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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAIdPmPJWLZn
21Please respect copyright.PENANAoQBbYpKiN4
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?21Please respect copyright.PENANAEUAoABbRLj
21Please respect copyright.PENANAEMuHC3C5v0
"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAVkJdrA5oJZ
21Please respect copyright.PENANAe3nSCg4WOL
"That's not true at all–"21Please respect copyright.PENANA2BihlH2VQl
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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..."21Please respect copyright.PENANA6A69DfV6K4
21Please respect copyright.PENANAXrraP9dRhE
I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.21Please respect copyright.PENANAvj99sbuJ2M
21Please respect copyright.PENANAHIoxwrYsXi
"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!?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAl0kQaP8vBs
21Please respect copyright.PENANAo8iWhLPYf7
I fell to my knees.21Please respect copyright.PENANAtYb4LJtp3N
21Please respect copyright.PENANAeLIMbj7wh5
"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..."21Please respect copyright.PENANAQDqABrNayA
21Please respect copyright.PENANAxFvdvfB8yw
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAlIYcgRPakC
21Please respect copyright.PENANA94XndQQDvj
"...Kenny."21Please respect copyright.PENANAOJ61MeyE62
21Please respect copyright.PENANAGUsRHCHDsf
"What!?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAlgiCFVZx36
21Please respect copyright.PENANAYPSFTJZRrP
He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.21Please respect copyright.PENANA02T3ljADhH
21Please respect copyright.PENANAf6seNlvjGn
"You're not lying to me, are you?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAb5RFWk4QHF
21Please respect copyright.PENANARfSHzmY4Jd
The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.21Please respect copyright.PENANAv859IAjkYQ
21Please respect copyright.PENANA3qOClJhcKd
"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...21Please respect copyright.PENANAjSlMPOwddl
21Please respect copyright.PENANAw1BKwyc3HS
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?21Please respect copyright.PENANAfwGVm0ttX7
21Please respect copyright.PENANA9xeaXlZOA4
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?21Please respect copyright.PENANA1QdGFNlNz9
21Please respect copyright.PENANAEskMA43RzU
"N-No..."21Please respect copyright.PENANA2imJOkEfBo
21Please respect copyright.PENANA0MTAbiQrzF
Oh, God.21Please respect copyright.PENANAYxmjqd1fyI
21Please respect copyright.PENANA8UqaiZYg6r
Oh, God.21Please respect copyright.PENANA483xWB4Xg4
21Please respect copyright.PENANAxwvUBecq48
"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"21Please respect copyright.PENANAe8GlObhnsY
21Please respect copyright.PENANAXTCpjkzPkQ
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA4pXYfHLH5f
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But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.21Please respect copyright.PENANAu20GLbsSKj
21Please respect copyright.PENANAT7qv4BAsWR
"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."21Please respect copyright.PENANAYhlxLHXsNO
21Please respect copyright.PENANAhDF7uLEjPT
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAXmIbwmo4VH
21Please respect copyright.PENANAcx7iLBNUov
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–21Please respect copyright.PENANAA8YVJGaW4C
21Please respect copyright.PENANAqjaGYDuBMz
"--Hrk!"21Please respect copyright.PENANACaRzBNlsjC
21Please respect copyright.PENANA3Chwkasunt
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAfYzZCEtgkT
21Please respect copyright.PENANAXMH5qf2KVX
One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.21Please respect copyright.PENANA6X8bUq9YtE
21Please respect copyright.PENANA9YScSZ6mIY
"There you are."21Please respect copyright.PENANAMh1MYE2ovL
21Please respect copyright.PENANALywnbnpLZp
Ng already found me, huh?21Please respect copyright.PENANAL6G68bosQB
21Please respect copyright.PENANA7TzvYOVy2s
"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"21Please respect copyright.PENANARKDX26xqL8
21Please respect copyright.PENANA14gMTMSGpH
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–21Please respect copyright.PENANAffdcICSP9s
21Please respect copyright.PENANAkV0ntFQ5mD
"...Fine."21Please respect copyright.PENANARm3gfhvrKR
21Please respect copyright.PENANAbCnF2bwCYs
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAv4YHhWQVhe
21Please respect copyright.PENANAWMSyVYVVtq
"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"21Please respect copyright.PENANA5wMRoBPvAc
21Please respect copyright.PENANAidD0tmnbkl
Nevermind. What a strange question.21Please respect copyright.PENANAhY4wXVFYSi
21Please respect copyright.PENANA5iT0CGSc6K
"No. They died a long time ago."21Please respect copyright.PENANA8vcCF5bKGV
21Please respect copyright.PENANA2qsctwzofQ
"I see. You have my condolences."21Please respect copyright.PENANA7aoUU71Jj6
21Please respect copyright.PENANAFTo18KVQpP
"I don't need them."21Please respect copyright.PENANAd21Yws5ksK
21Please respect copyright.PENANAnssLsbAE9e
A pause.21Please respect copyright.PENANA5sYB9oG73O
21Please respect copyright.PENANAES7xRPiJaD
"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAcA6qOk1THU
21Please respect copyright.PENANAhC8LTgNxwT
"..."21Please respect copyright.PENANA9vMR7wEAeD
21Please respect copyright.PENANA9EVyinXKi5
I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.21Please respect copyright.PENANAYmPmlbahGU
21Please respect copyright.PENANAzlirXxyZUj
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAy60oE8VLmx
21Please respect copyright.PENANALmfdYJofoX
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAdvZrkRSJrl
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"Did I–"21Please respect copyright.PENANARxLjwm5eoj
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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."21Please respect copyright.PENANA0C14CLZ3vP
21Please respect copyright.PENANANFrc3DErp2
"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAAo7d9tthEn
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I had to make sure I heard him.21Please respect copyright.PENANAXvmx1KLxYn
21Please respect copyright.PENANAvOJO4x8rfo
"Assistants?"21Please respect copyright.PENANA1RPo3ksRuw
21Please respect copyright.PENANA4nC1WMJBul
"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAn3m1s1mVYw
21Please respect copyright.PENANAy0PQPvE5TQ
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."21Please respect copyright.PENANAsKKjz30GOy
21Please respect copyright.PENANA43s2fsHOhc
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."21Please respect copyright.PENANA3yfE5iOzp2
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."21Please respect copyright.PENANAoSZoNOcqL4
21Please respect copyright.PENANAakqwf9YCBa
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAf3DpUQhbYd
21Please respect copyright.PENANAC2qY8ay0Gt
Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.21Please respect copyright.PENANAjmd6R1Sv1f
21Please respect copyright.PENANAUub4oiBA7T
"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"21Please respect copyright.PENANAfCwS8svE3P
21Please respect copyright.PENANAhSLNnNQpS7
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAyBJik1aE8V
21Please respect copyright.PENANAvyZOhVOA1a
Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.21Please respect copyright.PENANAxLbnCo4WPA
21Please respect copyright.PENANA7ITGNlw4Qd
–
–
–
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA9jHwQPBOgD
21Please respect copyright.PENANAfCKAobRQtA
"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"21Please respect copyright.PENANATWSv3LS6vR
21Please respect copyright.PENANAayVRJczg8m
"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."21Please respect copyright.PENANA4F9YZnwDxI
21Please respect copyright.PENANAIYH86rzWZ1
"Of course."21Please respect copyright.PENANAYGDazVybBu
21Please respect copyright.PENANAcpDh2jwRtt
"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAHLZ9gZS0aE
21Please respect copyright.PENANAMTFVYujR8f
"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAk4zgZSVuNx
21Please respect copyright.PENANALD119KT3Ph
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAnAcnBajYxl
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But, no, something else was bugging me.21Please respect copyright.PENANAK7fW2BJVDF
21Please respect copyright.PENANAdQZhJwwVpR
"How did you know where to find us here?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAAAdOHLFypg
21Please respect copyright.PENANAgDMj9z6gqh
"I simply spent the day searching."21Please respect copyright.PENANAFkTmOAtB3D
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"The whole day?"21Please respect copyright.PENANA4b9205wv2y
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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."21Please respect copyright.PENANA4oCcllgVAV
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?21Please respect copyright.PENANAlxmJcQr5YQ
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."21Please respect copyright.PENANAdHQ9IPVs5r
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He sighed.21Please respect copyright.PENANAAVaV2Aq6uS
21Please respect copyright.PENANAw9zxi7caST
"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAeY3pgtPlko
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"21Please respect copyright.PENANARWKU01RjSl
21Please respect copyright.PENANAcAH6aeSTKe
"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANA4obED3JG8v
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAuhWuAx4chK
21Please respect copyright.PENANAG9Uxv7iWCF
"...Why do you ask?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAKHA9V5iLvp
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"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."21Please respect copyright.PENANAMuf6GWD7oi
21Please respect copyright.PENANAaLjBZYf6vl
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAgYQoXiHu69
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"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"21Please respect copyright.PENANALAmkEoALHp
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"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAggF4pGiaCR
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"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."21Please respect copyright.PENANAuOtfOEW2Zl
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"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAC3NACqYkqT
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"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"21Please respect copyright.PENANA96QykBkD3E
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"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAoRfH79Lfoy
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He put a hand to his chin.21Please respect copyright.PENANAHSm7xXsxfx
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"...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."21Please respect copyright.PENANADizJgMx0hX
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"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAfzkRNTMXR6
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"No."21Please respect copyright.PENANAjlJVNHgLLz
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"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"21Please respect copyright.PENANA7cZuYK03nx
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"Do you mean in the woods?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAGOSRE08q1j
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"Yes. I'm just curious."21Please respect copyright.PENANANOn47nArX1
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"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAZJQe0srwzX
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I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.21Please respect copyright.PENANAuMV5Lt2qWI
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"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."21Please respect copyright.PENANAlzVJvMaeMe
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"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."21Please respect copyright.PENANAcJ6VNH8nJ3
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"Me too."21Please respect copyright.PENANA6ArWCirnrf
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANARR5JNCZPL2
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"Is that all you wanted to ask?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAFPx56J5gEp
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"Yes. For now, at least."21Please respect copyright.PENANAETsCbybJtB
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"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANArggWGjkMFO
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"..."21Please respect copyright.PENANAtXEscCz2MY
21Please respect copyright.PENANApJazuLBeSY
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.21Please respect copyright.PENANAwUOipxRgDi
21Please respect copyright.PENANANj1mQoYJP0
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAtUyBxfG3CX
21Please respect copyright.PENANACAg5T835Xp
"...Huh?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAE0QZJqURre
21Please respect copyright.PENANAWntJHb1874
–
–
–
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAllAVrkJO8X
21Please respect copyright.PENANABkW5YIVGLh
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAjotxDOpxdx
21Please respect copyright.PENANARMuFFAd4HY
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAA1wb6fryqQ
21Please respect copyright.PENANAvau5a71Kb9
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.21Please respect copyright.PENANAdJDpMw43E8
21Please respect copyright.PENANADGvGmPximZ
"Good morning, Kenny."21Please respect copyright.PENANA0Z2BNc4H5S
21Please respect copyright.PENANA1UhNHYvpzo
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"21Please respect copyright.PENANASQpmz6gASC
21Please respect copyright.PENANAR11EgP0G5k
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."21Please respect copyright.PENANASwOMdAY7tI
21Please respect copyright.PENANAA9fS5Unbhm
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.21Please respect copyright.PENANAAOg6PtJdwx
21Please respect copyright.PENANAniBzHuYGwv
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.21Please respect copyright.PENANAyfxZbJsQVj
21Please respect copyright.PENANANee1reTfcl
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAPUd6H3gXSy
21Please respect copyright.PENANAq6ke84op7n
"Yes! I have, ha!"21Please respect copyright.PENANAKEHpN8oHnQ
21Please respect copyright.PENANAk6S95AHelB
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.21Please respect copyright.PENANARJptiM0sJ0
21Please respect copyright.PENANAR2LeigCGuh
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."21Please respect copyright.PENANAIRIEhoJytF
21Please respect copyright.PENANA7Up8yKDDgO
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.21Please respect copyright.PENANAcUhT9MIUya
21Please respect copyright.PENANApWHb0danmW
"Thank you, teacher."21Please respect copyright.PENANAWvaaoV1ntg
21Please respect copyright.PENANAHbYMKNjIbU
"Yeah. Don't call me that."21Please respect copyright.PENANA2nbqE822f7
21Please respect copyright.PENANA8WeimHCi7m
"Okay."21Please respect copyright.PENANAjTg749DWeC
21Please respect copyright.PENANAq1U7LBYa1h
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.21Please respect copyright.PENANAD72e0tHAxQ
21Please respect copyright.PENANAUzx6jQtzPv
"Hm? What's wrong?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAnEZLxZhXCR
21Please respect copyright.PENANALhYOR7JWQ4
"Um..."21Please respect copyright.PENANAukTHOnRn6z
21Please respect copyright.PENANAcn7iuMyPAs
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.21Please respect copyright.PENANAyQbpovut5V
21Please respect copyright.PENANArubQbolQtV
"Here. Have it back."21Please respect copyright.PENANA3RacsExPP2
21Please respect copyright.PENANAUH41XOxbFO
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."21Please respect copyright.PENANAwJYE972TRa
21Please respect copyright.PENANAX3Cu8RSHrF
She shook her head no.21Please respect copyright.PENANALPcg5Cp05q
21Please respect copyright.PENANAEEq7DeP4p7
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."21Please respect copyright.PENANAJogxxH51e1
21Please respect copyright.PENANA3XoI6ajwWd
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.21Please respect copyright.PENANAdkleafCVUg
21Please respect copyright.PENANAoFVLCeeTcU
"Thank you, Flinty."21Please respect copyright.PENANAnT0wnsiIM2
21Please respect copyright.PENANAPDReiNIpb7
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.21Please respect copyright.PENANAGicDVnnXVl
21Please respect copyright.PENANAQMAKMSFkGL
"Kenny, do you feel better?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAGEBjRtuxgR
21Please respect copyright.PENANAFaieI5kugV
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.21Please respect copyright.PENANAmaM48U9FfC
21Please respect copyright.PENANAcrLcxhDJVy
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."21Please respect copyright.PENANAzavSCdBu9W
21Please respect copyright.PENANAFy0pW0o0oY
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."21Please respect copyright.PENANACMWvTkj7bw
21Please respect copyright.PENANAoXc8EbAs3G
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.21Please respect copyright.PENANAu1pFl5fIDD
21Please respect copyright.PENANAuJr79qfA3C
"Good morning, Kenny."21Please respect copyright.PENANAmIOuvIw7m5
21Please respect copyright.PENANAzqL1obhCa8
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."21Please respect copyright.PENANAnILdm0kZFe
21Please respect copyright.PENANAwTdaaCPIxS
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA56SGO9uJX5
21Please respect copyright.PENANApVwa7VpiYA
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAY7orLDpJ79
21Please respect copyright.PENANAGgJoEzUL6V
I scooted closer to him.21Please respect copyright.PENANAbD1oQif6E3
21Please respect copyright.PENANApaqlp1yJxY
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"21Please respect copyright.PENANA3YRRRRzVJs
21Please respect copyright.PENANAyAqAlTgxzI
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."21Please respect copyright.PENANAxE2Lg4GGT7
21Please respect copyright.PENANAEjWjD9Pb7o
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAGaOUqy2JRQ
21Please respect copyright.PENANAZXl5UIkxaL
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."21Please respect copyright.PENANAhVB7UsOWmy
21Please respect copyright.PENANA832lgRBqyP
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.21Please respect copyright.PENANA0WSqXDP2m4
21Please respect copyright.PENANAVFhGFV7fLo
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."21Please respect copyright.PENANAEvUu73D4ph
21Please respect copyright.PENANAoNZ4hGFf6J
"What?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAXBqglZmPqU
21Please respect copyright.PENANAEo2IUaC2wm
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."21Please respect copyright.PENANA9RBBclLFmf
21Please respect copyright.PENANAEF2dUs5oxh
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAxJ8ndFSozl
21Please respect copyright.PENANAcrTDd6Opxl
"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAr4pSHi3OCf
21Please respect copyright.PENANA4V2PFHqM4M
"R-Right."21Please respect copyright.PENANAacZkZBRJSV
21Please respect copyright.PENANAepmIZmN7A5
"Well then, shall we go?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAb0wfQsB24v
21Please respect copyright.PENANA5BuAPzik6M
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.21Please respect copyright.PENANAaJtGMqhptw
21Please respect copyright.PENANADCNu37Dc41
"Alright."21Please respect copyright.PENANADywL2Qvyyt
21Please respect copyright.PENANAIBGlioe5nn
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANARJPlU7bw2v
21Please respect copyright.PENANAvZodEXvpMG
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."21Please respect copyright.PENANACi7bBCyMCs
21Please respect copyright.PENANAsUejQnphp9
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAsHKtVWMjy5
21Please respect copyright.PENANAYYfed5bXSq
"What?"21Please respect copyright.PENANA9rpbwXx4Rp
21Please respect copyright.PENANAohftV5EQez
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."21Please respect copyright.PENANAbW8FgtZ2Lq
21Please respect copyright.PENANAN9KbWeIwTt
"I know he will."21Please respect copyright.PENANABGnNHQkDaJ
21Please respect copyright.PENANAmdXQ5XmlAX
"Then why are you shaking?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAvY9vdosBuS
21Please respect copyright.PENANAiPU2ltEhXG
"...I just can't help myself."21Please respect copyright.PENANAj14pptO6iC
21Please respect copyright.PENANAHI26vHLIpB
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANArf9SXacqB2
21Please respect copyright.PENANAGDv3ekyC96
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"21Please respect copyright.PENANABvTxRqyFuE
21Please respect copyright.PENANA8k6Vqskz20
"What do you want to talk about?"21Please respect copyright.PENANARSlY9ety05
21Please respect copyright.PENANAiH1LfkChnt
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAZd18GKgY7o
21Please respect copyright.PENANAfBKrvaaAJ9
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."21Please respect copyright.PENANAnkDNOeg3ns
21Please respect copyright.PENANA3VhvZAKfsz
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."21Please respect copyright.PENANA5lQ4TXrrUG
21Please respect copyright.PENANA7qjQpDjVCl
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"21Please respect copyright.PENANA9Vp520VqrT
21Please respect copyright.PENANAw8qUN2SXB3
"Ha!"21Please respect copyright.PENANA0uGu7fPV4z
21Please respect copyright.PENANAzgywfjnFny
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.21Please respect copyright.PENANA145z1MuDRC
21Please respect copyright.PENANAk1Pv8mESqY
"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!"21Please respect copyright.PENANAskBlCWhp95
21Please respect copyright.PENANAveLY96hIHN
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAOsTm1fYYDo
21Please respect copyright.PENANACOJ5g7fwc5
"Hehe, something like that."21Please respect copyright.PENANAqkWI3urCyb
21Please respect copyright.PENANA99koenhUia
She didn't sound confident.21Please respect copyright.PENANAyuJVJGa5iz
21Please respect copyright.PENANAwjcUlgALTE
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."21Please respect copyright.PENANAVmcJCDYG4n
21Please respect copyright.PENANAy8auLeWDuf
"Ah. That makes sense."21Please respect copyright.PENANAux8xqRRSDK
21Please respect copyright.PENANAqxwJx86PhI
I was very close to saying something insensitive.21Please respect copyright.PENANAmcH5Dc25Oj
21Please respect copyright.PENANAdEuAIcEQk9
"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANA3hFAkAYfwv
21Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0LgxJSVro
"...Wolf?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAp6bOsEfa0e
21Please respect copyright.PENANABXxxlhmRkf
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAXN3suJlhIk
21Please respect copyright.PENANA9AbCVqpblb
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?21Please respect copyright.PENANASujHNGfW8Y
21Please respect copyright.PENANAaIYbeJsGLh
"Kenny?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAr1mh1V6BOE
21Please respect copyright.PENANAqea653WmxB
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAZR42jhj0gK
21Please respect copyright.PENANAFnC19oH8ZR
I stood up and walked forward.21Please respect copyright.PENANAHi6KqOWoAu
21Please respect copyright.PENANAhSJkKKhuJI
"Kenny? What's wrong?"21Please respect copyright.PENANA1GZmMxub5p
21Please respect copyright.PENANAoUCe5ZNeXS
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."21Please respect copyright.PENANAcxgzFbqN4y
21Please respect copyright.PENANA619I49A6Sm
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAUehm6x66lz
21Please respect copyright.PENANAg6h8xFpPcO
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAv2roIlhFer
21Please respect copyright.PENANAmCTHPwPeCA
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.21Please respect copyright.PENANAFT8dHh0Cu4
21Please respect copyright.PENANA3WO2ZRS740
**BANG**21Please respect copyright.PENANAcCmaE3gy89
21Please respect copyright.PENANAhUlZyWZpQs
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANABi7RVhVvUh
21Please respect copyright.PENANA8uegZDlYUK
"Victoria."21Please respect copyright.PENANA3I3hFOv00Q
21Please respect copyright.PENANAv1pgQl4znB
"Right."21Please respect copyright.PENANAipo0KlFVuW
21Please respect copyright.PENANAaW4DSHtnp0
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAxkmLJUryHv
21Please respect copyright.PENANAcHdEdaIB5i
**SMASH**21Please respect copyright.PENANA0ulnEn6dHN
21Please respect copyright.PENANA7bJjnuiUNZ
There he was.21Please respect copyright.PENANASStDGbJhmF
21Please respect copyright.PENANAlf6twmQEHR
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAzTQzUB7PyB
21Please respect copyright.PENANA0mJvh9MofH
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAjIRemcO85u
21Please respect copyright.PENANA7pcTpO2XAg
"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANA1IVZqKCutK
21Please respect copyright.PENANAUD0X1uyWiI
"Right."21Please respect copyright.PENANABAqklfbXJ9
21Please respect copyright.PENANAhw85kB1TbM
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANABzMQIKKJiJ
21Please respect copyright.PENANAcmIZEvU5ia
"Thank you!"21Please respect copyright.PENANAPoX37zoJWS
21Please respect copyright.PENANAqbt1315iGS
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAUt2FnzAuBb
21Please respect copyright.PENANAssbAhWBvtt
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANALIyiJpWIsG
21Please respect copyright.PENANAOoziE7caLk
"Huh?"21Please respect copyright.PENANA4nNUTn9wnS
21Please respect copyright.PENANAU1VytASNyU
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.21Please respect copyright.PENANAXHAR0MYlpD
21Please respect copyright.PENANA1fRHpyGMZN
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.21Please respect copyright.PENANAt71CxtJHCz
21Please respect copyright.PENANAtGveEcNsSh
"Shit!"21Please respect copyright.PENANAEwrZ0UXNIw
21Please respect copyright.PENANAeccF8soTUX
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAEpZmENQtiF
21Please respect copyright.PENANA5En8Ioy2aZ
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAqRpYQVBDEL
21Please respect copyright.PENANAeMkputqDGP
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA9jtMbpRGNG
21Please respect copyright.PENANAk64sq2HDND
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."21Please respect copyright.PENANAsqf4eHh9D0
21Please respect copyright.PENANAnte8EW72PJ
"I understand."21Please respect copyright.PENANAIfkpFd07x7
21Please respect copyright.PENANAPk3PkIUpTB
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAy53zVSnJXZ
21Please respect copyright.PENANAykkEfUyllZ
"Uh oh, Kenny."21Please respect copyright.PENANAih9jhbeUrW
21Please respect copyright.PENANATajDR3alju
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.21Please respect copyright.PENANAnc65uTUpSn
21Please respect copyright.PENANASsDoEbccSl
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."21Please respect copyright.PENANAIQlyadw6Fm
21Please respect copyright.PENANAubMfUf9GZ9
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAsABX142PNI
21Please respect copyright.PENANASEcKbHFdcS
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA2KXAGimJxh
21Please respect copyright.PENANAib1uxac8ZZ
"Hrk!"21Please respect copyright.PENANA5HR9wVuc3v
21Please respect copyright.PENANAVf19a6P2QX
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA0pH4LU5Fgb
21Please respect copyright.PENANAMRtNHmsP05
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"21Please respect copyright.PENANAVG1mrTAHFO
21Please respect copyright.PENANAuwWkmmWh91
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA5WYEUdkBOV
21Please respect copyright.PENANAM6Sy3uEzYt
"Victoria!"21Please respect copyright.PENANAlIqOU0zuJl
21Please respect copyright.PENANArQkEJj866b
"Right!"21Please respect copyright.PENANAhyysh1NF1Z
21Please respect copyright.PENANALJSSybSj04
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAsXj7RMv8XS
21Please respect copyright.PENANAP7r5BHc7Dd
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAS97XmS2jIp
21Please respect copyright.PENANAOSxrlxXxv0
"GRAHHHH!"21Please respect copyright.PENANA5gztHYL4tu
21Please respect copyright.PENANA20r4zKLfvL
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.21Please respect copyright.PENANAZNFPZOJnRL
21Please respect copyright.PENANA6LiakDm6Ay
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAlaQipzO6T8
21Please respect copyright.PENANAleS5xgdlre
"..."21Please respect copyright.PENANAnoBHFnMfUK
21Please respect copyright.PENANAtjuHfML6ZC
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAxCx7Ibede1
21Please respect copyright.PENANAhwe7eak9nb
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANACKaLiOj9l2
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We did it. We really did it.21Please respect copyright.PENANAvuXr9BHPLL
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"Kenny!"21Please respect copyright.PENANA5EqIyjeK3s
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Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.21Please respect copyright.PENANAymi05KxswK
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"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAPT1FChveB7
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"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."21Please respect copyright.PENANA6yVIwGpjiM
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She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.21Please respect copyright.PENANAfSkPewF4Z6
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"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."21Please respect copyright.PENANAVCrbQ3gglm
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"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAWzsNPGJPOG
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She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.21Please respect copyright.PENANA8XS9J2FAtc
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"We did it," I muttered.21Please respect copyright.PENANA0Re7n6p4EO
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I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.21Please respect copyright.PENANAkVQH0yeXyh
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAeg6KzqIqBv
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I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.21Please respect copyright.PENANAYwv7caZAA7
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"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAIYint4yniR
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"...It could've been a lot worse."21Please respect copyright.PENANAXtyM6MyYBB
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"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."21Please respect copyright.PENANAY8sXTUiXeo
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Victoria looked at something above me.21Please respect copyright.PENANAIzSo9IPUWe
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"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAEnJ2TTAs3G
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Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.21Please respect copyright.PENANAm86VX5S1nU
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"No. Why do you ask?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAtgOaZ81LMQ
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"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAg3FxdHApS9
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"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."21Please respect copyright.PENANAj3sgSG1Go8
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"O-Oh, sorry."21Please respect copyright.PENANAVrifghAaux
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She scratched her cheek a little.21Please respect copyright.PENANAFCXfucl3rj
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"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAlmjSg271xH
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"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAGlL4uP2xPY
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"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."21Please respect copyright.PENANAhA7W05PH74
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"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.21Please respect copyright.PENANA3bT6SxJGQs
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAqxNONKF1qK
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAshZBGNJxlF
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAeRYBvZCBiT
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"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"21Please respect copyright.PENANA9WXCH7ubCB
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"We fought something, Kenny and I."21Please respect copyright.PENANARB2yq44G40
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She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.21Please respect copyright.PENANABRkxkk18in
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"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."21Please respect copyright.PENANAYpol90MyBG
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"How is Kim?" I asked.21Please respect copyright.PENANAjGKC4LIaay
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"She's fine, just unconscious."21Please respect copyright.PENANATAg8eNluso
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I could only say one thing.21Please respect copyright.PENANAkIFYSUVpiL
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"...Haaaa. Thank God."