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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1lykSdaPu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzmYL9sAhE
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUzPRo86Zf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU36qXL0ww
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxNFLrrncD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBcUXW80Wg
"That's not true at all–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p0bdfEgF3
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM75m6pt5h3
"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..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kLzxgcD1J
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiX43AJzpc
I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSydSQUXn8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcjtexmYFb
"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!?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgGRVjxcsZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaN1ju1rl1
I fell to my knees.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQO57Kmf3x
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW76XlXlOFH
"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..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43uqZ8agT4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijh9UraVUd
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7xa7AknGq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NPKB6MGyk
"...Kenny."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQGuZ0SkCF
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVERHEXfLR
"What!?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Jj5LVx6aR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wHeIidfks
He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlrtTvL0nk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXc1ITfU7F
"You're not lying to me, are you?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScKWS1Wvnx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBz9LbqNYO
The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox776BqhYu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkA0xIhTZA
"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zh8KHU4cb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrOzN6cYAD
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC5iifdWOU
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVHQwZRZJg
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOKudDAR6Y
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMegwiGxDf
"N-No..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlvTt7yGDK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmIgodtfzP
Oh, God.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF5bktJxfH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrlSyxfYiY
Oh, God.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgUidDirKW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7B6d4iY7R
"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvAWFZpSNK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKbx3C3OGc
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBADuTIwDL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcEMIiNTyq
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGf6vg64c33
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eHgCzO5Sq
"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvAORQJHRJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NXmh5IPz3
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9JQIOntzd
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrau1p15EF
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–176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6krhd2uDN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGEQwcvWG2
"--Hrk!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D4uMgDRiI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbZyur9U0M
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv30YDxj6xP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CDnz3GeIR
One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW0iYKEpDO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn2XkEfakm
"There you are."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA9ImCViYS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQO0IVclHZY
Ng already found me, huh?176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd7FoYGAEs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUCo2SoKjs
"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0XIzFKTSH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HLciyxV1Q
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–176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXD5MaEWPN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX2YzjFhvP
"...Fine."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXhKRFPS5s
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAP9Juo20vb
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsPr4xaH42
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wyDZPLlQH
"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC7IFLwQOQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnYuQCB4Td
Nevermind. What a strange question.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBPpSCGQ6U
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ9W6wqdw5
"No. They died a long time ago."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj2JmGdJNJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGXsMWScA6
"I see. You have my condolences."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLir4SZEGa
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnI5z4c0jP
"I don't need them."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEFDar9jgc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfZ3qJzJtr
A pause.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHHRbUoIsn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqZbXiw1rd
"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX99xyeeHV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaKkbo87A5
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExaKloCXA1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfMUYP3a1x
I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtwEYMcf5l
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwCOGs2Inq
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCflzXPruPY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnpH6hV7fa
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rkKahRHHn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqfP5LDyTU
"Did I–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCvOrod1uO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF74z7YcS8
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp2XuMuNSG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRahTLk19QG
"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeyDfAHmcK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdPGaPJdqn
I had to make sure I heard him.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwlHfocD1e
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FQ6x977Bu
"Assistants?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCF8aAmLZY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeozJMfNFT
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduEaLzOBoR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJXwPWHWf7
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBokKRAIbym
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGi5qnLHjT
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0iX83ZW5r
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JKLEz63zk
"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7iKymacfa
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShe2ZeMIRO
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQypLNDatgW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlIksMXY7G
Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzknf1sgdUK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzWjMi2jqq
"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4YDpljAaX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3AEDp9s17
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSgspFEWjD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXQAV4VXTS
Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioMYlz72Bn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPvePi53Tp
–
–
–
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uCcCQPaG4
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DQJVtxbfy
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cnsgdNOBq
"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlmkL3T5o1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsShKoazF8
"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv4SPlIiEA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeJiCuuUhR
"Of course."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDnFv1wz5B
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrYP4Nxiy8
"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfs4wnmgq0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD7GP5TTVz
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J6weFl5zI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWQyXCQJ2p
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSQ8S3lRTx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMyWd9XkAs
But, no, something else was bugging me.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSevTbFMw4n
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreUAqV7w6B
"How did you know where to find us here?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEAJzXf8wN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFFPrBt7qo
"I simply spent the day searching."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmxAlkoM3g
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrfW0GGbrd
"The whole day?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaZoLsSYW8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9tnGayera
He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7t2iPBf5oj
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8wIzRhRT1
Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNCKPZRCQb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE81Fj8yBD7
"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7Z923Wgko
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He sighed.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBFuWycK56
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUU31I9aV3
"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBmwTAux6F
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiDuwz50Bl
"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPefWnwGXyB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIOV7wxNhP
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm6Puwrg48
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jeF7O7YT4
"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPyAUJmXTT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oyr1uBdX1
"...Why do you ask?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubWCOSdgCv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmPvL7MGIf
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40Eidxd3iN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0LSHt1IN3
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHPb4iFjuB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QLzpt6AnC
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEolR5SDRa
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj0jUYgHEc
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0ugUhRvAu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mt0elhavr
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeb7WAxjRd
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0lMc4BVbn
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xeKbB3xR4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUKnobgC0b
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLi4W26mzg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWSQC3COiS
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbG9Swi6P6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlp0N3ZYNYo
He put a hand to his chin.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WxuE9nTvF
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2liDtL4A0
"...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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDay7xWJQZP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi9yiGmTpP
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjA45x7T33
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquyIHxcNlB
"No."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2iojCOLrZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNarPlvNIeV
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduhHEEKahu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7xTisj0b3
"Do you mean in the woods?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVR99h1kG8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4ghuh5VeN
"Yes. I'm just curious."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSnxf9qSF7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQhvfxkzQD
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JYgUJk15V
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8ZBei7m7Z
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ydADHoo6e
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsJ0CXrjnX
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7aMbRjY4y
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7SUoXkW1q
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPHJd15HnQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqxaPS7Kks
"Me too."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAUMoJ3b4K
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVabqQn11St
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouwuE9YRuN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTvySvBqxG
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AieVMjMj1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fH1Ne3b0c
"Yes. For now, at least."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7x77uWVXQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm7KtAFWji
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJH1pRTJQX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfI8TjI1RB
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSURX7ZUCVc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbg7M38Klv
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9qg2UcfCG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwsPvw5yHq
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f0s2IaVO5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkWgrNbsgO
"...Huh?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARTFK1KwM1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomjsJeD3yl
–
–
–
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWHNW96ia6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2SLC0QLM4
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS44gDzTpR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ATeKdwCyp
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSMlPfKKaR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYYUynzbwT
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvXdx1GDuC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiuart0eHI
"Good morning, Kenny."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxSiMDqn0x
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfJLQm6Qkv
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOhlh0Lz6F
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVTWMUfZpo
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljNDnsCcMZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvqDakCGyS
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa6yW8w3so
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3INlCZxfJ
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDolTWR1Wx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW74CMoz8zG
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uXUL3F0Ez
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3meNyAqr9
"Yes! I have, ha!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw87nV3KbNY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeXgr2RdcD
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIAKHEJ7Kq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fU3A33Gpv
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP0s8HRTZi
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqmPAfp97u
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwjUG6Zxul
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNbAyUG3QP
"Thank you, teacher."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds9KZp9yI7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCL59iykX3f
"Yeah. Don't call me that."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LOCxvgLW5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoI0GNhHlh
"Okay."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAWB0vLGxW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4iqfDCVJG
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvxz9gXbSt
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMt7Vwggkd
"Hm? What's wrong?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2dSc91nDp
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLT5WXSfkE
"Um..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTcWuHWjl3
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSogPVkZeie
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5s6n3tDRg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY5xsUe2Pr
"Here. Have it back."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL5ulssLCf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqlTHM8Gpk
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgBDjh2OgZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZtzgEFTcM
She shook her head no.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDapFk3tEgD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9WYQbYesf
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkf2zwlLi7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXRLX7QZBw
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKjAcBZTtw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRLfprowOe
"Thank you, Flinty."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyxnR3lgnT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5MADeOCry
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPXsZtskGm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX56Qu9mOto
"Kenny, do you feel better?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgQ34Q5sUW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGcXX4NAsI
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6kqjWlHBX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3DjShQGTb
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnci8v4VGm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwRDWIxgVR
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkGesYDUmZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RY9EjmAyt
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfl2AMzzcY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthmlilFfll
"Good morning, Kenny."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqdbE7ROl7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wim461d3V
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uhO4aOcUm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c4PlKkvPr
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A1i0Dhdwo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzyp39maIf
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FJnUmhkQw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcZMNgqtUC
I scooted closer to him.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bzTtB8zu8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dKTVhvlO2
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPob3iA33BA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUZaeYiGaI
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DP9LIyAys
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLCnZohDE1
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5iRJc2Y8u
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST2zTzbjtL
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalQKgdeupn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBs7Gr9XOx
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsihfbdJkXJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1SxJorZJI
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZMZSHc0dI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlWzalsOCC
"What?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarDzjdlOZl
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOKtpn0ovh
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut9NdGHWdh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdClewWonaj
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiuTPAnBYQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsfBwzElh6
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNRJvuoxow
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22DIwwsRLx
"R-Right."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0KnKmlCGN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33AxN47euP
"Well then, shall we go?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZqgoHkRPe
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfZhEjn1Vw
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yeFeu6bkg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBkRr4qQIW
"Alright."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1Mt7uU8W1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0LN584Q9s
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVSZIlScu4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcF0IWz64I
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDirOS43BKN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAZi0xcGkp
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRoNIpMRFP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCXQNalwWL
"What?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUOrjDAMXy
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YeuklJiGk
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0bLNPXiPc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdW6V2eTDA
"I know he will."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7RKBopHh8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs1IKkcdXC
"Then why are you shaking?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR1AqHE7zc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8nkijfQep
"...I just can't help myself."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKZuDGIlt2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxKEAInNCL
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHJwpcCWRZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKYyAfdfV4
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQrjq5v7bv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvRhXIlxDo
"What do you want to talk about?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZWTeNWEAg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYAaMGAdvr
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0od9D9W0c
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsDI0k7NxX
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKCIABSkAG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfHZQMoI9k
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdx2AMGUQ3
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNerdRFhjt
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmWBkytzTF
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU3CxxTHxC
"Ha!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6orXCpXBP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTuOiL8bWK
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPzleQ0S90
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wJWJJb5N9
"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!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgTvcOkrub
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdrLKrvyXh
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVajQ9O3U2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzZrRdXBdB
"Hehe, something like that."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKtWNSm7VH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v6RqFQrPD
She didn't sound confident.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Y2qAsG1RN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGs9AOkJvo
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6PdVxE6Iv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0TCBVQLga
"Ah. That makes sense."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ66Gg7cKN0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQnvlvjdOn
I was very close to saying something insensitive.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xLrZjGq9f
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyMTc5P9wt
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hyLX9wbig
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qUSf3fbsi
"...Wolf?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RpTHPQnOb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88hr1dGJs0
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuDprtaNTD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0qj5CW8oV
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3EAYzkTnD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanYvc0FrNE
"Kenny?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJfjJOIyvc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkCdgmQjJP
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS4RV2hBn9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBkSDm0g1Z
I stood up and walked forward.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWaNcFlR2a
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXzDWN2mQP
"Kenny? What's wrong?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5iSMbG6Cn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwYI4KrliO
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFkQ7ba62i
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzdMgFDVPm
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir1oxFpY3J
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5yTiYpGGU
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TykSGatir
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h3muR2YXF
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC1trBWaoN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAamnLiY49
**BANG**176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKgcJXsu7S
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuIBb9H6tn
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM7GTzewHY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdj7dU7bK9
"Victoria."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMMvjkXMnK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvigJZjP6B
"Right."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPn2MOfycrW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbToScXaCqD
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhRZB17fwT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalAl0FyYnD
**SMASH**176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7YWJW12Lz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DOaxJWVwL
There he was.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIzs7ryKaK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe1shdocp8
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKfzALJmKq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8EcnEyzOq
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtE5EUsoMVn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEw7lsgQtV
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsb1WOO5Ev
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBtXUr0gQb
"Right."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3Z36tH2Xy
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V0mb8iz6m
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK0LoIe8Mo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMVhVAepxz
"Thank you!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlUgeg2U9i
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rQ21ODceb
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mk861f8TZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZlRVVeqJg
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJaGrOUXux
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFODdj9K1pV
"Huh?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVEGJ6W2Wi
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHyqFgZKwP
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKQUxxm6K6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSu2llDCLD
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRxBerByEz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSYcLMlstk
"Shit!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCftzZLcsf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKsKQM5qxK
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOQObfAisz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCbppngy4C
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSWLmK2LWZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYJrpHhlL0
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2xRieMRRx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok0amCeuMB
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENYIpPof2J
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8631OYUy01
"I understand."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoX5WqUX7S
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwv9hZZSzZ
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cXFVnoIbX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6ljY8HIGf
"Uh oh, Kenny."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLE8EE2TVC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKZ8PODGBx
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunUg3UI8a3
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExWMkmEYDe
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzf6t85sAS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdG8FVKK6K8
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9rcNKh2KJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lwlwCmsav
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywjdxZcntv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3AOMhcRLw
"Hrk!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI5EQCe0FT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG1txcsSjI
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjArg9LL7mq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FzffznSkx
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaYW4kpNgn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21TIS4JbRH
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodJpMUUaZL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlMsBdHELD
"Victoria!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS8SagHIN6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfD6scjdLr
"Right!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZmuw8jsyH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1hQ5XIUXT
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiryC7lhj7g
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX567sPrrd
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8d2Xrzzvs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3PaaRWMWI
"GRAHHHH!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPfjdua23J
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uofgetV2U
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNxj6TCjqW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOpbsIQctX
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fHSYR3so0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09GP7YW5Ol
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z4En0CFYs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99YcW3WTBE
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgn6IAb6lR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdAtIQXo97
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLM0POk4L0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuYf2nBsXX
We did it. We really did it.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL57xlIUcD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC851ncxlq
"Kenny!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63lbqLuzL6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT1UnaWRJM
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W8JcTBBo0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL84KbsZzdU
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTgYJD3VET
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2q4TpCYOL
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCvNDVxrjQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZUCYWblSW
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcq4pjOfel
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITZ6jImFkP
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1NB5gx06P
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsHLsXxWPN
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9E6tQ9SOa
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYbcABPjLx
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwshuaa5Ygx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVd80apEHR9
"We did it," I muttered.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3qv8npN2H
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIvBLCkEZ8
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWoPLzB8TE
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3iZytDPvV
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRfi2wfiY1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkgPE3wxku
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xpwrVcnU9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQb50CN4Eu
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6EbCpM5Qs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpYor1PIwG
"...It could've been a lot worse."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGg7yEeRPs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW4ndRzWOj
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNXxEDOeA6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCQgmsgKO5
Victoria looked at something above me.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmFtFF0hwh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO1r5WKtdA
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYD2utxKGl
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1BTB3XfCw
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pdDnahZ68
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI5IsHhu3T
"No. Why do you ask?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWBPRQsUPC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo1fIowDfi
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iEhhT2llf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGjx17bVaO
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvWeaZNLXN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0dstzIFZw
"O-Oh, sorry."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMgRGXoCfj
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GdoA3hJkd
She scratched her cheek a little.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGUNGV0YHY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mFjqgkk4h
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZl4AL97zA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFimZlY8Nj
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaNe6hrESM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayEKfGvfPY
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPk8k2IMfg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQE5maKdem
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5irbEhzIvt
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eQCVu0jg6
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JsQpFGDda
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IknLYDz4E
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA45m9FcHyi
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPl1abrcRY
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV7vEXYwIw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKqORTYzEA
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0JmynMWCg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lx498k4Ph
"We fought something, Kenny and I."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzg3Pq6q1P
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBcNsCGjG7
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39t85g787L
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH7J5j1YNC
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVfF1kbgyN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ438DGGRQS
"How is Kim?" I asked.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rpDX4HRT9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JmI2UUG7X
"She's fine, just unconscious."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmDPIi82Wt
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLucQHikkn5
I could only say one thing.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDzn18to66
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHesntltVPl
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
