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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSmS3cTyGa
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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?124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU3SFVyd1w
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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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBNTVjkWJv
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"That's not true at all–"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ejacZw9Zb
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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..."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXHpb8hywx
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H3ucOfII7
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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!?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rU5ngZafo
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I fell to my knees.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtC2EohwaJ
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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..."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsyVMb6Ucu
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1CCXz7zs2
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"...Kenny."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdknBezwRfQ
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"What!?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEJoamyHnV
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIw3zBvp1h6
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmjwiVwNjN
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YE2g7s9Z8
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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."
...124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3ndNxE0Bl
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I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCdYGPB5uu
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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?124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQZb2NwLEG
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"N-No..."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2gsyjVv4a
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Oh, God.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMh3QyP3lJ
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Oh, God.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXqUCUQxjp
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW4UKN9Mpt
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWWa41gVch
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But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSgL6LfHdU
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAGvS2lNt3
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5fxFj2TKN
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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–124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxjv83W4oe
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"--Hrk!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdiXowDTQo
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorB2sEO6tK
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrCh4Sm7X3
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"There you are."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tGhjdEzmH
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Ng already found me, huh?124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YQb7ClYeO
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdyltQyJzq
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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–124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPb5x4U8v5
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"...Fine."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡip0VAZNHm5
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXHe6mp6vx
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfo7cgHdCf
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Nevermind. What a strange question.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU8vvCZzEq
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"No. They died a long time ago."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrHDjhdb9a
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"I see. You have my condolences."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AkKelvrXV
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"I don't need them."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnswQwhJEw8
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A pause.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgx3oz5292
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ECuBwSBBv
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"..."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheAu0vzSvS
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKrhXQkoHx
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXc6sFbr5n
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPE5skpMTX
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"Did I–"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbFIrZP6oS
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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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2hsVFJloY
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtflkq1J8CZ
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I had to make sure I heard him.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYJcrZYtOA
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"Assistants?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8pEmtOt9Y
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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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AtUOZuf5g
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"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUghcrhsZyJ
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"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM3q7Y42D1
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fiA81Y2Ki
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMePdZCkDiq
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0M6Z6e40f
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUfi0x0Hkp
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk9TihFJuH
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG36K6pvYz2
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiKgcwTxSc
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXKnTkPrvh
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0JLf6RDEq
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"Of course."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxHWYJTKgu
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0Rg4jy5DQ
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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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1evCwLPbe
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkMieDKy6H
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But, no, something else was bugging me.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0GHafoV6g
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"How did you know where to find us here?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5wRSdu7ov
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"I simply spent the day searching."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Nx46KsbDK
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"The whole day?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAWlMK94ze
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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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQoSU2gqGY
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63YwypvHHI
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX4TgGkuYu
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He sighed.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxuhI44gWf
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46GqVcm3Vl
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQLrDvogtj
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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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlhiGm0w4g
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQixUBZfxLP
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"...Why do you ask?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuPVyWhRnF
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZtV9Ja2RT
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxus9uwa3yy
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFd37L78la
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97U24uedpx
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmn5uOir50
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJnVNzRF4O
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ4GXyhIDO
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmvmF4klc8
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW8sUo06Fh
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcVW7a0opu
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHgCpAkxDa
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbRRohl7Y6
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBmUNJ4eEk
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQm6Cxfv0b
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkc9qhXuyq
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyaXgSmRv3
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u480uqBxq
He put a hand to his chin.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCHLVf1Spf
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRirP48zuA
"...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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrucUOyXpG
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUI4tIjSEiT
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsKW1MXbhy
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6PJ0jVSme
"No."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJAVOZX45s
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfPOTbVugO
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVVHrNHUsX
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85YS9tnFxO
"Do you mean in the woods?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZyUUbGjcD
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd3GmuAmEi
"Yes. I'm just curious."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXot3vfUsA
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIB1l9KryB
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY1mdedLZ0
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz306XJKVkH
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg53wATzHt
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0PXSlm3gM
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsB0CoXLNNe
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICvwbUWer3
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPKm00nVgI
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp0NEtjnzQ
"Me too."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6pt72pzfB
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlkpcQagVw
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Dkz6d6HcS
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uC4gDo11n
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiQaNdzf8E
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku9ysJ5TrG
"Yes. For now, at least."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4h5bOPFAj
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw21oqJ5dd
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYwPwCdqdP
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NgkcheujE
"..."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQNdjfF1V7
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HHT9MBZ5p
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJN489bGCL
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzsmcOjvi7
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE3nQPCvK7
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ7UfbZlL1
"...Huh?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlt7eWzF6d
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8jX5B9j8S
–
–
–
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrfsRYfqJ4
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tL8hqN7xF
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaHQPGm8SY
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QMhWufKgC
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX61SWb4zZ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKzruZFPKj
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AEWIzfwlS
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5yeokimMg
"Good morning, Kenny."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTz8X0nuvP
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1plKB8ipj1
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e2d7ECHYC
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S7Ui7JspX
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23X1IOa4i3
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaXUIJVjAd
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Lp1IDSSwT
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeil3Lzd8IR
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7p3Ujt7L2
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKK8thRvN4
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BUU8O05gf
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTpK7yTDpE
"Yes! I have, ha!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX57yzj63RR
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2WEzaYfNq
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa04Y6V5v4D
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ081sTaQTG
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa3egMYLTs
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h7rPLOnjF
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSJatFOrSV
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zSsVMoSJ4
"Thank you, teacher."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aU82i5rIS
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBKObTBByM
"Yeah. Don't call me that."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4MuHASM2O
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTMomRyCYP
"Okay."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmguJWnVFK
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfoshIkngp
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSmfQjPFqP
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLg9SCvKOfj
"Hm? What's wrong?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCltG3MisHR
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEk2L9IwDn
"Um..."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEobu5zaTRx
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFQ2NkKcAZ
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20GtPSyDkd
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv036sgPtnj
"Here. Have it back."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXmytTmyMf
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81e8ImHeBI
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK27dOulzYO
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyODjcbVsdE
She shook her head no.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFg3xHkQR61
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwlet2tYXB
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliyIuY8azN
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9yoVzYcjx
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUOwfs8sKE
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuqcwOMzCS
"Thank you, Flinty."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahgNgalVDJ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSq80PTU3L
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8VdD9Ktf9
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt33UiDW5b
"Kenny, do you feel better?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9chSEsH9d
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IrKxzsZhb
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LGF1K8fZP
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGymjXxKvnX
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7BTKVtnqN
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsc1bUoh8pc
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22DMZzUrZ4
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcTUlVqfga
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQN8anPS5E3
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTRlJ1xwAe
"Good morning, Kenny."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡni1eNyaH8H
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzo36xCCt8
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUD1vdT1cNR
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCM2fCdEgZ
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NcnFHqSPz
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP3koglKFk
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mFlBj7Vcp
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡew4JgCs1Bv
I scooted closer to him.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnZkA2IHHM
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuxPBG7G0u
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRgP6yT7Hu
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o14yKbPvF
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVyPpUte2F
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfaMfaXuYr
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWH46D8Oas
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK4ZwG9w6A
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguEGUOVOw4
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FQqSCArXP
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBsoNyxxPW
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnskMeUsiyT
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTznLQ65VH1
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisPUh7oTqc
"What?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LfJHe2nFH
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PTEynfzMs
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxJnLR33Mp
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP24qxPxWQ5
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ9XQn7jAK
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk04mkoLQfi
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xa45DjxXl
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGXgxgfMJB
"R-Right."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtl02tcToA
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOrjxj7Pfr
"Well then, shall we go?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tN1J2X9cS
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRzHSy6PKu
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDCJolPOnf
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNOBcidmjE
"Alright."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NYDBcHLdL
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F33jkkfG4
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkSXhX2gTP
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSJ7p34296
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6NhYWoKJr
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuKsWcF5ep
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjFQMXpiaf
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdZjG7thFT
"What?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QjqfL8L42
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV2U1lhlWt
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7ZweLO7Ko
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcBozdRAX1
"I know he will."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cHNPNFL4B
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWH6kTJT65
"Then why are you shaking?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEeABugN2n
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADipHY9W98
"...I just can't help myself."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkMejkmivJ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3et4YPeSs
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYL0QR5GJf0
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuzgRf50Xh
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikUNvQYxGv
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPNA4AB7rO
"What do you want to talk about?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcW1K9HmF8
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoS40gvbb7
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGHe1ScRTg
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMWIpYQikS
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJXAGgmFJG
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGBHqvkspJ
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZlUO1cvwV
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlkJeibRpg
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlykVmoMTYa
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6lsSGyv2b
"Ha!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx580HrbgH
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9z7wUHIcC
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79tmQmvfr2
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuhX01eoyv
"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!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsi6WBPrli
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV0tuu4DVn
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGCA8Ju8vF
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqitioylkXX
"Hehe, something like that."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkoU2vyZml
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYBu7P7YvG
She didn't sound confident.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc9Zy5MPd0
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGRQKlxoN9
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzfH4k25A1
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsIBUEBOPz
"Ah. That makes sense."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeKuoi7knj
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P9wjM9JHY
I was very close to saying something insensitive.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Cd9CCBrI1
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmo54G9I39
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWe16G4GNB
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeoaF9AhZn
"...Wolf?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GjIaNFsWp
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzzp08Qe6e
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP90o6TJ3J
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixIUQHL9xu
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQk3sityQe
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLBYLkPOcd
"Kenny?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYaTJAjURI
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhEk81NGhi
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS1xk6KOP4
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyokW0jNg8
I stood up and walked forward.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR85nD4vWK
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzFN2c1WgN
"Kenny? What's wrong?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DYAv8HAlv
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuquuWSqTj
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb0u45yEpe
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPVaUbxyGi
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChWptTMjek
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWFRTFX31y
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjohbWbZdO1
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrmuzb4LZG
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIUBaqZTgA
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWJHyX7ajI
**BANG**124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4IB9t0DRV
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0OGmkpxnc
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLGp3v2II4
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4b5vAe9Eu
"Victoria."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KmJb6crKM
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sU9i7732u
"Right."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR1rbNW8fp
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3172u4mizw
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCpPH4vgSe
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZQjAQ7uXT
**SMASH**124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxw5iydDXg
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU7wfgRUOb
There he was.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZIjbUHNsI
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEId71O4MM
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE9JTnXtEV
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5syE6WZja
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu3jnfeQJZ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfw0HpOMAx
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9r1H645eav
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTcPrDr9bT
"Right."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwEiezrhlg
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY3CcAp593
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Jf4e5I1cn
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaNyigFObW
"Thank you!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV2IAHU9k2
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUo9MNi2jXM
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjask3liny
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDv5tC7hBg
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWVJp48rpV
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45QJ3YWzJd
"Huh?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMm8l1ifZQ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyAXODb3CQ
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCJMDEwRRQ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGmzDMi2rH
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1eB1Gsurq
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPNne4Swg8
"Shit!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyDpnQB0vY
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX1OPMKeFv
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspX1gass4G
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yHXzj5B0K
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN3vq7ZCCQ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbAulbHSbt
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe8vwIkMeg
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ug30HCG4t
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS2EU0wvrO
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1lez6PeS5
"I understand."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJf0SjB4zg
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssou5aA4CT
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgMSpbo2VR
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAocO7l2i4
"Uh oh, Kenny."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ38YdQKHQY
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44DWyCOuXd
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96rIdaeIIq
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nwkbDlsUG
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEdoOeeuBO
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3iej2Bium
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oroVvlkHT
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTmUPFuPDs
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtURCIAKBHJ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRf6t3yOjmG
"Hrk!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGJTVCPVnv
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhu9czGDSJx
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXRnQrtMqG
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ks6PdVKO2
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU7cpMCGWq
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmbp9PCe5g
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRZlZ4vHXv
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lb9YtJ5ej
"Victoria!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32v59D4HlO
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAQrQ3JezP
"Right!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡookhb5bbuf
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5DEXyjJzC
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3y46KwQ0n
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzGZNFIjub
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBPEHdLgRX
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPW4sFZED3
"GRAHHHH!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m5bjH6AEK
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9010S42eh
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fGfQveIaD
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sl4MPJXyd
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXX09KDjgo
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdryLNbnGsl
"..."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76D4xAmmvG
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC1ohCMJrC
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKFck2U6rU
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaQnbCd04p
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwKw97iS6W
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2JqYAt07n
We did it. We really did it.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFqdNE4CeT
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JhGy15MT3
"Kenny!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡma1JDz7MCp
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZMeHpXleG
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ6R5eJVVR
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtn5MJ4epz6
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20de6BP9Zw
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCw6hXHNNZ
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUORaZl2g8
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RF9uxmQ01
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchC7rCCgur
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ9ozmmbVK
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgpabuXdrK
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc3YizHuXH
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ301Hf34T3j
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5PlPXwQpV
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKCQmfp009
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVpVWFu63D
"We did it," I muttered.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7jjsiV5iD
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAglZEIlNVn
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVhp164Qgc
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSfEuLwbKC
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwunk34REBR
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCOKWOd2p9
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIeV8iJAmY
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfkO0FHysU
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY0gvsrl3Y
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1O9MXvtye
"...It could've been a lot worse."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5j2pGRHDU8
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6y4UKjJJL
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqWjHjnGlQ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U8OBwAxBH
Victoria looked at something above me.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLZsKOSR28
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaektaJmbL
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbv9bPz2sB
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0Be15Zwf8
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYKAzRm3pk
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtO1ZO89R4
"No. Why do you ask?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwSb0pjgHf
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh365qsdfNo
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOGjgtYTHV
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdEkqM9bAT
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDYtzeZlhA
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4HyjSuqp9
"O-Oh, sorry."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJyccO5ahe
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq6mI64Uwi
She scratched her cheek a little.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXDgZBuEGt
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcn7SNDkKS
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0oLzIbdtO
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4Ba1unHfq
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3RfOsSPhv
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnnwKwM5KW
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnEBWS6xwe
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed1OB0oaqk
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUujnOMEuf
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRWnOk1kBC
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46tEu5jKOd
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKV6aBzsEA
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyXHQqljxw
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbWtX8RwD3
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlVInHINOs
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkcXN31Hhi
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPgX7gGMdm
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikBwHMwiQS
"We fought something, Kenny and I."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aaAbP8GWo
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXfZPBIy78
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jIJJ8ETS0
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy47cdxRZA
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB2StI1qds
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvYl9gIQ1l
"How is Kim?" I asked.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfLqV3D0h6
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡievTwG54ow
"She's fine, just unconscious."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYz0NNcRlp9
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4MVLUa4Rg
I could only say one thing.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNJofieYUh
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIw2UWcAif
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
