The fire cracked and popped. It was already dark out. Four hours had passed since the infiltration. Flinty, Ng, and Kenny were sitting beside the fire. Victoria just returned with more firewood. Kenny took a tiny bite out of an apple
Victoria sat down. Everyone was staring at the fire. The silence was oppressive, but Kenny didn't have the power nor gall to interrupt it.
"...I apologize for what has happened. My cowardice, my fear, it all led to this," Ng said.
"It isn't your fault," Victoria said, "as much as I'd like to say that it was nobody's fault, I think all of us messed up, hehe."
"Perhaps it was. But still, I feel as if I'm mostly to blame."
And thus, a needless back-and-forth started. Kenny didn't interject.
"Seriously, it's fine, you don't need to take all the blame."
"But–"
"Guys!"
Flinty suddenly raised her voice.
"M-Maybe it's Ng's fault, or Victoria's, but at the end of the day, Kim is still in trouble!"
"Right. Of course."
"You're right, Flinty."
"So... what do we do? We need a plan."
"Well," Ng started, "Jeremiah is formidable, but one of Panz's beasts has already been exterminated. Panz himself is also injured. Once we regain our strength, an upfront assault may be the best course of action.
"Right," Flinty replied, "Kenny can take the blob on by himself. Do you think you can do it, Kenny?"
Kenny didn't respond. He lifted his head and gazed at Flinty with beady eyes.
"...I'm not going back in there," he muttered, and their eyes widened.
"W-What, why not!?" Flinty cried. Shock permeated Victoria's expression. Kenny put a hand on his knee.
"It's best if we leave. Everyone will be in danger if we go back."
"But Kenny, what about Kim? We need to help her!"
"..."
Kenny turned his head away. Flinty's words didn't reach him. Frustrated, confused, surprised, and worried, Flinty didn't know what to do or say under such pressure. So, she didn't.
"F-Fine, but if you won't do it, then I will!"
"Don't! You're just asking to die!"
Kenny spat his rebuttal, Flinty flinched, and Kenny returned to gazing at the ground.
"Let's just... get out. At least, I can guarantee that you'll be fine if we do."
It hit her then. Flinty understood what was wrong with him. But still, she didn't have the words. Still, she didn't know how to convince his friend. Still, she couldn't help him. Flinty was dejected, upset that she didn't have the words.
She looked at Victoria. She was at a loss well, Flinty could tell. But, Victoria was older, and Victoria was smarter. Flinty was sure that she would think of something.
"Why don't we sleep on it?" She suggested, "We'll think of something in the morning."
"Yes! That sounds like a good idea!"
Flinty peered at Kenny, waiting for anything from him.
"...Fine."
Flinty felt relieved. Still angry, still worried, but at least she had time to think of something. And thus, the group readied for bed. None of them had any blankets or pillows, so they had to be content with sleeping on the ground. It wasn't comfortable, but before long they all fell asleep.
All, except for Kenny.
–
–
–
I couldn't get that thought out of my mind. This situation, this incident, none of this was like the one with my parents.
This was my fault. This was undeniably my fault. From the beginning, it was my fault.
That bullet. Why did I miss it? Why? Why? None of this would've happened if I just hit that bullet. That damn, tiny bullet made of stone.
I should've made it bigger. I should've been more patient. I should've gotten closer. I should've just used my tendril, or used fire magic. Who would've cared if I killed him? That alternative was so much better than this. Kim has been captured. The wolf is still out.
These thoughts, they kept me awake. I couldn't even close my eyes without that scene playing back in my mind; the bullet. If I just didn't miss that bullet.
"..."
I needed to take a piss.
I stood up. I tried not to wake up the group. I walked for a few minutes until I found a passable tree, then I took care of my business.
"...Crap."
I was already feeling groggy. I washed my hands with water magic and walked back, but stopped. Somebody was walking up to me. It was Ng. He stopped before me, carrying a makeshift torch.
"What do you want?"
"Kenny, do you mind us having a chat?"
I didn't even have any suspicions. It was ridiculous. But, really, talking was the last thing I wanted to do, so I walked around him.
"Kenny, what has you acting this way? Is it truly today's failure?"
"That's none of your business."
Ng followed me.
"I'll be blunt, this is abnormal."
"Shut up."
"Whether we escape the forest or not, you are the only one who can do anything about it."
"Shut up."
"Are you upset at me?"
I turned around.
"Huh? Why the hell would I be?"
"I see. Then, Kenny, let me ask you this; is this truly the best way to go about it?"
I didn't say anything, just tilted my head.
"You clearly feel at fault. I know, I've been in such a situation before."
"--!"
I couldn't say anything more. I couldn't even pretend to be mad anymore. I just sighed.
"Kenny, as an adult, allow me to grant you a piece of advice."
I didn't respond.
"I don't believe today's incident was your fault, but that is irrelevant. No, what I want to tell you is that, if you truly feel like you're at fault, then atone."
"...Atone?"
"Of course. It's simple, isn't it? You apologize for your mistake, and then you make up for it."
"...That is too simple."
"But it holds true, doesn't it?"
I turned my head away.
"It's..."
Ng walked up to me.
"You have a lot of power, Kenny. So much so, I'm envious of you. Perhaps you think you can't use it, but at the end of the day, who else can rescue Kim and fight Jeremiah but you?"
I turned around. I couldn't deny his words. He was right. And yet...
"That isn't it. That isn't it at all."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJws0Gg8bxN
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadNHmIpXqa
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ35TYhg3v
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzz1p8rZuQ
"Then what is it?" He asked. I had to take a moment to put it into words.
"...If I go back in there, then all of it will hinge on me again. Your lives, your well-being, all of it. If I go back there, then all of it will be up to me. If one of you die, then that's my fault. If one of you get hurt, then that's my fault."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Nvrvw7Tvt
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt1xmTa5c8
"That's not true at all–"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c38hXlZ4p
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztJY5W0M99
"Let me finish! You, have you ever had a feeling like that before? You said you know, you said you've been there, but you haven't! I can't stomach it; I can't stomach that feeling that, it's all up to me, that I'm the one who has to be the shoulder for all of you to lean on! I can't, I just... I just can't..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAVUKQMwQe
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwZDQNECap
I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjbm3DP5rl
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUHukmyMdJ
"All of you say I'm a genius, but I'm not a genius. A genius wouldn't have gotten us into this mess in the first place. And now, now that I at least have Flinty, and at least Victoria is here– and hell, at least now that you're here, you're telling me to go back in there, and then just, risk it all again? What if I mess up or, God, what if I cause Kim to die? I-I'm not– I can't do it! I can't! I can't do it alone! Kim is already gone, I don't have her to help me anymore, so if something goes wrong then it's going to go terribly wrong! D-Don't you get it? Don't you get it, Ng!? How am I supposed to do anything, absolutely anything, knowing that if it all goes to shit then I'm the one who's responsible!?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX680zD8uz
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoq55V8jBm
I fell to my knees.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgMmdrUvUU
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEwjaMyqew
"K-Kim said it herself... all of it, all of it hinges on me... but I'm not someone to make that bet on, I'm not... I'm not..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZDQSBcTg0
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjeizK0TY3
I fell. I was in a fetal position and the top of my head was glued to the ground. I couldn't hear anything over my crying. I couldn't even move. I felt something touch my shoulder. I looked up to see Ng's face.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ786qD0QNg
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgtsrJ3y62
"...Kenny."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm2zTrHiJM
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0amXIZZTSA
"What!?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpmv6sUF6Q
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyDOy8tV1j
He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkqBbsXkAP
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWez1TF1WfN
"You're not lying to me, are you?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq60MaCAGgJ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZicEjkQ3Z
The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXoGsRFxPj
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Gt7JOrPHL
"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN7dVdgDVt
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYfoHnbIo5
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGyY3KmX3Q
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XHcoO9Ffs
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQlK7aJPqi
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXG4MuvJmt
"N-No..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQy8kGj6sqw
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRvn4seRrI
Oh, God.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKmXovmGhn
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOXOUzKPHW
Oh, God.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAfzMrO8sq
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8ElI0iQNg
"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR0rKenu53
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5hyLZx5d3
Ng leaned down to pat me again. I slapped his hand away. I scurried backward on the ground, panting, tears still rolling down my face. Ng didn't look like a man to me anymore. I couldn't identify what he was. All I saw was something I didn't like. I kept scurrying back and I hit a tree, then I stood up, and then I ran away. I didn't know where it was that I was going but the light from his torch was fading and that's all that mattered. I kept looking back and eventually, I stumbled. Right, the roots here, they were massive. I got up and five steps later I tripped again. The exhaustion from before still hadn't subsided. I could barely move. But, at the very least, Ng wasn't here. At least Ng wasn't there.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHZIyuvBTP
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQoodncFEC
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcroxYp8SPF
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX1uyeAHvb
"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoPgg8exQK
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAyvZESHRZ
It wasn't the way I thought about it. So, here I was on the ground, affirming myself. Of course, I wasn't leaving her to die. Of course, I was just trying to make sure Flinty and the others were safe. Of course, Ng was right. Ng was totally right. He saw through me, but worst of all, I knew Ng was right, I knew completely but that didn't change a thing. I still couldn't even grasp the idea of going back there and fighting and– and maybe Kim really was killed because of me, because I couldn't do it. But Ng was right. I needed to go back.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHwUJeMtCP
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvX7Dxg7HQ
But if I went back then what if it goes wrong? What if I go back and I see that I've truly failed? What if I go back and I see her– her–185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKxmKWaOWD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5YcTWb3Ww
"--Hrk!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtezi8HR5o
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsji8XSoxEn
I managed to hold back my vomit. Somehow that cleared the haze in my mind. I leaned against a nearby tree. I didn't think. If I thought, then I would've heard Ng's words again, and if I thought, my anxieties would've crawled back, and then I would be endlessly running. So I sat there instead.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScBEVNoxkl
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgB8N9YbQa
One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN29nEF5uR7
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDttRBSBbl4
"There you are."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjQ9aX7HNH
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡankyWHVXYg
Ng already found me, huh?185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd48Cb6xsJm
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKnyJ7ELq6
"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliqtaT4MsW
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUek66yEqB
I casted a gaze his way. An indescribable tug on my stomach was telling me to forgive him. It felt terribly unnatural, but I couldn't help but give into it. I didn't accept his apology, but–185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroymUywt8o
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b7mExLR1A
"...Fine."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ccx6KeJbx
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoOdGTd3mq
He offered me a hand but I stood up by myself. I followed him through the woods. I was staring at his heels. Sometimes he turned his body to me, likely to say something, but he didn't speak it.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsUAd5ZuaD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMsdygJauN
"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAjmW322ER
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ43l8llh3
Nevermind. What a strange question.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheNtuVRu5q
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QP0SCR8EL
"No. They died a long time ago."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZRcZapKA5
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe96LEODMjR
"I see. You have my condolences."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbagX2H1hGu
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqks4DqsrJ
"I don't need them."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhZE6dE0eY
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1d9NaMzAfe
A pause.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuhIcDULC7
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTtsuYda3o
"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbm0RQVx1Z
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SpkKLUWFs
"..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY14bGpqLjx
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpJYdqsuiV
I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX6BcwQlzj
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CGRHVOyku
And then the memories came flooding back. Those months where I refused to walk outside, being taken in by Anabelle, and lastly the talk. That vital conversation I had with Anabelle and Jackson. I started biting my nails.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1839ltPdJO
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8UWzk60FT
Despite it, nothing changed. My mind was still at odds with itself. But I calmed down. I calmed down a lot. At that moment, a bundle of warmth spread throughout my body. I was feeling fine.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nGKeD3Ix7
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2Z7yTUcMP
"Did I–"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzUd9zCc0D
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U2yepnhAJ
"I'm sorry Ng. I still don't think I can do it. At least, not now, not by myself. Even thinking about it is making me shudder. I can't go in there."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNmvxuEeMU
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjIffvaHMb
"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6OgAMb7px
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9E6jcX6Re
I had to make sure I heard him.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUYZsiq9A7
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJwnR1eXlc
"Assistants?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhaZf6XqDx
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaavTffFhoS
"Of course. I can still use the mana here to make some. It doesn't have to be anything powerful, just enough to grab Kim while you're fighting Jeremiah."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXgKdoYquy
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZpgY53qnK
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi2RhLdsSe
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpVRAUxLhf
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmrYJMAhmv
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQqje42gte
"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ1Dzms4yb
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrhpwxhCYZ
We kept walking. We didn't exchange another word but I could feel the air around us lighten. Thanks to the campfire, we made it back to the others.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI2dBXLICo
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefvsVsVuSz
Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyhBozZCHB
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSW6JYneimA
"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsMYZweIIx
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIa18l4TY2
Flinty ran up to me and gently hugged me, patting me on the back a few times. I would've been embarrassed if I wasn't so bewitched by the presence of the third person.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIT58U6Jzy
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjHfsOddQb
Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuoOi4Dior
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBMLSR0Qq6
–
–
–
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsLUqBLHKW
We were all sitting by the campfire. Though I was sleepy, the knight's presence alone made me unable to sleep. I had too many questions to ask, and it looks like I wasn't alone.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZuhMVvWcD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCR8io5ffR
"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9zoAHeh8H
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqkrmFkAcW
"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TJv4Es3eJ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUN3VZaFmc
"Of course."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpjTI2J3tB
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02Rq095sIw
"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPInizxLA13
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6Ur8aq0NI
"Ah, of course. I am here because I've been tasked with tailing Kim. My reasons are secret, but I assure you it isn't anything malicious, not from either party."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVitstzb7vW
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASsojhoZw1
Tailing her? Well, if that was the case, he must not have been very good at it. But when your target is as disguised and inconspicuous as Kim, then even a knight would have difficulty pursuing you.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeXfeLlZ20
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQMM4RdGkL
But, no, something else was bugging me.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67XsgDIaeL
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oWVRR29c2
"How did you know where to find us here?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgJS6MoWXY
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YZNltOqOW
"I simply spent the day searching."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsre31j3Sn
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAxNaRo3KL
"The whole day?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre4NjnqHBa
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwa2cd9wGM
He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIzBTNN696
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DdBckalMJ
Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpYaDdNuLw
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BKIOhnAgs
"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdvCJOIypY
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6pdGsPlCY
He sighed.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhDbdTKWuf
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVQzAm7FHw
"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FDYzbV3me
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzwSDX2Bla
"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDIV4qEy0Y
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNn452bZ6R
"Oh! Yes! Kim is being held captive by a magical beast my ex-colleague has created. He is formidable, and occasionally reckless, but not a creature who would intentionally kill. He wasn't programmed that way."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZY0MSJ6h7
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLGd1vLF4f
"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ixfigf0zn
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ74LZTiSbc
"...Why do you ask?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6g9IocWMVJ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXGf8b9rwl
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLVioB5Z2y
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmLZpER8ji
Those words made me perk up. They had two meanings to me. Ng went on to explain the blob's ability to contort its body and produce a hypnagogic haze when injured. Skylark didn't look intimidated at all. I didn't see him in action yet, but I imagined that such confidence didn't come from foolishness. Skylark's presence was still strange, and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't have any suspicions about his relation to Kim, but– frankly, it didn't matter. Frankly, I was just glad that I was able to pass the baton onto somebody far more capable than me. A short while later we all returned to sleep; aside from me, of course. And, apparently, aside from Skylark. I lifted my body and stared at him. As we stared at each other, I tried to unbridle certain words from my throat, but he talked first before I could.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH43woRAvY
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtbh63FZzc
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QUlOyr54z
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KR0CXas4k
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClnYsmGMjb
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlp7rzbLli6
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZNwjxjH37
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ID726FOYY
"I see. I'll get sleepy eventually, it's just a matter of time. But since you're awake, I might as well talk with you. Talking with people is especially exhausting."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMHM5cfTAb
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQ2WhGnpvQ
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhj7so1yh69
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTjn7Adh5m
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAn2y6ju1n
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZieVcbgXK
He put a hand to his chin.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYEmwXoPL1
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMjtL98VAy
"...Well, I'm sure you in particular will find out soon. For now, let's just say that I was sent to defend her, in case anything goes awry."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNm96SG2CE
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS0BhIzloC
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpMBKmTe61
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYEVPNk1ik
"No."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiLEbzna7w
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAafWrCqmB
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKAoMHwp8x
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxOhrRYRkU
"Do you mean in the woods?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSTTCdtunD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeR3eUOcU2
"Yes. I'm just curious."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZiUiKowfn
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVy09j7xrj
"I entered the woods two hours ago. I was told by Linda to wait until it became dark. Honestly, these woods are a bit of a nightmare to navigate."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yyYBHOYc6
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2IlnIQHKy
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBPXKLICGE
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdkWqMpawW
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUVGu8Vbls
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYS3PU5Bh6
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lc4qXgPUU
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8znsmBbre
"Me too."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzOsu9Crtr
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8XKZrQW76
I realized how strange it was that he called it knightly duty, since he met us by coincidence, but didn't press him on that matter.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAFr84Utpx
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZI6V1EuYgQ
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWbEvaYUU8
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yf8dHsm3F
"Yes. For now, at least."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYycmQ2izkC
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgjL4OERFG
"Are you sure? I may not be able to answer all questions related to Kim, but I have a lot of knowledge of other things."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlhu2MKRjQ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDtvCB4XG7
"..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb19Kbeduo
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvx56jTryy
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTkYPKMc7i
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZgTrmBcrk
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgm4KkrBUS
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCvfTz29fN
"...Huh?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwPR47I1OU
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuq9Rb42Yh
–
–
–
There was a gap in the trees perfectly positioned to where the sun hit my face. I woke up with an uneasy feeling in my chest and had difficulty keeping my eyes open. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well. Despite that, I was feeling fine. Everyone else was still sleeping. Everyone, aside from Flinty, who was not present.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv9uKzKHxU
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuH496fwAS
I thought of the worst immediately. I calmed down once I heard a sound nearby. I walked towards it and saw Flinty standing with her arm out, creating water balls and... firing them.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlFUYD9IMK
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPbRpjFby8
I wouldn't repeat the same mistake as before, so I stood by the sidelines and watched. She didn't even have her eyes closed, yet she was able to create a water ball and maintain it for twenty seconds. And then, she fired it. It was a very weak spell; it hit a tree and merely splashed it. If it was another element, it likely would've only scratched the bark off. I was still impressed.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOiSlKhtIo
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCtELHnkWz
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiNnWNTzIZ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHxtB32egj
"Good morning, Kenny."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKC4AzYlbP
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3empaOuRt
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyePWY39x9
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGJ9kuDBih
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkpsYSjkE2
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMWCZ05ZX9
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKm7qAjoD7
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScKhc739Bs
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFhHdZ3eKE
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVLMOJv0Zc
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUPvSZ7eie
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtXMJ168nX
"Yes! I have, ha!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrcSMhJerO
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVIGcDO4Vf
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv25iI3eNu
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljplhmAjll
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAqwTOkYHh
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlhuiyy67A
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooTU4tWs90
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuvh18PH6O
"Thank you, teacher."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87yzVxfEVl
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJm4w3Z83s2
"Yeah. Don't call me that."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGgGUPCCCP
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cdCq5J27F
"Okay."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KJgGCShBc
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzosgJ9HW2M
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4hytU3Mrj
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMi7sAX6C8
"Hm? What's wrong?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgXVDPjTjo
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oECZkcbvj
"Um..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwRIKkeBs8
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiW1NFYgSZ
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDhtsXKkRM
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIxFrumm3i
"Here. Have it back."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28aSF0mXd1
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK1o4OtoMU
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYeOVJbc2a
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbtDCWGaYd
She shook her head no.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJfvsXxvRz
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVNl3YbROq
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplWHEnvukY
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKuwirNfME
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjenp7N5OPb
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffC84Oyqle
"Thank you, Flinty."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHOzKwhq3G
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWKUE9RLdA
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaqOvYczGs
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahLcg1dPcy
"Kenny, do you feel better?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HRcUlnVFV
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeZT56EOCd
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6o11XwHVf
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Wi07e7LfJ
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSgFBZNUdx
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU16K2LgkQ
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwNEXcdzx8
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGZxzHWdFr
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5p43c52sA
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3wQ90F7NW
"Good morning, Kenny."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIf2as7k0I
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHdeIfIaqA
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFXvtEgFel
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1Uu6d07Ln
He nodded. When Victoria and Ng got on their feet our strategy meeting began. It was simple; Skylark would enter the compound and battle Jeremiah while Victoria, Ng, and I would surround the building to capture any escapees. With that set, we began our breakfast. It was just simple rations, but they tasted especially fresh. Flinty and Victoria were engaged in conversation while Skylark vigilantly watched our surroundings. I looked at Ng and was suddenly reminded of last night.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH0TJ5pBnq
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpIK9nq2wd
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmmWq1GzJw
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtpYwRXQOh
I scooted closer to him.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepozKV81cD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4imCpnc6n
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhmepcZrC6
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIMsMf7VOL
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZZv934S43
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxINERgUUn
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGtWKtRLii
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YiUa4cGne
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvRGZSUfiL
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1D4sk75EOl
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VL1981d8t
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrojpvmLxpV
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnwAr11mpt
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeBda1Qof7
"What?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8fawFtpY8
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFNfKyWXgv
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Hw0SdK8dv
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nkskLrL1u
But then I thought about his behavior back in the cellar, and during the initial stage of the infiltration. He lightly punched me in the shoulder.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNza5p9O69h
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnvPcqaEHF
"You and I are alike, I've realized. But unlike me, you are powerful and gifted. I know you can liberate yourself from the fungus in your brain. You are still young, after all."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtmehV6Uwx
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfFZUpl4j1
"R-Right."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMj3B9eFxW
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabNduL024m
"Well then, shall we go?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIbwoyRZX0
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARfqHCQqv9
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavhdulmDcw
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6JDICQ5Ko
"Alright."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpM7Zx4ORze
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTld6FHXYu8
We grabbed our bags and left the campsite. With Ng leading us, we arrived at the compound thirty minutes later. Flinty and Ng stood nearby in the woods guarding our things, and more importantly, away from any attention. Skylark, Victoria, and I stood before the broken gates of what was essentially the compound's front yard. Skylark took a step forward. He had a rag covering his mouth.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cbmzNtZpu
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInmAjUzsaU
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaROJKGlpJ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvymlNCAgUt
And then he walked across the field and into the building. Now Victoria and I stood there alone. I felt a hand on my shoulder.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHFOYg06u1
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoKD8DVYxo
"What?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qrJFJ7nMR
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WJzpANl2x
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sIByTxknA
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1MVpcLoTp
"I know he will."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dsU86paPM
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtP8wNTKC4
"Then why are you shaking?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko4hEeFUX2
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYuzLXugAX
"...I just can't help myself."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5x8cKD4C3
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMhekUViq4
I walked to the walls and sat against it. Victoria joined me. We sat and waited. Five minutes passed without anything happening. Ten minutes passed without anything happening. Victoria was jittering a little.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYl309f1vIl
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1rolZCWlh
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFus6uFm05
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQixgAgEwe
"What do you want to talk about?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIce19P8CU
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJM6dshAej
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9qlOiXJMi
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbqrptDYIP
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzL1j97Lmb
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVDp8smCNw
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCOI6jemAT
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Cz0WSZT31
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HVPjIr7HD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXN1uIvb8Z
"Ha!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90ow53eE9e
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JxHWFABqc
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXfxQoVkO1
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLPyFGxLNJ
"These muscles came from all the work at the farmhouse, and fighting is something Mom taught me. Y'know, she used to be a combatant! An extraordinary one, too!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LuVsDGAJy
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6ypGBRBMh
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGjdtmJhdB
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4LntKnoqT
"Hehe, something like that."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuE26yCpcF
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPCJ0jdlMb
She didn't sound confident.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyN4xdk9bb
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzc9JFuxge
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9t2XX2e3r
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkWOte3dcZ
"Ah. That makes sense."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBhLnhFbjA
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd3fG47WDF
I was very close to saying something insensitive.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cLfPgUjoB
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLpeCJSHIz
"That blob thing was a bit too much for me to handle. I think though, if we were to fight that wolf, I would be fine."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvofou0A2Y
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCHVXPF3Hb
"...Wolf?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TFMHoBNBr
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrzRMdnb2K
All the air suddenly left my lungs. I looked to my left. The broken gate. Its mauled doors were sprawled on the grass, and chunks of stone accompanied them.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswQ064rCZJ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HSpfNDkUO
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVubQGFSMH
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNMqcnXzgp
"Kenny?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB4GHVSY4y
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVyqv26PiI
With how quiet it was in the compound, I naturally began to theorize. I did not doubt that Skylark was alright, but we should've heard something, anything by now. Because we weren't, then Panz must've been hiding. And I already knew from Ng that Panz had the ability to summon his creations.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7Wvn1U9CL
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1F1YiVRrP
I stood up and walked forward.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavq9YZMzp5
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoecmxDdeFC
"Kenny? What's wrong?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXBWLHXgVp
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7cQLfwHeB
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpiKGgAGQE
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoXKHmRUNd
I took my tendril out and grew a Sunlight-Blossom. I snatched a seed and stuck it in the ground, then grew it to full size. I clasped the flower by its stem and aimed it at the woods.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDPPPTUnak
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡog2cBc6PD2
Victoria stood beside me with her hands raised. She caught on fast. I keenly eyed the woods, almost like a hawk, waiting for anything to flutter.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67lttFMhgL
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqY9c0wbhBX
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4maIKPClJu
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWf68582HmT
**BANG**185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcJxAqgKvw
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRb9emuVhd
The Sunlight-Blossom's seed rend the wind and trees. It left my line of sight in a second. I didn't catch the beast, but that wasn't an issue. A resounding wail echoed throughout the woods. I saw the bushes fly in the distance.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCqDsajTsB
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGkz6vEL7P
"Victoria."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6n0Mbohrs
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2efFa2Ksry
"Right."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2BUa67r2d
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIoTFpY1Wu
I had to think fast. I produced a Freeze-Dry and encased the ground in ice. Next, I brought out Dragon-Maw Jr. and raised the tendril over the ice.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYPxz2dQr4
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4ZhOOjHME
**SMASH**185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXiKGsJWbu
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthClJhlHfV
There he was.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1d9jDJb9G
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbh6DYf7je
The wolf crashed through a tree and landed on the ice field. He lost his footing quickly. I lowered the tendril and Dragon-Maw Jr. snapped his jaws immediately, nipping at the wolf's back. The wolf slid towards us with his maw agape, brandishing hundreds of sharp, unsightly teeth.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXSAvKvWCM
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzMfyAM7Lx
Victoria crouched. The wolf jumped. I retracted the tendril and prepared to strike, but the size of the wolf surprised me. I hesitated. But that was fine. Victoria clenched the wolf's neck as it soared through the air. She slammed the beast to the ground, hardly able to keep it pinned, but she was able to punch its snout a few times. The wolf struggled and clawed Victoria in the chest. She winced, and the beast escaped from her grasp. He was bleeding, but so was Victoria. She reached for her pocket and doused herself in a healing potion, then threw the glass bottle at the wolf who stepped aside to avoid it.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSQQu5r2bE
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xggr1yyJd
"That thing is strong," she said, "We can either wear it down or pin it again, but if I do, you need to kill it."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkyoTWfFOO
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXFlnmtaly
"Right."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE2A4of1jI
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz2cM74n7a
With my other hand, I began mana expulsion and created a bundle of thin, elongated rocks. I threw them at the wolf one at a time. He avoided them all, but as I threw, Victoria inched closer. The wolf jumped at her with his jaws wide open. Victoria stepped to the side in the nick of time, but as the wolf landed he turned around and leaped again. I struck him with the tendril and he spun across the field.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTPAPS6acG
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFjOTgOLAc
"Thank you!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNcTgYsnhj
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGOYft2Ue3
I nodded. The wolf was temporarily incapacitated. He was still bleeding from Dragon-Maw Jr's wound. Victoria and I were unharmed. We could do this.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWO2I6mZ3L
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgfMu82kfK
I began mana expulsion again, creating a stone and suspending it in the air. I covered it with fire magic. The wolf came back to his senses and sprinted at me. I stretched the tendril out; he avoided it but I struck him as I retracted it. I threw the fire-rock at it. The wolf caught it with his mouth.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ4kWtsaXq
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cUbPbkQJx
"Huh?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTUPQsn6fX
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbJ2l65DHN
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cBHKQn49J
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFlWwtWy8O
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TxUJWZ43h
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePHrFlXjCT
"Shit!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzBbaItnTj
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzjJHmAFKT
I put my hand on the floor and created a small wall of earth before me. A stream of fire pummeled it. I wasn't harmed, but the heat made me feel woozy.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1Ivmq65CE
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcufLDn0aP
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwsnR6cjqJ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sAMYVfB95
I removed the wall and began mana expulsion again, this time, creating a ball of water. Victoria was beside me, her palms open and her fingers strained.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20YFk5aPXo
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpMJ3dqTFE
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32HIPnI0d7
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShEgK4Cupw
"I understand."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOrxDepzTq
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOCqpz99Hj
I retracted my tendril and began mana expulsion with my right hand, creating a bundle of pebbles. I shrunk the water ball down and clasped it with my left. A pure-white water geyser erupted from my palm. The wolf avoided it but found himself on the ice field again, and thus lost his footing. The geyser ran out before I could hit him, so I created another ball of water. The wolf blew fire on the field and melted the ice, and unfortunately, made the grass catch fire as well.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l35IJvDNt
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8FYoops5W
"Uh oh, Kenny."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewkT73yzv3
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfq8OV5i87
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT5VkM5y3u
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqoqIiiPzB
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifT2asBlNz
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNILwjSR3EQ
I didn't clasp the ball this time but spread it out across the field. The fire was extinguished and the wolf was now wet, but seemingly unbothered. He started charging at us again. I scattered the pebbles in my right hand with intense force. They were small, but the wolf would undeniably be hit and staggered.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uah0VuvBr
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bRSiskINT
But, though he was hit, his charge didn't halt even a little. I panicked and brought the tendril out, stretching it out yet again. He didn't avoid it. Instead, he snapped his jaws at it.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuandoZVh8U
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDP0GZKVBf
"Hrk!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN7GFIloEf
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XkaswFg4O
Pain permeated my whole body. Maybe even my soul. It was terrible, but the situation wasn't irredeemable. The tendril was in between the wolf's jaws but was still intact. I quickly thought of a way to retaliate and produced a Flash-Bloom. I'd be lying if I said I expected it. I hurriedly held my hand over my eyes.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0WShit48i
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZD2XzkmOd
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFKCfHzAZk
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqX9Hod2cW
Even with my eyes covered, all I saw was white. Pushing the Flash-Bloom beyond its limit was exhausting my mana supply but I didn't have to keep it out for long. A few seconds later I stopped it and opened my eyes. The wolf was still gripping my tendril but was nabbing at its own face as if the light was on him. I produced Dragon-Maw Jr. and he bit at the wolf's nape. The wolf let go of my tendril. I coughed out some purple goop.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA7Jl8O4pK
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAUljSCMmf
"Victoria!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcDKpmtnqF
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ILIx75m6o
"Right!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNyYpc2WDh
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEk7GJa637
Victoria ran over to the wolf. She didn't pin him down, but instead, grabbed one of his oversized hind legs and bent it in an impossible direction. The wolf opened its mouth and wailed and readily spat fire. With all his squirming, Dragon-Maw Jr. could hardly keep him in place. I produced another water ball and flung it at the wolf. I managed to perfectly land it inside its maw, and the beast was forced to cough it all out.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRwBO5nHpg
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfEMECsXvh
Dragon-Maw Jr.'s teeth sunk deeper into its neck. The wolf was still desperately clawing at its eyes, but each succesive swipe made it obvious that the beast's strength was fading. Victoria broke its other hind leg. The wolf struggled, but he didn't attempt to spit out fire this time. The wolf simply howled, and howled, and its howls grew weaker by the second. Dragon-Maw Jr. kept clamping down. I noticed it myself, how the neck was being sluggishly pulled off the body. Victoria clasped the wolf's snout. She began pulling at it.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5lIgAcHiy
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ve5wgs6Y0
"GRAHHHH!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAkbUN5pSG
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ6WLAucz3
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWndZYhKLQ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0iw1t71Qk
With the help of Dragon-Maw Jr, Victoria tore off the wolf's neck and threw across the field. The head crashed and spallered against a tree. It immediately evaporated into the air, and the rest of the wolf's body followed suit. She grabbed her knees and began to pant.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PGyeEzLCz
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKzkpHmhE1
"..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaKZNHnQkJ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbKmDjkgm7
I retracted the tendril. My mana supply was relatively plentiful. Still, I plummeted to the ground, face-first. I stopped coughing up purple goop, and a minute later, it stopped oozing from my chest.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2jgQ38QTa
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQT8Q50XnZ
I had questions about it, but those were for later. At the time being, I was happy. I relishing the moment. Even with grass pressing against my face, I was relishing.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50cGiUPzIt
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe6hUU6AZZ
We did it. We really did it.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwoXvhvWrm
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEORMaAY6AJ
"Kenny!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfB69ndspA
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjH9SBli43
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94giTF94Vv
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraXVX3r1lt
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAO1Cl7qlj
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuffFKTAbia
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVaIWBjQGZ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBxvmQiC4I
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZTqBSVkve
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lc9Q5YvqE
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhzcy69DFs
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RSHHJbD46
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9suYtbsOVp
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASFkfnBIju
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotYor7FcVf
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4BUNV23E8
"We did it," I muttered.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvYJpvNKPb
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6L0ERGi7F
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0DoNIqWBg
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanwe6UWQzi
Right now, I was immensely satisfied. I glanced at Victoria, and she was fine, and I was fine, and the beast was dead, and I was satisfied.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJQWQLDIGg
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXvIO6XloS
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC860bolZpz
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaezxnuXByJ
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1Qwm2modI
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxQfO8hLWl
"...It could've been a lot worse."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqJuqe9upS
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7tkug7xpD
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ApnUvsBF2
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTba5gOdwmR
Victoria looked at something above me.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlnU7o6Jf7
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlZ0coZDwI
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRcFHVKFDT
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZy6Fhs30TM
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtYxEVkJPg
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuAznO1Dh1
"No. Why do you ask?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Vv7k4ijdN
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzPc0QM8x5
"I haven't heard a single thing coming from the building. Our fight was noisy, so I thought that maybe someone would come out. I'm starting to get worried."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tJbEinBpu
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVt155Ku30
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj40pctXh4
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihHEfeI68C
"O-Oh, sorry."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55LLzgmxEx
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXM2uZyZg7
She scratched her cheek a little.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Pmrze4WdA
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2t3VXUAZp
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWQTxQdzOv
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mkT0bXqJz
"That's just how you need to be with monsters. Equally brutal. It's something I got used to. I watched my mom fight a lot when I was a kid."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYx9LXsF2a
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydNv0otnEi
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14R7HXzG16
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw5bgmZaiH
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8KtCcI3sh
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXifozShYGw
I sighed. My face returned to the grass as I indulged in the silence. I could feel the fatigue worm its way into every nook and cranny of my body. I was surprised at the toll the fight had on me. Eventually, I stood up and brushed the dirt off my shirt. It was even more purple than before.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVxmaKsdUR
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVx4iqwvAfv
I helped Victoria up. I limped to the busted gate and stared at the compound. A weight formed in my stomach. I almost began to pray, but the doors to the building slowly opened.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡam9LrR0Hpm
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoTSgVYpfs
Skylark was there. Kim was on one shoulder, and when he opened one door wide enough he grabbed Panz by the hood. He had a lot of dust on his body. When he caught up to us, he frowned.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPljtHLpclY
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9vawdSLqo
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxeXK0mlUv
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWTzd0FkWg
"We fought something, Kenny and I."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSdB200cAt
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwW3vnBjPc
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY9frNEG40
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaUClyNT5P
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkIDLLloHZ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxliSK9mM1
"How is Kim?" I asked.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0fm18oBsj
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC6Jg1ZwKR
"She's fine, just unconscious."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTtoDdNM98
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofJrY7OKmL
I could only say one thing.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5c8Gvm4X2
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK4B4Qnvbp
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
