The meeting commenced. I was standing behind Linda. Victoria was to my left. We were on top of the rock, and before us was a gigantic group of people.219Please respect copyright.PENANAA3muhFYYHy
219Please respect copyright.PENANAcObK6N8rcL
I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous. I wasn't the center of attention, sure, but there were still so many people. I gulped and tried my hardest not to move. Linda began talking.219Please respect copyright.PENANAACAcsItWC9
219Please respect copyright.PENANARsc9zhTZT5
"I've called all of you today for the sake of the safety of the Green Zone. Since last week, a monster from the forest has been periodically appearing and ravaging my crops. As of right now, I believe that one of us may be responsible for this incident. If one of you is, then I'd like to offer a proposal."219Please respect copyright.PENANANiV2jrWPXt
219Please respect copyright.PENANA0PLnmrlNvw
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.219Please respect copyright.PENANAI0KnGMK90Y
219Please respect copyright.PENANASjsHoLM9K9
"I implore the perpetrator, should they be here, to confess right here and now. I understand very well that it might've been an accident, so if it was, please stand before me and confess. If done, no charges will be held, we will call it bridge under the water, and this boy here will handle the beast without fail."219Please respect copyright.PENANAxZtJCEK2n5
219Please respect copyright.PENANA5gZtNS1ber
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!219Please respect copyright.PENANARzLSvYACGm
219Please respect copyright.PENANAeGxi6gl7SO
I tried calming myself down, remembering not to move rashly. Time passed by painfully and slowly. I felt sweat drip down my back and chest. I never knew I even had this much stage fright.219Please respect copyright.PENANAiHIzD9YFCI
219Please respect copyright.PENANAmkNLQo4siO
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."219Please respect copyright.PENANAn5SQCjDkji
219Please respect copyright.PENANATQ5YHjbx8C
Linda suddenly announced the ending of the gathering and bowed. I was thankful. I put a hand on my chest and exhaled. The residents were returning to the barracks. I looked over to my left. Victoria had her head down.219Please respect copyright.PENANAJs774hgdgB
219Please respect copyright.PENANAZdcTJfNTAc
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."219Please respect copyright.PENANAeAscxJQOnQ
219Please respect copyright.PENANAaoh23X51TU
We did just that. Flinty ran to us once the crowd cleared. Before anything else, she told us that nobody in the crowd looked suspicious.219Please respect copyright.PENANAloH8ShtqYH
219Please respect copyright.PENANARGtcMa9K0L
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."219Please respect copyright.PENANAelbOFJyoK0
219Please respect copyright.PENANAux9VzHykP2
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.219Please respect copyright.PENANAW4vW5pzrKu
219Please respect copyright.PENANASAss8TCTFe
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"219Please respect copyright.PENANA19yTEWkSQO
219Please respect copyright.PENANAOw4PSMK6AI
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.219Please respect copyright.PENANAxDQ0KKBybO
219Please respect copyright.PENANAvKnccSNIn6
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."219Please respect copyright.PENANA00tqTWlaQ6
219Please respect copyright.PENANADTjVaOJpFD
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."219Please respect copyright.PENANAUAOGcSsARt
219Please respect copyright.PENANAlDSoOfvSie
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.219Please respect copyright.PENANAAqaOr38Y2H
219Please respect copyright.PENANA9hwN5lLMSp
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."219Please respect copyright.PENANAQMymO1LkDe
219Please respect copyright.PENANALe7rYllopj
"That's a sound plan, but with how big our crop field is, it would be difficult to spot him. And y'know, the beast only appears during the night."219Please respect copyright.PENANAAUJTDWQ7up
219Please respect copyright.PENANAy6JgkmlrhB
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."219Please respect copyright.PENANAZenl33r2jo
219Please respect copyright.PENANAaeEnjyw3IX
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.219Please respect copyright.PENANA2D5GAbRpG7
219Please respect copyright.PENANAPlelHvkjS0
"Very well. Then we will wait until the sun sets. Flinty, Kenny, how about you join us for dinner? I'll write a letter to your mother in the meantime, Flinty."219Please respect copyright.PENANAXDoa1s5BDE
219Please respect copyright.PENANAxxVfkGhwjK
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.219Please respect copyright.PENANAwAAEfXm0cC
219Please respect copyright.PENANAVfeZ45S0a2
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.219Please respect copyright.PENANAcMAdDmwfq1
219Please respect copyright.PENANAFdAMv268Zj
"What's the matter?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAYY5sSY1LS8
219Please respect copyright.PENANA9YEkXFd5QJ
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."219Please respect copyright.PENANABOITW2kvEh
219Please respect copyright.PENANARDVlcwNRIY
Flinty and I were seated at a rectangular table. We were in a different room from before, likely the kitchen since Victoria and Linda were preparing food a few feet away from us. I was staring into nothingness. Flinty looked bashful. Seeing her in that state reminded me of a concern I had since the first phase of the plan failed.219Please respect copyright.PENANAmzneS8vUFI
219Please respect copyright.PENANAy3XOgSTvMN
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"219Please respect copyright.PENANA0o7QlWQ8cI
219Please respect copyright.PENANAPnMjgmMVew
"Of course."219Please respect copyright.PENANA0Jpu2Al2Nn
219Please respect copyright.PENANARdRDUC6oSC
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."219Please respect copyright.PENANAYomDnlNAcJ
219Please respect copyright.PENANAt478VoAH9O
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.219Please respect copyright.PENANAIgZnb0XuCr
219Please respect copyright.PENANAltX5xWfjZx
"N-Not to say that it will get that bad, but, as a safety measure. You don't have much combat power, and I don't think the other two do either."219Please respect copyright.PENANAmuQ2AYaK5n
219Please respect copyright.PENANA5oHCEgetvG
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"219Please respect copyright.PENANAgEvLKRiZrt
219Please respect copyright.PENANABHeaNt38Hx
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."219Please respect copyright.PENANAv5zf1N0tlb
219Please respect copyright.PENANA5L8yO5JpSh
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.219Please respect copyright.PENANAzQ0GR3qCGj
219Please respect copyright.PENANAccNtiZn19r
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"219Please respect copyright.PENANAas8bnj51VV
219Please respect copyright.PENANA0W08qo4Igx
She started tearing up. I felt a pang of guilt, realizing how terrible I was at these things. I put my hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes.219Please respect copyright.PENANA3SSAaFcTju
219Please respect copyright.PENANAMhyhspxkYE
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."219Please respect copyright.PENANAYcNmURnVZg
219Please respect copyright.PENANAIhEqK0tFYE
"...Probably?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAA1n7SeK0qW
219Please respect copyright.PENANADZz0dBxnq5
"Sorry, definitely."219Please respect copyright.PENANAFxFYgyguYi
219Please respect copyright.PENANAKTTkYtslDb
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.219Please respect copyright.PENANALYP1cgABUN
219Please respect copyright.PENANAml4cJ6NW66
"Food's ready!"219Please respect copyright.PENANA8AxJAcE3un
219Please respect copyright.PENANAbBEZDMwDmu
Linda and Victoria, each carrying two plates worth of food, served the whole table dinner. It was scrambled egg. Linda later brought a whole plate worth of corn, and another with bread.219Please respect copyright.PENANAdE1mnJu2HZ
219Please respect copyright.PENANA9sOg5jBkOt
I stared in awe at the meal. It wasn't anything spectacular, but I'd never seen this much food on top of a table before. I grabbed a fork and took a nibble out of the egg, just to test the waters.219Please respect copyright.PENANAlKMHIt9Kau
219Please respect copyright.PENANA5OKwbjGtNh
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.219Please respect copyright.PENANAdbZWIr6Axn
219Please respect copyright.PENANAQgaSCkvtbZ
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAP7e38y3KGy
219Please respect copyright.PENANAV8FrzKpUZu
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.219Please respect copyright.PENANAYKQkXOZM5g
219Please respect copyright.PENANAd0tewHAxVQ
"Are you asking me?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAEbZUqcdsFo
219Please respect copyright.PENANADNCJCjIH2Q
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."219Please respect copyright.PENANAKuSUhlU6yK
219Please respect copyright.PENANAxel2Y5iehW
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.219Please respect copyright.PENANAVMqy4Sd86w
219Please respect copyright.PENANAkDRSwdPwiP
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.219Please respect copyright.PENANAWuKhywmkkj
219Please respect copyright.PENANAfC5zgmbgIB
I could still feel the food in my system. I was lying on one of the beds in the living quarters. I could hardly even move.219Please respect copyright.PENANAiO7bNyA1Sv
219Please respect copyright.PENANA7pBgDuUX5Y
It felt heavenly.
219Please respect copyright.PENANAkZvh5BQBgE
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.219Please respect copyright.PENANAwTW0Ud8pYd
219Please respect copyright.PENANAku0wuLF30z
"What are you reading?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAESRta7mDXl
219Please respect copyright.PENANAldAmF5svsE
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."219Please respect copyright.PENANAUqe3DNDRiy
219Please respect copyright.PENANApBm9Z3Kn01
It was obviously something important. I lifted my upper body to a seating position and tried to get a peek at the pages. Flinty just moved the book away. I got a better look at the cover, but the lighting was too poor to make out the words.219Please respect copyright.PENANASBfzEzgcOk
219Please respect copyright.PENANAB85JNWkYO9
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAxhB0qfmfct
219Please respect copyright.PENANAoCF3G5Nc1H
"...It's a book about magic."219Please respect copyright.PENANAjTRbqCb59X
219Please respect copyright.PENANAqBkYN1umvB
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.219Please respect copyright.PENANAp1iD2d2ldD
219Please respect copyright.PENANAYzCEMc1EdL
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAnLAEvrkvUy
219Please respect copyright.PENANAHJ7nuOb1CP
"Y-Yeah, of course."219Please respect copyright.PENANANRIVMz2ykj
219Please respect copyright.PENANAenUVriaVeD
She didn't sound very excited.219Please respect copyright.PENANA4WTcN00nYj
219Please respect copyright.PENANA4UEsHaGlwS
"Do you want to practice right now?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAiBfbC2xroF
219Please respect copyright.PENANAGYuWXGrx7e
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."219Please respect copyright.PENANAdZ2fLeV4VM
219Please respect copyright.PENANAp7kKrh0Wge
"If you say so."219Please respect copyright.PENANAlmsDdhCL44
219Please respect copyright.PENANAZDxTs4QnXM
I laid back down. The pillow was very comfortable. Since it was only eight, I could probably take a quick nap before the big encounter. So, I shut my eyes and was lulled away.219Please respect copyright.PENANAAMUXn4PaaA
219Please respect copyright.PENANA37h4ukIdM1
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."219Please respect copyright.PENANAB6DMYPXinj
219Please respect copyright.PENANAIa12voyxMP
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.219Please respect copyright.PENANAzXqbIgvZ3x
219Please respect copyright.PENANAlaajBnnGWY
"You weren't the first person to try and teach me. Or the second, or the third. The first was my father, but since he was always outside of the house, he couldn't properly teach me. Mother tried next. She wasn't very good at magic, and she was a pretty bad teacher, hehe. After those two, I asked Mister Freed to teach me."219Please respect copyright.PENANAi7VvDOHSQ7
219Please respect copyright.PENANALJpXw6jhyQ
"...Did he decline?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAUConAgwvMT
219Please respect copyright.PENANAykI8sRtmyP
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.219Please respect copyright.PENANAaZAJe3WNc8
219Please respect copyright.PENANAmEEiHmAqYE
"He tried teaching me. He really did. And, I learned quite a lot from him. Everything you told me earlier today, he taught me as well. I forgot it though, so don't think it was a waste, telling me all of that."219Please respect copyright.PENANAVm4MNRslA6
219Please respect copyright.PENANA5emS7NjKPb
She paused and stared at the sheets.219Please respect copyright.PENANA9Kq3HwdT4y
219Please respect copyright.PENANAe0RIjmrnm7
"Today was the first time I made a spell."219Please respect copyright.PENANAVq6iNkyc5F
219Please respect copyright.PENANAp915Hru3dR
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"219Please respect copyright.PENANA2oAmf9gSEw
219Please respect copyright.PENANAVg5Svk6I4V
"It wasn't for very long. He gave me a book, but I was too lazy to read it, so I gave it to Vikky after a week."219Please respect copyright.PENANAYxVhbAAmLE
219Please respect copyright.PENANAcTbpmunCJW
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?219Please respect copyright.PENANAQQNfJm0YP6
219Please respect copyright.PENANAv5JMdPDVpP
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."219Please respect copyright.PENANAxpi3B4tPTZ
219Please respect copyright.PENANAaFXfWiQ3qS
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."219Please respect copyright.PENANAUuJjaPN6GF
219Please respect copyright.PENANAthwMgbCJtk
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."219Please respect copyright.PENANAezNwRUEZKc
219Please respect copyright.PENANA8BQoDGzpIZ
We sat in silence for a few minutes.219Please respect copyright.PENANAvGZVCMbS0Q
219Please respect copyright.PENANAUTd0mKauIN
"Thank you, Kenny. I really want to thank you. Even though my first lesson was a disaster, I think that, as long as you keep teaching me, I can really do it this time, learn how to use magic."219Please respect copyright.PENANACu6InSqIag
219Please respect copyright.PENANAq0VxG6JCOU
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"219Please respect copyright.PENANA6qVEejymwJ
219Please respect copyright.PENANAWi84XsJJZc
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."219Please respect copyright.PENANABOhJxljRi0
219Please respect copyright.PENANAWHN3f7m7G3
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."219Please respect copyright.PENANACRBQwU7DRN
219Please respect copyright.PENANAJnrah8m6VS
She shook her head no.219Please respect copyright.PENANAdOQWd1LBNR
219Please respect copyright.PENANACS1XeLQJzG
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."219Please respect copyright.PENANAbtebQjwxzm
219Please respect copyright.PENANAom1jyw2rmC
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."219Please respect copyright.PENANABAPoOQglzZ
219Please respect copyright.PENANAVbcEunppv2
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."219Please respect copyright.PENANA52H8darkTx
219Please respect copyright.PENANArmavZB259c
I felt like I made a mistake just now.219Please respect copyright.PENANAtCJELeHNce
219Please respect copyright.PENANA8lS4exl5UD
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."219Please respect copyright.PENANAi8dqs1JgkW
219Please respect copyright.PENANAmtmublgvH7
"What is it?"219Please respect copyright.PENANArYZbbPRPjV
219Please respect copyright.PENANAdlrn9Il9mY
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.219Please respect copyright.PENANAlt8QPyO0E5
219Please respect copyright.PENANAVGiriTeMEi
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."219Please respect copyright.PENANAG4rM0BCi2w
219Please respect copyright.PENANAYA3szwtYyc
Ah, that made sense. After such a total disaster, being a bit shaken up made sense. With how strange she's been acting, I was glad she said something that made sense, so I did the same.219Please respect copyright.PENANAXhN8hNjafh
219Please respect copyright.PENANAAm7Vw0Ux39
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."219Please respect copyright.PENANAxVbgIcfAx3
219Please respect copyright.PENANAbYAcnTOr7g
"I know I can do that! But, well..."219Please respect copyright.PENANAmLMxStedms
219Please respect copyright.PENANATRwuLPimWz
She had her fingertips conjoined.219Please respect copyright.PENANAGQW5K7GR0D
219Please respect copyright.PENANAv3NBKyDM1a
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."219Please respect copyright.PENANAMu4LEOzRVr
219Please respect copyright.PENANA1mnSM6e1oc
She looked at me with pleading eyes. I sighed and stared at the ceiling, ruminating. The felt the lengths I'd go through for her expanded.219Please respect copyright.PENANAMqukKRw8k0
219Please respect copyright.PENANAjNwJET2emV
"Alright, I'll show you."219Please respect copyright.PENANARjlTg0y9Gw
219Please respect copyright.PENANAspS7Lm7PNE
"Yay!"219Please respect copyright.PENANA787FoxxODe
219Please respect copyright.PENANAoW4RaB2tcK
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.219Please respect copyright.PENANAcZVDSFisyf
219Please respect copyright.PENANAKQZ7Lv84t8
"I think it's best if we do this outside."219Please respect copyright.PENANAhXWFe8d72H
219Please respect copyright.PENANA02RDIDlUa0
"Okay, then let's go!"219Please respect copyright.PENANAC2ndEqUJ4A
219Please respect copyright.PENANA2F3GH7JCZ4
She rushed out of the door and I followed her. We were at the field of crops now. We sat parallel to it. Flinty was next to me.219Please respect copyright.PENANAaTI5J37tba
219Please respect copyright.PENANAXZnM5OpDj1
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."219Please respect copyright.PENANA1VSY1ELe7F
219Please respect copyright.PENANAX8BnVz6aiO
"Earth?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAJPpBuAudqF
219Please respect copyright.PENANAH9iNg4tgmh
"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."219Please respect copyright.PENANAmzwNH4K5cN
219Please respect copyright.PENANANU8TKjNRBh
Flinty "ahhh"'d and nodded as if that was obvious. I lifted my arm up and thought of what spell to use. Much like all types of magic, the form my earth spell could take was nearly infinite. I didn't want to tamper with the actual ground since I'd have to clean it up if I did, so I decided on creating a little pebble.219Please respect copyright.PENANAqegBLZHZ45
219Please respect copyright.PENANA3WTXUMjLOb
Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.219Please respect copyright.PENANAH8fe0imSk7
219Please respect copyright.PENANAmplXWV0twA
"It's really not that impressive."219Please respect copyright.PENANAjVKNcTJEIs
219Please respect copyright.PENANApwvnjTYZWu
"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."219Please respect copyright.PENANAVRwFOgUGMs
219Please respect copyright.PENANABiq8WgfJHf
I chuckled. I decided to make the rock bigger, so I let a little more mana out. Now, it was about the size of my palm. To show off a bit, I thinned it and made it oblong. Then, I turned it into a flat square. Flinty was giggling, and I was laughing a bit too. Next, I turned it into a perfect sphere. This one was a lot harder to do, but I practiced manipulating Earth a decent amount.219Please respect copyright.PENANALwGFWVjOU7
219Please respect copyright.PENANAklAsA84Dl2
Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.219Please respect copyright.PENANADMt3Sv5NxY
219Please respect copyright.PENANAHEFnj88eZ5
"W-Woah, it's a ball now."219Please respect copyright.PENANAgTqhnJlmrO
219Please respect copyright.PENANAd7qv0NEegQ
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."219Please respect copyright.PENANAISqPZ4Yn5X
219Please respect copyright.PENANAsGXorfTmF2
I let the ball hover for a bit. I dispelled more mana to smoothen the rind of the ball. It wasn't a citrus, but it was about the same size as a grapefruit. I lowered my hand and the ball stayed in place.219Please respect copyright.PENANAiO2z3inYN2
219Please respect copyright.PENANAcyCip3McKp
"How'd you do that!?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAjaS2rbMuhN
219Please respect copyright.PENANAGbKDNcwMgR
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."219Please respect copyright.PENANAkjNLwZgSfA
219Please respect copyright.PENANABDQ9c3hXRb
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.219Please respect copyright.PENANArjgMfLC0XA
219Please respect copyright.PENANAabA88sFRS1
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAnTEhp2drnc
219Please respect copyright.PENANADAuuwAiuBe
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."219Please respect copyright.PENANAHo6Wgy67Kf
219Please respect copyright.PENANAEWMo0fGEQ3
I kept messing with the pall. I even spun it on my finger, though that was mana manipulation too. Flinty was looking at it like it was a Star Grant. I'm glad I could entertain her that well.219Please respect copyright.PENANAD41ngs3gzz
219Please respect copyright.PENANA1uvLmiqWBp
But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.219Please respect copyright.PENANAUI1biB0wCG
219Please respect copyright.PENANAkemtOewlnt
"What's wrong, Flinty?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAk7CYbtx3F1
219Please respect copyright.PENANAtPf2K8whqi
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.219Please respect copyright.PENANAz5a8iJdh50
219Please respect copyright.PENANAIloCY56cVG
My body began to shake too. Flinty started to slowly back away. I took a deep breath and swiftly turned around, aiming my earth ball at the monster.219Please respect copyright.PENANAU9AU0WOBrN
219Please respect copyright.PENANAUflWnopKuS
...But there was no monster. All I saw was the face of a dog with blonde fur. His head was sticking out of the field of corn. He frankly looked adorable.219Please respect copyright.PENANAbZgruM2Bx3
219Please respect copyright.PENANAgQsIkxI8FN
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"219Please respect copyright.PENANA03PrTueFpH
219Please respect copyright.PENANAHQSzC8rvdi
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"219Please respect copyright.PENANAAbfoUX3siD
219Please respect copyright.PENANAfy2M4pKphD
Oh.219Please respect copyright.PENANAZMvkFr4JlQ
219Please respect copyright.PENANAXL5gOzQ1K6
Oh.219Please respect copyright.PENANAV9eWPZd68S
219Please respect copyright.PENANAev30dEOsIM
The dog's head suddenly elevated. He barked at us and continued panting. Something grabbed onto the face of the dog; two tiny hands that were black and purple. Then, the dog stepped out of the corn.219Please respect copyright.PENANAJSG2cwpDk5
219Please respect copyright.PENANA3Z9D9sHoC8
The dog's head was the same, but the dog's body was humanoid. Decrepit, thin, but the fur was thick and jagged and gray. Something was attached to the head of the dog– no, the monster. It looked like a goblin, but it obviously wasn't.219Please respect copyright.PENANAXjaL0R1P6R
219Please respect copyright.PENANAcxJbEUZJE4
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.219Please respect copyright.PENANAeEYAcVvBuz
219Please respect copyright.PENANAx2BTYnOrGX
As for me?219Please respect copyright.PENANAOfFupnIHi3
219Please respect copyright.PENANAS4yAthkd6v
Well...219Please respect copyright.PENANAMpbYL1ak5S
219Please respect copyright.PENANA2nN0FLwKHc
"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAP1sKVEYBzD
219Please respect copyright.PENANA2qwuEGlf4S
**CRUSH**
The dog's head vanished, along with the creature. In the distance, I heard the sound of my ball hitting the walls of the city. It was unbelievably loud. I think I pierced through it.219Please respect copyright.PENANAuIz9BEV6KS
219Please respect copyright.PENANAZsNT5lSauj
Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.219Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7GjgH8kjR
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"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAWRg22EVmcY
219Please respect copyright.PENANAe5KlrRMQnv
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.219Please respect copyright.PENANAbybfUqA2nK
219Please respect copyright.PENANA7luSg4YE4L
"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"219Please respect copyright.PENANABFA3RG4nZu
219Please respect copyright.PENANAohYbzrnKRm
I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.219Please respect copyright.PENANATu4u9KgsyE
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–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAzjrQyf3mDW
219Please respect copyright.PENANAgfMZhJoP3L
I woke up a minute later. I was passed out for such a small amount of time, I could just tell. I quickly got on my feet, but I just ended up hitting something.219Please respect copyright.PENANASICYvdfNuH
219Please respect copyright.PENANAf33k3thDGh
"Ow! Gah, sorry!"219Please respect copyright.PENANAk3RtOxwiOT
219Please respect copyright.PENANAda4j7dEG53
I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.219Please respect copyright.PENANAbhRk23lU0n
219Please respect copyright.PENANAulKlnQgjg2
"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."219Please respect copyright.PENANAKMdnBPzdla
219Please respect copyright.PENANACa2r0Wn2VH
I looked around. We were still outside. The body of the monster was still there. Linda was standing over it, carefully observing. Flinty was sitting down nearby, still shaking a little.219Please respect copyright.PENANAzIrMDZvnUN
219Please respect copyright.PENANAIHt8N1MxXF
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAmeSBPQkRxm
219Please respect copyright.PENANARAoem4r1yg
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"219Please respect copyright.PENANAb2keyDJCl3
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"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAMgaGFSFhXL
219Please respect copyright.PENANA9k9mo6Gm7p
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."219Please respect copyright.PENANARtYS8Ew7d8
219Please respect copyright.PENANAj8WTsWBwkg
She started to cry. Oh boy. I didn't know what to do, so I just pat her on the shoulder a few times. She jumped and hugged me. I didn't lose my footing this time.219Please respect copyright.PENANA4lHrU4NDy5
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"It's okay. I was scared of it too."219Please respect copyright.PENANAcP5JnuCRPF
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"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"219Please respect copyright.PENANA9sZVf07wXS
219Please respect copyright.PENANAK6pjTG79GW
I couldn't make out her words under the sea of tears and blubbering. Oh boy. I pat her back a few times, then when she calmed down, separate from her hug. Victoria stared daggers at me. I didn't understand why.219Please respect copyright.PENANA7BWEXr5F4q
219Please respect copyright.PENANAFB5EYsO2RI
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.219Please respect copyright.PENANAlk9dJfbMjl
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"Of course. What is it?"219Please respect copyright.PENANA8VSZTXJfWg
219Please respect copyright.PENANAZBOPjj4cnT
"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAYnGcFtbU2w
219Please respect copyright.PENANA5Mf0gl1kUB
"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."219Please respect copyright.PENANA192BIBZCy6
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"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."219Please respect copyright.PENANAhuNTRWA36M
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When she put it that way, it suddenly made the situation look terrible. If there were two monsters, then that means the one responsible was still active. Wait, no, this was a good thing.219Please respect copyright.PENANAe3oNUHeBeS
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"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAFG2PD4JfLk
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"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."219Please respect copyright.PENANA7O4vaABqX3
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We all looked at her.219Please respect copyright.PENANAfaVzrVyedx
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"Tomorrow, we will, along with someone from the combatant's guild, go into the forest and investigate."
Linda and Victoria started disposing of the monster. I sat down next to Flinty. I didn't know what to say, but I definitely felt like I should say something.219Please respect copyright.PENANAIP9lKTzpAz
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"Kenny."219Please respect copyright.PENANAyfEdMiOVYR
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"Yes?"219Please respect copyright.PENANA2fSxKaO1TD
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"I'm sorry I freaked out."219Please respect copyright.PENANAeRpkySUKTA
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I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?219Please respect copyright.PENANAFnXq7RLzME
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"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."219Please respect copyright.PENANAD5BX2jYpeM
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"Okay. Kenny?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAXkBRdYItLn
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"Yes?"219Please respect copyright.PENANA3yHwMHlJpi
219Please respect copyright.PENANAp4zUdZuVj4
"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."219Please respect copyright.PENANA4RINtNiVCi
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"Huh?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAq0tdWJnPUE
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I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.219Please respect copyright.PENANAP7sRYVpnO3
219Please respect copyright.PENANASXXlKEXY6R
"Why do you want to go?"219Please respect copyright.PENANA8dgseh2WD1
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"I... think I need to."219Please respect copyright.PENANAMhBc13fRBj
219Please respect copyright.PENANAR6WAbRKIW9
I didn't understand. I didn't understand at all. But I didn't say anything. I just nodded. We waited like that for a few more minutes. Victoria came back.219Please respect copyright.PENANAXpUaqz3M1V
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"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."219Please respect copyright.PENANAgrqTmpVtDH
219Please respect copyright.PENANALwBZ3eLNmz
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"219Please respect copyright.PENANAAjyW4WLzQz
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"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."219Please respect copyright.PENANADuzeQVAeiJ
219Please respect copyright.PENANAvlATp7Lqrp
I got up and helped Flinty get on her feet. She was holding my hand tightly. We walked into the farmhouse. Victoria brought us to the living quarters and opened the door for us.219Please respect copyright.PENANA7MQkH57kN8
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My heart sank.219Please respect copyright.PENANAtTfhfHQN5p
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There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.