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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NsWndEtJj
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7Nm01QWb3
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CKMj4fqXF
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPtHyaw02t
"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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRUHsbQe0G
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"That's not true at all–"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgvM60HiC6
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"Let me finish! You, have you ever had a feeling like that before? You said you know, you said you've been there, but you haven't! I can't stomach it; I can't stomach that feeling that, it's all up to me, that I'm the one who has to be the shoulder for all of you to lean on! I can't, I just... I just can't..."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGBNc9oJFE
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcXzebsj0O
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMy8Pr5o5B
"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!?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR7hRCOKTn
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I fell to my knees.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f439QnK8H
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"K-Kim said it herself... all of it, all of it hinges on me... but I'm not someone to make that bet on, I'm not... I'm not..."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CRghFjnIz
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhWWoc3vws
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlW5KrQ6KM
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"...Kenny."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNPhxIARfK
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"What!?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8DqaAygPT
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypEETBfaES
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jiGYRJYLl
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CsTMEuObq
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"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSi16ozR0tX
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAQWrVzEQa
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh2Dkgs5H2
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51wulB3Rr5
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXP0WrfoyFJ
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lwoLIK9Tq
"N-No..."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgsZmXNkya
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEguIqXKGJh
Oh, God.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H3Bxo6hEQ
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XlEXs65Ad
Oh, God.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOP3S4LRrg
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKBrsFUptj
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD19HyU1gF
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFryhgZgdI
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHX5h9vqRo
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcqdrTlM3k
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XcrN1vFXj
"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJxDr1OIa8
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpaTWcQ30S
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvz1zGhzda
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD9DNf1JLo
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–163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5zYA3oDRH
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"--Hrk!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeTfzj3CSv
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCWmpfzLY8
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZtUdJs09w
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a1Doxs0fe
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"There you are."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxq9xiEtDi
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Ng already found me, huh?163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FUKArCUnP
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAoyASRxyW
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JNM7IHni6
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–163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OxFoZ7LSs
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"...Fine."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsJ8cFBT4l
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He offered me a hand but I stood up by myself. I followed him through the woods. I was staring at his heels. Sometimes he turned his body to me, likely to say something, but he didn't speak it.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyRmY5PRbu
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RDlVgAgcy
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Nevermind. What a strange question.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJaS1A2DUE
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"No. They died a long time ago."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZ3iS1Qple
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"I see. You have my condolences."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmVPNrOyho
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"I don't need them."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU5PVZ1p2z
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A pause.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYMIwCFr0X
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VuBRlKb6s
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"..."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfuta06nOF
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItXAO3xonz
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And then the memories came flooding back. Those months where I refused to walk outside, being taken in by Anabelle, and lastly the talk. That vital conversation I had with Anabelle and Jackson. I started biting my nails.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4CcJLJFxh
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Despite it, nothing changed. My mind was still at odds with itself. But I calmed down. I calmed down a lot. At that moment, a bundle of warmth spread throughout my body. I was feeling fine.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9b0JBb2ju
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"Did I–"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLD4i6OmKz
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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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0C6gPqB2u
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw8wS5tz8w
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I had to make sure I heard him.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAxcSYfXEK
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"Assistants?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmw5fiIeDv
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"Of course. I can still use the mana here to make some. It doesn't have to be anything powerful, just enough to grab Kim while you're fighting Jeremiah."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK5GUwR7P2
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnpkcBHjnu
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreQufTiiLX
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSTu85h38M
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY2yLuICj7
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXev9Ukp79a
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We kept walking. We didn't exchange another word but I could feel the air around us lighten. Thanks to the campfire, we made it back to the others.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6U0nJ3z4O
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7H2nc1uK8
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8r2YWoArrN
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Flinty ran up to me and gently hugged me, patting me on the back a few times. I would've been embarrassed if I wasn't so bewitched by the presence of the third person.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprOfryv8I6
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqp60w1Kjp
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV5eQpDHuk
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5i6GVxNiZ
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP8zRuMmxJ
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"Of course."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxvGHXr1TJ
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseAAasT4DT
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"Ah, of course. I am here because I've been tasked with tailing Kim. My reasons are secret, but I assure you it isn't anything malicious, not from either party."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhYTseqaFK
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Tailing her? Well, if that was the case, he must not have been very good at it. But when your target is as disguised and inconspicuous as Kim, then even a knight would have difficulty pursuing you.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCvzCg0kJX
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But, no, something else was bugging me.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45de3dqxbx
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"How did you know where to find us here?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffoGzQyLTW
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"I simply spent the day searching."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd4yLDMjIa
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"The whole day?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOy9KKWRKX
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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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeApvWshJpQ
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhO0lPnr0W
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bhXHPOgOG
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He sighed.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7uToEu5BH
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGgDfQGoWH
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNbckKMiJr
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"Oh! Yes! Kim is being held captive by a magical beast my ex-colleague has created. He is formidable, and occasionally reckless, but not a creature who would intentionally kill. He wasn't programmed that way."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhN06ujqa5
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2qMXXJb4d
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"...Why do you ask?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCd7Z0CQhy
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGEegJ28Ib
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBAFmPLilm
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSII0pv82a
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BjGAnjF6A
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ESrqX8ZEM
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWv4F46E6h
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8WT4TdiXj
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCpl6XQCqa
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv4hY7A5jT
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yafmZdAdf
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdyYjoHlFm
"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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kome9o2P7
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuhMIBgDJa
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu16Fo9yFAJ
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwRMp2XfK6
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW822mPUI5W
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyXKyi3ojS
He put a hand to his chin.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JVigploqu
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyD2r8q9Svf
"...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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4HLmy1fKv
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB67eq0FKxV
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyoyNua7gk
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJoYb1cqtD
"No."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBjFVJm5ag
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYTjifWZkI
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kLCeUWBI7
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjI3moEVsE
"Do you mean in the woods?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcnt5XzMMk
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAQpXAPfRi
"Yes. I'm just curious."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFeYRrtYmQ
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbiMMArfUq
"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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtuzoujmWn
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91xuA2D794
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMB40UOYu1
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZIDOiXtFt
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVNzf1FcKx
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOKXTw9515
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBFreb0Weo
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOnYDSrxVC
"Me too."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzda1xaNCyB
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FA5uVVa8h
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanr4MnvYbM
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNpow8lFdO
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMfVTqGNxe
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRVL8CfJMa
"Yes. For now, at least."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9bvgywIn4
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJepKqAnml
"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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6oJF3A2u7
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkMp2ogf3P
"..."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXKjxRvTwr
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBzxvfHYYq
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4zfr3J8WC
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZsMYpGYWb
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn4YlpBISg
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMYnhdjnhy
"...Huh?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPlym32BkV
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1o4XHEtRy
–
–
–
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8zGN0Md4x
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPYVwbaf7g
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSWUyoXsgo
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT2OcNEUUL
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIMeot3ynF
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBErXtiroU
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCCZLdModu
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2Ro1Zo2FF
"Good morning, Kenny."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ7gTSSgP6
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQha179I4a
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBOPjplASI
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s58wuJSF8
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKpKxukh4z
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnmF2tsTMY
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2Cg7Q7Vf8
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsVVMbLtS4
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwEF3oEYNc
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDw81AMMjzW
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87WZjcExPm
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuKqPnBGVP
"Yes! I have, ha!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUtoxMl8fv
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHmAAU6emu
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNKRMZzJvS
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7UAgcZMFN
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6GAO7qEWw
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWob7O3Gw2
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQ7abEqyY6
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNNr6mEQQo
"Thank you, teacher."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKmR5lCUic
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFywGs76epw
"Yeah. Don't call me that."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNYN6wEd3I
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCvMCa1tiE
"Okay."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3G3p4zzKcM
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVLKaPVQWX
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNittSzyML
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooKKpMJMtk
"Hm? What's wrong?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhwXG4ZgXO
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk29KNVCM8w
"Um..."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzV152wyRP
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgm3WqrWNio
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOz3DUQOgI
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t5g5EYARN
"Here. Have it back."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSJ09793Tn
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlTTt02wFm
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElOr6We2aU
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4HdbORf0h
She shook her head no.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BDmaPS3Xc
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcta2xUNpH6
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Oi7gSiUvu
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhn0FiGSIoQ
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XB9ZahW7X
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNnG5l1NuE
"Thank you, Flinty."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7KiM45geD
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzQoVIxqMn
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANAz8IZBlE
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLKZvPzRLx
"Kenny, do you feel better?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTxK7gHLYk
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvFPnn98sO
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJUvTDyuRe
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKv9WMIVzp
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO31L9Jkwxf
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IjEgptB4b
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C7h29Lapm
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySDFMtA6sK
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bpjd3KLU1
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOguAt8S863
"Good morning, Kenny."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBgRN7zc1S
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWL07k9y5TP
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIjAN7Xiwl
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgvnI0fDhd
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qtpN8NO9S
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFVqmv7BRo
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGZvpcFwyp
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0g59JfPym
I scooted closer to him.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV7DkNjEka
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba4rDh5jRw
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDCnwZz2RN
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjlfaEjjKo
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XUcHIXD6P
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2c92gSfl9
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cWZox5aPY
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9S2AZkrebQ
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFWDpuq0Dy
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eHZgcOzOK
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHH5Qm1PKk
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93RhtOSvfm
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2Won5gZ3B
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLZsod5lpr
"What?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVCh8mDDko
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kPxtz1E9s
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmAbbNIIqU
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiNP7LClLm
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIUpQ4olMx
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraiuPvJHYG
"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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eLsrfvZVF
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYoWmkgjrq
"R-Right."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYdzZk8BkW
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblH2x8kgZ0
"Well then, shall we go?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUNh3Usdci
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwX9WgCJB8
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSkHISN1hc
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbh4g2cY5M
"Alright."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9T4w5Ozuw
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexKmPgwmuU
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3origWNpVm
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiSlbeW1lH
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDO2Oc7aET
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7ilzL3xHJ
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl00pyLfvLJ
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQcWWrHf4h
"What?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vm2VG5Aza
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb0iguVuak
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iKGwgii4G
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQMIKmm1fz
"I know he will."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYogvhjEMGo
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjqSW0XuA9
"Then why are you shaking?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbmsAsERVH
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmpN0mWTAm
"...I just can't help myself."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7Xbxfkp0I
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ta247jKTw
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqseAor7WI
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJRwL6fefg
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KckTbU2V5
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHXfVd3XtK
"What do you want to talk about?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKd4S115tHy
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfpbKlNDU0
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cI36fxYoJ
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5NLHfX3wM
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9Fginlhgn
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUjBVUtfjT
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzEYbHPqC7
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMeOXVR6Y8
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaPCBRgFLr
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclHzKvVpnq
"Ha!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIWCMKYI7n
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrAFqHXAp0
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yz6iP7Gvj
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFRDnzgIOo
"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!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC1tEZHXIv
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIcgvUBxgz
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS36yR1swqJ
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmPQmepJ4j
"Hehe, something like that."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWf7RJ9mP7B
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjUmnVFBqF
She didn't sound confident.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gzVPJ6ed2
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV8EBEw4Xc
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZLG9KneGo
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8VfU6EwUE
"Ah. That makes sense."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH14saaWZk
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDwMP7pVYT
I was very close to saying something insensitive.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J98kMrVBF
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKcoQvhrm1
"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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GFkfNoiIa
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPqdICAARw
"...Wolf?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjK1dN15v8
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pWhsEPlza
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTAtjuXAJF
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHCnpx1cQ9
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbwWQdFxRg
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuX8vowxhK
"Kenny?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRErxDnbNx
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhe21YeT2l
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRJbgRNorZ
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9izqQoAqG
I stood up and walked forward.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4peMKoteNi
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJaP7SqeWt
"Kenny? What's wrong?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IduU9g153
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbZmxHJT0F
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK477iclOEe
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIKO9L2dKV
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj48EHhQfm
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUOHyHlIqN
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDiobBCdAw
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT56mrZuUxL
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOmMHcDMyd
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt1f7mHDvc
**BANG**163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoF6PSmDtsA
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgEnnKYI4X
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgulzYmbud
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcicpYdxcM
"Victoria."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4Ri2gXueB
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ul42HZ1s1
"Right."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOi5OtmN4T
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bLMFCeEln
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF67Xs2CfQ1
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTJT5uTfPm
**SMASH**163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9Oytxz1L7
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEslJkRH3nQ
There he was.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32ORWyjy1F
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJL1lWm2aL
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJMIS1gQ60
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4x3jUm8RZK
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUnDY3PT7v
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqrVdTWfn9
"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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2asY5cX3f
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgXk0uMt4T
"Right."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQl6JHmqnN
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC05k4PsDu6
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXv3PcE8yUo
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYw23NvdGqA
"Thank you!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaXPaWBGQG
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0mMG43IbN
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4stYZXZeZn
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhhHgA0K0w
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rZnHBFM8q
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTAXIznoRL
"Huh?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjxJFZayv1
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZFa7Tp066
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SDqWRhFkQ
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMXplm765e
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ81Xywojp
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3ZHLJ7GoE
"Shit!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwzUxmynva
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp77cZGCeQ8
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlq6W9Bvgh
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVkWYwCjF8
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPeiwy7YLB
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvotuDEO2f1
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RtIJTIgzN
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUsdV0QYRT
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnrrr8iFUb
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwxL0ovH0f
"I understand."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yEahD1dqA
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPvv0VoD9e
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn1LF5ymeu
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAZIlttTXa
"Uh oh, Kenny."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRAQeF4yoa
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTj0Tgbdda
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5VONaBcAx
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLqFdFRKLd
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUsHcgqK25
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NouBhiu4n
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJSOJfSXro
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KTJK3ZMAb
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHaEi0iWxz
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkTqGYOXqQ
"Hrk!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY9TYtyHfq
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRFpdcR6rz
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoHZxA0Doj
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRthXD0M0D
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6VJ62kidf
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeo2lYBKSH
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc026WGKRQY
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqgEbiIanX
"Victoria!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpVIQPSyJH
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfgiHVqSpg
"Right!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hR1chk2Hd
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrugnyWxvOd
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroSfDxK2su
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSNHCXQzHM
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAuLQfmN0w
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSM9HybeIhI
"GRAHHHH!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKHdGcnfwk
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYRcUaTrys
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEszCpDXfE0
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mkQLycpe6
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xFVONpNZm
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfIFRiRqQt
"..."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkvx8A8oP9
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF42eG6cs7w
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCkSXmz0ZH
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotxHgG2cee
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCzfsjsh6m
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIk1OIVthlU
We did it. We really did it.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu0lKajyrs
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rgLa3syFJ
"Kenny!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbehZo2sgcG
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawEXmzpQFv
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPQWHQXOZq
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsoX8EItlu
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19yMrLWdKr
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89aHEaS1Gj
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S2EYdLKwj
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxT8iLrzdj
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuutmkVOoy
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDk1WOM2LV
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNkQJpJI7T
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3QwuigzKd
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2wXxEwUE0
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9bmRuT847
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF3eLMJFIo
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vEV4TS21v
"We did it," I muttered.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHSAbtzPTj
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNnI5zbx9r
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oi6pbA3lT
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAqpLPSgBK
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOoQAkxB4y
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD1JNdIyqp
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMANAcFIHj
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCwWpdyNwb
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaj5pooFCd
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4UrKkTfEG
"...It could've been a lot worse."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnYKfBaHMH
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1vVF9yJ0j
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLRFGuIcH2
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFwq8ukPOf
Victoria looked at something above me.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRix63uPuw1
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglBcEDqDpD
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA51X1v8NLR
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNTGpUUpBg
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAOjm6KpoO
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dzkn9bayF
"No. Why do you ask?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvar7H5nvCg
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWMLVqcyX9
"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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm2cBfVngt
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzuSwvIDzg
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16CLl6nfFw
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AZkWREmws
"O-Oh, sorry."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWZop2B4qN
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR7teQ0LsS
She scratched her cheek a little.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mRzDaLvED
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoihVyNLC8
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa797ddPS7i
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3xfE3qAh1
"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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCv1gCMpHrn
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnnlamqi4I
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9o3FzBfnx
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrKiSalvHE
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWSLx11pkk
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlap80WecIZ
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAYjId3SRW
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AD80VdZIE
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyudELQ1Uu
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX94Kfwuewe
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHtmwG9K9j
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ2ltDskDA
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMud0ylaNnO
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxz7OqIz7R
"We fought something, Kenny and I."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShpkvgVYha
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLkCSdr4WT
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT4te1b7vn
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rfjQiApqi
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtwTQczlAU
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYoKBns47K
"How is Kim?" I asked.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxG9v4umgU
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsVrAnVoBM
"She's fine, just unconscious."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9133T6o7I
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcN0Gd6LdA
I could only say one thing.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsvvjyJbNF
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWerHH9qsQ
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
