"Hey, wake up."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkC42pc7PI
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8chLUbEVN
"H-Huh!?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajDLRCGlW8
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFWayeWAkk
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ851jVcJXl6
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3F0Y0s1uLU
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAScwmcAry
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfKluTp71m
"No no, it's fine."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHWWrTzNsM
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF1HaiXM9m
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0jbTF8RWr
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTciP9FaG0n
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWlQIgtGsN
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKdzW2rJkN
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRoQXXivdI
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsaTrkpb9s
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxnEAikJW9
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJypf1y7a6
"Are ya sure–"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUS7JyHkaB
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl0Z8LG9En
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTAjknI0yj
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhscKRTqINf
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX05yDxXc1S
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCQra3eRlE
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WUFnztQr8
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoE4Exb5KC
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7y42OMjVCA
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgqgYzvghE
"..."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbCv0mGdj8
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeb8UgMx8A
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0ipLgOmvJ
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhznxjTPJFR
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEAn1ZOKxb
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxb51OARBE
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvRf7RzEqk
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7JcC3aIcs
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAiTfKzfTv
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUQ4xgjOTZ
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEHuEYM7gX
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjuuP7W2b3
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJQYnXhAya
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfQ2EJWzay
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqT5iUbBIXt
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHvJ8IKtpj
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnV78qAerP
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzwqlzehpA
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEmLcCCBrv
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ317GkDu6qV
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeU0GExlHn
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgLxxWl30X
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6MnQZavG0
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40q3Q27RMr
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QHp6VfS09
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAeg8LPGb3
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–173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdyX5Lnt5o
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqaiIf4wjy
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne70y7YvKh
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtMp20hdkf
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxXopNumOE
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NP6tJX6l8
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZ85TDeYwm
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4lGmYkmre
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EutxHsYkg
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5PbBHz7f6
"What?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwbxu8ssdo
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCoaEAYHaA
He sighed and flicked his head.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dTHNwx1Hw
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmS7Pmsv2M
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7BhnIY8hQ
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZftNMFgL5F
"Last... yeah, let's."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xS2bFWU45
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiUjZX96ya
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6dVZ9KCjM
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrTO1nczim
"This is good. This is really good."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AmlHdNQq8
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6YmA41vSC
"I told ya."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRePcu6Uj2
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ocS8Xt8H5
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD6tZx2jTY
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1ZJ3mydUj
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaoE8uCwDm
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlhkWvd5IY
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfHPpYCCmt
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEz2ai5U5Y
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE8tgohPfv
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqdBoL2eMA
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnOLiy3hjK
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCUtYLTKYJ
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtp27Gs3ME
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreFBOFtH2C
–
–
–173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2LCNCifMK
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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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNvppH5LAb
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1utSIRP81w
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HLTZlXcx3
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIPlfDzGLM
"That's right," Juke responded.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpos12N8ty0
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyofWdnrNn
"I see..."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7A1VXcyns
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQfZrZBKcb
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXQWTDBDIj
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPUM1W75Za
"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."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBXsTAnEoH
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUe4Mz9QGv
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopGckEHdne
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpir8f57Kb
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxLc9eKZbE
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMB6ih9SiT4
"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."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqlQMHGEhe
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUsHA6Ah4t
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ2GhI8CXS
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNe4kg00qr
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOdnn4rXIL
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6VEYxLM5z
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRLBZtODon
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcvQg7DO3C
"What are you looking at me for?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErTjgZ4wg0
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZHRz67fWq
"Ya got any ideas?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIn8W7kx5i
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Il6FPxWN9
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI2fctCdE7
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aIMKrZP2E
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthXKGi7OyM
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxQup2JeKJ
"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."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5251NaFiu2
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOX14FTyhe
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC8SEMfID2
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8953pVepC
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFk5jgwyth
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JQcJkLf5W
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs72w1LxysN
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJnWrKxWzm
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyFdqSSAOJ
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OBJQzIjFI
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYiU4V2a5h
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLcRPtDDZe
"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."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDVHab4tka
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk1SkIW7MW
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRmprzCLwV
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca2rRDxSok
He shook his hands frantically and.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY6bwnxmkW
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu39e07m0U
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj416JSvjDI
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiW2PBFwXN
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8C4kWLGmI
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkvPcHZBmK
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO6FOijbTP
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OaZTbtydo
"Pray for me."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8i1Cn6STFO
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFC4Apewhw
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ2KgxyDXj
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5qcQMtBoM
"Juke!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLinNVUbqN
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCmrVfZopg
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4SG4mOPLX
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TlaltgIqV
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhg46hRi3X
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTbx5DQ6VR
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnWVQkkfFT
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwmRmUrCCV
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf6uZk7rY1
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeAXlk408f
"Still, I appreciate it."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EuQmpueme
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiD697q2lj
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopL0pk9vyN
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90SD7EB2Bo
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS56norFmS
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzsuX9QlOD
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Wop9nJuPP
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LmTITa0S4
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghnSv1ojZg
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsASL2SBPRN
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgowVwZGEhn
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVKCv2lF3J
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSAtLQ1C23
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbi29Ov2Q0k
"Thank you for your help, Hank."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgE9gdW2Or
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdolsrkvhEc
"Yeah, we really of ya."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifMphNuo07
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsu1s8k07w
He gave us a light smile and waved.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyFXX2M1zm
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlGO9BJ7BM
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiHq2ufdyg
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXNJDOmTKq
"...Y-Yeah."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnZsABxkXx
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD1f1raxhH
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd0ylvZIGd
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–
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–173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45wwt24bHY
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVZznwQq8N
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkk7KjV01y
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDw0hpXQpc
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeWp6pYa8J
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kas0Fkh1p
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqGU4otJsi
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVb1WULuyo
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjygXRSoCK
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIw45DhppK
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIsPk18bEA
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIwsIB9rub
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpMJwAhgQ2
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ATOwDpixj
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnPX63RLxf
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo57V45p0tp
"--Crap!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDq8vJLxig
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbSDxKdngP
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfciUevZ1B7
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2H3nb16Gk
"Crap. Crap!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8E19PTRLF
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhm2nKE8L6
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkWljbGjHo
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUapX1uJfKA
"People are heading our way!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxX18Ttc7R
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAP7JalW7LO
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Vw7r67CeR
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4Ei7D9iXA
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aIY5b20cx
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDHhbaGqLb
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMkny8rLw3
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVxOeSB44s
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAixlMjb07
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfMDW7K7wK
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjoceGHdT6
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BMBFkNGdB
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM11nMtzKx
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneU3FfRLJv
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNkwuBmXOY
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfiEdaBYLL
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8vv7xomqf
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqqCkAh6LN
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrbMZzDFPd
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7THsH0ELXj
"Ack!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjYHGSbzLQ
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFMF7G8tA1
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00UtsWUdwp
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdyFe8QQg9
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQTOEnWpz3
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rTTQjOx1i
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoluwRE9TA
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGcfXkhoeZ
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNAzB7PqUM
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj53XuzbPed
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57tiAM8laD
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2EWKKvmqg
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hZcWpzZaH
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKmctHL1RZ
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI8yimME7V
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBC8GWndMVc
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b7EefGd40
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PPsweEl4B
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEDR6hE9YM
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnp0EwrJHz
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9Mb4dPvhj
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzqHcRBwDd
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–173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uYNscJSFU
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM0c6Iuj1G
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBajUTkjLl
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡle4KZrOjZO
"Huh?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nnTOxDSOl
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtW9HAsOXic
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE5W1q69DZ
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdziyyRjsM
"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."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3idXtZG9T
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZDxCEj7Ou
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiT4Qau68RN
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7OCPHMR4k
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJxjTGMK95
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBAAnMCCFJ
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PeAD6B6Sv
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99qad9FzgS
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku8xoEauXK
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmmKGBKkyH
"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."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhntqgur9Nh
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBKh0JUvOr
"..."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTkaayqAYi
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYDHTGQ6tF
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZW3BRQyeD
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlmsGnKRQh
So, I let my mouth run amok.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCIW3D6uw1
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCqbANIpgd
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoYtoNMHeU
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCb4r0sv7T
"Yeah, I know."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthgqsSRRSL
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRxU2wb4Jw
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7hIba5ZHD
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3AvNyPTya
"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."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKEItq1LLQ
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaZIG809AQ
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjBhhjA5iz
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAbYedyVFk
"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."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzg0l7n6ov
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0hdJsI1ce
"That sounds familiar..."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkleyMbkfC6
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlo5JJtNZL
"Huh?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWay20morBz
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ziFApIPNs
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaxK7ZOV55
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q27pGVMOF
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VDz3pMV62
"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."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4HwSTlnnQ
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMswk5w0emC
"Well?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4g0H4ubY0
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g9u9lUT2h
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0W1Yyykp6
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5v0e7SBD1c
"Ah."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYQzyNyAhN
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nGV49WIFk
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K9XarPPYV
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1fH5cPhLA
"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."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyNKii06Hf
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3l8EivyV2A
"Ah, the Lionant?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltuDqPWqQn
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp58iFUbMLR
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNkgN2UlOS
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEdXFT4TW9
"..."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu00JcHFrZ
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8VMwcRuuK
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplVuBzo6Ja
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHem2hrKf9
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGv2NWnlxX
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36t5WDEb37
"...Yeah, why did I?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JhickiMJL
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRKDJygZ90
I didn't expect to be met with another question.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyttXsDKVFG
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhJGUZzXWL
"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."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUArM1IOTX
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9brtjNxWFT
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mkIpkCV2J
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7syW6UzXgS
"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."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tBTYbB2dM
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLozaEzFDOT
"..."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh1R32Wcs2
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d0mQiLkJz
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT38t9fwemC
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoGbxeU1z6
"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?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhHmwwblrV
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq9g13gpDs
"What?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylXj5TTylO
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20Y6J9WQBt
"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."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPbIXOfz0N
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxvM8QjNyD
"That sounds... boorish?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGKq7qzV92
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwhbocLeam
"Pff, yer just too young."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqRHNVvmOj
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgl1jJoXBb
He paused for a moment.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcBEnATMT4
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepRl2lUZ5Z
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYK70CIQ7Y6
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFoZ5YtoyH
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBhE5VQQsS
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7Ax7bqmgH
"...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."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxShSizZPCk
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9I6udxje3
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWA4tkPp5M
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN37zFpok0
"That's silly... O-Oh–"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2znYw6dbx
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOi8JgHw1U
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxnjANZvFl
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzfHS5l9vi
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmyjaScues
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXBlBph2WE
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArVYl74VZq
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSujLvVRRrc
"I... yes, I suppose so."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvbVwtTUxO
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAvM5Ody4E
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XFaVIdkhB
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OUwr21TEe
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76ls5ONFtf
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ggoy15AWB
"Yes, I know."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOgcZOyfnX
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YQo1ZLQUX
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyUOutJjvY
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I0TmJHmgr
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS3FTNJ9OL
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDODzDkybEs
"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."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V85G40AaS
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF4oye4KWP
"..."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmczoqBCn2S
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0udLqA3dH7
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrniPeZGLDB
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3SH9BrTzd
"Ya hear that?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbH0KfveMd
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVRsj0jlGD
"Huh?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQGo5pRruL
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHU5XNwDKF
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOVJyxH5v9
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56KmrFlgYJ
"They passed."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6Nhs8fQXm
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrysJKd6hGE
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AkPgusbRR
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGenRHFFeO
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1fieMZG3V
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOdurVl6sF
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4jnNJUAH5
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF46bhSsImE
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51A5WOFJyL
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAeRy5mHiL
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnwBvGqNf8
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauMq8GMt2u
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhlY14H1mQ
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMf7Nj83cW
"You've been saying that a lot."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHmJ9NAwUc
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIiDmcl1QH
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst0DPC9slQ
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu4Odjv8lD
We stood stock still in silence.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4iWqRf1RU
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIMPkQLwIf
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIblujDJaF
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmZOvOcVaJ
"Are ya sure?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59jMdGylhj
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6gEk93nji
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovMXwRZrSf
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yJrF80Xa1
"I should be asking you that."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ24uLlehgl
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3PF14XUjv
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyxNTkeE5T
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8S5v4as7d
"Yes. You get it."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yrblraIvL
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0yFKWcdYq
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8EsHonZDx
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4imoMQVXB
"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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3cmVLOa7F
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCzioc4kNL
"Fine by me."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFR4erZluE
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJlCSES1el
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkzxNMyA6v
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlXy29Sm20
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsqXfXAdYP
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOWzAd4PY2
"Yeah, we're almost there."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH5RmiAdwn
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeVbRfLVML
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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOUQtNLknV
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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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtFfTS0wyq
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs0k8BBd7G
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"Blurg, what was that?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud7xL4Mtjp
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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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR4v9s03c8
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"What was what?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QyaSYM3kt
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"I caught a whiff of something."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0CBf4m6Cp
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcHvrIrjxg
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKjb5AL8mI
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiiJL6wEf3
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKzce6jHYr
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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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3YlFtD1Nd
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZT3x2S3M3
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eHn3SDUX4
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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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVjjXutrHa
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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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8IhNfPxo3
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHZXaGSfL7
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiDByuie7F
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEdBLLZQP8
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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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7ReEkBKEF
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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."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2eoIm9Laf
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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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer9gcnhV2p
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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–173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPwCKuxl5z
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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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6sjTW3dkd
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTwrGoaGyq
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"Who are ya people?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Id26GQ00q
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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."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHeqph1a6h
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"Buddy?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx66plVmQb
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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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwBjOcDBKY
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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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAoHKIW3FI
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"Quiet now."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDm4D5V0IP
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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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYILTw9imo
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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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ5rLQtTG9
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmEM43mBJM
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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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy45TLr02Nk
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjsJ2FptfQ
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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.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgW9A8akIV
