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."228Please respect copyright.PENANAneRs3kUo4S
228Please respect copyright.PENANANM94DZN47z
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?228Please respect copyright.PENANATsNUMXIPv1
228Please respect copyright.PENANAbSgy7vfVDo
"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."228Please respect copyright.PENANAyXko9qvucH
228Please respect copyright.PENANA5JbaXtPe2j
"That's not true at all–"228Please respect copyright.PENANAfbfoTJHMj4
228Please respect copyright.PENANA2AW0mDdtzw
"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..."228Please respect copyright.PENANAAyv65U2N6B
228Please respect copyright.PENANAuqllH93tj6
I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.228Please respect copyright.PENANA0fZTsZZzRy
228Please respect copyright.PENANAu3IBTCk23m
"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!?"228Please respect copyright.PENANASsd3s8PoBP
228Please respect copyright.PENANAlJSyPZrJwA
I fell to my knees.228Please respect copyright.PENANAeCh8E5XBeg
228Please respect copyright.PENANAI8rs9hqXmz
"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..."228Please respect copyright.PENANA8PoQJ832yy
228Please respect copyright.PENANA5zB9qrjI7a
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANA1swJHjPCCz
228Please respect copyright.PENANAaE8IOCm6uO
"...Kenny."228Please respect copyright.PENANAJkfDzwRncX
228Please respect copyright.PENANAT4HSd79OJM
"What!?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAemPuJITxIR
228Please respect copyright.PENANAZZNe7OaSEB
He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.228Please respect copyright.PENANAsmFgSRAQ7h
228Please respect copyright.PENANAN0FQtrWXhe
"You're not lying to me, are you?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAhPMjJrSSNK
228Please respect copyright.PENANA1dUoxFR6A1
The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.228Please respect copyright.PENANAf7FRJaFMUE
228Please respect copyright.PENANAK6voMWwpD2
"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...228Please respect copyright.PENANAiNfItZf7Z6
228Please respect copyright.PENANAgoJrpUfcxU
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?228Please respect copyright.PENANAtBpYTVAIcx
228Please respect copyright.PENANAblLQeCBtqX
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?228Please respect copyright.PENANAGXEvHItV5R
228Please respect copyright.PENANA7M7nE6toKu
"N-No..."228Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6Q4tgDv2b
228Please respect copyright.PENANA4OW69nR5LO
Oh, God.228Please respect copyright.PENANAN54lGpAL8Z
228Please respect copyright.PENANADqmaIJqpP5
Oh, God.228Please respect copyright.PENANAKZ90ZHPgET
228Please respect copyright.PENANAZJw26nBOCn
"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"228Please respect copyright.PENANA1CpXPOYmiH
228Please respect copyright.PENANAkmLQpot9Xd
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAfzQjPYt1OH
228Please respect copyright.PENANAaBpJT160rJ
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.228Please respect copyright.PENANAnXqa95SJu3
228Please respect copyright.PENANApJLF1YtSDG
"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."228Please respect copyright.PENANAQFQn47Mje5
228Please respect copyright.PENANAxsMlsgQw5e
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANANoBYswqsra
228Please respect copyright.PENANAPXBraPtmYG
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–228Please respect copyright.PENANApAfj9HNR8k
228Please respect copyright.PENANAqTSxWjEswk
"--Hrk!"228Please respect copyright.PENANA7hBY47GLNQ
228Please respect copyright.PENANA72z9KigYrm
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANA8HkS7gVwdo
228Please respect copyright.PENANAYZeiuNPqeX
One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.228Please respect copyright.PENANAtV30BlQPz2
228Please respect copyright.PENANAzGGK8DWNAA
"There you are."228Please respect copyright.PENANAdAwQQwic0V
228Please respect copyright.PENANAC5GyDiIxGw
Ng already found me, huh?228Please respect copyright.PENANADj16TKA6Hm
228Please respect copyright.PENANALnpUKMA6yG
"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"228Please respect copyright.PENANARclSYXzO1f
228Please respect copyright.PENANAXBTv5tfpvT
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–228Please respect copyright.PENANAYafzpxVO60
228Please respect copyright.PENANAU3RUFffPjA
"...Fine."228Please respect copyright.PENANA4kT4auvr5b
228Please respect copyright.PENANAkZiXv6mPF7
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAPonaJJFk8Y
228Please respect copyright.PENANAiw0UllhVOT
"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"228Please respect copyright.PENANANxNzHwKd9p
228Please respect copyright.PENANAlmVKy3osFb
Nevermind. What a strange question.228Please respect copyright.PENANAXXkPjqWmTN
228Please respect copyright.PENANAvrwwb5dek7
"No. They died a long time ago."228Please respect copyright.PENANAeeF0j1AI5A
228Please respect copyright.PENANAurID7np3sM
"I see. You have my condolences."228Please respect copyright.PENANANIVMydyU5n
228Please respect copyright.PENANAuKFVJ4avxq
"I don't need them."228Please respect copyright.PENANAeLbon7Iwlk
228Please respect copyright.PENANAgLQ8LTbNOZ
A pause.228Please respect copyright.PENANAKQ9n1nHeWL
228Please respect copyright.PENANA74wrKm4ZgV
"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAf27SBEkuQm
228Please respect copyright.PENANAonghhOXAMV
"..."228Please respect copyright.PENANAZclPPpOf1E
228Please respect copyright.PENANA1TnZcHrrLO
I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.228Please respect copyright.PENANACSxM7zq4lQ
228Please respect copyright.PENANAzfzXjvgA9B
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAllMPjJSmFr
228Please respect copyright.PENANAiuNZang6ln
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAPFeOdNwNtL
228Please respect copyright.PENANAf41xTWsFu6
"Did I–"228Please respect copyright.PENANAY5fipHaqay
228Please respect copyright.PENANAJOyFUDbeRs
"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."228Please respect copyright.PENANAMRnWn6wVNz
228Please respect copyright.PENANAWN1tKJYDp1
"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"228Please respect copyright.PENANARqq7d78Ob5
228Please respect copyright.PENANADKmnjzYF0Z
I had to make sure I heard him.228Please respect copyright.PENANATcaB8gtU3p
228Please respect copyright.PENANAkwj3YGuDrr
"Assistants?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAWnIPRRcrY7
228Please respect copyright.PENANA0VUY6eSMJI
"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."228Please respect copyright.PENANA2xhYvvdsa4
228Please respect copyright.PENANAfwxO7h6ZDk
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."228Please respect copyright.PENANAy8lx5dicbA
228Please respect copyright.PENANAdNyJLQXJm9
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."228Please respect copyright.PENANA4cZ5FKz9GW
228Please respect copyright.PENANAVFmnCeW5mE
"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."228Please respect copyright.PENANA7ucalT1HTC
228Please respect copyright.PENANAsTAh10AQYP
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAsnyQF5ilpo
228Please respect copyright.PENANAb8ZmI4Kz8t
Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.228Please respect copyright.PENANAUCfW0hSNYh
228Please respect copyright.PENANAhIJSGWLnYy
"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"228Please respect copyright.PENANAUAFZiHPfIr
228Please respect copyright.PENANAawbuIY3Svt
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANA8ymftmifhC
228Please respect copyright.PENANALfOzllaWVG
Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.228Please respect copyright.PENANAYqGfM6WxBG
228Please respect copyright.PENANAzFFNGI7nHr
–
–
–
228Please respect copyright.PENANAVZ0ZixwvxV
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAH1OAgo4l2o
228Please respect copyright.PENANAEsMigRk7G0
"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"228Please respect copyright.PENANASRXQSVUCFM
228Please respect copyright.PENANA0LFX3Pv2Eg
"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."228Please respect copyright.PENANALbA2HzOEsV
228Please respect copyright.PENANAJwDwpFuJIq
"Of course."228Please respect copyright.PENANAddomObQptU
228Please respect copyright.PENANAA1gIu1VYNd
"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAqFOcZcJAiL
228Please respect copyright.PENANAvTd4TvzULX
"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."228Please respect copyright.PENANAVUgYRLceaB
228Please respect copyright.PENANAbztAwsddIS
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAamc8uqh7vv
228Please respect copyright.PENANAfUaHmj8b2U
But, no, something else was bugging me.228Please respect copyright.PENANAFnZRe3pbcK
228Please respect copyright.PENANAPWhMdTWYK6
"How did you know where to find us here?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAOoGthhvKxP
228Please respect copyright.PENANAuw4bZX5iHt
"I simply spent the day searching."228Please respect copyright.PENANAeoWIc1PkGS
228Please respect copyright.PENANAjs2tjcnlCA
"The whole day?"228Please respect copyright.PENANADR0INi38Kw
228Please respect copyright.PENANAUxi4vUNRL6
He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."228Please respect copyright.PENANANawjvF8eiW
228Please respect copyright.PENANARzNoc1HRjq
Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?228Please respect copyright.PENANAXOFKvMwJB0
228Please respect copyright.PENANAjheQCVjVg2
"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."228Please respect copyright.PENANASfFMEZLsSl
228Please respect copyright.PENANAxoxnWQzYT8
He sighed.228Please respect copyright.PENANAgolUBqektn
228Please respect copyright.PENANASOBfcGllQX
"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAhyPm8RgRVv
228Please respect copyright.PENANAJLJb46vLHS
"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"228Please respect copyright.PENANAwHpBdK3xrg
228Please respect copyright.PENANAtiNf4COBn7
"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."228Please respect copyright.PENANAPh5d3MWKCM
228Please respect copyright.PENANA62SUnBSDek
"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAVX0VJyIjqt
228Please respect copyright.PENANAbf4ppzRzfc
"...Why do you ask?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAVFanab6dg3
228Please respect copyright.PENANAqgaTd42u5e
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."228Please respect copyright.PENANAmhsFnFGiC8
228Please respect copyright.PENANA1xhNrTLfsF
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAOaHNyDssNS
228Please respect copyright.PENANAAa2dKDED9Q
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAUvEPD4armZ
228Please respect copyright.PENANAGpakqxm0gD
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAH6slZmr3s9
228Please respect copyright.PENANA5zhnZcVRqB
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."228Please respect copyright.PENANAC8eBTemv0w
228Please respect copyright.PENANAutPa5FRjqj
"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."228Please respect copyright.PENANAWvOWrJxEtK
228Please respect copyright.PENANAK6aY821q1a
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"228Please respect copyright.PENANADw7ZoGI1MK
228Please respect copyright.PENANAcCffUQkPeq
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAFTieVxDgPv
228Please respect copyright.PENANANKMRUz9C5t
He put a hand to his chin.228Please respect copyright.PENANANxPdgD3uQA
228Please respect copyright.PENANAjO3VZPdW0q
"...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."228Please respect copyright.PENANAxHzxu4A4Ax
228Please respect copyright.PENANA67HieMSGje
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAl8WIH1ga6v
228Please respect copyright.PENANAVjYtA2OTXh
"No."228Please respect copyright.PENANALlADPPCFWE
228Please respect copyright.PENANA8daaP09sEU
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAn2mpEf2xC0
228Please respect copyright.PENANAjuyApU1X4S
"Do you mean in the woods?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAqdl8gE4GvX
228Please respect copyright.PENANAkL40rGVjv7
"Yes. I'm just curious."228Please respect copyright.PENANAESZQz7Q34J
228Please respect copyright.PENANADrw1J7Nhju
"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."228Please respect copyright.PENANAXsWDnEdoK6
228Please respect copyright.PENANAu4P6sGAKwn
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.228Please respect copyright.PENANAbSmZMbInz8
228Please respect copyright.PENANAURrTYqN4ef
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."228Please respect copyright.PENANAfH05TeRCV3
228Please respect copyright.PENANAvuyYhoQf7s
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."228Please respect copyright.PENANABcDCUF6BeE
228Please respect copyright.PENANAxcS8ObhCwy
"Me too."228Please respect copyright.PENANAteF7YCbgE9
228Please respect copyright.PENANA7wEyjOxzZ1
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAhJt2EovViX
228Please respect copyright.PENANAoNyYzMDMQf
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAPjiuwB6ZKx
228Please respect copyright.PENANAfWqATPxE2M
"Yes. For now, at least."228Please respect copyright.PENANAJinBTpcvBs
228Please respect copyright.PENANA1gI8ynIkRJ
"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."228Please respect copyright.PENANApPIIUlFerj
228Please respect copyright.PENANA6W2wVpW1zX
"..."228Please respect copyright.PENANA87oLPx8ypM
228Please respect copyright.PENANAoSj3pjzTSQ
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.228Please respect copyright.PENANADqGe2pdwFw
228Please respect copyright.PENANAJQKL0LGBph
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAM8Fvkcfv38
228Please respect copyright.PENANAfQYZnw1EPb
"...Huh?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAVONO3l54Dw
228Please respect copyright.PENANA1aAPp5be5b
–
–
–
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANANhzzMklwPK
228Please respect copyright.PENANAa1EXt4Dhsf
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAxSiao6SqyS
228Please respect copyright.PENANAFHmeqNReie
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAJX30crA1zs
228Please respect copyright.PENANAOi6MlS2yuz
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.228Please respect copyright.PENANAmAJ8vZvVyq
228Please respect copyright.PENANAMAz4CC8nWM
"Good morning, Kenny."228Please respect copyright.PENANAz2e2rQy9QD
228Please respect copyright.PENANAe7QBXlRxlQ
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAgaDKEqpU5T
228Please respect copyright.PENANAdCKLopEC35
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."228Please respect copyright.PENANALtyuBkCNif
228Please respect copyright.PENANAeyb9N6byp2
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.228Please respect copyright.PENANAvWMOAYyr8X
228Please respect copyright.PENANAqxK5z3BG02
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.228Please respect copyright.PENANARAQszaNohL
228Please respect copyright.PENANAnu6wxM7kuW
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAtqODyaa93L
228Please respect copyright.PENANA37Q9IUioUd
"Yes! I have, ha!"228Please respect copyright.PENANA3CFpl5LRuE
228Please respect copyright.PENANAzQ5QzvvpsV
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.228Please respect copyright.PENANAoAo1xkUmph
228Please respect copyright.PENANARnf6c7RGGu
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."228Please respect copyright.PENANArwgxNj4G14
228Please respect copyright.PENANAHB4rJfCzz0
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.228Please respect copyright.PENANApqSZralBiu
228Please respect copyright.PENANAkj9M6fsiLc
"Thank you, teacher."228Please respect copyright.PENANABlZat4a8Bq
228Please respect copyright.PENANAoWuIARwsRh
"Yeah. Don't call me that."228Please respect copyright.PENANAHy5jA8MVqM
228Please respect copyright.PENANAC7v5ROcDhi
"Okay."228Please respect copyright.PENANATAM7lygCiN
228Please respect copyright.PENANAQUYsZWPwU1
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.228Please respect copyright.PENANAI5BAHGFZ4o
228Please respect copyright.PENANANVsun6cA5c
"Hm? What's wrong?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAAcoMhW5pWa
228Please respect copyright.PENANA4jjmXmU6le
"Um..."228Please respect copyright.PENANATSwMmBKxjo
228Please respect copyright.PENANAuwyInm4o59
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.228Please respect copyright.PENANAqAhp6dPXXZ
228Please respect copyright.PENANAEELxKeYk4J
"Here. Have it back."228Please respect copyright.PENANATW0GGMnlad
228Please respect copyright.PENANA547qguFjPV
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."228Please respect copyright.PENANABVgIvnxEGT
228Please respect copyright.PENANANe3q8ns4gk
She shook her head no.228Please respect copyright.PENANACho3Zh4GXw
228Please respect copyright.PENANAEhKR05vYgh
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."228Please respect copyright.PENANAjFKTL6MgnE
228Please respect copyright.PENANAvaG5IzVlx5
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.228Please respect copyright.PENANAL4eW10ZMd7
228Please respect copyright.PENANAMwgagCDDim
"Thank you, Flinty."228Please respect copyright.PENANAzSgYl7z5Kz
228Please respect copyright.PENANAK1wP0TV5SM
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.228Please respect copyright.PENANARViWIWVLrz
228Please respect copyright.PENANAY92gB1pjg0
"Kenny, do you feel better?"228Please respect copyright.PENANA6iWZWmYPKj
228Please respect copyright.PENANAlWgoFdZQmr
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.228Please respect copyright.PENANAMglzZdsH1F
228Please respect copyright.PENANAagGnNfeQ3t
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."228Please respect copyright.PENANAEcVct4VbU7
228Please respect copyright.PENANAyiWFXLIA9b
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."228Please respect copyright.PENANAkcrvafeWa8
228Please respect copyright.PENANAXlqBBdhvI4
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.228Please respect copyright.PENANAblgN0dtXuA
228Please respect copyright.PENANArIwiGBgEEv
"Good morning, Kenny."228Please respect copyright.PENANAOPQeCze1YP
228Please respect copyright.PENANAGNQSp2CVjE
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."228Please respect copyright.PENANA1dmxeJvz8t
228Please respect copyright.PENANAgi8WoJr3Y7
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANANO4nIm2vBg
228Please respect copyright.PENANAtBS8otELhB
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"228Please respect copyright.PENANADzLv7HcX9u
228Please respect copyright.PENANAIXyFpZXI0Q
I scooted closer to him.228Please respect copyright.PENANAno7LxP6GcE
228Please respect copyright.PENANA3ghXoCetjU
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAktrgGbHsDW
228Please respect copyright.PENANANE9jv1hKtJ
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."228Please respect copyright.PENANAfB0nz0Acc7
228Please respect copyright.PENANAz4J3Le3eiK
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAPzkptkcdEp
228Please respect copyright.PENANACzQxFUKYSY
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."228Please respect copyright.PENANAzq6xOQypvL
228Please respect copyright.PENANAbUWnMB3YeF
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.228Please respect copyright.PENANANj48rrE7lZ
228Please respect copyright.PENANAuxtAhfJhBD
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."228Please respect copyright.PENANA9j07jb1JDh
228Please respect copyright.PENANA3iYoiLLm8s
"What?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAjrV3mRSVvh
228Please respect copyright.PENANA3RKe4CAX84
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."228Please respect copyright.PENANAlilnzVpc5c
228Please respect copyright.PENANA5guVrPmsDb
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANA3nNJEz2Jko
228Please respect copyright.PENANAGIckvzXgIN
"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."228Please respect copyright.PENANA38LkDWPBOV
228Please respect copyright.PENANAWmBeGGeTjq
"R-Right."228Please respect copyright.PENANAJkiSUeiXgu
228Please respect copyright.PENANAgfJeeRaJoK
"Well then, shall we go?"228Please respect copyright.PENANA22xFqtlcYc
228Please respect copyright.PENANAdQIpUOnvNf
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.228Please respect copyright.PENANAdRS2cDV9AP
228Please respect copyright.PENANAuCtlI1fEVT
"Alright."228Please respect copyright.PENANASi8DFLDILG
228Please respect copyright.PENANAoxbt9PTHI1
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAMSWqYaHCQd
228Please respect copyright.PENANAdUof13mNl1
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."228Please respect copyright.PENANAcP1LcDC7wr
228Please respect copyright.PENANAXdn5UaN5RB
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAVSPeJ8SUUu
228Please respect copyright.PENANAFBHuP3xsCv
"What?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAQIC8GeZgox
228Please respect copyright.PENANA7nbQTf0qSl
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."228Please respect copyright.PENANAFj27EZEgd1
228Please respect copyright.PENANAuuiWnqsXaH
"I know he will."228Please respect copyright.PENANATBUP7eiGoC
228Please respect copyright.PENANAw9LT5Pl3Ue
"Then why are you shaking?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAvrymvohPKj
228Please respect copyright.PENANAd7kUdE5kKM
"...I just can't help myself."228Please respect copyright.PENANAsJCqVeEglO
228Please respect copyright.PENANAf0TGg6sKZa
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAzJ2XIljO6d
228Please respect copyright.PENANAqgLZ95gOCz
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"228Please respect copyright.PENANALv7G9fCcMk
228Please respect copyright.PENANAzZvk3DAcvv
"What do you want to talk about?"228Please respect copyright.PENANA7ExS1gJvoa
228Please respect copyright.PENANAgh3Ae2sNk0
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"228Please respect copyright.PENANARCL0FqIxnV
228Please respect copyright.PENANAgduFa8UueB
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."228Please respect copyright.PENANAr9pb0C2m38
228Please respect copyright.PENANAvctjgs39Wh
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."228Please respect copyright.PENANAkk0PawG5ZI
228Please respect copyright.PENANAYi6LfwjKl8
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAPZymUgwWzb
228Please respect copyright.PENANAsrlofXFKzo
"Ha!"228Please respect copyright.PENANA2SI3ZQQtcX
228Please respect copyright.PENANAIUIxXncO7Z
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.228Please respect copyright.PENANAFMeHP7TGyE
228Please respect copyright.PENANAmHmn3pfksJ
"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!"228Please respect copyright.PENANAB58rjYXkux
228Please respect copyright.PENANAANGZzXvwFr
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAJHYHcurw3S
228Please respect copyright.PENANAZnD2FKRKjc
"Hehe, something like that."228Please respect copyright.PENANAr5RyQNtTWL
228Please respect copyright.PENANAOWoG1Mm8Gc
She didn't sound confident.228Please respect copyright.PENANA4EtjoWxwtL
228Please respect copyright.PENANAqy9ZR2pCBS
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."228Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3LCx46xll
228Please respect copyright.PENANA60NRobtH5J
"Ah. That makes sense."228Please respect copyright.PENANAmbBQNXnnzF
228Please respect copyright.PENANA5uDHvTefl3
I was very close to saying something insensitive.228Please respect copyright.PENANADNLR9Vp68p
228Please respect copyright.PENANA62JNXb02cc
"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."228Please respect copyright.PENANAKxYnb3UIcZ
228Please respect copyright.PENANAbNm6LQlHEF
"...Wolf?"228Please respect copyright.PENANABJXBtqW0TV
228Please respect copyright.PENANAZTOPJmA6xL
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAnWpPAbsFzk
228Please respect copyright.PENANAjKc8s5Lk5w
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?228Please respect copyright.PENANATWcYQkdF6d
228Please respect copyright.PENANAHY8T2JQENR
"Kenny?"228Please respect copyright.PENANA8WFTVqkHwK
228Please respect copyright.PENANA8Lx8x1jTI5
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAsK6paF1TpU
228Please respect copyright.PENANAmfttRBFcaB
I stood up and walked forward.228Please respect copyright.PENANAbOnuOpplX9
228Please respect copyright.PENANArDk3hA6axd
"Kenny? What's wrong?"228Please respect copyright.PENANACwhFRlIpWi
228Please respect copyright.PENANAji1cEtl3A9
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."228Please respect copyright.PENANAPmuPHlYsTn
228Please respect copyright.PENANAhVcfAtGwYZ
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAgkzrtHsDHr
228Please respect copyright.PENANAj2rQvSOjjQ
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAYINx5Nk2kg
228Please respect copyright.PENANATQTnKYQg6e
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.228Please respect copyright.PENANANjWq1v30jy
228Please respect copyright.PENANA6xr3bkR4Y3
**BANG**228Please respect copyright.PENANAt28JoORI0K
228Please respect copyright.PENANA1SyYEsL5f6
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANA6xDYXgpP2m
228Please respect copyright.PENANAOz5ZBzlSMk
"Victoria."228Please respect copyright.PENANAtPQJUkQYv7
228Please respect copyright.PENANAVOJ0NljUE2
"Right."228Please respect copyright.PENANAwE0DIhWZy7
228Please respect copyright.PENANAyL5d22DDy7
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANA9LCuPARfHG
228Please respect copyright.PENANAZHWe6JLOmI
**SMASH**228Please respect copyright.PENANAnOxB74qaUA
228Please respect copyright.PENANArKIJDNVGfu
There he was.228Please respect copyright.PENANAqyDvBo9JqE
228Please respect copyright.PENANAOlQ3h08QU9
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANADlYRErtHHt
228Please respect copyright.PENANAIkA5y1Gdx2
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAXrWxpe885U
228Please respect copyright.PENANASF8cc8INF5
"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."228Please respect copyright.PENANAsOqnEYms67
228Please respect copyright.PENANAxS1lUyf1tC
"Right."228Please respect copyright.PENANA0bUGx0ed0B
228Please respect copyright.PENANAMSv6EDZ9QB
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAYHkxRwN48F
228Please respect copyright.PENANAjRykZlZ9G3
"Thank you!"228Please respect copyright.PENANAkLMKOAaQW6
228Please respect copyright.PENANAbq2kkFyi4m
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAKrxWlkH6gj
228Please respect copyright.PENANAjr6Uo5d81D
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAKqcUILquAe
228Please respect copyright.PENANAmf2Ao0ZKuE
"Huh?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAjqMM8R6DiR
228Please respect copyright.PENANAfaGTFaARTS
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.228Please respect copyright.PENANAWmEmizw6s0
228Please respect copyright.PENANAZKgbit3D0E
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.228Please respect copyright.PENANARBmyHmm4hS
228Please respect copyright.PENANAADc0BvsTHw
"Shit!"228Please respect copyright.PENANAmMpt7CFXFQ
228Please respect copyright.PENANABlbJeaJcY1
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAX5MVPYT1li
228Please respect copyright.PENANA73tfFvDRDy
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"228Please respect copyright.PENANA6fLtntkjoa
228Please respect copyright.PENANAHBW5gnJlNT
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAorqmR1JdrT
228Please respect copyright.PENANAHMPM58HMZz
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."228Please respect copyright.PENANAq2aRjBrV56
228Please respect copyright.PENANAYS6mX34gwC
"I understand."228Please respect copyright.PENANAceI1ZOvJ9P
228Please respect copyright.PENANATruz9o4VHK
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAXaUBcN1I7r
228Please respect copyright.PENANACHLJjkC3pI
"Uh oh, Kenny."228Please respect copyright.PENANAliR3EhvvIj
228Please respect copyright.PENANAZwgyJY0b6s
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.228Please respect copyright.PENANAYyElGe8mZ6
228Please respect copyright.PENANANLDI0q4BP4
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."228Please respect copyright.PENANAFhAqVh5Tfa
228Please respect copyright.PENANAb7pn2ideWW
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAnmfR5shPPB
228Please respect copyright.PENANA43avVFOzis
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANARSXIB2pazC
228Please respect copyright.PENANAuvTIIFeRWQ
"Hrk!"228Please respect copyright.PENANAQv7sAX0S9v
228Please respect copyright.PENANA6mEB1cDIDi
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAWOYW5KVZJ5
228Please respect copyright.PENANArWCNA7XuuF
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"228Please respect copyright.PENANAsmcOs8lPab
228Please respect copyright.PENANAHTrcRuX2IA
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAsjWx7wZplh
228Please respect copyright.PENANAUWnEEkw4r6
"Victoria!"228Please respect copyright.PENANAJct27OyiUz
228Please respect copyright.PENANAna7jKX3wYp
"Right!"228Please respect copyright.PENANAI311Yn92xy
228Please respect copyright.PENANApu1PiCaRW7
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANA6em86nnKfs
228Please respect copyright.PENANA78HtLhol71
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANA0rxGQYLoa5
228Please respect copyright.PENANApyKUHo0Syd
"GRAHHHH!"228Please respect copyright.PENANAf4wqSRameR
228Please respect copyright.PENANAUK9wIidsH0
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.228Please respect copyright.PENANAcHCxba6Df0
228Please respect copyright.PENANAvXlmDntuvn
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAeGnqPM0eS2
228Please respect copyright.PENANAeuFJL6jcYU
"..."228Please respect copyright.PENANAOkOv9uVF2w
228Please respect copyright.PENANA4B7y3QAyvT
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAQZxt4XSLWp
228Please respect copyright.PENANANxyoUbGFv5
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAeC79GaNqlS
228Please respect copyright.PENANAzNZQ8aO1wN
We did it. We really did it.228Please respect copyright.PENANAZUNY271iM0
228Please respect copyright.PENANAnI9mLUeCTB
"Kenny!"228Please respect copyright.PENANAl3a8wdmbjc
228Please respect copyright.PENANAQqNOKbpqsw
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.228Please respect copyright.PENANAhhUYv3hkWV
228Please respect copyright.PENANAeY7JIjqq5q
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAziNzMEXYSS
228Please respect copyright.PENANAMvedhCoLb2
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."228Please respect copyright.PENANABrexrF6fvL
228Please respect copyright.PENANA6htITqn1ym
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.228Please respect copyright.PENANAb7Q737Ia3H
228Please respect copyright.PENANAX1e086B42G
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."228Please respect copyright.PENANAwtEqnhX9hU
228Please respect copyright.PENANAwbR2wNAmNf
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAv3Lhuoh9c7
228Please respect copyright.PENANA3c6a1Y65ts
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.228Please respect copyright.PENANA2GDC2QZpP0
228Please respect copyright.PENANAKhJBHfCeBa
"We did it," I muttered.228Please respect copyright.PENANAU4mXtkUxSx
228Please respect copyright.PENANAwy9VHJKmNv
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.228Please respect copyright.PENANAa57gx5Ae3g
228Please respect copyright.PENANAn4epBbDUM4
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAtgWOMvMCOV
228Please respect copyright.PENANA5idJn6oCdj
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.228Please respect copyright.PENANAQl2aleeV1k
228Please respect copyright.PENANA0V7lFpUf7r
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAgxhEdqu897
228Please respect copyright.PENANAdS6cA2e2nW
"...It could've been a lot worse."228Please respect copyright.PENANA1djMtfGwkT
228Please respect copyright.PENANAZSiCTGQnkW
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."228Please respect copyright.PENANAmyDnOWfY8J
228Please respect copyright.PENANAYBmCw0SKJR
Victoria looked at something above me.228Please respect copyright.PENANA0yPXtWKiTt
228Please respect copyright.PENANAyOl3TV5bgk
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAUa8NCihulF
228Please respect copyright.PENANAzreEErXTVd
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.228Please respect copyright.PENANAhCXF52gTVl
228Please respect copyright.PENANAHHb8u4ZDDb
"No. Why do you ask?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAX38BqdT0bH
228Please respect copyright.PENANACZbJtPNKra
"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."228Please respect copyright.PENANAWknJdD2uE5
228Please respect copyright.PENANAEHXmextF9B
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."228Please respect copyright.PENANAgRypfjaUOW
228Please respect copyright.PENANAg9PQt4hlxw
"O-Oh, sorry."228Please respect copyright.PENANAbLW66Fhj9i
228Please respect copyright.PENANAxz91S16CUJ
She scratched her cheek a little.228Please respect copyright.PENANAWHJfcr3sGU
228Please respect copyright.PENANApjpS7sXsIS
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"228Please respect copyright.PENANA0g8NzHnq8G
228Please respect copyright.PENANAzEfKBcn12M
"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."228Please respect copyright.PENANAWoyrAaFmyp
228Please respect copyright.PENANAzbbTclrSzd
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."228Please respect copyright.PENANAFFxKgSBzaN
228Please respect copyright.PENANAcssc2WJaAO
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.228Please respect copyright.PENANAucbW8GVDsH
228Please respect copyright.PENANAkGWAitCVF0
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANA021WEX5ETp
228Please respect copyright.PENANAEBK5RRloKe
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANA9vBlvx8cFG
228Please respect copyright.PENANAKCl6hn7mvG
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANALhnQdoxS30
228Please respect copyright.PENANAWhGRB2MOCV
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"228Please respect copyright.PENANAeFx6PRlREE
228Please respect copyright.PENANAN5WUOu4KDk
"We fought something, Kenny and I."228Please respect copyright.PENANAZYwKIMYRyl
228Please respect copyright.PENANAxfGWVkpKus
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.228Please respect copyright.PENANA3uvTrlRBF3
228Please respect copyright.PENANA0Y9yre2Fm1
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."228Please respect copyright.PENANAsETkdO7jEi
228Please respect copyright.PENANAIJQRQIb8Hf
"How is Kim?" I asked.228Please respect copyright.PENANAnfOdGz9NSe
228Please respect copyright.PENANAx3otBI75Tq
"She's fine, just unconscious."228Please respect copyright.PENANA3H0n06DKVc
228Please respect copyright.PENANAD2T8bghbMQ
I could only say one thing.228Please respect copyright.PENANAFnLeq2xN00
228Please respect copyright.PENANABY1TfqHZ2L
"...Haaaa. Thank God."