"Hey, wake up."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ0MQw3Tep
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSFUjuJcdd
"H-Huh!?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY35iM8Mf8
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P1emBg2S9
I was rashly wrung out of sleep, jumping at the sudden touch on my shoulder. I fell pathetically to the floor, groaning and rubbing my chin as I got on my feet.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZQDMfD3cQ
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdOiE2L2Pa
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9J9Of8rrG
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQx7Cx7uTN
"No no, it's fine."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOKkdKvL5E
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWb320Imcw
Once the pain subsided, I let out a lengthy yawn and rubbed my eyes. I had difficulty keeping them open. I rubbed my face and took a seat on the couch, hoping to wipe away the grogginess.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV7qesuLh5
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QraGLWyHP
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDGcUJHgSw
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMkzObmpI4
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd565mrIegl
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDadPQjS2nF
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIiMBrq1rG
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuLY2Oo41U
"Are ya sure–"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO7UTx81pa
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLTED6pK7h
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOh7ceXg9J
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxCJdTtwED
It must've been because of my sleeping position. Perhaps that was also the reason behind my shakiness. It had to be. Using mana expulsion, I produced a bit of water and gulped it all down, then began stretching my limbs.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWrwCQaQkB
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvy0wBvEA8I
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeseKQdhP9
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5kyO4Y1I8
Juke exited the living room, leaving me alone. I wasted no time going through my morning routine in the bathroom. Once I finished, I returned to the living room. Outside the bathroom door, idling, gazing at the couch where I slept.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvHpGoSEmU
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs2zmnz0n2
"..."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuZNXHqo14
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdq7XfNRpR
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL5EaK5kDw
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJzW6kvNJX
It had barely been ten minutes. Since I wasn't counting, likely less than that. So little time since I woke up, yet the flow of time had already become contorted. I clutched my head and looked at the floor.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QAr9Cv9eI
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlepOrE7nZ
It was no use mulling over it now. Besides, I was hungry. So I left the living room. Juke and the man were sitting at a nearby table, eating their food with a third plate unattended. I tottered to their table and took a seat.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJKtAKPWCl
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zqgYQEC7d
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9Ko1qZr7E
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZCYURPQWP
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLy5g8mbHy1
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLtRaQdI0x
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBqNijEWec
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGMrDsHDyy
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cPrfK5nZ8
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5UsUy38u7
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOShpHAJyy
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqymtP6KnU
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0h2sFcivy
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6kpcCDyZg
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8XdM5SYxz
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwypKibc6n5
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpmmsO149C
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGGbO9tm3c
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoVOnoaEyR
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1mn0sKq0M
I turned my face away from him and looked at the fish. At first glance, even a toddler could discern that it was undeniably well-cooked. The fish was coated in spice and–255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzefJVmEJ4x
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnrmvh746L
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSZmyOi5SP
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ejaUiwBub
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4bkAYrOkk
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a0ulHVBmE
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTxO0gLCLu
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWzW4kT6dt
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvi8hvRRQJ
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QL17iEcJD
"What?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhzuFgTH71
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsSY1rkeFM
He sighed and flicked his head.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eYDDtfFFH
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSeXOXHEm2
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81ZS2sMf7J
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtah0LVIVS
"Last... yeah, let's."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZvUCM1UOA
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADeBhsN0eh
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIhgRkDM6A
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqSFEAIj31
"This is good. This is really good."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKv4dWE8Q3
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc2Sc7qIVI
"I told ya."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJSzJX9ZNT
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE81h3P0OV
I kept eating. It was pleasant and satisfying. The dish brightened my mood. Marginally so, but it was still something, so I was grateful for that.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeDIeVhtne
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk2jq6T1Lz
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTiNAqkrZp
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ851Fz7nvfV
His question caused me to look away from my fish and at his own. Indeed, half of it had already been eaten, but Juke never once removed his helmet to do so.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSFmi9uygm
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio4xgPb0xk
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6eOO61Q9f
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpnRUSffus
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug9uVQ2tw2
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtJTkZIwKm
In the face of that obstinance, I smiled. I knew it wouldn't last, but at least I would be able to eat my food without any daunting thoughts.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIwrZi93C4
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–
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–255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIRjKvQTog
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Once we put our tableware aside, Hank corralled us back to the table. Juke and I sat by each other. Hank had a pensive and nervous look, giving me a sense of foreboding for what was to come out of his mouth.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs8V9YJXlF
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbix2XOYQPV
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTovpf9Vd6V
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSPOSeHfLZ
"That's right," Juke responded.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrLiMxwIdQ
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP84mWyjK6
"I see..."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCuSb0NDaE
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC9W8XhwPn
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrbEh135h0
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMB5DGcyOAE
"Well, I won't try to stop you, but I'd like to give you two a word of warning: the streets aren't empty. Those folks at Hard-Bringer are surveilling the area quite compellingly."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FCoSMN7MZ
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAforVgHxvV
Juke let out a sigh and I rested my head on my hand. Honestly, this was in my expectations, but hearing it be confirmed was a blow to my psyche all the same.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX2BOivHmQ
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSnPb6Ljzk
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyQltP0j35
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8Buf9KIT8
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. I doubt those Hard-Bringer bastards got the staff to keep an eye on every part of the city."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiSmF87mKF
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZzNp0bamD
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh2aXsjIYD
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNtnICIdcM
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQr8SklJzfL
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHap1oCmX5
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuEMJGVRNx
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDk0d7ssmp
"What are you looking at me for?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg50tXzwAs
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFMnoq0sy1
"Ya got any ideas?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2JjGWT5ZW
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Bhrk9ryl2
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOmMZkO5za
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssaqdpSE2g
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAvB6S72dp
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iLWUnqKQQ
"I suppose we'll have to gauge just how heavily the streets are being supervised. If they aren't in every nook and cranny of the area, we can probably weave in-between alleyways and whatnot just fine."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCIU7fefkO
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf60uUcE69
Juke and Hank nodded at my statement. As concrete as the idea was, it hinged on a factor too risky for either me or Juke to confirm.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fymftqvXc
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehkt5TLhQW
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWFOQLdyFh
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1jsvHmj6c
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vdeCe0D8y
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpaHHvwDDp
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNd9dJZOtu
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72kggy5EHx
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHQU1aE4YD
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhGLkIjAOg
"I'd rather not run too far away. Otherwise, I'd get apprehended and questioned, and then it would be evening by the time I come back."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9LZMXOati
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6s6is8AiF
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcVIPmjjWB
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfOLNarGnj
He shook his hands frantically and.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknCCqigNaS
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIYWuhsx14
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPLqhs25v4
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ863oRHSvG6
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBktctrrLO
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoquZnpsLV
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2pyK3aNty
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKSoWrLmfQ
"Pray for me."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFzuVthdtu
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFZLAY8Sqt
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8zwUzaWUK
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmgT7mqt6H
"Juke!"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoQkJCisfX
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuGYfjjm2X
Juke's comment vanquished all of Hank's efforts to pump himself up. Still, though, he rambled to the door, taking a deep breath before opening and exiting the building. Juke and I were alone, now. An awkward and elongated silence permeated through the room.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xGOIXTWDN
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGenAdEP4W
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUF4mtHxoH
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcus5UlS6l
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nqlFIiZwP
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVZQmbiuTx
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcKo0MaJD6
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ25YWCIy0h
"Still, I appreciate it."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnRM4F1MXt
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqynAFROsP
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxtGJMsdhT
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK5lLK1gU2
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0I1ianD3m
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2QhseuSIS
I wanted to rebuke that statement, to tell him that he was wrong and that I was feeling much better. I would be lying to him, but that wasn't why I stopped myself. That was because of the tinge of melancholy I caught in his voice, so faint that I was unsure if I was just hearing things.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLCUz2N6rG
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUL1dglIPI8
I wanted to press him on that. But I was in no state of mind to do so. So, we continued to wait in silence.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeXz314Qac
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgWRKBtDnr
Hank came shortly after. His face was drenched in sweat and anxiety. He let out an arduous sigh when he closed the door and sank to the floor.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4qX2ANqKc
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocwRaYrCLG
I was expecting the worst, but he shot us a thumbs-up with a wink. A smile found its way on my face. I looked at Juke and we nodded at each other. We stood up and stretched our muscles, helping Hank get to his feet and standing before the door.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5RzJlglql
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpilr0Eqwsf
"Thank you for your help, Hank."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRN5uVSCMv
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytITlijDX3
"Yeah, we really of ya."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp2Lmgf4U4
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd1ugbsEJX
He gave us a light smile and waved.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7ELy2jUqZ
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOmeOTk1Iz
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf54rbyImIx
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpE9BRdWkjL
"...Y-Yeah."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmZdZkwiTV
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwQzslwQ7i
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p5vG36zVL
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–
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–255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7GQiQ1O8U
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The streets were void of any busy citizens traveling from one place to another. All inhabitants were inimical people in robes. The only remedy was the relative lack of them.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCseZzOgV40
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t5RzgnuEp
Weaving in and out of alleyways was a surprisingly easy task, as the Hard-Bringer members couldn't stay in one place even if they were paid to. Though it made moving in the streets nerve-wracking with the unpredictability of these people, it was better than having to wait for them to fall asleep or find a detour as they obstinately remained in one spot.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhydCzQpbBn
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡois2rko0cD
With all the pauses in between movements and focus on not getting caught, I stopped paying attention to our routing quickly. I was anxious that Juke did too.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmsNqgUvdB
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5hlr7apl2
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lSsQOEbNV
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcwoJSwSry
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsPE9c3nxJ
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFdEgah0z3
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8BUu4kvvC
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5NV99GTcg
Still, I had no better way to make it to the stables myself, so I kept following Juke as we skittered diagonally across the street.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPfkl1NjQo
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgFBKOnlPW
"--Crap!"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCiZumj3BV
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ESdgBU0kY
This alleyway was void of anything to hide behind, meaning that we had to leave it now or suffer an embarrassing and egregious discovery. I peered over the corner and saw a duo of robed people turning a corner and into our street.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QV3EkkgjI
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h7oW6RbvX
"Crap. Crap!"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHvyegQ8ZX
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESrUNyoYkM
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lTFeBejq0
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8W27kWKJT
"People are heading our way!"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbsiUkAxL6
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYqmik7irt
With a hoarse whisper, I relayed the information to Juke, whose eyes I could see widen even through his helmet. He looked behind him and deeper into the alleyway, reaching the same conclusion that I did.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIYLKCYmVS
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCNHrF68oD
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcwoZ5rLL0
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6JQkNbblB
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLIcCei5gv
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXYDeGympH
Despite the incorrect usage, I knew precisely what Juke meant by jumping the two people. I discarded the idea, as engaging in a fight would only draw more attention. But, as I sifted through my mind, I couldn't conjure up a course of action more tangible.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ9aCc28tY
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6slnocQCd
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM1WrZkgl1
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8dTyJS7Zv
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPVxu3keVE
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Sdp39dgln
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQbL7fWJDM
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZ1oTM5vBO
I produced my tendril and created a Valencia-Bloom at its tip. Then, I ran as far back into the alleyway as I could, signaling Juke to do the same. When we made it to the wall, I began mana spinning and produced a shield from the flower big enough to cover us both.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNe5Xp3smi
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwzqC5OX2V
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSIQeIVODv
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88zcztYALb
"Ack!"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0PKlvDknq
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ824YanxANv
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bq3pI3GLh
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyNWV1dLhP
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKF30SBxpJL
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28G8T4wJWB
We waited out behind the shield until I heard two sets of footsteps pass by the alleyway. Once they vanished, I removed the shield, massaged my arm, and with Juke's help, we made it back onto the street.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNOLbuGQy6
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzfNdx7ECi
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfO7wRYag0
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAmdBYyKRS
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrfskEM0Zk
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuxiFhEcJr
We traveled the road a bit faster since we had to cross through an intersection. We made sure both sides were clear before continuing forward. The road curved at this point, so we kept close to the wall, using our ears instead of our eyes to sense any oncoming persons.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDmCMTYcM2
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHySThuyApG
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLseoWPNhNI
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xqkBUJtds
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvris0EXnWC
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfTOrV7WBK
I hastily nodded with him and scanned the surroundings. I spotted an alleyway with a gigantic dumpster at the front. Juke already began running to it before I could point it out, so I followed him.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutMPem1NL3
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPspkP96Fh
We sat down behind the dumpster. I gnawed on my finger as I heard what I could only describe as an army of people walking down the street. I didn't see them, nor did I want to, but the footsteps never ended– it was as if the hustle and bustle of the streets had returned, but now, it only disturbed me.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MNAK9J7Mo
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h4N0Ei7yz
It went on for far, far too long. I couldn't keep my cool. The gnawing turned into rampant chomping, and my breathing became labored and heavy. I rocked back and forth, back and forth back and–255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeyb6i5Y0U
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm763ujxI0e
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68jGHOdv6u
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnJ1yl3JbX
"Huh?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZgxYwX9vM
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsqSJUhTJk
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNZRpoSWx4
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bmxTOtSdP
"That whole biting thing, and that whole shaking thing. That shit freaks me out. I get why yer doing it, but seeing someone like ya do so just don't sit with me right."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN6oDCdYuf
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEapiyH3Nou
I knew he was trying to console me. But, I didn't feel as if he was. I felt as if it was a precursor to just another one of Juke's ramblings about his ideology.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya5P3VMucm
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjBS7xCZiR
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbDWL3AF4O
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQq6mB9WIw
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2vBBmi2K7
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheBj9oTqrp
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyiofeSOfe
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDQ1k3Rbpj
"I can tell ya got something plaguing ya. I ain't dense, so I can already guess what it is. Still, I think ya should spill it."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZTm9b63of
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV5emUOilr
"..."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMTDc7xycs
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmOs29Kty5
I brought my knees up to my head, wrapping my arms around my legs. Usually, I'd be concerned about the crowd overhearing us, but the dumpster was far enough, and the thousands of footsteps would veil my voice.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DMicC1nYu
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaLNQu0gSr
So, I let my mouth run amok.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmvS5xc9AZ
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E0KakQKmq
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvTosl1ti3
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlEhSWZjvo
"Yeah, I know."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55WQ0RRp6Q
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzhME381F0
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQJdLau2J9
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh6jEFXb0N
"It left me confused. It was like I was asking myself questions with words I couldn't understand. I didn't even know how to begin to answer them. So, for the time being, I decided to ignore them."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK6e1vMZSU
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9QhVbdI5b
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6E7QMV0muJ
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbymhwpszZ
"When I was at the door last night," I continued, "right after Rover left, I suppose the prospect of going after her, of facing her, was too intimidating. I didn't get why, exactly. I just knew that I couldn't do it. I didn't think that doing so would be bad or something, quite the contrary. I just thought that, somehow, it was an impossible task. So, I didn't do it. Instead, I sat back on the couch and fell asleep."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4qxa8Id8J
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv6Y8lEjE1
"That sounds familiar..."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu6kVfBmZe
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAn6V5FUKa2
"Huh?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIO0YFVtLo
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd01gS6PXX
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkHCj6vctg
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bDqzQ0WrB
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y1kePYQUE
"I am just, very confused. I don't quite get how I feel, but I do understand that all the forces inside of me are fighting over the decision I made last night, to do this. And, I guess I say I'm unsure of it, but I do know what I really am."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUDVX6ja0N
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGlUaOI0j2
"Well?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqja161iATm
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7fUHU2ZUw
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu2XYHy616
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ66C1BLSMc
"Ah."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHaiL6jtC3
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYID9TYoxV
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6oHj6D3Ff
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UXAAS3DUD
"Some part of it came from the distant past. I'm talking about what drove me to make this decision, I mean. Another part, I'm unsure. And the last one was more recent. It was only for a moment, but when I thought about going outside with Rover, that overgrown bug flashed in my mind."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1F5evnUsK
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5ooBhgZx6
"Ah, the Lionant?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fKgTJk2hq
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbDyg7UjyD
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLooBcS2JDf
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ933QHXQwJU
"..."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXjM4U8TDx
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4U9vCh2eo
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but I hung on to the thoughts left behind by my last sentence and formed a question out of it.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4ibHEBAEt
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQUGarxoTM
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QPG1git5s
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde9ku8oMwK
"...Yeah, why did I?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRYEUqHWQs
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpv7SUzulUv
I didn't expect to be met with another question.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyN2wOwwbWX
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6ONAuK1pF
"It doesn't make much sense, does it? After all, I'm weak, and yer strong. A weak guy like me shouldn't have to save strong folk like ya. But I did save ya. I really did save ya."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hUeQUXhNi
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSOtt3PHqt
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyxeGAIP7I
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s5j9HG7yJ
"I don't know why I saved ya. It wasn't in my mind, I didn't think of doing it, but I did save ya."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWcNksmn2f
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkrvKP8EL0
"..."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0020lltgtQ
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kxcWcinwq
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDjcxK6YIo
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZh5p6yq6V
"Rover's got a brutal tongue. Usually, I just brush off what loud folk like her say, but she was blunt and rude about it, so it really stuck with me. I couldn't care less about that 'you should do and think this and that' shit, but, ya know what, Kenny?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqO5an1o62
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5aIX33Ro5
"What?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYSnpiM4dY
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TGD1PY2Pu
"Before I went out to look for ya two, I talked with Dennis. I had a real good conversation with him 'bout politics, women, and a bunch of dumbshits we've met in our olden days."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaCXShtl5X
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweg85bXg03
"That sounds... boorish?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgnh39FVBm
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYY5G3Upe1
"Pff, yer just too young."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c95hGpPUj
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG67JgT2jC
He paused for a moment.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPywYPz3A8
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7kxUMasDE
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqJpwCPXv9
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCVzf9wNbf
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNrgzOSmPc
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37amAIjSO6
"...The thing is, a weak guy like me shouldn't concern himself with Hard-Bringer. It makes sense, doesn't it? Leave the big problems to the big strong folk. Weak guys shouldn't have to fight for other weak guys. That's what I think."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PoIztektF
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L8zx4uQz8
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBnlv1v5hA
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPEwTUfNy3
"That's silly... O-Oh–"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiM20TP47B
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7ZTq9kcix
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GbWk3HpaR
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEimQAPFPP
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqYIlF3Wl8
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9h2r8T64x
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ6fnCmdjv
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtsuIAFHOW
"I... yes, I suppose so."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77KCQJ024v
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6Dv6LF0kH
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ29Q0daaan
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4sbn9Rnks
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwzRLlHWyi
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQTTkMCvqi
"Yes, I know."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJffB6cw2s
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXnwjdTrFo
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcvCvHsWyF
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MK5PJeMlp
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftpo5MmBdd
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefzzRWEijk
"I believe what I said yesterday. I think he's just fine. 'Sides, I got no interest in fighting Hard-Bringer. But that ain't changing the fact that I wanna make sure with my eyes."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcqLbY0iDq
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Oyo31BBZR
"..."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnED5fZg16j
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZDsRbAJcH
I didn't say it outright, but I agreed with him. I wanted to make sure Dennis was fine as well. Yet, unlike Juke, I doubt I could muster the will to do so.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmbgJiLxFg
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlhoXkQJVP
"Ya hear that?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJfqobhvcN
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfx3QSbDzl
"Huh?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNABaJqg1y
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aicXkhfyA
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApIvsmrudF
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvAYXrsXkc
"They passed."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2GWaZbHV9
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLntwaMZR4e
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DhAfF4olY
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwA6e9oksGy
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViQn1jSFso
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyyxrV1knP
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh8QfFyKIO
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtGoHxG54w
I stood up and ambled to the front of the alleyway. Sure enough, Not one robed person was in sight. It was a clear indicator that I should have taken a step forward, but I didn't. No, I couldn't, not after what I had just said.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjrqHu50Fe
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR0nGEuYuR
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76JDSacmhU
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM20WczEqtC
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM2hayBiI2
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4hlsifsCH
"You've been saying that a lot."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCv4l4lQfM
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXpwKST2po
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4WEda84dd
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLpWHe6EcQ
We stood stock still in silence.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsyStsuJfm
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOW4V5d6FH
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKiIdKMJzF
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M7OsjcTKB
"Are ya sure?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYFO0kLfsB
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvd6wjeXzH
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgP4JakaIeV
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLSn92ucpI
"I should be asking you that."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI0gNHY2RP
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnehnpTeHt0
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaViNCxlrsU
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBdH5jDu2S
"Yes. You get it."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynsrggR2Mn
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1Q4SNnCJY
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX5KGIKlUO
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAvY0LEaB7
"If we see something that might change the accuracy of your hypothesis, then... I'm going to turn back, understand?"
Juke released a lethargic chuckle. I wasn't offended by it, instead, it caused me to think.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBl13K9wKB
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxdxB42jy9
"Fine by me."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOM83iUBQS4
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9EiHk9Rim
I wondered how seriously he took my word. I wouldn't blame him if he thought it duplicitous.
We kept going down the streets, running between the alleyways as we avoided being spotted.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzHdt5rg4W
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgH20JCUBx
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nQjK8Xv9e
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0MLEOa6Iq
"Yeah, we're almost there."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyL41LUhjTh
255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0DJKr8sqM
After hours of dodging lines of sight, taking tedious pauses in smelly alleyways, and having one too many heart-attack-inducing close calls, the stables were finally within our view. It was still a good distance away, but being able to see it was relieving. We were fortunate enough to find it unsupervised, too.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoADcVHZxRq
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We approached it with a pep in our step, but not forgetting to employ prudence. I turned my head in every direction as we got closer and closer.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgEkFCpruH
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaKT4Hm6Go
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"Blurg, what was that?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0XJmQ8UyR
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I skidded to a stop. I reluctantly sniffed the air again but didn't catch the same whiff. Juke looked back at me, confused.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIl8gNtiTA
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"What was what?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX03FE8s4K
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"I caught a whiff of something."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sepD5SNNa
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQr1fElLDC
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1HSQDDksW
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kN5uUVTNt
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcDali0wHX
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Juke didn't stop to ask me what was wrong this time. He turned the final corner and already made it to the stables. I knew that I had visited this place before, but I didn't quite acknowledge the structure until that moment.
It was like an open barn house with only a meager roof over the parking spaces. Inside these parking spaces were carriages, and opposite them were miniature pens housing the animals responsible for heaving the carriages. These pens were fitted with roofs and thick gates to block the animals from wandering off. Of course, because of the structure of the stables, he barged in without having to bust open any doors. Naturally, I entered without issue myself.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqG2O9dalO
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0Jepro6DH
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK45QzISg4Q
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The carriages were untouched, but the carriages were only there for me to distract myself with. It didn't last for long, of course. After all, the stench and overwhelming, blinding quantity of red permeating through every crevice of the area made it impossible to keep up the charade.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx4u8iIN4w
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The pens were broken, but the animals hadn't escaped. They were still in their pens, but as cadavers opposed to breathing beings.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYdfz0gYkw
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMk597m40E
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwWcO7kpPN
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSGvrCKmxr
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I glared at the scene. It was grotesque, but my eyes couldn't divert from it. Every animal in every pen– no exception was made, none were spared. They were unapologetically slaughtered. Juke spoke of the sight perfectly; It was horrid. it evoked such visceral repulsion even when closing the eyes and glancing at it through memory.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2suBlPuyET
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But, as much as I hated it, as much as it made me want to turn the other way and run, seeing our way out be cut off like this relieved me of a subconscious weight.
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Juke ventured further into the stables, and I begrudgingly followed. I fixed my gaze to the right, passing by the open pens and observing the carrion they contained. I didn't try to immerse myself in the details; I would've truly thrown up if I did. But, from what I did see, I could judge the means used to kill them. From lacerations to burns, to pulverizations of their bodies, it was obvious that a mix of magic and weaponry was utilized.
I was lucky that the blood had dried long ago.
"Sly bastards. How'd they know we'd try to get out?"
"...They probably just did this preemptively. Did they have to murder all the animals, though? Why not damage the carriages?"
My question had not just reminded Juke, but also myself of our carriage. We steered directions and beelined towards it. From an outside view, it looked unharmed. As Juke pulled out a key and unlocked the doors, I could only hope that the same could be said for the inside.
"Nagging Dennis for this shit paid off."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa8o72Cb4j
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Juke muttered something under his breath before flinging the doors open and entering. I followed, releasing a heavy breath as I confirmed that the carriage was unharmed.
"'Fore we head back out, we oughta pack some supplies."
"I agree, but I hope you know I won't be able to carry much."
"That's alright. This big body of mine ain't just for show."
We entered the back. Juke took the bag of food and placed his arms through the straps, carrying it like an oversized backpack.
"Anything else ya think we oughta bring?"
"...I can't lift the big bags, but–"
I grabbed a smaller one and emptied its contents, stuffing it with the few potions I had left in the larger bags, leaving me with a pleasantly light load. Juke hummed in an amused, yet agitated tone.
"Ya had potions this whole time? Ya should'a told me!"
"Oh, sorry. I thought I had."
We exited the carriage and returned to the stables, Juke grumbling as he descended the steps. I didn't leave just yet. Before that, I spared one more glance at the animals, meagerly clenching my fists.
"Hey, Juke."
He turned around and faced me. Before I got my words out, I had to stop shaking.
"What do we do now?"
He looked at me intently, or was it blankly? Either way, I could tell that he was digesting my question. Then, he turned his gaze away.
"We can't get out with the carriage, that's for sure."
"I know that much. But, do we... do we try anyway?"
"...Nah, ya should know that yerself."
My facial muscles dropped, forming an ugly frown. He was right, and because he was right, I was upset.
If they took measures this drastic to make sure nobody escaped, then the gates were unquestionably, undoubtedly guarded.
That undeniable notion frightened me.
"Yeah, you're right. But, still, what do we–"
I couldn't finish my sentence. My speech was interrupted by a jerk movement from Juke. He leaned in– almost pouncing at me and pushing me to the ground as he haphazardly fell to it himself.
I hadn't the time to formulate any complaints and questions, but all that I could have formed were addressed by the soaring ball of fire narrowly avoiding my head.
"--Ack!"
I landed awkwardly on my shoulder. Whether it was dislocated, I didn't know, nor could I afford to find out. I scrambled to my feet and faced our assailant. My blood turned cold when I saw her.
"That man is a quick actor. What about you, child? Are you the brains of your clique?"
It was the woman at the plaza. She was not in her unequivocal robe that was the sigil of Hard-Bringer but in a slackened coat, plain shirt, skirt, pants, and boots.
"Well, answer me, won't you?"
"Don't humor 'er, kid, she's got a screw loose!"
"N-No need to tell me!"
Juke got up on his feet and brandished his sword. I took out the tendril. The woman grabbed a curvy, seemingly customized, serrated knife. She raised it as she began to speak.
"So you two won't speak? Fine by me. A mute roadblock is easier to handle."
With a slide of her back foot and a drop in her posture, she burst into a sprint heading in our direction. Then, she veered into me.
The sudden shift left me panicked. I instinctively took a step back and produced a Valencia-Bloom, but before I could utilize it, she slashed her knife at me. I narrowly avoided the swing, but she didn't let up, spinning the blade in her hand and thrusting it to jab me.
That's at least what it looked like she would've done.
She did thrust her knife, but she spun as she did it, clashing with Juke's broadsword so suddenly that even he was taken by surprise. The woman exploited his shock well by delivering a kick to his chest. Juke's body didn't budge from the kick at all, though. A metallic sound rang throughout the stables and his head jerked back.
"Ack! My neck!"
"--I see."
Realizing I wasn't doing anything, I extended my tendril, using it like a dull spear. The woman ducked my attack and slammed her fist into it. I recoiled from the strike, but not enough to paralyze me. Thus, I slammed the tendril on the ground. She rolled away, dodging it effortlessly.
My tendril still near her, I switched the Valencia-Bloom for a Freeze-Dry. But I couldn't use it; the woman leaped and stomped on the flower before any ice came out.
My eyes widened by themselves. I couldn't think of what to do next, but I was fortunate enough to not have to. Juke swung his sword at the woman. She dodged it, but Juke didn't let up with his assault. The woman took a series of backsteps too great for Juke to immediately catch up to. Almost instinctively, she kicked her leg up, and though Juke was a couple of meters away, his head jerked up and a sound rang out as if he was hit.
Though Juke was struck in the chin, and though he was partially airborne, he aimed his palm at the woman, firing a wind spell at her.
And, it connected.
"Hng!"
It was a weak spell, and she was able to block most of it with her arms, but the point was that it connected. Somehow, that fact alone was enough to shock me.
"Yer power's confusing. Is it an Endowment? I dunno, I've got one, and yers sure don't feel like it."
Juke rubbed his chin. I could tell that he felt it, meaning the hit wasn't deflected to his helmet.
"Shit. How'd ya know my weakness, huh?"
The woman narrowed her eyes at Juke. Using the downtime, I began mana expulsion with my right hand and produced a Sunlight-Blossom from the tendril.
"You are right about one thing, oaf: my power is nothing like that absurd Endowment of yours."
"And yer calling my whole thing absurd? That's just–"
Juke's speech was cut short. I shot at the woman with a water spell. She dodged it, but I accounted for this and made the spell a powerful geyser, following her movements as it continuously sprayed. The woman clicked her tongue as she kept backing away, producing a ball of fire and firing it at the walls.
I gasped and processed her actions to make sure I understood what I saw. She threw a fireball at the walls, which were made of wood. She threw a quick wind spell at it right after and smashed through the weakened structure.
My geyser put the sudden fire out but had missed the woman entirely. It aligned with my expectations, though. She came back bursting through near the ashened hole. However, I had another attack prepared.
The seed was already loaded. I aimed the flower at her and fired, crossing my fingers in my head, praying that it would land.
It didn't. It didn't even come close. She ducked before the bullet had even been launched. I bit my lip in frustration.
"That's why I hate being aggressive. How cruel that I have to act against my nature."
She cracked her neck and swayed her lengthy hair in the air, glaring at us with her blue eyes. She looked ready to perform a deadly pounce at any moment.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwiWDrKgfY
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I stood beside Juke. We eyed the woman vigilantly. My prior assessment was overwritten as she didn't look like she would move at all, leaving me bemused.
But, then, a fireball formed in her hands. I expected her to throw it immediately, so I prepared to duck, but it continued to grow in size; it was far larger than her previous ones, almost as tall and wide as Juke was.
"Ah, shit."
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. Frankly, I didn't expect her to be so adept in fire magic that she could make a spell of that size. It was stupid of me not to consider it. The woman reeled her arm back. I had to act fast.
I ducked, placing both my hands on the ground. I began mana expulsion with one hand and performed spinning with the other. A wall of stone sprung from the ground before me. Then, I produced a Valencia-Bloom from the tendril, expanding it as far as I could reasonably do so. Juke already took cover behind me. Now, all that was left was too–
**SLAM**
"--Ack!"
I didn't suffer any severe damage. In fact, my defenses were hardly penetrated. But the heat from the fire nipped at me through it all. The spell dissipated in no more than five seconds, but it felt like forever.
"How the hell are we breathin'!?"
"Is now really the time for–"
**THUD**
I felt a sudden force clash against my shield. Due to my already shaky balance, I fell to the ground, but I made sure to retract the Valencia-Bloom so my arm wouldn't be dislodged. When the shield vanished, the woman took its place, her leg raised. She continued her assault, raising her knife and, with her other hand on the top of the hilt, plunging it into me.
I shut my eyes and grit my teeth, expecting the sensation of a blade being lodged into my body. But that never came. Instead, a metallic clang reverberated through the stables.
I opened my eyes. Juke intercepted her with his sword. He was on the ground with both his hands on the blade's hilt. Judging by how he was lying on the ground, gripping the hilt with both his hands like a rope, he must've slid.
They remained that way for a moment, engaged in a struggle between their blades. When it became apparent that she couldn't win, she clicked her tongue.
"Irritating," the woman sighed before kicking his helmet and sending him flying. She returned her attention to me, but I had used my borrowed time to regain my composure and swing the tendril.
My tendril hit her. But it felt as if I was the one who was struck, and it wasn't by a blunt object, but by a steel blade. Purple liquid erupted from my chest.
Yes, she was flung away. Yes, my tendril had connected. But when it retracted by itself, I found the woman void of bruises and her knife slathered in a viscous purple.
"D-Damn it."
I rose to my feet with shaking legs. She hadn't just blocked my attack but hurt me back as well. I clutched my chest and coughed harshly.
"How are ya?"
Juke stood beside me, brandishing his sword. We eyed the woman who was flicking the liquid off her knife.
"This ain't looking like a winning fight."
As much as it frustrated me to agree with his notion, I was forced to. Every attack I launched had been avoided, and the one time either of us landed one on her, it was more of a fluke than anything.
"So what do we do?"
"'Till I get how she keeps seein' the future, I ain't got a clue."
"See the future...? Do you think that's what it is?"
"Can't think of anythin' else."
I narrowed my eyes at her, mulling over Juke's theory. When I thought about it, certainly, it would make sense that she could see the future. However–
"There has to be a limit, or some kind of restriction. Her behavior is too inconsistent."
"I agree with ya, and I still got no clue how she kicked me from across the damn room."
Indeed, she had too many unknown factors about her, and combined with her astonishing physical and magical prowess, it made this fight impossible to win. I was wounded, Juke's weakness had been discovered, and the woman didn't look like she even broke a sweat.
"Are you two plotting something? I ought to interfere."
She broke into another dash, but it wasn't an utter rush; her steps were laced with trepidation, and her knife was raised defensively. It was as if she was approaching expecting us to attack her back.
My moment of clarity subsided as the pain washed over my being. But Juke, pulling me by the collar, had fortunately noticed the same, and–
"Book it, kid!"
Helped me turn tail as we both broke into sprints of our own.
I ran. I ran like the wind. I ran to abuse my legs. I ran to survive. But I wasn't so naive; my legs were small and my stamina was pathetic. Whether it was my lack of endurance or my lack of speed, the woman would undoubtedly catch up to me. No thanks to his luggage, I couldn't hitch a ride on Juke's back.
I swiveled my head. She was catching up to me like a wolf in pursuit, and I was sure to be caught in her fangs at any moment. I didn't try to speed up; too many factors prevented me from doing so.
So, if I couldn't speed up, then there was only one thing left for me to do.
I began mana expulsion with both of my hands, creating a mass of earth in one and a mass of fire in the other, expanding it. The woman didn't show an expression of surprise. She was expecting me to do this– no, not expecting, she knew.
Something about that pissed me off. So, instead of throwing it–
"--You!"
Her eyes widened. She skidded to a stop and leaped away. Despite that, I had to see this through.
I discharged as much mana into the fire as I recklessly could, and naturally–
**BOOM**
A Flinty incident occurred.
I used the stone I conjured up to defend myself, but truthfully, it hardly did anything. The most I could do was defend my head, and sure, my eyes hadn't burst, and my face wasn't seared, but they were still rolling on the stone pavement along with the rest of my body, picking up spikey pebbles and other trash like they were seashells on the beach. I only stopped when I collided with, something. I didn't know what and the means to find out were stripped from me. My ears rang, my nose burned, and I had to clobber dozens of particles off my face before I could even think of opening my eyes. But, my arms were too heavy for me to even lift.
So, I remained there, waiting for all the internal chaos to subside before I moved. Then I felt something touch me, then shake me, and I groaned in response. I didn't know who it was. Since I was alive, it probably wasn't the woman. Was it a street dog, or maybe one of those robed men?
Was it Juke? I dismissed the thought. That was a ridiculous proposition.
I was lifted and tussled with. It wasn't done harshly, but goodness, was it irritating. At that point, my annoyance powered over my fatigue, and I rubbed my eyes before slackening my arms yet again.
I opened them and saw the ground. Whoever it was that was messing with me was behind me. I couldn't turn my head to see them, though, so I groaned and heaved my breaths.
"Good to know yer still kicking. Which bottle 'ere is gonna patch ya up?"
Hearing a familiar voice, I was struck with an inordinate amount of clarity.
"Green, one," I mustered.
"Yer lucky I caught that first try. Open wide."
Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. He understood that too, so he grabbed my jaw and pulled it down, sticking the bottle inside my mouth. I was sure that I was going to drown; the amount of liquid entering my throat was overwhelming. But it passed as quickly as it came. I coughed vehemently, and Juke patted my back to help. I cursed my inability to voice my thanks.
"Take it easy, ya really did something crazy back then. Strong folk, I tell ya."
Now I just wanted to tell him to shut up. He lifted me and hung me over his shoulder, then he continued to run.
"Did ya get that crazy bitch? Err, tap once for yes, twice for no."
All I could exert myself to do was pinch, so I pinched his skin twice.
"Shit. Shit! Is she followin' us now!?"
I pointed my eyes up. I could only see a little bit of the ground, so I painstakingly raised my neck.
It devastated me to have to pinch once.
"Are ya kidding me!?"
Juke's running increased in tempo. Unlike me, he was able to at least keep the distance between him and the woman the same. Unfortunately for me, my head was bouncing up and down every step. I was sure that I'd vomit any minute, and then pathetically pass out a moment after.
But I couldn't afford to do so. I couldn't afford to be a burden when our lives were being threatened like this.
I tried to call it forth, but my tendril wouldn't appear. I tried mana expulsion– tried, but struggled. The explosion hadn't drained me of my mana, but my supply was so low I might as well have been shaking a bottle for droplets. I couldn't form anything grandiose or dangerous, meaning that I had to do something to just slow her down.
So, I formed a small mass of water. Supporting it with my other hand, I lifted my arm, aiming my open palm at her feet.
She didn't react preemptively at all. It gave me a surge of hope, and with that borrowed vigor, I fired the spell at her feet.
Except, I didn't fire it. It unceremoniously plummeted to the ground. She simply jumped over the puddle the spell created.
"Damn, it."
"--Ay kid, are ya seeing this!?"
"Seeing what", I wanted to ask, because I was still incapable of moving my body more than an inch at a time. But I didn't have to turn my head to see what he saw. As Juke kept running through the street, we passed by a myriad of bodies loitering about. My first assumption was that they were corpses– and, well, judging by all the red, it was likely correct.
But what really caught my eye was their attire: dark, hooded robes. All of these bodies were that of the people in Hard-Bringer.
Did a fight break out? Is that what happened? I looked up at the woman and she was entirely unperturbed. I was hoping to gauge a different reaction, but not only was hers uninformative, it was disturbing.
And then, my vision swerved.
"Huh?"
"I'm takin' a gamble."
"Gamble!?"
That was the loudest noise I had made that day. Juke didn't elaborate on what gamble he was taking. I thought of wiggling out his grasp right there, as obviously foolish as it was. But–255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdS2PINtSI1
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"Just trust me!"
He said it as a feverish plea. It shocked me into staying in place. With nothing else to do, I placed my faith in him. The sun-lightened streets disappeared and we ventured into a darkened alleyway. We came to a stop shortly after, leaving me confused and worried.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7g4ua6UCA
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhulkU0cHQ
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"Who are ya people?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMtVStaGcB
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"Wow, he really followed us. Well, sir, we're here to help. My buddy will be doing the dirty work, though."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmnPm2wQ4i
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"Buddy?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx1UvlyfNR
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I froze– froze more than I already was frozen, anyway. The voice that Juke spoke with was familiar to me, though I struggled to put a name to it. But then a set of footsteps sounded through the alley, and a man in a trench coat brushed passed Juke and me.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBeBOSLKoP
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Of course, with an article of clothing that distinct, I'd be lying if I didn't recognize him. My recognition was only solidified when he drew his hands in it and pulled two crossbows out.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LsuaQNqlt
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"Quiet now."255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1MaHyMi5r
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Pars gave a command to us all, aiming his crossbows at the entrance of the alleyway. I didn't understand why he was using two of them, but there was a tube of earth protruding from inside the coat and connected to the ends of the crossbows, so I knew there was some trick going on.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowDauMvw7J
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Pars kept his aim steady, and steady, and kept it up for seconds, then minutes. I realized then that we had lost our pursuer, but Pars only tilted his head.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6MHHCWXih
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DRmgxAgl1
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He pulled his crossbows back and sighed, rubbing his head as he turned around. His eyes met with mine, and he practically blenched.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECj9dmzV7S
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdAoFHOz7L
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I sighed, and I smiled. There was something heartwarming about seeing this man act as usual, even if it pained me.255Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbo4sZwXAK
