The meeting commenced. I was standing behind Linda. Victoria was to my left. We were on top of the rock, and before us was a gigantic group of people.191Please respect copyright.PENANAQG2CL7HOps
191Please respect copyright.PENANASTZIHwwcFK
I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous. I wasn't the center of attention, sure, but there were still so many people. I gulped and tried my hardest not to move. Linda began talking.191Please respect copyright.PENANAps1mU14ynp
191Please respect copyright.PENANAL5saYSL5nO
"I've called all of you today for the sake of the safety of the Green Zone. Since last week, a monster from the forest has been periodically appearing and ravaging my crops. As of right now, I believe that one of us may be responsible for this incident. If one of you is, then I'd like to offer a proposal."191Please respect copyright.PENANAsmx0n2pzyD
191Please respect copyright.PENANABGIXQzYPpf
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.191Please respect copyright.PENANAuLKZQVDsIo
191Please respect copyright.PENANACfROPaQabw
"I implore the perpetrator, should they be here, to confess right here and now. I understand very well that it might've been an accident, so if it was, please stand before me and confess. If done, no charges will be held, we will call it bridge under the water, and this boy here will handle the beast without fail."191Please respect copyright.PENANAXnRNdbtPim
191Please respect copyright.PENANAkOxjB9J2OI
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!191Please respect copyright.PENANAFmOqyvtcUs
191Please respect copyright.PENANAFGfc1ZyYrG
I tried calming myself down, remembering not to move rashly. Time passed by painfully and slowly. I felt sweat drip down my back and chest. I never knew I even had this much stage fright.191Please respect copyright.PENANACHqdjCWdjE
191Please respect copyright.PENANAVJhZLLOa9f
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."191Please respect copyright.PENANAH1jxLGjSKX
191Please respect copyright.PENANAe8dZjBeQPZ
Linda suddenly announced the ending of the gathering and bowed. I was thankful. I put a hand on my chest and exhaled. The residents were returning to the barracks. I looked over to my left. Victoria had her head down.191Please respect copyright.PENANAZAH6zYjoLo
191Please respect copyright.PENANAvmz5RjGmC4
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."191Please respect copyright.PENANAZgwMUfLIK5
191Please respect copyright.PENANAn3DbQ7xO0K
We did just that. Flinty ran to us once the crowd cleared. Before anything else, she told us that nobody in the crowd looked suspicious.191Please respect copyright.PENANAkohzDLuKva
191Please respect copyright.PENANADPjWascSlk
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."191Please respect copyright.PENANAbIhusncUMi
191Please respect copyright.PENANAcyDBWj2cIV
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.191Please respect copyright.PENANAtqpRLe3yFO
191Please respect copyright.PENANAefCUcoJSz2
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAGLzN8I7GN0
191Please respect copyright.PENANARhztR35hvE
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.191Please respect copyright.PENANAxaYWJ7zjf5
191Please respect copyright.PENANAHvMUk0pZz2
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."191Please respect copyright.PENANA3WZL6dSyPB
191Please respect copyright.PENANA346pI1PdV9
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."191Please respect copyright.PENANAKn2bjbxBgS
191Please respect copyright.PENANAXUk1sUbRlg
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.191Please respect copyright.PENANAxS4mdq1XkT
191Please respect copyright.PENANAxD0ZDKxVnA
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."191Please respect copyright.PENANAHf4cwW4pMj
191Please respect copyright.PENANAoBRZPFF7Ak
"That's a sound plan, but with how big our crop field is, it would be difficult to spot him. And y'know, the beast only appears during the night."191Please respect copyright.PENANAXAXuei8TI4
191Please respect copyright.PENANAZB70nj7SZm
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."191Please respect copyright.PENANAgwUjLRCuDm
191Please respect copyright.PENANADA7aSk5Nhf
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.191Please respect copyright.PENANA1mkUxjiCSJ
191Please respect copyright.PENANAEhNYuBEXpq
"Very well. Then we will wait until the sun sets. Flinty, Kenny, how about you join us for dinner? I'll write a letter to your mother in the meantime, Flinty."191Please respect copyright.PENANATH3mlEOh0h
191Please respect copyright.PENANAItCqOcnva8
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.191Please respect copyright.PENANAAlCTVzjL3z
191Please respect copyright.PENANAxExVsGNPos
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.191Please respect copyright.PENANANh47GBxJUM
191Please respect copyright.PENANAP711qNNb9Y
"What's the matter?"191Please respect copyright.PENANA3fcDYRHPHN
191Please respect copyright.PENANANEqd5RQWNl
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."191Please respect copyright.PENANAaxH329cUm8
191Please respect copyright.PENANAHnJnSvg7bm
Flinty and I were seated at a rectangular table. We were in a different room from before, likely the kitchen since Victoria and Linda were preparing food a few feet away from us. I was staring into nothingness. Flinty looked bashful. Seeing her in that state reminded me of a concern I had since the first phase of the plan failed.191Please respect copyright.PENANA5UbvbQCj5a
191Please respect copyright.PENANAYQQwDMqvrt
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAYHKVMyzqKX
191Please respect copyright.PENANAYg0WUWXCWn
"Of course."191Please respect copyright.PENANACW82rYaOio
191Please respect copyright.PENANAf75uUUijvD
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."191Please respect copyright.PENANATsx98odAZ0
191Please respect copyright.PENANAY88cZDnCsm
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.191Please respect copyright.PENANAffszfmwxw4
191Please respect copyright.PENANA3V2eXVUxHC
"N-Not to say that it will get that bad, but, as a safety measure. You don't have much combat power, and I don't think the other two do either."191Please respect copyright.PENANAHVKHb3BWb2
191Please respect copyright.PENANA0KxO5ZSBmm
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"191Please respect copyright.PENANAV4FxkkvAVL
191Please respect copyright.PENANArSGYuG5xj9
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."191Please respect copyright.PENANABFfJigAufZ
191Please respect copyright.PENANAQQ4HmcnH4M
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.191Please respect copyright.PENANANfdwtAUh5p
191Please respect copyright.PENANAbrKCbgTRCi
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"191Please respect copyright.PENANA4YgqMGAr0M
191Please respect copyright.PENANAZJkml7iRao
She started tearing up. I felt a pang of guilt, realizing how terrible I was at these things. I put my hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes.191Please respect copyright.PENANAdX5EEJz486
191Please respect copyright.PENANA7qt40yQe22
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."191Please respect copyright.PENANA84xWoVizwX
191Please respect copyright.PENANAkcMZsq4hNV
"...Probably?"191Please respect copyright.PENANANegyN0UR2b
191Please respect copyright.PENANANbZxo2MR2l
"Sorry, definitely."191Please respect copyright.PENANAIiwFIvQasP
191Please respect copyright.PENANAJhNbwFBv2y
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.191Please respect copyright.PENANAiBdrYotPEH
191Please respect copyright.PENANAPekLtwS50u
"Food's ready!"191Please respect copyright.PENANAaJbQ1R0yJf
191Please respect copyright.PENANAM2cBve9iFz
Linda and Victoria, each carrying two plates worth of food, served the whole table dinner. It was scrambled egg. Linda later brought a whole plate worth of corn, and another with bread.191Please respect copyright.PENANAB7qo2RWMO7
191Please respect copyright.PENANATcVvDhdsXK
I stared in awe at the meal. It wasn't anything spectacular, but I'd never seen this much food on top of a table before. I grabbed a fork and took a nibble out of the egg, just to test the waters.191Please respect copyright.PENANA0zWJzh6Qsf
191Please respect copyright.PENANAMkY3WyLW3b
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.191Please respect copyright.PENANAG66p3IenCj
191Please respect copyright.PENANA7e8OS49vm4
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAPjk3lb6uXZ
191Please respect copyright.PENANAe3wpZHcvl7
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.191Please respect copyright.PENANAOKB9Kupzfp
191Please respect copyright.PENANAVS9e7xsmgb
"Are you asking me?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAQ90JhsZpYb
191Please respect copyright.PENANAYPbszCLp5R
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."191Please respect copyright.PENANAz4KKkWYiyr
191Please respect copyright.PENANA6S9Dl6KRqN
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.191Please respect copyright.PENANAyScu9KEhW5
191Please respect copyright.PENANAAS2ekWXsLs
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.191Please respect copyright.PENANAZz4jsEQgkT
191Please respect copyright.PENANAkbfaQhpM7c
I could still feel the food in my system. I was lying on one of the beds in the living quarters. I could hardly even move.191Please respect copyright.PENANAR7B9s0Kb8T
191Please respect copyright.PENANAX3TTQOBcvy
It felt heavenly.
191Please respect copyright.PENANAm2Gl4Yr7Yt
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.191Please respect copyright.PENANAfdplJSHucj
191Please respect copyright.PENANAWQMTT9LCdj
"What are you reading?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAFKkYKQGBAN
191Please respect copyright.PENANAbbWTA1yNQP
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."191Please respect copyright.PENANAclpEMPlTp7
191Please respect copyright.PENANAKnzc6cYb5F
It was obviously something important. I lifted my upper body to a seating position and tried to get a peek at the pages. Flinty just moved the book away. I got a better look at the cover, but the lighting was too poor to make out the words.191Please respect copyright.PENANACvXKh7Mdov
191Please respect copyright.PENANAiC9wL6tq4z
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAGiy19nPvjc
191Please respect copyright.PENANAAHiSLwDng8
"...It's a book about magic."191Please respect copyright.PENANAChwJwyNDV5
191Please respect copyright.PENANA8lMbiek8UF
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.191Please respect copyright.PENANAXY0XF3giWN
191Please respect copyright.PENANAivSYiiFvL1
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAQkByXBZQ8t
191Please respect copyright.PENANAlCbmHNF1fV
"Y-Yeah, of course."191Please respect copyright.PENANAPkLtc0nLsz
191Please respect copyright.PENANAZnCtnd9M5B
She didn't sound very excited.191Please respect copyright.PENANAmbigThVm8X
191Please respect copyright.PENANAE4vOo0m2Oe
"Do you want to practice right now?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAAFxQCA0hjR
191Please respect copyright.PENANAWMrd6CXKFc
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."191Please respect copyright.PENANAYsW7LuVJlk
191Please respect copyright.PENANAexwIphMJcQ
"If you say so."191Please respect copyright.PENANAtff4C2qarm
191Please respect copyright.PENANAOUgRQo04Vt
I laid back down. The pillow was very comfortable. Since it was only eight, I could probably take a quick nap before the big encounter. So, I shut my eyes and was lulled away.191Please respect copyright.PENANApoPV7yNGmg
191Please respect copyright.PENANAXk79xpu1qX
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."191Please respect copyright.PENANAqOud0Ehmsb
191Please respect copyright.PENANADgtBXAppwi
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.191Please respect copyright.PENANANMUwd5jNYh
191Please respect copyright.PENANApP7y6qIbNq
"You weren't the first person to try and teach me. Or the second, or the third. The first was my father, but since he was always outside of the house, he couldn't properly teach me. Mother tried next. She wasn't very good at magic, and she was a pretty bad teacher, hehe. After those two, I asked Mister Freed to teach me."191Please respect copyright.PENANAyfz6vDN1j3
191Please respect copyright.PENANAcHNBZSRgNf
"...Did he decline?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAT5uX64i1IZ
191Please respect copyright.PENANAfxGNtWPJtF
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.191Please respect copyright.PENANAPn1GaaRLVh
191Please respect copyright.PENANAiJ1vBeLBnf
"He tried teaching me. He really did. And, I learned quite a lot from him. Everything you told me earlier today, he taught me as well. I forgot it though, so don't think it was a waste, telling me all of that."191Please respect copyright.PENANAKhlK7p6zI3
191Please respect copyright.PENANAD5cJCaiXrP
She paused and stared at the sheets.191Please respect copyright.PENANAmuAUmVQWWI
191Please respect copyright.PENANApKal1F9sal
"Today was the first time I made a spell."191Please respect copyright.PENANA8dDsw867PD
191Please respect copyright.PENANAVDLV4Ktcv1
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAWcraly0G9S
191Please respect copyright.PENANACmzCMgPA2O
"It wasn't for very long. He gave me a book, but I was too lazy to read it, so I gave it to Vikky after a week."191Please respect copyright.PENANALOwWhL1o8F
191Please respect copyright.PENANAdkh51tsKmi
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?191Please respect copyright.PENANAEBJ4prsl2u
191Please respect copyright.PENANAFQu0GY2B8j
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."191Please respect copyright.PENANAQKqS82qwiR
191Please respect copyright.PENANArXOXVCWD1m
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."191Please respect copyright.PENANAJR9rXozi89
191Please respect copyright.PENANAxL02HOdRrh
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."191Please respect copyright.PENANAIRq6qSKSDK
191Please respect copyright.PENANATONf947rfB
We sat in silence for a few minutes.191Please respect copyright.PENANA3jZ46Ju96W
191Please respect copyright.PENANAaAchZZQatn
"Thank you, Kenny. I really want to thank you. Even though my first lesson was a disaster, I think that, as long as you keep teaching me, I can really do it this time, learn how to use magic."191Please respect copyright.PENANAYfVfJiE2Cv
191Please respect copyright.PENANAVtMcrZp0sr
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAAnihnVwgeh
191Please respect copyright.PENANAmxefxvWTMl
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."191Please respect copyright.PENANAetV7ViFwbf
191Please respect copyright.PENANA9qucdKTiCe
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."191Please respect copyright.PENANAYRHRoLTLqd
191Please respect copyright.PENANA6vbOw9rqHx
She shook her head no.191Please respect copyright.PENANAPV3qiGfAHf
191Please respect copyright.PENANAGk86jI3JeO
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."191Please respect copyright.PENANAgcgUMwy1J2
191Please respect copyright.PENANA0HQlf8UwQP
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."191Please respect copyright.PENANApuYQCVKICb
191Please respect copyright.PENANAE6gHtfIssR
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."191Please respect copyright.PENANAlYROaMr0UI
191Please respect copyright.PENANAr9Su9NxCXX
I felt like I made a mistake just now.191Please respect copyright.PENANAzwkXZlV9JM
191Please respect copyright.PENANAJsHtcFkyxc
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."191Please respect copyright.PENANACranuvrHSK
191Please respect copyright.PENANAABjnvwg1pv
"What is it?"191Please respect copyright.PENANA6oHkBKjwFr
191Please respect copyright.PENANAk356ZE55uQ
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.191Please respect copyright.PENANAkKNNHOMlde
191Please respect copyright.PENANA64y5FLc2ul
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."191Please respect copyright.PENANA00axMgoElC
191Please respect copyright.PENANAZqmAODRwfN
Ah, that made sense. After such a total disaster, being a bit shaken up made sense. With how strange she's been acting, I was glad she said something that made sense, so I did the same.191Please respect copyright.PENANA2Q63izvsx3
191Please respect copyright.PENANAjRiXDlfn6k
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."191Please respect copyright.PENANA8ViL2eyNE9
191Please respect copyright.PENANAlZ5AZ53e48
"I know I can do that! But, well..."191Please respect copyright.PENANArFaYFTEeKW
191Please respect copyright.PENANAKJWvggRIIB
She had her fingertips conjoined.191Please respect copyright.PENANAjzrAxTzVWA
191Please respect copyright.PENANAViJN4WyVkz
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."191Please respect copyright.PENANAuEtyyAvTIg
191Please respect copyright.PENANAS1e3k3Xymw
She looked at me with pleading eyes. I sighed and stared at the ceiling, ruminating. The felt the lengths I'd go through for her expanded.191Please respect copyright.PENANA8mA7JD4q1U
191Please respect copyright.PENANASIueLETEBb
"Alright, I'll show you."191Please respect copyright.PENANAnzFOIOCRUD
191Please respect copyright.PENANAyYT1JCiYCt
"Yay!"191Please respect copyright.PENANARsN9b3b5fy
191Please respect copyright.PENANA1xxDvqy84N
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.191Please respect copyright.PENANAa7ieJjpmyn
191Please respect copyright.PENANAjIu2BarREb
"I think it's best if we do this outside."191Please respect copyright.PENANAFT0B0GUa09
191Please respect copyright.PENANAAw2U5sayvt
"Okay, then let's go!"191Please respect copyright.PENANAE2VmMSxqhM
191Please respect copyright.PENANA64d3BKng5L
She rushed out of the door and I followed her. We were at the field of crops now. We sat parallel to it. Flinty was next to me.191Please respect copyright.PENANAAiO338H4MZ
191Please respect copyright.PENANApsQp6LBXaO
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."191Please respect copyright.PENANAglwKACQCap
191Please respect copyright.PENANAMlkg8TNplT
"Earth?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAjejJD1IiU6
191Please respect copyright.PENANAOaq0pe14rx
"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."191Please respect copyright.PENANAZSj14YKk46
191Please respect copyright.PENANA2rIExZvEIB
Flinty "ahhh"'d and nodded as if that was obvious. I lifted my arm up and thought of what spell to use. Much like all types of magic, the form my earth spell could take was nearly infinite. I didn't want to tamper with the actual ground since I'd have to clean it up if I did, so I decided on creating a little pebble.191Please respect copyright.PENANAKLZgFo8UNg
191Please respect copyright.PENANA46hkPUThQj
Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.191Please respect copyright.PENANA5fNUX3K1yI
191Please respect copyright.PENANA6zI8ZOSq5y
"It's really not that impressive."191Please respect copyright.PENANAyrOFvZOrqo
191Please respect copyright.PENANAExXY8M2I2y
"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."191Please respect copyright.PENANAuy2zPEc9qv
191Please respect copyright.PENANAEl0qIcKAlN
I chuckled. I decided to make the rock bigger, so I let a little more mana out. Now, it was about the size of my palm. To show off a bit, I thinned it and made it oblong. Then, I turned it into a flat square. Flinty was giggling, and I was laughing a bit too. Next, I turned it into a perfect sphere. This one was a lot harder to do, but I practiced manipulating Earth a decent amount.191Please respect copyright.PENANAPVWwKQL2XN
191Please respect copyright.PENANAHuDq4ua6oY
Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.191Please respect copyright.PENANALeL3q8A6nJ
191Please respect copyright.PENANANXVOJZBwv4
"W-Woah, it's a ball now."191Please respect copyright.PENANAJACIvwJI6X
191Please respect copyright.PENANANfFypXW3DD
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."191Please respect copyright.PENANAyTNoyRXwgu
191Please respect copyright.PENANAlsl78GwIJh
I let the ball hover for a bit. I dispelled more mana to smoothen the rind of the ball. It wasn't a citrus, but it was about the same size as a grapefruit. I lowered my hand and the ball stayed in place.191Please respect copyright.PENANAXizj23n40Y
191Please respect copyright.PENANAYvvCRttR3t
"How'd you do that!?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAzEXXd7MmJ8
191Please respect copyright.PENANA6774NLTPsc
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."191Please respect copyright.PENANArVCxprWWYR
191Please respect copyright.PENANAGPmTk0AEiz
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.191Please respect copyright.PENANAttKEschXwQ
191Please respect copyright.PENANASZCMq3Z2L8
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"191Please respect copyright.PENANA779Xaq0gFz
191Please respect copyright.PENANAZnq6XPe57r
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."191Please respect copyright.PENANARjAVZmhhqY
191Please respect copyright.PENANA3LRASFscfa
I kept messing with the pall. I even spun it on my finger, though that was mana manipulation too. Flinty was looking at it like it was a Star Grant. I'm glad I could entertain her that well.191Please respect copyright.PENANAb9UuV64AJY
191Please respect copyright.PENANAoNOIQz0Ae3
But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.191Please respect copyright.PENANAk1ox9GzhMe
191Please respect copyright.PENANAYRWxWo7TUc
"What's wrong, Flinty?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAI3B7DdWi5s
191Please respect copyright.PENANA5l9qJGn9xv
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.191Please respect copyright.PENANAyARqcxmXo7
191Please respect copyright.PENANALnBoapZMXr
My body began to shake too. Flinty started to slowly back away. I took a deep breath and swiftly turned around, aiming my earth ball at the monster.191Please respect copyright.PENANAj7JMi7tE5i
191Please respect copyright.PENANAvEXSvEjqGa
...But there was no monster. All I saw was the face of a dog with blonde fur. His head was sticking out of the field of corn. He frankly looked adorable.191Please respect copyright.PENANAhdwktisxVi
191Please respect copyright.PENANAcBkMLx3Qc1
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"191Please respect copyright.PENANArCDacMch5A
191Please respect copyright.PENANAsntMzJgMQH
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"191Please respect copyright.PENANAFNApS8UlUH
191Please respect copyright.PENANAMvYLJvYUvN
Oh.191Please respect copyright.PENANAMZpyI9FWMs
191Please respect copyright.PENANARf5AiSPGZL
Oh.191Please respect copyright.PENANAUKxefvNwmV
191Please respect copyright.PENANAd2i8fPXf0c
The dog's head suddenly elevated. He barked at us and continued panting. Something grabbed onto the face of the dog; two tiny hands that were black and purple. Then, the dog stepped out of the corn.191Please respect copyright.PENANA9VQ2xfjHdO
191Please respect copyright.PENANAeAf0vkV8kM
The dog's head was the same, but the dog's body was humanoid. Decrepit, thin, but the fur was thick and jagged and gray. Something was attached to the head of the dog– no, the monster. It looked like a goblin, but it obviously wasn't.191Please respect copyright.PENANAvsGCAiQ8vu
191Please respect copyright.PENANAn9CehpHeFM
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.191Please respect copyright.PENANAAQ8hchT2el
191Please respect copyright.PENANABTJMzIsHBQ
As for me?191Please respect copyright.PENANAcvbRgJnvDj
191Please respect copyright.PENANAUJL18fv7Nl
Well...191Please respect copyright.PENANAImOwvWv5Ti
191Please respect copyright.PENANAhpSvbU7TGb
"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"191Please respect copyright.PENANANVrWviAXIN
191Please respect copyright.PENANA42hC1v3IUP
**CRUSH**
The dog's head vanished, along with the creature. In the distance, I heard the sound of my ball hitting the walls of the city. It was unbelievably loud. I think I pierced through it.191Please respect copyright.PENANApX4urp4pGA
191Please respect copyright.PENANAQMAvn7D3Bg
Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.191Please respect copyright.PENANA2KJAXI5Toe
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"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"191Please respect copyright.PENANA2JppWZydOi
191Please respect copyright.PENANALMXtklA2Ym
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.191Please respect copyright.PENANAebMXf4qcfK
191Please respect copyright.PENANAbM8w7fxLci
"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"191Please respect copyright.PENANAO9v33rVIAP
191Please respect copyright.PENANAlnkhk5O2TP
I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.191Please respect copyright.PENANA60X722CDHv
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–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"191Please respect copyright.PENANA3xTbIrdeMF
191Please respect copyright.PENANA8To0RbKz6j
I woke up a minute later. I was passed out for such a small amount of time, I could just tell. I quickly got on my feet, but I just ended up hitting something.191Please respect copyright.PENANAH5xBRKsSPY
191Please respect copyright.PENANAHa0b9UzmnE
"Ow! Gah, sorry!"191Please respect copyright.PENANAsvZ3IUYxF8
191Please respect copyright.PENANAlj4hrFNnSo
I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.191Please respect copyright.PENANAxvNgKm54R6
191Please respect copyright.PENANA1rcinhhPPO
"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."191Please respect copyright.PENANAw2kplmSa2A
191Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1tart5kR5
I looked around. We were still outside. The body of the monster was still there. Linda was standing over it, carefully observing. Flinty was sitting down nearby, still shaking a little.191Please respect copyright.PENANAlSIzoeQWw7
191Please respect copyright.PENANAwJr4uDQpLE
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"191Please respect copyright.PENANANHhKqHx2eE
191Please respect copyright.PENANA4Dg5RHYT2n
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"191Please respect copyright.PENANAE0lUo0YxaE
191Please respect copyright.PENANAQcRilMO6PY
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAwL92ol36Qd
191Please respect copyright.PENANAzt3CKim8XO
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."191Please respect copyright.PENANAJ3nivqzqYa
191Please respect copyright.PENANAx6wZvcv43E
She started to cry. Oh boy. I didn't know what to do, so I just pat her on the shoulder a few times. She jumped and hugged me. I didn't lose my footing this time.191Please respect copyright.PENANASZkws67ObZ
191Please respect copyright.PENANAoVNKVoROGo
"It's okay. I was scared of it too."191Please respect copyright.PENANA6pU4wardn1
191Please respect copyright.PENANAlsrfTTSgt9
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"191Please respect copyright.PENANA4H9A7a0YA8
191Please respect copyright.PENANAKpIYNS33Wc
I couldn't make out her words under the sea of tears and blubbering. Oh boy. I pat her back a few times, then when she calmed down, separate from her hug. Victoria stared daggers at me. I didn't understand why.191Please respect copyright.PENANAOPuizJgNPX
191Please respect copyright.PENANAxB0NQWxcaD
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.191Please respect copyright.PENANAcbrYoUx0eY
191Please respect copyright.PENANAAxS2DI2iVt
"Of course. What is it?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAYIzyArxHFu
191Please respect copyright.PENANApkjqfsoweW
"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"191Please respect copyright.PENANANruLixa9Xf
191Please respect copyright.PENANAZTspT4BlrB
"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."191Please respect copyright.PENANAiX96oN271A
191Please respect copyright.PENANAYGzjuSCFbF
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."191Please respect copyright.PENANAmdSZY4ijC2
191Please respect copyright.PENANAdV778OHWd7
When she put it that way, it suddenly made the situation look terrible. If there were two monsters, then that means the one responsible was still active. Wait, no, this was a good thing.191Please respect copyright.PENANA8euOvLljP8
191Please respect copyright.PENANARMMNY0pzN2
"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAsRfCfu6I0D
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"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."191Please respect copyright.PENANA2YR30m1OuL
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We all looked at her.191Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZBZp70woW
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"Tomorrow, we will, along with someone from the combatant's guild, go into the forest and investigate."
Linda and Victoria started disposing of the monster. I sat down next to Flinty. I didn't know what to say, but I definitely felt like I should say something.191Please respect copyright.PENANAGFZsmmYsnD
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"Kenny."191Please respect copyright.PENANAaQF7Wr1yg5
191Please respect copyright.PENANA64QcvTBjuj
"Yes?"191Please respect copyright.PENANA9MkP9sjjpW
191Please respect copyright.PENANAqDsRmmt7rM
"I'm sorry I freaked out."191Please respect copyright.PENANAOzHLosWPjV
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I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?191Please respect copyright.PENANAb2ZqkkaYp6
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"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."191Please respect copyright.PENANAhuhccp29np
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"Okay. Kenny?"191Please respect copyright.PENANARPJ0qAL65c
191Please respect copyright.PENANAIJpkEwPZz1
"Yes?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAqVCC4Tz2gP
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"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."191Please respect copyright.PENANAVSANnMVnAk
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"Huh?"191Please respect copyright.PENANA5aRYSmUMle
191Please respect copyright.PENANAPY2RA4pqbo
I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.191Please respect copyright.PENANAxqqpo32jOT
191Please respect copyright.PENANANWQ4UsMqp1
"Why do you want to go?"191Please respect copyright.PENANAm0Gv2NXBiK
191Please respect copyright.PENANAB6YOH5r8Aa
"I... think I need to."191Please respect copyright.PENANAukVqdQoRzb
191Please respect copyright.PENANAAdfG1K3RzN
I didn't understand. I didn't understand at all. But I didn't say anything. I just nodded. We waited like that for a few more minutes. Victoria came back.191Please respect copyright.PENANAYtrHJpSipU
191Please respect copyright.PENANASJBHMSPvx7
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."191Please respect copyright.PENANACFLexlcFJc
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"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"191Please respect copyright.PENANARjhjpE9jZU
191Please respect copyright.PENANA7zlKWuDEQZ
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."191Please respect copyright.PENANAfwcOJyTeRn
191Please respect copyright.PENANA3e7folkJxJ
I got up and helped Flinty get on her feet. She was holding my hand tightly. We walked into the farmhouse. Victoria brought us to the living quarters and opened the door for us.191Please respect copyright.PENANAnEeCAVEVsu
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My heart sank.191Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4PXnOr1NO
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There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.