpkOwt4gO
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9yJPKloPZ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6WSwAPEdU
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeuNNX7zll
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ747YlszAqZ
"Hrk!"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5a2tDU6yV
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv903jVNgcr
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w8tmLP6mr
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZtpeuaHww
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbl0YfYXzlS
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYayDOChhP
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd962DPo7qE
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1dkDaJlKp
"Victoria!"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimiWWg8jgQ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiCN2eZs7V
"Right!"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2wmaBucPg
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8JI2YUtYU
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyyQpzFwxS
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F8u0JzCJi
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAadhkJkuSe
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEM8U9pB7in
"GRAHHHH!"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBV8FpwLsg
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfa91GEXK0
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6NyoqFYqs
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsW2uqSDUTW
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXSnB2zRR7
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAulgZUCtO
"..."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNd2pPkufS
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRVDVFkQV7
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNfAagDgQC
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNU6pyNxZK
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi76wF2woN
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNh9keoVbwY
We did it. We really did it.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LnbgjRu1e
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlyt16ZxYL
"Kenny!"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhEVhaJ240
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzlPiCK9fg
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaAipjahC0
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2cceEpYXm
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZwDkqDPLV
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy77L4LutXn
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHjcaFW26N
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkRspNZVAC
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJskaSB0N1d
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KmrUjdGC4
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pyUIpYADF
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSDpSMhdO3
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9mQZpRGEQ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnzompRwqE
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTnSqHZCHp
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfdS8qYi2O
"We did it," I muttered.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6rpVC7Y9F
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJ98kHyHVR
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTItutoyIs
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WWK1mGemC
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9cFaZfeuc
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gw4dntLTe
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSY8UHzcbjN
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9LdULPo9l
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTqX1NTB7j
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1nrZfSxtB
"...It could've been a lot worse."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMeduFzEjV
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKBLHCv2ol
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHD60JAYLh
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BMbqXCbdd
Victoria looked at something above me.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQyxU2GZSE
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11lSLWqFDK
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmXRtnwSNy
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrb6prSlYD
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIiurpvz8j
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl72mtsd8Im
"No. Why do you ask?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrNmbPT8sc
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadgSnc6I21
"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."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZGnqRWmF8
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2mWkMi4dJ
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxgjmWMmvh
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP1ZX3Ia0F
"O-Oh, sorry."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNS21kHI26
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jUNLiKk9b
She scratched her cheek a little.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16A6LzBm1s
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mOymZLgaf
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLQMBW9dIe
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WalIjRqKF
"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."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdXxYX5yVB
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhNAOr0TDz
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWCHJMoDxK
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8mkZprPIu
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgVZuPmUJy
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuFQuC3gCJ
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR3IzZe7pC
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh7QnnGCK8
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEeTB9hVHj
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcCCGB9Ute
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.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqtYFBaRPO
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzHRdZsCsi
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7nSiqFQI1
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDza73JYmyT
"We fought something, Kenny and I."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDWTTHFKSL
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPmihvsFZz
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUibDdVWvO
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYYPO1eJ7y
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLUKXK016x
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLuUDBLNCm
"How is Kim?" I asked.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5al4HtslK
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamqq0EgYBL
"She's fine, just unconscious."196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5uFl6oNIO
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6HLBadK6Y
I could only say one thing.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsBFaVfs9S
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPiGPn6JzX
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
