"Hey, wake up."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUYY5z6Bck
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TEom8v42E
"H-Huh!?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7TlFwKrk1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Oc7sG8fBP
I was rashly wrung out of sleep, jumping at the sudden touch on my shoulder. I fell pathetically to the floor, groaning and rubbing my chin as I got on my feet.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KLrxqoUCH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCKQ1j4V7X
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCrUcC2dOE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrqJRCfSON
"No no, it's fine."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhTod6B4Bv
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqM0X27CSv
Once the pain subsided, I let out a lengthy yawn and rubbed my eyes. I had difficulty keeping them open. I rubbed my face and took a seat on the couch, hoping to wipe away the grogginess.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uK7O54EOI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJOIa8sJSW
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rRJoHH1QF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzM2IY6skyf
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG2dgcMHoX
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS6g1joysH
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HOXOndmQw
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5mou2956i
"Are ya sure–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR3ZPRZ1qH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFEJQeI0VK
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQya6SUkLJq
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT6y5HriGo
It must've been because of my sleeping position. Perhaps that was also the reason behind my shakiness. It had to be. Using mana expulsion, I produced a bit of water and gulped it all down, then began stretching my limbs.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7u45lfzVa
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5KeCbmTMU
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyoyFtS4mY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpcckj5N1D
Juke exited the living room, leaving me alone. I wasted no time going through my morning routine in the bathroom. Once I finished, I returned to the living room. Outside the bathroom door, idling, gazing at the couch where I slept.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiuoIR3VGP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJtqa9o799
"..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFYoYoQYIq
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn48GQMLQNH
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6fs7EoWmG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm6GMqNNIT
It had barely been ten minutes. Since I wasn't counting, likely less than that. So little time since I woke up, yet the flow of time had already become contorted. I clutched my head and looked at the floor.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIwSa8gCw0
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHXsFIH6Cb
It was no use mulling over it now. Besides, I was hungry. So I left the living room. Juke and the man were sitting at a nearby table, eating their food with a third plate unattended. I tottered to their table and took a seat.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY4W0UOTXe
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgxAQrtsrc
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcHSRdTBy9
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48TfLlhAo6
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvNndyndMt
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacTCKjxyZT
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tGg3Ewgsl
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhlX50Zss1
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8D8WIVECu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHozcJKlc1
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8JpxPPxPS
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYfpNKdW2L
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r5t6qDnCx
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK5GMewvWK
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPXkqeeDVZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAWJ3TXjMM
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeuqskuvMy
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJdM0p0qol
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURZUGmgq7i
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ1JPiYKG1
I turned my face away from him and looked at the fish. At first glance, even a toddler could discern that it was undeniably well-cooked. The fish was coated in spice and–194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eu2JM2ohu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6FTOx66RP
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKlxMHFiO1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXYmdczIhY
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzMkJBPSuy
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ex1Wj6J8Z
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6jvKXuvNm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqHXFJtmUV
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqCk8LBdTm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBXD65Wtgn
"What?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4smkUFqXcl
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R9PuDdv0H
He sighed and flicked his head.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgMzW9TyZJ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCCsvZlKP9
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrIXUN8V1Z
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LI8KLOaQ7
"Last... yeah, let's."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgXsABFjtU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI393PYJT1p
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y3fnomH3d
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaPqHjGExT
"This is good. This is really good."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0efwRfYCRj
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUX61M6W3Xj
"I told ya."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCwklx591l
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrIii8kYwE
I kept eating. It was pleasant and satisfying. The dish brightened my mood. Marginally so, but it was still something, so I was grateful for that.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡll0QDOsyrf
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7Asor6vUL
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonj3LnsPj4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGybGlJP1f9
His question caused me to look away from my fish and at his own. Indeed, half of it had already been eaten, but Juke never once removed his helmet to do so.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV6JNZdvZj
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMtpd5ILBt
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wBN8sjpNY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgps8qg6Uj
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuPgNYeruS
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7iYQxNVwI
In the face of that obstinance, I smiled. I knew it wouldn't last, but at least I would be able to eat my food without any daunting thoughts.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt0HHRPeRm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmkAAB1cv4
–
–
–194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdjQOuRMwA
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1B9wMFBAF
Once we put our tableware aside, Hank corralled us back to the table. Juke and I sat by each other. Hank had a pensive and nervous look, giving me a sense of foreboding for what was to come out of his mouth.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPjMmXf2Mn
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5RwPYqfWZ
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5v5PqENWb
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH1budodbE
"That's right," Juke responded.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ612V1uGM7d
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEXCfs9hO1
"I see..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qcJyu80Fk
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjSIMJzV7O
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGdvYAK04P
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0w33NG5KKp
"Well, I won't try to stop you, but I'd like to give you two a word of warning: the streets aren't empty. Those folks at Hard-Bringer are surveilling the area quite compellingly."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEhZQoFNe6
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ISpFheAxE
Juke let out a sigh and I rested my head on my hand. Honestly, this was in my expectations, but hearing it be confirmed was a blow to my psyche all the same.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXIIGblP4E
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9VSZtDHOI
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8LuVG2uC9
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EZlwkp2VQ
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. I doubt those Hard-Bringer bastards got the staff to keep an eye on every part of the city."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXOTxapTKC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRstiKtAQR
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl68wZ9wRFM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1nhhrEQDE
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoLNE5SwlP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFdEECgE7g
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbQHcz0Io3
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDtQNcTHxD
"What are you looking at me for?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvTJf90CfF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9PCrsoI4S
"Ya got any ideas?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJywqMoa8y
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T6ZuYJP8O
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsxpH4LGnR
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4GDy3YHBZ
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfBmRAM2iJ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQMKzfe5zI
"I suppose we'll have to gauge just how heavily the streets are being supervised. If they aren't in every nook and cranny of the area, we can probably weave in-between alleyways and whatnot just fine."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzzkArqKzG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ3kesnR01
Juke and Hank nodded at my statement. As concrete as the idea was, it hinged on a factor too risky for either me or Juke to confirm.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZtzaxenF2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucsvEKnyI1
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHpTY3HFPi
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ05PrvNeYO
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETkHiyVkCg
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2WLc0WgNh
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqlhi6sXSA
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhBqAsDFMi
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFylNj0p1KO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE34IdU68u2
"I'd rather not run too far away. Otherwise, I'd get apprehended and questioned, and then it would be evening by the time I come back."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydYtyIZsrt
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzrJlO8fTl
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVIk9O1JEs
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0eR9XFjTU
He shook his hands frantically and.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8eYiLxcvT
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQkegOrA35
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXQiH7TZG3
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AJFfMdiph
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvRDVI7lOY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB6duYViJR
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTetDnidYm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAJi8g5D3F
"Pray for me."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFCYpubB3I
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24onv6Dlj9
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnZwgVEAfr
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77hCdMeFni
"Juke!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwwbTAwjnN
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26fv8rAHTK
Juke's comment vanquished all of Hank's efforts to pump himself up. Still, though, he rambled to the door, taking a deep breath before opening and exiting the building. Juke and I were alone, now. An awkward and elongated silence permeated through the room.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg44u36zCuN
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGyuACv9Sq
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnOBuVLeok
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaVzwtqaht
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68Quyjb5z4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2PghNS0P2
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBemIEemu8a
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwMmBo5wsZ
"Still, I appreciate it."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2Ogegfv6t
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTblAwiJD8
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8McPJ1XkN
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4WF3nbjeB
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sBrlNm4Ze
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwqy77JC4E
I wanted to rebuke that statement, to tell him that he was wrong and that I was feeling much better. I would be lying to him, but that wasn't why I stopped myself. That was because of the tinge of melancholy I caught in his voice, so faint that I was unsure if I was just hearing things.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MjloaBQba
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDljWL5J0gc
I wanted to press him on that. But I was in no state of mind to do so. So, we continued to wait in silence.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguJna7G4vz
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25tpwjSdYH
Hank came shortly after. His face was drenched in sweat and anxiety. He let out an arduous sigh when he closed the door and sank to the floor.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTTqiqPAut
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1jG95alF4
I was expecting the worst, but he shot us a thumbs-up with a wink. A smile found its way on my face. I looked at Juke and we nodded at each other. We stood up and stretched our muscles, helping Hank get to his feet and standing before the door.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoAqtkW080
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1w7nliyHA
"Thank you for your help, Hank."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOg53Q22UnX
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqgcbqvT6V
"Yeah, we really of ya."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4ZQU4zXfX
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWEE7AnkJI
He gave us a light smile and waved.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rkaWsEkDF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH7BIMWJaL
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU6vx1P1Ry
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrDVT2yBOQ
"...Y-Yeah."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBq399UlNd
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIUAzImGJ2
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiJ2hGzCYN
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6PFh9RL4Y
–
–
–194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGUQtZpzRr
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFfWVH8hpL
The streets were void of any busy citizens traveling from one place to another. All inhabitants were inimical people in robes. The only remedy was the relative lack of them.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFbbeLWfRz
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkBCVAwRAn
Weaving in and out of alleyways was a surprisingly easy task, as the Hard-Bringer members couldn't stay in one place even if they were paid to. Though it made moving in the streets nerve-wracking with the unpredictability of these people, it was better than having to wait for them to fall asleep or find a detour as they obstinately remained in one spot.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLkqMP580S
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGOSk3GGAU
With all the pauses in between movements and focus on not getting caught, I stopped paying attention to our routing quickly. I was anxious that Juke did too.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3QCc1lw7F
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUTZGZpCLg
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkwwIk12MM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzKfQ1AhGt
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoSrDjzpna
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QgYg3Wpya
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzKJBVSgJC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU7fagtnD3
Still, I had no better way to make it to the stables myself, so I kept following Juke as we skittered diagonally across the street.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKBdZRPLRl
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRGgw4mJcc
"--Crap!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM1kVzr6aY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFHYJ38Rsl
This alleyway was void of anything to hide behind, meaning that we had to leave it now or suffer an embarrassing and egregious discovery. I peered over the corner and saw a duo of robed people turning a corner and into our street.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKrmnfniqG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8JO30Rrio
"Crap. Crap!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBMah57zy7
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTwkBIfQpA
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMIlnJSa4F
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsELWjd9m6
"People are heading our way!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD3xJspqtO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX8CtCmfg0
With a hoarse whisper, I relayed the information to Juke, whose eyes I could see widen even through his helmet. He looked behind him and deeper into the alleyway, reaching the same conclusion that I did.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoFBvLp0fr
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8yBjTKXTC
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBBnoRyhCp
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dE7mSflvY
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvFDFUggfg
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FHrHhDfvz
Despite the incorrect usage, I knew precisely what Juke meant by jumping the two people. I discarded the idea, as engaging in a fight would only draw more attention. But, as I sifted through my mind, I couldn't conjure up a course of action more tangible.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvZth7t5MZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrTm0yTy6W
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuOY40f7EJ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW6kBUexd5
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKJQT4LeHM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnKPPRFK4J
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS4HmoM2i8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdENhbp6TK
I produced my tendril and created a Valencia-Bloom at its tip. Then, I ran as far back into the alleyway as I could, signaling Juke to do the same. When we made it to the wall, I began mana spinning and produced a shield from the flower big enough to cover us both.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡry2MPMXsWM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hqa9ud4AB
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64SiikYgoq
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwRuGd0FjM
"Ack!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeixrhzntag
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtZfBkvz4p
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VQYqX7qjf
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbMrhvGs1f
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkq8VbdfXGs
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbmUWFMfsY
We waited out behind the shield until I heard two sets of footsteps pass by the alleyway. Once they vanished, I removed the shield, massaged my arm, and with Juke's help, we made it back onto the street.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9kacZy7jF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnAMTJ03gO
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yQXYGOuVm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxYPLKUJVO
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjESHfdIj1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5PS0NcYYM
We traveled the road a bit faster since we had to cross through an intersection. We made sure both sides were clear before continuing forward. The road curved at this point, so we kept close to the wall, using our ears instead of our eyes to sense any oncoming persons.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE2cbVKJJR
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCcMdE61Cj
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEe5EQgEV2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovab6nuM2m
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJteReCCCU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwPYziqa70
I hastily nodded with him and scanned the surroundings. I spotted an alleyway with a gigantic dumpster at the front. Juke already began running to it before I could point it out, so I followed him.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcNcyVendL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4bkhPNauN
We sat down behind the dumpster. I gnawed on my finger as I heard what I could only describe as an army of people walking down the street. I didn't see them, nor did I want to, but the footsteps never ended– it was as if the hustle and bustle of the streets had returned, but now, it only disturbed me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEcn0ZLJF9
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmfnJv8AeD
It went on for far, far too long. I couldn't keep my cool. The gnawing turned into rampant chomping, and my breathing became labored and heavy. I rocked back and forth, back and forth back and–194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfH5WvC3m8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyIGqhCwBj
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOgHOLpP34
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHMXNqctko
"Huh?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVTC6vlxUC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPeuYiWkhb
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuExqOSQP34
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSnOWG0jpY
"That whole biting thing, and that whole shaking thing. That shit freaks me out. I get why yer doing it, but seeing someone like ya do so just don't sit with me right."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLude4YsrU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS5bgdEU5w
I knew he was trying to console me. But, I didn't feel as if he was. I felt as if it was a precursor to just another one of Juke's ramblings about his ideology.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv0hrjuZ8Q
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBdEijwjmc
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaU2gf9pB0G
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzePrwb1t81
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnQ1jE40aO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qp2RFryls
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj5lBF8azr
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvrLhYm2tf
"I can tell ya got something plaguing ya. I ain't dense, so I can already guess what it is. Still, I think ya should spill it."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqr1yJHXyd
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaJLvGjjC1
"..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQaNBEPKnE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIkUJrZpr9
I brought my knees up to my head, wrapping my arms around my legs. Usually, I'd be concerned about the crowd overhearing us, but the dumpster was far enough, and the thousands of footsteps would veil my voice.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNovpoQ99Kn
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdkU0A8Tqi
So, I let my mouth run amok.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1VtyPepkW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw9lYdnIGN
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjytaVjqS1Z
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG9zFggVaP
"Yeah, I know."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWAVraMhA6
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhBZAomyvs
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoH7rUiWwp
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ90D3QRUg
"It left me confused. It was like I was asking myself questions with words I couldn't understand. I didn't even know how to begin to answer them. So, for the time being, I decided to ignore them."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxa0Mt4j92
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakhrmdEvsF
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cXpDCAbBk
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn1QHuTE1T
"When I was at the door last night," I continued, "right after Rover left, I suppose the prospect of going after her, of facing her, was too intimidating. I didn't get why, exactly. I just knew that I couldn't do it. I didn't think that doing so would be bad or something, quite the contrary. I just thought that, somehow, it was an impossible task. So, I didn't do it. Instead, I sat back on the couch and fell asleep."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZngHnk5Bg
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvrwiJi3v4
"That sounds familiar..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkxEXAj7hP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIluahz5Px
"Huh?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lNtf8TOgb
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oZnHbeMJ6
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBe60yYNhO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHH4uVboHG
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7C1rjlaBFN
"I am just, very confused. I don't quite get how I feel, but I do understand that all the forces inside of me are fighting over the decision I made last night, to do this. And, I guess I say I'm unsure of it, but I do know what I really am."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms4Fg1hA8J
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGcAwl4HZH
"Well?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQRc0WRPF8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNENBrkVh46
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKABudVr30B
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrIyItrsHn
"Ah."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqyGFeWZGM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdScRGGrrQ
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceOvZwDxw8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUXDJO1EnX
"Some part of it came from the distant past. I'm talking about what drove me to make this decision, I mean. Another part, I'm unsure. And the last one was more recent. It was only for a moment, but when I thought about going outside with Rover, that overgrown bug flashed in my mind."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Q1agAIKWB
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeV7HkL8uA
"Ah, the Lionant?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsXNC85PdB
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYiM3qfu6o
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mbUN3Kckk
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSea4XRfngK
"..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFAfNv7ob4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyYEqCJRfW
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but I hung on to the thoughts left behind by my last sentence and formed a question out of it.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbD592IFUk
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyOw7taE2K
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbQiUKiFsy
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVvMF3FU0N
"...Yeah, why did I?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmxrs32pCE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEcsRaqfVN
I didn't expect to be met with another question.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxtvuYOd2X
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdJllSCh65
"It doesn't make much sense, does it? After all, I'm weak, and yer strong. A weak guy like me shouldn't have to save strong folk like ya. But I did save ya. I really did save ya."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP4NRbuCCe
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHBhtpd0Le
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwCv4IWlVP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwQuMzwwUn
"I don't know why I saved ya. It wasn't in my mind, I didn't think of doing it, but I did save ya."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VbScMUDlL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV69vUhv3Eb
"..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnuav2tXpU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBwRyYoJEA
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUMIBr34fS
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyCsd3LE8V
"Rover's got a brutal tongue. Usually, I just brush off what loud folk like her say, but she was blunt and rude about it, so it really stuck with me. I couldn't care less about that 'you should do and think this and that' shit, but, ya know what, Kenny?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMRQMbvJl1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9LIwqCWls
"What?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuw2Pp6sTj
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmGYQ4O2vq
"Before I went out to look for ya two, I talked with Dennis. I had a real good conversation with him 'bout politics, women, and a bunch of dumbshits we've met in our olden days."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaUwXjA79D
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKkk0VaYbd
"That sounds... boorish?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR15SOKzRo0
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yZ6hO3czK
"Pff, yer just too young."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwv4fZrIiiB
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42CYSAabCn
He paused for a moment.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeJAr7Fivs
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHkrJ7oEOO
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZrx89GqNL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODX5W6slFJ
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bpKNuXXqc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyikjd3Pj0
"...The thing is, a weak guy like me shouldn't concern himself with Hard-Bringer. It makes sense, doesn't it? Leave the big problems to the big strong folk. Weak guys shouldn't have to fight for other weak guys. That's what I think."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW54BPtkC3j
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05wSYREu4o
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLhSrl4tE8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUrLzRPeLL
"That's silly... O-Oh–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cOPvoqVL6
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmjljxnnTH
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuLk3QEO7d
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfotgxo5bp
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWMfcxgVty
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PQWNeM1r2
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eVZ0Vu1W2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMebkn07xv
"I... yes, I suppose so."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFuaMPi8DL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOTwGLPpbp
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0cvQgJI3q
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1RT3DGA3G
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIdFK4ckTw
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYYK1KfpMG
"Yes, I know."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnzh3TRmhI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecTxppT1ju
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sYgIj4im3
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA7xcMMl9h
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9QlFe7TGX
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2mCb67aLj
"I believe what I said yesterday. I think he's just fine. 'Sides, I got no interest in fighting Hard-Bringer. But that ain't changing the fact that I wanna make sure with my eyes."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmHNL0DITH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qckpin94U
"..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi9yCaGxfX
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblvgV3MbOv
I didn't say it outright, but I agreed with him. I wanted to make sure Dennis was fine as well. Yet, unlike Juke, I doubt I could muster the will to do so.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfH5Xb3TRn
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTfxYhlbE2
"Ya hear that?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsaKBJ91pO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzOSURsLsx
"Huh?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvAkHMi1A7
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUc5kOAK0X
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3tiuqazVV
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIX89MLztL
"They passed."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP2P30db1R
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUdxw1UTIX
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWNA4X6mbM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3VMJEbdMh
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO76HQTCA5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtieG6fsHLg
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMvoV5YaXE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkTRwuAWcU
I stood up and ambled to the front of the alleyway. Sure enough, Not one robed person was in sight. It was a clear indicator that I should have taken a step forward, but I didn't. No, I couldn't, not after what I had just said.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3Ym0F271i
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJS89iKBjqv
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXsyNvUNeF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAfLaL9Kwm
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x1kuvX4a0
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLKchWqf7s
"You've been saying that a lot."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgcpAa8BnH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakl4DkKbLM
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuC0MQ4iFW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeGmWyqlZq
We stood stock still in silence.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05vbbY6Chl
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ylRgjR6Lu
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0VwuYwuSV
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFfmyaYpr8
"Are ya sure?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqldg4lGBO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoa9bHWcs9
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHXgX1kuI7
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDUMlXsg3r
"I should be asking you that."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOZC9M2QkD
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0Lu6rfBm5
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx7h0CY2FU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaubzcYYG9
"Yes. You get it."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZNHLgE9jG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVfENVqaqc
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Cp29GU7Ab
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXhB4eMhzu
"If we see something that might change the accuracy of your hypothesis, then... I'm going to turn back, understand?"
Juke released a lethargic chuckle. I wasn't offended by it, instead, it caused me to think.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhykHrEvjOn
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBFGrfkYk7
"Fine by me."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY5enVZ2iu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgnrhu2xON
I wondered how seriously he took my word. I wouldn't blame him if he thought it duplicitous.
We kept going down the streets, running between the alleyways as we avoided being spotted.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYcr1gUJPW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrLXEODlIl
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREcj1sYWKS
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M3vhfXbXP
"Yeah, we're almost there."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp6ijlTpgl
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctwH0G3lHs
After hours of dodging lines of sight, taking tedious pauses in smelly alleyways, and having one too many heart-attack-inducing close calls, the stables were finally within our view. It was still a good distance away, but being able to see it was relieving. We were fortunate enough to find it unsupervised, too.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AYmVthb8V
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxWxez8hAB
We approached it with a pep in our step, but not forgetting to employ prudence. I turned my head in every direction as we got closer and closer.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUSq8EnmHW
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6nkMOq2CY
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"Blurg, what was that?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KLYeLrWfX
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I skidded to a stop. I reluctantly sniffed the air again but didn't catch the same whiff. Juke looked back at me, confused.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6fCkPHGHZ
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"What was what?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ObTF7jR1J
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"I caught a whiff of something."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHSHf2gfYA
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrYhcZMiHd
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzAoFeJW6T
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyUeJTyDf7
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3Aqbaw5XV
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Juke didn't stop to ask me what was wrong this time. He turned the final corner and already made it to the stables. I knew that I had visited this place before, but I didn't quite acknowledge the structure until that moment.
It was like an open barn house with only a meager roof over the parking spaces. Inside these parking spaces were carriages, and opposite them were miniature pens housing the animals responsible for heaving the carriages. These pens were fitted with roofs and thick gates to block the animals from wandering off. Of course, because of the structure of the stables, he barged in without having to bust open any doors. Naturally, I entered without issue myself.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GSHQeCeGU
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrfgnj844Y
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkLEw8a5HV
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The carriages were untouched, but the carriages were only there for me to distract myself with. It didn't last for long, of course. After all, the stench and overwhelming, blinding quantity of red permeating through every crevice of the area made it impossible to keep up the charade.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBA3B7imx0m
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The pens were broken, but the animals hadn't escaped. They were still in their pens, but as cadavers opposed to breathing beings.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhZrnFUqu0
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCoMFsdgFU
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsL5cWv0SgS
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwVwUUofok
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I glared at the scene. It was grotesque, but my eyes couldn't divert from it. Every animal in every pen– no exception was made, none were spared. They were unapologetically slaughtered. Juke spoke of the sight perfectly; It was horrid. it evoked such visceral repulsion even when closing the eyes and glancing at it through memory.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdKgkQSbWV
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But, as much as I hated it, as much as it made me want to turn the other way and run, seeing our way out be cut off like this relieved me of a subconscious weight.
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Juke ventured further into the stables, and I begrudgingly followed. I fixed my gaze to the right, passing by the open pens and observing the carrion they contained. I didn't try to immerse myself in the details; I would've truly thrown up if I did. But, from what I did see, I could judge the means used to kill them. From lacerations to burns, to pulverizations of their bodies, it was obvious that a mix of magic and weaponry was utilized.
I was lucky that the blood had dried long ago.
"Sly bastards. How'd they know we'd try to get out?"
"...They probably just did this preemptively. Did they have to murder all the animals, though? Why not damage the carriages?"
My question had not just reminded Juke, but also myself of our carriage. We steered directions and beelined towards it. From an outside view, it looked unharmed. As Juke pulled out a key and unlocked the doors, I could only hope that the same could be said for the inside.
"Nagging Dennis for this shit paid off."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWl9KpqSNH
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Juke muttered something under his breath before flinging the doors open and entering. I followed, releasing a heavy breath as I confirmed that the carriage was unharmed.
"'Fore we head back out, we oughta pack some supplies."
"I agree, but I hope you know I won't be able to carry much."
"That's alright. This big body of mine ain't just for show."
We entered the back. Juke took the bag of food and placed his arms through the straps, carrying it like an oversized backpack.
"Anything else ya think we oughta bring?"
"...I can't lift the big bags, but–"
I grabbed a smaller one and emptied its contents, stuffing it with the few potions I had left in the larger bags, leaving me with a pleasantly light load. Juke hummed in an amused, yet agitated tone.
"Ya had potions this whole time? Ya should'a told me!"
"Oh, sorry. I thought I had."
We exited the carriage and returned to the stables, Juke grumbling as he descended the steps. I didn't leave just yet. Before that, I spared one more glance at the animals, meagerly clenching my fists.
"Hey, Juke."
He turned around and faced me. Before I got my words out, I had to stop shaking.
"What do we do now?"
He looked at me intently, or was it blankly? Either way, I could tell that he was digesting my question. Then, he turned his gaze away.
"We can't get out with the carriage, that's for sure."
"I know that much. But, do we... do we try anyway?"
"...Nah, ya should know that yerself."
My facial muscles dropped, forming an ugly frown. He was right, and because he was right, I was upset.
If they took measures this drastic to make sure nobody escaped, then the gates were unquestionably, undoubtedly guarded.
That undeniable notion frightened me.
"Yeah, you're right. But, still, what do we–"
I couldn't finish my sentence. My speech was interrupted by a jerk movement from Juke. He leaned in– almost pouncing at me and pushing me to the ground as he haphazardly fell to it himself.
I hadn't the time to formulate any complaints and questions, but all that I could have formed were addressed by the soaring ball of fire narrowly avoiding my head.
"--Ack!"
I landed awkwardly on my shoulder. Whether it was dislocated, I didn't know, nor could I afford to find out. I scrambled to my feet and faced our assailant. My blood turned cold when I saw her.
"That man is a quick actor. What about you, child? Are you the brains of your clique?"
It was the woman at the plaza. She was not in her unequivocal robe that was the sigil of Hard-Bringer but in a slackened coat, plain shirt, skirt, pants, and boots.
"Well, answer me, won't you?"
"Don't humor 'er, kid, she's got a screw loose!"
"N-No need to tell me!"
Juke got up on his feet and brandished his sword. I took out the tendril. The woman grabbed a curvy, seemingly customized, serrated knife. She raised it as she began to speak.
"So you two won't speak? Fine by me. A mute roadblock is easier to handle."
With a slide of her back foot and a drop in her posture, she burst into a sprint heading in our direction. Then, she veered into me.
The sudden shift left me panicked. I instinctively took a step back and produced a Valencia-Bloom, but before I could utilize it, she slashed her knife at me. I narrowly avoided the swing, but she didn't let up, spinning the blade in her hand and thrusting it to jab me.
That's at least what it looked like she would've done.
She did thrust her knife, but she spun as she did it, clashing with Juke's broadsword so suddenly that even he was taken by surprise. The woman exploited his shock well by delivering a kick to his chest. Juke's body didn't budge from the kick at all, though. A metallic sound rang throughout the stables and his head jerked back.
"Ack! My neck!"
"--I see."
Realizing I wasn't doing anything, I extended my tendril, using it like a dull spear. The woman ducked my attack and slammed her fist into it. I recoiled from the strike, but not enough to paralyze me. Thus, I slammed the tendril on the ground. She rolled away, dodging it effortlessly.
My tendril still near her, I switched the Valencia-Bloom for a Freeze-Dry. But I couldn't use it; the woman leaped and stomped on the flower before any ice came out.
My eyes widened by themselves. I couldn't think of what to do next, but I was fortunate enough to not have to. Juke swung his sword at the woman. She dodged it, but Juke didn't let up with his assault. The woman took a series of backsteps too great for Juke to immediately catch up to. Almost instinctively, she kicked her leg up, and though Juke was a couple of meters away, his head jerked up and a sound rang out as if he was hit.
Though Juke was struck in the chin, and though he was partially airborne, he aimed his palm at the woman, firing a wind spell at her.
And, it connected.
"Hng!"
It was a weak spell, and she was able to block most of it with her arms, but the point was that it connected. Somehow, that fact alone was enough to shock me.
"Yer power's confusing. Is it an Endowment? I dunno, I've got one, and yers sure don't feel like it."
Juke rubbed his chin. I could tell that he felt it, meaning the hit wasn't deflected to his helmet.
"Shit. How'd ya know my weakness, huh?"
The woman narrowed her eyes at Juke. Using the downtime, I began mana expulsion with my right hand and produced a Sunlight-Blossom from the tendril.
"You are right about one thing, oaf: my power is nothing like that absurd Endowment of yours."
"And yer calling my whole thing absurd? That's just–"
Juke's speech was cut short. I shot at the woman with a water spell. She dodged it, but I accounted for this and made the spell a powerful geyser, following her movements as it continuously sprayed. The woman clicked her tongue as she kept backing away, producing a ball of fire and firing it at the walls.
I gasped and processed her actions to make sure I understood what I saw. She threw a fireball at the walls, which were made of wood. She threw a quick wind spell at it right after and smashed through the weakened structure.
My geyser put the sudden fire out but had missed the woman entirely. It aligned with my expectations, though. She came back bursting through near the ashened hole. However, I had another attack prepared.
The seed was already loaded. I aimed the flower at her and fired, crossing my fingers in my head, praying that it would land.
It didn't. It didn't even come close. She ducked before the bullet had even been launched. I bit my lip in frustration.
"That's why I hate being aggressive. How cruel that I have to act against my nature."
She cracked her neck and swayed her lengthy hair in the air, glaring at us with her blue eyes. She looked ready to perform a deadly pounce at any moment.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwbCHkstcU
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I stood beside Juke. We eyed the woman vigilantly. My prior assessment was overwritten as she didn't look like she would move at all, leaving me bemused.
But, then, a fireball formed in her hands. I expected her to throw it immediately, so I prepared to duck, but it continued to grow in size; it was far larger than her previous ones, almost as tall and wide as Juke was.
"Ah, shit."
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. Frankly, I didn't expect her to be so adept in fire magic that she could make a spell of that size. It was stupid of me not to consider it. The woman reeled her arm back. I had to act fast.
I ducked, placing both my hands on the ground. I began mana expulsion with one hand and performed spinning with the other. A wall of stone sprung from the ground before me. Then, I produced a Valencia-Bloom from the tendril, expanding it as far as I could reasonably do so. Juke already took cover behind me. Now, all that was left was too–
**SLAM**
"--Ack!"
I didn't suffer any severe damage. In fact, my defenses were hardly penetrated. But the heat from the fire nipped at me through it all. The spell dissipated in no more than five seconds, but it felt like forever.
"How the hell are we breathin'!?"
"Is now really the time for–"
**THUD**
I felt a sudden force clash against my shield. Due to my already shaky balance, I fell to the ground, but I made sure to retract the Valencia-Bloom so my arm wouldn't be dislodged. When the shield vanished, the woman took its place, her leg raised. She continued her assault, raising her knife and, with her other hand on the top of the hilt, plunging it into me.
I shut my eyes and grit my teeth, expecting the sensation of a blade being lodged into my body. But that never came. Instead, a metallic clang reverberated through the stables.
I opened my eyes. Juke intercepted her with his sword. He was on the ground with both his hands on the blade's hilt. Judging by how he was lying on the ground, gripping the hilt with both his hands like a rope, he must've slid.
They remained that way for a moment, engaged in a struggle between their blades. When it became apparent that she couldn't win, she clicked her tongue.
"Irritating," the woman sighed before kicking his helmet and sending him flying. She returned her attention to me, but I had used my borrowed time to regain my composure and swing the tendril.
My tendril hit her. But it felt as if I was the one who was struck, and it wasn't by a blunt object, but by a steel blade. Purple liquid erupted from my chest.
Yes, she was flung away. Yes, my tendril had connected. But when it retracted by itself, I found the woman void of bruises and her knife slathered in a viscous purple.
"D-Damn it."
I rose to my feet with shaking legs. She hadn't just blocked my attack but hurt me back as well. I clutched my chest and coughed harshly.
"How are ya?"
Juke stood beside me, brandishing his sword. We eyed the woman who was flicking the liquid off her knife.
"This ain't looking like a winning fight."
As much as it frustrated me to agree with his notion, I was forced to. Every attack I launched had been avoided, and the one time either of us landed one on her, it was more of a fluke than anything.
"So what do we do?"
"'Till I get how she keeps seein' the future, I ain't got a clue."
"See the future...? Do you think that's what it is?"
"Can't think of anythin' else."
I narrowed my eyes at her, mulling over Juke's theory. When I thought about it, certainly, it would make sense that she could see the future. However–
"There has to be a limit, or some kind of restriction. Her behavior is too inconsistent."
"I agree with ya, and I still got no clue how she kicked me from across the damn room."
Indeed, she had too many unknown factors about her, and combined with her astonishing physical and magical prowess, it made this fight impossible to win. I was wounded, Juke's weakness had been discovered, and the woman didn't look like she even broke a sweat.
"Are you two plotting something? I ought to interfere."
She broke into another dash, but it wasn't an utter rush; her steps were laced with trepidation, and her knife was raised defensively. It was as if she was approaching expecting us to attack her back.
My moment of clarity subsided as the pain washed over my being. But Juke, pulling me by the collar, had fortunately noticed the same, and–
"Book it, kid!"
Helped me turn tail as we both broke into sprints of our own.
I ran. I ran like the wind. I ran to abuse my legs. I ran to survive. But I wasn't so naive; my legs were small and my stamina was pathetic. Whether it was my lack of endurance or my lack of speed, the woman would undoubtedly catch up to me. No thanks to his luggage, I couldn't hitch a ride on Juke's back.
I swiveled my head. She was catching up to me like a wolf in pursuit, and I was sure to be caught in her fangs at any moment. I didn't try to speed up; too many factors prevented me from doing so.
So, if I couldn't speed up, then there was only one thing left for me to do.
I began mana expulsion with both of my hands, creating a mass of earth in one and a mass of fire in the other, expanding it. The woman didn't show an expression of surprise. She was expecting me to do this– no, not expecting, she knew.
Something about that pissed me off. So, instead of throwing it–
"--You!"
Her eyes widened. She skidded to a stop and leaped away. Despite that, I had to see this through.
I discharged as much mana into the fire as I recklessly could, and naturally–
**BOOM**
A Flinty incident occurred.
I used the stone I conjured up to defend myself, but truthfully, it hardly did anything. The most I could do was defend my head, and sure, my eyes hadn't burst, and my face wasn't seared, but they were still rolling on the stone pavement along with the rest of my body, picking up spikey pebbles and other trash like they were seashells on the beach. I only stopped when I collided with, something. I didn't know what and the means to find out were stripped from me. My ears rang, my nose burned, and I had to clobber dozens of particles off my face before I could even think of opening my eyes. But, my arms were too heavy for me to even lift.
So, I remained there, waiting for all the internal chaos to subside before I moved. Then I felt something touch me, then shake me, and I groaned in response. I didn't know who it was. Since I was alive, it probably wasn't the woman. Was it a street dog, or maybe one of those robed men?
Was it Juke? I dismissed the thought. That was a ridiculous proposition.
I was lifted and tussled with. It wasn't done harshly, but goodness, was it irritating. At that point, my annoyance powered over my fatigue, and I rubbed my eyes before slackening my arms yet again.
I opened them and saw the ground. Whoever it was that was messing with me was behind me. I couldn't turn my head to see them, though, so I groaned and heaved my breaths.
"Good to know yer still kicking. Which bottle 'ere is gonna patch ya up?"
Hearing a familiar voice, I was struck with an inordinate amount of clarity.
"Green, one," I mustered.
"Yer lucky I caught that first try. Open wide."
Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. He understood that too, so he grabbed my jaw and pulled it down, sticking the bottle inside my mouth. I was sure that I was going to drown; the amount of liquid entering my throat was overwhelming. But it passed as quickly as it came. I coughed vehemently, and Juke patted my back to help. I cursed my inability to voice my thanks.
"Take it easy, ya really did something crazy back then. Strong folk, I tell ya."
Now I just wanted to tell him to shut up. He lifted me and hung me over his shoulder, then he continued to run.
"Did ya get that crazy bitch? Err, tap once for yes, twice for no."
All I could exert myself to do was pinch, so I pinched his skin twice.
"Shit. Shit! Is she followin' us now!?"
I pointed my eyes up. I could only see a little bit of the ground, so I painstakingly raised my neck.
It devastated me to have to pinch once.
"Are ya kidding me!?"
Juke's running increased in tempo. Unlike me, he was able to at least keep the distance between him and the woman the same. Unfortunately for me, my head was bouncing up and down every step. I was sure that I'd vomit any minute, and then pathetically pass out a moment after.
But I couldn't afford to do so. I couldn't afford to be a burden when our lives were being threatened like this.
I tried to call it forth, but my tendril wouldn't appear. I tried mana expulsion– tried, but struggled. The explosion hadn't drained me of my mana, but my supply was so low I might as well have been shaking a bottle for droplets. I couldn't form anything grandiose or dangerous, meaning that I had to do something to just slow her down.
So, I formed a small mass of water. Supporting it with my other hand, I lifted my arm, aiming my open palm at her feet.
She didn't react preemptively at all. It gave me a surge of hope, and with that borrowed vigor, I fired the spell at her feet.
Except, I didn't fire it. It unceremoniously plummeted to the ground. She simply jumped over the puddle the spell created.
"Damn, it."
"--Ay kid, are ya seeing this!?"
"Seeing what", I wanted to ask, because I was still incapable of moving my body more than an inch at a time. But I didn't have to turn my head to see what he saw. As Juke kept running through the street, we passed by a myriad of bodies loitering about. My first assumption was that they were corpses– and, well, judging by all the red, it was likely correct.
But what really caught my eye was their attire: dark, hooded robes. All of these bodies were that of the people in Hard-Bringer.
Did a fight break out? Is that what happened? I looked up at the woman and she was entirely unperturbed. I was hoping to gauge a different reaction, but not only was hers uninformative, it was disturbing.
And then, my vision swerved.
"Huh?"
"I'm takin' a gamble."
"Gamble!?"
That was the loudest noise I had made that day. Juke didn't elaborate on what gamble he was taking. I thought of wiggling out his grasp right there, as obviously foolish as it was. But–194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkT1nZOaNao
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"Just trust me!"
He said it as a feverish plea. It shocked me into staying in place. With nothing else to do, I placed my faith in him. The sun-lightened streets disappeared and we ventured into a darkened alleyway. We came to a stop shortly after, leaving me confused and worried.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2wNkkGaTt
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYxFVcD3Ja
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"Who are ya people?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OeEoeI0co
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"Wow, he really followed us. Well, sir, we're here to help. My buddy will be doing the dirty work, though."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzO6kG71bM
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"Buddy?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IaaQB5gGJ
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I froze– froze more than I already was frozen, anyway. The voice that Juke spoke with was familiar to me, though I struggled to put a name to it. But then a set of footsteps sounded through the alley, and a man in a trench coat brushed passed Juke and me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYphSvzlekh
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Of course, with an article of clothing that distinct, I'd be lying if I didn't recognize him. My recognition was only solidified when he drew his hands in it and pulled two crossbows out.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKuLlr2pJa
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"Quiet now."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUfllZg9iT
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Pars gave a command to us all, aiming his crossbows at the entrance of the alleyway. I didn't understand why he was using two of them, but there was a tube of earth protruding from inside the coat and connected to the ends of the crossbows, so I knew there was some trick going on.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT6OhCJvdW
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Pars kept his aim steady, and steady, and kept it up for seconds, then minutes. I realized then that we had lost our pursuer, but Pars only tilted his head.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0DawcUIWS
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoDseHCGf4
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He pulled his crossbows back and sighed, rubbing his head as he turned around. His eyes met with mine, and he practically blenched.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXPSkdzKSQ
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyuddmQHTo
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I sighed, and I smiled. There was something heartwarming about seeing this man act as usual, even if it pained me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe26q9521mj
