The morning light was bashful, not even piercing through the tiny gaps in the blinds. I yawned and got out of my bed. I peered through the window; it was a cloudy day.
"Huh... maybe it'll rain."
I began my morning routine, washing myself and brushing my teeth before putting on a fresh set of clothes. Considering the conditions outside, it was a better time than ever to put on my jacket. Though, I would've put it on regardless of the weather.
I grabbed my keys and left my apartment room. Breakfast was going to start soon, and I wanted to make sure I had the best food from the get-go. I already made it into the dining hall and was the only one there.
"Good morning, Kenny," one of the lunch ladies called.
"Good morning. Are there any eggs on the menu?"
"Sure are."
"I'll have those, then."
I received my meal for the morning and sat by a table. The residents slowly made their way into the kitchen. I made sure to sit in a faraway corner. Not because I wanted to avoid a conversation, per se, but because I had a lot on my mind.
"...Transporting a letter, huh?"
Mulling over it last night made sleep difficult, but I had a much clearer consciousness now. I was anxious about the operation, to say the least. Not so much because it was important, but because of what failure would entail.
"..."
N-Nevermind, it probably wouldn't be so bad, would it? Still, though, I haven't had to do a mission where I needed to travel to a different city, and this is the first mission that I've ever had to cooperate on.
"These nerves are killing me."
Mission this, mission that. I ruminated over it for so long that my food grew cold. I ate it quickly then left the cafeteria and the apartment complex.
"...Alright, let's do that."
I figured that doing a warm-up mission would ease my nerves, so I traversed to the combatant's guild, trying not to heed any of the looks I was getting. Arriving at the guild, I pushed the doors open. It was a bustling place at this hour so nobody's eyes were on me, fortunately. I walked up to the job board, looking for something challenging, but short.
"W-Woah, is that Bison Frost?"
"I think it is! Watch out, don't make him mad."
Ignoring the other combatants scouting the board, I kept reading the pinned papers. My eyes stopped moving on the one right before me.
"This is perfect."
I tore it off and jogged to the receptionist's desk. It was the same woman as always, wearing a different, more modest outfit.
"Ah, good morning Kenny. Or, 'Bison Frost', as they say."
My face morphed into a deep frown.
"I'm just teasing ya. So, you've got a job you wanna do?"
"Yes."
I handed the paper and my license over to her. She went through some papers and stamped the request and put a sticker on my license, handing it back to me.
"Take care, and go easy on them."
"Of course. Have a good day."
I waved her goodbye and grabbed my stored supplies from the combatant's locker room, quickly leaving the guild after acquiring my things.
–
–
–
If my memory serves me well, this marked the fifteenth time I've left the capital. I was in the vast badlands, still able to see the city of course, but in a harsh environment nonetheless.
This particular section of the badlands was as sandy as they were rocky. Traversing it was a pain, but due to how cloudy it was today, I could take solace in the fact that the sun wasn't around.
Large boulders were sprawled around the field, making seeing from a distance nigh impossible. What was surprising though were the few bits of greenery sticking out of the rocks. I didn't know what kind of plants they were, and frankly, calling it greenery was disingenuous, but it was plant life nonetheless.
"So... what am I looking for again?"
I pulled out my combatant's license. A short description of the job was in a box to the side. It was a feature of the license; the words in the box would magically change depending on the job an combatant took. I had no idea how this was possible, but I chose not to question it.
The description was simple: "Return a Bearded Draco, dead or alive." I was informed that these Bearded Dracos rested in the sandier areas of the badlands. They must've been quite rare, though, because I've yet to see or hear one of them moving around.
"Then again, these rocks are obstructing me."
I sighed. Regret for accepting this mission began to seepl but I quickly dispelled it with a firm shake of my head. It was bound to be annoying, but the day was still fresh, so I was sure I would find one of these things before long. Before resolving myself, I sat beside one of the boulders, taking a sip from my gourd.
"...I should've changed my clothes. This outfit is terrible for the desert."
I hung the gourd back on my backpack and sighed. It was too late now of course, but complaining eased my mind a little.
"Ya got a good point there, kid. I ain't ever seen someone wear autumn clothes out here."
"Huh?"
I jumped and on my feet, facing the holder of the sudden voice that spoke to me. On top of the boulder I was against was a man with a grungy bucket helmet, completely obstructing his face aside from the wide slint for his eyes to see through. The few tiny holes at the lower half made his voice not as muffled as one would expect. Also, I mentioned that he was on top of it, but really, he was in the process of climbing the boulder. It was an obvious and awkward struggle.
"Hah, damn, I'm gettin' old. Can't climb these things like I used to..."
Now that his whole body was in view, I found myself more confused than alarmed. He had gray sweatpants on and seemed shirtless at first, but his shirt was tied around his neck like a mock cape, a knot being formed from the lengthy sleeves. He also had a blade attached to his hip, and it came with a complimentary belt.
"...Who are you?"
"'That's what I'd like to ask,' Is what I would've said, but yer face and name became pretty well-known 'round the capital. Bison Frost, they call ya, eh?"
I scowled. He clicked his tongue and 'ooo'd.
"I take it ya don't like that name? My fault, my fault."
"Seriously, who are you?"
"Right right. The name's Juke. Honor to meet ya."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pUcqHVvyT
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcF4WWYd0l4
"Just Juke, huh..."
The man jumped off the rock and landed in front of me, offering a hand. I stared at it with prudence. His demeanor might've been amiable and disarming, but appearing out of the blue still made him suspicious.
"You're taking a long time. Is the heat getting to ya? That's what you get for wearing a jacket, I guess."
"No, it's not the heat. If I may ask, why are you here?"
Juke tilted his head.
"Huh? I'm here on a mission. I was gonna ask ya that too, actually, but greetings usually come first. Yer a weird one, breaking the order of things."
"I'm strange? You're using a shirt as a cape and have a lone helmet on your head! What's even the point of that?"
"Now yer just asking too many questions. I told ya my reason for being here, so what's yers? And yer name, too, don't forget that."
I sighed. I failed to mention that his behavior above all else was strange, but it would be pointless to say it now. So I just took his hand and shook it.
"Call me Kenny. I'm here to hunt a Bearded Draco."
"Woah, that's why I'm here too! Ain't that a crazy coincidence?"
He said it in a saccharine jovial tone. I'd be a fool not to see the sarcasm. It made me feel more at ease.
Still, I had to ask–
"Were you stalking me?"
"Nah. What kind of creep would I be, stalking kids?"
"You already look plenty creepy; I wouldn't put it past you."
"Yikes, ya got bite. Fine, ya caught me– but I was just following ya, not stalking, alright?"
"So, what are you doing here? Surely it's not because you're just bored, is it?"
"...Boredom's part of it. But this time, I'm just curios."
"Curiosity? You want to 'gauge my abilities' or something?"
"Yeah."
"That's a bad omen."
I sighed and rubbed my hair. I wasn't the superstitious type, so it wasn't as if I was going to run back home, but I couldn't help but frown.
This stupid nickname and status have been causing me nothing but trouble.
"I'll help ya find the big lizard. I imagine yer not used to the badlands. The jacket gave it away."
"Can you stop focusing on the jacket? This isn't my first excursion out of the city, for the record."
"Yer calling these things excursions? Yer crazy weird."
I could feel my eyes twitch.
"You say you want to help me, right? Well, scram! I like working solo, and I have no patience for your antics."
I made a brushing motion with my hand and walked away from Juke. I didn't hear him following me, which was surprising, but I was grateful for it.
"Ya know, ya might work best solo, but there'll probably be a time when ya gotta work with others, right?"
I stopped in my tracks. Sadly, I couldn't help but listen to him.
"Since this is just an excursion for ya, why not take my help? Might be a good lesson for ya, good to learn them while yer young."
I thought of the incoming mission and the prince's words. He told me distinctly that I was going to have others working with me. I wasn't against the idea of course, but even then, Juke made a good point. If I couldn't collaborate with people on a simple mission, then what good would I be on something so important?
I didn't want to screw up then.
"...Alright. Since you want to help, let's collaborate. Do you happen to know anything about the Bearded Draco?"
"Wow, that didn't take a lot of convincing. Uh, I know they're pretty big, walk on four legs, and got something akin to a beard under their chin. Ya'd recognize 'em when ya see 'em, don't worry."
I nodded, thinking of what to do while intaking this new information.
"Well, being able to recognize them easily is nice, but how do we go about finding them? These boulders make it impossible to see."
"Ah, ya seem to be mistaken. They're our greatest asset."
"Huh?"
"Watch this shit."
Juke walked back to the rock and began to climb it. A minute of struggling later, and he stood tall and proud, using his hand as a visor.
I understood then exactly what he meant. I punched my open palm.
"Of course! How'd I not think of that!?"
I knew I was inexperienced, but this made me feel plain stupid. Still, I had no time to waste mulling over it. I kneeled on one leg and began mana expulsion, creating and raising a stone pillar under my legs. I made the pillar taller than the rest of the boulders, enabling me to get a view of the whole thing.
"...They weren't lying 'bout your magical abilities, were they?"
Juke made a comment that sounded like it was for himself, but he spoke it loud enough to where I can hear it.
"They know I'm a magician? Actually, that's not surprising."
It was difficult to discern anything at a distance, so I just watched for any movement. I did notice that there was a field void of rocks nearby. However, nothing was moving.
"I can't spot anything."
"Ya serious? If ya can't see it then I got no shot– well, shit."
"What is it?"
"I see something bobbing over there!"
He pointed in the opposite direction I was facing. Indeed, something was moving, though I couldn't tell what exactly. It was beside a similar open area to the one I saw.
"If that's our target, then we ought to hurry!"
The stone tower slowly crumbled. I jumped off and landed on the ground and broke into a sprint.
"Hey, slow– ah, never mind."
Juke caught up and then ran past me just as fast. Considering our height differences, it wasn't a surprise, but something about his gait miffed me.
I managed to follow him through the rocks just fine. He stopped before the field, and I stopped by him.
"There's our target," he whispered. I followed his gaze with my own and landed on a four-legged scaly beast. Judging from the spikes on his back and the flouncy mush below his neck, it was the Bearded Draco.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUvgQrszZB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7WDJbw0LH
"Do you think he noticed us?"
"Probably. These guys don't like to move very much, but they're very finicky. Just don't do anything rash."
"Alright."
I eyed the beast, trying to judge the best approach. We were in his field of view, but whether or not he could see us was a whole other matter.
I crouched down and took out the tendril, producing a Freeze-Dry from the tip.
"The hell is that!?"
"My tendril."
"That's one crazy Endowment– is that flower freezing the air?"
I concentrated the mana into my tendril and aimed the Exotica at the lizard. A second later, the entire field was coated in ice, and the lizard was entirely encased in it. I caught a jerk from his limbs before he was trapped, but it wasn't enough to escape.
"...So that's where ya nickname's from. Shit, you're brutal."
I was panting on my knees. The amount of mana I had to suddenly drain for that speed made me feel like I just got decked in the chest in addition to being exhausted. But, the mission was over now, so I indulged in the moment of respite.
"Ya alright?"
"Yes."
I stood up and walked to the frozen lizard.
"Wait, what're ya doin'!? Don't move!"
"Huh?"
I turned around with a raised eyebrow and gazed at Juke. Except, I wasn't looking at Juke anymore. What overtook my vision was a blur of blue and then a sea of beige.
Huh? What's going–
When I felt the coarse sand rub against my back, I knew what was happening. I looked back the other way. I was sliding down a sand pit.
"Whaa!?"
It was so sudden I couldn't even think. I slid and slid, not doing anything but descending into the crater. When my mind processed the situation, I stuck my heels into the sand to break my speed. It hardly worked, which wouldn't have been an issue ordinarily, but something popped out from the bottom of the pit.
Jaws– thick jaws the same color as the sand emerged from the bottom and rushed towards me. A second later, I noticed the creature's pincer, and then I began to identify what it was that I was descending upon.
An oversized, famished insect.
"A-AHHH!"
My instincts took control. I began mana expulsion, creating a spear of stone as I fell. But, I could tell– I could tell by the time it even formed into a coherent shape, I'd be torn asunder by the insect's teeth.
I didn't know what to do. I didn't have the time to figure it out. I kept sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and–
"--Ah?"
The scene changed– the angle too. I was no longer glaring at the maw of the beast, but I was still looking at it. Only, it was from the side, and it was upside down.
The spear was still being manifested before me, so on top of my disorientation, I could hardly see. But, even through the thundering of my heart, my ears functioned perfectly.
**SLAM**
Steel against steel. That's what it sounded like. But, as I continued to plummet, I got a glimpse of what it was.
Juke was there with one hand on his broadsword, the blade of which was stuck between the pincers.
"--hrk!"
I surrendered all thoughts, no longer in control. The piece of earth before me didn't turn into a majestic, intricate spear, but an obtuse clump of rock that blocked my vision entirely.
I didn't care if it was inefficient, or if rushing the process like this would drain my mana like a faucet. I couldn't care, frankly. But I could, and did have desire.
I wanted to see that thing gone.
And so–
**SPLATTER**
I shot the rock, obliterating the head of the insect, and making a grave laceration in the very world.
And then, I landed on the ground.
"Ack– pluh pluh, blah!164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JJrqIteSw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfMdsTxU2w
The sand worked to my detriment and benefit. It cushioned my fall greatly, meaning that I didn't sustain any injury. However, I was now spitting intrusive sand out of my mouth, and my eyes vigorously watered, trying to kick out the grains that have found their way under my eyelids.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cVQrM1GIw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8TFxCn48d
Needless to say, it hurt. Goodness, did it hurt.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0Vi2F1Ein
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaW4rsBlDz
"Blah! Ah, crap!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIA3OzNZ82
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ssEwL6Jmh
My first instinct was to wash it away, so I began making an orb of water, but the thought of even moving my eyelids and the ensuing pain paralyzed me for a moment. Still, gave in, and unleashed the water onto my eyes. I felt relieved for a moment, and I tried to forcefully blink out the sand. Eventually, the pain subsided, but I was still affixed to terrible discomfort and refused to move my eyes again.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxZa7dmjV2
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolVjceCMWL
"Yo, are ya alright?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ODJ3GCum2
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4cpWdv5cF
"Eh? Juke, is that you?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanLmW4CHIo
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCXJsBsbWG
I felt something on my shoulder. Juke likely put his hand on it–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyxiIy9YMs
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MCipyFQQv
I froze. Juke put his hand on my shoulder, which meant one thing.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eMwRNkbGQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzgzgMa6zK
"You're alive! Bleh, ack, are you okay?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD4ipd96DX
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83L2JE7mlt
"Am I okay? Ya strong folk always ask the craziest things– look at yourself! Ah, ya can't, can ya? My fault."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBSLAnaV3d
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lrfz0arPc
I didn't like his attitude, but the fact that he could dish out such brazen sentences meant he was alive and well. I felt relieved.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZDr4lwWb9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp3RIgqnAD
"Did sand get in your eyes?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnwZBVfHYB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkJOUzgJwP
"Y-Yes... I'll be fine, they'll wash away eventually."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHpxsy1GKw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNYTUK9qFT
"Phew, had me worried. The thing you did to that Lion Ant was crazy, by the way. You blasted it to shreds! I thought for sure I was a goner, or that I had to get a new helmet at least, so thanks."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiObxkXM45l
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0VXzOM896
For a moment, I was lost, because the person who put me out of harm's way was now thanking me. But I didn't argue with him, I just took the words in stride and eeked out a response.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSyebil0tL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz3MombYwg
"T-Thanks for saving, Juke. I was sure I was going to die just now."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRELUF6LsbA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPX4NNngZ4
"Ah... yeah, I did save ya, what the hell? The strong are supposed to help the weak, aren't they? What are ya doing, breaking the order of things?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilJipN3FFf
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDKxebTZDF
I didn't respond. I rubbed my eyes a few times, then gently opened them. The sudden burst of light blinded me– it looked like the sun snuck in a ray through the clouds.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr52E812ro
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxl6zpfRkC
I let out a breath. I was alive, Juke was alive, the beast was dead, and best of all, the Draco was–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiOTq50hRa
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXst3yboeRC
"...Wait, what about the Bearded Draco?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ5AjDiIFN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt0DUTrJF7
"Eh? Ya probably killed it, those things hate the cold."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUKSlOjZCy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXcsS5KPo3
"I-I see..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgmk3xfxJt
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm4NyBPgAl
Somehow, this news was disheartening to me. I leaned against the sand and gazed at nothing in particular.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNXh1QNLTB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcv88l6cLr
"Was it supposed to be alive? If so, then ya really screwed up, didn't ya Kenny?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8EntM21OL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBf6ONqA3N
"I-I didn't screw up! I was just supposed to retrieve one, it didn't matter if it was dead or not."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpGxjb3u9V
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodOAC0MZyI
"Ah, if ya say so. Are ya eyes back and runnin', by any chance?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bq3FbjueX
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff2n6ZN5fE
"That's a strange way to phrase it, but yes."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjwAK3gJ4Y
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXhXGrHxp9
"How about ya get us out of this pit, then? I can't use earth magic, and I know sand ain't a good rung for climbing."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYui6qPDvXo
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqG6jNnpPE
"Right. Getting out sounds good, yeah."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3mOr9NjAg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnXXquMR7M
I tried to stand on my legs, but I had difficulty. My legs were rocky, so I bent my foot harshly a few times before I could stand on my legs.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgB6AXlvWZC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5h9AVibAD
Before I began any mana expulsion, I took a gander at the insect's corpse. Juke's description was proven to be accurate; the head was missing completely from the body, but a few strands of flesh and chitin were sticking out, making seem like it was haphazardly torn off the body. The sand had already covered the hole I made in the earth. The sight shook me, and I suddenly felt quite light-headed.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOASu2luxy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvpF82d8hF
It was a hard prospect to entertain– that I, really, was that close to dying. I remember being told before that near-death experiences were indelible, and when I sifted through my memories, encountering the vomit of anxiety and despair, despite its briefness, I understood why. I was shuddering. I was truly shuddering, because, how couldn't I? How– how could–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUqpU5MdMi
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCAHDPfTZn
"Gah, what's wrong with ya now?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L4PCwyAjx
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVNJzwY1ol
The strength in my legs was suddenly sapped, and I promptly fell on my butt. It knocked me out of my haze, but now I was smitten with a wave of exhaustion. Juke's irritated inquiry made me ask questions myself, and I blurted the answer instantly.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAKHFXiqYi
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AxGueavvi
"...I think that spell drained my mana."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jwl1RZ3MV
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK6waCvq2A
"Huh? It was just a rock, wasn't it?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yYcToMGaP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvdv0W2wLI
"Yes, but I rushed the process; the spell was inefficient, and I'm paying the price for it now."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS80UxKiTxy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp8UTSMYn8
"Ya gotta be kidding me..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd30t0KmAsQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4r6a5bBmMi
Juke sighed and fell on his butt himself, clasping his helmet in one of his hands.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAXQsLjHtj
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdL8cymSoJ7
"I'm sorry. I just–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0qhNPlDhO
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchLQRdSvbm
"Nah, don't be. I could've become grub for a creepy-crawly if ya didn't blast its head off. But for goodness sake, how're we supposed to get outta here?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3js1iWObgH
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQjTouyZGN
I widened my eyes. His concern was, well, something that I adopted myself. If I had to gauge, my mana bank was empty. Before I could even make another pebble, I likely had to wait a few hours.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBRvyu8s0F
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsCciT1t1w
"I can use wind magic at Grade 5, but that's it. Ya got any bright ideas?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2csuwhfNgg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1Q9BBSA4u
"...N-No, I don't. I-I'm sorry, but this isn't a situation I've had to deal with before..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlcGcypKbR
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5SNRn8ZdK
He sighed again and looked to the sky. The clouds cast over the sun yet again, making the atmosphere even more gloomy. I stared at the ground. The shuddering from before returned, and my mind projected images and thoughts of the worst– how my body would've looked had I been caught, how it would've felt being crunched by the thing's teeth. Imagining it gave me goosebumps. I couldn't–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgmXfFZtgc
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTHrNTA4wv
"--W-Whaa?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPZTWA9Y2z
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw1cUFdlnd
Two hands were clasping my shoulders, one hand for each limb. I was stunned for a second but then looked at the cause of this sudden touching. Juke's eyes gazed into mine, and despite the darkness cast over them from his helmet, I could see them– they were a light brown.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyDSxTXJKx
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdcwLCjBjJ
"Ya gotta relax, Kenny. I dunno what's wrong with ya, but yer strong, aren't ya? They don't give ya a bigshot nickname and look at ya with awe for nothin', right?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcdqx0vipm
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeZLDA7jwg
"W-Whaa?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3dadPFJ0R
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XS6FGcwRv
"Calm the hell down, that's what!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QTHWY0TU9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVqMA5VT1Z
He suddenly, and violently shook me, stopping only when I grasped his forearms with my hands. I felt dizzy and furious.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1t0Zy1Dv4
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnfRkgB5OW
"What was that for!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW1ycXbirl
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhIKdBPagp
"I'm tired of seeing ya sulk. Get the hell up and start thinking of what to do– shit ain't just gonna solve itself. Yer alive, ain't ya?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLN1ViTcb7
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrH9zRFmXz
"Y-Yes?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbats1z8kt
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqTDN6PAsK
"Good, now are ya gonna waste yer blessings and freeze like a dumbass, or are ya gonna get up and do something!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmtSUh93GN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZZnIgYCLF
"I–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrvZef20Z5
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhONpcyVLG7
I cut my sentence short. I had no response. But there was merit to what he was saying. I found myself agreeing with it, though it took a moment.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZNBL9fFwa
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41iVHrn8sq
A weak smile found itself on my face. An image of my brother flashed in my mind.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YnQI4urbN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkrqhMax7M
"You're right. Thank you."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc6vbjCGeo
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwlT7Me4Wz
"Thanking me ain't gonna get us outta here! Ya got any ideas? Any?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0aFnO93cV
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMSGDlN7dv
"Well, we could wait for my mana to return–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70iVI0B6ki
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQBRggZspC
"Nah! I gotta take a piss, and I ain't gonna do it in front of a kid. Think of something else!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKHrKdY3qU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qHK332y3F
I was taken aback by the sudden vulgarity, but he undeniably prompted me to think faster and clearer. I didn't have mana, the sand was impossible to climb, and when I thought about it, the idea of Juke taking a leak anywhere near me was disturbing.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EbunV9Kxk
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VRNV43jcQ
Therefore, I came up with a half-baked idea. I didn't know how effective it would be, but I tried regardless.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QMZLPIlec
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs43X8whw0Q
I took my tendril out and stood up. I couldn't produce any flowers from the tip, meaning that I was entirely dry on mana. But, after a second of testing, I found out that I could still extend and retract it just fine.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZXnpRIeFD
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLILQNhEXAq
"Ah, yer weird wood thing! But how're ya gonna use it to get out?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGl7FBXoDi
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNea476brT
I shrugged.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9s5EBq6gH
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjemCm1sSo0
"I didn't think that far. I'm surprised I can even pull it out."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBlQEFl7ty
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj1hOqsmNC
"Eh? Why? Ain't all Endowments something independent of mana?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiZjFY8IRj
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oWRKi5BuT
"...I don't think all of them are. After all, in some aspects, this one isn't."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRr3Iil4bu
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok48rcZj3v
"That's crazy. I just learned something new from an underage brat. I'm ashamed of myself."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvNxeZ6ROD
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH9LWXklv3
"Shut up."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7atKOYOZrW
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vnD5r4KRX
Looking around, there wasn't anything I could wrap the tendril around by the ledge of the pit. There was no way to use the tendril as a rope.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynNnSkPDo9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYnZa4l3hn
"...Wait, Juke, do you think you can climb my tendril?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoP431Kkx3
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P1VQkZDHW
"I'll give it a shot, but ain't it too short?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsY6ZaRxx4K
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaPjV3kUWz
I extended the tendril to its limit, which was just enough for it to stick out of the pit. Juke made a sound of surprise and amusement then gripped the tendril.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkp97PumZq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitgUQzYG4L
"Even if I get up there, how are ya gonna get out?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPZCAPFLIE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTWqDZpQe0
"Uh... maybe pull me up? You look like a strong guy."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HYSs095JS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2hm0x3zZT
"Pff, you've got the worst impression of me, I tell ya."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4lELjbsTs
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtZC3wvQL1
Neglecting to specify that I was talking about his muscle, I just sat down and watched as Juke used the tendril to stabilize himself as he ascended the sand. Miraculously, and despite the few times he lost footing, he was able to make vertical distance. It was strenuous on my tendril, and admittedly painful, but I was able to maintain it for long enough for him to make it to the surface.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCqz0Spm9I
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRG3NZyoMWg
"Ha, holy shit, I'm out– ah, hell nah."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38r9mTM5JU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPK7wJba8WN
"Huh? What's wrong?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa4ScKkYQq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yi69u4sT4
Juke turned and looked down at me.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YdX9tqf6x
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRVeekPTcF
"I got some bad news for ya, Kenny. The lizard ain't up here."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTw6npSGCf2
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNYXkOMRhj
Even my ears weren't ready for the volume.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S8reBkaRm
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtUdnanHqi
"WHAT!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZz8TybxZg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqYEyrNFd1
–
–
–
Juke's muscle strength was surprisingly enough to get me out of the pit. When I reached the top, I looked around to confirm his words. Sure enough, the landscape was bereft of any lizards.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDoqRUrE1P
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZicZnzrIzx
I groaned and fell to my knees, more out of exhaustion than distress, but to my knees all the same. Not only did I have no mana, but now my progress in completing the mission regressed entirely. I thought of quitting. It was the only option that seemed to make sense to me at this point. All embarking on this quest did was–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGj1XMYVwM
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNvjMvWGCu
"Gack! What–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdIPTAvI5v
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjFTasD4Rl
"Come on, the thing couldn't have gone far. He was still frozen solid."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsII4fGmIcf
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvLBk2cECY
After slapping my back, he presented me with a good point.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGJalTFZTL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNhscsFF0N
"Remember: I'm here to help ya. It's all a weakling like me's good for, helping the strong."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHBZJjPkUf
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq00KnNn09
"...Huh? You, a weakling?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4RQfBxFs4
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCCacnyW4K
"Yep, ya heard me."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNVfXtTEX6
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRILBJEsga
"Are you sure? I'm the one who's barely able to stand."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtPejjZWLR
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVxcKoAAqU
"Yer also the one who took out a Lion Ant with a single spell."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUZcvl3Dyv
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLkeWUoPl3
I didn't retort, more because it was pointless rather than me lacking one. I chuckled and got on my feet.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnc08N5QOQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInbCOxjVsq
"Alright, thank you. Let's move."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7t4z4IW8RV
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTOm1KC41l
I followed him through the valley of sand and boulders. And, as if reality was following his predictions, the Bearded Draco took only a minute to find. The creature managed to climb into one of the rocks, clinging onto it like the floor was made of deadly poison. Juke and I were hiding behind a boulder, sparing glances at the beast.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrTPTwMqyd
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdljSxAR8vu
"It's completely still."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66w20Ce4bW
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqWDSZrdIF
"It must be tryna warm up. Poor bastard, it just ain't its day."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBb39PHoVk
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyqk5tHuG7
The moment we moved away from the boulder, the beast would likely spot us and run, or worse, attack. My tendril wouldn't be able to reach it at this range, meaning that I've found myself in a deadlock.
"I can't do anything to it from here. What about you?"
"Do ya have faith in my accuracy?"
"How could I? I've never seen you use magic before."
"Ya really suck with words."
I gave him a deadpan frown.
"Alright, then don't miss."
"Ya really suck with words."
He took a step away from the boulder and raised his hand, beginning mana expulsion. A barely visible gust of wind was forming in front of him, and soon he turned it into an elongated vertical blade. Juke sent the blade soaring across the sky, and then–
**SMASH**
A cloud of dust burst from the boulder, obscuring the status of the lizard. Juke and I broke into a sprint. By the time we arrived at the rock, the dust had settled. The boulder had a giant dent in it, but the lizard was nowhere to be seen.
"Crap, it ran away!"
I huffed in frustration, scanning the boulder once again as if it would magically make the beast reappear. It didn't of course, but I did catch something unnatural; it was a red liquid, slowly dripping into the boulder's newfound crater.
"Juke, you injured the Draco! We can follow a blood trail now!"
I circled the boulder, finding more blood on the other side and even a missing limb. It was still writhing, which unnerved me a little, but I shook it away and followed the trail, Juke tailing me a few feet away. I caught a glimpse of the lizard between the boulders. The speed it was moving at was astounding, especially considering its missing appendage.
"This bastard's slimy!"
"Just keep chasing it! It will bleed out eventually!"
Though I didn't have the stamina nor the desire to chase it until that happened, it was a safety net that encouraged me to keep pushing. The trail of blood grew darker and thicker as time went on, meaning any second now, we would find–
"W-Woah!"
A stream of white water suddenly flew past my head, causing me to trip and fall on my butt.
"Haaa, what was that?"
Juke caught up with me, panting.
"That was the Draco's magic! Ya almost got yer head lopped off!"
"Did you have to word it that way!?"
I gave a curt reply and got back on my feet, successfully suppressing the swelling anxiety and breaking into chase again. Another stream of water came from my left, but I managed to duck right before it hit me.
"Wait, if it's from my left...!"
I sprinted in that direction. As expected, the Draco was but a dozen meters away. Once he noticed me, he turned in the other direction and swiftly limped away.
But I didn't let him make meaningful distance.
"Hah!"
I extended the tendril to its limits and slammed the lizard, pinning it down. I had trouble keeping it still with all its squirming; though it was getting noticeably weaker, the way it thrashed around caused me a great deal of pain.
"Juke!"
He ran right past me with his sword out, and as soon as he arrived near the lizard he stabbed at its neck, over and over. It was difficult to discern precisely what was happening from the angle I looked at, but in less than a minute, the lizard became stock still.
I sighed, retracting my tendril back into my chest, and fell onto the ground. Juke came back to me with his body and blade slathered in blood.
"Do ya mind washing me off?"
"I'm out of mana, remember?"
"Ack! I forgot."
Juke rubbed his helmet as if it was his head and sighed. I got back on my feet and walked toward the fallen Bearded Draco.
"..."
Its head had been cut off. The severed neck was periodically spewing out blood like a broken pump. The sheer amount left me dumbfounded, completely unable to move.
"What's wrong this time?"
"That's a lot of blood."
"Does it bother ya?"
"...And it doesn't for you?"
Juke simply shrugged.
"I see. I suppose it just brought back unpleasant memories."
I took out my tendril again, absentmindedly wrapping it around the body.
"You grab the head. Let's just transport this thing to the city."
Juke nodded and scooped the head into his arms, shaking it a few times to remove leaking blood.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXPwPNzjyh
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRnpJUSM6w
–
–
–
"Ya know, ya don't look happy about completing yer mission."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3ewmEOM15
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm12tjfe73A
"...How do I look like, then?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeIfYqwK1H
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPosGDaXe0W
"Tired for one, but also dreary. It ain't a pleasant look on a young face like yers."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqTBxO7TVD
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzzadFsxlj
"What– never mind. I am tired, and I suppose seeing the lizard in that state damaged my morale."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmjTFmKnun
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3tKkaSokm
"Looks like a lot more than just damage to morale."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK4bq81a4f
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqQ8UVPvOm
"If you insist on making assumptions based on my face, you should at least have the courtesy to show your own."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsOBbrGGwq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEqQAUIhWn
"Ha, the hell's that even supposed to mean?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0sNgmFrQb
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAMJ3ODaHh
"Why are you wearing that helmet, anyway? It's stained with blood, probably smells terrible, is clunky, and so many other inconvenient things."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy4izfdI9D
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCztXA4g1WH
"That's cuz I have an Endowment of my own, and I can deal with clunkiness if the helmet's sturdy. This one is."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjKMuYDS8G
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWiPHmNUqD
"An Endowment? What does it have to do with your helmet?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BHxKkbju5
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ324X1NpTvR
"Damage redirection. Ya know, I was planning on telling ya this in the future, but I guess the sooner the better."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEB6H9rbFh9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUTKdBNAFT
"What are you on about?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6mpjGfDbF
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3jk5Ce2qJ
"It's nothing. Ya holding up the lizard well?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJnlxMbvFO
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmph37QK60x
"It's like I'm carrying an overweight backpack coated with tiny pricks. And then, there's my actual backpack."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBtDylmAri
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofJyKYd08c
"I could lighten yer load if ya want."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU3uJRbioF
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnucfBREHN
"Sure. Here, take my bag."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwX3nnfL70
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb2fhALwFh
"But yer tendril– ah, I guess getting rid of it works."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDklFdwxDSj
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWVZmQWn2L
"Here."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoGVkFMsQo
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvsd2V8Yj4
"I gotcha. Let's keep going. We're almost there."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFxZ3TWSzZ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HWzl2Nbzm
"Uh-huh."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0DNwFyV1r
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0sFTquTH7
"..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmz68u0DTzi
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcyRxNMuRr
"..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs5TtbzjFF
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIOJg2KJJ7
"..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr1cnnbAZV
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVgLihIvSR
"...Hey, Juke, I have a question for you."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBEdLGayoQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEP1KqF9TP
"What?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZK63L6fk2
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLodZTrWW5c
"Did you really tail and help me because you wanted to 'gauge my ability?'"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvUumGTuh2
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLTaSAuQB9
"--I didn't tell ya a lie. But I guess I didn't tell ya the whole truth either."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeV1obwZFu
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVXsGMfjQ8
"What?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMgntscvps
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFCJ5323B1
"Yer gonna find out eventually. I can't wait to see yer face when ya do."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQFIdUyCny
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShgc8XxvFc
"...What?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CmHb09CKo
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF04Q23BLkS
"Quit asking me what. Can't ya see where we are?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYXrWY13a1
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvAjmM0NdV
I looked up in front of me. It was a big gate. It was the entrance to the place my whole being registered as my second home.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ241dcTMRmq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24gHcPdh5h
"Huh... we made it."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsojKKR53i
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5VwHyF5CZ
"So, did ya like the mission?" He asked, a hint of anticipation in his voice.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUGcM34HUW
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKt7CVxsYc
"...It wasn't mollifying at all."
