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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJQnYaIAnV
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlXt9GvhBV
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m8s8RinhL
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uJxg7hWhz
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOBWqmc6GA
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllipGTSiDp
"That's not true at all–"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8stgITdGO
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOIs3tjXAC
"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..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYehk6y5PcX
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaJ7ZZesZK
I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1h0hFrXar
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UvaykiWZ1
"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!?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtjY7rcrKj
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTQJiuyGjL
I fell to my knees.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTMxp9pAYz
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja6LFXNH7z
"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..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYjQgxNBjj
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk3RnGkxsC
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJELvvYmTc4
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZZIVBmK0l
"...Kenny."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsdDMwvfdb
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojNXeJ24Vc
"What!?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqYe6W0V5z
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6JcmRPW1O
He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dbQ5vwOXf
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4jpBiR8VD
"You're not lying to me, are you?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICFEuU9GWd
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlEjhETF7A
The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyx1UU3xX0
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNCTKi9OCx
"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Puy3Cioo3
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53nkZaucfr
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZbAcIEd4Y
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBg4BKdnPZa
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zi5GgLjrV
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTMx1rIwj6
"N-No..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgjhtLAoNC
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaoLxlI2hG
Oh, God.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuamxHgOOJL
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruBiGbmruy
Oh, God.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VxTRZnNgo
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa2iK1Lwcg
"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWbUZVyUO4
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEm0O3JRZX
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig4vlAHTZe
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7zR8CL6HZ
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4iWFZ7cjh
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTJ1vtzqou
"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNb1INeWBi
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfyMOWbzXI
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2Vt0NINef
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypW6x1bLEU
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–187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqls6P06ETM
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiO1n9Cqlz
"--Hrk!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcQEqftFUw
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizUlPrYa8D
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fkdfrHTKD
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uC4vblMU2
One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMH0GUrHj8
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuYt296F5R
"There you are."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8irQCNIHcf
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC2AbNBvkw
Ng already found me, huh?187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C4tqb2sCN
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJ4YHlobMA
"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzCPMUZCQe
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVYinBmdL9
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–187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuXL8deHnG
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHVsc7ARmV
"...Fine."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcQYBJyNLh
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPi7VKXqXT
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyCfyZ8qI3
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitmBxbZFL5
"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKd6vTWwV8
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ok03IoFg8
Nevermind. What a strange question.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnVZ2DyCPh
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8gOWs1mzw
"No. They died a long time ago."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5kZR60pnF
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0Pf58AKiQ
"I see. You have my condolences."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ081L1CaEKR
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc5OiV17rw
"I don't need them."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uF6TM9W8a
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A pause.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCySbaETwuu
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINuE69EnCx
"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAzGxOY76P
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWPuXhb7cl
"..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sxtPLrSpn
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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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0g19eqMX8
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyWpLg39qM
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVI6ff41eeF
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wn30zc3TF
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8Ym73bf9u
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"Did I–"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ804sJwrizU
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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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfQ8KhOBXu
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4YRhGLpR3
"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFteWi8mUaa
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEkE3PjAws
I had to make sure I heard him.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFgGNIfuhO
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATB6yPEmet
"Assistants?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3bgA9dY8a
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4cxQLD2vP
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuWLrZBRmc
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnqUjin70S
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarAmwju3by
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIkJJAS0hx
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnQXG3BNxh
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnISyggTWwj
"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGBFsrIcOA
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5l7xbNOVH
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtXlNSHIOr
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2llOHerXQ
Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqxx43hFdl
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwPv8BN5LI
"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMRXIkz3Jn
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Tdr3ELksP
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZNS4Wzx9V
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gw2PL40Ss
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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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU7Jb40de4
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OMB9iEU5G
"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqK5Nh5EnW
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6g1t5FwUth
"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K2LMaCDGX
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejXileJyuc
"Of course."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkJi68LoaG
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYq9oG3mzk
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRVIwRX8BU
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XQVwVqxbN
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaI7qOvHT8
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGYEw14m6u
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But, no, something else was bugging me.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt5FcBJv4b
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"How did you know where to find us here?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSl1Kbaizl
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xWqzyckZH
"I simply spent the day searching."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxo3XcsNPX
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"The whole day?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADFWdgwMaz
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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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnRwINgRBe
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HUuCKgPmR
Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQJi3GtYzn
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRMyusvyPG
"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01KX3xDDqg
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He sighed.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnboCZ7OkX
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3jfJ2CBiP
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmALqyyN1xa
"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkQBiW7dV0
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe1J7QFwGM
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuzhmHFey7
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IyGyGrH2P
"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKvniNPGHM
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"...Why do you ask?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLbfW2c4hr
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlwmKMsGgc
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIxj0SwNL1
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0crpgGbCpv
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYHRDN1PoE
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMHIU9H6sR
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62JjbZaaaF
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHFgqIxwb7
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IGVDV1NLo
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiKAQcqYk0
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoljOMgpgRK
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk51nBHbyxO
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhLOEcO8QV
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80rw5zF9kv
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPWOW5NQvh
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkMUP4Iknp
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0agrzLmHk
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspJnYGpfdT
He put a hand to his chin.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlJoPD88VE
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8BrpJMtRT
"...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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPIWN1N4cR
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRYCGn5X2G
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXcc1AzOhR
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT66bkKaer
"No."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrOmFOTRIi
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtu1bGSSrJq
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHlQE3ossl
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7e7fXatm4
"Do you mean in the woods?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV19l6TcrUm
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeMCojd149
"Yes. I'm just curious."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5oGzIlWVq
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZjyOhg5tT
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBLIuzRVSe
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboTFcTyWDE
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeJ2AmdQrU
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDIUt6ZxWp
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T7qrJtM8Y
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7digMRSYbv
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivgrAue3VT
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVRd0dSpd7
"Me too."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs00FHfq24C
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrmZAB3fx9
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0678ug7zpL
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNYxns8xG0
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD64Bnox2a4
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLA75JKkE3
"Yes. For now, at least."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmcloRjGW3
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwGBENrh3z
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5eboVMqvO
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8W6A6VwS6g
"..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ770c8OjVbz
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0meOlT0Ym
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4b0F2DtrF
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VfumX5KWg
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIZV5yMpcP
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44Ycu2CU00
"...Huh?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhx9YL0sKh
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8DeccYiSs
–
–
–
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4SI9ypIBO
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvnVUDLX3E
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLsSuGbsYV
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ikZ8R9lM7
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuihfA7BxF
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4iOeKglsF
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v2PvsQ51m
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvqNgPI8X5
"Good morning, Kenny."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QDnNHmnmR
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BvnCjyxKQ
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugieDtyyRO
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqumCHTWak
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMngVaYT79Z
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAuNYEMrLj
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b0hxxp3u9
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfO3YYIM59
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLq6rAEYln
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeszUImLRm
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DJUWxis0Q
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUXkunBuM0
"Yes! I have, ha!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEuxqv1Bcw
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8FHFA7Hgq
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSLYdYkWuX
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNM23kG1rh
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl4bfgXMaz
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRb4Zxii2i
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJqSHnfdGz
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmoKODJqyP
"Thank you, teacher."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PiOZDqmX0
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEl60wreVB
"Yeah. Don't call me that."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkBF43DD4g
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7hwow9GPi
"Okay."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn7cp1Cz7I
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDM8N7mMcJ
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3K2iTl9nM
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4N5dBpFLz
"Hm? What's wrong?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlA2GBJ8Xgc
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8ouNAJmid
"Um..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9ENjWdyE4
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDB263UMGf
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIGlBcm9JI
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUWJqH4QFK
"Here. Have it back."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2afgj8q7Z
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNy5hxdSiH
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr5PyUVeGL
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFIv5RERtL
She shook her head no.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVxloGNCS6
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2uhVT3hmK
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOuzRANJBJ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOZ8QOs1gn
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKzrIjXXx9
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYj2X21aV5
"Thank you, Flinty."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRA6zMNary
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBIvGRbFxH
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfMaeFiqMK
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrApQSsGmVz
"Kenny, do you feel better?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Diui3Qixa
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKlpGJG53U
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N4ffv3IiD
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JqHjqsavU
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVFE9TcIry
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNtEXN7DEg
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VPpMGNmu2
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuNSLO9FHG
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBRxFmLByw
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAbnNi1dfW
"Good morning, Kenny."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85USoXJQJG
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2xYt4y6t4
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJs0XOf4fL
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuJzZAR3YT
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2veEJW1QZ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlu0dkGEtE
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUKGsbdFlg
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsISC2DYoM0
I scooted closer to him.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEhXO09Uze
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXRm6ceN8h
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3ipIU4Pos
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyHA0Hc4UO
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw1JjX1aAk
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaalrgkcdx
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbP2pn4V2s
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdq0NgjJuyC
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSviLfpITQw
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHMVsDfrb2
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PfE3E1Bjn
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8NbYtHQcw
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CYqUqE0rN
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAYUUmCqM8
"What?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYIkrwifHb
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MRs6DPIKs
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeUUpKYsnN
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9cy5KQPLN
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQliJrQHVrM
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPK4oTMR5b
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7luvu57p8A
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyOyYSJJPq
"R-Right."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnmJ8H7MHg
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzuKoQ3gLw
"Well then, shall we go?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMVSUjcetb
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeQqRcr6Ix
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxrQvnKFSe
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfe2u6qBf8B
"Alright."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BET8MCCcu
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LuIcjGTZH
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUavIkjCHC
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8zXpmB3Mp
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Y4r96nQJH
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGJoTII7Ch
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58PAb2WlwR
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHlG4CQzN1
"What?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtyncJFZgF
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk4Epp1aBi
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIKMElYNNj
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNU7weRa4L
"I know he will."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFm63r8pxp
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n5g8gReFh
"Then why are you shaking?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLuwPxsNKN
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqoMRyBEkw
"...I just can't help myself."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEW4rZplc5
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9w0LsHIZo
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFtIrtcSkt
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILiUO6t3Ik
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHBxokglmS
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuoY9ynbhY
"What do you want to talk about?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYESx90VjXQ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlHjLOrNOQ
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUkfIYlJoc
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgtvx9vWrb
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymlzSMKFEF
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJ4w7eZfVy
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46cSkXTa1P
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtdcZYKbdw
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RqSYOwpKd
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5AlfjCrK1
"Ha!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuye5pa5KQ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ajyAxr0Gv
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaw44Tp1TVb
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxAYHriRgU
"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!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVZwi8ow9j
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79TgXaAIPu
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUWeCnaCwd
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA3puJKU6y
"Hehe, something like that."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9f3fiBxNCi
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpteBtNXhy
She didn't sound confident.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO2HShrNwN
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HrUhSsUR9
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm0C4wQh2W
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxbwhRfe4a
"Ah. That makes sense."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMtjIrO6rz
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwVxvWZ6yc
I was very close to saying something insensitive.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBa8Sy1Leyh
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmyvE5e3pZ
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AJDYKJX05
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQxpe5q6ua
"...Wolf?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH6U9kbNyF
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm7BDGrVUr
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBo1fPgQ9Ad
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXDB1iN90M
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfVY4a9bAA
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnAsBN34eG
"Kenny?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3apWPyeR8G
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhmeUKfYQg
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid8f8ut7fg
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlpzjTw9Qg
I stood up and walked forward.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulKH9sNpCQ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCw6etb9Rm
"Kenny? What's wrong?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2Kb0JWnhZ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrNkEdGgP1
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsPKyxKCMC
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMH57F2kts
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OdiM1ZO9w
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaU9G86N8l2
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oYSVwQxmq
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfuIPGQapc
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr0WoEVijV
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4huCJDgpx5
**BANG**187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbmPJp8bZs
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWzgkK2XDN
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyrpR3C7HO
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtQ2YE5Fxa
"Victoria."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ9s9oYEEu
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgNBLefRf2
"Right."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39qwnm22iH
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKBLcF5PNR
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGCf88qxN9
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgMkhsJVdy
**SMASH**187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK0Xzppihb
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTNuvDeOJw
There he was.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywdDU5lTCi
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aNM6mW2b9
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEfdQ5frFh
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUudqyuEUkR
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofn2c8veHu
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lIyjQLh3E
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTSZIFJADH
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcsfgjr64D
"Right."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrP794jV7p
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpImUszbd5
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBjLK2Hu7H
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTN5p2EiKE
"Thank you!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeDJafB2gj
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWIBGQ9Q0u
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsKkJQE8Oh
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uXCV5gHRI
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSfi430apM
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80z2wySUk7
"Huh?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMDHWcYZa0
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0C1qJXW6nq
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIFV2xessq
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBWpnte1MV
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt21LydoH6b
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG9nJTQVUn
"Shit!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4jiQAQMg3
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuofDS3ltZp
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJVnRe4EhU
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5NkHiH4T4
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHq2uSJbeH
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzHr1A4UnR
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkFJuyhOTU
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLtAHG9hNH
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkXPbqMrFa
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2zRppwWqa
"I understand."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcOn3w2SJZ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhUIM6MpJP
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENuNe13xdP
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCm2pn4weQ
"Uh oh, Kenny."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNDu3BO0Pv
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9A04zSHko
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2PganPgiA
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIJUrTpv4x
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97gVTza6bw
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW7KyG4tGS
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKpPhMPeBa
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h76AE86v6
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxhuM9s0pX
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfR4x9KDfF
"Hrk!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y1OQVwV8A
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FinOxOH0l
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBshqeZpaMu
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFR0R66mCE
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH50jUwLRPy
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aOyxPMbzq
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp8Zhmy4Mo
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtN4PkSBER
"Victoria!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9fJEFhqCP
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7Tn9al2xN
"Right!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyajD6sfHM
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUY3ZvwHDu
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vJYKOQwbh
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVIAK3bwKU
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTGUD69qZR
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTs1VRaHoU
"GRAHHHH!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbVCD1Q4Vs
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrFi6ME95Z
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiRKZbjfS0
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxdg3rAib6
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39SnngNFPg
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjs8DgIw5t
"..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMkYdx3DdP
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6hzjOH0Oz
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpJAKJWuhr
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgR9GelwpL
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7XHYx0cd2
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2s5Xldjfd
We did it. We really did it.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5WeqU1Q5U
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu52nSg7i57
"Kenny!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61u0zocbbr
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRwwj4LiND
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfASP52bQ7F
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1lFVvIbC6
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUejmYFXYs
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7NPZeFKfn
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceuEvLnYnE
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZ1bUnSJSk
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHUJS3oWr0
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiifJqIGRPX
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9Tbq9By2B
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9TS3HIw8V
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELCAmO6PEf
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8vC71slCH
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2VPfC5tAc
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfkQV7ICXE
"We did it," I muttered.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlp7ejmRjWN
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahT7XoTEU0
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHbRUtwTZF
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A8pLoJD7B
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlb8XKt5Mx
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvdii56oaj
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvKgaUrrec
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ5fwXWnPn
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxChY8JSRP6
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAyXORWX12
"...It could've been a lot worse."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdMmCOgn4z
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7o35sK9tR
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI4LtotJq7
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CSN1Tk3Qs
Victoria looked at something above me.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YE8yDobTc
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6AeNNCcWZ
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWiUrEg3Qd
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTmWtHTgOY
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf5xZ7f2n6
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs8nqxOakT
"No. Why do you ask?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5biYdPtQE8
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLPw73vcG9
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjOVBM0EkF
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHBN1p1cUo
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDNnM8yv2p
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwDOigmg1J
"O-Oh, sorry."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz4JsNkFav
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MP3TYTNVM
She scratched her cheek a little.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4PAgr0pZS
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzqDHxU85H
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ScMC2Dy9I
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliXxrYEs0b
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p6oyFsklB
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz75MEKbkB
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyEZRPL4oy
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aFtHF63QG
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKxXO3dyY4
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oolF637Ii
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4ZjU5DqPX
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUfiUbKK78
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eTQKKeq7a
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtUOyvDdmn
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1c5CMR4qw
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsixxLXTSp
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0bgvj1yY0
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2flVe79wb1
"We fought something, Kenny and I."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLfuOwhXaf
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTmxggsdTk
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds65HMCsDQ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Q0HB2SPCe
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfvpUwiBzr
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz46lYHcMwG
"How is Kim?" I asked.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcQj25DKcP
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtifXv7OfNL
"She's fine, just unconscious."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBUWgrV4mF
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqu0qzYnUA
I could only say one thing.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQZGZFfbiG
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KOrq4xqiP
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
