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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyKgeYI7Mx
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FrNJmKicp
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GzuKYI0M8
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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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTEl0ITK1z
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"That's not true at all–"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hzekDkpSg
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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..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlgrJzn625
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsmjpUg3S6
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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!?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgUXwfznXQ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOmqg169xN
I fell to my knees.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M9BMtCu86
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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..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtao44U5WyH
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKhcj4LEDM
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvXuGzlYDb
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"...Kenny."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWVJGX8tk1
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"What!?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNElhV073W
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiyelRpLJS
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXV08SY96m
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTzTa8HhGx
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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."
...217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp51TZlLkfp
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYCw1TxZMB
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoTvZGJLkb
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUggm6YCOq9
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWH4YHG61u
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80Eaz4ueuA
"N-No..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkD45PkkPd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth267XI5zA
Oh, God.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZY0ZFTTX4
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gwJScFiUT
Oh, God.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0AWDf0uqw
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQuW0iOzkO
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrxVs8efES
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWVkZtQClz
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiK1lHotqu
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCseCeCWtx
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF51R1FNnz
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIPIXrt5h8
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHf7R4EpJ9
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz6ptqhTqS
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–217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyPchpc02l
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"--Hrk!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlncXwuvXov
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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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaHVGp5R6I
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lpSopbfTP
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"There you are."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgtSNtVOws
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Ng already found me, huh?217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDJ476zLRF
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhnqxKlt8A
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VzogwZERn
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–217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhnODc1Vez
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"...Fine."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrt3SbMjYKr
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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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0beQpSSNY
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAmaAtiz3e
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Nevermind. What a strange question.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLSGuOSTSd
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"No. They died a long time ago."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVaremQOVB
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"I see. You have my condolences."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sw1pc8Jut
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"I don't need them."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo0GaI4mha
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A pause.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5xvqknCYo
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcnuEkpnb8
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"..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCkt8xHCzE
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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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNe33WPCZ0
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxT5JdRsct
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIulqF9gCUp
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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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaN8IssAJu
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"Did I–"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JqjpIobtn
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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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ370rLB7rGz
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlX1nLmAy3
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I had to make sure I heard him.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhgkVzc7Ot
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"Assistants?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WF0peAKJK
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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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfz9PsVpq8
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaIvviUONi
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRE5VOxs8B
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgZGV0wcPz
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39G8HDxCRl
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoy6Xb8gL0
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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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TgEkDpAqL
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3p3ulcl57
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbZ5rlbjhd
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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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhT8bcaU0l
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd9Rvo6a2f
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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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxFzMjT6DC
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJICk1gGBF8
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh76jDQFlN8
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"Of course."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gaWMGxVfW
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOpfceIM66
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"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMvOqi6VmN
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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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bKDYU65Fq
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But, no, something else was bugging me.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q2MmamQPP
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"How did you know where to find us here?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WdzLtGFfE
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"I simply spent the day searching."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS222pqJZZ3
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"The whole day?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzmurTSDNh
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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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GJu0UfJKc
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRBeeLnUnt
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf435bGmOk
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He sighed.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqctRtQoQl
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU0SbPzEOJ
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJOevVsGGa
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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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qKKd3MIGN
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l2oZluIgR
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"...Why do you ask?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlus8riOf9
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0jgb8BsvO
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKfEzPQedW
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPucK1C3MX3
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgFCB1F1Sn
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡls8czky4ng
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpExcc7ffq
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1YCdPLhk6
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrt11NCvYJI
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUps2t0zEe
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcgoAuH2Qy
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ6K14axBL
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBzLCzMauf
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LSeJI7iJz
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLfJhpy51X
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8rwv7Le07
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs24kvqrz3n
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpCbNDvZOO
He put a hand to his chin.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtZ4fCkVbP
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkmReyNU4E
"...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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHGTBKRU6r
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfTyJvyB3m
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmdJGC5kZZ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCvCnsXGcK
"No."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWEkGfg5Qh
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVgZlShhN9
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejPRrI7X8z
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuklOcJdXN
"Do you mean in the woods?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5JCBT0YZU
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscDyEdl1Y5
"Yes. I'm just curious."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01roryOV0x
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KL7Qi8Tzi
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKOb9D98iA
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40NJcOdi2l
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJmHXyrfHV
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxp8pX8GWA
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAcuzlQ3U2
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcamTtk1Ku
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhtwnJ6gHY
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEl6aNI0Wru
"Me too."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpFHoGOkQk
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtm3723xgC
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnlu02lsYj
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrOynxhWwD
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqbwU2SxNP
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsffCkhuuWb
"Yes. For now, at least."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ2UBiTSb3
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RBmPKElAI
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmpRV6rHz1
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY74fRiJTK
"..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOhHORujbR
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKvw1uxvRp
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKronxFxUY
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVECtWLymW
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzoFNh2NP4
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0aT7zfnGz
"...Huh?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmHaAHRMys
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnvXS5Y8I3
–
–
–
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykQDGtZiui
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5rMs8dze0
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTn3Ax7SpM
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ypKjC7gdE
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT3JVsl6n6
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ULSXXBbri
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42rYBt99QJ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXaa5TfPxG
"Good morning, Kenny."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnmiRH7fOC
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg6wjas7wM
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqwaJBQ3V2
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOwBgNLhEf
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRbvOgMEW1
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXjgsdIIlU
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudcbk8bdm5
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCDfohe1MN
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoZzBi1OhJ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr6dqz8Qkv
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV3eszqov1
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuvWmGso5O
"Yes! I have, ha!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF3LHgvCnI
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHxeSVfsIL
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnQfU7W2KF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zjwEs170U
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3JLk7YivD
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrstuYiboUS
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK9iXlr4Ya
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGWwtYyeXH
"Thank you, teacher."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjlKDz5hpm
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGzL8hsXBE
"Yeah. Don't call me that."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB01Jx7Zb5
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwzp6QXTKp
"Okay."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WbP1Ovcqu
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PFkZYKOVD
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1bj6W3ss1
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0fkeSg8v8
"Hm? What's wrong?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvbfDEO3PY
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiusZFTSYb
"Um..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEInxVQZaL
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66rducmCLC
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsicTbO6OIe
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUzZIPdDYu
"Here. Have it back."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsNjnH6d38
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BFfoKHqKU
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE5ZDTiLuI
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVnteMmmKQ
She shook her head no.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCndTa4St7p
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIRO1pqLud
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMta1287Ga
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPKCEpo328
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnputRIlNMf
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFDlFzkoVI
"Thank you, Flinty."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89E0SioR2H
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOdxyMtc55
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nX922rmzR
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsL5d1qo8Y
"Kenny, do you feel better?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfJQifNxf9
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MAUCW8GxE
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxtY8ZPlrM
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMTLTGSrwS
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBYGbA8DXG
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46xP391tkK
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6zGNYSGUR
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRqs8BPSpT
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSEOv1ydSq
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbB8OT9P5O
"Good morning, Kenny."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wbYnEKFri
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtaymXaaeC
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvtkcpN0Dd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5dPZiY4ez
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqaSvjxvi5
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytiwbXieCt
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqCmpu7iRJ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDRtl1oqTH
I scooted closer to him.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsbur2DULa
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkF8pUrjoS
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc7NjJqknD
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeiiCmgMTA
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBlQpcskwT
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QjptfXWUa
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08qj9ueAwW
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBYwpL6ljx
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuePmuYWes1
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYun5JrKIs5
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwqsnGsNcR
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdfkwh8sQp
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQRWUz9HEF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6c4UeofLA
"What?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuztoVX0TxT
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XpopyehX3
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgC4dHxop7
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtndecdcvM
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1UP6fPAKm
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuzSBHanuc
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3BfPcSKly
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgURhbjDc2p
"R-Right."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOMSBikfrQ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphSKJK3x5d
"Well then, shall we go?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq3Ctr5ZUo
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP3HLMzghX
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71IqZgthcJ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK72fFAirMy
"Alright."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUUfutcJQF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGiM1Ha5Ph
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPr1KvlTN5
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dEeR2YATk
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqR01MO2GJ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWooSCLNKX
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRhacoPBSU
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8fk0EbLlL
"What?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPwANJCXVG
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsftYiDrLBn
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLvFjVmZ71
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP0CQhZwsR
"I know he will."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8okCzcvgES
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqdzIzhFTE
"Then why are you shaking?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxng7VPi4ZF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzge9drkxXz
"...I just can't help myself."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQfAcPeW0P
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85ZVZwp24T
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpcqkuSsUC
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlKUMN3Zy7
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKntt0KAPms
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGSCrQOG3k
"What do you want to talk about?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq1nJoGfGF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6IukCfSsi
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PGjFU7o4A
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20zLtwh3uT
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNzDvVv0JC
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uJ4E92YgD
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlAcbjMcAb
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8BYpHCzxl
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftkixt1ddL
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPfGPJkpQ7
"Ha!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKiMqtZBeT
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk1mKoM4Ny
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXzmWlpo1b
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUVasku47O
"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!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KevKm0MQY
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOvFtFQ43h
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaeclxC9az
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKiMNVoJeX
"Hehe, something like that."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmsTw52ZTb
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYKeUmcb9m
She didn't sound confident.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxKo4i6MGi
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoVWW88IlC
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSEIYuzWVO
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm0TFtKOul
"Ah. That makes sense."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnUEmeRtKd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiWuquYwi7
I was very close to saying something insensitive.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokMcHfEBn8
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbwkPqdZuG
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhNNRgOaMC
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbYF9dj5KY
"...Wolf?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6cU226paL
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLg24i2Pg92
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSadwJt3Wcl
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjWAlMue10
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLThL4go7cs
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTU7B2scsw
"Kenny?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQHBxkz6py
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwd7w5ape0
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1UEXhLlbR
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQGKkWsdHZ
I stood up and walked forward.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU47sKOWAiZ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r8tnFpw83
"Kenny? What's wrong?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSPAm0nXeo
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ50h6UMhoY
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmU4UVtHpT
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQezSn1e7M
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZSkzHkhsA
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Hl1zH40a2
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEJ4YiK6m6
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5yUBXgLzA
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMSBhJOHRm
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQR5JGl90s
**BANG**217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF4uBbLEa2
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmB6okDx75
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeDZUOvrVG
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HOB29aR23
"Victoria."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqt1tyOPzCr
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx8SwbWLWr
"Right."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMJh2zbGLr
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmLMEvd3Rp
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdvcJbT6Lt
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPEbIa3e3J
**SMASH**217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aa7zL2EzV
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwihv0mv5n
There he was.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGPar1XXO9
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC4MftiZfK
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVlPDuJ4aG
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqlIcXvhwu
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1zo135ovR
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5fJEQZAJ5
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4ctrJCuPO
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23e1VGSQzL
"Right."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYy8rpdehgn
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECTjb69WQQ
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEymbSkbiL
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4T785R9ZC
"Thank you!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQPR4iTfjc
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo8FsntKzG
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIcIWpJcfw
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn7ytuy413
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Az7hMMfib
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgSbW5nhU3
"Huh?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqWsHQ6AwX
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOnmpcKdu7
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUWhrSPZBg
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJNcCjpGhw
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwKFo3nBr4
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqnplkvBVN
"Shit!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTguX5PpZIo
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DbQPdZ2mX
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWRt6ImLAK
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR17doCj18P
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98qgnJ19vO
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8L0sPgriA
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HIiJneV5M
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjQfnDkA3S
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDefeTxaThV
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFhCFDvRvq
"I understand."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3kydvwUTw
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6SESt4MJG
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypgDiSeROb
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnEn4ZRPeK
"Uh oh, Kenny."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgfKIh4zEv
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhMZdVih5m
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj4ho3waNA
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXNe0SRnVQ
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVZ3xEr6lm
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtjRStIPcS
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F2LvCFAey
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLjO4acH5R
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9Q3A1HbOj
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP1rmp8cJD
"Hrk!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq4DuMS7vn
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmKDEwkCAX
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5InJISKNqq
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFQrYN8mtY
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJYNcqnK0D
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GUyaTZQ7L
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDkyMn4BKf
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qJky8Kfh6
"Victoria!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pf0m4pnSJ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqYBGS4XXH
"Right!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9T3x49hUR
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr61BMtnZz
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c6lLFAbLu
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rnG4fqpKF
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIUanWoxYD
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6yIwE8rj8
"GRAHHHH!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRLHugUFOW
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wLpHFeGbv
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfyzGLaxdn
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNeHn22tRM
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeair7aOUp
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73h5x6ZzU9
"..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1vMnO8YvG
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1IdCvrlXq
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs8W34PjJX
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58Y2kRomhK
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq36SEcxn2n
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrg4TGksLH
We did it. We really did it.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWFXrJIUa4
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1rXezvVZr
"Kenny!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWZrls9XlN
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwv0fC5Krc
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzwlvUMCDV
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrfwaWSOnA
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqt2wfPlPnu
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQavSRPYuut
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOI5ARrQAQ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzghiuFqY6
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBmNR5TkDf
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVz8krwdHe
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgDDQ4u3md
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaZhXUiNpv
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxa1LC0VOW
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPCGjOPhvE
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMdF9f5GuE
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC9rjNVvwT
"We did it," I muttered.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4hCiWQgXU
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D3iYmRxAl
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecbPvJeaci
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqqfVnixBz
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPY3bmTcJL
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1csxkXnHXj
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgcLmCVL4X
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV22RP7GxT
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoMzcGgNkB
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedaWnwMhmv
"...It could've been a lot worse."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61Pg7oZJhW
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX6LHPQfB9
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ5dZZ1FAl
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeADCdtClBO
Victoria looked at something above me.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07X1SZMLPT
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrikoWAxj4o
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvvgU6f37B
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcnlfhMO0x
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV28Alof9cC
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDltNbJfj6T
"No. Why do you ask?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMtSBfnafP
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNVVmDdtzv
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOml1FUWvT9
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ2mrD3k6G
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8JPLXNcIZ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLfQA8Lxy0
"O-Oh, sorry."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2coUZXiGo
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmdHZkyAEy
She scratched her cheek a little.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRORYsjNn7
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvde0HgwPo2
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEcfvcqR47
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbSzks0npP
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjZevZJBij
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAUA0OINDz
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uv5kxYWPh
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdS5aTEJjE
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V2TMsOtJ2
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wBRZrGUUX
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeZ7TYpcU3
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LBgxcl2Md
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KpFzHJI8s
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzda2wKnIP
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGvtLt5as0
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7vOwtPPjr
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1aU03Fpfi
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlC6DRnkOXJ
"We fought something, Kenny and I."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJDOEXDaBI
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBJaetjIOv
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjwgbQNEWp
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49osbd9LaX
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHunxBHSUw
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSjGjVk0Tb
"How is Kim?" I asked.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21AhZN1DVC
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlA8CYbAxqB
"She's fine, just unconscious."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGRiamIU8h
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx2Sf2HSMU
I could only say one thing.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5JrNsyJ5j
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwYaotDnsD
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
