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."18Please respect copyright.PENANAViElJhbu1i
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Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?18Please respect copyright.PENANAnN7lhz8QYC
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"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."18Please respect copyright.PENANAbDD1CqvM7v
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"That's not true at all–"18Please respect copyright.PENANAbOGF7jL66L
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"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..."18Please respect copyright.PENANAJSq1jN0AoK
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.18Please respect copyright.PENANA3AAe7tChzq
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"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!?"18Please respect copyright.PENANANeeQixVOZB
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I fell to my knees.18Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7OKeSDSB7
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"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..."18Please respect copyright.PENANAMPcL4GSd3o
18Please respect copyright.PENANAs90F4NC5ir
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAPrrfcoTR41
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"...Kenny."18Please respect copyright.PENANAQYuyh7ZVKo
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"What!?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAS7lGevtug9
18Please respect copyright.PENANAMJGfBTDCem
He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.18Please respect copyright.PENANAnkwTMrHNFp
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAvpg9Q6mS26
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.18Please respect copyright.PENANAUWiqtLimUp
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"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...18Please respect copyright.PENANA0kXBPGBNHA
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I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?18Please respect copyright.PENANAMyiKpssZug
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I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?18Please respect copyright.PENANAmfhRFjfcfM
18Please respect copyright.PENANAodBFaNRM1h
"N-No..."18Please respect copyright.PENANATiRbLWIijB
18Please respect copyright.PENANACUd2SUrsLG
Oh, God.18Please respect copyright.PENANAduoPgf3Txk
18Please respect copyright.PENANA5yYrsC9ifD
Oh, God.18Please respect copyright.PENANASwnDU7lY9h
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"18Please respect copyright.PENANAeD5tCYNggH
18Please respect copyright.PENANAv1ESXkfi2x
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ket7jpVTX
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But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.18Please respect copyright.PENANAENaFCNsbse
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."18Please respect copyright.PENANAD1njF2ZrSB
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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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAkFrdUReCxV
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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–18Please respect copyright.PENANAYRqPKtWXvs
18Please respect copyright.PENANATh1ujnSlfm
"--Hrk!"18Please respect copyright.PENANAbonhSrujsN
18Please respect copyright.PENANAvnNs3KJk2S
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANArxJ3Mrcp1p
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.18Please respect copyright.PENANAe1RfkeqypS
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"There you are."18Please respect copyright.PENANAdETQ8QSCAa
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Ng already found me, huh?18Please respect copyright.PENANAp1K0QDXyQD
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAK0Z5Ebr0Ro
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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–18Please respect copyright.PENANArSBQou9ipQ
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"...Fine."18Please respect copyright.PENANAujhSiS8eSq
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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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAP4IZumRLfn
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAYUj7VWBoVP
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Nevermind. What a strange question.18Please respect copyright.PENANApwvqblBBxd
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"No. They died a long time ago."18Please respect copyright.PENANA823rTlwd9T
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"I see. You have my condolences."18Please respect copyright.PENANAYrttk1S68l
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"I don't need them."18Please respect copyright.PENANA6zETwKgFEW
18Please respect copyright.PENANAxgVxQKJEb4
A pause.18Please respect copyright.PENANA4l8dJAGHZk
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"18Please respect copyright.PENANA74VxWVoUWp
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"..."18Please respect copyright.PENANAadLEGSlMYm
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I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.18Please respect copyright.PENANAWKiBWQ6QVd
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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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAGHOedAEldW
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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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAGkhNi4Qini
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"Did I–"18Please respect copyright.PENANAZflKxWwj3q
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"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."18Please respect copyright.PENANAMdOxEB2hrF
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"18Please respect copyright.PENANASPoC2Uh7RT
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I had to make sure I heard him.18Please respect copyright.PENANAD1VV69Z2hi
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"Assistants?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAw747tbgoVY
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"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."18Please respect copyright.PENANA7bsMNZcrFn
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"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."18Please respect copyright.PENANAeSTkwKyO2c
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"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."18Please respect copyright.PENANA37YWwGXpKy
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."18Please respect copyright.PENANAnxp51cNbDi
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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.18Please respect copyright.PENANA1aoOgGhY0s
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.18Please respect copyright.PENANAEvQcRjhWNP
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"18Please respect copyright.PENANAEFZVa5hMKp
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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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAwxKiOQkTbV
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.18Please respect copyright.PENANAHYDryEt5XW
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–
–
–
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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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAkV2UZEqZOa
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAmjtZWtEGI4
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."18Please respect copyright.PENANAac0YiNuqWV
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"Of course."18Please respect copyright.PENANAicYo8NU6os
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"18Please respect copyright.PENANA84vj71f1BZ
18Please respect copyright.PENANAVjVxwLl7UK
"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."18Please respect copyright.PENANA2HDeMGhqoS
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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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAcNNbST9XBA
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But, no, something else was bugging me.18Please respect copyright.PENANATJjnunGZNW
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"How did you know where to find us here?"18Please respect copyright.PENANA0NrlQTADpO
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"I simply spent the day searching."18Please respect copyright.PENANAxa3twPelFr
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"The whole day?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAIO0on1D1Av
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He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."18Please respect copyright.PENANABlfpHlG6tI
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?18Please respect copyright.PENANAlISJ5mdI3o
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."18Please respect copyright.PENANARVITrlefoF
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He sighed.18Please respect copyright.PENANAvDjimGt5SA
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"18Please respect copyright.PENANA6qYM6K8HPr
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"18Please respect copyright.PENANAmuIXrdf0Eb
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"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."18Please respect copyright.PENANAgTP8OZcyz3
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"18Please respect copyright.PENANACfgU7S7JTZ
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"...Why do you ask?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAsfg0EtoYnt
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"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."18Please respect copyright.PENANAyLE55uztTa
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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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAf6WnsA3kJ8
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"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"18Please respect copyright.PENANArnvMCxDeaX
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"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"18Please respect copyright.PENANA2GdzdT7fwe
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"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."18Please respect copyright.PENANAg8ynPt5rmK
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"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."18Please respect copyright.PENANAG7G78397LD
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"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAQdp3Cofpej
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"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"18Please respect copyright.PENANA5gc9HQwYdE
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He put a hand to his chin.18Please respect copyright.PENANADC38956fW7
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"...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."18Please respect copyright.PENANAdvTYQWapok
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"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAENEMB8WssZ
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"No."18Please respect copyright.PENANAekRojNT7WZ
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"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"18Please respect copyright.PENANANoAKxjvwCt
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"Do you mean in the woods?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAw4oOmZRZfw
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"Yes. I'm just curious."18Please respect copyright.PENANAFqFjLkeVAN
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"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."18Please respect copyright.PENANAjISgKPXrX6
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I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.18Please respect copyright.PENANAyAvlEE41RF
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"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."18Please respect copyright.PENANATeALlqDWY6
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"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."18Please respect copyright.PENANAmoKe3dIlVE
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"Me too."18Please respect copyright.PENANArYF4ozAuJB
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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.18Please respect copyright.PENANA4taJ0y63vm
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"Is that all you wanted to ask?"18Please respect copyright.PENANA0U1RWD6X13
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"Yes. For now, at least."18Please respect copyright.PENANAUBdFUaYs95
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"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."18Please respect copyright.PENANAMtvQ7xvEcM
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"..."18Please respect copyright.PENANAIndDLxUK9A
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It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.18Please respect copyright.PENANAL5Q2jTHBet
18Please respect copyright.PENANA3sXI9AFulN
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAerAim2FEgn
18Please respect copyright.PENANAXOJRZsoiw4
"...Huh?"18Please respect copyright.PENANA5Httsi7WCu
18Please respect copyright.PENANAw2eYc1Y3O1
–
–
–
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAXv9lyIMS6N
18Please respect copyright.PENANAYCnTGHVJbC
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAMge0xWd4FW
18Please respect copyright.PENANA6XXl1dd0iO
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAPAhLMU9Ncw
18Please respect copyright.PENANAP0yabDVdKJ
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.18Please respect copyright.PENANAIKpDEn3zrT
18Please respect copyright.PENANArAfI82XRJH
"Good morning, Kenny."18Please respect copyright.PENANAdpWSseHD9G
18Please respect copyright.PENANAwOL70lqVQd
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAjw6KvWxs5z
18Please respect copyright.PENANAtZxR9EE0IS
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."18Please respect copyright.PENANA8tUXJagVCK
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When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.18Please respect copyright.PENANAMrlRsk8YBn
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"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.18Please respect copyright.PENANATadxayGw9q
18Please respect copyright.PENANAIvtuC4w9Cd
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAJMIePk2kP2
18Please respect copyright.PENANAdiYA959utA
"Yes! I have, ha!"18Please respect copyright.PENANAbiWpIp1jma
18Please respect copyright.PENANASkjUMBAMx4
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.18Please respect copyright.PENANA7vDTzVhaWp
18Please respect copyright.PENANAC3TKloa4Q7
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."18Please respect copyright.PENANAynK9hvstYy
18Please respect copyright.PENANAiVlnHx3dvO
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.18Please respect copyright.PENANAzQqyPoUYvW
18Please respect copyright.PENANAnjYSUfq3iR
"Thank you, teacher."18Please respect copyright.PENANAol5lepFpLQ
18Please respect copyright.PENANA8S27hHv8hA
"Yeah. Don't call me that."18Please respect copyright.PENANAkjqwXeyLwO
18Please respect copyright.PENANAA8fCueeLI1
"Okay."18Please respect copyright.PENANA3eSr19sLp8
18Please respect copyright.PENANAoeL3SIJ4fO
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.18Please respect copyright.PENANA7UTxsBZesu
18Please respect copyright.PENANA67b5rpWD77
"Hm? What's wrong?"18Please respect copyright.PENANACg4bHRuNn4
18Please respect copyright.PENANAhHACdiBxuB
"Um..."18Please respect copyright.PENANALKkMVR9rD6
18Please respect copyright.PENANAnsIkjIgHk8
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.18Please respect copyright.PENANAuThEQqwBAj
18Please respect copyright.PENANAAx93yYnI5G
"Here. Have it back."18Please respect copyright.PENANAizmA5MCQjj
18Please respect copyright.PENANA2DdYDQS6IP
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."18Please respect copyright.PENANAyFwROpcDtP
18Please respect copyright.PENANAGjelzncSpv
She shook her head no.18Please respect copyright.PENANAQMQl5xH2bT
18Please respect copyright.PENANAnHvqjfXurG
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."18Please respect copyright.PENANAWQB1ceIMRD
18Please respect copyright.PENANAkrQ5ugYZ63
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.18Please respect copyright.PENANAFHH6BKGenA
18Please respect copyright.PENANAkhvq8DN9eC
"Thank you, Flinty."18Please respect copyright.PENANAvYNA3TrQnb
18Please respect copyright.PENANAo3JNfbx9Ul
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.18Please respect copyright.PENANAoNTG7eS6sb
18Please respect copyright.PENANAwzyz5SG8mD
"Kenny, do you feel better?"18Please respect copyright.PENANABZE2dn53ZQ
18Please respect copyright.PENANAFvojvn2IDd
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.18Please respect copyright.PENANA4t2AaUzPba
18Please respect copyright.PENANAuvcTASg49H
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."18Please respect copyright.PENANAWewaM526zt
18Please respect copyright.PENANA7MbGjUyxfm
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."18Please respect copyright.PENANA2z1DfWrMYP
18Please respect copyright.PENANAQeRid5JPnR
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.18Please respect copyright.PENANAa9n7BZFtZz
18Please respect copyright.PENANAiZimQGXKhg
"Good morning, Kenny."18Please respect copyright.PENANA0ePJ3zEaen
18Please respect copyright.PENANAd0HieVlUPQ
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."18Please respect copyright.PENANAeX0O5ZhMq4
18Please respect copyright.PENANATNDlF41SRS
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAkyVuJiJvSk
18Please respect copyright.PENANA9LTaGaAgO9
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAV96OvmACNG
18Please respect copyright.PENANA4TP9gVcK92
I scooted closer to him.18Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0anogXnFI
18Please respect copyright.PENANAs5jiAEai4P
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAYFuo03mNIT
18Please respect copyright.PENANAonCiwZgqVW
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."18Please respect copyright.PENANAV4NaRXLI67
18Please respect copyright.PENANA6GWCvjviKh
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"18Please respect copyright.PENANABUPr7FjFFq
18Please respect copyright.PENANAdVBAW9gxQM
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."18Please respect copyright.PENANA33mU39eHXi
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He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.18Please respect copyright.PENANAVsGREwLE2e
18Please respect copyright.PENANAeyWQGumBji
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."18Please respect copyright.PENANAbemViRvJau
18Please respect copyright.PENANAENI54Chynr
"What?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAsQP7CcUkQk
18Please respect copyright.PENANAS3edNtfhlw
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."18Please respect copyright.PENANAs4fzjPjAJD
18Please respect copyright.PENANAuqjZqS7E5M
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAXm2EBmHwZO
18Please respect copyright.PENANA27N424Pc7P
"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."18Please respect copyright.PENANAR9YANvorUV
18Please respect copyright.PENANA80fY9iEMjD
"R-Right."18Please respect copyright.PENANAwSCZACOx75
18Please respect copyright.PENANA95eWxrRSsn
"Well then, shall we go?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAuhSZilTp72
18Please respect copyright.PENANAyxLsHn1Wzb
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.18Please respect copyright.PENANASAl39zmSiI
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"Alright."18Please respect copyright.PENANAmkzBd0qih1
18Please respect copyright.PENANAUMHzrXMWTH
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAxlVKOBwkOA
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"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."18Please respect copyright.PENANAD3FPdLn8ED
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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.18Please respect copyright.PENANA4jMaiENPJk
18Please respect copyright.PENANA4XDnFmrefK
"What?"18Please respect copyright.PENANA8hHWkv9wXe
18Please respect copyright.PENANAwRH6X6s0rM
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."18Please respect copyright.PENANAQPhSGtdgox
18Please respect copyright.PENANAYXuIkdCwh3
"I know he will."18Please respect copyright.PENANAu4iCcTvHmb
18Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4EYArsCWy
"Then why are you shaking?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAgOc1iwnBt2
18Please respect copyright.PENANAx69dGHFP9Y
"...I just can't help myself."18Please respect copyright.PENANAG7946rqkTV
18Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7VtQQ3QUM
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANADsrKAD4Otu
18Please respect copyright.PENANAzXS4BH2V5q
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAOcVT7T8vGj
18Please respect copyright.PENANAXkGqElljOE
"What do you want to talk about?"18Please respect copyright.PENANASVOmeIKiQB
18Please respect copyright.PENANAcKNQCxG1uH
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAL3ZeS5Nrt6
18Please respect copyright.PENANAk3XOYyu5W2
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."18Please respect copyright.PENANAEswEnoSGtc
18Please respect copyright.PENANARkGIZMqcIz
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."18Please respect copyright.PENANAZdnmbjOvGw
18Please respect copyright.PENANAaQ0siAlJp6
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"18Please respect copyright.PENANADI9909dvKA
18Please respect copyright.PENANAhClkPEOJbe
"Ha!"18Please respect copyright.PENANAt5svqtukvF
18Please respect copyright.PENANAr86fe9pWtX
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.18Please respect copyright.PENANAbeqvvtHzGF
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"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!"18Please respect copyright.PENANAhTBaehBAEf
18Please respect copyright.PENANAMetTqfsAiX
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"18Please respect copyright.PENANA6xzhbTMwo5
18Please respect copyright.PENANAwYmDQWNXhU
"Hehe, something like that."18Please respect copyright.PENANAdYYwi54CE4
18Please respect copyright.PENANAbJPS2RAQUb
She didn't sound confident.18Please respect copyright.PENANAhpoyZ7XbxC
18Please respect copyright.PENANAg5ZZOo6R51
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."18Please respect copyright.PENANAtdQI1FusGo
18Please respect copyright.PENANAWnzpiPx0jd
"Ah. That makes sense."18Please respect copyright.PENANAjkKNaZz2DO
18Please respect copyright.PENANAEhwCHSqLwM
I was very close to saying something insensitive.18Please respect copyright.PENANAllcrzutkPT
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"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."18Please respect copyright.PENANA2IWss4kA9l
18Please respect copyright.PENANAJcTkp8ZDE2
"...Wolf?"18Please respect copyright.PENANA3iQRu8Cfef
18Please respect copyright.PENANA3mg0rFB0zQ
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAplqY1pqguj
18Please respect copyright.PENANAsoBSeg0EoN
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?18Please respect copyright.PENANAcEapkhq73V
18Please respect copyright.PENANA6nVYCbBgO3
"Kenny?"18Please respect copyright.PENANA7GZb1EAHOo
18Please respect copyright.PENANAH9JsghcBSd
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAK4WcwJd7gh
18Please respect copyright.PENANAejI4bN79Wp
I stood up and walked forward.18Please respect copyright.PENANAwyJAZSinBP
18Please respect copyright.PENANAGcSiUOyCCo
"Kenny? What's wrong?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAxqwNcdigTL
18Please respect copyright.PENANATJ2OfgQNhd
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."18Please respect copyright.PENANAYjbnGjAXgV
18Please respect copyright.PENANAN5SuEOV2Wv
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAv7uwZJm3Qj
18Please respect copyright.PENANA3qRnJcTQQg
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANA2iGSUSqBDX
18Please respect copyright.PENANAgdoqQZwPEj
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.18Please respect copyright.PENANABRnfXcu623
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**BANG**18Please respect copyright.PENANAtfRHOGVdM3
18Please respect copyright.PENANAsPysNvuNRj
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAVtOkOBEtFH
18Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZVp2GeSPd
"Victoria."18Please respect copyright.PENANAP0wwPCjhmv
18Please respect copyright.PENANAeUgz2it6yV
"Right."18Please respect copyright.PENANAzC7E1tGlHI
18Please respect copyright.PENANANN4L0u1ZtJ
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAQQbmkFwohz
18Please respect copyright.PENANAAHWcY0u165
**SMASH**18Please respect copyright.PENANAeM1tNtj8mG
18Please respect copyright.PENANAS3imp17QmZ
There he was.18Please respect copyright.PENANAHfM2MAR24a
18Please respect copyright.PENANAKFZOKMaXuF
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAIwrGIXJT9S
18Please respect copyright.PENANAMHdskGFiCC
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAeNXECPBbEo
18Please respect copyright.PENANANW33d2FEMg
"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."18Please respect copyright.PENANAFwux9DrENz
18Please respect copyright.PENANACI2L1VcDu3
"Right."18Please respect copyright.PENANAlUmdxsHUsJ
18Please respect copyright.PENANAXDorFGY4cA
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAzyNNqumt3J
18Please respect copyright.PENANAvVkMARL6HZ
"Thank you!"18Please respect copyright.PENANAXhDXZqSXAb
18Please respect copyright.PENANAOI7U45Rkej
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAxpd67cO4Ql
18Please respect copyright.PENANAuWjgCFirvF
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAqenUJYlNQh
18Please respect copyright.PENANA65wfuyia8j
"Huh?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAf7Lo7jFML1
18Please respect copyright.PENANATVCrkaYG3i
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.18Please respect copyright.PENANA8IA9FqhEiZ
18Please respect copyright.PENANAyU5LBJ7G5r
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.18Please respect copyright.PENANAmLBwKpWdTp
18Please respect copyright.PENANAdf7pi5OhdW
"Shit!"18Please respect copyright.PENANA3rv3pNLA3v
18Please respect copyright.PENANAp4KGZ3U7mm
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAHnBMWNQJer
18Please respect copyright.PENANAeza9WqpWIJ
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAEl9EHm9eue
18Please respect copyright.PENANAms4YVgdaf9
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAV2ngcQ3plV
18Please respect copyright.PENANArSgJ7BmvoE
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."18Please respect copyright.PENANA9nUf9GWjKK
18Please respect copyright.PENANA8XbTESFqrv
"I understand."18Please respect copyright.PENANA25ojTJ0Gez
18Please respect copyright.PENANAPJfJia96Qd
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANANfmfV4y0LP
18Please respect copyright.PENANAQH4wCgyGoZ
"Uh oh, Kenny."18Please respect copyright.PENANAOWbKZQjVWk
18Please respect copyright.PENANA7WsCppM2EX
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.18Please respect copyright.PENANAGsNpJZYd2q
18Please respect copyright.PENANA0d8dGyDuMN
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."18Please respect copyright.PENANAaWs84OvgMh
18Please respect copyright.PENANAFsHoFzSWAN
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAChPdA5y7Sy
18Please respect copyright.PENANANxcGaYJSw0
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAabVbsFOUF2
18Please respect copyright.PENANA2rgph7uI1p
"Hrk!"18Please respect copyright.PENANAsK4OEJcrD3
18Please respect copyright.PENANAuizvbvFPXC
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAagx5xjwx15
18Please respect copyright.PENANApWCg3VOTFK
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"18Please respect copyright.PENANAiITlqGTkqJ
18Please respect copyright.PENANASfFOHYCO4o
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANA9u267l7khE
18Please respect copyright.PENANAsD2dZDUDQ6
"Victoria!"18Please respect copyright.PENANA9eakBZF8Va
18Please respect copyright.PENANA4TEGEkmFmG
"Right!"18Please respect copyright.PENANAM6XTZFFQtY
18Please respect copyright.PENANA8ZaxyjtnWJ
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAP7QBRQobX8
18Please respect copyright.PENANAEbLKYbUQYg
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAreqagFVyNR
18Please respect copyright.PENANAFh5ShNxL0d
"GRAHHHH!"18Please respect copyright.PENANA9n5BgIeDzR
18Please respect copyright.PENANAKxl0ya5T4M
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.18Please respect copyright.PENANA0VrLGafSPs
18Please respect copyright.PENANAyXP1kriuqP
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANA7QFP2JQ3Zq
18Please respect copyright.PENANAQbfxBTOmVY
"..."18Please respect copyright.PENANAXYwThifmCu
18Please respect copyright.PENANAYtg4zcMtEP
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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAguSRwlB1dR
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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.18Please respect copyright.PENANA49nkOEb018
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We did it. We really did it.18Please respect copyright.PENANARqmsOGlMNE
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"Kenny!"18Please respect copyright.PENANAqmTfdr8QLr
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Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.18Please respect copyright.PENANAa2n2Qwu0QN
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"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAPDjpP7Vyee
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"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."18Please respect copyright.PENANA4UoX1URfOb
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She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.18Please respect copyright.PENANAhbrfqT8jCY
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"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."18Please respect copyright.PENANAxNNgjiy8Os
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"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"18Please respect copyright.PENANADv1Fvd2lRH
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She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.18Please respect copyright.PENANA1YT7CJUzQv
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"We did it," I muttered.18Please respect copyright.PENANA4ahJykECEu
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I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.18Please respect copyright.PENANAjUQqbxfEYU
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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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAYqB6GI04A2
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I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.18Please respect copyright.PENANAMou7TIgkfw
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"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAsjRXCsutwN
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"...It could've been a lot worse."18Please respect copyright.PENANADDwenSs7yP
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"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."18Please respect copyright.PENANAY6hM8rYcDB
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Victoria looked at something above me.18Please respect copyright.PENANASRo351QiTU
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"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAOD1B2INSQR
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Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.18Please respect copyright.PENANAqLr6Ob2xEQ
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"No. Why do you ask?"18Please respect copyright.PENANACCboDJXRap
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"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."18Please respect copyright.PENANAPo4MaYHEQV
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"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."18Please respect copyright.PENANAFxtfrayc5G
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"O-Oh, sorry."18Please respect copyright.PENANAMMjKXJAFfB
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She scratched her cheek a little.18Please respect copyright.PENANAtHKuUa2Q5H
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"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAgxtzYp8eza
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"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."18Please respect copyright.PENANAztcF25if0w
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"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."18Please respect copyright.PENANA3608NgYetq
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"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.18Please respect copyright.PENANAx8g7qG5irH
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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.18Please respect copyright.PENANACRkVwBPvyr
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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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAVkUjbYIJAu
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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.18Please respect copyright.PENANAL0DXFAFsq9
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"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"18Please respect copyright.PENANAarDX7D51q5
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"We fought something, Kenny and I."18Please respect copyright.PENANA33gcUKnFqS
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She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.18Please respect copyright.PENANAiw5C6tSm6y
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"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."18Please respect copyright.PENANAw5wiLYcmWI
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"How is Kim?" I asked.18Please respect copyright.PENANAJpP2fcoht0
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"She's fine, just unconscious."18Please respect copyright.PENANA5gOvNZCAJR
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I could only say one thing.18Please respect copyright.PENANA4WYo9AZmI5
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"...Haaaa. Thank God."