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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSedjhSlb1L
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnOQnaaq7H
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9IqczvmHV
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWqadqPFpa
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrBjDMZAAg
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBlJLaOV0f
"That's not true at all–"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDnAJigloQ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDi99pM3VYL
"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..."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95uAK4XR4h
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YWi11XcAm
I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMcgKo7ZFe
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6E6o9hlwWV
"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!?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipqALRC6p3
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1XxKlpUmG
I fell to my knees.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfm4WkMoFb
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9LmECvrwo
"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..."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzCJgAGvrT
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR3rS9wRCx
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqNFeqm8h3
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlD2UAu2Tz
"...Kenny."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78jNtSLJxX
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm8jnj7IJh
"What!?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUck7cjakV
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs7KNR1sgP
He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFzaVwrUSA
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVstpI4RJWZ
"You're not lying to me, are you?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG16kFujNp4
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunyzffGgkr
The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfTx1k2gGh
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFcRjx9qLM
"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfpiguVtYC
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEVplJ8XPy
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RuHW2uPYN
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhM8qvFUJdl
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGw63ml4Es
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jkAac61KM
"N-No..."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvNYhoLfyI
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ensCNBlF9
Oh, God.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhciSXic8sC
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcECJy9zIa1
Oh, God.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUny5t6Sbr5
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQRucdFRq9
"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlx0sQPXwP
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtudbeqL9W6
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg8O5x3hvW
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UHmUXLUUm
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2w2mXJIiZ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRitYcbeYMD
"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOfAsXcibE
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrtBg8owuH
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfXL13hWIG
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ2fP8htoq
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–184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJcDOQ5COs
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xg9dcxmCX
"--Hrk!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRivIsHbCA7
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4k7eOy5Sk
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQtcEbCqOZ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgryyi7or0x
One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tHTXwaHyv
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAk7h9iI4d
"There you are."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMpwKZl1mS
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJOozM22uH
Ng already found me, huh?184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4bcvwJZU9
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXlZr4zR0L
"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcLJKbFMxx
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPPIa0IJPE
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–184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡod8Le23reR
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDIpM8uIdz
"...Fine."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOCSxjr2AN
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnPUAWq4Vx
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVNSrLvLYd
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2SuACb4uS
"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZGZZzOi8C
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOVhSf2ull
Nevermind. What a strange question.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgoX2J4A5R
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfeFsM1Pb2
"No. They died a long time ago."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRHUARevJ7
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRqC14OcQE
"I see. You have my condolences."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjCYSEaaVS
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVTDDTFQHT
"I don't need them."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mUFekSHg1
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYumOWupXLP
A pause.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKzDfKAAvf
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTTTvugVjE
"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdtVmicehT
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2sJiITa8i
"..."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj4gaps9Xu
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhhsTEO1kg
I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTvY0ZK7eD
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wtLIyuTc0
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu1SnnfBLl
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqQeqE8xBX
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymRZeJCHrq
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1X5j534UZP
"Did I–"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4AYVGsuXW
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXQmUgPTzs
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7aJEpulaG
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2m2XD0LIs
"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEVTOT2eyM
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmdkUFr7E1
I had to make sure I heard him.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xmjVgRQJt
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApf56uizjg
"Assistants?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TayuqohYg
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQGtOtlqyI
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeydi1e7g2a
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HdeGVWnC1
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfGNg67pfC
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGp02IhzxO
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES3wV6FU4e
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LEgqhNR47
"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh4fRnBShb
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1kd7AvkyQ
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd25Y5hB0an
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18x0zQiTCn
Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGGBLkN0Aw
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1wX1xYbzh
"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BtFadWlqp
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdouPNc6iI
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkiEBkJ5EI
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxXozTV6ZG
Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT3uxeT5mn
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7baK5Cj4C
–
–
–
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjAU0ltGLb
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26ZTIx1O5h
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjLbvwDqrk
"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmFIkYr4Ll
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxFMu9qwo0
"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKrivEusiv
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwUMuOBZWC
"Of course."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaZBNUsQeF
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6ZSLzI4Pn
"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9L49bSbbWW
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O4UjdvYcp
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz2d4IrtQ6
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqXhYIFfn3
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5pmPTUo8y
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG709V1YWFr
But, no, something else was bugging me.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyA5IB5GgRs
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq7EqJWTCC
"How did you know where to find us here?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb1CJYxRt3
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqIn3ZEl7F
"I simply spent the day searching."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLOBXukbLS
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf5zaPCflM
"The whole day?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodp0r3xPAQ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccE9F05Djb
He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rxKI9GyCO
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdtMpUo4S4
Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOozFsdOex
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKiIgHyqcD
"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hCs1mxeEK
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fJgzn1BUw
He sighed.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB1i9YM8Zi
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHDqAp3ij1
"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTywGePd2Y
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LAMNwLJxI
"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdFNED7Gew
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxfqrp8SKM
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtGOEibqyZ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhhUwqmQFt
"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBpRcea5Be
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8ubmzNX3A
"...Why do you ask?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjonVUHQEu9
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q43hSNYkf
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwYSES3q7q
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUiZOIKhJX
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UaWG5OP8t
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh64rE39ory
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzQOuHZScQ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVrr0wkCq7
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHYeTwHn0p
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dUYlc06P0
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI5QicktnZ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM0Lb3QDnR
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJVouGEVjW
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcuZ3MnsU2
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5tkZmju7s
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUn24ALEVs
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvNEZW3v0j
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsFEjNUsZo
He put a hand to his chin.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzBNhWcXjI
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75rgQtiSDL
"...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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzElMNzRq2
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsXTgmqWMl
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8YIZD3F3f
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uE0u54cyB
"No."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLyyHqdEb6
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcneajjEL9
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOhnq6kOvX
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYeB1jluCz
"Do you mean in the woods?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY6JZmtsMu
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDvaCsnYf3
"Yes. I'm just curious."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlFWeewMGY
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CREBuu2Wt
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypZfvysW74
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInZaozf0x8
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAbvyxcoSV
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6jTjLVMaP
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VvEMGr4I0
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKDkKnXUS4
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUQY4e5a98
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOCD7pEYgt
"Me too."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH8oXKZdIB
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYAuPRTooa
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzyuKSI0Pa
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZb9A8MDi9
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuXHsDGBaB
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3hq2zxfsE
"Yes. For now, at least."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyhPjb6agI
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthD2johHxn
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJApU2Z04B
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3bRcfRHme
"..."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuTEfd8RFY
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRQNsqqiqp
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtS0TGZW8S
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsrXa0LMTb
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP7HWLSdn4
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O0724H4om
"...Huh?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgjHUmPtDl
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkePhadCSwb
–
–
–
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0O8nj5JEJ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9d5Ey775Np
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5Q2y7o9hQ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVN9Bep4oy
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoN0or7gIs
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjyo3Q21KR
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe120VzYugE
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3xRfQdAxQ
"Good morning, Kenny."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGgKljPGIG
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKTCqebqiI
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6EAbDhUJI
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmQFIIPlDT
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebDMWJXihN
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ008qZXzRUw
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGs9B2h25a
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYG9cc05QSB
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52tt6uIDbt
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGMACJZ1qp
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxvoUJTcVI
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxh2jRdsgF
"Yes! I have, ha!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq73oIbZuf
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMDxsZ28SJ
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm5lvuvn0w
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVGwEIWZwY
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTNKDpdVSf
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtqnKuKXKh
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPQqzmPkdA
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgddhakm2h5
"Thank you, teacher."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwsXhYzqyx
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwoha8QJWX
"Yeah. Don't call me that."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaVA2A4PSv
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIMlX2eTxF
"Okay."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLE8NkqPdL
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7kYITnHra
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0lcuVAKMs
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFE3Llzsss
"Hm? What's wrong?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfmq9jgxQn
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W0K64hqKR
"Um..."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbzwN6Kq1a
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcd4OlYXhY
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubxKiPn4ps
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchzngUjb9o
"Here. Have it back."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXStC5Ko8vh
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm697FxHW62
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT0gVRdXmq
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf1IOYBKps
She shook her head no.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHOlxz7PwG
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDorq4sfsZ
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZuferZPAQ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6OstFbIWh
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJIJxLBDqa
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE86rrIstH
"Thank you, Flinty."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjBn3SGHp1
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzppXcPL4b
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21wiQBZbTx
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypJcTwNRjU
"Kenny, do you feel better?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbx4cSnruwJ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcB22yQDPt
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWtbWaiRd5
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCWfhciL6Z
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDYA0PEdCD
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeTub32mSF
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vMS7PnwRI
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tLnlG4dkl
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa06sp6WwLK
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC1MjqjzeA
"Good morning, Kenny."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5auYwCv7A8
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66VmCZmTt8
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlFn4GtDGQ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvUW0rDC5B
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoW5weE0o6
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP9T9SFpWf
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc5PNc3Kj3
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gQ4PZYAqd
I scooted closer to him.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbtflx1htP
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPhtr4J2wp
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRIv1WvcKg
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowtP4HfrqX
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlBL1pRWeM
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAMQjldiYH
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt2yBDV3J4
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7RXWETdBB
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1cpyhFD8A
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFy2u3pTKeG
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayOiDJVD1K
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sMP8XgUlV
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbunVfQoLtD
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrqsskHGSk
"What?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QN71s67dY
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSrMXxw4qo
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWoutOb2Yy
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsyLpC5dIK
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9irmJulhcf
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AATELav66
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqEbBtB7cr
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSKaaxZWz3
"R-Right."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6K8IGrtSG
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ155k2mjuxE
"Well then, shall we go?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF5xJeqjeV
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6c5LKmnDC
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6YhEvkg46
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CI78Iiz34
"Alright."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0nEFp1uB0
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPp7L42V7S
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm5WEAiWLw
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjwt1HB1S6
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybsksL0mRx
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrcV3U9ccN
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVHpuKqibi
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wUfFH2TJ8
"What?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQatbiMNWw
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPSMi2Ju1s
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FqtfyOOXI
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ132jQqAqx
"I know he will."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhoeqQNsLa
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbcCiqjTVJ
"Then why are you shaking?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRS0zBa9aq
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORfTy1MqIX
"...I just can't help myself."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHZi8Sn4tK
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9PROVSysp
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCyPIutdk5
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDf448hk6Y
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnByMcRKkM4
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77KxPgzN4D
"What do you want to talk about?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypj5zM4x6K
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7Ij4saZwn
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxp4rSPqPu
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iD3GxARwO
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkRM7ebrNe
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrERWVNW4c3
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZRYgZaGsS
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7MsTz7hr2
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSRyrLjO1E
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPs7weK6l8
"Ha!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhUQAcNYHE
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwH0XdeaOQ
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKmUzgKda6
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1cvANGfwt
"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!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MlliwdUGd
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsFBG9Hb29
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoNnIqMxwh
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpFb7IGf0e
"Hehe, something like that."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3JAgcdxus
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgza9nvoz6
She didn't sound confident.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL30vh0DV0e
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6CH7VmZ2g
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkU7PGNRfP
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppjHfW1qHE
"Ah. That makes sense."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocZp29H947
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeDB1yzLwW
I was very close to saying something insensitive.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWbdNEHLH8
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhSckGkvSR
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgAdYw6pHd
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvS7HrSsiW
"...Wolf?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdjUKAF6RH
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiJy8UxGFs
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EFr7r2WI1
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeDcUfXTNV
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDXiupuJEA
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBrJBLSOv0
"Kenny?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSLQYLtgC7
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H9jBjeaOp
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA8P9uzD6g
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVRzSgElX2
I stood up and walked forward.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSZA0K8qJ0
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6rR7YU1f5
"Kenny? What's wrong?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMulpNOqpJ0
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqtGG7wszO
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZsyxjUmQ9
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhuvxIxw7k
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5mEgmmA1O
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhGt7ctgHG
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv7ghlGvm1
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcixwtpQ6Ip
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJHQHbz6BQ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04rcs4VjrW
**BANG**184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEuVXziDzT
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiF5AEifnS
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt59wJcdJT
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf7FmALuv7
"Victoria."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhyQq8Erlv
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPCTBPRPpP
"Right."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh8SVV6fq5
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k0nbwVY4B
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6j5xuyhpW
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJK6gXhtDFA
**SMASH**184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRkDmEOSYO
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6uFvFaF0h
There he was.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgCt2lGFbm
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXdYMXMVm1
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgpr9i1uoT
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUzrV50bne
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX46qqvOeZk
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdQiFWZMNs
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZirEoiTZB
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3tLF2Be71
"Right."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP0Hp8PUkx
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTbwtQzwb0
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDsfqYkyGt
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgt8wBaqsY
"Thank you!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupsEJa7M59
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxHgoBuIJI
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCwXkBCt4m
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1mPYU0O2I
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi4tg4pKpG
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNRhg30rXc
"Huh?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosx1AqB6iw
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF61srgSjLv
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEilhb4cKPs
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgQOwAiijX
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV51FiFF9w5
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4oqLTcNq8
"Shit!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ywPZaAZuk
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VbwSfMCEd
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRMNreFeTa
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4BKoAxpvT
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2Q1D5C005
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHd88fHJtY
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwOnItLqtu
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡti2ipHTmaM
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqx1YFA419
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tlk8kQJoU
"I understand."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFlKumDjg6
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ69AeB8Ff2
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1fGvaFZbU
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDXDYLKHMa
"Uh oh, Kenny."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzkSUxtg54
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuMdIFJ4ly
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL8wLNOoQ8
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAbXCbSwdA
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8ztyD5Uwc
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCkAzB1ktE
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡassXp9DSCo
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHHWzmmyGm
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeaU8mKF1m
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyHm5V735s
"Hrk!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTHEqt6S41
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmta6nfb7S
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLgfHbKalh
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYeeB9PvE0
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbA9Vmouci
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz9fpMD1eR
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqRhTOxPmC
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0adZtXJNX
"Victoria!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr92TxnYZ6T
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZCtDq5xny
"Right!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrkUSwr88S
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMti2LiWEn
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBemuReWTl
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk282golIc
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaQ8k5PDYj
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCGsvadiQ5
"GRAHHHH!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pG3nybsog
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPBC8IejJN
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ8E7LoPfS
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVOBJIQsYJ
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8dG7cZsvg
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPQkudVoS8
"..."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt45MGSTykD
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHHLpVKRF8
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh50REXGxTH
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4Uu1PzMg7
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4ixpxYUUO
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhG4RUwGMU
We did it. We really did it.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3vJhIsPTu
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ae6yb394x
"Kenny!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskW9bHtMsj
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ268tsnxces
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5pE6gxWFK
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE85F7BlGEw
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORDaTibmPF
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLTDqHqvbh
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqoq3Xw8HT
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4RuearEOB
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDd4Jg4juw
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRXpXmNXCk
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONgV86pWpo
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbfA3srCQf
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKKtB8QRVx
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqpoqd9fzw
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9ndFhWlB5
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7LM8lXGnx
"We did it," I muttered.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOBFsKeCg5
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mx0sEwR6l
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDQFeZhh3P
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAupdRr0mbS
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpg2Ry5XjNa
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WvUqyZKm2
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecns6j1H8s
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wsEYjDekE
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbkJWtGniT
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpqjoCs9pz
"...It could've been a lot worse."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBzBRRt05i
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhXD9vs2G5
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfbYSgAdLU
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdpi3KYxTP
Victoria looked at something above me.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcoSTlliV0
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGefcS01spw
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARQere2tfb
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAKtBbHPOl
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA7bTztnOT
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnakecOzLWO
"No. Why do you ask?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNrvDv7Xuq
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEEgYQePVa
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WssVC8u6A
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nF0DDDUDp
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyp31zWxVC
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaPXpwJSRo
"O-Oh, sorry."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ89kRh74Gc
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2FzkcXweV
She scratched her cheek a little.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbDrCrjJdw
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacFnuxamu0
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWsFLfTeWa
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5nRuyZaPD
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDhRkvFJLC
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83m4SqHFNh
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxkMUBMEPj
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSICw4XnLPF
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM8blFxrfc
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFjyRBudGi
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9m8Z7B4LHT
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzG8L6T71o
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYYrEpvY5m
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrqrl1CkzC
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTGFETckTB
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboZ5k4wNvp
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGU09DTw6u
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWATPhaiT7C
"We fought something, Kenny and I."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtrWqzKr4b
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPMliTQoAz
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSnYGOcgJr
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg6tYFsQ2B
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutLOIuxJXY
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOlyCeF5F2
"How is Kim?" I asked.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qcHcBuXdu
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WvNUQZ64R
"She's fine, just unconscious."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtk62uCWFn
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgs17GH05V
I could only say one thing.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbAlK5UWgS
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZKSAvzqRR
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
