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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyht5D5eqpw
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I2hUuzQNp
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ57EtKBzl
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6siiHYTUy
"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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzrn4IORkP
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1c8WdNOxV
"That's not true at all–"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCmigqjw0I
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23fRbBFrHx
"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..."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJmO6kHFgs
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvrsEWRp4z
I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxicjza8Oal
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzClOj3AmIn
"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!?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxSmKVkqze
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekuxLED8Ff
I fell to my knees.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqz31ddWnE
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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..."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVZ5EuM3cM
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvAUPga5jJ
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7Amef4ziu
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"...Kenny."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzjwUF1k74
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"What!?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGDkGuWSnK
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJGjZ7On0N
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIzGokI79U
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNb4sp3iPNP
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAZNXXrxlF
"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz75qUp10YX
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqSXN5pnHG
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH04nekLldI
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4kF7kB61F
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWH7cV3WFd
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCgfRqvv2i
"N-No..."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVHi5iMWxs
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GlN9PIFZj
Oh, God.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjlFtFFNlu
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt51qhMaA9N
Oh, God.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NbJHVQfwD
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwltTPxTVGS
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEeIS7FQZW
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbe2pNCcFe
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t5WzzcX32
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRbvrAuLAm
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zmXrJfSZM
"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehNtUgOl0J
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYZ2E6bMEr
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iVgnuZGsM
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCFxcmEbii
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–179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyBJnxS0AE
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"--Hrk!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmJpUAETY8
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I managed to hold back my vomit. Somehow that cleared the haze in my mind. I leaned against a nearby tree. I didn't think. If I thought, then I would've heard Ng's words again, and if I thought, my anxieties would've crawled back, and then I would be endlessly running. So I sat there instead.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1g0DbKbWG
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM41jD34xTf
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LZ3Zlgwdp
"There you are."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAhtERJGlQ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMeVi2PJMe
Ng already found me, huh?179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4RX0e7pwR
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ2q8gm6n9
"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSyE3EOnuu
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqcA0hQi2o
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–179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg6VXk1iJc
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn16IybRqP
"...Fine."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHl3LGMTa9
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2UgDM5HkS
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycI7oPhWDC
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqtgEzJENg
"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8pz2oPkWZ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24HGLlaDdn
Nevermind. What a strange question.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoVI9XXR1L
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7C9lg2VJE
"No. They died a long time ago."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcmddyKn9C
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96wfRZQ94i
"I see. You have my condolences."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xv69eBLbx
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"I don't need them."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMpXFd39Ff
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A pause.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC4LEMNkyo
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkErtuO33F
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZce0UnPU97
"..."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4TsI5TlFL
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I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYa0ndtRkK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4OLKQWJd7
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtsc1sp40D
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Despite it, nothing changed. My mind was still at odds with itself. But I calmed down. I calmed down a lot. At that moment, a bundle of warmth spread throughout my body. I was feeling fine.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkk6KxNiEC
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"Did I–"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU9JZLojp0
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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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxxOhHuHz6
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06Fkm8YHzl
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I had to make sure I heard him.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGoFkOMlzy
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"Assistants?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtu0XE5hbTx
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBLPOv51HD
"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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBglBHCj8j
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Teh2993Hz
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC9HrftY64
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSHW2THapn
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2nw74702S
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORBw2ZY7C0
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We kept walking. We didn't exchange another word but I could feel the air around us lighten. Thanks to the campfire, we made it back to the others.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFHL0wNU7P
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrEltFX3uG
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PlXNIO6eO
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MEsSPwIPg
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lzO7XalBV
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIMynWMzaT
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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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdM936EI5F
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV6sz2HUGc
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0XPH90cTg
"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4z8hDK6J2
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"Of course."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIItj2bjqKE
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbqffWoeFL
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"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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz0dVfcJXK
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Tailing her? Well, if that was the case, he must not have been very good at it. But when your target is as disguised and inconspicuous as Kim, then even a knight would have difficulty pursuing you.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4wlYXGzdD
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But, no, something else was bugging me.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYg13rUhWV
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"How did you know where to find us here?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ceF1ugBEK
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"I simply spent the day searching."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J1AUgCkJE
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"The whole day?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzjvAdPefu
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He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaPemSLbAU
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JDCJLaXEA
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXmeCZ76rY
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He sighed.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsRaWPYefB
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7XyKAaTMG
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GXcRTjoIk
"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoeQyzLNIl
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"Oh! Yes! Kim is being held captive by a magical beast my ex-colleague has created. He is formidable, and occasionally reckless, but not a creature who would intentionally kill. He wasn't programmed that way."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zwfSbzh97
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRA0fN9OJp1
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"...Why do you ask?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDvkU09YgU
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHNiQLK2YZ
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOXKDRvTLB
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdDFsiicKm
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BJ1boGSdY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2TvBDiaIk
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMPEYewylL
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVevgew2ChN
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJKb8kUJXp
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFCP59hTFI
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2Lnox7Pii
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVDCNHmnev
"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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1u4vGjlV0
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBFZjSaQKW
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAUGO8BLeX
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdVBxZHY6q
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsdvVP2laX
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEHCtcS48P
He put a hand to his chin.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmrPqonO8f
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AWWsyZxxI
"...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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiemvqmf3y
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrbtkMeYHF
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrwU9kk0Tr
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEswN1omdtd
"No."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4O0Ef9IFI
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuDnM3tfNG
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhg6F4cEvn
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40f7x7Vile
"Do you mean in the woods?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfoqhsuC9k
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0n3zdJlfZ
"Yes. I'm just curious."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AFXSCsVGS
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL85tcEr1hZ
"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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnI7l2YrWK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1miWWv98k
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9En6AzMC2
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OnqRkhOBD
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkvY7BagLX
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd4tIbsz1N
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gV5QeNZdr
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHgey3CkaB
"Me too."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvPRauDSkc
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGHLjZPH9T
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsxKzWm4B5
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eHpkuwUUq
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0fGYRi9mK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyf0DXaP0c
"Yes. For now, at least."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNd1UP6ZTsa
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaLmj8egJu
"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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUAPuM3YjN
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9eWKX6Lmy
"..."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQhDcLBtRa
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaLLgahjwv
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyXxyTfmEl
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlyE2U0XX3
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhNy3eNiM8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQPC4pf5tp
"...Huh?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JrRpdz55i
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2MU4lQmvo
–
–
–
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31JbzYnznm
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6I3JQjq6V
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX1Ss0fyxL
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdoPNGhkO9
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6vagQcsYV
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbi51piRyI
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEjG2EP92A
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISAIvkut59
"Good morning, Kenny."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgkPihX98B
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj8fv0dfM6
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97Tmrb9sYe
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV31lfSV6pO
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6j6uBdTOQ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCie8SIc0r
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZmTTc95fL
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfOuNHmt7Z
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWEAKyh403
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdSs4DYrvi
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8UmbdI7Zh
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsZ264qmsI
"Yes! I have, ha!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQt8BAVOjm0
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGdfJwWZrD
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ928c1kDsvz
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZB4rbaooR
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7iQx0wkGJ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCaKgOAXVT
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWKYzXH09n
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMU0Bn6ULN
"Thank you, teacher."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8DtvBY059
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0AwBB1Ege
"Yeah. Don't call me that."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYVPBZvIGW
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFxuhJ3Y3O
"Okay."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6fi3kimAB
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV4q3LrSDP
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvH8R5lGAY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRdEKyOGaM
"Hm? What's wrong?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDJjbohl2l
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuGYPIfQfF
"Um..."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLblMvgXGJL
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd7iDyM9MD
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eZlWqH971
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1e6Ecs57Z
"Here. Have it back."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY46PJPlFoU
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGsuM5Wepu
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgbUfZiIdT
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6whbofzQxY
She shook her head no.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM7WWNNyX3
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxsnQkaWPR
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDRjvkBfXN
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fkhG3jXPu
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHj3EArA0mL
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jD1IbSAk6
"Thank you, Flinty."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgvdfaRBzk
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6s665rPZe
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iw3b5zcPC
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrVRcJxBPn
"Kenny, do you feel better?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKeH55KGBB
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HTLBeC2dR
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIVRslQCxe
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cqpmZfVx8
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XH2IJdUSQ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVcjom06Gs
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPb91OE6ni
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte5CHUS40h
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPCqLcZvfH
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGjBfyqwXR
"Good morning, Kenny."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc5LUm0s5w
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXooVEhlv7
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEemQf6cD60
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiJur5sZB5
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CXB6HrmlJ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziZEnPF1X8
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy2X8zIxB8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmh2Eu1n3u
I scooted closer to him.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgJ4PYm6RC
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCPDGotEUe
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdizqSvQ36k
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDgc8KzuLR
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFaWMEBEGt
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh6S1YCUTh
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqUdCaCHCY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlMg5sQL3r
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiEVnij5P2
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrexto9ZBIk
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvpYfQCO19
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0LHeCxtSA
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO7gGhhEGw
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3Mk9ujRKr
"What?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcmI7ThOvj
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxLBvaXXSt
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlSRQaPOh2
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsn4zXvNUp
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I1fxCgMbE
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjwDqhSCFI
"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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe6vaG6VCs
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOCht5ilMD
"R-Right."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiBV6vHHMK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtOrwEKlnx
"Well then, shall we go?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjyzAobeXR
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX70HICu5P
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOVmTWHvcs
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOi9QdaybK
"Alright."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TxkPVjLDF
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzlZZlwNnA
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ2w8aZinY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEp9oEVzdA
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAVebHEmuE
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpqvJBGCQi
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9666CXW1s
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXPw07yjw9
"What?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz5enjBnlq
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpmmOaLkfX
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2FyvaKsot
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ091DdQHZVQ
"I know he will."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ljjdl3sgu
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFV5Hprr6Q
"Then why are you shaking?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQWmaO6vT1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EnqsGPng8
"...I just can't help myself."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9qmQNlDaB
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv8wMjkX0Y
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oRYYAzUZV
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYLnFJj2MV
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcet1BCkyO
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSaeGrPOJb
"What do you want to talk about?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpB0s34W5v
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6bnzIIDwt
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9c9gGGohJF
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMATjZN7Fs
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UTzyLI7tg
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX9i5pwDOs
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEGmGTXU6x
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzJ1HE5x7q
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIP32RoRWv
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7HN3znRpO
"Ha!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqJAdAWkFQ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdu5TkzzGo
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy6iLA6y4B
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQyI89gwFS
"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!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXonPe13xti
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEZdzbK1Tb
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9dXyP20kz
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO86cTaeuV
"Hehe, something like that."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxG42zxcZU
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE0p4YddlJ
She didn't sound confident.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslQSrq2mwX
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDsTXVqEGR
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdRGQ8VkR3
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb5yilbhyk
"Ah. That makes sense."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmVgcLjHJn
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgw6v1Y1Jf6
I was very close to saying something insensitive.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutcSifqPc2
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7YTVbdKGa
"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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz80h32EJ6i
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NA63nWygH
"...Wolf?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtRLcE8juv
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicrvycQEe7
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViXM2skJHm
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm28ysSADQ
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Xp8UYkFYS
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17oahoAIQY
"Kenny?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qxZWyvDoX
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGaM5u9RGG
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6hgaoCuQZ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44iNSBc95a
I stood up and walked forward.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RN7PTiqXY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiT4YfTxgb
"Kenny? What's wrong?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOPAXcGQWH
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbzrXEq4iW
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sN8ZO07DT
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6J29BjpEg
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRT6RDdAjF
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN998m78Dz
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2x6JInwuZ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHldbihLCHH
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO1fHs45UK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs28jsP2Kt
**BANG**179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPvFBgpmXj
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q5uWXrtCe
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJFSVo5BIE
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA5eF9aNrN
"Victoria."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQAG8SCtfd
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqpNhrZtyj
"Right."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6FtHB1PMk
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cbfBXD7PU
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFZP8m3Lcl
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0w3ql4P4jQ
**SMASH**179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvMX5snD9g
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEXvIMcJbp
There he was.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3dnbgS5VS
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjZwUIExqq
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqrUy2ivGs
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4OrXVIccn
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl26E5r9bmA
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRAeIDsw8R
"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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxmxiZTkas
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUw9nGKEAG
"Right."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MxjZ8iOxS
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfbX6i9r8N
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW0QwxLhHH
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr1CIO36uz
"Thank you!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdKGevvDds
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFY8q1arOE
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFh6cRwDC9
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEDE7BgHtQ
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzBT8rbrTU
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7okB0i0Ngc
"Huh?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5PBd30BKp
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfFzWWEabR
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopBlMS7F6U
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB5QK4Pcqy
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC653NSfocA
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84KcsJMgEh
"Shit!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2qnI8WZD4
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9R94LGljbA
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbYD77nKAB
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNOOdFGcSa
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyL57jcJNJ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3C1rpjyYh
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VqYOOUhZQ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbZwlqmFA2
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhOmQZZUx4
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XCltbvPU7
"I understand."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6bH1ctgNA
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLBkTGydSh
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIfpBaTLCo
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzK0RxIEpD
"Uh oh, Kenny."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DKfz1v6Iw
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM2sxjsAbH
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vX7y43IO7
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFDw051mkD
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCOUDUiUKG
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfC5G1VjNm
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfI9sEpvbJm
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvkG9h9boD
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1MFpXqLmu
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6xcPNiVvz
"Hrk!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfP694YZS1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei0DNwI7pq
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dNsANT80i
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCcQxPhZqI
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfdRqeUi4c
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0X1W5aJxJ
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8gJhMDQpZ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdaJ45cZF9
"Victoria!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrmFhzQyJC
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0ZMMM5Xma
"Right!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujEXxHzQlw
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iOnvQH5Pn
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dernhgiEm
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqyuRTdlh7
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOXeSWHYFo
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn13ppWm3QD
"GRAHHHH!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjry534qQij
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCkbSm8QBy
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NhJMsMNOh
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfvCTb14AW
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL13gf9rcD
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwulIpMa2ED
"..."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBDkKuhPow
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrspPkjCN8p
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9MLl0Dx9x
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1cDHkthnD
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4MV97IYS1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHtnVOBXlM
We did it. We really did it.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89E4JkADxw
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQzxJjVIG4
"Kenny!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouNeCFLNqq
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tuYx1Y2Dw
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwh7RvevED
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpi5c9YJbS
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOhYOiIv9x
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeao5i3wyx
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUVgZuf2Wv
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8djHOncAZZ
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJeoJ9k4Wk
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYI4UGRowj
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrLBMyaZl7
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYVmONhZSg
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj29nKDj8W
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrccU9vBI5x
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7iqVWo2Sa
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL7uCFKEUi
"We did it," I muttered.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1NK6scDzF
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9pdlYuXaA
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywsu7hmCUJ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsJOhF0xIa
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QyXlg7g7y
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBA8aCvni1t
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9QebS31F9
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdPiphJj0l
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ONBvOGIa4
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIJYpq3oL8
"...It could've been a lot worse."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPpgLXqPE1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vPBKbsnRZ
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6Fe22YNHT
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYvpEhdCC0
Victoria looked at something above me.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kYSnVYdaf
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbDYaN6Oko
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeimtkCnWj
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNhpnXahuL
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2vMbhBEOM
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yCyjoYdGf
"No. Why do you ask?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TIyrIjsvi
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qw6ji0ERn
"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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTY3uJwhWZs
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKOdj63Dgs
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTU0EXlHfo
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH85CkUpHdz
"O-Oh, sorry."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTFHcJVfdh
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Y1Dun0luG
She scratched her cheek a little.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhUOuKIEk4
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnTHNo5H9j
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70sfjonas2
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE6H39tLuT
"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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuObtSYnVG
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr315FVc2FZ
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcQTGcIwRC
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVC8GIxig8
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF1KjG11za
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfTcnsQOmM
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVl2TO0g7q0
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP7OodEwmq
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8FEsdelEM
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HiwVF46wi
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKQZJOxJNt
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitjO2Am4WV
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu41uxVrcz
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiZx40vQQ1
"We fought something, Kenny and I."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdEr1tdnFp
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPymiYVCzBZ
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o2ZqVKvgh
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXZYY22bp8
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPNmN6mvXs
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTb7lNlPZQ
"How is Kim?" I asked.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJo145eWMr
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOofLaVaxCc
"She's fine, just unconscious."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUG5aPNEiy
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYSoNiajRA
I could only say one thing.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkP89IJyQ6
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4blthJRSn
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
