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
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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
187Please respect copyright.PENANAweAKt7w99C
A pause.187Please respect copyright.PENANACySbaETwuu
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"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
187Please respect copyright.PENANAYLL4ImI0KB
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
187Please respect copyright.PENANAfsJK9MNhYy
"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
187Please respect copyright.PENANA5kskBs3LqS
Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.187Please respect copyright.PENANA2gw2PL40Ss
187Please respect copyright.PENANAuB7aK4drZP
–
–
–
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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
187Please respect copyright.PENANAU5JVYk6RqX
"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
187Please respect copyright.PENANAEP3B2yXpRe
But, no, something else was bugging me.187Please respect copyright.PENANAgt5FcBJv4b
187Please respect copyright.PENANAgqLKvKSLmW
"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
187Please respect copyright.PENANAZzkk6mePIy
"The whole day?"187Please respect copyright.PENANAADFWdgwMaz
187Please respect copyright.PENANAUhWxR9zt4S
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
187Please respect copyright.PENANAGBZmP2ac58
He sighed.187Please respect copyright.PENANAJnboCZ7OkX
187Please respect copyright.PENANAM5ve9Uyegy
"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
187Please respect copyright.PENANA8kPscO6deo
"...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
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"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
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"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
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"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
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"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
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"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."187Please respect copyright.PENANA6T7qrJtM8Y
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"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."187Please respect copyright.PENANAivgrAue3VT
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"Me too."187Please respect copyright.PENANAs00FHfq24C
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I realized how strange it was that he called it knightly duty, since he met us by coincidence, but didn't press him on that matter.187Please respect copyright.PENANA0678ug7zpL
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"Is that all you wanted to ask?"187Please respect copyright.PENANAD64Bnox2a4
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"Yes. For now, at least."187Please respect copyright.PENANAqmcloRjGW3
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"Are you sure? I may not be able to answer all questions related to Kim, but I have a lot of knowledge of other things."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
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We did it. We really did it.187Please respect copyright.PENANAc5WeqU1Q5U
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"Kenny!"187Please respect copyright.PENANA61u0zocbbr
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Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.187Please respect copyright.PENANAfASP52bQ7F
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"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"187Please respect copyright.PENANAQUejmYFXYs
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"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."187Please respect copyright.PENANAceuEvLnYnE
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She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.187Please respect copyright.PENANAgHUJS3oWr0
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"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."187Please respect copyright.PENANAL9Tbq9By2B
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"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"187Please respect copyright.PENANAELCAmO6PEf
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She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.187Please respect copyright.PENANAl2VPfC5tAc
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"We did it," I muttered.187Please respect copyright.PENANAlp7ejmRjWN
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I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.187Please respect copyright.PENANAkHbRUtwTZF
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Right now, I was immensely satisfied. I glanced at Victoria, and she was fine, and I was fine, and the beast was dead, and I was satisfied.187Please respect copyright.PENANAAlb8XKt5Mx
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I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.187Please respect copyright.PENANAuvKgaUrrec
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"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"187Please respect copyright.PENANAxChY8JSRP6
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"...It could've been a lot worse."187Please respect copyright.PENANARdMmCOgn4z
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"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."187Please respect copyright.PENANAKI4LtotJq7
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Victoria looked at something above me.187Please respect copyright.PENANA7YE8yDobTc
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"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"187Please respect copyright.PENANARWiUrEg3Qd
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Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.187Please respect copyright.PENANAwf5xZ7f2n6
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"No. Why do you ask?"187Please respect copyright.PENANA5biYdPtQE8
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"I haven't heard a single thing coming from the building. Our fight was noisy, so I thought that maybe someone would come out. I'm starting to get worried."187Please respect copyright.PENANArjOVBM0EkF
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"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."187Please respect copyright.PENANARDNnM8yv2p
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"O-Oh, sorry."187Please respect copyright.PENANAaz4JsNkFav
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She scratched her cheek a little.187Please respect copyright.PENANAq4PAgr0pZS
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"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"187Please respect copyright.PENANA7ScMC2Dy9I
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"That's just how you need to be with monsters. Equally brutal. It's something I got used to. I watched my mom fight a lot when I was a kid."187Please respect copyright.PENANA2p6oyFsklB
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"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."187Please respect copyright.PENANAnyEZRPL4oy
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"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.187Please respect copyright.PENANAgKxXO3dyY4
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I sighed. My face returned to the grass as I indulged in the silence. I could feel the fatigue worm its way into every nook and cranny of my body. I was surprised at the toll the fight had on me. Eventually, I stood up and brushed the dirt off my shirt. It was even more purple than before.187Please respect copyright.PENANAu4ZjU5DqPX
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I helped Victoria up. I limped to the busted gate and stared at the compound. A weight formed in my stomach. I almost began to pray, but the doors to the building slowly opened.187Please respect copyright.PENANA5eTQKKeq7a
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Skylark was there. Kim was on one shoulder, and when he opened one door wide enough he grabbed Panz by the hood. He had a lot of dust on his body. When he caught up to us, he frowned.187Please respect copyright.PENANAy1c5CMR4qw
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"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"187Please respect copyright.PENANAD0bgvj1yY0
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"We fought something, Kenny and I."187Please respect copyright.PENANAeLfuOwhXaf
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She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.187Please respect copyright.PENANAds65HMCsDQ
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"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."187Please respect copyright.PENANACfvpUwiBzr
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"How is Kim?" I asked.187Please respect copyright.PENANAIcQj25DKcP
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"She's fine, just unconscious."187Please respect copyright.PENANApBUWgrV4mF
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I could only say one thing.187Please respect copyright.PENANAFQZGZFfbiG
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"...Haaaa. Thank God."