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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrAYxh7zpC
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Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeaQ0ORcgs
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"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVfjRsqU1w
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"That's not true at all–"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA72koU9gl
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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..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23nfgpL95j
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSi14cRQ2bX
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"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!?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayTrSYhwvl
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I fell to my knees.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jOHgDYG92
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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..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfxtDDrI8r
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8yRhPtzcl
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"...Kenny."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslNH7ePYEL
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"What!?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO1NRIjL0J
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfhqiN7PjU
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eqQd4vB5t
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dQayobpFF
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"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4B6gRlwIN
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I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg61zWdI2HM
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpvZkpZK5T
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzxmmL8hax
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"N-No..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxOKZyiU0Q
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh8uYcBAWm
Oh, God.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZNu7mf8cs
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Oh, God.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBy5L4IQ3E
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oD7fq1oQe
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbdypUj6D9
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But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSugAozCM5I
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyV9XyMyS4
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiIIaLYM5F
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SQ8v1EJVa
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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–185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvWlW1A29F
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"--Hrk!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJMRIX6dCT
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5KGsTYFe6
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r43YiYI52
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"There you are."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TT0PpQvqd
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Ng already found me, huh?185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYz6qx8yD0X
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGieZTwmUrE
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJvOh6m0yK
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–185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYamBAMMg1
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"...Fine."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwVhyI8Qja
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve8buJNgQm
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZLoyl16Kz
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Nevermind. What a strange question.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oGlCLPIbX
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"No. They died a long time ago."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYCDCxnISt
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"I see. You have my condolences."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdOQQSTJIN
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"I don't need them."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjcq9fVWqm
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A pause.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwdfu7HO4D
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWG6Adh2mw
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"..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb4G3vxMQ8
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I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tVe6cf5zN
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVww8bVA7wn
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZhPTt3TgP
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"Did I–"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rmZ4R330F
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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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhoyVSIEU3
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjC67ztv7h
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I had to make sure I heard him.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNq92KLkf4
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"Assistants?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qPpiNYvzK
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"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVeHolGqIO
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MfWSB82bd
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdlpwhIBiw
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTotMJiUBzt
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXFYwPmeWO
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoA4tA2TG0
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGggY8YHyc
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ6LMWHO2x
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvfJoL3PhU
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhfsnGV9bM
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwhmtmpWip
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGPZ21PwK2
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmlCC8l7EI
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbYR1VLRUx
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"Of course."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ePjXodxUN
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOCKWU1Q1I
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"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4j0CZ1pgZ
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqM11hJ5de
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But, no, something else was bugging me.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBx8euDyh8
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"How did you know where to find us here?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBct6flKWSF
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"I simply spent the day searching."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzDQ7LpjW5
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"The whole day?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjFcvOW3os
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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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAba5dekoBO
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pwoHSc2WV
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsCZuaCUJj
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He sighed.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMYv5BHbrz
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1FtRytBQE
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2wK4NBMGy
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"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy0EPZ4yJ7
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW9FpkfDyY
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"...Why do you ask?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVeWKq2XsE
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fD6jnuLDB
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCP3aBCzct
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSaWIhhFYo
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUTRqReQBm
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRZZY0nQM9
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdQ79kB5dF
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXYzVnyMkJ
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02AFDzUnDp
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoRGWjnMBE
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIwgv6BbGP
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4H5r10UI2
"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGzK4BXAMe
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIJKAmw38a
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENvx9Oq8f5
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEvjC63ryM
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHs50c0d3B
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdRfJwWUUE
He put a hand to his chin.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Dw26esvwk
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYhYWQdfRt
"...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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSmWssFL9G
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSBL819Ud9
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt22A0Tt4rk
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO7EWKRzPI
"No."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexJ4VpEWjI
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkf4n2wwzWu
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvHdGqFiEY
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRjzQ6FnkU
"Do you mean in the woods?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBuq8ElRls
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLzHLOu46C
"Yes. I'm just curious."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgNqC2A1YT
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtNYpQSnqi
"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs52Wmr1xm
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFc18KXMIR
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveh2V21l34
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k4W6dD0im
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJ72c4ufbd
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvefjvAIvHK
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbz5fHZdlU
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHOkTn0Bxm
"Me too."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2Pf03WnsN
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy61HFKfPpm
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oLTmypHiL
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uCSov0P2Q
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5jWGGHKeE
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeIY0YFXSH
"Yes. For now, at least."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WpMMidPn7
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcecRog7I55
"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2qz6Ru08V
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYSsTn9zIF
"..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79FcS9UCSd
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nKwNTYz3X
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRKjufItOv
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvBYcc8qRM
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qJTxv3Jnj
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuruyMVwoSH
"...Huh?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPp57Pa5G5
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1nQ7BBx0r
–
–
–
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEbkEq6Hc9
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBBbFzvx5Z
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eGgao5cMX
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC88Bn8C0X
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28ccAzacSz
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoByxEd9D4
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnGSAAvYE6
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXscLnawcx
"Good morning, Kenny."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1G6Ewo8yV
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hvr1BdQTW
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpYbgB4CQw
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PDLrAyWSr
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEz1OfNYDD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiuEQ8NntH
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO19f39ES7
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfWHluQUAt
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nNOnbCq41
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQsfAwAzMu
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGLwH0ysh8
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMe3WbpHiA
"Yes! I have, ha!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQIXS5aBC8
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfg1Q3eT85
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZCmdT7xon
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwBxsa0LMI
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zXwaYwDLC
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYL0OGBTXBo
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPL0VLo0bi
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxsqu7uGF9
"Thank you, teacher."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQSHddag29
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95CQYMEzbi
"Yeah. Don't call me that."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzani1I2CQ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ383koHf70S
"Okay."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQD4YCoCne
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvcYFX9bFw
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVbb5WhLyG
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdXpiDy7Wc
"Hm? What's wrong?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOP6ieHSkO
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya7TyzmDtg
"Um..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMhIm8ao7Q
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG0eZaI3yp
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorB25U1HJU
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7DT80Rw86
"Here. Have it back."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2u9ayk48wB
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6MwlE8hVh
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuYgNWhHE4
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2q2qv2S4r
She shook her head no.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbeRd1jOTG
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuTAhgAWbx
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAuTyTut8X
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7FGGjFSYf
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04yfEqOuY4
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHHjqGS7nu
"Thank you, Flinty."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvAdwhNvFO
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81Pa3GsXht
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXPku1FuCt
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyME0lADH5
"Kenny, do you feel better?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVyMMV1QZD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUu0cen5FX
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiIgGs581k
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrT4yw3AvD
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYth2hDeXL
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD6HpC2rjW
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUwrSd857u
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNCd0ey9Rv
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdECVnp6HR1
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gbV0czqsG
"Good morning, Kenny."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFM5YQr7oj
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBDcCb6kzq
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfnb4J5MiB
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIcSpAl8Fk
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtm561Jxgh
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqDUtM7PyF
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk7suPlTCq
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSzSFem7Lb
I scooted closer to him.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqSZk8SyPY
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5RrFTNHEx
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkjFwr9Vsd
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAOqoV49Km
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QvesnpS9Y
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqDQI563KN
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9W31Jt2xT
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQEiyUVSl9
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwStUQnzzDf
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VpxtVdPvO
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs31IUiVwr
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6wMpnEXQA
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpX073hXkw
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19joxh0chC
"What?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52LYtaUT9W
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPbv9RwFge
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30va8dG8YM
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17C1J1wLKd
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnEa5ZsBaq
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU8fBOotAA
"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK3gNZEs28
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdFF9uBHEH
"R-Right."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1lSkKmEWV
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcB4WNJskU
"Well then, shall we go?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS1OcVDxz4
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOUjHY2ajB
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSu4uZSPkZ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCTXZLwR6p
"Alright."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9kyKRVRl5
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbHnaviv4e
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAIrv4LJpw
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj0XuyB2UJ
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeXX9Oa5DD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jIxI687Q7
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1llVlxGjy
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmERsmUJYVx
"What?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc4Dtu6Hvo
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz6ef0FikB
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfaS0kEkLr
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xVv7Fq8rJ
"I know he will."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbb9GuCcho
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2AP2pQwgc
"Then why are you shaking?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98BLq12HN4
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQJGNay8B8
"...I just can't help myself."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYx3XUxBdQ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Wl6heJ0oW
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnyckr5svK
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZt7WeECs8E
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TSHlsRdcp
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyKwBvJL8j
"What do you want to talk about?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71GcIB7vsE
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhM9eA9Kqo5
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cG78caqIt
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDv3UWfTvA
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HX8ekjuu7
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34p2ozuMbg
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAPX2L7uRT
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIR3vsKgUg
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76Eh0D3oFU
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOngHRYbNb2
"Ha!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADUfMzL4YL
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSFubouTra
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKzcJySLxF
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZkRj7aK7j
"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!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjOVuGFDD2
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcwe5XGRNd
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnAaLbJoSD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXobJueo7z
"Hehe, something like that."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutIRBVuB3k
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gWGqSalix
She didn't sound confident.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM5SzMgxu2
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qxEaDcxGq
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrr8ta6CWS
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei86Nq7TFl
"Ah. That makes sense."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33U4nLiVDs
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J2zprtl9v
I was very close to saying something insensitive.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyTFOkgmfn
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwU9UmJLX7b
"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1hAur94ij
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbXuAdMT8R
"...Wolf?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MSX5JrHud
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1lTI6SyPm
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaRV6oje9G
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNztfak2nA
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUONIP22Sn
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0THn2iMLk
"Kenny?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufn7uAskJf
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuYNY3SICw
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp45FsFh6Wc
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjJ6Bhm8F4
I stood up and walked forward.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynBOcEKUP4
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDebpIo0vhd
"Kenny? What's wrong?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41CryJPc4H
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNvZcZThlj
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGn7q2OTOQ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRX8A4Sl7P
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbe0iE3R338
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJVmxcA4JP
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGMQDasTZQ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySUKVYyDyk
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW625tIYE6c
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAgqRShCvf
**BANG**185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWFGMhro9u
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mtjeyuAt7
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTr7VQpYH2
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlHHCXSCg2
"Victoria."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMySOkczA9
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMfWHh0viH
"Right."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqqx5qzC6U
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnfchjI4KQ
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmFQ2v0xCw
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1wcfTsNBz
**SMASH**185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5MmtS2euD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSELWLsbsx
There he was.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnbLeqepO7
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHuG3MP4HO
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqhQkw8cmg
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmU25EvBc1
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2geJzjaBT
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKSftC6ygZ
"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz6KYZFNHI
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTZdlTj8nF
"Right."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLbK2ZBAJP
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfMr30d35t
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrojxp3Hl5M
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySZtMsKqkP
"Thank you!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfvpqJ8T34
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMxAr8mF4b
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHywFiiYOg
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF12SLEWgI
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghCRYP6DVT
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8NIlfRinH
"Huh?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2Q6WnSKo2
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl2A7E1BTx
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK2IQh2E0Q
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6cjHeBbNS
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGr7EzITV0
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgjTzIXOyQ
"Shit!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DCG1fl24J
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3djIaxtip
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzHOAQ5aYc
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte56PjRkOO
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7HK9EUa87
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS1XsuGYlX
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9lEzYt5eP
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEbDa1bixX
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkeb8tTfui
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV2UC5NLNx
"I understand."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwnfyvTYRw
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZB4WGOB9Z
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQto3oMDTs
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfLzw7FjIb
"Uh oh, Kenny."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKptVKJzQ78
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpfOiy0Hua
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZBnIMbgDN
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNcRLE2mvw
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90do27raum
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5s7atSNNP
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsrZDuAvXW
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvnYNrDGW5
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtYACooBOb
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXQeY6kTS7
"Hrk!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKh1ESKcvX
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafI1YPT2lC
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0X4kWYQmo
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtmFBUFHhD
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUsFEV2beA
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzNw0h91VQ
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIl1KPjVwl
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZaUPB4rQu
"Victoria!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl5Los7fN6
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfFLZcVOME
"Right!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMTcn9WNi5
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9yBpfYrur
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGwGNmCX2j
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCWdTCfbMb
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMiIlz3D68
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OSL9jHaFX
"GRAHHHH!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmGX31p8XG
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgm7BJvTOQ
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaeYHe1Dix
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGmLsddadX
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljYELmECp2
"..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ5x5WBc0D
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzhsBUtQOH
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5FMqeojIb
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ldk6eRIFF
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCjLxAM4Da
We did it. We really did it.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3YzzuoVVA
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQtBMZnzI7
"Kenny!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LOBpbbfSW
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qXykbJ7kT
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE5V2i1ElR
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjliTlh1Mm7
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds71Rr8LoF
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYvZnwg4bG
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIm2MJch0v
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDAn5mBzwF
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gC30o8jZi
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkT4AyMqglf
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGYeKxlwcK
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcD5dpuiyxX
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3120rtXqf
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTiSKERkl7
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVpOm36qDH
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolq0sUnm4F
"We did it," I muttered.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bYKCkQWXd
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVhM3ENUxZ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFIfAMuPvO
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJHlcbFH7P
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuzIwX5onk
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR3hSD0EsS
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NI5E7dfaH
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cdpFDY2m5
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAG9a0NgJS
"...It could've been a lot worse."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0RWawJDyT
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"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X182eSYPf
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4bWrxubo5
Victoria looked at something above me.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl3A3GUD3D
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevZ8ThiUBl
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSImDmVxdm
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitJNFt6brY
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lxunVcyzm
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"No. Why do you ask?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9b8Rd7f8b
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThcmtSfCvc
"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziWssY7E65
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71MOlPBLYk
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrpviT9lns
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGkMoZt8XE
"O-Oh, sorry."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDL804igBfm
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She scratched her cheek a little.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjeZ9fz5cz
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx8aygyMTW
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxC6XYGtsK
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx7HN3DyIY
"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95t7aDt1Ef
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ryOnA2ZZT
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS5xd0PeE8
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2qNOdQ4Iu
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO5ZpgbzKp
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpruVGMOdf3
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZZqDKbhzE
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIIocY8sw1
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbB49QjBR4
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGGIzQsQnf
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeAgQMklRD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4nkNlXv9H
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGRuKwxQvi
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjdMmIUzAm
"We fought something, Kenny and I."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbTBiJxAEK
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCNhAh2KZ3
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMpuyYegWi
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ11wP8PAs
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0CIbtmWq4
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM547vi1ten
"How is Kim?" I asked.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzMA4CwCQv
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZzXorb6w8
"She's fine, just unconscious."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54VTBoxd7Q
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3jmTDRg2y
I could only say one thing.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa6X3uDY44
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fpZZNq2ri
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
