The fire cracked and popped. It was already dark out. Four hours had passed since the infiltration. Flinty, Ng, and Kenny were sitting beside the fire. Victoria just returned with more firewood. Kenny took a tiny bite out of an apple
Victoria sat down. Everyone was staring at the fire. The silence was oppressive, but Kenny didn't have the power nor gall to interrupt it.
"...I apologize for what has happened. My cowardice, my fear, it all led to this," Ng said.
"It isn't your fault," Victoria said, "as much as I'd like to say that it was nobody's fault, I think all of us messed up, hehe."
"Perhaps it was. But still, I feel as if I'm mostly to blame."
And thus, a needless back-and-forth started. Kenny didn't interject.
"Seriously, it's fine, you don't need to take all the blame."
"But–"
"Guys!"
Flinty suddenly raised her voice.
"M-Maybe it's Ng's fault, or Victoria's, but at the end of the day, Kim is still in trouble!"
"Right. Of course."
"You're right, Flinty."
"So... what do we do? We need a plan."
"Well," Ng started, "Jeremiah is formidable, but one of Panz's beasts has already been exterminated. Panz himself is also injured. Once we regain our strength, an upfront assault may be the best course of action.
"Right," Flinty replied, "Kenny can take the blob on by himself. Do you think you can do it, Kenny?"
Kenny didn't respond. He lifted his head and gazed at Flinty with beady eyes.
"...I'm not going back in there," he muttered, and their eyes widened.
"W-What, why not!?" Flinty cried. Shock permeated Victoria's expression. Kenny put a hand on his knee.
"It's best if we leave. Everyone will be in danger if we go back."
"But Kenny, what about Kim? We need to help her!"
"..."
Kenny turned his head away. Flinty's words didn't reach him. Frustrated, confused, surprised, and worried, Flinty didn't know what to do or say under such pressure. So, she didn't.
"F-Fine, but if you won't do it, then I will!"
"Don't! You're just asking to die!"
Kenny spat his rebuttal, Flinty flinched, and Kenny returned to gazing at the ground.
"Let's just... get out. At least, I can guarantee that you'll be fine if we do."
It hit her then. Flinty understood what was wrong with him. But still, she didn't have the words. Still, she didn't know how to convince his friend. Still, she couldn't help him. Flinty was dejected, upset that she didn't have the words.
She looked at Victoria. She was at a loss well, Flinty could tell. But, Victoria was older, and Victoria was smarter. Flinty was sure that she would think of something.
"Why don't we sleep on it?" She suggested, "We'll think of something in the morning."
"Yes! That sounds like a good idea!"
Flinty peered at Kenny, waiting for anything from him.
"...Fine."
Flinty felt relieved. Still angry, still worried, but at least she had time to think of something. And thus, the group readied for bed. None of them had any blankets or pillows, so they had to be content with sleeping on the ground. It wasn't comfortable, but before long they all fell asleep.
All, except for Kenny.
–
–
–
I couldn't get that thought out of my mind. This situation, this incident, none of this was like the one with my parents.
This was my fault. This was undeniably my fault. From the beginning, it was my fault.
That bullet. Why did I miss it? Why? Why? None of this would've happened if I just hit that bullet. That damn, tiny bullet made of stone.
I should've made it bigger. I should've been more patient. I should've gotten closer. I should've just used my tendril, or used fire magic. Who would've cared if I killed him? That alternative was so much better than this. Kim has been captured. The wolf is still out.
These thoughts, they kept me awake. I couldn't even close my eyes without that scene playing back in my mind; the bullet. If I just didn't miss that bullet.
"..."
I needed to take a piss.
I stood up. I tried not to wake up the group. I walked for a few minutes until I found a passable tree, then I took care of my business.
"...Crap."
I was already feeling groggy. I washed my hands with water magic and walked back, but stopped. Somebody was walking up to me. It was Ng. He stopped before me, carrying a makeshift torch.
"What do you want?"
"Kenny, do you mind us having a chat?"
I didn't even have any suspicions. It was ridiculous. But, really, talking was the last thing I wanted to do, so I walked around him.
"Kenny, what has you acting this way? Is it truly today's failure?"
"That's none of your business."
Ng followed me.
"I'll be blunt, this is abnormal."
"Shut up."
"Whether we escape the forest or not, you are the only one who can do anything about it."
"Shut up."
"Are you upset at me?"
I turned around.
"Huh? Why the hell would I be?"
"I see. Then, Kenny, let me ask you this; is this truly the best way to go about it?"
I didn't say anything, just tilted my head.
"You clearly feel at fault. I know, I've been in such a situation before."
"--!"
I couldn't say anything more. I couldn't even pretend to be mad anymore. I just sighed.
"Kenny, as an adult, allow me to grant you a piece of advice."
I didn't respond.
"I don't believe today's incident was your fault, but that is irrelevant. No, what I want to tell you is that, if you truly feel like you're at fault, then atone."
"...Atone?"
"Of course. It's simple, isn't it? You apologize for your mistake, and then you make up for it."
"...That is too simple."
"But it holds true, doesn't it?"
I turned my head away.
"It's..."
Ng walked up to me.
"You have a lot of power, Kenny. So much so, I'm envious of you. Perhaps you think you can't use it, but at the end of the day, who else can rescue Kim and fight Jeremiah but you?"
I turned around. I couldn't deny his words. He was right. And yet...
"That isn't it. That isn't it at all."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Lq6smqu65
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQxHLbGsyP
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWKXQlZjos
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTKlLtepWH
"Then what is it?" He asked. I had to take a moment to put it into words.
"...If I go back in there, then all of it will hinge on me again. Your lives, your well-being, all of it. If I go back there, then all of it will be up to me. If one of you die, then that's my fault. If one of you get hurt, then that's my fault."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxDGDgxcrm
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xoy49MWu9
"That's not true at all–"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0Ece5nlls
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"Let me finish! You, have you ever had a feeling like that before? You said you know, you said you've been there, but you haven't! I can't stomach it; I can't stomach that feeling that, it's all up to me, that I'm the one who has to be the shoulder for all of you to lean on! I can't, I just... I just can't..."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe2bJY0EP4
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNlsAw9k0E
I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjqSgKbXkG
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAStsfCYrag
"All of you say I'm a genius, but I'm not a genius. A genius wouldn't have gotten us into this mess in the first place. And now, now that I at least have Flinty, and at least Victoria is here– and hell, at least now that you're here, you're telling me to go back in there, and then just, risk it all again? What if I mess up or, God, what if I cause Kim to die? I-I'm not– I can't do it! I can't! I can't do it alone! Kim is already gone, I don't have her to help me anymore, so if something goes wrong then it's going to go terribly wrong! D-Don't you get it? Don't you get it, Ng!? How am I supposed to do anything, absolutely anything, knowing that if it all goes to shit then I'm the one who's responsible!?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLZGThW2jU
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I fell to my knees.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKEnLsUP4Y
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"K-Kim said it herself... all of it, all of it hinges on me... but I'm not someone to make that bet on, I'm not... I'm not..."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuP7raOrPB
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwcvQUM3aa
I fell. I was in a fetal position and the top of my head was glued to the ground. I couldn't hear anything over my crying. I couldn't even move. I felt something touch my shoulder. I looked up to see Ng's face.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FisEq8OxT
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrADE1UKAZe
"...Kenny."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ02vkqrKmN
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoz2bpWk0G
"What!?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iqHrN062a
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjL4q5dgjdZ
He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbSixr2qXV
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jNHQTcKv7
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIqaKomr6v
The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeMxOGqEsd
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGikC7dvYT
"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn63d71ThGx
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTqCLCAKiB
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiHvXehqjK
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYIVAyyvWV
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUweH8rIs0
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHQemVAd48
"N-No..."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFS3SqM2JPu
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2qNuhmnV9
Oh, God.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOcybSlBUV
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i0lyo2qiT
Oh, God.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePfyCU1Che
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKz6PEHBTA
"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiwcI5iJrh
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P85XYXV28
Ng leaned down to pat me again. I slapped his hand away. I scurried backward on the ground, panting, tears still rolling down my face. Ng didn't look like a man to me anymore. I couldn't identify what he was. All I saw was something I didn't like. I kept scurrying back and I hit a tree, then I stood up, and then I ran away. I didn't know where it was that I was going but the light from his torch was fading and that's all that mattered. I kept looking back and eventually, I stumbled. Right, the roots here, they were massive. I got up and five steps later I tripped again. The exhaustion from before still hadn't subsided. I could barely move. But, at the very least, Ng wasn't here. At least Ng wasn't there.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSwb1Rptw2
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLh5uMDcgnB
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVFkNxbjZs
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnllLSqalx6
"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1EW0edNPW
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQYJ5aEU4q
It wasn't the way I thought about it. So, here I was on the ground, affirming myself. Of course, I wasn't leaving her to die. Of course, I was just trying to make sure Flinty and the others were safe. Of course, Ng was right. Ng was totally right. He saw through me, but worst of all, I knew Ng was right, I knew completely but that didn't change a thing. I still couldn't even grasp the idea of going back there and fighting and– and maybe Kim really was killed because of me, because I couldn't do it. But Ng was right. I needed to go back.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzb5aHzUM8
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGj4Byjb5o
But if I went back then what if it goes wrong? What if I go back and I see that I've truly failed? What if I go back and I see her– her–186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5ZMFuB1Sb
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXHziNzGIS
"--Hrk!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKG9dB8C9h
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZtTGJwMMl
I managed to hold back my vomit. Somehow that cleared the haze in my mind. I leaned against a nearby tree. I didn't think. If I thought, then I would've heard Ng's words again, and if I thought, my anxieties would've crawled back, and then I would be endlessly running. So I sat there instead.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyworQxRaV
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUix6u0Z6XC
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"There you are."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5aoVqzd4Z
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPAbU68Zvx
Ng already found me, huh?186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyg9cFlsMI
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gPo3Sho5P
"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG38ZCIcneb
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLhWOqOnAo
I casted a gaze his way. An indescribable tug on my stomach was telling me to forgive him. It felt terribly unnatural, but I couldn't help but give into it. I didn't accept his apology, but–186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyVoxovOPr
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"...Fine."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeIUg6YB4m
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvTYo9g063
He offered me a hand but I stood up by myself. I followed him through the woods. I was staring at his heels. Sometimes he turned his body to me, likely to say something, but he didn't speak it.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o59i7wQ9g
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnlwVt3CF9
"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomhhxXuzVd
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Nevermind. What a strange question.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFwhcLE7W3
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr119xNgmHp
"No. They died a long time ago."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNf3FrZpA5
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lKbzVkEil
"I see. You have my condolences."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTSyO1wQeA
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"I don't need them."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FePHXXNuN
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A pause.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2JI1UEyO3
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqkp6Ocgsy
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMadpBimh8K
"..."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6IJoPGeG8
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcCZ1AFvTy
I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8GslwIN4d
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jBdWWzDrD
And then the memories came flooding back. Those months where I refused to walk outside, being taken in by Anabelle, and lastly the talk. That vital conversation I had with Anabelle and Jackson. I started biting my nails.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0Pp0GKghM
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Despite it, nothing changed. My mind was still at odds with itself. But I calmed down. I calmed down a lot. At that moment, a bundle of warmth spread throughout my body. I was feeling fine.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86OjTKXe84
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"Did I–"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIn5YTzlSN
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"I'm sorry Ng. I still don't think I can do it. At least, not now, not by myself. Even thinking about it is making me shudder. I can't go in there."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnmIxngWcg
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyqtKmWxUw
"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ121llfzdy
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I had to make sure I heard him.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9d2Gpit3A
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"Assistants?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU5f8Wd1pD
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiv9XClJXH
"Of course. I can still use the mana here to make some. It doesn't have to be anything powerful, just enough to grab Kim while you're fighting Jeremiah."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2grKczfWP
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74wOVhhqtz
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJXHAKcJdb
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfG4XrGEQKG
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKCJTVYLyc
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pgTfvMp5o
"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR1Z9eGl1l
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpmIfB8RMF
We kept walking. We didn't exchange another word but I could feel the air around us lighten. Thanks to the campfire, we made it back to the others.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi6qNx1Zds
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9IDMfbgIQ
Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8lfXVX6LE
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXuUuZKdNZ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRbCJEOWLl
Flinty ran up to me and gently hugged me, patting me on the back a few times. I would've been embarrassed if I wasn't so bewitched by the presence of the third person.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0AU3QHZU8
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaAPlkJGMn
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–
–
–
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We were all sitting by the campfire. Though I was sleepy, the knight's presence alone made me unable to sleep. I had too many questions to ask, and it looks like I wasn't alone.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlq1ayZvTw
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgvnTS8I1N
"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytEy2jGDQz
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmXZHMIGOP
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"Of course."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgLuRZTFU6
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBqc9gAWzO
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ0SwalWOS
"Ah, of course. I am here because I've been tasked with tailing Kim. My reasons are secret, but I assure you it isn't anything malicious, not from either party."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfGGgloZ3j
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyrBLawups
Tailing her? Well, if that was the case, he must not have been very good at it. But when your target is as disguised and inconspicuous as Kim, then even a knight would have difficulty pursuing you.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPscS69aiSR
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But, no, something else was bugging me.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jQeDwqZgW
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"How did you know where to find us here?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy00Ai3gVt
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"I simply spent the day searching."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNvA4Rj4rm
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"The whole day?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFsF39FQE8
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He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw8TvTbm0h
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWwV0EKQwC
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXnmHMKmvO
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He sighed.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi91Eoqlph
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC2fptmcVY
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPWrc4gK6z
"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0RgQsKReg
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqcD39OkgI
"Oh! Yes! Kim is being held captive by a magical beast my ex-colleague has created. He is formidable, and occasionally reckless, but not a creature who would intentionally kill. He wasn't programmed that way."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyRSPGQK1v
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hWOzPAxnL
"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnLzLchokz
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"...Why do you ask?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJTBRMmpHs
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHC3WwqX3C
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7J5aHdmIA
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDubKdZswLa
Those words made me perk up. They had two meanings to me. Ng went on to explain the blob's ability to contort its body and produce a hypnagogic haze when injured. Skylark didn't look intimidated at all. I didn't see him in action yet, but I imagined that such confidence didn't come from foolishness. Skylark's presence was still strange, and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't have any suspicions about his relation to Kim, but– frankly, it didn't matter. Frankly, I was just glad that I was able to pass the baton onto somebody far more capable than me. A short while later we all returned to sleep; aside from me, of course. And, apparently, aside from Skylark. I lifted my body and stared at him. As we stared at each other, I tried to unbridle certain words from my throat, but he talked first before I could.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKGjgm2iny
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyQGI1mxat
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorAEoaPNB5
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcDJpZpqK6
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71lnSFPFuO
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVGsF2oxTg
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5knwMdihq0
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnqcy5OAWm
"I see. I'll get sleepy eventually, it's just a matter of time. But since you're awake, I might as well talk with you. Talking with people is especially exhausting."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7MuWyOj7r
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zYRZADU6r
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gHrhysvvd
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreI0WK26QY
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTs6NAXk5q
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAdNEJOMx8
He put a hand to his chin.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEWmfDJnue
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ejfnRzf91
"...Well, I'm sure you in particular will find out soon. For now, let's just say that I was sent to defend her, in case anything goes awry."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7EB9CkVCV
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt0PH9Y8xF
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IlYmclZQD
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVQwGPpd0S
"No."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1vNU1p3lO
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqO9oHw4A1
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjnNwSrJmW
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXpOBD909W
"Do you mean in the woods?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vDZRtPjm0
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AUSeMgets
"Yes. I'm just curious."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVOXva6SmL
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAELiIFiBbE
"I entered the woods two hours ago. I was told by Linda to wait until it became dark. Honestly, these woods are a bit of a nightmare to navigate."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc32VzLp8H
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsYBpVacP7
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91jLGXzBhF
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5fsFI5R5U
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YKwTfVU5A
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEmelJflFQ
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Fzrgo0f7W
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7iIDB15pa
"Me too."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f9Qf3ZDGz
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCYlPPnHiT
I realized how strange it was that he called it knightly duty, since he met us by coincidence, but didn't press him on that matter.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ900EjLQi0Q
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSBptTVWLr
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wvDlH8lON
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIgTX8hSba
"Yes. For now, at least."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVMDGUPLkd
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3Etzhojhp
"Are you sure? I may not be able to answer all questions related to Kim, but I have a lot of knowledge of other things."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z7ddDO83B
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4StMhFZORo
"..."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth4v7UcQ6T
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSEecwSJ5b
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9VCRY0NFu
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZkd9rvhGl
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04RmQCDdis
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo8NBEb93d
"...Huh?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX1mHJscse
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWhpZXso7q
–
–
–
There was a gap in the trees perfectly positioned to where the sun hit my face. I woke up with an uneasy feeling in my chest and had difficulty keeping my eyes open. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well. Despite that, I was feeling fine. Everyone else was still sleeping. Everyone, aside from Flinty, who was not present.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy6XRIVSeo
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjUH1RyfZT
I thought of the worst immediately. I calmed down once I heard a sound nearby. I walked towards it and saw Flinty standing with her arm out, creating water balls and... firing them.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWWwId0HYL
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiVMgP1pjM
I wouldn't repeat the same mistake as before, so I stood by the sidelines and watched. She didn't even have her eyes closed, yet she was able to create a water ball and maintain it for twenty seconds. And then, she fired it. It was a very weak spell; it hit a tree and merely splashed it. If it was another element, it likely would've only scratched the bark off. I was still impressed.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJDYHH1QyW
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauhJh0Xts9
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUMxoZjeU4
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNltYXUVYNu
"Good morning, Kenny."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGPlxVH36v
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwselgGrVwR
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6gFjAaVq8
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zStOWZlDb
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrp2e6IkGV
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIBgfhGU4A
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ99vwjt3wC
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLnIzBcxuE
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3F0PpCrXuF
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DMqeEMM0j
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC4AQLBOoY
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06ydxU9aIG
"Yes! I have, ha!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoDqrT1g8n
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OOsRvFhRb
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOOkyJzUFn
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFavfFGx9TJ
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzADq87ppV
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBZvVqmIZv
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJrbgw8f3G
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88dGZDLBXE
"Thank you, teacher."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL6fH4GDa4
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLascqxNv41
"Yeah. Don't call me that."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuoHyN96fV
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUyPUHae0q
"Okay."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEob8NQQmOx
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQidSPGDPD9
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEq47gZZ3C
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZR4PAshtP
"Hm? What's wrong?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriNzN4Zb19
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZVuUZAwHd
"Um..."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Aj6SqJkKV
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxdOdVkjj8
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCJ6KCXLd1
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2BTA7r4l6
"Here. Have it back."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09oI0LFfnQ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjWgBZmjtW
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM4NzX8P9B
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wCxGsLDSU
She shook her head no.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQVkySmP5S
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY2C3560K8
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjgOuazNtJ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBadih21A5
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiMiRIBh0i
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyhMKG14g5
"Thank you, Flinty."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTDNxP8n85
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne3RAN1fO0
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIeJxmEWqW
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdbytAxejb
"Kenny, do you feel better?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhs5K65FgCP
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMQqvZKV9Y
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXHrAnkaRv
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r8ufQ5zni
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5ZWDQce2M
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnRomRHARf
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoofOJ83hM2
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0m2FyXFwm
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyu1tAZnjx
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqZUwTndZO
"Good morning, Kenny."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65ISZmtNDf
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF3nc5CT9p
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOAFK6IvAv
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tg5BDSaH6
He nodded. When Victoria and Ng got on their feet our strategy meeting began. It was simple; Skylark would enter the compound and battle Jeremiah while Victoria, Ng, and I would surround the building to capture any escapees. With that set, we began our breakfast. It was just simple rations, but they tasted especially fresh. Flinty and Victoria were engaged in conversation while Skylark vigilantly watched our surroundings. I looked at Ng and was suddenly reminded of last night.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZQs9rUtjU
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTgsVr81w1
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NltsjrvRs
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cZx8LiGYC
I scooted closer to him.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW4X8xCzWz
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQFjsHf3F5
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErWJ94tKNk
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3efIhwpcO
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0YvuKFV4I
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaAa8FEf82
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyxf1wTbqt
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEbKaOnzQ0
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nLMp1MduI
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3RA1pXToL
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpFGFfKbJs
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjz1i66ywx
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAucOLoXZY
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gG9H4FrJn
"What?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10jhVsV1Nq
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWgTgKowkU
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlmUe32mhR
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82uBUfpotI
But then I thought about his behavior back in the cellar, and during the initial stage of the infiltration. He lightly punched me in the shoulder.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhOCELYSKe
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDkQB7qEn7
"You and I are alike, I've realized. But unlike me, you are powerful and gifted. I know you can liberate yourself from the fungus in your brain. You are still young, after all."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIofuoplRQq
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfWefGZCwF
"R-Right."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjtC8CSGFa
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXDWykpk0x
"Well then, shall we go?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUjaKmuBHV
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7OyKvNOCi
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP01soDqGna
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpW7unalE4
"Alright."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjrfck0Bol
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpGddvWh39
We grabbed our bags and left the campsite. With Ng leading us, we arrived at the compound thirty minutes later. Flinty and Ng stood nearby in the woods guarding our things, and more importantly, away from any attention. Skylark, Victoria, and I stood before the broken gates of what was essentially the compound's front yard. Skylark took a step forward. He had a rag covering his mouth.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAj8jKIayF
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5ELWl7tPR
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r9xnou4Ly
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiocc6gqU8
And then he walked across the field and into the building. Now Victoria and I stood there alone. I felt a hand on my shoulder.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5hcmyX5ib
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCZVoONcKu
"What?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VFJL1m0Bc
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWco9B1xhH
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEn7Kf4khi
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHj0WBF77m
"I know he will."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfopNdmcAw
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswpC9LU8P4
"Then why are you shaking?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6IQ5iSw9z
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxfd4qYO63
"...I just can't help myself."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAN6MM8gls
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyucHkfDkbf
I walked to the walls and sat against it. Victoria joined me. We sat and waited. Five minutes passed without anything happening. Ten minutes passed without anything happening. Victoria was jittering a little.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WuTjph33F
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAamyM77sBI
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcyB5XDgfC
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyI3lXWevY
"What do you want to talk about?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpTOr3m32K
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv3TwwQBt8
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWyNFarsoS
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1HRXUKB8D
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3ihjAG6IY
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgH5dk1iNs
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1pv7TJddn
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPVp4aNPqs
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyx15t4xXE
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV7oGv2kTN
"Ha!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNPj42btNQ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Re6PyekSQ
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmNJnr79b9
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4r9qgUKRmi
"These muscles came from all the work at the farmhouse, and fighting is something Mom taught me. Y'know, she used to be a combatant! An extraordinary one, too!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcpIILYuhd
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDRAcuFJfJ
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE9BbFWHg0
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKjltcIP1v
"Hehe, something like that."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcDbvBsdcI
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XxBgPGGhd
She didn't sound confident.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgqtJlKxNI
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjMyzghNpd
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPcc3wcBom
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxJiK7AaFP
"Ah. That makes sense."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzziygdqoo
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuUdCHWzF0
I was very close to saying something insensitive.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg04u4sLCOj
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xlM41bpmZ
"That blob thing was a bit too much for me to handle. I think though, if we were to fight that wolf, I would be fine."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhV6lK13PZ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrJtLbW5Ux
"...Wolf?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrcdd6d8a9
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjE0SMCO4h
All the air suddenly left my lungs. I looked to my left. The broken gate. Its mauled doors were sprawled on the grass, and chunks of stone accompanied them.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPt9o8wVxqK
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAntSq0tii
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJCS8CRj6M
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMPxXDQ802
"Kenny?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlY7QCGfYhE
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnf8UDLjql
With how quiet it was in the compound, I naturally began to theorize. I did not doubt that Skylark was alright, but we should've heard something, anything by now. Because we weren't, then Panz must've been hiding. And I already knew from Ng that Panz had the ability to summon his creations.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GT13zgIxV
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSh9VLLWk7V
I stood up and walked forward.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhosRl7GU2
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh6CxF70YD
"Kenny? What's wrong?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLzeF5KQon
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxvZJ1tPCl
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMZGg0PzBZ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNoPDFLvdc
I took my tendril out and grew a Sunlight-Blossom. I snatched a seed and stuck it in the ground, then grew it to full size. I clasped the flower by its stem and aimed it at the woods.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrpbVKuGUt
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D4nvXxOff
Victoria stood beside me with her hands raised. She caught on fast. I keenly eyed the woods, almost like a hawk, waiting for anything to flutter.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIpWJXLGLv
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbllOaDBLO
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4Eq6PIZuj
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOTiH4oxSu
**BANG**186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisFcqOm5Vy
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquXzUkmoKa
The Sunlight-Blossom's seed rend the wind and trees. It left my line of sight in a second. I didn't catch the beast, but that wasn't an issue. A resounding wail echoed throughout the woods. I saw the bushes fly in the distance.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpyi8C5rwK
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS4nlzc1zF
"Victoria."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNJi1xkHib
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpHyusCuhB
"Right."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZqQchfMff
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1erz849ni
I had to think fast. I produced a Freeze-Dry and encased the ground in ice. Next, I brought out Dragon-Maw Jr. and raised the tendril over the ice.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxnFGWEltr
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUfDgCcRxU
**SMASH**186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SFCzISYBK
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7Jodv8Ady
There he was.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9AqGIXFa4
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp9VBL95yi
The wolf crashed through a tree and landed on the ice field. He lost his footing quickly. I lowered the tendril and Dragon-Maw Jr. snapped his jaws immediately, nipping at the wolf's back. The wolf slid towards us with his maw agape, brandishing hundreds of sharp, unsightly teeth.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9R42DaRBt
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3bmioyaU0
Victoria crouched. The wolf jumped. I retracted the tendril and prepared to strike, but the size of the wolf surprised me. I hesitated. But that was fine. Victoria clenched the wolf's neck as it soared through the air. She slammed the beast to the ground, hardly able to keep it pinned, but she was able to punch its snout a few times. The wolf struggled and clawed Victoria in the chest. She winced, and the beast escaped from her grasp. He was bleeding, but so was Victoria. She reached for her pocket and doused herself in a healing potion, then threw the glass bottle at the wolf who stepped aside to avoid it.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfCphMYRwE
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIRsixEzf4
"That thing is strong," she said, "We can either wear it down or pin it again, but if I do, you need to kill it."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBUt5zGJQ1
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uHmpzYWcB
"Right."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03OvAnBNej
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYlNUbnyUx
With my other hand, I began mana expulsion and created a bundle of thin, elongated rocks. I threw them at the wolf one at a time. He avoided them all, but as I threw, Victoria inched closer. The wolf jumped at her with his jaws wide open. Victoria stepped to the side in the nick of time, but as the wolf landed he turned around and leaped again. I struck him with the tendril and he spun across the field.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMMlSwpq1v
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UYybI3xMM
"Thank you!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5oJWHuleX
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAme1HxHaL
I nodded. The wolf was temporarily incapacitated. He was still bleeding from Dragon-Maw Jr's wound. Victoria and I were unharmed. We could do this.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpehfY3M7ui
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9raMi8mVf
I began mana expulsion again, creating a stone and suspending it in the air. I covered it with fire magic. The wolf came back to his senses and sprinted at me. I stretched the tendril out; he avoided it but I struck him as I retracted it. I threw the fire-rock at it. The wolf caught it with his mouth.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mZXSq213A
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxZOx3tNrC
"Huh?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tqYLrCR6T
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jh8qzDwmB
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF1TBVScLb
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaJm9ohEdE
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMd0osnm8o
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExwzh4Iz94
"Shit!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq6iyLMllq
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rZj5TAIEZ
I put my hand on the floor and created a small wall of earth before me. A stream of fire pummeled it. I wasn't harmed, but the heat made me feel woozy.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DpHRopTVk
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LTxaX6GBO
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC4xo2BTRm
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXmlZCIdxl
I removed the wall and began mana expulsion again, this time, creating a ball of water. Victoria was beside me, her palms open and her fingers strained.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbO2X6sN1G
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwjMAt81H2
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6eMyQ5aXO
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK6nPRxdBo
"I understand."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwH1JUaP6u
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbMJJHAdEX
I retracted my tendril and began mana expulsion with my right hand, creating a bundle of pebbles. I shrunk the water ball down and clasped it with my left. A pure-white water geyser erupted from my palm. The wolf avoided it but found himself on the ice field again, and thus lost his footing. The geyser ran out before I could hit him, so I created another ball of water. The wolf blew fire on the field and melted the ice, and unfortunately, made the grass catch fire as well.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dVnJ8ACUh
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjqUhPSZBW
"Uh oh, Kenny."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM6q4zTtB6
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDmZBQgWaW
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YUUU3anX2
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNNQ84aLCW
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQfPu9QJxV
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKIapPnMM3
I didn't clasp the ball this time but spread it out across the field. The fire was extinguished and the wolf was now wet, but seemingly unbothered. He started charging at us again. I scattered the pebbles in my right hand with intense force. They were small, but the wolf would undeniably be hit and staggered.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdonurfYiO
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0y68HVNuaK
But, though he was hit, his charge didn't halt even a little. I panicked and brought the tendril out, stretching it out yet again. He didn't avoid it. Instead, he snapped his jaws at it.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMIalh5EbA
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n5cVVNCus
"Hrk!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhn5h9kp2pV
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsQDaiz6Df
Pain permeated my whole body. Maybe even my soul. It was terrible, but the situation wasn't irredeemable. The tendril was in between the wolf's jaws but was still intact. I quickly thought of a way to retaliate and produced a Flash-Bloom. I'd be lying if I said I expected it. I hurriedly held my hand over my eyes.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64PyGd1Ohp
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhihZl4ceH5
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaBif154ns
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2HHlalmJk
Even with my eyes covered, all I saw was white. Pushing the Flash-Bloom beyond its limit was exhausting my mana supply but I didn't have to keep it out for long. A few seconds later I stopped it and opened my eyes. The wolf was still gripping my tendril but was nabbing at its own face as if the light was on him. I produced Dragon-Maw Jr. and he bit at the wolf's nape. The wolf let go of my tendril. I coughed out some purple goop.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6oOgIfTKO
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWeRCA6hS8
"Victoria!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC7bgIT8rL
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lUtyYb3nC
"Right!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLOFEeFk0x
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FESVGVKyj
Victoria ran over to the wolf. She didn't pin him down, but instead, grabbed one of his oversized hind legs and bent it in an impossible direction. The wolf opened its mouth and wailed and readily spat fire. With all his squirming, Dragon-Maw Jr. could hardly keep him in place. I produced another water ball and flung it at the wolf. I managed to perfectly land it inside its maw, and the beast was forced to cough it all out.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRSqHxjGQc
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVdqq4d6ys
Dragon-Maw Jr.'s teeth sunk deeper into its neck. The wolf was still desperately clawing at its eyes, but each succesive swipe made it obvious that the beast's strength was fading. Victoria broke its other hind leg. The wolf struggled, but he didn't attempt to spit out fire this time. The wolf simply howled, and howled, and its howls grew weaker by the second. Dragon-Maw Jr. kept clamping down. I noticed it myself, how the neck was being sluggishly pulled off the body. Victoria clasped the wolf's snout. She began pulling at it.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7z9l6fsjC
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05Jkk7tWmi
"GRAHHHH!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZcByRBqjm
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20bbgoqINx
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvmWr9bq3c
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1Uf1f7ROl
With the help of Dragon-Maw Jr, Victoria tore off the wolf's neck and threw across the field. The head crashed and spallered against a tree. It immediately evaporated into the air, and the rest of the wolf's body followed suit. She grabbed her knees and began to pant.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6elO8Bqmp
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh5W1u4Krd
"..."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60as3LG1kq
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTHKt09bno
I retracted the tendril. My mana supply was relatively plentiful. Still, I plummeted to the ground, face-first. I stopped coughing up purple goop, and a minute later, it stopped oozing from my chest.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxw4Ts8QCu
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIT5X1AWpu
I had questions about it, but those were for later. At the time being, I was happy. I relishing the moment. Even with grass pressing against my face, I was relishing.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjamxKCzsS
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNM7DpZaCHd
We did it. We really did it.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7262sHiVQX
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIEccNBzH3
"Kenny!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvRcKzNL0s
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ25NdaVDC
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzO2xKDxH4
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhfMH3sEZX
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cYxljypk4
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGGQJJdD7n
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSVQoh9mTB
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsFY8hcA52
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AA2u3OKbI
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMx6WXjzeR
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YInfGG781
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhqVdz5ppQ
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrDRdbLxpS
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMocyL8s6v
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq9rlULg8E
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz9sI6x6Lt
"We did it," I muttered.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCWjidK8A3
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlY9SxhCquG
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAYqTOyHWS
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizUlxvKWMR
Right now, I was immensely satisfied. I glanced at Victoria, and she was fine, and I was fine, and the beast was dead, and I was satisfied.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl0w8iH8lQ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIncBzRfBq
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tP4NVNNw7
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9u2LWorvq
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9Q2Qbp598
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgu6NSoPjR
"...It could've been a lot worse."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBBPZbJYYw
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7ho3lElX8
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHoyRmAVxW
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRS4E6e3Yz
Victoria looked at something above me.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazAIaS3XNa
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn4jCO10V2
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon1uBvjZWC
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5TRp0aSA2
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8OoHTzyUi
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA1yPVCW3k
"No. Why do you ask?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CvEt7s52i
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJt0tuPd5t
"I haven't heard a single thing coming from the building. Our fight was noisy, so I thought that maybe someone would come out. I'm starting to get worried."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaczoH9H6P
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIqHNxW8eF
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3jMsH8KPD
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuIcnK6pkW
"O-Oh, sorry."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhs0oiqeoMf
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX5Owu9kY3
She scratched her cheek a little.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOfbLPSDmv
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2SWRBjiyn
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorYPV71K27
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BqdhsWlNX
"That's just how you need to be with monsters. Equally brutal. It's something I got used to. I watched my mom fight a lot when I was a kid."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCxgkqJVMJ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHGZBTIy5G
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM0ZBqEoKk
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOr1zHT84M
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3owVM4DyM
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBZ7RHJYT3
I sighed. My face returned to the grass as I indulged in the silence. I could feel the fatigue worm its way into every nook and cranny of my body. I was surprised at the toll the fight had on me. Eventually, I stood up and brushed the dirt off my shirt. It was even more purple than before.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iS6I7FPcb
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC6oh6vwGP
I helped Victoria up. I limped to the busted gate and stared at the compound. A weight formed in my stomach. I almost began to pray, but the doors to the building slowly opened.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwvOORp6SY
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuu2lauusK
Skylark was there. Kim was on one shoulder, and when he opened one door wide enough he grabbed Panz by the hood. He had a lot of dust on his body. When he caught up to us, he frowned.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUNfC9m9kf
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelktj1JtHH
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI0ogfpqrq
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsq7g5GG6Z2
"We fought something, Kenny and I."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSea9pWcwh
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYm3JIvdldn
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb7Erj9uCq
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERkauhOLBU
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHP4spxRPJ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut5PlqnNnI
"How is Kim?" I asked.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDnkdGFLqS
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRuEEIUJjQ
"She's fine, just unconscious."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycxAKd77vL
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3d6ri5enR
I could only say one thing.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGA33zx3YF
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOYF4wQR5g
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
